FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[gridiron]

Re Colby, Dunklee graduated, so will not be returning, despite having missed almost his entire sophomore year to injury.  No question losing all NESCAC QB Ciero to transfer (Fordham) and the OC (Coach O) set the team way back last season.

As for QB this season, it will be Harrington, as it was last season.  Once he was named captain, all doubt was eliminated.  Agree this is a pivotal year for HC Michaeles.  Heading into his fourth season as HC, all players in the program are now the result of his efforts.  It is completely HIS program now.

[NewtoNescac]

Gridiron, I'm not quite sure how Colby justifies naming a rising junior underachieving QB captain. Colby fans should hope the former OC was behind it. That team scored just 1 TD in 5 of their 8 games. And only 2 against a poor Bowdoin team. To be locked into last year's QB is major mistake. But, Michaeles allowed himself to be placed in this tough position. As for Ecke, he should probably move to another skill position. And, the strongest arm belongs to a rising soph who goes 6'2" 225.

[lumbercat]

Newtonescac-
I detect an agenda here. 1-6
I beleive the Mules captains are elected by the players- not appointed by coaches.

[NewtoNescac]

No agenda, Lumbercat, just my realistic appraisal of the Colby situation. You don't think the coaches influence the selection of captains? Sorry, but I do. I enjoy evaluating all of the team situations in anticipation of the upcoming season. Like most other people, I enjoy seeing if my forecast was accurate. So I'm not sure why I sense you have an attitude towards me. Lighten up.

[cruiser]

the colby captains are named by the players. no "influence" from coaches.

[Jonny Utah]

the colby captains are named by the players. no "influence" from coaches.

I have seen where coaches can influence that process though by limiting the number of captains based on some sort of numerical issue.  If there are 100 players, and players can vote for 4 captains, that can skew the numbers.  If 2 players get 80% of the vote, 1 player gets 50% and 1 player gets 40% and every one else gets less than 20%, should the coaches be able to just keep the 3 top players and not pick the one with 40%?  Or can the go down and pick 5 captains with a kid they like who got less than 20%? 

I always found this process interesting as I've seen it first hand with the HS team I coach.

[gridiron]

Colby captains are absolutely influenced to some extent by the coaches.  Typically the case in most programs.

[All NESCAC]

Colby captains are absolutely influenced to some extent by the coaches.  Typically the case in most programs.

Influenced by the Coach is one thing....there are some teams (not in NESCAC football, but other NESCAC sports) where the Coach decides/names who are the Captains which is completely counter productive.

[NewtoNescac]

All Nescac, I think we can all agree that no captain selection process is perfect. But whatever the system, my opinion is that captains should be seniors, absent a clear underclass leader. But in any event, your captains should be leaders.

As for Colby specifically, they have placed themselves in a very difficult position. Looking at last seasons undisputed lack of production on offense, and the marginal play at QB, they need to pray the junior QB named captain is the guy to lead the team. If not, it will be very difficult to bench him. Why the HC would put himself in such a position escapes me. This may be a make or break year for Michaeles, and that decision may just break him.

[lumbercat]

Newtonescac

Haven't checked the board in the last few days but in response to your recent post, no attitude here, however I did think calling Harrington an underachiever and suggesting that Ecke should switch to another position was a bit strong.  I believe there is another player you would like to see in that position and I have no problem with that- but you should lighten up also, no Nescac coach or program is influenced by opinions expressed here.

I was impressed by Harrington, thrust into a starting role following Ciero transfer. Beleive he showed some great ability on a struggling, confused offense. Again, don't beleive he was appointed Captain.

I think it's best to let the kids compete and the best guy for the Colby QB job will prevail.

Any representation of Colby Football that positions Micheales on the hot seat is way off- this is not a make or break year for him in any way though it is an important measure of his performance as all players on the Mules roster are now his recruits.

Way too early to suggest his demise especially in the NESCAC where coaches get a lot of slack and historically firings have emanated principally from dreadful results or off field issues. Micheales has still got plenty of room to run in this league as long as he doing the right things to support the academic and moral values of the college which I beleive he is.

[NewtoNescac]

Lumbercat, we just happen to disagree on the Colby QB situation. I'm not trying to be harse but I think Harrington showed some flashes last year, but not enough to sell me on him as the guy. The kid Ecke was given little opportunity to compete and show what he could do last year. Ecke may be the guy, but he needs the chance to compete. I do see him better suited in a slot role with lots of big play touches. That would save him on the wear and tear of the QB pounding. At least Harrington is a big boy that can take a pounding. The question is can he lead this team to wins. As for Michaeles, winning and building character are both important. Not one, but both.

[NewtoNescac]

Happy Fathers Day to all.

[Pat Coleman]

Something is UP comment......noticed that Amherst's 2015 schedule has an oddity of sorts.  Bowdoin's website shows the same thing.  The Oct. 3 game at Amherst has a "TBA" start.  All other games both away and at home have a time.  It is Summer now so there is time to figure this out .  My first thought was maybe there will be another game under the lights!.  The first game under the lights was last season at Homecoming an it was in November and it was COLD.

In my experience, all NESCAC games get put into the conference website (and therefore across the PrestoSports network) as TBA at first and it's up to the schools to update when game time has been determined. This isn't unusual.

[gridiron]

Ten weeks from today the NESCAC boys of fall report to camp...

[amh63]

gridiron....Thanks, I needed that! . Very precise date.