Recent Comments

Vincent Mihota has already committed. Xavier Burke is committed and he will either be a TE or DE. VT is top 5 for D'shawn Hand and in the top 10 for Andrew Brown. I believe hokies are in a good spot for Derrick Nnadi.

Add to that we already have some good young talent on the team or committed (Ekanem and Teller especially). I feel like championships are won through a strong defensive front so I'm pretty excited.

It would be an amazing get if VT could get him. It would truly be "next-level" recruiting, and a sign that the program is taking the next step.

This next year, both on the field and off, will have a lot to say about whether or not Beamer gets another shot at a MNC before he hangs his cleats up.

First off let me apoligize for folks taking your turkey legs away, that is not what I intened on happening at all. Second of all thank you fellow key players for voting that comment so high. It's my first ever full star +7 comment! Thank you all.

Now I get what your saying, but you are still giving up on this game before it even starts, you should use your words more wisely if this isnt what you are trying to convey. I never said you were bashing the defense or even our team, all I am saying is that by your two post, it seems to me like you have lost your faith in your Hokie football team in big time games. "This team didnt let LSU cross the 50 in the natl title game", nobody cares man. That was two seasons ago, bama may show up w a good defense but the Hokie are showing up with the BEST defensive coordinator in the country! "IF I see a spark in the spring game..." come on man, the spark is already there you just gotta open your eyes and see it. We just changed our whole offensive game plan, which is outstanding to see finally. We went out and SEC coaches, thats not a spark enough for you? I was stationed down in Fort Walton Beach Fl right below God forsaken alabama, I know how their fans are, they are the most biased, unknowing anything else about college football and low mothafuckin pride bastards I have ever seen. I cant stand them or their coach anything about em. This is why I cant wait to see when we beat them. Its gonna be glorius! All I am saying is dont doubt our team when you have no reason to fellow Hokie. Also if you could please refrain from using the word "swag" that'd be greeeeaattttt. It is not a representation of Hokie fans. Blue collar folks dont have swag, we have a Lunchpail.

I'm not gonna question the effort of these players, they look to me like they're leaving it all out there. But they seem immature and really just don't have much talent. Robert Brown has no sense of what a good shot is. And I'm sorry to say it, but JJ just doesn't look like a good offensive coach. We don't have any good sets on offense. I know this season isn't his fault, it's Jim Weaver's fault, but you still should be able to draw up some plays. Our only inbounds play is to chuck the ball down the court and hope Erick comes down with it.

They really aren't any less intense than before, they just are shorter in duration. And that really wasn't what I was talking about, because they really do ball out in practice. Sometimes practice is more fun to watch than games because they get real physical with each other. Then come game time they seem to lose that physicality.
If they quit hanging their head after every bad play and start winning these games they need to win then I'll believe they have the same level of heart as EG, which I'm sure you saw by how he was curled over on the bench, how much he cares. You need that level, not just when they feel like giving it. Every hustle play, 50-50 ball, rebound, etc.

Gentlemen, we've been infiltrated. Initiate lockdown.

A lot of his issues right now are mental too. Same with Eddie.

By simple, I mean something that could band-aid the issues until the end of the season. His from needs a lot of work. In the limited views and inability to see it up close and in slow motion, it's hard for me to figure out exactly what the problem is. He does have too many moving parts, a really long and loose motion, and his release of the ball is absolutely terrible, but I need more views to see. I tried to find a picture of his release point I remember seeing, but I was unable. I'll keep looking for it and post it if I see it.

I'm pretty sure he works with the team in practices so he sees how much effort they are giving. I remember him saying he worked inside Cassell.

I see absolutely no reason the question the heart of our team's players. Do they struggle to shoot? Do they struggle to stay in front of their man on defense? Do they struggle to catch the ball? Yes.

But there's a difference between being able to do something athletically, and having the will to do something athletically. I see zero evidence of our team lacking drive.

Frankly, I find it pretty sad for someone to question the character of young men they probably have never met in person because of physical short-comings.

Bama's offense last season was truly elite, (first time in more than 30 years that was ever the case.) I expect next year could be an elite offense, as well. The sheer talent, depth, experience we have at the skill positions 2013 will be like never before. However, we are also vulnerable in many more areas, than this year last.

I will address in a latter post, my opinion as to the Bama Off, Def, and Special Teams, which each have issues. And as I've really enjoyed the insight and reading of this blog, especially the differences since the last time the two teams met, and especially analysis and breakdown, I'd be glad to provide whatever perspective as to Bama you might wish to know.

Of the two returning lineman, the LT will be a first round pick, probably next year, the other, Steen, the RG, is very good, strong and an excellent run blocker, but he was the least talented of the five this year. and may not have much or any NFL career. He may be moved to LG. The one certainty is the LT.

Thus, very similar to the last time the teams met in 2009, when we broke in 3-4 new OL to begin the 2009 season, such will be 2013.

As to AJ McCarron.

AJ is very good, but I don't believe there are 30 QBs in D1 better than McCarron. McElroy was one of the best 30 QBs in D1, with a few years in the system, with comparable talent, and McElroy was very efficient. McElroy held some school records after 2010, after completing the best single season ever for a Bama QB.

