FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[nescac1]

Since it's mathematically impossible (barring ties) for the C-B-B teams to win anything FEWER than three games collectively, the over sounds like the better call to me.   

As for the Ephs, what madzillagd said ... at least this Ephs fan is excited about the trajectory of the program.  I think we all recognize the inherent limitations, for THIS season, of a 61-man roster and a first-year dominated offensive unit ... 2019 has been and remains the target for returning to being competitive with the upper echelon of the league.  I see this squad as very similar to the 1993-94 Amherst team -- coming off an 0-8 year, still undermanned against the big dogs, but rapidly improving thanks to a loaded frosh class, solid infrastructure, and a strong coaching staff.  Give Raymond two more recruiting classes to work with, and the current young guys some more experience, and good things will happen.

[ColbyFootball]

Since it's mathematically impossible (barring ties) for the C-B-B teams to win anything FEWER than three games collectively, the over sounds like the better call to me.   

As for the Ephs, what madzillagd said ... at least this Ephs fan is excited about the trajectory of the program.  I think we all recognize the inherent limitations, for THIS season, of a 61-man roster and a first-year dominated offensive unit ... 2019 has been and remains the target for returning to being competitive with the upper echelon of the league.  I see this squad as very similar to the 1993-94 Amherst team -- coming off an 0-8 year, still undermanned against the big dogs, but rapidly improving thanks to a loaded frosh class, solid infrastructure, and a strong coaching staff.  Give Raymond two more recruiting classes to work with, and the current young guys some more experience, and good things will happen.

Trajectory of the program is what's encouraging. Contrast that with Colby. They played the Trinity game without any attempt at winning. They've lost good players for some reason, have a thin roster, thin recruiting this past year including no QBs, and a HC who used to make the rounds at nearly every tailgate and now he rarely shows his face. A very negative atmosphere, whereas Williams is moving in a positive direction. Great job so far by the Williams HC.

[PolarCat]

Up in Waterville, are all the Mules named Eeyore?  It sure feels that way some times.

[ColbyFootball]

Up in Waterville, are all the Mules named Eeyore?  It sure feels that way some times.

What's your point? Do you have ANY hands on actual idea what the atmosphere is like. You have a "witty" opinion on everything it seems, yet you know nothing factual.

[PolarCat]

If everyone connected with the program shares your doom and gloom, why not just cancel the rest of the season and forfeit all the remaining games?  That would avoid injuries, save Colby a bunch of $$$, and the boys could find something else to do with their afternoons and Saturdays. 

Yours is not the only program that is struggling, but the constant public weeping and gnashing of teeth gets pretty tiring.  Why not give the boys and their coaches a chance to surprise you?

[JEFFFAN]

This coming from an Amherst fan ... the Eph fans should be thrilled by this first season under the new coaching regime.   They are starting multiple frosh with good potential, they have a "franchise" quarterback leader who is showing his chops early, and there is now reason for hope.   Facing facts - under the prior coach there was zero room for optimism.  He couldn't recruit and he couldn't coach effectively either.  This guy is the real deal and in a matter of a few years they will good again.   Take that to the bank.

They changed the faceoff rules in college lacrosse because of Jim Brown.   What might seem to most an innocuous, strange sort of thing, faceoffs in lacrosse are an essential part of the game.   As Wilt did in basketball with the multiple rule changes put in to stop the greatest basketball player of all time, Jim Brown's play changed an important part of the game of lacrosse.

[lumbercat]

Couldn't agree more with Nescacman in his declaration that we have never seen a bigger disparity between the upper and lower Nescac teams.

[JoeBag]

This coming from an Amherst fan ... the Eph fans should be thrilled by this first season under the new coaching regime.   They are starting multiple frosh with good potential, they have a "franchise" quarterback leader who is showing his chops early, and there is now reason for hope.   Facing facts - under the prior coach there was zero room for optimism.  He couldn't recruit and he couldn't coach effectively either.  This guy is the real deal and in a matter of a few years they will good again.   Take that to the bank.

They changed the faceoff rules in college lacrosse because of Jim Brown.   What might seem to most an innocuous, strange sort of thing, faceoffs in lacrosse are an essential part of the game.   As Wilt did in basketball with the multiple rule changes put in to stop the greatest basketball player of all time, Jim Brown's play changed an important part of the game of lacrosse.

I am not sure about JB causing rule changes in the faceoff.
He did in fact cause the rules to be added for withholding the ball and minimum stick length.
He was know for having a very short stick and would press the cross to his chest and bull rush his way down the field. No one could stop him, nor check the ball  away from him.

[ColbyFootball]

If everyone connected with the program shares your doom and gloom, why not just cancel the rest of the season and forfeit all the remaining games?  That would avoid injuries, save Colby a bunch of $$$, and the boys could find something else to do with their afternoons and Saturdays. 

Yours is not the only program that is struggling, but the constant public weeping and gnashing of teeth gets pretty tiring.  Why not give the boys and their coaches a chance to surprise you?

