FB: Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference

[JK]

Six Killed in Bluffton baseball bus crash... this is just awful.   Our thoughts and prayers to all in the Bluffton Family:

http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/6522208

[Fartcus Smellwood]

Wow, it's been awhile, but really before we know it......football season will be here again.  Taking nothing away from baseball though, I love baseball season.

Anyway, are there going to be any possible D-III players signing FA contracts or possibly a late 7th round pick?   I know there are a couple each year, just wondering about this year.

Maddog probably thinks Langston should be a 1st rounder.

But really, does anyone know?

And Marcus, you should buy MLB 2k7 when it comes out, we can battle it out on X-Box live.........also funny comments about Eureka.  And I really hope CUC can win some games this year.

I have had the game since it came out baseman...I just think you are running scared because the smell of being defeated is already under your nose. I am going to start a league btw....you in?
The Bluffton crash was horrible news to hear and my prayers are out to the families and the school...I believe they pronounced another dead a couple of days ago which is horrible.
I really wish there were a lot more D3 athletes that were invited to the combine. I believe that offensive linemen for one should be highly considered for the NFL if they have the size, strength, and footwork. I thought during the combine, the analysts kind of mocked D3 football while interviewing Whitworth. They had said when and if he gets drafted he is going to be in for a big surprise in the NFL because the D-end lining up across from him wont be a 195 pound kid...a very stereotypical comment made by them and I hope they regret it. The worst part about being stereotypical at the time was Whitworth himself is a pretty big boy.
And finally to Tru, CUC still has Coach Pries from last year (a very good head coach) the only coach they were missing was a defensive coordinator which they have hired already...full coaching staff ready to go.

[FatalImpact]

I am also deeply saddend by what happened to the Bluffton team, its hoorible when a team loses a player let alone 4 or 5 players, plus the driver and his wife.


Rich Eisen is a piece of trash, no wonder he doesnt work for ESPN anymore.....I watched the combine and the commentators kinda ruined it.....Plus allen had one of the best combines for a tight end

[NCC_alum62]

Its true he had the second best 40 time 4.71 second only to Greg Olsen at 4.51 (Greg Olsen is a nightmare for a defense to try and cover, he would have gathered more honors but they had a couple so so seasons in Miami) he had the best broad jump 10'3'', the only thing he could have really improved on was his bench reps (15 I think maybe 17)

That announcer is a dumb-azz, but unfortunetly thats kind of the stereotye of D-III there are more undersized kids playing football in D-III than in D-I its a fact, I'm not saying the DE's are all 195 thats lie and a half on the part of that announcer, but as far as size strength and speed, I doubt Allen has faced anyone like the Florida DE's that tore apart the Ohio State OL that averages 6'8'' 320 (thats not an exaggeration that was the actual average at the start of the season) and was rated one of the best in the land.

I think Allen can do it, I want to see him succeed, but its going to take even more work and strength training, He is as tall or taller than many TE's and he has some bulk and good speed and athleticism, but he is still a project because D-I is way faster and more physical than D-III and NFL is way faster and more physical than D-I. More power to him, but as an NFL coach who would you take?

[D306]

Alum62
Re: Allen great speed at 4.71 for a big man.
My issue is 15-17 reps, is all and he is that big.
Get in the weightroom, if has the talent to get a look in the NFL how could he show up, and bench so little.

I know kids showing up at 18 years old, to first day of College Football that can put up more reps than that.

Kinda like Smith from Ohio State showing up Fat at the combines.
Have the keys to finanacial security set in front of you and show up out of shape?

The comment about disparaging the DIII players also burns me, there is some talented players in DIII. Not as many as the Freaks of Nature that the BCS teams get but some quality athletes.