Alabama Crimson Tide Stats
NAME CMP ATT YDS CMP% YDS/A TD INT RAT
Greg McElroy 222 313 2987 70.9 9.54 20 5 169.0

AJ McCarron 211 314 2933 67.2 9.34 30 3 175.3

You'd think the two QB's were almost identical over the course of a season, with only difference AJ throwing more TDs, as McElroy had inrgram and richardson he'd get the ball to them to score in the red zone.

But on the eye test, AJ is clearly the better QB, as AJ has a faster release, throws tighter spiral, and greater velocity. AJ's can make all the throws, proficiently. AJ can throw the deep corner/flag route, (BCS game,) can hit the receiver in stride in on the deep ball.

REC YDS AVG TD
Eddie Lacy 21 162 8.6 1 (BCS)
T.J. Yeldon 11 131 11.9 1 (LSU winner)

Mark Ingram 21 282 13.4 1 (78long)
Trent Richardson 23 266 11.6 4 (85 long)

Mark & Trent were both excellent receivers catching the ball out of the backfield, and Greg would not hesitate to check down, which was the efficient read, (safe pass, with 1st down yardage average each reception.) As the avg gain per reception, was about 3yds above his avg on all attempts, Thus, Mark & Trent would helped Greg's proficiency, (with 25% of total TDs and near 600 combined receiving yards out of the backfield.)

Eddie and AJ were good options out of the backfield, but, AJ did not throw to them as much, one less completion per game. But the avg yds gained Lacy & Yeldon was consistent with AJ's total avg. Thus, whereas AJ had only 2 of 30 TDs to RB's, thus, 28TDs were to receivers/TDs, who received nearly 2650 of his 2950 (approx) total.

Thus, AJ had some 20plus completions less than Greg to hideouts/te, however AJ's completions netted some 300 yards more than Greg, and for some 13 more Tds to receivers.

I don't ever recall another season, where our QB connected so consistently on the deep ball as AJ has this year, and more often than not, right on the money.

AJ led the NCAA in efficiency, which was a HUGE reason our offense scored a school record 68TD, and only kicked 15/20 attempts. The offensive balance produced in excess of 3000 yards both rushing and passing.

I would expect from 2013, given the uncertainty relative to the new OL, yet to be determined, that the offensive balance and overall production will drop, but I don't believe it will be significant either way. I believe we'll be able to run most of the time, but it is inevitable the run game will not be at our will, as it was most of last season.

But in the first couple of games, the unorthodox scheme used by Foster, will be present a challenge for the new guys, especially with regard to the protections and communication. Thus, it is natural the new guys will make a few extra mental errors and missed assignments. If the defender penetrating attempts an arm tackle or loses technique, Yeldon, can make him miss in the backfield.

I believe however, should the O line allow for negative plays in the backfield, (i.e. sacks and busted assignments,) then I would not be surprised if the win will fall on whether or not AJ can light it up. Provided AJ maintains his efficiency at a relatively high rate, 2013, may bring some 300-400 yard passing games, to pull out or preserve a victory.

I believe the opening game may very well be one of those games. Last meeting, Bama was 6-17 on 3rd downs, which is piss poor, but at least 3 of those failed conversions were 3rd and short, (1-2 yds to go,) but ingram was stuffed by the D. We also had 10 penalties for some 83 yards, uncharacteristically high for saban.

I think the game will be every bit of the marquee game it should be. VT is without question one of the teams on Bama's schedule every bit as capable of beating the tide, as A&M or LSU.

I was very confident about Bama's chances this past season they could play for another title, because the team was hungry after the BCS win over LSU, and the players went to work in the off-season to not let up, as the 2010 team did. So, when Bama blowout Michigan to start last season, I was not surprised. We expected to win and pull away in he 2nd half if need be, but the blowout was not a surprise given the team's focus and preparation during the offseason. If it were this time last year, I would expect VT to have little to no chance, of winning or even keeping within 2-3 TDs.

This point last year, the fanbase knew the players returning wanted to repeat, and were very hungry. the leadership on last years time was phenomenal, as I each of the 10 players we’ve lost to the draft/graduation, took the freshman and younger guys aside, what was expected, and kept the focus and drive. And when McCarron was struggling, he got called out by the others, same with Fluker, Millner, most of them did.

The leadership on this years team, is AJ, on offense and CJ Mosely on defense. That's it, and that’s not enough. That was 2010, when with more talent and experience, than the 09 team, dropped 3 games.

With all the Dynasty talk after smashing notre dame, it’s great to hear as a fan, but I know the players are not focused at present as they were at this point last year. It is quiet from Tuscaloosa, so if they enjoying the off-season to celebrate or relax... as a fan, hell, they've earned it and they're just kids. Most of us fans have no expectations as to this years team, other than to play their best, and enjoy the moment.

We’ll have a good year, it will be fun to watch, we don’t expect a three peat, and it’s certainly possible with Saban, but the fanbase does not believe it is likely to happen. We had a dominant team last season, yet could have easily have dropped 3 games. Should we not have more leadership step up, we’ll probably drop 2-3 this year. If Saban gets them ready, then it will likely be just 1, maybe 2. (That is all assuming AJ remains healthy.)