The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(10-05-2015 09:54 AM)ODUR8R Wrote:  Entire offense is out of sync, not just SB.

Anyone recall the play at Marshall where we went trips right and all three wide receivers ran a streak, meanwhile Marshall brought the house and sacked SB in less than a second?

Everyone missed the blitz, everyone should be accountable.

Our WRs are not recognizing the blitz and making the right adjustments. I'm not sure how that is even happening. Bentley def. needs to recognize blitz better, but some of it is WRs are running deeper patterns and ignoring hot reads. You can't run go patterns when they blitz more than 6 unless they are in man with no safety help. And it doesn't look like we are gaining much separation when we do that (expect Pascal a couple times)

(10-05-2015 10:03 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 09:59 AM)ODUCoach Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 09:54 AM)ODUR8R Wrote:  Entire offense is out of sync, not just SB.

Anyone recall the play at Marshall where we went trips right and all three wide receivers ran a streak, meanwhile Marshall brought the house and sacked SB in less than a second?

Everyone missed the blitz, everyone should be accountable.

There was another play where we had twins right. One receiver was making an out cut, and the other was running some sort of crossing or post pattern. Less than 5 yards off the line, when they began to make their cuts, they ran into each other. There was another throw to the sideline that was almost picked, because it appeared to me, the receiver ran the route at the wrong depth which made it look like a terrible throw right into the hands of the CB.

Bentley hasn't been good the last couple of games. There is no sugarcoating that. But, blaming him for the total meltdown of the offense is wholly unfair.

I don't think anyone has totally blamed Bentley.
Honestly, even the play calling has been less than stellar. I think that given the overall status of the OL, and receivers, many here believe that a more mobile QB like LaRussa or David Washington would give us a better chance to make things happen now.

Absolutely, mobility at the quarterback position would be the best prescription right now.

(10-05-2015 10:05 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 09:54 AM)ODUR8R Wrote:  Entire offense is out of sync, not just SB.

Anyone recall the play at Marshall where we went trips right and all three wide receivers ran a streak, meanwhile Marshall brought the house and sacked SB in less than a second?

Everyone missed the blitz, everyone should be accountable.

Our WRs are not recognizing the blitz and making the right adjustments. I'm not sure how that is even happening. Bentley def. needs to recognize blitz better, but some of it is WRs are running deeper patterns and ignoring hot reads. You can't run go patterns when they blitz more than 6 unless they are in man with no safety help. And it doesn't look like we are gaining much separation when we do that (expect Pascal a couple times)

Someone remarked earlier that this offense was designed around one or even two TEs.
Well, without a TE, we aren't going to be able to effectively chip, and we certainly aren't going to hold a WR to block. That likely wouldn't end well at all.

I doubt that the WRs were ever instructed to play off the blitz, or to try recognize it. That has been obvious all season. Bentley is not even seeing it to call it to the offense.
We have never really excelled at hot reads because the receivers ran their primaries, and if at the end of the called route there was not yet a play, the receivers improvised. They weren't worried about what was happening in the backfield.
As Brian Scott said:"For the last two years, it was, let's not screw Taylor up. Let's let him play," Scott said. "Now, we have to make sure we maximize everybody here."
Change is slow eh?

(10-05-2015 09:45 AM)paintedblue2 Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 08:41 AM)ODUCoach Wrote:  So, I'm supposed to believe that Wilder isn't playing LaRussa because he's afraid that LaRussa would have more success than Bentley? Come on.

Here is my best guess as to why BW is going to continue to start SB as long as he is healthy. In his estimation as head coach, SB earned the position over the other candidates. Despite what any of us posters believe regarding the performances of qb's at the spring game or open scrimage, or our hopes of how LaRussa might perform, and SB's performance against the meat of the schedule in his third through fifth collegiate starts, it is his call to make as head coach, and he is exceedingly more qualified than any one of us to make that call. As has been stated by some (ODUalum78 comes to mind) LaRussa does look like he is the more mobile of the two qb's, and might indeed produce somewhat better short term results (debatable), however I believe Wilder is committed to SB based on his evaluation, and that in the LONG TERM interest of the team he is going to have SB get every rep he is physically able to take. A qb only gains actual experience and fb leadership abilities through playing time. I think BW has a long term plan, and he is willing to stick to it. Many fans saw what has transpired over the last few weeks and are antsy, and becoming frustrated. They want what they think is best for the NOW. That is understandable, but aside from probably WKU, I believe this team has a decent chance of winning the balance of the scheduled games. That doesn't mean I think they will, just that they have a reasonable chance. Some tweaks probably do need to be made to the offense over the two weeks leading into the Charlotte game, and I am sure they will, but they won't include a change at qb.

