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(08-22-2022 04:11 PM)Stat Geek Wrote:  We are gonna need a lot of improvement from Wolff. Last year he had 10 TD and 7 INT with 62% completions. His YPA was 7.6. Thats not going to cut it playing against much better teams this year. The reports have been encouraging so we can all hope hes the guy.

Agree. This team can only improve so much without better QB play. Having more consistent threats at WR would definitely help the cause though.

(08-22-2022 04:40 PM)odufansam Wrote:  

(08-22-2022 04:11 PM)Stat Geek Wrote:  We are gonna need a lot of improvement from Wolff. Last year he had 10 TD and 7 INT with 62% completions. His YPA was 7.6. Thats not going to cut it playing against much better teams this year. The reports have been encouraging so we can all hope hes the guy.

Agree. This team can only improve so much without better QB play. Having more consistent threats at WR would definitely help the cause though.

It's hard to get too concerned about both Wolff and the team from last season compared to this season. Wolff didn't start till midway through the season, the team was coming off a missed season, they were young, and they had an entirely new coaching staff. It was a learning experience for pretty much everyone involved. They should be much further along in the learning curve this season.

If Wolff doesn't present a threat to run the ball this year we are done. If we are in the Red zone he has to be able to tuck it and run not what he did last year and whimp out and simply fall to the ground. We must try to show some threat of a QB run.

It's interesting that Rahne named the starter this early giving VT time to focus their prep on Wolff. Could this be a sly tactic to gain an edge for Mack to come in the game in certain situations and catch the defense off guard? If so, I like it. If not, I don't get it.

(08-23-2022 07:29 AM)The Flagship Wrote:  It's interesting that Rahne named the starter this early giving VT time to focus their prep on Wolff. Could this be a sly tactic to gain an edge for Mack to come in the game in certain situations and catch the defense off guard? If so, I like it. If not, I don't get it.

If they were smart they would prepare for either QB scenario. As should ODU, despite VT naming their starting QB.

(08-23-2022 06:14 AM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  If Wolff doesn't present a threat to run the ball this year we are done. If we are in the Red zone he has to be able to tuck it and run not what he did last year and whimp out and simply fall to the ground. We must try to show some threat of a QB run.

This is true. But Id rather take our chances with a QB who can't run well (Wolff), than with a QB who can't throw well (Mack). Wolff has had a full year to know he needs to get more mobile. Hopefully he's been working with trainers and coaches to improve in that area. I would think that's easier to pick up than learning to throw accurately. But, Im no QB.

(08-23-2022 08:17 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 06:14 AM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  If Wolff doesn't present a threat to run the ball this year we are done. If we are in the Red zone he has to be able to tuck it and run not what he did last year and whimp out and simply fall to the ground. We must try to show some threat of a QB run.

This is true. But Id rather take our chances with a QB who can't run well (Wolff), than with a QB who can't throw well (Mack). Wolff has had a full year to know he needs to get more mobile. Hopefully he's been working with trainers and coaches to improve in that area. I would think that's easier to pick up than learning to throw accurately. But, Im no QB.

At least in practice, Wolff is running more often and better than before. It remains to be seen if that translates into games but Rahne has been working with Wolff extensively on that. Surprisingly, Wolff is actually one of the faster players on the team by stopwatch.

(08-23-2022 07:29 AM)The Flagship Wrote:  It's interesting that Rahne named the starter this early giving VT time to focus their prep on Wolff. Could this be a sly tactic to gain an edge for Mack to come in the game in certain situations and catch the defense off guard? If so, I like it. If not, I don't get it.

I think the prepping for a QB thing is way overstated. They are working in camp against both mobile and immobile QBs. We aren't going to hit them with a big shocker week 1. You have to prepare and it really doesn't change the defense that much. The starting QB of any team can get hurt at any moment and you have to prepare for everything.

Any one that had half a sense of what was going on knew that Wolff would be the starter anyways.

