Ho Hum Saturday

I think this may be the first ho-hum Saturday of college football.  The only matchup of ranked teams comes Friday night as West Virginia tries avenge last year's upset loss to South Florida.  I retract that....Cal plays Oregon state in a matchup of ranked Pac10 teams.  But I don't know if either of those games is 'miss family time' important. 

My 9 month old will be joining me to watch the Hokies take on UNC.  At this point, there are a couple of things that worry me about the Hokies of 2007.  The offensive line has not produced holes for Branden Ore and as such Ore's numbers are dismal.  Secondly, the offense as a whole still seems to be struggling and unable to put a multiple long, dominating drives together. 

I would call tomorrow's game a tuneup for our second trip to a stadium nicknamed 'Death Valley' but at this point no game is a given.  And with Clemson, Boston College, and Ga Tech on the docket for 3 out of the 4 October weekends, tune up time is done. 

Blood Donations

You see it almost every day.  'The shortage of blood is a crisis in America, unless you give!  Donate Blood'. 

But they are some finicky folks.  They will not take your blood if you've been to certain countries in the past year, or if you've recently had body work done, or for any of many different reasons.  I understand why they have to be so selective, but if the crisis is as dire as they imply, shouldn't they at least take the blood, test it, and go from there. 

It seems to me that the number of malaria cases (the risk associated with taking blood from folks who have travelled to certain foreign lands) in the U.S. is considerably lower than most countries.  So it seems like there's a lot of missed blood opportunities by wholeheartedly rejecting blood donations from certain travelers. 

I don't really know what my point is.  But I wonder how much of a blood crisis there is if we can afford to dismiss so many different groups . ..  .

5 Year Anniversary!!!!!!

By the way....yesterday Sept 17th marked the five year anniversary of Xpinionated- the blog!  Yep, five long years and not a single dime made.  No income, nothing....

Anyway, there have been a lot of changes, a lot of comings and goings and it's been one heckuva ride.  WIth that said, I want to let you know that I will be doing absolutely nothing for this milestone...no contests (no one ever participated in any of my contests anyway), no giveaways( cuz I don't owe you jack, except my witty wit humorously biting style of blogging), and no super posts. 

5 years gone and here's hoping for another 15....

By the way, one of the best lines I've heard in a long time:  "He could be whore mongering all over Greensboro but he's not asking us for anything so it's fine by me!"  Reply?  "As long as he is a self sufficient whore mongerer, let him be!"

Man Dies in fight with armless foe

I'm not going to comment on this story other than to reprint it here:

An autopsy was planned Tuesday to determine what killed a Snellville man who died after being head-butted during a fight with a man with no arms.

No charges have been filed against the armless man.

Snellville police Chief Roy Whitehead said Charles Keith Teer and William Russell Redfren, who had been in an ongoing dispute over a woman, scuffled Monday afternoon in the driveway of a home on Pine Street in the Gwinnett County town.

"There was somebody between them trying to separate them and the fight occurred around the witness," Whitehead said.

Whitehead said that according to witnesses, Redfren, who has no arms, kicked Teer, and Teer then struck Redfren.

Bystanders got the two men separated, but Redfren "came back and head-butted [Teer] one time," Whitehead said. "That's what we understand at this point."

After being head-butted, Teer complained of being dizzy, "and then he collapsed. He was dead on the scene," Whitehead said.

He said that after the fight, Redfren and the woman got into Redfren's truck and drove to the Snellville police station.

"They were calling us," Whitehead said. "He was going to call to report the dispute, and then when [Teer] collapsed, they told 911 they needed EMS."

Whitehead said investigators were awaiting autopsy results before deciding on whether to file charges against Redfren.

Class of the ACC

At this early point in the season, I think Boston College has got to be considered the class of the ACC.  Entering today's action, Georgia Tech and Boston College had been the two most impressive teams.  Boston College is leading 14-0 at Bobby Dodd stadium in Atlanta in the second quarter right now.  We'll see how it goes but both of these teams worry me but I have to say Matt Ryan of BC is easily the best qb in the conference. 

Offensive Genius

Pass First Offense?

