CAA Preseason Poll, All-Conference

[TexasTerror]

Per the CAA Web Site (http://www.caasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=48484&SPID=4660&DB_OEM_ID=8500&ATCLID=204971461)

2010 CAA FOOTBALL PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH (first-place votes)
1. Villanova (17)
2. William and Mary
3. New Hampshire (2)
4. James Madison
5. Delaware (1)
6. Richmond
7. Maine
8. Massachusetts
9. Rhode Island
10. Towson

2010 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Position Name Year Height Weight School
Wide Receiver Matt Szczur Senior 5-11 195 Villanova

2010 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Position Name Year Height Weight School
Linebacker Terence Thomas Senior 6-0 230 Villanova

2010 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
OFFENSE
Position Name Year Height Weight School
Quarterback Chris Whitney Senior 6-2 230 Villanova
Running Back John Griffin Senior 6-0 208 Massachusetts
Running Back Jonathan Grimes Junior 5-10 201 William and Mary
Fullback Kendall Gaskins Sophomore 6-1 210 Richmond
Wide Receiver Tre Gray Junior 5-11 168 Richmond
Wide Receiver Kevin Grayson Senior 6-3 205 Richmond
Wide Receiver Matt Szczur Senior 5-11 195 Villanova
Tight End Emil Igwenagu Junior 6-1 240 Massachusetts
Offensive Line Brant Clouser Senior 6-2 290 Villanova
Offensive Line Keith Hill, Jr. Senior 6-4 312 William and Mary
Offensive Line Ben Ijalana Senior 6-4 320 Villanova
Offensive Line Drew Lachenmayer Senior 6-2 286 Richmond
Offensive Line Theo Sherman Senior 6-4 305 James Madison

DEFENSE
Position Name Year Height Weight School
Defensive Line Ronnell Brown Senior 6-2 265 James Madison
Defensive Line Yaky Ibia Senior 6-2 285 Towson
Defensive Line Brian McNally Junior 6-4 240 New Hampshire
Defensive Line Martin Parker Senior 6-3 283 Richmond
Linebacker Tyler Holmes Junior 6-0 215 Massachusetts
Linebacker Eric McBride Senior 6-2 231 Richmond
Linebacker Terence Thomas Senior 6-0 230 Villanova
Linebacker Jake Trantin Junior 6-1 235 William and Mary
Safety Anthony Bratton Senior 6-2 196 Delaware
Safety John Dempsey Senior 6-0 215 Villanova
Cornerback Justin Rogers Senior 5-10 181 Richmond
Cornerback Dino Vasso Senior 5-8 175 New Hampshire

SPECIAL TEAMS
Position Name Year Height Weight School
Return Specialist Matt Szczur Senior 5-11 195 Villanova
Placekicker Nick Yako Sophomore 6-0 215 Villanova
Punter David Miller Senior 6-0 183 William and Mary

[OL FU]

Go William and Mary. It's your turn this yearxnodx


WILLIAM AND MARY, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, King and Queen, defenders of the faith, &c. To all to whom these our present letters shall come, greeting.

Forasmuch as our well-beloved and faithful subjects, con- stituting the General Assembly of our Colony of Virginia, have had it in their minds, and have proposed to themselves, to the end that the Church of Virginia may be furnished with a seminary of ministers of the gospel, and that the youth may be piously educated in good letters and manners, and that the Christian faith may be propagated amongst the Western Indians, to the glory of Almighty God; to make, found and establish a certain place of universal study, or perpetual College of Divinity, Philosophy, Languages, and other good Arts and Sciences, con- sisting of one President, six Masters or Professors, and an hun- dred scholars more or less, according to the ability of the said college, and the statutes of the same; ... on the south side of a certain river, commonly called York river, or elsewhere, where the General Assembly itself shall think more convenient, within our Colony of Virginia, to be supported and maintained, in all time coming.

[UNH Fanboi]

There seems to be a disconnect between Richmond having 7 All-Conference players and only being ranked 6th. Do their other 15 starters suck? Does having a new coach hurt them that much?

