Virginia Tech 30 – Boston College 16

The defensive effort and the QB switching (coaching) won this game for Virginia Tech. Although Matt Ryan had some big numbers, VT would stop BC well before or in the red zone keeping the momentum on their side of the ball. BC had nor running game, VT stopped it and then held on to stop Ryan when it counted. Ryan’s 2 interceptions were a big hurt, as well as his slow receivers. More speed with the BC receivers would have changed their entire season, and Ryan’s. BC had the ball 20 minutes in the first half and could not pull ahead compared to VT’s 9 minutes or so. Big mistake. The momentum seemed to switch ion the blocked PAT by VT and another blocked kick.

Bad 3rd quarter for BC. They could not go long on passes. Great coverage deep for VT. Biggest mistake came on a long drive by BC with a Ryan pick at the VT 13. Bad mistake. Huge momentum switch.

Kudos to the VT defense for holding on when it counts.


Virginia Tech:

Xavier Adibi 11 6' 2.0" 221 0.00 LB 2008: Solid game, 1 interception, had some good tackles, a few keeping VT in a 4th down situation. Had some good QB pressures as well. He seems to mirror the pass and run very effectively. His lack of size though will be a concern limiting him to a weakside position. He is not overpowering with his tackling, but size him up a notch and he will be very versatile LB in the NFL. GRADE: Positive

Chris Ellis 0' 0.0" 0 0.00 DE 2008: Overall a fair game. Seemed to do well containing the run had a few tackles and a couple of assists. Lacked the speed to keep up with Ryan, yet comes off blocks well. GRADE: Positive

Brandon Ore 28 5' 10.5" 205 4.53 HB 2009: 19 carries for 55 yds, was not effective most of the first half, had a couple of solid runs in the second. The BC defense had his number, and lack of blocking up front kept him in check most of the night. Seems slow out of the backfield to me, like he was nursing a flu or something. Just lacked intensity, but did pick it up some in the second. Still a solid back for sure, with good speed and agility. GRADE: Neutral

Vince Hall 9 5' 11.2" 237 4.65 LB 2008: Great game, this guy was every where, knows how to mirror the ball, the speed to get there on any side of the field, the agility to overcome blocks and other than a pass or 2 covered the slow BC receivers well. He always seemed in on a play! He was the defensive player of the game in my opinion. He had quite a few tackles and assists. He can finish a hit also, great strength in his tackles. GRADE: Very Positive

Carlton Powell 99 6' 2.0" 293 0.00 DT 2008: Seems like a tough player, not very tall for his position to me, and way to fat. Did not carry his weight well. Had some good plays though, can come off blocks well and id a good job penetrating the line to get to Ryan, just way to big to get there. Had a tackle or 2 and an assist. GRADE: Neutral

Brandon Flowers 0' 0.0" 0 0.00 CB 2009: Great run back on a blocked 2 pt. conversion. This guys seems to have solid speed and likes to make the hard/big hit. He had some great tackles and a few assists. He will be someone to watch next year. GRADE: Positive

Eddie Royal 0' 0.0" 0 0.00 WR 2008: 4 catches for 64 yards, and 1 TD. He had good yardage on his 4 catches. Not a dominating receiver though, got man handled on a thrown up pass, looked like he just got beat. Seems to have solid speed and was able ot get open when they needed it most. GRADE: Positive

Duane Brown 0' 0.0" 0 0.00 OT 2008: Solid game overall, good size guy and pretty agile. He handles his assignment pretty well. He was able to block a FG on special teams. GRADE: Positive

D.J. Parker 25 6' 0.0" 198 0.00 S 2008: Mixed bag here, overall had a some good coverages, one in particular saving them inside the red zone. But a weak tackler, not very strong or agile, and missed a few coverages. He overall handled things when it seemed to matter most, but too many mistakes or lapses in play. GRADE: Negative

Boston College:

#12 Matt Ryan 6' 5.0" 218 4.90 QB 2008: To me a solid game, his receivers are slow overall, and have trouble shaking coverage. But he had 2 interceptions, and some key off passes. He is a great scrambler and seems to have eyes in the side of his head. Has great scope of the entire field and can make split second decisions to get the ball there. Some of his quick fire and decision making though always seems to lead to interceptions. Now under the right coaching and team in the NFL, he could develop into a huge threat. GRADE: Positive

#16 Brian Toal 6' 0.0" 232 4.65 LB 2008: DNP

#90 B.J. Raji 6' 0.3" 337 5.20 NT 2008: Solid game protecting Ryan. Seemed to handle most his assignments well. But the VT front line did have a pretty solid game against the run. But the BC line handled the blitz well many times. GRADE: Positive

#77 Gosder Cherilus 6' 6.0" 320 5.25 OT 2008: Good size here and holds his blocks well. Handled the blitz well and was on fire the entire night, nice not to see him dragging rear early in the game. He is a solid prospect for sure. GRADE: Positive

#84 Kevin Challenger 5' 8.0" 178 4.48 WR 2008: 4 catches for 45 yards. Was not open much, even more so when they needed it most. Easy to cover for the VT secondary. Had a few good catches though. GRADE: Neutral

#40 JoLon Dunbar 6' 0.0" 226 0.00 LB 2008: Small LB. not a great game with a few tackles and assists. He lacks the hard hitting ability LB’s need and the speed. He was not very effective with coverage on VT receivers. GRADE: Negative

#72 Ryan Poles 6' 4.0" 290 0.00 OT 2008: Decent size, handled his man well most of the night, some lapses though on assignments but did a great job protecting Ryan. Did not do as well with blocking for Callendar.

