Official 2011 Old Dominion Football Thread

[ODUalum11]

Players reported today and first practice is tomorrow.



http://www.odusports.com/sports/m-footb ... 11aad.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[89Hen]

I didn't know it left.

[ODUalum11]

I didn't know it left.

It did for about 4 months. I apologize if my excitement is a little much today.

[Tribal]

It's going to be a far more difficult season this year but I'm glad ODU is a full-CAA member. Remember, if ODU loses to G-String State, you're never going to hear the end of it.

[∞∞∞]

...you're never going to hear the end of it.

Just a heads up, but I will apply this mercilessly to any team in the CAA that loses to ODU.

[CAA Flagship]

Does anyone else think that the pre-season schedule has a low number of days in full pads? Counting the Scrimmages, is count 6 total practices in full pads.

[State Line Liquors]

Does anyone else think that the pre-season schedule has a low number of days in full pads? Counting the Scrimmages, is count 6 total practices in full pads.

I don't know how many days UD does of actual full pads and hitting, but I'd estimate it's probably that low at UD as well. Keeler has stated in recent years that he prefers to work them much harder in the Spring than in August in terms of physical football. There's plenty of hitting to go around come September, so I think Keeler leans a bit more towards making sure everyone feels fast, fit and healthy at the end of August.

Given some of the depth issues you folks may have on a young squad, it doesn't sound like a bad idea on Wilder's part to me.

[ODUalum11]

Does anyone else think that the pre-season schedule has a low number of days in full pads? Counting the Scrimmages, is count 6 total practices in full pads.

I don't know how many days UD does of actual full pads and hitting, but I'd estimate it's probably that low at UD as well. Keeler has stated in recent years that he prefers to work them much harder in the Spring than in August in terms of physical football. There's plenty of hitting to go around come September, so I think Keeler leans a bit more towards making sure everyone feels fast, fit and healthy at the end of August.

Given some of the depth issues you folks may have on a young squad, it doesn't sound like a bad idea on Wilder's part to me.

I agree SLL, last preseason ODU had a ton of injuries in preseason camp, most notably along the offensive line so Wilder limited the number of days in full pads last preseason. If he needed to do that last year going into the season he's probably definitely gonna do it this season. Unfortunately last season we had a pretty tough game and it cost us in Week 1. Fortunately this year we pretty much have a tune-up game the first week of the season. Also notice with the practice schedule that in the last 8 practices there is only 1 practice thats in full pads and thats a scrimmage.

Also this will be the first year that ODU will field a full 95-man roster.

[andy7171]

It's called 'thud'. Full speed up to the tackle. Prevents injury to the 'skilled players'. If the team is in shells, you can bet there is full speed contact going on along the line. Only thing missing in shell is knee pads. You can't go half speed and then expect to turn it on in a game as a lineman.

[ODUalum11]

It's called 'thud'. Full speed up to the tackle. Prevents injury to the 'skilled players'. If the team is in shells, you can bet there is full speed contact going on along the line. Only thing missing in shell is knee pads. You can't go half speed and then expect to turn it on in a game as a lineman.

Exactly Andy, and I think thats what cost us against Jacksonville last year but a couple costly turnovers from Demarco didnt help either...1 in the endzone and then another 1 on JU's side of the field. Like you said, the coaches having the players go through 'thud' has me concerned a little bit because like you said lineman can't just turn the switch on when its gameday so thats why I'm hoping playing Campbell will help in week 1. Plus Wilder can always change the schedule and having more practices that will be in full pads.

[andy7171]

It's called 'thud'. Full speed up to the tackle. Prevents injury to the 'skilled players'. If the team is in shells, you can bet there is full speed contact going on along the line. Only thing missing in shell is knee pads. You can't go half speed and then expect to turn it on in a game as a lineman.

Exactly Andy, and I think thats what cost us against Jacksonville last year but a couple costly turnovers from Demarco didnt help either...1 in the endzone and then another 1 on JU's side of the field. Like you said, the coaches having the players go through 'thud' has me concerned a little bit because like you said lineman can't just turn the switch on when its gameday so thats why I'm hoping playing Campbell will help in week 1. Plus Wilder can always change the schedule and having more practices that will be in full pads.