When did the Hokies become a pass first offense?  At halftime against Ohio, the Hokies have run 21 pass plays to 13 rush plays.  That makes absolutely no sense.  Also in the category of not making sense, the Hokies lead the Bobcats by zero at half, 7-7.

Before Birth Email

I just found this email I sent out the day before Devin was born.  Some reason I find it cute....

Hello all,
As you may be aware, my wife and I are expecting a child.  Originally, his debut was supposed to occur in January but it looks like a 95% chance (still waiting to get confirmation from one doctor) that he will be delivered tomorrow.  As such, my availability tomorrow will be null, sporadic at best.  

CFN 1 - 119 Week 2

21. Virginia Tech (1-1)

L, LSU 48-7 Next game: Ohio

The Ranking Should Be Higher Because ... getting blasted by LSU in Death Valley is nothing to be ashamed of. The Tigers are going to do that against a lot of teams. Give the Hokies a week or two before assuming they aren't an elite team.

The Ranking Should Be Lower Because ... now it has to go with a new quarterback. Is Sean Glennon going to be back at the helm, or should Tyrod Taylor get the full-time gig? Either way, no one's worried about the passing game, or the offense.

Overcrowded Schools

It's a sad state of affairs when children go to school just to end up in the trailer.  But that's exactly what happens to over 10,000 Gwinnett County kids.  It's amazing how fast a strip mall can go up yet it takes seven years to build 30 schools.  There are places I pass where I can remember nothing but trees and nature but in 2 weeks every tree is gone, in 8 weeks the strip mall is darn near complete and in 12 weeks I'm ordering a smoothie. 

And what about all of the empty business parks?  Why can't these be turned into schools?  I imagine the infrastructure is there in terms of internet and phone wiring, fire alarms, heating and air.  In fact it probably turn into more of an exercise in partitioning off classrooms, adding doors, etc. 

See the table below for the list of trailers used in Gwinnett County, Ga:

