Scouting report: Old Dominion beat writer breaks down the Monarchs
Ed Miller has been with the Virginian-Pilot since 1990 and, during that time, he?s covered a bit of everything, from high schools to Virginia and the ACC. This is his third year focusing on Old Dominion.
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Miller took time out to answer four downs worth of questions about ODU going into Saturday night?s game against Virginia.
1. What was the focus of the open date and how much did it help ODU to recover from the Virginia Tech game and get ready for UVa?
Miller: It?s a cliche, but they worked on themselves. Areas of emphasis included third
down defense and the downfield, or vertical, passing game. The longest pass play of the
season is just 31 yards, and most of that came after the catch, by Eric Kumah late in the
win over Norfolk State. ODU also got a head start on UVa, with two extra days of prep
specific to the Cavaliers, Bobby Wilder said. At this early stage of the season, the team
is pretty healthy, so although rest and recovery was also a focus, it certainly wasn?t as
much as of one as it will be later in the season, when they?ll get a second open week.
2. ODU changed defensive coordinators in the offseason. Now, the Monarchs are
one of the better statistical defenses, two games in, in Conference USA. How well
have the players taken to the new defensive scheme? What?s working well on
defense?
Miller: To a man, the players have said they love the new scheme, which has freed them
to be more aggressive and run to the ball. It?s a 4-2-5, but in certain formations, just two
linemen will have their hands on the ground. A defensive end and a hybrid end/outside
linebacker called the ?bandit? will be standing, and lined up wide. So far the scheme has
produced takeaways ? five in two games. Getting off the field on 3rd down has been a
challenge, though. The secondary, which has added several transfers, has given up fewer
long pass plays than a year ago. Lance Boykin is a standout at CB and Florida State
transfer Calvin Brewton has held down the back end at safety. LBs Lawrence Garner
and Jordan Young are experienced and productive. Geronda Hall, who plays the
?nickel? in the 4-2-5 is undersized but is an excellent tackler. Overall, the defense is
improved. As players get more familiar with the scheme, it?ll allow coordinator David
Blackwell to add more wrinkles. His defenses are known for producing sacks and TFLs.
That said, trying to corral Bryce Perkins will be a major challenge, to say the least.
3. Stone Smartt appears to have emerged as ODU's starter at QB. Like UVA's Bryce Perkins, he's a dual-threat quarterback. What has he done well so far this season and what challenges will he present to UVa?
Smartt is indeed a dual-threat who can make tacklers miss in the open field. It's an element ODU lacked a year ago, and it's helped open up the run game. Smartt's still a work in progress as a thrower. Coaches would like to see him make quicker reads and get the ball out faster. As I mentioned earlier, ODU hasn't had much of a vertical passing game and Smartt needs to continue to develop timing and chemistry with a mostly-new group of receivers, led by Kumah and former QB Steven Williams.
Ed Miller has been with the Virginian-Pilot since 1990 and, during that time, he?s covered a bit of everything, from high schools to Virginia and the ACC. This is his third year focusing on Old Dominion.
---
Miller took time out to answer four downs worth of questions about ODU going into Saturday night?s game against Virginia.
1. What was the focus of the open date and how much did it help ODU to recover from the Virginia Tech game and get ready for UVa?
Miller: It?s a cliche, but they worked on themselves. Areas of emphasis included third
down defense and the downfield, or vertical, passing game. The longest pass play of the
season is just 31 yards, and most of that came after the catch, by Eric Kumah late in the
win over Norfolk State. ODU also got a head start on UVa, with two extra days of prep
specific to the Cavaliers, Bobby Wilder said. At this early stage of the season, the team
is pretty healthy, so although rest and recovery was also a focus, it certainly wasn?t as
much as of one as it will be later in the season, when they?ll get a second open week.
2. ODU changed defensive coordinators in the offseason. Now, the Monarchs are
one of the better statistical defenses, two games in, in Conference USA. How well
have the players taken to the new defensive scheme? What?s working well on
defense?
Miller: To a man, the players have said they love the new scheme, which has freed them
to be more aggressive and run to the ball. It?s a 4-2-5, but in certain formations, just two
linemen will have their hands on the ground. A defensive end and a hybrid end/outside
linebacker called the ?bandit? will be standing, and lined up wide. So far the scheme has
produced takeaways ? five in two games. Getting off the field on 3rd down has been a
challenge, though. The secondary, which has added several transfers, has given up fewer
long pass plays than a year ago. Lance Boykin is a standout at CB and Florida State
transfer Calvin Brewton has held down the back end at safety. LBs Lawrence Garner
and Jordan Young are experienced and productive. Geronda Hall, who plays the
?nickel? in the 4-2-5 is undersized but is an excellent tackler. Overall, the defense is
improved. As players get more familiar with the scheme, it?ll allow coordinator David
Blackwell to add more wrinkles. His defenses are known for producing sacks and TFLs.
That said, trying to corral Bryce Perkins will be a major challenge, to say the least.
3. Stone Smartt appears to have emerged as ODU's starter at QB. Like UVA's Bryce Perkins, he's a dual-threat quarterback. What has he done well so far this season and what challenges will he present to UVa?
Smartt is indeed a dual-threat who can make tacklers miss in the open field. It's an element ODU lacked a year ago, and it's helped open up the run game. Smartt's still a work in progress as a thrower. Coaches would like to see him make quicker reads and get the ball out faster. As I mentioned earlier, ODU hasn't had much of a vertical passing game and Smartt needs to continue to develop timing and chemistry with a mostly-new group of receivers, led by Kumah and former QB Steven Williams.