(08-23-2022 08:25 AM)CalODUFan Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 08:17 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 06:14 AM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  If Wolff doesn't present a threat to run the ball this year we are done. If we are in the Red zone he has to be able to tuck it and run not what he did last year and whimp out and simply fall to the ground. We must try to show some threat of a QB run.

This is true. But Id rather take our chances with a QB who can't run well (Wolff), than with a QB who can't throw well (Mack). Wolff has had a full year to know he needs to get more mobile. Hopefully he's been working with trainers and coaches to improve in that area. I would think that's easier to pick up than learning to throw accurately. But, Im no QB.

At least in practice, Wolff is running more often and better than before. It remains to be seen if that translates into games but Rahne has been working with Wolff extensively on that. Surprisingly, Wolff is actually one of the faster players on the team by stopwatch.

Wolff has great straight line speed but it has not translated into the games (at least yet). He just moves in slow motion in the games for some reason. Its not just decisions to run, its also progressions.

If I was going to defend him, I would blitz relentlessly because he struggles to make quick progressions/hit the check down. If you give him time in the pocket to find someone downfield, he's very successful.

(08-23-2022 08:17 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 06:14 AM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  If Wolff doesn't present a threat to run the ball this year we are done. If we are in the Red zone he has to be able to tuck it and run not what he did last year and whimp out and simply fall to the ground. We must try to show some threat of a QB run.

This is true. But Id rather take our chances with a QB who can't run well (Wolff), than with a QB who can't throw well (Mack). Wolff has had a full year to know he needs to get more mobile. Hopefully he's been working with trainers and coaches to improve in that area. I would think that's easier to pick up than learning to throw accurately. But, Im no QB.

People are acting like Mack is a complete buffoon at throwing the football, that is not the case. He's also looked much better in camp after a year learning the system. He was put in a bad spot last year (new team/system that had not played in a year and playing against much tougher teams than Wolff had to face). Mack faced some tough defenses where the back half of our schedule were mostly cupcakes.

Obviously he needed to improve on his accuracy but he's largest issue was not getting through progressions, which could be correlated to struggling to learn the system. I'm worried about all the QBs, but there is not a huge gap between them. And the positive aspect of Mack is that he is very dangerous in the red zone.

(08-23-2022 08:25 AM)CalODUFan Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 08:17 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 06:14 AM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  If Wolff doesn't present a threat to run the ball this year we are done. If we are in the Red zone he has to be able to tuck it and run not what he did last year and whimp out and simply fall to the ground. We must try to show some threat of a QB run.

This is true. But Id rather take our chances with a QB who can't run well (Wolff), than with a QB who can't throw well (Mack). Wolff has had a full year to know he needs to get more mobile. Hopefully he's been working with trainers and coaches to improve in that area. I would think that's easier to pick up than learning to throw accurately. But, Im no QB.

At least in practice, Wolff is running more often and better than before. It remains to be seen if that translates into games but Rahne has been working with Wolff extensively on that. Surprisingly, Wolff is actually one of the faster players on the team by stopwatch.

That doesn't surprise me. While watching last season during practice videos and warmup. He was actually quite fast. He just looked like he was conditioned over the years, as the QB, to get down get down get down. It looked purely mental/conditioned to me.

(08-23-2022 09:02 AM)Stat Geek Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 08:17 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 06:14 AM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  If Wolff doesn't present a threat to run the ball this year we are done. If we are in the Red zone he has to be able to tuck it and run not what he did last year and whimp out and simply fall to the ground. We must try to show some threat of a QB run.

This is true. But Id rather take our chances with a QB who can't run well (Wolff), than with a QB who can't throw well (Mack). Wolff has had a full year to know he needs to get more mobile. Hopefully he's been working with trainers and coaches to improve in that area. I would think that's easier to pick up than learning to throw accurately. But, Im no QB.

