Guys, just got back from today's scrimmage. Brittany will be along later as well to add to this and she'll have a few write-ups coming, but here's what jumped out today:
*While quarterbacks Michael Brewer and Brenden Motley were still in yellow for no tackling, Andrew Ford were both live. And Ford got lit up on a few plays. Combined, they completed 18-37 passes for 225 yards. Brewer had three touchdowns and Motley had two touchdowns. Seriously, Ford had no chance most of the day. His protection on the third team was atrocious. Chris Durkin is out for the spring with a separated shoulder.
**JC Coleman had three carries for 44 yards on the first few series then was done for the day. The Hokies wanted to get a lot of work for Steven Peoples and did. He spent most of the day with the first team not only at fullback, but also at running back. And though he wasn't productive numbers-wise, he looks like he's feeling more comfortable. He is having to be directed a little still, like when Shane Beamer had to tell Peoples to stop when he was splitting out at WR.
***Mook Reynolds seems to have his ups and downs, which is about what you would expect. Early in the scrimmage, he ran into Greg Stroman on a punt return, as both were calling for the ball, which was Stroman's to call for. But Mook made up for it with some nice plays on defense, He finished with four tackles.
****The other DBs who have really generated a lot of talk are Chuck Clark and CJ Reavis. Bud Foster said CJ will be starting as of right now at safety. And with Clark, there's a chance he could move from corner to safety or even play both. Clark said he doesn't mind either, but feels more comfortable at corner, since that's what he's used to.
*****I've said it multiple times, but today again showed that maybe the weakest position on the team right now is center. Eric Gallo has the starting spot locked down and looks solid. But behind him, it's been a struggle to find anyone who can snap the ball. Tyrell Smith had one moment with two bad snaps in a row, was replaced by Colt Pettitt and then he had a bad snap. I lost count, but there were at least 6 bad snaps. Offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler said that might result in there being more times when the QB is under center, which isn't what he wants to do. It'll help when Kyle Chung is back from injury, but the Hokies will struggle if Gallo goes down.
******The receiver I was probably most impressed with was tight end Ryan Malleck. He had a few good catches in the flat and had another nifty one in the right corner of the end zone on a fade route that the official ruled juggled and/or out of bounds. I heard the officials say that play would have likely been reviewed and overturned. Bucky Hodges made the play of the day a few plays later, though, when he made a one-handed catch over Stroman in the left corner of the end zone for a touchdown.
*******Not sure what happened with DE Seth Dooley, but he limped off the field midway through the scrimmage with a right ankle injury. I think he just rolled it, as the trainers weren't in a huge hurry to cart him off. Even then, he rode in the front seat.
********I like the direction Kevin Asante is headed. He had a near touchdown that was tipped away by safety Adonis Alexander in the left corner of the end zone and on the next play, VT went back to him, as Motley hit him for a six-yard touchdown catch on a crossing pattern in the back of the end zone.
*********I do like where Alexander is, too. He had the breakup I mentioned and also an impressive breakup on a deep, 40+ yard pass from Brewer to Demitri Knowles. Alexander has good instincts and great closing ability.
**********I know a lot has been made of Vinny Mihota and what position he'll play. Mihota played both at tackle and at end today and after watching him, I think he could play either. He does still have a few kinks to work out, like when he jumped offsides, but VT needs more depth and it needs Mihota to be the guy to step up.
Brittany will add more, as well as more stories.
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