‘Twas a disappointing start Hokie fans, but I did say that that Wake Forest team was a talented team that will make some people scratch their heads.  The good news for VT is that they get another chance tonight for their first win in ACC play.  Tonight they are matched up against the Florida State Seminoles at Cassell Coliseum.  Florida State comes into the game at 9-6 and 0-1 in conference play after they got absolutely embarrassed by Clemson on Saturday to the tune of 79-59.   That isn’t the Florida State team we have seen in the past years, as their defense was bad and their offense was miserable.  Florida State shot a horrid 35% from the field with 16 turnovers while allowing Clemson to shoot 49%.  The major game changer in this one was the free-throw shooting.  Florida State didn’t shoot poorly from the line, making 10 of 13, but Clemson made 28 of 33.  In case you’re not keeping up, that is an 18 point swing.  Florida State needs to cut down on the fouls if it wants to be able to make it in the ACC this year.

Next up for the ‘Noles is Virginia Tech, who comes into the game at 11-4 after losing 58-55 against Wake Forest.  That game was a tough game to watch as it was kind of a dull, uneventful game.  Both teams shot miserably, with the Hokies shooting just below 40%, while the Demon Deacons shot basically the same at 38%.  The differences in this game were the rebounding margin, in which Wake 37-30, and three point shooting.  The Hokies shot 27% while Wake shot 44% from downtown.  Another key in this one was Jarell Eddie got in early foul trouble and had to sit most of the second half while only playing 18 minutes.  It was a major factor, considering he made 4 of VT’s 6 three’s in that time.

Now to this game.  Both teams are eager for that first win in ACC play and get that chance tonight.  Both teams are impressive on defense, but FSU ranks in the top 30 in steals, blocks, and shooting percentage allowed.  And, they do it by being long and tall on the defensive side.  Unfortunately, if you can’t score, it doesn’t matter how good your defense is.  That is FSU’s problem.  They don’t have an offense at all.  They have impressive big men, but they don’t score a whole lot.  The question is, “can VT score on this defense?”  Virginia Tech has good shooters all around the team, and as I said in my ACC preview, they can have a different scoring leader for any game.  Jarrell Eddie will open up the floor with his 3 point shot, the Hokies are going to have to get the ball inside if they want to win.  Victor Davila needs to have a good night down low to let the shooters get open.  If Virginia Tech can play an inside-out kind of offense, I think they can win in a major defensive game.  VT wins this one 69-64

So I’m sitting here thinking about last night’s BCS National Championship and wondering, “What does this mean?”.  Does it mean Alabama wins and they are really the number one team in the country?  We have all heard the stories of the “Game of the Century” between LSU and the Crimson Tide in which the Tigers prevailed 9-6 in overtime.  So, Alabama wins this time then are they the champions?  LSU had one hell of a season beating the likes of Oregon, Arkansas, West Virginia, Georgia, and *cough cough*, Alabama.  It’s just confusing and leaves a lot to argue.  So, officials are set to meet during the off-season and discuss the future of the BCS.  NCAA is locked into the BCS system until 2013, but after that, who knows?

What would of happened if we had used the plus one system this year?  For you folks that don’t know what the plus one system is, it takes the top four  teams in the country in the rankings and makes a mini playoff system with the number one team playing the fourth ranked team in the country and two vs three.

Ok, so imagine this.  LSU plays Stanford in one semifinal while Alabama is matched up against Oklahoma State.  Let’s start with the match-up of the latter.  Would the Crimson Tide have succumbed to the high powered offense of the Cowboys or would the defense chew them up and spit them out?  Well, I see the defense of Alabama swallowing the running game and forcing them into a one dimensional passing team and forcing big mistakes. Close game but,  Alabama edges OK State and advances on the the National Championship.

