BeamerBall.com Chat with VT Quarterback Tyrod Taylor

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12:00 Welcome to this afternoon's chat with Tyrod Taylor. Tyrod has joined us and we're not ready for your questions.

I've noticed that you're very involved as a host during the recruiting process. Do you enjoy this? Or, do you see it more as part of your duty to the program?

Hope you have a monster 2008 season!

Tim Boone
Queens, NY

Taylor: I enjoy the hosting during recruiting. It's fun to meet the younger guys and show them all the great things about the school and the program. Also, I think it is part of my duty. We all have to help continue to get quality players into the program. Again, I enjoy it.

Have you made much progress in the weight room this winter? Have you put on weight/muscle?
What are some of your numbers from the weight room?

Mark Gallagher
Lexington, KY

Taylor: I've gained some pounds. I'm almost 6'2", 214-pounds. I max benched 315-lbs, my front squat was 365-lbs, power cleaned 291-lbs and my push jerk was 294. When I first came in, I benched 285-lbs. This summer, I weighed 198-lbs. I feel much stronger. I haven't lost any speed. I think I got banged up a little because I didn't get through Coach Gentry's program before the season. I'm sure I'll be much more durable this go round.

First of all I would like to offer congratulations on a good first season. I would like to know if there are some plays or schemes that you have seen other teams run that you would like to incorporate into the current playbook that Virginia Tech? If so what team stands out and do you bring those suggestions to the coaches to try implement them?
Dwayne Hurt
Panama City,Fl

Taylor: I've been focusing on learning all the plays we already have in our playbook. I only had about 80% of the offense this past fall. I like the spread, and we have a lot of that in the offense and I'm sure we'll be working on it this spring. I like to have a balanced offensive approach. It keeps the defense on their toes.

We love watching you play football, but what are your academic interests? Do you have any other unique interests or talents that VT fans might not know about?
Todd and Shelley Pittman
Floyd, VA by way of the 757. Original P-Town Homeboy

Taylor: I haven't picked a major yet. I think I'll end up in business. I don't think the fans know that I love to play basketball. Our team just won the intramural championship. I'm proud of that. Kam Chancellor and Zach Luckett were also on the team. They only allow us to have three varsity athletes on one squad. I've thought about trying to play both football and basketball here at Virginia Tech. That's something that I'll explore further down the road. It's always nice to get support from all the fans and especially those good people from the 757.

Do you have a girlfriend? Also, what type of women do you find interesting?
I hope you remember me from our class together this fall!
Your biggest fan -

Taylor Young
VT ‘10

Taylor: Right now, I don't have anyone that I would consider to be a girlfriend. It's really difficult to maintain a serious relationship with all the time I have to put toward football and school. What type of women do I like? Well, she needs to be smart, classy, dress well and handle herself well in all situations.

What aspect of your game have you been working on this off-season? Do you currently have a favorite receiver going into spring practice?
Dan Bittner
Class of 2004
Bellevue,WA

Taylor: I've been working on getting a better read of the defense and knowing where to go with the football. I really don't have a favorite receiver. Maybe one will emerge by the end of the spring. Right now, I'm just trying to work as hard as I can with all the receivers to try and get all of us better.

Any chance you take a redshirt this year if you are not the clear leader going in to the fall? I hope not. Also, will we see you run some of the same spread offense that West Virginia runs since the coaches from WVU spent time with the VT staff earlier this year.
Thanks for your time and have a happy Easter.
David Whitt
Richmond , VA

Taylor: I haven't really given any thought to red-shirting. My goal is to emerge from this spring the starting quarterback at Virginia Tech. I enjoy the spread, but, my job is to run whatever plays the coaches call.

Great first season Tyrod and we're all proud to have you representing Va Tech!
What has been the hardest adjustment to make coming to Va Tech?
Best of luck and keep up the good work!
Bob Nixon
Nashville

Taylor: The hardest thing has been the academic load. Being an athlete, you really have to learn how to manage your time. I'd say that time management has been the most challenging aspect so far.

I am sure this question will be asked many times over the course of the next few months. What effect will the departure of Branden Ore have on the team in general and do you think the other running backs can step up and meet the challenge of taking up the slack he has left? Thanks and I sure as heck hope you stay healthy this year. I am thinking MNC run in 2009. Good Luck
Roy Lovern

Taylor: It's tough to lose a player like Branden Ore. He was really helping our younger backs learn the offense. We'll really miss him because he's a heck of a player. But, turnover is a part of college football and I'm confident that we have enough talent in our backfield to get the job done. It'll be interesting to watch this spring and see exactly which tailbacks rise to the top.

