From the “you’ve got to be kidding” file of the NFL, Adam “Please don’t call me Pacman” Jones accused former Hokie Nick Sorensen of grabbing Jones’ … groin area … during a pile up in week one’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns.  NFL Fanhouse (an AOL Sports site) quoted Jones as saying, “I told that dude, ‘Man, you’re lucky I’m trying to do better, because I would have got 15 yards for kicking your [rear].’” I don’t even know what to say about this. But, I figured I’d pass it along because it’s not something you hear about ever day. Read the AOL Sports article.

Not that it should come as any surprise, but highly recruiting freshman running back Ryan Williams will redshirt this season, that according to Frank Beamer. Williams came to Tech partly because the coaches told him he would have the opportunity to play right away. But, with five running backs ahead of him, Williams quickly began to see the value in preserving a year of eligibility. It’s no secret that if it were purely a matter of running the ball, Williams is clearly equal to, if not better than the guys ahead of him; but running backs coach Billy Hite points to his inexperience and lack of knowledge with the Hokies passing game (please refrain from laughing or making jokes, I know it’s hard, but do try) to see more than 5 or so plays a game as opposed to 30-plus. Read what Williams had to say about redshirting.

Now, just from reading all of the reports and having seen Williams at the spring game, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say the he is expected to make a serius push for the starting job next season. This is a running back coach’s dream come true. Next year, Hite will have Kenny Lewis, Jr. (Sr.), Darren Evan and Josh Oglesby (both r-So.); and Ryan Williams (r-Fr.). That’s quite a stable of talent in the backfield. Jahre Cheeseman will  be a senior next year, but he’s moving to fullback this season to replace Kenny Younger who is out with a knee injury that will required surgery.

Having said all that, Richmond Times-Dispatch sports writer Darryl Slater did an interview with Ogelsby and the resulting article ran on Monday, Sept. 15. In the article, Oglesby said, “Coach [Hite] told me he’s playing three backs. I’ve only seen two.” Oglesby said a whole lot more and if you haven’t read the whole interview, you should. Slater is apparently getting a lot of heat from Hokie fans, which is ridiculous. Oglesby was an approved interview by the athletics department and he should know the drill by now. Don’t shoot the messenger. Kyle Tucker goes into more detail at his blog.

So, while I’m sure Oglesby will kiss and make up with his coach and teammates, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to see him request a transfer, especially with the depth the Hokies have at that spot now. Though, it also wouldn’t surprise me to see Evans, Oglesby and Williams take over at the top three backs next season. Kenny Lewis will be a senior next year and he’ll be pushing 25 years old going into next season. Evans and Oglesby will be pushing 20 and Williams 19. That’s a lot of youth in the backfield.

I’m not trying to start rumors, I’m just pointing out a very possible scenario. Oglesby is a talented running back and as a true competitor, I don’t see him riding the bench for two or three seasons if he feels he can start at another program. I hope he stays because I think if given the opportunity, he could really be a dangerous weapon for this team. Only time will tell.

Lastly, the Hokies prepare for perhaps their toughest game of the season thusfar. I know, we said that last week, but that was last week and UNC is this week and after what the Tar Heels did to Rutgers AT Rutgers, there isn’t a player or coach on Beamer’s team that isn’t losing sleep over this game. Read what Beamer and FS Kam Chancellor had to say about the UNC game this Saturday.

I spent the first two Mondays of the NFL season compiling stats for all of the Hokies in the NFL. Then, I got a Facebook message from a loyal reader of VTHokieFans.com reminding me of a site dedicated to keeping tabs of Hokies in professional football. So, instead of duplicating efforts, I’m going to refer you guys to The Professional Hokie site here.

From HokieSports.com:

GREENSBORO, N.C. - ABC Sports and the Atlantic Coast Conference announced on Monday that Virginia Tech’s Sept. 27 road game against Nebraska will be televised by ABC with the telecast set for 8 p.m., Eastern (7 p.m., local). The game will be carried as part of ABC’s Saturday Night football package.

The game will be carried on a split-national basis along with the Illinois-Penn State game. The ABC coverage map for the Nebraska/Tech game will be available next week and announcers for the contest will also be determined at that time.

It was announced Saturday night by the ACC that Tech’s game this Saturday at North Carolina will kick off at 3:30 p.m., and that game will also be on ABC. It will be a reverse mirror game, meaning those who get the Texas A&M/Miami game on ABC in their area will get the Tech/UNC game on ESPN and vice versa.

Here is a quick recap of former Hokies in the NFL and how they did in week two of the 2008 NFL season. There are 32 former Techsters (give or take a cut here and there) currently in the NFL according to CBSSportsline.com’s Alumni Tracker. This list is updated to the best of my knowledge, but if I’ve missed something, e-mail me at gary@vthokiefans.com.

