Recent Comments
Did it occur to anyone that the recruiting drop-off and the drop-outs happened the first few years after the April 2007 event? That would mean we are holding the coaches responsible for something they couldn't control. I could easily see recruits and their parents deciding to choose a different school at that time due to fears. I wonder if other schools use that against us in the recruiting wars? Are we seeing a lingering effect of the tragedy?
At this point, it seems like Beamer is just a name. Much the same way that Bobby Bowden was at the end of his tenure. What is it going to take for someone to make a few changes around Blacksburg? The man has been a football god to the Hokies, but all good things must come to an end. If you want to keep him in the loop, then put him in charge of recruiting. Having his name associated with Virginia Tech football will always be a great benefit. But I can't be the only one who feels that his time has passed. Change is good. Turnover is needed. It's time to get some fresh blood in Lane Stadium.
At this point, I would let the current staff finish up the season. Then once the offseason hits, remove Beamer as the head coach. Possibly promote Foster, but the way his D has been playing this year doesn't give me too much confidence in him. Perhaps we just scrap the entire staff and let a new comer build his own unit. I hate to see things change, but until they do, we'll always be known as a 10 win team who doesn't belong.
Sadly, the ballhawking you yearn for all starts with the defensive line creating pressure and getting to the QB. When reminiscing about years past when we had guys like Brandon Flowers, Bam Bam Kam, Macho Harris, and the like, the one thing they had in common (besides being NFL talent) was a defensive line/lineback corps that put qbs on their backs. Pressure on the qb makes Bonner and Cole look a WHOLE lot better. While we thought the DL would be our greatest strength this year and would help alleviate some of the green guys in the defensive backfield, to date, we were sadly mistaken.
I sometimes wonder if the team gets as good film study as you provide.
The coaches are not on the field. There has been a lot of poor execution this year. Some of that has to do with coaching but the coaches don't make turnovers, drop passes, miss blocks, or fail to finish plays.
The program has been at a high level for a long time. I've seen many years of frustration prior to the success. There needs to be some leadership and passion on the field to turn this year around.
Fans who have never seen failure need to suck it up and accept that there will be some down years. Think about Miami or FSU or even Alabama prior to Saban arriving. These things happen.
Is CFB past his prime? Has he or his staff lost their touch?
If you want changes expect that there will not be any quick turnaround. Is coaching VT that desirable a job that we will have top level coaches beating down our door to come here? The program and CFB are what make us respectable.
nuff said, and maddening at the same time. This is not the product that I have been used to seeing since '95. Sickening to see Roger Dorn impressions by the "gap tacklers" one by one.......UGH!
The Hokies I love play with a sense of urgency and something to prove. There was a team effort. I didn't see that on Saturday. This is where coaches need to show their talent. This is a capable group but needs everyone to step it up.
I didnt get my facts straight
Being a standup program is more important than being elite.
I want a national championship as much as anyone ever, but if I have to cheat for it, don't want it.
He is the Vice President of Strategic Engagement there and guess who is the football coach? Terry Bowden.
I see him as more of a figure head...His staff would run the department or he could be an assistant AD. Basically a job to keep him around for recruiting/fundraising like Tom Osborne
I want to continue the bowl streak and the ShittingOnUVA streak at all costs. If it means 6-6, then so be it.
But we HAVE to beat UVA.
Maybe we can go to Nashville?!?
I just don't see Beamer wanting to be AD. I see Beamer golfing every day and soaking up the sun when he retires. Cheryl will also probably have a strong say in what Beamer does when he retires.
can't wait to have pink helmets/jerseys....
could win us games by just staring deep into the eyes of the opposing QB
Safeties never play as true freshmen in VT system... Too much to learn about the entire defense. I don't think that changes next year, regardless at the problems of free safety and Fisher's talent level.
Of course, this is moot if Saban has his way.
Al Groh's defenses suck
IF Cole can improve his tackling, he has a chance to be a very effective WHIP. He has a nose for the ball, and always seems to be in the right place at the right time much like Cody Grimm always was. His physical tools just aren't suited for Rover/FS, and I don't understand why Foster isn't seeing that right now.
Teach me your ways.
Looking at a playbook explanation of the Virginia Tech defense I found on the Gewgol, there within, amongst the obviously uncomfortable 90's-era pictures of the coaches, is a 'base philosophy and objectives of the defense' section.
(http://www.playbookexchange.net/playbooks/Defense/02060201-VirginiaTechA...)
1. Stop the run.
- Limit play selection.
- Limit blocking scheme.
2. Outnumber defenders to blockers.
3. Outnumber receivers with four-man
rush.
4. Attack the offense.
- Make it defend itself.
- Not going to see everything.
5. Attitude defense.
- Pressure mentality.
- Speed and desire.
6. Commitment to man coverage.
7. Study and predict protections.
- Fewer receivers in patterns.
8. Study how offense reacts to pressure.
- Take away quick answer.
- Make quarterback beat you with his
checks; take game out of press box.
9. Great disguise.
- Multiple movements.
- Up-calls.
- Identical man-zone adjustments.
10. Solid fundamentals.
- Block protection.
- Tackling.
- Get-off.
- Pursuit — bending the body.
- Four seconds of concentration.
- Communication.
I present this because, while reading your forum topic, I've gathered that the defense has lost all idea of this philosophy.
That last point, "Solid fundamentals" (which you rightfully noted in your post as the basic catalyst for failure that VT is committing), seems to be the most forgotten point. I think that has to do with the communication that isn't happening on the field.
You are correct. Calvin was drafted in 2007 and PJ started in 2008.
If that ever (haha) happened and he decided to keep Bud as DC (and Bud decided to stay), both of their heads would probably explode from scowling/yelling in each other's direction.
It would be the proverbial: immovable object meets unstoppable force. The universe would cease to exist.
God, this is depressing to watch. And I have nothing else to add to that. Just severely depressed now.
Calvin Johnson was not recruited by PJ. I'm pretty sure he was gone for the NFL before Paul Johnson even got the GT job.
When I posted this I wasn't trying to suggest that Beamer be fired. I was simply trying to start a discussion about the future of the program after Beamer. Some have taken more out of this forum than what has been said. To question the future after Beamer is not an act of disrespect or lack of loyality. It's something all Hokies need to think about. I was just wanted to get a feedback from fellow Hokies. I know what my SEC pals think.
Expectations are greater than the resources available. That is why I don't think it is an ideal job.
If they did let go of Beamer (not something I am advocating for), Grantham would be an interesting selection.