{"id":2721,"date":"2011-07-27T21:37:43","date_gmt":"2011-07-28T01:37:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=2721"},"modified":"2011-07-27T21:43:32","modified_gmt":"2011-07-28T01:43:32","slug":"caa-coaches-pick-dukes-to-finish-second","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jmusportsblog.com\/?p=2721","title":{"rendered":"CAA Coaches Pick Dukes to Finish Second"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Stephon Robertson was picked for the All CAA Defense<\/p><\/div>\n

CAA Football Media Day took place today at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The William & Mary Tribe were picked by CAA coaches and media relations folks to win the conference this year. Our beloved JMU Dukes received 4 first place votes and were picked to finish as runner-up to the Tribe<\/a>. It’s no surprise that W&M is the odds on favorite to win the CAA. They took home a share of the conference title last season and are a popular pick to win the whole damn thing this year. Count me as a little bit surprised to see the Dukes picked to finish right behind them though. Delaware, New Hampshire, UMass and Rhode Island (don’t believe the hype) also received first place votes.<\/p>\n

I guess you could view this as a sign of respect for the outstanding JMU defense. On the other hand, you could take it as a sign of how little respect the CAA coaches and media had for Drew Dudzik’s QB play last year. Last year’s defense gave up only 14.7 points a game and many people, including Coach Matthews, expect this year’s version to be even better. Last year’s offense however, had some weak spots, primarily passing, sustaining drives, and scoring points. (Other than that though they were prolific.) In fact they only scored more than 17 points in one single game after the big Tech win. And in that 30-24 upset win over W&M, they only attempted 1 pass and WR Dae’Quan Scott played QB. Dudzik quarterbacked the team to the biggest win in program history, but the fact is that his play was very disappointing for the remainder of the season. It might sound harsh, but it sure seems like the CAA coaches are just making the assumption that whoever replaces him at QB, will at least make the offense adequate. Or maybe they think the D will pitch a shut-out every week.<\/p>\n

The All-CAA preseasons teams were also announced and four Dukes were honored. Senior OL Roane Babington was selected to the First Team offense, while sophomore LB Stephon Robertson and senior safety Vidal Nelson ended up on the First Team defense. Dukes’ junior punter, David Skahn was also selected as an All CAA special teamer. This might be one of the best, if not the best, defense JMU has ever had and only 2 players are expected to be all conference. I think this is a sign of respect for the defense as a collective unit, but I’d be surprised if the final All CAA defense wasn’t loaded up with Dukes. And God help the poor QB’s in the league if DJ Bryant feels slighted and plays like he’s got something to prove this year.<\/p>\n