The unofficial online home for fans of the Old Dominion University Monarchs. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

We lost a ton of talent. If you look at the draft picks and the transfers, it was the most we ever lost. What half the roster is new. I think we'll be very popular for Home Coming games.

(07-11-2023 07:35 PM)CameramanJ Wrote:  I'd be content with four wins given the circumstances. I know A&M-CC will be one, but there's a sinking feeling that the rest won't come until November.

I shudder to think of the crowd size and bottom 10 comments if that happens. I truly hope you more optimistic guys are right.

(07-11-2023 10:27 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(07-11-2023 07:35 PM)CameramanJ Wrote:  I'd be content with four wins given the circumstances. I know A&M-CC will be one, but there's a sinking feeling that the rest won't come until November.

I shudder to think of the crowd size and bottom 10 comments if that happens. I truly hope you more optimistic guys are right.

There is no reason except optimism to have high expectations this year. Last year’s offense was bad and then lost the best players at every position. We are installing our fourth new offense in four years. Doesn’t mean it will be terrible but no hard evidence it will be good either. Just question marks.

Combine all of this uncertainty at key position groups with a tough schedule the OPINION has to be unless the staff and players pull off a miracle in development we are in for a tough tough season. Let's not forget injuries can pop up anytime and with limited depth ...realistically today a 3-9 season again would be very good.

Football is a game of inches in more ways than one.

There are many factors involved here.
Had DJ Mack performed to his pre injury level, we likely would not be having this discussion at all.
Had HW used his legs even sparingly, we might not be having this discussion at all.
Even so,
had there been a complete offensive scheme, some of HW's deficiencies might have been compensated for, and we might not be having this discussion at all.

Prior to the OL coach being named OC, our offensive production was squarely tied to QB play. Last season, with some of the best supporting cast we ever had, we continued to have QB play issues exacerbated by what can only be described as a horrific offensive scheme. The OC move was eerily similar to the Bill Dee fiasco on defense many years ago. The good news is that it was rectified after one season.

This season, we have a legitimate OC, and by some reports it seems we have a good player pool at all positions on offense.
Based on what I have seen of Kevin Decker's offenses, and IF we have adequate production at the quarterback position, I am cautiously optimistic that our offense will substantially exceed many of your expectations.

As for our overall W/L prediction, I am more concerned about new players on defense.

I believe the offense under Kevin will be similar to the spread that we ran with TH. When it is running good, it's good and fun to watch as a fan. But if it sputters going 3 and out. Not giving the defense any breaks, things can go south quickly.

(07-12-2023 09:50 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  Football is a game of inches in more ways than one.

There are many factors involved here.
Had DJ Mack performed to his pre injury level, we likely would not be having this discussion at all.
Had HW used his legs even sparingly, we might not be having this discussion at all.
Even so,
had there been a complete offensive scheme, some of HW's deficiencies might have been compensated for, and we might not be having this discussion at all.

Prior to the OL coach being named OC, our offensive production was squarely tied to QB play. Last season, with some of the best supporting cast we ever had, we continued to have QB play issues exacerbated by what can only be described as a horrific offensive scheme. The OC move was eerily similar to the Bill Dee fiasco on defense many years ago. The good news is that it was rectified after one season.

This season, we have a legitimate OC, and by some reports it seems we have a good player pool at all positions on offense.
Based on what I have seen of Kevin Decker's offenses, and IF we have adequate production at the quarterback position, I am cautiously optimistic that our offense will substantially exceed many of your expectations.

As for our overall W/L prediction, I am more concerned about new players on defense.

Umm, and your prediction is ?

(07-12-2023 11:24 AM)ETSUDB8-79 Wrote:  

(07-12-2023 09:50 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  Football is a game of inches in more ways than one.

There are many factors involved here.
Had DJ Mack performed to his pre injury level, we likely would not be having this discussion at all.
Had HW used his legs even sparingly, we might not be having this discussion at all.
Even so,
had there been a complete offensive scheme, some of HW's deficiencies might have been compensated for, and we might not be having this discussion at all.

Prior to the OL coach being named OC, our offensive production was squarely tied to QB play. Last season, with some of the best supporting cast we ever had, we continued to have QB play issues exacerbated by what can only be described as a horrific offensive scheme. The OC move was eerily similar to the Bill Dee fiasco on defense many years ago. The good news is that it was rectified after one season.

This season, we have a legitimate OC, and by some reports it seems we have a good player pool at all positions on offense.
Based on what I have seen of Kevin Decker's offenses, and IF we have adequate production at the quarterback position, I am cautiously optimistic that our offense will substantially exceed many of your expectations.

As for our overall W/L prediction, I am more concerned about new players on defense.

Umm, and your prediction is ?

