(09-22-2013 06:33 PM)Longhorn Wrote:  

(09-22-2013 06:29 PM)bulldogg Wrote:  Exactly! No harm in conserving Birdsong's running ability against teams we can afford to do that with. However, our conference schedule ain't got not STFUs, CCSUs, or Charlottes in it.

I don't know about that...Albany is looking pretty weak, and SBU (without their stud RB) is also looking kinda puny right now.

Thank goodness for that. Towson is no longer a gimme and we don't play Rhody. Our conference schedule is quite a gauntlet.

(09-22-2013 01:44 PM)JMUDDOG Wrote:  

(09-22-2013 12:37 PM)hburg Wrote:  On one of the interceptions he had a wide open middle but threw to the sideline. As he grows he will get better.

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Absolutely hburg. He has good vision and a strong arm, how likely will he get drafted by the pros? He's big too and can run.

I doubt it , his arm is not very strong.

(09-22-2013 12:33 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  You can't play football scared of injuries, but you can't tempt fate either when there is no backup option at QB. I contend that Birdsong is a better runner than passer and Mickey will need to release the shackles if this team is going to win the important games. We'll see what happens against Delaware.
What is Mickey going to do when teams key on DQ?

What do you think teams have been doing the last 4 weeks?

(09-22-2013 09:28 PM)BDKJMU Wrote:  

(09-22-2013 12:33 PM)Hart Foundation Wrote:  You can't play football scared of injuries, but you can't tempt fate either when there is no backup option at QB. I contend that Birdsong is a better runner than passer and Mickey will need to release the shackles if this team is going to win the important games. We'll see what happens against Delaware.
What is Mickey going to do when teams key on DQ?

What do you think teams have been doing the last 4 weeks?

Exactly!!!! When you have a QB who can run that means the D can't concentrate on your RBs alone, and that threat opens up the passing game much more. Landers was a master at that. It was great watching him tuck the ball like he was running, only to run to the LOS and hit a wide open receiver because the secondary was coming after him. I think our young sophomore has the ability to become even better at that, and he has a better arm than Landers.... by a long shot!

(09-22-2013 07:08 PM)All Dukes_All Day Wrote:  That last 6 game stretch of vs Richmond, at W&M, Villanova, at New Hampshire, Stony Brook and at Towson is really going to test the Dukes resolve. If Mickey and co. win 4 of those games, I'll like our chances in the playoffs.

Right! Our conference schedule is brutal, and the best of those teams are away. If we make the playoffs this year, we are some kind of good! Very strong year for the CAA. Still a lot of unknown quantities, but it looks like UD is going to be very good, UNH is going to be very good, and Towson is going to be off-the-charts good.

Richmond? 2-2 so far, losing to NC State by 2 and Gardner-Webb by 2, and Gardner-Webb is 3-1, losing only to Marshall. They have beaten RU, Wofford, and Furman. Not bad. And the Ticks always play well at Bridgeforth. Bottom line.... Richmond is not bad. They may be good. By the time we play them they may be very good. One of those unknown quantities you heard tell of.

Nova? They are 1-2, but don't let that fool ya'. They played BC tough but had four costly turnovers. Likewise, they lost to Fordham in a close game, despite FIVE Nova turnovers. And Fordham is no slouch. Undefeated at 4-0, including beating Temple (I know Temple is down this year, but they are still FBS), and two CAA teams, including Nova.

W&M? Very unknown quantity at this point. I'm calling this one a win.

We should be able to start the Dukettes and beat Stony Creek and Albany. Welcome to the CAA, guys!

Bottom line.... starting this coming Saturday we have to use all of our weapons, especially Big Red's running ability. If we don't I believe we may have a tough time. We will get a much clearer picture this weekend of just how good the Dukes are this year. If we go into the Towson game with two losses, we are a lock for the playoffs. I believe we can do that, but we have to be hitting on all cylinders until then. No prisoners!

GO DUKES!!!!

I want to comment on part of a thread I saw somewhere on here recently, but I didn't have time then to respond. Does it seem that we could use some quick hit type passes in our offense? MB seems to always have to hang and linger in the pocket for a long time until a receiver comes open. We don't seem to be hitting slants, skinny posts, quick outs, that type of thing, or dumping down to the TE. I respect him going through his reads, and I know the qb has to hang in there sometimes. It simply seems that our passing plays are often slow developing IMO.

Also, should we even mess with the wildcat? I did not think it was that hard to get the personnel set, but we can't seem to run it without a penalty. Some of you who have played at the college level or are more knowledgeable of our system might be able to help me out on this.

Lastly, how did 14 look to you all Saturday night? I was there but don't remember seeing him torched, maybe I was in refilling my plate with beef brisket (only to take it out and have it flavored with Hburg rain) but I had to watch the game outside!

(09-23-2013 09:24 AM)jmutoml757 Wrote:  I want to comment on part of a thread I saw somewhere on here recently, but I didn't have time then to respond. Does it seem that we could use some quick hit type passes in our offense? MB seems to always have to hang and linger in the pocket for a long time until a receiver comes open. We don't seem to be hitting slants, skinny posts, quick outs, that type of thing, or dumping down to the TE. I respect him going through his reads, and I know the qb has to hang in there sometimes. It simply seems that our passing plays are often slow developing IMO.

Also, should we even mess with the wildcat? I did not think it was that hard to get the personnel set, but we can't seem to run it without a penalty. Some of you who have played at the college level or are more knowledgeable of our system might be able to help me out on this.

Lastly, how did 14 look to you all Saturday night? I was there but don't remember seeing him torched, maybe I was in refilling my plate with beef brisket (only to take it out and have it flavored with Hburg rain) but I had to watch the game outside!

As far as quick hits on passing, I think O'Cain has it figured out. I believe we are watching a master at work here. I really do. I think he knows how to get the very most out of the personnel he has and designs his offense accordingly. Our offensive production thus far bears that out. I give O'Cain my full confidence at this point.

Dump the wildcat. Running it as a gadget play it is dangerous. In order for the wildcat to be successful you have to run it a lot, and we don't and we shouldn't.

Also...I don't think we have shown much other than the Akron game.

MM stated that we are running about 90-95 plays per game. Is this true? Just doesn't seem like it is that many. Sounds like Smith will be back next week vs UD.

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Also stated that Abdullah has taken the 2 spot and Simmons will be the back up. But will see if that holds when the other two get healthy. Latney may be out for a while.

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(09-23-2013 08:09 PM)hburg Wrote:  MM stated that we are running about 90-95 plays per game. Is this true? Just doesn't seem like it is that many. Sounds like Smith will be back next week vs UD.

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Yes. We are running a ton of plays. Jmusports had the stat sheets for each gm