Topic: Marshall rumors for conversation

[DJdaHERDfan]

Ah yes, DJ's B.S. rumors are back!

#1 turf is coming soon
#2 a possible series with syracuse and pitt is on the horizon
#3 defense is switching schemes
#4 a QB is transfering real soon.

there ya go.

now lets get this crap a rolling!!!!!!!!!!

[marshalljeff]

I'm guessing we're going back to a 4-4 on defense.
QB transfer is interesting....  I'm guessing Skinner.

[Huffnagel]

Ah yes, DJ's B.S. rumors are back!

Ahhhh, quality enterainment! :o

#1 turf is coming soon

Not a rumor, it is going to be installed after spring practice.

#2 a possible series with syracuse and pitt is on the horizon

Maybe starting relationships for future considerations.

#3 defense is switching schemes

Didn't we just go from the 4-4 to the 4-3? Now what formation is being considered

#4 a QB is transfering real soon.

And if everyone doesn't know who it is, well it is :-x

[Blade]

1. Like Huff said, this is news, not rumor.

2.  Also not surprising. Marcum has publically stated that he wants to build relationships with the BE and ACC to cut down on our travel OOC.

3.  Good Lord, I hope not.  What is it now?  The 335????

4.  I know who it iiiissss.  I know who it iiiissss.

[tbone05]

I know for sure skinner isnt transfering so you can throw out that rumor

[marshalljeff]

I know for sure skinner isnt transfering so you can throw out that rumor

If this is true then by process of illimination,  it's Morris.  Unless you're talking about walk-on Travis Tatman.

[Chris from WV]

Which QB is transferring?

I hope to goodness it's NOT Morris - he's the most talented by far.

Since Devine was brought in and the hope that Morris' legal problems will be over soon, I'm guessing Skinner.

[W0lfman]

I think the rumor about Morris is pretty well none.  Its been talked about that he wants to go back to Fl and play at one of the smaller D1aa schools there.  Might be the only reason he is still in Huntington is because of his legal problems.   ???

[Shepherdstown5150]

...I posted back in December about the need for MU to do a better job of building relationships within the industry. Build relationships with the decision makers of a league that WILL make additional moves in the future.

[marcbuff]

Morris to Bethune-Cookman - mark it down

[mrherd05]

I say Morris to Florida A&M

[Liv4daherd]

For someone whom you say is transfering I just saw as of yesterday Morris quite impressive in skeleton drills at the Joan.  If he is indeed going then why is he still out there practicing throwing to the receivers?  BTW, Skinner was also moving the ball as well.  There was another kid but I don't think it was Devine who seemed to struggle with his mechanics.

[bbcard1]

Based on nothing but appearances, I don't think Morris is going anywhere.

If we can keep Morris, Skinner and Devine, then redshirting the twins  makes sense and we'll figure out that problem another day. Three QBs is really a necessity for any program...few years have we not seen three guys see some action, if only in a mop up capacity.  It would have been nice to have had another real option when GG was playing through injuries in 2003 and Stan was on the shelf.  I can't really comment on the 2004 QB situation, because the master plan never really seemed to come together to me.  Strange year, bygones.

[Chris from WV]

I'm happy to hear that Morris was conducting skeleton drills at the Joan.  It sounds like the kid make a terrible mistake but hopefully he'll be the man in the fall.

Starting C-USA, the Herd needs a guy like Morris behind center. :P

[Garbanjo]

Please, not the 4-4.

[biggreenthunder]

Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems were pretty deep at the secondary positions while our front seven could use some assistance.  It seems we would go with a system where we could have 3 or 4 secondary players and have 2 of them jump up to a linebacker position as the situation requires.  My limited knowledge of a 4-4 scheme would almost seem to be the opposite of this.

[Blade]

Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems were pretty deep at the secondary positions while our front seven could use some assistance.  It seems we would go with a system where we could have 3 or 4 secondary players and have 2 of them jump up to a linebacker position as the situation requires.  My limited knowledge of a 4-4 scheme would almost seem to be the opposite of this.

The 4-4 substitutes Whip and Sams LBs for basically safeties, so a strong secondary would fit the 4-4.  The 44 basically substitutes size for speed.  The primary reason I don't like it is because it mechanizes the defense where they are "proactive" instead of "reactive".  While I push customers to this type of maintenance, I would rather have my defense use their insticts and react to every play.  

Another defense that would even better fit a strong secondary unit would be the 3-3-5 stack.  WVU ran this last year.  I really don't know much about this set (yet) but I would imagine it is similar to the 4-2-5, with a little less pressure on the DL.

I know Coach Wilt has forgotten more than I'll ever know but over 100 of the Divsion 1A teams in the country run some form of 4-3.  Looking at our performance last year (at BGSU& Akron we Nickeled and Dimed them to death) I would say there has to be something to running it.

