FB: Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association

[formerd3db]

Thanks for both comments Raider 68.  You are most kind.  I must admit, however, I didn't even notice the number of posts I had.  Anyway, your count is steadily rising too!  We appreciate your contributions and participating here on our board, even though you are an OAC board mainstay as well.  Talk to you again in the near future.  I'm going to watch the Senior Bowl which is on now.

[D306]

Thank You for the kind words and best wish's.

Great group of people on the site, typically intelligent posts and interest in our fellow posters.

The medical issue, is unfortunately a "lifetime" issue for my family.
I have been blessed, I am in a place in life were I can make a change, and relocate to help.
Breaks your heart to see these kids strugggle, we as a family have made the decision we will make a difference in their lives.

Well change of subject, Wednesday we find out who is going were, at the D1 schools, which leads to a lot of DIII selections are made as well.

Enjoy ythe Superbowl, should be a exciting game

[Raider 68]

D306,

All the best again to you and your family! Hope you find the West a great place to be. Keep tabs on D3 and the MIAA.

In the meantime, GO COLTS, Go Pierre, bring home the Super Bowl Trophy!

[RFMichigan]

Fellow D3 football friends.

I am relocating to address a Medical issue in the family.

I will check in to keep up on the MIAA
I just will not have good first hand info, that I at times could share.

Thank You the conversations folks.
Congrats to Triine, keep up the good work guys glad to see the MIAA get a playoff win.

I pray that all goes well with you and your family. Keep checking in!

[Raider 68]

Anyone heard what schools top state of Michigan recruits are considering other than the big schools?

[Raider 68]

Former 3db,

This board is so quiet, has to be something to talk about in Michigan other than the Spartans (they just might lose the Big Ten).

Back to football! The question for next season is who in D3 makes it to the NFL and joins Pierre Garcon, London Fletcher and a few others?

[formerd3db]

Raider68:
Yes, it has been quiet here on our board.  Seems that is the "norm" each year - I guess that's "just the way it is".  

Anyway, admittedly, I have not really followed, from the general info available and/or what I've read or seen on other boards or in the papers, who might have an opportunity to try out for an NFL team.  I'm sure there will be some free agent opportunities for those who wish to pursue that when the time nears later this spring.

As far as other news, I saw this AM on the Comcast page in Sports News that the NCAA rules committee has made recommendations for several rules changes, which most likely will be approved.  Most of them I agree with, however, as usual, there is at least one each year that I just have to scratch my head and wonder what the heck that committee is thinking.  It is even more baffling since coaches sit on that committee also, it is my understanding (for example, former Oregon Head Coach Mike Belotti is the current Chairman).  Among the proposed rule changes are:


1) Penalties for taunting during the course of scoring a TD - of which I personally approve this one

2) More restrictive rules regarding concussion syndromes - the proposal is that players who suffer concussions will have to have a physician's clearance before being allowed to return to play.  Duh...  I thought the college programs at all levels had that requirement - at least the college's own rules for such..  I know the ones I've been associated with and also know in our conference have had this requirement.  IMO, any school that does not, is taking a huge liablility chance - and...frankly is very stupid and foolish.  Common sense and deceny do not dictate otherwise.  I applaud this rule.

3) Elimination of the rule that states a player's pants have to cover the knee.  I think this is a ridiculous rule change i.e. very dangerous in eliminating it.  Obviously, we've seen the trend in the last 3-4 years that players like to have their pants above the knee - their excuse is that WR's, RB's and DB's like it because it "makes them faster - i.e. doesn't hinder their running.  The real reason is they think "it looks cool".  I personally believe this is dangersous because it exposes the knee to potentially more injury - that is an obvious and non-disputed aspect if we are all honest about this.  Moreover, I fail to understand why the committee would make an exception for this rule, however, while retaining the one which requires players to wear tailbone and hip pads.  A little confusing and, frankly, smacks of inconsistency and a little hypocrisy.  Some of you might disagree with me on this, however, it is just MO.  I certainly have seen injuries result from this.  In additon, the officials have not always enforced this rule during games, which they should have done.  They do the others, so in essence, there is no excuse for not having done this...when the rule was in place.  Oh well.

What do you think?

[Raider 68]

Former 3db,

I agree with your thoughts on the rule changes and like you I have a problem with Rule #3. The knees and their exposure to injury is a cause for many players to have shorten careers and for those who go on to play at the next level it impacts their ability to walk. Any protection on or around the knee is more important to player and his health than a little more speed.

With the size of the players today knee pads of any kind are so critical just like protection for the hips and tail bones. I remember when Jim Brown played (greatest running back of all time, IMHO) did not wear hips pads, but he was an exception. What makes no sense is that many QB's wear rib pads, so the NCAA need to re-think this rule. Consistency of policy is needed!

[formerd3db]

Agree, Raider68!

