Recent Comments
Oregon Offensive Rankings - Total Yards / Game
2004 - 49
2005 - 22
2006 - 13
2007 - 10
2008 - 8
2009 - 28
2010 - 4
2011 - 3
2012 - 6
Although maybe not "prolific", that is significantly better than Virginia Tech over a similar span.
They have more NFL ready TEs because they have athletes in that position because of the up tempo offense whereas our TEs are basically glorified linemen with the exception of maybe Ryan Malleck. LT3 would have been that type of TE if we had someone that could have been a better QB than him.
That's basically what I was trying to say, he can't use his body without people flopping and him being in foul trouble every game. Davila had the same problem in that every time he tried to use that lefty hook, they'd flop and he'd quit going to it. I think that is why Raines uses the up and under so much is that you can't flop against it without looking blatant.
You raise an interesting point. I believe another key to the differences between our offense and theirs is that Oregon's offense has a solid, nationally known identity, and it's really the identity of their team as a whole. They're going to be fast, go vertical in the passing game, run all over you with motion and misdirection, and score an ungodly amount of points. Simply put, they're offense is sexy. Our offense, on the other hand, has not been a key to our brand. We were the scrappy team from bumfuck nowhere that was going to make you earn every inch when we were on defense, and would make you pay for any mistiming on special teams. Offense has never been what we were about. But it started to be. Between 1995 and 2001, we developed an offensive identity, on the national stage. Power run was who we were, with speed around the edges to keep defenses honest. We mixed a balanced amount of pass, but it was only a complement to our ground game. We had a consistent system that worked, and it led us to a marquee Sugar Bowl win, and got us into a title game. If we could get back to that, picking a system, keeping it simple and consistent, and demanding outstanding execution, we could pick up where we left off and become a perennial contender.
I agree that we tend to turn out more offensive players in the NFL than what you would expect based on our offensive output over the years, and in general the opposite is true of our defense. If we had a better offensive coaching staff for the last 3-5 years, that trophy case would almost certainly not be empty today.
However, calling Oregon "one of the most prolific offenses in the NCAA" is somewhat of a misnomer. From 2000-2003, they barely averaged more offense than we did, and even all the way up through the 2009 season they weren't what you'd call an offensive powerhouse. That is mostly a recent thing, and has a bit to do with the tempo of their offense and the sheer number of possessions they tend to get as a result.
But, again, Beamer hires from those he knows.
🍪 🐶 COOKIES 4 LIFE!
|
13 years 6 months
# | Thoughts on Aaron McFarling's "Time for a change at Tech" Column He grew up and went to Radford High School. Frank's first coaching gig was DC for long-time legend Norman Lineburg there. Sherman played for Lineburg and was very close to him. Frank trusts Lineburg a lot (even rumored to offer him the OC job at VT when he first was hired in 1986/7). I'm sure Lineburg put in a good word for Sherman and Frank trusted that.
#VT4SEC
I think people see "video games" as some time waster of your generation. I'm not a gamer because I've got a bunch of kids. They play games, I join when I want to spend some time with them.
But, my parents probably thought ESPN was a huge timewaste for me. Their parents probably thought Elvis was a huge timewaste for them. On so on and so on.
...that you didn't mention kids.
I don't know which one I'd pick since Davila sat out for so long last year. I think Raines has the body to be an absolute monster, but he doesn't always use it. And sometimes when he does use it he gets treated like Shaq and people just flop all over the place. But that up and under move of his is awesome, if he can add a lefty hook he'd have all the tools.
You are describing the type of person that seems to be the opposite of what Frank Beamer wants. He wants someone who is beholden to him, either because he's from the VT/Beamer tree (Foster, Wiles, Gray, Beamer, Brown) or is a trusted and experienced outsider (Cav, MOC). Newsome brought a specific skill (knowing Tyrod's dad), Sherman is a bit of an outlier hire, you can draw your own conclusions to that.
But this is (potentially) a Coordinator hire, which Beamer hasn't had to do ..... since Elmo. So that becomes our data point, someone with the credentials to control their side of the ball. You bring in Ralph Friedgen, he's trusted and nobody will question who the boss is on the Offensive side of the ball. You bring in Brian Scott, people will assume he's a new GA and throw him dirty towels.
You're looking for offensive autonomy, I would project that only comes from Beamer due to respect and experience. You are asking for that autonomy to be rooted in the leverage of a competitive market. That's not how old-boy networks operate.
That said, I don't think its impossible. I think Shane could break that old-boy network. There is a Baby Boomer v. Millenial thing going on here, an Experience vs. Innovation contradiction. Let the corporate dynamics begin!
Mike O'Cain is a perfect example. That was a guy Frank knew well, and is/was well respected in the game (and in particular, in this region) and has been given a lot of responsibility. MOC, from what I remember, had no direct cnxn to Frank.
I hear you that Shane needs more experience before getting the job, that's why I think Frank is hanging around for another 5-6 years. I don't agree that HC's need coordinating experience, I have always lumped that into a separate category. That's why I also think Stiney would be a good HC. I believe a good HC needs to have an understanding of how things get done, but does not necessarily need the technical knowledge to replace his coordinator. It's the CEO mindset, my CEO doesn't need to know my skills, he needs to know how to utilize my skills and apply them correctly. Specifically for football coaches, I put more value on recruiting skills than coordinator skills. A HC is constantly applying the same living-room-holding-momma's-hand skills to all sorts of constituents. Boosters, media, administration, coaching hires, and recruits.....many overlapping skills. You have to have the skills to know the game and to delegate, but you better be a great recruiter.
