FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[Nescacman]

2021 NESCACMAN Weekly Power Rankings-Week 1

9). University of Bates (Lewiston Campus)(2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 10): Put Costa on Hartford State, Wes, Mid or the Ephs and he is first team all-NESCAC...reminds us of Kenny Gray...is UBates better than we thought or LMs worse???....catching MID after a big loss is not good for the Bobcats...next up: @Middlebury




Well stated NESCACMAN---Costa has the strongest arm and best release in the conference. Kenny Gray maybe a better athlete but he couldn't throw it like Costa. As Ive said prior, if they can give him some protection he will continue to be a factor and a big time problem as he was on Saturday. Ask EJ Mills what he thinks of the kid- he made throws into some windows on Saturday like no one in the league- take a look at the tape.

LUMBER....crazy thing is not only was he stuck at UBates his first few years, but he was a wishbone QB only throwing the ball 12-15x per game...in some ways the air raid O limits him creatively as well...hey HCOF, take the reigns off and let your best playmaker run around and make some plays...it's your only shot to be able to compete with the big boys of the conference...

[polbear73]

2021 NESCACMAN Weekly Power Rankings-Week 1

1). (Tie) TTUN (2021 Record: 1-0; Last Week Rank: 1): Impressive opening day win at home for the Ephs...Maimaron is very talented but other than him ad-libbing and running around, offense needs to get more organized/creative...not sure the QB can survive doing that week after week all year...for what it's worth, Wesner deserved to be DPOTY ...next up: @ Tufts

1). (Tie) Wesleyan (2021 Record: 1-0; LW Rank: 1): Defense played well and offense did enough to win...Wes easily could have scored 2-3 more times...receivers were wide open running down field and rust showed as they were missed with overthrown passes...they will definitely clean that up...defensive POTY candidate Helbig had a big game with 1 sack and numerous pressures...secondary stepped up with 2 INTs and kept everything in front of them...we're looking for them to rebound in a big way on O at home this weekend...next up: v. Hamilton

3). Hartford State (2021 Record: 1-0; LW Rank: 4): Interesting developments at QB...either Lambert is hurt or he he got beat out by Fetter (who looked impressive in Week 1)...O-line played better (no sacks, ran the ball well)....secondary did not (gave up almost 400 yards passing, 4 passing TDs, no INTs)...will have a chance to work out the kinks this weekend at the scrimmage in Brunswick...next up: @ Bowdoin 

4). Middlebury (2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 3): Loss of RB put a lot of pressure on QB and D...offense looked more like 2015 than 2019...should bounce back this week...part of the 180 point 4x parley with nescac1...next up: v. Bates   

5). Tufts (2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 5): Ran into a buzz saw last week...look like they are going with another QB rotation in 2020....need tho get the running game going this week....doesn't get any easier this week at home...next up: v. Williams

6). Amhurst (2021 Record: 1-0; 2019 Final Record: 4-5; LW Rank: 6): Scare v. UBates...Costa kept Lord Mammoths on edge and had a legitimate shot at an upset...need to play better or will end up with second straight year with a losing record...better play better this week or they could get knocked off at home by a team that we think is superior to last week's competition...next up: v. Colby

7). Colby (2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 7):  Have not beaten a non-Maine team since 2018; is this the week???....played hard and QB always gives them a shot...they look improved to us...next up: @ Lord Mammoths

8). Hamilton (2021 Record: 1-0; LW Rank: 9): Not sure anyone else watched the game v. Bowdoin but it was a tough one to stomach...just not good football...QB can run but is challenged throwing the ball...lucky that Bowdoin and UBates are in the league...next up: @ Wesleyan

9). University of Bates (Lewiston Campus)(2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 10): Put Costa on Hartford State, Wes, Mid or the Ephs and he is first team all-NESCAC...reminds us of Kenny Gray...is UBates better than we thought or LMs worse???....catching MID after a big loss is not good for the Bobcats...next up: @Middlebury

10). Bowdoin (2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 8): We think HCOF Hammer completely underestimates the level of talent in the NESCAC (and what it takes to win)...we are scratching our theory that they are better at QB...why not go with a younger player at Q who can learn if you are going to lose anyway?...could easily go winless again this season...next up: v. Hartford State

I'm not sure Hammer underestimates the level of talent in NESCAC, but it is obvious that he underestimated the intensity of the recruiting wars and how hard it is to get a player into Bowdoin.  The College is not blameless as they sold him a bill of goods on Admissions.

