Virginia Tech LB Barquell Rivers Still Questionable for the Opener Against Boise State
by furrer4heisman on Jul 19, 2010 6:01 PM EDT
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PrintDarryl Slater of the Richmond Times-Dispatch reports starting mike linebacker Barquell Rivers and reserve center Michael Via are still not ready for preseason practice, which starts Aug. 6, and are questionable for the Sept. 6 opener against Boise State at FedEx Field. Rivers has been out since having surgery to repair a torn left quad in early March. Via injured his ACL during spring practice.
The Rivers injury is the most harmful for the Hokies. He started all 13 games at mike linebacker last year and was expected to anchor a young defense this season. If he isn't ready to go, Tech will have only five returning starters on the field from 2009 against the Broncos, who return all 11 starters on offense.
Virginia Tech trainer Mike Goforth told Slater hope still remains for both players to see the field against Boise:
"Both are progressing well," Goforth said. "It's gonna be really a last-minute decision for both of them. It's gonna be down to the end trying to get them ready for that first ball game. The first ball game is not out of the question."
If Rivers can't play on Labor Day, sophomore Bruce Taylor will likely get the nod. He played well in the spring and had five tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss in the spring game. However, Taylor has a fraction of the experience Rivers has, seeing time in six games last season.
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Hit the head/nail on the nail/head with Taylor
Bruce is a talent, but you can not underestimate the loss of the heart and center of the defense. Rivers will have the most control on the field of the defense – Whitley isn’t ready for that responsibility anyways – so without him it is going to make an already inexperienced defense that much weaker against Boise’s complex outfit.
This scares me, a lot. Tyrod and Ru are the only guys we could less afford to lose for this game.
From my early days listening to Bill Roth depict a dazzling Michael Vick dance around the field to glory until now, it has been more than a pleasure to be a Hokie fan. Since 1998, there has only been one game played in Lane Stadium I did not attend (stupid chicken pox), and I dread the day where I am not fortunate enough to be in the stands week after week.
It's a great day to be a Hokie!
I agree
Boise’s a passing game, so you wouldn’t think losing the mike would be that important. But without Rivers, the cohesiveness (my spellchecker tells me that’s a word) of the defense takes a big hit.
A bullhorn, a bottle of whiskey and a dream. GobblerCountry.com
by furrer4heisman on Jul 19, 2010 8:12 PM EDT up reply actions
It might be blasphemy to say, but I’ll say it anyways we need Graves more than RMFW. Our reserves at running back are deep and proven, while the defensive line is extremely thin.
by collegegameballs on Jul 19, 2010 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
it would be great to have a year when the major players (barq aside) finally get through the pre-season (and regular season) without serious injuries. Hopefully splitting the carries between RMFW and Darren, and having Tyrod hand off to them most of the time, will result in all three staying relatively fresh.
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