New QB will boost Va. Tech's offense
BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) -- The way Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer sees things, he and his coaches didn't have much choice but to give Tyrod Taylor a chance to play.
In an uninspired season-opening victory against East Carolina, and then a 48-7 loss at No. 2 LSU last Saturday night, quarterback Sean Glennon's inability to run for yards when none seemed available only magnified the offensive line's troubles.
The freshman Taylor showed within minutes of replacing Glennon against the Tigers that he has that knack, and Beamer knew he needed to make a switch, and soon.
"There's no question we need to get our running game going," Beamer said. "We feel like this is the direction that we need to go in. This is not easy for us."
Since his four turnovers in the second half of the Chick-fil-A Bowl allowed Georgia to rally to win last January, Glennon has worked to increase his speed and mobility, to develop relationships with his receivers and to win over the trust of the team.
The job, quarterback coach Mike O'Cain said before the season, was his, and the Hokies coaches hoped to be able to redshirt Taylor and let him learn the offense.
However, Glennon has struggled with his accuracy and been an easy target for pass rushers.
Taylor is expected to minimize the line's deficiencies, and maybe even help tailback Branden Ore get untracked. Branden Ore has just 98 yards rushing in two games.
"You've got two guys that can run in the backfield," Beamer said. "It keeps the whole group up there (on defense) more honest. I think it helps that situation."
Against LSU, Taylor had four runs of 10 yards or more, including a 23-yarder.
Players understand the situation and are ready to move on with Taylor. Eddie Royal, a teammate of Glennon's since high school, even compared Taylor to former Hokies quarterback Marcus Vick.
"It's kind of scary how much Tyrod reminds us of Marcus back there, the way he throws the ball," he said. "He brings a certain type of swagger to the offense.
"You know that you can win behind this guy."
Taylor, though, wants none of being "the next" talk.
"I know there's going to be a lot of comparisons between me and other quarterbacks that have come through here," he said. "I'm just trying make my name and play my game.
"(I'm an) athletic quarterback that can scramble and throw the football."
That's exactly why it's his turn to be the starter.
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