I think this is an accurate analysis, but I still believe that when the game is out of hand that BL should get at least some snaps. At least one series. I'm getting tired of reading posts that say the same thing over and over either pro SB/con SB/pro BL/con BL. I think no matter what camp you are in it would be hard to say that the long term success of the team would be damaged if BL got a few snaps against App or Marshall.

(10-05-2015 12:37 PM)Chillie Willie Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 09:45 AM)paintedblue2 Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 08:41 AM)ODUCoach Wrote:  So, I'm supposed to believe that Wilder isn't playing LaRussa because he's afraid that LaRussa would have more success than Bentley? Come on.

Here is my best guess as to why BW is going to continue to start SB as long as he is healthy. In his estimation as head coach, SB earned the position over the other candidates. Despite what any of us posters believe regarding the performances of qb's at the spring game or open scrimage, or our hopes of how LaRussa might perform, and SB's performance against the meat of the schedule in his third through fifth collegiate starts, it is his call to make as head coach, and he is exceedingly more qualified than any one of us to make that call. As has been stated by some (ODUalum78 comes to mind) LaRussa does look like he is the more mobile of the two qb's, and might indeed produce somewhat better short term results (debatable), however I believe Wilder is committed to SB based on his evaluation, and that in the LONG TERM interest of the team he is going to have SB get every rep he is physically able to take. A qb only gains actual experience and fb leadership abilities through playing time. I think BW has a long term plan, and he is willing to stick to it. Many fans saw what has transpired over the last few weeks and are antsy, and becoming frustrated. They want what they think is best for the NOW. That is understandable, but aside from probably WKU, I believe this team has a decent chance of winning the balance of the scheduled games. That doesn't mean I think they will, just that they have a reasonable chance. Some tweaks probably do need to be made to the offense over the two weeks leading into the Charlotte game, and I am sure they will, but they won't include a change at qb.

I think this is an accurate analysis, but I still believe that when the game is out of hand that BL should get at least some snaps. At least one series. I'm getting tired of reading posts that say the same thing over and over either pro SB/con SB/pro BL/con BL. I think no matter what camp you are in it would be hard to say that the long term success of the team would be damaged if BL got a few snaps against App or Marshall.

And we really don't know what BW and staff are doing except that he was very firm on the breakfast show about working on the passing game over these two weeks. I would imagine everything is reviewed and those that can step up and help the team will be on the field. Im all for any way of improving the passing.

Can BL play wide receiver? I'm squarely in the camp of how do you even judge a RS Freshmen QB in Bentley when the WR's are dropping balls everywhere. Someone said 6 drops a game which was about my count too. I think I've seen 4+ in the first half some games - this changes game flow and morale.

Bad offensive line play, receivers have been even worse, the TE position was decimated which is what we practiced with all spring/summer and we have just played the toughest 3 games in ODU history. Perspective.

Last - I realize that Wilder and Selig know more than I do. As opposed to second guessing everything I have faith that they are leading us in a good direction. If BW thought someone other the SB was the way to go, I'm sure he would go that route. My guess is that SB is probably the best short term prospect and certainly the best long term option.

(10-05-2015 08:55 AM)ODUCoach Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 08:53 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 08:51 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 08:41 AM)ODUCoach Wrote:  So, I'm supposed to believe that Wilder isn't playing LaRussa because he's afraid that LaRussa would have more success than Bentley? Come on.

Not giving your listed backup, indeed ONLY backup, who has never taken an FBS snap, some time near the ends of some of these blowouts seems very strange to me; especially when your only alternative is a converted WR who hasn't played in two years.

Do you have an answer?

I've already provided 2 answers.

1) They feel Bentley needs all the snaps he can get
2) They would rather redshirt Larussa if they can help it.

