Hokie Blogs Spring Roundtable Roundup

A humble group of Hokie bloggers spent last week discussing Virginia Tech football to coincide with the beginning of fall practice. We tackled issues facing the Hokies going into one of the most anticipated seasons in Tech history. It was a great exercise and we got diverse answers from the group. Hopefully we can do it again in August prior to kickoff. Below is a overview of the roundtable as well as links to individual answers.

Linkage

Beer Control Offense
(BCO | HokieJayBee)
College Game Balls
Gobbler Country
The North End Zone
(Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5)
Tech Superfans
(Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Q5)
Virginia Tech Fan

Questions

1. From reader Riggs: "Are we really going to be that good next year? I just don't see us being a top 10 team given last season's offensive output. Tell me that we're overhauling the offense, or we're adding new packages. Give me some hope."

Our panelists agree that Tech is a Top 10 team with Top 5 talent. However, most of them believe the offense will hold the team back. Specifically the offensive coordinator will hold the team back.

From College Game Balls:

...With that being said we aren’t going undefeated and more than likely will shit the bed against Alabama and 1-2 ACC teams. Why because unfortunately we aren’t overhauling our offense and even more importantly Bryan Stinespring is still calling the plays. In my inebriated state I actually starting to think our offensive scheme works, we just call really dumb plays at the worst times. Like QB sneaking out of the shotgun on 3rd and goal from the one. We always seem to shoot ourselves in the foot.

However, there are a couple of reasons to believe this team can still do something special. VT Fan notes that most of our tough games are at home or on a neutral site. The toughest road test on paper will be the second trip to Atlanta to face the Yellow Jackets.

Another reason is the parallels between the 2004 team and this squad, specifically regarding the quarterback. From The North End Zone:

The last time we went from having two quarterbacks to just one, we went 10-2, won the ACC, and lost by 3 to an undefeated Auburn team in the Sugar Bowl. This time won't involve weed, underage girls, or traffic violations, but I think the mindset is still the same.

I don't know that we will be a top 5 team. I just think that this year is going to be our best shot in a while.

However, after Tyrod, the quarterback situation is murky for the Hokies. Which leads us to Q2.

2. From Beer Control Offense: "Are you concerned about the lack of depth at quarterback? How many significant snaps do you think VT's back up quarterback will get?"

Those who are fretting over the QB situation are, to use their own words, scared shitless. BCO will have the bourbon at the ready in 2009:

Whoever (the backup) is, keep your arm loose, 4-5 games even if for a play or 2, he'll be needed. We could see a lot of Wild Turkey those games, on the field and in section 18 beside the BCO as he screams "GOD NO!!" I think there will be at least 1 game where Tyrod does not start or gets knocked out early, extended stay in the infirmary will kiss preseason expectations goodbye.

In order to mitigate the injuries to Tyrod, CGB suggests running the Wild Turkey formation more often to give Tyrod time to rest each game, instead of using it as a gimmick formation. If I remember correctly, Florida did this when Tebow was a freshman in short-yardage and goalline situations. And I'm pretty sure the Gators won it all that year.

Only four of the responders were not afraid of Tech's lack of QB depth. Those include myself, CGally from The North End Zone, HokieJayBee from BCO and MadJay from TSF.

HJB takes the Alfred E. Neuman approach because if Tyrod goes down, everything will go to hell anyway. MadJay thinks the offense will run the same scheme and put up the same production with or without Tyrod. Myself and CGally point to the fact that the QB usually doesn't determine whether or not we win games.

The way we typically win games is through Bud Foster's defense, which has its own issues going into the spring.

3. What position do you think is most important to the Hokies on the defensive side of the ball this spring? Are there any young players who will step up during spring on that side of the ball?

Despite the lack of depth on the defensive line, our noble bloggeratti was split nearly 50-50 between the linebackers and the cornerbacks. What it comes down to is the Hokies have more holes to fill at linebacker, but a bigger hole to fill at cornerback.

