BeamerBall.com Chat with Offensive Line Coach Curt Newsome
Tuesday, 2/19/08, 7 pm - 8 pm eastern
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Welcome to our "Live" chat with Virginia Tech's Offensive Line coach,
Curt Newsome.
Coach Newsome is now ready to answer your questions. Email your questions to
webhost@beamerball.com and be sure to include your name and hometown.
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Question: Coach, I have heard that the offensive lineman that were in Tech's
program when you took over as O-line coach, were not the type of lineman that
you were used to working with. I was wondering if that were true, and if so,
what type of player you like to have on your O-line. Also, how is your coaching
strategy different from our O-line coaches of the past. Thank you.
Jason Young
Chester, Virginia
Class of ‘98
Curt Newsome: When I first got to Virginia Tech, we had some older guys. Some
fifth year seniors who hadn't played, and we also had some younger guys. We
were a bigger group than what I was used to. What we're looking for now as an
offensive staff is a more athletic group. Now, let's be clear, I'm not saying
anything negative about those guys. They were a good group of young men who
cared, the worked hard and they did their best. So, the direction we want now
is to make sure that we're very athletic up front. As far as strategy, I work
closely with Coach Stinespring on that. My strategy is to make sure that you
get the best out of them every day. We don't have a problem with that. I'm tough
on those guys on the practice field because I want to make sure that nobody
out works us.
Question: It looks like there won't be some of our usual starters on the offensive
line participating during Spring Training (Shuman), and we have graduated two
(Duane Brown and Matt Welsh). This leaves a lot of space open for some "not
so well known" linemen to step up. Who are you expecting to step up and prove
themselves this spring? Andrew, Springfield
Curt Newsome: With Shuman out for the spring, that allows Beau Warren to continue
to get work at center. We're going to check some things out this spring. We're
going to move Sergio Render to tackle to get some depth at that position. That
will give us a chance to take a look at Jaymes Brooks and Will Alvarez and others
inside. This spring is going to be very important to a lot of these linemen.
I'm really excited about seeing Blake DeChristopher get his reps at tackle.
We're counting on a lot of those young guys so I'm expecting them to step forward
and take control this spring.
Question: First of all, I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU to Coach Newsome
from all Virginia Tech Hokie Fans!!! Tech fans know Coach (Jim) Cavanaugh is
usually the top recruiter but after reading all the recruiting profiles of this
years players it looks like you were a big factor in bringing in a large portion
of this nationally ranked top 20 class.
After watching high school film of your 2008 offensive line recruiting class
plus watching your 2007 offensive line recruiting class develop over the past
year does Virginia Tech have the possibility of going three deep at offensive
line this year after just barely having enough to go two deep at offensive line
last year? Who impressed you the most from last year to this year of the non-starting
offensive linemen.
Hokie Fan,
Nate Jones
Curt Newsome: I don't think we were truly 2-deep a year ago. If you can truly
go 2-deep, you'll be very sound. At the very minimum, I think we'll be able
to go 2-deep. I'll have high expectations for these guys. To answer the rest
of your question, I think Blake DeChristopher is everything we thought he was
going to be. Blake is athletic and strong and he's going to be a good football
player. Jaymes Brooks is a physical guy with a lot of fast twitch. Will Alvarez
is another guy who is turning out to be what we thought he would. Listen, in
my opinion, if you've signed a great offensive lineman, a great one, he starts
his redshirt sophomore year. That's his third year. That's the situation you
want to get into. Usually, if they have to step in and start before that, it's
because you're not good enough. Of course, in a rare occassion you could have
signed a mega-star who's ready to play in a year, but they are few and far between.
Usually, if you're rushing a guy to the field, it's more to do with filling
holes than it is his talent. If you can get three years out of those guys, you've
done a good job recruiting.
Question: It appears we didn't lose a large amount of players along the offensive
line to graduation, however we did lose a huge piece to the puzzle at left tackle.
Do you envision trying Ed Wang out there to replace Duane Brown in an attempt
to get our five best lineman on the field at once?