I'd provide an addendum to #1. They feel Bentley needs all of the snaps and frankly, they think he is better now and in the future.

I think you got part of it right. I think they believe SB will be better in the future. Not so convinced about now. If i were to guess, I would think they see them as pretty close now.

(10-05-2015 09:16 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 09:02 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 08:53 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 08:51 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 08:41 AM)ODUCoach Wrote:  So, I'm supposed to believe that Wilder isn't playing LaRussa because he's afraid that LaRussa would have more success than Bentley? Come on.

Not giving your listed backup, indeed ONLY backup, who has never taken an FBS snap, some time near the ends of some of these blowouts seems very strange to me; especially when your only alternative is a converted WR who hasn't played in two years.

Do you have an answer?

I've already provided 2 answers.

1) They feel Bentley needs all the snaps he can get
2) They would rather redshirt Larussa if they can help it.

1) After watching the games and seeing how slow Bentley is right now, and noting the steady decline in QBR to 1.6, (against a Marshall defense that was not swarming like App), I would say the reps are not helping, just the opposite. Bentley needs a rest and regroup. Still, if Bentley goes down you need to know if your backup can handle it.
2) Why would you worry about redshirting a walk-on that cannot cut it anyway? That would make this suspiciously like the Taylor Henicke situation in which the coaches knew how good he was, and If I am not mistaken, put him in the UMass game when he was not even #2 on the chart. This scenario doesn't make sense either as we have a 3 star dual threat coming in next year, so there is likely not a long term concern.

Until we eliminate the drops, QBR means absolutely nothing to me. We are struggling right now as it is; we are probably doomed on offense if the QB goes down. In reality, Bentley did not play worse vs. Marshall than he did vs. App State or NC State.

Heinicke had to play vs. UMASS because DeMarco went down and Ong (or whatever he name was) was injured. Heinicke was the only QB left.

You guys are ready to shut down a 4 star QB after 5 games yet you think the team is plotting the future around a 3 star guy in high school right now?

Come on man. He was 13-35. I am not sure I have ever seen numbers that bad. The drop argument is ridiculous at this point. In fact, the only argument that isn't ridiculous at this point is that BL isn't any better, and only because we don't know if that is true or not. You cannot realistically try to defend SB's play right now without sounding like you are just beholden to a lost argument or don't know football. You seem to know football, so I will chalk it up to the former.

It seems like some posters keep coming back to the "trust the coaches" issue for why SB is in there over BL. I agree. Even if the coaches thought BL had no chance to help us win, it could only help us in the long run to get him game snaps when the outcome of the game has been determined.

(10-05-2015 09:54 AM)ODUR8R Wrote:  Entire offense is out of sync, not just SB.

Anyone recall the play at Marshall where we went trips right and all three wide receivers ran a streak, meanwhile Marshall brought the house and sacked SB in less than a second?

Everyone missed the blitz, everyone should be accountable.

Could everyone be out of sync because of the QB play? I feel like it is one of his jobs to keep everyone headed in the same direction, and that doesn't even consider the fact that he is making calls at the line that can help or hurt the OL. It is easy to throw the OL under the bus when the QB is getting pressure, but it is not always their fault.

(10-05-2015 03:53 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 09:16 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 09:02 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 08:53 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 08:51 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  Not giving your listed backup, indeed ONLY backup, who has never taken an FBS snap, some time near the ends of some of these blowouts seems very strange to me; especially when your only alternative is a converted WR who hasn't played in two years.

Do you have an answer?

I've already provided 2 answers.

1) They feel Bentley needs all the snaps he can get
2) They would rather redshirt Larussa if they can help it.

1) After watching the games and seeing how slow Bentley is right now, and noting the steady decline in QBR to 1.6, (against a Marshall defense that was not swarming like App), I would say the reps are not helping, just the opposite. Bentley needs a rest and regroup. Still, if Bentley goes down you need to know if your backup can handle it.
2) Why would you worry about redshirting a walk-on that cannot cut it anyway? That would make this suspiciously like the Taylor Henicke situation in which the coaches knew how good he was, and If I am not mistaken, put him in the UMass game when he was not even #2 on the chart. This scenario doesn't make sense either as we have a 3 star dual threat coming in next year, so there is likely not a long term concern.

