So I just watched a highlight video of 1999...
One thought kept coming to me....Ricky Bustle was actually a pretty good OC. I was on the same train as most that thought he was terribly predictable, but his play calling was actually good. Maybe it's just that there was so much talent on that team, but he was miles better than Corn.
59 Replies
2y
He had 3 top 40 offenses in 6 seasons, and a #53.....and to your point, he didn't have nearly the talent of those Bustle teams. He had 2 truly BAD offenses.
In 23 seasons of the Beamer bowl era from 93-2015, there were 6 top 40 offenses. Throw out the Michael Vick years (Squidward would have a top 40 O those years), and you have 4 top 40 offenses in 21 seasons vs Corny's 3 in 6 years.
Corny knew how to run a system offense. I'm not his apologist, but just calling balls and strikes.
** Edited by Techsupport at 7/10/2024, 5:05:06 PM
(In response to this post by SarahVTHokie24)
2y
Football over that 2-3 stretch. Heck 4 of the 5 starting OL from those teams made an NFL roster.
(In response to this post by SarahVTHokie24)
2y
Never a household name like Bud Foster.
He's generally always been considered a good, solid, OC, but nothing extraordinary by older VT fans. Younger fans, and nobody from another fan base would even know who he is.
(In response to this post by uvabasher)
2y
Ricky Bustle called *every single one* of those plays, lol. Insane play calling!
He even called the Vick Flip, the bombs to Andre Davis, and the runs vs FSU!
VT BABY!!!
(In response to this post by SarahVTHokie24)
2y
But Ricky himself admitted MV1 made it easy. He’d call a play, and when it was about to fail, Vick would make a big play out of it.
(In response to this post by SarahVTHokie24)
2y
Vick did a lot of improvisation. Helped to have Davis on fly patterns
(In response to this post by Hokie1992)
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2hhoop3
2y
was mostly paying homage to Mike's ability to improvise when the play broke down. I believe MV sometimes ran the wrong way on a play called, the Sugar Bowl goal line, being one of the more notable ones, but, he was not actively freelancing in terms of calling a different play.
(In response to this post by HardTimes)
2y
I remember a lot of misdirection, and throwback screens to WR, taibacks, and FB. And deep balls off play action.
(In response to this post by Hokie1992)
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VPI_1998
2y
That '95 Akron game was crazy with offense
** Edited by VPI_1998 at 7/6/2024, 11:22:18 AM
(In response to this post by crazylane)
2y
During the time, folks were complaining, questioning his calls, and citing we can do better martra...
Past Ricky, Gary, and the rest, fans always seem to second guess the offensive coordinator. Even Bowen at a time was questioned, and some folks were ready to run him out of town. What a tough business.
At the end, I've always liked Bustle's comments about coaching with Vick and his calls. He simply said, when you have Vick, who just created situations, it makes anyone look like genius. At the end, if you got the players, and the 'it' quarterback, you can do alot.
(In response to this post by Hokie1992)
2y
And we would not have ended the season the way we did
(In response to this post by NokieHokie)
E
EDGEMAN
2y
Remember the old saying, the only person who could limit Michael Jordan's offense was Dean Smith.
When you have a once in a generation player, point him at the opposition and unleash him...lol
(In response to this post by 1947Sunbowl)
2y
Bustle probably invented the 3rd and 10 QB draw and it worked the first time and failed every time since. Corny is a talented offensive play designer. But the challenge of calling plays for your talent and to exploit weaknesses and calling the perfect play for the situation is not so easy. However, an obvious fact is when you have superior talent, it’s far easier to call a perfect play. Virginia Tech had all the pieces in 1999, so Michael Vick only had to be the swizzle stick. We’re asking a lot more of our lesser talent today.
(In response to this post by 1947Sunbowl)
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Fatman
2y
And put points on the board. His style was also synergistic with 1)Buds D 2) Franks gambling nature on ST and overall aggressive game management and 3) optimal fit for the talent available in our recruiting patch. I think it was an error to let bustle go in pursuit of a pass first O. Once bustle was established the run, he had a lethal play action pass game.
(In response to this post by SarahVTHokie24)
2y
Frank may have looked for a pass first OC after that, but Ricky wasn't removed to change the offense.
(In response to this post by Fatman)
2y
Either to Snell or Still. Admit hazy memory. Pitt?
(In response to this post by Fatman)
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VPI_1998
2y
when the offense was sputtering
(In response to this post by TomTurkey)
2y
(In response to this post by SarahVTHokie24)
2y
and waited to see what was actually running.
The classic was about an 80 yard Vick TD run at Temple. It was a rollout to the right. It was run as called, except one dude went left, that one wearing #7.
(In response to this post by 133182Hokie)
2y
(In response to this post by UEMcGill)
R
RJHokie
2y
Game was in 67,000 seat Veterans Stadium with about 12,000 - 15,000 fans attending, most of them VT fans.
(In response to this post by UEMcGill)
2y
But, I was able to run stride for stride, well almost 🤣, with Mike through the stadium on that run.
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
2y
Its been 24 years ago.... most kids less than 30 years of age have no idea. for them it might as been george washington
(In response to this post by SarahVTHokie24)
2y
That was before spread offenses had even come into the scene
(In response to this post by 1947Sunbowl)
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RJHokie
2y
Among some of the very worse:
Gary Tranquil
Mike O’Cain
Corny
(In response to this post by NokieHokie)
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VPI_1998
2y
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
R
RJHokie
2y
even though he worsened the last few years or so.
(In response to this post by jecvtmgr)
2y
His personality made Fuente’s look like a dream
(In response to this post by RJHokie)
2y
but he did not. He had to deal with the defense which took time away from the O. Such a crap show. And, I blame ALL of them, Whit especially!
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
2y
And he wasn’t allowed to replace Corn ahead of 2021
** Edited by hokiepro at 7/6/2024, 5:58:03 AM
(In response to this post by VTMONEY94)
K
KCHokie2
2y
His approach was sometimes effective, but it required goal tending.
** Edited by KCHokie2 at 7/5/2024, 8:55:17 PM
(In response to this post by likehokies)
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lazarus1
2y
He was pathetic. Afraid to meet with media and lousy play caller. Just awful.
(In response to this post by hokiepro)
2y
As for the play calling, i couldn't believe this offensive guru we hired was either primarily responsible for it or put up with it.
(In response to this post by lazarus1)
You only thought that 'cause he, did. +several
(In response to this post by crazylane)