Hopkins Elementary

School	Trailers	Enrollment	Building capacity	Percent Over Capacity
Alcova Elementary	10	973	769	26.53%
Annistown Elementary	2	561	728	-22.94%
Arcado Elementary	4	861	790	8.99%
Benefield Elementary	23	1,239	894	38.59%
Berkeley Lake Elementary	13	1,084	1,019	6.38%
Berkmar High	20	3,128	3,000	4.27%
Berkmar Middle	5	1,045	1,125	-7.11%
Bethesda Elementary	6	1,125	1,019	10.40%
Britt Elementary	28	942	665	41.65%
Brookwood High	26	3,473	3,000	15.77%
Camp Creek Elementary	10	1,041	977	6.55%
Cedar Hill Elementary	22	1,363	1,206	13.02%
Centerville Elementary	9	827	769	7.54%
Central Gwinnett High	31	2,792	2,650	5.36%
Chesney Elementary	2	821	769	6.76%
Collins Hill High	44	3,715	3,000	23.83%
Corley Elementary	22	1,247	1,164	7.13%
Creekland Middle	36	2,838	2,500	13.52%
Crews Middle	25	1,378	1,150	19.83%
Duluth Middle	9	1,911	2,000	-4.45%
Duncan Creek Elementary	19	1,672	1,393	20.03%
Dyer Elementary	2	654	748	-12.57%
Five Forks Middle	9	1,173	1,150	2.00%
Fort Daniel Elementary	22	1,199	1,019	17.66%
Freeman's Mill Elementary	11	1,104	1,019	8.34%
Grayson Elementary	33	1,553	1,019	52.40%
Grayson High	45	3,237	2,500	29.48%
Gwin Oaks Elementary	15	1,019	977	4.30%
Harmony Elementary	3	654	728	-10.16%
Harris Elementary	4	718	936	-23.29%
Head Elementary	11	647	582	11.17%
26	1,758	1,601	9.81%
Hull Middle	21	2,263	2,050	10.39%
Jackson Elementary	10	1,752	1,643	6.63%
Jones Middle	19	1,383	1,125	22.93%
Kanoheda Elementary	8	1,148	1,310	-12.37%
Knight Elementary	13	676	520	30.00%
Lanier Middle	45	2,582	2,000	29.10%
Lawrenceville Elementary	8	981	1,019	-3.73%
Level Creek Elementary	8	1,121	1,102	1.72%
Lilburn Elementary	5	1,369	1,518	-9.82%
Magill Elementary	17	1,682	1,643	2.37%
Mason Elementary	18	1,413	1,289	9.62%
McConnell Middle	35	2,527	2,125	18.92%
Meadowcreek Elementary	19	1,041	956	8.89%
Meadowcreek High	8	2,391	3,000	-20.30%
Mill Creek High	53	4,023	3,250	23.78%
Minor Elementary	20	1,237	1,164	6.27%
Mountain Park Elementary	11	640	499	28.26%
Nesbit Elementary	10	1,477	1,518	-2.70%
Norcross Elementary	20	1,003	832	20.55%
North Gwinnett High	36	3,015	2,500	20.60%
Norton Elementary	35	1,879	1,248	50.56%
Osborne Middle	17	1,999	1,800	11.06%
Parsons Elementary	23	1,109	769	44.21%
Partee Elementary	7	743	852	-12.79%
Peachtree Elementary	6	1,357	1,352	0.37%
Peachtree Ridge High	9	3,152	3,000	5.07%
Pharr Elementary	34	1,427	1,081	32.01%
Pinckneyville Middle	4	1,284	1,375	-6.62%
Radloff Middle	3	1,096	1,125	-2.58%
Richards Middle	55	2,466	2,150	14.70%
Riverside Elementary	17	1,459	1,289	13.19%
Rockbridge Elementary	16	866	977	-11.36%
Shiloh Elementary	2	787	852	-7.63%
Shiloh High	13	2,055	1,900	8.16%
Shiloh Middle	16	1,628	1,775	-8.28%
Simonton Elementary	34	1,538	1,206	27.53%
Simpson Elementary	1	999	1,019	-1.96%
Snellville Middle	38	2,229	1,800	23.83%
South Gwinnett	40	2,789	2,400	16.21%
Stripling Elementary	5	993	1,040	-4.52%
Sugar Hill Elementary	20	1,120	1,019	9.91%
Summerour Middle	9	1,069	1,100	-2.82%
Suwanee Elementary	10	941	894	5.26%
Sycamore Elementary	9	1,308	1,081	21.00%
Winn Holt Elementary	22	1,560	1,331	17.21%
Totals	1376	119329	108364	10.12%
Average	17.87	1549.7273	1407.324675	9.92%
Students/Trailer	7.9688

 

Table data from http://www.ajc.com/services/content/metro/gwinnett/stories/2007/09/07/trailers_0909.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=13

Offense Reborn

Coach Beamer announced that Tyrod Taylor will be the Hokies starting quarterback against the Ohio Bobcats on Saturday. 

Excellent move making the change first thing on Monday.  I understand Sean Glennon may look good in practice but quite frankly that hasn't translated to the games.  Furthermore, if our first two games are any indication, we will need mobility at the QB position.  Glennon doesn't move well and usually fumbles when sacked from behind. 

No comparisons to Michael Vick yet for Tyrod Taylor but I won't reserve my excitement to see this top 10 pick strut his stuff Saturday....unfortunately I don't think the game is televised due to that damn ESPN 360 garbage.

Like a shot in the mouth

  This is a gun.  A what? A gun.  This is a whistle. A what? A whistle.  This is a horrendously, catastrophically, stupendously, ridiculously stupid idea.  A what? A horrendously, catastrophically, stupendously, ridiculously stupid idea. 

At some point this undisclosed toy manufacturer, inevitably in search of the next big thing, decided that they needed an all around toy.  Something to keep junior busy for hours.  Toy guns have worked forever.  Little boys love toy guns and I have no problem with toy guns when they don't resemble in any form or fashion a real gun.  However, the line must be drawn at a toy gun designed with a whistle on the barrel.  Yep, that's right, junior is now play pretending suicide (or like my pops likes to say 'pretending sideways').  Note not only is it a toy gun with a whistle barrel, but it has a Basketball sticker on the side as well. For what it's worth, there is a basketball on top of the whistle gun.  Yeah, don't understand that either....

