Recent Comments

Opposing fans that are reasonable can join the site, but turkey legs are reserved for true Hokies only.

Excellent analysis.

I'm saying aTm and VT are similar schools with similar history. Would love to see history repeat itself this fall.

Probably worthless now, except to scout the personnel. But even that might change.

Same goes for Temple and Auburn. SL had two years as OC at two different schools. But agree the basics will still be there.

It comes down to match-ups on the field and game time adjustments. The intangibles are turnovers, special teams, injuries, and unexpected big time performances (redshirts and true freshmen).

Certainly on paper BAMA appears superior but the outcome is not a foregone conclusion. There are plenty of unknowns between now and when the clock reads 0:00.

While I would love to see Tyrod starting for the Ravens. I think the chances of Baltimore not retaining the Uni-brow Kid somewhere around 0.0000001%

I would agree, the red-zone efficiency will be key. And with the new OL, i do not expect the execution in the red-zone be what it was this past season. And in the game in 09, Bama had a big advantage in yardage, but was down at halftime 17-16, due to 3 FGs in 4 Atts and with only 1 TD.

Alex Carter was a Senior in the sophomore year highlights of McSorley. Alex Carter ended up going to Stanford.

Where did #2 end up going (if he was a part of this years class). That kid was impressive.

QB had really nice touch though and had some good wheels. I think he'd fit our system really well.

I only watched a few of your games last season, but most noticeably against FL ST. From my observations in that game, i think Thomas has a very gifted skill-set and is a good athlete. I believe the key to Thomas' next season will be directly relative to the success of VT's offense, and that is, can Loefler develop Thomas with regard to his reads of the D, and to simplify the process.

I think Thomas has a good arm, and can make the throws, but i believe a lot of his inconsistency, (and thus, that of the offense and the decline of the rushing production,) was the decisions and reads Thomas would make, often did not regard the relevant down & distance. i.e. if on 2nd & 9: Thomas can deliver a good and ball, but the type of read Thomas would make, e.g., to the boundary WR running a 10 yd route, against man coverage, has a relatively low chance for success, unless the WR beats his man, or if playing off the DB is slow to react to the route. Thus, if the pass is a bit off, or if the DB is able to react to be in position to attempt to make a play, more often than not, the pass results in an incompletion. Thus, now the offense is facing 3rd and long, and the prospective chance for making a first down, go down the crapper, for even the best offenses.

However, often in such situation, there is a much safer completion available in the route, if Thomas were to have checked down, and thrown to an uncovered receiver, e.g. a RB in the flat, or receiver underneath the zone coverage. A good ball to the uncovered receiver has a high prospect for completion, (more likely than not,) and if thrown properly will allow for a min. of 2-3+ RAC, (on avg.), bc all the receiver must do to gain the 2 yds after the catch is to simply fall forward. If the receiver can make the first defender miss, then its 3rd & short, or possibly a new set of downs. On 3rd & 5, the prospects for a conversion are good for even a below-average offense. On 3rd & 5, now Thomas can scramble for that if need be, and thus, now the D must account for the running ability of Thomas, which should open up the coverage.

If Thomas can become more of a manager of the offense, (i know, a game-manager, I believe the difference will be night and day. Thomas can make plays, without question, but if he is more aware of what he needs, i.e. to be more patient, take the safer throw, then Thomas will be in a better position to make plays and I would expect he would make plenty. Providing the offense has the option to run or pass on the next play & particular down, (which i'm sure if Loefler will attempt to ingrain that into Thomas,) if Thomas can learn apply that to his play, then i believe the offense will be much improved. I would expect to see a win differential of at least +3, and as i'm not aware of any other team in the coastal poised for a breakout, (maybe NC, but that is speculation on my part,) either way, I would expect to see VT compete for the div. champ, and would be my pick to win the Div. next year.

