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ckhokie
Supporting Member Level 69
Three games into a year which was widely agreed upon to be 'unknown.' What are you pleasantly surprised with? Where do you still have concerns?
Surprises
Linebackers - Linebacker play was thought to be a weakness going into the new season. While the depth is still TBD, I don't think anyone can question the play of the starters so far.
Freshman WRs - While LT was far from the best QB last year, when Willie Byrn is your best WR option, you're just not going to be very successful. Ford, Philips, and Hodges (to a degree Stroman) contributing immediately in a position of need has been very important.
Two TE sets - Malleck and Hodges on the field at the same time, with our WRs creates serious matchup issues with LBs on our TEs. The importance of this was magnified yesterday when losing one TE basically took both out of the game. Having Malleck and/or Clein back healthy is super important.
Playing the best player available - seems obvious, but hasn't always happened. Nice to see coaches seem to be on board
The bad stuff
OL - OL play is still rough. Run blocking has been terrible, regardless of our level of competition. You never want to see your OL coach teaching fundamentals on the sideline during the game. Watching BC's OL run blocking last night against USC was like a thing of beauty that I've never seen out of a VT team. It made me sad.
QB - The next three aren't as much bad, as just areas of concern. I do like Brewer so far, although he will make some silly throws, that have resulted in INTs. Turning the ball over this much in conference play will not lead to Ws
Big Plays - Going hand in hand with the first two, our offense doesn't really seem to threaten on big plays. We had one play over 20 yards against tOSU. I haven't rewatched the ECU game, but I don't recall many more, if any. Not sure if this is a product of the OL, run game, QB's arm, Loeffler's calling, or what.
2nd CB - Fuller is going to shut down everyone, so the boundary guy is going to get a lot of action, regardless of who lines up. Facyson still doesn't look 100%, but Chuck Clark is young, and Donavan Riley, though probably a better option than Chuck at this point, still probably isn't as good as a 100% Brandon. Hopefully he can get himself together after what was a pretty terrible showing against ECU. Neither Bonner or Jarrett have ever been that great when they've had to be in man coverage.
Surprises
Linebackers - Linebacker play was thought to be a weakness going into the new season. While the depth is still TBD, I don't think anyone can question the play of the starters so far.
Freshman WRs - While LT was far from the best QB last year, when Willie Byrn is your best WR option, you're just not going to be very successful. Ford, Philips, and Hodges (to a degree Stroman) contributing immediately in a position of need has been very important.
Two TE sets - Malleck and Hodges on the field at the same time, with our WRs creates serious matchup issues with LBs on our TEs. The importance of this was magnified yesterday when losing one TE basically took both out of the game. Having Malleck and/or Clein back healthy is super important.
Playing the best player available - seems obvious, but hasn't always happened. Nice to see coaches seem to be on board
The bad stuff
OL - OL play is still rough. Run blocking has been terrible, regardless of our level of competition. You never want to see your OL coach teaching fundamentals on the sideline during the game. Watching BC's OL run blocking last night against USC was like a thing of beauty that I've never seen out of a VT team. It made me sad.
QB - The next three aren't as much bad, as just areas of concern. I do like Brewer so far, although he will make some silly throws, that have resulted in INTs. Turning the ball over this much in conference play will not lead to Ws
Big Plays - Going hand in hand with the first two, our offense doesn't really seem to threaten on big plays. We had one play over 20 yards against tOSU. I haven't rewatched the ECU game, but I don't recall many more, if any. Not sure if this is a product of the OL, run game, QB's arm, Loeffler's calling, or what.
2nd CB - Fuller is going to shut down everyone, so the boundary guy is going to get a lot of action, regardless of who lines up. Facyson still doesn't look 100%, but Chuck Clark is young, and Donavan Riley, though probably a better option than Chuck at this point, still probably isn't as good as a 100% Brandon. Hopefully he can get himself together after what was a pretty terrible showing against ECU. Neither Bonner or Jarrett have ever been that great when they've had to be in man coverage.