Recent Comments
Watching the game I saw a lot of bad things from Bruce Taylor and thought he looked big and slow... to the point that I went and looked up his listed weight in previous years to see if he had gained (he hadn't).
One of my non-VT friends really put into words how bad Bruce looked in space though. He saw a highlight of the Pitt TD on the HB Wheel Route and asked me why we were trying to cover their back with a Defensive End.
Charles Bronson child: "Hey Ma how bout' some cookies!"
Mother Bronson: "No dice"
Charles Bronson child: "This...aint...ova..."
and let's be realistic .. tony gregory is not in the equation so shane beamer need not even include him in the equation.
scales is a short yardage back. he doesn't have the speed or the hands to be anything else.
jc, at this point, is not an every down back (and may never be). he should be used at a scat-back and we need to get him opportunities in the open field. with the way our oline is blocking, he doesn't have a chance back there
that leaves holmes -- he's our best option in a uniform. he needs to be getting 20 touches a game so that he can start getting into a rhythm. this running-back by committee approach is all good when your committee is 2-3 every down studs (like evans, williams, wilson) .. we don't have that (this year).
I don't want to over-simplify the running back position but other than making the right read, hitting the right hole, and picking up a blitz, it's not the most technical or complicated position in the world. i think our lack of success has more to do with the running backs and the oline than coaching. obviously, teaching a rb patience, how to hold on to the ball, how to read/follow blocks, etc .. are coaching points but a lot of the position is athleticism, more than most positions. it's one of the least heady positions
- scales lacks speed, athleticism, and stamina
- jc lacks size, size, size, and vision (because of his size)
- holmes could be a GOOD back but he's really indecisive .. he's not a total bruiser or speedster. he seems to be a north-south runner when he decides to hit a hole.
"I gotta take a shit, y'all are on your own!"
Just got 50 Shades on audiotape. That Christians a freak!
"You're telling me tight ends don't convert to capable linemen!?"
"Run blocking? How are we supposed to do that?"
Some asshole on the other end of these headphones just told me I look like Charles Bronson! Now what am I doing here again?! Oh yeah, coaching...
anybody got a breath mint? my mouth still tastes a little like puke.
(didnt he say in an interview he throws up before every game?)
Since he took over the RB's have seemingly been less effective at short yardage. First DMFW and his Quest for the Edge. Now we've got a converted FB and two freshmen that Shane has to coach up. It's not surprising there's a drop off in coaching, when you go from 30 years experience to 1. Now on the other hand, Billy Hite was quoted as saying he coaches his RB's up until they touch the ball and he doesn't tell them what to do after getting the hand off. Of course there's more to it than that, but after 30 years as an RB coach he's probably forgotten more than Shane has ever learned about the subject. And with that long a track record it was easier to see what was coaching and what was player limitations.
(Shane was RB coach for Mississippi State in 2006)
Of course, Shane Beamer is a great recruiter. He's probably the best that VT has ever seen. But, my question is, can he coach, and why is he coaching the RBs.
Shane Beamer was a long snapper and wide receiver in college. Shane has never coached RBs before and never even worked with them as a graduate assistant. He has a heckuva ton of experience coaching special teams and has spent some time with DBs, but never RBs. In fact, according to the HokieSports bio (http://www.hokiesports.com/staff/beamer.s.html), he has only been a graduate assistant on the offensive side for 1 year, working with QBs and WR of Georgia Tech.
But my issues are with the way the RBs are running and his comments. It is clear each of the 4 RBs are not running well, and it is clear their mechanics aren't very good either. It seems, every time they make contact, they stop moving their feet (see the Scales video above) which is a sure-fire way to get tackled backwards. Likewise, they lack the vision and are always working left and right, instead of up-field. Maybe this is why:
“@coachsavino: @coachsbeamer What do you think is the most effective running play when you don't have a consistent OLine?”Deception.E-W runs— Shane Beamer (@CoachSBeamer) September 18, 2012
French, what was your most negative comment about David Wilson? If I remember right, it was the fact that he never just took the 2 yd gain when it wasn't there. Ran east, west, or even south, but never north. It's obvious, Shane Beamer believes that putting more effort running towards the sidelines is a better way to get a first down.
This quote also disturbs me, although I'm not sure it is his "offense." However, I think he was highly involved in bringing the new "innovative" pistol offense, which has been ineffective thus far.
“@martyisthatguy: @coachsbeamer in few words whats the identity of our offensive? #Spread #PowerRunning #prostyle #confused ?” Multiple— Shane Beamer (@CoachSBeamer) September 18, 2012
I really like Shane and I love what he's doing on the recruiting trail. But, I am currently finding myself questioning the RB situation at VT, which I never have in my ~13 or so years of being an avid VT football fan.
It's still slightly embarrassing that our best will only play the 2nd best from the SEC or Big Ten. I agree, it would be better if there were more conferences in on the mix for the ACC's opponent.
I just wish we'd give the inverted zone read option more time - in practice and in-game. Our RB's aren't good enough / established enough to go strictly on designed runs.
Thomas as the inside option, and Coleman as the outside option. And heck, run a faux-options with the ball just going to JCC - the defense will still have to respect Thomas up the middle.
E=mc^2 ... what's so freaking hard about that??
When David Wilson was more effective than RMFW when they shared carries, and I don't believe he is the better back by a long shot. Speed to the hole.
Not the same circumstances here, but goshblamit I wish we were not so dogmatic all the time..."thou shalt redshirt because of ball control issues and lack of experience in pass-protection blocking." We redhsirted RMFW, and he left after 2 years. What was the point.
Based on what I saw, Edmunds would have been my opening day starter, and I would have put the shirt on Coleman because he is the only other one they could have put a shirt on. Holmes would be my 2.
Harris looks like a faster Evans. Upright runner, one cut and go guy. But, on his film, nobody touches him, so I have no idea if he will be great or not. Plus, he isn't in the program yet. Remember, LeSean McCoy was supposed to come to VT and didn't qualify, and Todd Nolen never did get into the program either. You never know.
Yes, at today's press conference I believe.
Sounds like it yes. Sad to say that i didn't get that many looks at edmunds on the fall practice tape ... french: i gather you think that edmunds could come in and be more effective day 1 than anyone else that we've seen? or do you think with our woes at OL that it will even matter that much?
I say burn his shirt. We've got Drew Harris coming next season, at least one the season after (probably two) .. hell -- we may even get Derrick Green (he may not be so worried about the depth chart at this point). We need an effective RB now
Joe, he said a week ago (after 2 games) that he was redshirting...did he reaffirm this recently after the Pitt game?
Pitt was technically week two for us. Just saying.
So they are reevaluating, but not considering playing Edmunds?
#RVD4THEFIELD
If you watch closely after a poor throw or breakdown in coverage or even missed tackles. The players were looking at each other with disgust and arguing with each other. This was hard to watch. I am reasonable and wasn't expecting an undefeated season but I wasn't expecting underachieving and blaming others for their mistakes after they just made their own mistake. Just dreadful to watch. I am hoping for improvement and getting some of our young playmakers some snaps.