(08-02-2019 10:49 PM)Jmufan2018 Wrote:  

(08-02-2019 06:56 PM)#20fromalongtimeago Wrote:  

(08-02-2019 04:07 PM)Potomac Wrote:  Are we allowed to speculate that MH had his foot out the door? I think we need to get a consensus agreement from the Dukes domain board of posters.

I recall people jumping down some throats after the Colgate loss for suggesting such a thing. I guess the waiting period is over.

Houston is a riser... He had one foot out the door the day he accepted the JMU job...He was a great hire but with that said he lost the game for us at Colgate due to the distraction. So glad we have Cig now as I believe we upgraded.

I agree with you in saying Cig is an upgrade because he can provide a spark that MH had lost after 2016. But, if you think Cignetti isn’t a riser too and doesn’t have half his foot out the door already, I think you’re mistaken. This job is going to continue to be a revolving door and a stepping stone for elite FCS coaches to jump to FBS.

After Cig quickly punches his ticket we can debate the positive attributes of hiring a squatter to lead JMU football. Having coaches hired away by a higher level is not a bad thing.

Looking at the probabilities of winning each game, why is the most likely record not 11-1?

Feels right to me

(08-03-2019 11:50 PM)JMUNation Wrote:  Looking at the probabilities of winning each game, why is the most likely record not 11-1?

It doesn’t work that way in their W-L predictor.

100% = 1.00
69% = 0.69

Take all the percentile numbers and add them up for the wins. The percent chance of winning for the opponents is the predicted losses.

The amounts of each should equal the 11 or 12 game regular season. When rounded, JMU’s was 9-3.

As you win a lower probability game, the remaining W/L prediction improves in your favor.

In a perfect world it would be amazing to have a great coach who wins multiple 'ships, is 100% committed to the school, bleeds purple, builds not only a house but also a community center in the area and never picks up the phone when the FBS/NFL/anyone else calls. But that world does not exist. Houston was a very good coach who wins everywhere he goes and will probably move up again in 3-4 years after lifting ECU. Cig will likely be gone as well, hopefully that means he has done enough to attract schools at the next level. The cycle continues until you become a top 3 program in FBS and even then it is not a guarantee that your coach will not jump to the NFL or retire young (looking at you Meyers). This is the new world of college sports...its not about roots it's about rising as quick as possible and using whatever path happens to open up. While I would prefer a world where coaches are committed to schools long-term and win with what they develop (who wouldn't prefer that) I don't mind too much that essentially every coach is hired with one foot out the door depending on who comes knocking. Just look at our boy Withers who was the DC at FIU for 2 weeks this year before jumping to the NY Giants. All I really care about is that you run a clean program and win...and I would prefer it if you weren't a jerk (looking at you Withers).

FWIW, Madia tweeted that its clear DiNucci is the front runner for the starting qb job.

https://twitter.com/madia_dnrsports/stat...AU8so_HYWM

Great news for Ben. I hope the back up QBs stay engaged and ready. Let's hope we really are locked into 16-0.

Dukes are #2 in preseason STATS poll

(08-05-2019 11:44 AM)Wear Purple Wrote:  Dukes are #2 in preseason STATS poll

Not a completely terrible top 25 actually

(08-05-2019 11:28 AM)Potomac Wrote:  Great news for Ben. I hope the back up QBs stay engaged and ready. Let's hope we really are locked into 16-0.

It's JMU. We're always engaged.

PS. Good for Ben. Now kick butt this year!!

(08-05-2019 11:24 AM)JMU_Newbill Wrote:  FWIW, Madia tweeted that its clear DiNucci is the front runner for the starting qb job.

https://twitter.com/madia_dnrsports/stat...AU8so_HYWM

Dear god, some people on here are about to lose their minds.

Still early though, but let the hate flow!

(08-05-2019 12:23 PM)TheDuke Wrote:  

(08-05-2019 11:24 AM)JMU_Newbill Wrote:  FWIW, Madia tweeted that its clear DiNucci is the front runner for the starting qb job.

https://twitter.com/madia_dnrsports/stat...AU8so_HYWM

Dear god, some people on here are about to lose their minds.

Still early though, but let the hate flow!

I understand your sentiment fully. I hope everyone gets behind ALL of our players - whether they are your pet pick for whatever position. I mean, Houston used to come to this board for guidance on who he should be starting and playing because he was never at the practices and is a novice when it comes to coaching football. I figure Coach Cig is already doing the same.

Just win, babyyyyyy!

Madia's quotes from Cig sound like Ben is improving, so that's a plus. Sounds like Moloney is hurt, and Cole is having some struggles. I would prefer the three QB's pushing each other.

If Ben develops any pocket presence, he should be fine.

(08-05-2019 04:31 PM)JMUDukes1750 Wrote:  Madia's quotes from Cig sound like Ben is improving, so that's a plus. Sounds like Moloney is hurt, and Cole is having some struggles. I would prefer the three QB's pushing each other.

If Ben develops any pocket presence, he should be fine.

