FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

lumbercat · October 11, 2017, 01:31:47 PM

NFO-
We are not even at the halfway point.
I don't wish anything negative for the Ephs but there is no question in my
mind that their numbers will make the homestretch very challenging.

My guess is that Raymond will fix the numbers/depth situation markedly next year as he
continues the rebuilding process.

frank uible · October 11, 2017, 01:42:56 PM

Is it time for Williams to throw a clunker Saturday as inexperienced teams do more frequently than experienced ones?

frank uible · October 11, 2017, 01:50:05 PM

Polar, I believe it is the Mucho Moo Cow Military Marching Band.

frank uible · October 11, 2017, 01:55:42 PM

Upon checking, Moocho Macho Moo Cow Military Marching Band.

nescac1 · October 11, 2017, 01:56:06 PM

No doubt, the Williams' roster size poses a big challenge. Injuries are inevitable in football and as guys get banged up, there just isn't the kind of depth that other teams have. Some Eph positions are really only two players deep right now. I think it will likely take Williams another two years to get up to a 75-man roster. Williams loses 9 seniors this year (including the top four DTs, which will be the biggest hole that Raymond needs to fill with recruits), meaning that if there is zero attrition, they would be down to around 50 guys heading into next season. Williams brought in 22 recruits this year, I believe; even if that number gets up to around 25, you are still talking about 75 guys and of course some won't return to the program. If Williams starts the season even with 70 guys next season, that would be the most one could reasonably expect. I think by Raymond year four, they get up to 75 guys, barely, and Raymond year 5, they can again be in a position to make cuts.

There is a silver lining to this issue. Around I'd say 45 guys make meaningful on-field contributions in any given week, if you include the special teams players. So, nearly everyone, other than a few frosh, the back-up QBs (other than one who plays special teams), and guys who are banged up are basically playing meaningful time against other squad's first-unit players. That experience should benefit all of those players in future years. Also, having a smaller team allows coaches to spend more time with each player. I imagine that everyone left on the squad is 100 percent bought-in to Raymond and his philosophy, and knows that on any given week, their number may need to be called in a very meaningful way. There is something to be said for that, even if, obviously, it's far better to have more depth of talent at every position so that similarly-talented guys can just slide in when another player gets hurt of even just underperforms. Hey, gotta see the silver lining!

Frank: perhaps. They are probably due for one at some point. I hope it's not this week, but I'd rather it be this week than vs. Amherst/Wesleyan!

frank uible · October 11, 2017, 02:03:32 PM

By Amherst it may have become 2 or 3 or 4 clunkers.

amh63 · October 11, 2017, 02:50:05 PM

PolarCat....How do you know I have a Photo! of a King Air Plane....giving to me by a friend.
Pittsfield has an airport? Indeed I traveled to Pittsfield, Ma.....many,many times for business. All via Albany or Hartford. Small planes are not my cup of tea...and the reason is another story.
When I was working, in the days when TWA and other former airlines ...like Eastern, were around, I would easily put over 150,00 Miles/yr crossing East to West and North to South....even overseas to the UK, etc.
Do have a classmate and an uncle of a daughter in law, both will fly me into Stewart AP or into Northampton...BUT their planes are to small. I am digressing again.
Oh forgot, my first taste of a single malt Scottish drink was in Oban. This is a football board...so my apology.
Frank U. ...have we nailed the name of the Williams Pep Band yet!?

.

Nescacman · October 11, 2017, 02:58:59 PM

Let's shift gears....a NESCACMAN special feature.

Let's take a look around the NESCAC at the almost half way point in the season at who's "overrated", who's "underrated" and who's "Goldilocks".

Overrated:Amhurst, Bates, Hartford State, Williams
Underrated: Wesleyan, Hamilton, Tufts
Just Right: Bowdoin, Colby, Middlebury

footballluv · October 11, 2017, 03:18:55 PM

Very nice.

nescac1 · October 11, 2017, 03:51:02 PM

Who, exactly, is doing the "ratings" that you are reacting to, Nescacman? That's a bit cryptic. I can't imagine anyone is rating Bates well enough for them to be overrated ...

AO · October 11, 2017, 03:55:06 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on October 11, 2017, 01:56:06 PM
There is a silver lining to this issue. Around I'd say 45 guys make meaningful on-field contributions in any given week, if you include the special teams players. So, nearly everyone, other than a few frosh, the back-up QBs (other than one who plays special teams), and guys who are banged up are basically playing meaningful time against other squad's first-unit players.

WE WANT BILLY WE WANT BILLY

-Had to check back in. you guys were right about Maimaron, definitely won the job and looks the part.

DadintheStands · October 11, 2017, 04:02:37 PM

I doubt the Eph players or coaches are losing sleep over the prospect of a clunker game the rest of the way. The mantra is 'get better' each week and, let's face it, they have met/exceeded public expectations already for this season so there is no pressure aside from the pressure they put on themselves to 'get better'.

JEFFFAN · October 11, 2017, 04:44:48 PM

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/20988938/division-iii-albright-college-cuts-player-kneeling-anthem
http://es.pn/2yaFSEI

PolarCat · October 11, 2017, 05:01:04 PM

A QB named Gyree? Reminds me of:

Turning and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.

Passionate intensity aside, it sounds like Gyree loosed some anarchy upon the locker room. .

Nescacman · October 11, 2017, 07:06:22 PM

Quote from: nescac1 on October 11, 2017, 03:51:02 PM
Who, exactly, is doing the "ratings" that you are reacting to, Nescacman? That's a bit cryptic. I can't imagine anyone is rating Bates well enough for them to be overrated ...

The point on University of Bates is that most people think they are better then they actually are which is one of, if not the, worst teams is the league. The Board gives the Colby HCOF lots of well served grief, but the reality is Harriman deserves it just as much.