Preseason practice is underway for the Hokies, definitely worthy of a second link-filled post of the day. Enjoy your second round on me.
Apparently Beamer's theme for this season is "A Journey of a Thousand Miles." That's cute and all, but if Tech only goes 1,000 miles, it will end up somewhere between Henryetta, Okla., home of Troy Aikman and the Troy Aikman Museum/McDonald's (I'm not kidding) and Roland, Okla., which is home to someone better.
Beamer needs to add another 14 hundred miles to his slogan if he wants to make it all the way to Pasadena. I don't think the Henryetta Hens host a bowl game.
The Eye Test (Kyle Tucker)
No pads and no hitting for the Hokies today, so KT goes over how the players looked on day one. It isn't nearly as creepy as his post last year when he was gushing over the linebackers. He loves him some David Wilson and was also impressed by Darren Evans, Logan Thomas and Xavier Boyce. He also has interviews with trainer Mike Goforth and running backs coach Billy Hite. Here's Hite on his stable of backs:
ON WHETHER, TALENT-WISE, THIS IS THE BEST GROUP OF TAILBACKS HE HAS EVER HAD AT TECH: "Best top to bottom. It really is. Before, I might've had two great ones and two good ones on the rise. But right now, to me, any of those four guys (Darren Evans, Josh Oglesby, Ryan Williams, David Wilson), you can shake them up in a bag, pull one out and put him in the game. Without a doubt. They're special. David Wilson ran a 4.3 when he came in, benched 300, had the fastest 10-yard shuttle of all our freshmen. He's going to be a special player."
Passing Drills on Display (Darryl Slater)
Darryl Slater notes that Greg Boone warmed up with the QBs to start practice but won't be taking Wild Turkey reps during the preseason. Tyrod's fastball looks good, but we'll see how good is deep balls are later on in camp. Freshman Antone Exum took reps during punt return drills and looked good in one-on-one drills.
Exum, a freshman free safety, broke up Taylor’s pass to Dillard on one play. On another, freshman Nubian Peak beat Exum, but Exum recovered, reached up and broke up the pass.
Kenny Lewis Has Another Setback (Nathan Warters)
"Tommie Frazier" updates Kenny Lewis' status, which isn't good. Lewis had to have surgery on his left ankle after he tore his Achilles tendon last year against Western Kentucky. This time it was to fix an infection associated with the injury. He'll miss at least the first month of the season, probably more.
"According to Kenny, (he has a) 100 percent (probability of getting back this season)," Goforth said. "We don’t quite feel that strong, but we’re not ruling him out. Kenny is a great guy. He’s very strong. He knows his body well, so I’ve got to trust him."
Here's the Scrimmage Schedule (HokieSports)
Jimmy Robertson has the official report over at HokieSports.com. He also has notes on the two highly-touted true freshmen, David Wilson and Logan Thomas. He has a quote from Beamer saying that if Thomas wins the No. 2 QB job, he will be used under center in an H-back role. Robertson also has the all-important public scrimmage schedule:
Once again this year, Beamer will open the three preseason scrimmages to the public in Lane Stadium. The dates are: Saturday, Aug. 15 (3:15-5:30 pm); Saturday, Aug. 22 (2-4:15 pm); and Wednesday, Aug 26 (4:45-7 pm). As always, no video taping devices of any kind are allowed inside Lane Stadium during these scrimmages. All other Virginia Tech practices are closed to the public.
ACC and Opponents
Tide Practice Report (Bama Sports Report)
The Tahde also opened their preseason practice Thursday and are already into two-a-days. This post goes over the morning drills, which were done in shells, but only had returning players. Needless to say, Alabama is starting off a little more hardcore than the Hokies. The poster gives his version of Bama's depth chart and said the two running backs returning from injury, Mark Ingram and Roy Upchurch, look good to go.
Injury Questions Loom on Clemson's First Day (Clempson Football)
Defensive end Ricky Sapp isn't at full speed as the Tigers start their preseason drills. Kyle Parker just looks better than Willy Korn right now. They also expect wunderkind Tajh Boyd to redshirt.
Duke Looking to Build Upon Success (Annette)
Annette is basically the default Duke blogger since none of them exist. She has quotes from Thad Lewis and Coach Cut about how much better the Blue Devils are this year. But everything's relative with Duke football. It still won't go bowling.
The Enigmatic Chris Turner (Turtle Waxing)
Don't expect Turner to lead the Terps to the promised land. Also, you can fergettabout Maryland joining the Big East, even though the Jersey transplants would love it.
What Kind of GT Team Beats UGa? (From The Rumble Seat)
Winfield takes a look how good the Yellow Jackets are throughout the season in years when they beat the Bulldogs.
Five Promotions for FSU Football (Scalp 'Em)
I completely agree with NoleCC's idea of throwbacks for the Noles. Those would look sweet. Free foam tomahawks? Nah. The chanting is annoying enough.
Stuff Only I Care About
Shane Beamer Interview (ACCSports.com)
David Glenn of 850 the Buzz and ACCSports.com interviews the younger Beamer, who is the recruiting coordinator for The Ol' Ball Coach. I'd love to see Shane get a head coaching job in the ACC before Frank retires. Beamer Bowl, baby!
Demonstration Sports for the Tulsa Olympiad (The Lost Ogle)
Tulsa wants the 2020 Olympiad. Yep, Tulsa. If you thought the possibilities were endless for the Atlanta Olympics, wait until you see what the Ogles cooked up (that's a meth joke) for a possible Tulsa Olympics.
Darcy Regier: Still Some Work to Do (Die By The Blade)
Sabres' GM Darcy Regier talks about Drew Stafford, Tyler Myers and other topics, including the demise of the mid-level salary. The NHL's middle class is shrinking, just like America's (it would be best not to get me started on this topic).
Ryan Miller Believes Technology has Made Us Lazy, Nonverbal (Puck Daddy)
Yes, Millsy, I know Twitter is going to be the downfall of our civilization. But, hey, I won a free inflatable beer pong table on it. That's a fair trade in my opinion.