BY JIM McCONNELL
BLACKSBURG--
Even when nobody else did, Bud Foster saw the possibility of trouble on the horizon.Throughout the preseason, Virginia Tech's veteran defensive coordinator cautioned anyone willing to listen against expecting too much from his unit early in the 2008 season.
He often pointed out the difficulty of replacing proven veterans like Vince Hall, Xavier Adibi, Brandon Flowers, Chris Ellis and Carlton Powell--all NFL draft picks--and said only time would tell if the Hokies' seven first-time defensive starters could be as productive.
Still, it was more than a little unusual to see a Virginia Tech defense tackle as poorly as it did during last Saturday's season-opening loss to East Carolina.
Facing an ECU team that produced only seven points last year in Blacksburg, the Hokies surrendered 369 yards and three touchdowns in a 27-22 defeat.
After players and coaches reviewed the game film earlier this week, defensive end Orion Martin said it was the worst he'd seen Virginia Tech's defense tackle since his first college game at N.C. State in 2005.
"We knew we slacked a lot in that area, and that's our best area. That's what we're known for," junior cornerback Stephan Virgil added.
Other than Virgil, who earned ACC defensive back of the week honors after returning a botched lateral for a touchdown and a blocked extra point for a two-point play, the Hokies showed little of their trademark big-play ability. They failed to sack either ECU quarterback, had only two tackles for loss and gave up 158 rushing yards.
With three first-time starters on the defensive line, three more in the secondary and one at linebacker, Tech's struggles were magnified as the Pirates converted seven of 13 third-down plays and built a seven-minute edge in time of possession.
Even free safety Kam Chancellor, the biggest hitter on the team, whiffed on a handful of tackles--including one on the Pirates' first touchdown.
"They made some big plays, but we also had some plays where our guys weren't in their gaps, and that helped them keep drives alive," Martin said.
In preparation for today's nonconference game against Furman, Foster and his troops went back to the basics. Unlike their normal routine, the Hokies went through their tackling circuit--a series of drills focusing on technique--three times this week instead of once.
"I think it's safe to say this: We'll be a better tackling team this week," head coach Frank Beamer said.
Jim McConnell: 540/374-5444
Email: jmcconnell@freelancestar.com
FURMAN (1-0) |