2003 Statistics

Quarterback
If there is one position group where the Hokies return talent and experience, it's at quarterback. Unfortunately, that's also one of their problems. The Brian Randall-Marcus Vick quarterback dance wasn't particularly successful in '03, ranking 82nd in all of I-A. Randall exhibited all the tools but was never really given a chance to be the leader, for he never knew when he would be replaced. Vick ultimately never played well enough or consistent enough to earn the starting job. So who's the starter? Beamer will reward Randall's hard work and focus. So 2004 begins like 2003, with Randall as the starter and Vick's participation as QB a game day decision. Vick will spend some time at wide receiver, since it worked well in the Insight Bowl, but don't look for that to become a full-time position.

Running Back
How do you replace a back as great as Lee Suggs? With Kevin Jones. How do you replace Kevin Jones? You can, but not quickly. However, if there's one thing the Hokies classically know how to do, it's run the ball, and Cedric Humes will join the long list of solid, often-great Hokie TBs. His 6.0 YPC was actually better than Jones'. Humes doesn't quite have Jones' talent, but he's fast, tough, and experienced. He's had some fumble problems. As the primary back in VT's offense, he should rush for 1,000 yds. The Hokies are very high on early-enrollee George Bell, who will see time as back up. But Jones wasn't the only loss out of the backfield. Doug Easlick was a rock-solid FB who could create big holes and occasionally catch a pass. The Hokies return no FB with real experience. Look to sophomore John Kinzer to win this job. As a converted TE, he has the hands for this position's frequent use as a swing-pass dimension.

Wide Receiver
The Hokies lost their key player from this group. Juniors Justin Hamilton and Chris Clifton are the likely candidates, but when Vick is QB, he seems to favor All-Big East sprinter David Clowney. When this unit doesn't produce, though, Beamer will have little choice but to get Vick on the receiving end of passes. This unit will have many early balls thrown there way so the new running attack can have breathing room, so we will find out quickly who's who in the Hokie routes.

Offensive Line
The Hokies lost their key player from this group, too, at center. The good news for the Hokies, however, is that they return a lot of experienced players on each side of the center. The offensive line performed solidly last year, plowing for a team average of 5.3 ypc (and ranking the running game 17th in the nation), and giving up a paltry 13 sacks. Sophomore Tripp Caroll could move into the center position, but this will be a cohesive unit with lots of experience playing together. The Hokies are in good shape here.

OFFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
In two years as offensive coordinator, Brian Stinespring opened up the playbook and the VT offense became more than just a running team (still, just a run-to-pass ratio of five-to-three). However, there were playmakers who allowed him to do this. When Randall is firmly entrenched as the starting QB, and if they are without an emerging breakaway player, the Hokies will have no choice but to go back to the simpler days of power running. But considering the success they've had with this format over the years, and considering their offensive line should be their strength, that's not such a bad thing. If nothing else, a plodding ball-control offense will keep the Hokie defense off the field, which would be the most important team accomplishment, if achieved.

Defensive Line
In 2003, the Hokie defensive line was vulnerable in only two areas; up the middle and around the outside. Quite frankly, this was the worst performing DL the Hokies have seen in long time. And they lost their two best players, which is often a blessing in disguise. All have proper size and quickness - brothers Jonathan and Kevin Lewis return in the middle, as Darryl Tapp and Jim Davis take the ends. The Lewis brothers must get more defensive line penetration. This used to be Hokie trademark (remember Corey Moore?) but this rarely happened in 2003. Tapp's potential is there to flow once, well…tapped, now that he's starting.

Linebacker
The failure of this squad to get off blocks, fill holes, and make tackles was the most glaring problem for the Hokie defense. It often looked like they didn't even know where they were supposed to be on the field. Did we mention another mixed blessing, that they lost their best LB from this unit? Brandon Manning and Mikal Baquee are the most experienced returners, but that doesn't mean they won't be pushed for starting positions. Redshirt freshman Xavier Adibi is creating a buzz, and will likely evolve into the playmaker for the Hokies front-seven. He'd better, because no one else has shown that ability.

Defensive Back
You guessed it - ever-solid D'Angelo Hall skipped 2004, his senior season. Still, there remains some experience from their 80th-ranked pass-efficiency defense. If they aren't forced to cover for the underperforming front-seven, they have a good shot at marginally successful containment. The good news is that with the exception of USC, there aren't a lot of high-powered passing attacks on the Hokie schedule. Vince Fuller and Eric Green are good corners, and one of them will likely move from field CB to take Hall's position at boundary CB. Green has returned INTs for success, so Hall is replaced this way, at least. Jimmy Williams is a sure tackler and genuine building-block for things back here. This crew would be wise to keep the play in front of itself with this weak front-seven, breaking on the ball only when needed. Beamer must measure success back here through preventing big plays, not INTs as much.

DEFENSIVE BREAKDOWN
This is a difficult call. You want to believe in this system, but how can you rationalize what happened at that end of 2003? When Bud Foster's defenses are playing together, and everyone is performing well, they are as tough as any team in the country. But the defensive performances last year against Pitt, WVU, Temple, UVa, and Cal were embarrassing, and even the coaches seemed lost. Foster needs to get this unit back on track in a fundamental way, or the Hokies debut in the ACC will be ugly. We expect a mix of stunts in pass-pressure, but expect such creativity to leave DBs in too many one-on-one scenarios early.