Looking back at 'Bama
by Hokie20 on Sep 9, 2009 7:00 AM EDT
19 comments
Virginia Tech made $2.8 million to play Alabama last weekend in Atlanta. That's not bad from a financial standpoint. But consider the fact that Tech makes way more than that for a meaningless home game against a 1-AA school. The risk was worth it for Tech to play in this game, but the neutral site is starting to hurt the Hokies way more than help.
Leaving the Georgia Dome after the game was tough after watching such a good game. Alabama fans were rejoicing with their usual "Roll Tide" chants that are extremely annoying. Thing is, ‘Bama didn't roll all over the Hokies - Tech just ran out of gas.
The inept offense proved to be an extreme liability during the game. Head coach Frank Beamer can say all he can about being four or five plays away from a big game, but it didn't happen. Tyrod Taylor seemed uncomfortable and his passing struggled mightily. The Tide blitzed at the right time and assignments were missed. Taylor has to use his legs more, because that's what the identity of the offense is.
Virginia Tech made it to the national stage on the legs of Michael Vick. Vick broke every huddle as a running quarterback - he thought run just as much as pass. Taylor breaks every huddle thinking he is a quarterback that can run - he thinks pass before he gets hit from waiting too long.
It is obvious offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring would rather run the ball every play, which is truly a shame considering the amount of NFL receivers that have recently played in this system. The line has a tough time holding blocks in the passing game and something as simple as moving the pocket can play dividends.
The loss this past weekend is far from devastating. The ACC as a whole had a garbage weekend and Tech shined even with the loss. Tech lost to LSU in 2007 and was one play away from playing for the national championship that season with the late touchdown to Boston College.
I'm not going to be super critical because it is the first game of the season. Atlanta was a great place for a game, but I still would have rather opened the season against a 1-AA opponent like Virginia or Duke ... Oh wait, not LIKE Virginia or Duke.
0 recs |
19 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
I thought it was a great game and you guys played very well
I hope you are kidding about you would rather open up with a 1-AA team; I love opening with marquee oponents. Makes opening weekend much more exciting.
While we didn’t quite ‘roll’ over you, there were several mistakes we made that prevented us from dominating VaTech. The big pass play in the first half to Williams for a TD (and, dude, Williams will be a phenomenal player for you guys) exploited our one weekend on defense – right side corner, aka Marquis Johnson. He got burned in last year’s games against Florida and Utah, and they took advantage of him all night. Once our freshman develop, hopefully over the next couple of games, I hope we can get him off the field. He also missed assignments all night long against your WR.
Second, we were breaking in a new starting QB and two new O-linemen in critical positions. The first half play by McElroy was shaky and had me worried, but after half time he looked like a different person, and the long ball we have been missing the last few years (since Brodie left) seems to be alive and well in Greg. The O-line didn’t take that long to get going, as evidenced by our running game late in the second half and the pass protection the QB got most of the night.
You guys live and die on the big play, and you made a few huge ones that kept you in the game along with a couple of fumbles and interceptions that stopped promising drives on our end. However, we had a tremendous advantage in size and speed that harken back to the time before our last 10 years of turmoil. I never really thought the game was in doubt to be frank, just because it seemed like once we quit shooting ourselves in the foot we would be fine.
All that being said (and blatant homerism out of the way), that doesn’t take anything away from you. Foster came up with a pretty good gameplan, I just think you guys were outmatched physically. I also think our OC did fairly well in the second half – the last touchdown pass to Ingram was a fake hand off to him then a chunk downfield to hit him as your guys seemed to have lost him after the fake – and I was pretty impressed. I think you guys are one of the top defenses we will see this year, and there is no doubt in my mind you will have a great season. Wish you all the best, and from everything I hear (I wasn’t at the game) your fans were top notch class acts. Have a great season!
ROLL TIDE!
I’m as excited about watching this offense as I am about the impending decapitations our D is going to lay on people - Stuck in the Plains
Crap - weekend = weakness...too early!
