University Athletic Association

[Pat Coleman]

Ahh, yes, I can see where "next season" could be 2009. I still think of 2008 as next season, but ok.

USAT magazine should be out Monday -- generally bookstores and 7-11s are good locations.

[DagarmanSpartan]

Pat,

OK.  I'll have to check out USAT.  That's not one that I normally look at.  I used to think that Street and Smith's had the best DIII preview (other than this site of course) among the major annuals, and now The Sporting News appears to have adopted the same level of coverage.

But USAT's definitely sounds great.  I'll be on the lookout for it!

As for Whelan, I was referring to 2009.  The 2008 pre-season All-American team was already listed in the DIII Write-Up from TSN.  I was saying that I thought that as a Senior, NEXT season (as opposed to THIS season), Whalen could be a DIII pre-season All-American.

cwru70,

Gosh.  I sure wish that the SID would post our recruiting class.  I hope it's another blockbuster like last year!

[BDTartan]

Major....you said undoubtedly.  Are you Nostradamus?  Who will win the election in November?  Answer me that oh mighty prognosticator.  You seem to be predicting that Whalen will have an All-American year in 08'.  Because the way I see it, that's what he'll have to do to make your "undoubtedly" statement true.  Look, I just don't see how a QB on a solid team in a spread O with a very good D one year translates to All-American the next.  Sure it looks good on paper, but the games are played on the field.  There may be some UAA players on the other teams who have something to say about this, hell...the defensive guys just might want to make Whalen eat YOUR words.  There are guys for CMU who played exceptional last year, but I'm not about to say they are going to be All-American.  Sure I believe they'll have a great 08', but let's leave the bullcrap of listing All-Americans and what-not to Pat and people like him.

[DagarmanSpartan]

Quote: let's leave the bullcrap of listing All-Americans and what-not to Pat and people like him.

YES SIR!!!!  AYE-AYE CAP'N!!!!



BDTartan,

There's nothing wrong with being enthusiastic about one's school, and it's top player.

This is just a message board for cryin' out loud.  I wouldn't protest if you wanted to predict that one of CMU's best players would be an all-American down the road.

Relax.

I'm hardly an expert, but then again, none of us are.  That doesn't prohibit us from expressing our opinions to the extent that they don't violate any posting guidelines.

I doubt that my post violated any, so please refrain from giving me orders on what to post.  Leave THAT to Pat and people like him.

[BDTartan]

First let me say that I never gave you an order to do anything.  Secondly, I only did what you did.....state my opinion.  Lastly, I was happy that CWRU accomplished the things they did last year, as I was that much prouder when CMU did it the year before.......Look back, I was enthusiastic, but I just don't agree with talking someone up when it's two years down the road.  As an ex-Tartan said earlier......the UAA could very well be up for grabs....the most competitive season in recent memory may unfold....or it might not.  Which is my point.  Say whatever you want, but I will not agree with something similar to your statement until somebody proves it.  Like I said, the games are played on the field, not on paper.  I should know better than most.  I easily assumed CMU would have a very strong year again in 07', but the ball didn't bounce their way a couple games and that turned into a 4 game losing streak.  That could easily happen to a solid CWRU squad in 08'.  If I offended you in any way then so be it.  Good luck to your Spartans in 08'......I'll be pulling for the Tartans.

[DagarmanSpartan]

BDTartan,

OK, so I suppose that you requested, rather than ordered.

In that case, I politely decline your request.

Like I said, I wouldn't object if you wanted to build-up your team, so please don't ask that I not build up mine.

In the end, the game will be decided on the field, so if I'm wrong, why not let the game itself prove me so? 

I mean, if I talk, and the game itself proves me wrong, then you'll have that much more ammo to come after me with.  In light of that fact, is it not in your best interest to let me keep talking?

[ADL70]

So we have a semantic skirmish here.  The reaction was against your use of "undoubtedly" rather than say, "should be."  I pointed out that there are other QBs who will be seniors in 2009 who would be legitimate contenders as well, and also that a QB's success depends on the protection of his OL.  By 2009, only one of last year's starters will be left and this season the loss of two All Region linemen must be overcome for Whalen to have a 2008 that would merit a 2009 pre-season pick.  And as BDT points out he could be even more of a "marked man" this season.

So we see some doubt, that's all.

Camp begins in exactly seven weeks, and quite a few of last year's frosh made big contributions (Three were All UAA first teamers).  It would be nice to see who coming in would have that potential.  Last year's success should translate into another great recruiting class, but one that can concentrate on quality rather than quantity.  Let's hope the delay in announcing the class is waiting on commitments from a big catch or two that end up being reeled in.

Recruiting for 2009 begins this weekend with an on-campus camp for seniors to be.

BDT--About the only thing that could make this season more competitive than last would be a big improvement in Chicago, but I don't see that happening.  But it likely will be as competitive.

