(09-03-2017 07:09 AM)Tribe4SF Wrote:  Gotta love armchair QB-ing!

UVA is an improved team over last year. Very good secondary, and LBs are outstanding. Passing game impressive. Benkert is good, and they have good receiver corps.

Questions remain for the Tribe, but some big ones were answered. O-line performed well even without Wimmer and Durant. Giles and Anderson will both be good backs. D-line solid with depth. LB play light years better than last year. Defense on the whole played fast and aggressive producing three sacks and nine TFLs.

On to Norfolk State!

So you're saying we're putting up 30-40 points against Norfolk? Because that's what a traditional JL offense would do.

Well Norfolk lost to a D2 team, so should be more than that.

(09-03-2017 07:30 AM)nj alum Wrote:  

(09-03-2017 07:09 AM)Tribe4SF Wrote:  Gotta love armchair QB-ing!

UVA is an improved team over last year. Very good secondary, and LBs are outstanding. Passing game impressive. Benkert is good, and they have good receiver corps.

Questions remain for the Tribe, but some big ones were answered. O-line performed well even without Wimmer and Durant. Giles and Anderson will both be good backs. D-line solid with depth. LB play light years better than last year. Defense on the whole played fast and aggressive producing three sacks and nine TFLs.

On to Norfolk State!

So you're saying we're putting up 30-40 points against Norfolk? Because that's what a traditional JL offense would do.

I didn't say that, but yes, I would expect we would. Do you have an opinion on that?

(09-03-2017 08:29 AM)hktribefan Wrote:  Well Norfolk lost to a D2 team, so should be more than that.

Virginia State is a good DII. 9-2 last year, and 35-10 since 2013. They averaged 39 points/gm last year, so NSU's defense may not be that bad holding them to 14. NSU's problems are on offense. They managed only 214 total yards against VSU, and their only TD was a fumble recovery in the end zone.

I'm not sure which is worse...McKee's passing or punting.

(09-03-2017 09:14 AM)Herm61 Wrote:  I'm not sure which is worse...McKee's passing or punting.

I can't decide either

Have seen vanilla play calling in some of our other FBS openers before - not sure how coaches make the call to go for it, or just use the game to see what we've got.

Always frustrating to see our QB hold the ball too long - got to have the confidence to throw to a spot and expect receiver to get there - but 1rst game, FBS secondary - will see how it goes next couple weeks. On the other hand, how many times have we been beaten by QBs who can run - would be nice to see shoe on other foot. O-line and RBs looked fine.

Bravo defense! Liked pretty much all facets of defensive play, and like others have pointed out - no give up.

Field goal conversion was heartening.

Overall saw enough to feel good about competing in FCS.


I can punt if needed.

I hoped we'd sleep on this and drop the panic mode emotions a bit.

Had we played Mitchell and lost him for the season to a torn ACL, you guys would've fried JL.

If I correctly recall, McKee's HS highlights showed a lot of shorter passes and runs. That's what he offers. He was also our Offensive Scout Team POY and knows the system well so I'm not at all surprised JL rolled him out there in week one. Had he pulled him after one half, it would've killed Tommy's confidence and we will need him again.

I guess it's all fan perspective. I'm just beyond pleased with the OL, DL, and LBs...the core...and how they matched up with P5 talent. I suspect we'll settle on a QB over the next couple of weeks, get some guys healed up, and seriously contend for a playoff berth.

Aside from all of that, I get the frustration but I don't understand the Tommy and coach bashing after one game. The good news is our staff and players are already working on pleasing you next Saturday.



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My guess without knowing anything at all was that Jimmye played McKee because he was second string for two years and because he didn't want to get anyone (else) killed yesterday. Now, if we see anything similar to this on offense next week, I'm really going to be ticked off. Will we see a Mitchell sighting next week close to his home town? If not, let's not burn a redshirt.

My frustration from yesterday stems from the belief that the guys generally outperformed UVA. McKee did not have a good game either passing or punting. I'd like to see him concentrate on one. Maybe punting and wildcat QB. In general with better play calling and minimal injuries these guys are poised to surprise a lot of people and outperform.