Archives | Week 1 | Week 2

Xavier Adibi | Houston Texans | OLB
Week 2 - Bye Week

James Anderson | Carolina Panthers | LB
Week 2 vs. Chicago (W, 20-17)
Active, did not play

Duane Brown | Houston Texans | OL
Week 2 - Bye Week

David Clowney | New York Jets | WR
Week 2 vs. New England (L, 10-19)
Active, did not play

Andre Davis | Houston Texans | WR
Week 2 - Bye Week

Anthony Davis | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | T
Week 2 vs. Atlanta (W, 24-9)
Played, did not start

John Dunn | T
Cut by Detroit July 24

Chris Ellis | Buffalo Bills | DE
Week 2 @ Jacksonville (W, 20-16)
Listed as Active, but did not play

John Engelberger | Denver Broncos | DE
Week 2 vs. San Diego (W, 49-38)
1 tackle (solo)

Brandon Flowers | Kansas City Chiefs | CB
Week 2 vs. Oakland (L, 8-23)
3 tackles (all solo)

Brandon Frye | Houston Texans | T
Week 2 - Bye Week

Vincent Fuller | Tennessee Titans | DB
Week 2 @ Cincinnati (W, 24-7)
8 tackles (3 solo, 5 assists)

Shayne Graham | Cincinnati Bengals | K
Week 2 vs. Tennessee (L, 7-24)
0/1 FGs (missed 37 yarder); 1/1 PATs (1 point)

Eric Green | Arizona Cardinals | CB
Week 2 vs. Miami (W, 31-10)
1 tackle (solo)

Jake Grove | Oakland Raiders | C
Week 2 @ Kansas City (W, 23-8)
Started

DeAngelo Hall | Oakland Raiders | CB
Week 2 @ Kansas City (W, 23-8)
6 tackles (all solo); 1 pass deflection

Vince Hall | LB
Cut by the Rams

Justin Hamilton | Washington Redskins | CB
Week 2 vs. New Orleans (W, 29-24)
1 tackle (assist)

Kevin Jones | Chicago Bears | RB
Week 2 @ Carolina (L, 17-20)
1 carry, 0 yds

Jeff King | Carolina Panthers | TE
Week 2 @ San Diego (W, 26-24)
2 rec., 29 yds, 0 TDs, 0 fum

Matt Lehr | G
Cut by the Bucs on 9/7

Jonathan Lewis | Jacksonville Jaguars | DT
Week 2 vs. Buffalo (L, 16-20)
Injured Reserve

Will Montgomery | New York Jets | G
Week 2 vs. New England (L, 10-19)
Listed as Active, but did not play

Josh Morgan | San Francisco 49ers | WR
Week 2 @ Seattle (W, 33-30)
1 rec., 8 yds

Jason Murphy | Tennessee Titans | G
Week 2 @ Cincinnati (W, 24-7)
Cut by Titans 8/31, signed to practice squad 9/3

Carlton Powell | Denver Broncos | DE
Week 2 vs. San Diego (W, 39-38)
PUP List (physically unable to perform)

Pierson Prioleau | Jacksonville Jaguars | DB
Week 2 vs. Buffalo (L, 16-20)
2 tackles (both solo)

Aaron Rouse | Green Bay Packers | S
Week 2 @ Detroit (W, 48-25)
2 tackles (both solo)

Eddie Royal | Denver Broncos | WR
Week 2 vs. San Diego (W, 39-38)
Receiving: 5 rec., 37 yds, 1 TD, 1 two-point conversion

Nick Sorensen | Cleveland Browns | DB
Week 2 vs. Pittsburg (L, 6-10)
2 tackles (1 solo, 1 assist); .5 sacks

Darryl Tapp | Seattle Seahawks | DE
Week 2 vs. San Francisco (L, 30-33)
1 tackle (solo)

Ernest Wilford | Miami Dolphins | WR
Week 2 @ Arizona (L, 10-31)
Played, but no stats

The ACC announced its “players of the week” today and Virginia Tech linebacker Brett Warren and running back Darren Evans were among the honorees. Warren earned the Defensive Lineman of the Week honor for his performance against Georgia Tech on Saturday. The redshirt senior, recorded 15 tackles (5 solo, 10 assists) and added a forced fumble and a half tackle for loss in the Hokies’ 20-17 win over the Yellow Jackets.

Redshirts freshman running back Darren Evans rushed for a team-leading and career-high 94 yards on 19 carries and scored a touchdown in the Hokies win. Evans has scored a rushing TD in each of his first three games as a Hokie.

Former Hokie standout wide receiver Eddie Royal didn’t put up the same numbers in his second game as a Denver Bronco, but he still helped his team to a crucial win over division rival San Diego. Royal had only five catches for 37 yards, one TD and a 2-point conversion, but the TD and conversion came in the final :30 seconds of the game.

