Recent Comments
The one downside to Tech unfortunately... We sure could use a fuckton
after Logan's last season idk if were fortunate or not. I would have liked to seen leal get more reps and some game experience last year I think he has potential, minus his actual body size 6-1 210 compared to logan, however I think he might be a better overall qb than Logan, and could you imagine Logan playing H-back in this offense
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9560209/virginia-tech-hok... read comments below were getting no respect had to get on some people in there
Who would buy a hotdog when you can get a turkey leg?
Wake Forest has fans? Who knew?!
Nay, my son...a fuckton, UNC has a fuckton of chicks.
So this is really random, but can you even buy hot dogs at Lane Stadium? In the seven years I've been going to games there, I can't say I've ever seen a hot dog.
8 guys fighting for five spots:
Tackle: McLaughlin, Gibson, Shuman, Conte
Guard: Miller (starter), Benedict, Farris
center: it sounds like Wang, if healthy, will be the starter. Farris is the 2.
Based on Andy Bitter's tweet it looks like the number of contenders is getting smaller. Beamer will likely put Jarrett as a punt returner, which means opponents will kick away from him. Expect whoever is in the other spot to get a ton of returns, as Beamer will continue to use two deep returners.
Thank you to everyone for all the great comments. I love the debate. A couple of responses to your questions or comments:
1) "Explosive" is a luxury as a punt returner. The most critical skill set for an effective punt return man is the ability to field the punt. Other than muffing the punt, the thing that drives coaches nuts in the return game is a punt returner who lets the ball bounce, even on short kicks. More field position is acquired by the threat of a block coupled with catching the punt than on actual returns. Jarrett continues to be an option, which tells me that Beamer is not confident in the other contenders ability to make good judgements on fielding punts and then catching the ball. It is certainly scary to imagine Kyle Fuller needing to return punts given his responsibility as a man corner on the boundary. (Note, I expect that Kyle is fielding punts because he will be on the field on 4th and short when the D stays on the field in Punt Safe.)
2) Without exception, the best punt returners break returns by getting upfield quickly after the catch. The mechanics almost mirror a quick fullback trap. The outside defenders get caught upfield and you only need a small seem to burst through. Brian Mitchell was terrific at hitting that seam. It may not be as exciting as the Darnell Jefferson cutback 50 yards across the field return, but it leads to more touchdowns and consistent 10-15 yard net gains in field position. The small quick guys are not always going to be the best fit, but the guys who are fearless and get up the field will always be effective.
3) As important as special teams are, and knowing how critical a big return can be in turning around a game, I think that the use of Jarrett in the kicking game could damage his effectiveness on defense, and the Hokies can not afford him to play at anything other than an elite level. Against Alabama it will be very difficult for the VT offense to sustain drives. The defense is going to be taxed. While the Hokies have defensive line depth, the linebackers are going to be pushed to the limit of their physical endurance in the 3rd and 4th quarter, and Jarrett is a linebacker with the added responsibility of deep coverage. He doesn't have experienced depth behind him and Foster can't replicate his skill set. If, and it is a big if, Beamer can identify someone with some explosiveness in the return game who also won't hurt you with muffed kicks or failure to field kicks, I would rather see that person getting the return and Jarrett getting fluids so he can rock TJ Yeldon on the next series.
haha yea forgot about that run in with the early wake forest tailgate group. That had to be a rarity
I wonder if Saban had the team vote on whether to suspend him.
Even if he misses a game, the way they recruit they just reload at that position.
He may not have an O-line like brees does, but VT is switching to a zone blocking scheme which masks the O-line deficiencies which will only help Leal. And...as VT "never" has great lines, Leal has still performed decently when asked to do so, with those lackluster lines. I think he is more viable than Bucky at this point. However, I don't know much about this Motley guy.
Google disagrees:
(I know it's old, and doesn't work anymore, but I still find it amusing)
i agree. i'm a mark leal fan. he at least deserves a shot. when i've seen him get a chance, he looks pretty accurate. most of what i remember is him playing in garbage time, and the coaches aren't really going to unleash him at that point.
But I'm not trying to put down Mark Leal, I think he is a very talented qb and wish he could have been a couple more years younger than Logan. I loved it when he lit up App State. He threw some darts that game.
I don't care who it is, or how long he's been with the program; I just want the best QB to be on the field. Right now, we're fortunate to have Logan back for his 5th year.
Drew Brees has an offensive line.... Virginia Tech never does. Makes a big difference.
well done sir
My roommate went to the 09 Bama VT game with his brother and he told me this story. My friend left the stadium a few minutes before his brother did and got to the parking garage and went home. His brother called him shortly after that and said he will be a while because the police have the garage blocked off at the moment. The scoop he got from the cops was a couple of Bama fans were running their mouths a little too excessively and got the shit kicked out of them by some VT fans. He leaned over and saw the Bama fans on the ground all covered in blood.
Not the best move by the VT fans but every Bama fan I know runs their mouth constantly. I can't blame those guys for putting them back in their place
Don't be too sure here, Drew Brees can't exactly see over the line either. I'm not saying Leal has the talent Drew Brees does, I don't know...but size shouldn't keep him out of the mix.
That is a rare thing to find.
I've always felt bad for Leal because he always seems to play well. I have a few friends who have always wanted Leal to start when Logan does bad, but clearly the staff believes in Logan. I think for Tech to be successful, as in the old days, solid defense, good special teams, and above average offense. I think Leal can pull that off if not more. It all depends on how everything transpires from now until then.
who would pay for logans autograph after last season?