I am excited for the 2016 season. The schedule looks very, very tough. Somehow, it seems like it might come down to the last game against the Spiders again. I definitely do not see many easy games on the schedule this year. Looking forward to some camp reports especially on the defense. Only 40 days now until NC State!!!
Plus, it will be our last trip to JMU since they clearly are heading to the Big 12(unless ODU gets invited instead...)
William & Mary has 16 starters back from last year’s 9-4 team that advanced to the second round of the FCS playoffs. Leading the Tribe offensively are senior All-CAA running back Kendell Anderson, who rushed for 1,418 yards and 16 TD’s a year ago, senior quarterback Steve Cluley, who passed for 2,768 yards and 16 TD’s, and junior wide receiver DeVonte Dedmon, who made 51 catches for 588 yards and 8 TD’s and was also one of the league top kick returners. On defense, senior cornerback Trey Reed (59 tackles, 3 int.) was a second-team All-CAA pick and senior defensive end Peyton Gryder registered a team-high 10 tackles for loss and five sacks.
(07-26-2016 11:40 AM)zablenoise Wrote: Why isn't DeVonte getting any love? He should at least be all conference as a returner.
Also I noticed that the helmet on display during Jimmye's interview had the "old" word mark on it.
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Preseason accolades are nice and feel good. The season ending recognition means more. Dedmon will earn his spot, along with others. August 7th begins the 2016 campaign. The offense will be explosive and our defense will be stout. It will come down to the final home game vs Richmond.
I'd be shocked if it comes down to us and the Spiders. Most years, the preseason polls are way off. For example, last season, it was Villanova and New Hampshire picked 1-2, and they both failed to finish in the top 3.
Our schedule is brutal again. We need a 6th home game, but won't get that as long as we play on the road against a 1A and only have 11 games. I am in favor of that game though. I have confidence in the coaching staff approach to take it a week at a time. Unlike us, the team seems to not get too up or down and focuses on playing hard and good preparation. We could easily be good, but go 7-4 with that schedule.(at NC State, at JMU, at NH, home vs Richmond). Someone below JMU will surprise and contend, and one of the three Virginia schools will disappoint. I hope that it is not the Tribe that disappoints. Also, I hope we can erase our demons in Harrisonburg where we have not won in a very long time(2004) and against Richmond(4 straight years and 5 losses) in a row. It does shape up to be an exciting year though. The offense should be really good and hopefully the defense is stronger than it was at the end of 2015. Special teams should be very good again. Just over 5 weeks until the opener.
(This post was last modified: 07-26-2016 05:18 PM by TribePride91.)
(07-26-2016 05:17 PM)TribePride91 Wrote: I'd be shocked if it comes down to us and the Spiders. Most years, the preseason polls are way off. For example, last season, it was Villanova and New Hampshire picked 1-2, and they both failed to finish in the top 3.
Our schedule is brutal again. We need a 6th home game, but won't get that as long as we play on the road against a 1A and only have 11 games. I am in favor of that game though. I have confidence in the coaching staff approach to take it a week at a time. Unlike us, the team seems to not get too up or down and focuses on playing hard and good preparation. We could easily be good, but go 7-4 with that schedule.(at NC State, at JMU, at NH, home vs Richmond). Someone below JMU will surprise and contend, and one of the three Virginia schools will disappoint. I hope that it is not the Tribe that disappoints. Also, I hope we can erase our demons in Harrisonburg where we have not won in a very long time(2004) and against Richmond(4 straight years and 5 losses) in a row. It does shape up to be an exciting year though. The offense should be really good and hopefully the defense is stronger than it was at the end of 2015. Special teams should be very good again. Just over 5 weeks until the opener.
Reasoned post. The predictions rarely are in line. I am not as worried about UNH as I am Delaware & Towson. All in all a very tough schedule, and we were lucky we did not face Robertson & Lee last year. Injury or injuries to key players likely to be a factor in the CAA
again. We have to show early that we can stop the run, or else it will be tough sledding. i
Would agree that Towson looks tough. All the conference road games are tough this year. If the defense could somehow play at the 2009 level or even 2013, we would have an excellent year. However, I always focus too much on who we lose(DHC,Rhodes, Claytor) and not enough on who is returning and who are the new faces ready to shine. A good example of this was last year's WR's. I expected a huge dropoff losing Ballard and Tre, but DeVonte and Reeves and a few others really stepped up. Looking forward to seeing the new guys who mesh with the veterans we still have.
At least we are not lamenting like the folks in Harrisonburg already are. Man, are they negative. However, I am sure we will hear plenty from them in early October. I actually like that the Spiders are the clear favorites. My guess is Villanova will also do well in Talley's last year and with an easier schedule.
(This post was last modified: 07-26-2016 05:45 PM by TribePride91.)
I think the JMU fans are feeling good about the team, but so many want to be in FBS, and cannot let that go. I still think they are FBS bound, just haven't found the date.
Looking for Dulaney to be solid at LB after coming back from injury, hoping Harvey can stay healthy, as well as Swinton. All those guys can play, but missed time (Swinton all year).
New guys perhaps Atkins and Murray.
(07-26-2016 06:44 PM)TribeNomad Wrote: Looking for Dulaney to be solid at LB after coming back from injury, hoping Harvey can stay healthy, as well as Swinton. All those guys can play, but missed time (Swinton all year).
New guys perhaps Atkins and Murray.
Getting Swinton back will be good. Having Reed, Dykes, Smith and Swinton in the 2 deep should be effective.
Lubnow, Vlissides, Harvey, Dulaney, and Atkins as a group could do the job. Dulaney was climbing the depth chart before he got hurt. Need him to be healthy.
Safety Barta and DiPietro need to play big. They have younger guys behind them.
D-line, as a unit will play the run well, would like to see a pass rusher come out of the group.
