FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[FormerCard]

The number I heard was about 10% higher than the highest amount a 2003 NFC fifth-round pick got.

Not bad for your 1st year out of college.

[Pat Coleman]

Hah, indeed.

[burly]

Hello everybody.  It's been too long.  Redman04...Dad... I miss you.  How are you?  Please send money.

Ok, so...I understand that I'm late to the party, but congrats to Pierre Garcon and Andy Studebaker.  Gotta love it – what a year for D3football!

Also, apologies if I missed it, but does anybody know the start/end dates for NFL training camp?  When are the cuts made?  How many cuts are there?  What are the final roster sizes? 

Thanks.

[Mugsy]

More good news for the home town of a CCIW school with little representation on these boards. 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24528877/

Hey, Decatur may be one of the six scariest real estate markets in the country, but at least it's within a few hours' drive of several great college bars.

LOL.  Yeah, you would think that this fact would help stabilize the housing market.

[old 40]

Carthage fans I see on Football scoop that Carthage is advertising the OC job. He must of accepted the Illinois college job or another position somewhere else. How will this affect the team for 2008? Any thoughts? Carthage has some very good athletes coming back including two fine QB's. Any thoughts.

[Titan Q]

IWU's complete recruiting class...

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/05/13/usports/doc482a25a670a41732019464.txt

Sounds like they did very well.

[Mugsy]

IWU's complete recruiting class...

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/05/13/usports/doc482a25a670a41732019464.txt

Sounds like they did very well.

On paper, yes it does look like they did quite well. 

We will see to what extent in 2 years or so.  More than any collegiate sport, football recruiting can look really solid on paper, but until they strap the pads on and have a chance to mature... the jury is out, IMO.  I don't think you are implying otherwise... and I say the same about Wheaton.

I always get a kick out of magazines and websites that rank recruiting classes at DI schools.  How many years does Notre Dame finish in the top 10 in recruiting classes, yet it is apparent they are lacking speed and are coming of a horrendous year?

[Carthage Fan]

Carthage fans I see on Football scoop that Carthage is advertising the OC job. He must of accepted the Illinois college job or another position somewhere else. How will this affect the team for 2008? Any thoughts? Carthage has some very good athletes coming back including two fine QB's. Any thoughts.

Its not going to be easy to learn both new D and O systems.  Let's face it, yes its unfortunate to lose both Etter and Campbell within 30 days of each other, but honestly, the Red Men have no control over the personnel changes.  They only have control over how they react and prepare for the season.  They have to focus on learning the new systems, hit their summer workout program hard and get into the best shape possible.  Then come back in August with a positive attitude and focus.  Its the same athletes, well a couple have graduated and others left, but they have to stay together as a team.  I for one am excited about the possibilities, yes I am an eternal optimist.  You have to stay positive in situations like this.

[usee]

IWU's complete recruiting class...

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/05/13/usports/doc482a25a670a41732019464.txt

Sounds like they did very well.

"If you're an outsider looking in to our football program, you would think we lost a lot on defense but we won't drop off at all," -Norm Eash

That is an incredibly bold statement to make. If Norm is counting on freshmen to step in and fill the gap for his experienced and departed seniors on defense then this quote is a lot more about marketing than reality.

[CardinalAlum]

IWU's complete recruiting class...

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/05/13/usports/doc482a25a670a41732019464.txt

Sounds like they did very well.

"If you're an outsider looking in to our football program, you would think we lost a lot on defense but we won't drop off at all," -Norm Eash

That is an incredibly bold statement to make. If Norm is counting on freshmen to step in and fill the gap for his experienced and departed seniors on defense then this quote is a lot more about marketing than reality.

Norm make a bold statement?  No way!

[devildog29]

IWU's complete recruiting class...

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/05/13/usports/doc482a25a670a41732019464.txt

Sounds like they did very well.

"If you're an outsider looking in to our football program, you would think we lost a lot on defense but we won't drop off at all," -Norm Eash

That is an incredibly bold statement to make. If Norm is counting on freshmen to step in and fill the gap for his experienced and departed seniors on defense then this quote is a lot more about marketing than reality.

Granted, most talk about recruiting classes often tends to lean more towards marketing than reality, but to be fair, the rest of that quote also has him talking about how IWU rotated 8 guys on the D-line and several other returnees got experience in the backfield last year.   His point was there was more experience coming back on D from last year than what some might expect.  I know everyone here hates Norm.  It's like the changing of the tide or phases of the moon.  It always will be, and so be it.  Yes, he tends to make some bold (some say arrogant) statements from time to time, but this wasn't one of them.

