Excerpt per Andy Bitter's blog:
http://blogs.roanoke.com/andybittervirginiatechfootball/2013/09/30/last-...
Virginia Tech is 4-1 this year, which isnt only incrementally better than last years 3-2 start from a record perspective. But Thomas thinks things are different.
I think when things got tough last year, we just kind of started becoming individuals, Thomas said. And this year weve stuck together as a group and as a team and when things get tough, weve just been able to rely on each other to get us out of jams.
Weve been able to do so thus far, and I think thats just one of the big reasons is were all so close that we understand each other and were all willing to put it on the line for each other.
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Comments
He couldn't be more on point. It was evident when they stuck together through 3 overtimes in the nasty weather with a half filled Lane Stadium. That took some serious mental toughness. I can honestly say I haven't been that proud of a Virginia Tech football team when they pulled that out. Made that rain feel a lot warmer.
Loeffler!!!!!!!!
Real perserverance, true grit, an iron will comes from having to face adversity. Fighting until the final tick of the clock and believing every second, trusting the guy next to you, and coming out on top. That builds character, confidence, and faith. This team has a TON of it and it will win them games this year.
Leaps and bounds better than last year. Leaps. And. Bounds.
This team might not be the most talented team we have ever had, but it is filled with leadership and toughness, something they lacked last year.
LT has matured as a player and a professional. That quote / observation about individuals vs team is stuff you see in management books.
The difference in attitude from last year has been evident in every game this season. We could easily be 2-3 so far had the team not pulled together and finished in tough situations. It's nice to see leadership from the older guys this year, something they definitely lacked before.
I tend to believe this is a case of winning cures all ills more than anything. Yeah of course it's a good thing for a team to be believing in each other rather than being down on themselves, but I think a lot has to do with expectations and going from 10+ wins last year to being proud of grinding out wins on a weekly basis this season.
Those that didn't buy into the team concept have moved on. What we have left is our own version of the Bear Bryant "Junction Boys" - these guys will remember what they did this year for the rest of their lives.