Tech lost two one-year starters at LB, but return Cam Martin as a third-year starter. The players stepping up at LB are young and inexperienced, but are supposed to be the most talented group of youngsters we've had at LB. From VT Fan:

You would think linebacker - Mike and Backer - key positions that are being completely turned over to new starters, mostly Fr and So players. Barquell Rivers and Jake Johnson get good reviews and are penciled in as starters, but behind them are Bruce Taylor and Quillie Odom who were highly touted recruits and I’m anxious to see these guys. I especially think Bruce Taylor, who we thought was headed for the D-line, is a guy to watch.

Those concerned with the cornerbacks are worried because of how important Macho Harris was to last year's D. Not only was he the best player on that side of the ball, he was also the team's emotional leader.

Stephan Virgil will start at boundary corner for the first time this year while SOMEONE will eventually step up and take the field side. Who that someone will be is up for debate. While I would rather see someone other than Rashad Carmichael there, The Northerner at The North End Zone is a fan of his:

He’s the oldest cornerback we have since Macho left, and we have always been relatively strong in the cornerback position. So I think he will have to step up, and you can bet that Foster is giving this guy tons of tape on how the position is played. I have faith in our defensive coaches that this position will not be an afterthought.

I liked the position Where's The Ice from TSF took. He isn't concerned with a certain position on the field. He's concerned about who will be the leader of the D on and off the field:

Harris' personality and gusto for the game made him naturally suited to that role, and his fellow teammates viewed him that way. Every squad needs an on the field leader, and out of training camp somebody needs to assertively take that role in such a manner that the other 10 players on the squad respect him and recognize him in that mold.

However, I personally disagree that someone will come into that role 1/4 through the season. That will be way to late. Hell, even August will be too late for that. Tech's leader on the defensive side of the ball has to step up during spring practice and over the summer.

4. What change would you make to college football's spring football system?

A few responders want to see spring football become summer football. This is for a couple of reasons. First, as CGB points out, it's too disjointed from the August practices. Also, moving it to summer would give us something to do during those months. Pitting it up against March Madness drowns it out with some schools (like UNC).

MadJay from TSF agrees with me that teams should be allowed to scrimmage other schools. And CGally from TNEZ had the most unique response with regards to how the maroon and white teams are chosen:

Additionally, I think they should pick teams like in gym class. I would love to see Glennon's face as he was passed over again and again.

5. From College Game Balls: "What kind of music do you think the team is bumping in the locker room? And is Beamer getting down? I know the '99 team was big into Method Man and Dr. Dre."

HokieJayBee and CGB say the team is probably listening to Lil' Wayne... considering Lil' Wayne is collaborating with every other artist on the face of the planet. Seriously, when is the Lil' Wayne-Taylor Swift duet coming out?

HJB also says Beamer is getting down with the team for the good of Hokie Nation:

I seem to think this Beamer Dance Off is some sort of reward for the players. Beamer, on Thursday before Saturday match-up with TEAM X in a big game, the team is screwing around, the coaches are pissed, losing the team's focus,........"quit that lolly gagging you lazy fVcks, quit screwing around!!!! Tell you what, focus up here tonight and tomorrow at the walkthrough, and I'll let you bump whatever you want to in the locker room after the game and I'll even bounce with you on camera if we kick the sh!t out of TEAM X!!!!" Enormous roar, sudden team focus, big win. Dancing Frankie Beamdog.

The Northerner hopes there's at least one song we can all agree is being played on player's iPods:

And of course, Enter Sandman had better be getting some play time or else we have a real problem. But I doubt that even needs to be said.

Amen.

*cough, cough*

"Hey, boss, it's furrer4heisman. Hey, yeah ... um, yeah. There's NO way I'm going to be able to come into work today. I think I caught that 48-hour flu that's been going around. Yeah, the 48 hour one. It's like the 24-hour flu but like twice as bad. No. Yeah, I've been throwing up all morning. It's terrible. So, I mean, I'll try to come in tomorrow, but we're just going to have to play it by ear. What's that? Oh, does that start today? I had no idea!"

I'm at home today. And tomorrow. Yeah, there will be hell to pay on Monday, but it will probably be worth it. For every year except My Year In Hell, I've skipped school and or work to watch the first two days of The Tournament (notice the capitalization).