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(09-03-2017 08:44 AM)Tribe4SF Wrote:  

(09-03-2017 07:30 AM)nj alum Wrote:  

(09-03-2017 07:09 AM)Tribe4SF Wrote:  Gotta love armchair QB-ing!

UVA is an improved team over last year. Very good secondary, and LBs are outstanding. Passing game impressive. Benkert is good, and they have good receiver corps.

Questions remain for the Tribe, but some big ones were answered. O-line performed well even without Wimmer and Durant. Giles and Anderson will both be good backs. D-line solid with depth. LB play light years better than last year. Defense on the whole played fast and aggressive producing three sacks and nine TFLs.

On to Norfolk State!

So you're saying we're putting up 30-40 points against Norfolk? Because that's what a traditional JL offense would do.

I didn't say that, but yes, I would expect we would. Do you have an opinion on that?

Yes I do.

I love JL. I love what he does for the program. I love looking forward to each season, something very few schools and their fans can say on an annual basis. I hope JL stays forever.

I LOVE the FBS opening game in the JL era. I LOVE when the Tribe offense gives the big boys fits. I don't expect wins (well, maybe a couple), but I expect offense, and I pray for no injuries.

I've been in Scott Stadium on several occasions when the Tribe offense just attacked ... attacked ... attacked. When a Tribe defense performs the way it did yesterday, and the Tribe offense is a no show (for whatever reason), as a Tribe fan in the JL era, I'm really, really disappointed. For the first three quarters, I never felt like we were trying to throw the Cavs on their heels, shock them, and try to win the game. I felt like it was a situation where we were working on things... a glorified scrimmage.

In the off-season, we lost a very experienced OC. Supposedly, the OC was a reason why a certain somebody chose W&M. Does this concern me? Yes. Yesterday did nothing to dispel my concerns.

As for Norfolk, I don't think we're putting up 30-40 points. I think we have offensive issues, and that this is not a traditional JL offense. If we do put up 30-40 points against Norfolk, I'm really going to scratch my noggin as to why we could only score 10 points against UVa. I get what you're saying about the UVa defense, but it's still UVa! They're not that good.

It's very simple. We only scored 10 points yesterday. That does not bode well for Norfolk.

I will concede that, if UVa had turned the ball over seven times, like they did in 2009, the Tribe would have won yesterday ... so maybe my concerns are not valid.

But we are going to know over the next two games, that's for sure.

I loved what I saw out of the defense yesterday. If the offense decides to join the party, it's going to be a great year.

I've got to tell you that I was pretty darn proud of the way Tommy McKee played yesterday. Not only did he come out and compete, he did so knowing his starting center was lost a week ago. Three of his linemen came out of concussion protocol and were just cleared game week to practice. In the first series he loses one of his top linemen against an FBS opponent in game one. He continued to compete.

All spring and summer all he heard was the freshman was the next super star. He might be someday, but he had to listen to reporters, fans speculate and call for the freshman. He's in a no win situation. Every mistake was magnified in the fans eyes. Each time the message board lit up calling for his replacement. I watched the team. I watched his receivers. When Tommy scored the TD, a receiver was the first to congratulate him. The guys understand the situation better than any of us will.

Many say he shouldn't be the punter as well as the QB. I bet if the coaches had a different solution they wouldn't hesitate. So, Tommy wasn't perfect. I bet that no player graded out perfect.

It was his first game!!! It was their first game. There were many firsts yesterday. All of which will iron their way out.

I'll just say there probably isn't another person on this board and there were probably only about 5 other guys in the stands yesterday hoping that there was more to the passing game. It will improve.

Shout out to the defense and special teams yesterday. Really happy with the way they played

(09-03-2017 01:29 PM)nj alum Wrote:  Yes I do.

I love JL. I love what he does for the program. I love looking forward to each season, something very few schools and their fans can say on an annual basis. I hope JL stays forever.

I LOVE the FBS opening game in the JL era. I LOVE when the Tribe offense gives the big boys fits. I don't expect wins (well, maybe a couple), but I expect offense, and I pray for no injuries.