Thanks,
David Blanton
Curt Newsome: Very good question. Actually, that's the route we're going to
take. We're going to try Ed Wang at left tackle. Ed is a very good athlete with
very good feet for a big man. I think Ed will do just fine. I really enjoying
coaching him. He has a lot of "want to." Ed is going to do whatever
is best for the team. Duane Brown actually did this for us. He played one year
at right tackle and then shifted to left tackle for us.
Question: It looks like you came on strong at the end in the recruitment of
Joe Jones. How did you turn that around?
Mike Crane
Newport News, VA
Curt Newsome: We were worried about him. He had a very good visit to Georgia Tech and a good visit to Maryland. We thought he had a good visit to our place, but I really wasn't sure. I do know that his mom wanted him to come to Virginia Tech and I'm sure that had a lot of influence. I was in his school as he was about to decide, and I was actually a little bit surprised with his decision. I wished him the best of luck and thought that we finished third. But, I continued to recruit him like we were going to get him. When his mom called and told me he was coming to Virginia Tech, I was very excited because we need some good defensive ends and he's a good one.
Question: We understand that Charlie Weiss and the Notre Dame staff is coming
to VT. But, is VT's offensive staff planning on making any visits elsewhere?
Rich Bell
Charlottesville, VA
Curt Newsome: The offensive staff is planning on visiting with West Virginia and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The offensive line coach with the Steelers is a good friend of mine. And, Mike Tomlin and I have a connection. Pittsburgh was one of the better teams at running the zone play and we want to know more about that. West Virginia does some things well in their run game that we're interested in. You always come away with something.
Question: Any chance that Sergio Render will be your starter at right tackle
this fall?
Thanks Coach Newsome!
Travis Bryant
Atlanta, GA
Curt Newsome: Well, that depends on how Blake DeChristopher matures. I feel really good about Blake, but we'll see how it goes this spring. We need to develop some depth at tackle and we really have a lot of confidence in Sergio. He's an older guy and I'm not afraid to put more on his plate.
Name: Brandon Carroll
Hometown: Poolesville, Maryland
Current Sophomore at Virginia Tech, Finance Major
Hey Coach,
What is your biggest concern on the line for next year?
Thanks Coach,
Brandon Carroll
VT ‘10
Curt Newsome: Replacing Duane Brown. He was a very solid player and a great leader for us. I think we have guys who can step into that role, but thinking they can do it, and actually doing it are two different things. So, heading into spring, I'm looking for a left tackle and to develop depth at tackle overall.
Question: Is there any consideration of trying any of the current offensive
linemen at defensive tackle this spring?
Dave Hankla
Orange Park, Florida
Curt Newsome: Well, spring is when you do your experimentation. So, you could see guys trying out at other positions all over the field. Offensive and defensive lines included. So, to answer your question, it might happen, I don't know that it will, but spring is when you tinker with things like that.
Can you tell us any interesting stories from this years' recruiting trail?
Phillip Wade
Salem, VA
Class of 2000
Curt Newsome: Ha ha ha.....well...we had a lot of battles. But, overall, the biggest thing is that we won some big recruiting battles late in the process. And, these were players that we really wanted. We weren't just trying to fill out a class at the last minute, we were already full. We targeted these players and were determined to make room if we landed them.
Question: Is there an ideal weight range for each position on the offensive
line?
David
Richmond, Va
Curt Newsome: I think we're actually a little too heavy in some spots along our line. We're weighing our linemen now twice a week to get some extra weight off these guys. I want to make sure they can move their feet. We can't sacrifice quickness for bulk.
Which OL from last year's freshman class can we expect to have the biggest
impact on the field this fall?
Thanks,
David
Curt Newsome: Well, it's not just one. Blake DeChristopher and Jaymes Brooks are showing that they'll have a chance to help us in the fall. Will Alvarez is just a bit behind those guys because he missed some time, but, that's something he can make up this spring. Those three are the ones that I think are just a little ahead of the rest. Blake is projecting at tackle, Brooks and Alvarez at guard.