My favorite memory was 1998 when my parents called me in sick so we could go to the Myriad to watch the first round games. Boy am I glad they did:



We bought tickets on the street prior to the game and ended up sitting two rows up, across the court from the Valpo bench. There were a bunch of higher-ups from the school sitting around us and we all went nuts after Drew hit the shot.

What I remember most was that shot woke everyone up. The game started at 11:20 AM or so and the entire arena (which was about half-full) slept through most of the game. Until it started to dawn on us Valpo had a chance.

There were great games at the Myriad that year. Right after the Valpo game, Florida State upset TCU. Two days later, Valpo advanced to the Sweet 16 and Rhode Island joined them by knocking off Kansas, who a lot of people picked to win it all.

What's your favorite three-day work week or three-day school week memory?

Things that get me to football: Wii

This is a quasi-regular feature on things that help me make it from the BCSCG to Labor Day weekend and the start of callllllllage footbawl season.



Nothing beats kicking the shit out of middle schoolers online at Mario Kart Wii at 3 in the morning. To date, I have never lost on Moonview Highway.



For a while, Wii Fit was also pretty addicting particularly the penguin slide. We somehow turned Wii Fit into a drinking game, which I'm pretty sure defeated the purpose of Wii Fit.

"Dude, I kicked your ass on 'tree pose'. Drink!"



But now that we finally have Rock Band, that's taken up most of our time. Our band, "Tell Your Mom I Said Thanks," is currently touring Europe performing Rush covers.

Things that get me to football: The NHL

This may or may not become a regular feature on things that help me make it from the BCSCG to Labor Day weekend and the start of callllllllage footbawl season.

Today we are 184 days and exactly six months from the start of Hokie football.

Wednesday night was one of those nights I'm glad I have three TVs with three separate DirecTV feeds in my living room. It was the day of the NHL trade deadline, the Hokies were about to play the Tar Heels and the slumping Sabres were about to face the hated Habitants Canadiens.

My attention and my loyalties were divided. As much as I love Hokie football, Sabres hockey ranks way above Virginia Tech basketball in my sports pecking order. The Sabres and Red Sox play the Twice A Prince and My Gallant to Hokie football's Secretariat. Why do I love the Sabres? Well, a lot of it has to do with this guy:



I don't know why I became so interested in hockey to the point I'm willing to drop the huge price tag DirecTV puts on NHL Center Ice. However, I can understand why most college football fans don't like hockey. It's pretty simple, most college football fans are in the South.

Hockey isn't covered by the media in the South and is seen as a niche sport, most of the southern teams are terrible, not growing up watching the sport means southern fans aren't familiar with the rules and most of them probably don't know how to pronounce Antero Niittymaki or know he's from Finland.

But I love the sport. I love watching guys like Alex Ovechkin and Patrick Kane make magic for Washington and Chicago. I love watching Marc Savard quarterback Boston's top line and Miikka Kiprusoff make sprawling saves for Calgary. I love watching Brian Campbell K.T.F.O. people with their head down in open ice. Even if he's doing it in Chicago now instead of Buffalo.



I love Hockey Night in Canada wondering what the hell Don Cherry's going to wear and who he's going to piss off this week.

The playoffs in the NHL are the best of the four major sports in my opinion. They're grueling and they have the incredible tradition of the Stanley Cup and getting your name engraved on it. And the only reason games on the East Coast go into the wee hours of the AM are because they last four overtimes. Not because they started at 9 pm EDT.

And oh yeah, there's fighting. A lot of fighting.

Another shot at the Dukies

Virginia Tech (17-10, 7-6) vs. No. 7 Duke (23-5, 9-4)
Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009
Cassell Coliseum, Blacksburg, Va.
3:30 p.m. (ABC)



White Out conditions await the Duke Blue Devils Saturday in Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies will host the country's No. 7 team and fans will wear white shirts to raise money for Herma's Readers.

It's the second match-up between the Hokies and Blue Devils this season. Tech traveled to Cameron Indoor Stadium Jan. 4 and was humbled 69-44 on FSN. Tech never had a chance in the first game, as it shot 36.7 percent from the field and committed 18 turnovers to seven assists.

