FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Go Continentals!]

Hamilton Baseball picked up victories last year against Amherst, Trinity, Wesleyan, Williams, etc. so with virtually the entire team back, they will be in the mix this year for the conference championship!  Jensen set the NESCAC record for stolen bases last year and Hamilton adds three freshman that are going to challenge him for a new NESCAC record.  It's gonna be fun! 

[lumbercat]

Fighting cards-
Are you the only NESCAC SID that participates on this board- you guys are doing a great job down there so no need for an in house shill.
You had a fine year, time to to shift over to Basketball and Hockey and let your fine 7-1 record stand.

[AlDavis]

....ok tell you what College Basketball is going to be sick this year with about 15 really top notch teams and many , many Blue-Chippers , so Lumbercat is right on implying to move onto some Basketball , but have to make sure no misconception towards FightingCards because as he is new to the board and  if he had been here earlier everyone would have known way before I told you how things will be now on ....as it took me a couple of days to choose the right song to sing to myself on the Trinity Sound Defeat , I have actually been thinking of what A.K.A. Whalen Mafia nickname to actually call FightingCards as I have already introduced to everyone here some of the Real Life Characters that are the Whalen Mafia like Mr BigDave or I might change him to Mr D-MoneyBags.....like Mr. Big Ant-Ant....like Mr.Big Westwood Dave....like Mr. Big Paulie........and many more.....all these A.K.A's are all subject to change to their liking as the season went so quick but me being The Smartest Guy in every room I have picked up little details along the way in the 2 Year Recruiting Process and by the End Of August I knew exactly what was going down , and yes Trinity was a sound Defeat and not to Rationalize but realistically will think that will hammer down any Tie- Breakers with Blue-Chip recruits on Early Decision as there are still new chapters to write and accomplishments yet to have and to defend....and for the motivation and extreme dedication that this almost entire returning Team will have going into 2014 , if you don't buy into the Hype and Excitement then your program is Toast and if not Toast then boring......so me and Lumbercat are now confirmed Buds and me , myself and I and my dead grandmothers do like Bates a million times better than Amhurt and Williams as they are now my confirmed inherited enemies , I must have FightingCards back and actually he is the type of guy I would go into any Battle or dicey situation with and his excitement and joy is what I got to partake in as I am not in the Whalen Mafia and have no credentials whatsoever and being pretty much  one of the lowest man on the totem pole being just a freshman parent but got to enjoy the EPIC moments this season as a full equal says volumes of what is going on , and trust me its going on and even this 1 loss this season does dent my swagg and don't approve of ..... I am going to have to go 31 -1 here as a parent rooting it in and don't give a phuck and Too Bad About Ya Williams and Amhurt as this is where I will insert song to my Haters-------------->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQHPYelqr0E   ............all that being said I want to give FightingCards his A.K.A. nickname and if he approves its his and it shall be Mr Big "Sid Vicious" and that is a compliment to the Highest EPICness and it sounds cool and Chicks Luv It.....and it only came to me when Lumbercat called him a SID and he ain't no SID he is Mr Big "Sid Vicious".........this will be my last complaint about Karma Points as I honestly don't know who is in Charge of that travesty joke rating system , but really , really bro my ratio is + 11/-48 ......well thats just Strait Hate and to you Mr. Karma -Point- In- Charge- Man you are most definitely a closet Terd Burglar and will not never will be "He Him".

[PistachioX]

Individual accolades are nice, but they are pretty meaningless in DIII football.  None of these guys (well, maybe a kicker or two) will go on to play at the next level.  NESCAC football is about young men being able to continue playing a game they love beyond high school, and gaining a leg-up in an extremely competitive admissions process. 

Then it's all about winning – the team effort toward dubbyas.  After that,  it's about tapping existing networks and forging new opportunities, based on one's ability to successfully balance demanding academics with pretty intense athletics.  These kids are going to attend grad school or begin a lucrative career as a direct result of the amazing network of alums a NESCAC education provides.  That's why we sent our kids to these schools. 

@Panthernation:  I applaud your enthusiasm and efforts...and you are pretty spot-on in a general sense (from my old lady perspective).  But like most of us here, your insight of Conference play is based largely on your (the home team's) perspective.  I don't think anyone would question your endorsement of just Midd players...but you really don't possess the insight of each coaching staff, about the value specific players add to the fabric of their team. 
   
myopic:  A visual defect in which distant objects appear blurred because their images are focused in front of the retina rather than on it; nearsightedness. Also called short sight.