In a perfect world, Shane is hired for a mid-major HC job in the next few years, succeeds and comes back when Frank retires.
|
13 years 6 months
# | An Unlikely Candidate for Offensive Coordinator but a Good One: Chris Klenakis He has an identity in the offense that we dabbled in some this year and is an offensive line coach as well which is a HUGE need. With Kapaernick balling out and RG3 running pistol in DC he could be a great sell.
I don't know of any connection to the current staff, Frank Beamer, or the area but you never know what can happen. He is still available and he has prior success as an offensive coordinator which is a huge IMO. He already has a twitter account @FBCoachK which is a plus in my book haha. The only connection I could see would be that for 1 season Shane and him were both in the SEC.
Davila also had a nice 5 foot little baby hook shot that Raines can't make consistently. While Raines may have more upside, Davila definitely got more out of his athletic ability and was a much better scorer in the post and also was a better defender (especially without fouling).
Right now, I would take Davila and Barksdale over Raines and Barksdale every day of the week.
I don't want an offensive coordinator over 45 years old. I'd prefer someone in their late 30's. I want someone who has the leverage that comes with a future elsewhere in order to ensure autonomy. I don't want someone who sees this as the last paycheck and who will placate Beamer to keep the checks coming.
I always thought he didn't get enough credit for everything he did. Noticed how our post defense became awful (and still is) after he got injured? Also I remember finding some stat that was like if he got at least 6 shots he scored in double figures every time. He was also a power forward trying to play center...
You make good sense, hope you are right. Stiney would be good to keep for recruiting and as a positional coach. Not sure if he would accept that change, but it would keep him in B'burg and maximize his talents. We'll see soon...
Maybe it's because I've always held out the hope that the reins will be turned over to Bud when Frank retires, but I've been resistant to accepting this idea that Frank is just going to turn the program over to Shane. To me, that seems like that is what would be best for the Beamers, not necessarily for Tech. Not saying anything against Shane, but jumping from a positional coach to a head coach with only your illustrious bloodlines as real justification for the move (especially when it's your dad making the call) seems sketchy. I just don't think Frank would be willing to do that unless Shane leaves to take a HC job somewhere else to get experience.
But let's explore this idea of Shane taking over AND go back to the connections idea. Perhaps Frank is willing to trust Shane's connections? Which would expand our list of potential candidates to (including only coaches he worked with AFTER being a GA) Sylvester Croom and Woody McCorvey (who ran a West Coast offense) at Miss St, and Spurrier (fat chance), Spurrier Jr and a whole slew of guys I've never heard of at South Carolina. McCorvey is now an Asst AD at Clemson and Shane was a Defensive and ST coach at USC, so I'm not sure there's much there, but...
Croom is a former NFL OC currently coaching RBs for the Jax Jags. You telling me if Frank called he wouldn't leave to take an OC position? Plus, dude won a freaking award as the best blocker in the SEC (thanks Wikipedia) as a tight end, which should get French drooling. If Shane trusts him, I'm sure Frank could be talked into it. Not sure what Croom (he's from Alabama, seems a Deep South guy) gives us recruiting wise or what kind of offense he prefers (can't tell what he ran in Detroit, but again, at Miss St they ran West Coast), but thought I'd throw the thought out there.
... if he didn't know that change is coming, or at least have a pretty darn good idea that change is coming.
For him to be able to do his job, he has to have access to the VT coaching staff. If Frank Beamer ever felt that he was agitating to have a member of his staff removed, that access could completely dry up very quickly. So while I could certainly be wrong, I don't think he would have written that column unless he felt that he was on solid ground with Beamer.
As for Bryan Stinespring himself, if he is indeed replaced as OC we most definitely want him to remain at VT in some capacity, perhaps as a full-time director of recruiting. He's the best recruiter on the staff and he genuinely loves VT.
Guy couldn't catch a pass to save his life. No disrespect to him, he's 123403432432 times better at basketball than me, but I'll take Cadarian now over Davila any day.
|
13 years 6 months
# | An Unlikely Candidate for Offensive Coordinator but a Good One: Chris Klenakis He had a scary bout with leukemia. Great story, but not good for long term health of the football program (or recruiting.)
PUBLISHER
|
13 years 6 months
# | An Unlikely Candidate for Offensive Coordinator but a Good One: Chris Klenakis Here's a comparison of their offense's production over the last 10 seasons. Closer to the x-axis is better.
On average, Bible's offenses are ranked 10 spots higher in total offense. He's probably had less talent at his disposal than Stiney over the years. I wouldn't be overly thrilled with that hire, but I can see it happening.
#90 is a defensive player, #57 and offensive player.
#57: "Nice defense out there guys."
#90: "Bitch!" {slap!}
i live in virginia. i get the b1g network. i sometimes watch it. if there was an acc network (an actual network not one game a week) i would totally watch it. especially anything vt related. they should do it.