FB: Presidents' Athletic Conference

the_burghboy · October 20, 2005, 10:44:32 AM

Quote from: OldPhart on October 20, 2005, 09:15:48 AM

burghboy - when it comes to talent at the skill positions I think that W&J clearly has an edge over Thiel. However, I would argue that may not be the case when considering the O and D line. I know you were at the Thiel/W&J game whereas I was not - so maybe you want to comment on that. On another note: Banaszak vs Sirianni - you mention all of those championships under the previous coaches, but wasn't it last year under Sirianni that W&J has had its best playoff run in recent history? Do you think that is because of the coaching, in spite of the coaching, or somewhere in between? As someone who was not a big fan of Banny's, I am interested in opinions from others a bit closer to the situation.

Well, I'm fine giving opinions, but I'm not closer to the situation, so wanted to be up front about that. I played under Luckhardt, and followed the team during Banaszak's time. I think during those years the pass became a lot more fascinating with the current coach as the Offensive Coordinator, and that has led to an imbalance in philosophy that won't get you to the title game.

I agree that the current coaching staff had it's best playoff run in recent history. I also agree with you on the 'talent' from the offensive and especially, defensive lines. I just know that when the program was getting to their two Stagg Bowls and closer to it, they seemed to have a more physical presence, as well as skill players. I don't want so make it sound like it's all coaching, because something must have went well for them to do what they did last year, but there was a huge gap between W&J and their final opponent last year.

Maybe part of that is recruiting, but as essential as I know it is, I think people talk about it like it's Division 1, which its not. You still have to find guys that not only are people who can play for you, but succeed in the academic environment that W&J (and some other PAC schools) presents. I do know that there are players in schools that used to pull talent out toward W&J that is now going to Robert Morris, Duquense, Waynesburg, or other schools where several years ago that wasn't the case.

Bob.Gregg · October 20, 2005, 10:57:01 AM

oldphart,

Not yet, they haven't. TMC has been all talk so far, at least in regards to the "King" or the proposed heir apparent. TMC has played neither.

We'll see where TMC fits in this discussion October 29th and November 5th.

SaintsFAN · October 20, 2005, 11:37:00 AM

bob,

Help me out...I am not sure where TMC has been all talk thus far. I don't think anyone's been doing any talking...not team-wise or anyone on here. But you are right they will have earn some respect with their last two PAC games.

Especially with losing the non-conference games.

We do need to remember they were picked 5th in the PAC, so they HAVE made waves this season already by finishing higher than predicted by both the Coaches and "Media" of the PAC.

Dutch12 · October 20, 2005, 11:37:54 AM

Quote from: Bob.Gregg on October 20, 2005, 10:17:31 AM

Thiel has closed the gap with W&J in terms of three of the last four games have been competitive. What happens over the next 5-8 years will tell whether Thiel has become regularly competitive.

Exactly what I was trying to say. Certainly W&J would be considered "King" of the PAC to date. In order for that to change other PAC schools will have to show they can CONSISTENTLY compete, not once every 5 years.

Bob.Gregg · October 20, 2005, 11:58:06 AM

Quote from: SaintsFAN on October 20, 2005, 11:37:00 AM
bob,

Help me out...I am not sure where TMC has been all talk thus far....

We do need to remember they were picked 5th in the PAC, so they HAVE made waves this season already by finishing higher than predicted by both the Coaches and "Media" of the PAC.

saintsfan,

That wasn't a slap at TMC. As the newcomer to the Kings Court, to date, TMC has played ONLY the other "middle of the pack" teams. IF TMC beats Thiel and/or W&J, then they will have exceeded expectations. If not, they are about where I figured them to be, middle of the pack, 3-4-5.

TMC being "all talk" is that they haven't played their "measuring stick" games yet. That's all. I'm looking forward to Nov. 5th at TMC's house.

SaintsFAN · October 20, 2005, 12:33:41 PM

Point taken, Bob. I agree with everything you say except that they are middle of the pack. They will at least be 3rd, when they were picked to be middle of the pack. Middle of the pack, to me, means 2 PAC losses...

Bob.Gregg · October 20, 2005, 12:39:22 PM

Quote from: SaintsFAN on October 20, 2005, 12:33:41 PM
... Middle of the pack, to me, means 2 PAC losses...

Unless they win October 29th AND November 5th, TMC will have 2 PAC losses.

SaintsFAN · October 20, 2005, 02:33:42 PM

Come on Robert. I meant at this point in the season---and you know it.

Bob.Gregg · October 20, 2005, 03:40:47 PM

Quote from: SaintsFAN on October 20, 2005, 02:33:42 PM
Come on Robert. I meant at this point in the season---and you know it.

I know what you're trying to say, but I watched the Pittsburgh Pirates play .500 ball through early June (this point of the season). I heard/saw all kinds of people jump on the bandwagon when it appeared the Pirates actually might improve to "middle of the pack, only to hear those same people wailing in agony, breaking ankles jumping off three weeks later.

There's a high school team in my County that's struggled over the last 5-6 years. They are much improved this year, and the scheduling god's granted them the four worst teams in the section to start their section play. Four straight wins, signs went up, attendance boomed, they were all the talk about "exceeding expectations" and so on. Now, having lost to the two best teams and about to play their final regular season game against another team in the "middle of the pack", this same "exceeding expectations" team is fighting for its very playoff life.

If your satisfied being the "Cock of the Walk", exceeding expectations, or any of that stuff at "this point of the season", that's your business. But know this, the team that ultimately "assassinates the Presidents" will be the one that "this point of the season" doesn't mean squat! June 20th is not the end of the MLB season (though for the Pirates, it wasn't long after that). October 20th isn't the measuring point for "exceeding expecations".

Cleveland Cartel · October 20, 2005, 11:16:53 PM

Game Genie what a joke....

Game Genie was in style back in 1990 with Sega Genesis and it still sounds like you are there yourself, and you must be from the Pride of Montour because your knowledge and insight is just as aweful as that PA team. Go back to coaching up Montour and goodluck next year with beating Moon without Butkis.....HAHA

SaintsFAN · October 21, 2005, 01:46:03 PM

Touche...

that being said, AT THIS POINT....Thomas More has exceeded expectations. You and I both know they aren't satisfied with that though.

Good luck this weekend. See you in Crestview Hills in November!

Bob.Gregg · October 21, 2005, 02:33:21 PM

AT THIS POINT, I'm planning to see you in Kentucky!!!

SaintsFAN · October 22, 2005, 06:42:58 PM

That point we can agree on, Bob.

Sounds like both the Saints offense and defense are clicking now....

OldPhart · October 22, 2005, 06:48:00 PM

Quote from: SaintsFAN on October 20, 2005, 11:37:00 AM
bob,
But you are right they will have earn some respect with their last two PAC games.

Boy are you ever right! Check out the PAC web page at

http://www.pacathletics.org

I just discovered that even if TMC wins out in the conference that Thiel has clinched at least a share of the football crown by beating Westmin today.

Apparently, the PAC isn't giving TMC any chance of winning their last two PAC contests. While I think it is likely that Thiel will win the title outright - TMC still COULD surprise me and win out in the PAC.

OldPhart · October 22, 2005, 10:03:52 PM

Quote from: OldPhart on October 22, 2005, 06:48:00 PM

Boy are you ever right! Check out the PAC web page at

http://www.pacathletics.org

Forget checking the web page, the PAC page has been modified so it no longer suggests that Thiel has clinched at least a share of the title. The nice thing about the web is that when you make a mistake you can quickly zap it out of existence before too many people see it.