FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[#cruncher]

Four More Years - Well said! It's been a long time since they looked like little bobble heads in their helmets to the young men they are today. I am going to miss seeing my son play after next week.  I am thankful he has gotten an excellent education, made friends for life and made it through relatively unscathed - only one blown knee and no serious concussions.

[quicksilver]

It is amazing these days that AD's are getting the hook for under performing football teams. Tufts AD William Gehlig got pushed upstairs for their lack of football success recently. Actually since then Tufts has been getting results. Hamilton's AD was given an ultimatum with the former coach to either fire him or move on himself. Colby's AD got forced out earlier this year and keep your eyes on Melendy at Williams as she is on leave but I know that Kelton is being evaluated at this moment and in the next 2 weeks

Likely also the former Bowdoin AD, who left his position in the summer of 2013 without having other plans for employment Bowdoin HFC Caputi has said that his decision to resign emanated from discussions with the new Bowdoin AD, Tim Ryan.

[Mr.Right]

True but I think Ryan was a former Caputi assistant. It must have been a couple sleepless nights in that household

[quicksilver]

True but I think Ryan was a former Caputi assistant. It must have been a couple sleepless nights in that household

Indeed Ryan was a former Caputi assistant but also a former Bowdoin co-captain in the pre-Caputi era. Ryan declined media requests to comment on Caputi's departure, which resulted in the odd situation of the former Bowdoin AD offering most of the public commentary on Caputi.

[banfan]

To lose on those two missed kicks, and extra point and a 24 yard field goal attempt, has to be crushing for the Trinity players and coaches. I wonder if punter Kyle Pulek will get the kicking duties this weekend in Middletown.

Polar Cat, my new best friend, the Prom reference suggests you might be a mom. Not sure how to respond to that information.

However, the quotation above was posted by a former Trinity player who stays in close touch with the team and the coaches, I believe. Now, this is much more damning and specific than anything that I ever wrote, no? I get confused when the criticisms are selective.

I do have credentials. I do know football. I did get selected as a walk on at a D1 school and learned theory from Fred Akers staff.

[banfan]

Trinity's kicker, Ben Rosenblatt, is a sophomore and a returning starter. He has a very strong leg. I am not aware of his being blocked this year. He needs a little experience and he is getting it.

He did not play in the Bowdoin game. I do not know why. Maybe an injury, maybe the grass field, maybe he had the wrong spikes? Last year at Tufts (on grass) he had three field goals. He is a talented kicker.

So much of kicking success and kicking in the last 30 seconds of a game is based upon experience and the resulting confidence. I have always told my kids and any player who I have coached that the way we learn is by making mistakes. Never be afraid of trying. Never be afraid of making mistakes. Ben is learning and improving with every game.

Kid comes from a great family too.

[amh63]

A post before I head for the polls. I want to thank technology here and Willnet the local video network for the Williamstown area.  I started to take a look at the the WES vs Williams game.  To check out the play of Williams and try to correlate it with other info...to do some personal scouting so to speak. It seems the Cardinals tried hard to score touchdowns but made too many mistakes that required FGs. Kicker for WES looked good and confident.  Have to watch the second half today.  Did pick up the fact that the MBB team helped with The chain work for practice and the game.  Remember when the Hamilton MBB players worked the sidelines for their football team.  the basketball players wore caveman outfits...really!  Spoke to the head basketball coach about the "tradition".  His response was a smile...did state his team was ready for CAC play.  A WES grad, he has since departed.
I did watch a bit of the TCU vs WV football game in Morgantown.  It was a battle.  Like the Trinity game, TCU came back to win by a point.  Texas CU colors looked to be Purple and White/silver...whereas The Mountaineers school colors are the same as Trinity. 
Another "trival" comparison to a CAC topic.  The lead WSJ sports writer had gather his fellow writers to comment on some recent games and trends in college football.  He lead off with a remark about the U. Of Michigan.  To paraphrase...Michigan, that great big ten school who use to have a football team.
I smiled and made a comparison to the Williams situation.  Mich has the biggest endownment in the conf...even for a public school.  Top academic rep. And top facilities.  It's stadium...I have walked it...was the largest for decades...the first 100,000 plus seats..setting the standard.  The success of its football team is vital in that football revenue covers the cost of all other sports, I believe.  The HFC is under fire and people are speculating on his departure date...at this time.  Even at Williams, where tickets are free, etc. Football success is vital to financial health.  Williams does have the largest endownment and maybe the top acad rep in the CAC. 

