As the Hokies start to ramp up spring practice, we outsiders have received trickles of information that have started us down the road of starting to formulate conclusions about the makeup of the 2012 Hokie football team. What are some of mine?
- First and foremost, reports from the initial scrimmage indicate that the defensive line (with limited participation by Gayle, Collins, and Derrick Hopkins) devestated the Hokie offensive line, with THE MILLION DOLLAR MAN Corey Marshall leading the way with 3 tackles, a sack, and by one account "he was in the backfield every play."
- We knew the OL would struggle early on, as they ALWAYS do in preseason and spring practice versus the Hokie DL. Chemistry is something developed, especially with line calls and movement. Legendary small college coach Fred Selfe once called offensive line play "the world's most painful ballet" (gosh dandy bullfrog!) and it takes practice, coordination, and muscle memory to accomplish. The few comments we have heard from Newsome continue to mark Vinston Painter as the shining light, while Brent Bennedict must really be struggling to have the coach drop a "space is not his friend" line into an interview. I still think the suprise of spring camp will be Matt Arkema, whose high school film showed a great deal of explosion and athleticism that should allow him to better engage a quick Hokies front four. Matchups can make some guys look great, and some bad. The lack of news about other promising guys (Gibson and Shuman) worries me. Another coach once told me as a player "If I talk about you or yell at you, it means I think you can contribute to this football team. If I don't say anything to you, start to worry." The lack of comments about both makes me think that the staff doesn't see them as contributors, while a kid like Jake Goins and Caleb Farris perhaps have passed both by.
- It appears that Jarrett is a lock to stay at free safety, with Bonner being the guy who moved back to field corner when Kyle Fuller tweeked a leg. I am eager to find out how Michael Cole fits in the mix, and who is the backup rover? Aromire isn't generating any chatter.
- I am looking forward to a gif of Corey Marshall wrecking a QB that says "Everybody Has A Price."
Dance.
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Comments
"Million Dollar Man" == Best Nickname Ever
How I will mentally celebrate all of Marshall's sacks/tackles in the backfield.
Bennedict must really be struggling to have the coach drop a "space is not his friend" line into an interview.
I wouldn't read too much into Newsome's quote. He's said it a few times, and Bennedict is still practicing with the ones. His knee injury limited what he could do on the outside, kicking him in was the logical move. I never thought Bennedict would be an every snap player anyways. I think it's to our advantage to rotate guys at guard and tackle to keep everyone fresh. As of right now, I think Becton and Miller are locks to play the all the meaningful snaps at left tackle and center, with others rotating at the other three spots. Hopefully all this good news about Painter means he'll hold it down at right tackle.
You can listen to Benedict after practice here.
Call me slow, but...
From where does the Ted Dibiase comparison for Corey Marshall come?
He will make opposing QBs pay the price.
Plus, I laughed just like Ted Dibiase when he sacked Denard Robinson
love it
Corey Marshall is rich in defensive line prowess
He is flush with technical skill
and extremely well off, in pass rush ability.
-Ted Dibiase
with our depth
at d-line, lack of depth at Mike, and his speed, could Marshall drop back to a LB role? How about Ekanem or someone else?
no way
marshall is working hard to keep his weight at only 250ish
ekanem has the frame for 260 easy.
neither have played that position or have the speed to play it.
Ekanem will get redshirted and play strongside end. Too many talented freshmen linebackers to move other folks around, and perhaps Vandyke, Williams, and Dew make some noise too.
You don't stand on Superman's cape, you don't spit in the wind, and you don't try a seven step drop with the Million Dollar Man Corey Marshall eyeballing you!