JMU pre game thoughts?

[LetsGoRomo2]

I think we all know that JMU is powerful team, and similar to NDSU last year.

Was wondering if you guys had any thoughts of what would constitute a successful game today?

Winning would be amazing and a HUGE upset, but short of a win what are you guys looking for in particular?

On offense:
-I would love to see QB completions over 50%.
- just in general, if the O line can improve, maybe be able to break a run or 2.
- 14 or more points I think would be good goal.

On defense:
-Would love to see run D show some improvement though I think this is a great improvement.
-A couple of sacks would be great.
- keep them under 50 is probably a better than expected result.

 

[ColonialInsider]

Keep it respectable. Stay healthy. Show continued development (limited turnovers, limited penalties, no glaring mistakes).

That's a win, in my book.

If Robert Morris somehow wins this game, it's the biggest win in program history. Easily. Liberty was No. 14/15 when RMU upset them in 2010, but that was at RMU and Liberty didn't have the level of sustained success that JMU has had.

 

[LetsGoRomo2]

Looks like my under 50 may have been extremely hopeful. 21-0 5:29 left in first.

Also, not sure why O ran it with 2 TE on 3-10. Personnel screams run.

 

[ColonialInsider]

Not even to the end of the first quarter and it's 21-0.

Just a different class of opponent.

 

[LetsGoRomo2]

Think as this early season goes, D is clearly the weak point. Know JMU is out classing them, but VSU should not have and without looking it up I am 99% sure they got 400+ yards

 

[LetsGoRomo2]

RMU will be in top (bottom?) 5 of yards against defense this year.

I can't see many teams giving up more yards.

 

[irish_buffalo]

I will not call out names but there are some kids on defense that have ZERO business playing. I watched one kid time and time again avoid contact. He takes bad angles and anyone with any football IQ can tell he is scared to death of physical contact. He is the get close and dive at feet and tell the coach he just missed guy. He is just as bad in coverage. There has to be someone else hungrier on the sideline.

 

[ColonialInsider]

This was about what I expected, to be honest. JMU is an elite team. They played NC State tough and the Wolfpack are expected to be among the top tier in the ACC this year.

You've got 4 total seniors in the starting lineup, a line that's really green, and a defense that was built for another system AND is really young.

And irish_buffalo is right, there are a couple guys on defense who have zero fundamentals or desire.

I don't think you can learn much about your scheme in this game, but you can learn a lot about your team's heart and who is willing to play the right way. With an extended week of prep leading up to Bryant, I bet we see a few changes. And then some more during the bye week after that.

 

[LetsGoRomo2]

I agree with Irish buffalo and your thoughts regarding the system insider. But this is not great. Assume 27 is hurt. And I think the key person IB was talking about is out.

 

[LetsGoRomo2]

Also, I know backups are in for JMU, but I think Martin should be QB1.

 

[ColonialInsider]

Also, I know backups are in for JMU, but I think Martin should be QB1.

Too early to pull Jimmy as the starter, but Martin is definitely next up. Caleb Lewis hasn't shown me much in his limited time.

I want to see how Walker looks against some normal competition (NEC foes) for a few games. Maybe late in the season you give Martin a start or two if we're not competitive.

 

[Original_RMC]

If we are not competitive within the NEC then you make can the shift to Martin for the rest of the season.

 

[LetsGoRomo2]

My thoughts, loose to Bryant, make switch. Bryant is improving but I found they are cream if NEC crop.

Even if O is ok, and D gives up another 400 plus yard day, let Martin play and develop.

 

[irish_buffalo]

I agree. Tough to blame Jimmy. Unsure why Lewis was next man up? Same kid I saw on one knee at Dayton away from rest of team pouting. No need for "me guys".

There are some other "me guys" out there and it is easy to tell. Otherwise, as others have mentioned we are STILL very young. Sadly we will not be the program we want for another two years and that is with a steady climb. We still are playing a lot of sub 20 kids while opponents are throwing 22 and 23 year old men at us.

I feel bad for Wollett. Too good a backer to be on this bad a defense. Unsure if Thimmons and Autunno are true DE's or just the best we have at the moment. I watch them get held all game but it is the non-called hold. Must learn to get extended and free but then again it is all new to them and they are undersized. DB's are young and lost with a couple that detest physicality. All things we can work on.

 

[LetsGoRomo2]

Same thoughts IB on the DE. They don't call that hold. Need to get freed up. Maybe lamica on end at least on passing downs where he had success before.

Frustrating to see what you see, some guys just don't want to play. Glad to see some replaced with guys that want to go, and to be 100% clear, do not mean the DEs. They are in a tough spot but from what I saw went hard.

 

[GoRMU]

St. Francis is 1-2, but the losses were very close games to quality programs, losing to Lehigh 21-19, and last night to Richmond 35-27. St Francis's success in recent years actually gives me hope for our program. Not too many years ago St Francis was consistently at the bottom of the NEC. SFU's location and facilities probably make it a harder place to recruit players, yet somehow they were able to turn around the program into one of the better ones in the conference and able to play competitive games with teams from better-regarded conferences. If St Frances can do it, RMU can do it. It looks as though it is going to take longer than we all hoped, but it can be done. Go Colonials!

 

[LetsGoRomo2]

Probably could be accused of beating a dead horse with this, but a couple former RMU coaches were instrumental in SFUs turnaround.

On a different note, I am fine with D going with who wants it the most, who wants to hit, who wants to learn and get better. If that is a bunch of freshman that get confused time to time, so be it. As long as the coaches can develop the guys, which was a big problem with some of O coaches from previous coaching staff.

As for how long it will take to turn it around, it comes down to getting the right players, but more than that is developing them and teaching them. The O looks better than it has in years. The lines improvement from even last year seems extraordinary. The # of sacks seems WAY DOWN, though I did not look up stats.

Really impressed with alijah Jackson. Remember him signing, think it was late, but then did not hear much about him, glad to see him doing well.