[marshalljeff]

I've stated before how our pass D basically went into the toilet with the 4-3 last year.  Why?  Well that can be debated.  While we did stop the run with the 4-3 last year (14th in the nation), that pass D got picked apart.  Is that because of the 4-3?  I don't know.  I know it's important to stop the run, but I think I prefer the 4-4.

My understanding is that we went to the 4-3 to accomadate our 3 great linebackers.  Now we have all new LBs.  Back to the 4-4 I say!!

[Garbanjo]

I just hope that we implement an "attack" defense from whatever scheme we use. Utah was very aggressive last year, and I find it very hard to believe that they have better athletes than we do. Anybody know what type of scheme they used, and how many blitz packages are associated with that scheme?

[bbcard1]

Of course, we all want to win next year, but we may be better off to design a D the projects to our 2006/07 strengths than plays to our 2005 strengths.  We'll have a dandy D-backfield next year, but they are generally upper classmen.  The rest of our D is young.  I know this is big talk, but I really think we could be in the top 10 hunt by 2006/07. I'd just as soon line up our ducks for that run and if we take a hard loss or two this year because of it, just see it as an investment.

[DJdaHERDfan]

even though there are some concerns on defense and at QB right now, I think this team will be better than the last two years teams.

Marshall could be anywhere from 6-5 to 11-0 depending on who and what happens to the football program.

I really think this team will gel quickly and the talent will shoot out all over the place at every position on the field.

MU could very well be undefeated going into Blacksburg.

[GoGreen]

The benefit of the 4-4 defense in our young team will be the ability of the more athletic linebackers to drop into coverage.  I seem to remember Bowling Green picking the Herd apart on the underneath routes last year because of the lack of coverage ability by small, speedy receivers vs. our LB crew.  Also, with the 4-4 you can introduce a larger blitz package which will be necessary with the young defensive front.  The experienced secondary will be able to handle their own long enough to get some serious heat on the QB.  

In my opinion, we do not blitz enough to throw the opposing offense out of rhythm.  It doesn't matter how good your secondary is.  If you give a decent D-1 QB any time, they WILL move the ball.  We must get pressure and disrupt their timing.  This will be crucial in games this year against bigger teams like VT.  A QB like Marcus Vick cannot fall into a rhythm or you are in big trouble.  I think the coaches are smart enought to figure this out and are in the process of making the right adjustments.

[Garbanjo]

In my opinion, we do not blitz enough to throw the opposing offense out of rhythm. It doesn't matter how good your secondary is. If you give a decent D-1 QB any time, they WILL move the ball. We must get pressure and disrupt their timing. This will be crucial in games this year against bigger teams like VT. A QB like Marcus Vick cannot fall into a rhythm or you are in big trouble. I think the coaches are smart enought to figure this out and are in the process of making the right adjustments.

I hope you're right. Our D was very good last year, but could have been even better if we had been more aggressive. We got picked apart by BG, Akron, and freaking Cincy..............tough to watch. Especially when you consider the talent we had on that side of the ball last year.

[ATHENSHERDFAN]

I made previous post regarding the 4-3 and the Akron-BG meltdown. I feel that it wasn't the 4-3 but our soft nickle and dime zone coverages that killed us. Also we had no blitz in the 4th q. against Akron and none what so ever against BG. The 4-3 gives you the best possible coverage package against both the run and pass. It is very difficult to cover a WR with any LB, so you need true DB's for this task.

I agree with the folk's that say we need an aggresive, proactive D. Without a rush, sitting back and waiting is murder. A good QB will eat you alive. Again, look what happened in Akron and BG.

[Blade]

I made previous post regarding the 4-3 and the Akron-BG meltdown. I feel that it wasn't the 4-3 but our soft nickle and dime zone coverages that killed us. Also we had no blitz in the 4th q. against Akron and none what so ever against BG. The 4-3 gives you the best possible coverage package against both the run and pass. It is very difficult to cover a WR with any LB, so you need true DB's for this task.

I agree with the folk's that say we need an aggresive, proactive D. Without a rush, sitting back and waiting is murder. A good QB will eat you alive. Again, look what happened in Akron and BG.

Athens, I think you nailed it.  That's what I meant in my post when I said they "NICKELed and DIMed" us to death.  We dropped 8 into coverage in both games and didn't get a pass rush.  Had we run our normal 4-3 package with a few simple stunts and blitzes, I feel we would have been much better off.  

Garbanjo - I really don't think we have to get too creative to get the results you want.  The 4-3 is more than adequate to create pressure on the QB.  

I really don't ever want to sit through another year of the 4-4.  Ever.  I'd rather get burnt deep with 3-4 long balls every game than to rekindle those 200-300 yard rushing attacks put up against us in those 4-4 days.