Illinois Hokie's Recent Comments

I think the angst of the fan base is propped up by a misperception that what we are seeing is more of the same. It feels like we've seen this all before, more than once. Early season struggles, undisciplined football, etc. But I think that fails to appreciate exactly what's going on inside the program right now.

We have a new OC in year two of installing his scheme. Where we see hiccups and stalls on offense, we're throwing our hands up in disgust like we have for the last eight years. However, I have to say, I've seen what Lefty is trying to install on offense, and it is head and shoulders above what his predecessor did. Lefty's offense is complex and situational, and it always gives the QB some options and check downs. Routes are designed to get one target open in space. Formations are built to expose man coverage and where the blitz is coming from. How many times already have we seen a hard count, followed by the OL communicating assignments? In general, the offense already has a much better feel for how to attack a defense, and is moving the ball better accordingly. In essence, as far as I'm concerned Lefty's offense passes the eye test.

But it's also a monumental leap over what we expected from our offense under Stiney. Stiney had a "try and stop us" approach to his game plans, where his players were expected to simply impose their will on a defense. Lefty is more reactionary. He schemes and adjusts based on an opposing defense. So now our players on O are expected to focus on more than just executing the designed play perfectly. A lot of the time (most of the time?) they don't know what the play will be until the QB makes his reads. It's a different mindset, and it's a lot to ask not just of our freshmen, but of our upperclassmen who are accustomed to the old mindset.

Maybe I'm wearing the orange and maroon glasses, but I see our struggles on O as growing pains. I think we're gonna see improvement as the scheme takes root, and I think we already are.

#allfullereverything

I am legging you simply because of that screen name.

Expecto upvotum.

Hey, Joe, Rivals shows a Tyrell Smith, OT out of Ashburnham, MA, as a 2015 verbal. What's the story there?

The Don't Fire All Groh Twitter account was one of the greatest things ever.

I will actually argue against simplifying the game plan on offense, after initially feeling in favor of it yesterday.

What we're seeing on offense, at least, are growing pains. Lefty's system is way more situational and way more complex than his predecessor's. It's gonna take time for the offense to adjust to it. And the right time to force those adjustments is during a rebuilding year.

Sorry, folks, but that's what this is: a rebuilding year. No matter how much we wanted to believe it was something else after Ohio State.

So now is the time to say, here's the system. Learn it. Stumble as you will, but get this under your belt now, so that it's all old hat come next season. It's a lot to learn, to be sure, and the resulting product is gonna be ugly on the field at times, but that's where we are. Complex system, lots of freshmen, lots of upperclassmen not used to the new complexities. Simplifying the system might get us two more wins this year, but at the expense of future seasons. If we're gonna implement Lefty's scheme, let's just do it. And I do still believe in Lefty's scheme.

I agree in principle. However, don't confuse criticizing the coaches with trashing the players. The players are amateurs, but the coaches are highly paid professionals who can and should endure criticism when they fail in their charge. There's nothing anti-VT for criticizing the coaching mistakes that have led to this two game slide, and the general downward trend of the program over the last few years.

I agree, legit trashing of the players is bullshit, and I'm disappointed at it. But in general I'm seeing way more criticism heaped on Beamer, Foster and Lefty, and they're fair game.

Nope. The whole game. But you'll be interviewed on national television when it's over.

We actually noticed that back while we were running FBS. So they've owned that for a while.

Me too. So I upvoted it.

UPDATE: Ow.

Chest day after that bed shitting was a bad idea.