This space has been reserved for talking about individual performances on the field, and I will get to that. But I would be doing myself a disservice by not addressing what seem to be persistent issues with this team.
The play calling on Saturday night was a travesty. We were once again witness to a complete schooling on offense.
I'm fully aware that Logan left much to be desired, but the staff isn't getting him in positions to succeed -- which Clemson seems to do well. Sure, Logan was off on the slant to Boykin that resulted in a pick (albeit a non disastrous one), but that's no reason to shy away from it for the next 30 minutes. There's no intermediate passing game. They're sending three guys out there, two of them are running routes 20 yards down the field. Clemson could have stood still and they would have been covered. What is he supposed to do with the football?
And where are the designed runs for Logan? Early in the game, we had Clemson in a 2nd and 18, and the play call was a designed draw for Boyd, who took it 14 yards, setting up a third and short. While we probably would not have converted a 3rd and 4, we would have at least had a chance. And if it's 3rd and 1, Logan should be going for the dive 100 out of 100 times. I don't even want a fake dive pass. Dives every time. There's your Cam Newton comparison.
It sounds like his shoulder was a concern, but if he can't compete at a level we need to win, he shouldn't be in the game.
As for the punter? Scroll down to 29:
1. Antone Exum - I caught him looking in the backfield way too long more than once (on a big third-and-8 in the first half). But, overall, he had a lot come his way and I thought he did pretty decent, considering Clemson has been smoking defenses. Room to grow still.
2. Josh Oglesby - Quiet night.
3. Logan Thomas - In case you missed the intro: I am kind of torn on this. To start, he doesn't look comfortable in most situations. He's still rather spotty with his accuracy and he checked down too quickly several times. But there's no doubt he's the victim of substandard protection and play calling that doesn't put him in positions to succeed. Guys aren't open - bottom line. KEEP THE PASSING GAME CLOSER TO THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE. And, what is the thought process with not having designed runs drawn up for him? That's probably my second biggest question behind the punting situation.
4. David Wilson - The only source of offense, really. But another fumble lost. Please, please don't be an issue.
7. Marcus Davis - I'm assuming he aggravated what was slowing him down (foot, I think), because he wasn't on the field after long.
9. Cris Hill - Another solid outing. I don't know how he didn't make a play when he got underneath the receiver in the first half, but overall he was blanketing receivers.
15. Eddie Whitley - When I was re-watching the game, I kept noticing how well he played. He had one hiccup in the first half, but overall, he was all over the place. Then came the touchdown pass to Allen. He literally watched Watkins, while running in the other direction, 15 yards away. He didn't even see the ball in the air. A bad play on what otherwise was a good night.
17. Kyle Fuller - He played OK. He had a really nice tackle on Watkins on the second play of the game. And I saw him blanketing guys all night.
18. D.J. Coles - He needs the ball more.
19. Danny Coale - Danny got a lot of attention. He made some plays, but it wasn't the typical DC19 night.
20. Jayron Hosley - He deserves way more credit than he got for that interception. I thought he knew what was going to happen even before Boyd looked that way. It was a beautiful read and a magnificent play. He is fun to watch.
24. Tariq Edwards - It seemed like Clemson tried to mess with his aggressive approach, but he mostly answered the bell. Another solid outing. I think he had a shot at a pick in the second half, but reacted a tad late.
25. Martin Scales - Devastating block on Jayron's return in the second half.
29. Scott Demler - The punt that everyone in Lane sarcastically cheered for went 36 yards...before rolling 7 yards in the wrong direction. It's hard to watch. Here's a tweet I posted last week:
I'd say we would have been better off, but it's probably a wash because the offense so bad.
Beamer said after the game that he didn't want to go back and forth on the punter. Back and forth? How about an in-game audition for Branthover or any of the other guys?
I'm not sure what else to say about this that hasn't already been said.
33. Chris Drager - His blocking seemed to be inconsistent, but never from lack of effort.
40. Wiley Brown - I feel you. Tough call.
42. J.R. Collins - He had a fantastic bull rush early in the game. He quietly creates a lot of problems for offenses.
43. Jeron Gouveia-Winslow - I saw him in there a fair amount, but I honestly didn't see him do too much.
45. Joey Phillips - Beautiful block on David's long run to the red zone. He did more good than bad.
48. Justin Myer - Kickoff guy.
51. Bruce Taylor - He played his heart out.
54. Nick Becton - He did a few things well. A few. Branch was taking him down the field, which seems to be a problem for him.
56. Antoine Hopkins - What a bummer. I really hope he has a speedy recovery.
62. Blake DeChristopher - The best of a pretty bad group.
66. Tyrel Wilson - He didn't see a lot of action. I saw him get forced inside once, but recover to make a decent tackle. He's an athlete.
67. Michael Via - He had fewer reps than the older guys, but I thought he actually held his own on the reps I saw him in there for. Especially in the passing game.
68. Jaymes Brooks - Is it safe to say he was a liability for most of the game? I'm pretty sure he whiffed on Wilson's fumble.
72. Andrew Lanier - I'm not sure I've ever seen a tackle get beat that bad.
74. Andrew Miller - He needs to hold his blocks longer before moving to the second level. And he gets driven back into Logan's lap too much. But not the worst OL of the night, not the second worst, either.
