Recent Comments
I wonder when we'll get our first blocked kick under Fuente.
If our main point of contention is whether Bud is failing at recruiting (lack of effort/skill) or our recruiting (appearance to kids) is failing Bud, I don't really know the best way to answer that.
I think our team is poised to get better and I believe that will help. If Bud is past his peak and we're losing ground to running QBs any more than any other school I'm not seeing it. Rules now require defenses to play QBs with more leniency, and the game has evolved with it. Clemson played UNC last year, too; Williams was 18-78 against us and 17-81 against them. That's not enough data to draw a conclusion, but I feel that when we play weaker teams (with some of those less-heralded QBs) they're bound to take more rule-assisted risks (easier to get a 15 Yard penalty) and send the QB running. Greg Stroman doesn't send RBs airborne (insert flyingMattJohns.gif).
** can't say whether or not Nijman or Wyatt would have been great DL; that was what the recruiting sites had them pegged for. Technically it's two defensive players we lose to fill holes somewhere else. (Even if we secretly had them pegged as OL all along)
** You made your point about great defensive minds. Bud has Great name recognition in his position outside of Blacksburg; I admit that has little to do with arguing the current state of the defense.
That's now down to 2 Hokies in the CFL, Macho Harris on active roster and JC Coleman on practice squad.
I agree, but it is also one of those icons that is an icon because it was from a time when a "better" meal around Blacksburg wasn't easy to find. I never found the food to be memorable, though I did enjoy the experience, likely 'cause daddy was picking up the check and I'd been living on venison, squirrels, Kenney's 10 cent hamburgers and tuna casserole for several weeks. Best of luck to them, and I hope they have a long run.
The Old Mill Cafe, I think it is, in Pigeon Forge was the best food we had while we were there. Strawberry spinach salad was spot on.
Sometimes when I see someone wearing a V and the scissors hat I will good naturedly speak to them. I usually say that if they paid more than a quarter for that hat, they got gypped. They usually ask why, if not, I tell them anyway that the hat is defective. They usually bite and ask why. I then inform them that the factory left off the T. Lame, I know, but nobody's gotten pissed, they usually chuckle, and some good conversations have occurred as a result.
just had the Blue Flame (128 Proof) Wednesday and I still taste it!
It's important to ring the bell as quickly as you can.
Either way I think we're talking about the limitations of ingenious defensive scheming without the talent to make plays and dominate lesser opponents. Bud is a great defensive mind, a good teacher, and a mediocre (at least recently) recruiter. I recognize his excellence and how it's often foiled by other shortcomings.
He doesn't have to recruit Adibi and Hall every year. But he does have to recruit them every so often and make sure we have enough depth to field at least an ACC-level front 7. I'm just not sure he's done that recently. I'm also not particularly concerned with where that puts him on a list of DCs. I'm concerned with where that puts the Hokies in the CFP rankings and whether it keeps us in contention for the ACC.
** I don't think any of the "4* offensive starters" were ever viable d-line candidates. Assuming you're talking about Teller, Nijman, etc... I'm not seeing the body type and/or twitch to play any of those positions. And I definitely don't see any 4* recruits that would've fit the Mike or Backer molds.
** I only mentioned Venables because he was the topic of discussion up thread.
I think the biggest thing I've seen is the amount of offers they have put out, over 300 to date.
Couldn't agree more. This isn't a national championship talent pool. We will compete for coastal and maybe ACC titles, but this is not a national champion group of kids.
You make a fair point on the recruiting. In Bud's defense not all of our 4* offensive starters were recruited to play offense.
You should really be picking on Blake Kemp. Kid wasn't even the starter at ECU.
As for the running quarterbacks, you can either scheme to stop the run and the pass first, or scheme to stop the quarterback run first. With the attrition and youth on our defense, we still managed to stop the run and pass fairly well.
ECU was overmatched early and had nothing to lose. That's why they pulled their starting QB and threw in their sacrificial battering ram. We could have either made the adjustment to sell out the field to stop the 2nd string QB from taking off, or not.
You could argue that decision cost us the game, but we got shut down on offense for three quarters by ECU and nobody is surprised by that or cares why.