[LeadBolt]

I think the race to finish 2-8 is wide open.

[UNH Fanboi]

I think the race to finish 2-8 is wide open.

I think 1-8 is wide open. Nova is definitely the favorite but nowhere near a lock.

[wr70beh]

I think the race to finish 2-8 is wide open.

Agreed. #8 could easily be 2nd, and vice versa.

[smallcollegefbfan]

Per the CAA Web Site (http://www.caasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=48484&SPID=4660&DB_OEM_ID=8500&ATCLID=204971461)

2010 CAA FOOTBALL PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH (first-place votes)
1. Villanova (17)
2. William and Mary
3. New Hampshire (2)
4. James Madison
5. Delaware (1)
6. Richmond
7. Maine
8. Massachusetts
9. Rhode Island
10. Towson

2010 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Position Name Year Height Weight School
Wide Receiver Matt Szczur Senior 5-11 195 Villanova

2010 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Position Name Year Height Weight School
Linebacker Terence Thomas Senior 6-0 230 Villanova

2010 CAA FOOTBALL PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
OFFENSE
Position Name Year Height Weight School
Quarterback Chris Whitney Senior 6-2 230 Villanova
Running Back John Griffin Senior 6-0 208 Massachusetts
Running Back Jonathan Grimes Junior 5-10 201 William and Mary
Fullback Kendall Gaskins Sophomore 6-1 210 Richmond
Wide Receiver Tre Gray Junior 5-11 168 Richmond
Wide Receiver Kevin Grayson Senior 6-3 205 Richmond
Wide Receiver Matt Szczur Senior 5-11 195 Villanova
Tight End Emil Igwenagu Junior 6-1 240 Massachusetts
Offensive Line Brant Clouser Senior 6-2 290 Villanova
Offensive Line Keith Hill, Jr. Senior 6-4 312 William and Mary
Offensive Line Ben Ijalana Senior 6-4 320 Villanova
Offensive Line Drew Lachenmayer Senior 6-2 286 Richmond
Offensive Line Theo Sherman Senior 6-4 305 James Madison

DEFENSE
Position Name Year Height Weight School
Defensive Line Ronnell Brown Senior 6-2 265 James Madison
Defensive Line Yaky Ibia Senior 6-2 285 Towson
Defensive Line Brian McNally Junior 6-4 240 New Hampshire
Defensive Line Martin Parker Senior 6-3 283 Richmond
Linebacker Tyler Holmes Junior 6-0 215 Massachusetts
Linebacker Eric McBride Senior 6-2 231 Richmond
Linebacker Terence Thomas Senior 6-0 230 Villanova
Linebacker Jake Trantin Junior 6-1 235 William and Mary
Safety Anthony Bratton Senior 6-2 196 Delaware
Safety John Dempsey Senior 6-0 215 Villanova
Cornerback Justin Rogers Senior 5-10 181 Richmond
Cornerback Dino Vasso Senior 5-8 175 New Hampshire

SPECIAL TEAMS
Position Name Year Height Weight School
Return Specialist Matt Szczur Senior 5-11 195 Villanova
Placekicker Nick Yako Sophomore 6-0 215 Villanova
Punter David Miller Senior 6-0 183 William and Mary

I thought someone posted this a few days ago. Can't find the link to the thread though. Anyone else have the link to the original thread?

[TexasTerror]

I thought someone posted this a few days ago. Can't find the link to the thread though. Anyone else have the link to the original thread?

E-mail from CAA came around 11 p.m. last night...e-mail last night even referenced to today's date as when it was announced.

Release date on CAA web site (http://www.caasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=48484&SPID=4660&DB_OEM_ID=8500&ATCLID=204971461) is JULY 28TH.

[smallcollegefbfan]

E-mail from CAA came around 11 p.m. last night...e-mail last night even referenced to today's date as when it was announced.

Release date on CAA web site (http://www.caasports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=48484&SPID=4660&DB_OEM_ID=8500&ATCLID=204971461) is JULY 28TH.

I noticed that but I had already saved this information in my files several days ago. We must have had a thread going on CS.com. I know I saw this before because I remembered thinking I would have picked McBride, Parker, etc. over Thomas for DEF POY.

