FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[lumbercat]

Banfan- Thanks for the report- really appreciate your take on the Bowdoin Tufts scrimmage.
I was thinking White would be the easy favorite at QB for the Polar Bears but based on your observations it seems that Coach Caputi's son was impressive. He really struggled last year but a years difference from Freshman to Sophomore year can be huge especially for a QB. It may set up a difficult dilemma for Coach C to tab his son as the starter.
Dodds has potential as Tufts QB.

Also Banfan- did you happen to notice a freshman DL for Bowdoin Ben Wooching (#55) who was a heralded recruit form Colorado. He listed at 5'11" 313 and was said in recruiting lore to run a sub 5.0 40---wonder if he may have caught your eye at all.  Again, thanks for the report---         rumor has it you left at the half to catch a late bite at The Loft or maybe Joe Fish???

[quicksilver]

Banfan- Thanks for the report- really appreciate your take on the Bowdoin Tufts scrimmage.
I was thinking White would be the easy favorite at QB for the Polar Bears but based on your observations it seems that Coach Caputi's son was impressive. He really struggled last year but a years difference from Freshman to Sophomore year can be huge especially for a QB. It may set up a difficult dilemma for Coach C to tab his son as the starter.
. . .

Pretty certain that Grant White is scheduled to be the Bowdoin starter at QB this year as he was last year before suffering a shoulder injury. Mac Caputi likely will be third on the depth chart as Tommy Romero, also injured last year after replacing White, is likely still second on the depth chart . .

[FourMoreYears]

Thoughts on the Bowdoin-Tufts scrimmage:
(full disclosure I have a son on the Polar Bear team ... having said that I am fairly realistic both about the team and my son ... I tend to be critical when appropriate not a rabid, rose-colored glasses supporter)

* Tufts was the better team, but not overwhelmingly.  Scrimmages don't tell much, in my opinion at least.  It often depends on how the "game" is approached by the coaching staffs.  Can't say how the Tufts coaches approached it, but from the stands it appeared one of their major goals was to impart some emotion into their kids and some confidence.  I would say they succeeded as the energy was high on the Tufts side.  The Bowdoin coaches seemed intent on playing their O starters for a very brief time and letting the 2nd and 3rd teams get some time.  The Bowdoin 1st team D played longer.
* The Bowdoin starting QB (Grant White) played the 1st quarter, perhaps less.  Same for the starting WR corps and RB.  Not sure how long the Tufts starters were in the game.  White showed some rust after not playing due to injury for the 2nd half of the season. But make no mistake he will be the starter and those who know more than myself say he will be just fine.
* The Tufts team held a big edge in enthusiasm and emotion.  After a lackluster season perhaps this was by design, and the Tufts coach had his men fired up.  For example, the only TD of the scrimmage was scored after an interference penalty put the ball on the 1 yd line in the final minute of the 1st half.  Bowdoin stuffed a run attempt.  Bowdoin stuffed another run attempt.  The ball finally crossed the goal line as the Tufts QB scored on a QB sneak.   I found this to be an interesting call given the edict to not touch the QBs, evident by the red jerseys they wore.  ;-)  The Tufts sideline erupted like they had just won the National Championship.  To be fair, the Tufts team probably will benefit from that sort of emotion in the coming season.
* Bowdoin was smaller, but that does not surprise as they were out-sized most of last season.  They return, for example, 7 or 8 starters on the defensive side of the ball, and that squad more than held its own in 2011.  That lack of size did not hurt the unit last year, we shall see if it will this year.
* The Tufts short passing game was good, especially across the middle.
* The heralded recruit from Colorado was injured and did not play.  Joey Cleary a leader on the Bowdoin defense and previously mentioned by others on this board was injured and did not play.
* All in all I stand by a long-standing theory: football fans are starved for information and as such over-compensate on info from scrimmages to make predictions on how performance in that scrimmage might foretell the coming season.  The real games begin next week and that will tell us much more.

[lumbercat]

Four More Years- thanks for your insights and agree totally with your thoughts on scrimmages. I think your comment is perceptive about the Tufts initiative to impart an emontional boost in a scrimmage in a hurting program. I give Civetti kudos on that given his charge to rebuild an ailing program.
However, maybe Old Panther QB Caputi got what he wanted from the trip to Medford...
At the end of the day the keys for the Balck and White are:  Donarumma, White, Cardew, Cleary, Breton, The D Line

[lumbercat]

Anybody have any info on the Colby-Bates scrimmage up in Waterville?

[amh63]

Midd.has posted its pre-season roster of players.  It is a list of 85 plus and has a FY class of over 20.  Losing count and am lazy.  Saw it on Sunday.   Now awaiting the list from the Lord Jeffs.