Next up is the seemingly unstoppable, during the regular season, LSU Tigers vs the “quarterback of the future” Andrew Luck and the Stanford Cardinal.  In this match-up, it all comes down to if the Tigers can stop Andrew Luck.  LSU will score enough points in this game to win, especially since Stanford doesn’t have a playmaker besides Luck.  LSU wins by 10 and advances to the National Championship.

Hmm, so this whole hypothetical was supposed to change the game right?  Wrong.  This is just supposed to show that the best two teams in the country are playing for the glory.  Sure, you ended up with the same game, in which Alabama wins, but then there wouldn’t be any controversy.  The BCS is a mess, but it did get it right this year.  So, if we switch to the plus one, would it make everyone happy?  No. I’m sorry, but there is no right way to do this.  People are gonna argue regardless but I do think that this is the way to go and in a few years who knows?

Mike Shanahan has always been at his best when he can lean on a strong quarterback and a varied running game.  He won a Super Bowl ring as the San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator with Steve Young and Ricky Waters and back to back Super Bowl titles with John Elway, Terrell Davis and the Bronco’s in ‘97 and ‘98.  He also led some pretty productive teams with Jay Cutler at the helm in Denver.  Washington Redskins fans know that he seems to at least have one of those things going for his current team.  The running backs look pretty impressive heading into next year.  Roy Helu Jr. proved at the end of the season that he could be the guy for more than a couple teams in the league.  He’s silky smooth out of the backfield, gaining over 100 yards in three contests once he got a fair share of carries, and he rarely finds a pass he doesn’t catchas noticed by his 14 catch day against the 49ers in early November.  Evan Royster showed that he can be the guy if Helu can’t, or if Shanahan just wants to switch it up.  While filling in for an injured Helu, Royster went over the century mark in consecutive games to end the season.  Sounds like a pretty nice one-two punch going forward.

As for the quarterbacks, well…. that seems to be a completely different situation.  Rex Grossman is, well, Rex Grossman.  He could probably be a decent back up QB in the league; the kind of guy that could come in and play a couple of games and not ruin your season.  Any more than a couple of games and I have no faith.  Grossman simply doesn’t have the tools to be a full-time guy in the NFL. If he’s forced to start all year, he will eventually shoot himself in the foot… over and over again.  The Bears lived through it and the Redskins learned it last year.  As for the other passer on the roster, John Beck, he’s just not an NFL starter.  Shanahan tried to make us believe he was, but when you have to go to Grossman because a change is necessary, it’s pretty obvious that the writing is on the wall. I wouldn’t be shocked if both veterans were looking for new jobs next year but, more than likely. Grossman will stick around while Beck looks for work elsewhere.

So where does that put the ‘Skins?  When USC’s Matt Barkley announced he was keeping his skills in LA for another season, every heart in Washington’s front office fell to the floor.  Landry Jones staying probably did the same, but on a lesser scale.  All of a sudden this years draft went from four top signal calling prospects to two and Robert Griffin III is still, apparently, not positive as to his future.  Does this mean that the ‘Skins look elsewhere with the number six selection?  Maybe.  It could mean that they are attempting to move up to number two or three and try and nab Griffin.  This would probably cost a pretty penny – this year’s first and third pick and maybe next year’s third as well. And, maybe more than that.

The Washington front office would be smart to look into the possibility of acquiring Matt Flynn.  The current Green Bay Packer backup and future unrestricted free agent will most likely be franchised and traded, a la Matt Cassel of a couple years ago.  Flynn seems to be the real deal -  a pocket passer with a plus arm who has had the pleasure of watching the way Aaron Rodgers carries himself around a team that knows how to win.  Will that translate to immediate success with another franchise?  Of course not. The former seventh rounder out of LSU has only one career start under his belt.  Granted, it was one hell of a start; a near perfect performance in a duel with Matthew Stafford and the Lions. Flynn threw for 480 yards and 6 touchdowns.  Not many guys in the history of the game can say they’ve had a day like that.  Flynn seems to be the kind of guy that would thrive in a Shanahan led attack.  So what will it cost to get a guy like Flynn?  Well, Cassel led the Patriots to an 11 - 5 clip and cost the Chiefs a second rounder and Mike Vrabel.  Would the ’Skins give up a second rounder and a vet to get Flynn?  They would be silly not to.