Depending on how well Thomas picks up to the concept and applies it, VT could very well have a breakout season next year. I don't know why y'all got away from the run game this year, but assuming the rushing attack makes a modest improvement, similar to what y'all had the year before, 2011, then a 10win season is more likely than not. (THis assumes there are no critical injuries to any components, say QB, e.g., or multiple injuries in the 2-deep to multiple positions.)

If Thomas can put the offense in situations which are favorable for him to make a play, as opposed to situations which are absolute whereby he must make one, (a rather basic concept, which holds true,) the difference will be night and day.

But should Thomas be patient in the pocket and choose the efficient read, such will play right into Thomas skill-set, and take advantage of his ability to run to keep the opposing defense guessing, on its heals, and the chains moving, which will in turn keep the VT defense rested and allowed to perform at its optimum level, and attack.

As to Thomas' potential, his potential is pretty damn high, and being the dual threat, such can pose the greatest threat to our D, if used in the proper manner, to attack our D, and limit the number of bad plays for the offense. Saban's philosophy is to defend the field from the inside out, to stop the run on 1st & 2nd down to create 3rd & long situations for the offense, (i.e. force the offense into unmanageable situations which favor the defense.) Teams which had success against our defense were those who were able to gain positive yardage on 1st and 2nd down: LSU, A&M, & to a lesser extent GA.

LSU was able to run the ball, with modest success, i.e. about 3.5 per carry, but rare did the RB get stuffed at the line, as 2-3 yds (avg) on 1st & 2nd downs, consistently is enough to keep the defense honest and allow manageable situations to convert on 3rd down.

I believe VT's run game will show improvement from last year, however, anytime a new system is put in, (i.e. change in technique,) there are always some growing pains in the first year. I don't believe the offseason will be enough for the Offense to fully implement the change by the first game, though i would expect improvement over the season, once the team faces live competition to learn through film study to better their application. As our run defense should be the very best your offense will face all season, the first live competition your offense will face will be instrumental in the lines development and chemistry, however, i would be surprised if the offense is able to consistently run the ball with any real success, and to help keep Thomas from having to avoid unfavorable situations on down & distance.

If Thomas makes strides this offseason, which i believe he will make, he has the potential to pick up the slack and make some plays. If Thomas can avoid mistakes, and thus, is able to apply the newer philosophy from game 1, which to an extent i believe he will, I believe he can lead the team to victory, no question. Such a victory will require, however, a complete game from Thomas. Such is not out of the realm of possibility, even for the first game.

If Thomas plays a complete game, VT will have an opportunity to compete and win the game. However, should Thomas break from the game plan by reverting to last season form, for a few series, (e.g. a Qtr's worth of football.) Such could very well be the difference. If VT has a lead, Thomas will need to protect that, as opposed to taking unnecessary shots to make a play, (e.g. by going for the kill, so to speak.) If playing from behind, same thing, Thomas must protect the ball and the Defense by being patient and moving the chains. Without exception, this includes the red zone, where Thomas must play to his potential and leave with TD's as opposed to FG's.

Without question, Thomas can do this. Whether or not he will, i have no idea, depends on how hard he works in the offseason, buys in to the new coach, and is ready willing and able to apply them in the first live action he will face. I believe he will play well and has the potential to lead the team to victory, but I would not expect that to occur, as he's only 21yrs old and to ask of Thomas to an near immediate and complete change from how he was last accustomed to playing, i,e, throughout the course of the entire last season, is expecting too much of him, or of any college QB. I believe he'll play well, just not well enough for a victory, but well enough to compete for the W.

But if we get sloppy and commit too many mistakes and commit turnovers or mistaken special teams coverage, the latter being our achilles heel, then such will allow Thomas a greater margin of error. If the latter occurs, then yes i believe he will play well enough to win.

...sorry to be that dickhead correcting you

They will have trouble again with a Land Grant Technical University. Only this time it will be the one from Southeast Virginia.

I still expect them to gain a lot of yards on the ground, but we can bend as long we don't break.