5 Players the Hokies Can't Do Without

Last week, Jeff took time off from arguing over which chain restaurant to go out to with Mrs. Jeff before finally saying screw it and finishing the leftover spaghetti to discuss BC's most indispensable players with Brian. I thought it was a good idea, so I'm stealing borrowing it.

Here's my pick for the five players the Hokies can ill-afford to lose. Post yours in the comments.

1. Tyrod Taylor, Jr., QB
This was a pretty easy selection. With a plethora of unknowns behind him, Taylor must stay healthy or at least healthy by his standards for the Hokies to succeed this season. Without Tyrod, Tech's season wouldn't be lost but it would put everything into chaos at the least.

2. Sergio Render, Sr., OL
We've learned that as the O-line goes, so goes Tech's running game. The margin for error on Tech's line is razor thin. In the last two seasons, an early injury has thrown the line out of whack and led to struggles in the running game. Render, a guard, is our most talented and most versatile lineman. He might be the only one that's irreplaceable.

3. Kam Chancellor, Sr., FS
His athleticism and nose for the ball separate him from the rest of the secondary. He is the quarterback of the Hokie defense and without him it would be disorganized until another leader could be found. Chancellor improved greatly as a free safety late in the year and I expect to see a season similar to his sophomore year in 2009.

4. Taco Thompson, Sr., DT
Defensive tackle is too thin a position for the Hokies to lose their most experienced one.

5. Darren Evans, So., RB
Evans was a workhorse the last half of 2008. He ran over Maryland and cut through Cincinnati in his two best games. The Hokies have a stable of talented running backs. However, I don't think they could replace his toughness between the tackles.

Linkage

Hokies

- Norm Wood considers Tyrod to be a national breakout candidate. (Daily Press)
- A look at deciding factors in Tech's first two games. (Blogsburg)
- The editor at Rivals thinks Nebraska has no chance in Blacksburg. (FBS)

ACC and Opponents

- Where I get compared to Hunter S. Thompson. (The Legacyx4)
- TOB is facing high expectations in Raleigh. (StateFans Nation)
- Fat guy on a little bike. (Block-C)
- Brendan calls the coaches poll a farce. (From Old Virgina)
- Pack-Vols in the ATL in 2012. (ACC Now)

Stuff Only I Care About

- Speaking of the Vols, Lane Kiffin stars in Mean Boys. Hilarity ensues. (Hey Jenny Slater)
- Again, Kiffin. Again, hilarity. (EDSBS)
- Friggin' Helm goes from Outlier to villain hero. (Goose's Roost)
- Fran Tarkenton sticks up for grumpy old men. (Awful Announcing)
- Going through the NHL scouting combine. (National Post via From the Rink)