Virginia Tech Spring Game Thoughts: Starters, RBs and More

16 Comments

1. 

   hokiedpt April 19, 2023 at 12:15 PM

   Great article and summary info. Easy to follow for an old Guy. Thanks
2. 

   MAHist87 April 18, 2023 at 12:52 PM

   Agree with you Chris, Khiari Miller is exactly what we need in the backfield--a fire hydrant of a fullback ("running back" is sort of an insult) capable of dislocating shoulders and causing stars and blue birdies to whirl around the heads of linebackers as he slams forward for those 3 yards every play. He should have also been thrown to a number of times during the scrimmage. Think the great Sam Rogers. Give me an "I" or wishbone with this guy at numero uno, and even if we don't get a lot of yards, we'll beat the crap out of the defense over 60 minutes. Speed, flash, necklaces, and hair gel? Bah! Give me smash mouth attrition!
3. 

   jewilso2 April 18, 2023 at 10:31 AM

   Great compliment to the 5 good thoughts article. Watching online, it sure looked like the team was really lean across most positions outside of DT (straight up skinny). Any thoughts on how the S&C program is progressing because didn't see anyone that looked great getting off the bus. Wells was the only player that looked like he was in a college program with a little beef on him - thoughts on if we are going to be able to be a physical team this year?
4. 

   Nicov48 April 17, 2023 at 10:44 PM

   I agree with the running back room looks a lot better. Do you think Thomas will be 2nd string or if he and Tuten would be more of a 1A, 1B, and whoever is hot gets more carries? Also what positions do you feel still has an open competition? It seems like Linebacker (aside from Sam) and receiver are the main ones
5. 

   cdogvt April 17, 2023 at 10:28 PM

   On the Stroman tip play - two other quick things I noticed in addition to what Chris conveyed - first, his recognition was outstanding - he diagnosed that play very quickly. Second, he was ready to know 0 out with a block but pulled up since it was a scrimmage. Very quick and sound decision making. Our defense has a chance to be elite if we can find a dynamic edge rusher. Our secondary and LBs will be very good, large, and athletic over the next 2 Years. I can feel my optimism seeping in…
6. 

   Cheesehokie April 17, 2023 at 8:02 PM

   Good piece, Chris! Agree with your comment about not burning redshirts for kick coverage players. And also for K/O returners to make fair catches!! Lordy, we wasted a lot of field position last year trying to run kickoffs back.
7. 

   RustyHokie94 April 17, 2023 at 6:44 PM

   Question for you, Chris... Which DBs got burnt with the long passes? I was unable to watch the game. Also, how do you grade the OL and DL performances? Thanks for what you do--we appreciate it!
   1. 

      gaholder81 April 18, 2023 at 8:43 AM

      I agree with Chris, save the redshirt for Watson. Having said that, if Wells goes down, then we have real questions. My personal opinion as of now is, not much separates Drones and Watson. The question would be, do we just play Drones and save Watson's redshirt, or do we see what we have right now with Watson. Hopefully Wells stays healthy and we don't have to worry about this scenario. Just something to think about. And of course Ferrell is a factor as well.
8. 

   1hokies1 April 17, 2023 at 6:26 PM

   VT needs a QB who can run...especially with our O line depth. Pop could be the man!
   1. 

      VTVOICE April 17, 2023 at 8:48 PM

      So too Devon Farrell.
   2. 

      rahokie April 17, 2023 at 9:17 PM

      Witke looked just as fast as Watson to me. Future is bright!
9. 

   jdkhokie April 17, 2023 at 5:47 PM

   Agree that Wells started well but at 9:33 mark in 2nd quarter he threw a really bad pass trying to force it and it was nearly intercepted. Then again at the 8:09 mark. These are the plays that cost Tech dearly all last season. I would have hoped that he would have matured and would make better decisions. Drones did not impress either. Tech needs to find a QB.
   1. 

      Coattail Hokie April 17, 2023 at 7:07 PM

      I too noticed both throws and thought, here we go again. QB is still a weakness.
   2. 

      HokieHighlander April 17, 2023 at 8:03 PM

      I agree with you. This is where having an Avg Oline Play will hurt. You can have Avg. QB and Good OL play and you can have Avg OL Play and Good QB, but you can't have both. I really hope our OL starts to put it together, because Wells seems to have hit his ceiling at this point.
10. 

    vtgriff09 April 17, 2023 at 5:21 PM

    Wells has the makings of a very serviceable QB if we can block and if he can manage pressure and find the open guys. Outside of throws, he made smart decisions by easy rb checkdowns on early downs that got positive yds. Also, liked the throw aways. If he can learn to checkdown, feel pressure and react correctly and throw balls away, we coulf have an offense that is competent. I can't judge Drones behind that line, but he has a long throwing motion and he was very inaccurate on open plays in some of the rare clean pockets. Wells will start gm1...let's hope for improvement. My fear is the pass rush and DEs. Bad DE play equals taxing on the next levels. Our very good-great cbs will look meh with no pass rush. Can't wait to see Wright's developement.
11. 

    StressHokie April 17, 2023 at 4:37 PM

    Great stuff, thanks Chris!