DeJuan Tribble 0' 0.0" 0 0.00 CB 2008: DNP

#32 Andre Callender 5' 11.0" 199 4.50 HB 2008: Took a cheap shot on a play out of bounds but came back. He had 15 rushes for 51 yards and 13 catches for 92 yards. Overall he had a solid game. He is hard to tackle, stays low on hits and has great agility. Good moves, yet always running hard up the field, nothing fancy! Nice. GRADE: Positive

#44 Jamie Silva 5' 11.0" 210 0.00 S 2008: Defensive player of the game for sure for BC. Stripped ball return for TD, and an interception. This guy though is all over the place. Makes solid tackles, very agile, good speed, and mirrors the ball well. He did have a missed coverage leading to a TD, but overall the highlight of the BC defense. GRADE: Positive


Other Notes: Glennon had a good game and kept his composure during the win. The composure for Glennon was key with Taylor’s bad game. Gave up the stripped ball for a TD, missed an easy first down attempt by dancing around instead of running forward. But he is a freshman…

In my mind Vince Hall's injury and not Taylor's was the reason VPI lost game 1. Glennon is an underrated QB who caould develop into a Gus Frerotte type #2 QB, IMHO. I still wan't a straight answer on Ore, I am going to make some calls, he had MUCH more speed and power last year. Flowers and Harris might be next year's #1 CB tandem, both are solid in so many phases of run and pass. Royal could be a really nice slot for the right team, he is still in need of a little more coaching. Adibi reminds my of Mobley, who does Vince Hall remind you of?

BC I like Challenger but do you think he's a 4.48 guy? Callender is a real Mewelde Moore type in the right offense he could start. Can Raji be a strarter as a pro? Ryan reminds me of Delhomme, what teams would suit him best? Silva reminds me of, I will just say it, Pat Tillman is he athletic enough to cover the Todd Heaps of the world?

Nice writeup. Just one question...B.C. moved Raji to offense? What position?

It seems he played NT on offense perhaps that's why they struggled in the running game!

LOL, sorry new team there for me, Raji is a red shirt, bad grades. Was watching the center, worte on him in that spot, did not chnage info...

With Tribble hurt still, does that hurt his draft position?

Your take of Ryan is similar to mine....I think he feels he has to take the entire team on his shoulders and when he presses it causes trouble or turnovers. If could rely more on his teammates then he''d be much more effective. Still, a fabulous pocket presence and arm that can make any throw.

You're right, all Callender wants to do is play football....I love these types.

Silva is still a mystery to me. One game he shows up and the next he doesn't. Still, he's a very sound tackler whch is missing with some of today's players and the worst case scenario is you get a Bill Bates on ST's for 10 years. Not bad if you ask me.

If I had to point to one late round RB in the draft who's be that one guy who emerges to be a very good NFL starter, I'd pick Andre Callender.

I agree, they just had his number this game. Overall his strength, athletic ability, and drive are great. Just a rough game, they could not get the running game going. Poor play selection was a huge issue for BC.

The game I scouted, BC vs Clemson, the right side of the line had a hard time getting any push due to the poor play of the guard and lack of strength from the Soph tackle. Once that RT gets another 20 lbs on him or so he'll be a mauler like Trueblood.

Guys,

Of the 2 VT LBs (Adibi and Hall), which do you think is most likely to go higher in the draft, assuming teams are not just in need of an outside of inside guy (ie. regardless of position)? In other words, who is the better LB?

You asked different questions.

Adibi will go higher because of his athleticism even though he is totally devoid of any instincts. But Hall is the better football player and will end up having the better carrer if given the chance.

What did you think of Barry Booker and Victor Harris, I watched Duane Brown in the UVA/VPI game and on a few plays he turned and tossed Long or out him on skates 1 one on one.

Hall has missed a good portion of this year with injury as well, that will drop him below Adibi.

I agree Hall had outstanding instincts that game, and was just as athletic as Adibi. Adibi seems a little stiff, and may have trouble mirroring the ball. I have not seen enough to give a better opinion though.

Xavier like his brother Nathaniel is exceptional strong for his size and fast in a straight line, but Hall who is not as strong or quick twitch is more flexible, fluid and football smart, system will be vital to the sucess of both.

I'm concerned whether or not Hall can shed blocks at the line if busting a gap. He certainly makes reads quick enough but lying back off the line 2 yards may work in college buy in the pros that back will hit the hole and take the two yards everyday.