Denver trailed 31-38 and faced a 4th and goal from the San Diego 10 yard line. Royal, who had only three catches up to that point, was virtually wide open in the end zone for the score that pulled the Broncos (2-0) to within one, 37-38. With :29 seconds on the clock, Denver head coach Mike Shanahan decided to go for the 2-point conversion and the win, rather than kick the extra point to tie the game and send it to overtime.

Perhaps Shanahan figured that his team shouldn’t have been in the game anyway thanks to two blown calls. The first was a Denver fumble recovery that wasn’t. However, the replay equipment wasn’t working, so the play could not be reviewed. The second was a Jay Cutler (Denver QB) fumble on 3rd and goal (right before the Royal TD) that was ruled an incomplete pass and the referee blew the play dead before San Diego recovered the fumble. San Diego has every right to be upset about that game. They should have won that game by two TDs. Expect an apology from the league later this week, not that it does any good.

Anyhow, Royal’s number was called once again on the most critical play of the game and Cutler found the rookie in double coverage for the game-winning 2-point conversion. The Broncos won 39-38 and improved to 2-0.

Royal saw less action in today’s game because starting wide receiver Brandon Marshall returned from a one-game suspension to catch 18 passes for 166 yards and touchdown. The 18 receptions in a game are the second most in NFL history, two behind Terrell Owens’ 20 against the Chicago Bears in 2000.

NFL.com highlights of the entire game.

Recap | Box Score

Former Virginia Tech standout wide receiver Eddie Royal was named the NFL’s Rookie of the Week for week one of the 2008-2009 season. Royal caught nine passes for 146 yards and one touchdown in his NFL debut. Royal also rushed for nine yards, recovered a fumble and returned three kicks for 30 yards to help secure the Broncos’ win. Congratulations, Eddie!

Read more…

Box Score | Game Film

Blacksburg, VA — It was no secret that if the Hokies were going to win against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, they’d have make a lot of adjustments on both sides of the ball. Well, they did … and it worked. The Hokies forced three Ramblin’ Wreck turnovers and gutted out an impressive 20-17 slobber-knocker against ACC Coastal Division rival Georgia Tech and its triple/speed option offense.

This was more than just a football game, or even a conference game. Saturday’s contest was a watershed game that could either make or break the Hokies entire season. Facing intense fan criticism all week for the offense’s less-than-impressive start, the Hokies were feeling the pressure and said publicly that they needed to respond. It was the first time during Beamer’s 15-year consecutive bowl games/winning season streak that he’s faced this kind of criticism and earlier in the week, he made it clear that he’d had enough.

During the week leading up to Saturday’s game, the Hokies’ practices were much tougher than most. Beamer came down from his tower to personally oversee the offense along side offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring, who earlier in the week challenged his offense’s collective manhood and said it was time for the guys that have been here three or four years to start playing like it. Whatever they said or did the last week worked. The Hokies looked like a much improved team on both sides of the ball. That’s not to say there isn’t still room for improvement (Beamer’s words), but the win today was just what this team needed to bolster its wavering confidence.

Breaking Down the Offense

It wasn’t pretty and the numbers aren’t necessarily mind-blowing (247 yards of total offense), but when you figure the Hokies were playing one of the best defensive fronts they’ll likely face all season, the Good Tech’s offense put together a very impressive game.

The Hokies pounded out 199 yards rushing and 48 yards passing. The passing totals might not be impressive, but with the offensive line playing its best game of the year and opening up some big holes, combined with Darren Evans’ power running and Tyrod Taylor’s elusiveness and quick feet, the Hokies didn’t need much out of the passing game.

Evans, a redshirt freshman, rushed for 94 yards on 19 carries and score a touchdown, to lead the Hokies ground game. Taylor (soph.) rushed for 74 yards on 15 carries and a 2-yard TD run. Virginia Tech’s offensive line deserves a lot of credit for their much improved play. Evans had some big runs thanks to some great blocking up front. Also, the o-line did a great job of moving Bad Tech’s defensive lineman where they wanted them to go to open up the holes. It would seem that the o-line is much more comfortable playing with just a dedicated QB in the pocket … or in Tyrod’s case, where ever he decides to run.

A big reason the Hokies won this game was because the offense took care of the ball by not committing a single turnover. It would appear that Bryan Stinespring’s offense made the necessary adjustments to get their game going against a very tough defense.

A couple of quick observations: 1) Although Kenny Lewis, Jr., got the start at RB, Darren Evan got the majority of the work in the backfield and it would appear that the redshirt freshman has emerged as No. 1 tailback. 2) Victor Macho Harris caught one pass for -1 yards. 3) Redshirt senior QB Sean Glennon didn’t play a single snap. He didn’t hold a clip board or call in a single play. He didn’t even seem to be involved in the game plan at all.

