FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

NewtoNescac · January 19, 2015, 09:39:34 AM

I will defer to your knowledge on this. I was going by the little research I've done, and the post by nescac1. nescac1 was somewhat optimistic about the Williams returning QB's, but didn't sound enthusiastic. We will see how it plays out.

I'm still wondering what Hamilton has planned to fix the most important position on the field. Without a fix, it will be another tough year. Any thoughts?

Also, Any word on Bowdoin coaching? How did they recruit beyond the ED kids without a HC in place? Not looking good for next year in Brunswick.

polbear73 · January 19, 2015, 09:47:47 AM

Quote from: NewtoNescac on January 19, 2015, 09:39:34 AM
I will defer to your knowledge on this. I was going by the little research I've done, and the post by nescac1. nescac1 was somewhat optimistic about the Williams returning QB's, but didn't sound enthusiastic. We will see how it plays out.

I'm still wondering what Hamilton has planned to fix the most important position on the field. Without a fix, it will be another tough year. Any thoughts?

Also, Any word on Bowdoin coaching? How did they recruit beyond the ED kids without a HC in place? Not looking good for next year in Brunswick.

Bowdoin head coaching announcement expected very soon. And you're right, there is only so much any remaining assistants can do in recruiting without a head coach.

NewtoNescac · January 19, 2015, 11:05:00 AM

Polbear, what names are you still hearing? Bowdoin needs a bold choice if they are serious about football.

polbear73 · January 19, 2015, 11:43:04 AM

I am fairly close to the process and know who the final candidates are. As per an earlier posting of mine, I can't really confirm as these coaches are still employed by their respective institutions. I can say that the finalists are all great choices and I think each could be considered bold, although most have NESCAC former ties in one way or another. That being said, an overall re-evaluation of the program is also required encompassing admissions, recruiting, facilities, staffing etc. People close to this process are optimistic that this has been done correctly and Bowdoin is on the right track. Again, hoping for an announcement soon.

lumbercat · January 19, 2015, 12:16:17 PM

Thanks for the update PBear.

Welcome NewtoNescac.

QB Lommen at Wlliams is widely felt to have all the tools to be a top level NESCAC QB and will be their starter.

At Hamilton QB Rosenberg is highly regarded as well despite some difficult outings this year. He started the first 7 games but they sat him in the finale against Bates. I'm not sure if he was a healthy scratch but from a distance I believe the Continentals see him as very able to lead their offense.
He has shown some flashes in his 2 years at Hamilton but tough for a QB to thrive when surrounded by weakness throughout the offense.

My guess is that neither Kelton at Williams or Murray at Hamilton consider the QB position their biggest problem. I'm sure they are looking at QBs but would bet their collective focus is on the many other areas of significant need that exist in each program.

It will be especially interesting to see how new Continentals HC Murray recruits in the very fertile recruiting fields in northern New York. He comes to Hamilton with a great background in that area. I expect a very strong recruiting year from him this year as he begins building his program.

NothingButNESCAC · January 19, 2015, 12:30:51 PM

Think also the NESCAC is a league that is somewhat of an outlier still in that QBs do not have quite as much of an influence as other places. Amherst just won the league with Max Lippe, a very servicable QB, but certainly not a player that is significantly better than Lommen or a number of other NESCAC QBs. Trinity definitely took a step back because of their struggles at the position, but they still should have beaten Amherst and Wesleyan and could have finished 7-1. Reason why Colby struggled this year was a brutal opening schedule that led to a lot of injuries for them. Still they were a miraculous Bates comeback away from winning the CBB which would constitute a successful season in many respects. Most games are won between the tackles in the NESCAC because it is hard to find elite athletes at skill positions.

Of course, all of this makes the outlier Middlebury even more impressive in a lot of respects.

lumbercat · January 19, 2015, 01:05:15 PM

NothingbutNESCAC-
Agree completely but I also note that the QB situation currently varies sporadically, more than usual, among some NESCAC programs.
Colby, Middlebury and Tufts for example- all have significant QB depth with an overload of talented underclassmen. My sense is there is an inordinate number of QB's in those programs that could be starters or have some real impact in other NESCAC program where QB depth and talent is thin.

NewtoNescac · January 19, 2015, 02:21:25 PM

Yes, you can get away with a marginal/serviceable player at QB and still win. See, Amherst. But, QB's usually make a marginal offense that much better.