Let’s say they do that.  That still leaves them the number six pick in this draft to bolster their lineup.  So where do they spend the pick?  The rush linebackers are set on this team.  Ryan Kerigan and Brian Orakpo are the real deal, combining for 16.5 sacks in their first year as a tandem.  Oh yeah, Orakpo is 25 and Kerrigan is 23.  London Fletcher is getting, but the man continues to put on a tackling clinic game-in and game-out.  LaRon Landry may be one of the most feared players in the game and, if he can stay healthy, could eventually approach the Ed Reed/Troy Polamalu type of game changer status.  The defensive line is solid, but nowhere near spectacular, and the corners could use an upgrade.  On offense, the line could use some help, Trent Williams and Jamaal Brown are solid, yet always seem like they could be playing better than they do.  The wide-outs have some talent, but no true number one to lead the way.  Santana Moss is a cagey veteran, but can’t be relied on to carry the whole team.  Leonard Hankerson showed some promise before getting hurt and Anthony Armstrong is a capable deep threat.  At tight end, Washington has Chris Cooley; excellent but beginning to break down and Fred Davis, who was putting up great numbers until he was suspended by the league along with Williams for failed drug tests.

This pseudo depth gives the ‘Skins a couple of different options at the six.  If Justin Blackmon is available, Washington must jump.  Bringing in a guy like Flynn (potentially) and giving him a weapon like Blackmon to complement Cooley and Moss would make this offense absolutely dynamic. That is, if they can pass protect.  Which brings me to option two – offensive line.

I could see Washington bringing in Riley Reiff of Iowa or Jonathan Martin of Stanford to stabalize the line for years to come.  Either guy could come in a improve the Redskins. Reiff is a better option than Martin, in my opinion, but Shanahan loves athletic tackles and Martin fits that mold.  Another possibility for the Redskins, which might not sound so great right away, would be cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick of Alabama.  Kirkpatrick is, without a doubt, the number two CB prospect in the draft behind Morris Claiborne of LSU.  Kirkpatrick is an excellent cover corner with pretty decent tackling skills.  He would be a major upgrade over both DeAngelo Hall and Josh Wilson.  The ‘Skins would love Claiborne, but I really doubt that he will last this long.  Kirkpatrick is the next best thing.

So there you have it, Washington fans. Trade a second rounder and a veteran starter to Green Bay for Matt Flynn and pick up Justin Blackmon with the number six.  Sounds like a step in the right direction to me.  Let’s see if “Shanny” agrees.

Without a doubt, this is exactly where the 2012 NFL Draft could get quite interesting.  With the Bucs not yet deciding on who will be the next head coach of the squad, this team could lean in a few different directions.  Tampa Bay is an interesting case because of the drastic regression that took place this year.  At 10 – 6, the Bucs barely missed the playoffs last year and looked primed to be a force for years to come with the blossoming of Quarterback Josh Freeman, Wideouts Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn, Running Back LeGarrett Blount and an impressive young defensive line with the likes of Gerald McCoy and Brian Price.  Add in a few quality vets, Ronde Barber, Kellen Winslow, Aqib Talib and a solid veteran offensive line and it definitely seemed as though Raheem Morris had job security for years to come.

But as the saying goes, that’s why they play the games.  Tampa Bay completely fell apart this season.  There were injury issues – McCoy, Freeman and Blount all missed time.  There was regression -  Freeman did not look like the same player. Mike Williams was pretty much terrible for the majority of the season.  Blount looked slow at times and, without a quality change of pace back, his smash mouth style becomes a little less productive.  On top of all that, the Bucs simply lost focus this year and Raheem Morris did nothing to right the ship.