Until we eliminate the drops, QBR means absolutely nothing to me. We are struggling right now as it is; we are probably doomed on offense if the QB goes down. In reality, Bentley did not play worse vs. Marshall than he did vs. App State or NC State.

Heinicke had to play vs. UMASS because DeMarco went down and Ong (or whatever he name was) was injured. Heinicke was the only QB left.

You guys are ready to shut down a 4 star QB after 5 games yet you think the team is plotting the future around a 3 star guy in high school right now?

Come on man. He was 13-35. I am not sure I have ever seen numbers that bad. The drop argument is ridiculous at this point. In fact, the only argument that isn't ridiculous at this point is that BL isn't any better, and only because we don't know if that is true or not. You cannot realistically try to defend SB's play right now without sounding like you are just beholden to a lost argument or don't know football. You seem to know football, so I will chalk it up to the former.

Well, I try not to get personal and discuss people football knowledge (or lack thereof)

You haven't seen numbers as bad as 13-35? Ok, well I was in person to see Heinicke go 10-25 for 85 yards. Was it his fault? Sure, some of it was, but the QB can only control so much.

Whether you want to buy the drop argument is your prerogative. I've never once said Bentley has played well, my case has always been some of you guys are completely insane at the level of blame placed on one guy. Do you deny that he had at least 6 drops on Saturday, I can point them out to you if you would like?

There is a lot to fault at the offense's expense so far this year. QB play is certainly a reason, but there are a host of other reasons as well including mediocre offensive line play (in the last couple games) The wide receivers are not getting things done with running routes at the wrong depth and dropping a ton of passes. Bentley has made some bad throws and bad decisions, but some on this board want to make him the scapegoat, which is really unfair. When he turns it on in the future, there is going to be a lot of people that conveniently forget some of the horrendous things they've said about him.

+1

(10-05-2015 04:06 PM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 03:53 PM)Monarchblue Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 09:16 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 09:02 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(10-05-2015 08:53 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  I've already provided 2 answers.

1) They feel Bentley needs all the snaps he can get
2) They would rather redshirt Larussa if they can help it.

1) After watching the games and seeing how slow Bentley is right now, and noting the steady decline in QBR to 1.6, (against a Marshall defense that was not swarming like App), I would say the reps are not helping, just the opposite. Bentley needs a rest and regroup. Still, if Bentley goes down you need to know if your backup can handle it.
2) Why would you worry about redshirting a walk-on that cannot cut it anyway? That would make this suspiciously like the Taylor Henicke situation in which the coaches knew how good he was, and If I am not mistaken, put him in the UMass game when he was not even #2 on the chart. This scenario doesn't make sense either as we have a 3 star dual threat coming in next year, so there is likely not a long term concern.

Until we eliminate the drops, QBR means absolutely nothing to me. We are struggling right now as it is; we are probably doomed on offense if the QB goes down. In reality, Bentley did not play worse vs. Marshall than he did vs. App State or NC State.

Heinicke had to play vs. UMASS because DeMarco went down and Ong (or whatever he name was) was injured. Heinicke was the only QB left.

You guys are ready to shut down a 4 star QB after 5 games yet you think the team is plotting the future around a 3 star guy in high school right now?

Come on man. He was 13-35. I am not sure I have ever seen numbers that bad. The drop argument is ridiculous at this point. In fact, the only argument that isn't ridiculous at this point is that BL isn't any better, and only because we don't know if that is true or not. You cannot realistically try to defend SB's play right now without sounding like you are just beholden to a lost argument or don't know football. You seem to know football, so I will chalk it up to the former.

Well, I try not to get personal and discuss people football knowledge (or lack thereof)

You haven't seen numbers as bad as 13-35? Ok, well I was in person to see Heinicke go 10-25 for 85 yards. Was it his fault? Sure, some of it was, but the QB can only control so much.

Whether you want to buy the drop argument is your prerogative. I've never once said Bentley has played well, my case has always been some of you guys are completely insane at the level of blame placed on one guy. Do you deny that he had at least 6 drops on Saturday, I can point them out to you if you would like?