[PolarCat]

No, I'm not a mom.  Nor was I a DI walk on.  (But I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express once).

I'm just a dad that has a problem with singling kids out for criticism.  It's one thing when 100% of the fault lies on the player, like when a receiver drops a well thrown ball (I'm thinking Welker in the SB XLVI), a QB throws a terrible pick six (I'm thinking Geno Smith in pretty much any game), or a DL gets called for a stupid offsides, roughing the passer or roughing the kicker penalty that changes the game.  Those are all obviously that specific player's fault.

But know enough about kicking to realize that a lot of what happens is beyond the kicker's personal control.  A bad snap or a bad hold can have as much (maybe more) of an impact as a bad plant or a bad kick.  Bowdoin has an excellent first year K, who was NESCAC Special Teams POTW in Week 2.  But in his one FG attempt Saturday, he got a bad snap and a bobbled hold.  In the Bates kicker's one FG attempt, he got a good snap and a good hold.  And that made all the difference.

Bad snaps are pretty easy to see.  But bad holds aren't.  If the laces are turned the wrong way, the ball is spotted wrong or tilted a couple degrees in the wrong direction, the kick may miss and the kicker will get blamed.  But unless you've got super slo-mo replay, most fans will never know.  In my opinion (confirmed by a note I found tucked into the Gideon's Bible at the Holiday Inn Express), kickers can be the most unfairly maligned players on the roster, and good long-snappers and holders can be the most under-appreciated.

I'll admit I have trouble following your posts.  You made two previous posts stating you'd lost games because of  your K, but this last post makes you sound like a fan.  Not being a Coop denizen, I'm not sure which posts represent your real thinking.

But at the end of the day, if the Trinity fans (whether that's you or the other guy) want to bash your kicker and ruin his self-confidence, go for it.  If it helps keep your current streak alive, and you finish tied with Tufts at 5-3, I'll be thrilled for the Jumbos.  And if Rosenblatt gets tired of the sniping, leaves football, and your coach has to use a high tip next year to replace him, that means that the wide out or RB he COULD have used that tip on might come to Bates and help us beat you next year.  It's all good.  Unless you're Rosenblatt.  But hey, if the Bantam fans don't care about one of their own, why should I?

On Saturday, I'm rooting for Rosenblatt.  I hope he makes both of his PAT's, plus a 43 yard FG and ends the season feeling good about himself.  I still want Tufts to win, but I'm hoping some other Bantam can wear the mantle of scapegoat all off-season. 

Unfortunately, while you and I were beating our dead horse, I accepted a different prom invitation.  Sorry.  I'm not sure either one of us would have had much fun on the date, anyway.

[JEFFFAN]

Mr. Right - interesting observation about the admissions rates going down at Williams and then Amherst after Tom Parker arrived.   Would love to see the data supporting that from an admissions rate and SAT standpoint.

[amh63]

JEFFFan.....Go to the Amherst website....admission section.  Look for the document...Amherst Annual Report to Schools on Admission.  Each year before and after Tom Parkers reign, there is such a report, providing such info as application numbers, admit numbers, a SAT breakdown, etc of the incoming class.  There is also a breakdown of the majors of the last senior class.  Records go back a bit.  Call the Admission office for help.
Tom Parker in his years at Amherst would admit players in all sports...that qualified..from the private school he attended in NYC to Amherst.  Do not know if he did it at Williams.  Anyway, do not remember many impact type athletes .

