FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[PolarCat]

That "Home Team on the Sunny Side" business cuts both ways.  In last Saturday's LJ Sauna Bowl, there were far fewer Mammoth supporters in the home team stands than Bobcat supporters on our side.  Turned out many of the Amherst faithful had crossed into enemy territory to escape the heat.  As LC noted yesterday, it's safe to assume Polar Bear fans will adopt similar tactics on rainy days at Whittier.  (My octogenarian in-laws sat in the covered grandstand in the bitter cold, wet 2014 Bates-Bowdoin Mud Bowl, and still needed several post-game Old Fashioned's at the Brunswick Tavern to restore circulation).

[ColbyFootballDad]

The elite kicker is only as good as the rest of the field goal unit.  I saw Baron went 0-1 last week.  What happened?  Bad snap, bad hold, blocked kick, tried the FG from outside his range?  If Baron has a new snapper or holder, or an OL that lets guys through, Colby may not be able to count on those points.

Granted, I was watching from the new Trinity soccer field ... but I know it was a 44 yard attempt and my memory says it had the distance but was wide left.  Can't speak to the hold or snap ...

I believe Baron mussed one on a bad snap, and made one that was nullified by a tripping penalty.

He missed it wide left and yes there was a penalty. The problem is depth depth depth. The players seem fine but playbooks get limited due to a lack of depth. The DBs are the only unit that have quality depth from my observations at last week's game.

[Bombers798891]

That "Home Team on the Sunny Side" business cuts both ways.  In last Saturday's LJ Sauna Bowl, there were far fewer Mammoth supporters in the home team stands than Bobcat supporters on our side.  Turned out many of the Amherst faithful had crossed into enemy territory to escape the heat.  As LC noted yesterday, it's safe to assume Polar Bear fans will adopt similar tactics on rainy days at Whittier.  (My octogenarian in-laws sat in the covered grandstand in the bitter cold, wet 2014 Bates-Bowdoin Mud Bowl, and still needed several post-game Old Fashioned's at the Brunswick Tavern to restore circulation).

This is probably unique to me, but as someone in a wheelchair, the home side stands are almost always:

1. More accessible
2. Closer to the entrance and/or other amenities

I don't go to road games often, but when I do, I sit on the home side because it's simply easier.

[ColbyFootball]

The elite kicker is only as good as the rest of the field goal unit.  I saw Baron went 0-1 last week.  What happened?  Bad snap, bad hold, blocked kick, tried the FG from outside his range?  If Baron has a new snapper or holder, or an OL that lets guys through, Colby may not be able to count on those points.

Granted, I was watching from the new Trinity soccer field ... but I know it was a 44 yard attempt and my memory says it had the distance but was wide left.  Can't speak to the hold or snap ...

I believe Baron mussed one on a bad snap, and made one that was nullified by a tripping penalty.

He missed it wide left and yes there was a penalty. The problem is depth depth depth. The players seem fine but playbooks get limited due to a lack of depth. The DBs are the only unit that have quality depth from my observations at last week's game.

I don't agree that the lack of depth limits your playbook. This is not the NFL where you may have injuries and you bring in players unfamiliar with your system. The thin roster of players should know the entire playbook. If not, players and/or coaches are not doing their job. And injuries aside, whose fault is a roster of well under 75? It's Michaeles. He's the HC. He needs to make sure recruiting is maximized. They may not be studs, but you can recruit players. He's the problem with this team and they cannot compete, let alone win, with him as HC.

[ColbyFootballDad]

The elite kicker is only as good as the rest of the field goal unit.  I saw Baron went 0-1 last week.  What happened?  Bad snap, bad hold, blocked kick, tried the FG from outside his range?  If Baron has a new snapper or holder, or an OL that lets guys through, Colby may not be able to count on those points.

Granted, I was watching from the new Trinity soccer field ... but I know it was a 44 yard attempt and my memory says it had the distance but was wide left.  Can't speak to the hold or snap ...

I believe Baron mussed one on a bad snap, and made one that was nullified by a tripping penalty.

He missed it wide left and yes there was a penalty. The problem is depth depth depth. The players seem fine but playbooks get limited due to a lack of depth. The DBs are the only unit that have quality depth from my observations at last week's game.

I don't agree that the lack of depth limits your playbook. This is not the NFL where you may have injuries and you bring in players unfamiliar with your system. The thin roster of players should know the entire playbook. If not, players and/or coaches are not doing their job. And injuries aside, whose fault is a roster of well under 75? It's Michaeles. He's the HC. He needs to make sure recruiting is maximized. They may not be studs, but you can recruit players. He's the problem with this team and they cannot compete, let alone win, with him as HC.

