Bitter blog - Recapping the Hokies' spring: Running backs

[Andy Bitter]

http://blogs.roanoke.com/andybitterv...running-backs/

[AXD1985]

http://blogs.roanoke.com/andybitterv...running-backs/

Pretty bold saying Harris would be no. 2.

[NNVT]

I agree with his prediction but you never know based on competition and coming back from injury. VT does not tend to use 3rd down backs much but you never know. Couple need some weight room time maybe.

[Havertown Hokie]

Pretty bold saying Harris would be no. 2.

I don't think he came out and said that, per se. He may have said could be #2, if... Then he reminded us what Shane Beamer said about the RBs who participated this spring.

Andy has been impressed with Harris ever since seeing him on the sidelines, one day this spring.

The fact that Edwards and Mangus are also in the mix this fall, leaves a lot of question marks as to who will end up being the go-to RBs this fall.

Holmes seems to have a lock on being the #1 RB heading into preseason camp. I think Andy is saying that it wouldn't be a surprise if Harris works his way into the #2 RB by the end of preseason practice. The great part of all of this is... all these guys will be working hard all summer to earn playing time.

It did surprise me that Andy left Tony Greggory off the list, or put in the category with tFr. I think TG will be the #2 or #3 guy if healthy. At 179lbs TG doesn't seem to be built to be an all purpose TB. So... not sure where he will pan out compared to so many new talents. Andy seems to be higher on the new faces, but TG has been working hard for a long time for the Hokies.... that's something that should lump him in with the big boys.

Personally I am most interested to see where Harris and Edwards compare with Holmes. With Scales as a power back Edwards may be freed up to RS or focus on the LBer spot. Mangus and TG seem to be the speedsters... so will TG be healthy enough to allow Mangus a RS season?

I know the coaches like a 3 RB rotation, but I wonder if we had 2 power backs and 2 speedster RBs, if they would change their approach some. It's not like we have a Wilson, or Williams on the team, ie a player who has waited to be a star. Now Holmes could be a rising star, but he doesn't come across as the same caliber of a Williams or Wilson, at this point at least. Someone said he reminded them of Brandon Ore, who reminded me of Lee Suggs (at least in running style). To me, Holmes seems to have a little more power back in him than Ore or Suggs, but that's a nice combination to have.

Harris was a monster in HS before his injury... so I'm okay penciling him in at a possible #2 RB, and could compete with Holmes for the starting job, at least by next spring.

There are also some interesting and unknown players that Andy mentioned in the Others: category. Dyer had an amazing spring last year, or was it preseason practice last August. He gets lost behind the big uglies, and darts around with some effectiveness. All these players bring something to the table... it will be up to the coaches to determine the top 3 or 4. I can't remember a time when there were so many potential RBs competing for PT. Very few have significant time in VT's system, so on one level they are on even footing. The upperclassmen are not in a position to necessarily be given the starting roles. So, looking at the players with the most potential... I agree with Andy that Harris makes for an educated guess for being #2... but anything is possible. It will be exciting to watch how this competition works out in August. Still way too many unknowns at this point.

We do know Holmes is currently at the top, and TG has the most game experience of all the RBs. Coleman's work this spring may give him an advantage this fall. Opening the door for several more tFr talents to compete leaves a huge amount of questions and possibilities that are too numerous to piece together at this time. At the very worst... it could Holmes, Coleman, Scales and Greggory (not at 100%). Or it could be that Holmes and Harris compete for the starting job, or maybe Edwards and Mangus surprise everyone this summer and fall. My point is partially that we have so many players with very solid RB skills, that even if one or two get injured we won't lose that much ground as a team.

[AXD1985]

I don't think he came out and said that, per se. He may have said could be #2, if... Then he reminded us what Shane Beamer said about the RBs who participated this spring.

Andy has been impressed with Harris ever since seeing him on the sidelines, one day this spring.

