What has to happen for UD to make the playoffs?

[Tubby Raymond]

1. Significant improvement on the offensive line over last year and with that.......
2. Establish A running back from the group that are going to compete for the job.
3. Replace the hole left by Gilbeaux's graduation.
4. Pat Devlin can't get hurt and performs at least at the level he did last season.

Dissents?, Concurrences?

Thought I might try to distract us from our pissing contest.

[Skjellyfetti]

Tough schedule...

South Dakota State, at Richmond, at James Madison, at William & Mary, at Massachusetts, Villanova

Whether or not they make the playoffs could easily come down to one of two plays in a couple of games and how the breaks go for them...

[Ursus A. Horribilis]

I think they make the playoffs this year, maybe not comfortably but make it. They probably go 3-3 in that real solid group that skell has and 4-2 isn't out of the realm there.

[Rob Iola]

In addition to all the valid points made, I think that for 8 games they need to score more points than they give up.

[dbackjon]

In addition to all the valid points made, I think that for 8 games they need to score more points than they give up.

What a keen insight into football you have...

[putter]

I say, if they go 3-3 with that lineup they get in with the first inaugural expanded at-large playoff spot.....

[Seahawks]

In addition to all the valid points made, I think that for 8 games they need to score more points than they give up.

That should do it. This isn't rocket science.

[YoUDeeMan]

Absent any injuries, UD's offensive line should be significantly improved. Big, strong guys will be manning the positions next year all across the line. And we have depth...a good mix of veterans and young studs. They should be solid this year and scary good in 2011.

That line will allow Devlin more time to throw this year so he should be even better. Plus, he has another year in the system. If he stays healthy, we will win a lot of games.

WR is stacked with good players...size, speed, and possession types. Devlin will have multiple targets. Jones is up to 180 or 185...big enough to take the hits.

RB is not settled, but there is talent. Should be interesting to see who gets the nod. We have speed, but I will be looking to see how the bigger backs work behind the improved line. If we can convert some 3rd and shorts from the ground, we'll be looking good. The running game will be good enough to keep Ds honest and give PD some room.

Our DBs are solid.

LBs should be interesting. Matt will play wherever he can. The conditioning coach was raving about MM as an LB. We'll see.

DL took some hits. Titre got injured this spring...he's expected back but you never know how that plays out. And if one particular player doesn't make it back from suspension, that leaves us a bit thin in the middle. MM can play end during passing plays, but a big DL transfer would be nice.

We should win our home games. PD and the OL will probably win us another 2 or 3 on the road.

[93henfan]

In addition to all the valid points made, I think that for 8 games they need to score more points than they give up.

That should do it. This isn't rocket science.

If they beat West Chester 84-0 again like they did several years back, it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility to score more points than their opponents and still miss the playoffs.

SDSU is going to be another early tone setter like the Richmond game was last year. Win that one and you're 3-0 going into the CAA slate. Lose it and you may regret it all year.

I see the Hens getting 8 (+/- 1) regular season wins and making the playoffs. I think the offense will be one of the best in FCS. The defense, not so much.

[Tribe4SF]

From my view, the O-line is again the key for the Hens. They just haven't been very good the last two years, and it will be pretty much the same group this year, with 4 of 5 starters returning. Uhl in particular has been a weak link against the Tribe. Very inconsistent, and seems to struggle badly in pass protection against decent DEs, of which there are plenty in the league. Any chance he loses his job to one of the younger guys?

If the OL can't produce the opportunity for a consistent running game, I think the Hens will again struggle against the better teams in the league. Devlin is a great QB, but he can't win the big games in league without a real running threat, and decent protection. If the running game isn't there, CAA defenses just unload on you, and are too good to be denied. I know Hen fans are expecting better play from their OL, but they were last year as well.

The Hens do benefit from missing New Hampshire this year, and that alone gives them a leg up on others. The South Dakota State game may be crucial to their playoff hopes. If they lose that one, they'll have to go 6-2 in conference to make it, and that may be a tall order for everyone except Villanova this year.

[ChickenMan]

From my view, the O-line is again the key for the Hens.

