The future of Richmond football?

[jrj1976urspider]

First I must salute the Blue Hens on their easy win over my Spiders yesterday at Robins Stadium.
Now for the subject of this post....I think yesterday's result confirms (I fear) the end of a very successful era of UR football. Over the last five years UR experienced the greatest success in its long football history. The Dave Clawson era has come to an end....15 five year seniors .brought in by Clawson have graduated.
On the UR fans website (SpiderNation.com) most fans noted that Richmond suffers from lack of depth. Meanwhile UD was constantly sending in fresh players into the game. My question here is...since UD is a state university, does it have a large number of walk ons that can be brought into the game? I know that just like UR, Delaware is limited to 63 full scholarships (FCS max). If this is the case there is nothing UR can do about it. UR is private and therefore walkons are few and far between. Plus, with new coaching staff, it will take time for UR to adjust. If this turns out to be a down year for Richmond, I hope that it will only be a short period of time before Richmond returns to the FCS elite!

[freebird]

I'm not familiar with either of these programs, but losing 15 5-year seniors and having a new coaching staff, will disrupt any program. It doesn't mean the end is near, but it would almost have to imply rebuilding. With 63 scholarships, if they're balanced classes, you'd like to think you'd always have about 30 upperclassman contributing and maybe a half dozen underclassmen. That should give you pretty good depth. Walk-ons can help, but typically, not more than 2 or 3 guys in 2-deeps would be walk-ons. Sure that helps, but I think Richmond has shown that you can win without that. Stretching those 63 with partial scholies can help too, but I think that might help the lower tuition public institutions more than the higher tuition private schools, but again, Richmond has done it before. Another factor is the economy, as states fund public institutions less and less, I think the tuition difference will become less of a factor. I'm not saying that's a good thing, but in many states it is happening.

Good luck.

[JMUpurplehazed]

OT: Your stadium looked good on TV. Small or not, it looks a lot better that City did IMO.

[blukeys]

Delaware does get walk ons and on occasion they make their way onto the starting squad but these are the exceptions. I don't see the walk on situation playing out at all in yesterday's game

[ur2K]

First I must salute the Blue Hens on their easy win over my Spiders yesterday at Robins Stadium.
Now for the subject of this post....I think yesterday's result confirms (I fear) the end of a very successful era of UR football. Over the last five years UR experienced the greatest success in its long football history. The Dave Clawson era has come to an end....15 five year seniors .brought in by Clawson have graduated.
On the UR fans website (SpiderNation.com) most fans noted that Richmond suffers from lack of depth. Meanwhile UD was constantly sending in fresh players into the game. My question here is...since UD is a state university, does it have a large number of walk ons that can be brought into the game? I know that just like UR, Delaware is limited to 63 full scholarships (FCS max). If this is the case there is nothing UR can do about it. UR is private and therefore walkons are few and far between. Plus, with new coaching staff, it will take time for UR to adjust. If this turns out to be a down year for Richmond, I hope that it will only be a short period of time before Richmond returns to the FCS elite!

The virus is back

We got beat by a better team ... that's it. End of story. I wouldn't look too much further into it than that.

Lack of depth can be chalked up to youth and injuries.

Again, still waiting on a worthwhile post from you.

[jd of de]

I was in attendance and you are writing off your program way to quickly. This may be a reloading year but they have some real young talent. Smith needs the ball more, Corp has the tools but the most impressive thing to me was his ability to see the field. He sees where the ball needs to go and does not put the ball in jeopardy (yea I saw the INT). UDs running yards came late a very good sign for a rebuilding DL. UR will be really good next year. This years UD team is pretty good and I thought the Spiders showed themselves proud, despite the final score.

[State Line Liquors]

Richmond might be going through a rebuilding year. UR fans that are new to the dance or don't have the perspective to identify what a challenge it is to be on top every year are in for a rude awakening.

This game had ZERO to do with walkon athletes.

[SpiderFan5]

Yeah, dude you are way off again.

Rebuilding, maybe/probably
But end, NO

losing 15 5th years hurts, but we will rebound

[DKHardee]

im still terrified of these spiders. We got them next.

[PenthouseClosedEnd]

Again, still waiting on a worthwhile post from you.

Don't hold your breath waiting.

[jrj1976urspider]

In addition to the virus returning...the plague is also back! I am also waiting, but not holding my breath, for a worthwhile post from him

[DirtyDukes]

Best thread ever?

[grizzaholic]

im still terrified of these spiders. We got them next.

http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/bug_zapper.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The wife has one similar to this. She just presses the button and touches the spider/bug/fly/moth/bee and they start sparking and smoking. They are awesome. Will shock the living shit out of your hand if you try to zap yourself or someone else.

[BDKJMU]

im still terrified of these spiders. We got them next.

Considering you lost to Towson, you should be scared of anyone....

[kuntryboimike]

Keep your heads up. Nothing to go jump off of a bridge about. I didn't get to watch the game I was too busy yellin at the JMU game but look. Crap happens. You can't have a perfect game or even close to it every night. It's college football and anything can happen. This doesn't make you a mediocre team in the FCS. You're still a top team in the nation. Period. By the way I can't wait for our series against eachother

[AppStateAlumQC]

im still terrified of these spiders. We got them next.

Considering you lost to Towson, you should be scared of anyone....

[DKHardee]

Considering you lost to Towson, you should be scared of anyone....

except Deleware State,

[urmite]

im still terrified of these spiders. We got them next.

http://www.asseenontv.com/prod-pages/bug_zapper.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The wife has one similar to this. She just presses the button and touches the spider/bug/fly/moth/bee and they start sparking and smoking. They are awesome. Will shock the living **** out of your hand if you try to zap yourself or someone else.

Hand? Try the tip of ...oh nevermind. Hey, at least I learned that 45 yr old alumni should leave the law school co-eds alone.

But back to football, we lost 15 starters from last year, then had 5 guys who would be fifth year seniors decide not to return, plus our worse rash of injuries since late 2007 so I'm not worried about the program overall. I do think it may take a couple years (and some good recruiting) for us to have 3 years like the last 3 again.

[Seawolf97]

You will bounce back. You are still a natioal FCS power.

[Aho Old Guy]

Suck it up, Nancys.

And try a little 'blocking & tackling' this week.

Or are you afraid you might injure your vagina's?

[89Hen]

Delaware does get walk ons and on occasion they make their way onto the starting squad but these are the exceptions. I don't see the walk on situation playing out at all in yesterday's game

Except for the fact that our leading rusher is a walk-on.