[Pat Coleman]

"undoubtedly" is just a red-flag word. Nothing is "undoubtedly" about 2009 All-Americans.

[blue4now]

Major, we know we have a couple qulity TE's in the fold.  That will help edge blocking as a good of player Sujtca is he doesnt have the size of these other 2.   

Hoping that Sinnko from Mentor (yes another Mentor product) can step in at G.  While not a large body he offers quickness and lever and can trap blcok in the spread O. 

As much as Whalen is a marked man operating from the spread gives him the field vision he needs.  I dont think any team can stop our WR's.  Too much talent to double everyone.  Im more concerned about moving the sticks on 3rd and 3 in bad weather...   Then again if we force teams to play in the nickle or dime most the game then running lanes will be there.

Give me an OL or 2 and an LB and I think those pieces compliment this talented group.

[blue4now]

I was off to a mtg.   No time to spell check...

[ADL70]

blue4

The incoming TE prospects aren't really bigger than Suitca.  He's listed as 6'1 220, while the listings I've seen for the recruits are 6'2 210 and 6'1 225.

And for all his ability, Sinkko's size is a question mark at G.  Unless he's bulked up in the off season, he's listed at 6'2 215.  That's nearly 100 pounds less than the player he'd be replacing and 60-75 lighter than the other likely contenders.

Last season I believe he played at TE (v Oberlin wearing #40), G, and C.  And he was listed in the playoff two-deep as a back up at DE.  To me his size suggests either TE or DE or even a blocking FB.   Put him in the backfield to lead block on 3rd and 3!  Or put him next to Whalen in the one-back set, if not this year then next year after Checkan is gone. 

[frank uible]

testing

[blue4now]

Not sure who are reffering to in your last paragraph regarding #40.  The RB position is solid even without considering any new frosh. 

We cant forget about Pfeiffer at TE (6,3 245)  Easily overlooked because we dont throw to them much.

You are right.  Sinkko isnt very heavy but there was some thought about moving away from larger plodding OL's to more mobile and agile players.  It will be interesting to see how this pans out.  Too bad Spring got hurt again and decided to hang it up.  As a freshman starter he would have eased the loss of 2 All Region lineman.

There also was some discussion about moving Suitca to LB to get him on the field more and use his athleticism.  The LB battle will be another interesting story.

[ADL70]

The #40 reference was to a picture that I saw on the Oberlin site from the 2007 game which showed Whalen under center with a tight end wearing that number, whicgh was not a number on the roster.  Recently I found pix taken by a player's family which had a picture of #40 sans helmet and it looked like Sinkko.  The FB thought was as spot player at least this year as a blcoking back.  Put him as lead blocker in the full house that is used in short yardage.

If Leshen can return from injury it will help as he also started a game at G as a freshman in 2006.  The lighter and agile mode is definitely in place for the tackles who are 240 and 245 and last year's backups 230 and 250.

Suitca began as a LB.  He would add some size to make up for Brew's departure.  That would be great if the TE from Solon works out.  I can foresee Pelyak moving from S to take Tiemeier's spot with Paramore (who rotated in a good bit) full time at S.  There are a number with experience who will be in the battle for the two open ILB spots.  As you say it will be interesting.

Thanx Pat for the #16 ranking in your USAT preview.

[BDTartan]

I'm not worried about ammunition Major.....I could care less how bad you make yourself look or whether your statement comes true.  I just disagree with even making a remark of that nature.  It's all well and good to be optimistic, but a prediction of that caliber insinuates that you are cocky and brash and if this were a more frequented board then you would have been open to plenty of more shots than mine.  As I said, do and say what you want, but I won't agree with outlandish predictions based on one year of productivity in a highly productive offense.  Kurt Warner bagged groceries until he hooked up with Mike Martz and his high flying wide open offense, and might as well been bagging groceries after he left St. Louis.  Don't take that the wrong way, I'm not comparing Whalen to him.  I'm just saying that the spread O is conducive to any team with speed and an adequate QB.  Does adequate=All-American??  Who knows......Let me finish by saying this....I can see where Whalen has the "potential" to be All-American, but "undoubtedly" I just don't see it.  And let's not forget that I've seen him play twice, so I'm not going off of numbers.  I think he's a good QB actually, but I'm sorry, I don't see an All-American.  In fact, the only two players in the UAA I thought were truly deserving of that honor in my 4 years of following them were CWRU's Tom Brew and CMU's Aaron Lewis.  And my own brother played during that time period.  My brother is good and has the potential to be All-American(he was 1st team Academic All-American), but his position limits his skill set.  I personally think he would make a bigger impact at MLB, but he's happy at DE and so are his coaches.  I just enjoy watching these guys play the game.  They don't do it to go to the NFL and they certainly don't do it for scholarships.  They do it because they love the game.  I just hate to hear somebody say things that may set expectations for these guys.  I don't expect anything from any of the players I've seen at the D3 level.  They've already given everything they've got.