I agree that losing a combination of Stock and Nick Faraci will hurt in terms of a leadership standpoint. Look for Adam Wollett and Tank Waters & Joe Uhatafe to get the first look at replacing Stock and Tkach. If you ask me it will be Wollett & Uhatafe starting in the middle next season. After that the defense doesnt worry me. Losing Forrest will hurt a bit from a production standpoint but look for amir fenwick, zach zamiska, ryan lewis, Turk, & 2016 big time recruit chris stanford to fill the void there. In the Secondary you have arguably four all league players. Even though Richards play toward the end of the season slipped off if you ask me.
Offensively, Now here comes the huge questions Mark
1) Who's calling plays -
A) Does Coach Banaszak stick with Richardson and bring in a QB Coach ?
B) Does a switching Coach Hurley from DB's to QB's make sense ? Lets not forget how good of a QB Hurley was at Syracuse.
C) Bring in a OC/QB's coach outside the program ? Does a name like Rich DeMaio make sense former RMU Player QB Coach OC at Westminster ?
2) Will the Real Ram Owens please Stand up
Anyone get the feeling that this season is a make or break year for Ram ? With the emergence of Cole Blake and the excited yet limited action we've seen from Dante Satcher. Could carries be sifted away from the big bruiser owens ?
3) OL
Who replaces Max Robertson who doesnt get enough credit on these boards from switching to LT this year after being a Guard during his career. Hopefully we see some young guys step up like Gio DeLorea and Krys Diaz.
Just a couple thoughts ........
My Answer -> You have to bring a QB coach in. Barr needs more work as do the other QBs. I hope that Banaszak learned his lesson with Hicks. Just don't appointment someone as your next OC. Open the job and bring in the best individual for the job. Richardson can throw his hat in the ring. The offensive scheme from Hick's was not bad, just the play calling was puzzling. Run-Run then a 2 yard pattern on 3rd and long. We saw some progress with Richardson but that SFU game hurt big time. SFU loaded up the box to stop the run against RMU and still they were afraid to throw the ball.
I think Richardson stays as OL and Recruiting Coordinator. Maybe he gains more influence with the run game.
DeMaio could too throw his hat in the ring.
In no real order, here is who I could see going for the OC position at RMU:
1. Richardson - knows the team but sometimes you need new ideas outside of the current program.
2. DeMaio - sure why not.
3. Monz - has had good success at RMU and wanted to be the OC prior to Hicks but Banaszak wanted Hicks. Not sure if this bridge for Monz has been burnt at RMU.
4. Tanner Engstran - WHO??? Asst. Head Coach/Off. Coor/QB Coach at San Diego. I have heard that this individual could be an ideal OC at RMU. He would open up the West Coast recruiting for RMU. He steps in and taking over the O and coaching the QBs. Since being named the offensive coordinator at USD before the 2011 season, the Toreros have garnered a record of 34-11, including 28-4 in conference games and three conference championships.
And these are just some names. RMU is going to have to treat this position just like recruiting high school and jucos. You are going to have to sell the program and get the right individual in. This hire by RMU could either take RMU back into the NEC title picture over the next several years or the program is again at the bottom of the NEC looking up.
Heading into 2016, Cole Blake is your clear #1 RB. But Owens is right behind him. I hope that the new OC takes note that he will have a nice problem to have. Two top tier RBs. I would like to see Barr in the shotgun with Blake on one side and Owens on the other. Lamica split out to the left. Slot to the Right with Buss and another WR.
There are a few options for Richardson but it all depends on the work these players put in the offseason, Spring Ball and over the summer.
Option 1:
Lucian to LT
Riley Metheney to C
Option 2:
Gio De Loera to LT
Lucian to C
Option 3:
Mike Lamb to LT
Drew Garbenis to RT
Lucian to C
But my one question from the season...what the hell happen to Jamison Williams? Listed as a starter for the Dayton game and YSU...never saw him again take the field!! Was he hurt? In the dog-house?
If RMU went with Option 3 for the OL, that OL is huge.
Then add back Williams to your WRs. You have Lamica at 6'4", Williams at 6'3", Buss your NEC ROY, Ben Line smashing people with Cole Blake and your 6'4" So. QB in Barr.
That is a lineup that rivals many top FCS programs. The potential is there. The coaches need to work to get these players on the field & producing.
