[MikeTheEersFan]

(I feel the need to preface this by saying I come in peace!)

Hey Flame fans. I've read your board a few times and decided to sign up. Since I don't know much about your program (and I'm fairly certain that most of my fellow Mountaineers don't, either), I wanted to sign up and ask about your team. What are the strengths and weaknesses of your team? Your key players? Offensive & defensive schemes? Any information is fine; I'm just trying to be a little less ignorant.

[coolhandluke]

yes....

On offense we run the power I-form.

On defense we run a basic 4-3.

Key Players:

Offense - Kyle DeArmon (Left Handed QB), Wesley Cheek (Power RB), Dominque Jones (Stud TE), Steven Crawford (Possession WR).

Defense - Rick Personna (DE), Pierre Tinsley (MLB and leader of our defense), Derek Lisco (OLB), Chuck Duffey (CB)

I would say our strength is our power rushing offense. We are going to be running the ball on you alot. Rashad Jennings (who is going to be drafted this fall) was our horse last year, but Wesley Cheek will replace him this year and will run all over you guys if you don't contain his blazing speed and raw power!

I would say our biggest weakness is our defense. I think running the 4-3 against you guys will give you a big advantage because our linebackers are kinda slow and are not athletic. But what they lack in skill, they make up for in passion.

Either way, I am sure you guys will have your way with us if you put like 8 guys in the box and exploit our weakness at linebacker by running a lot of short pass schemes. I don't see this game being close at all if you do that. Just please don't hurt all of our stars!

[Sly Fox]

First off, welcome to the board. Actually we have quite a few WVU fans on the board who will probably chime in rather quickly.

Frankly many of us don't know quite what to expect in the opener. We lost a slew of skill position players to graduation including some who were 3- to 4-year starters. So we have quite a few holes to fill and a number of I-A transfers arriving to fill those in addition to some underclassmen. This spring should tell us more.

We have one of the best young coaches in the country. Coach Rocco has tons of I-A experience and a stint as a position coach in the NFL. He has changed the culture around the program.

I'll let others fill in more details.

[LUFlamer09]

How Jason Gwaltney looking this spring?

[SuperJon]

yes....

On offense we run the power I-form.

On defense we run a basic 4-3.

Key Players:

Offense - Kyle DeArmon (Left Handed QB), Wesley Cheek (Power RB), Dominque Jones (Stud TE), Steven Crawford (Possession WR).

Defense - Rick Personna (DE), Pierre Tinsley (MLB and leader of our defense), Derek Lisco (OLB), Chuck Duffey (CB)

I would say our strength is our power rushing offense. We are going to be running the ball on you alot. Rashad Jennings (who is going to be drafted this fall) was our horse last year, but Wesley Cheek will replace him this year and will run all over you guys if you don't contain his blazing speed and raw power!

I would say our biggest weakness is our defense. I think running the 4-3 against you guys will give you a big advantage because our linebackers are kinda slow and are not athletic. But what they lack in skill, they make up for in passion.

Either way, I am sure you guys will have your way with us if you put like 8 guys in the box and exploit our weakness at linebacker by running a lot of short pass schemes. I don't see this game being close at all if you do that. Just please don't hurt all of our stars!

I have no clue why I found this post so funny but I did. Good job on that.

[coolhandluke]

yes....

On offense we run the power I-form.

On defense we run a basic 4-3.

Key Players:

Offense - Kyle DeArmon (Left Handed QB), Wesley Cheek (Power RB), Dominque Jones (Stud TE), Steven Crawford (Possession WR).

Defense - Rick Personna (DE), Pierre Tinsley (MLB and leader of our defense), Derek Lisco (OLB), Chuck Duffey (CB)

I would say our strength is our power rushing offense. We are going to be running the ball on you alot. Rashad Jennings (who is going to be drafted this fall) was our horse last year, but Wesley Cheek will replace him this year and will run all over you guys if you don't contain his blazing speed and raw power!