No Hokie played particularly well in that first match up. Malcolm Delaney led the team with 12 points, but did not have an assist and committed three turnovers. Cheick Diakite was solid, going 4-for-6 from the field for eight points with five rebounds.

The second half was especially forgettable for Tech, as it managed just 13 points. Tech had trimmed a 13-point Duke lead to eight at half before failing to answer the bell in the second half.

Tech has the momentum after a big road win over a ranked opponent earlier this week at Clemson. Duke is experimenting with a freshman point guard and will be without guard Nolan Smith, who suffered a concussion against Maryland.

In order for the Hokies to pull off another upset, they'll need a big game from Delaney both in points and in running the offense. He has to play at his highest level and make his teammates better. The Hokies aren't going to have a lot of success on the boards against Duke, so a high shooting percentage is crucial. The Hokies were out-rebounded 38-28 last time they played Duke.

The Hokies hope history repeats itself Saturday. In 2005, Tech traveled to Durham early in the year and were beaten by 35 points. The Hokies then stunned Duke 18 days later in Blacksburg.

Linkage

I'll link to more Duke previews from various Hokie blogs as they are posted.

- Tech Hoops' keys to the game offers A LOT of sexual innuendo.

- The North End Zone deserves a slow clap.

- Bourbonstreet offers his unique perspective on the Duke game.

- C'mon people, CGB is in a hurry.

- Tar Heel Fan thinks the hoops team needs two more wins in the regular season or a run in the ACC tourney to make the field of 65.

- Doug gives props to two of Lynchburg's finest eateries.

- Hokie wrasslers now know where they need to place March 7 to make the NCAA tournament.

- Any chance last night was also Beth Dunkenberger's last home game as Tech's women's coach?

Bricks, Ovie Time and Links

There are some days I wish I lived out East and was able to see the Hokies when they're on regional TV. Then, there are some days I'm glad watching the Hokies isn't an option. Last night definitely fell into the latter category.

Without Cheick Diakite's 4-for-5, the Hokies shot 33 percent last night against the Wahoos in a 75-61 loss at the JPJ. The fact is this just isn't a very good basketball team. Yes, they beat No. 1 Wake Forest. But so did Georgia Tech and NC State. Jeff Allen wouldn't have made a difference last night as Tech continues its death spiral toward the NIT.

For the record, today is day 1,545 of Virginia Tech's continuous possession of the Commonwealth Cup.

Um. Wow.

If you didn't see Ovechkin's goal last night against the Hapless Habs, take a look. The best part of this goal was the pass to himself off the boards. Incredible.



You Should have Seen the Rorschach Test

Dane over at The Legacy x4 decided to play Hokie football word association with me after I had been overserved at a bar. Hilarity ensued.

So You're Saying there's a Chance

CGB finds a link on Rivals that says we're one of six teams with a legit shot at the national title. Am I the only one who thinks the talent level will be down across the board in college football next year? It just seems like there aren't nearly as many great teams going into next season and right now it's a two-horse race between Florida and Texas. Everyone else is very flawed. Maybe I'm just trying to talk myself into thinking Tech has a chance to hoist the crystal next season.

Linkage

- Bourbonstreet over at TSL Blogs lost a bet on last night's basketball game. Read the comments.

- Will Stewart from TSL helped ACC Sports Journal take our pulse. Most of it was about basketball and recruiting, neither of which I care about right now.

- Annette is ripping off the BC Interruption guys and will give us a Mt. Rushmore for every football team in the ACC.

- Roy Williams wasn't the only one dropping F-bombs last night. BCO has his reaction to the basketball loss.

As long as we're waiting

Since we have to wait until tomorrow for the schedule to arrive, I figured this blog could use some awesome. So, here's JCVD killing the Penguins mascot in Sudden Death. Enjoy. The Pens face the Sharks tonight in what will be one of the best games of the week. It's Sid, Malkin and Co. hosting the team with the best record in the West. Also, my Sabres face Ottawa tonight before hosting the Sharks on Friday.

As for today, I'll post news if it happens. Tomorrow I'll have a breakdown of the scheudle.

