2010 Early Top 5

[sfajack05]

SFA will be fine with their receivers. They have a bunch of young players that got to see time this year and they will be able to make an impact next year. They also had a guy transfer in from La Tech. The question for SFA will its defense and how you replace Knicky. I expect another run for the conference title next year and hopefully a better showing in the playoffs.

[Col Hogan]

My 2010 CAA Pre-Season Rankings:

1. UNH (Top 5)
2. W&M (Top 5)
3. Villanova (Top 10)
4. Maine (Top 15)
5. UMass (Top 15)
6. JMU (Top 25)
7. Delaware (Top 25)
8. Richmond
9. URI
10. Towson

Not a bad outlook...I wondered about UMass, but a few of the players we're picking up from the fallout at Northeastern will plus a few serious holes...and more are coming from both NE and Hofstra...

And I agree that Richmond will fall that far...given the loses both on the field and among the coaches...

[BDKJMU]

Nova - without Szczur not top 10

Eh, they still have A-ball and Whitney... both run the ball... Szczur is a huge loss, but he only accounted for 25% of their offensive output, wasn't the leading rusher or receiver.

DJ- you mention a 3rd team All CAA RB in Ball they have returning but mention maybe the best player on their team (for his respective position, and that includes Sczur). That's their likely consensus AA OT Ben Ijalana. If Sczur doesn't return for them Ijalana will be the best player they have returning, at least for his position. Will likely be the best OT in all of I-AA next season.

I count 14-15 starters they have returning, depending on Sczur. Other standouts besides Ijalana, Whitney, and Ball they have returning:
-Thomas- 1st team All CAA LB
-Clouser- 3rd team All CAA OL
-Kirkland, 3rd team All CAA LB (2nd team last yr)
-Dempsey, 3rd team All CAA S
-Pitts, 3rd team All CAA CB

But lose besides possibly Sczur:
-Harvey- their 2nd team All CAA receiver
-2 starting 0-lineman (one 3rd team All CAA)
-Kukuka, 1st team All CAA/AA DE
-Matuz, 2nd team All CAA NT
-Osunde, 2nd team All CAA LB (he was a 1st teamer last yr)
-Ross Ventrone at safety, older brother Ray was with the Patriots, now is with the Browns.

Nova will be pre season #1. Eh, whatever, pre season polls are retarded. They'll be likely the favorite to win the CAA, but certainly no lock. Highly likely they'll be a playoff team, but certainly no lock. For example:

-04' Nova was pre season top 5 and finished 7-5, no playoffs.
-05' JMU was pre season #1 and finished 7-4, 6 Div I wins, and no playoffs

We'll just have to wait and see.

[bandl]

Eh, they still have A-ball and Whitney... both run the ball... Szczur is a huge loss, but he only accounted for 25% of their offensive output, wasn't the leading rusher or receiver.

DJ- you mention a 3rd team All CAA RB in Ball they have returning but mention maybe the best player on their team (for his respective position, and that includes Sczur). That's their likely consensus AA OT Ben Ijalana. If Sczur doesn't return for them Ijalana will be the best player they have returning, at least for his position. Will likely be the best OT in all of I-AA next season.

I count 14-15 starters they have returning, depending on Sczur. Other standouts besides Ijalana, Whitney, and Ball they have returning:
-Thomas- 1st team All CAA LB
-Clouser- 3rd team All CAA OL
-Kirkland, 3rd team All CAA LB (2nd team last yr)
-Dempsey, 3rd team All CAA S
-Pitts, 3rd team All CAA CB

But lose besides possibly Sczur:
-Harvey- their 2nd team All CAA receiver
-2 starting 0-lineman (one 3rd team All CAA)
-Kukuka, 1st team All CAA/AA DE
-Matuz, 2nd team All CAA NT
-Osunde, 2nd team All CAA LB (he was a 1st teamer last yr)
-Ross Ventrone at safety, older brother Ray was with the Patriots, now is with the Browns.

Nova will be pre season #1. Eh, whatever, pre season polls are retarded. They'll be likely the favorite to win the CAA, but certainly no lock. Highly likely they'll be a playoff team, but certainly no lock. For example:

-04' Nova was pre season top 5 and finished 7-5, no playoffs.
-05' JMU was pre season #1 and finished 7-4, 6 Div I wins, and no playoffs

We'll just have to wait and see.

