Will be very interested to see if Jimmye brings in any transfers over the winter break for second semester
or for summer school. We never bring in many as do others (most can't get in to W&M to begin with),
but one or two very possible.

I'd love to see Vlissides emerge next year. That dude is huge and looks like he could be a real thumper

(12-07-2015 01:37 PM)BigTribe2 Wrote:  Will be very interested to see if Jimmye brings in any transfers over the winter break for second semester
or for summer school. We never bring in many as do others (most can't get in to W&M to begin with),
but one or two very possible.

UVA/Duke/Wake/Vandy transfers would be well suited for us. We've got to get a mole onto their coaching staffs.

(12-07-2015 02:48 PM)zablenoise Wrote:  I'd love to see Vlissides emerge next year. That dude is huge and looks like he could be a real thumper

He looks a little short to me, but then again that's what the scouting report said about Dante Cook a few years ago...

(12-07-2015 03:00 PM)nogretheogre Wrote:  

(12-07-2015 01:37 PM)BigTribe2 Wrote:  Will be very interested to see if Jimmye brings in any transfers over the winter break for second semester
or for summer school. We never bring in many as do others (most can't get in to W&M to begin with),
but one or two very possible.

UVA/Duke/Wake/Vandy transfers would be well suited for us. We've got to get a mole onto their coaching staffs.

Looks like Rocco may already have one. Rumors/loose talk say he is getting two UVA transfers next year.

(12-07-2015 05:27 PM)billymac Wrote:  

(12-07-2015 03:00 PM)nogretheogre Wrote:  

(12-07-2015 01:37 PM)BigTribe2 Wrote:  Will be very interested to see if Jimmye brings in any transfers over the winter break for second semester
or for summer school. We never bring in many as do others (most can't get in to W&M to begin with),
but one or two very possible.

UVA/Duke/Wake/Vandy transfers would be well suited for us. We've got to get a mole onto their coaching staffs.

Looks like Rocco may already have one. Rumors/loose talk say he is getting two UVA transfers next year.

Not new, he had the same formula at Liberty. He and his Assts are all
tied to the pipeline. His team this year had a fair share of transfers, look for more next year. I hear JMU is working on a transfer QB for next year.

(12-07-2015 05:56 PM)TribeNomad Wrote:  

(12-07-2015 05:27 PM)billymac Wrote:  

(12-07-2015 03:00 PM)nogretheogre Wrote:  

(12-07-2015 01:37 PM)BigTribe2 Wrote:  Will be very interested to see if Jimmye brings in any transfers over the winter break for second semester
or for summer school. We never bring in many as do others (most can't get in to W&M to begin with),
but one or two very possible.

UVA/Duke/Wake/Vandy transfers would be well suited for us. We've got to get a mole onto their coaching staffs.

Looks like Rocco may already have one. Rumors/loose talk say he is getting two UVA transfers next year.

Not new, he had the same formula at Liberty. He and his Assts are all
tied to the pipeline. His team this year had a fair share of transfers, look for more next year. I hear JMU is working on a transfer QB for next year.

I dont see why we cant use that to our advantage as well...unless players are transferring to UR for easier academics as opposed to just playing time.

(12-06-2015 09:51 PM)tribefbfan Wrote:  

(12-06-2015 09:22 PM)Tribal Wrote:  

(12-06-2015 09:21 PM)TDenverFan Wrote:  I could see Funderburke stepping up big. He's a 3* recruit who picked us despite having offers from Big 10, ACC, and other FBS schools.

I think you're spot on.

Funderburke is exactly who I was thinking about.

How did we land this guy? Spurned offers from Duke, Wake, and Northwestern...a 6'0" RB wow.

Looking at Tribals depth chart; there are 3 glaring holes, all up the middle. Quarterback, center, and safety. Can you say transfers from UVA to help here, maybe take over?

(12-08-2015 10:55 AM)SoCal Frank Wrote:  Looking at Tribals depth chart; there are 3 glaring holes, all up the middle. Quarterback, center, and safety. Can you say transfers from UVA to help here, maybe take over?

Returning a two-year starter and 3rd team all-conference QB is a "glaring hole"? Cluley had three sub-par games out of thirteen played. One against UD and two against UR. The two against UR had as much to do with the caliber of the opponent as it did with Cluley's ability. Cluley improved greatly from last year to this year. The kid is a leader and tough as nails. That said, I hope Cluley is pushed this spring and that there is an open competition, there are certainly areas where he can improve further. It's his job to lose and deservedly so.

Center is also not a glaring hole based on the OL depth and the number of quality recruits we brought in. Someone will emerge here.

Concern at safety is legit, but here too I think there is a good pool of candidates and in the end we'll be good at safety.

The real "up the middle" concerns are MLB and DT (from seven in general).

(12-08-2015 11:22 AM)WMTribe90 Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 10:55 AM)SoCal Frank Wrote:  Looking at Tribals depth chart; there are 3 glaring holes, all up the middle. Quarterback, center, and safety. Can you say transfers from UVA to help here, maybe take over?

Returning a two-year starter and 3rd team all-conference QB is a "glaring hole"? Cluley had three sub-par games out of thirteen played. One against UD and two against UR. The two against UR had as much to do with the caliber of the opponent as it did with Cluley's ability. Cluley improved greatly from last year to this year. The kid is a leader and tough as nails. That said, I hope Cluley is pushed this spring and that there is an open competition, there are certainly areas where he can improve further. It's his job to lose and deservedly so.

Center is also not a glaring hole based on the OL depth and the number of quality recruits we brought in. Someone will emerge here.