Morris went from an up and coming coach of the year candidate to a flash in the pan has been.  He looked like a deer in headlights for most of the season, ending 10 game losing streak.  He lost his team and it was very apparent.  It is pertinent that this franchise find a steady and stern hand to lead this team, otherwise they potentially could lose a great foundation to poor teaching and execution.  There are rumors that Tampa is looking for a “name” coach – someone who has led a pro team before and succeeded.

So, as an avid football enthusiast, I have to laugh out loud at some of the names on their list.  Brad Childress?  Really?  If it weren’t for Brett Favre’s ridiculous 2010 season, “Chilly” could probably make most “worst coaches that kept their jobs much longer than they ever should have” lists.  His players didn’t like him and, from the sounds of it, didn’t trust him either.  Is that really what the Glazers want for their young nucleus?  I wouldn’t.

Another name is Mike Sherman.  The former Green Bay Packers and Texas A&M head man was never a standout.  In my opinion, most of his success at the pro level can be directly linked to Mike Holmgren and Brett Favre.   At the college level, he could never turn the corner with a name program located in one of the most football rich states in the country – unnacceptable for a man who should’ve been able to sell kids on the fact that he knew what it would take to get to the next level.  Didn’t happnen at A&M.  He is not the answer for Tampa Bay.

Wade Phillips is an amazing defensive mind.  He has been a successful coordinator at more than one stop.  He changed the culture of the Houston Texans defense in only one season and they spent most of the year without their best defensive player, Mario Williams.  My only problem with Phillips is that he is not a head coach.  While he has had mild success in the position, he doesn’t seem to have the makeup of a head guy.  I don’t see him being a good fit for this Bucs team.  The last name out there is probably the most intriguing.

Marty Schottenheimer.  He’s been a winner.  He’s done well grooming young, talented Quarterbacks.  But, you’ve got to wonder if he’s been away to long or if the game has started to pass him by.  If I were running the show in Tampa, I’d be on the phone with Brian Billick. The former Baltimore Ravens coach would be a good fit, in my eyes.  He’s a stickler for the rules, an aggressive offensive mind, and has a Super Bowl ring. Those are the kind of things that could make this team special.  Will it happen?  Probably not.  For some reason it feels like this job will be given to either Phillips or Childress.  I may be wrong in saying this, but it seems that neither would push this team to where they want to go – to a Super Bowl.  That said, if the choice comes down to those two, Phillips should be the guy.  I’m sure many Bucs fans feel me on this one.

But what do they do for the draft?  Justin Blackmon of Oklahoma St. would give them a hell of a talent at wide-out.  But, can they invest such a high pick on a position filled with plenty of young talent already?  How about Morris Claiborne of LSU?  The Bucs would love it if he fell to them.  Ronde Barber is getting near the end of a great career and lord only knows when Aqib Talib and his Momma will get into another shootout with the general public.  Claiborne could step right in and solidify one side of the defensive backfield for years to come.  The only problem with Claiborne is, I have a good feeling he’ll be gone by the time the Bucs pick.  If not, he’ll don the pewter next season.  So who do they take if Claiborne is gone?

Like I said earlier, Blackmon is a possibility, though unlikely with so many young wideouts.  Trent Richardson of Alabama might pique some interest, but isn’t really the change of pace guy that Tampa needs.  If Blount weren’t the other back on the roster, it would make more sense.  It’s possible the Bucs could attempt to replace the ever nuclear Jeremy Trueblood with a player like Riley Reiff out of Iowa.  He would be a great fit for their scheme and grades out as a player who could walk right in a be a solid, maybe even spectacular decade long type of bookend.

As you can see, the Bucs have a multitude of options at the number five slot.  This franchise has the potential to jump right back into playoff contention if the right coaching staff is put into place.  The number five pick could end up being simply the cherry on top of a good situation.  I know you Bucs fans are hoping it goes that easily.