People are acting like Mack is a complete buffoon at throwing the football, that is not the case. He's also looked much better in camp after a year learning the system. He was put in a bad spot last year (new team/system that had not played in a year and playing against much tougher teams than Wolff had to face). Mack faced some tough defenses where the back half of our schedule were mostly cupcakes.

Obviously he needed to improve on his accuracy but he's largest issue was not getting through progressions, which could be correlated to struggling to learn the system. I'm worried about all the QBs, but there is not a huge gap between them. And the positive aspect of Mack is that he is very dangerous in the red zone.

I don't completely disagree with you, but the difference in the passing game with Wolff instead of Mack was immediately night and day. Mack can get the ball to a player if that player has plenty of space, but his throws just don't have a ton of zip to them outside of 5ish yard passes. Wolff is able to hit tighter windows further away which helps our run game a lot by pushing defenders back.

(08-23-2022 09:02 AM)Stat Geek Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 08:17 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 06:14 AM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  If Wolff doesn't present a threat to run the ball this year we are done. If we are in the Red zone he has to be able to tuck it and run not what he did last year and whimp out and simply fall to the ground. We must try to show some threat of a QB run.

This is true. But Id rather take our chances with a QB who can't run well (Wolff), than with a QB who can't throw well (Mack). Wolff has had a full year to know he needs to get more mobile. Hopefully he's been working with trainers and coaches to improve in that area. I would think that's easier to pick up than learning to throw accurately. But, Im no QB.

People are acting like Mack is a complete buffoon at throwing the football, that is not the case. He's also looked much better in camp after a year learning the system. He was put in a bad spot last year (new team/system that had not played in a year and playing against much tougher teams than Wolff had to face). Mack faced some tough defenses where the back half of our schedule were mostly cupcakes.

Obviously he needed to improve on his accuracy but he's largest issue was not getting through progressions, which could be correlated to struggling to learn the system. I'm worried about all the QBs, but there is not a huge gap between them. And the positive aspect of Mack is that he is very dangerous in the red zone.

Having watched Mack before ODU, I would agree with that assessment.

Another thing that has not been addressed a whole lot, and that is the inexperience and unproven capabilities at WR. Except for Kuntz there are some real questions there.
If the WRs don't gel, and, along with the oft stated OL being less effective at pass blocking, I would not be surprised to see Mack a lot, especially inside the opponent's 20 yard line.

I hope it translates to games. He doesn't need to run a lot, just a few well calculated keepers can really cause some damage.

(08-23-2022 09:11 AM)Blue_Trombone Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 09:02 AM)Stat Geek Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 08:17 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 06:14 AM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  If Wolff doesn't present a threat to run the ball this year we are done. If we are in the Red zone he has to be able to tuck it and run not what he did last year and whimp out and simply fall to the ground. We must try to show some threat of a QB run.

This is true. But Id rather take our chances with a QB who can't run well (Wolff), than with a QB who can't throw well (Mack). Wolff has had a full year to know he needs to get more mobile. Hopefully he's been working with trainers and coaches to improve in that area. I would think that's easier to pick up than learning to throw accurately. But, Im no QB.

People are acting like Mack is a complete buffoon at throwing the football, that is not the case. He's also looked much better in camp after a year learning the system. He was put in a bad spot last year (new team/system that had not played in a year and playing against much tougher teams than Wolff had to face). Mack faced some tough defenses where the back half of our schedule were mostly cupcakes.

Obviously he needed to improve on his accuracy but he's largest issue was not getting through progressions, which could be correlated to struggling to learn the system. I'm worried about all the QBs, but there is not a huge gap between them. And the positive aspect of Mack is that he is very dangerous in the red zone.

I don't completely disagree with you, but the difference in the passing game with Wolff instead of Mack was immediately night and day. Mack can get the ball to a player if that player has plenty of space, but his throws just don't have a ton of zip to them outside of 5ish yard passes. Wolff is able to hit tighter windows further away which helps our run game a lot by pushing defenders back.