Well way back when in the early 90's when I was playing, there was a certain number of days we HAD to be in just helemts and shoulder pads. And a certain number of day we could go full pads. We used to go full pads the max number of times unless the trainer shut it down to helmets only due to heat and humidity. While the two a days were grueling, we'd only have 15-20 minutes of actual full speed contact one-one or 3 spot run blocking drills per session. The rest of practice was technique/going over plays/conditioning. So while those aspects sucked in their own right, it wasn't like we were murdering each other the whole 2 hour practice.

[ODUalum11]

Letter from Head Coach Bobby Wilder to the fans....

Aug. 8, 2011

12th Monarchs,

Hard to believe we are close to kicking off our third season of Old Dominion football. Ninety-five student-athletes reported Sunday afternoon in preparation for the 2011 season. At 6:00 p.m. tonight, we take the field for our first practice. Our players and coaches are excited to get started.

Although the next 20 days will be the "dog days of August" for our team, we all know there is much work to be done as we prepare for our most challenging schedule in the brief history of our program. We had our best off-season training program in our three years as our players were focused on the tremendous challenge in front of our team. Our goal as a program in pre-season practice is to establish our starters, find out who the key back-ups will be, and instill our philosophy in all three phases of special teams, defense, and offense for the season.

We are excited to take the field for practice tonight and even more excited to see the 12th Monarchs on September 3rd at 6:00 p.m. when we play Campbell.

Aim High,

- Coach Wilder

http://www.odusports.com/sports/m-footb ... 11aac.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ODUalum11]

Unfortunate news for the Monarchs. Will he get a 6th year of eligibility?

Turner out for the '11 season
Defensive lineman Andrew Turner is out for the season after suffering a setback in his recovery from a ruptured achilles tendon.

Turner, who would have junior eligibility this season, was on crutches Monday morning as newcomers to Old Dominion's football program ran a series of 40-yard dashes to test their offseason conditioning.

Turner said he is unsure whether the NCAA will grant him a sixth year of eligibility. Typically, the NCAA grants a sixth year if a player misses two years with injuries. Turner red-shirted his first year at ODU along with all the other incoming freshmen that season while ODU did not play a football season, instead using the year as a practice season.

The Monarchs coaching staff, fearing the heat would chase them off the practice field, moved today's opening practice of the preseason to 6 p.m. The team was originally scheduled to practice beginning at 2:55.

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/turner-out-11-season" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ODUalum11]

Five Keys to ODU Football's Preseason....

1. Fine-tune the offensive line Center Jeremy Hensley's broken ankle has healed. Tackle Ryan Jensen's surgically repaired shoulder has healed. The Monarchs are healthy again along the offensive line. Now, the challenge becomes where to play everyone. While it seems logical from a distance to play 6-foot-8, 327-pound sophomore transfer David Born at left tackle, it might not be that simple. He may be better suited at guard.

2. Break in a new long snapper For the past two seasons, Dustin Phillips handled long-snap duties so well that he went virtually unnoticed. Then again, long snappers are only noticed when they snap poorly. The duties fall to a true freshman, Rick Lovato. His backup is also a true freshman, walk-on Kevin Marley.

3. Settle on a cornerback rotation T.J. Cowart had a special season last year, but that accounts for just 1 of 2 cornerback slots. On the other side, Markell Wilkins is back after missing last season due to knee surgery. But with Aaron Evans and true freshman Reggie Owens in camp, this could be the most interesting position competition at ODU.

4. Create a four-linebacker look Expectations are high for Craig Wilkins and J.J. Williams. Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore John Darr had a standout summer of physical growth. Coach Bobby Wilder wants to toy with a four-linebacker set and is factoring in either Alex Arain or Patrick Young as the fourth guy.

5. Who's No. 3? The top two quarterback slots are easy to figure: Two-year incumbent Thomas DeMarco is the starter, and junior college transfer Nate Ong is No. 2. But after that, it's murky at best. Highly touted true freshman Taylor Heinicke has been on campus for more than a month and whispers are that he's the real deal. But would the Monarchs be willing to waste his redshirt season should injuries mount at the position? Also in camp at QB: Sophomore Rashad Manley and walk-on true freshman Tyler Clark from Grassfield High.

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/analysi ... -preseason" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ODUalum11]

Recap from Day 1, with video interview with head coach Bobby Wilder...



