Quote Originally Posted by Havertown Hokie View Post
is very interesting. Check out the Roanoke Times from the Links menu, for the article.

Hey Andy... "egalitarian" is a great word.

What prompted this thread is the thought of our RBs.

Beamer has said there will be a tough decision concerning our RBs later this week as he decides who will fill in the depth chart. Beamer used the phrase getting the travel team set for the GT game, but I think I understand that to mean determining who will RS and who will be able to contribute this season.

In basketball terms, this could be who is on the bubble.

Well, let's look at who is not on the bubble, first... Michael Holmes, Tony Greggory, and Martin Scales. Sure TG is recovering from a knee injury, but it sounds like he's back, and up to speed, so that's why I listed him with this group. Martin Scales has been with the team as long if not longer than TG, but just not as a TB. Scales is a power back, and has role to play. Holmes has been at the top of list, and that means he's ahead of Greggory and Scales, which also means a lot about his ability and potential to contribute this fall.

Players on the bubble... JC Coleman, Trey Edmunds, Chris Mangus and Dyer. JC Coleman joined the team early to get a spring under his belt, and other than Dyer has the most experience in this group. Trey Edmunds was hampered by a sore hamstring, and has only been with the team for a week, officially, at least... but he may have the best size in this group. Dyer and Coleman seem to be about the same size... a little shorter than ideal, but VT has a successful history with smaller RBs. Chris Mangus really hasn't been getting a lot of attention, and last I read his name it was mentioned with the kick or punt return teams. Coleman packed on a lot of muscle weight this summer, so he is well into the 190s. Not sure where Mangus tips the scales. Dyer seems to be the odd man out, but shouldn't be... IIRC he was solid in spring practice, but DW, TG and JO filled out the RBs. It is hard to tell how he compares with Coleman, and with the rest of the RBs. He was just compared against other RBs last year.

VT has Martin Scales as a power TB.

Holmes seems to be a good mix of power and speed, maybe the most complete back.

Greggory and Mangus seem to be lighter and faster. Our lightning backs.

Not sure where Trey Edmunds would fit in... similar to Holmes or between Holmes and Scales?? And probably not quite there just yet.

Dyer and Coleman have a lower center of gravity, and could pop through the line anywhere. VT had a similar build RB named Elan Lewis, who suffered a knee injury, that effectively ended his career, but when he was healthy Hite compared him to a fire hydrant, in a good way for an offensive weapon. To me, Dyer and Coleman seem to be that kind of back, but haven't really seen them in action enough to know for sure... and who might have the edge. I think there could be a concern with players overcompensating too quickly. Players being pressed into action before they are physically and/or mentally ready leads to injuries. So in light of this I think Dyer may be slightly ahead of Coleman... his body has been given time to adjust to the college game.

A careful look at the RBs on the bubble...

JC Coleman... suffered an injury as a Sr in HS, but still had impressive stats, even missing 3 or 4 games. Haven't heard of any issues of a lingering problem with that injury. JC enrolled early, and has a lot of energy being a Hokie. Seems to be most likely to contribute this fall, from this group... at least heading into preseason practice. However, there is a concern that I just stated above.

Trey Edmunds... even with a sore hammy, his size and potential could propel him onto the active roster this fall. Beamer said there will be a tough decision, and this could be one of them. To me, it sounds like it is between Coleman and Edmunds... one or the other. Edmunds didn't need to pack on a lot of new muscle to be the right size with adequate strength, so ironically he may be more physically ready than Coleman. But hey, it's all up to the coaches.

Mangus... unless he would be an asset on STs I think Chris could be in line for a RS season... especially with the news that Tony Greggory is back at near 100%. This isn't based on his talent level as much as his size... sounds like he needs time with Gentry.

Dyer... for being with the team for a couple of years now, that may tip the scale in his favor... he is on the clock now, so if he can ensure one of the new RBs can RS that could be important for the team's development. His body has had time to adjust to rapid muscle weight gain, and getting used to being stronger.

It would be especially hard to RS Coleman after all he has put into getting up to speed... but every player is in this boat. You have to give it your all just to have a chance to contribute. Early injuries, even a pulled hamstring could be enough to determine who plays this fall.

I think a lot of very good HS players view a RS season as some kind of failure, but it shouldn't be seen that way. There are too many variables that go into that decision. Also, a lot of players are active on the team in practice, and can develop, and even prepare for action, just in case they need to burn a RS, but if they can get through a season RSing... that may very well be the best thing for them.

I'm excited to see what Coleman and Edmunds can do, and even Mangus... but it wouldn't surprise me if two of these players RSed.

Coleman isn't on the bubble. He will be playing on Special Teams at a minimum. He was here in the Spring so has a definite leg up on the playbook. No chance he is redshirting. Edmunds is the one I'm curious about. I really wish he would be on defense with a redshirt.