FB: American Rivers Conference

Old Dutch · July 31, 2009, 09:11:19 PM

I'll go along with Airborne on his choice at QB. Bandow and Snead will be close, but Snead showed a little something in the two series I watched him play, for what thats worth. I can't see Lackey at S-back, thats largely a blocking back and if he's not getting the ball in his hands he'll be on defense. Also agree the defensive re-alignment may have been overdue.

Surprisingly, Central is claiming a record freshman enrollment. With the question of economics hurting D3 that is a shocker to me. Anybody else have any rumors on enrollment or recruits, where will the freshmen impact players be???

Mr. Ypsi · July 31, 2009, 09:59:55 PM

Quote from: Purple Heys on July 31, 2009, 03:27:01 PM
Quote from: 5 Words or Less on July 30, 2009, 07:33:13 PM
Football Season At Last!!!

http://www.central.edu/athletics/story.cfm?StoryID=2411

This seems kind of unbecoming of the Dutch to offer excuses for last year's performance. Every team has injuries or has to deal with players who they thought would be in place but for one reason or another, weren't.

2 years ago they weren't making too many excuses for missing an IIAC MVP like Schuring...They adjusted...guys like Connell stepped up...and they won.

Regardless...The Dutch look better on paper than last year with experience gained throughout the lineup. It will be interesting who will earn the nod at the QB position. Any word on who has the inside track?

At some risk, may an outsider weigh in on the 'injury' controversy?

In 2007, Wheaton had a team at the start of the season that I thought was a fairly good candidate to 'upset' the Mount (or, as it turned out that season, UWW) and go to the Stagg. They began 8-0, despite rapidly accumulating injuries, but lost the last two games after injuries reached an insurmountable level. Included in those wins was a solid win over eventual playoff team, NCC, (who hung with eventual Stagg Bowl champ UWW for 2.5 quarters). The team that eventually knocked them out of the playoffs was mine, IWU. We were t6 in '06, t1 in '07, t5 in '08 - which strikingly correlates with # of injuries to starters (or lack thereof in '07). If Wheaton was even close to full strength, I think they would have beaten us by 20 (and I bleed green!).

Bottom line: injuries are a part of the game - don't whine. On the other hand, PH, recognize that a 'freakish' rash of injuries CAN destroy an otherwise great season. Not all talk of injuries is 'whining'!

Whether or not any of this is relevant specifically to Central, I have no clue.

Purple Heys · July 31, 2009, 10:54:41 PM

Quote from: Purple Heys on July 31, 2009, 03:27:01 PM
Quote from: 5 Words or Less on July 30, 2009, 07:33:13 PM
Football Season At Last!!!

http://www.central.edu/athletics/story.cfm?StoryID=2411

This seems kind of unbecoming of the Dutch to offer excuses for last year's performance. Every team has injuries or has to deal with players who they thought would be in place but for one reason or another, weren't.

2 years ago they weren't making too many excuses for missing an IIAC MVP like Schuring...They adjusted...guys like Connell stepped up...and they won.

Regardless...The Dutch look better on paper than last year with experience gained throughout the lineup. It will be interesting who will earn the nod at the QB position. Any word on who has the inside track?

Point of clarification: While I can see this interpreted as a knock on the Dutch...actual intent was to note my surprise that they actually felt a need to "explain" a 6-4 season. I thought that was a bit out of character. America's 2nd winningest Collegiate program doesn't need it's 1st release to apologize for the previous season. Clearly the depth of the Dutch, with more on the way, and some fine coaching salvaged what to most teams would have been a disaster.

At Cornell, we don't have the luxury of such abundant depth. We've seen how easily a few key players MIA can turn things badly.

Bottom line: You win, or lose with what you have. Injuries, in football, are part of the game. Some years you get the breaks and sometimes the breaks get you. And have some perspective...some teams would love to call 6-4 a "down" year.

Purple Heys · July 31, 2009, 10:58:26 PM

Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on July 31, 2009, 09:59:55 PM
Bottom line: injuries are a part of the game - don't whine. On the other hand, PH, recognize that a 'freakish' rash of injuries CAN destroy an otherwise great season. Not all talk of injuries is 'whining'!

In the context of "why we didn't win"...blaming injury is always whining. Subs need to step in and step up, and the remaining starters need to pick up for a teammate.