Carry on.

[frank uible]

One should try to avoid learning too much about the process of making sausage, legislation and all-conference teams.

[Panthernation]

@Panthernation:  I applaud your enthusiasm and efforts...and you are pretty spot-on in a general sense (from my old lady perspective).  But like most of us here, your insight of Conference play is based largely on your (the home team's) perspective.  I don't think anyone would question your endorsement of just Midd players...but you really don't possess the insight of each coaching staff, about the value specific players add to the fabric of their team. 

While this is true, it's hard to see what caused you to say it. Was anyone under the impression that two observers with no access to game tape (especially problematic when all the games are at the same time) know the players/schemes better than the coaches whose job it is to scout them? Did someone else make that claim, to whom you were responding? There isn't much with which to respond to your point except that at this point it seems like a straw man argument — which isn't fun to deal with — and that the definition of the word myopic wasn't in question.

[PistachioX]

To illustrate my myopic tag, Panther... in your blog you come up with very Midd-centric, 'insider' stuff like this: 
"Statistically, Leedy finished his freshman season with 7 pass breakups, trailing only Dones among defensive backs in that category. That number would have been considerably higher, but teams have thrown away from his side of the field over the second half of the season. Leedy also made 45 tackles on the season, more than just about every other corner in the league and made plays primarily as a run stopper rather than tackling receivers after the catch."  Do you think this phenomenon is unique to just Midd DB's, really?? 

It's ironic, because you defend your conference picks, by admitting you lack that same 'insider' perspective' for other teams:  "... Nescacparent, we don't doubt that scheme plays a large role in the numbers that certain positions and players produce. Often times dominant defensive lineman go underrepresented statistically because they are engaging blockers and taking on double teams in order to free lanes for linebackers/safeties to fill and make plays. Short of watching tape (which isn't readily available), however, those attributes are difficult to account for, other than what we hear from players, coaches and posters over the course of the year about those guys. Ultimately, we are confined in large part to what the stats show and what we see in the game-plus action we see everyone play. Our method is certainly far from perfect, though we try to use a combination of stats, visual breakdown and reputation to make our picks."



And regarding Foote as your Offensive POY:

Yes, Foote threw a lot more than anyone else in the league – but other QB's were scoring more points with their team, in different ways (Midd was  only 3rd overall, for total points scored this season, behind Trinity and Wesleyan).

You penned: "...Foote certainly wouldn't have gotten our vote at the midway point of the season, but what accomplished over the second half of the season surpasses any other four-game stretch of his career. After one of the finest performances of his career—irrespective of his statistical output—in the win over Trinity, Foote followed that with two of the most amazing statistical performances in NESCAC history, throwing for 732 yards, 12 touchdowns, 1 interception, while completing more than 73 percent of his passes over the final two games of the season. No single player meant more to his team week in and week out than Foote and as the season progressed his performance began to better exemplify that."

The last two games of the season were against the two WEAKEST defensive teams in the league.  Tufts and Hamilton gave up 10-11 more points per game, than the next closest bottom dweller in this category.  C'mon, man.  A bunch of my HS field hockey buddies and I could defend the pass better than that.  You're reaching, there.

Wesleyan's Warren had a season-long efficiency rate of 64.7%, ...Vs. Foote's 61.5%. 
Warren was intercepted 3x on 167 attempts (2%) ...and he put up a TD 9% of the time (15 TDs/167 attempts).  He averaged 7.7 yards per attempt. 

Foote was picked 12x on 421 attempts (3%) and he netted a TD only 6% of the time (26/421 attempts).  He also averaged fewer yards per attempt, at 6.6.

Because Midd and Wes didn't play one another, let's take a look at how these guys performed against the most stingy defensive foes they did have in common this season:

Vs. Trinity:
Foote was 29/64....45% pass efficiency with 2 picks & 2 TD's; Warren was 7/13.... 54% pass efficiency with 3 picks and 1 TD
*btw...only one Trinity defensive guy named to your 1st team. and one other on your second team??