[usee]

IWU's complete recruiting class...

http://www.pantagraph.com/articles/2008/05/13/usports/doc482a25a670a41732019464.txt

Sounds like they did very well.

"If you're an outsider looking in to our football program, you would think we lost a lot on defense but we won't drop off at all," -Norm Eash

That is an incredibly bold statement to make. If Norm is counting on freshmen to step in and fill the gap for his experienced and departed seniors on defense then this quote is a lot more about marketing than reality.

Granted, most talk about recruiting classes often tends to lean more towards marketing than reality, but to be fair, the rest of that quote also has him talking about how IWU rotated 8 guys on the D-line and several other returnees got experience in the backfield last year.   His point was there was more experience coming back on D from last year than what some might expect.  I know everyone here hates Norm.  It's like the changing of the tide or phases of the moon.  It always will be, and so be it.  Yes, he tends to make some bold (some say arrogant) statements from time to time, but this wasn't one of them.

Yeah, I read that part too. Honestly, I wasn't Norm bashing, I just don't believe he can realistically think the IWU defense won't have a dropoff. Lets look at the facts:

Norm says "8 DLinemen rotated"---the stats show Holmberg, Wilkins, Amiarti, Collins and O'Connor played any significant downs in 07. Of those only Holmberg, Collins and Wilkins had tackles for the season totalling more than 10. 1st team CCIW Wilkins is gone. Collins, and his 14 total tackles for the season are gone. You have Holmberg as the sole playmaker on the defensive front along with Ammirati and his 9 total tackles (2 sacks) returning. O'Connor had 7 total tackles and 1 sack.

"several other returnees in the backfield" you say? For db's there were 6 that played 95% of the downs and 4 of them don't return including 1st team CCIW Bo Osburn (Dulaney, Smith, and McGhee are the others). Coming back are Beauchamp and Hunter. They have to find 2 starters from a group that didn't play much, if at all last year.

Linebacker is perhaps the strength of the 2008 titan d. Nicolich returns as a 1st team all CCIW player as a sophomore and he is a stud. Souder is back and he is almost as good in my view. They lose Hoyland which will hurt but they had decent minutes from Rogers and Kotz so they should be fine there...I will buy the no dropoff at LB arguement.

Outside of that this IWU defense will be hard pressed to replace playmakers Wilkins, Osburn and Hoyland. THey have 3 legitimate studs in Nicolich, Souder and Holmberg but the balance of this defense is up for grabs with NO proven playmakers. I am sure they have talent but you don't win a CCIW championship without SR's and experience in my mind.

You can say what you want but Norm's statement is certainly bold given the facts.

[Knightstalker]

In the month of May the VFW distributes Buddy Poppies.  Please take time to give a dollar and take a poppy.  The proceeds of this go to aid the Disabled Vets

Mike Dougherty
Commander VFW Memorial Post 3776
Secaucus NJ


In Flander's Field
by John McCrae
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead.
Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie,
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw,
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us, who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.

[devildog29]

In the month of May the VFW distributes Buddy Poppies.  Please take time to give a dollar and take a poppy.  The proceeds of this go to aid the Disabled Vets

Mike Dougherty
Commander VFW Memorial Post 3776
Secaucus NJ


In Flander's Field
by John McCrae
In Flanders Fields the poppies blow,
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky,
The larks, still bravely singing, fly,
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead.
Short days ago,
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved and now we lie,
In Flanders Fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe
To you, from failing hands, we throw,
The torch, be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us, who die,
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.

Seconded.  I'm often asked by others how they can "support the troops."  This is one of the best programs in the country.  No politics.  No beaurocratic waste.  No B.S.  Just pure support for those who sacrificed their own self for the good of others.

Chris Dunlap
Life Member VFW Post 2608
Dwight, IL

[79jaybird]

Hey guys,

been awhile and I hope everybody is doing well.  

I, like Mugsy, don't pay too much attention to recruits until they start producing on the field.  I have seen many big names out of HS come to play, and they are nothing to write home about in college.   I did take a look at the IWU recruits and agree, they have some good looking kids coming to Bloom, however until they come to fruition- they are just another name out of HS.

I disagree with stormin' Norman thinking that his defense didn't lose anything or drop off.  IWU graduated some pretty good D-men, and will definitely have to focus on replenishing those vacancies.  
On that note, every school has some major vacancies that are going to need replenishment.  

Both Carthage and Elmhurst have new Offensive Coordinators.   IMO, while there is going to be a short transition time with the new OC's, I don't think you will see either of these two schools take a step back, just because I think Rucks and Journell have the right idea on how to get their team's ready for battle.