We lose some phenomenal players and leaders off of last years squad no doubt Davis, Kirsch, Taylor, Stone will be missed. But to me it's Ravenel we'll miss the most. He was one of the sneakiest players I've ever seen at JMU, ala LC Baker. One of those guys that are just so effective although they don't really have any tangibles that jump off the page, a bit undersized, not the fastest or biggest, but somehow always seem to be super effective in many facets of the game which in my opinion is a testament to practicing like a professional, focusing on doing your job and trusting your teammates.

(02-23-2017 10:17 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  I look at the progression of our defense from the beginning of the season to the end. Can you imagine how much better they will be in year two with the same coaching staff?

We will miss some great players but we also have a lot coming back and have reloaded at other positions. No telling who else MH will add after spring ball.

Amen to that. I look forward to seeing the continued progression of our defense. What they were able to do post-Richmond game down the stretch and at the most critical times of last season was the difference (IMO).

It also helps when we have an offense that can and will score from any spot on the field at any time. Gives our D the freedom to take chances and risks. Will be difficult to replicate the play of our return teams next year (though I'm hoping there won't be a considerable drop off), but all 3 phases are about as solid as can be heading into the season. Sign of another national champion.

Awww Dukester, why'd you change the year on your thread title? Now my first post has less effect lol

(02-24-2017 08:06 AM)Dadgum Wrote:  We lose some phenomenal players and leaders off of last years squad no doubt Davis, Kirsch, Taylor, Stone will be missed. But to me it's Ravenel we'll miss the most. He was one of the sneakiest players I've ever seen at JMU, ala LC Baker. One of those guys that are just so effective although they don't really have any tangibles that jump off the page, a bit undersized, not the fastest or biggest, but somehow always seem to be super effective in many facets of the game which in my opinion is a testament to practicing like a professional, focusing on doing your job and trusting your teammates.

This is what my gut told me too. But I just attributed it to having a soft spot for Brandon since I watched him crush throughout his HS career.

(02-24-2017 10:33 AM)HyperDuke Wrote:  

(02-24-2017 08:06 AM)Dadgum Wrote:  We lose some phenomenal players and leaders off of last years squad no doubt Davis, Kirsch, Taylor, Stone will be missed. But to me it's Ravenel we'll miss the most. He was one of the sneakiest players I've ever seen at JMU, ala LC Baker. One of those guys that are just so effective although they don't really have any tangibles that jump off the page, a bit undersized, not the fastest or biggest, but somehow always seem to be super effective in many facets of the game which in my opinion is a testament to practicing like a professional, focusing on doing your job and trusting your teammates.

This is what my gut told me too. But I just attributed it to having a soft spot for Brandon since I watched him crush throughout his HS career.

Brandon's ability to make those big plays in big time moments will always be what I remember about him. From Kick off returns to catches in double coverage, he always made a big play when it mattered

(02-23-2017 05:21 PM)Dukester Wrote:  

(02-23-2017 05:01 PM)HyperDuke Wrote:  Kirsch is probably the best overall player we're losing, but I don't think he's going to be the most difficult to replace as evidenced by our success in the post-season. Khalid fits the same mold. One of the absolute best on our 2016 team, but we're stacked at RB returning with Johnson/Marshall/Sharp/Woods.

I honestly think the answer is one of Domo Taylor/Brandon Ravenel/Rashard Davis. While I'm confident we will have 3 quality WRs to compliment our RB/TE combo, I'm not sure Alls/Miller/Hyman are going to be on that same level.

Also, Gage Steele. Once the defense got their mojo back, he was pretty much unstoppable.


Now that I really think about it, the answer here is almost definitely Gunnar Kane. No one is going to come in & punt on that level right away, I wouldn't think.

I think Gage - by far. He really dominated the last part of the season and the playoffs. He really brought a toughness Houston wanted and set the tone for the team in my opinion.

Gage had a great freshman year, but was not the same player the prior two years due to injuries and in my opinion the coaches the last two years. This year's Gage is what I expected to see his whole career following his Freshman year.

I think second hardest to replace is Davis. It's hard to find a playmaker like that, and really helped the special teams be so dominate. It's really going to be interesting to see how dominant can be without him. I think Tutt might be a pretty good replacement.

Kirsch would be third to me, due to lack of volume of unknowns on the line next year. We won the championship without him. I think Gage would of been a bigger loss.....

