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OK new topic... Leal, Hodges or Ford in 2014?

This is a good question that raises another question in my mind. We've always (under Bud Foster) had this philosophy of almost over-aggressiveness to take away the run and force the defense to contend with our ridiculous secondary. And it seems like this USED to be our philosophy on special teams as well, sell out to try and block kicks to get the big momentum changing plays. Yeah, you're going to get burned occasionally, but it's high risk/high reward. Draw a few roughing the kicker penalties or give up the occasional first down on a fake punt but the blocks completely change the game AND put the fear of god into opposing punters, totally messing with their heads and leading to mistakes like taking a knee to catch the snap. I understand that blocking schemes have changed that sort of thwart Beamer's traditional blocking approach, but there's got to be a weakness to exploit (and clearly it's not on the return side since we suck donkey balls on that).

Great write up.

Here's my thoughts.

I love what Maddy and Hopkins bring to the line - they cannot be denied and nobody how the offense try to scheme against them, they just shed blocks with an attitude and get after quarterbacks or ball carriers in a hurry. Then there's Gayle who is having a solid season, but unspectular, but that's ok because he is doing a tremendous job of tying up the blockers, forcing the offensive line to respect what he brings off the edge. On one play, Gayle destroyed a five-star tackle and sacked Morris, which are highlights of his skill, motor, and attitudes. Defensive coordinators in the NFL got to love that. Will he be an every down ends? I don't know. But, his tenacity is one of his biggest strengths.

Agreed with Facyson's assessments. I appreciated that Facyson was gambling he could snare that deep ball, but he simply mistimed his jump. While I agree he should have just wrapped up, I like what he was trying to do. That's something to respect.

Speaking of Facyson, I am really excited to see the future of the secondary when Jefferson, Fisher, and Reavis arrive in Blacksburg (assuming they all qualify) with Kendall and Facyson locking up their starting roles.

I do expect to see the defensive line and linebacker to take a bit of a step back next fall, but I believe that Foster has made a living off on simply reloading and go at it again. With Nigel, Baron, and Dadi having significant playing experience along with Trimble and Clark (assuming he comes back from suspension or am I having the wrong Clark?) and some other redshirted freshmen, I think the defense will be good. It may be up to the offense next fall to carry the team, depending on who runs the offense from the quarterback spot.

I really like how Loeffler called the plays Saturday and how well Thomas played. That's four games where Thomas was smart, conservative, and took the high percentage completion passes instead of trying to squeeze the ball into tight window.

What else can I add about Joshua Stanford? I have often said since spring and summer how much chemistry Stanford and Thomas had, and it was why I was so perplexed at Thomas' insistence on targeting Knowles and Coles so much early in the season. Stanford was often Thomas' security blanket during camps. It was great that Stanford got that touchdown courtesy of spinning out of tackles, sprung for the touchdown on well-timed blocks from Edmunds and Byrn. HE SIMPLY WOULD NOT BE DENIED HIS TOUCHDOWN!

I cannot give enough praises to Coles and Knowles for jumping on knocked balls because those were huge plays that had significant impacts on the scoreboards and demoralizing Miami.

Wait ... What if every Fuller has 4 sons who each have 4 sons and so on ...

Somebody gets it.

Mason, your point about Facyson is well taken. I think everyone realizes it's time to bench him and put in Leal.

Yes they would go over us.

This receiver corp reminds me so much of the 2004 group. So much young talent.

On the 4th an 1, I wouldn't have minded them putting in Caleb to try and get that if they weren't going to use Edmunds

Yes, you are correct. Wartooth had a winner there.

EDIT: original text was taken out and posted below in abridged version. Also included comment about Guitarman only needing 30 minute power naps every 4 hours. I believe the last person to attempt that was this man:

Is it YOU?? :)

sometimes things have to be measured different ways