[Nescacman]

2021 NESCACMAN Weekly Power Rankings-Week 1

1). (Tie) TTUN (2021 Record: 1-0; Last Week Rank: 1): Impressive opening day win at home for the Ephs...Maimaron is very talented but other than him ad-libbing and running around, offense needs to get more organized/creative...not sure the QB can survive doing that week after week all year...for what it's worth, Wesner deserved to be DPOTY ...next up: @ Tufts

1). (Tie) Wesleyan (2021 Record: 1-0; LW Rank: 1): Defense played well and offense did enough to win...Wes easily could have scored 2-3 more times...receivers were wide open running down field and rust showed as they were missed with overthrown passes...they will definitely clean that up...defensive POTY candidate Helbig had a big game with 1 sack and numerous pressures...secondary stepped up with 2 INTs and kept everything in front of them...we're looking for them to rebound in a big way on O at home this weekend...next up: v. Hamilton

3). Hartford State (2021 Record: 1-0; LW Rank: 4): Interesting developments at QB...either Lambert is hurt or he he got beat out by Fetter (who looked impressive in Week 1)...O-line played better (no sacks, ran the ball well)....secondary did not (gave up almost 400 yards passing, 4 passing TDs, no INTs)...will have a chance to work out the kinks this weekend at the scrimmage in Brunswick...next up: @ Bowdoin 

4). Middlebury (2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 3): Loss of RB put a lot of pressure on QB and D...offense looked more like 2015 than 2019...should bounce back this week...part of the 180 point 4x parley with nescac1...next up: v. Bates   

5). Tufts (2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 5): Ran into a buzz saw last week...look like they are going with another QB rotation in 2020....need tho get the running game going this week....doesn't get any easier this week at home...next up: v. Williams

6). Amhurst (2021 Record: 1-0; 2019 Final Record: 4-5; LW Rank: 6): Scare v. UBates...Costa kept Lord Mammoths on edge and had a legitimate shot at an upset...need to play better or will end up with second straight year with a losing record...better play better this week or they could get knocked off at home by a team that we think is superior to last week's competition...next up: v. Colby

7). Colby (2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 7):  Have not beaten a non-Maine team since 2018; is this the week???....played hard and QB always gives them a shot...they look improved to us...next up: @ Lord Mammoths

8). Hamilton (2021 Record: 1-0; LW Rank: 9): Not sure anyone else watched the game v. Bowdoin but it was a tough one to stomach...just not good football...QB can run but is challenged throwing the ball...lucky that Bowdoin and UBates are in the league...next up: @ Wesleyan

9). University of Bates (Lewiston Campus)(2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 10): Put Costa on Hartford State, Wes, Mid or the Ephs and he is first team all-NESCAC...reminds us of Kenny Gray...is UBates better than we thought or LMs worse???....catching MID after a big loss is not good for the Bobcats...next up: @Middlebury

10). Bowdoin (2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 8): We think HCOF Hammer completely underestimates the level of talent in the NESCAC (and what it takes to win)...we are scratching our theory that they are better at QB...why not go with a younger player at Q who can learn if you are going to lose anyway?...could easily go winless again this season...next up: v. Hartford State

I'm not sure Hammer underestimates the level of talent in NESCAC, but it is obvious that he underestimated the intensity of the recruiting wars and how hard it is to get a player into Bowdoin.  The College is not blameless as they sold him a bill of goods on Admissions.

I'm sure Hammer is a very intelligent guy and was a great coach away from the NESCAC...if we were interviewing for the job at Bowdoin, our first question would be "why will things be different with me as a opposed to the last 5 coaches (going back to 1964), including the two most recent HCOFs...Wells and Caputi?"...if he didn't ask the question or do his due diligence, shame on him...if he asked the question and was deceived by the Polar administration (aka "sold a bill of goods"), that is a completely different story...

We think at least part of the issue is these coaches (Hammer, Wells, Murray, Hall et al) are all super confident people who believe they can succeed even in the face of enormous headwinds at some of these schools only to find it is much more challenging (maybe impossible) than they thought...just our opinion...

It's still early in the Hammer regime but early indications are not very positive...we've all seen this movie before, unfortunately for Polar fans...