PRESEASON PRACTICE UPDATE: Let Practice Begin
Monarchs Head Into Camp With Established Veterans; Eyeing Back-Ups and Newcomers

NORFOLK, Va. -- The ODU Football Monarchs pushed their first preseason practice back two hours to avoid some of the blistering heat in the area, but still the eager football Monarchs were out of the locker room 15 minutes ahead of schedule and ready to hit the turf.

"It's exciting to get them all back and get them all out here," said head coach Bobby Wilder. "This is the fourth time we've done this, but its more exciting this year. The fact we've got a full roster so it's another first in the history of Old Dominion football. "

Due to NCAA guidelines, the Monarchs will spend the first two practices in helmets only, before moving to shoulder pads, full pads, and then two-a-days.

The Monarchs return a host of veterans, many with 22 games of experience under their belt. Offensively, ODU returns 10 starting members, while the defense returns seven, which includes the loss of defensive ends Deron Mayo, a signee with the Denver Broncos, and Andrew Turner, who could miss the season with injury.

With a host of veterans returning the Monarchs, the coaching staff are looking for those key back-ups and the younger members of the squad that are hungry and want to get in and earn a spot getting onto the field throughout the season or earn their way onto the "all-star" team, also known as ODU's special teams unit. It's also a good opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate the freshman coming into the Monarch program.

"It's a different football team for us now," noted Wilder. "We have an identity. We know who we are a little bit. We have some veteran players and now it's about honing their skills and finding out who are going to be the back-ups and which freshmen are going to play."

http://www.odusports.com/sports/m-footb ... 11aaf.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CAA Flagship]

Exactly Andy, and I think thats what cost us against Jacksonville last year but a couple costly turnovers from Demarco didnt help either...1 in the endzone and then another 1 on JU's side of the field. Like you said, the coaches having the players go through 'thud' has me concerned a little bit because like you said lineman can't just turn the switch on when its gameday so thats why I'm hoping playing Campbell will help in week 1. Plus Wilder can always change the schedule and having more practices that will be in full pads.

Well way back when in the early 90's when I was playing, there was a certain number of days we HAD to be in just helemts and shoulder pads. And a certain number of day we could go full pads. We used to go full pads the max number of times unless the trainer shut it down to helmets only due to heat and humidity. While the two a days were grueling, we'd only have 15-20 minutes of actual full speed contact one-one or 3 spot run blocking drills per session. The rest of practice was technique/going over plays/conditioning. So while those aspects sucked in their own right, it wasn't like we were murdering each other the whole 2 hour practice.

My high school team wore reconditioned, high-top cleats at practice. The school issued them and these are nothing like the high-top cleats of today. They had a flat leather sole with 7 cleats sticking out of the bottom and your foot felt every one. The idea was that they provided a higher level of ankle protection and they made you extremely slow all week long. Then when you put your game cleats on, you felt like you could fly. Wearing shorts in practice and then putting on padded pants on gameday seems to work negatively for me.

[GannonFan]

Unfortunate news for the Monarchs. Will he get a 6th year of eligibility?

Turner out for the '11 season
Defensive lineman Andrew Turner is out for the season after suffering a setback in his recovery from a ruptured achilles tendon.

Turner, who would have junior eligibility this season, was on crutches Monday morning as newcomers to Old Dominion's football program ran a series of 40-yard dashes to test their offseason conditioning.

Turner said he is unsure whether the NCAA will grant him a sixth year of eligibility. Typically, the NCAA grants a sixth year if a player misses two years with injuries. Turner red-shirted his first year at ODU along with all the other incoming freshmen that season while ODU did not play a football season, instead using the year as a practice season.

The Monarchs coaching staff, fearing the heat would chase them off the practice field, moved today's opening practice of the preseason to 6 p.m. The team was originally scheduled to practice beginning at 2:55.

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/turner-out-11-season" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you ever redshirt for any reason other than medical it is highly, highly unlikely to get a second redshirt season. Odds aren't good that this guy would get a 6th year. Maybe the whole ODU not playing a season might come into play, but on the other hand, everyone coming in that year knew that so it probably won't matter. Like I said, unless you can prove two whole seasons were lost due to injury or some other unavoidable reason, the NCAA doesn't really give out 6th years.

[andy7171]

Five Keys to ODU Football's Preseason....

