I already know that many are not going to like my assessment of the downturn game of the year, but it has never bothered me when someone disagrees with me, and it never will. However, this is my view and I stick to it.
The season changer was the Virginia Tech game. I think that was the game changer for Vad Lee and Tech, but it was not all his doing, he had help and plenty of it. I turned to my son during the game and told him the team was not playing, nor trying for Vad Lee. I also told him that Lee was not the QB for the option and the coach should be able to see this and bring in Thomas at that time.
There were way to many offensive penalties that is not ordinary in that game (like many appeared to be on purpose-offensive movement peanlties) and too many missed blocks allowing the tacklers to get to Vad Lee (I have seen this happen many times over the years, it is not that hard to detect). It was obvious Vad Lee was too tentative and, at the same time, the team was not playing for him. I feel sure all the offensive players were not at fault, but it appeared some did not care. Maybe the players thought they could intimidate the coach into bringing in Thomas for the remainder of the game. Maybe they thought they could still win the game and force Thomas into the game at the same time. The game was close.
At that time, I told my son that Tech's season would go downhill if the coach did not correct the problem. Sometimes, the coach does know the problem, but refuses to make a change because he feels he cannot give in to player intimidation, so a stalemate is reached which affects everyone.
Since then, we have the facts that some players realized that Thomas should have been the option quarterback and have since indicated that openly. They also have stated that they like Vad Lee, but indicated Thomas made the better decisions. One player in particular on the defense has stated that there was not enough substitution on defense, and that is the reason we lost games in the latter part of the games. I completely agree with his assessment, even though some think it was sour grapes. I believe he is 100% correct, and it probably had a lot to do with his brother turning down offers to Tech.
Then we had several others on offense who indicated they were thinking of transferring due to lack of playing time. From all of this and watching the actions myself in the games, I have no doubt in my mind that part of the team's problem this past year was disunity on the team.
I still think Vad Lee has the potential to be a good quarterback in the right system, but it was evident his decision making was slow and tentative in the present system. Personally, I think it was best for him and Tech that he made the decision to try another approach. This is really his best choice if he wants to have a shot at showing off his passing ability in a new system where he passes more in a game and can get in a rhythm. Anyone who has played sports knows that you perform best when you are in a rhythm, it is vcry important. Ask any shooter on a basketball team. Some of the greatest shooters must be in a rhythm; when they are not, they could not throw the ball in the ocean standing in front of it. Vad Lee will do better in system with a lot of passing.
Since the pass is a small part of the TO, there are always other candidates who could produce better in these systems. Vad Lee's decision may well be a win-win decision for him and Tech.
