It does stink.....Next man up!

WSJ talked with Elijah.

https://www.journalnow.com/sports/colle ... 9ad94.html

I certainly understand that difficult decision. He has the rest of his life to think about.

huskie3 wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 17, 2020 2:14 pm

I certainly understand that difficult decision. He has the rest of his life to think about.

Exactly. By saying "this stinks", i meant to lose him. He was always a tough competitor and making plays. I wish him the best for a full recovery and understand making the tough decision on protecting your health over doing what you love to do.

Hoping the best for his recovery

Is Chris Willis on schedule to be back from his injury?

We're going to be thin on defense to say the least:

"He becomes the seventh defensive starter who won't return for 2020. The Mountaineers saw nose tackle E.J. Scott; a linebacker trio of Noel Cook, Akeem Davis-Gaither and Jordan Fehr; and safeties Desmond Franklin and Josh Thomas graduate."

Certainly thin on starters returning on D, and perhaps on snaps although I think most of these positions have experienced backups expected to step in. We can only hope that some of these talented young players are able to step in and fill those large gaps. I'm always amazed at how we've managed to do that over the years, but 7 is a lot to replace.

NewApp wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 20, 2020 11:52 am

We're going to be thin on defense to say the least:

"He becomes the seventh defensive starter who won't return for 2020. The Mountaineers saw nose tackle E.J. Scott; a linebacker trio of Noel Cook, Akeem Davis-Gaither and Jordan Fehr; and safeties Desmond Franklin and Josh Thomas graduate."

We are in better shape than you would expect.

stafford wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 20, 2020 11:11 am

Is Chris Willis on schedule to be back from his injury?

It would appear so. He is healing nicely. Took it easy in spring to get him used to playing. Fall Camp will be a better indicator.

I have rewatched a few games over the last couple of week. Elijah was a difference maker. Played a really good game against UNC. We have some studs to replace.

Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 20, 2020 2:23 pm

I have rewatched a few games over the last couple of week. Elijah was a difference maker. Played a really good game against UNC. We have some studs to replace.

Our front line guys are benefiting greatly from the NFL coaching.

Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 20, 2020 2:23 pm

I have rewatched a few games over the last couple of week. Elijah was a difference maker. Played a really good game against UNC. We have some studs to replace.

A lot of studs coming in to replace them as well. App's two-deep at ILB seems to be essentially inter-changeable. One thing we should thank Roof for (or whomever is responsible) is the defensive rotations in 2019. There was a lot of substitution in the Front 7 in every game. The guys stepping in should have plenty of experience, though the lack of Spring Football is going to hurt in meshing.

*Assuming we have a 2020 Football Season

ericsaid wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 23, 2020 9:48 am

Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 20, 2020 2:23 pm

I have rewatched a few games over the last couple of week. Elijah was a difference maker. Played a really good game against UNC. We have some studs to replace.

A lot of studs coming in to replace them as well. App's two-deep at ILB seems to be essentially inter-changeable. One thing we should thank Roof for (or whomever is responsible) is the defensive rotations in 2019. There was a lot of substitution in the Front 7 in every game. The guys stepping in should have plenty of experience, though the lack of Spring Football is going to hurt in meshing.

*Assuming we have a 2020 Football Season

Not sure if this a relatively new but Clemson plays a lot of guys. I think it’s great and it worked for us. I agree that the ILB spot looks good. Still not sure on the D line and OLB spots.

ericsaid wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 23, 2020 9:48 am

Mjohn1988 wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 20, 2020 2:23 pm

I have rewatched a few games over the last couple of week. Elijah was a difference maker. Played a really good game against UNC. We have some studs to replace.

A lot of studs coming in to replace them as well. App's two-deep at ILB seems to be essentially inter-changeable. One thing we should thank Roof for (or whomever is responsible) is the defensive rotations in 2019. There was a lot of substitution in the Front 7 in every game. The guys stepping in should have plenty of experience, though the lack of Spring Football is going to hurt in meshing.

*Assuming we have a 2020 Football Season

Could you please define your understanding of the word “studs”? Examples of such individuals that meet your criteria would be helpful as well.

AppSt94 wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 20, 2020 1:58 pm

NewApp wrote: ↑

Fri Mar 20, 2020 11:52 am

We're going to be thin on defense to say the least:

"He becomes the seventh defensive starter who won't return for 2020. The Mountaineers saw nose tackle E.J. Scott; a linebacker trio of Noel Cook, Akeem Davis-Gaither and Jordan Fehr; and safeties Desmond Franklin and Josh Thomas graduate."

We are in better shape than you would expect.

Question, you told me before that we should expect a period of adjustment but here when you say we are better than you would expect I am thinking you are now with me on this? I expect a very good defense with replacements as good or better than players we lost except for Thomas and Gaither.

Is that what you are thinking or do you just think we won't look depleted like some do? I feel like our starters and 3-4 backups are in great shape but we just need to develop some depth at a few spots like figure out our 4th CB and backups on the DL? My impression was this should be a very good unit. My big worry is on offense in 2021 with all the losses but I'm not worried at all with the defensive replacements. Agree?

I am not saying that we are replacing Seniors with equal or better players at all. We have some guys ready to step in, but until the whistle blows for real, we won’t know for certain if they are able to step up. You simply can’t replace two and three year starters and expect that we won’t skip a beat.I am saying that the end product should be comparable to last years unit. We looked un-App like in the first part of last season and people had their professional opinions for the reasons. But we got better as the season went along which is what you want. ADG will be difficult to replace, but we said the same thing after Stringer left. My overall point to NewApp was that we should be fine holistically as a unit.

As for 2021, here is hoping that we can hold on to Nunn so that he can get our young guys on the DL ready because we will need them.

As far as the offense goes, the only position that I am interested to watch is QB. ZT is #1 and JH is #2. After that, there is no clear cut #3. OL looks good for years with a few new and interesting wrinkles. RBs should be fine as well. The WR group will look different but in time should be fine. I’m not saying that we should fall off the cliff in 2021, but I would be mildly surprised if we are playing the first weekend in December.

At APP we are at the point now where we don't rebuild, we just reload. We will be fine.

mgsouth wrote: ↑

Tue Mar 31, 2020 7:55 am

At APP we are at the point now where we don't rebuild, we just reload. We will be fine.

A bit arrogant, but OK. We make our money with coaching and talent evaluation that is based on potential. Most of our higher graded recruits don’t make it through 4 years. If we get a situation with a bad hire, then it could set us back years. See our inbred friends to the south. I don’t think it would happen with DG here, but it is possible. Look at Duke. Coach K was forced to sit out one year for a back issue and Pete Gaudet took a loaded team, and ran it into the ground. Coach K came back the next year and won 30 games with a less talented team than the year before.