1. Fine-tune the offensive line Center Jeremy Hensley's broken ankle has healed. Tackle Ryan Jensen's surgically repaired shoulder has healed. The Monarchs are healthy again along the offensive line. Now, the challenge becomes where to play everyone. While it seems logical from a distance to play 6-foot-8, 327-pound sophomore transfer David Born at left tackle, it might not be that simple. He may be better suited at guard.

2. Break in a new long snapper For the past two seasons, Dustin Phillips handled long-snap duties so well that he went virtually unnoticed. Then again, long snappers are only noticed when they snap poorly. The duties fall to a true freshman, Rick Lovato. His backup is also a true freshman, walk-on Kevin Marley.

3. Settle on a cornerback rotation T.J. Cowart had a special season last year, but that accounts for just 1 of 2 cornerback slots. On the other side, Markell Wilkins is back after missing last season due to knee surgery. But with Aaron Evans and true freshman Reggie Owens in camp, this could be the most interesting position competition at ODU.

4. Create a four-linebacker look Expectations are high for Craig Wilkins and J.J. Williams. Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore John Darr had a standout summer of physical growth. Coach Bobby Wilder wants to toy with a four-linebacker set and is factoring in either Alex Arain or Patrick Young as the fourth guy.

5. Who's No. 3? The top two quarterback slots are easy to figure: Two-year incumbent Thomas DeMarco is the starter, and junior college transfer Nate Ong is No. 2. But after that, it's murky at best. Highly touted true freshman Taylor Heinicke has been on campus for more than a month and whispers are that he's the real deal. But would the Monarchs be willing to waste his redshirt season should injuries mount at the position? Also in camp at QB: Sophomore Rashad Manley and walk-on true freshman Tyler Clark from Grassfield High.

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/analysi ... -preseason" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One of the top priorities is figuring out who your #3 QB is?

[ODUalum11]

Andy, we're pretty much set at every other position that wasn't mention and unlike last year, injuries don't seem to be a problem yet. At runningback we have three talented players with Crawford, Harper, and Goodwyn plus incoming freshman Tyree Taylor. We have a ton of depth at wide reciever and easily our top-2 are Gill and Evans. Defensive line we had some sort of a set-back with Turners injury but I think our d-line will be something like McClam and King at DE and then either a combination of Burnett, Saylor, and Cameron...cameron is pretty much a lock so I think Burnett or Saylor would be fighting for that other DT spot. TE its pretty much Damato and Blanco. Former QB Tommy Reamon was also converted to TE. Kicker and Punter positions are all set as well with former West Virginia transfer Jarrod Brown doing the kicking and then All-American Jonathan Plisco doing the punting. Goodwyn will most likely either be returning kick-offs or punts this year, not sure who will be doing the other returns.

[CAA Flagship]

One of the top priorities is figuring out who your #3 QB is?

Meaning all is well in Norfolk.
CAA here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[ODUalum11]

One of the top priorities is figuring out who your #3 QB is?

Meaning all is well in Norfolk.
CAA here we come!!!!!!!!!!!!1

....for now.

ODU football camp opens as CAA debut kicks off

By Rich Radford
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 9, 2011
NORFOLK

At this time a year ago, Old Dominion's offensive line was in a shambles.

Injuries, dismissals and defections had brought the number of linemen below 10. Coach Bobby Wilder was forced to convert his top tight end to tackle. And a true freshman lineman played out of necessity rather than redshirting.

As ODU opened practice Monday, Wilder had reason to smile: There were 13 linemen in camp.

ODU's preseason camp appears to have a higher level of anticipation this season. While there was a bit of a drop last year - replicating the buzz of that first season in 2009 was nearly impossible - there is a new reason for excitement.

After two seasons as an independent, the Monarchs are set to play their first Colonial Athletic Association game Sept. 24when they travel to Delaware, the runner-up in last year's Football Championship Series division.

And after a year of scrambling to bring together a coherent offensive line, Wilder has the luxury of actual depth at the position this time around. That's one of five key areas for the team as it heads toward its season opener Sept. 3 against visiting Campbell.

"Instead of wondering who's going to play, we can develop depth and move some guys around," Wilder said. "We are in a much better place along the line."

As Wilder spoke, incoming freshman Josh Mann walked by, catching the coach's attention.