Did you eat paint chips as a kid?

[BDKJMU]

Who is your early top 5 and who is a sleeper to watch for?

5 Teams to watch, not in order, for me are:

W&M- if that new QB is any good
SIU- you know they will get a new RB
SFA- if they can replace those WRs they have a lot of talent back
SC State- they have a lot of talent back and only need to replace 1 key WR and the 2 RBs
JMU- they could be back as long as they can replace the TE and the WRs

Sleeper team for me is either Missouri State or Liberty.

I think Villanova, Montana, Richmond, App State, etc. will all be top 10 caliber teams but there are some major question marks that I think keep them out of the top 5 at this point next year.

What do you guys think?

Only one top WR for JMU to replace- and thats 2nd team All CAA McCarter. Bigger loss will be replacing Caussin at TE. Other than that those 2 on offense Lose 2 OLs, 1st team All CAA and AA Brooks at OG, and the 2nd one was the center, the worst starter of the 5. a

On defense have to replace the 2 studs on the DL (Moats and 2nd team ALL CAA DT Sam Daniels). Also have to replace the McGee, 2nd team All CAA at CB, but obviously a bigger impact at the return game.

Most of the season JMU started 7 freshman/sophomores on defense, and 15 of the 22 were freshman/sophomores. Only junior starter was 3rd team All CAA Ronnell Brown at DT, so JMU might have only one senior starter next season (although their is a DL Army transfer who''ll be a senior next year who might start on the DL).

Offense wasn't quite as young, but still over half the 2 deep was freshman and sophomores.

Some of these young players for JMU are major talents, but I think JMU is 2 years away from being a solid NC contender. JMU might make the playoffs next season (no rose colored goggles here- I'll say better than 50/50, but that's only because of the expanded field). A lot will hinge on the QB situation next year- if its Dudzik, an improved Thorpe, or if its rotating them again (Matthews has said going into next year neither one is penciled in as the starter).

JMU is 2 years away- In 2011 JMU will be an NC contender.

[BDKJMU]

My 2010 CAA Pre-Season Rankings:

1. UNH (Top 5)
2. W&M (Top 5)
3. Villanova (Top 10)
4. Maine (Top 15)
5. UMass (Top 15)
6. JMU (Top 25)
7. Delaware (Top 25)
8. Richmond
9. URI
10. Towson

UMass in their next to last game vs JMU had 12 of 22 starters as seniors. That included their AAs Ducasse, Miles, and 1st team All CAA Cruz. They finished 5-6/3-5. I don't see them as good next year as this year. Certainly don't see them as being as good as UD and JMU, 2 teams that beat them and return A LOT more, especially in the case of UD.

And UNH as the most likely to win the CAA- you must be smoking something.

[BDKJMU]

Who is your early top 5 and who is a sleeper to watch for?

5 Teams to watch, not in order, for me are:

W&M- if that new QB is any good
SIU- you know they will get a new RB
SFA- if they can replace those WRs they have a lot of talent back
SC State- they have a lot of talent back and only need to replace 1 key WR and the 2 RBs
JMU- they could be back as long as they can replace the TE and the WRs

Sleeper team for me is either Missouri State or Liberty.

I think Villanova, Montana, Richmond, App State, etc. will all be top 10 caliber teams but there are some major question marks that I think keep them out of the top 5 at this point next year.

What do you guys think?

Maine- I was looking at the game notes vs JMU and they showed a whopping 19 of 22 starters as non seniors. They finished 6-5/4-4. The only real talent they lost was Landis Williams, their 1st team All CAA receiver, and Jordan Stevens, 3rd team All CAA at De end (he should have been 2nd team IMHOP- he was 3rd in the CAA in sacks).

[Skjellyfetti]

I think App will be easily be top 10 next year... wouldn't be suprised if they end up top 5.

Our receiving corps will just be ridiculously good... CoCo Hillary, Matt Cline, Brian Quick, Jamill Lott, Deandre Presley.
Plenty of talented running backs... Devon Moore, Cedric Baker, Rod Chisolm, Devin Radford
Most of our defense is back...

Obviously Armanti will be hard to replace. A couple of new guys on the offensive line... and Jacque Roman, Anthony Williams, and Cortez Gilbert on defense.

Who knows who our QB is going to be next year... but, with those wide receivers and running backs... our offense should not drop off much.