[nescac1]

Williams season preview is posted.  Some new names on defense including two starting sophomores on the front seven and a frosh projected to be a top reserve.  Williams should have a very explosive offense led by Marske, Scyocurka, and Hartwell, plus an experience offensive line.  LB core should be very fast and athletic (although smallish) and I expect will be the strength of the defense. Key for the Ephs will be how a smaller, younger defensive front seven can hold up vs the big offensive lines and power backs like Amherst and Trinity.  I do expect the Ephs to have more big plays on offense and feature a less conservative game plan this year.  Curious to hear Frank's take on the scrimmage ...

[lumbercat]

Quicksilver- thanks for the clarification on the Bowdoin QB situation

[frank uible]

Them who are speakin' don't know, and them who know ain't speakin'.

[lumbercat]

Another good one Frank but the line about the Bowdoin Ruggers was better. Keep them coming. Look forward to seeing you again this year on the Williams Football Show.

[banfan]

If Caputi is #3 on the Bowdoin Football depth chart behind two Jrs, I believe, than he should change positions.  Having an athlete with his size and ability on the bench for three years is stupid.

[nescac1]

Wesleyan has a season preview posted, but it is fairly useless (for example, doesn't even say who the starting QB might be). 

Thoughts on leading contenders for NESCAC POY?  Race should be pretty wide open this year.

My predictions ...

OPY: 1. McCallum Foote, Middlebury -- easily the top QB in the league, and in that offense will put up massive numbers, 2. Darren Hartwell, Williams -- most dangerous offensive weapon in the league, but WRs rarely win, 3. LaDarius Drew, Wesleyan -- ready for an even bigger year on a Wesleyan team that could contend, but probably at least a year away from winning this; 4. Evan Bunker, Trinity -- would be higher if he didn't have to share touches with a back-up who is nearly as good; 5. Trevor Smith, Bates -- ready for a big senior year.  Dark horses: whoever starts at QB for Amherst; Alex Scyocurka, Williams (probably not enough touches in a RB-by-committee this year); Billy Chapman, Midd (hard to see him beating out Foote, though).  If OL could ever credibly contend, 3-4 would be worthy of mention, but let's face it, short of being an NFL draft pick caliber guy, that is not going to happen. 

DPY: 1. Chris Cameron, Williams -- one of only three returning first teamers and will put up big numbers, only question is whether defense around  him is good enough; 2. Stephen Goniprow, Trinity -- steps into Fallas' shoes as the leader of the always-tough Trinity LB core; 3. Zach Vinci, Wesleyan -- big time D-1 transfer should make an immediate impact; 4. Matt Sponheimer, Amherst -- is a beast, but run-stopping DTs rarely win this; 5. Landrus Lewis, Amherst -- same situation, CBs rarely win POY. 

Dark horses: Matt Pieterse, Amherst, Sam Clark, Amherst, Rae Haynes, Trinity, Ryan Veillette, Colby, Sam Diss, Tufts

[FourMoreYears]

If Caputi is #3 on the Bowdoin Football depth chart behind two Jrs, I believe, than he should change positions.  Having an athlete with his size and ability on the bench for three years is stupid.

Caputi saw action at WR in the Tufts scrimmage.  He's a good athlete and can play multiple positions.

[amh63]

Busy day on this board.....had trouble getting connected.
Anyway, my only post today as I am behind in my chores at home and for Amherst.  The last several years, the SIDs' at Amherst have gave a preview of the week's upcoming football game.....with history, last year's game, projections and a list of starters for both teams.  The write-up is posted around Thursday before the game and could be out earlier.  This week, it is Hamilton at home with a full slate of contests....Men and women soccer, field hockey, etc. and of course the first football game.  I expect the 2012 roster and the preview to be out later this week....if the "process" is continued.  There is a new SID on board and a replacement asst. SID has not been announced....so there is much work for the SID at this time for this weekend.  I hope the football previews continue and have related the info for the posters on this board.

[Trin9-0]

The reports I've received from the Trin-Wes scrimmage were not overly positive for the Bantams but I'm trying to take them with a grain of salt.  The first half was played under game conditions and the Cardinals ended up on top 20-6. I will add that many of Trinity's starters saw limited to no action while Wes "treated it like the Super Bowl".

I seem to recall last year's scrimmage having similar circumstances and a somewhat similar result.

The lopsided score in Wesleyan's favor is likely a result of an improved Cardinal squad coupled with how the two programs treat the relative importance of the scrimmage. As is the case with Tufts and Civetti, it is much more important for Whalen to impart confidence in his squad regardless of the scrimmage's significance. Meanwhile, Devanney's likely put a higher priority on avoiding injury to key contributors.

As was mentioned earlier, we'll all have a much clearer picture on who are the contenders after this weekend. Looking forward to tailgating and football in Hartford!