Withers has committed to the university that he wants to graduate players in 4 1/2 years. To do that, he brings in the Freshman the summer immediately after high school graduation, which is their 1/2 year. They take classes and start working out with the strength coach. He has stated that this will save the school money while getting the new student acclimated to college academics and campus life. JMU use to shut down in July. Not this year. They were open all summer long. That was because of Withers. The guy is Being the Change beyond football.

(07-22-2014 10:22 PM)DoubleDDuke Wrote:  I thought I saw something about a hybrid where sometimes they'll line up in different formations depending on opponent/matchup/situation. Honestly, nobody every runs a true 4-3 or 3-4 like a video game so I don't think that's really such a big deal. It varies from player to player, but although Withers said he didn't plan on redshirting any of the freshman, I'd hate to burn a year on a talented kid to cover punts. Not that that's not important, but it seems kind of wasteful. If he's talking about them being on the 2 deep, then I can totally see that but at the FCS level, I'm just generally not in favor of burning a year for minimal contribution unless you really have to.

Yea, most seasons it seems like 2-4 FR played on the 2 deep, maybe 1 would start (esp if they PGed at FUMA or similar). I could see playing 6-8 Fr if that many are on the deep 2, but I all 13? scholly true Fr? I can't imagine all of them would be on the 2 deep (that would be a bad sign if you had 13 true Fr on the 2 deep), and it would be stupid to waste year on true Fr who are 3rd-4th string.

Great post JMUNation - Academics are important, and it seems that Withers takes this part of his job very seriously, which is great news to everyone involved with JMU.

I love the positivity in this thread. It's been 5+ years since I have read a thread that genuinely had nothing but positive comments and constructive criticism. Let's hope it translates as well on the field as it has on the boards.

And once again, well done Matt - keep up the great work!

Here is another Q&A interview done by Matt Jones. Same format as the one with EW but with co-offensive coordinator Drew Mehringer: https://jamesmadison.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1661724

Safe to say Matt Jones has already exceeded the word count in his first month as JMU football's beat writer... Now about girls Hs basketball and croissants- Stoss is the man

JMU is picked to finish 8th out of 12 CAA teams. Does the addition of vad lee mean nothing?

Stoss wasn't bad, he just seemed disinterested.

Jones is a massive upgrade so far.

(07-23-2014 09:47 AM)Potomac Wrote:  JMU is picked to finish 8th out of 12 CAA teams. Does the addition of vad lee mean nothing?

Yes, it doesnt mean anything until the team performs at a high level again.

I love Withers and the direction of this team, but there will be growing pains. I wouldn't be surprised if we left September with a 1-3 record.

Not surprised JMU was picked to finish 8th. Withers is new to the CAA fraternity and he is going to have to prove that the NewEra is more than just a slogan. I personally love the fact that we were picked to finish so low. This should light a fire under our team and add to what already is shaping up to be a very competitive preseason camp.
Preseason polls are meaningless, especially in the CAA. The only poll that matters is the final one.

Cannot wait to get this season started!

(07-23-2014 10:07 AM)NYJMUSupporter Wrote:  Not surprised JMU was picked to finish 8th. Withers is new to the CAA fraternity and he is going to have to prove that the NewEra is more than just a slogan. I personally love the fact that we were picked to finish so low. This should light a fire under our team and add to what already is shaping up to be a very competitive preseason camp.
Preseason polls are meaningless, especially in the CAA. The only poll that matters is the final one.

Cannot wait to get this season started!

Speaking of meaningless preseason polls, they said earlier on the media day coverage that Maine was picked 8th last season and look where they ended up. Hopefully we can do the same.

(07-23-2014 09:47 AM)Potomac Wrote:  JMU is picked to finish 8th out of 12 CAA teams. Does the addition of vad lee mean nothing?

Based on how JMU has played the last few seasons I cannot really argue with that pre-season pick too much. New coach, New QB, New RB, (which I all think are upgrades by the way) - I can see league expectations being low.

I don't like being picked as the favorite. Use this as extra motivivation and get a 'Big Chip' on your shoulder for the season.

(07-23-2014 10:49 AM)ShadyP Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 09:47 AM)Potomac Wrote:  JMU is picked to finish 8th out of 12 CAA teams. Does the addition of vad lee mean nothing?

Based on how JMU has played the last few seasons I cannot really argue with that pre-season pick too much. New coach, New QB, New RB, (which I all think are upgrades by the way) - I can see league expectations being low.

I don't like being picked as the favorite. Use this as extra motivivation and get a 'Big Chip' on your shoulder for the season.

I fully understand the conservative, "not until proven otherwise" mentality. It doesn't make it less laughable though. I don't give a damn if it's Albany, uri or elon. If they have a starting acc QB transfer to their team, I'm going to assume they'll advance by more than one spot.

All of these polls are political. You have people who are friends with Mickey voting and AD's who may feel JMU is about to bolt the CAA. Add that to the fact that we have a lot of things to prove and you get an 8th place selection. Once again, it is totally meaningless.

I just liked the 1 first-place vote

I love Marlowe's quote on us being picked 8th.

"That's a little disgusting."

(07-23-2014 11:23 AM)bridgeforthduke Wrote:  I love Marlowe's quote on us being picked 8th.

"That's a little disgusting."

Honestly, I want JMU to crush the CAA this season. It is time to JMU to have the type of season where we play to the advantages we have at our disposal. If we are going to remain in FCS, it is time to be dominant. With our stadium and the money we spend on football, we should be able to beat anyone in our conference and compete for a national championship every season. We should be the bully on the playground and steal the lunches of our CAA opponents. Hopefully that run begins this season. It is time.

(07-23-2014 11:37 AM)NYJMUSupporter Wrote:  

(07-23-2014 11:23 AM)bridgeforthduke Wrote:  I love Marlowe's quote on us being picked 8th.

"That's a little disgusting."

Honestly, I want JMU to crush the CAA this season. It is time to JMU to have the type of season where we play to the advantages we have at our disposal. If we are going to remain in FCS, it is time to be dominant. With our stadium and the money we spend on football, we should be able to beat anyone in our conference and compete for a national championship every season. We should be the bully on the playground and steal the lunches of our CAA opponents. Hopefully that run begins this season. It is time.

AMen to that!!!

More great work from Jones speaking with Marlowe, Williams, and Withers.

https://jamesmadison.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1661909

https://jamesmadison.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1661916

https://jamesmadison.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1661919

(07-22-2014 10:39 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  Withers has committed to the university that he wants to graduate players in 4 1/2 years. To do that, he brings in the Freshman the summer immediately after high school graduation, which is their 1/2 year. They take classes and start working out with the strength coach. He has stated that this will save the school money while getting the new student acclimated to college academics and campus life. JMU use to shut down in July. Not this year. They were open all summer long. That was because of Withers. The guy is Being the Change beyond football.

Graduate in early-mid June, come in for summer, camp starts early Aug. That's coming in 2 months early at the most. Maybe a couple classes. That sounds good he is doing that, but you can't call that a half year (same as a 4 month semester).

Here is a fantastic behind the scenes video from CAA media day today that was just posted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps-0hyr1A18
There are also a couple videos for interviews with Dean Marlowe and Matt Williams on the JMUSports youtube channel.