FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[PolarCat]

Since DiBiaso is transferring from Dartmouth (and went there from Exeter), I doubt that he had any problem getting approved by Tufts Admissions (unless he tanked his grades during his time in Hanover, and/or was embroiled in that ridiculous cheating scandal last year).

Probably a sound decision to transfer, given the strength of the Big Green's starting QB.  Dalyn Williams is entering his senior year, and is already Dartmouth's #2 all time in touchdown passes, #1 all time TD to INT ratio leader, and set program records last year for completion percentage and TD to INT ratio (a perfect 7.0).  Oh yeah, he also led the Big Green in rushing touchdowns last season.

If he stays healthy, there's a good chance Williams will be playing in the NFL next year.  The feature CSN put together is worth a look: http://www.dartmouthsports.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?&db_oem_id=11600&id=3537633&ATCLPID=&ATCLID=205503342&SPSID=48870&SPID=4719&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=11600

[polbear73]

It is certainly not a surprise that these transfers are coming in from the Ivies or other schools of high academic caliber-NESCAC academic standards speak for themselves.  It begs the question so often discussed in this forum regarding how many more qualified student-athlete transfers (or those out of high school) would be attracted to NESCAC with fewer self-imposed restrictions-ie 8 game schedules, no outside or NCAA tournament play. 

[PolarCat]

Another off-topic comment.  Starving for football, I watched part of the Hall of Fame game last night.  I was pleasantly surprised by Bridgewater's performance, but I was blown away by the story of Steelers OT Alejandro Villaneuva.  A 2010 graduate of West Point, Villanueva is an Army Ranger Captain who has served 3 tours in Afghanistan, being awarded the Bronze Star for his actions in combat.  He's tried 3 times to break into the NFL; if he doesn't make the Steelers roster, he says he is anxious to go back to Afghanistan for a fourth tour of duty.

Villanueva is 6' 9" and 330 pounds, was recruited to play tight end at West Point, but played OT, DL and WR.  The broadcasters showed some highlight film of him receiving, and he's incredible.  (Secretly hoping that the Steelers cut him and he winds up with the Pats.  Think of what Brady could do with another Gronk on the roster). 

[lumbercat]

The rich get richer- local kid DiBiaso coming home to play at Tufts- wow.

That makes the Jumbos 7 deep at QB after moving 2 QBs from last years roster to "other positions"......The Pine ?

DiBiaso is one of 3 high rated QBs coming to Medford this year.
Ryan Hagfeldt St Ignatius - San Francisco
Ryan MacDonald Hunterdon, NJ
Seems like a big crowd at QB but who knows maybe other QBs will be moved or left the team etc.
Ultimately we will see when the roster is released.

[NothingButNESCAC]

The rich get richer- local kid DiBiaso coming home to play at Tufts- wow.

Maybe we should hold off on calling Tufts 'rich' in terms of the QB position. They lost their starter from a year ago and the presumptive Week 1 starter (Alex Snyder) had a completion percentage of 45.7% over 116 attempts a year ago. Until someone on the Jumbo roster proves themselves to be a quality starter in the NESCAC (Snyder definitely can become one this year), the old addage of having multiple quarterbacks means that you actually have none holds true.

[lumbercat]

Agree completely with your point Nothing But Nescac but the 4 Tufts  QBs who appear to be returning are a great group of prospects. I characterize them as prospects as they have little or no experience as a group and need to prove themselves as you point out.

Returners Snyder, Kraemer, ONeill and Burnett is a group that most NESCAC programs would love to have competing for their QB job. When you add the 3 FYs this year they are in an enviable position as they manage the competition for the QB job vacated by Jack Doll. It will be a very interesting competition which will leave some talented guys holding clipboards.

[Nescacparent]

Thanks for the observations on the Tufts QB position. I view this as another step towards overall league strength! As my son enters his senior year (boy have four years gone fast!), the overall strength of the league looks like more teams are, if not competitive, on their way to being so compared to four years ago!

