Sims to Alabama
April 16th, 2009 by Chris ColemanIn a move that surprised no one,
Sims stated numerous times that he was looking to play in a system that he was comfortable in, and attend a school with a wide open depth chart. Early playing time is definitely available at Alabama, as well as Virginia Tech. Both schools run similar systems, with an emphasis on establishing the running game and working playaction pass. However, there’s a perception out there that Virginia Tech doesn’t throw the football. Sims even noted in a recent video interview that he would have to get used to handing off a lot at Virginia Tech.
Unfortunately for the Hokies, perception is sometimes more important than reality. The following table compares John Parker Wilson’s 2008 numbers with some of Tech’s recent starting quarterbacks.
| VT vs. Alabama, QB Comparison | |||||||
| Player | Year | Comp. | Att. | Percent | Yards | TD | INT |
| John Parker Wilson | 2008 | 187 | 323 | 57.90% | 2,273 | 10 | 8 |
| Sean Glennon | 2007 | 143 | 235 | 60.90% | 1,796 | 12 | 5 |
| Sean Glennon | 2006 | 170 | 302 | 56.30% | 2,191 | 11 | 11 |
| Marcus Vick | 2005 | 177 | 289 | 61.20% | 2,393 | 17 | 10 |
| Bryan Randall | 2004 | 170 | 306 | 55.60% | 2,264 | 21 | 9 |
The Hokies and the Tide have very similar passing numbers. Remember in 2007 that Sean Glennon split time with Tyrod Taylor, else those numbers would be higher. For the most part, Tech’s quarterbacks put up a better touchdown-to-interception ratio, while passing yardage and completion percentages are basically the same.The numbers suggest that going to Alabama won’t be any better for Sims than going to Virginia Tech. However, Alabama is a big time SEC program, and like I said, perception is sometimes more important than reality.
One thing that has to weigh on a quarterback’s mind when watching Virginia Tech play is the amount of sacks they allow. The Hokies are among the worst teams in the country in protecting the quarterback. Though I do think they’ll get better at that this year, if I’m a quarterback recruit, that issue would weigh heavily on my mind.
If Tech does start to protect the quarterback better, the offensive numbers should improve quite a bit. There will be less third and long situations, which will lead to more first downs, which will lead to more sustained drives, which will lead to more trips to the redzone, which will lead to more points, etc. It all starts with protecting the quarterback.
The Hokies will start landing more quarterbacks like Sims when they become better at protecting the passer.
(Scroll down for comments on this blog entry)
April 16th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Our offensive reputation proceeds us in the eyes of very highly touted Qb recruits these days. How could it not after 3-4 years of awful Qb protection, lack of passing, and a total offense that hovers right at the century mark?
This is making playing Qb for us a tougher and tougher sell.
Unfortunately, we now enjoy an officially poor offensive reputation in fact; and I’d bet that our recruiting competitor’s are now using this against us.
b’street
April 16th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
VT’s offense may have been a factor, but I believe this had more to do with conference reputations. This is a kid that wanted to play in the best college football conference, competing against the best college football players. Right now, the SEC is considered the best college football conference by a fairly wide margin.
On the other hand, the ACC is perceived by many to be one of the weaker BCS conferences, especially on the offensive side of the ball. It’s not surprising that a top QB recruit would immediately dismiss the ACC completely.
From what I’ve heard, he never really gave VT or UVa much consideration.
April 16th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
I hear both points and we certainly whiffed last year on a QB but our track record over the years since 2000 has been pretty good……
T-mobile – 5 star
Ike – 4 star
SG – 3 or 4 star
MV2 – 5 star
BR – 4 or 5 star (don’t remember which)
I’m not a Hokie football historian, but I’m assuming VT had never signed QBs of that caliber/HS ranking outside of MV1. I know Ike and SG didn’t fulfill their HS reputations, but both were held in high regard coming out of HS, no?
April 17th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Just a few years ago there was a QB named Dorsey at Miami that had a run of something like 32 & 2. He was top rated QB out of HS but his success was due to an OL that was special. The proof of this was seen late due to the OL because when you got in his face he was mistake prone. It begins with an OL, without proof of success there why would a top QB take the risk? IMO there are a lot of eyes on T-mobile and if he does not put up great numbers or gets hurt VT will slip way behind in QB recruiting. The time for offensive excuses has now passed and there has to be improvement in offensive play.
April 17th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Just to put some numbers on VT being one of the worst teams in the country in terms of sacks given up: teams are ranked in sacks per game given up, and here’s how VT breaks down since 2004 (the first year the NCAA started archiving the stat on their web site):
VT Sacks per game given up since 2004:
2004: 0.69 spg, #33 in the nation
2005: 2.54 spg, #80
2006: 2.23 spg, #77
2007: 3.86 spg, #115
2008: 3.00 spg, #111
May 12th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Another reason Simms may have not wanted to come to Tech is because he may not have thought that Tech would build an offense around him. Beamer is set in his ways. He wants a running QB. Simms is a pocket QB.