What's up Ty, this question is from Rock 21# father Big Rock: Ty do you plan on changing your game a little so you don't take as many hits when you run, we love to see you run but prefer you to go out of bounds or slide.
Go Hokies
Big Rock #21

Taylor: Nice to hear from you Mr. Carmichael. I don't plan on taking as many hits as I took last year. I'll get to the sideline, or, I'll slide or lunge for extra yardage. But, it's important that I stay healthy, because I can't help the team when I'm injured. I don't plan on playing scared or anything like that, but I will play smart.

Since there seems to be a little bit more confidence with the o-line this year going into spring and we have a lot of new players on offense around you. Is there any formation that you wish Stinespring would incorporate a little more often that you enjoy that would benefit some of the new players we have?

Travis Feltner
Christiansburg, Va

Taylor: I think our offensive line will be very versatile. We'll be much deeper and I think we'll be able to run the ball better and throw it better as well. Again, I think an offense has to have balance. So, these linemen will have to be able to maintain their run blocks and pass protect and I'm confident that we have the guys to get it done.

Tyrod,

I'm a big fan of Sam Wheeler. But it looks like he not recovering as fast as we'd like. What's going on with your tight end and do you think he'll have to red-shirt this fall?

Will Pratt
Vinton, VA

Taylor: Sam is working hard and he's making strides. It's tough to come back from a knee injury like that, but right now, he plans on being on the field this fall. I have my fingers crossed for him.

Coach Beamer has hinted at some type of uniform changes this fall. Would you and the rest of the team like to see uniform changes? And, if so, how much does stuff like that matter to the players?

John Owen
Scottsville, VA

Taylor: I've heard some rumors, but I don't have any details. I like the uniforms that we have now. I'm not really all that concerned about the uniforms. If you play well, the uniforms will look good. If you don't play well, they'll look bad.

Who is your greatest role model?

David Bowman
Richmond, Virginia

Taylor: Other than my parents, I'd say Ronald Curry. I like the way he handles himself on and off the field. You never hear about him being in trouble. He's classy and he's professional. I like the way he operates. He stayed in touch with me during the season and I appreciate that.

Other than football, what is your favorite thing about Virginia Tech?

Brett Conner
VT ‘89

Taylor: Being a fan of Virginia Tech basketball. I grew up a UNC fan, and I still consider the Heels to be my team, but I'm loving Coach Greenberg and the Hokies as well. I'm friends with the guys on the team, especially Jeff Allen and some of the younger guys. I really enjoy meeting all of the interesting people here at Virginia Tech. It's a great place to go to school.

From the time you set foot on campus last summer, up to today, do you think you are mentally
and physically prepared to lead this Team into battle, every down, with a positive result?

David Bowman
Richmond, VA

Taylor: Sure I do. You have to have confidence in your abilities to succeed at whatever you do. I think you have to make sure that you're prepared. I'm working hard to be prepared. And, that will allow me to be confident on the field.

VT has a difficult road schedule in 2008. Do you like playing on the road in front of hostile crowds?

Jenny Arthur
Catawba, VA

Taylor: Playing home or away doesn't really matter. I just look forward to getting on the field and competing. Lane Stadium is so loud, that when you do get to a crazy stadium on the road, you're already used to the noise.

My son thinks you're awesome. He's doing that circle motion thing that you do around your ears after a big play. What is that? What does it mean?

Just bought him a #5 jersey.

Jim Starke
Manakin, VA

Taylor: Ha ha ha.....well....when I first did it, it really didn't have a meaning, but, now we've decided that things are getting crazy, or that, we're going crazy on the field. It's meant to be fun for me and my teammates. I didn't make it up. I think the first person who did it was Josh Morgan, but I picked it up from Rashard Carmichael.

BeamerBall.com: Has an official ever said anything to you about doing that gesture?

Taylor: Not to me, but they said something to Coach Beamer about it and he told us to knock it off. Then, in the UVA game, the UVA players started doing it to us in a mocking fashion, so we started it back up.

12:55 We'll have to stop our chat now. Tyrod Taylor has to get back to class. Anything that you'd like to say directly to the fans?

Taylor: I really appreciate all the questions. I'm excited about this spring and I know I speak for myself and all my teammates when I say that we're all excited about al the support that you fans continue to give us.

BeamerBall.com: That concludes our session with Tyrod Taylor. Make sure that you're signed up for BeamerBall.com as Spring 2008 approaches. You don't want to miss the oustanding inside coverage! Thanks for your support!