I've been in Scott Stadium on several occasions when the Tribe offense just attacked ... attacked ... attacked. When a Tribe defense performs the way it did yesterday, and the Tribe offense is a no show (for whatever reason), as a Tribe fan in the JL era, I'm really, really disappointed. For the first three quarters, I never felt like we were trying to throw the Cavs on their heels, shock them, and try to win the game. I felt like it was a situation where we were working on things... a glorified scrimmage.

In the off-season, we lost a very experienced OC. Supposedly, the OC was a reason why a certain somebody chose W&M. Does this concern me? Yes. Yesterday did nothing to dispel my concerns.

As for Norfolk, I don't think we're putting up 30-40 points. I think we have offensive issues, and that this is not a traditional JL offense. If we do put up 30-40 points against Norfolk, I'm really going to scratch my noggin as to why we could only score 10 points against UVa. I get what you're saying about the UVa defense, but it's still UVa! They're not that good.

It's very simple. We only scored 10 points yesterday. That does not bode well for Norfolk.

I will concede that, if UVa had turned the ball over seven times, like they did in 2009, the Tribe would have won yesterday ... so maybe my concerns are not valid.

But we are going to know over the next two games, that's for sure.

I loved what I saw out of the defense yesterday. If the offense decides to join the party, it's going to be a great year.

I love everything about this post and agree with it all.

At some point I'm disappointed with the outing yesterday because Jimmye has conditioned me to expect more out of his teams, offenses, and QBs.

(09-02-2017 05:43 PM)nj alum Wrote:  

(09-02-2017 05:39 PM)Zorch Wrote:  

(09-02-2017 05:32 PM)wanm65 Wrote:  How do we keep Mitchell from transferring :<(

I think Jimmye was not trying to win and was just trying to avoid injury -- especially to Mitchell. The way to do that is to play McKie (the most experienced QB) against the FBS school. I don't think McKie is the answer going forward --- because he got more yards running than he did passing. Since we are not an option offense, that is not good. McKie can beat Norfolk State and Bucknell but we better have a passing QB by the time we get to conference play.

Other things:

1. Dedmon fumbled two kicks. NOT GOOD!

2. That was not an INT. Looked to me that Caskin caught it and then lost it immediately. I thought that it was a fumble.

3. I thought the Dedmon TD was legit. Replays showed feet in bounds. Fortunately, we scored anyway.

4. Swinton and offensive tackle (D-something) injured (Swinton before the game). Why does this happen every year? One of our studs seems to get hurt in practice before the first game every year.

My recollection is that the UVa defender caught the ball in the air after Caskin was hit, and that it never touched the ground ... that would be a legit INT.

From Section 106, it was a catch/turn/hit/ball out/look what I found INT. Unlucky for the Tribe, very fortunate for UVA.

(09-02-2017 07:01 PM)tribeintexas Wrote:  JL giving one series to Battle and pulling him off was classic. Did JL inform Battle that he only has one chance?

McKee went straight to the trainer, who was looking at his knee. Battle played a series while McKee was "getting treatment".

My comments in << >>.

(09-03-2017 03:35 PM)tribefbfan Wrote:  Not only did he come out and compete, he did so knowing his starting center was lost a week ago. << What is Wimmer's injury? Will he be back? >>

Three of his linemen came out of concussion protocol and were just cleared game week to practice. << What?! What the heck is going on in practice if 3 linemen got concussions? The Tribe needs to try out those tackling robots (or whatever) that Dartmouth is using. Knocking out 3 of our own guys is just stupid. >>

He's in a no win situation. << Definitely not so! He could have won the job for the season and had every member of this board singing his praises if he had played better. Even now, many Tribe fans remember Ken Lambiotte from 1986. He started his playoff run by beating UVa. McKee could have done likewise. McKee got a chance that Battle and Mitchell did not get. Did he make the most of it? >>

The guys understand the situation better than any of us will. << QB is not chosen by a popularity contest. McKee should be more popular - so far - because he is a junior and has been on the team longer than the other two. >>

