Sugar Bowl Insight at Maizepages
So this is the last post in the JeepinBen Holiday Content Creating Blitz... but over at Maize Pages:
http://www.maizepages.com/2011/12/sugar-bowl-preview-virginia-tech_23.html
there's a good writeup on VaTech's defensive front 7. The gist is that VT is slightly undersized most places, but fast and athletic.
There's a lot of real insight as well, and I dunno how many people know of Maize Pages, but hey, everyone's on vacation and looking for MOAR content, check it out, you won't be disappointed. Just a snippet below:
"Because of Denard Robinson’s running ability, Foster could implement what he did against Georgia Tech by moving Collins to defensive tackle and substituting Tyrel Wilson in his spot. Wilson is perhaps the smallest defensive end one will see in FBS, standing at 6-1 and weighing only 220lbs. With that said, Foster likes the redshirt sophomore’s added speed and agility at the position and feels he is a weapon in containing speedy quarterbacks. On the season, Wilson has 29 total tackles with 2.5 sacks and three tackles for loss."
There are also writeups on the other position groups (save the seconday) on the page I linked.
Happy holidays all,
Ben
December 23rd, 2011 at 3:33 PM ^
December 23rd, 2011 at 3:46 PM ^
That will indeed make him happy. Might also like to see Hopkins get a few carries and try to go just outside the line if htis is the case.
220 lb Defensive End? I'd like you to meet 230 lbs bowling ball running back who is moving full speed at the line. On impact, you two will be going one direction or the other. Can you guess which one?
December 23rd, 2011 at 4:23 PM ^
220 lb DE vs Lewan = pancakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
December 23rd, 2011 at 3:52 PM ^
This would be at WDE correct. Because Lewan doesn't care the size of the donkey. He hates them all.
December 23rd, 2011 at 4:05 PM ^
As said above, that switch seems like it will give Fitz the opportunity to have a huge day. A tiny D-line against Lewan, Molk and co.? Yes please
December 23rd, 2011 at 4:17 PM ^
As much as I love the line play, I do enjoy watching running backs that don't concede defenders the spot in space they happen to occupy. Speed kills, but it doesn't much care who it kills - one fast misstep doesn't mean much more than a slow misstep when Fitz lights the rockets. At least they don't have to worry about Molk, he is undersized, just ask the pundits. I would love to see Omameh have a great game too.
December 23rd, 2011 at 7:45 PM ^
December 23rd, 2011 at 9:19 PM ^
...this JB. Besides this post on the VT defensive front seven, there's also posts on the Hokies' Offensive backfield, Receiving corps and Offensive Line.
While you're there, check out the Wolverines on Twitter page. I updated it today with the accounts of current and past Michigan hockey players and Michigan's 2012 and 2013 hockey recruits.
December 24th, 2011 at 7:38 AM ^
get here soon enough ....
December 24th, 2011 at 12:05 PM ^
against Michigan. Georgia Tech's offensive line is one of the smaller OL groups in the FBS, and the Yellow Jacket running game depends more than most on cut blocking, making quickness paramount for defensive linemen against that system. Also, Tevin Washington is a much less capable passer than Denard Robinson-- VT can't hope to play four-man contain against Denard and not get beat downfield eventually. I could see Collins moving inside on a long-yardage passing down, but I seriously doubt VT's going to break out the base defense against Georgia Tech as the base defense in the Michigan game.
I'd expect VT to alternate eight-man front pressure defense with spy packages utilizing either Kyle Fuller or Antone Exum against Denard. VT can't exactly copy either approach that proved successful against Michigan this year, because I don't think VT's defensive line is as deep or as powerful as either Iowa's or Michigan State's, and VT's overall defensive approach is more varied than either of those teams. VT's going to have to mix things up and take some chances, as they always do.
December 24th, 2011 at 4:35 PM ^
...Ryan hijacking my Dad's account again (with his knowledge).
I guess I should clarify that portion of the article. There has been no indication from VT's coaches that the Wilson/Collins set up will be the primary look that VT's D-line will go with. More than likely, the Hokies will start Gayle/Collins at DE and Hopkins/Maddy at DT, as per usual. But Wilson has played in every game this season and because of Denard's speed, it is not out of the question for Wilson to be on the field for a number of plays.
Knowing Foster's trends against mobile quarterbacks, I would expect VT to continually bring pressure from multiple angles and have Fuller be the main spy on Robinson in case he escapes it. VT is going to bet that their defensive line will control the point of attack and their pressure will get to Denard before he can make a play.