[TexasTerror]

CAA Preseason post on CS.com was posted at 5:58 this morning...are you getting confused between Phil Steele and official conference releases? ;)

CAA Media Days are in progress right now in Baltimore, MD...


The results of the poll, along with the Preseason All-Conference squads, were officially announced during Wednesday’s CAA Football Media Day at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md.

[smallcollegefbfan]

CAA Preseason post on CS.com was posted at 5:58 this morning...are you getting confused between Phil Steele and official conference releases? ;)

CAA Media Days are in progress right now in Baltimore, MD...

No I went to put these All-CAA teams in my preseason folder and they were already there. I'm telling you someone sent this to me on Monday but not sure where it came from. I am getting confused as to why I am getting a release this morning but how I already had them.

[LeadBolt]

I think 1-8 is wide open. Nova is definitely the favorite but nowhere near a lock.

I agree that Villanova is not a lock, but I don't see them any worse than 3rd. I would put you guys ahead of us...

[tandemlax]

The preseason team was posted nearly a week ago now on CAAZone.

http://boards.caazone.com/showthread.php?t=95187

[ur2k]

I think 1-8 is wide open. Nova is definitely the favorite but nowhere near a lock.

Nova's the clear cut #1 going into the season - everything else is wide open.

I guess I was surprised to see UNH that high, I guess I didn't pay any attention to what you have coming back - what's the outlook on you guys for the year?

[UNH Fanboi]

Nova's the clear cut #1 going into the season - everything else is wide open.

I guess I was surprised to see UNH that high, I guess I didn't pay any attention to what you have coming back - what's the outlook on you guys for the year?

I don't have time right now to give a detailed response, but I am cautiously optimistic. I could see us anywhere between 1-6 and not be surprised (though 1 is less likely). Our defense was great last year and should continue to be a strength this year. On offense it will all come down to the O-line. Our Sr. QB RJ Toman had a great So. year and was on the Payton watch list last year, but had a mediocre year, which was partly to blame on the O-Line and a nagging toe injury. Behind him is Jr. Kevin Decker who some people would like to see start and will give Toman a run for his money at camp in August. Either guy has the potential to be a solid QB. At WR we have Sr. Terrance Fox who was on supsension last year but is a great WR with some definite big play potential. We also have WRs Orlando (So.), Mangieri (Jr.) and Mason (Sr.) with good experience from last year who should be solid targets. At TE we lose All-American Scott Sicko, but 6'6" 255 Junior Chirs Jeanott has the potential to be as good as Sicko. Overall I think WR-TE is a strength for us. No one player stands out as All-Conference caliber just yet because Sicko was the #1 target last year, but we have great depth and I could see any of the aforementioned guys step up. At RB we lose NFL-signee Chad Kackert, who we will miss on kick returns, but was not really a huge weapon at RB last year. So. Dontra Peters and Sr. Sean Jellison had some carries last year and should fill in pretty well. Again, it will all come down to the O-Line. There is reason to believe that they will improve this year, but we shall see. Someone else is probably more qualified to weigh in on that than me.

[TexasTerror]

The preseason team was posted nearly a week ago now on CAAZone.

http://boards.caazone.com/showthread.php?t=95187

Ah, someone made their media guide available prior to Media Day and it included all this information! An unintended Freudian slip!

There's a reason most schools do not make available their Media Guides until after their league's media day. The preseason polls and all-conference teams are typically done a few months in advance for football - for a reason!

[LeadBolt]

Maine & Delaware have a ton of talent coming back and deserve more love than they are getting.

Richmond, W&M and UMass were hit the hardest by graduation.

[bluehenbillk]

There seems to be a disconnect between Richmond having 7 All-Conference players and only being ranked 6th. Do their other 15 starters suck? Does having a new coach hurt them that much?

Don't read into the all-conference team too much, UR has holes & the poll is reflective of it. More reflective than you'd think just looking at that all-conference team.

[Jackman]

I think the race to finish 2-8 is wide open.