Bud Foster doesn't get "hero worship", he's an excellent DC and after 20+ years people tend to get used to that. Fans all around the country tend to recognize that, it's okay if you don't. Running QBs are becoming bigger parts of the game and they give all DCs headaches; not just Bud. Also, pick a college DC when you talk about your great defensive minds. It sounds bad in your criticism if the only better college DC you can think of is Brent Venables.
Our defense last season was definitely bad by our standards That's still both remarkably uncommon, and objectively better than 3/4 of Division 1.
I don't believe Fuente has had the instant impact that ISU is getting with their recruits. I'm not trying to be critical, but I think its pretty clear.
I am going to Gatlinburg later this month. I can tell you that there is a 100% chance I will get at least 3 corn dogs from Fannie Farkle over the 4 days I will be there. The corn dogs are even better after a few moonshine tastings.
Palma, Greece, Turkey, Dubai, it was always the Brits taking the most risk to possibly offend the locals. Looked like a Miami Vice reunion whenever they were around.
Is 622 north in the same location as Bogen's used to use back in the 80's? We went to Bogen's a lot back then, enjoyed hearing football war stories from Bill Ellenbogen the owner. Always wondered why they shut down, seemed to do a great business.
Gerald agrees
Didn't know about the Matt Campbell hire.
Same reason ours is (or will be). They have a new, young coach who was successful elsewhere.
...and they don't have Beach Flow.
It is kind of the world's largest Cracker Barrel. Pro tip: avoid any restaurant that has the name of a fruit in the title.
Not my favorite place. Hopefully some of the advice above will pay off, the weather will be nice, and you'll have a great time.
Trying to understand how ISU's recruiting is going so well.
But its iowa...ive met people from the state who hate it... Shit ive met people from the state who went to wisconsin to get away from it.
If you go to Dollywood, which has come a long way over the years - added some good coasters, you have to get the cinnamon loaf from Grist Mill. After you taste it you'll want to take some home with you. They make several big batches throughout the day but you better be close as they go fast and WELL worth the wait. Trust me you won't be disappointed.
Other places to go:
- Hatfield and McCoy's Dinner Theatre (Pigeon Forge) - good food and show, this place is a must. Again, you won't be disappointed. Well worth the money for the entertainment and the soup is amazing! Buy your tickets in advance. http://www.hatfieldmccoydinnerfeud.com
- The Chop House for a good steak and beer to take a break from shopping (Pigeon Forge at Tanger Outlets)
- The Old Mill (Pigeon Forge) - good country food
- Paula Deans (Pigeon Forge) - not as pricey as everyone makes it out to be and you get plenty of good food. It's homestyle dining, similar setup as the HomePlace. The cheddar biscuits are awesome. I'd recommend the fried chicken, cheesy meatloaf or catfish for your meats. The squash casserole is the best side item.
- Ole Smoky Moonshine (Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg) - as mentioned above, you get free samples and can get a buzz if you take advantage of the samples. Caution, the Blue Flame flavor burns a tad.
- The Tail of the Dragon (pick it up on the outskirts of Pigeon Forge) if you're looking for a scenic drive. BEAUTIFUL mountain views. If you decide to drive all the way to the tail its a bit curvy, depending on what you're driving is a very fun drive. I used to drive an M3 and that was fun on the dragon.
- Mamas Farmhouse (Pigeon Forge)- for an excellent breakfast, you'll get plenty to eat. They have chocolate gravy, enough said.
- Ride the tramway from downtown Gatlinburg to Ober Gatlinburg.
- Mountain coaster - mentioned above. Neat experience.
- Whitewater rafting - there's lots of options in the area. Google rafting in the Smokies or pickup brochures in just about any restaurant.
- Smokie Mtn Knifeworks (Sevierville)
- Loco Burro Fresh Mex (Gatlinburg) - near Ole Smoky Moonshine. They have great margaritas (great to chase all of the moonshine you just taste tested), guacamole and burritos.
-The Peddler Steakhouse (Gatlinburg) - mentioned above but they have an excellent steak and an awesome salad bar, nice place. https://peddlergatlinburg.com
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/football/bombers/macho-man-38524...
Great read about Macho, not only his current situation but his unique recruiting visit from Beamer.