[NCC_alum62]

Yes 15-17 isn't great, however before we say he didn't prepare well, look at some of the other lifting that the TE's did I think he is on par with the others. His broad and veritcle jumps were vey high. But I think most scouts have him rated as a project at his position. That he doesn't play with the same athleticism that he worked out at. (plays too high, not as quick as his 40 time suggests)

Time will tell. Many websites had a section about him having a very good workout and raising his stock and possibly getting drafted...we'll see

[Fartcus Smellwood]

Yes, there are many great D-3 players out there and I believe a lot of them have the talent. Life is always about adjusting...D-1 is faster than D-3 and NFL is faster than D-1...well D-3 is faster than high school and players had to adjust to that as well. The 15-17 reps on bench is pretty bad...especially when Brady Quinn jumped on the bench and repped 26 I think? Anyways, I think Allen will adjust as well as any other D-3 player would in the NFL and I wish him the best.

[NCC_alum62]

The "scouts" are saying it looks like Allen is a project at TE, and because of his low bench numbers it might hurt him...But with alot of guys that are that tall and rangy it can be very hard to train your arms to be able to like 225 20-25 times.  I knew a D-III guy who lifted 31 times at 225, but he never would make it in the pros.  The is sometimes a difference between wieght room strength and on the field strength.  I've played against alot of guys that were stronger in the weightroom, but with sound technique and footwork I could beat 'em in the trenches.

I hope Allen adjusts better than most D-III guys  most D-III guys that even get a look are sent packing...only the truly exceptional have stuck on a roster. Talent is one thing but in the NFL to go along with that talent they have to have the physical skill.

I think he may have been more concerned with speed rather than strength, maybe thats what he was told...who knows (I'm not saying one way or the other), but his impressive hands and 40 time as well as the verticle and broad jump seem to have people buzzing about him being a 5th or 6th rounder...good luck to him I hope he gets drafted and is able to make the team.

[D306]

Alum62

I agree speed, good hands and route running are critical for a TE.
I just thought 15-17 was low.


I hope he sticks, and gets a shot.
I am sure that if the other skills are there, a team can put weight and muscle on him in a 3 month span.
It will not even have to be ROIDS before somebody goes there with a comment.

Spring Ball starting up!!!

[NCC_alum62]

D306:

Absolutly I agree with you...

You never know the story...does anyone remember Bryant McKinnie (U of Miami OT) who plays with the Vikings...he didn't play that much football before college because he was embarassed about his lifting (he wasn't a strong lifting guy), his problem was his massive wingspan (which given Allen's hieght he might have) which is sometimes a problem for guys try to increase thier bench reps and strength.  UM's strainer got him a special bar that helped accomodate him. I'm sure an NFL strength coach could do the same with Allen..IF that be the problem...needless to say an NFL strength coach will get those numbers up.

I think Allen is going to make it onto a team for training camp either through the draft or FA.  It will be up to him to make the roster though.

[D306]

Alum

I have to tell, you the NFL players that I know or have meet, are all bout speed and atleticism.
Yes the lineman and LB's are very strong, but the speed and agility is what makes them a pro.
The DB's and WR's typically have not been that strong that it did not impress me, but their speed and body control was far and away something that was unique. These guys had great hops and body control.

Take this for what it's worth from my experiences on the basketball court, at the local gym.

Since my days of having any hops, or speed have past, I play position and spacing to try to be effective. Strength is not gone, but as they say the legs are the first to go.

[NCC_alum62]

Alum

I have to tell, you the NFL players that I know or have meet, are all bout speed and atleticism.
Yes the lineman and LB's are very strong, but the speed and agility is what makes them a pro.
The DB's and WR's typically have not been that strong that it did not impress me, but their speed and body control was far and away something that was unique. These guys had great hops and body control.

Take this for what it's worth from my experiences on the basketball court, at the local gym.

Since my days of having any hops, or speed have past, I play position and spacing to try to be effective. Strength is not gone, but as they say the legs are the first to go.

I think we're agreeing here...

My earlier posts about Allen were about his tremendous athletic upside and (for the scouts) surprising speed by posting the second best 40 time among TE's.  I think his great numbers in everything besides lifting are what get him on a team.

[NCC_alum62]

Anyone from Illinois Benedictine on this board got anything to say?

[Pat Coleman]

Besides that it hasn't been called Illinois Benedictine for nearly a decade?

[NCC_alum62]

Besides that it hasn't been called Illinois Benedictine for nearly a decade?

ZING!

yeah I guess its been a bit...