I don't know where to even begin. Every facet of this game was such a resounding WELP that there really isn't one part I can focus on to talk about improvement.
Joe is right, Beamerball is indeed back. In case we thought the first quarter blocked punt TD was a fluke, we went and blocked the potentially game-winning FG in overtime. In addition, Beamerball also entails scoring on defense, and our defense has now produced 9 interceptions on the year, with one being returned for a score. That is extreme improvement from last year. But ultimately, switching starters to special teams (aka Kyle Fuller, Kyle Fuller, and Kyle Fuller) has been the difference maker since Bama. I would like to see Jarrett be smarter on punt returns as far as catching the ball when he's INSIDE THE 5 YARD LINE. But other than that, Beamerball is quite a breath of fresh air.
Oh, and Knowles shouldn't return kicks anymore. It's painful to watch.
My Conclusion About Logan Thomas. I may have finally figured it out for sure. All this time, I've backed LT and defended him in the midst of crisis and turmoil (aka 2012-2013). I was always convinced he could be a really good quarterback. And I still think he can be. He has all of the tools to be successful, albeit with a decent set of playmakers around him. But what I've concluded is that he is simply not a smart quarterback (I would say a little bit of an idiot but I shouldn't be quite so harsh). His decisions to consistently throw into double-coverage to a 6-foot tall receiver are inexplicable and inexcusable. Today, sometimes all he needed to do was step up into the pocket to avoid pressure and make a good throw, but he didn't, and either got hit or made a poor, hurried throw as a result. He misses wide open checkdowns (aka Josh Stanford in the red zone on a drag route), and often sails or skips simple swing or screen passes. Logan has shown he can fit the ball into a tight window, that's no question, and that's a reason why he could be good. But it's his decision to throw to Demitri Knowles in double coverage down the sideline after the previous similar attempt was intercepted that keeps him from being really effective. I'm by no means calling for Leal, I think that's dumb. But I have a feeling we are going to have to play good football to cover up some of Logan's mistakes throughout the rest of the season.
Defensive Breakdowns. The D played fantastic in the second half and overtime, no doubt. They yielded an entire zero points after halftime. However, problems in the secondary which plagued them in the first half did continue into the second half. Detrick Bonner had a rough day in man coverage, and got beat for several first downs and I believe it was he who was in coverage on the last play of the game as well. Whoever it was got extremely lucky to say the least. Kyshoen Jarrett saved all of our asses at the end of regulation with the spectacular INT, but other than that, I was disappointed with the secondary play.
The d-line, however, was exceptional, especially after the first quarter. Early in the game, Marshall didn't give Tech time to get to Cato as he was throwing quick passes left and right, many within 5 or 10 yards. But even though those passes were complete, Gayle, Collins and Dadi were all within a step of Cato when he released the ball. In the second half, they started closing that gap, and Cato was holding on to the ball longer. The contain on running and scramble plays was poor, but the pass rush was phenomenal and the tackles (when they weren't eating a facemask with a fork and knife) got behind the LOS on running plays consistently.
I have little worries about the D going into Hate Week, as the secondary won't be called on quite as much against the triple option. GT, though, has passed the ball much more this season, which is something to look out for.
Should We Just Go For It On Every 4th Down? Keyserling's first miss was excused: first college game for a walk-on, raining, nerves, etc. The second, I don't care what your nerves are. You're on the football team for a reason, and we had just as much luck with field goals today as we would have if I was the kicker. Let's just hope Journell gets his sh*t together on and off the field and starts making kicks like he did last year when we needed them.
Next week, the linebackers will be getting a lot more action vs the triple option. I imagine the Fullers and the safeties will be counted on in run support as well, but again, Georgia Tech is passing the ball more this year. Vad Lee threw for (gasp) over 200 yards last week, and even though that was against Duke, it shows that they are willing to try it. We need to get ahead early, because GT will run that clock like it's no tomorrow and can't play from behind well since running is their strength.
It's Hate Week y'all.
Comments
Beat GT. That's all that matters right now.
I have to disagree with you on LT3 (feel like I say that a lot). I think on the first pick he thought he had a free play and he said himself that he was struggling with the wet ball, with a lot of throws slipping out of his hand. I still think it's much too early to start judging his performance. He's had 9 months of competent coaching (he's just now being coach to actually go through progressions. Seriously, O'Cain?) and four games in a brand-spankin-new offense in which I think we've had a whole lot held out before ACC play. Yet again, I say we calm our collective tits, enjoy a (admittedly sloppy) win, and just see what happens in conference play. Big-boy games start in 5 days.
