Can Tech operate in title form with replacement parts?

BY DARRYL SLATER
Media General News Service
Published: August 4, 2008

BLACKSBURG - One by one, they returned. Sean Glennon, Kam Chancellor, Tyrod Taylor. Virginia Tech’s players reported to the equipment room yesterday and picked up their gear for this season, right down to a fresh pair of white tube socks and turf shoes with their numbers written neatly in green marker on the heels.

None of it will stay clean for long. The Hokies reconvene for their first preseason practice at 4 p.m. today, beginning their defense of last season’s ACC title, albeit with a drastically different team than the group that won it.

They must replace starters at four positions on offense, seven on defense, and their kicker — creating plenty of questions before they can even consider the broadest of all: Can they repeat as ACC champs and play in the Bowl Championship Series for the third time in five seasons? Here are five of the most important.

1. Who will start at quarterback?

This is by far the biggest issue Tech must solve this preseason. By now, you know the story from last season: Glennon started the first two games, Taylor replaced him and the Hokies used a two-quarterback rotation for the final five games. The offense improved along with its line, but at season’s end, Tech still ranked 100th nationally in total offense (330.5 yards per game).

Coach Frank Beamer said he wants to use one quarterback this season. It doesn’t help Glennon’s cause that Tech lost all of its wide receivers from last season. He’s a drop-back quarterback who can’t improvise with his feet as Taylor can. But has Taylor progressed enough with reading defenses that Beamer would be willing to bench Glennon in his senior season?

2. What to do about the receivers?

Pray. OK, maybe the situation isn’t that dire. But there are zero proven receivers on this team. Eddie Royal, Justin Harper, Josh Morgan, Josh Hyman — all gone. Brandon Dillard, a projected starter — out for the season with a blown right Achilles tendon.

Candidates to start include junior Ike Whitaker, sophomore Zach Luckett and three true freshmen: Dyrell Roberts, Jarrett Boykin and Marcus Davis. The development of receivers could determine who plays quarterback.

3. Can Bud Foster work wonders with this defense?

First, what’s certain. He’s one of the top coordinators in the country. His defense has ranked in the top four nationally in yards allowed per game for the past four seasons.

Now, the uncertain. He lost three of four defensive linemen, his best defensive back (cornerback Brandon Flowers) and linebackers Xavier Adibi and Vince Hall, who might be the best tandem in school history. Beyond just replacing players, Foster’s other challenges include transitioning Chancellor from rover to free safety.

Though Foster doesn’t have to prove his worth, this season will test his chops as a coordinator.

4. What about the starting tailback?

Beamer wants to work with three players. Right now, he has five candidates: juniors Kenny Lewis Jr. and Jahre Cheeseman; redshirt freshman Darren Evans and Josh Oglesby; and true freshman Ryan Williams.

Tech has long centered its offense on a steady tailback. Branden Ore ranked fourth in the ACC last season in yards per game and second the year before. But Beamer decided to part ways with him in the offseason. Without a reliable receiver, the Hokies desperately need a capable tailback for their offense to improve.

5. What freshman could make an impact?

Other than the receivers, keep an eye on linebacker Quillie Odom. He’s 6-2, 234 pounds and has extra experience because he spent a postgraduate season last year at Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham.

Foster is looking for depth at inside linebacker, a position he personally oversees. His most experienced player at that spot is Brett Warren, a senior who started four games last season when Hall was injured. The other starter entering preseason is senior Purnell Sturdivant, who, at 5-10 and 234, is not as physically blessed as previous Tech linebackers.

Contact Darryl Slater at (804) 649-6026 or .