Here’s a pretty sad article about former Hokie cornerback Eric Green.  I don’t remember hearing about this when it happened, so let me offer my condolences now.  EG was always one of my favorites, especially this  interception against Miami.  One of the best games ever. 

And, a good piece on Sean Glennon.  He was never one of my favorites, but I always wish Hokies the best of luck in the NFL.  Who knows?  I’m not terribly sold on Tavaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels either. 

Kindergarten field trip today, so gotta go.   Chuck E. Cheese awaits.

“If Brett (Favre) wants to play football, he should play football. That’s really my stance on it. If he still wants to play, he should take advantage of his opportunities.” — Green Bay Packers Packers coach Mike McCarthy addresses the NFL’s latest hot-button topic during his team’s rookie minicamp.

What went down? Offseason minicamps opened around the country on Friday with pro football neophites getting their first taste of life in the NFL.

As the Packers prepared for their switch to a 3-4 defense, with extra attention focused on future Pro Bowlers B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews, a couple hundred miles away in Eden Prairie, Minn., the Vikings were answering questions about their rookie first-round pick and a certain No. 4 who may/likely get “that itch” at some point this offseason.

What was said: “We talk about everything, from what’s going on in the United States on the front page today. … So, yeah, I’m sure we’ll talk about (Brett Favre),” Vikings coach Brad Childress admitted.

Greatest Pro Bowls of all time, and other stuff can just see how that goes down during coaches meetings at Vikings HQ …

“So, the swine flu outbreak scare seems a bit overblown, don’t you think?”

“Do you think the Dow can cross 10,000 some time this summer?”

“Oh … and … umm … anybody catch that thing about Brett Favre?”

What will transpire today: While Favre mows his lawn, trims some bushes and runs some errands around town, the Vikings return to the practice field and hope rookie free-agent QB Sean Glennon is the second coming of Kurt Warner.

I was glad to see this article detailing the Hokies that were offered free agent contracts.  I’m always interested to see if any of these guys will pan out.  And good for Sean Glennon.   Maybe he’s the next Matt Cassel. 

Speaking of Hokies in the NFL, The Professional Hokie is a great site for keeping up with this.  I quite enjoy it.

Eagles -3 vs. Hokies

Virginia Tech may well be the cardiac kids of 2008. In their six games so far this season, four of those games have been decided by 5 points or less. But Tech has risen to the occasion, going 3-1 in those games. The first of those games was a 27-22 opening game loss to East Carolina, but the Hokies, left for dead after that game by many pundits has won five straight.

Do not expect the nail-biting finishes to take a week off this week as Virginia Tech (5-1, 2-0) takes on rival Boston College (4-1, 1-1) this Saturday night in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Last season the teams’ met twice and both times the outcome was in doubt late in the contest. The Eagles won in the teams’ regular season contest in Blacksburg last season, only to see the Hokies return the favor in the ACC Championship game in December.

The feeling of home comfort may be missing from Alumni Stadium for BC on Saturday. That is because Virginia Tech has only lost one ACC road game since jumping ship from the Big East in 2004. Fortunately for BC fans, it is of note that VA Tech’s only loss was in Chestnut Hill, a 22-3 BC drubbing in 2006.

Sophomore Tyrod Taylor has emerged as a star since taking over for struggling senior Sean Glennon earlier this season. While the quarter back is averaging just 99.0 yards per game passing with one touchdown pass, he is averaging 67 yards per game with his feet and has reached the end zone this way twice. But because of their quarterbacks’ throwing issues, the Hokies are 113th in passing.

While Matt Ryan tosses touchdown passes for the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, the Eagles have passing issues of their own, ranking only slightly better than VA Tech at 89. But Boston College hopes their passing attack is finally breaking out of its shell. Against North Carolina State in the Eagles’ last game, senior quarterback Chris Crane threw 34 completions on 51 throws for 428 yards, two touchdowns threw the air and three scores on the ground in BC’s 38-31 triumph. For his heroics, Crane was named ACC Offensive Player of the Week.

InSpin.com

So I just read the ESPN/Scouts.com breakdown of this weekend’s game between Nebraska and Virginia Tech – and I’m somewhat confused by their analysis.

QB Joe Ganz leads the huddle against Western Michigan at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb. on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008. (Michael Mason-D'Croz)

First thing that you see on the page – provided you’re an ESPN Insider and have access – is the position breakdowns. It went like this:

QB: VT
RB: VT
WR: VT
OL: VT
DL: NEB
LB: NEB
DB: NEB
ST: NEB
COACH: NEB
OVERALL: NEB

I’m not one to complain about such over-whelming praise, but I think they got that one wrong. First of all, I’d say it’s more of a push when it comes to the QB.