Concern at safety is legit, but here too I think there is a good pool of candidates and in the end we'll be good at safety.

The real "up the middle" concerns are MLB and DT (from seven in general).

Concerning the QB , look for an open competition from all comers this spring. Why not ? There is talent with McKee, Mosley and Battle and competition only makes everyone better . With that said, Cluley will have the inside track but he does need to improve, just like everyone else does.

I feel very confident the holes at MLB and C will be filled very capably, we have in the past. When Rutter graduated there was much concern over who will replace him, Luke did. The Tribe had almost always had strong smart centers who anchor the O line. I have a great deal of confidence these positions will not be a problem, unless injuries play apart of things.

The one big concern is replacing DHC. We have been fortunate to have DBs like Cox, B.W. and Cuplin who were playmakers. Who will be the next guy ?

(12-08-2015 12:12 PM)Tribe Fan Wrote:  I feel very confident the holes at MLB and C will be filled very capably, we have in the past. When Rutter graduated there was much concern over who will replace him, Luke did. The Tribe had almost always had strong smart centers who anchor the O line. I have a great deal of confidence these positions will not be a problem, unless injuries play apart of things.

The one big concern is replacing DHC. We have been fortunate to have DBs like Cox, B.W. and Cuplin who were playmakers. Who will be the next guy ?

Who is Rutter?
And I agree about DHC. Plus I think losing Velasquez compounds the problem.

(12-08-2015 12:26 PM)zablenoise Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 12:12 PM)Tribe Fan Wrote:  I feel very confident the holes at MLB and C will be filled very capably, we have in the past. When Rutter graduated there was much concern over who will replace him, Luke did. The Tribe had almost always had strong smart centers who anchor the O line. I have a great deal of confidence these positions will not be a problem, unless injuries play apart of things.

The one big concern is replacing DHC. We have been fortunate to have DBs like Cox, B.W. and Cuplin who were playmakers. Who will be the next guy ?

Who is Rutter?
And I agree about DHC. Plus I think losing Velasquez compounds the problem.

The guy Jake Trantin replaced.

The common complaint from 2009-12 was that W&M never had a senior QB with experience and they should just play the young guy so he'd be a senior with experience. They now have a senior with experience...and fans want to replace him with a young guy.

I'd take more of the complaints about Cluley seriously if they were made throughout the year. No one was crapping on him after his games against JMU or Towson.

This is a team, thus everyone must improve. I think I recall a highlight with a caption "first sack since..." I can't remember the time frame, but it was something like a 6 game stretch. During the games against Richmond Steve was under a ton of pressure all day long. That has something to do with the performance. Steve is an acurate passer, he makes great decisions, and he is durable (thus reliable to be on the field).

He should be QB1 (movie reference). The battle should be for QB2. McKee, Mosley, Battle and possibly this Hughes kid if he signs and ends up on campus. That competition will pay dividends for 2017 and 2016 in relief if needed.

"Unless injuries play a part in things". Injuries occur, you can bank
On it. Read Andy Dalton. That's the point.
USC started the year with a 3 year starter at center. All world. Max Tuerk.
Finished the year with the 4th string center, who played well. I'm not implying that we are even within smelling distance of SC, but when injuries occur you need another guy. To date those guys don't appear on Tribal's chart

(12-08-2015 12:35 PM)wanm65 Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 12:26 PM)zablenoise Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 12:12 PM)Tribe Fan Wrote:  I feel very confident the holes at MLB and C will be filled very capably, we have in the past. When Rutter graduated there was much concern over who will replace him, Luke did. The Tribe had almost always had strong smart centers who anchor the O line. I have a great deal of confidence these positions will not be a problem, unless injuries play apart of things.

The one big concern is replacing DHC. We have been fortunate to have DBs like Cox, B.W. and Cuplin who were playmakers. Who will be the next guy ?

Who is Rutter?
And I agree about DHC. Plus I think losing Velasquez compounds the problem.

The guy Jake Trantin replaced.

Thank for putting our MLBs in order.

Barta came in a did a fine job when Velasquez went down

Not sure why center is a "glaring hole". Jennings has been Jones' backup for the last 2 years, got the few starts when Jones was out, and was often the extra lineman in on short yardage situations. Physically, he's practically a carbon copy of Jones. He'll be a senior next year, and I expect him to slide right into the starting job.

(12-08-2015 04:50 PM)Tribe Fan Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 12:35 PM)wanm65 Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 12:26 PM)zablenoise Wrote:  

(12-08-2015 12:12 PM)Tribe Fan Wrote:  I feel very confident the holes at MLB and C will be filled very capably, we have in the past. When Rutter graduated there was much concern over who will replace him, Luke did. The Tribe had almost always had strong smart centers who anchor the O line. I have a great deal of confidence these positions will not be a problem, unless injuries play apart of things.

The one big concern is replacing DHC. We have been fortunate to have DBs like Cox, B.W. and Cuplin who were playmakers. Who will be the next guy ?

Who is Rutter?
And I agree about DHC. Plus I think losing Velasquez compounds the problem.

The guy Jake Trantin replaced.

Thank for putting our MLBs in order.

Barta came in a did a fine job when Velasquez went down

Barta did a fine job. He dropped two crucial INTs that hit him dead in his hands...Velasquez would've taken both to the house...but Barta is a capable DB. To be fair, Barta also made some huge plays for us, also at crucial times.

I still think someone else will earn the starting FS spot.

Based on our coach's entire history of starting QB selection, betting on anyone other than Cluley starting (barring injury) in game 1 2016 is a sucker's bet.

Barta did fill the hole pretty well, but I think missing Velasquez should have gotten more attention for our defense's demise than it did.