I'd say #2 is clearly better than #8, but the fact that #2 doesn't play #10 while #8 doesn't play #1 tightens the gap.

We're fortunate that we still have 2 teams who are much worse than everyone else, because that should protect us from something crazy like Villanova going undefeated and everyone else going 4-4 and missing the playoffs. Can't count on those FBS wins to get to 7.

[LeadBolt]

I'd say #2 is clearly better than #8, but the fact that #2 doesn't play #10 while #8 doesn't play #1 tightens the gap.

We're fortunate that we still have 2 teams who are much worse than everyone else, because that should protect us from something crazy like Villanova going undefeated and everyone else going 4-4 and missing the playoffs. Can't count on those FBS wins to get to 7.

I'm worried about breaking in a new QB at your place Sept. 4.....

[jmufan999]

i think UNH will suffer SOMEwhat by losing N'eastern and Hofstra. typically, those are guaranteed wins. excluding Towson -- who pretty much gets beaten by anyone they play -- UNH is 5-8 in the last five seasons against the "Big 5" from the former CAA South... JMU, W&M, Richmond, Nova, UD. the schedule just looks a little tougher this year. my opinion.

[UNH Fanboi]

i think UNH will suffer SOMEwhat by losing N'eastern and Hofstra. typically, those are guaranteed wins. excluding Towson -- who pretty much gets beaten by anyone they play -- UNH is 5-8 in the last five seasons against the "Big 5" from the former CAA South... JMU, W&M, Richmond, Nova, UD. the schedule just looks a little tougher this year. my opinion.

The schedule will no doubt be harder. We're switching JMU and Richmond for Hofstra and NE (don't play Delaware this year). Assuming URI and Towson are guaranteed wins (god help us if they're not), hopefully we can go 4-2 against the rest of the conference (most likely wins being UMass, Maine, Richmond and JMU) and 8-3 overall (assuming we lose to Pitt), but you never know.

[Jackman]

I'm worried about breaking in a new QB at your place Sept. 4.....

I'm definitely glad we got W&M as a home season opener, that's a great chance to catch them at less than 100%, though I have more confidence in your coaching staff than ours.

UMass's conference schedule has 4 advantages:
1. No Villanova
2. Catching W&M on a long distance season opener before they have the bugs worked out.
3. Only 3 true road games, because UNH moved our game to Gillette Stadium.
4. 2 of our 3 road games are against URI and Towson.

Have to do better than 8th with those advantages, or we just suck.

[jmufan999]

The schedule will no doubt be harder. We're switching JMU and Richmond for Hofstra and NE (don't play Delaware this year). Assuming URI and Towson are guaranteed wins (god help us if they're not), hopefully we can go 4-2 against the rest of the conference (most likely wins being UMass, Maine, Richmond and JMU) and 8-3 overall (assuming we lose to Pitt), but you never know.

good assessment. jesus, if you guys beat Pitt, i might actually attend next year's UNH/FBS school matchup. seriously.

[NHwildEcat]

I'm definitely glad we got W&M as a home season opener, that's a great chance to catch them at less than 100%, though I have more confidence in your coaching staff than ours.

UMass's conference schedule has 4 advantages:
1. No Villanova
2. Catching W&M on a long distance season opener before they have the bugs worked out.
3. Only 3 true road games, because UNH moved our game to Gillette Stadium.
4. 2 of our 3 road games are against URI and Towson.

Have to do better than 8th with those advantages, or we just suck.

UMASS definetely has a friendly schedule. I never expect anything but the best out of that team...

[SpidersSportsEditor]

Kinda surprised to see JMU at #4, am I alone? Also kinda funny that Richmond is in the top 7-9 in some of national preseason polls I've seen, and sixth in its own conference.

[JmuSkinsfan]

Kinda surprised to see JMU at #4, am I alone? Also kinda funny that Richmond is in the top 7-9 in some of national preseason polls I've seen, and sixth in its own conference.

How so? I'm assuming you think we're too high? I think we are just right at #4. The CAA is going to be much more interesting this year, since most of the teams play each other, though.