If Hamilton has a top QB they will win games, and that would be a start. The current QB would be a terrific player as a slot receiver catching passes, and running the ball after going in motion. He lacks the arm strength to be successful at QB. No disrespect to the player, just the truth. He can be an impact guy in the slot, with a top QB. Imagine getting a QB that can throw, as well as run. You can run triple option out of the spread. Now you're talking about scoring and winning games.

As for Williams, they've won 2 games in each of the past two years, with the current QB's. Enough said. And, not acceptable.

Colby went backwards winning only two games, and couldn't score points. Injuries had nothing to do with it. The starting RB got injured, but the kid coming in was terrific. Being close to winning the CBB should not be enough. Winning the CBB should not be enough. You play to win a NESCAC championship. Ask Mills if he'd be content with a little three championship. I doubt it. You can't win it all every year, but that should be your goal.

lumbercat · January 19, 2015, 04:12:45 PM

NewtoNescac-
Good points but I guess we differ on Rosenberg's passing ability. I think he throws better than you give him credit for. With improvements around him I think he will fare well.
The player on that team I would consider moving to the Slot or WR is backup QB Pastorella.
They have another good athlete, Hopsicker, who was a Trinity transfer who the Conts sucessfully converted from QB to RB as you suggest they do with Rosenberg.
It will fun to see how things unfold for the Buff n Blue as they continue to rebuild.

ContinentalsMan · January 19, 2015, 05:27:05 PM

Rosenberg broke his thrown hand late in the third quarter of the game against Middlebury on a late hit that actually was called. Rosenberg actually tried to practice the following week for the finale against Bates but was finally casted and is back to throwing and lifting. Interestingly, Murray had a banquet for the players after the season and you would have never known this team went 0-8 again. The atmosphere has changed and while Hamilton should have won a few games this past season, it seems to be a similar situation to Tufts where one victory will lead to others. Say this about Murray and his coaching staff, he did an excellent job his first season changing the thinking inside the program. He also has the parents behind him fully and the coaching staff seems to have come together and is very positive about the new recruiting class.

NewtoNescac · January 19, 2015, 06:20:14 PM

I hope you're right Continentals. He can turn the program around, but it will take a little time. Patience is required. The previous HC set them back years. And you are right, you need a win to start the ball rolling, and then go from there.

But, I hate to sound mean, but the current QB does not have the arm strength to make all of the throws, and too small to be a pocket passer. If they ran a pure option, he might be able to get by, but even then he is too small to take that kind of beating. Coaches are continuously trying to fit square pegs into round holes. They should use that kid where best suited. With a more suitable all around QB, and a well designed offense, he can give you excellent production, and a TD a game. Just my opinion.

Nescacman · January 20, 2015, 12:57:44 AM

Bowdoin coaching update...

According to our sources, JB Wells will be named the next head coach of the Bowdoin Polar Bears. Good luck to Coach Wells and welcome to the NESCAC.

We also expect a major announcement coming out of Wesleyan shortly.

NewtoNescac · January 20, 2015, 07:01:40 AM

Can you give some background on JB Wells?

Also, is the news from Wesleyan that Whalen is stepping aside to be AD only? I think that was his plan, to rebuild the program and them step aside. And he's certainly rebuilt it.

NewtoNescac · January 20, 2015, 07:14:51 AM

Here's JB Wells info:

http://www.ecgulls.com/sports/fball/coaches/wells_jb

Looks like a solid choice.

PolarCat · January 20, 2015, 10:23:09 AM

Quote from: Nescacman on January 20, 2015, 12:57:44 AM
Bowdoin coaching update...

According to our sources, JB Wells will be named the next head coach of the Bowdoin Polar Bears. Good luck to Coach Wells and welcome to the NESCAC.

If Wells is their choice, it actually will be "Welcome back" to NESCAC. Wells is a Trinity grad, and held assistant coaching positions in the past at both Bates and Trinity.

If Wells is their choice, it's interesting that Bowdoin picked another lineman / line coach to succeed Caputi, as the Polar Bear OL and DL were both pretty solid. But his success at Endicott shows Wells certainly knows how to build a winning program. The bigger challenge will be whether Bowdoin can upgrade the facilities, and turn around the NARP's and faculty's anti-football sentiment.