FB: American Rivers Conference

[sportsknight]

The only way that trip would take an hour and a half is if you hit EVERY single red light along the way.  Realistically, it should take more like an hour to a buck fifteen.  Take Highway 1 north out of MV to Anamosa, where you'll get on US 151 headed north.  Take that into Dubuque from the south, and take the Grandview Ave. exit.  Take a left and stay on Grandview until you get to Grace St.  Take a left on that and you'll drive right into the Chalmers Field parking lot.  Yahoo! Maps says it's about 67.5 miles.

[Purple Heys]

Thanks!

That's not so bad...about the same length as the drive from Oceanside to Redlands.

I could see the DBQ play two weeks in a row...

[Alfredeneumann]

Early on, the defense will have to carry the team, and should have no problem doing so. If the Offense doesn't give up a short field, or worse yet, a defensive TD, the Knights will have no problem keeping teams to low points.
Look for team to keep 7 guys in the box early on and put some pressure on the young RB's to find their way through. OL should be good though. The pressure will really be on the unproven WR's and on the more experienced Hoerner to make some plays early on and force another man into coverage. That will make the run game much better. The Knights don't need a great RB, just someone who can hang onto the ball and find the holes.
Special teams should be stellar.

How much will having OL line-coach Morrison as OC impact HOW MUCH MORE will the Knights "POUND the ball" with running game?

[doolittledog]

The only way that trip would take an hour and a half is if you hit EVERY single red light along the way.  Realistically, it should take more like an hour to a buck fifteen.  Take Highway 1 north out of MV to Anamosa, where you'll get on US 151 headed north.  Take that into Dubuque from the south, and take the Grandview Ave. exit.  Take a left and stay on Grandview until you get to Grace St.  Take a left on that and you'll drive right into the Chalmers Field parking lot.  Yahoo! Maps says it's about 67.5 miles.

With HWY 151 being 4-lane all the way now I would say that is an hour drive.  Yahoo maps says La Porte City to Dubuque is an 1:35 and I always make it in 1:25...and I don't speed THAT much!!!

I would pitch it to him that it's a chance for him to not only spend more time with his dad...but he could also scout the Spartans...Rockford runs the wing-T as well, so this would be a good game for him to watch!!!  Plus, if you can watch Dubuque 2 weeks in a row you would have a better feel for how they will play later in the season.  And uh, you know, while in Dubuque maybe Brautigam might know someone that needs their house re-roofed!!!

[doolittledog]

Early on, the defense will have to carry the team, and should have no problem doing so. If the Offense doesn't give up a short field, or worse yet, a defensive TD, the Knights will have no problem keeping teams to low points.
Look for team to keep 7 guys in the box early on and put some pressure on the young RB's to find their way through. OL should be good though. The pressure will really be on the unproven WR's and on the more experienced Hoerner to make some plays early on and force another man into coverage. That will make the run game much better. The Knights don't need a great RB, just someone who can hang onto the ball and find the holes.
Special teams should be stellar.

How much will having OL line-coach Morrison as OC impact HOW MUCH MORE will the Knights "POUND the ball" with running game?

I am all for Wartburg "pounding the ball" and forgetting the passing game.  It worked real well for them against Dubuque 2 years ago!!!  Of course, the other 16 out of 17 times for Warty pounding the ball against the Spartans kind of worked out pretty well for them 

[Charlie Kohawk]

Just got done with my first NFL fantasy draft of the year.  I did bleed a little maroon and gold by drafting Freddie Jackson.

You mean crimson. But congratulations.

[Klompen]

BV's keys to success:

1.  15+ yards per rush
2.  95% completion percentage
3.  force a safety every defensive possession
4.  all punts downed at 1 yard line
5.  increase field goal range to 70+ yards
6.  return every kick for a TD
7.  no sacks, hurries, or hits on QB--ALL YEAR LONG
8.  eat their Wheaties
9.  instead of game film, watch "Rudy" every night
10.  give 237% (110 is for p***ies)

That right there is some STRAIGHT TALK.  All BV has to do is say YES WE CAN.  Can you smell what BOY is cookin', ya damn jabroni?  GIT R DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That should do it.  You may have to up it for the playoffs though.   

[Klompen]

I didn't play football, so I can't be as technical as most of you about what Central needs to do to be successful.  Maybe I could take the scientific approach and say that we will be successful if we have one clone each of Tim Connell and Vance Schuring and three clones of Vern Den Herder.   

Central will need to get up to speed with a lot of new players real fast given that Wartburg is scheduled so early.  Finding strong replacements for Tim and Vance will be crucial to our success.  I know the coaches were excited about gettin Zack Bandow last year and Nate Snead this year.  Tim Connell was pretty much an untested quantity when he took over as a sophomore and he lead us to 3 straight championships, so I have faith that we will be in good hands again, I'm just not sure whose hands they will be.  Having watched Vance in HS, he was always something special, though prone to injury.  He reminded me a lot of Mark Kacmarynski, always ran tough and really made teams pay if they let him find a hole.  I have heard a lot of good things about the potential QB's, so I feel a bit more confident about that spot.  The backup tailbacks got lots of playing time while Vance was hampered by his nagging injuries last year.  He played most games, but clearly not at 100%.  But even at less than 100% he provided a spark that Veldhuizen and Zachary just didn't quite have.  I think they can both be good tailbacks, but I would rather have great again.     So I think the passing game may be crucial again this year. 