I hear you. I have a son on the team and he is a 2nd year and I am just not the type to call for the HC's head. Maybe when he is an alum. Right now they have competitive players who can compete at this level. Now that I have seen the best that the NESCAC has to offer, the only issue I see with this team is the lack of quality depth. I say "ONLY"  not minimize the impact or difficulty they may have in acquiring that depth but because their 1st line guys at most of the positions are ok and some are pretty damn good compared to others in the NESCAC. My other opinion is that despite scores there is not that much space between the players on the top teams the players at the bottom.  I thought i would see more impressive athletes. Maybe that is a Captain Obvious comment and I guess HC's all must take the blame for bad performance. So...... We can agree. I just can't get worked up about it because it was just a small factor in our decision to attend Colby. He is playing and competing and growing and most of all doing his job. I travel pretty far to see him play so more wins would be nice. :-)

[ColbyFootball]

[/quote]

I hear you. I have a son on the team and he is a 2nd year and I am just not the type to call for the HC's head. Maybe when he is an alum. Right now they have competitive players who can compete at this level. Now that I have seen the best that the NESCAC has to offer, the only issue I see with this team is the lack of quality depth. I say "ONLY"  not minimize the impact or difficulty they may have in acquiring that depth but because their 1st line guys at most of the positions are ok and some are pretty damn good compared to others in the NESCAC. My other opinion is that despite scores there is not that much space between the players on the top teams the players at the bottom.  I thought i would see more impressive athletes. Maybe that is a Captain Obvious comment and I guess HC's all must take the blame for bad performance. So...... We can agree. I just can't get worked up about it because it was just a small factor in our decision to attend Colby. He is playing and competing and growing and most of all doing his job. I travel pretty far to see him play so more wins would be nice. :-)
[/quote]
I agree with you completely. The only thing I will say is that Colby will never be competitive with Michaeles as HC.

[PBPOP20]

That "Home Team on the Sunny Side" business cuts both ways.  In last Saturday's LJ Sauna Bowl, there were far fewer Mammoth supporters in the home team stands than Bobcat supporters on our side.  Turned out many of the Amherst faithful had crossed into enemy territory to escape the heat.  As LC noted yesterday, it's safe to assume Polar Bear fans will adopt similar tactics on rainy days at Whittier.  (My octogenarian in-laws sat in the covered grandstand in the bitter cold, wet 2014 Bates-Bowdoin Mud Bowl, and still needed several post-game Old Fashioned's at the Brunswick Tavern to restore circulation).

PolarCat,    there's already been talk of ignoring sides and sitting in the grandstand regardless.

[PolarCat]

Sounds daring. 

BTW, doesn't Bowdoin require bathrooms for non-binary-gender students and faculty in all campus facilities?  No mention of those in the press release.  Hopefully you won't be picketed by the NBBM crowd (non-binary bladders matter).

[PBPOP20]

Sounds daring. 

BTW, doesn't Bowdoin require bathrooms for non-binary-gender students and faculty in all campus facilities?  No mention of those in the press release.  Hopefully you won't be picketed by the NBBM crowd (non-binary bladders matter).

I think that's 'Phase 2" ...lol

[Nescacman]

Can't help thinking about Dave Caputi's return to Whittier Field on Saturday.  While I think he's been back previously to watch his daughter Lydia play an important role on the Polar Bear women's basketball team, he must be having pretty intense mixed emotions relating to a football Saturday.  Dave's won-loss record does not reflect his contributions to Bowdoin over his 14 year tenure during which he earned the respect of many Bowdoin people, including football alumni.  I join a lot of those alumni who wish Dave and his family well on Saturday and beyond.

I'm sure Coach Caputi's life is a lot easier these days having a QB like Lebowitz rather than one with a name similar to his...

[Nescacman]

2017 Week #2 NESCACMAN Preview

Welcome to Week 2 in the NESCAC..."the league where they pay to play". Last week we went 4-1 and are 128-37 for our career picking NESCAC games. Week 1 went pretty much as expected with all the favorites winning every game and the Wes/Mid game coming down to the wire. Week 2 should be much the same with 3 scrimmages, 1 pillow fight and 1 game worth watching. Highlight of the week is the nighttime home opener for WES as they face the Original Elephants.

Amhurst College at Hamilton College: The Mammoths showed off a balanced attack in Week 1 (389 yards of total O; 210 net yards passing, 179 net yards rushing). Expect that to continue in week 2. QB Eberth and defender Yamin (6 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2.5 TFL, 1 forced fumble) both had big days. We expect the same in Week 2. HAM will have to do a better job of running the ball (48 yards net rushing, 1.8 avg gain per rush) and converting 3rd downs (3 of 16) to have a shot at upsetting a very good Amhurst squad. HAM is better but not quite ready for prime time yet. The Mammoths keep rolling.

Amhurst 35 Hamilton 14
Weather: Not a factor

Middlebury College at Bowdoin College: Surprise, surprise...MID has a very good offense (again) (384 yards of total offense against a very good WES D). Surprise, surprise...MID once again cannot run the ball (32 net yards rushing, 1.1 average yards per attempt). We expect MID to be more balanced against a young BOW defense that was ineffective against a less than stellar Williams squad (439 yards of offense against). QB Lebowitz is very good and we think he will have his way with BOW's secondary for as long as he is in there.

