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This is the unfortunate downside of such a competition. We like all the guys but can only have one starting QB. The major plus is that Loeffler WILL find the best guy for us. I think the QB and RB positions are both set up for a potential transfer or two over the next couple years but think this weeding process is the best way to get the right talent on the field.
I wish them all the best of luck and hope all stay in Blacksburg. I have read enough to know they are special players and know from experience that Blacksburg is a special place.
I don't see that similarity to Tyrod. Durkin is much more comparable to Tyrod in terms of escapability and shiftiness, plus he has some of the same habits with making his first read and then running.
McMillian reminds me of Maurice Deshazo (granted, Deshazo wasn't running much read option.) His fundamentals are so strong in that read option game that there really isn't a VT QB that you can compare that part of his game too, other than Carlis Parker. Parker did not have nearly the same quality arm that McMillian does.
I don't have any film of him playing DB, but he does have a running stride that is very similar to Macho Harris.
When was the last time the QB 'competition' wasn't just a 1 or 2 horse race in Blacksburg?
I'm pumped to even have 5 guys in contention for it. Competition breeds excellence...It's also nice not being OVERLY concerned with what will happen in the event that an injury occurs...it seems we have great options...and several of them.
Side note to this post:
Spring ball is a lot more about putting the base offense in and teaching. Will Leoffler have already decided what he wants this offense to be for the fall by spring practice? Will we see a smorgasbord of offensive sets? I am curious.
I am excited for the QB competition this spring/summer but if Searels can't get the hogmollies up front to block for anybody then it wont matter who the QB is. It all starts up front on both sides of the ball.
My answers in summary:
The QB has to have the right footwork and mechanics to deliver an accurate ball. Stepping to your target, aligning your shoulders. This leads to the next part, accuracy. Who is the most accurate in the pocket, who is the most accurate on the move? Which guy has poise and composure? I don't think arm strength will really be a deciding factor because all of these guys are more than capable of making the throws that need to be made right now. The deep out across the field isn't exactly a staple in our playbook.
I think the QB will need to be able to be accurate on the crossing routes, the short outs, the slant and the seam. If I were a coach, those would be the throws I needed to see consistency on.
As far as drills, maybe some that work on footwork and throwing in rhythm. Something that will show me the guy can progress through reads and make the correct reads pre-snap and during the play.
Some things will work themselves in practice when they see that one guy just isn't ready for the speed of the game at this level kind of thing. Injuries could play a big part as well if one guy goes down in the spring or fall and misses time and reps.
First order of business- someone tell whoever designs/plans these shirts and effect events to STOP USING ORANGE WHEN WE PLAY UVA.
STUDENTS: Time to get your ne-on at Tues @VT_MBBall vs. UVA. 1st 2K students will get this neon @CassellGuardVT shirt pic.twitter.com/YvRZxexqVp— VT Promotions (@VTPromos) February 17, 2014
I haven't seen anything, but it could turn out to be a sticky situation. With Durkin potentially being on the transfer watch list like you said and Ford being the main recruited QB initially enrolling early, those two definitely have a leg up in my opinion, especially since they are the two touted prospects. Durkin and Ford as far as I can tell wouldn't/couldn't move to another position, whereas the coaching staff may be open to moving McMillian around (especially if he has experience playing other positions in high school).
Combine all of that with Joel Caleb being a highly touted in-state guy and not really finding a role yet, a good RB and WR recruiting class, and a secondary that seems pretty put together with young talent (Fuller, Facyson, Reavis, and Fischer), I'm not sure where McMillian would fit or whether he would want to take a shot at QB elsewhere if he feels he's out of the running.
Yes, and I'm aware that they're 3-9 or so.
I was just trying to put a positive spin on the whole situation.
Yes, but I was told by my graduate school professors that writing "a.m.o." (A Miracle Occurred) is not an acceptable way to solve problems.
Which means JJ will be fired tomorrow?
Loeffler is on the record as saying his system, ideally, begins with the QB under center and everything else comes from that. But Logan didn't have the mechanical soundness and Lefty's trust to consistently execute the under-center stuff (until late in the year, at least). I expect that we'll see much more under-center ace and I looks from the offense next spring. At the HS level, there are definitely a lot of teams running spread because it's easy to install, is made of a few basic moving parts that aren't too complex for a HS kid to learn, is successful against the less-skilled defenses that abound in HS, and is fun to play. At higher levels of football there will almost always be a role for under-center as part of an elite offense, the run game and play-action advantages are too great to give up against elite defenses.
Not an expert, recently stayed at a Holiday Inn Express.
Is your "???" list item where a miracle occurs?
Well, it is his first day. Let's give him until Wednesday.
i've been thinking if durkin doesnt win the starting job he'll be gone based on a lot of his and lefty's comments. has travon said anything similar in the press?
^^^This! Yea, I think the Spring Practice time gives Ford an edge on learning the playbook and what Lefty wants. Other then that these guys are all exciting. A great QB battle in the Fall. As I said before, nothing against Leal, but he's gonna be looking in his rear view mirror a bunch and that gives the younger guys and edge on him.
Also, as stated in this piece, each of these guys has their own pluses and minuses and perhaps that doesn't by itself determine whom the starter will be. But how they fit into what Lefty wants and his priorities (see Andy's interview) will decide. I'm sticking with Ford, but what the heck do I know?
So how long until Whit is a member of TKP?
They lost the entire team that played last year.
Most of us are just fans, so this question is to French & the rest of the KP staff, and all those who have more technical knowledge:
We have what looks to be a 5-way race at this point.
I know you can't read Loeffler's mind, but if you were him, what is your formula to determine your starting QB from spring ball through fall practice?
What are the fundamental skills your QB must have?
What are the key plays your QB must be able to make, regardless of the direction your play book takes?
What sort of drills do you run, outside of the playbook, that will help you determine which QB is separating himself from the rest?
So this is a big decision point for Leoffler. He will get to decide what kind of offense he really wants to run. He can set up a true pro style offense with a drop back guy and power running game. He can try and redo last year with mainly a shotgun set and Inverted Veer. He can set up a spread offense and run the zone read more. He has guys to build an offense around now. he has the QBs, he has different skill set running backs.
I wouldn't mind seeing the pro style personally. I think all 3 of these QBs could work in a pro style and I think a true running game could emerge from it with Williams and McKenzie and Reid as a serious speed threat. We have some big receivers coming in that would fit nicely. I am excited for spring ball to start
AGREED
The real reason it got cancelled is because the one kid who comes to these was snowed in.