FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[JT]

Officially Mike is probably out for a few weeks.  The wrist might be broken but Orihel is going for more tests to get a definitive answer.  He said as soon he gets clearance he'll be back on the field.

If I find out more I'll let everyone know.  Time to rally behind Joe Rankin, he can get it done until Orihel comes back.

[RU Fan]

RU Fan,
I was actually refering to our fellow tcnj poster who had to throw that last stone at you!

rowanlb92

While navigating the churning waters of anti-RU-ism, it appears necessary for the Prof-nation to present a united front.

However, care not for me as sticks and stones may break my bones but TCNJ posts will never hurt me.

[RU Fan]

I might have to go to disney.com

Porta

If you go to Disney, if I were you, I would stay away from Snow White and her 7 little buddies.  You know, Dopey and all.........  you wouldn't want to confuse anyone, would you?  8)

[ACMob]

  -- what a bummer!

[maninyellowhat]

How much of a setback is Orihel's injury if he is indeed out for 6 weeks?

I know I asked last week if any of y'all saw Rowan losing a game the rest of the regular season and the answer was a resounding no.  Is that still the case, or has the stretch run just gotten a lot more interesting?

[Dr. xGSC]

I heard he will be out for 4 weeks. It's a shame as he is a great QB, probably the best ever in the entire history of the program at GSC/RU. Althought he did break his left hand last year at TCNJ, he made a strong comeback in the playoffs. He'll be back for the playoff run this year (maybe even MSU on 11/12). I don't believe there will be any letdowns with Rankin, but a few new plays may have to be introduced to benefit the new QB.

[maninyellowhat]

What do you lose/gain with the new qb?  Besides experience, I mean.  How does the new qb compare with mobility, arm strength, reading coverage, etc.?  I've never seen Orihel play, but I was just wondering how much this is going to hurt Rowan, if at all, for the rest of the regular season.  He sounds like he was one heck of a player.  Is he a senior?

[rams1102]

IMHO,

Rowan has 2 possibilities for a hick-up. Brockport and Montclair(if we can keep on a roll). Let's say Montclair runs the table this year and Rowan beats Brockport. Rowan still wins the NJAC(I think). I would not play their QB until the playoffs. This goes against my grain, but Rowan is a good team and will make the adjustment and will probably go un-defeated. Remember there is always that "fairy tale."

LETS  GO  MIGHTY  RED  HAWKS  !!!!!!!

[Dr. xGSC]

No, Orihel is a Junior.

Orihel has a stronger arm and since he has been a starter for 3 years, he is a lot more polished and poised. I am not knocking Rankin as he is a quality backup, good mobility and smart, but coming into the season at this stage, it may take him some time to get adjusted. However, he has a tremendous group of players around him and that will make the adjustment much easier.

[Dr. xGSC]

Rams,
Have you hit your head or did some large ANVIL land on top of your cranium? Seriously, if you want to keep dreaming about a fairy tale ending, feel free. But, come 11/12, the fairy tale dream turns into reality and your nightmare will then start.

[4merprof]

I just wanted to say that the loss of Orihel, will indeed hurt Rowan.  I also agree with the doctor in respect to him probably being the best QB in Rowan history.  Fortunately, Rowan has won the tougher games on the schedule up to this point, and the loss of Orihel, although terrible, probably won't hurt the Prof's extremely considering their remaining schedule.

To respond to yellowhat, I think you lose not only one of the best QB's in the nation, but you also lose one of the major leaders on this current Prof squad.  It seems that no matter what obstacle the Prof's are facing, they always rally behind Orihel's leadership and fortitude... How many come from behind or overtime wins do they have during his tenure???  Also, to answer your questions about arm strength, agility or reading defenses, I think it is clear to say that Rankin is not in the same league as Orihel, however he hasn't been given much on field playing opportunity.  He did start last year against DII Virginia State, and has seen some mop-up time, but other than that, it's kinda up in the air.  Hopefully he will step up to the challenge and make the Prof faithful proud.  Yet the difference between Rankin and Orihel is much more vast than the difference say between Lister and Cattani.

Another avenue for the Prof's could be letting Sakeen Wright play QB for the three or four weeks Orihel is out.  I saw him play QB in high school in Glassboro and the kid is the real deal.  He was recruited to play at East Carolina as a QB before he transferred to RU.  I'm sure he knows the offense being there for two years and is definitely an athlete, but reading defenses and understanding schemes might be another issue.  It would be interesting to see Wright at QB playing on the field directly across from his high school.

I'm sure that the Prof's will be fine, even if they drop a game during Orihel's recovery, they should still be in the position to make a run in the playoffs.  This week will be the determining factor.  I believe that the running game has been productive because of the threat of Orihel/Wright/Silva.  If Rankin can test the dbs a little, and not allow Kean to put eleven guys in the box, then we should be fine.  However, if we are having trouble throwing the ball on Saturday, it could get interesting.

GO PROFS!!!

[JT]

Rankin has only had one career start which was against a good DII team in front of 13,000 as a freshman.  He did a decent job then 180 yards and 1TD.

He had a good HS career at Toms River North.  As a sophomore and with the reps this week he should be fine. 

Expect Kean to try and stop the run early and to blitz often.  Once Joe starts completing passes the Cougars will loosen up.

The Profs will step it up.

[4merprof]

I agree that Rankin will probably get the job done... but don't you think it would be fun to see Sakeen under center again???

[rowanlb92]

They should at least try sakeen under center, but I don't think the coaches will let that happen. 

[rams1102]

xGSC,

You said the same thing 2 years ago.

LET'S  GO  MIGHTY  RED  HAWKS  !!!!!!!!!!!