Defense has been our problem the last few years... and I'm not sure I see anything that idicates it will improve a whole lot...

[Brave]

Most of our defense is back...

Who knows who our QB is going to be next year... but, with those wide receivers and running backs... our offense should not drop off much.

Defense has been our problem the last few years... and I'm not sure I see anything that idicates it will improve a whole lot...

Where did App St finish the last year we played without AE?

Time for some new blood on defense. They didn't play up to their abilities other than maybe against GSU and Elon and the 2nd half against ECU. We had most of our starters back from '08 and after the McNeese game it dawned on me: Maybe that's not a good thing. Start some youngsters!

Offensively, even with our talent at WR, I'm a little worried about us being a one-dimensional running team. Cadet runs better than he throws (to date). That's where AE was so strong ... he could kill you running or passing.

[andy7171]

1- Villanova
2 - William and Mary
3 - UNH
4 - JMU
5 - Montana State

[ASUMountaineer]

Next year is going to be really different. Richmond has been seemingly dismantled, ASU finally has to go on without Armanti, Nova, Mont, and UNI all lose a lot of players, SIU brings a lot back but will lose Karim, WM loses a QB. Lots of shakeups next year.

We said the same thing in 2006 when we had to go on without Richie. Hoping 2010 turns out the same way...but, I'm not holding my breath.

[mainejeff]

Maine- I was looking at the game notes vs JMU and they showed a whopping 19 of 22 starters as non seniors. They finished 6-5/4-4. The only real talent they lost was Landis Williams, their 1st team All CAA receiver, and Jordan Stevens, 3rd team All CAA at De end (he should have been 2nd team IMHOP- he was 3rd in the CAA in sacks).

He would have if he played in the CAA South.

[JMU DJ]

Eh, they still have A-ball and Whitney... both run the ball... Szczur is a huge loss, but he only accounted for 25% of their offensive output, wasn't the leading rusher or receiver.

DJ- you mention a 3rd team All CAA RB in Ball they have returning but mention maybe the best player on their team (for his respective position, and that includes Sczur). That's their likely consensus AA OT Ben Ijalana. If Sczur doesn't return for them Ijalana will be the best player they have returning, at least for his position. Will likely be the best OT in all of I-AA next season.

I count 14-15 starters they have returning, depending on Sczur. Other standouts besides Ijalana, Whitney, and Ball they have returning:
-Thomas- 1st team All CAA LB
-Clouser- 3rd team All CAA OL
-Kirkland, 3rd team All CAA LB (2nd team last yr)
-Dempsey, 3rd team All CAA S
-Pitts, 3rd team All CAA CB

But lose besides possibly Sczur:
-Harvey- their 2nd team All CAA receiver
-2 starting 0-lineman (one 3rd team All CAA)
-Kukuka, 1st team All CAA/AA DE
-Matuz, 2nd team All CAA NT
-Osunde, 2nd team All CAA LB (he was a 1st teamer last yr)
-Ross Ventrone at safety, older brother Ray was with the Patriots, now is with the Browns.

Nova will be pre season #1. Eh, whatever, pre season polls are retarded. They'll be likely the favorite to win the CAA, but certainly no lock. Highly likely they'll be a playoff team, but certainly no lock. For example:

-04' Nova was pre season top 5 and finished 7-5, no playoffs.
-05' JMU was pre season #1 and finished 7-4, 6 Div I wins, and no playoffs

We'll just have to wait and see.

You just have to find a way to argue a point, even if the person is agreeing with you. What a maroon. Sorry if forgot to mention the litany of other players returning, I just chose two who produced on offense (yes, I'm aware OT's help in that manner) in response to Jon saying without Szczur Nova will stink. Since your knocking a 3rd team RB, where's JMU's 3rd team RB that we are returning next year? Besides Ball, there's only one RB returning that had All CAA honors.

Did you eat paint chips as a kid?

Lead poisoning could be a probable explanation for his disposition.

[bandl]

DJ- you mention a 3rd team All CAA RB in Ball they have returning but mention maybe the best player on their team (for his respective position, and that includes Sczur). That's their likely consensus AA OT Ben Ijalana. If Sczur doesn't return for them Ijalana will be the best player they have returning, at least for his position. Will likely be the best OT in all of I-AA next season.