I’m as excited about watching this offense as I am about the impending decapitations our D is going to lay on people - Stuck in the Plains
by BamaReturns07 on Sep 9, 2009 8:20 AM EDT up reply actions
What were you watching
You really dont have any clues to what college football or football as a whole is all about. In a game like that you have to play both sides of the ball. You can’t rely on the denfense the whole game. You cant rely on your special teams the whole game. Taylor played alot last year and he had enough experience to put up better numbers than he did. The Alabama team was more physical that VT was and 4000+ yards to 100 yards usaully gets you a win. No excuses the game was good in the first half when the D was fresh but offensively they arent ready and its going to be a long season. Like I said name a ofensive player in the NFL right now puting up any kind of numbers for any team from VT. You may have to Google that and you still would only find one. If you look at the other teams they have these type of players which allow the to win we dont and it allows us to only win the ACC which is in question this year.
Uh ok
I am not really sure what you are talking about, but ok. Thanks for the reply?
It is important to find someone who allows you to fulfill your dreams. It is luck if that person finds you, too - Isaiah Zagar
by BamaReturns07 on Sep 9, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I find it hard to believe that Bama fans never thought the game was in doubt when VT brought a lead into the 4th quarter. The fact is, if it were not for that bogus holding call in the 4th quarter, Tech might have very well won the game. Fact is, both teams “shot themselves in the foot.” Remember Tech’s TWO fumbled kicks deep inside their own territory. Without a doubt Alabama is extremely talented and well coached. Congrats to them for the win, but to claim that the game was never in doubt…gimme a break
Rewatch the game
there were obvious no-call holding on VaTech ALL NIGHT – especially during the run back. Goes both ways. But no, we wore you down, that is what SEC football is all about. You guys couldn’t stop our running game after the second half of the second quarter, and we bowled over you.
On the same token of woulda-coulda, had upchurch not fumbled we go up by another TD. You guys are good, but we are probably a notch above you talent, size, and speed wise.
It is important to find someone who allows you to fulfill your dreams. It is luck if that person finds you, too - Isaiah Zagar
by BamaReturns07 on Sep 9, 2009 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
WOW!!!!!!
Congrads to BAMA for exploiting the holes in this virginia tech team. Congrads to Bud Foster and the defense the has showed since I can remember. BOOs to Tyrod Taylor for being scared to run the ball and try to get out of the pocket and try to make something happen for the team. BOOS to everyone that is envolved with the recruiting. Tech hasn’t had a quarterback since Vick and that to me is insane. Tech is always a top 20 team and you still can’t get a decent quarterback to come play for your school. name one offensive player in the last 2 drafts that wasnt a lineman or thats in the NFL now and is actually doing good. I can only think of one and thats Eddie Royal of the Denver Broncos. Until the offense can play with the always great defense tech is never going to see a national championship. Maybe they are just happy with winning the ACC and part of that is because Miami and Florida State aren’t where they usaually are. Even so they were in a slump and are starting to bounce back. Tech couldnt beat either of them right now. Even though they were playing against a better defense in Alabama, Miami is a team to look over too. Someone needs to be fired so this team can turn a new leaf and move foward. I think Bud Foster is ready.
Prediction Tech out of the top 25 by the end of the year and Miami and North Carlina for the ACC.
Which Vick?
Bryan Randall was a good college quarterback. To say we haven’t had a quarterback since Michael Vick is insane. To say we haven’t had a good quarterback since Marcus Vick is saying we’re 0-2 on quarterbacks, which a lot of teams have done.
A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. GobblerCountry.com
by furrer4heisman on Sep 9, 2009 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Marcus Vick
Marcus who????????
Forgot about Brian Randle thats a good point so there’s one can you think of anyone else. And what is he doing now. Probably working at wal-mart or something. The point is theams like USC or Ohio State or Florida. to get to past the acc we need the type of players they are getting. No fan should wanna mention Marcus Vick on a list of players that did something for Tech. And were are 0-3 Vick, Glennon, Tayor. Do you see the trend? Grat backs like Orr, Williams and the other guy that got injured, decent recievers and good enough to win the ACC quarterbacks.
NOT MICHAEL VICK
I MEANT MARCUS VICK NOT MICHAEL
Bryan Randall
is playing for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL.
A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. GobblerCountry.com
by furrer4heisman on Sep 9, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
It must be nice
writing this blog. No matter what you say, your commenters will make you look like a goddamn genius by comparison.
a point of clarification...
when you said "Alabama fans were rejoicing with their usual “Roll Tide” chants that are extremely annoying," i believe you were referring to the rammer jammer. the expression “roll tide” is not part of this particular cheer.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on Gobbler Country
Related FanShots on Gobbler Country
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