QBs
Joe Ganz has done a good job of managing the offense – he’s mobile and an accurate passer – and has more QB skills than either Va. Tech QB. However, Tyrod Taylor is an amazing playmaker with his feet and can escape all sorts of danger. And if it’s Sean Glennon instead of Taylor, then if he gets into a rhythm there are few things he’ll do wrong. Overall, I’d say it’s a push.

RBs
I think they’re correct about the running backs at this point. Va Tech’s RBs have been more dangerous and overall have played better running from the backfield. However, the Husker backs are better receivers out of the backfield and can make very big plays in that aspect. In the end, it’s still advantage Hokies.

WRs
Their assessment of the wide receivers is way off. There is no way that the Va Tech receivers – notorious for having bad hands and running bad routes – are better than the Huskers’ receivers. The Hokies have no receiver as consistent or good as Nate Swift, Todd Peterson or Menelik Holt – and that doesn’t even take into account how well the Huskers’ tight ends have played this year. When it comes to WRs, the Huskers have a big advantage.

O-line
The O-lines will be comparable, but in the end I’d give the advantage to Va Tech starting five.

D-line
The Husker D-line overall is better than Va Tech’s. However, the Hokies have the best D-lineman on the field with DE Orion Martin. But top to bottom the Huskers have the advantage.

LBs
Here comes another one of those ones I think they got wrong in the linebackers. They gave it to the Huskers, and I think the Huskers have done a great job given all the circumstances that surround the LBs, but Va Tech’s depth is better and overall skill is better in this position. They don’t have the big names - then again neither do the Huskers – but they are solid.

DBs
In the secondary I’d say they’re probably right. I think the Hokies have the best CB in this game with Victor “Macho” Harris but the Huskers have better depth and safeties. I can see why ESPN/Scout.com would give this to the Huskers, but I think the fact that Va Tech has played against an ECU and a North Carolina will help their DBs out a lot. Overall the Huskers just have better overall depth.

ST
Special teams are Frank Beamer’s specialty, but this season the Huskers have been getting some great special teams play. The Huskers have a blocked kick, great place kickers and an electrifying return man. The Hokies’ Victory “Macho” Harris is a great punt returner but quite honestly I’d take Niles Paul returning the ball over Harris any day.

Coach
It is much too early to proclaim Bo Pelini as a better coach than Frank Beamer. That’s it, point made. No way at this point I give the coaching advantage to the Huskers.

Overall
I think they got this correct. Overall the Huskers are a better team from top to bottom. However, the Hokies are a good team and will be a very big challenge. My prediction is Nebraska 31-21 Virginia Tech (home field makes a difference).

To recap, here’s my breakdown:

QB: PUSH
RB: VT
WR: NEB
OL: VT
DL: NEB
LB: VT
DB: NEB
ST: NEB
COACH: VT
OVERALL: NEB

After one game in the one quarterback system and having annouced that Tyrod Taylor was going to redshirt, Frank Beamer and Va. Tech have decided to go back to the two QB system that was so successful for them last season. This comes as no surprise following this weekend’s loss to Eastern Carolina and seeing Sean Glennon’s struggles during the game.

This means that Husker land should be wary of Taylor and his dynamic running ability. The Huskers were able to stop the run against Western Michigan – but then again they were always a pass first offense – can they repeat that against this Va Tech team? Really the question is more about whether or not Va Tech is good enough to really warrent such speculation.

I came away from this weekend completely unimpressed with Va Tech on more than just their offense – and more and more confident in a win by the Huskers at Memorial Stadium. Then again, only time will tell. I want to see how the two quarterback system picks up again and whether this move will completely kill Glennon’s confidence…

According to the News and Advance, Tyrod Taylor will not be watching us lose any more games this season. We may still lose one or two, but it will be with him in the game not calling in plays. He’ll be wearing a helmet instead of headphones. Thank goodness the Glennon experiment is over.

because you asked, here is my analysis of the situation, Glennon doesn’t handle the pressure of being by himself very well. He seems to play best knowing there is a safety net to catch him when he screws up. He can go out and play freely knowing if things aren’t going well, then Tyrod can come in and shake things up. This seemed to be the case last year, as Glennon became the QB we wanted once they started tag teaming. Tyrod brings a spark Glennon simply doesn’t have. 