[polbear73]

2021 NESCACMAN Weekly Power Rankings-Week 1

1). (Tie) TTUN (2021 Record: 1-0; Last Week Rank: 1): Impressive opening day win at home for the Ephs...Maimaron is very talented but other than him ad-libbing and running around, offense needs to get more organized/creative...not sure the QB can survive doing that week after week all year...for what it's worth, Wesner deserved to be DPOTY ...next up: @ Tufts

1). (Tie) Wesleyan (2021 Record: 1-0; LW Rank: 1): Defense played well and offense did enough to win...Wes easily could have scored 2-3 more times...receivers were wide open running down field and rust showed as they were missed with overthrown passes...they will definitely clean that up...defensive POTY candidate Helbig had a big game with 1 sack and numerous pressures...secondary stepped up with 2 INTs and kept everything in front of them...we're looking for them to rebound in a big way on O at home this weekend...next up: v. Hamilton

3). Hartford State (2021 Record: 1-0; LW Rank: 4): Interesting developments at QB...either Lambert is hurt or he he got beat out by Fetter (who looked impressive in Week 1)...O-line played better (no sacks, ran the ball well)....secondary did not (gave up almost 400 yards passing, 4 passing TDs, no INTs)...will have a chance to work out the kinks this weekend at the scrimmage in Brunswick...next up: @ Bowdoin 

4). Middlebury (2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 3): Loss of RB put a lot of pressure on QB and D...offense looked more like 2015 than 2019...should bounce back this week...part of the 180 point 4x parley with nescac1...next up: v. Bates   

5). Tufts (2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 5): Ran into a buzz saw last week...look like they are going with another QB rotation in 2020....need tho get the running game going this week....doesn't get any easier this week at home...next up: v. Williams

6). Amhurst (2021 Record: 1-0; 2019 Final Record: 4-5; LW Rank: 6): Scare v. UBates...Costa kept Lord Mammoths on edge and had a legitimate shot at an upset...need to play better or will end up with second straight year with a losing record...better play better this week or they could get knocked off at home by a team that we think is superior to last week's competition...next up: v. Colby

7). Colby (2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 7):  Have not beaten a non-Maine team since 2018; is this the week???....played hard and QB always gives them a shot...they look improved to us...next up: @ Lord Mammoths

8). Hamilton (2021 Record: 1-0; LW Rank: 9): Not sure anyone else watched the game v. Bowdoin but it was a tough one to stomach...just not good football...QB can run but is challenged throwing the ball...lucky that Bowdoin and UBates are in the league...next up: @ Wesleyan

9). University of Bates (Lewiston Campus)(2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 10): Put Costa on Hartford State, Wes, Mid or the Ephs and he is first team all-NESCAC...reminds us of Kenny Gray...is UBates better than we thought or LMs worse???....catching MID after a big loss is not good for the Bobcats...next up: @Middlebury

10). Bowdoin (2021 Record: 0-1; LW Rank: 8): We think HCOF Hammer completely underestimates the level of talent in the NESCAC (and what it takes to win)...we are scratching our theory that they are better at QB...why not go with a younger player at Q who can learn if you are going to lose anyway?...could easily go winless again this season...next up: v. Hartford State

I'm not sure Hammer underestimates the level of talent in NESCAC, but it is obvious that he underestimated the intensity of the recruiting wars and how hard it is to get a player into Bowdoin.  The College is not blameless as they sold him a bill of goods on Admissions.

I'm sure Hammer is a very intelligent guy and was a great coach away from the NESCAC...if we were interviewing for the job at Bowdoin, our first question would be "why will things be different with me as a opposed to the last 5 coaches (going back to 1964), including the two most recent HCOFs...Wells and Caputi?"...if he didn't ask the question or do his due diligence, shame on him...if he asked the question and was deceived by the Polar administration (aka "sold a bill of goods"), that is a completely different story...

We think at least part of the issue is these coaches (Hammer, Wells, Murray, Hall et al) are all super confident people who believe they can succeed even in the face of enormous headwinds at some of these schools only to find it is much more challenging (maybe impossible) than they thought...just our opinion...

It's still early in the Hammer regime but early indications are not very positive...we've all seen this movie before, unfortunately for Polar fans...

The Admissions Staff was deeply involved in Hammer's interviewing process and discussions were held regarding guidelines for admitting football players. There  is a disconnect somewhere.