I would say our biggest weakness is our defense. I think running the 4-3 against you guys will give you a big advantage because our linebackers are kinda slow and are not athletic. But what they lack in skill, they make up for in passion.

Either way, I am sure you guys will have your way with us if you put like 8 guys in the box and exploit our weakness at linebacker by running a lot of short pass schemes. I don't see this game being close at all if you do that. Just please don't hurt all of our stars!

I have no clue why I found this post so funny but I did. Good job on that.

haha. Maybe it was Wesley Cheek's rare combination of speed and power?

[MikeTheEersFan]

How Jason Gwaltney looking this spring?

Nowhere near as good as his half-brother, WVU DL Scooter Berry.

I would say our strength is our power rushing offense. We are going to be running the ball on you alot. Rashad Jennings (who is going to be drafted this fall) was our horse last year, but Wesley Cheek will replace him this year and will run all over you guys if you don't contain his blazing speed and raw power!

I would say our biggest weakness is our defense. I think running the 4-3 against you guys will give you a big advantage because our linebackers are kinda slow and are not athletic. But what they lack in skill, they make up for in passion.

We have had some trouble defending against the bigger RBs at times over the last few years (our loss at ECU last season comes to mind). Our defense shouldn't face too much of a dropoff from last season's unit, which led the nation in red zone defense despite being rather young. We return 9 of 11 starters on that side, I believe. I like run-oriented offenses, so I'm eager to see your offense at work.

First off, welcome to the board. Actually we have quite a few WVU fans on the board who will probably chime in rather quickly.

Thanks! I appreciate you guys being friendly towards an opposing fan.

[olldflame]

Welcome to the board Mike. Regarding Coolhandluke's post; it's not raining, and that liquid that is dripping down your leg is indeed warm and fragrent.

[Cider Jim]

Welcome aboard, Mike! What neck of the woods are you from? I'm a Liberty prof. who grew up in West Virginia and went to grad school at Marshall. I spent the first 18 years of my life in Summersville & Ravenswood, and my parents still live in Jackson County.

The last time Liberty played a DI school from West Virginia, we lost to Marshall in Huntington 63-3.

[MikeTheEersFan]

Welcome aboard, Mike! What neck of the woods are you from? I'm a Liberty prof. who grew up in West Virginia and went to grad school at Marshall. I spent the first 18 years of my life in Summersville & Ravenswood, and my parents still live in Jackson County.

The last time Liberty played a DI school from West Virginia, we lost to Marshall in Huntington 63-3.

Not too far from me; I'm from Beckley.

[soccer7]

Thanks for joining Mike. I look forward to the game in Morgantown but I am actually scared to sit with my sister-in-law (she is an Athletic Training student) in the students section after seeing what happened to a few Rutgers fans last year. Man you guys really get on the visitors

[LUMU11]

That was during Marshall's undefeated 1999 season, Cider. Byron Leftwich got his first collegiate action in that game as a tall, gangly, redshirt freshman. I'm feelin' at home with all this WV love on the board.

[LUMU11]

Ok, Mike you seem like an intelligent, realistic WV fan. How you feelin' about Jarrett Brown at QB? About Stewart and company? I'm a big believer in Holliday and Dunlap. I like the work they've done in their careers, very proven. I'm very optimistic for the Mountaineers in the coming years.

[MikeTheEersFan]

Ok, Mike you seem like an intelligent, realistic WV fan. How you feelin' about Jarrett Brown at QB? About Stewart and company? I'm a big believer in Holliday and Dunlap. I like the work they've done in their careers, very proven. I'm very optimistic for the Mountaineers in the coming years.

I'm pretty positive about JB taking over for White. I think he'll fit into Mullen's system better than Pat (and he's got a year in the offense already). I'm also a big fan of Doc and Steve, those guys were a great pickup. Doc has been recruiting Florida for over 3 decades, and I think that he'll take over the program when Stew's tenure is over. I have 100% support in Coach Stewart. He had his growing pains and brain farts last year, but the man knows football. I've got faith in him.