[amh63]

Here again.  On the MBB board, a poster from the midwest reported a rumor that the U. of Mich. was interested in the present Dartmouth AD.  The talented individual is a Williams grad, a BB player and legendary HBC of Williams and the former AD at Williams.  Interesting rumor.  I got to chat with the individual when he was the basketball coach and when he was the AD at Williams.  Felt "honored" that he and I could talk after the Amherst vs Williams football game at Amherst.  We walked and talked for about a quarter of a mile before heading our separate ways.  I remarked that he must be interested in the start of MBB practice at Williams.  He looked at his watch and answered that he he had forgotten it was underway.  His thoughts were on other matters...seemed to me.  Very gracious man, since Williams won the football game.

[PolarCat]

amh63, Harry Sheehy is a great AD ... and an even better person.  He's done some amazing things at Dartmouth, starting with DP2 (Dartmouth Peak Performance) which is absolutely brilliant.  He'd be a phenomenal choice, but I'd be amazed if he left Hanover.  Ann Arbor is nice, but I suspect Harry is more comfortable in Hanover or Willytown. 

[amh63]

The Williams football website has posted its preview of the Amherst game.  A coach's perspective of the game will be on Willinet...first broadcast at 5:30pm.
Some info for anyone planning to attend the game.  Parking will be available on the old football practice field; access from Rt. 9.  Additional parking on the grass area in front of alumni Gym.  Otherwise ii is on adjacent streets, etc.  May have to come early for the 4pm start.  Based on pics of earlier games, liquor is ok at the tailgate area.  No alcohol or signs in the stands.  Bad news wrt to tailgating is that it has to be under a tent.  All tent sites must be requested before hand!.  Food and drinks for the tents are to bE delivered during a special period and cars/ trucks must enter by a special gate.  Oh yes, no kegs on and near the field . Details are available on the Alumni section of the web...go to Homecoming and check schedule of events, etc.
For Frank U., if you arrive before 2pm, I will be in the Cage where there is a lunch buffet.  I think I can get you in even if you wear mucho gold and purple! . In the game area, the tents around the new field house are reserved for alumni classes.  The 50 th reunion tent is closest to where the football players March out.  Since my class has had it's 50th...we are several tents away...among the Ancients with the empty wallets.  Feel free to join me and my family for refreshments at any time..halftime. I will be wearing purple .  Invite includes any family members.  Oh yes..the home side/ sunny side you know...though it should not matter much under the lights.  Weather report is no rain but chilly.  Hope so!

[amh63]

Will be leaving early for homecoming on Thursday....so I will provide some thoughts of the upcoming game now.
Preface....hope the weather will remain dry and close out the season with a win.  However, been around long enough to see many Amherst vs Williams game end in a lost.
At the start of the season, I liked Amherst's chances for a winning season since under Coach Mills, defense will lead the team, especially with the solid returning players.  However, the schedule was a difficult one.  MIddlebury, WES and Trinity games were all away games!  All these difficult away games ended up being played in rain.  The defense held until the offense found a way to win...by a long TD run by Nick Kelly; field goals in the rain and wind by until then an erratic all conf. Kicker; and a long passing TD in the last quarter.  The seniors provided the leadership, and the coaches built a fine TEAM of 76 players.  I trust the Amherst coaches to focus the team..to eomplete the deal...to beat Williams at home.  The young Ragone wants a ring!
A little bravado, I know.  Amherst beat Three possible champs that all had fine defenses and fine offenses!  I finished watching the WES beating of Williams...their first win in Willytown since 1984.  WES shut out Williams in what was a basically a one dimensional offense.  They ran the ball. The Cardinals stopped themselves.  The EPHs could not establish an offense and the defense just wore down.
Some interesting things I noticed.  Sure Amherst's coaches have noticed the things I saw and more.
WES came out in a two TE offense that allowed its runners to run outside and inside.  Williams best runner was a fast smaller player that went outside.  Williams went to a wildcat offense with two QBs.  The wildcat QB ran vice pass.  Williams' best offense came by the returner...after WES kicks.  QB can be rushed into TOs by pass rushers.  Dave Sime, Williams' big WR was hurt..late in the game and did not return.  Yet he is posted as a starter for the Amherst game.  Interesting.  Enough.  Dinner awaits

[lancer]

  The young Ragone wants a ring!

LOL....Yes he does!  Fingers crossed.  Safe travels. Saturday cannot come soon enough!