The fact that Edwards and Mangus are also in the mix this fall, leaves a lot of question marks as to who will end up being the go-to RBs this fall.

Holmes seems to have a lock on being the #1 RB heading into preseason camp. I think Andy is saying that it wouldn't be a surprise if Harris works his way into the #2 RB by the end of preseason practice. The great part of all of this is... all these guys will be working hard all summer to earn playing time.

It did surprise me that Andy left Tony Greggory off the list, or put in the category with tFr. I think TG will be the #2 or #3 guy if healthy. At 179lbs TG doesn't seem to be built to be an all purpose TB. So... not sure where he will pan out compared to so many new talents. Andy seems to be higher on the new faces, but TG has been working hard for a long time for the Hokies.... that's something that should lump him in with the big boys.

Personally I am most interested to see where Harris and Edwards compare with Holmes. With Scales as a power back Edwards may be freed up to RS or focus on the LBer spot. Mangus and TG seem to be the speedsters... so will TG be healthy enough to allow Mangus a RS season?

I know the coaches like a 3 RB rotation, but I wonder if we had 2 power backs and 2 speedster RBs, if they would change their approach some. It's not like we have a Wilson, or Williams on the team, ie a player who has waited to be a star. Now Holmes could be a rising star, but he doesn't come across as the same caliber of a Williams or Wilson, at this point at least. Someone said he reminded them of Brandon Ore, who reminded me of Lee Suggs (at least in running style). To me, Holmes seems to have a little more power back in him than Ore or Suggs, but that's a nice combination to have.

Harris was a monster in HS before his injury... so I'm okay penciling him in at a possible #2 RB, and could compete with Holmes for the starting job, at least by next spring.

There are also some interesting and unknown players that Andy mentioned in the Others: category. Dyer had an amazing spring last year, or was it preseason practice last August. He gets lost behind the big uglies, and darts around with some effectiveness. All these players bring something to the table... it will be up to the coaches to determine the top 3 or 4. I can't remember a time when there were so many potential RBs competing for PT. Very few have significant time in VT's system, so on one level they are on even footing. The upperclassmen are not in a position to necessarily be given the starting roles. So, looking at the players with the most potential... I agree with Andy that Harris makes for an educated guess for being #2... but anything is possible. It will be exciting to watch how this competition works out in August. Still way too many unknowns at this point.

We do know Holmes is currently at the top, and TG has the most game experience of all the RBs. Coleman's work this spring may give him an advantage this fall. Opening the door for several more tFr talents to compete leaves a huge amount of questions and possibilities that are too numerous to piece together at this time. At the very worst... it could Holmes, Coleman, Scales and Greggory (not at 100%). Or it could be that Holmes and Harris compete for the starting job, or maybe Edwards and Mangus surprise everyone this summer and fall. My point is partially that we have so many players with very solid RB skills, that even if one or two get injured we won't lose that much ground as a team.

Look at his depth chart -- he said it.

[bourbonstreet]

The same someone who said Wilson would break our records and be the best Rb on campus the moment he set foot on campus. That someone was that high on Drew Harris right away. Well, right up until his knee injury or knee injuries plural. As getting the 411 on what he really blew-out has been a Dan Brown casting call event in and of itself. Did he really blow the A.c.l.? The initial report(s) said "no". Then the rumors began to swirl. I could understand the need to keep that just as secret as you can in terms of scholarship maintenance. VT however is not like that --although a lotta schools are.

The more recent reports were much more encouraging.
This kid may be an Ed Wang when it comes to healing.

If he is right; he is D-1 ready and he will be our biggest Rb the moment he sets foot on campus. A healthy Drew Harris could play right away.
He is that good.


out-
b'street

[HokieDelNorte]

he has to qualify first and get into school.

[bourbonstreet]

Yah; so I heard. Anyone have the scoop on that? When? How close is he? TIA.

[Havertown Hokie]

http://blogs.roanoke.com/andybitterv...running-backs/

Great write up on the Hokies RB situation!