Rev, you hearing about VT being involved with any kids late in the game?

[Root4tech]

Just wondering if you could share. Would really like to see us with at least one additional body for depth.

[Rev.Zeke Vodka]

Just wondering if you could share. Would really like to see us with at least one additional body for depth.

I think its possible we do end up with one, that being a wing/guard type...Bigs are another matter and in all honesty, I just dont yet see any traction on that front specifically...

That being said, there is still the issue of what exactly to do about things..Hold onto things now and get greater value in the '13 class or seize something right now that might give you a teeny bit of comfort from a depth standpoint, but probably not someone that you can even be sure can give you much help...Thusly, you have a quandry next year in recruiting....The answer isnt as easy as simply grabbing any breathing body because of the lack of depth the program is facing...In my opinion at least....

[marcusvick]

I think its possible we do end up with one, that being a wing/guard type...Bigs are another matter and in all honesty, I just dont yet see any traction on that front specifically...

That being said, there is still the issue of what exactly to do about things..Hold onto things now and get greater value in the '13 class or seize something right now that might give you a teeny bit of comfort from a depth standpoint, but probably not someone that you can even be sure can give you much help...Thusly, you have a quandry next year in recruiting....The answer isnt as easy as simply grabbing any breathing body because of the lack of depth the program is facing...In my opinion at least....

In my very unexpert opinion, take the guys we have now and do the best we can during the upcoming season, do our best to sign a stellar 2013 class, we are not going to be able to sign a big impact player for 2012 this late. We already expect this upcoming season to be a rough one, take it on the chin, then come back strong in 2013.

[jarrowsm]

In my very unexpert opinion, take the guys we have now and do the best we can during the upcoming season, do our best to sign a stellar 2013 class, we are not going to be able to sign a big impact player for 2012 this late. We already expect this upcoming season to be a rough one, take it on the chin, then come back strong in 2013.

Yeah that's easy for us to say...but if I'm a first year coach in the ACC, I've got to be concerned that if things go REALLY REALLY bad, my job may be in trouble. I'd probably take a band-aid player just to give me some piece of mind. But, overall, I think you're right.

Out of curiosity- would this be considered a late start to 2013 recruiting too? Are there still plenty of good players who haven't verballed yet?

[Rev.Zeke Vodka]

Yeah that's easy for us to say...but if I'm a first year coach in the ACC, I've got to be concerned that if things go REALLY REALLY bad, my job may be in trouble. I'd probably take a band-aid player just to give me some piece of mind. But, overall, I think you're right.

Out of curiosity- would this be considered a late start to 2013 recruiting too? Are there still plenty of good players who haven't verballed yet?

Yes it is a late start on '13 prospects. But we can still compile a good class, yes...

Actually I take the oppostite view a bit on your opinion about being a first year coach. IF I am a first year coach with a 5 year contract I can take a longer term view and that shapes my thought and decision-making process. Im not getting fired after year 1, not getting fired after year 2, so build it from the ground, make long term decisions and ride out the initial humps in the road....Now if i am in year 4 or 5 thats another thing and my thoughts might be more toward saving my job and doing something for next year with no regard for the following year because I might not be here then...

[VTRome]

Rev, how does that work with recruits? If Coach JJ takes a long term view and has some rough times in the first year or two, do recruits start to wonder about his ability to lead them to the "championship" or to "the League"? Consequently, it becomes harder to recruit HM players because they want to go to a proven school with a proven coach rather than risk their "careers" at a football school with an unproven coach. Just wondering whether Coach JJ needs to have some success out the box in his first year or two to keep the doors open to HM recruits.

[FrederickHokie1]

Rev, how does that work with recruits? If Coach JJ takes a long term view and has some rough times in the first year or two, do recruits start to wonder about his ability to lead them to the "championship" or to "the League"? Consequently, it becomes harder to recruit HM players because they want to go to a proven school with a proven coach rather than risk their "careers" at a football school with an unproven coach. Just wondering whether Coach JJ needs to have some success out the box in his first year or two to keep the doors open to HM recruits.

Your post makes me ask a different, but related question. If the coach takes a long term view and doesn't sign a band-aid type player for added depth, how does that affect the thinking of the younger players on the team that are just starting their college careers? Would they be more likely to leave because the coach is more invested in the long term and willing to "tolerate" (can't think of the right word) losing in the short term to be better in 4-5 years.

My question is not meant to bag on JJ. I wish him the best no matter what course he chooses.

[Rev.Zeke Vodka]

Your post makes me ask a different, but related question. If the coach takes a long term view and doesn't sign a band-aid type player for added depth, how does that affect the thinking of the younger players on the team that are just starting their college careers? Would they be more likely to leave because the coach is more invested in the long term and willing to "tolerate" (can't think of the right word) losing in the short term to be better in 4-5 years.

My question is not meant to bag on JJ. I wish him the best no matter what course he chooses.

How we fare next year is largely going to be dictated by how healthy the 8 players we have on the team will be throughout the season, and not whether we choose to add a '12 prospect...Thats the bottom line. We can compete, win games and compile a good season if we avoid any injury whatsoever. Tough to happen but thats what we need to wish for in all candor. Adding another player late that probably isnt going to be an ACC type player doesnt affect that one bit. If we sustain injuries among that top 8 (especially a couple specific players), then we are in a much more compromised position and tyhat could have a very large affect on the '12-'13 record. And having a late '12 addition to step in and play isnt going to change the fortunes of the team at all....So you really arent affecting the record that the team can compile next year with a late '12 addition...Its all going to come down to keeping fingers crossed and staying really healthy...Walkons and late '12 guys will provide you some depth but they cant replace an Erick Green or a Cadarian Raines if they go down for a significant amount of time...Thats just the truth of the matter...Any '12 addition really isnt affecting what you will do overall as a team next year...So you really arent biting the bullet and accepting a "down" year. Not at all..You can though get more value out of a '13 kid instead and attain another building block moving forward, something you arent doing by adding a late '12 kid...You will be recruiting over him in all likelihood anyway...You can try and put together a very good class that might perhaps put a stamp on the program...But in no way are you "tolerating losing" or accepting losing because a '12 addition in no way will shape your next season or have any tangible affect on your win-loss record...That remains on the 8 kids you have staying healthy...Thats by far the largest variable towards success next year. By far the most critical element...Stay healthy and we can do good things..Get an injury or two and having an extra, late '12 addition in the program isnt going to help you make up that difference at all...

[Rev.Zeke Vodka]

Rev, how does that work with recruits? If Coach JJ takes a long term view and has some rough times in the first year or two, do recruits start to wonder about his ability to lead them to the "championship" or to "the League"? Consequently, it becomes harder to recruit HM players because they want to go to a proven school with a proven coach rather than risk their "careers" at a football school with an unproven coach. Just wondering whether Coach JJ needs to have some success out the box in his first year or two to keep the doors open to HM recruits.

Kids make decisions for various and different reasons. One thing that never changes though is that there are always a good deal of kids that want the opportunity to play and quickly. You can always sell that...And you always have the ACC factor...There are reasons locked in for a good number of kids to select your school...

[chuckd4vt]

In my very unexpert opinion, take the guys we have now and do the best we can during the upcoming season, do our best to sign a stellar 2013 class, we are not going to be able to sign a big impact player for 2012 this late. We already expect this upcoming season to be a rough one, take it on the chin, then come back strong in 2013.

Right, don't waste another precious bball scholly. We should be focused on large recruiting in the 13 and 14 classes.