As we stand on the eve of another spring football season, I resign myself to worry about the Hokies. I worry that the linebacker depth has evaporated. I worry that all the moves in the secondary rob Peter to pay Paul. I worry about offensive line continuity and new running backs. And, I worry about finding punters, place kickers, returners, and guys who can make things happen in coverage.
But, it is the promise of expectation and potential which brings us back every year and lets us hope to dream the impossible dream. And, when I look at the Hokies roster this spring, the thought of Mark Shuman and Laurence Gibson winning jobs on the left side of the offensive line gives me something to aspire to hope for.
Imagine if you will, 6'7 and 322 pounds coupled with 6'6 and 312 pounds, graced with quick feet and a surley attitude. Imagine the warm feeling in your heart as they collectively MASH, STOMP, TOSS, MANGLE, and KICK THE LIVING SHIT out of defensive tackles, ends, and linebackers throughout the ACC. Breathe deeply as we envision running backs going forward into holes created by nasty drive blocks. Watch the Hokies convert on 3rd and 2's without watching our QB get beat up in games against Bowling Green and Duke. Revel in congregating here on Monday and discussing PANCAKES instead of blocking schemes, trickeration, and Greg Nosal's favorite finger. THIS IS WHAT I WANT!
Oh, picture it my friends... a world where the Hokies have athletic, monsterous, road graders sapping the will of the opposing defense to resist. What a world it would be.
Of course, I hear they are talking about making George George a tackle...
Comments
and the congregation says
AMEN, BRO!
FWIW
George George is listed with Duan Perez-Means as the 3rd string TE behind 1. Eric Martin, 2a. Randall Dunn and 2b. Ryan Malleck.
Whip looks like this at the start of spring ball:
1. G-W
2a. Alonzo Tweedy
2b. Ronny Vandyke
3. Nick Dew
If the Hokies retain the offensive philosophy they used last fall, you will see Martin and Malleck in two tight end sets. Everyone talks about Randall Dunn in the passing game, but he didn't produce last year, and it is a disadvantage for the offense when a guy runs on the field and every guy on defense knows it is a passing play. Dunn stinks in blocking, so Malleck is going to be the passing threat from tight end.
I watched film of Nick Dew in high school yesterday on a whim. If he gets on the field, he should be used as a blitzer. The kid has an explosive first step when blitzing, but becomes very pedestrian going sideline to sideline.. I think the injuries and Clark's dismisal take away the opportunity for the Hokies to experiment with Edwards at whip, Taylor at backer, and Tyler at mike, which is something I strongly supported. The list of whips now is very uninspiring.
Becton is too heavy. He isn't 6'6, and to weigh in at 330 when his primary problem has been snap count explosiveness is not a good sign. If Benedict and Painter play really well, I am predicting that they consider playing Via at left tackle. Beamer has really talked highly about Painter this spring, which is suprising given that most insiders have written him off as a lost cause.
i think
corey is gonna get a look at def end/def tackle, but that means harley or others need to step and play dt for a lot of burn.