Said Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer, “Sean Glennon is a good, good quarterback and he’s been a great quarterback for us and a great team player for us. I feel for him. I really feel for him.

“But Tyrod fits where we are as a football team and I’m all about team and how many wins we can get. You have to put those pieces together and Tyrod right now is one of those pieces. He’s a major piece.”

Breaking Down the Defense

Again, it wasn’t about the numbers, because they were beyond ugly. It was about making the right plays when they needed to and Bud Foster’s defense did just enough to keep Bad Tech’s dangerous triple/speed option offense in check. Despite giving up 278 yards rushing, the most since LSU racked up 297 last year, Bud’s lunch pail defense forced three turnovers and stopped the Jackets on two late fourth quarter drives to preserve the 20-17 win.

The Hokies got some great defensive line performances from a plug-and-play rotation that did an impressive job of disrupting plays. John Graves (91) and Cordarrow Thompson (95) led the charge for the d-line up the middle while Nekos Brown got his first start at DE opposite of Orion Martin, who had another monster game (though the stats don’t really show it). Jason Worilds and Demetrius Taylor also saw a lot of time on the line. No matter who up front, they were firing off the snap and clogging up the gaps and wreaking havoc on the line. The Wreck got most of its yards on the outside with their incredible speed option, but they didn’t get much up the middle.

The key to the game (as with most games) was the turnover margin. The Hokies’ D forced three Yellow Jacket turnovers. Georgia Tech was moving the ball at will on their first drive of the game, but LB Brett Warren stripped the ball loose from QB Josh Nesbitt at the Hokies’ 35 and Victor Macho Harris recovered. The second turnover came in the second quarter with Georgia Tech on its own 43; Nesbitt coughed it up and Virginia Tech’s Taylor fell on it. The last turnover was a Cody Grimm interception in the third quarter that was created by Cordarrow Thompson, who was getting good pressure on Nesbitt.

The defense recorded its second sack of the season courtesy of LB Purnell Sturdivant. They also recorded two QB hurries. On the surface it doesn’t look that great, but against the triple/speed option, you’re not going to see a lot of sacks or QB hurries. Overall, Bud’s defense did an outstanding job against a very difficult-to-defend offense. Bend but don’t break.

Breaking Down the Special Teams

Beamerball just keeps getting better with each game. For the third game in a row, the Hokies blocked a kick. And for the third game in a row, redshirt sophomore defensive tackle John Graves got the block. It’s the first time in Beamer’s era that a player has blocked a kick in three consecutive games. Graves is also the first Hokie to block three kicks in a season since Jim Davis did it in 2004. No player has ever blocked four kicks in a season. It was also the 120th blocked kick in the Beamerball era.

Then there is the punting game, which was solid, but uneventful until the final seconds of the game when Brent Bowden pooched a punt inside the Jackets’ five yard line with just :25 seconds on the clock. The Jackets, with no timeouts left, were unable to score again and the Hokies held on for the 20-17 win.

Freshman kicker Dustin Keys also had another strong game going 2 for 2 on his field goal attempts. Though the yardage of his two FGs (25 and 21 yards) are considered “chip shots” by kicking standards, Keys made both of them under a lot of pressure in the fourth quarter. The first gave the Hokies a 17-9 lead. After the Wreck tied the game at 17 with a TD and 2-point conversion, Keys was asked to kick the eventual game-winner with 4:37 left and he nailed it. Kudos to the young guy.

What does it all mean, Basil?

Frank Beamer can tell his critics, present company included, to shut it. He said “trust me, we’ll fix it” and it looks like he came through. So, for the time being, the “fire Bryan Stinespring” tidal wave has died down a bit. But, like Beamer said (with a nervous laugh) in his post-game interview on ABC when asked about UNC next week, “Yeah, I’ll tell ya, every week’s a new adventure for us right now … I think we took a step forward today.”

The term is often overused, but this was truly a statement game in every sense of the word for the Hokies. The heat was on and the players and coaches were feeling it. But, anyone who was at the game today would be the first to tell you that the fans put all that nonsense behind them turned Lane Stadium into the infamous and noisy road venue that visiting teams have come to fear and loathe. I was proud of the fans for rallying around Beamer, his coaches and the team.

You could tell that after the game, Beamer was physically and emotionally drained. I think this win was one of the more stressful in recent years for him.

“This was work tonight,” Beamer said. “You know, they say have fun, but this was work.”

Beamer said several times in his post-game interviews that he’s extremely proud of his team and he should be. This was one of the hardest fought games I’ve seen the Hokies win in a long time. This is the kind of win that can define a season, that you can look back on at the end of the year and say, “yep, it all started there.” Let’s hope that in three months we can look back and say that about this game against the Ramblin’ Wreck.