FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[hamgrand]

Let me apologize for my post last week and some of my comments that went way to far.  I realize that there is pretty good talent in all D3 leagues and my comments inferring that the talent comparison was not close, and the Best 11 vs 11 remark were way overboard.  I am certain there are many very talented players throughout the other D3 leagues.  I do not speak for other NESCAC posters so it is all on me.  I was reacting in frustration to comments from Non-NESCAC posters a few pages back (and made often in the past) regarding the NESCAC having less talent and not being competitive because they did not participate in playoffs.  I should have counted to 10, and I apologize if I offended anyone.

I will stand by some of my personal observations comparing the other D3 teams I saw (only) vs the NESCAC.

The 2016 Alfred team appeared as good as any NESCAC team I have seen and their successful 12 - 1 season would seem to support this.

With regard to QB play, the RPI QB in 2015 was pretty good and Tyler Johnson was very good.  I saw him play in HS and in 2016 against RPI.   But I do think the NESCAC has attracted some pretty good QB talent  especially compared to the other D3 teams I have personally observed.

Yes, I saw Hudson Valley in a scrimmage in 2015.  At that time it was my first non-nescac D3 action observed in a few years.  HV did not put their best foot forward and RPI dominated them in every aspect.

I haven't seen all the D3 schools in action, but I do believe that the top NESCAC teams would have competed well with the teams I did observe over the last 3 years.  And IMO the fact that the NESCAC teams do not go to playoffs does not impact the talent or competitive brand of football they play.

And finally, with regard to kickers, Franks was obviously very good and the current kicker at RPI is very good too.  Appears better than any I have seen in the NESCAC.

Again, I apologize for any comments that went overboard in my prior post. 


           

[dlippiel]

Let me apologize for my post last week and some of my comments that went way to far.  I realize that there is pretty good talent in all D3 leagues and my comments inferring that the talent comparison was not close, and the Best 11 vs 11 remark were way overboard.  I am certain there are many very talented players throughout the other D3 leagues.  I do not speak for other NESCAC posters so it is all on me.  I was reacting in frustration to comments from Non-NESCAC posters a few pages back (and made often in the past) regarding the NESCAC having less talent and not being competitive because they did not participate in playoffs.  I should have counted to 10, and I apologize if I offended anyone.

I will stand by some of my personal observations comparing the other D3 teams I saw (only) vs the NESCAC.

The 2016 Alfred team appeared as good as any NESCAC team I have seen and their successful 12 - 1 season would seem to support this.

With regard to QB play, the RPI QB in 2015 was pretty good and Tyler Johnson was very good.  I saw him play in HS and in 2016 against RPI.   But I do think the NESCAC has attracted some pretty good QB talent  especially compared to the other D3 teams I have personally observed.

Yes, I saw Hudson Valley in a scrimmage in 2015.  At that time it was my first non-nescac D3 action observed in a few years.  HV did not put their best foot forward and RPI dominated them in every aspect.

I haven't seen all the D3 schools in action, but I do believe that the top NESCAC teams would have competed well with the teams I did observe over the last 3 years.  And IMO the fact that the NESCAC teams do not go to playoffs does not impact the talent or competitive brand of football they play.

And finally, with regard to kickers, Franks was obviously very good and the current kicker at RPI is very good too.  Appears better than any I have seen in the NESCAC.

Again, I apologize for any comments that went overboard in my prior post. 


         

All good hamgrand. dlip appreciates your thoughts here and your overall passion. +k

[TheFlock]

Greetings Lumbercat et.al.

We know you have an ax to grind with Coach Devanney because you are a Bates Fan.  We contacted some of our constituants to inform us how Trin can garner such a large recruiting class.  The fact of the matter is Trinity welcomed an extremely small recruiting class last year.  With that being said, there is still a chance some of the "walk-ons" will not make the final season roster.  The student-athletes, within this category, were alerted to the possibility of not making the season roster during the recruiting process.  One of the comments we have heard from Coach Devanney, numerous times, concerns the "stupidity" of a 76 man roster limit.   The "spirit of D3" is kids should be allowed to play.  For this reason, nobody is "cut" at Trin.  If a student-athlete does NOT make the season roster, he is afforded all of the benefits of being a Bantam Gridder except the "on field" aspect of the program.   He is monitored academically which includes access to faculty liaisons, writing tutors, and attending study hall.  He can attend positional meetings, work with the strength coaches, and even still receive a ring for winning a Championship!  He then has the opportunity to make the season roster the next year.  Quite a few have taken this very path to becoming contributing members on the field.  The biggest reason the "non Roster" players stick around is to take part in Coach Devanney's exceptional career program.   There is a revolving door of alumni entering and exiting his office.  Whether they have meetings in NY or Boston, the generous alums stop by and interview players for internships and ultimately jobs.  Most of the "walk-ons" could contribute on the field at the Maine Schools, but choose to be a part of the amazing family we know as Trinity Football.  All in all, this sounds like a pretty good deal to us.  Lumbercat, you have been anti-Bantam because of an RPO that turned into a TD on the last play of a game.  If Bates' OLB made the tackle, then maybe you would not portray Jeff Devanney as some dictator leading "walk-ons" to a guillotine! 

On another note, Trinity has been unveiling their recruiting class all morning.  It looks quite deep, especially at the OL position.  We will get the update on specific players etc at the Football Golf Outing in a few weeks. We can't wait to see what Coach Devanney and his staff have in store for us this coming season.  Based on the tweets, Trinity has found a few capable replacements for Sonny Puzzo, one of them a QB who actually started.

