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The next biggest one is if we have a weak link at DT and they can get movement on the DT on combo blocks before picking up the LB trying to scrape.

See Williams, Nigel, vs Miami

Breakout Player: I think Deon Clarke is primed for a huge season. Clarke brings a unique combination of speed and physicality to the backer position that we have not seen since Xavier Adibi. He can jolt blockers with his gap fits at the point of attack. He has more speed than Tariq Edwards, to go with a knack for getting to the quarterback on blitzes. Expect to see Clarke coming off the edge often when Kyshoen Jarrett plays in the box. I predict that he will have close to a half-dozen sacks and will be a dynamic playmaker up front.

Deon Clarke Solo Tackles: 30 Assisted Tackles: 44 TFL: 11.0 Sacks: 5.0-40

It's all good, dude. I just thought that "concern about the OL strategy" was a property of Hokie DNA.

French, are you multitasking? I know you know your stuff, but looks like you're texting while talking! Or is the interview taped?

The biggest weakness of Foster's defense, in my opinion, is when the opposing offense has TEs that can block our DEs one-on-one consistently. Or if they can down block or combo our 5 technique.

The next biggest one is if we have a weak link at DT and they can get movement on the DT on combo blocks before picking up the LB trying to scrape.

That's my point YOU GET IT, gluten free just isn't making food without gluten, it's having no cross contamination. I laughed at someone who ordered gluten free food in a pizza place. They just don't get it.

Where was he showing potential as a position player?

Penn State and Oregon were my favorites, TBH

Classic!

Seattle opened up the purse for a number of second and other contracts. This happened after Kam signed his contract and arguably changed the "relative value to pay" for Kam and the Seahawks. Hawks also have set the precedent of moving money from out years to front years for other players as well as settling with holdouts. Its not surprising that this happened. I don't know how good Kam's replacement is but I really thought Kam brought an intimidation factor that is hard to replicate.

We'll see. With 49ers uncertain, many think the Cardinals were a one hit wonder and Seattle is in a catbird seat. Not sure I agree with that but ...if it doesn't work out maybe he'll head back east.

There are enough actual problems that it's not worth spending energy on fads.

Good reading: http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/september/9/something-old-somethi...
Bud Foster's defense always does the following things, no matter what the formation:
1) Fit the interior gaps to create a wall eliminating the point of attack.
2) Win the numbers battle (often through the use of inverted cover 2 or cover 4 with a robber having no initial pass responsibility.
3) Funneling the runner to the unblocked defender by either setting an edge, or creating a "false" cutback lane.

In the spring of 2014, it was pretty apparent that the Hokies had two unique players in Corey Marshall and Luther Maddy at defensive tackle. Both guys were not going to take on double teams and keep their fits, but both had/have amazing quickness that allows them to get into the backfield without losing gap responsibility. I knew, and said repeatedly in my previews, that the Hokies had a huge match up advantage against an inexperienced interior group of the Buckeyes. Bud increased that advantage by using the exact same fundamentals, but covering up all three interior blockers. This made it much more difficult to double team Maddy, Marshall, and either Ekanem or Nicolas on the inside, AND if the Buckeyes tried to down block with the tackle, that freed up an extra linebacker to be unblocked. The only way tOSU was going to run the ball on the inside last year was if their center and two guards could win one on one battles with those three guys every snap, and that wasn't happening.

Still, I think Meyer could have established Elliott much more than he did. Speed option to the field was there all game long against the Bear (Clarke was isolated in space against two potential ball carriers with the mike and rover needing to run a long way in support) and the DBs couldn't come up and support playing cover 4 (no deep help if it was a fake and go.) Running the counter with just a wham and zoning everything up front should have worked. But, power and read option was going to be tough sledding.

This year, tOSU's OL and QB should be better. RB should be better. WR- probably worse. VT's DL has more depth, especially at DT, and all those guys are back. That battle may determine the outcome.