There is a lot to fault at the offense's expense so far this year. QB play is certainly a reason, but there are a host of other reasons as well including mediocre offensive line play (in the last couple games) The wide receivers are not getting things done with running routes at the wrong depth and dropping a ton of passes. Bentley has made some bad throws and bad decisions, but some on this board want to make him the scapegoat, which is really unfair. When he turns it on in the future, there is going to be a lot of people that conveniently forget some of the horrendous things they've said about him.

It is easy to say everyone is to blame, but somehow all the other guys seemed to be better under a different QB. Is it not possible that OL play is effected by SBs calls at the line, or that the WR unit that is mostly intact from last year, and was pretty good, is demoralized and shell shocked from balls floating high and constantly hanging them out to dry. The point is, it is not clear cut either way, and your side of the argument is far from definitive. And the dropped ball thing is just a ridiculous distraction from the overall argument. Yes, there have been a lot of drops, but SB has been bad enough that it is almost inconsequential to his overall output.

Wilder has done nothing but praise Bentleys calls at the line and said he always gets the right play called based on the defense. Thus, I do not buy that argument.

A) WRs have not been constantly hung out to dry and if that is causing them to drop passes, who is to blame for that? Anytime there is a 15-20% drop pass rate, you cannot say it's inconsequential. These drops are coming on 3rd downs that kill drives. Furthermore, it's been pointed out numerous times by the coaches and former players that are wide receivers are running routes at the wrong depths. You can say the WRs were good under Heinicke (Washington and Pascal were), but we didn't see much of Little, DuHart, Lowe, Harper to say they were better last year.

You can place the blame fully on the QB, that's your right. I haven't seen that opinion shared by coaches, players, or ex-players of Old Dominion.

(10-06-2015 10:02 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Wilder has done nothing but praise Bentleys calls at the line and said he always gets the right play called based on the defense. Thus, I do not buy that argument.

A) WRs have not been constantly hung out to dry and if that is causing them to drop passes, who is to blame for that? Anytime there is a 15-20% drop pass rate, you cannot say it's inconsequential. These drops are coming on 3rd downs that kill drives. Furthermore, it's been pointed out numerous times by the coaches and former players that are wide receivers are running routes at the wrong depths. You can say the WRs were good under Heinicke (Washington and Pascal were), but we didn't see much of Little, DuHart, Lowe, Harper to say they were better last year.

You can place the blame fully on the QB, that's your right. I haven't seen that opinion shared by coaches, players, or ex-players of Old Dominion.

Hey, stop using logic... it makes some of us dizzy.

Remember there is a new WR coach this year. Loosing ZB is starting to hurt a lot more than just in recruiting.

Hold on now... wait... I KNOW SB is not playing well, I'm not debating that. No one is. But no offense melts down this much because of 1 player...even a QB. Bently had little to do with a conference leading rushing game that completely disappeared for 2 weeks. And before you say "they stacked the box"... so did Marshall.
...until some good offensive schemes (using WAY more motion, and a few different formations) forced them to spread out a bit. The playbook is starting to open (slowly, yes), but it is opening, there are new plays every week. Let's play a few games against teams that aren't conference champs, favorites, or ACC dark horses before we pike a 19yo QB's head in front of the stadium.

(10-06-2015 10:31 AM)MonarchCAM Wrote:  

(10-06-2015 10:02 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Wilder has done nothing but praise Bentleys calls at the line and said he always gets the right play called based on the defense. Thus, I do not buy that argument.

A) WRs have not been constantly hung out to dry and if that is causing them to drop passes, who is to blame for that? Anytime there is a 15-20% drop pass rate, you cannot say it's inconsequential. These drops are coming on 3rd downs that kill drives. Furthermore, it's been pointed out numerous times by the coaches and former players that are wide receivers are running routes at the wrong depths. You can say the WRs were good under Heinicke (Washington and Pascal were), but we didn't see much of Little, DuHart, Lowe, Harper to say they were better last year.

You can place the blame fully on the QB, that's your right. I haven't seen that opinion shared by coaches, players, or ex-players of Old Dominion.

Hey, stop using logic... it makes some of us dizzy.

Remember there is a new WR coach this year. Loosing ZB is starting to hurt a lot more than just in recruiting.