I agree that the play of the OL will be critical and unless there there is an influx of some new talent at that position.. I'm not all that optimistic. As you indicated.. having a lot of starters returning from a poor unit isn't grounds for optimisum. Hopefully a few of UD's promising red-shirt freshmen will step up a take a job from a couple of those returning on the OLs.

Another potential problem is the DL.. that's another area with a question marks heading into the season.

[jstclmet]

OL improvement should be on every team's "To Do" list. The Hen's OL improvement may not have to be much. I'm not really seeing any scary DL's in the CAA this year. Not to say, that the DL's will all be pushovers, but I don't see any DL's like W&M and JMU's of 2009. Thus, the Hen's OL while it will need to protect and block, may not have to be a whole lot better than last year. The experience gained by the returning linemen should be helpful.

The Hen's OL may have to work on picking up blitzing LB's. I think the strength of the CAA defensively will come from the LB unit for many of the teams.

The Hens will need a running game as finding open WR/TE's may prove to be a little harder in 2010.

The Hens will also want to improve on their ability to stop the run.

Good Luck.

[YoUDeeMan]

From my view, the O-line is again the key for the Hens. They just haven't been very good the last two years, and it will be pretty much the same group this year, with 4 of 5 starters returning. Uhl in particular has been a weak link against the Tribe. Very inconsistent, and seems to struggle badly in pass protection against decent DEs, of which there are plenty in the league. Any chance he loses his job to one of the younger guys?

If the OL can't produce the opportunity for a consistent running game, I think the Hens will again struggle against the better teams in the league. Devlin is a great QB, but he can't win the big games in league without a real running threat, and decent protection. If the running game isn't there, CAA defenses just unload on you, and are too good to be denied. I know Hen fans are expecting better play from their OL, but they were last year as well.

The Hens do benefit from missing New Hampshire this year, and that alone gives them a leg up on others. The South Dakota State game may be crucial to their playoff hopes. If they lose that one, they'll have to go 6-2 in conference to make it, and that may be a tall order for everyone except Villanova this year.

The new guys are bigger and stronger...Uhl...and potentially another, will be replaced as a starter. In the past few years, we've had several key OL injuries which led to lost projected starters and very little depth. Barring any more injuries, and we've had a few already, our OL should be fine. We are also working on different formations and schemes...having a poor line and one small RB in the backfield allowed teams to load up on Devlin. The Hens O will be productive. As noted, the DL is the main question.

[Pigskin Steve]

University of Detroit has a team?

Seriously, world chaos, dogs and cats living together, Joe Biden being VP, that sort of thing.

I believe The Hens have a real good chance of making the playoffs this year, and JB is one of my favorite politicians, he's just too honest to be in government.

[GannonFan]

OL improvement should be on every team's "To Do" list. The Hen's OL improvement may not have to be much. I'm not really seeing any scary DL's in the CAA this year. Not to say, that the DL's will all be pushovers, but I don't see any DL's like W&M and JMU's of 2009. Thus, the Hen's OL while it will need to protect and block, may not have to be a whole lot better than last year. The experience gained by the returning linemen should be helpful.

The Hen's OL may have to work on picking up blitzing LB's. I think the strength of the CAA defensively will come from the LB unit for many of the teams.

The Hens will need a running game as finding open WR/TE's may prove to be a little harder in 2010.

The Hens will also want to improve on their ability to stop the run.

Good Luck.

While I don't always agree with jst, he's right on this one. What killed UD last year was that the conference, as a whole, had really incredible DL's - it showed up in the playoffs as well as nova and W&M dominated namely because of the incredible play of their defensive lines. Heck, neither of those teams had incredible offenses but it didn't matter because you couldn't run or keep pressure from getting to your own QB's. This year, W&M and JMU have had significant dropoffs in terms of talent on the defensive fronts, and Richmond has pretty much lost everybody from last year. UD's OL could be the same this year as last year and it will look like a big improvement.

With the schedule (7 home games) and missing UNH, there's no reason why UD shouldn't be in the playoffs. It would be a huge failing for Keeler this year to not be a top CAA team and in the playoffs.

