VMI thoughts?

Yep - watched their game vs. FU. You can watch on Replay on ESPN3 (with a subscription).

Furman, like Mercer, has an excellent Defense. VMI barely made any effort to run the ball. Their QB is ‘doing them a favor’ by playing this Spring. He will be a Grad Transfer @ Maryland in the the Fall. He’s really, really good. Pure passer, but effective when he needs to tuck/run & on their occasional QB Draw. Mercer will need to get pressure, cover, beat blocks on quick screens /hitches, and most importantly, TACKLE. 1st man to touch Retriever will need to take him to the ground. They will complete passes, but it’s almost like playing against the Triple Option. You gotta get ‘em in 3rd & Long - so they have to throw it downfield OR break multiple tackles to pick up the 1st down AND cannot afford to give up big plays. The QB will not throw ‘bad balls,’ but he will throw into tight windows - Mercer’s DB’s will have to make plays on those balls when he gives them the opportunity to do so.

DC is good & wily. Perfect game plan for Furman and shut down their O by Playing Cover 0 & “Firing” (almost) all LB’s whose man stayed in to protect or who did not have 1 of the 5 eligible Retrievers (4 DB’s + 4LB’s > 5 eligible Retrievers. DB’s were good enough to man up FU’s Retrievers / RB’s and Firing LB’s (and occasional Safety) were enough to stop the run OR create relentless pressure & negative plays. 9 Sacks & 9 TFL’s, I think. Must be able to run the ball, particularly on the perimeter. Will need excellent PassPro & QB must not give up negative plays.