Guys, I'm back from the brief media viewing at the beginning of practice today. I'll be back to add some more notes after we gather for interviews at 5:30 pm ET.
*First off, there's a few departures from the team. Hokie5284 broke the news on The Gobbler that Holland Fisher has left the team, after not making the grade. His future is a little unclear at this point. Also, WR David Prince has left the football team, but is still at VT, as he will be focusing solely on track now.
**RB Shai McKenzie has been reinstated, after meeting with athletics director Whit Babcock. He can participate in team activities, but he's suspended for the Ohio State game. And as was mentioned on here earlier in the week by dpwill, Dahman McKinnon is now back on the team.
***McKenzie looked a little lost right off the bat, after being exiled from the team since early March for legal matters off the field. Twice, assistant coach Shane Beamer had to take McKenzie aside in drills to tell him that what he was doing had changed since the spring. McKenzie didn't look too rusty, physically, but it's stuff like being behind with what he should be doing, when and where that will put him behind the other backs and make it less likely that he'll make much of an impact when the season begins. My guess is that changes later on.
****This is clearly Michael Brewer's show at quarterback. Brewer was the one ordering the other QBs around and pointing out who should be where in drills. He had one moment where the ball slipped as he cocked his arm back to pass, but other than that, he looked smooth.
*****This was the first full practice experience for true freshman QB Dwayne Lawson, who physically, looks very impressive. Even just on his rollouts, you can tell he's a mobile guy. But he's got a long way to go in grasping the concepts of the offense. You can tell he has the makings of a future stud and still could see time as a Wildcat option this season. But as far as anything regularly, unless something happens to Brewer, it's not looking like it will happen.
******Got a chance to see big Tim Settle for the first time, too. And though he's cut down a bit of weight, (he's listed at 359, but I think that's way off), he's got a long way to go on technique. He still bull-rushes too much and assistant coach Charley Wiles has called him out quite a bit for it. Settle is eager to learn, that's probably the best quality he has. But he's gonna be a work in progress.
*******Deon Newsome is looking more and more like the No. 3 receiver, though it's still very early. He's seeing himself get involved in other aspects of the offense, but he's getting more opportunities. And if he keeps progressing, he'll see more of those looks.
********Mentioning this at the bottom, but Michael Vick was on hand at today's practice. He stood in front of the team at the beginning of practice and gave a speech. Vick hung around throughout the duration of practice and was talking to multiple coaches and other staff members.
*********A few injuries to pass on, RB Marshawn Williams is in blue and limited in practice. Basically nothing involving contact. OL Colt Pettit has been cleared to participate fully in practice, after sitting out last spring and last fall with a shoulder injury. Finally, the only player in green is true freshman Trevon Hill. He's still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered earlier in the summer.
Full story coming, but as always, what's posted here, STAYS HERE. Don't de-value your own subscription by giving away information to others who don't pay like you do. It's also a violation of our terms of service and will result in the termination of your subscription.
*First off, there's a few departures from the team. Hokie5284 broke the news on The Gobbler that Holland Fisher has left the team, after not making the grade. His future is a little unclear at this point. Also, WR David Prince has left the football team, but is still at VT, as he will be focusing solely on track now.
**RB Shai McKenzie has been reinstated, after meeting with athletics director Whit Babcock. He can participate in team activities, but he's suspended for the Ohio State game. And as was mentioned on here earlier in the week by dpwill, Dahman McKinnon is now back on the team.
***McKenzie looked a little lost right off the bat, after being exiled from the team since early March for legal matters off the field. Twice, assistant coach Shane Beamer had to take McKenzie aside in drills to tell him that what he was doing had changed since the spring. McKenzie didn't look too rusty, physically, but it's stuff like being behind with what he should be doing, when and where that will put him behind the other backs and make it less likely that he'll make much of an impact when the season begins. My guess is that changes later on.
****This is clearly Michael Brewer's show at quarterback. Brewer was the one ordering the other QBs around and pointing out who should be where in drills. He had one moment where the ball slipped as he cocked his arm back to pass, but other than that, he looked smooth.
*****This was the first full practice experience for true freshman QB Dwayne Lawson, who physically, looks very impressive. Even just on his rollouts, you can tell he's a mobile guy. But he's got a long way to go in grasping the concepts of the offense. You can tell he has the makings of a future stud and still could see time as a Wildcat option this season. But as far as anything regularly, unless something happens to Brewer, it's not looking like it will happen.
******Got a chance to see big Tim Settle for the first time, too. And though he's cut down a bit of weight, (he's listed at 359, but I think that's way off), he's got a long way to go on technique. He still bull-rushes too much and assistant coach Charley Wiles has called him out quite a bit for it. Settle is eager to learn, that's probably the best quality he has. But he's gonna be a work in progress.
*******Deon Newsome is looking more and more like the No. 3 receiver, though it's still very early. He's seeing himself get involved in other aspects of the offense, but he's getting more opportunities. And if he keeps progressing, he'll see more of those looks.
********Mentioning this at the bottom, but Michael Vick was on hand at today's practice. He stood in front of the team at the beginning of practice and gave a speech. Vick hung around throughout the duration of practice and was talking to multiple coaches and other staff members.
*********A few injuries to pass on, RB Marshawn Williams is in blue and limited in practice. Basically nothing involving contact. OL Colt Pettit has been cleared to participate fully in practice, after sitting out last spring and last fall with a shoulder injury. Finally, the only player in green is true freshman Trevon Hill. He's still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered earlier in the summer.
Full story coming, but as always, what's posted here, STAYS HERE. Don't de-value your own subscription by giving away information to others who don't pay like you do. It's also a violation of our terms of service and will result in the termination of your subscription.
