Issues abound as Virginia Tech spring session concludes

By Nate Crossman  |   Friday, April 14, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Virginia Tech Hokies
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!

The Virginia Tech Hokies should have around 35,000 fans for Saturday's final spring practice, the annual maroon and white scrimmage. Not too shabby. Maybe next year ESPN will broadcast the scrimmage live, like it did Oklahoma's last week. Here are five things to look for, not only in the scrimmage, but in the lead-up to the fall.

Three-quarterback Monty – First it was Sean Glennon. Then it was Cory Holt. Now, after being suspended for most of the spring, Ike Whittaker is in the lead pack, with only redshirt freshman Greg Boone lagging behind. The first question in the post-scrimmage press conference will be about the quarterbacks, and head coach Frank Beamer's answer will be non-committal. But whoever performs well in the final spring scrimmage (look for it to be the redshirt freshman Whittaker) will have the inside track at a starting job in the fall.

Line dance – After some early spring shuffling (Duane Brown has moved back to right tackle after switching the left) the Hokies appear to be comfortable with their starting offensive line. But they are still looking for depth. Since the starters will be split up between the white and maroon teams, it will be hard to get a read on them group as a whole. But the scrimmage will be a good opportunity to see who is going to provide the depth.

Who shall receive – Even the storylines that don't involve the quarterbacks sort of involve the quarterbacks. Virginia Tech has two good receivers in Eddie Royal and David Clowney, but it needs a third to emerge. Josh Hyman was a big factor in the offense two years ago, but disappeared last year. Justin Harper is also a candidate because of his size.

Backs against wall – The way the running backs have been going down in spring practice, Beamer would be wise to go with no-backfield, five-wide receiver sets for both teams. With Branden Ore and Elan Lewis out and Victor "Macho" Harris unlikely to play any running back, George Bell and a cast of players who shouldn't factor much during the fall will receive a majority of the carries.

And your name is? – The Hokies have four new position coaches. While that may not sound like a big deal, coaching change doesn't happen that often in Blacksburg. How they interact - not only with each other, but with the players - will be crucial to the team's success.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report