We rarely got to the red zone with Mack. At least with Wolff we get the ball down field. We stalled at the 15-20 way too often, but at least we moved the ball and had far fewer 3 and outs. If nothing else, Wolff gives our D a little more time to rest. I was hoping for Clark to be the obvious choice, but that didn't happen. So lets ride the Wolff and hope for the best.

(08-23-2022 08:25 AM)CalODUFan Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 08:17 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 06:14 AM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  If Wolff doesn't present a threat to run the ball this year we are done. If we are in the Red zone he has to be able to tuck it and run not what he did last year and whimp out and simply fall to the ground. We must try to show some threat of a QB run.

This is true. But Id rather take our chances with a QB who can't run well (Wolff), than with a QB who can't throw well (Mack). Wolff has had a full year to know he needs to get more mobile. Hopefully he's been working with trainers and coaches to improve in that area. I would think that's easier to pick up than learning to throw accurately. But, Im no QB.

At least in practice, Wolff is running more often and better than before. It remains to be seen if that translates into games but Rahne has been working with Wolff extensively on that. Surprisingly, Wolff is actually one of the faster players on the team by stopwatch.

Great news...He had better show some heart and actually do it in the game.

(08-23-2022 09:16 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 09:02 AM)Stat Geek Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 08:17 AM)monarx Wrote:  

(08-23-2022 06:14 AM)Mr.BigBlue Wrote:  If Wolff doesn't present a threat to run the ball this year we are done. If we are in the Red zone he has to be able to tuck it and run not what he did last year and whimp out and simply fall to the ground. We must try to show some threat of a QB run.

This is true. But Id rather take our chances with a QB who can't run well (Wolff), than with a QB who can't throw well (Mack). Wolff has had a full year to know he needs to get more mobile. Hopefully he's been working with trainers and coaches to improve in that area. I would think that's easier to pick up than learning to throw accurately. But, Im no QB.

People are acting like Mack is a complete buffoon at throwing the football, that is not the case. He's also looked much better in camp after a year learning the system. He was put in a bad spot last year (new team/system that had not played in a year and playing against much tougher teams than Wolff had to face). Mack faced some tough defenses where the back half of our schedule were mostly cupcakes.

Obviously he needed to improve on his accuracy but he's largest issue was not getting through progressions, which could be correlated to struggling to learn the system. I'm worried about all the QBs, but there is not a huge gap between them. And the positive aspect of Mack is that he is very dangerous in the red zone.

Having watched Mack before ODU, I would agree with that assessment.

Another thing that has not been addressed a whole lot, and that is the inexperience and unproven capabilities at WR. Except for Kuntz there are some real questions there.

If the WRs don't gel, and, along with the oft stated OL being less effective at pass blocking, I would not be surprised to see Mack a lot, especially inside the opponent's 20 yard line.

I think Kuntz and Jennings are 2/3 of a more than acceptable receiver corps. Bly showed promise last year. Not saying the overall corps is going to be great, but it's hardly a one-man band.

You are right about that, but to start the year both of those guys were also new to the program and trying to grasp the offense. Mack and Kuntz had pretty good chemistry to start but Jennings started to blow up with Wolff became the QB

I think we all agree Wolffs' performance was underwhelming. Anyone know why a QB short arms passes?

Seems apparent our season rests on Wolff greatly improving.

I was having flashbacks of Wilders last year and our total offensive disaster.

(09-04-2022 07:50 AM)VB Monarch Wrote:  I think we all agree Wolffs' performance was underwhelming. Anyone know why a QB short arms passes?

Seems apparent our season rests on Wolff greatly improving.

I was having flashbacks of Wilders last year and our total offensive disaster.

Pressure. Especially when you are throwing in obvious situations like 3rd and 7 or more which happened a bunch. Even on the big completion to Jennings which set up the game winner, Wolff got drilled.

I'd also submit he's still very new as the starter. That was the biggest game of his young career.