A NESCAC job is very attractive to a coach on the outside, regardless of the circumstances. I agree that Hammer falls into the supremely confident Category and believes he can accomplish succeed where others have failed.

[xPolarDadx]

I'm sure Hammer is a very intelligent guy and was a great coach away from the NESCAC...if we were interviewing for the job at Bowdoin, our first question would be "why will things be different with me as a opposed to the last 5 coaches (going back to 1964), including the two most recent HCOFs...Wells and Caputi?"...if he didn't ask the question or do his due diligence, shame on him...if he asked the question and was deceived by the Polar administration (aka "sold a bill of goods"), that is a completely different story...

We think at least part of the issue is these coaches (Hammer, Wells, Murray, Hall et al) are all super confident people who believe they can succeed even in the face of enormous headwinds at some of these schools only to find it is much more challenging (maybe impossible) than they thought...just our opinion...

It's still early in the Hammer regime but early indications are not very positive...we've all seen this movie before, unfortunately for Polar fans...

The Admissions Staff was deeply involved in Hammer's interviewing process and discussions were held regarding guidelines for admitting football players. There  is a disconnect somewhere.

A NESCAC job is very attractive to a coach on the outside, regardless of the circumstances. I agree that Hammer falls into the supremely confident Category and believes he can accomplish succeed where others have failed.

Of note, about 5 Freshman and 2/3 of the Sophomores (Hammer's first recruiting class) saw significant time.  It can be tough for Freshman to make an immediate impact anywhere but skill positions, in part due to the benefits of 4 years of college lifting programs that can make it hard for even a skilled 18 year old lineman to compete.

One person I didn't see on the Polar Bear roster was Freshman Maximus Fisher, who was an undersized (5'11") but stud center for St. Joe's Prep out of Philadelphia.  You know you're good when you are that size and starting at OLine on a team goes 31-2 and makes the MaxPreps national top 20 (4th, 16th and 8th), wins the largest classification in your state your sophomore through senior seasons, and featured several kids that were 4 and 5 star recruits (Marvin Harrison Jr, Jeremiah Trotter Jr, Kyle McCord).  Maybe he has an injury or something keeping him out of football.  If so, that's too bad, as I thought he was a really smart recruiting choice by Hammer & co.

[polbear73]

I'm sure Hammer is a very intelligent guy and was a great coach away from the NESCAC...if we were interviewing for the job at Bowdoin, our first question would be "why will things be different with me as a opposed to the last 5 coaches (going back to 1964), including the two most recent HCOFs...Wells and Caputi?"...if he didn't ask the question or do his due diligence, shame on him...if he asked the question and was deceived by the Polar administration (aka "sold a bill of goods"), that is a completely different story...

We think at least part of the issue is these coaches (Hammer, Wells, Murray, Hall et al) are all super confident people who believe they can succeed even in the face of enormous headwinds at some of these schools only to find it is much more challenging (maybe impossible) than they thought...just our opinion...

It's still early in the Hammer regime but early indications are not very positive...we've all seen this movie before, unfortunately for Polar fans...

The Admissions Staff was deeply involved in Hammer's interviewing process and discussions were held regarding guidelines for admitting football players. There  is a disconnect somewhere.

A NESCAC job is very attractive to a coach on the outside, regardless of the circumstances. I agree that Hammer falls into the supremely confident Category and believes he can accomplish succeed where others have failed.

Of note, about 5 Freshman and 2/3 of the Sophomores (Hammer's first recruiting class) saw significant time.  It can be tough for Freshman to make an immediate impact anywhere but skill positions, in part due to the benefits of 4 years of college lifting programs that can make it hard for even a skilled 18 year old lineman to compete.

One person I didn't see on the Polar Bear roster was Freshman Maximus Fisher, who was an undersized (5'11") but stud center for St. Joe's Prep out of Philadelphia.  You know you're good when you are that size and starting at OLine on a team goes 31-2 and makes the MaxPreps national top 20 (4th, 16th and 8th), wins the largest classification in your state your sophomore through senior seasons, and featured several kids that were 4 and 5 star recruits (Marvin Harrison Jr, Jeremiah Trotter Jr, Kyle McCord).  Maybe he has an injury or something keeping him out of football.  If so, that's too bad, as I thought he was a really smart recruiting choice by Hammer & co.