With Dudzik back at QB ... and most of our skill position players returning on offense and a lot of starters returning on defense ... I think JMU can be in position to re-claim their spot as a top CAA team and get over last year's hiccups.

[yorkcountyUNHfan]

I don't have time right now to give a detailed response, but I am cautiously optimistic. I could see us anywhere between 1-6 and not be surprised (though 1 is less likely). Our defense was great last year and should continue to be a strength this year. On offense it will all come down to the O-line. Our Sr. QB RJ Toman had a great So. year and was on the Payton watch list last year, but had a mediocre year, which was partly to blame on the O-Line and a nagging toe injury. Behind him is Jr. Kevin Decker who some people would like to see start and will give Toman a run for his money at camp in August. Either guy has the potential to be a solid QB. At WR we have Sr. Terrance Fox who was on supsension last year but is a great WR with some definite big play potential. We also have WRs Orlando (So.), Mangieri (Jr.) and Mason (Sr.) with good experience from last year who should be solid targets. At TE we lose All-American Scott Sicko, but 6'6" 255 Junior Chirs Jeanott has the potential to be as good as Sicko. Overall I think WR-TE is a strength for us. No one player stands out as All-Conference caliber just yet because Sicko was the #1 target last year, but we have great depth and I could see any of the aforementioned guys step up. At RB we lose NFL-signee Chad Kackert, who we will miss on kick returns, but was not really a huge weapon at RB last year. So. Dontra Peters and Sr. Sean Jellison had some carries last year and should fill in pretty well. Again, it will all come down to the O-Line. There is reason to believe that they will improve this year, but we shall see. Someone else is probably more qualified to weigh in on that than me.

I think you nailed it. We also need someone to step up in the kicking game.
In my mind everything hinges on the o-line. (For every team every year)
Not only was the o-line young last year, UNH had a first year position coach.
There is no reason to think they won't be improved this season.

That said UNH's schedule is IRON.
If UNH makes the playoffs they will be battle tested and not a team people will want to face.

[JMUNJ08]

How so? I'm assuming you think we're too high? I think we are just right at #4. The CAA is going to be much more interesting this year, since most of the teams play each other, though.

With Dudzik back at QB ... and most of our skill position players returning on offense and a lot of starters returning on defense ... I think JMU can be in position to re-claim their spot as a top CAA team and get over last year's hiccups.

I agree. If we hold on against Maryland we would at LEAST have been considered at 7-4 with the lack of clear cut teams to round out the field of 16 right? Not saying we would get in with that dreadful midseason stretch and having to be the 5th CAA team.

The real key is the schedules and who misses who. Looking now at the UMass schedule is kind of scary. They may not be as talented as many other teams in the conference but once you count in their schedule, they are easily middle of the road and probably in the playoff hunt with 2-3 weeks left. If not, like Jackman said, they just suckxlolxxlolx

[MR. CHICKEN]

I don't have time right now to give a detailed response, but I am cautiously optimistic. I could see us anywhere between 1-6 and not be surprised (though 1 is less likely). Our defense was great last year and should continue to be a strength this year. On offense it will all come down to the O-line. Our Sr. QB RJ Toman had a great So. year and was on the Payton watch list last year, but had a mediocre year, which was partly to blame on the O-Line and a nagging toe injury. Behind him is Jr. Kevin Decker who some people would like to see start and will give Toman a run for his money at camp in August. Either guy has the potential to be a solid QB. At WR we have Sr. Terrance Fox who was on supsension last year but is a great WR with some definite big play potential. We also have WRs Orlando (So.), Mangieri (Jr.) and Mason (Sr.) with good experience from last year who should be solid targets. At TE we lose All-American Scott Sicko, but 6'6" 255 Junior Chirs Jeanott has the potential to be as good as Sicko. Overall I think WR-TE is a strength for us. No one player stands out as All-Conference caliber just yet because Sicko was the #1 target last year, but we have great depth and I could see any of the aforementioned guys step up. At RB we lose NFL-signee Chad Kackert, who we will miss on kick returns, but was not really a huge weapon at RB last year. So. Dontra Peters and Sr. Sean Jellison had some carries last year and should fill in pretty well. Again, it will all come down to the O-Line. There is reason to believe that they will improve this year, but we shall see. Someone else is probably more qualified to weigh in on that than me.