[MikeTheEersFan]

Thanks for joining Mike. I look forward to the game in Morgantown but I am actually scared to sit with my sister-in-law (she is an Athletic Training student) in the students section after seeing what happened to a few Rutgers fans last year. Man you guys really get on the visitors

Yeah, the students are pretty rough on any visiting fans. I was in the upper deck at that RU game, and I know exactly what you're talking about. I'm all about having an intimidating atmosphere, but there's no reason to be like that towards other fans (unless they're Pitt fans ).

[PAmedic]

yes....

On offense we run the power I-form.

On defense we run a basic 4-3.

Key Players:

Offense - Kyle DeArmon (Left Handed QB), Wesley Cheek (Power RB), Dominque Jones (Stud TE), Steven Crawford (Possession WR).

Defense - Rick Personna (DE), Pierre Tinsley (MLB and leader of our defense), Derek Lisco (OLB), Chuck Duffey (CB)

I would say our strength is our power rushing offense. We are going to be running the ball on you alot. Rashad Jennings (who is going to be drafted this fall) was our horse last year, but Wesley Cheek will replace him this year and will run all over you guys if you don't contain his blazing speed and raw power!

I would say our biggest weakness is our defense. I think running the 4-3 against you guys will give you a big advantage because our linebackers are kinda slow and are not athletic. But what they lack in skill, they make up for in passion.

Either way, I am sure you guys will have your way with us if you put like 8 guys in the box and exploit our weakness at linebacker by running a lot of short pass schemes. I don't see this game being close at all if you do that. Just please don't hurt all of our stars!

exceptional scouting report

[Cider Jim]

That was during Marshall's undefeated 1999 season, Cider. Byron Leftwich got his first collegiate action in that game as a tall, gangly, redshirt freshman. I'm feelin' at home with all this WV love on the board.

But wasn't that also Pennington's senior year? I think Coach Sam joked that when he scheduled the game, he thought Pennington would have already graduated by then. I still have the program somewhere in my office.

[LUMU11]

It was. He was a 5th year guy, as he sat out the 1996 I-AA Championship run. He redshirted that year. Pennington, if memory serves me correctly was out of that game by just a little past halftime, so it was Byron's first real action. Interesting connection here to LU. Marshall beat Clemson 13-3 in Death Valley sometime right after the Liberty game. A Clemson team that was quarterbacked by none other than our own OC Brandon Streeter. It was Tommy Bowden and Rich Rodriguez's first season at Clemson.

[JK37]

Hey Mike,

Morgantown native, LU grad, and big fan of Flames and Mountaineers here. Looking forward to the game!

I agree with your comments about Jarrett being more suited to Mullen's system. I'll be interested to see what changes occur in the short yardage package with him as the starter.

I'm planning to bring the wife and come to the game. See you in August!

[pbow]

Welcome aboard, Mike! What neck of the woods are you from? I'm a Liberty prof. who grew up in West Virginia and went to grad school at Marshall. I spent the first 18 years of my life in Summersville & Ravenswood, and my parents still live in Jackson County.

The last time Liberty played a DI school from West Virginia, we lost to Marshall in Huntington 63-3.

Not too far from me; I'm from Beckley.

Nice I'm an LU student from Montgomery...I spent quite a bit of time in Beckley in high school playing basketball against Woodrow. I'm looking foward to the WVU-LU game, hopefully i'll be able to attend. I'm looking forward to next season, but I have to admit I'm definitely not sold on Mullens yet.

[JK37]

Welcome aboard, Mike! What neck of the woods are you from? I'm a Liberty prof. who grew up in West Virginia and went to grad school at Marshall. I spent the first 18 years of my life in Summersville & Ravenswood, and my parents still live in Jackson County.

The last time Liberty played a DI school from West Virginia, we lost to Marshall in Huntington 63-3.

Not too far from me; I'm from Beckley.