Who's weeping. Full support is given every single day by the fans, especially on game day. With plenty of optimism. But it gets hard watching these games. If you have a problem with that, it's your problem, not mine. 

[lumbercat]

If everyone connected with the program shares your doom and gloom, why not just cancel the rest of the season and forfeit all the remaining games?  That would avoid injuries, save Colby a bunch of $$$, and the boys could find something else to do with their afternoons and Saturdays. 

Yours is not the only program that is struggling, but the constant public weeping and gnashing of teeth gets pretty tiring.  Why not give the boys and their coaches a chance to surprise you?

ColbyFootball-

I completely understand the frustration but Polarcat makes a valid point. Not much you can do.

Have you had a dialog with the AD?
In days past that was sometimes an effective way to express your concerns though I am not sure how that will work today.

The AD's, they are a 'changing........ The neophyte Colby AD sounds like a health and wellness recreation guy.  The new Bates AD is an elevated SID- a promotions guy with no apparent playing or coaching experience.

We are dealing with a new breed at many NESCAC schools.

Just the same why not approach the AD and voice your concerns.

[polbear73]

Couldn't agree more with Nescacman in his declaration that we have never seen a bigger disparity between the upper and lower Nescac teams.

Which, as a fan of a perennially lower tier team, I find quite disturbing, particularly in view of the rebuilding efforts of the lower tier teams. Winning begets winning.

[Grabowski]

Couldn't agree more with Nescacman in his declaration that we have never seen a bigger disparity between the upper and lower Nescac teams.

Which, as a fan of a perennially lower tier team, I find quite disturbing, particularly in view of the rebuilding efforts of the lower tier teams. Winning begets winning.

One ray of hope for tier two was Ham taking the Jumbos to OT week one.  Pretty sure nothing like it happened in 2016.

[ColbyFootball]

If everyone connected with the program shares your doom and gloom, why not just cancel the rest of the season and forfeit all the remaining games?  That would avoid injuries, save Colby a bunch of $$$, and the boys could find something else to do with their afternoons and Saturdays. 

Yours is not the only program that is struggling, but the constant public weeping and gnashing of teeth gets pretty tiring.  Why not give the boys and their coaches a chance to surprise you?

ColbyFootball-

I completely understand the frustration but Polarcat makes a valid point. Not much you can do.

Have you had a dialog with the AD?
In days past that was sometimes an effective way to express your concerns though I am not sure how that will work today.

The AD's, they are a 'changing........ The neophyte Colby AD sounds like a health and wellness recreation guy.  The new Bates AD is an elevated SID- a promotions guy with no apparent playing or coaching experience.

We are dealing with a new breed at many NESCAC schools.

Just the same why not approach the AD and voice your concerns.

I don't know the AD and I wouldn't feel comfortable speaking to him. And, my son would kill me if I did. I'm just venting. Maybe they'll mix it up a bit Saturday, like throw a few balls downfield, and give Middlebury a game. That's all I want. A fun competitive game. Thanks for your comments.

[Nescacman]

Since it's mathematically impossible (barring ties) for the C-B-B teams to win anything FEWER than three games collectively, the over sounds like the better call to me.   

As for the Ephs, what madzillagd said ... at least this Ephs fan is excited about the trajectory of the program.  I think we all recognize the inherent limitations, for THIS season, of a 61-man roster and a first-year dominated offensive unit ... 2019 has been and remains the target for returning to being competitive with the upper echelon of the league.  I see this squad as very similar to the 1993-94 Amherst team -- coming off an 0-8 year, still undermanned against the big dogs, but rapidly improving thanks to a loaded frosh class, solid infrastructure, and a strong coaching staff.  Give Raymond two more recruiting classes to work with, and the current young guys some more experience, and good things will happen.

We don't think that is correct. It is possible for the win total to be 2. If Colby, for example, beats the other 2 two "Mainers" yet loses to everyone else they would be 2-7. Bates and Bowdoin then tie (0-0 would be the score, of course.) and lose to everyone else they would go 0-8-1.

[Nescacman]

This coming from an Amherst fan ... the Eph fans should be thrilled by this first season under the new coaching regime.   They are starting multiple frosh with good potential, they have a "franchise" quarterback leader who is showing his chops early, and there is now reason for hope.   Facing facts - under the prior coach there was zero room for optimism.  He couldn't recruit and he couldn't coach effectively either.  This guy is the real deal and in a matter of a few years they will good again.   Take that to the bank.

They changed the faceoff rules in college lacrosse because of Jim Brown.   What might seem to most an innocuous, strange sort of thing, faceoffs in lacrosse are an essential part of the game.   As Wilt did in basketball with the multiple rule changes put in to stop the greatest basketball player of all time, Jim Brown's play changed an important part of the game of lacrosse.

Sorry, but we have to correct you Jefffan. This is not Raymond's first year. He was 0-8 last year so the two wins in 2017 make his NESCAC record 2-8. However, the class of 2021 IS Raymond's first real recruiting class since the powers that be in Belleville did such a great job of hiring Coach Raymond so late in the recruiting process in 2016 that last year was basically a recruiting wasteland for the Ephs.