(07-10-2018 11:00 AM)ODU AGGIE Wrote: BTW, I am expecting the passing game to be really strong this year -- in the 3,000+ yards range. Williams will pick up where he left off in terms of completion percentage and protecting the ball. I expect Duhart to a have a 1,000+ yard year in a great comeback season. I see Fulgham getting back into the groove as the No. 2 WR, as the pressure will be off with Duhart back. I think we will see 600 or so yards out of Harper, and the young guys will make some solid contributions also in back-up roles. If the key players stay healthy, this team is going to be much better than most expect.
Wilder often said Steven Williams "was on every read" but that is clearly BS. He was still forcing throws into coverage while he had wide open receivers. I think Williams has all the physical tools to develop, but he didn't see the field well even at the end of the season. He still has some serious growth before he's throwing for 3,000 yards against the competition ODU faces next season.
Here's what I said: "Williams will pick up where he left off in terms of completion percentage and protecting the ball."
In his last four games SW completed 64% of his passes with zero interceptions. I think that is the caliber of play we will see this season, with a completion percentage in the mid to high 60% range and with minimal intereceptions. If he averages 250 yards per game, he will get 3,000 yards. Duhart is back. I expect Fulgham to rebound from a down year where he was thrust into the #1 WR role with Duhart's injury. Harper is solid. They have had all year to develop the chemistry they need. Personally, I think it is pretty clear that the passing game will be in good shape, and I stand by my predictions.
Forgive me for arguing for the sake of arguing, and perhaps I am too deep into fantasy football, but wouldn't touchdowns and yards also be a meaningful stat here? He only threw 2 touchdowns in the last 4 games, and they both were in the same game at FIU. He averaged 166 yards in those last 4 games, again with FIU the outlier at 240. Taking these stats together, you could make the assumption he was more into dumping off, but once the field got shorter it became more difficult to make those plays and find the endzone? I'm just not buying the argument that the completion % and lack of interceptions tells the full story.
You have a good point, and I also noted that lack of production. However, I just think with SW taking care of the ball, Duhart back, good line play and a strong running game -- the offense is going to find production this year. We have a lot of talent, and I am really excited about our prospects. The East is going to be very tough this year, but we are going to surprise some folks. The Monarchs will have no less than eight wins, and who knows, maybe more.
The more I read your posts, the more excited I get for the football season. Keep the optimism flowing. I tend to be pessimistic in the offseason. Perhaps it's so I can only be pleasantly surprised.
Memories have faded since last fall but I remember wondering why we rarely seemed to throw over the middle- at least that was my perception. Especially with Lawry/Cox being a threat to run up the middle and draw linebackers forward to open space 7-10 yards downfield.
Maybe we didn't have that physical receiver type who could take those hits? I dunno the answer but I'd love to see more crossing patterns to maybe open up the sidelines and deep balls. Hopefully Duhart can be that guy.
(07-11-2018 07:11 AM)Roy Munson Wrote: Memories have faded since last fall but I remember wondering why we rarely seemed to throw over the middle- at least that was my perception. Especially with Lawry/Cox being a threat to run up the middle and draw linebackers forward to open space 7-10 yards downfield.
Maybe we didn't have that physical receiver type who could take those hits? I dunno the answer but I'd love to see more crossing patterns to maybe open up the sidelines and deep balls. Hopefully Duhart can be that guy.
Over the years, many here and elsewhere have questioned our seeming lack of prowess over-the-middle.
I yell that at every game! It's especially head-scratching since the few times they try a huge percentage is successful. They'd rather use to death that stupid bubble-screen or whatever it's called that is successful maybe 35-40% of the time. Not to mention it's terribly boring!
(07-11-2018 01:35 PM)Monarch Homselr Wrote: I yell that at every game! It's especially head-scratching since the few times they try a huge percentage is successful. They'd rather use to death that stupid bubble-screen or whatever it's called that is successful maybe 35-40% of the time. Not to mention it's terribly boring!
Its typically a screen based off the zone read look. Typically the 3rd read:
Handoff to RB
QB Keeper (if DE pinches)
WR Screen (if the LB also overcommits)
Add me to the list of fans wondering why we so seldom see crossing patterns and over the middle. We actually used to in the early years. WR would go 5-7 yards then cut into the middle. worked great as I recall but somehow they went away from it.
The new kid Keion White had a few throws during the spring game and looked very promising. Hope to see more of it this year.
Speculating here, but perhaps it wasn't a strength of David Washington's or he telegraphed where the ball was going. Hoy, LaRussa, Bentley, all had stuff knocked down in the middle of the field often as I recall. Can't answer about Williams. I don't think we've had very consistent TEs who would help make that play go, and maybe slender WRs like Harper can't take the inevitable pounding. I, too, hope it's back, especially play action that freezes LBs and opens that area.
It seems to me I remember both Antonio Vaughan and Nick Mayer catching that pass across the middle and turning it up between the safeties quite regularly. Of course, the competition was not as strong as todays, but they made a living doing that.
They also had Heinicke, who obviously knew how to fit throws into tight spaces. They must have had good reason for abandoning that play; you just don't do it on a whim.
(07-10-2018 07:58 AM)cmett003 Wrote: Nigel Fitzgerald has posted some injury stuff on his social media, this morning he had a cast on his left foot. Probably will be missing a decent portion of the season but with the new rule he could come in at the end of the year and play 4 games and get some really good experience.
Fulgham had something on Twitter too, something like "same old injuries since last year, stuff's getting old"
(07-11-2018 02:47 PM)Old Dominion Wrote: Add me to the list of fans wondering why we so seldom see crossing patterns and over the middle. We actually used to in the early years. WR would go 5-7 yards then cut into the middle. worked great as I recall but somehow they went away from it.
The new kid Keion White had a few throws during the spring game and looked very promising. Hope to see more of it this year.
Heinicke could kill over the middle for 10-15 yard gains. But he could also fling it to either sideline and we would play a lot of downs with 5 receivers and an empty backfield in those days. The spread offense was in full effect then leaving a lot more room in the middle.
(07-11-2018 02:47 PM)Old Dominion Wrote: Add me to the list of fans wondering why we so seldom see crossing patterns and over the middle. We actually used to in the early years. WR would go 5-7 yards then cut into the middle. worked great as I recall but somehow they went away from it.
The new kid Keion White had a few throws during the spring game and looked very promising. Hope to see more of it this year.
Heinicke could kill over the middle for 10-15 yard gains. But he could also fling it to either sideline and we would play a lot of downs with 5 receivers and an empty backfield in those days. The spread offense was in full effect then leaving a lot more room in the middle.
So true. We didn't have very tall receivers and so were the defenders but Nick Mayers, Blair and Vaughan all hauled in some significant catch from TH in all parts of the field, middle, sideline under the defenders, over the defenders it was crazy. There isn't a game the last couple of seasons that i didn't think those good old QB/WR combos that just worked and we were uptempo too. Now we are run up the gut, rinse repeat or and may be throw once in a while which the WR's may or may not get to. I would love to see a Mayers type of guy with some height and i honestly thought Eri'reon Hayes would be that guy but didn't see too much of him.