Nice I'm an LU student from Montgomery...I spent quite a bit of time in Beckley in high school playing basketball against Woodrow. I'm looking foward to the WVU-LU game, hopefully i'll be able to attend. I'm looking forward to next season, but I have to admit I'm definitely not sold on Mullens yet.

The bowl game sold me on Mullen. A month to analyze, learn, and grow from the regular season looked to really pay off. By August, he will have had 7 months. I like the guy!

[MikeTheEersFan]

Nice I'm an LU student from Montgomery...I spent quite a bit of time in Beckley in high school playing basketball against Woodrow. I'm looking foward to the WVU-LU game, hopefully i'll be able to attend. I'm looking forward to next season, but I have to admit I'm definitely not sold on Mullens yet.

In all honesty, I hated the Mullen hire at first. The offensive woes in losses to ECU, Colorado, and throughout the season really drove me to dislike him. I felt that they tried to move into the new system too quickly (but I guess that's why they're on the staff and I'm not ). When I saw our offense airing it out in the bowl game, I knew that the offensive system had started sinking in and I began to think that he wasn't that bad. My opinion really changed, though, when I watched Pat White throw during the NFL Combine. He had great footwork, he showed an amazing combination of accuracy and arm strength, and earned credit as a pro QB. Mullen's QB coaching has me excited to see our offense in 2009, especially with the wideouts we'll have.

They've been giving our 6'8 WR, Wes Lyons, reps in the slot during spring ball due to lack of depth. He's been surprisingly productive at the position.

[flames1971]

yes....

On offense we run the power I-form.

On defense we run a basic 4-3.

Key Players:

Offense - Kyle DeArmon (Left Handed QB), Wesley Cheek (Power RB), Dominque Jones (Stud TE), Steven Crawford (Possession WR).

Defense - Rick Personna (DE), Pierre Tinsley (MLB and leader of our defense), Derek Lisco (OLB), Chuck Duffey (CB)

I would say our strength is our power rushing offense. We are going to be running the ball on you alot. Rashad Jennings (who is going to be drafted this fall) was our horse last year, but Wesley Cheek will replace him this year and will run all over you guys if you don't contain his blazing speed and raw power!

I would say our biggest weakness is our defense. I think running the 4-3 against you guys will give you a big advantage because our linebackers are kinda slow and are not athletic. But what they lack in skill, they make up for in passion.

Either way, I am sure you guys will have your way with us if you put like 8 guys in the box and exploit our weakness at linebacker by running a lot of short pass schemes. I don't see this game being close at all if you do that. Just please don't hurt all of our stars!

I have no clue why I found this post so funny but I did. Good job on that.

Seriously- what is so funny!?!?!

[olldflame]

yes....

On offense we run the power I-form.

On defense we run a basic 4-3.

Key Players:

Offense - Kyle DeArmon (Left Handed QB), Wesley Cheek (Power RB), Dominque Jones (Stud TE), Steven Crawford (Possession WR).

Defense - Rick Personna (DE), Pierre Tinsley (MLB and leader of our defense), Derek Lisco (OLB), Chuck Duffey (CB)

I would say our strength is our power rushing offense. We are going to be running the ball on you alot. Rashad Jennings (who is going to be drafted this fall) was our horse last year, but Wesley Cheek will replace him this year and will run all over you guys if you don't contain his blazing speed and raw power!

I would say our biggest weakness is our defense. I think running the 4-3 against you guys will give you a big advantage because our linebackers are kinda slow and are not athletic. But what they lack in skill, they make up for in passion.

Either way, I am sure you guys will have your way with us if you put like 8 guys in the box and exploit our weakness at linebacker by running a lot of short pass schemes. I don't see this game being close at all if you do that. Just please don't hurt all of our stars!

I have no clue why I found this post so funny but I did. Good job on that.

Seriously- what is so funny!?!?!

What he just described is the the bizzarro Liberty Flames.

[Fumblerooskies]

Just something about this thread makes me think....

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