FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[westcoastDad]

Polar Cat:  I tried to give a couple of other tidbits in regards to Otto.  His passing was basically the same as Michael Vick.  He played in an era that is hard pressed to claim to be greatest of all time since the evolution of the athlete has really advanced.  I mean as great as Jesse Owens was in his time (and we know he dominated)..........can we honestly say that he's the greatest sprinter of all time?  Usain Bolt's times would beat Owens and even the great Bob Hayes by 5-8 yards in a 100m sprint.

You mentioned that Brady played against L.T.   LT is not Ladamian Tomlinson.  It's Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants who retired in 1993.  Brady may have faced him on Madden the video game.  Brady was drafted in 2000. 

If you're having trouble with my logic, it's pretty simple.  Rule changes forced great QBs in the Montana era to use their running game much more...and retire sooner because of the accumulation of hits.  Only Blanda played into his 40s?  uh, yeh. 

I agree with you totally that the safety rule changes are for the better in the long run.  We don't need any more Stingley hits.  I'm not missing seeing those Jack Tatum or George Atkinson or Steve Atwater or Ronnie Lott collisions. 

But, that's why I say, today's game is good but lets not get carried away because their stats and length of careers would be totally different. 


Having trouble following the logic.  Otto Graham couldn't be the GOAT because he never played against "tough" defenders like Revis and LT.  Tom Brady couldn't be the GOAT even though he beat Revis and LT (plus pretty much every other defender who played the game in the last 16 years because??

I have no problem with the NFL trying to increase player safety.  Poor McMahon reportedly doesn't even remember he played in a Super Bowl because his bell was rung so often.  I guess we will have to wait for the autopsy to know for sure if it was CTE.  But one of the "toughest" defenders I've ever seen was Brady's teammate Junior Seau.  We all know how that ended.

As a father of a kid currently playing (who watched the Darryl Stingley hit on live TV), I'm fine with toning down the violence.  Frankly, I don't think TB12 really cares if you think his childhood idol was the bigger GOAT.  Somehow, I think TB12 and Giselle will be off on a luxury yacht cruising the Med when he retires, getting a chuckle out of Montana still hawking Papa John's pizzas and Skechers.
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[westcoastDad]

AMH63:  You may be right about old #19 Johnny Unitas.  His uniform was the first I ever got for Xmas.  I saw his last years but read and watch his glory years.  He and Jim Brown are definitely in the discussions of G.O.A.T. for all eras in my humble opinion.


WestCoastDad....nice to hear from you, my friend . You do have a point...historically.  Me...not a fan of Otto G.   Somewhere in the QB names throw into this discussion, there is one that is missing.  My favorite was Johnny Unitas of the Balitimore Colts.   Yes, before the franchais moved in the dead of night to the West.  There was also Big Daddy Lip....all 6'8" of him who would sort out RBs and throw them aside.  At least that was how the press saw it as I did not have TV or could afford to watch live.
In any case, the discussion of greatest must be based on the Modern Era Creation of NFL....the Super Bowl.  My wife just informed me that there is another "change" for the upcoming Super Bowl.....a new firm will be able to provide viewers with pizza deliveries quickly from local businesses....a website firm that you can order before the game.
Glad this discussion is not about RBs in the NFL Title games. 
WCD....did not miss spell your handle.  My auto correct does that all the time..  The best NFL RB in modern era.....Jim Brown!   Forget all those USC runners .
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[amh63]

Boy, for a football board that ONLY has an eight game season....for now, we are generating pages.  I know I even post about WBB here .
Since we are now talking in historical terms, I must point out a great football player...almost in the era of the leather helmets and the now banned flying wedge formation.  Also a little promo for Amherst.  That person, was Dr. Drew,MD, the "creator" of blood plasma.  After playing football at Amherst, he attended Harvard Medical School.  While at Harvard, he was actually asked by Harvard to play on their football team....he was that good.  I was aware of him quite early since I have a classmate from D.C. that Is a relative of Drew, a friend, a tennis opponent, dorm mate...Hugh Price. Price is a former NYTimes editorial writer, Urban League Pres., former Princeton Prof, etc.  etc. and a poor Frat Basketball player, like me.

[Grabowski]

leonard marshall, LT, Manley, Harvey Martin, too tall jones, dan Hampton, Richard dent , Gastineau, reggie white, bruce smith, derrick Thomas, alzado, LC, alan page, bubba smith, deacon jones, carl eller, etc. 

Dang.  Football was fun then. 

It's interesting (to me, at least) that both of the QBs we are talking about played for the premier coach of the era.  Did they make the coach look smart or did the coach make them better players?  A bit of both, I guess.  Amidst all this talk of great QBs, we have missed the fact that Wesleyan is going for its fifth Super Bowl coaching victory, which I believe would break the tie with Dayton (Chuck Noll).

[Grabowski]

PolarCat, you are correct that Jim McMahon was having major brain issues, but he found some doctors that have really helped him.  If you can find the 30 for 30 on the '85 Bears, he's made quite a recovery.  A compelling watch if you can find it...