Bowdoin linebacker and Captain Ty Jones-Garland is also a product of St. Joe's Prep, one of the finest high school programs in the country. Relationships with schools like this would be a big boost for Bowdoin's recruiting efforts.

[Trin9-0]

Hard to say Trinity is behind Wes and Williams after the hurting they put on a quality Tufts team week one but we will see.   A lot of those passing yards were off a kind of fluke play early, it sounds like, and then late in the game vs I'm guessing some back-ups. 

After Bates hung with Amherst I feel pretty good getting 180 ... seems like they can at least score the ball.

nescac1, you're admirably trying to inject some objective analysis into Nescacman's continued, and frankly comical, pro-Wesleyan bias. The Bantams led Tufts 42-7 entering the 4th quarter and the lone Jumbo score at that point was indeed on a 72-yard touchdown pass that was nearly intercepted in the game's opening minute. You obviously can't discredit the TD, but that play combined with their three garbage time drives accounted for 276 yards (65% of Tufts total yardage in the game). The Jumbos had just 81 total yards at the half and trailed 35-7. It was not a competitive game and it appears Nescacman's "correspondents" spent too much time enjoying the Trinity tailgating scene and merely checked the box score.

To rank Wesleyan ahead of Trinity following their respective Week 1 performances is amusing, but it's far more absurd to have the Cards tied with Williams for the top spot after the Ephs decimated reigning champ Middlebury. And while I wouldn't say Wes necessarily struggled to put the Mules away, it wasn't nearly the dominating performance one would expect from a team expected to compete for the NESCAC title against a far inferior opponent.

It is what it is. His schtick is old and tired.

[Nescacman]

I'm sure Hammer is a very intelligent guy and was a great coach away from the NESCAC...if we were interviewing for the job at Bowdoin, our first question would be "why will things be different with me as a opposed to the last 5 coaches (going back to 1964), including the two most recent HCOFs...Wells and Caputi?"...if he didn't ask the question or do his due diligence, shame on him...if he asked the question and was deceived by the Polar administration (aka "sold a bill of goods"), that is a completely different story...

We think at least part of the issue is these coaches (Hammer, Wells, Murray, Hall et al) are all super confident people who believe they can succeed even in the face of enormous headwinds at some of these schools only to find it is much more challenging (maybe impossible) than they thought...just our opinion...

It's still early in the Hammer regime but early indications are not very positive...we've all seen this movie before, unfortunately for Polar fans...

The Admissions Staff was deeply involved in Hammer's interviewing process and discussions were held regarding guidelines for admitting football players. There  is a disconnect somewhere.

A NESCAC job is very attractive to a coach on the outside, regardless of the circumstances. I agree that Hammer falls into the supremely confident Category and believes he can accomplish succeed where others have failed.

Of note, about 5 Freshman and 2/3 of the Sophomores (Hammer's first recruiting class) saw significant time.  It can be tough for Freshman to make an immediate impact anywhere but skill positions, in part due to the benefits of 4 years of college lifting programs that can make it hard for even a skilled 18 year old lineman to compete.

One person I didn't see on the Polar Bear roster was Freshman Maximus Fisher, who was an undersized (5'11") but stud center for St. Joe's Prep out of Philadelphia.  You know you're good when you are that size and starting at OLine on a team goes 31-2 and makes the MaxPreps national top 20 (4th, 16th and 8th), wins the largest classification in your state your sophomore through senior seasons, and featured several kids that were 4 and 5 star recruits (Marvin Harrison Jr, Jeremiah Trotter Jr, Kyle McCord).  Maybe he has an injury or something keeping him out of football.  If so, that's too bad, as I thought he was a really smart recruiting choice by Hammer & co.

For what it's worth, we confirm that St. Joe's Prep is the real deal...too bad he's not around, sounds like the kind of kid that could succeed in Polarville and the 'CAC...

Not sure what they are doing at QB...we think Stalcup is a placeholder (at best)...if it was us (and thankfully for all concerned, it's not), we would look at playing Soph Boel (from Bergen Catholic in NJ), who we are very familiar with...at least he can run around a bit and maybe can create some magic ala young Eph Bobby...maybe Boel is hurt... 

[polbear73]

I'm sure Hammer is a very intelligent guy and was a great coach away from the NESCAC...if we were interviewing for the job at Bowdoin, our first question would be "why will things be different with me as a opposed to the last 5 coaches (going back to 1964), including the two most recent HCOFs...Wells and Caputi?"...if he didn't ask the question or do his due diligence, shame on him...if he asked the question and was deceived by the Polar administration (aka "sold a bill of goods"), that is a completely different story...