Vs. Amherst:
Foote was 54/84...64% pass efficiency with 2 TD's and 5 picks; Warren was 14/17.....82% pass efficiency with 1 TD and 0 picks


I respect all that Mr. Foote has accomplished during his tenure at Midd.... he sure can huck the ball.  However, from an efficiency standpoint alone ...statistically; he was not the best QB in the league. I didn't even look at the Colby or Amherst QB's stats (apologies & respect to Ciero & Lippe).

My point is, even Wesleyan's Warren, who lead his team to a "Little Three title for the first time in 43? years (btw...how is this any less significant or important to HIS team?)...out-performed Foote from where I sit  ...if you squint just right , and look through wax paper  

[Panthernation]

To illustrate my myopic tag, Panther... in your blog you come up with very Midd-centric, 'insider' stuff like this: 
"Statistically, Leedy finished his freshman season with 7 pass breakups, trailing only Dones among defensive backs in that category. That number would have been considerably higher, but teams have thrown away from his side of the field over the second half of the season. Leedy also made 45 tackles on the season, more than just about every other corner in the league and made plays primarily as a run stopper rather than tackling receivers after the catch."  Do you think this phenomenon is unique to just Midd DB's, really?? 

It's ironic, because you defend your conference picks, by admitting you lack that same 'insider' perspective' for other teams:  "... Nescacparent, we don't doubt that scheme plays a large role in the numbers that certain positions and players produce. Often times dominant defensive lineman go underrepresented statistically because they are engaging blockers and taking on double teams in order to free lanes for linebackers/safeties to fill and make plays. Short of watching tape (which isn't readily available), however, those attributes are difficult to account for, other than what we hear from players, coaches and posters over the course of the year about those guys. Ultimately, we are confined in large part to what the stats show and what we see in the game-plus action we see everyone play. Our method is certainly far from perfect, though we try to use a combination of stats, visual breakdown and reputation to make our picks."



And regarding Foote as your Offensive POY:

Yes, Foote threw a lot more than anyone else in the league – but other QB's were scoring more points with their team, in different ways (Midd was  only 3rd overall, for total points scored this season, behind Trinity and Wesleyan).

You penned: "...Foote certainly wouldn't have gotten our vote at the midway point of the season, but what accomplished over the second half of the season surpasses any other four-game stretch of his career. After one of the finest performances of his career—irrespective of his statistical output—in the win over Trinity, Foote followed that with two of the most amazing statistical performances in NESCAC history, throwing for 732 yards, 12 touchdowns, 1 interception, while completing more than 73 percent of his passes over the final two games of the season. No single player meant more to his team week in and week out than Foote and as the season progressed his performance began to better exemplify that."

The last two games of the season were against the two WEAKEST defensive teams in the league.  Tufts and Hamilton gave up 10-11 more points per game, than the next closest bottom dweller in this category.  C'mon, man.  A bunch of my HS field hockey buddies and I could defend the pass better than that.  You're reaching, there.

Wesleyan's Warren had a season-long efficiency rate of 64.7%, ...Vs. Foote's 61.5%. 
Warren was intercepted 3x on 167 attempts (2%) ...and he put up a TD 9% of the time (15 TDs/167 attempts).  He averaged 7.7 yards per attempt. 

Foote was picked 12x on 421 attempts (3%) and he netted a TD only 6% of the time (26/421 attempts).  He also averaged fewer yards per attempt, at 6.6.

Because Midd and Wes didn't play one another, let's take a look at how these guys performed against the most stingy defensive foes they did have in common this season:

Vs. Trinity:
Foote was 29/64....45% pass efficiency with 2 picks & 2 TD's; Warren was 7/13.... 54% pass efficiency with 3 picks and 1 TD
*btw...only one Trinity defensive guy named to your 1st team. and one other on your second team??

Vs. Amherst:
Foote was 54/84...64% pass efficiency with 2 TD's and 5 picks; Warren was 14/17.....82% pass efficiency with 1 TD and 0 picks


I respect all that Mr. Foote has accomplished during his tenure at Midd.... he sure can huck the ball.  However, from an efficiency standpoint alone ...statistically; he was not the best QB in the league. I didn't even look at the Colby or Amherst QB's stats (apologies & respect to Ciero & Lippe).

