FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[DadintheStands]

Partial list of NJ commits to the NESCAC:

Drew Granski, RB, Ridgewood HS, Hamilton
Nick Kranjac, OL, Bergen Catholic HS, Tufts
Justin Burke, TE, Morristown HS, Williams
Connor Krusac, RB, Ridgewood HS, Wesleyan
James Mondi, LB, Ridgewood, HS, Hamilton
Ramon Ruiz, DL, Don Bosco Prep, Bates
Joe Scancarella, WR, Wayne Valley HS, Wesleyan
Jeremey Barr, LB, Northern Highlands HS, Hamilton

[IslandTime]

Kid looks like a great football player. But Amherst needs to find some speed if they want to get back to the top. He is very similar to Hickey, who was a load to bring down between the tackles last year but didn't possess breakaway speed. This kid looks like he could wreak some havoc coming off the edge on defense!!!

With Foy back.....everything changes

"It" has nothing to do with Foy........

Amherst's OL dictates how the 2017 Lord Jeffs might do.

That plus senior class leadership.

Period.

Has nothing to do with any frosh, Jack Hickey twin, who will NOT be in any 2017 Fall plan.....

Disagree in regards to Foy. Amherst offense ran a ton of read option. However they did so with QBs last year that WERE NOT RUNNERS. Some strong arms, but ZERO THREAT TO TUCK IT AND RUN. Foy the previous season broke off numerous long gains (and TDs) on runs that the other Amherst QBs last season just didn't do. In fact they didn't even attempt to pull the ball and run and there fore made their offense that much easier to defend. So while obviously, the Oline is always an integral factor with any team's offensive success, to say Foy absence last season wasn't huge is just incorrect.

PERIOD.

[NESCAC.Football.Observer]

Amherst failed to gain 100 yards in half their games, with a low of 11 vs Middlebury.

They did avaerage (for the season) almost 105 yards/game, but that stat is skewed by 170, 150, and 197 yards vs Hamilton, Bowdoin, and Colby.

They ran for 37 yards vs Williams (in what had to be the most boring NESCAC football game of 2016).

Bottom line is that in 2016 the Lord Jeff OL was bad vs the good teams, although the 113 vs Trinity was finally nice to see.

Pre-injury Foy obviously would have helped the 2016 team, but even his presence wouldn't have overcome the OL woes.

Thus my "key to 2017" for the LJs is the OL.

[IslandTime]

Is that running yardage?

Because if so, my point that they relied too heavily on throwing DUE in large part to who was under center is valid. Berluti and Morales were not looking to run ever. It was always throw first even when nice running lanes were open that they could have pulled the ball down, tucked it and run. Or decided not to hand off to the back up the middle and pull it and run around the edge or up the gut on their jet sweeps.

The offense was only half available last year....

[nescac1]

Some more info on signings here:

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/high_school_insider/2017/02/high_schoolprep_schools_national_letter_of_intent_day

A few interesting kids for Williams.  The Ephs desparately need a reliable kicker, and Min Park was money from extra points in high school -- something the Ephs have really struggled with for many years.  The two B.C. High kids also look interesting. 

On Rothman:

TJ Rothmann- Boston College HS – MLB/FB – At 6'3" and 215 pounds, Rothmann is a big and athletic middle linebacker that diagnoses plays well and uses his speed to impact the opponent's run game. On offense Rothmann is used as a FB often getting goal line carries and is a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield. Rothmann should get some interest after the season or prep for another year of development. 

On Watson:

Patrick Watson – Boston College High School – Uncommitted – OL Watson is a beast in the MIAA. His size and athleticism are huge plusses to have as a tackle in high school. While no offers have been extended his way, he has interest from BC, UMASS and FCS schools. Watson is definitely someone who will play college football at a high level at either guard or tackle.

Williams badly needs IMMEDIATE help on the O-Line, which perhaps Watson can provide.  Like a number of other NESCAC committed prospects, he is highly-ranked in Massachusetts:

http://insidethehuddlema.com/2017/01/31/ithma-class-of-2017-final-rankings-13117/

According to that same site, Mark Mulvany (Tufts) was offered by Columbia.  Sounds like another steal for the Jumbos, along with the stud running back they have coming in. 

I saw a few other Williams signing-day recruits listed elsewhere, Jake Kastenhuber from Choate (previously listed as going to Bowdoin, so something is off somewhere) and Jarrett Wesner, a LB from California. 

Along with previously announced recruits QB Maimaron (as well as the number two receiver from Duxbury joining Maimaron at Williams), TE Justin Burke, and the FB from southern mass, sounds like Coach Raymond is putting together a quality first recruiting class

[quicksilver]

Some more info on signings here:

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/high_school_insider/2017/02/high_schoolprep_schools_national_letter_of_intent_day

A few interesting kids for Williams.   . . .
I saw a few other Williams signing-day recruits listed elsewhere, Jake Kastenhuber from Choate (previously listed as going to Bowdoin, so something is off somewhere) and Jarrett Wesner, a LB from California. 

. . .

I believe that Kastenhuber was incorrectly identified a couple of weeks ago as a Bowdoin commit on one of the Connecticut recruits list. Choate posted a photo of its commits on Instagram yesterday, indicating that Kastenhuber is headed for Williams . .

[amh63]

NescacFO....agree that Amherst's OL play was part of Amherst's woes last season.  The left side!
I believe that the OL play will be most effective this coming season.  In fact, Island Time's son's class has several OL candidates that will battle for starting roles this Fall. Big dudes.
In any case, would like your opinion on the matter of the the teaser news that a Ninth football game is in the future.
OH yes...senior Kelly, RB. From Staples CT....proved to be quite a contributor his FY.

[amh63]

Back again.  There is some social news on QB Brady in today's WSJ...by Ben Cohen.  Part of this Superball Craze news week.
PolarCat...check the QB Brady story out.  Seems a Big Green football alum...WR..appears in the story.

[lumbercat]

Middlebury has had a QB on the All NESCAC team for the past 9 consecutive years. 6 First Team and 3 Second team.
McKillop, Foote, Milano and Liebowitz (another year left)

The next one up is recruit Jack Newman Analy, Ca.

Don't know how Ritter does it.

[westcoastDad]

That Tuck Rule saved Brady's ass.  One of the worst overturns ever in NFL history.  He clearly fumbled the football.

Montana all day

[Grabowski]

westcoastDad looking pretty smart at this moment...

[Mr. Ypsi]

Looks highly unlikely that Tom Brady will get his 5th SB win (though REALLY impressive if he does) - no team in 50 previous SBs has ever come back from more than a ten point deficit.  So the great Brady - Montana (and sorta Graham) debate can continue!

Personally I am (and probably always will be) a Johnny U. guy.

[Grabowski]

Well then

[HSCTiger74]

Looks highly unlikely that Tom Brady will get his 5th SB win (though REALLY impressive if he does) - no team in 50 previous SBs has ever come back from more than a ten point deficit.  So the great Brady - Montana (and sorta Graham) debate can continue!

Personally I am (and probably always will be) a Johnny U. guy.

+k (and more, if I could)

[Mr. Ypsi]

WOW!  NE came back from a TWENTY-FIVE point deficit, and then won the first OT game in SB history!

Undecided on whether to abandon Johnny U. (especially after HSCTiger74 just gave me a +k ), but in my mind it is now down to Brady and Unitas, with NO disrespect whatsoever to a number of others who are great, great, great players.