Hold on now... wait... I KNOW SB is not playing well, I'm not debating that. No one is. But no offense melts down this much because of 1 player...even a QB. Bently had little to do with a conference leading rushing game that completely disappeared for 2 weeks. And before you say "they stacked the box"... so did Marshall.
...until some good offensive schemes (using WAY more motion, and a few different formations) forced them to spread out a bit. The playbook is starting to open (slowly, yes), but it is opening, there are new plays every week. Let's play a few games against teams that aren't conference champs, favorites, or ACC dark horses before we pike a 19yo QB's head in front of the stadium.

SB is gonna need to throw on the run.

(10-06-2015 10:31 AM)MonarchCAM Wrote:  

(10-06-2015 10:02 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Wilder has done nothing but praise Bentleys calls at the line and said he always gets the right play called based on the defense. Thus, I do not buy that argument.

A) WRs have not been constantly hung out to dry and if that is causing them to drop passes, who is to blame for that? Anytime there is a 15-20% drop pass rate, you cannot say it's inconsequential. These drops are coming on 3rd downs that kill drives. Furthermore, it's been pointed out numerous times by the coaches and former players that are wide receivers are running routes at the wrong depths. You can say the WRs were good under Heinicke (Washington and Pascal were), but we didn't see much of Little, DuHart, Lowe, Harper to say they were better last year.

You can place the blame fully on the QB, that's your right. I haven't seen that opinion shared by coaches, players, or ex-players of Old Dominion.

Hey, stop using logic... it makes some of us dizzy.

Remember there is a new WR coach this year. Loosing ZB is starting to hurt a lot more than just in recruiting.

Hold on now... wait... I KNOW SB is not playing well, I'm not debating that. No one is. But no offense melts down this much because of 1 player...even a QB. Bently had little to do with a conference leading rushing game that completely disappeared for 2 weeks. And before you say "they stacked the box"... so did Marshall.
...until some good offensive schemes (using WAY more motion, and a few different formations) forced them to spread out a bit. The playbook is starting to open (slowly, yes), but it is opening, there are new plays every week. Let's play a few games against teams that aren't conference champs, favorites, or ACC dark horses before we pike a 19yo QB's head in front of the stadium.

I couldn't agree more with the Zohn Burden comment. Losing ZB hurt us on and off the field.

I heard that the coach who just resigned from South Carolina is pretty good at coaching quarterbacks. Maybe he'd like to come to work as quarterback coach for ODU>

(10-14-2015 12:28 PM)reagan Wrote:  I heard that the coach who just resigned from South Carolina is pretty good at coaching quarterbacks. Maybe he'd like to come to work as quarterback coach for ODU>

LOL. You have to be joking about this one. Ron Whitcomb is a very qood qb coach. Steve Spurrier would laugh even harder at your suggestion. We couldn't afford a guy like that if we needed and wanted him, and how could we count on him to not just quit mid-season?

Besides, "The Old Quarterbacks Coach" just doesn't sound right.

(10-06-2015 10:02 AM)Gilesfan Wrote:  Wilder has done nothing but praise Bentleys calls at the line and said he always gets the right play called based on the defense. Thus, I do not buy that argument.

A) WRs have not been constantly hung out to dry and if that is causing them to drop passes, who is to blame for that? Anytime there is a 15-20% drop pass rate, you cannot say it's inconsequential. These drops are coming on 3rd downs that kill drives. Furthermore, it's been pointed out numerous times by the coaches and former players that are wide receivers are running routes at the wrong depths. You can say the WRs were good under Heinicke (Washington and Pascal were), but we didn't see much of Little, DuHart, Lowe, Harper to say they were better last year.

You can place the blame fully on the QB, that's your right. I haven't seen that opinion shared by coaches, players, or ex-players of Old Dominion.

That could very well be true, but only an insider would be in a position to know. Those of us who have played and coached will also recognize that as coachspeak; designed to deflect and thus remove pressure from the young man.

Experienced receivers who, en masse, are all of a sudden dropping balls, missing reads, and inexplicably running the wrong routes are symptomatic of a potentially severe problem.
The likely places to look for disconnects include the Receivers Coach, and the QB.

If you look at the receivers themselves, they may be angry and frustrated to the point of psychologically induced miscues. Or, there may even be other factors (although I highly doubt it) that I will not address here, but are not as uncommon as you might think.