This reminds me why I love Frank Beamer so much. He knows the team needs Tyrod but he still won’t throw Glennon under the bus, which many would argue would be fitting. Part of me thinks Taylor should just start now and begin his three year reign as Hokie QB, but I know Glennon will still get reps. Lets just hope now that his tag team partner is back, we can right the ship and make Hokie Nation proud. Now the only thing left to do is come up with a catchy nickname for them. RB’s get them all the time, generally its Thunder and LIghtnin’ or something like that. Maybe we could go with: Past and Present, Scares the Crap out of me and I Feel Safe Again, or Three and Out and Good Offense. What do you think?

By BJ

A relatively quiet weekend in terms of the top programs doing what they’re supposed to be doing in crushing their foes. A recap of the first weekend of the 2008 college football season.

Upset of the Day: #17 Virginia Tech 22 – 27 East Carolina
VaTech’s inability to put away the game allowed ECU to hang around long enough until a blocked punt for a touchdown gave the Pirates two quick touchdowns to come from behind with 1:52 remaining. ECU’s Patrick Pinkney outplayed his senior counterpart, throwing for 211 yards and a touchdown, while Sean Glennon managed just 139 passing yards with 2 interceptions. The Pirates play another ranked opponent next week in No. 8 West Virginia (1-0).
Scare of the Day: Chris Wells injures his right foot in the third quarter in Ohio State’s romp over Youngstown State. The Heisman candidate had 13 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown, and it is unclear if Wells will miss any time because of the injury.
Game of the Day: #9 Clemson 10 – 34 #24 Alabama
The Crimson Tide shut down Clemson’s offense, allowing 0 rushing yards and no offensive touchdowns. Alabama, meanwhile, rushed for 239 yards and controlled the ball for over 41 minutes, as Mark Ingram (96 rushing yards) and Glen Coffee (90 rushing yards) led the ground game.

How the Top Five Fared:

1. – def. Georgia Southern 45-21
2. – def. Youngstown St 43-0
3. – def. Virginia 52-7
4. – def. Chattanooga 57-2
5. – def. Hawaii 56-10

Heisman Watch

Chase Daniel, QB, Missouri – 26/45, 323 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 9 car, 46 yards
Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma – 17/22, 183 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
Tim Tebow, QB, Florida – 9/14, 137 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 9 car, 37 yards

GOTW Preview: Miami (Fl) (1-0) @ #5 Florida (1-0), 5p PT on ESPN
It’s too soon to tell if the Hurricanes’ 52-7 romp over Charleston Southern was the Miami of old or just the result of weak competition. They’ll find out next week, as they try to tackle Tebow and the rest of the Gators, in what should be a good game for Florida as well.

(Please leave a comment if you’d like to see anything included in my weekly college football recap.)

To quote the immortal Michael Buffer, who by the way has to have the greatest job on the planet – next to mine of course *ahem*…………..”Are you ready to rumble?!?!”

The seasons are upon us, folks, and the first saturday of college pigskin is in the books.  After my better half pried me from the recliner last evening I started thinking…how can people (or computer systems for that matter) tell us who the better team is on any given Sunday?  Isn’t that why we watch the games? 

I documented the first big Saturday of the year and noted the highlights from the week in college football, the underachievers, the future stars and some funny names. 

10:50am – I wake up from friday night’s re-donk-u-larity and still smell like baby wipes, hops and junior mints…don’t ask.

10:52am – Holy schnikes!!  LSU/App St is on early due to the potential for Hurricane Gustav to manipulate the area causing evacuation.  (on a serious note – Drafttek prayers are with you, Gulf of Mexico residents) and I am wondering if App State is going to slay another giant to lead off a season.

11:05am – bag of pretzels, the easy chair and a hair of the dog. 

11:38am – Mystery solved.

11:40am – Yard work!!

12:00pm – Virginia Tech/ECU is on!!!  “But honey, I might have to write about this tomorrow!”  Enjoy the couch tonight, dear.”

I wanted to see a couple of things out of this game.  I wanted to see who ECU would replace the BLAZING fast Chris Johnson with; he who was drafted in the first round by the Tennessee Titans in April.  Looks like it’s running back by committee at ECU.  Senior, Brandon Simmons and Sophomore, Jonathan Williams got it done yesterday but we’ll call it a push as far as future draft prospects.  In the meantime, look out for 6 foot, 198 lb, sophomore WR, Dwayne Harris who caught 4 for 68 yards and ran the ball 3 times for 32 yards.  I also wanted to see who VT would be installing in their linebacking corp and to see if RB, Kenny Lewis was ready to take the full load.

12:25pm - A scoring update shows me footage of what appears to be a cross between a gazzelle, a tiger, a bat and a rhinocerous, ALL wrapped in Bigfoot’s body, clad in red and white, sprinting into an endzone.  I’m told it’s Ohio State Buckeye freshman sensation, Terrelle Pryor.   