Merry Christmas from furrer4heisman

Everyone has their own Christmas traditions. Where I come from, it isn't Christmas until we see this on our TVs:



Merry Christmas, Hokie fans. It's a time of year to sit back, sip egg nog and reflect on the birth of one of the greatest and most important human beings to ever walk to the earth. Happy 62nd birthday, Jimmy Buffett.

Newsome to Penn State

VHT QB Kevin Newsome announced today he will be attending Penn State. It looked for a while like Newsome was going to come to VT, but he didn't want to sit behind Tyrod Taylor for two years. That and Joe Paterno finally got to him.

Cue the crazy old guy:


UPDATE: BCO has a good breakdown of Newsome and the future of our QB situation.

Cincinnati on YouTube

As part of your crash-course on the Hokies' opponent for the 2009 FedEx Orange Bowl, here are select YouTube clips of Cincinnati's season.

2008 Stadium Entrance


Cincinnati 28, Pittsburgh 21


Cincinnati 26, West Virginia 23


Oklahoma 52, Cincinnati 26

Monday Masochism: BC Again

Duke Game Post

Feel free to leave your thoughts on the game in the comments. I'll be tailgating and going to the OU-Texas Tech game tonight, so you'll get nothing from me today. However, the game's on ESPNU which means I can DVR it.

Monday Masochism: Sean Dockery

This was less than 24 hours after the Hokies, as two touchdown favorites, choked massively against FSU in the ACC title game. I wasn't sober for a long time after this shot.

Miami Game Post

College Game Balls sums up my feelings toward the Canes and the city of Miami nicely.

Miami is the Dirty Scum you Scrape off Your Shoe

Leave your thoughts on the game in the comments.

Welcome to Hate Week: Beat Miami

If that doesn't make you want to run through a brick wall, I don't know what will.

There's no Monday Masochism this week because it's Miami week. I can't stand Miami. My hatred for the Hurricanes waned during the Coker Era because Coker was a good man and a good Oklahoman that tried valiantly to clean up Miami's image. All that came crashing down during the FIU brawl.

But now that the Hurricanes have fired a good man and a good Oklahoman in Coker, I'm free to hate Miami with the same venom I did when Butchie was there. The games with the 'Canes have typically been close since the Hokies first beat them in 1995. With only a few exceptions, each game has been well played come down to the last minute.

This year should be no different. The Younglings have been playing well recently, but are still an inexperienced team. The Hokies just played one of their best games, but are far from the teams of the last four years.

If anything it'll be fun to watch, especially on a Thursday night for the first time. You can bet I'll try to leave work early in order to get into the proper frame of mind for this game.

No, Miami doesn't inspire the same pure, unadulterated, undying, unyielding hate that UVa does, but it's still Da U and everything that comes with Da U. Beat Miami.

Monday Masochism: Dorenzo Hudson

About as masochistic a Maryland video as I could find.

FSU Game Post

I think I see myself in the second vid. That's about where I was sitting. Leave your thoughts on the game in the comments. Go Hokies!

BC Game Guide

Virginia Tech at Boston College

Time: 8 p.m.
Date: Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008
Place: Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, Mass.
TV: ESPN2

Last Meeting: The Hokies beat the Eagles, 30-16 on Dec. 1, 2007, in Jacksonville, Fla., to capture the 2007 ACC Championship Game. Sean Glennon was named MVP after throwing for 174 yards and three touchdowns to three different receivers.

Trends: The Hokies have won five consecutive games and are 2-0 on the road...the Eagles have won their last three games and are 2-1 at home...the Hokies are 16-1 on the road in ACC play...however, the lone loss came at BC in 2006...the Hokies are 5-2 after a bye since joining the ACC with the last two losses coming against BC.

What to Expect: The Hokies have had their struggles running against BC in teams' last three games. In 2005, the Hokies ran wild on their way to a 30-10 win over the Eagles, gaining 212 yards on 53 carries (4.0 YPC). However, in the last three games, the Hokies have 247 yards on 125 carries (2.0 YPC).