Cato had few problems with the ball being wet. And I know he's had just 9 months of good coaching, but he's had three years in college football to decide whether or not to throw into double coverage with a short receiver. That's not coaching. That's lack of smarts.
Again, I really think he thought he had a free play there (I sure thought he did) and took a risk that he normally shouldn't. Other than that, his decision-making looked pretty darn good today, had has for the last couple weeks. He's improving, which is about as much as we can expect from him right now. Once more, wait for ACC play and let's see how it goes.
Logan was never taught to check down to the easier routes. So he is apt to throw into coverage because *gasp* steinspring didn't run a "check down" offense. I won't say he is the best decision maker, but he is a decent game manager. I'd take him over a lot of previous VT QB's.
Most definitely. Again, I'm a Logan supporter. Just think he has a ceiling as far as this season is concerned.
I think every game you will see improvement. Lot's of haters callin for Leal, but look at all the improvement we have seen before we throw him out. His short to intermediate throws are better than the have been, at least the receivers can get hands on them as opposed to last year. He is now trying to read defenses for the first time ever. Finally, he is learning to check down and is not doing bad. I can't really hate on him too much knowing the full circumstances.
First off, I really like Logan as a player, leader and as our QB. And I do not agree that Leal would be an improvement, he is a different player and will do some things better and some things worse. (I am looking forward to see him play next year though) The 2 things that continue to disappoint me about Logan as a QB are what you have succinctly addressed. 1) the inaccuracy issue, primarily throwing behind his receivers on crossing routes at times and on long balls, and 2) the decision-making errors when he throws into double coverage, especially when there are other receivers wide open.
I will say that Logan makes some great throws as well, especially when he is not pressured. I think his completion percentage suffers from the inaccuracy issue (as well as the drops, since the 2011 season shows what he can complete with good receivers.) His high rate of interceptions comes from a combo of bad decisions and receivers who don't battle for the ball enough. Still, he's the starting QB and I will keep on cheering for him and hope that he returns to late 2011 form sooner rather than later. I respect the heck out of him and believe that he leaves everything on the field when he plays. Go Hokies! (And thanks Logan for that last TD, great power run sir!)
Agree with you completely. Bottom line is, there comes a time when excuses run out for a redshirt senior third-year starting quarterback.
No doubt, I just don't think we've reached that point yet.
I hear you RD, and if I thought there was a better option at QB than I would likely support that player, but I don't think that guy exists right now. LT3 is the best QB we have, warts and all, and that's why he's starting. Being tall and having great arm strength may contribute to him throwing high at times, but when gets his throws at chest level, he throws a nice ball. Keep on coaching him up Lefty, we'll need some big throws to have a chance at GT.
And MV7 said he never learned how to protect the football from fumbles until Chip Kelly taught him. And he's a long time professional. No one @ Warwick, VT, Atl, or Philly until Kelly.... just sayin, there are excuses and then there are reasons.
That is the same MV7 who said he never watched game film and prepped until he was at Philly under Any R....Just saying
Logan's completions were 18 out of 34 and Catos were 19 out of 42...Logan has the better completion %. I personally dont mind the picks because he is taking chances and sometimes the pay off you can't just focus on the negative.
Logan's problem stems from starring down primary receivers and trying to make the big downfield throw. And his completion percentage and TD/INT ratio suffers from it. He's got to start hitting the crossing routes and RBs in the flat to open up those downfield passes. Those short throws are usually there (they were last week) and he hit them.
If Logan can start hitting the open receiver rather than the downfield receiver, there is still a chance to have a respectable offense this year. He needs to be more point guard and less power forward.
Keep in mind he had 4 years of QB coaching without anyone coaching him about going through progressions. It's still very new to him and he's definitely getting much, much better at it.
about the secondary: Foster always puts a lot of pressure on having his safteys cover in man (Chancellor was picked on a lot too). I wonder if once we get Exum back we will start switching to using Dime packages, though I dont think I have ever seen Foster use one before
I've said before that I hope to see some dime.
I was at the GT game today, their D has improved but their secondary looked pretty weak and UNC's TE was wide open all day so Cline could be a factor for us. Even though they're throwing more, none of Lee's throws impressed me today; and they don't have a dominant WR like in years past. If they decide or need to throw more on Thursday our secondary should have a field day.
Also, I had to watch the end of our game in a box at Bobby Dodd with all GT people...that was rough guys. So glad we pulled out the win with them watching.
this sums up my post game reaction...
LT isn't a natural QB, he's a great athlete. He can make freak athletic plays with his arm and legs, but he doesn't have the instinct to hit a crossing route on time or to lead a RB flare toward daylight. It's not a question of intelligence, this just isn't what he was born to do.
