FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

lumbercat · June 27, 2023, 06:57:54 PM

I don't have an answer for that but I do know that the Trinity secondary last year was the best I saw in some time. I haven't looked at the stats but to me their cover guys and Safety closed on the football like no other team in memory and made plays on the football.
I thought Wesleyan was very good also. Their all league cover guy was exceptional but thought he actually would have been better if he focused more on his game and less on the trash talking and peripheral stuff he seemed to get involved in.

unionpalooza · June 28, 2023, 09:01:28 AM

Quote from: lumbercat on June 27, 2023, 06:57:54 PM
I don't have an answer for that but I do know that the Trinity secondary last year was the best I saw in some time. I haven't looked at the stats but to me their cover guys and Safety closed on the football like no other team in memory and made plays on the football.
I thought Wesleyan was very good also. Their all league cover guy was exceptional but thought he actually would have been better if he focused more on his game and less on the trash talking and peripheral stuff he seemed to get involved in.

This seems to be the way the game is moving - even at the D3 level, you'll see DBs celebrating every incomplete pass like they're the second coming of Charles Woodson.

westcoastnescac · June 29, 2023, 04:06:21 PM

Quote from: GroundandPound on June 27, 2023, 04:02:08 PM
Which NESCAC team is returning the best defensive secondary?

Trinity should have best returning secondary- 34 is an absolute beast and I could see him as an early candidate for DPOY if he comes back (not sure if he is). Tufts had good safeties but their corners frequently beat over the top w simple fade ball. Midd obviously got baptized by Berlutti and Lutz last game of year but Muldoon and Timball are both good players in the back end as well (frank stola's younger brother is also a good player). Will be an interesting year in the Nescac for sure. Side note- new to this thread but absolutely love reading through the debates here and hoping to add to discussion

GroundandPound · June 30, 2023, 10:57:33 AM

How about the top three position groups for the NESCAC 2023 season? In order for these to have some accuracy, we need a better idea of which "seniors" are returning for 2023.
So far it looks like:
Dbacks: Trinity, Tufts, Middlebury
Linebackers: Colby, ?, ?
DLine: ? , ?, ?
OLine: Trinity, ?, ?
Receivers: Trinity, ?, ?
RBs:? Bowdoin, Colby, ?
QBs:? Tufts, Trinity, ?
TEs?

NESCACFball24/7 · June 30, 2023, 11:06:22 AM

Quote from: GroundandPound on June 30, 2023, 10:57:33 AM
How about the top three position groups for the NESCAC 2023 season? In order for these to have some accuracy, we need a better idea of which "seniors" are returning for 2023.
So far it looks like:
Dbacks: Trinity, Tufts, Middlebury
Linebackers: Colby, ?, ?
DLine: ? , ?, ?
OLine: Trinity, ?, ?
Receivers: Trinity, ?, ?
RBs:? Bowdoin, Colby, ?
QBs:? Tufts, Trinity, ?
TEs?

I agree with dbacks
Linebackers id have to say trinity/tufts then colby
Dline: Tufts but only because their entire starting group is back including butler(5th yr) and then after that I have no clue
Oline: Trinity, Tufts,?
Receivers: I think Middleburry and Tufts have much more talented receiving corps than trinity but trinity would be third. Even just at their #1 receiver Wood and Richardson are much better than clapp in my opinion.
RBs: bowdoin, williams, colby
QB: Tufts, Trinity, is there even another returning starter worth mentioning?
TE:Trinity but they are also might be the only team who actually utilizes a pass catching tight end aside from middlebury who didn't have anyone special at that spot last year

GroundandPound · June 30, 2023, 11:20:29 AM

Revised top 3 NESCAC Position Groups 2023
Dbacks: Trinity, Tufts, Middlebury
Linebackers: Trinity, Tufts, Colby
DLine: Tufts, ? , ?
OLine: Trinity, Tufts, ?
Receivers: Tufts, Middlebury Trinity
RBs: Bowdoin, Colby, Williams
QBs: Tufts, Trinity, ?
TEs: Trinity, ?, ?

The_Mighty_Chicken · June 30, 2023, 11:47:00 AM

While it would be great to see Nescac football competing in a D3 tournament, it's clearly very unlikely in the foreseeable future. I don't see why there can't be a Nescac exclusive playoffs though, maybe just 2 weeks between the top four teams.

GroundandPound · June 30, 2023, 02:24:15 PM

https://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/wake-forest/92430
It looks like Helbig may get some decent playing time...

westcoastnescac · June 30, 2023, 05:40:08 PM

I understand that it's trinity but not sure why people putting at 1 automatically (unless somehow Casagrande got another year). I'm sure they have dudes behind him but 59 was somehow second team all league w only 24 tackles (preparing to get some **** for that). Julian young is a stud and #9 was just as good in my opinion so that's a big loss. 33 and 36 from tufts are dudes. Would have to probably go w them or maybe even midd if they still have 44 and 7 in the middle.

westcoastnescac · June 30, 2023, 05:41:27 PM

Also don't sleep on Andrew Boel. he was hindered by terrible play calling last year and when allowed to air it out can really spin it

