Talking Virginia Tech's New Pro Combat Uniforms with Nike Marketing
[For the sake of full disclosure, Nike paid my way New York to cover Wednesday's unveiling of the new Pro Combat uniforms. While I am under no obligation to put the new uniforms in a positive light, the opportunity to cover the event would not have happened if not for Nike's generosity.]
Photo Gallery | Interviews w/ VT Reps
One of the opportunities the trip to New York afforded me was to talk to a Nike representative about the Hokies new uniforms, how they came about and ask them to answer the critics of the all-black look. Nike marketing director Leroy Ebanks was kind enough to answer all of these question on behalf of Nike and, to his credit, didn't even blink when I asked him about black not being in the Hokies' color palette.
2010 Virginia Tech Football: Boise State Q&A with OBNUG
To help us prepare for Monday's game and learn more about the Broncos and their fans' psyche, I exchanged Q&As with Kevan from One Bronco Nation Under God. His answers to my questions are below. I'll give you the link when my answers to his questions go up over at his site.
I also appeared on OBNUG's podcast, which you can download here or listen to below.
1. Every friend of mine who's a fan of another AQ school has told me, "Please beat Boise State." Why do you think this is? Basically, why is everybody so interested in seeing you guys fall instead of becoming the first non-AQ school to play for the national championship? Everyone, including me, embraced Butler during it's run to the title game this spring.
Your friends are cold, unfeeling human beings. That is the only explanation I can think of.
Oh, and this one: Boise State has become too successful. Win a Fiesta Bowl once on crazy cool plays and America loves you. Win two Fiesta Bowls on crazy cool plays, put together back-to-back undefeated regular seasons, play on blue turf, have a slightly self-absorbed fan base, and play in the WAC, and America hates you.
I think a lot of the hate comes from Boise State being in the national championship discussion at the beginning of the season. That rubs a lot of people the wrong way, partly because they have heard so much about Boise State it makes them sick and partly because they don't think the Broncos deserve a NC game with a WAC schedule. The Butler comparison is nice to think about (and write about if you are an ESPN columnist), but it really doesn't work. The Bulldogs had a postseason playoff to win support, their schedule wasn't questioned, they weren't busting the Final Four for the second time in four years, and that Gordon Hayward kid was just so adorable.
Talking Virginia Tech's New Uniforms, Combat and "Combat" with Two Hokies
[For the sake of full disclosure, Nike paid my way New York to cover Wednesday's unveiling of the new Pro Combat uniforms. While I am under no obligation to put the new uniforms in a positive light, the opportunity to cover the event would not have happened if not for Nike's generosity.]
Photo Gallery | Interview w/ Nike Rep
Representing Virginia Tech at the official unveiling of Virginia Tech's new black uniforms were two people who embody the military history at Virginia Tech. Cadet Matthew Buffington, who will be the Highty Tighties' drum major this year, and Col. (Ret.) Rock Roszak, the Corps of Cadets' director of alumni programs, introduced the new unis that will be worn Monday against Boise State.
They were there because the Hokies' new uniforms are black to honor the history of the Corps of Cadets and the original football jerseys they wore. After the unveiling I had a chance to talk to Buffington and Roszak about the uniforms, their ties to Virginia Tech's history and, most importantly, the idea of football uniforms having the word "combat" attached to them.
Photos of the Virginia Tech Hokies' 2010 Nike Pro Combat Uniforms
Much more to come tonight, including interviews with representatives of Virginia Tech and Nike.
2010 Preseason ACC Football Roundtable
Update: Thanks to FYJC of Riddick and Reynolds for the above graphic. Here's the roundup from Brendan.
Brendan of From Old Virginia is hosting the first roundtable of the season. Let's get to it.
1. At UVA we have made wholesale changes to everything this past offseason: the coaching staff, the offense, the defense, the uniforms, even the color of the equipment shed. What change or changes on your own team are you most looking forward to watching play out on the field this season?
I'm looking forward to seeing what happens when the coaches put their trust in Tyrod Taylor. I think he'll finally be allowed to do things that maybe he wasn't his first three years in the program and that this offense will truly be his. Taylor trusts his receivers and trusts his own abilities so if he's given the reigns to this offense completely he could be really fun to watch.
Bourbon Shots: Tons of Previews Edition
I'll be in transit Tuesday, so I may not be able to be around until the evening. Until then, enjoy these updates from around HokieLand and tons of previews from other ACC bloggers.
Virginia Tech Hokies
4 Teams 'til Kickoff: Virginia Tech (BCS Evolution)
I help BCSE preview the Hokies.
Morgan, Exum to Add New Roles (Tech Sideline)
Because of injuries, starting rover Davon Morgan is the No. 2 whip and Antone Exum would play rover if Morgan had to move over. This intrigues me because Exum certainly has the physical aspect down, but doesn't have the technical side of playing free safety down yet. Exum could cause havoc at rover, but how would Morgan do at whip?
Back In Black (The A-Line)
Jim is certainly no fan of the new black uniforms. He wishes Nike would leave well enough alone, but knows that it's all about the bottom line and getting Tech fans to buy new gear every year.
A closer look at Boise State's run defense (Kyle Tucker)
KT looks at how BSU's D fared against the best running backs it faced last year. Ryan Williams and Darren Evans are sure to like these numbers.
OBNUG Has Boise State's Depth Chart
Doug Martin has won the Broncos starting running back job, much to the delight of their fans. On defense, their front seven averages 257 pounds (with Acrey, Tevis and Venable). Our defensive front seven averages 252 pounds.
Virginia Tech Running Back David Wilson Isn't Redshirting
Beamer said RB David Wilson will play and not use his redshirt year in 2010. "David has really been exceptional in preseason," Beamer said.
There you go.
How much he'll play, where he'll play and if he'll play against Boise State is still a mystery. But at some point this season we're going to see him on the field. I think this is good because it gives Tech another weapon, but bad because he'll only have two years to be Tech's featured running back. Your thoughts?
Update: Norm Wood of the Newport News Daily Press called Wilson, "Tech's most productive back, carrying the ball 33 times for 173 yards," during preseason scrimmages.














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