FB: New England Small College Athletic Conference

[nescac1]

Y'all make a convincing case for Blair, he definitely belongs high up in any discussion. 

I imagine in 20 years folks will be talking about the last few years as the golden era of NESCAC WRs, which has produced at least four D1 transfers (counting Wilson) plus another guy in Clapp who surely could have been in that conversation too.  Weird how all these awesome receivers came into the league at roughly the same time, and once they are all gone there seems to be a major hole with nothing resembling the collective talent level of that group behind them. 

[8i Technique]

Fitting retrospective Bantam 9-0. I'm confident any competitor that lined up against Blair would rate him ever bit as high as you have.

If only the AI overlords could allow us to drill down on the performance per snap played, I trust Blair would rank extremely high in the the conference history with Sacks Per Play and TFL Per Play. He was 'victim' to the success of the defense, as he would give way to the 2nd-Team players quite early in many games. Trinity's average margin of victory in 2003 was 27+, 2004 was 32+ and 2005 was 30 (on the button). Needless to say, there were many 4th quarters throughout his career that didn't require wearing a helmet.

[GroundandPound]

I think some posters bring up good points in assessing all time greats for NESCAC DL. I agree that in assessing sacks one should consider total number of pass plays during seasons when decades are different. 
I also agree that taking into consideration of missing last quarters of games due to backups coming in should be weighed.  Also, more recent DL generally play fewer plays than DL from years ago because many teams rotate two or more DL groups in and out during games now. In the old days DLs did not rotate much and starters played entire games. But if current DL are facing offenses that pass more than they used to, but are rotating with other DL, maybe that balances out the number of pass rush opportunities? Hmmm, what about QB pressures? Multiple pressures can be more disruptive or effective than a single sack. Even a single pressure, if it leads to an interception, can be more valuable than a single sack. What about total tackles? Playing great v the run game should not be ignored and is not solely determined by TFLs?

[SpringSt7]

I would also add that he played along side Bobby Walker, who was every bit as good. Coach Farley moved Bobby to LB, in part so that he could get NFL exposure. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious injury throwing the hammer his senior year. Something to think about when talking about Spring FB practice: Neither Bobby nor Ethan would have enrolled had they not been able to be play multiple sports. Coach Farley was a master at exploiting this recruiting advantage, particularly vis a vis the Ivies. Virtually all (if not all) all of the pantheon-Perry, Keenan, Scott Farley, Brooks, Walker and a few others I will attempt to remember and share were multi sport athletes. 

Not quite pantheon level player but any time a multi sport athlete comes up I always think of Jon Dolan who led the team in tackles and started at linebacker on some really good teams from 03-07, and was a 4x All League and 3x All American wrestler. He said he would give himself "almost 48 hours after the Amherst game" to rest and recover.

Bonus points to anyone here who can name his wrestling coach

That would be Coach DiCenzo, we believe.

That would be correct

[MapleBBQChicken]

On the subject of NESCAC players in the Super Bowl, let's not forget about Stephen Hauschka (Middlebury '07). He won one with the Seahawks in the 2013-14 season and was 2/2 on field goals and 5/5 on extra points in that 43-8 win over the Broncos. He played in the Super Bowl the next year too (and he'd have a second ring if the Seahawks gave the ball to Marshawn Lynch at the goal line ).

[oldezra]

So, we're up to three now. Thanks!

[BigKat]

On the subject of NESCAC players in the Super Bowl, let's not forget about Stephen Hauschka (Middlebury '07). He won one with the Seahawks in the 2013-14 season and was 2/2 on field goals and 5/5 on extra points in that 43-8 win over the Broncos. He played in the Super Bowl the next year too (and he'd have a second ring if the Seahawks gave the ball to Marshawn Lynch at the goal line ).

Great trip down memory lane of past nescac SB players but let's be real: if Hauschka didn't play a season at NC State , get some Lou Groza recognition, he would have never been invited to a camp and his NFL career would have never happened. Tremendous kicker though and cool he played at Middlebury.

[Charlie]

So, we're up to three now. Thanks!

Lets also not forget Mark Ruben DL played for Tufts and played for Patriots as well.

Jean Fugett TE played for Amherst College and Dallas Cowboys won a Super Bowl and Pro Bowl selection.

[CC_Camels]

Random fact:

I worked with a guy who with the Seahawks for a bit, and he said that Stephen Hauschka was by far the best ping pong player on the roster.

[Trin9-0]

This is pre-Super Bowl era but Trinity legend, Roger LeClerc, won an NFL Championship as a linebacker and placekicker for the 1963 Chicago Bears.

[lumbercat]

So, we're up to three now. Thanks!

Lets also not forget Mark Ruben DL played for Tufts and played for Patriots as well.

Jean Fugett TE played for Amherst College and Dallas Cowboys won a Super Bowl and Pro Bowl selection.

Correction -typo above- Mark Buben

[nescac1]

Not surprised re: Hauschka and ping pong.  Back in the day I'm sure they played a LOT of beer pong at Middlebury.  Is that still a thing on campus?  Probably been shut down by some sort of meddling administrator ...

[Nescacman]

Not surprised re: Hauschka and ping pong.  Back in the day I'm sure they played a LOT of beer pong at Middlebury.  Is that still a thing on campus?  Probably been shut down by some sort of meddling administrator ...

N1, beer pong is def still a thing although you are dating yourself if you remember it being played with paddles. 

NM

[nescac1]

Yeah, fair enough, that's my bad -- the skills may not be transferrable . 

[GroundandPound]

Does Williams have a sports information department?
Does Williams disdain athletes and/or football players?
A poster to this blog shared the phenomenal news that Tim Forth received an invite to the East West Shrine Game.
In 100 years it appears only one other NESCAC player received such an invite before this year. I believe a Trinity player got an invite in 1955. This year two NESCAC players earned an invite and Williams' Athletic Department apparently wants to keep this a secret.  Way to go Tim!!!