Middlebury 42 Bowdoin 7
Weather: Not a factor

Williams College at Colby College: Other than parents and bored Colby coeds, not sure who's going to watch this one. Hopefully, the crowd will be larger this Saturday in Waterville then it was last Saturday in Billville where the listed attendance was actually "0". Snoozeathon....We'll take Colby's experience over the Ephs youthful exuberance (8 freshman starters). Coach Raymond got NESCAC career win #1 last week, he'll have to wait a bit for win 2. Ephs haven't won in Waterville since 2009. We think the Colby talent will prevail despite the Mules coaching challenges. For those keeping track of former HCOF Kelton, Shorter University is 0-3 and has been outscored 32-110. His career record at Shorter is 0-14.

Colby 14 Williams 7
Weather: Not a factor.

Hartford State College at University of Bates (Lewiston Campus): Hartford State plays their second game scrimmage in 2 weeks. The Bants bring a 10 game win streak into Lewiston. QB Puzzo and RB Chipouras both had big days last year for State against UB. Expect much of the same this year. UB has difficulty playing catch-up against everyone because of their lack of a competent passing game (77 yards passing last week on 20 tempts; 2016 average was 85 yards per game on 127 attempts for the year). Coach D and the Bants will exploit that weakness. Interesting UB tidbit...they have had one winning season since 1982 (2012); that's 35 years of .500 or worse football. Ouch.

Hartford State 35 U of B 14
Weather: Not a factor

NESCAC Game of the Week

Tufts University at Wesleyan University: Only interesting game on the schedule this week. The OE's travel to Middletown to face WES in their second night meeting in 2 years. Tufts QB McDonald was concussed in week 1 against HAM. Until he was hurt, he was basically their entire offense. Without him, the Jumbo's O struggled a bit and they nearly lost to a game HAM squad. If he plays, this game could be very interesting. If he doesn't, this could be a blowout. Tufts no doubt misses RB Brady and we think they are down a bit from last year. We think WES will run the ball better this week and the Piccirrillo to Breuler combo will continue to light up the scoreboard. WES needs to cut down the penalties (12 for 111 yards in week 1) and the special teams need to play better (missed PAT and 207 return yards against). We like WES to get 2017 win #1 at home in front of a large crowd on the oldest continuously used football field in the Nation.

Wesleyan 31 Tufts 21
Weather: Not a factor

NESCACMAN's Picks
2017 Season: 4-1
2016 Season: 32-8
2015 Season: 30-10
2014 Season: 30-10
2013 Season: 32-8
Career: 128-37 (.776 winning percentage)

[AlDavisStill]

Nescacman is the best. The best information is inside information. Just Win Baby.

[Nescacman]

......ok , ok..... I was behind 4 episodes of season 4 Walking Dead and just caught up yesterday..... and oooh snaaap the Governor is going to be back off the charts and this apocalyptic world is no world for the weak and slow thinking........and Frank Buddy Boy Pal you need to tighten up fo sho fo sho tru dat as your Old Man Ways and One Liner Thinkmanship of condescending nature as I will slap you upside your head next year when I see you with your piss poor attitude  , just know this that there might not be another Little 3 Football Championship to be had in your Lifetime , that is now your Destiny , and that You Might Be Walking Dead in every direction and hanging out with other Williams Walking Dead people at that phucken Loge stuffing your face with the Past Sandwiches until you Shiite out Fourth and Longs all day long every game long...............I have more action scroll down my website on my first cup of coffee in the morning than you have at 20 Phatt Ass Old Loge Meetings........your One Liners are for your self esteem of past glory that you might never witness again and we just talking football here people........Frank Buddy Boy Pal this song here today is just for your Walking Dead Williams Walking Self-----------------------------> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OULlWNCqDQ

Hey Al,

Hope you are well. Enjoyed the throwback vid. Reminded me of my days drinking Miller "Pony's" and watching MTV with my teammates. Belinda looked good despite the purple and gold she was wearing. Is she an "Eph-girl"? Hopefully, this post is short enough for Frank. He is probably too busy interviewing new "HCOF's" on behalf of the "Armchair QB Club" anyway. Hey Frank, rumor is that Columbia has plenty of other assistants for you to hire.

Your friend,

    Nescacman

Al Davis throwback quote for those newbies to these Boards....just a taste....love ya Al! 

[hamgrand]

Sounds daring. 

BTW, doesn't Bowdoin require bathrooms for non-binary-gender students and faculty in all campus facilities?  No mention of those in the press release.  Hopefully you won't be picketed by the NBBM crowd (non-binary bladders matter).

e

You know the old saying, When you got to go, you got to go!  Just hope that means the lines are not longer than usual.

[lumbercat]

I'm sure Coach Caputi's life is a lot easier these days having a QB like Lebowitz rather than one with a name similar to his...
[/quote]


That's a classless, inappropriate, bush league comment. I'm a Bates guy who rooted against HC  Caputi and son every year and HC Dave was never a favorite in Lewiston.

However, to take a chicken****  shot like that at that him and his son 3 years later is total crap.

I'll say this about the son at QB. He might have made some mistakes in a struggling offense but he competed and played hard on every f'n play. He dished out some hits and came to play all day long. The kid played hard....... we respect that.

Why take a shot like that now... Total bull****.