First Instagram of team work is interesting. Willis is behind the No. 2 OL. However, while the rest of the group (Darrisaw, L. Smith, Cannon, T. Smith) is the same, Chung was at center.
Willis threw a completion on an open crossing route.
Jackson was on the next rep with the ones. He held the ball for a long time. Gaines got a pressure.
Walker blew up a Peoples dive on a play where it looks like Nijman was supposed to pull left and trap him. It is tough to pick apart. Jackson was QB again.
Check that. Dzansi didn't get Walker on his down block. Nijman was kicking out a gap wider.
Willis hits a wide open Keene on a play action flag route by the TE, a staple of VT's short yardage offense in Year 1 for Fuente. It looks like it is the top TE group (Keene and Cunningham are both in on the play) with the two OL. The near safety bit badly on the play fake. I believe it is Shawn Payne (27.)
We get a second look from behind the pocket. It is a great playfake from Willis. The DE and DT both bite on the dive fake. Rico Kearney is visibly frustrated with safety biting up.
Comments
Can't wait to see what Keene can do this season. I expect biiig things from him.
I think Cunningham will still be the primary passing target. But if Keene can become reliable (and the QB quick and accurate) on quick stick routes, that will add an element to the offense that has been missing. Keene is more like Rogers- a play action guy who doesn't run terrific routes but can add yac.
*primary passing target at TE
Pretty sure that's Drake on the flag route btw.
Side note, you're a master.
I thought it was 29 not 89. If I am wrong, my apologies. My eyes are getting worse every year and watching those clips on an IPhone is brutal.
I want to read this as he knows who should be doing what, and is becoming a leader on the field. Is that your impression, or am I trying too hard to get something out of this. Also, is the defense also playing largely 1's 2's and 3's, or is it more mixed? Can you tell who is getting the 1 reps at LB, or any of DB positions? Have not heard it mentioned anywhere, so I am guessing they mix it up more than the O?
He bit too and stayed with the QB. I am guessing the safety should have delayed on his run key.
As for the starting group, it is almost impossible to figure out the secondary from these clips. The front 7 is Hunter-Ashby-Rivers at LB and Hill-Walker-Gaines on DL with Hewitt and Burke both working with the ones when they are full contact. If Mihota can go, he will be the top guy.
Please remember, if/when some promising young players look a bit over their head on Saturday, keep it in perspective. It is better to fail little and learn, instead of not learning and failing big.