Monday Thoughts: Taking Stock

Will Stewart

Founder

September 16, 2024 38

Keonta Jenkins Virginia Tech — Three games in, Keonta Jenkins and the Hokies are 2-1, not the hoped-for 3-0. (Ivan Morozov)

One quarter into the season, it’s time to take stock and think about what’s coming the rest of the way.

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Monday Thoughts 2024 VT-ODU Football

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38 Comments

middletennhokie September 18, 2024 at 4:28 PM

Going to be a very tough game for VT. We are really banged up and they are fresh and healthy. Will, I would suggest keeping the posters at 25, and do a separate money raising campaign for MVs or Corps like you do for NIL. You might even snag a well to do Alum who would match gifts.
HokieTC September 17, 2024 at 9:00 PM

I enjoy MT and the follow up comments. The feeling of the play of this team is blah to upsetting, with the exception of Lane and Tuten who are GOOD. I miss Tucker Holloway. I picked us to go 9-3. Wow was I wrong (In defense, I told people that I was NOT cautiously optimistic, I was wildly optimistic) . Now I’m at 6-6 hoping for a 7-5 happy place. Unfortunately, my gut says 5-7. Hope not. Please forgive past , present, and future snarky comments as it is just a message board. Go Hokies
DADEC52 September 17, 2024 at 2:46 PM

Pry and Marve have been nothing but disappointing with the "D". I have little hope for Pry and success given his coordinator picks, both of whom have been just bad. What idiot calls a D without any safety help with the pitiful LB play we are getting yet another year. How did PSU ever stop anyone? The long run by ODU is an example of a coordinator who shouldn't be and a HC with poor judgement.
1. Hokie DKE September 17, 2024 at 8:11 PM
  
  In Pry’s defense he didn’t have much in the way of a war chest to buy coordinator talent and he was a first time head whistle so he was never going to get a pick of the litter so to speak. After two,plus seasons he’s still learning on the job so far as actual game prep and game day presence. I’m not defending anyone and I’m not pretending to be a P5/P4 or whatever the F they’re called now coach like most other posters seem to think,they are. He is our guy until probably the end of next season if the ship,runs aground. Again.
RustyHokie94 September 17, 2024 at 2:44 PM

I can see us at 5-2 and also 2-5
brownsummithokie September 17, 2024 at 8:03 AM

Would love to see some PFF numbers through three games. I get the impression that the defense problems lie squarely with the LBs vut that is just based on what I am seeing during the game without any real analysis. O WRT to the O, I do think Drones is a more accurate passer this year and certainly better than people give him credit for. I am down on T-Bo and have been this way for over a year now. I do not understand the offense and maybe that is on me but the plan whatever it is just doesn't work.
LG Hokie September 17, 2024 at 7:50 AM

Greg Schiano is a good coach. He has a tough Big 10 schedule coming up. He knows he needs to win this one. Expect a tough game.
Hokester September 17, 2024 at 7:05 AM

Great insight as always but being a VT fan is so frustrating. It seems like we are always just on the cusp of something either good or bad. I really miss the Foster defenses of old when you knew that the offense was just so so but that the defense would end up winning the game for you. When talking with my buddies about VT football, the conversation almost always ends with some version of "If only Beamer had had the foresight to go after a national brand offensive coordinator when Bustle left."
1. HokieTC September 17, 2024 at 8:37 PM
  
  “The balls”
HokieJB September 17, 2024 at 3:18 AM

Is it just me, or do our defensive ends (or LBs) too often lose contain on those mobile QBs?
1. HokieTC September 17, 2024 at 8:38 PM
  
  Just you. Thanks for your question
hokieben September 17, 2024 at 12:58 AM

You need another option in your voting for concerns: Coaching adjustments during the game.
1. middletennhokie September 18, 2024 at 4:18 PM
  
  +1
cdogvt September 16, 2024 at 11:53 PM

Agree on the run defense. It would be great to see a detailed break down of what is happening. The more strategic point that troubles me is - how in the world does a defensive minded HC have a such a poor defense - with LB being the likely culprit - 3 years into a program, with time to bring in their own talent? And without a path to improve it at all, unless someone like McDonald gets another shot or we take a chance on a less athletic but more instinctive player - George Ballance? It isn't that we have a problem with run defense this year - it is that we have the same problem with run defense for 3 straight years on the side of the ball we were supposed to be good and in the specific position that was supposed to be both our HC and DC's positions? It is a bad sign to me if they can't correct this problem asap and don't think they can.
1. Hokie_1989 September 17, 2024 at 2:21 PM
  
