Recent Comments
2 undersized QBs into the NFL. Talent is talent. But I agree, talent in the form of 6'6" 250 lbs size 18 shoes is better.
Look for Green and Rankin to play together tonight. We can't afford these slow starts anymore, especially against a team like Duke. I think that the team has showed flashes of what they can do, especially against Maryland in the 2nd half. But this team really needs to help itself. We are good when we can create offensive opportunities with our defense. Duke's guard play isn't as strong this year as it has been in recent years. Yes, they can still shoot and score certainly, but they don't have as much experience and savvy as recent Duke guards. If the Hokies can create some easy chances of their own with good defense, the scoring will come a little easier. But if you can't get stops consistently on defense, you leave yourself no chance for any break points at all. We need to play in the open court more: not necessarily play uptempo because we aren't that deep, but we need to create easy chances with better half court defense like we did last Saturday in the 2nd half.
One thing Seth is good at is rallying the troops for big games, and I feel like we have a good shot of pulling this one out. That said, I think this season continues down the road to disaster. :-(
If anyone is interested in looking at the original spreadsheet, you can download it here.
Just watched the film on Manning. I would like to see how he has matured. My initial thoughts really focus on his run support. He certainly looks eager to tackle, tackles low, and wraps his arms strong. He looks very similar to Kyle Fuller when making tackles.
I thought it was difficult to evaluate him on that film as far as pass coverage. One pick was on a bad underthrow, and another seemed to be a play where the deep in was open, and the QB threw it 3 yards behind the WR (right to Manning.) He certainly looks like he wants to make plays and cause turnovers, so he will fit right in, and while it is tough to see how physical he is at the line preventing a release, he is stride for stride with the receivers on deep balls.
Nice read Duff! I will watch the video. With his slight stature, he will have a hard time pushing around big ACC receivers initially. I am very hopefull. If he pans out and the Fuller kid comes to VT, that could be a nasty defense in 3 years.
Davion Tookes film is pretty outstanding he looks like he has all the tools to be another great corner here in the 'Burg. I think if he could put on about 20 pounds he is a multiple year starter here. I would also say that could also depend on the younger (Kendall) Fuller. Overall though he has that play making ability that we have gotten used to seeing from our corners. He knows what to do when he does get his hands on the ball and had the kind of speed you just can't coach. I am really exited about him.
I thought Kendall was supposed to be a good recruit, better than Kyle. Well, potentially.
Though I am not as adept at watching/analyzing film and picking out anything outside the offensive line (because I was a center in HS- that and watching LB's), the film I've seen on Manning is very interesting. Though selected highlights, I saw a DB who could adjust to the ball well when it was in the air (much more so than many HS DB's) and can tackle well in space. Also, Manning is incredibly physical off the line and can stay step-for-step with the receiver. He also doesn't do my pet peeve, which is not look for the ball when its in the air: he plays the receivers eyes incredibly well (at least on his highlight film- wanna see some negative stuff as well if it can be found). Downside is he takes risks at times, particularly when giving receivers a major cushion. On the second play of the reel, he adjusted well to an under-thrown ball; however, that pick was on the QB- looked like the receiver had DM beat clean to the pylon. Overall, I think he has a very unique raw potential which obviously needs to be coached up well, and our Defensive staff is just the one to do so. As I said earlier, I feel Manning could be the next great Hokie DB. He reminds me of not only a young Brandon Flowers but also a very, very, very raw Darelle Revis- incredibly physical off the line, smart ball skills, great at adjusting, and can freggin tackle. Also his footwork looks soild but I only caught glimpses of it in this reel. Only thing he lacks is height; however, if he can cover, he can cover and that is always what I want to see.
Film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwE7mGYk5xE (Donaldven Manning- VT Commit Highlight Reel)
at 40, but not when you wear khakis, orange tie, cell phone hip clip, and kicks.
VT did the same thing with the recruitment of Tyrod Taylor. Some QB's want to know that they are the only QB being recruited so they know there won't be any competition. It's also enforcing to that QB, he's going to "the man" if he chooses VT. The coaches must be pretty confident on this kids ability since they're not offering anyone else. They must also think they have a pretty good shot with him. If Hodges does choose VT he's got to know he'll probably be the starter by 2014.
If VT can land him, I think the days of our undersized QB's are over.