I count 14-15 starters they have returning, depending on Sczur. Other standouts besides Ijalana, Whitney, and Ball they have returning:
-Thomas- 1st team All CAA LB
-Clouser- 3rd team All CAA OL
-Kirkland, 3rd team All CAA LB (2nd team last yr)
-Dempsey, 3rd team All CAA S
-Pitts, 3rd team All CAA CB

But lose besides possibly Sczur:
-Harvey- their 2nd team All CAA receiver
-2 starting 0-lineman (one 3rd team All CAA)
-Kukuka, 1st team All CAA/AA DE
-Matuz, 2nd team All CAA NT
-Osunde, 2nd team All CAA LB (he was a 1st teamer last yr)
-Ross Ventrone at safety, older brother Ray was with the Patriots, now is with the Browns.

Nova will be pre season #1. Eh, whatever, pre season polls are retarded. They'll be likely the favorite to win the CAA, but certainly no lock. Highly likely they'll be a playoff team, but certainly no lock. For example:

-04' Nova was pre season top 5 and finished 7-5, no playoffs.
-05' JMU was pre season #1 and finished 7-4, 6 Div I wins, and no playoffs

We'll just have to wait and see.

You just have to find a way to argue a point, even if the person is agreeing with you. What a maroon. Sorry if forgot to mention the litany of other players returning, I just chose two who produced on offense (yes, I'm aware OT's help in that manner) in response to Jon saying without Szczur Nova will stink. Since your knocking a 3rd team RB, where's JMU's 3rd team RB that we are returning next year? Besides Ball, there's only one RB returning that had All CAA honors.

Did you eat paint chips as a kid?

Lead poisoning could be a probable explanation for his disposition.

Uh oh, fifteen minutes to Judge Wapner.

[BDKJMU]

You just have to find a way to argue a point, even if the person is agreeing with you. What a maroon.

I guess a moron doesn't know how to spell moron.

[Grizalltheway]

You just have to find a way to argue a point, even if the person is agreeing with you. What a maroon.

I guess a moron doesn't know how to spell moron.

And I guess someone never watched Bugs Bunny cartoons.

[JMU DJ]

I guess a moron doesn't know how to spell moron.

And I guess someone never watched Bugs Bunny cartoons.

[BlueHen86]

I guess a moron doesn't know how to spell moron.

And I guess someone never watched Bugs Bunny cartoons.

You beat me to it.

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

And I guess someone never watched Bugs Bunny cartoons.

You beat me to it.

+1

It is funnier that he didn't get that though.

[canyoncat]

1- Villanova
2 - William and Mary
3 - UNH
4 - JMU
5 - Montana State

Wow!!! Thanks Andy. Not sure if we'll be a top 5 team next year. a lot of things will have to go right for us to become a top 5 team. I think we can be a top 10 team, but top might be a stretch.

[andy7171]

1- Villanova
2 - William and Mary
3 - UNH
4 - JMU
5 - Montana State

Wow!!! Thanks Andy. Not sure if we'll be a top 5 team next year. a lot of things will have to go right for us to become a top 5 team. I think we can be a top 10 team, but top might be a stretch.

I did it more to PO the Griz nation, but you're welcome.

[ur76spider]

Given the HUGE LOSSES due to graduation and a new Unproven head coach, Spider fans might have to endure a season like those in 1979 and 1982, when UR went 0-11!

[clenz]

Given the HUGE LOSSES due to graduation and a new Unproven head coach, Spider fans might have to endure a season like those in 1979 and 1982, when UR went 0-11!

At least you don't have a fan base to lose because of it....

[dgreco]

no order

WM
UNH
Montana
SC State
SFA

I think SC State would be viewed a lot more positively if they didnt have App St. in the first round the last two years. They could of won a game or two each year maybe and they would of begun 09 higher and would probably begin 10 higher.

[danefan]

no order

WM
UNH
Montana
SC State
SFA

I think SC State would be viewed a lot more positively if they didnt have App St. in the first round the last two years. They could of won a game or two each year maybe and they would of begun 09 higher and would probably begin 10 higher.

SCST without William Ford or Oliver Young (or their next two receivers) isn't the same SCST, IMO. I wouldn't start them off any higher then 15.

I'm also not so sure a team that lost 50-something to nothing in the playoffs can be considered a top 5 team the next year.

And no Villanova? Even without Szcur I think Villanova has to be a Top 5 preseason team.