IF the QB play is adequate, and IF we balance the run (we did not do that with Heinicke, as we didn't need to) we will score. I believe that our W/L record will hinge on the play of the defense.

I don't know enough about where the defense is to make even a wild guess.

(07-12-2023 11:30 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(07-12-2023 11:24 AM)ETSUDB8-79 Wrote:  

(07-12-2023 09:50 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  Football is a game of inches in more ways than one.

There are many factors involved here.
Had DJ Mack performed to his pre injury level, we likely would not be having this discussion at all.
Had HW used his legs even sparingly, we might not be having this discussion at all.
Even so,
had there been a complete offensive scheme, some of HW's deficiencies might have been compensated for, and we might not be having this discussion at all.

Prior to the OL coach being named OC, our offensive production was squarely tied to QB play. Last season, with some of the best supporting cast we ever had, we continued to have QB play issues exacerbated by what can only be described as a horrific offensive scheme. The OC move was eerily similar to the Bill Dee fiasco on defense many years ago. The good news is that it was rectified after one season.

This season, we have a legitimate OC, and by some reports it seems we have a good player pool at all positions on offense.
Based on what I have seen of Kevin Decker's offenses, and IF we have adequate production at the quarterback position, I am cautiously optimistic that our offense will substantially exceed many of your expectations.

As for our overall W/L prediction, I am more concerned about new players on defense.

Umm, and your prediction is ?

IF the QB play is adequate, and IF we balance the run (we did not do that with Heinicke, as we didn't need to) we will score. I believe that our W/L record will hinge on the play of the defense.

I don't know enough about where the defense is to make even a wild guess.

(07-12-2023 11:30 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  

(07-12-2023 11:24 AM)ETSUDB8-79 Wrote:  

(07-12-2023 09:50 AM)ODUalum78 Wrote:  Football is a game of inches in more ways than one.

There are many factors involved here.
Had DJ Mack performed to his pre injury level, we likely would not be having this discussion at all.
Had HW used his legs even sparingly, we might not be having this discussion at all.
Even so,
had there been a complete offensive scheme, some of HW's deficiencies might have been compensated for, and we might not be having this discussion at all.

Prior to the OL coach being named OC, our offensive production was squarely tied to QB play. Last season, with some of the best supporting cast we ever had, we continued to have QB play issues exacerbated by what can only be described as a horrific offensive scheme. The OC move was eerily similar to the Bill Dee fiasco on defense many years ago. The good news is that it was rectified after one season.

This season, we have a legitimate OC, and by some reports it seems we have a good player pool at all positions on offense.
Based on what I have seen of Kevin Decker's offenses, and IF we have adequate production at the quarterback position, I am cautiously optimistic that our offense will substantially exceed many of your expectations.

As for our overall W/L prediction, I am more concerned about new players on defense.

Umm, and your prediction is ?

IF the QB play is adequate, and IF we balance the run (we did not do that with Heinicke, as we didn't need to) we will score. I believe that our W/L record will hinge on the play of the defense.

I don't know enough about where the defense is to make even a wild guess.

After spring, they were only really concerned with the secondary. After they got their portal additions, they believe those issues have been fixed and I have not heard any new concerns on defense.

When do they start practicing? I'm guessing late July maybe?

We'll be 7-6

(07-12-2023 02:45 PM)mturn017 Wrote:  We'll be 7-6

If we go 7-6 with this schedule, I'd be ready to give Rahne an extension.

(07-12-2023 03:24 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(07-12-2023 02:45 PM)mturn017 Wrote:  We'll be 7-6

If we go 7-6 with this schedule, I'd be ready to give Rhane an extension.

Rahne*

(07-12-2023 03:25 PM)Monarchist13 Wrote:  

(07-12-2023 03:24 PM)monarx Wrote:  

(07-12-2023 02:45 PM)mturn017 Wrote:  We'll be 7-6

If we go 7-6 with this schedule, I'd be ready to give Rhane an extension.

Rahne*

Thanks. Fixed.

Conversely if the offense is somehow worse and we go 0-12 would you be ready to Set Fire to the Rane?

He's not going anywhere after this next season unless he leaves for a higher profile gig. 2024 is the decision year.

(07-12-2023 04:44 PM)ODU2017 Wrote:  Conversely if the offense is somehow worse and we go 0-12 would you be ready to Set Fire to the Rane?

I might be ready, but it wouldn’t likely be considered until 24. Im OK with that. But an 0fer with a loss to TX Commerce would be too much to take, and probably too much to recover from.

I have no clue. I have a bunch of questions, but it all depends on the QB. I have heard good things tho so I hope the things I've heard are true.

All I can say about this season is that we will see some great football this year. The question is will some of that great football be by our Monarchs? We do have our returning all American linebacker.

Hopefully, we are a more complete team than the team with 3 NFL draft picks from last year. Team > Talent.