SORRAH.....YA RAN OUTTAH TIME..........xrotatehx....AWK!!

[Anovafan]

I think W&M will be #1 in the country at some point this year. I get the scary feeling they are like Nova two years ago when Nova ran into JMU twice and just couldn't muster enough to win. Nova is a good team with a lot of weapons coming back and should be a playoff team, but not a clear #1 in the conference or in the country right now in my opinion. A lot will depend on injuries and a few players stepping up to fill some voids left by last year's class, mainly at WR and DL.

[NovaWildcat]

I think W&M will be #1 in the country at some point this year. I get the scary feeling they are like Nova two years ago when Nova ran into JMU twice and just couldn't muster enough to win. Nova is a good team with a lot of weapons coming back and should be a playoff team, but not a clear #1 in the conference or in the country right now in my opinion. A lot will depend on injuries and a few players stepping up to fill some voids left by last year's class, mainly at WR and DL.


How is Nova not the clear cut #1 in both the country and conference? I understand being cautious, but lets look at the facts here. They return a lot of players from a team that won the National Championship last year. The return of Szczur alone solidifies that, not to mention Whitney and a strong OL. Sure, there are SOME question marks, but not many. The DL does have some holes to fill, but the linebacking core is among the best in country and the DB's are solid. I'm not saying this team is a lock by any means (no team ever is), but this is such an obvious #1.

Beat Temple, and I think we're looking at a team with the same confidence last year. Lose, and I could easily see this team getting upset a few times.

[Anovafan]

I don't think Nova is clearly better than W&M. If people voted W&M #1, I could see that. I also don't think there is any way Nova beats Temple this year. Temple will not make the same mistakes they did last year and should win by 3 TDs. If Whitney stays healthy, Nova has a shot this season. If he gets hurt, it is all over because the back-up is now a true freshman since the former incumbent is no longer in the program. There are a few question marks on the OL, DL and WR, some guys need to step up. After the loss to Temple, Nova won't be #1 anyway.

Edit: I just looked at W&M's schedule, man is that brutal. Maybe I am not as concerned with W&M as I thought. Last 5 games are brutal.

[LeadBolt]

I don't think Nova is clearly better than W&M. If people voted W&M #1, I could see that. I also don't think there is any way Nova beats Temple this year. Temple will not make the same mistakes they did last year and should win by 3 TDs. If Whitney stays healthy, Nova has a shot this season. If he gets hurt, it is all over because the back-up is now a true freshman since the former incumbent is no longer in the program. There are a few question marks on the OL, DL and WR, some guys need to step up. After the loss to Temple, Nova won't be #1 anyway.

Edit: I just looked at W&M's schedule, man is that brutal. Maybe I am not as concerned with W&M as I thought. Last 5 games are brutal.

I'm hard pressed not to see you as a clear cut #1 in both. I know it is very hard to repeat, but you really didn't lose as much to graduation as most FCS programs from last year to this. You would appear to have more coming back than JMU, UNH, UMass, UR and W&M, in the CAA from what I have read.

As far as W&M is concerned, I am afraid of the schedule and it is not a co-incidence that they did not get a single coaches vote for #1 in the CAA.

[smallcollegefbfan]

I'm hard pressed not to see you as a clear cut #1 in both. I know it is very hard to repeat, but you really didn't lose as much to graduation as most FCS programs from last year to this. You would appear to have more coming back than JMU, UNH, UMass, UR and W&M, in the CAA from what I have read.

As far as W&M is concerned, I am afraid of the schedule and it is not a co-incidence that they did not get a single coaches vote for #1 in the CAA.

I was told Laycock said he would be happy to go 6-5 this year after losing two draft picks on the DL and having to replace a few key players on offense. I tend to agree with the coaches here as I think they are more of a 15-25 type team that will go 7-4 or 6-5 rather than win the CAA.