The Mole · June 30, 2023, 09:54:57 PM

QB: Berluti, Fetter are obviously returning at Tufts and Trinity and have to be considered the best of the bunch. Kennon at Middlebury seems to be the forgotten man here. 24 TDs and just 4 INTs. He AVERAGED 4 TDs and over 300 yards per start. Puts those 3 squads as top contenders because of those 3. Candido at Wesleyan is the potential sleeper who could blossom as a full time starter as a junior.
RB: Trinity with top 4 rushers back is the front runner. Not sure who is coming back for Williams but they had 3 decent guys with Nicholas, Vaughn and Fischetti. Eden at Bowdoin is a player as is Smart from Colby. In a league without a lot of top end speed, this category is pretty crowded and it seems to be by committee for many teams.
WR Tufts with Richardson and Moore returning are pretty solid. If Butler returns as well they will be formidable. Middlebury with Wood and Jamin will be good. Trinity has Clapp returning, they will surely find another receiver to step in for Reid. Wesleyan loses Tomlinson and Simco, but has 3 returning guys that combined for 55-763-6.
TE Howrigan from Hamilton is best of the bunch. Luttenberger from Wesleyan is solid. I think Clough from Midd and Walsh from Trinity are both done, both were very good players
OL Really hard to nail this one down. Trinity and Tufts appear on paper but Wesleyan Middlebury and Williams are returning a lot of guys that played meaningful minutes last year and that could pay off.

SpringSt7 · June 30, 2023, 10:34:20 PM

Quote from: The_Mighty_Chicken on June 30, 2023, 11:47:00 AM
While it would be great to see Nescac football competing in a D3 tournament, it's clearly very unlikely in the foreseeable future. I don't see why there can't be a Nescac exclusive playoffs though, maybe just 2 weeks between the top four teams.

I don't need to see the 4th best team in a 10 team league play an extra game. But if they do, give me Trinity to cover.

The Mole · June 30, 2023, 11:27:14 PM

DL Wesleyan Midd and Tufts all bring back all league players. Bowdoin and Hamilton also have young guys that made some noise. Lots of guys rotating in on most rosters. Hard to determine who is going to step up and surprise as well as who reloads. Important positional group, a lot of studs moving on (Helbig, Glantz, Devine) . Certainly will be interesting to see who the next wave of game changers will be....
LB This was a pretty deep group last year. Some really good ones gone (Casagrande, Hooks) but too many talented returners to name. Tufts Colby Amherst Wesleyan Trinity all have an all league backer returning. White Mules look to have best pair on paper if 9 returns. If 44 comes back from Midd he 7 and 4 are probably the best overall trio.
DB Tufts has 2 All NESCAC returners so they look to be in good shape. Middlebury as well if 49 comes back--he is more of a tackler than cover guy but a definite presence. Again, not a whole lot of top end speed in the league, so you do not have to be a world beater, just do not let people behind you. #2 from Bowdoin could be a factor again and #5 on the Polars is pretty active as well.

This is a QB driven league, the teams that protect the QB and can run enough will prevail. Pains me to say it as a former defensive player, but you gotta be able to score to win in college football today. Defense matters, but offense matters more today.

Scoops · July 01, 2023, 12:54:51 PM

VERY intriguing post!

DB: Trinity, Tufts, Midd
LB: Colby, Trinity, Tufts
DL: Tufts, Trinity, Midd
OL: Trinity, Tufts, Williams
RB: Williams, Trinity, Bowdoin
QB: Tufts, Trinity, Wes
TE: Hamilton, Trinity, Wes
WR: Midd, Tufts, Bowdoin

Follow up to other posts re: secondaries in the league. I think there's way more talent in defensive backfields around the league than players are given credit for. Over the last few years I've been very impressed with the talent at DB in the league. I think Trinity has always had a good group back there, same with Amherst and Midd. I think Wesleyan has had some good players but they were inconsistent. Tufts is largely the same way, although they improved significantly last year. Midd and Tufts will likely have the best groups this year given their potential returners and new additions. I assume Trinity will be back up there as well.

Quote from: GroundandPound on June 30, 2023, 10:57:33 AM
How about the top three position groups for the NESCAC 2023 season? In order for these to have some accuracy, we need a better idea of which "seniors" are returning for 2023.
So far it looks like:
Dbacks: Trinity, Tufts, Middlebury
Linebackers: Colby, ?, ?
DLine: ? , ?, ?
OLine: Trinity, ?, ?
Receivers: Trinity, ?, ?
RBs:? Bowdoin, Colby, ?
QBs:? Tufts, Trinity, ?
TEs?

westcoastnescac · July 01, 2023, 01:47:08 PM

Quote from: The Mole on June 30, 2023, 09:54:57 PM
QB: Berluti, Fetter are obviously returning at Tufts and Trinity and have to be considered the best of the bunch. Kennon at Middlebury seems to be the forgotten man here. 24 TDs and just 4 INTs. He AVERAGED 4 TDs and over 300 yards per start. Puts those 3 squads as top contenders because of those 3. Candido at Wesleyan is the potential sleeper who could blossom as a full time starter as a junior.
RB: Trinity with top 4 rushers back is the front runner. Not sure who is coming back for Williams but they had 3 decent guys with Nicholas, Vaughn and Fischetti. Eden at Bowdoin is a player as is Smart from Colby. In a league without a lot of top end speed, this category is pretty crowded and it seems to be by committee for many teams.
WR Tufts with Richardson and Moore returning are pretty solid. If Butler returns as well they will be formidable. Middlebury with Wood and Jamin will be good. Trinity has Clapp returning, they will surely find another receiver to step in for Reid. Wesleyan loses Tomlinson and Simco, but has 3 returning guys that combined for 55-763-6.
TE Howrigan from Hamilton is best of the bunch. Luttenberger from Wesleyan is solid. I think Clough from Midd and Walsh from Trinity are both done, both were very good players
OL Really hard to nail this one down. Trinity and Tufts appear on paper but Wesleyan Middlebury and Williams are returning a lot of guys that played meaningful minutes last year and that could pay off.

Completely disagree on Howrigan. Very soft TE. Brendan King far better just injured a lot.