Monday Afternoon Press Conference Recap: William and Mary

The first game week press conference of the 2014 season was this afternoon. Frank Beamer, Michael Brewer, Willie Byrn and Luther Maddy all spoke to the media. If there was a consistent theme of every conversation, it was how deep and talented William and Mary is all over the field, and how no one would be overlooking the Tribe even as Ohio State looms on the schedule after it.

While a lot of it was stuff that's already been discussed, there were some interesting tidbits dropped here and there.

Beamer said that Trey Edmunds is still not all the way back from his broken leg, something that has been speculated for over a week.

"Trey, he's got to work his way back into totally full speed," Beamer said. "And he's worked hard, and he's the greatest kid ever, good for the football team.

"And he had a tough, tough injury, and as hard as he's worked I just don't quite see the quickness. He had about four carries [during Friday's scrimmage] and I just wanted him to break a tackle, or make a guy miss. You know, he's just got to work his way back. Until then, and he's going to get some reps, I'm probably going to have him on kickoff coverage just to get him back involved with the ballgame and keep on running and so forth. And I think that's the best way for him to stay active and keep on getting better."

Beamer said that J.C. Coleman will get the start on Saturday, with Shai McKenzie, Joel Caleb and Marshawn Williams all having a role. A name interestingly not on that list? Recently moved freshman Travon McMillian.

Beamer's still not sure whether or not McMillian will see the field, not just on week one but for the entire season.

"The verdict's still out. He's probably going to dress, and maybe not play, and kind of see [...] One injury to J.C. Coleman, you know you'd want him right back in.

"Right now it's a hard thing because you sure don't know how injuries are going to go, but you've got to be able to project a guy five games from now and where he is. [You have to] Make sure you get him enough plays. He's a talent, he's a fast guy and a talent, but we're not sure about his participation yet."

As far as depth on the offensive line, Beamer said that converted walk-on Wade Hansen is the next guy up at the tackle spot and that Wyatt Teller, despite not winning a starting job at guard, will still see the field.

"He's going to get in there," Beamer said of Teller, "he's still learning but he looks the part. We've got several offensive lineman that look exactly what you want an offensive lineman to look like. Now we've just got to get them playing like what you want in an offensive line. [Teller]'s one of them. He's working hard though, and before it's over he's going to be very, very good."

As far as the heated kicker battle goes, it looks like true freshman Michael Santamaria will be the placekicker on Saturday but Beamer emphasized that the battle has been extremely close between Santamaria and fellow true freshman Carson Wise. The third true freshman, Joey Slye, may handle long field goals and potentially kickoffs, according to Beamer.

Brewer learned just before everyone else that he was going to be the starting quarterback. He was informed during a meeting with Beamer and Scot Loeffler early afternoon on Saturday.

Much was made of receiver Isaiah Ford cracking the top of the depth chart this weekend, and Brewer was very complimentary of the freshman.

"He takes coaching well," Brewer said. "A lot of times freshmen get yelled at and they kind of go into a shell, and they're not really able to rebound. Isaiah's done a really good job of taking coaching and going out there and doing what he's been told and producing. He's got very good ball skills, when the ball is in the air he does a really good job of coming down with it and making plays with the ball in his hands."

Last year Loeffler set very specific goals for Logan Thomas, to throw fewer than five interceptions and complete 62 percent of his passes. Does Brewer have similar goals set for him?

"Everybody's got personal goals and team goals. Right now for me individually, the only goal that I have is to help this team win football games on a consistent basis, and not overlook anybody. Going into each week confident in the game plan that we have and knowing that we can compete, and getting wins."

As the season draws ever so close, I think most Tech fans would feel good about Brewer if he achieves those goals.