12:26pm – Basically, there’s little to report from the LB’s.  Kenny Lewis looked tentative and did not show well as a receiver out of the backfield. 

The real news in Blacksburg is that Sean Glennon is NOT the answer at QB for the Hokies.  Not even close.  14/23, for 139 yards and two picks is not a line I want from a my starting QB of my number 17 ranked team in the country.  Especially against the likes of ECU.  Don’t get me wrong, ECU is a better team than many give them credit and plays defense…but please.

1:30pm – I go back and watch the Thursday night, South Carolina/NC State game.  I watched the whole thing…mainly because I couldn’t believe how wretched NC State looked, but partly because I dropped the remote in the floor and couldn’t reach it.  HEY!  Don’t judge me!  The dog was lazy too for not bringing it to me when I asked!

I initially considered that maybe this game was one of those anomaly games, like you just shouldn’t factor it into anything.  One of those bizzarro, off-the-grid, games that should just be locked into the vault because neither team was worth the elastic their own jocks were made from.  But then I realized that maybe, just maybe, the Gamecocks might be dangerous this year. 

Scribble it down now, South Carolina’s defense is great.  Not just good, great.  Consider this…South Carolina QB’s tossed 4 picks (all by sophomore Tommy Beecher) and NOT ONE Gamecock Wide Receiver had 50 yards catching the ball, yet NC State didn’t score a point.  Let me repeat…NC State got 4 turnovers and a pitiful day in the passing game from an uncharacteristic Spurrier team…and DIDN’T SCORE A POINT!  Beware SEC.  When Ryan Succop (pronounced SUCK-up…and no I’m not making that up…I couldn’t make up the fact that the kid hasn’t realized that you can legally change your name in this country) knocked through the last PAT, I realized that the Gamecocks are only a mediocre offense away from making serious noise in the SEC.  Look out for Succop in the next couple drafts, too.  He’s 6′3, 224 and is a heck of a kicker…even if he is a…you know what?…I’m gonna take the high road.

3:30pm – UVA/USC time!  I heard an interesting bet on this game, and I heard it 3 months ago over happy hour beverages and beer nuts.  A buddy of mine, a long-time Virginia Tech Fan tells another buddy of mine, a long-time UVA fan ”opening day, USC will beat you guys by 6 touchdowns.”  “SIX!?” I say.  My UVA fan pal says, ”are you going to give me 6 touchdowns?!?”  My clearly buzzed pal says “Hell, I’ll give you 42 and a half!  What’s the bet?”  UVA pal says “One dollar.”

3:58pm – 42 and half might have been a sucker bet. 

4:00pm – Rey Maualuga, Mark Sanchez and Clay Matthews are going to be playing on Sundays, and soon.  Maualuga roams the field and stalks RB’s, TE’s, lead blockers like he’s enjoying the warp-speed collisions he’s inducing.  Watching him on the sideline after the game was well-in-hand, he looked like he was a little sour that he wasn’t still in there cracking heads.  Can anyone say “Butkus?”  USC by 45 in a whitewash.  Enjoy that dollar! 

7:30pm – Dinner!!  Woot!  Hey!…where’s my quesadilla?  “Outside with the yard work.”, she says.  Even the dog looks at me while he’s eating his milk bone and I can tell he’s thinking…”if this fool reaches for my milk bone…I’m biting his lazy, no good, no yard-work doing arse.”

7:35pm – Yeah, can I get some fire sauce with that?  “Thank you, drive through.”

8:00pm – Alabama/Clemson!!  Clemson is ranked #9 and the Tide a mere #24.  What gives?  Alabama has a talented senior QB, a stout defense (even if they are young) and a good running game.  Why are they so far down the list? 

8:35pm – They don’t know either…The Tide is showing Clemson the definition of underrated. 

9:05pm – It’s out of hand.  John Parker-Wilson is putting on a clinic of how to manage a game without having to be the star.  I don’t think he will have the physical gifts to be playing on Sunday, but he’s a heck of a QB.  Stash this one away as well, Clemson’s CJ Spiller is going to be wearing the NFL shield soon, also.  His 96 yard kickoff return is about as phenomenal a college play as you’ll ever see.

9:30pm - Re-run of Dazed and Confused….”Alright, alright, alright!  That’s why I love those high-school girls..”  Seriously, has there ever been a movie character cooler than Wooderson?  The couch is heaven. 

11:00pm – Dreams of the gazzelle-like, wildabeast falling in the draft to my favorite team.  