Lastly,  one of our members made a great point regarding the LL vs NESCAC.  Ask Mark Raymond!  Wouldn't he know best?


The Flock

[PolarCat]

Plus if they stick it out long enough, some of those walk-ons may have the chance to pose under a lop-sided scoreboard some day.  Let's not forget that benefit of The Bantam Way.

Yours truly, Et. Al.

[PolarCat]

PS: Hamgrand, +K from me, too.  Appreciate you taking one for the NESCAC team.

It wasn't that long ago that really derogatory comments were directed at the Continentals program, both inside the CAC (a Trinity parent who has left) and outside the CAC (a Bomber who hasn't done a fly over in a while).  It's been fun to watch the turn around in your program (though I do wish it was Bates on the ascendancy the past few years, instead of the Conts).

That guy from Mount Union and the Ypsi fellow find joy in ruffling feathers.  It's all good, and he who laughs last, yada, yada.  Their kids will likely be working for your kid some day, so don't take the bait.

[Bombers798891]

And IMO the fact that the NESCAC teams do not go to playoffs does not impact the talent or competitive brand of football they play.
         

I apologize too, for my overboard comments that unfairly painted NESCAC posters with a broad brush.

I do want you to know that I think the only issue the no playoffs thing causes is it makes comparisons even more impossible than they are in most of D-III. A team's quality is not influenced by the fact that the conference doesn't play in the playoffs, and I did not mean to imply otherwise.

[pumkinattack]

Mark Raymond never beat Hobart.  Even when they back footed into the playoffs we beat him on their field. 

The conversation came full circle on etiquette and respect but I really noticed Hobart was never mentioned.  Here's a few names to look up:

Shane Sweeney
Brandon Shed
Tyre Coleman
Devin Worthington
Ali Marpet
DeAndre Smith
Art Garvey/Tyler Garvey
Marcus Jemison
Bobby Dougherty

I think you'll find every one of them would've been first team all NESCAC multiple years had they been in the league.  Probably another 10-15 guys since 2011. 

[PolarCat]

A lot of good players there.  But unlike NESCAC's Steven Hauschka, I'm pretty sure none of them have Super Bowl rings.

[Jonny Utah]

A lot of good players there.  But unlike NESCAC's Steven Hauschka, I'm pretty sure none of them have Super Bowl rings.

I thought kickers weren't athletes?

[dlippiel]

Mark Raymond never beat Hobart.  Even when they back footed into the playoffs we beat him on their field. 

The conversation came full circle on etiquette and respect but I really noticed Hobart was never mentioned.  Here's a few names to look up:

Shane Sweeney
Brandon Shed
Tyre Coleman
Devin Worthington
Ali Marpet
DeAndre Smith
Art Garvey/Tyler Garvey
Marcus Jemison
Bobby Dougherty

I think you'll find every one of them would've been first team all NESCAC multiple years had they been in the league.  Probably another 10-15 guys since 2011.

On the D3 level they would have most likely been first team all everything in any conference. That is one heck of a list of talented players. Man when you see those names all at once you realize, even as a Union guy, just how many talented kids Hobart has had. Very impressive.

[Vandy74]

A lot of good players there.  But unlike NESCAC's Steven Hauschka, I'm pretty sure none of them have Super Bowl rings.

I thought kickers weren't athletes?

If you think PolarCar was on that side of the discussion you weren't paying attention.

[D3pc]

Mark Raymond never beat Hobart.  Even when they back footed into the playoffs we beat him on their field. 

The conversation came full circle on etiquette and respect but I really noticed Hobart was never mentioned.  Here's a few names to look up:

Shane Sweeney
Brandon Shed
Tyre Coleman
Devin Worthington
Ali Marpet
DeAndre Smith
Art Garvey/Tyler Garvey
Marcus Jemison
Bobby Dougherty

I think you'll find every one of them would've been first team all NESCAC multiple years had they been in the league.  Probably another 10-15 guys since 2011.

He did in 2010, in what was a rough year for the LL.

It's an impressive list of players for sure.

Props to Middleybury's soccer coach for bringing in and cutting Hauschka!

[gridiron]

Sources close to the Colby football program indicate 19 incoming recruits this fall and anticipating a total Roster number of 71.

[lumbercat]

Thanks Grid
Thats a small recruiting class, smaller than last year, or for that matter the smallest in years up in Waterville.
The Colby negativity on this website and elsewhere in NESCAC circles made it difficult for Cosgrove to come in late and recruit successfully.
Results will be different next year, Cosgrove will turn it around. Despite some early impediments I anticipate a significantly improved Mules team this year.

[ColbyFootball]

Thanks Grid
Thats a small recruiting class, smaller than last year, or for that matter the smallest in years up in Waterville.
The Colby negativity on this website and elsewhere in NESCAC circles made it difficult for Cosgrove to come in late and recruit successfully.
Results will be different next year, Cosgrove will turn it around. Despite some early impediments I anticipate a significantly improved Mules team this year.

I'm so sick of your gratuitous shots. You know little of the ins and out of the Colby program, including what went on, and what's going on now. Despite the thin recruiting class, that team will be just fine because the new HC gets it. At least we agree, he will improve Colby in his first season, over recent years. And they will do it with a coaching staff that is essentially intact from last year, with the obvious exception of the HC. That will speak volumes.