We think at least part of the issue is these coaches (Hammer, Wells, Murray, Hall et al) are all super confident people who believe they can succeed even in the face of enormous headwinds at some of these schools only to find it is much more challenging (maybe impossible) than they thought...just our opinion...

It's still early in the Hammer regime but early indications are not very positive...we've all seen this movie before, unfortunately for Polar fans...

The Admissions Staff was deeply involved in Hammer's interviewing process and discussions were held regarding guidelines for admitting football players. There  is a disconnect somewhere.

A NESCAC job is very attractive to a coach on the outside, regardless of the circumstances. I agree that Hammer falls into the supremely confident Category and believes he can accomplish succeed where others have failed.

Of note, about 5 Freshman and 2/3 of the Sophomores (Hammer's first recruiting class) saw significant time.  It can be tough for Freshman to make an immediate impact anywhere but skill positions, in part due to the benefits of 4 years of college lifting programs that can make it hard for even a skilled 18 year old lineman to compete.

One person I didn't see on the Polar Bear roster was Freshman Maximus Fisher, who was an undersized (5'11") but stud center for St. Joe's Prep out of Philadelphia.  You know you're good when you are that size and starting at OLine on a team goes 31-2 and makes the MaxPreps national top 20 (4th, 16th and 8th), wins the largest classification in your state your sophomore through senior seasons, and featured several kids that were 4 and 5 star recruits (Marvin Harrison Jr, Jeremiah Trotter Jr, Kyle McCord).  Maybe he has an injury or something keeping him out of football.  If so, that's too bad, as I thought he was a really smart recruiting choice by Hammer & co.

For what it's worth, we confirm that St. Joe's Prep is the real deal...too bad he's not around, sounds like the kind of kid that could succeed in Polarville and the 'CAC...

Not sure what they are doing at QB...we think Stalcup is a placeholder (at best)...if it was us (and thankfully for all concerned, it's not), we would look at playing Soph Boel (from Bergen Catholic in NJ), who we are very familiar with...at least he can run around a bit and maybe can create some magic ala young Eph Bobby...maybe Boel is hurt...

Agree. NESCACMAN. Time to see what Boel can do.

[Nescacman]

And the Lord Mammoths roster is posted!!! 

[PolarCat]

It is what it is. His schtick is old and tired.

Speaking of schticks .... isn't it time to bring back the GIF of the kid picking up the dead ball and running it back for a touchdown?  There's a whole generation of new parents who haven't seen it.

And a GENTLE suggestion to my fellow Boomers: It is possible to respond to a post, without including the whole string of 47 posts the poster you're responding to, was in turn responding to when he posted.  It will impress your grandkids to no end when you nerd out like that and show your internet chops.   

If we keep going like we are now, every post is going to consume 2 pages, and poor Pat Coleman is going to run out of ink.

[lumbercat]

I'm sure Hammer is a very intelligent guy and was a great coach away from the NESCAC...if we were interviewing for the job at Bowdoin, our first question would be "why will things be different with me as a opposed to the last 5 coaches (going back to 1964), including the two most recent HCOFs...Wells and Caputi?"...if he didn't ask the question or do his due diligence, shame on him...if he asked the question and was deceived by the Polar administration (aka "sold a bill of goods"), that is a completely different story...

We think at least part of the issue is these coaches (Hammer, Wells, Murray, Hall et al) are all super confident people who believe they can succeed even in the face of enormous headwinds at some of these schools only to find it is much more challenging (maybe impossible) than they thought...just our opinion...

It's still early in the Hammer regime but early indications are not very positive...we've all seen this movie before, unfortunately for Polar fans...

The Admissions Staff was deeply involved in Hammer's interviewing process and discussions were held regarding guidelines for admitting football players. There  is a disconnect somewhere.

A NESCAC job is very attractive to a coach on the outside, regardless of the circumstances. I agree that Hammer falls into the supremely confident Category and believes he can accomplish succeed where others have failed.

Of note, about 5 Freshman and 2/3 of the Sophomores (Hammer's first recruiting class) saw significant time.  It can be tough for Freshman to make an immediate impact anywhere but skill positions, in part due to the benefits of 4 years of college lifting programs that can make it hard for even a skilled 18 year old lineman to compete.