"He looks good, and we'll find out quickly whether he's ready to play this year as a true freshman," Wilder said.

Mann, a graduate of Ocean Lakes High in Virginia Beach, is 1 of 2 local linemen who signed with ODU after making first-team All-Tidewater last fall. The other is Connor Mewborne from Virginia Beach's First Colonial High, and he too will be assessed along the same lines as Mann.

ODU's other position where depth apparently is no longer a problem is the defensive backfield. Last year's camp had 14 defensive backs. This year there are 19.

"We have 95 players in camp," said Wilder, who had grown accustomed to having around 80 players on his preseason roster.

The focus at cornerback will be split between Markell Wilkins and Reggie Owens, who are expected to battle for the starting nod opposite incumbent T.J. Cowart.

Wilkins played two years ago as a true freshman but tore ligaments in one of his knees just before preseason workouts last season. He's back, and the coaching staff believes he's 100 percent.

Owens, who like Mann is from Ocean Lakes, comes to camp looking the part of a BCS defensive back. And maybe he is. Owens originally committed to sign with Duke, but that relationship went south before signing day arrived, and Owens ended up with the Monarchs.

"Markell has every intention of starting," Wilder said. "Meanwhile, Reggie is one of our most publicized recruits and one of the highest rated in all of Virginia a year ago. He has size, speed and athleticism. And he's going to get a good look."

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/odu-foo ... ebut-kicks" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Three walk-ons show stand-out promise
Old Dominion's second preseason practice has been moved to 6 o'clock tonight as the Monarchs try to beat the heat.

Three local walk-on candidates have caught the eyes of the coaches early on. Neal-Anthony Hale, a linebacker from Maury High School in Norfolk, is flashing his quick first step and came to camp in great shape.

Tyler Clark from Chesapeake's Grassfield High is fitting right in with the quarterbacks and standing out some, but that's easy to do when you are the only lefthander surrounded by righthanders.

Daniel Bray, a tight end from Warwick High in Newport News, looks like he could be the real deal once he figures out ODU's spread offense and what his part in that offense should be. He's very athletic.

The Monarchs' first real scrimmage presents itself nest Tuesday when ODU holds a controlled blue-white at Foreman Field that night at 6 p.m.

http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/three-w ... ut-promise" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[DaBigBlue]

At runningback we have three talented players with Crawford, Harper, and Goodwyn plus incoming freshman Tyree Taylor.

I think you mean Tyree Lee, the Associated Press State Player of the Year in Va. Set an Eastern Region (757) record by rushing for 2,540 yards. Helped Phoebus win their third straight state championship and fourth in the last five years with an undefeated 15-0 season. Just busting on ya.

[DaBigBlue]

Sorry double post, I do like his shoes.





I like this one, the player in front of Tyree Lee is Breon Key, ODU's freshmen PG

[ODUalum11]

At runningback we have three talented players with Crawford, Harper, and Goodwyn plus incoming freshman Tyree Taylor.

I think you mean Tyree Lee, the Associated Press State Player of the Year in Va. Set an Eastern Region (757) record by rushing for 2,540 yards. Helped Phoebus win their third straight state championship and fourth in the last five years with an undefeated 15-0 season. Just busting on ya.

oops. thanks for the correction.

Day 2 Recap of Preseason Camp with video interiew with head coach Bobby Wilder....

PRESEASON PRACTICE UPDATE: The Heat is On
Monarchs Don't Let the Heat Get The Best of Them on Day Two

NORFOLK, Va. -- The Football Monarchs were forced to make adjustments for the second straight day as the heat index reached over 100 degrees. However the squad was just as excited and spirited to get back onto the field for Day Two as the weather conditions got better as the evening progressed.

The Monarchs continued to install the playbook with the coaching staff emphasizing that it was only the beginning of the installation of the offense, defense, and special teams for the upcoming season.

Head coach Bobby Wilder noted a big difference this season from the Monarchs' first two seasons praising the team for their control on staying on their feet much more this season than in years past while practicing in just shorts and helmets.

With minimal contact the last two days, the Football Monarchs are looking forward to being more physical tomorrow when they don shoulder pads for the first time.

[T-Dog]

...you're never going to hear the end of it.

Just a heads up, but I will apply this mercilessly to any team in the CAA that loses to ODU.

Even Towson?