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Around SBN: The Pros and Cons of an 18-game NFL Schedule

The Hokies, the Spread, the Read-Option and the Wild Turkey

FSUncensored suggested last night that the Hokies should spread the field to run the ball like Florida and West Virginia. A lot of fans have wondered why the Hokies don't do this. The answer is simple: Philosophy and personnel.

The Hokies run an offense designed to keep the score low, keep its defense off the field and shorten the game. We're going to run the ball between the tackles until you prove you can stop it and then run play-action.

Also, I think the offensive line, with the exception of Sergio Render, isn't athletic enough to run a spread-style offense. We have bigger, bruising linemen where teams that run the spread prefer smaller more agile linemen.

What the Hokies do tend to run are read-option plays where Tyrod Taylor reads the defensive end and decides whether to keep or hand the ball off. We did this a lot more when Branden Ore was in the backfield because in my opinion he was better at running off-tackle than Darren Evans. But with Ryan Williams now contending for playing time I think you'll see more of this next year.

The Wild Turkey formation the Hokies throw out with Greg Boone isn't a true spread formation. While some of the Wild-nomenclature offenses do spread the field, what the Hokies run is simply read-option with a quarterback everyone knows isn't going to throw the ball.

I think you'll see more traditional read-option plays with Taylor and Williams this fall. However, I don't think you'll see Tech spreading the field to run it. It will simply be another way the Hokies chew up clock and yards on the ground to fit their system.

Hokie Kickball?

Something that hasn't made its way to my neck of the woods is kickball leagues. All my friends out East, include the venerable Winfield, are joining these things. I guess its what college kids and wannabe college kids like myself are doing instead of beer league softball. It makes sense since it has to be a lot cheaper than buying cleats and a softball bat.

Does Virginia Tech have intramural kickball yet? Are there any club kickball teams out there? This seems like something we could easily kick UVa's ass in.

Linkage

Hokies

- Tech doesn't look too bad going into next year's hoops season. (Beer Control Offense)
- Will Michael Vick go to the Redskins? (The North End Zone)
- You can almost see Grant Noel entering the stadium. (Tech Superfans)

ACC and Opponents

- UNC goes for wins over marquee games. (Carolina March)
- No more annoying Hokie fans for Oglesby. (Block-C)
- Message boards inspire one recruit. To decommit. (Tar Heel Fan)
- Everything you ever wanted to know about recovering fumbles. (Tomahawk Nation)
- UVa gets "rewarded" for winning the ACC. (From Old Virginia)

Stuff Only I Care About

- OMG! The Kaleta! (Die by the Blade)
- Quit messing with my boy Kane. (Second City Hockey)
- Let's go Blackhawks! De-troit sucks! De-troit sucks! (via Puck Daddy)
- Amalie Benjamin (who I love and in a heartbeat would give up my hard-drinking, road-tripping bachelor ways for) on Clay Buchholz's near-perfect game. (Globe)
- My roommate's celebration will stretch well into the night. (Puck Daddy)
- Danny Almonte's college career is over. (Power Allie)

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You would enjoy kickball league. Not only does it support drinking during the game but you also get 50% off drinks before and after the game. Booyah!

by Winfield Featherston on May 27, 2009 9:07 AM EDT reply actions  

Wild Turkey

BTW the Wild Turkey looks like it will have some passing plays worked into it this fall and when Logan Thomas gets here (more likely in 2010) then REALLY look out for the Wild Turkey as a true formational weapon.

by MadJay on May 27, 2009 8:27 PM EDT reply actions  

I think he was referring to redshirt

but i doubt that happens. its a different situation than williams last year. both are “too talented to keep off the field” but williams couldn’t run block. thomas will probably see p.t. as a pass catcher this fall.

A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. GobblerCountry.com

by furrer4heisman on May 28, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

that should say “pass block” not “run block”

A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. GobblerCountry.com

by furrer4heisman on May 28, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions  

Unfortunately

Tech does not (as of yet) have an Intramural kickball team. A list of Tech’s intramural sports is as follows:

    * Basketball
    * Basketball Skills
    * 8-Ball
    * Bowling
    * Chess Tournament
    * Darts
    * Dodgeball Tournament
    * Fantasy Football
    * Flag Football
    * Golf
    * Hearts Tournament
    * Homerun Derby
    * Horseshoes
    * Innertube Water Polo
    * Pickem Contests
    * Putt Putt Tournament
    * Racquetball
    * Soccer
    * Softball
    * Sports Trivia
    * Swim Meet
    * Table Tennis Singles
    * Tennis
    * T-Shirt Design Contest
    * Volleyball
    * Wallyball

I didn’t know “T-Shirt Design Contest” was considered a sport, but there you have it.

by Cruithear on May 27, 2009 11:03 PM EDT reply actions  

Re: Logan Thomas

I was referring to Logan Thomas in the Wild Turkey in 2010. I am with furrer here, LT is going to be on the field in 2009 just not taking snaps in the WT formation. I’d expect him at receiver or at TE. A kid that talented who doesn’t have to learn how to block just seems impossible to keep off the field.

by MadJay on Jun 3, 2009 9:24 PM EDT reply actions  

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