Recent Comments

wasn't speculation that he left because of a disagreement with Grimes' coaching style? this is an odd move to come back to the team 9 months after "retiring", but the coaching change preceding this indicates that maybe the previous rumors had some teeth...

Just imagine if we had a real offense during those days, instead of the "scramble around until you see someone open" style pass plays...

I think Loeffler is going to do a great job of maximizing Ford's talents and we'll see (maybe not this year) some major improvements on the offensive side of the ball.

>> I do know that offenses which don't have the ability to beat man coverage on the boundary (where the defense can give the least amount of help) are somewhat limited.

One of the biggest problems VT had this season IMHO. We really needed a credible number one WR or even two decent #2s. Would have opened up alot of other areas for us. JMHO

>>That is why, at the NFL level, getting a QB with the arm strength, accuracy, and timing to throw those deep out, curl, back shoulder, and comeback routes on a line rather than with a loft is so crucial. The lower trajectory throw arrives faster, which doesn't give the corner or a safety coming to help the time to react and adjust to the ball. It also means that the quarterback generally can't take deep shots along the boundary, because he can't set up the threat of a curl or comeback route to make a double move effective.

This is why Logan will get picked higher than so many here believe. WR issues as well as coaching / system transition / stability issues hindered his development at VT. Kid gets a ball to the boundary so fast it makes a #1 CB's heart flutter. You can have a shut down corner, or you can double team a #1 WR, but you can't provide help reliably. Makes every investment you have in offensive skill players more productive. Kid is clearly behind the curve, but hopefully he works it out.

There is no contract when you buy a ticket.

When you buy a ticket from the athletic department, there's a confirmation box, stating that you agree to abide by the Athletic Department's terms and conditions. Checking this box is identical to signing a contract.

[Ridiculous comparison involving a guy named Joe]

Thanks for the completely inapplicable tangent, and I'm going to try to give a legitimate answer, probably not my best decision. First off, the two actions are completely unrelated. One is a DUI manslaughter, which is punishable under law. The other is contacting a recruit, which is punishable by NCAA policy, and would only be a problem if Joe was a booster, which he probably isn't unless he is a HC member or has bought season tickets before. Just going to one game does not apply.

It is tough to compare college (I don't have access to Glennon's high school film) vs a high school film, but I always thought Glennon had a really strong arm. I would say his arm is stronger than Ford's (give Glennon was a couple of years older than Ford so it isn't an apples to apples comparison.)

I don't think it is appropriate to call Ford a "pro-style" quarterback. He is very mobile in the pocket. He just isn't a guy who will break tackles out in space. He is quick, and gets reset to throw quickly. He just is a pass first guy from the spread. My biggest bone to pick with Sean, and pretty much every QB at VT that I can remember, is very few seemed to throw comfortable in rhythm that fit how the pass pattern was designed. A QB on a 3 step drop should be SNAP ONE TWO THREE PLANT ball comes out, or check to the next receiver. Same with a 5 step drop. Sean, Tyrod, Randall, Vick... they all struggled to get the ball out off that back foot plant. I think a big part of that weakness was poor route design and route running, even with the great Royal, Harper, Morgan, Clowney group. Guys who should have been open when they planted to throw were not there. But, I believe (and I have no evidence besides the film where EVERY GUY did this) that their QB's were taught to throw to an open man instead of a spot, and try to extend the play to get guys open. That was great for a guy like Tyrod, who didn't have the best arm or confidence in that arm until midway of his senior season, because he could get away from the rush. But Glennon (who was more elusive than given credit for) took a pounding trying to extend plays. Logan really was the best of the bunch at getting the ball out most of the time when the ball was supposed to come out, and I think that is because Loeffler and Moorehead encouraged better route running and more timing focused patterns.

For me, offensive line is an interesting case study. The key attributes I look for in OL are:
1) Lateral movement
2) Does the blocker continue to chop their feet and move the defender at the point of contact?
3) Does the blocker get extension with their arms when run blocking?

If you get all three plus size and wingspan, they have very high-end potential. You can get a lineman stronger. They can work harder and improve technique. But you can't teach the feet, the instinct to not stop and brace yourself for contact, and the ability to explode and extend.

The one thing you can't get a feel for on film is how much each guy wants to improve and their determination. VT has had some very good offensive linemen since the start of the Beamer era that were not prototypical 6'5 290 pounders who could move etc etc. Those guys worked themselves into being very good players, but on film at this stage, they don't impress. VT has had a small number of those mobile prototype guys with the feet and the reach to be great, but unfortunately very few have lived up to their potential in Blacksburg.

For me, for everything I know about quarterbacking, there are 50 things I don't know. I do know that offenses which don't have the ability to beat man coverage on the boundary (where the defense can give the least amount of help) are somewhat limited. That is why, at the NFL level, getting a QB with the arm strength, accuracy, and timing to throw those deep out, curl, back shoulder, and comeback routes on a line rather than with a loft is so crucial. The lower trajectory throw arrives faster, which doesn't give the corner or a safety coming to help the time to react and adjust to the ball. It also means that the quarterback generally can't take deep shots along the boundary, because he can't set up the threat of a curl or comeback route to make a double move effective.

A great example was the Duke game. Anthony Boone is a really good ACC spread QB. But, his arm isn't elite. Boone didn't have the arm strength to throw those deeper line drive throws to the sidelines. When they tried, Kendall Fuller had a great day with interceptions and deflections. That limited Dukes passing game to screens and throws in the middle of the field. If a defense only has to defend the middle 3rd, it makes it much easier to support the run and take away those easy slant and crossing routes. Boone, accordingly, played probably his worst game of the season against VT.

I don't know that Ford is in the same boat, but the offense he runs doesn't require him to make those kind of throws. He has SPECTACULAR touch on his passes. He throws to spots, and on every throw in the Hershey game with the exception of a couple plays where he was hit on the throw, he is right on the money. The ball hits the fingertips of the receiver. And, rarely are guys wide open with the exception of one or two of the seam routes behind the jet sweep motion. He puts the ball into really tight spots.

While all of you are busy faxing your letters. I'll personally deliver mine on foot with a rose or two or three and expect a kiss or two or three or four .....

This is some nice accolades for the Hokie Nation and I like it! But only 1 service academy on the top 50 list...a bit suspicious. My son went to AFA, that is one fit student body, my friends. I'm sure West Point is incredible in shape as well. I would put the service academies as the first three and then start from there.

I think Clausen would have been a wasted 4th round pick. I was astounded when the panthers traded up to get somebody that nobody was going to pick before the 3rd round at the earliest.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Hope the lil one is healthy and happy. I'm sure you're not sleeping much.

Thanks for posting this! I was going to, but you beat me to it. I may not have been the paradigm of fitness, but I definitely enjoyed all the different ways to stay active: from McComas and War, to intramural sports, to awesome dining halls. Not to mention the fact that Blacksburg is settled in an excellent area for outdoor sports.
As if I needed ANOTHER reason to be proud of Virginia Tech. GO HOKIES!!!!