It amazes me to no end how programs that go 6-6, let alone are on the verge of major sanctions, are able to pull in top 10 classes. I guess all VT needs to do is sell out to a bunch of 5 stars (New River Valley yacht cruise anyone?), get in a couple of brawls with the teams we played, and we will have sustained our recruiting efforts for years to come.
BRO
I have seen Jake a lot this winter as he has hit the mat with the Hidden Valley wrestling team. Very talented kid who always seems to place high in his weight class. He is wrestling at 170, so he cut a little from the 182 listed, expect him to be between 185-200 next season.
I have heard lots of good things about Manning, but I have not had a chance to watch film on him. One of the reason's that I don't want Kyle Fuller playing whip or safety is that the defense is tailored right now for the corners to be the playmakers, and the returning corners don't strike me as playmakers. If Manning can step in and play the same way Hosley did, then I would not be so apprehensive about Fuller changing positions.
Yeah, so this was the first time I really got caught up in the National Signing Day hoopla.
It was pretty fun to watch the feeds come in and could only reflect on these high school seniors jumping into a pretty big pool of awesome. I had no such prospects at their age so can only live vicariously through them.
I wish them all the best and look forward to seeing them fulfill their Hokie dreams (and ours) with lots of "W"s. ^_^
I agree with Kevin on this one. This weekend is going to have a lot of impact on our season as we go forward. And even if we can't knock off Duke tonight, the guys have to refocus and try to get a win over a beatable Clemson team. We're so hard on this team because we all see the potential. Heck, we scored 50 points in a half last weekend (yes, with some help, I know). But we know what these guys can do, and we're all anxious to see their work finally come to fruition. I think the Hokies will keep this one close for a good part, much like the Syracuse game, but I think we will eventually wear down, and the difference will be Mason Plumlee's scoring and rebounding as well as Austin Rivers' ability to get into the paint against our man-to-man defense. So pull hard for the Hokies tonight, and see if they can't steal one from Duke, but if they can't be sure to get ready for Saturday for another important ACC home game.
Prediction: Duke 75, Hokies 63
I love James Gayle and I can live with the amount of shit talking he does on the field haha.
and should be put in the archives, TWICE. lol
1. Drew Harris had surgery to repair an ACL. He may need the redshirt to fully recover. If not, I would love to see him out there but I would rather have him healthy for 2-3 years than 80 percent next year.
2. Joel Caleb was a HS QB. He may need the year to just learn the basics of the position. He'll probably be a wait & see as far as whether he plays or not.
As far as the new guys who will make an impact next year, my money would be on the 2 guys who enrolled early (Coleman and Manning). Both have the opportunity with the depth chart being thin at both spots and both kids being very talented.
Our biggest needs right now are at RB, WR, S, K and depth in the OL. I dont think it beyond the staff to evaluate Coleman, Harris, or Mangus for immediate impact. losing both DW and Oglesby gives opportunity for playing time as a Freshman. As well, Beamer likes to have 6 WR's at the ready. Obviously D.J Coles, Davis, and STRAIGHTBURNER will occupy the top 3. So again Id say its a toss up as to who fills the rest of the depth chart.
In terms of the P,K situation we still have Branthover and Weiss. Nonetheless this AA Abbott could be HUGE. I watched some film on him and he's a stud. His leg is both strong and hits the ball with speed allowing for distance and hang time. Oh yea, he PK's as well. I think we undervalue the contribution of these guys too much and was therefore extremely excited to see this kid choose VT even as a WALK ON.
Some are hesitent about our O-line with 4 seniors leaving. I get that. Nonetheless we have a good group who have all received playing time. I see us RS any of these OL recruits to bulk up.
Lastly, out of any I see Caleb as the one not already enrolled who can start right away. French has said time andd time again that he wishes to see him return the ball and I cant agree more.
Once the NCAA lays the smack down on Miami and he can only recruit about 10 kids per year he'll start strolling in around 8 or 9. Miami was back again this year before they weren't.
Is Manning unheralded? seems like people have been pretty excited about him.
Stanford strikes me as a diamond in the rough type. I think Sherman is a really good at developing lesser touted kids and I think he'll be a star
screw em, he's a hoo
he'll be gone in a few years
Step 1: Take over a BCS team located in FL
Step 2: ...
Step 3: PROFITS