By Adam Kilgore
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, August 10, 2008

BLACKSBURG, Aug. 9 -- Sean Glennon had just finished discussing Virginia Tech's quarterback competition, the topic that has defined his career and will define his senior season. A photographer at Saturday's media day asked Glennon if he could snap some pictures of him with Tyrod Taylor, the player he has been trying to stave off for one full season and one week of preseason practice.

Glennon turned around. "T," he said, waving Taylor over. They stood face to face, slightly angled, letting the camera flashes bounce off their glares like two posing boxers promoting a fight.

One week into its preseason practice, Virginia Tech has made little progress in deciding whether Glennon or Taylor -- or both -- will play quarterback. Glennon was asked how much feedback he has received about his potential playing time.

"None," he said. "Zero."

"I guess it would be nice to have a little peace of mind," Glennon said. "But to be honest, I ain't worried about it. I have faith that I'm going to be out there.

"It is a little weird to be a two-year starter and still have your job in question. But a part of college football is you always have talented people coming from behind you. Tyrod's a talented person. That's my job now, to keep a talented player off the field."

Should Glennon earn the position outright, redshirting Taylor would seem an option. Taylor, though, said coaches have not approached him about that possibility, and he has given it no thought. Sharing the position remains an option, a prospect both Glennon and Taylor greeted with a whatever's-best-for-the-team approach. Both also said they would prefer to be the full-time starter.

Glennon is approaching practice as if he is the unquestioned starter, no matter how unfamiliar that notion may be for him. As a sophomore, he beat out Ike Whitaker and Cory Holt, only to spend last season going from starter to Taylor's backup to, finally, co-signal caller.

"I guess this is how it is," Glennon said. "I've never had a spare moment to relax. My job has never been written in stone. Although it may make you lose a few hairs at night, it's made me a better quarterback.

"I've grown up a lot. I think I'm pretty mature for my age. . . . Life's full of disappointments, criticisms, ups and downs. I've gone to the highest of highs, I've gone to the lowest of lows. My parents kept telling me: 'Get used to it. That's how life is.' So I think I've experienced a lot for a 22-year-old."

Redshirt sophomore Zach Luckett caught just two passes in 2007 and exhibited lackluster focus during his first two seasons, a fact he freely admits. With the Hokies entering this season needing to replace their top four wide receivers, Luckett improved his weightlifting and practice habits.

"I feel a lot more focused," Luckett said. "Sitting back behind a couple guys on the depth chart, I don't feel like I was as focused as I am now. I get to play now. I've got that fire back in me. I would go out to practice, and I didn't work on my game as I should have done. I feel more confident out there right now. Before I didn't feel as confident."

Defensive coordinator Bud Foster designated senior defensive end Orion Martin -- a division I-AA transfer turned walk-on turned two-year starter -- as the player who will carry Virginia Tech's famed lunch pail to practice. The move stung senior cornerback Victor "Macho" Harris, who returned as the most nationally recognizable Hokie after flirting with the NFL draft.

"I can't question the coach's decision," Harris said. "I'm hurt by it. I'm hurt by that. That's one thing I wanted, because I had it when I was a sophomore. I was the only sophomore to have it after a game."

Said Foster: "Macho thought it was going to be him. Orion's the guy that does things consistently right, all the time, everything he does. He deserved that deal. . . . Our kids respect him. Not that they don't respect Macho. Orion, when he does speak, people listen."