Tell me a case where a man goes down early in the game and ANY coach says, "well I guess that's it boys..."

Purple Heys · July 31, 2009, 11:00:37 PM

BTW -

It's good to see some more of the Dutch faithful back in the fold...

Welcome back Old Dutch and Airborne....I'm still on the lookout for DF2k4 8)

Purple Heys · July 31, 2009, 11:02:11 PM

I've heard relatively higher numbers incoming at Cornell too.

We'll see in 2 weeks...

Purple Heys · July 31, 2009, 11:04:30 PM

BTW -

Look for Central's kicking game to be directly responsible for at least 1 win this upcoming year.

What a weapon that Brondyke is...

Mr. Ypsi · July 31, 2009, 11:33:23 PM

Quote from: Purple Heys on July 31, 2009, 10:58:26 PM
Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on July 31, 2009, 09:59:55 PM
Bottom line: injuries are a part of the game - don't whine. On the other hand, PH, recognize that a 'freakish' rash of injuries CAN destroy an otherwise great season. Not all talk of injuries is 'whining'!

In the context of "why we didn't win"...blaming injury is always whining. Subs need to step in and step up, and the remaining starters need to pick up for a teammate.

Tell me a case where a man goes down early in the game and ANY coach says, "well I guess that's it boys..."

Yeah, true, but you took my post out of context.

I'd bet there are many cases where a coach said to himself "Oh s***, we're in deep 'doo-doo' now."

Despite their bravado, not even the Mount could withstand the rash of injuries Wheaton had in 2007 (though they would still win at least 8 games, as did the Thunder). And, remember, as a Titan, I HATE the Thunder!

[Also remember, I have no idea whether Central's case is like Wheaton's.]

warthog · August 01, 2009, 12:10:53 AM

Thought for the day:

I'll put you through hell, but at the end of it all we'll be champions.

- Paul Bear Bryant

Fannosaurus Rex · August 01, 2009, 10:20:13 AM

Quote from: Purple Heys on July 31, 2009, 10:58:26 PM
Quote from: Mr. Ypsi on July 31, 2009, 09:59:55 PM
Bottom line: injuries are a part of the game - don't whine. On the other hand, PH, recognize that a 'freakish' rash of injuries CAN destroy an otherwise great season. Not all talk of injuries is 'whining'!

In the context of "why we didn't win"...blaming injury is always whining. Subs need to step in and step up, and the remaining starters need to pick up for a teammate.

Tell me a case where a man goes down early in the game and ANY coach says, "well I guess that's it boys..."

I guess I need to re-read Central's season preview. I didn't think McMartin was making excuses for 08. I thought he was giving the fact that so many guys got playing time, and that so many guys were coming back from injuries was a good thing for 09. If you read it through your red goggles, you don't see any whining.

Airborne Dutch · August 01, 2009, 10:30:34 AM

PH, thanx for the welcome back. Unfortunately, I'm gonna be able to only follow the preseason. I'm heading back to Afghanistan later this month and won"t be able to stay up to date on all of this year and likely a few weeks of next year. As a side note, remember what happened the last time Central went 6-4? Three straight conference championships, three straight playoff berths (lost in the first round in 05 and 06, National Quarterfinals in 07), and posted a 29-1 regular season record during that time. I can only hope the next few seasons are like that.

Purple Heys · August 01, 2009, 12:39:37 PM

Quote from: Airborne Dutch on August 01, 2009, 10:30:34 AM
As a side note, remember what happened the last time Central went 6-4? Three straight conference championships...

You just brought full circle what I was getting to...last year's Dutch didn't fail so much as retool. Circumstances otherwise were a blessing in disguise, getting experience where it was needed and with the returnees, they seem poised to be in the very position you state.

Purple Heys · August 01, 2009, 12:45:09 PM

Two weeks...

Purple Heys · August 01, 2009, 05:52:42 PM

IIAC Conference Individual Leaders Predictions

Offense
Passing:

Rushing:

Receiving:

Defense
Tackles:

Sacks:

INTS:

Specials
FG's:

Punting:

footballdaddy · August 01, 2009, 07:07:28 PM

I also found it interesting that Central is expecting 50 recruits this year. That nimber is 10-15 more that what coach Mac was saying was their ideal number when recruiting three years ago.I realize one can't stop anyone from going out, but Coach Mac was very clear about not just having recruits to just have them.