One person I didn't see on the Polar Bear roster was Freshman Maximus Fisher, who was an undersized (5'11") but stud center for St. Joe's Prep out of Philadelphia.  You know you're good when you are that size and starting at OLine on a team goes 31-2 and makes the MaxPreps national top 20 (4th, 16th and 8th), wins the largest classification in your state your sophomore through senior seasons, and featured several kids that were 4 and 5 star recruits (Marvin Harrison Jr, Jeremiah Trotter Jr, Kyle McCord).  Maybe he has an injury or something keeping him out of football.  If so, that's too bad, as I thought he was a really smart recruiting choice by Hammer & co.

For what it's worth, we confirm that St. Joe's Prep is the real deal...too bad he's not around, sounds like the kind of kid that could succeed in Polarville and the 'CAC...

Not sure what they are doing at QB...we think Stalcup is a placeholder (at best)...if it was us (and thankfully for all concerned, it's not), we would look at playing Soph Boel (from Bergen Catholic in NJ), who we are very familiar with...at least he can run around a bit and maybe can create some magic ala young Eph Bobby...maybe Boel is hurt...

Agree. NESCACMAN. Time to see what Boel can do.

[lumbercat]

Not sure what they are doing at QB...we think Stalcup is a placeholder (at best)...if it was us (and thankfully for all concerned, it's not), we would look at playing Soph Boel (from Bergen Catholic in NJ), who we are very familiar with...at least he can run around a bit and maybe can create some magic ala young Eph Bobby...maybe Boel is hurt...
[/quote]
Agree. NESCACMAN. Time to see what Boel can do.
[/quote]


Stalcup said to be the best QB on the field for Bowdoin throughout the preseason and clearly won the job. Boel shows a lot of promise and may see the field soon but if you're thinking of him as a running QB you are mistaken.

[Nescacman]

Not sure what they are doing at QB...we think Stalcup is a placeholder (at best)...if it was us (and thankfully for all concerned, it's not), we would look at playing Soph Boel (from Bergen Catholic in NJ), who we are very familiar with...at least he can run around a bit and maybe can create some magic ala young Eph Bobby...maybe Boel is hurt...

Agree. NESCACMAN. Time to see what Boel can do.
[/quote]


Stalcup said to be the best QB on the field for Bowdoin throughout the preseason and clearly won the job. Boel shows a lot of promise and may see the field soon but if you're thinking of him as a running QB you are mistaken.
[/quote]

We watched Saturday's game and Stalcup did not look like the answer to us but maybe he is the best the Polars have right now...as far as Boel, we watched him play a lot as a HS Senior in 2019...looked pretty good running the ball to us (and we saw him run in a few TDs) but maybe he's lost a step or two...not a big kid by any stretch but he's a tough kid and more than held his own against some of the best HS football competition in the country... 

[Nescacman]

Hard to say Trinity is behind Wes and Williams after the hurting they put on a quality Tufts team week one but we will see.   A lot of those passing yards were off a kind of fluke play early, it sounds like, and then late in the game vs I'm guessing some back-ups. 

After Bates hung with Amherst I feel pretty good getting 180 ... seems like they can at least score the ball.

nescac1, you're admirably trying to inject some objective analysis into Nescacman's continued, and frankly comical, pro-Wesleyan bias. The Bantams led Tufts 42-7 entering the 4th quarter and the lone Jumbo score at that point was indeed on a 72-yard touchdown pass that was nearly intercepted in the game's opening minute. You obviously can't discredit the TD, but that play combined with their three garbage time drives accounted for 276 yards (65% of Tufts total yardage in the game). The Jumbos had just 81 total yards at the half and trailed 35-7. It was not a competitive game and it appears Nescacman's "correspondents" spent too much time enjoying the Trinity tailgating scene and merely checked the box score.

To rank Wesleyan ahead of Trinity following their respective Week 1 performances is amusing, but it's far more absurd to have the Cards tied with Williams for the top spot after the Ephs decimated reigning champ Middlebury. And while I wouldn't say Wes necessarily struggled to put the Mules away, it wasn't nearly the dominating performance one would expect from a team expected to compete for the NESCAC title against a far inferior opponent.

It is what it is. His schtick is old and tired.

We think most people rather enjoy our "schtick"...