Recent Comments

The pre-halftime clock management was pretty questionable. I think we had about 8 seconds on the clock and spiked the ball near the goal line. Then we dicked around and burned our last timeout? We had time for one more quick throw and if that didn't work you call the timeout and kick the field goal. If we really needed more time why not just spike the ball again?

Also, I found it rather frustrating that we didn't use our timeouts on Stanford's last possession of the first half. It came off like we had no confidence in getting the stop (which we did) and let 50 seconds come off the clock. If we had that time back we probably would have had seven and not three.

I'll go with "always the bridesmaid never the bride." Our purpose this season was to win 11 games, thus making us a worthy competitor for Boise and Stanford.

Boise got to talk about their quality win, and Luck got to prove how good a QB he was by torching the #9 pass-efficiency D. We basically threw those two teams their bachelorette parties and got no glory for ourselves nationally.

-The pre-halftime clock management was pretty questionable. I think we had about 8 seconds on the clock and spiked the ball near the goal line. Then we dicked around and burned our last timeout? We had time for one more quick throw and if that didn't work you call the timeout and kick the field goal. If we really needed more time why not just spike the ball again?

-The option worked well and I'm glad we stuck with it for one whole play.

-Tyrod was/is/and will always be brilliant, but something was off between him and the receivers. He had a lot of overthrown balls and there were some drops - Boykin, Smith (I'll name names, Ned Isakoff)

-No creativity with the play calling. What happened to that offensive spark and gimmicky stuff that Stiney used during the middle of the season. I feel like he never learns. Maybe a flea flicker, a lateral, even a reverse would have maybe shifted the momentum back in our favor. Hell, after trying to run up the gut and deep routes all night, I guess even an outside run or a screen could be considered trick plays. Bring on the Fridge.

Lastly, I'm just really disappointed...again. And I'm also really worried because next season we open against Appy State, so think about that for the next 240 days.

Hire Rich Rodriguez as o-coordinator

I know...the empty trophy case sets a level of expectations. Maybe that's unjust to all concerned.
The only real way I see the case being filled is a jump to the SEC, improving the recruits and level of play (ie speed!) all around the field...and better play calling. Give Bud an all-star cast and nobody will gain 10 yards on us!
But, with the move comes the reality of SEC indiscretions and the NCAA spotlight that goes with it. Running the program the way it is now in the SEC would be the equivalent of Ole Miss or Vandy, both 5 win teams yearly.
I'm torn, but do respect the hell out of Beamer for running a clean ship while still winning 10 games every year.

The problem with hiring the Frideg is that he is a good friend of Beamer, like Stiney, and if he didn't produce we would be in the same situation.

True, but Fridge is proven to be an ultra successful play caller and developer of QBs.

It seems risky to make big staffing changes. Stability is what keeps a good program going winning 10 games a year. I don't think Beamer wants to tinker too much and possibly hurt the program. With good fortune and things comming together for a special year we could win a championship. The odds are probably against it but it is very difficult to win a National Championship even with the best coaching staff around.

Agree, like I said above we're going to see how comfortable Beamer really is. Is he OK with his legacy being a good, consistent coach that doesn't win big games, or will he want to shake things up and make another serious run at a MNC before his career is over. He's earned the right to make that decision so I'm OK with it either way.

Stiney just needs a little help with the play calling or game planning.

I do think that VT overacheives considering the level of talent we recruit. We are consistently not in the top 10 or even top 15 nationally rated recruiting classes but still win 10 games a year. That probably has a lot to do with the coaches. We are not getting the top rated talent in Virginia, but no in-state school really is. UVa has generated a little more excitement with coach London but he isn't getting the best either.

Does the VT program want to take too many risks to get that one special team that takes us to the top? There is no guarantee that making big changes will succeed. But we do need something to happen to generate enough excitement to get and keep the talent we need to suceed. Maybe it will all come together one year when the team gels, there are few injuries, and we have a favorable schedule.

I think there is a lot of pride in playing for Tech. We have a great reputation even if we don't win it all. But it is frustrating at times.

Overall a very good year. Good luck Tyrod and thanks for giving it your all on the field.

When they were doing all their shifting probably got a warning from the refs for unsportsmanlike behavior. They were clearly taunting us. It was a little over the top. I'm glad we stuffed the run on that play and put a good lick on the running back.

Every bit of this article was true. Unfortunately the saddest part is that Tyrod did gut it out in the fourth, and while he was taking shot after shot from Stanford pass rushers and continuing to pick himself up off of the South Florida grass, the rest of the team had already given up. Receivers were running mediocre routes and not looking for the ball, the line refused to block and continue to protect Tyrod, their leader and quarterback, and the coaches did not change the play calling one bit, but Tyrod continued to weather the storm like the great man that he is. This man has no quit.

I felt we did a great job pass rushing against Andrew Luck and making him uncomfortable, when we blitzed. If we only rushed four, Luck stood back in the pocket and delivered strikes to open receivers because our defensive backs were two and three steps slower then Stanford's receivers. I was extremely disappointed in the play of Davon Morgan as he got toasted multiple times by a tight end at that. This may come as a shock to many, but I was not as impressed with Luck as many are. If he was put under pressure, he usually did not make a play. The only play I remember him making was about a 10 or 15 yard strike on the move while being chased down by Stephen Friday. The touchdown passes he threw were to wide open receivers, or they were run after the catch sort of plays and plays like this can make any quarterback look great. Yes, he has the vision to get it to the right guy, and that's huge. But, when he gets to the NFL and sees constant pressure while in the pocket will he be able to make plays? Time will only tell, I am not saying that Andrew Luck is not a quality quarterback, because he is, and I hope he is successful at the next level, because him and Stanford made a 'Foster-fense' look like any other defense in the country, but I just have not watched enough of Luck to believe he will be great at the next level, not yet.

Finally, I want to thank Tyrod for the best four consecutive years I have ever seen at Virginia Tech. From seeing Tyrod's first collegiate action and touchdown against LSU in 2007, to a brilliant comeback against Nebraska, to a pass play from Tyrod to David Wilson while both players were falling out of bounds in the 2011 Orange Bowl, I have loved watching Tyrod play. He is my favorite Hokie of all time. The only thing I wish differently in Tyrod's career is that Sean Glennon could have brought the Hokies back to win against East Carolina in 2008, so that Tyrod could keep his redshirt and we would have one more year of watching one of the greatest Hokies of all time. I have high hopes that Tyrod gets a shot to prove himself in the NFL as a quarterback, because if any Hokie ever deserved it, it is definitely him. Thanks for all of the memories Tyrod! We will miss you!

The problem for Beamer with the success he's brought to Blacksburg is that we're no longer satisfied with consistent "good-ness." He is much praised for the loyalty to his coaches over the years, but some new ways of doing things might not be such a bad thing since the tried and true methods aren't getting us to the next level.

Tyrod will be missed. We all saw, lived and died with, and enjoyed the growth and maturation of one of the greatest Hokie quarterbacks. He will be remembered and missed. Hopefully his #5 will be hoisted soon.
http://100proofbackfield.blogspot.com/2011/01/thank-you-tyrod.html

If you have ever watched highlight video from our 1999 era teams you can see how much more physical we were.