William & Mary Football: 2003-2004

[TJ Reaper]

Any predictions? How do you think the Indians will perform in the A-10 this year? What about on a national level? Better/Worse than 2002-3?

[Big Green]

Indians' success may well hinge on success or failue of offensive line.
We have an excellent new qb, Lane Campbell, who will step right in and shouldn't miss a beat after the graduation of Dave Corley. W&M also has, perhaps, its best stable of offensive backs since the early 1990s...one that may be the best trio in the A-10.

However, key injuries to three offensive linemen kept them out of spring practice and on their physical well-being may hinge the season--at least offensively--since we are thin in the offensive line to begin with.

On defense, the team has the best defensive backs in the league and W&M's best, as a whole, in years. Defensive line and line backers are questionmarks...we had no pass rush last year and cannot succeed with one this year.

Our placekicker and punter are both among the league's best.

And, of course, never forget the coaching magic of Jimmye Laycock,
by far the best coach in the A-10 and a future College Football Hall of Famer. Jimmye can do more with what he has each year than almost any other coach.

I believe we'll have enough defense and an offensive line develop to produce upwards of a 7-4 year, 6-3 in the A-10 despite the doomsayers who have us as far down as 8th.

[JMU2004]

Big Green, man, you crack me up... You are a toned down W&M version of Heywood. First of all, there is no way that you can just "replace" Dave Corley. He was a man among boys, and one of the best ever in the A-10. 2nd, your tailbacks may be good, but calling them the best in the A-10 is going a little far. I played against Hargrove in High School ( he had THE single nastiest broken wrist in our game... we are talking palm touching elbow) and he is a great back, without a doubt. I am just saying that the same argument could be made for JMU. We have a trio of tailbacks who are so good that we were able to move our leading rusher from last year back to safety.

I think that it is great that you have such enthusiasm for W&M because every school needs that in it's fans. Just tone it down a bit. We all know that W&M runs a great athletics program, is one of the best schools in the nation, etc...... There is no need to proclaim that "W&M is the best" all of the time. Just remember the Hess for POY by a certain tribester, and don't come off like that

[tribe_pride]

While he may have exaggerated somewhat (can anybody really step in for Corley right away?) you did too. He said that RBs may be among the best in the league not that they were. He also said that we'll finish 7-4,6-3. That won't put us at No. 1 in the league and likely out of the playoffs.

As for my thoughts, don't know the team well enough, but I can't believe that we will be in the bottom half of the league. JL is too good of a coach to allow that to happen and I don't know the last time it happened.

[Henny]

In a program like W&M the QB position IS one where they just reload. I know nothing about him and i already know he will pick defenses apart. Thats the W&M tradition. Always prepared with QB's and Skill players.

How many wins does Jimmey have going into ths season ?

[Aviator]

JMU 2004, Big Green is correct. If Lang Campbell has a line which protects him, you can bet that he will do quite well. Incidently, people who have seen him and Corley, say Lang is the better runner.

Henny is also correct. W&M reloads at the QB position. I can only think of 2 or three years that JL has had less than an excellent QB. JL has a nose for that talent.

Again, the line is the question mark. If it gels with few or no injuries, W&M will probably be 7-4, 6-3. If there are problems on one or both lines, I hate to think what might happen.

[Sitting Bull]

I just don't have a feeling yet on this team. Tribe always seems to do better when expectations are low - this year a good example.

First three on the road makes it tough.

Don't believe we will miss a beat at qb if that is the reason for the low expectations. If defense shows some decent improvement, my bet is the Tribe will surprise.

[TribeChief]

I think that it is great that you have such enthusiasm for W&M because every school needs that in it's fans. Just tone it down a bit. We all know that W&M runs a great athletics program, is one of the best schools in the nation, etc...... There is no need to proclaim that "W&M is the best" all of the time. Just remember the Hess for POY by a certain tribester, and don't come off like that

If you don't want to read Tribe fans saying how great W&M is then don't read the Tribe board.

Go Tribe!

[JMU2004]

TribeChief...... Just tell Big Green not to post all over the CAA boards, and we will be fine. Honestly, I get tired of reading his W&M posts on the CAA discusion boards. Only Big Green and Heywood feel the need to let the rest of us know about the greatness of their respective schools. The same goes for good ole tribester. IT GETS OLD!!!! If they keep it to their own board, then I have no prob at all

[JMU2004]

Oh, and I am more than willing to lay down a bet that the W&M QB will not be as productive as Corley. You have a great WR, but I stand firm in my belief that Corley can not be "replaced"

[AbsolutBlueHen]

How do you people 'know' he will be this great QB when he's unproven? Because you've seen him in a spring game or in a pregame? He's never been a starter on this level. And I know, you guys will spin it, as we all know, W&M is the greatest team in the history of intercollegiate athletics. I'm surprised the other 10 teams in this conference are even allowed to step on the same field with the almighty W&M. Tell me, how many playoff teams did you beat last year?

[Aviator]

Gee AbsolutBlueHen, for an interloper you sure come on strong. The question was posed about how well we might do by VCU Jainez. JL has worked miracles before with "unproven QBs." Those of us who have been following W&M football for a few years have seen this situation before.

You sure stay up late (2:59 a.m.) to write such sarcastic stuff. Anticipation of the coming season must be killing you. :)

[AbsolutBlueHen]

JL sure has, but, the fact of the matter, is I don't think you should consider him the next savior of the W&M program YET. Corley proved himself, Cook proved himself, and thus far, Campbell has not. We'll see though, good luck. W&M isn't the greatest thing since sliced bread, nor is Delaware. Let's be realistic, not rah-rah and a complete homer 24/7.

The season can't start soon enough.