Pocket presence? He had no pocket last year, or at least not one that lasted longer than a second and a half.

If the line is better, Ben will be better. If the OC ditches the drop-back, pro-style nonsense and allows him to roll, read, and create, which is his strength, Ben will be WAAAAAAAY better.

Bring on the smelly Bisons. In the words of Moe Horowitz, "we'll murderize 'em!"

(08-05-2019 04:39 PM)Purple Wrote:  

(08-05-2019 04:31 PM)JMUDukes1750 Wrote:  Madia's quotes from Cig sound like Ben is improving, so that's a plus. Sounds like Moloney is hurt, and Cole is having some struggles. I would prefer the three QB's pushing each other.

If Ben develops any pocket presence, he should be fine.

Pocket presence? He had no pocket last year, or at least not one that lasted longer than a second and a half.

If the line is better, Ben will be better. If the OC ditches the drop-back, pro-style nonsense and allows him to roll, read, and create, which is his strength, Ben will be WAAAAAAAY better.

The OL had its problems, I'm not going to pretend they didn't need to work on stuff (was disappointed in Mac Patrick after rewatching some games) but Nooch:

- Drifted back while throwing with no one around him (not stepping into throws, throwing off his back foot)
- Struggled to reset his base when moving in the pocket
- Panicked when his first read was covered, completely breaking down his mechanics.
- Scrambled outside the pocket when no one was rushing, or the blitz was picked up
- Did a poor job identifying blitzes pre-snap, and finding his hot read
- Struggled to keep his eyes downfield for big plays, mostly looking to run it himself
- Held the ball too long when it was clear that the play was a quick pass (Ex. the right side of the line was cut blocking, and the WRs were running slants or quick hitches).

Rewatching games, I came out with a higher opinion of Nooch than I did at the end of the season, but he has his problems. Kirkpatrick didn't run a "pro-style, dropback" offense.

(08-05-2019 05:52 PM)JMUDukes1750 Wrote:  

(08-05-2019 04:39 PM)Purple Wrote:  

(08-05-2019 04:31 PM)JMUDukes1750 Wrote:  Madia's quotes from Cig sound like Ben is improving, so that's a plus. Sounds like Moloney is hurt, and Cole is having some struggles. I would prefer the three QB's pushing each other.

If Ben develops any pocket presence, he should be fine.

Pocket presence? He had no pocket last year, or at least not one that lasted longer than a second and a half.

If the line is better, Ben will be better. If the OC ditches the drop-back, pro-style nonsense and allows him to roll, read, and create, which is his strength, Ben will be WAAAAAAAY better.

The OL had its problems, I'm not going to pretend they needed to work on stuff (was disappointed in Mac Patrick after rewatching some games) but Nooch:

- Drifted back while throwing with no one around him (not stepping into throws, throwing off his back foot)
- Struggled to reset his base when moving in the pocket
- Panicked when his first read was covered, completely breaking down his mechanics.
- Scrambled outside the pocket when no one was rushing, or the blitz was picked up
- Did a poor job identifying blitzes pre-snap, and finding his hot read
- Struggled to keep his eyes downfield for big plays, mostly looking to run it himself
- Held the ball too long when it was clear that the play was a quick pass (Ex. the right side of the line was cut blocking, and the WRs were running slants or quick hitches).

Rewatching games, I came out with a higher opinion of Nooch than I did at the end of the season, but he has his problems. Kirkpatrick didn't run a "pro-style, dropback" offense.

Houston said something about Patrick late in the pre-season last year that made me think he wasn't totally thrilled with him. He was talking about the O-line and when Patrick's name came up, he said "No one's been able to beat him out". It just didn't have that ringing endorsement sound. I heard it from Houston, so I got it in context-not from print. Anyway, hope Mac has a great year with improved coaching.

Ouch. Presenting facts. Thread derailed!

Definitely think Coach Shank was the worst OL coach we have had in quite a few years. I also think that Cignetti and staff are QB whisperers given their track record and could really play to Ben’s strengths which we weren’t able to do last year. They built that offense to fit Cheek at Elon and I’m sure will do the same here. Our offense didn’t change at all in 3 years with Donnie K, regardless of who was at QB. Ben isn’t a deep ball, stand in the pocket QB and that’s what he had to do last year, because Schor did it so well and we were scared to change it up.

(08-05-2019 11:03 PM)Jmufan2018 Wrote:  Definitely think Coach Shank was the worst OL coach we have had in quite a few years. I also think that Cignetti and staff are QB whisperers given their track record and could really play to Ben’s strengths which we weren’t able to do last year. They built that offense to fit Cheek at Elon and I’m sure will do the same here. Our offense didn’t change at all in 3 years with Donnie K, regardless of who was at QB. Ben isn’t a deep ball, stand in the pocket QB and that’s what he had to do last year, because Schor did it so well and we were scared to change it up.

Get his mechanics improved and he could be more of a threat to fire it down field, but not the way he relies on arm strength without stepping into the pass.