[polbear73]

I agree that overall league strength has improved significantly with Wesleyan joining the elite level, Tufts having made solid progress in increasing their emphasis, and Hamilton and Bowdoin hiring well respected coaches over the last two years, although it remains to be seen if both schools can effect the necessary cultural changes.  I also don't think anyone expects Williams to struggle for much longer either.

Since NESCAC plays a closed schedule, it really is a zero sum game, so it will be interesting to see if there will be any significant changes in league standings. 

[AUPepBand]

I agree that overall league strength has improved significantly with Wesleyan joining the elite level, Tufts having made solid progress in increasing their emphasis, and Hamilton and Bowdoin hiring well respected coaches over the last two years, although it remains to be seen if both schools can effect the necessary cultural changes.  I also don't think anyone expects Williams to struggle for much longer either.

Since NESCAC plays a closed schedule, it really is a zero sum game, so it will be interesting to see if there will be any significant changes in league standings.

Hamilton will get at least three wins this season and you can take that to the bank!

Go Conts!

[fulbakdad]

The only way to measure league strength is to play out of league games and enter the post season playoff.  Until that happens unfortunately it will never be measurable.....

[AUPepBand]

The only way to measure league strength is to play out of league games and enter the post season playoff.  Until that happens unfortunately it will never be measurable.....

Yeah, really. Without them getting out of their little snow globe, the CAC teams' accumulated snowfall is difficult to ascertain. That said, Pep nevertheless would theorize based on what he's observed in recruiting and board banter that the upper echelon of the CAC is comparable to the Empire 8 and would likely bring some flurries.   

We will fight with all our might for Ha-mil-ton!

[P'bearfan]

The only way to measure league strength is to play out of league games and enter the post season playoff.  Until that happens unfortunately it will never be measurable.....

Agreed....the ironic thing is that if we had a season where all the teams split games we wouldn't know if this was because the traditionally weaker teams (e.g. Bowdoin) had improved dramatically or traditional powers had fallen off.....good parity vs bad parity??  Of course that's a real hypothetical

[PolarCat]

It's that time of year when the CAC programs are all like Garrison Keillor's Lake Woebegone, where all the children are above average.  I think Rex Ryan expressed it best last week when he said "The Bills fans love me because we're still undefeated".  The real test of parity will come when we see the CAC Champion's record at the end of the season.  If the parity is really there, a 5-3 record will sit atop the standings.  And maybe two or even three teams will finish 5-3, which would certainly make for an exciting season.

I'm not expecting that, though.  Regardless of how level the talent pool is, the stuff we can't foresee today - luck, injuries, turnovers, grit, and the ever-present bad ref calls will allow one or two programs to rise above the rest.  For the next happy month or so, we can all imagine it will be OUR program so blessed.

Just like 6 months ago we were sure the Red Sox would win the World Series.  Talk about "woebegone"...

[amh63]

Been taking more "busman" holidays....and the chatter has become better!  Maybe someone is telling me something .
Like AUPep's bold statement. 
There was a WSJ small article about the Coaches' records for the big Div 1 conferences.  Really surprised about the W-L records of the majority of the upper tier teams and the newer coaches over the past few years.  Even pointed out the new U. of Michigan's head coach in the Pac-10.....big upset of USC , etc.   My read is that even the best pundits are often wrong...except for Lee Corso when he puts on the mascot head.  Example...UMD has NOT won a Big Ten football game yet since moving up a conference wrt to football.
To add to PolarCat's list, I add....weather conditions.  Of course there is depth of talent when injuries occur.
Back to my collection of summer reads....gave up outdoor chores.

[PolarCat]

Let's add to the list of things that can go wrong: "Getting sucker punched by a teammate."

Between Sexy Rexy, the UFC Nyets and the Goodell-Brady Circus, the NFL is starting to rival Keeping Up With the Kardashians.  Probably only a matter of time before we get Real Housewives of the AFC heading our way.