11:05pm - The dog…licking my face.  Apparently, I’m on his bed. 

enjoy this column?  send feedback to slilliston@drafttek.com or go to www.myspace/drafttek

I consider myself a very forgiving person. No matter what others say, I usually give the benefit of doubt to someone. So, when Frank Beamer said he was going with Sean Glennon, I figured there was a good reason. But my wife ran to the bathroom and threw up. Not really, but it was close. I am afraid to watch the rest of the season if we do not start Tyrod Taylor from now on.

We win today with Tyrod at the helm. WE know he can throw at least as well as Glennon but he can run much better. Well actually Glennon can’t run, so I would be better in that category. With Taylor in, we score on that first series where Glennon was picked and we probably kick a FG the next time and we are up 10-0 and the game looks completely different.

Every time Glennon drops back I get scared. I never believe anything good will happen when he drops back, and usually I am right. He did complete one nice pass. ONE! Put in Taylor, we all know he can complete a few passes and opposing D’s have to keep a few guys back waqtching in case he runs. Hands down, we are better with Taylor.

Today we got beat from every angle against ECU. If we don’t change things up, it is going to be a long long season. I believe in you Beamer, but I don’t believe in Glennon. At least if we lose with Taylor the game will be watchable!

After the game, VT quarterback Sean Glennon said, “Do I feel I played good 90 percent of the time?  Yeah.”

WRONG.

Its that time of year again, and by that time I mean Football time. I painfully endured the South Carolina vs NC State game last night merely because it was football. And after watching the first half, the term football would have been debatable. It was ugly, each and every botched play, but it was better than the Law and Order that was being shown on about 15 different channels. Tomorrow, at 12 on ESPN the Hokies make their first appearance. I am both very excited and scared at the same time. I really wish we were playing at home, but I trust in Beamer Ball. Sean Glennon is another thing though, and he will be in my prayers tonight. For now, sit back and enjoy the best entrance in all the land!

Hokies Redshirt Taylor, name Glennon the starter

On Tuesday Frank Beamer named redshirt senior Sean Glennon the Hokies starter for 2008.  The coaches also discussed their desire to redshirt Tyrod Taylor allowing him to be the full time starter for the next 3 seasons.  While many Hokie fans may be disappointed not to be able to see Tyrod in action this fall it may not be all bad for him to sit this year out.  The Hokies offense loses four experienced wide receivers and replaces them with new faces.  It did not help that two projected starters for this years receiving corps are now out with Zach Luckett receiving his second DUI and Brandon Dillard out because of injury.  That does not leave Tyrod with any proven targets to help his inconsistent passing game.  Also the Hokies must replace Branden Ore now that he has been kicked off the team for numerous incidents off the field.  To replace him are guys that have yet to prove themselves in a real game and have not looked good during fall scrimmages.  Although the offensive line returns four starters from last year, it is a unit that did not protect Sean or Tyrod all that well last year.  Tyrod isn’t surrounded by many playmakers, which could make it easier for teams to key on him and take away his main asset, his running ability.  As Hokie fans lets have him wait out a year and learn, develop, and watch him come out and amaze everyone in 2009. 

Whether people want to admit it or not the Hokies still will be starting a solid quarterback this season.  He has had his ups and downs but Sean Glennon has won games.  He is not given enough credit for the fact that he does win games.  He was the MVP of the ACC Championship game last season in the redemption victory over Boston College.  Mike O’Cain, the Hokies quarterback coach, has also called Glennon, “the smartest I’ve ever had.”  Hokie fans should not be too disappointed to have Glennon leading the Hokies this year, plus if he does not perform well or has a season ending injury the Hokies can lift Taylors redshirt and he can be our savior!

Today the Virginia Tech Hokies have announced that Sean Glennon will start the season as the team’s quarterback. This is no surprise, however it is a surprise that Va. Tech coach Frank Beamer decided to slap a redshirt on presemptive back-up and/or second quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

I believe this is good news for the Nebraska Cornhuskers – a team that was unable to stop running quarterbacks last season – seeing as Glennon is much slower than Taylor. Last season Taylor was used as a change of pace from Glennon – adding a running threat to the Hokie offense. Now the Huskers don’t have to worry about the Va. Tech offense having that dimension to it.

Don’t get me wrong, Glennon is a top notch quarterback and a real threat as a passer. However, the Huskers and other teams on the Hokie’s schedule can game-plan towards a more drop-back passing offense. This will make things easier in planning, not necessarily in execution. The Huskers will have a relatively young defensive backfield and a quarterback like Glennon can pick defenses apart if given time.

In the end, I think that this announcement helps the Huskers more than it will hurt them. The Huskers will have a long way to go to be able to stop running quarterbacks, and this is one break for their game-planning this season.