[Raider 68]

Former 3db,

Other than Trine, what schools bring the strongest line-ups back for 2010?

[Diezel1]

Former,

As a player who liked to try to play with my knee pads above my knee, I think it really does free up the movement of your knees.  I would trim down my knee pads and also take the hard plastic piece out of my thigh pads and only use that.   If a WR, DB, or RB has a huge bulky knee pad covering up their knee it is going to restrict their movement.  A knee pad can't prevent knee ligaments from tearing, so basically its only purpose is to prevent bruises on the knee.  No pad, regardless of placement, is going to help save you from tearing something inside your knee.  If the player doesn't care about a bruise on their knee then I say let them play with their knee pad where they want to. 

[cave2bens]

FormerD3db,

Another in the agreement column regarding rule 3, and a laudable tack for any level of prevention versus potential future business. 

While respectful of the "caveat emptor" philosophy, many of my rugby cohorts now sport scars marking youthful (and some not so young  ) exuberance. Future consequences (and treatment or lack there of...) are cartilage degeneration, osteoarthritis, and other related complications - wife goes under the knife (reconstruction just short of full replacement) in two weeks, and a scope experience is on the horizon for me as well.  An ounce of prevention... 

[Raider 68]

FormerD3db,

Another in the agreement column regarding rule 3, and a laudable tack for any level of prevention versus potential future business. 

While respectful of the "caveat emptor" philosophy, many of my rugby cohorts now sport scars marking youthful (and some not so young  ) exuberance. Future consequences (and treatment or lack there of...) are cartilage degeneration, osteoarthritis, and other related complications - wife goes under the knife (reconstruction just short of full replacement) in two weeks, and a scope experience is on the horizon for me as well.  An ounce of prevention... 

I was very fortunate not to have had any knee injuries when I played and my knees are fine. Knee pads were required then and not optional.

[formerd3db]

Good friends:

Diezel:
You have a point about knee pads not preventing ligament injuries.  I also respect your opinion.  However, for years, many of us ran very fast (for those of us who were fast ) with knee pads when those were required by the NCAA, as Raider68 points out.  However, knee pads do help in other ways - just ask other players who have missed games because of severe contusions (bruises), abraisons from direct hits on knees without knee pads.  And if you want to use that type of reasoning, then the NCAA should ban the use of tailbone pads and hip pads.  Then those guys who end up getting a severe "hip" contusions on their greater trochanters can enjoy sitting on the bench watching for 2-3 games while they hope those heal enough to allow them to return to play.   Again, I'm not knocking your opinon, I'm just stating my own.  Equipment was made for a reason and in a contact sport such as football, my preference is still to use as much as possible - of course, I guess you can say I'm somewhat biased in regards to "my day job"   That being said, I don't think wearing knee pads ever slowed down any WR enough to severely comprimise their performance -  ask Garcon!

Cave2bens:

I concur.  BTW, my best to your wife in her upcoming surgery.  We'll keep her in prayer for that (and you too when you eventually undergo yours scope).  BTW, I hope you both are enjoying your trip/vacation now.  Keep us posted - thanks for your periodic posts!

Raider68:
Agree.
BTW, Imy apologies for not replying back sooner reqarding your question on returnees for the other schools.  I haven't had the opportunity to peruse the rostes of the various schools just yet.  However, "off the top of my hear", and "gut feeling" is that all the other teams will be improved.  Alma has to replace their longstanding starting QB McGrady who is graduated, although I expect them to be challenging for the title.  Adrian should be good, and with Deere having been theri, the transition might not be too bad but we'll hae to see.  Kazzo shold be imporved, but I stil think they'll be in the bottom tier, Olivet with a new coaching staff (majjority) remains to be seen, but I doubt will rise to the top right away after going 0-10.  That leaves Hope and Albion and I will be very surprised if both of these teams reamin mediocre as they have been the past two years, it being very uncharacteristic of those programs and I expect to see them back in the hunt for the title.  AGain, I will be very surprised if they are not. 

The above, of course, is just off the top of my head, but I perhaps might have a better commentary after I've had a chance to look at the rosters of returnees at some time in the future.

Thanks to all of you for keeping some discussion going here on our board!

[Raider 68]

Former 3db,

Thanks for your great post!

1. For 2010, it looks like a battle between Trine and Adrian for the top spot in
    in the MIAA with Trine having the edge at this point. They play at UWRF a
    WIAC team this year who is not that strong, let's see how they do up there.

2. The knee pads will not, I agree with Diezel prevent torn ligaments, but
    those scraps, cleat marks and bruises pile up. Also, while most schools
    now have new style turf, it still burns a bit, not not as much as the old
    astro-turf.The problem is the NCAA being consistent and looking out for the
    player's health vs. a little more speed.

3. At this point I am not sure who the next potential NFL player will be coming
    from D3, but my best guess would be Cecil Shorts WR, Mount Union who
    will come back this year after a great All-American in '09.