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Today I decided to give the game another look. Usually the VT games provide extra intrigue because of what Bud Foster does to get his kids ready. I probably put in about half the time I usually do, but it was a really fun study. Additional incentive was added because I was real curious to see the three frosh working together along the OL and I wanted to see Jordan's reads and decision making a little more closely.
Foster had his guys ready like he always does. I don't know what his keys are but he teaches those guys to read them really well. They gave us a tough time with last second shifts and early breaks on our plays. They know our tendencies quite well according to formation, or at least they thought they did early. CPJ had some tricks up his sleeve with altered motion timing and some interesting pulls and traps designed to counter their early breaks. We ate their lunch on the inside after the first couple of series. We hit some big run outs but also just sustained positive yardage plays between the tackles with a mix of called dives, QB draws, QB follows and some triple. I find it interesting how our big runs took advantage of VT flying to the pitch lanes while we ran out behind them through vacated space. Once they were drawn out by a pulling guard and once the safety and LB both went to cover the pitch while nobody stayed home.
I have to say, I am really impressed with how the young guys held up on the interior. In fact, I would say they did the best job I have seen yet against a VT defense. It wasn't the youngest who couldn't hold their water out there, but rather some guys who have played more. That #60 for VT really stands out. What a great player! Holy Cow. He made some plays, but our young guys got him cut off some too. I would say the future looks really bright with those three. When you consider that Bryan has a couple more years and Klock too, they could really be playing at a high level in the years to come. They are all tough kids with good quicks and absolutely zero fear. I don't know what all our rules are about calls and such, but they had to know what they were doing because there was a ton of presnap movement by their DL trying to confuse us. Good for the rookies. They screwed some stuff up and left primary defenders untouched, but it wasn't chronic.
Jordan made most of his interior reads OK. He kept on a midline (one of the few we ran) and got stuffed for a loss of 5 missing that read after being dieked by their DT. He also missed a couple pitches that were there. When he did get it pitched it usually went for good yards, maybe because the entire stadium was surprised he did so. My biggest complaint is with ball security. He was lucky he didn't turn it over more. There were juggles at the snap, panicked tosses, and drops in traffic that all seemed to miraculously find the most benign ending. I give the kid a ton of credit for going into a tough environment and playing with grit and confidence. His body language was outstanding as he never once appeared rattled. I wouldn't make too much out of his throws. He really didn't have a ton of time to even set himself out there. It was fun to see some physical running on the interior by a QB again.
Foster had his guys ready like he always does. I don't know what his keys are but he teaches those guys to read them really well. They gave us a tough time with last second shifts and early breaks on our plays. They know our tendencies quite well according to formation, or at least they thought they did early. CPJ had some tricks up his sleeve with altered motion timing and some interesting pulls and traps designed to counter their early breaks. We ate their lunch on the inside after the first couple of series. We hit some big run outs but also just sustained positive yardage plays between the tackles with a mix of called dives, QB draws, QB follows and some triple. I find it interesting how our big runs took advantage of VT flying to the pitch lanes while we ran out behind them through vacated space. Once they were drawn out by a pulling guard and once the safety and LB both went to cover the pitch while nobody stayed home.
I have to say, I am really impressed with how the young guys held up on the interior. In fact, I would say they did the best job I have seen yet against a VT defense. It wasn't the youngest who couldn't hold their water out there, but rather some guys who have played more. That #60 for VT really stands out. What a great player! Holy Cow. He made some plays, but our young guys got him cut off some too. I would say the future looks really bright with those three. When you consider that Bryan has a couple more years and Klock too, they could really be playing at a high level in the years to come. They are all tough kids with good quicks and absolutely zero fear. I don't know what all our rules are about calls and such, but they had to know what they were doing because there was a ton of presnap movement by their DL trying to confuse us. Good for the rookies. They screwed some stuff up and left primary defenders untouched, but it wasn't chronic.
Jordan made most of his interior reads OK. He kept on a midline (one of the few we ran) and got stuffed for a loss of 5 missing that read after being dieked by their DT. He also missed a couple pitches that were there. When he did get it pitched it usually went for good yards, maybe because the entire stadium was surprised he did so. My biggest complaint is with ball security. He was lucky he didn't turn it over more. There were juggles at the snap, panicked tosses, and drops in traffic that all seemed to miraculously find the most benign ending. I give the kid a ton of credit for going into a tough environment and playing with grit and confidence. His body language was outstanding as he never once appeared rattled. I wouldn't make too much out of his throws. He really didn't have a ton of time to even set himself out there. It was fun to see some physical running on the interior by a QB again.
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