Recent Comments
The French Quarter isn't quite as much fun when you're 14.
My 3 year old has been going to games since he was 10 months old.... case in point, sitting in his high chair at the Boise State game, his first ever game. And yes, his grandma told him that he better finish that $8 Bud Light!!
Word to that, Shawn Tootle.
You look THRILLED
1) Thanks!
2) I agree up to a point. Every lineman has to learn and adapt to each system, and with linemen you have the added challenge of the kids being BIG kids. Some grow into the position, others outgrow it, and you never can measure what kind of motor each has to get better. The need for athleticism is why you see guys who go to smaller schools or are undersized entering college ultimately become 1st round draft picks.
That being said, at some point, physics can take over. If 6'5 310 hits 6'3 270 with the same ferocity and pad level, the 6'5 310 will win every time. I want depth, and these are the first small steps, but I don't think this is really what we will expect down the road. At Auburn, he stockpiled 4 star kids. I envision that he will attempt to convince Beamer to "over recruit" offensive linemen so if some wash out, it isn't so damaging.
Right now, the cubboard is bare. The Hokies barely could field a two deep at the spring game. Chung, Osterloh, Conte, Taraschke, Pfaff and McLaughlin are all freshmen this year. I would imagine we will see at least two more linement in this class, if not more.
3) Anything that involves beating up on John Battle, I approve of. Go Falcons.
You mean that's a girl...
My first Hokie game. Jan 2000, French Quarter, I was 14. Ahh, parenting!
I'd have to look back at how some of his recruits have fared in the NFL. According to Wikipedia, he was the line coach for the following guys who made the NFL: Andrew Carnahan, Edwin Harrison, Matt Hill, Drew Hodgdon, Levi Jones, Eddie Keele, Kyle Kosier, Jake Kuresa, Scott Peters, Tyler Polumbus, Travis Scott and Scott Young.
Of that group, Levi Jones is a solid starter, and we got to watch Tyler Polumbus here in Washington DC. Polumbus is known as a guy who is a depth tackle who is a specialist in the zone blocking scheme. Similar to 3-4 linebackers, Polumbus has only been signed by teams that use zone blocking (Houston, Washington.)
This was the primary reason for the emergence of Beamerball....overwhelming the talent of the special teams players on the other side with superior talent. At the time, most teams used second teamers to fill in the line on punts and FG/Extra point teams. We would literally be putting starting safeties, CB's and linebackers against them, often with devastating results. Teams wised up, started using more talented players, or specialists groomed for key positions, which stymied Beamerball. CFB seemed to have given up on using starters because of lack of results and chance of injuries, which puts us at where we are at today. Personally, I think it's worth the risk to put the stars in. It was once a matter of pride to be selected for "Pride and Joy". It meant you were among the best VT had to offer.
First road trip to Pittsburgh, 2012.
Off topic: Now that I'm in a relationship, when I hear this question my instinct goes here:
You say Brent Benedict, I say an extremely young Arn Anderson.
I totally want to rock that cardigan, but I was never an HT. I will not allow myself to be a phony.
There was an attempted blackout game last year?
I am pretty sure that is Brent Benedict.
Parenting: you're doing it right!
EXCELLENT! A turkey leg for you!
1) What party is/was this?
2) Why is Gibson not wearing jorts?
3) Who's the dude behind the girl? Looks like he's working on a sweet 'stache.
But... but that's almost a full 4 months before Christmas...
I think they're just long sleeve t-shirts, but I could be wrong. They are the infamous shirts from the attempted "blackout" game last year, however
A couple of thoughts:
1. Great post, as always. I'm getting used to excellence here, and I don't want to take it for granted by not saying thanks!
2. I mentioned in a post last week that I think virtually all O-line players have to be developed, coached-up, if you will. Very few, if any, recruits come out of high school and instinctively perform flawlessly in anyone's system, whereas this is easier for "talent" positions, such as WR or RB. If I read what you're saying about Grimes correctly, he works on this theorem, that even 4-star & 5-stars would have to be developed as well. Agree?
3. As a former SW VA player (J.J. Kelly, Lonesome Pine District) I appreciated the John Battle reference.
Jorts FTW!
All i want for Christmas is a blocked Bama kick near the start of the game!
The linebacker decleated by DJ Coles said "Whoops there goes gravity"