Maybe it never will be, or maybe he's waiting on Malcolm Gladwells "Rule of 20,000 hours to Master Anything" to kick in. He most assuredly won't hit that under VT in 2013 and he may not find an NFL team willing to work him a few years to get to that point. In a lot of ways, we did him a huge disservice by not prepping him for a life as an NFL TE because he was our best option at QB. I don't think I believe anymore that he will be any more than an intriguing talent at the next level. At the college level, he can still have stretches of dominance but you must find that elusive combination of plays that takes advantages of his skills and doesn't reveal his weaknesses.
I think this describes the underlying issue. Why was LT our best QB? Because the offensive staff didn't recruit adequately. Because of the inept staff, LT has not been taught progressions, he has not been taught proper mechanics, nor has he been taught how to stare down a safety or adequately read coverages and call the correct audibles. I think, and have always thought, LT's potential was through the roof, but with an inept staff, it seems that recruiting Tahj Boyd harder, and moving LT to TE would have been more intelligent.
The staff we have now is recruiting hard, coaching the best they can and we, as a fan base, have to sit back and do the best we can to support them. I want instant success just like anyone else, and heck..we are 3-1 so who knows what this season entails? but the bottom line is that we have years ahead to look forward to better recruiting, an established offensive system and sound coaching.
Bad recruiting...it'll get after ya.
I dont agree about Tahj Boyd...I think he is a product of the system he is in and I dont think he would be as good at VT or at best he would have been another TT....of course we will never know
I don't know if it's just ignorance or if you really didn't see it, but Keyserling's second kick was blocked I believe. I think two of them were.
He had enough leg on the 50- yarder if it hadn't been tipped
Yeah I wondered about that...I thought marshall was getting a good push and jump
Yea I noticed that too. I know they try to teach kickers to go high, just to avoid blocks, that might have contributed if he pushed it low to get the distance
I didn't catch that actually, I saw that it had enough leg (went wide right) but it still could have gotten there if it was tipped. If it was, then that's not his fault I suppose.
I think I remember hearing/reading that the first kick was missed partially because the snap was late getting down and he had to pause mid motion and then restart.
On a completely different note,I also don't know how Cato and his receivers made some of the plays that they did. There were several plays, especially on third down, where I thought we had great coverage and that there wasn't any way it would be a completion but it still ended up being caught.
Sorry made me think of this:
I can't seem to remember many times that LT3 has thrown the ball out of bounds when no one was open (ever). His tunnel vision doesn't see laterally. To follow that up, he carried the team on his back in OT. #QBKEEPEREVERYDOWN
Watch the Bama game tape
Agree on Logan. He's our guy and rightfully so, he's the best QB we got. But his decision making has got to be better. You can blame coaching, but he's a D-1 scholarship player and we expect better from him. Fair or unfair, it's just how it is at this level.
Cato is a straight baller, I have some mad respect for him after today.
Props to everyone who stayed through. I'm usually not for bashing our own fanbase, but to everyone who left early today:
MAN THE FUCK UP! You knew the weather and we were losing at half, don't you ever dare leave a game like that again.
But most of all, I am proud if this team. It was miserable weather and a sloppy game, but those guys fought all dayong and earned it. A lot of teams ball up there and just take the loss and go home, we fought and that is something that deserves a lot of credit. This team is tough and they showed it today.
Most importantly, it's a win and we're 3-1. Time to go after the ACC now.
FUCK GT!!! BEAT GT!!!
After being at this game on Saturday, I cannot imagine how Miami '11 must have felt. I brought my wife, my mother, and my brother. It was my wife and my mom's first game at Lane. When people started leaving at halftime, I thought to myself, what a first impression of our fanbase for their first game. By the end, the fans that were left with us in the north side of the west stands made me proud. When my mom and wife were screaming as loud as my brother and me, and everyone else got louder and louder as the rain got heavier and heavier, I got a little tear in my eye. (BTW my mother is in her mid fifties and she never once complained or thought of leaving the game early.) It was the most exciting game I have been to and was proud that they got to be there with me with the true fans that came to support our Hokies. Top a triple overtime win with a trip to The Homeplace and you've got yourself an unforgettable Saturday. State trooper gave me a speeding ticket on the way home near Saltville. But, WORTH IT EVERYTIME. I signed my ticket and told him Go Hokies! He smiled and said have a safe trip. Best trip to Blacksburg EVER.
Great story and great screen name! I wish I could give you 10 Turkey legs!
What made it even better was after church on Sunday, after listening to my Volunteer family grumble about their pitiful loss to Florida, mom talked about how great the VT game was and how loud and exciting it was to be there jumping to Enter Sandman and cheering. It was priceless.