Friday Q&A, April 25, 2014

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1) What is the most useful Spring Game format of them all? 1’s vs. 1’s, 2’s vs. 2’s, etc.? Mixed squads? A draft or lottery feature? Other?

Chris Coleman: In the first Spring Game I attended (1999), it was first team vs. second team, and the second stringers were spotted 17 points or so. However, that format morphed into splitting the starters in half, and I didn’t like that format at all.

While the Spring Game is entertainment for the fans, it should be treated as an opportunity to get better by the players and coaches. Splitting the starting offense in half between two teams limits your ability to get better. For example, if the Hokies split their starting offensive line in half tomorrow, we could find walk-on Marcus Mapp in the starting lineup for one of the teams if Alston Smith and Augie Conte (injuries) can’t play.

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