VTBox is doing the Lord's work.
Blake DeChristopher has "graded out" 90% or better in 9 out of 10 games this season (88% Arkansas State), Jaymes Brooks has 40 knockdowns on the year. Those metrics are utterly subjective, vaguely defined and couldn't be any less helpful when trying to convey the success the Hokies' offense is having in 2011. These are more concrete and well understood. David Wilson leads the nation with 1,360 rushing yards. Logan Thomas has thrown for almost 20 more yards per game in his first year as starter than Tyrod did his senior year, and has only been sacked ten times. Jarrett Boykin and Danny Coale will finish their careers as Tech's receiving yards and receptions leaders.
Like most of you, when I'm watching a game live I'm watching the ball, I don't pick a particular player or group to key on before the snap. Where the ball goes, my eyes follow. I notice David Wilson flying down the sideline, not the blocks that setup the run. I focus on Logan scanning the field looking for the open man, then marvel over the one-handed, toe tapping sideline catch that follows. I overlook the backside blitz pickup that afforded LT3 the extra couple of seconds to stand in the pocket and deliver the throw.
The offensive line is under appreciated when the scoreboard is getting lit up. They're overly criticized when the team's struggling.
Before we met up with the rest of the team for warm-ups my high school o-line coach would break each huddle with, "it starts and stops up front." That's common knowledge for any player on a football team. It's why an NFL running back will buy his line expensive watches after a record breaking season. Or why in high school our quarterback's dad was the de facto equipment manager and made it his business to make sure we always had fresh spikes for our cleats, the newest shoulder pads (all-black Riddell look so sexy out of the box) and the gnarliest face maks. It's why I'm writing this piece.
Really Voltron is the perfect analogy. Lanier, Nosal, Miller, Brooks, and DeChristopher have come together to form a formidable unit that’s given a young quarterback a chance to grow and lightening fast running a stage to shine. They’re capable of leading us back to the ACC Championship Game and Orange Bowl. Twenty-eleven is the most productive the offense has been since Tech's joined the ACC, and it's no coincidence that it's the best the offensive line has played.
Comments
Agreed
The success of any team offensively is line play. In exercise/training terms, these are your core muscle group. If your belly is flabby, even if your legs are incredibly strong, you won't be at your best.
and Becton. How could you forget Becton?
Not enough giant robot lions. Maybe I should have used the power rangers and made him the Green Ranger.
LOL!!
Come on, I think we all know Via would be Tommy.
I wasn't trying to slight Becton who had his best game as a Hokie against Georgia Tech even though he only graded at 85% and didn't get a knockdown. Rather, I wanted to focus on the starters because four of them are seniors and I won't be able to give them props next season.
All Hail The BEARD!
That guy's an anchor. Our boys seemed to have settled down the hiccups. Nothing but high motor and execution.
WORD to the UP
i am old enough to remember
the cartoon when it came out originally.
DeChristopher was a monster. See my review of the second half.
I remember Voltron too, although not on TV. My parents rented it for us, I think on our Beta (pre VHS).
I am going to go fart dust and think fondly of Keri Green (the redhead from the Goonies) now.
YES!
That is awesome. I was just entering my earliest memory stages when Voltron was on the air. Good childhood memories.
The Offensive Line looks really good right now, particularly when DW's first contact is in the secondary many times, not the second level. One of the best lines in recent memory and I agree they can keep it going.
Legit
VTBox that GIF is legit sir! Side note: the kid in the green lion was a tool...