[bluehenbillk]

Agree with JST & GF, UD's OL has to be better this yea on an addition by subtraction premise. But yes, line play, both lines will dictate how successful UD's season is. I wouldn't eveb have Devlin on a list other than not getting him injured, I think he'll have a great year. I like the FR RB Pierce & I think the wideouts are as good as anybodys.

Schedule-wise what's not to like, it's gotta be the easiest in the CAA from the top teams perspective, 7 games at home, they miss UNH & they get both TU & URI, while teams like W&M & JMU miss one of the two league doormats.

No one mentioned it but Kicker is a position I worry about too. We were supposed to have a true FR coming in from the Suburban One League (Baner maybe, forget the name), but I never saw any confirmation of that, otherwise:

QB - check, WR - check, LB- check, DB - check, P - check

[00bluehen]

Bill, I believe Baner (From William Tennet HS in Warminster) was going to be matriculating to Newark in the fall, but more of the preferred walk-on type. KC had restrictions of one form or another on talking about him, but the wife's family are all Tennet folks and they said he's coming as far as they know. Hope so...those videos of his ability were impressive.

As far as what has to happen...UD has to develop a winner's instinct, plain and simple. They need to dominate the other team from the first snap and not just la-dee-dah their way through games. X's and O's wise, we obviously need more balance in the attack...but that all starts with the OLine just learning how to be (and I hate to use this oft-overused JMU word) "nasty."

[bluehenbillk]

Bill, I believe Baner (From William Tennet HS in Warminster) was going to be matriculating to Newark in the fall, but more of the preferred walk-on type. KC had restrictions of one form or another on talking about him, but the wife's family are all Tennet folks and they said he's coming as far as they know. Hope so...those videos of his ability were impressive.

As far as what has to happen...UD has to develop a winner's instinct, plain and simple. They need to dominate the other team from the first snap and not just la-dee-dah their way through games. X's and O's wise, we obviously need more balance in the attack...but that all starts with the OLine just learning how to be (and I hate to use this oft-overused JMU word) "nasty."

00, thanks for the inside scoop on Baner. I agree with the killer instinct, you watc them simply systematically take apart UMass last year & then not show up against JMU. Frustrating & needs to change.

[00bluehen]

Well, keep in mind that my other half's family IS from Warminster...tarnishes the info to an extent

[Ivytalk]

How did UD end up playing W&M on the road two straight years?

[Rob Iola]

How did UD end up playing W&M on the road two straight years?

Cuz the team likes staying at Great Wolf Lodge and going to the indoor water park afterwards...

[00bluehen]

How did UD end up playing W&M on the road two straight years?

Maddening, but the result of schedule chaos created by Northeastern and Hofstra dropping football and having the conference condensed back into one 10-team mass. Schedule couldn't work any other way without giving UD 8 home games, apparently. Even if we got the Tribe in Newark, we likely would have gone to someone else's house for the second straight year.

Could be worse--coulda been sent to Orono for 2 straight years.

[bluehenbillk]

Bill, I believe Baner (From William Tennet HS in Warminster) was going to be matriculating to Newark in the fall, but more of the preferred walk-on type. KC had restrictions of one form or another on talking about him, but the wife's family are all Tennet folks and they said he's coming as far as they know. Hope so...those videos of his ability were impressive.

http://www.precisionkickersandpunters.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

00- I found this link, says Baner is indeed coming, confirming your info. Makes me feel good about that spot now. So, if we can nail down some semblance of a running game for the 1st time since Omar left, I think we'll be in pretty decent shape!!

[SpeedkingATL]

Need to win the SDSU game and win at least 2/3 of the tough CAA games on the road...a very tall order. I expect the CAA will beat each other up this year much like the SoCon used to do. One or 2 CAA teams could make the playoffs with 7 wins under the expanded format.

[YoUDeeMan]

Need to win the SDSU game and win at least 2/3 of the tough CAA games on the road...a very tall order. I expect the CAA will beat each other up this year much like the SoCon used to do. One or 2 CAA teams could make the playoffs with 7 wins under the expanded format.

UD still has DII West Chester on our schedule. If we finish with 7 wins...only 6 DI wins, I think the Hens are sitting home.