Positive first step

The Redskins came up big in overtime for a 16 - 13 win over the Miami Dolphins on the first full day of the 07-08 NFL season.  Though the 'Skins were up against a rebuilding Dolphins squad, the defense looked great with the exception of some cornerback play, mainly Fred Smoot's issues with the Dolphins bigger receivers.  The run game was walled as the Dolphins could get nothing started on the ground.  It's definitely a step in the right direction as the 'Skins were hard hitting and stout.

Jason Campbell's numbers weren't overly impressive, especially given the bloat of an almost game winning hail mary reception by Antwaan Randle-El.  Speaking of Antwaan, I think we may have our bonified number two receiver as he made big catch after big catch.  Portis looked like preseason play is overrated as he and Betts both had pretty good days on the ground.  It was nice to see Jason Campbell throwing some passes longer than the Brunell-limited eight yard out patterns.  And later in the game, Campbell came up with some mobility on key scrambles. 

With the next test being division rival Philly on Monday night, the optimism that is the beginning of the NFL season is in full flourish!

Light at the end of the tunnel

The Kroger Roth Report provided a welcome optimism on the Hokies Saturday night disaster.  In a nutshell, the Hokies seemingly rebound well after crushing defeats with considerable win streaks.  Let's hope this is an instance of history repeating itself.

Completely Overmatched

No two ways around it.   LSU's overall game plan, team speed, and execution was too much for the Hokies. 

The defense was porous on all fronts; suspect to the run, suspect to the pass.  The blitzes were largely ineffective as the LB's and DB's were very hesitant to finish their blitz (if LSU picked up the blitz, we stopped pushing when we could at least try to push the blocker into the qb).  The offense under Glennon was stagnant.  Branden Ore has yet to have anything to work with as the offensive line couldn't stop penetration or pass protect due to well designed blitzes. 

The silver lining:  Tyrod Taylor got significant time last night.  With some luck, Beamer will name him the starting qb against Ohio so he can get some first team work in at practice this week.  I know I said I was going to support Glennon, but when you're skipping screen passes, my support can't help but wane.

Couldn't have said it better....

From CFN's 1-119 ranking....

13. Virginia Tech (1-0)

W, East Carolina 17-7
Next game: at LSU

The ranking should be higher because... the defense was once against the Virginia Tech defense. It swarmed all over East Carolina and appears ready to be among the best in the nation again. Let's just assume the pressure of the situation made the Hokies a little tight.

The ranking should be lower because... Sean Glennon was once again Sean Glennon. The Hokie running game alone can't beat LSU.

Prove 'em wrong Sean.  If Glennon doesn't come out like he needs to, I don't know if putting in Ike Whitaker (now at WR) or Tyrod Taylor (top 10 recruit but a true freshman) are options against the LSU defense.

CFN's Way Too Early Bowl Predictions

Somebody has to do it, and I hope they make it a weekly feature.  In any case, Virginia Tech vs West Virginia in the Fedex Orange Bowl is the Hokies destination according to foxsports.com.  The funny thing about this prediction is that I've run into a number of WVU fans lately (many more than past years) and I shake their hands and tell them that I hope to see them in New Orleans.

East Carolina Postgame

17-7 victory.  We get the 'W' but much like the season opener last year, there are tons of improvement areas.  Play calling: 33 pass attempts, ridiculous number of play action calls when the running game is stalled, stalled running game due to so many delayed handoffs (not quite draws), and third down plays designed for the receivers to gain the first down instead of the qb throwing to a receiver in first down territory.

Headed to Death Valley next week and this is not the kind of performance I was hoping for.  Like I said a few posts ago, I am going to try to remain faithful in Sean Glennon but I do need more from him and that offensive line. 

Hokies Stats

Two quick facts to get the season started right...

The Hokies are one of three teams with 10+ wins in each of the last three years!  The other two are Texas and USC.  Not bad company...

The Hokies are one of four teams that have been to 14 straight bowl games.  Florida, Florida State, and another team that I can't remember right now.

The Hokies have scored in 148 straight games beginning in 1995 with a 13-7 win over Miami, a game I happened to be at with my parents.