My point is, even Wesleyan's Warren, who lead his team to a "Little Three title for the first time in 43? years (btw...how is this any less significant or important to HIS team?)...out-performed Foote from where I sit  ...if you squint just right , and look through wax paper

It's still unclear at whom your last argument ("coaches know more") was aimed at, but now that you have changed topics (to calling the picks bad), here is a response:

Maybe you conflated our adding that tid-bit on Leedy with us claiming it was unique. Leedy gets in on stats alone, but that doesn't mean we can't write about some more things we know about his performance this season. We didn't use it to justify putting him above someone with better stats.

Not sure what the irony is, in telling someone that we don't have access to tape on every team. It would only be ironic if your above point were true (which it isn't) and we didn't recognize it.

On Foote vs. Warren: (first of all, Foote had 3 TDs vs. Trinity, not 2.) Your claim that from an efficiency standpoint Warren was better is pretty elementary. Of course he was — he was incredible from an efficiency standpoint. Foote was better from an overall standpoint, accounting for opponents' strengths, and that's what matters.

On Trinity only having two defensive all-conference picks: This is partially a result of the fact that there is so much depth on the Trinity defense that not as much opportunity seems to go to any one player, and also the fact that Cde Baca (our preseason pick for DPOY) missed the season. It's hard to have stars step in right away for players like Cde Baca, in addition to Haynes, Brown, Campbell, McDonald, Goniprow. Mancini probably has the best resume of those who didn't make it — great player, but who would you take off for him? It's hard to identify a glaring omission, regardless of the fact that the Trinity defense is awesome.

[amh63]

PistachioX...got your handle finally .  Had to return to this board, once more.  Enjoyed your battle with Panthernation..actually several students.  Last season on the BB board, I had a topic battle with them that lasted for awhile.  Yes they can be entertaining in their posts..but also quite stubborn when it comes to challenges wrt their opinions.  Still will miss the "original PN" next year.
Enjoyed your reference to your Field Hockey buddies...quite original , IMO. 
Anyway, do you know the parents of WR Ragone?  If so, may I inquire about you from them?

[PistachioX]

You do a fine job, Panther(s).  Truly.  It's all in good fun, but I'm old and I have better things to do... like baking cookies.

I stand corrected on the Foote TD tally Vs. Trin.  My apology for the oversight.  Still.... imagine how his overall efficiency ratings would have dipped, had he not played deep into those last two lopsided games to the tune of 5 and 7 TD, respectively?

This whole thing about the season's accolades is so very subjective...and meaningless.  As Frank stated...  best not to venture an opinion and let this play out with the powers that be.

Amh63... I have spoken to Mr. Ragone cordially... but we don't know one another.  He may have eaten at my tailgate on occasion - but I don't know him...or the boys' mother.

Over.

[quicksilver]

Yahoo Sports has created a nice video of the ending of the Bowdoin-Colby game.

[NESCAC JACK]

You do a fine job, Panther(s).  Truly.  It's all in good fun, but I'm old and I have better things to do... like baking cookies.

I stand corrected on the Foote TD tally Vs. Trin.  My apology for the oversight.  Still.... imagine how his overall efficiency ratings would have dipped, had he not played deep into those last two lopsided games to the tune of 5 and 7 TD, respectively?

"Deep" would be a creative way to describe only one drive in the third quarter (Hamilton) and not playing in the fourth quarter (Tufts). But I'm sure that was just another oversight, because we know you could never be myopic.

[PistachioX]

Oh, I'm definitely  a 'homer.'  But I have been pretty critical, actually... of the Team's performance in those two close losses.

When my son's team played Tufts and Hamilton... he played one quarter in one contest, and two quarters in another...so as to give younger kids some reps, and not run up the score.  He and many of his starting teammates saw similar time for those games.   It's all relative, Jack. 

[FourMoreYears]

Much excitement in the Bowdoin world because the Hail Mary pass to win the Colby game with 3 seconds to go made # 3 on the ten plays of the day on ESPN's Sports Center last night.

I have video from the 10 yard line sideline (via my phone) and will post in the next day or two ...

[Bucket]

Fighting cards-
Are you the only NESCAC SID that participates on this board- you guys are doing a great job down there so no need for an in house shill.
You had a fine year, time to to shift over to Basketball and Hockey and let your fine 7-1 record stand.

Wait, the Wes SID spends time writing on fan message boards? That's embarrassing.