Many say he shouldn't be the punter as well as the QB. I bet if the coaches had a different solution they wouldn't hesitate. << Not having a different/better solution than having your starting QB punt is just simply bad coaching. They have known since last year that Windmuller wasn't coming back. In all that time they couldn't get a better punter than McKee? The only positive thing about McKee punting (assuming that he is not the starting QB), is that his running ability and throwing ability make him an excellent chance for a trick play on a punt, or to salvage a bad snap or busted punt. >>

It was his first game!!! << Yes, it was. But he is a junior and last year he was the top backup. So I am inclined to think that many of us expected more from him. Such bad play would have actually been expected more from the freshman truly in his first game than from a junior who knows the system. >>

Keep in mind that I support the Tribe QB no matter who he is --- but I expect him to perform capably and I reserve the right to complain about him and the coaches if he does not. We are not Division III, where they play just for the fun of it. These guys are on scholarship and so expectations are higher.

As a first time poster, I'll keep it brief. The boys played their hearts out! I was at the game, and never once did I see a lack of effort! The coaches will review the tape and make adjustments, both schematically and with their personal if they deem fit. Each and every season is not a sprint, but a marathon. The coaching staff will make decisions not only on what is best for the team today, but also tomorrow. Again, it's a season long marathon. I suggest we kill this thread and create a new Norfolk State thread. Go Tribe!

Not sure if comparing Tommy to Lambiotte is fair. Perhaps if Tommy had been playing UVA in his 8th game (after playing several non-scholarship teams), rather than playing them in his first game, he would've played a little better.

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(09-03-2017 05:50 PM)Zorch Wrote:  My comments in << >>.

(09-03-2017 03:35 PM)tribefbfan Wrote:  Not only did he come out and compete, he did so knowing his starting center was lost a week ago. << What is Wimmer's injury? Will he be back? >>

Three of his linemen came out of concussion protocol and were just cleared game week to practice. << What?! What the heck is going on in practice if 3 linemen got concussions? The Tribe needs to try out those tackling robots (or whatever) that Dartmouth is using. Knocking out 3 of our own guys is just stupid. >>

He's in a no win situation. << Definitely not so! He could have won the job for the season and had every member of this board singing his praises if he had played better. Even now, many Tribe fans remember Ken Lambiotte from 1986. He started his playoff run by beating UVa. McKee could have done likewise. McKee got a chance that Battle and Mitchell did not get. Did he make the most of it? >>

The guys understand the situation better than any of us will. << QB is not chosen by a popularity contest. McKee should be more popular - so far - because he is a junior and has been on the team longer than the other two. >>

Many say he shouldn't be the punter as well as the QB. I bet if the coaches had a different solution they wouldn't hesitate. << Not having a different/better solution than having your starting QB punt is just simply bad coaching. They have known since last year that Windmuller wasn't coming back. In all that time they couldn't get a better punter than McKee? The only positive thing about McKee punting (assuming that he is not the starting QB), is that his running ability and throwing ability make him an excellent chance for a trick play on a punt, or to salvage a bad snap or busted punt. >>

It was his first game!!! << Yes, it was. But he is a junior and last year he was the top backup. So I am inclined to think that many of us expected more from him. Such bad play would have actually been expected more from the freshman truly in his first game than from a junior who knows the system. >>

Keep in mind that I support the Tribe QB no matter who he is --- but I expect him to perform capably and I reserve the right to complain about him and the coaches if he does not. We are not Division III, where they play just for the fun of it. These guys are on scholarship and so expectations are higher.

You certainly have the right to complain. Everyone on here does. But trust me there is no one on this board or in the stands that expects capable play from their players tan the coaches. You are absolutely right, this is not D3, and if the coaches felt they had players other than the ones getting the reps they would be out there.

These guys played hard. They have a couple of winnable games coming up. I expect some ugly moments in those games too.

The OC, the QB, the center, the RB all making their first start on Saturday. Call me out if they don't figure things outvby conference time, but believe they will. Until then, I'll stomach message board experts.

Just trivia...

We have played UVA 14 times since 1970. We have held them under 30 points only four times during that stretch, winning two of those - 14-0 in 1976 and 26-14 in 2009. Speaks well of the defensive performance as many here have covered.

Only the 1976 shutout (14-0 Tribe) featured fewer combined points than yesterday.