Topic: The direction our offense is heading in 2024. Transfer portal miracles needed

[Johnnyherd]

Before the season we were banking on finishing 1st or 2nd in the Sunbelt.  We thought we were vastly underestimated by Sunbelt analysts.  Turns out they gave us too much credit.  We finished dead last in the east, alone.  We are officially a bottom feeder.   The better Sunbelt schools are scheduling us for homecoming.   

It's awful interesting that in the preseason they ranked Fancher as next to last among the QBs in the Sunbelt and we finished last and the team with the best ranked QB JMU, finished 1st, strange coincidence

We are getting rid of a couple offensive coaches reportedly.  Of the little bit of offensive talent we have, we are losing most of the offensive linemen, Rasheen Ali, Talek Keaton and Caleb McMillan.

We need several recruiting miracles.  We need some playmakers in the worst way. 

We need to bring in a QB that has started at a P5 school, with a good arm and have an actual QB competition, but we won't.  We'll roll with Cam.  Put all our eggs in the Fancher basket again.  I doubt the new OC coddles the QB by calling 20 passes that are 3-5 yards every game.  So we'll see what he can do when 80% of the plays require a read and a downfield throw.

I really worry that we are combining a new offensive system with an offensive without playmakers.  I don't see us winning many games. 

Our season rests on the transfer portal.  Does anybody else have thoughts on the direction our offense is going for 2024 and what we can do, if anything, to score some points and win some games in 2024?

[muherd34]

Before the season we were banking on finishing 1st or 2nd in the Sunbelt.  We thought we were vastly underestimated by Sunbelt analysts.  Turns out they gave us too much credit.  We finished dead last in the east, alone.  We are officially a bottom feeder.   The better Sunbelt schools are scheduling us for homecoming.   

It's awful interesting that in the preseason they ranked Fancher as next to last among the QBs in the Sunbelt and we finished last and the team with the best ranked QB JMU, finished 1st, strange coincidence

We are getting rid of a couple offensive coaches reportedly.  Of the little bit of offensive talent we have, we are losing most of the offensive linemen, Rasheen Ali, Talek Keaton and Caleb McMillan.

We need several recruiting miracles.  We need some playmakers in the worst way. 

We need to bring in a QB that has started at a P5 school, with a good arm and have an actual QB competition, but we won't.  We'll roll with Cam.  Put all our eggs in the Fancher basket again.  I doubt the new OC coddles the QB by calling 20 passes that are 3-5 yards every game.  So we'll see what he can do when 80% of the plays require a read and a downfield throw.

I really worry that we are combining a new offensive system with an offensive without playmakers.  I don't see us winning many games. 

Our season rests on the transfer portal.  Does anybody else have thoughts on the direction our offense is going for 2024 and what we can do, if anything, to score some points and win some games in 2024?

Until they hire someone new who knows what the philosophy will be.

[HerdEcon]

Huff and the offense should get back to the basics.  Start with building an offensive line then find a QB that can run the offense and be consistent. 

[luvherd]

First need is OL.

[elginherd]

Good posts, all three!

Although obviously we'd all like some home run hitters on offense, it's possible to play winning football as long as you have a QB who can consistently place the ball to pass catchers who don't have drops and are where they're supposed to be along with an offensive line that are both road graders and pass protectors.

[Big City]

First need is OL.

Agree 100%

I think there are capable QBs on the roster as it stands.

Personally, I'd target O line, WR and a go to slot guy.

[Buffalo Bop]

We need a QB, RB, WRs and OL to start. We need a lot of incoming offensive talent. It's up to Huff and staff to git er done.

[MUonium]

Huff (his assistants) has proven he can get great transfers, just not enough of them at some key positions, especially offense.

[bbcard1]

I think we have more in the cupboard than most fans think. We played a lot of underclassmen this year. My biggest worry is RB. Payne is a good kid and a capable change-of-pace runner/blocker/receiver, but I don't see him having the agility and speed to be a featured back at this level.

If a healthy Fancher can play at the level he did yesterday, we'll be fine.

[MicDrass1]

I think we have more in the cupboard than most fans think. We played a lot of underclassmen this year. My biggest worry is RB. Payne is a good kid and a capable change-of-pace runner/blocker/receiver, but I don't see him having the agility and speed to be a featured back at this level.

If a healthy Fancher can play at the level he did yesterday, we'll be fine.

Turner in his 1 carry looked very capable.  He almost squeezed out of a 6 inch hole

[elginherd]

I think we have more in the cupboard than most fans think. We played a lot of underclassmen this year. My biggest worry is RB. Payne is a good kid and a capable change-of-pace runner/blocker/receiver, but I don't see him having the agility and speed to be a featured back at this level.

If a healthy Fancher can play at the level he did yesterday, we'll be fine.

As long as Fancher can take snaps against really bad defenses for 9 or 10 games, the QB position will be peachy.

[NewfieHerdFan]

Will Huff really try to get a capable QB from the transfer portal or will Fancher be the main guy once again? Could be a repeat (or worse) of this season if Huff leans on Fancher and he gets injured. Even if he sticks with Fancher, we HAVE to have a good back up who can move the sticks if called upon.

[herdfan129]

We should bring in 2-3 portal QB transfers this year. We HAVE to find a legit QB.

[MUonium]

to repeat others, Pennington with a OL might be great mover of the chains and a mid-to-big play passer, but he's no match for the option Fancher gives you without a good-to-great OL.  he's a heck of a good scrambler/runner and you can't deny that.  it didn't happen, but the whole idea in my little brain was that the staff/Fancher would fix the passing creeps in the off-season

[Johnnyherd]

I'm not impressed with Payne or Smoke Turner as a feature back.  I think they are fine as relief backs and Payne is a good pass protector and he can catch the ball better than all of our receivers.  So I think he can be productive and play a good role in the offense.

As far as Fancher, he gives us the best chance to win when he runs for 80 to a 100 yards.  When he tries to just be a pocket passer, we don't score.  In order to be effective Fancher needs to run the ball probably once every other set of downs, honestly.  When he runs it makes up for a lot of his shortcomings.

However, we have no other running QB's on the roster.  It just speaks to the ineptitude of our coaches to have a system predicated on a running QB and have 4 QBs on the roster that are not running QBs.  So if Cam goes down, we have to change schemes.

So we need an entire offensive line, but honestly the line we had, wasn't good, so new linemen won't be much of a drop off. 

I think we need a running QB that has played, a solid RB1, a WR1, 2-3 linemen and as many D players that can tackle as we can get.

[jdonaccbus]

Non-conference will be tougher next season as we play at Ohio State & at an improving Virginia Tech.

[coalherd]

We need a QB, RB, WRs and OL to start. We need a lot of incoming offensive talent. It's up to Huff and staff to git er done.

In other words, a "Complete re-build" on the offense!! As above post notes, road games AT VA Tech, and up in the Horseshoe, not to mention we're AT JMU, too!!

Rots-a-Ruck with that!!