Unfortunately, I think this will continue this weekend. BC's front seven is just too good for the Hokies to expect a lot from the running backs. DTs Ron Brace and BJ Raji are the best DT combination in the league if not the nation. Add to them a good linebacking corps led by Brian Toal and the Eagles should have no problem slowing Virginia Tech's running game.

However, the Hokies do have Tyrod Taylor. His ability to scramble and break big plays with his feet out of the pocket give the Hokies a chance to crack the century mark in rushing yards. I think you'll have to see Tyrod scramble for a few first downs on third down situations this weekend. If he's successful and can extend drives with his feet, the Hokies have a very good chance.

On defense, the Hokies will have to deal with a BC offense that is improving. The run game carried the team for the first few weeks of the season as younger players such as Josh Haden and Montel Harris blossomed quickly. The QB position was big question mark until last week when Chris Crane took the team on his shoulders on the way to a win at NC State.

In that game, Crane had 428 yards passing. He had 461 yards passing through his first four games.

Crane is a poor man's Scott Frost and is deceptively quick, which means he's a fast white guy. He will be able to escape the pocket as well and turn big losses into no gains and positive yards. However, the Eagles have turned the ball over 10 times this season, including three times against NC State.

If Crane turns into a pumpkin again on Saturday, you could see QB Dominique Davis, who is made from the Tyrod Taylor mold. Davis' isn't a very good passes, but can kill you with his feet.

The Eagles return most of their receivers, but none of them are deep threats. This is good for the Hokies since their kryptonite has been deep passes over the middle.

The Hokies win if: They are able to establish the run against BC's formidable front seven and they get consistent pressure on QB Chris Crane.

The Eagles win if: They don't turn the ball over and stop the run, both conventional and on scrambles by Tyrod Taylor.

Dot-dot-dots: The last time the Hokies played at BC on a Saturday was 2000 when they won, 48-34...the Hokies played in BC on Thursdays in 2002 and 2006...this is the first time any VT-BC regular season game has been on Saturday since 2003 when the Eagles won 34-27 in Blacksburg...Virginia Tech LB Dylan McGreevy is a distant nephew of Nuf Ced McGreevy, the famous Boston bar owner and founder of the Royal Rooters...if you're a Red Sox fan like I am, you know McGreevy's story, made famous by the Dropkick Murphy's version of "Tessie"...RB Darren Evans has scored a touchdown in his first six career games...CB Macho Harris has an interception in three consecutive games...K Dustin Keys has made 11 consecutive field goals.


Go Hokies. Go Sox.

VT-WKU Game Post

Leave your thoughts on the game in the comments. The game is available on the Internet via ACC Select, but since ACC Select sucks, I'll be listening to Bill and Mike on XM Radio.

Meet the Hilltoppers

The Hokies face Western Kentucky University for the first time in football Saturday. It will be homecoming for the Hokies and we'll get a look at the new home uniforms with the orange sleeves for the first time. Judging by my replica, I think they look pretty good. We'll see how the real things look Saturday.

Here's a look at WKU:


WKU Hilltoppers
Location: Bowling Green, Ky.
Conference: Sun Belt
2007 Record: 7-5 (1-5 vs. I-A)
2008 Record: 2-3 (0-3 vs. I-A)
Head Coach: David Elson (6th season)
Stadium: Houchens Industries-LT Smith Stadium (23,000)

Why the Hilltoppers?

The area of Bowling Green where WKU is located is known as "The Hill".

Past

- Won the I-AA championship in 2002.
- Were coached by Jack Harbaugh from 1989-2002. Jack is the father of former Bears QB and current Stanford HC Jim Harbaugh and current Baltimore Ravens HC John Harbaugh.
- Former players include Rod Smart, better known as "He Hate Me" from the XFL.

Present

- I-A transitional team.
- Count toward the 120 I-A football teams, but are ineligible to win the Sun Belt or play in a bowl until 2009.
- Had to move up to I-A football because they were not in compliance with Title IX. They actually had too few scholarships for men.
- After going 1-5 vs. I-A opponents in 2006, the Hilltoppers face 10 I-A opponents this season.

Western Kentucky on YouTube

It ain't exactly Enter Sandman:


Highlights from the Kentucky game: