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Chat Reel: Frank Beamer

Frank Beamer expects a better Michael Vick

Frank Beamer expects great things from Michael Vick. Doug Pensinger/Allsport

CNNSI Host: Thank you for joining our college football chat with Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer. Welcome Coach Beamer.
Frank Beamer: Thank you. I'm glad to be here.

From Rob Werstler in Austin, Texas: First, let me clarify that I am a FSU grad, and attended the Sugar Bowl. Your game plan was excellent, and I was extremely impressed with the Tech fans. I would like to know if you feel Michael Vick will have the outstanding season in 2000 that he had in 1999? How has he matured? I sure hope we do not have to play you again!
Frank Beamer: I think Michael Vick will a better QB this year than he was last year. I not sure the stats will be as good as last year -- because his supporting cast is different and where we play the same teams is different. I think with experience he will get through his pass progression quicker, and will be better at making decisions. I think he is the same guy we had last year. I think we have a very levelheaded QB.

From Mike Lambrechts in Ashburn, Va.: Do you feel that rivalries are starting to develop in the Big East?
Frank Beamer: Without question. Miami and Virginia Tech is getting to be a heated game. When you go to the Big East media day, the two teams that are mentioned most often are Miami and Virginia Tech. West Virginia and Virginia Tech has always been a big game. Syracuse and Tech has been a great rivalry the last few years.

From Guest: After reading the Sports Illustrated and ESPN The Magizine articles, it sounds like if Micheal Vick has another good year that he will go pro. Do you have any other insight on this?
Frank Beamer: It's my understanding that Michael Vick plans to be here for three more years. I met with him yesterday, and I think that's the way it's going to be. I think Vick would tell you that.

From Guest: Coach, we've had a great track record of keeping our coaches. How long will it last? Will they be getting pay raises each year that will assist in keeping the current staff intact?
Frank Beamer: I don't know why it would not last. I think we've got the potential to win. I think we recruit well and our facilities are as good as any in the country. It's a good place to live. We pay fairly well. So I don't know why it would change.

From Guest: How is the receiver corps this year? Will people be able to beat the corners of the different teams?
Frank Beamer: I think the receiver corps is probably a big, big question mark. Andre Davis is a guy who had a great year last year. We'd like to get him out deep, more. We think Emmet Johnson has great ability. We think he has to have a heck of a year. Ernest Wilford is a 6-5 kid with great ability, but how well he can play remains to be seen. But I think when you look overall at our receiver group, it has got some talent. But how well they're going to play remains the question.

From Guest: You have to play Georgia Tech, Akron, and East Carolina in a span of 12 days. How have you prepared for this to start your season?
Frank Beamer: We've got it very well planned out how we're going to do it each day. How we're going to plan for each game. We're going to be as well prepared as we can. Two of the three are on national TV, and two of three are in Blacksburg, so I think that helps.

From Jason: Is the hype surrounding Nathaniel Adibi all it's cracked up to be? After all, the last time we saw a big name redshirt freshman put on a Hokie uniform the guy ended up carrying you to the national championship game.
Frank Beamer: I think he's for real. He's a redshirt freshman. How he plays remains to be seen. He's got speed. He's got strength, and he's a very smart guy, very intelligent. He's a winning type kid.

From Jeff: It seems that everyone is worried about Virginia Tech's defense. Although we lost a couple of great players in Corey Moore and John Engleberger, don't you feel that these players are more a product of the system than just having raw talent alone? Don't you believe that keeping the coaching staff intact outweighs the loss of some key players?
Frank Beamer: I think we've got a great coaching staff, and we have some good players, we just don't have the experience. When you talk about Moore and Engleberger, you're talking about guys who just turned the game around. I'm not sure we have any one player like that this year.
Frank Beamer: But I'm hoping this team will come together and play well.

CNNSI Host: Coach Beamer, thanks for joining us today.
Frank Beamer: Thanks so much for having me.

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