75. Greg Nosal - By far his worst outing this season. He did way more bad than good. Tough night for our guards.
80. George George - He seemed to be overmatched in the run game.
81. Jarrett Boykin - I didn't like his effort. I thought he was inconsistent in the run game and I'm not sure what happened on that slant. It looked ugly.
83. Corey Fuller - Only targeted once I think, and it was a miscommunication between he and LT3 if I remember correctly (he ran a corner to the pylon, I think).
89. Cody Journell - I wish we could rely on him if a drive stalls at the 30, but we can't. He did eliminate the shutout, which I guess is a positive.
92. Luther Maddy - He wasn't shedding blocks. With 56 out, he's going to grow up fast, and I'm excited about it.
93. Isaiah Hamlette - Time to step up.
95. Zack McCray - He wasn't in much, but I did see him get swallowed up. He needs to be faster at the snap.
96. Corey Marshall - Only saw him once.
98. Derrick Hopkins - I thought he played pretty well. He's a lot of man out there. He's done a lot of good things in five games.
99. James Gayle - Great motor. He did what he could...
Comments
"And if it's 3rd and 1, Logan should be going for the dive 100 out of 100 times. I don't even want a fake dive pass. Dives every time. There's your Cam Newton comparison."
a truer statement has never been spoken. i would almost say 3rd and 2 should be dives 100/100 times, as logan falling forward has to be ~2yds. despicable that we can't get such small things right.
Just some typos
For 81 and 83 you put Corey Fuller twice. 81 obviously boykin. And 93 you mentioned Kwamaine Battle, even though he's been out all season with another ACL tear.
Otherwise a good job, something does need to be done about mixing it up offensively, everyone knows this already though except Beamer and Co
Thank you...
Made the changes.
If he's not going to change a punter with no leg, how can we expect him to change an offensive approach?
Beamer Call
Also, it was maroon effect, why is he wearing orange? Yes it matters.
Fashion Police
It was the VERY first thing I noticed, between that and the designer sunglasses I'm starting to think that some gahdawwful Fashion Merchandising student got a hold of the Football Office and begged for an internship or something.
Trickery?
Maybe he was trying to confuse Clemson players.
Tech Talk Live
I can't wait to listen tonight and have this old gem in my lap: http://beta.thekeyplay.com/content/2010/september/3/beamer-buzzword-bingo
$10 says I hit BINGO in the first 10 minutes that Uncle Frank's mouth is open.
should be interesting
The coaches will do one of two things. They will either play it down as a great learning experience for the "Kids" who played a tough game against a good ball program. Avoid reality and push the ever-growing pile of problems under the rug.
OR... come out just as pissed off as the rest of Hokie Nation and address the problems, state what we can do to make adjustments and bounce back against Miami and actually do it with authority.
In other words, this is the turning point of the season. Time to light a fire, or be burnt to ash.
Terrible design in the passing game, coupled with poor route running. Boykin has not only been less effective in the passing game, but his blocking has been atrocious this season.
Offensive line was ok when the running game alternatived delays, sweeps, and counters with straight ahead power plays. When O'Cain started calling multiple slow developing runs in a row, the line (especially the left tackle) was exposed.
I would immediately put Via at left tackle, and Painter at right guard. Painter's only assignment on a run would be "go straight forward and knock the piss out of the first odd colored jersey you see."
Dear all Hokie QB coaches since 1995. One, two, three throw. One, two, three, four, five, throw. Run fake, one two three four five throw. Every passing play you have should have receivers that break their route on that rythmn. Every passing play you have (except in extreme down and distance) should have routes where one guys route should get the second guy open, short, intermediate, and deep routes, and teach the receivers that an out route isn't shaped like a banana.
Agree
Do you think you could get an interview with Beamer so you can be the play caller?
nope. I'd be the first coach to run straight T in DI since Holtz broke it out at Notre Dame.
You mean
you wouldn't run a veer?
defensively: 1) less
defensively:
1) less aggressive playcalling than any game to date this season. I thought the Hokies adjusted to what Clemson was doing offensively, instead of forcing Clemson out of their comfort zone.
2) not enough pass rush by the defensive ends, and not enough show of blitz to help them get there
3) Bruce Taylor and Derrick Hopkins were outstanding. The rest of the front seven either were not as talented as we thought or started "thinking" when they saw all that motion and play action at full speed.
Perhaps
We need a coaching roll call?
Personally, I think any look at offensive production starts at the core....O-line. We didn't get the job done at all, and we should have six meaner-than-snot guys that just like to hurt people there (including the TE). And the O-line coaches needs to be the ones biting those guys in the butt when they don't measure up, and I don't feel like Wiles and Steiny are getting it done.
I actually thought about...
...doing a coaches roll call, but I figured straight up calling some of them out would work. Wasp mentioned on this site that the DL didn't get enough pressure, which I agree with.
But, overall, I think the performance of the front four has been solid. With Antoine out and Luther hobbled, it will be interesting to see how Marshall and Hamlette play this weekend.
But overall, I would say Charley has done a pretty good job.
As for the other line, yikes.
Apologies
Meant to say Curt Newsome and Steiny.....Agreed Charlie has done well with the DL, no problems there.
worst coach on the staff? Kevin Sherman (wide receivers). It has been a problem even well before he got here. The receivers are good, but their route running and timing has been bad year after year. The fact that so many made the NFL is even more damning. It meant that they could run good routes, if someone had just taught them.
Stinespring would be second, merely because the offensive line is so inconsistent with fundamentals.