Reynolds and Abdullah may have been two of our top 3 or 4 players, but we just have so much quality coming back at those positions.

I almost completely agree with you. Gage is without a doubt my first choice, but a close 1b is Reynolds. For the reasons that many have already stated.

Gage was a leader on the defense and really the "QB" of the D at Mike LB. After the first UNH game, a light went on and I think Gage was manning the switch.

(02-24-2017 01:11 AM)Hotrod829 Wrote:  In reality its tough to say Kirsch, because we won in the playoffs without him. I would say Reynolds, we don't have any Defensive back who can play the position as well and as physical as he did.

Agree. Not sure how often Taylor was covering the other team's #1 receiver but when you have a guy that can force a QB to check his 2nd and 3rd options on most downs you're really buying the d-line some time to make plays. It also frees up more backs to blitz and stack the box.

(02-24-2017 08:06 AM)Dadgum Wrote:  We lose some phenomenal players and leaders off of last years squad no doubt Davis, Kirsch, Taylor, Stone will be missed. But to me it's Ravenel we'll miss the most. He was one of the sneakiest players I've ever seen at JMU, ala LC Baker. One of those guys that are just so effective although they don't really have any tangibles that jump off the page, a bit undersized, not the fastest or biggest, but somehow always seem to be super effective in many facets of the game which in my opinion is a testament to practicing like a professional, focusing on doing your job and trusting your teammates.

Agree. He will be missed.

(02-23-2017 04:19 PM)Dukester Wrote:  Who's the Hardest football Player to Replace from the 2016 NC team?

QB Mitch Trubisky

This team had a special chemistry that had them improve throughout the year and reach their full potential. A blast to watch. That often comes down to one or two team leaders that have the respect of the team and keep the throttle down. I don't know who set the tone in the locker room/practice field....but that's where my vote would go.

(02-27-2017 09:36 AM)Halz87 Wrote:  This team had a special chemistry that had them improve throughout the year and reach their full potential. A blast to watch. That often comes down to one or two team leaders that have the respect of the team and keep the throttle down. I don't know who set the tone in the locker room/practice field....but that's where my vote would go.

I agree. IMO, the 2 leading candidates for what you are referencing are captured in this pic...

Love this thread. For me, it's Reynolds with nods to Kirsch/Frank and Kane.

I love Gage, but we were lucky he was on a run of good health in the postseason, which wasn't really all that common his last couple of years. If Hereford makes it back, we'll be in good shape there though still wondering on depth.

Of course we all love Abdullah and he really was special, but so much depth and scheme to help out at that position.

The receivers we'll miss for sure, but there's talent behind them and Kloo will be back. Same thing for Davis at PR, we'll miss him but lots of guys with ability.

Punter is just hard to replace a vet of Kane's quality at FCS especially bc you're usually looking at non-full-schollie kids. Kirsch and Frank will be replaced by talented players, but the chemistry is just so important at that position and it will be tough to replicate this group.

But for me it's Reynolds. Dukes have a TON of talent at DB, but other teams basically gave up on going to Reynolds' man for huge portions of the season, which helps other guys so much. And he'd developed into a truly hard-nosed player that was huge in run support. Other guys will be hard-pressed to match that all-around combo.

Most underrated player on the team - Rashard Davis.

Not taking anything away from any of the other guys, or any of the other receivers, but Rashard was a straight up swiss army knife.

The punt returns for TD were special, and difficult to replicate. A couple were back breakers. His skill returning punts changed the way teams punted to us, resulting in better chances for blocks and other than NDSU, better field position.

The special teams play everyone forgets was against Villanova when he destroyed the receiver on the fake punt and killed any momentum Villanova might have gathered.

His pass catches were clutch - especially in the playoffs and finals.

Domo Taylor is second IMO, and not because he was better than Ravenel, but just because I think physically imposing receivers like Taylor are harder to find at this level. Ravenel was easily my favorite receiver of the bunch, I just think he'll be a little easier to replace.

I know this wasnt asked for - but along with Davis - I thought Martez Stone was an unsung hero for the team last year. He just kept getting better right up to and through the last game. Was probably the MVP of the win at Villanova - a game that in my mind - cememted the 2016 squad as a title contender.

Gage was the first player that popped into my mind when I read the question. However, if allowed to select a combo pick I think I'd go with the Ravenel/Taylor duo. There were so many 'opportunity balls' that they made plays on game after game it's hard to imagine we'll see the same kind of production next year, despite the talent coming back.