Recent Comments
He was recruited as a tackle, one of the top in the country. It's unknown how well he'll be able to move on his repaired ACL (torn + damaged nerves). Bumping him inside limits him from working on an island one-on-one with a defender. Playing guard won't require him to be as rangy and to move around as much.
What's this Benedict at LT business? Newsome seems to want him at guard. Is that more of wishful thinking?
Newsome: “We’ve moved some guys inside. We’ve moved Brent Benedict from an outside position to inside. So he’s at the guard position. He and Laurence Gibson will be battling over there. We’ll see where that goes."
http://hamptonroads.com/2012/03/curt-newsome-qa-new-faces-aplenty-loads-...
Is it the Mike London TM football (MLF) program or UVa Football?
Jo Pa was the face of Penn State forever but he didn't put his picture on a shirt.
As stated above: "Clark was one of the six players sent home a couple of days prior to the 2011 Orange Bowl for violating the team's New Year's Eve curfew."
odu is passing jmu, because 3rd tier 757 athletes are staying home.
The home for wayward VT athletes.
some guys come in and put in work early and keep grinding. others take awhile and get strikes against them along the way.
i get what you are saying, i always think about marcus, but only a few people know all of the details, beamer and clark for certain, everyone else is going on he said stuff. i don't know everything, but i know he was talented, well liked, a bit immature, 3 traffic violations, missed curfew at the orange bowl and been in bud's doghouse a bit.
that doesn't mean he isn't a good guy, but it may mean he needs to get his shit together completely. most of us have had that talk or realization we aren't 18 anymore. more times than not we didn't like it or refused to believe, but looking back most of those times were spot on. we alls grows up sometime.
if gone from tech, i hope to see him at odu, kicking ass.
3 of them.
that Clark didn't have a couple of strikes against him prior to St. Patty's Day. I surely don't believe that if Logan Thomas had dropped an F-bomb coming out of TOTS tipsy style, that he would be kicked off the team.
the backer and mike depth chart is going to look interesting
there is tyler and then williams
don't forget jack tyler...with tariq out...it's his show to steal..
Staff seemed high on Edmunds potential at RB, but may not have a choice now
Had high hopes for TC57. Adios, man.
So that leaves Chase Williams, huh?
What about Trey Edmunds? Could he play over there?
http://www.hokiesports.com/football/recaps/20120320aab.html
Did he have some other run-ins with the law I can't remember? Because while this isn't a good thing, it's not the worst thing in the world (it's at most a fineable offense).
Lots of questions, but lots of promise.
There's still time for Painter to get the job done. If the light comes on this spring, I'm going to feel better about this group's chances.
i've never really kept up much with vt's practice regiments, drills, etc -- but if the o-line takes on the great d-line in drills, scrimmaging, etc -- i can only see that as a plus. our d-line is athletic and strong -- if our o-line can stand up/learn/be pushed by them (the dline), it may help prepare them for typically "lesser" defensive lines ...
i know it's a lot more complicated than that -- but we won't go against a better dline than our own (with fsu possibly being the one exception) .. jmo
1. Cursed
2. Walked out intoxicated.
3. Walked out intoxicated while drinking a beer on my way home.
4. Never fell down the stairs though.
Legally it's not a huge deal, and I think most of us have done stupid things in college as the result of too much fun. If anything it speaks more about where his head is at with respect to his football career. We need to be able to count on him this spring and fall.
Is Telvion in the Bracket Challenge? If he wins, do you think he will request a smaller bottle of bourbon to that will fit in the Lunch Pail? I don't remember all the times I have left TOTS but I can almost guarantee you I did some swearing as I exited and I was occasionally (ok, every time) inebriated. I dare even Mitt Romney to have 1+ Rails and not drop an FBomb.
bonehead
One of my favorite players. However, we know what he brings to the table. I'm very anxious for the guys behind him to get reps this spring.
I really want to see if Telvion Clark can provide quality depth there. The same goes for Chase Williams, although I doubt he looked like this at 17/18: http://media.hamptonroads.com/cache/files/images/237661.jpg (Telvion).
**Update, well, I'm an idiot. Clark was booted today. So there's that. Come on down, Chase!!
The o-line is my #1 focus this spring. Obviously the new running backs and backup wide receivers are critical, but none of that matters if the o-line doesn't play up to the level they're expected. Replacing 4 guys, even if there are quality backups is always a concern and until I see solid production, I'll be a bit pessimistic.
I'm hoping these guys play at the level we saw last year. Granted that's tough to expect after what we lost, but I think we go as far as this o-line takes us.
Thought last year was a make-or-break year for Newsome and the line blocked pretty well, unless your name was Andre Branch. Have to give them some credit for DW breaking the single-season rushing record. Really hoping that the extra reps for Via and Becton this year pay off.
This will be a major focus of my spring game analysis, as the potential is there for the offensive line to be upgraded talent-wise at every position besides right tackle. Here are my focus points for the spring.
1) Newsome talked about Becton's pad level. I agree, but it isn't the only area of concern. Becton has more ability than Andrew Lainer did, but, we have to remember he was not a highly recruited left tackle prospect. While pad level has been a problem, he also needs improvement with his compete level, leg drive, explosion off the snap count (how many times was he late off the ball in short yardage?) and upper body strength. He does have the one skill set that is the most difficult to find in a left tackle, and that is the footwork to be a good pass protector. Unlike Lainer, who was beaten by simple physics on most pass rushes, Becton was beaten because he was overpowered to the outside shoulder or because he gave up on the play too soon. Those are correctable problems. Light feet can't be taught. I have not heard enough about the progress of Shuman and Acree to feel comfortable with their options if Becton can't produce. He needs to be pushed, and they are not good enough to do that.
2) Perhaps I missed a meeting, but why is Michael Via not playing spring football? Is there an injury that I am not aware of? Newsome minimized his importance, but I think Via is critical to the lines success. He is a known quantity, and good enough to start at 3 positions. Until I see a vastly improved Painter, Via has to be the starting right tackle.
3) Laurence Gibson, Laurence Gibson, Laurence Gibson. I'd still love to see him battling Becton for the LT spot. He has the feet, he has the strength, and he has the attitude. However, I am sure he didn't endear himself to the coaching staff by being late to travel to New Orleans, and there has to be other reasons why he has not received more opportunities for snaps. The Hokies have made a living recruiting top OL recruits and then they don't pan out (with the exception being Blake DeChristopher.) I hope Gibson doesn't get added to the list.
4) Andrew Miller was great early last year, but in the last 2 games of the season, he was consistently being pushed into the backfield. As the only returning starter on the interior, he will have the added presure of making all line calls to go with the challenge of blocking nose tackles and eagle weak tackles in the ACC as an undersized center.
5) With the new running backs, will the Hokies go almost exclusively with the zone read? If so, can Wang and Benedict get the push in the interior gaps? Almost all the Hokie rushing offense last year involved either misdirection or down blocking with guards pulling. Benedict is a lifelong tackle playing guard, and Wang is a drive-blocker and a plugger. Neither have the body type or the athleticism to pull around the tackle and find corners on the edge. Also, who is the suprise guy who steps up?
Regardless, I anticipate that the Hokie offense will struggle in the spring game. Focus on the one on one matchup along the line to get a feel for each guy head to head, as there will be numerous busts against what should be an elite DL.
Rotate Tyler, Laiti, and Williams at both positions and see where they stick. It's going to be fun to watch Edmunds (who will probably by working at TB too) and Clark come August.