We have a lot more holes to fill and I can only hope that with 132 players on the team we can find the right guys for the right positions.  I think Spencer Remick will be outstanding on the line.  Cam Waugh could really open some eyes this year.  It will be interesting to see what the transfers bring to the table.  The one thing I have complete faith in is that Coach Mac will have them playing as a team, not for individual accolades and hopefully the returning players will still have that "find a way" mentality.  If we can't face WB at the end of the season, then it is good to have them right away.  We will be an unknown this year, which makes it harder to plan for. 

Plus, when WB loses early in the season, they have time to climb back up the ratings so two of us can go to the playoffs.   

[Klompen]

I forgot, I think Central will have the best special teams in the conference.  It is good to have young, but proven talent back in the kicker/punter positions.  Lots of votes for Viggers to be the best kicker in the conference and Brondyke was already the best punter in the conference last year.  Being a three sport athlete, no need to worry that he got lazy in the off season.  That young man should be in great shape!

[New Storm]

I forgot, I think Central will have the best special teams in the conference.  It is good to have young, but proven talent back in the kicker/punter positions.  Lots of votes for Viggers to be the best kicker in the conference and Brondyk was already the best punter in the conference last year.  Being a three sport athlete, no need to worry that he got lazy in the off season.  That young man should be in great shape!

At Simpson with Nelson gone we are not even close to the best we need a Freshman to step up huge 

[Floyd in Iowa City]

Any word on how LC's scrimmage went today?...I just heard D looked good...and it looks like freshman qb from Vally is slotted in as the starter right now.

I don't hear much about the QBs so I would love to know how the new kid from WDM Valley compares to Stonerook (sophomore QB from Colorado).  Stonerook looked like he had a pretty decent arm and release in the very limited time I saw him in a scrimmage and late in the Waldorf game last year.  Ruckebeil (senior that only played basketball last year) looked decent in pregame warm-ups back in 2006 if I remember correctly (wasn't he #7?).

This would be a good year to play a couple of dogs to start the season to let the offense develop, but St. Olaf is also replacing coaches and players.

[TheOne89.1]

Just got done with my first NFL fantasy draft of the year.  I did bleed a little maroon and gold by drafting Freddie Jackson.

You mean crimson. But congratulations.

Thanks for the correction.  I wasn't exactly sure what the official color is.  Seems like every college has a different name for their colors.  Like UIU is not "baby blue" but "peacock blue"....never knew that color existed.

[DutchFan2004]

Recruit a noseguard that can take over a game.

Sorry, I'm out of eligibility. 

Some how I don't see you doing a good job in the IIAC at nose guard.  I just don't think you are large enough for that position SK.   

Actually I think he meant for Dowling.

Oh then you are way to old for that 

[DutchFan2004]

I didn't play football, so I can't be as technical as most of you about what Central needs to do to be successful.  Maybe I could take the scientific approach and say that we will be successful if we have one clone each of Tim Connell and Vance Schuring and three clones of Vern Den Herder.   

Central will need to get up to speed with a lot of new players real fast given that Wartburg is scheduled so early.  Finding strong replacements for Tim and Vance will be crucial to our success.  I know the coaches were excited about gettin Zack Bandow last year and Nate Snead this year.  Tim Connell was pretty much an untested quantity when he took over as a sophomore and he lead us to 3 straight championships, so I have faith that we will be in good hands again, I'm just not sure whose hands they will be.  Having watched Vance in HS, he was always something special, though prone to injury.  He reminded me a lot of Mark Kacmarynski, always ran tough and really made teams pay if they let him find a hole.  I have heard a lot of good things about the potential QB's, so I feel a bit more confident about that spot.  The backup tailbacks got lots of playing time while Vance was hampered by his nagging injuries last year.  He played most games, but clearly not at 100%.  But even at less than 100% he provided a spark that Veldhuizen and Zachary just didn't quite have.  I think they can both be good tailbacks, but I would rather have great again.     So I think the passing game may be crucial again this year. 

We have a lot more holes to fill and I can only hope that with 132 players on the team we can find the right guys for the right positions.  I think Spencer Remick will be outstanding on the line.  Cam Waugh could really open some eyes this year.  It will be interesting to see what the transfers bring to the table.  The one thing I have complete faith in is that Coach Mac will have them playing as a team, not for individual accolades and hopefully the returning players will still have that "find a way" mentality.  If we can't face WB at the end of the season, then it is good to have them right away.  We will be an unknown this year, which makes it harder to plan for. 

Plus, when WB loses early in the season, they have time to climb back up the ratings so two of us can go to the playoffs.   

Klompen,  You are so right about the Dutch playing as a team.  I don't think any of those guys over the past 3-4 years ever worried about getting recognition like MVP or all conference.  They went out there to do their jobs and win games.  That is what made those teams good.  You never knew from game to game who would pick the team up and make a play.  It could be on the offense, defense, or a special teams guy that made a play that turned the game around.  I think there are some good players waiting for their chance to fill those vacant shoes for the Dutch.  The coaching staff will have them ready and I think if they have the heart that the graduates have had they will be just fine.

[Klompen]

I thought ShowMe might not get my reference to cloning Vern Den Herder, so I looked at his bio in the college football hall of fame.  Thought some of you might find it interesting.

http://www.collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?id=60072