  Agreed. There has to me a more instinctive LB on the roster that can always be in the right position. It looks like they have the most athletic guys on the field with the hopes that it will result in more big plays. And it does, just for the other team, because of what looks like missed assignments.
hokies1693 September 16, 2024 at 11:13 PM

Probably just me but the poster size is too small.
Motor City Hokie September 16, 2024 at 10:05 PM

Great reporting. Much more realistic than some post-game articles that implied Tech might have "Turned the Corner" in the win against ODU. If Tech's truly turned the corner, we won't have validation until about 7 pm Saturday. Until then, think 7-5 at best.
Wtcarter12 September 16, 2024 at 8:49 PM

I just don’t have a good feeling about this weekend with Rutgers
HokieGator September 16, 2024 at 8:19 PM

I bought a poster to give to a coworker/friend who was in the MVs a few years ago. I thought $25 was a bit steep for it, but what the heck. Then I saw how much shipping was and realized I paid $35 for a poster. Yikes. I think they're cool and understand the cost/function, but I don't see myself spending $40 for another poster.
1. grtmmt September 17, 2024 at 7:32 AM
  
  I bought two posters same time and had them shipped to the same address and I was charged twice for shipping.
  1. Will Stewart September 17, 2024 at 8:12 AM
    
    Did they come in two separate tubes? That would be why. If they were packaged in one tube, then contact Printify. They have a good reputation for customer service.
Durham Hokie September 16, 2024 at 7:34 PM

Early in the article, you write “in the last 8 games including the Military Bowl against Cincinnati “ The military bowl opponent was Tulane
1. Durham Hokie September 16, 2024 at 7:35 PM
  
  Oops you are writing about 2018. You are correct as usual.
  1. Will Stewart September 16, 2024 at 7:53 PM
    
    Whew, you had me there for a second.
2. mcannaday September 16, 2024 at 8:31 PM
  
  it was in 2018
HokiesandHerd September 16, 2024 at 7:18 PM

It’s wild that that Branden Ore ended his career at a D2 school in West Virginia (West Liberty to be exact). What he did in 2006 behind THAT offensive line was nothing short of amazing.
RoswellGAHokie September 16, 2024 at 5:34 PM

I didn’t watch the game but my son (UGA and LSU alum who still loves VT) did and he said it sounded like a 1940s radio show.
1. jecvtmgr September 17, 2024 at 3:03 AM
  
  The Tarkenton guy reminded me a lot of Bill Curry
IB4TECH September 16, 2024 at 4:55 PM

Pardon me for not buying posters. I'm pushing 79 and just don't do posters. I hope they prove to be successful.
Lancelot Link September 16, 2024 at 4:46 PM

speaking of lost rushing yards: I may be wrong, but I believe that 1 year Barry Sanders led the NFL in rushing and also led the league in lost rushing yards. Let that sink in, just imagine if he had the Cowboys line in front of him.
TomTurkey September 16, 2024 at 4:40 PM

Maybe Malachi will have a shout out game if Tuten is limited.
1. mcannaday September 16, 2024 at 8:33 PM
  
  they limit him. he doesn't hit the hole like Tuten. He needs to get some rushes off tackle and outside. Have we run a screen pass yet? great was to slow down a pass run
  1. middletennhokie September 18, 2024 at 4:23 PM
    
    I think the first interception at Vandy was intended to be a screen.
    1. Will Stewart September 18, 2024 at 4:24 PM
      
      It was, to Jaylin Lane. VT has run lots of other screens as well this year. Some middle screens, and I think the TD pass to Tuten vs. Vandy was a screen.
HokieCrazy1994 September 16, 2024 at 4:26 PM

I miss Katie
McHokie93 September 16, 2024 at 4:25 PM

I'm always more concerned about the defense. It is sad to see them play poorly as we all remember the glory days when we hung hat on defense. Offense has rarely ever been good outside of a generational talent like Michael Vick or Kevin Jones. Our offense this year has good players. As soon as coaches figure out how to use them they will be ok. The defenses issues are on the players, not the coaches (IMO).
1. mcannaday September 16, 2024 at 8:36 PM
  
  Just need to be physical football players. Not sure I would want to teach 6-4 linebackers how to get their pad level down. i thiught our speed was gonna give people problems but these guys are reading and NOT reacting fast. see ball, get ball! Sure do miss Bud
DW Hokie September 16, 2024 at 4:24 PM

I agree with the main sentiment: just glad to have this game out of the way with a win. As to biggest concern for me: all others slide down one notch if Tuten has some nagging injury that hobbles him the rest of the year.

Monday Thoughts: Taking Stock

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