Question: You appear to be an anomaly in some respects. You are anxious before
games to the point of losing your lunch, but, when it comes to recruiting you
seem to be energetic and eat other peoples lunch.
Can you explain the difference and why you are a high energy recruiter?
David Bowman
Richmond, Virginia
Curt Newsome: I enjoy interacting with high school students. It's something I've done my entire life, I truly enjoy it, and I think that's the reason it comes easy to me. As far as losing my lunch before games, that's always come easy as well.
Coach Newsome,
Of all the offensive lines coaches in the country today, who are some of those whose work you most admire and why?
Bryan Taliaferro
Center Cross, VA
Curt Newsome: I've always respected Larry Zeurline who's currently with the Pittsburgh Steelers. I've worked with him a great deal over the years. I think he really gets his guys to play hard. Of course, fundamentals are number one, but getting those guys to play hard is what it's all about. On the offensive line, you don't have to run a 4.3 forty, but you have to be a competitor and you have to be a workaholic. Motivating anybody to excel is always the challenge.
Question: What does Aaron Brown need to work on most to see significant playing
time at tackle this fall?
George Norton
Blacksburg
Curt Newsome: This is a very important spring for Aaron Brown. I hope all of these players know that playing time is on the line. This spring will be crucial for Aaron as well as many other players. We're finally getting depth along the line and with depth comes competition. So, I'm approaching this spring with a "show me" attitude. I'm expecting these guys to separate themselves from one another. They all know what's on the line.
Question: What's the biggest difference between coaching the line at I-AA and
I-A?
Jim Weinacker
Foley, AL
Curt Newsome: The people we're blocking! Ha ha. The schemes and blitzes and much of that is the same, but, those players in those schemes are completely different. Coaching is coaching. My job is to get them to play to the best of their abilities.
Question: Is anybody making a drastic improvement in the weight room?
Mike DeVito
Nashville, TN
Curt Newsome: I really think that Richard Graham is making the biggest improvement. He's up to 295 pounds and he's had a great offseason. Sergio is evolving as the leader of this group. I like what I'm seeing from him. Ryan Shuman, even though he's bouncing back from injuries, is taking it to another level. I think he's ready to take over a leadership role as well.
Question: It appears you guys threw Beau Warren into the fire this past fall. Any regrets?
Mike Young
Daleville, VA
Curt Newsome: Well, Beau's a fighter and he stepped up to the challenge and did everything we asked of him. He's very athletic and competitive and very intelligent. He's what you're looking for at center. His future is bright. Now, do I regret having to play him this early? Well, unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world. Beau came to Virginia Tech to play football and we needed him to play football and that's that.
Question: I read your answer about Aaron Brown and was wondering if Brandon
Holland is also a player who needs to have a big spring?
Thanks for your time. You're doing a great job for Virginia Tech!
Mike Tolley
Roanoke, VA
Curt Newsome: It's a huge spring for Brandon as well. He's off to a good start. He's dropped 11-pounds and that shows me he's taking this seriously. Brandon has shown flashes. He played well this past season in the game with UNC. But, he's also done some things that made me come unglued. So, what I must see from him is consistency. He knows it. We've talked about it and it's his time to get it done.
Coach, what characteristics and abilities do you look for in an OL recruit?
Sam Sweeney
Class of 92
Cape Charles, VA
Curt Newsome: When we watch the tape, the first thing I watch is from the waist down to see how they move their feet. From there, I want to see if they can maintain their block following the initial contact. One thing that's hard to evaluate at the high school level is the pass protection. So, we feel that we can teach the pass blocking once they get to us, so what I'm really looking for is athletic feet and ability, and aggressiveness.
8:00pm - That's ends our session with Curt Newsome. Thank you very much for your emails and participation. We appreciate your continued support and will have another "Live Chat" very soon to continue to provide you direct access to Frank Beamer and his football program at Virginia Tech!