Four things I'm waiting to see Game 1.

[Bvols48]

Had this thread for a few games last year with some good thoughts from VolNation so I thought I would try it again this year. My four are

1. How fast is Shoop's defense during actual game.

2. Will KonGBO live up to all the hype.

3. Wide receivers getting separation.

4. A wide open and fast offense.

Feel free to add your thoughts.

 

[joevol33]

I know our offense should be good, and looking for improvement in the passing game. I'm very interested in seeing the defense.

 

[sjt18]

1- Will Dobbs put air under the ball and place the ball better consistently?

2- What will Shoop's promised pressure look like in somewhat vanilla form?

3- Will the WR's play up to their talent?

4- Will UT use its depth on D to be dominant?

5- How improved is the OL and can Richmond hold up?

 

[Boca Vol]

Had this thread for a few games last year with some good thoughts from VolNation so I thought I would try it again this year. My four are

1. How fast is Shoop's defense during actual game.

2. Will KonGBO live up to all the hype.

3. Wide receivers getting separation.

4. A wide open and fast offense.

Feel free to add your thoughts.

Not sure you will find that out against App. St.

By the time Nov. rolls around, we'll know.

 

[bigdaddy]

No injuries

 

[wtmvol]

Had this thread for a few games last year with some good thoughts from VolNation so I thought I would try it again this year. My four are

1. How fast is Shoop's defense during actual game.

2. Will KonGBO live up to all the hype.

3. Wide receivers getting separation.

4. A wide open and fast offense.

Feel free to add your thoughts.

I like yours. I'll add in a few more:

1. How is our pass protection?
2. Are we dominant on the DL to the point that they can't run on us?
3. When (hopefully) we get up by a couple scores, do we relax or do we step on the gas?

 

[jakez4ut]

what does the passing game look like now with talent/experience returning at WR, QB, Nd Oline?

interior push on Dline....are linebackers running free/DE's getting pressure?

do we start off slow in passing defense like last year?

are dictating to the opponent, or are we playing down to the competition?

 

[#1ManningFan]

1. Shoop
2. Hurd/Kamara
3. Big Mac
4. Preston Williams
5. Passing game

 

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

I'm most interested to see if we have any improvement in the down field passing game. I feel fairly confident in every other aspect of the game, but that's one area that has to improve dramatically for us to take the next step.

 

[McDad]

Special teams:
1. continued excellent KR & PR from last year or not as good?

2. Medley improved precision/accuracy beyond 35 yards?

3. Darr improvement (if possible)?

4. Will the young speedsters cover the KO and P well?

 

[jakez4ut]

Special teams:
1. continued excellent KR & PR from last year or not as good?

2. Medley improved precision/accuracy beyond 35 yards?

3. Darr improvement (if possible)?

4. Will the young speedsters cover the KO and P well?

agreed. left that out....but this one is a big one for me too.

 

[ShooterVFL]

1) Did Jalen really improve his top speed in the off season. It's the only thing his game lacks in my opinion. He will in all likelihood top Travis's record this year but without some very long runs he won't do it in less number of carries. Would love to see him break a couple 60+ yarders in the opening game.

2) Balance on offense. Obviously run/pass balance but Im talking more about the utilization of certain players. Would like to see AK with more touches and hope to see the tight end group used often in the pass game.

3) Our DE rotation. It's the deepest position group on the team and snaps will be hard to come by. I believe each play we will see whoever is out there going 110% trying to make a point. They should stay fresh and motivated and that's gonna be hell for opposing offenses.

4) Bob Shoop's defense. How obvious will it be that we have a new DC in scheme, aggressiveness, and player development.

 

[theFallGuy]

Shoop be doop

 

[bigdaddy]

Special teams:
1. continued excellent KR & PR from last year or not as good?

2. Medley improved precision/accuracy beyond 35 yards?

3. Darr improvement (if possible)?

4. Will the young speedsters cover the KO and P well?

I'm confused on number 3. He plays for the Dolphins now.

Also losing our Special Teams coach Mark Elder will be one thing to watch this season. I don't expect us to return more KOs and punts but I do expect our coverage to be just as effective

 

[gnm53108]

Win,win,win, and win.

 

[VolinMC]

1. Downfield passing game. (Includes blocking,accuracy,and separation)
2. Depth-second and third team players performing well.
3. Can Medley be better over 40 yards?
4. Does the team start off fast then slows up or are they consistent for 4 quarters?

This is no particular order.

 

[G-Vol]

3. When (hopefully) we get up by a couple scores, do we relax or do we step on the gas?

Man, this year, I hope we stop playing this gentleman football crap and blow out our opponents. With Shoop's heralded defense, I want to see shutouts and massacres on the scoreboard.

Hope Dormandy, John Kelly and our other reserves see a lot of playing time and are as good as our first team.

No more Mister Nice Guy. Time people know that THE BIG ORANGE is for real.

Yes, I know this is a little off from the OP's request regarding the first game, but I hope it all starts here.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

1. Improved, more explosive passing game.

2. Curse-free Medley.

3. Smothering Shoop-led defense.

4. Faster open-field Hurd.

5. Innovative new ways to get the ball into Kamara's hands.

6. Solid protection at Left Tackle.

7. Shy Tuttle getting game time and staying healthy.

8. Clear signs of another outstanding Special Teams year ahead (Berry, Sutton, Kamara, Daniels).

Probably a ton of other things to watch for as well, but those are my key eight for this game.

 

[swchandler1988]

1. Would like to see Pwill or Malone have a 50+ yard touchdown reception.

2. To see Hurd break one for 50+ like Kamara did last year against Bowling Green.

3. To see our D line be blatantly dominant the whole game.

4. To see our corners play shut-down football (i.e. not get torched like Dieter did to us last year).

 

[Vol_til_I_die]

Special teams:
1. continued excellent KR & PR from last year or not as good?

2. Medley improved precision/accuracy beyond 35 yards?

3. Darr improvement (if possible)?

4. Will the young speedsters cover the KO and P well?

Daniel?

 

[CoaxialOrange]

The band trusting the process as the T opens up.

 

[KoachKrab127]

1. Dobbs's accuracy
2. Staying aggressive on O and D if we get a big lead early
3. Hoping the coaching staff will let Dormady throw the ball around a bit if he gets into the game. I don't care if it's 59-10, let your back-ups get some real experience.
4. Medley's accuracy

 

[swchandler1988]

Man, this year, I hope we stop playing this gentleman football crap and blow out our opponents. With Shoop's heralded defense, I want to see shutouts and massacres on the scoreboard.

Hope Dormandy, Joe Young and our other reserves see a lot of playing time and are as good as our first team.

No more Mister Nice Guy. Time people know that THE BIG ORANGE is for real.

Yes, I know this is a little off from the OP's request regarding the first game, but I hope it all starts here.

I think you might mean John Kelly. Joe Young won't be playing any more football due to a neck injury.

 

[G-Vol]

I think you might mean John Kelly. Joe Young won't be playing any more football due to a neck injury.

Yes, John Kelly.

I am terrible with names. My kids have to wear name tags.

My B. Good catch.

 

[avolation]

1. Pass defense and what kind of blitzes Shoop incorporates with the db's.

2. How our receivers run after the catch. I'm hoping to see more yac this year.

3. The physicality of the offensive line. Even though we improved last year, I thought we still looked a little soft at times.

4. Pursuit of the quarterback during broken plays. I felt like we could have had 5-6 more sacks last year, but somehow the quarterback made it back to line of scrimmage. I don't know if this is over pursuit by our DL or if it was just a slippery qb.