[westcoastDad]

Must admit that Wesleyan was our first visit and the fact that Bill attended there and played NESCAC was a big sell for my son to decide where he would play.  Amherst has lived up to everything he wished for.

McMahon is on the WEED therapy I thought?  I saw that 30 for 30.   

He took too many hits. 

[PolarCat]

It's interesting (to me, at least) that both of the QBs we are talking about played for the premier coach of the era.  Did they make the coach look smart or did the coach make them better players?  A bit of both, I guess.  Amidst all this talk of great QBs, we have missed the fact that Wesleyan is going for its fifth Super Bowl coaching victory, which I believe would break the tie with Dayton (Chuck Noll).

Great points.  Adding to the QB + Coach argument:  Growing up, my favorite QB was Bart Starr (who I'd argue was better than Montana).  His coach was so good he had a trophy named after him.  And look what Chuck Noll accomplished with that balding knucklehead we're forced to watch on Sundays, the former Mr. Jo Jo Starbuck.

[NESCAC.Football.Observer]

Today's Boston Herald has a bunch of NESCAC commits:

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/2017/02/state_s_best_football_talent_ready_to_sign_national_letters_of_intent

And Amherst published an interesting report titled "Place of Sports at Amherst College" yesterday:

https://www.amherst.edu/system/files/media/PlaceOfAthleticsAtAmherst_Secure.pdf

[nescac1]

I saw that Amherst also picked up a commitment QB from South Carolina, Oliver Michaud, he had lots of Ivy interest but no offers.  The Jeffs will have a crowded depth chart at QB with Foy returning to play (I would presume) two more years plus Morales, Carmilani, and last year's recruit Eberth.  I imagine at least 1-2 of those guys will ultimately switch positions. 

If I was an Amherst sports fan, I would see that Place of Sports at Amherst report and feel very apprehensive.  The overall conclusions (while seemingly pretty mild) are strikingly similar to a report that Williams produced more than a decade back, following a similar period of athletic dominance that Amherst has recently experienced in football/hoops/soccer, and right before Williams dramatically changed its recruitment of athletes.  Soon thereafter Williams' performance in the sports that require the most heavy recruitment started generally to decline, and have frankly continued to, with a few exceptions.  A report like that is code for changes like fewer athlete transfers accepted from D1 schools (something that has helped Amherst immensely -- more than any NESCAC school -- over the years), fewer football/hockey/lacrosse players in the first-year class, fewer low-band athlete admits, etc.  Perhaps it will be different for Amherst, but you don't put out a report like that, typically, without an agenda for change in mind. 

[amh63]

WRT the Amherst study/rpt....another "boneheaded" attempt by a "progressive" Prez to "overgovern".  Concerned that athletes tend to hang too much with other athletes...like teammates.  Need to deversify the housing arrangement...non athlete with athlete...really.  Treat the student more as an adult, and let them pick who they want to live and hang with....as what classes and majors to attend.  Guess posters know what group of alums I hang with.
Admissions claim to bring in bright, diverse students that have achieved in the past and should perform well to meet their future goals....to think for themselves! 

[Jonny Utah]

While you are on the topic of Amherst football, this kid was listed in the Globe today as an Amherst recruit.  He is one of the toughest kids I have coached against in my 15+ years of coaching MA High School football.

http://www.hudl.com/profile/3371578/grant-chryssicas

[amh63]

Jonny "utes"....thanks for the videos.  Looks like a big RB with speed to get outside and strength to go inside.  Wonder where he will play...offense or defense.  In any case he looks like a "keeper".  Any input wrt to his speed.  Amherst will need to replace a big back from CT. Great freshman year, but plagued with injuries in later years that may have costed him a step or two to the outside.  Maybe a good blocking back for Amherst's option QB?

[Jonny Utah]

Jonny "utes"....thanks for the videos.  Looks like a big RB with speed to get outside and strength to go inside.  Wonder where he will play...offense or defense.  In any case he looks like a "keeper".  Any input wrt to his speed.  Amherst will need to replace a big back from CT. Great freshman year, but plagued with injuries in later years that may have costed him a step or two to the outside.  Maybe a good blocking back for Amherst's option QB?

I not sure about his speed but I would estimate it to be around 4.7-4.9 or so.  Probably doesn't have the speed to be a d3 running back but could easily play fullback, TE or LB.  Possibly a DE or H depending on your scheme.

[IslandTime]

Kid looks like a great football player. But Amherst needs to find some speed if they want to get back to the top. He is very similar to Hickey, who was a load to bring down between the tackles last year but didn't possess breakaway speed. This kid looks like he could wreak some havoc coming off the edge on defense!!!

With Foy back.....everything changes

[NESCAC.Football.Observer]

Kid looks like a great football player. But Amherst needs to find some speed if they want to get back to the top. He is very similar to Hickey, who was a load to bring down between the tackles last year but didn't possess breakaway speed. This kid looks like he could wreak some havoc coming off the edge on defense!!!

With Foy back.....everything changes

"It" has nothing to do with Foy........

Amherst's OL dictates how the 2017 Lord Jeffs might do.

That plus senior class leadership.

Period.

Has nothing to do with any frosh, Jack Hickey twin, who will NOT be in any 2017 Fall plan.....