(09-01-2013 11:23 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  Others, including DD, have put it well. There seems to be a lack of playmakers on offense at this point. As I said, Dae'quan to me, looks heavy at this point. He's carrying about 220 pounds or so on a 5-7 frame. I think in time that Rashard Davis has a chance to become an impactful player. While quite small, he's a burner and seems to have good hands. Quentin Hunter showed some good things last night, but is probably more of a possession receiver (which is fine). Later on, hopefully, Daniel Brown will re-join the team. Perhaps the most impressive athlete I saw on the JMU team last night was Taylor Reynolds. I almost thought that they should make him a wide receiver after watching that return. He's a bit raw right now, both in coverage and in tackling, but can certainly make highlight reel plays. Another supposed great athlete, Lafonte Thoroughgood, has also been moved to defense. Personally, I'd like to see what he can do as a running back.

With respect to the pass rush, JMU had the same issue last year....couldn't pressure the QB without blitzing. And this year many of their d-lineman missed training camp with minor leg injuries.

Last point: CCSU was known for having a spaghetti defense that allowed something like 37 or 38 points a game last year. You'd expect the Dukes to eat that up (pun intended).

He's listed at 5'9", 215...

(09-01-2013 08:34 AM)Potomac Wrote:  23,541 attendance. Not too shabby.

Center of the 2nd deck I'd say never more than 1/2 full. From what I saw I'd say the stadium was never more than 3/4 ish (18k) butt in seats at its peak mid 1st-2nd qtr...

(09-01-2013 06:54 PM)JMUDuke25 Wrote:  

(09-01-2013 05:19 PM)Onyxduke7 Wrote:  Taylor Reynolds did great for his first start, really impressed. Mickey said that Birdsong was tired out there, which is a bit concerning. The receivers are still struggling to create space from the Db's which is also a concern. As far as Birdsong running the ball, didn't see alot planned running plays for him (aside from the 1 year dives from under center) and only tucked the ball and ran when receivers were not getting space. I would rather not throw the offense under the bus just yet, it's the first game. New OC and line coach will undoubtedly take some time to get correct. Birdsong is as good as Thorpe right now, looking forward to seeing him improve over the next few years.

It was hot and humid and he just had surgery like 2-3 weeks ago. I'd say cut him a little slack on the conditioning.

Ditto. People seem to forget:
-TRUE Soph (same age/yr as rFr)
-Missed half? of summer camp recovering from appendectomy.

He was decent. He should get better as the season progresses. He he goes down for any length of time we are screwed...

BDK I believe he meant the season opener to CCSU year before last where we played horribly

Well, it was obviously two years ago when we only beat them 14-9, but the premise is the same. Compare Saturday's win to two years ago. I think we looked a lot better and Birdsong was better than Thorpe and the offense was more entertaining to watch. Leave Longhorn alone. He is almost as old as me! Hell, he might even be older.

(09-03-2013 04:13 PM)Mad victory Wrote:  BDK I believe he meant the season opener to CCSU year before last where we played horribly

I replied before reading on and saw others had already pointed it out. Then deleted my reply..

(09-03-2013 04:00 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(09-01-2013 06:54 PM)JMUDuke25 Wrote:  

(09-01-2013 05:19 PM)Onyxduke7 Wrote:  Taylor Reynolds did great for his first start, really impressed. Mickey said that Birdsong was tired out there, which is a bit concerning. The receivers are still struggling to create space from the Db's which is also a concern. As far as Birdsong running the ball, didn't see alot planned running plays for him (aside from the 1 year dives from under center) and only tucked the ball and ran when receivers were not getting space. I would rather not throw the offense under the bus just yet, it's the first game. New OC and line coach will undoubtedly take some time to get correct. Birdsong is as good as Thorpe right now, looking forward to seeing him improve over the next few years.

It was hot and humid and he just had surgery like 2-3 weeks ago. I'd say cut him a little slack on the conditioning.

Ditto. People seem to forget:
-TRUE Soph (same age/yr as rFr)
-Missed half? of summer camp recovering from appendectomy.

He was decent. He should get better as the season progresses. He he goes down for any length of time we are screwed...

Birdsong only missed 10 days from that appendectomy. It was ridiculous how quickly he healed.

(09-03-2013 03:47 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(09-01-2013 11:23 AM)Dukes84 Wrote:  Others, including DD, have put it well. There seems to be a lack of playmakers on offense at this point. As I said, Dae'quan to me, looks heavy at this point. He's carrying about 220 pounds or so on a 5-7 frame. I think in time that Rashard Davis has a chance to become an impactful player. While quite small, he's a burner and seems to have good hands. Quentin Hunter showed some good things last night, but is probably more of a possession receiver (which is fine). Later on, hopefully, Daniel Brown will re-join the team. Perhaps the most impressive athlete I saw on the JMU team last night was Taylor Reynolds. I almost thought that they should make him a wide receiver after watching that return. He's a bit raw right now, both in coverage and in tackling, but can certainly make highlight reel plays. Another supposed great athlete, Lafonte Thoroughgood, has also been moved to defense. Personally, I'd like to see what he can do as a running back.

With respect to the pass rush, JMU had the same issue last year....couldn't pressure the QB without blitzing. And this year many of their d-lineman missed training camp with minor leg injuries.

Last point: CCSU was known for having a spaghetti defense that allowed something like 37 or 38 points a game last year. You'd expect the Dukes to eat that up (pun intended).

He's listed at 5'9", 215...

Those listings are almost never right...

(09-03-2013 11:32 AM)Potomac Wrote:  

(09-03-2013 10:35 AM)jmufan2008 Wrote:  Sorry if I missed this earlier...but how long has it been since we scored on offense, defense, and special teams? Seems like it had been a long time for both defensive and special teams scores, so both in one game was awesome.

Excellent point. I was saying to my wife on the way out, while she likely wasn't paying attention to football talk, "I can't remember when we last saw a kickoff return and a pick-6, let alone in the same game."

The last pick 6 was in 2011, last game of the regular season at UMass, Mike Allen 44 yd pick 6.

It wasn't a KO return for a TD, but a punt return. Last time had a punt return for a TD was Scotty McGee vs UD in 08'. DQ did have a 92 yd punt return for a TD vs UNC in 11', but was called back due to a holding penalty on Taveion Cuffee..

(09-03-2013 01:22 PM)jmufan2008 Wrote:  As far as I can tell, the last time it happened was '08 in a 56-0 annihilation of Hofstra. Corwin Acker had a 16 yard punt block return for a TD and Ronnell Brown had a 44 yard interception return for a TD. And we obviously had a few offensive TD's that game...

Almost 5 full years since we've scored in every phase of the game. No it wasn't a great performance and it wasn't great competition...but that's still an awesome feat.

True. As far as a kick or punt return and a pick 6 in the same game, don't recall ever seeing that.

If you watch Mickey's presser, makes it clear that he puts his best athletes on defense and that Reynolds would be one of the top receivers on the team (which I had posted earlier). He might be the best athlete on the team, based on watching that return.