FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[4merprof]

Reno,

I do apologize, I almost forgot that we did in fact play Union, last year in the playoffs, as well as Mount Union...  Too many Union's for me to keep track of.

It is tough for me to determine which team was more difficult for the Prof's to overcome.  But if I had to, I would probably say Union.  However, like RU Fan has stated.  The Prof's were without their offense weapons.  All of the Prof's playoff wins came from the defense.  So I guess it is true that Defense wins chamionships.

The Prof offense was the worst I have ever seen in memory during the playoffs.  When losing their two weapons, and having to rely on the back-ups.  Now, taking into consideration that I have been a loyal Prof fan for twenty plus years.  Rankin was by far the least impressive backup I've seen at that school in over a decade, and to compete on a national level, like the Prof's do, year in and year out, I was more than a little disappointed.  Greg Lister, had Tony Cattani as his back up, and many felt as if Tony could have actually beaten Greg out.  Jeff Orihel had Mike Warker, who eventually took over for the other Orihel once he was hurt.  I would compare Rankin's play to Dave Governanti's performance backing up Tony Raciopi.  Injuries are part of the game, and it's unfortunate that the Prof's season pretty much went down last year when Mike Orihel went down with a broken wrist. 

Like I have previously stated, and for lack of beating the the dead horse.  Last year could have been the Prof's best chance of a national title they have had since the Keeler years.  With the receiving core they had rivaling the Taman Bryant's, Butchy's and Scott Lipford's of the past, along with the tenacious Defense they had, it was ashame that Orihel and Encarnacion had to get hurt.

For all of the Prof Faithful...  Here is to a healthy and prosperous 2006! 

See ya in SALEM!!!

[4merprof]

Gentlemen,

This board is dead again...  Let's show some love to the NJAC.  Preseason starts in two months, time for us all to be armchair qb's and start some trash talking. 

Has anyone heard anything about the freshman or transfers that Acorsi is bring in?

I already have my flight booked to Salem, so I was wondering if anyone knew of any good places to eat?

[njacguru]

http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-1/11484584385220.xml&coll=5

If he worked at Kean, he would have been fired.

[FearTheRam]

I know of two cousins coming in: one is an o-lineman the other a QB

[4merprof]

FeartheRam,

Can you elaborate at all.  Are they freshmen??? transfers???  Where are they from???

That sounds great.  You can never have too many offensive linemen, and I would love to see a great backup at the QB spot, as this is Orihel's last year, and we need someone to carry on the tradition of great Prof QB's next year.  However, speaking from past QB's at Rowan, they will probably get a transfer coming in.

Greg Lister:  Maryland
Gus Ornstein:  Michigan State/Notre Dame
Jeff Orihel:  CW Post
Tony Raciopi:  Tennessee Tech
Mike Orihel: U of New Hampshire

Mike Warker was the only true freshman in my recollection, that has started for the Profs in recent history, and the problems associated with him, probably will deter Rowan from going that route again.  Although Warker did show signs of greatness at times, ESPN showing him crying on the sideline during the National Championship game, always comes to mind when talking about him.

That's why I believe it is beneficial to have a QB that has come from a larger school and that has played in front of large crowds and can handle the pressure.  Rowan is not your typical D3 school, and playing QB at Rowan, you have large shoes to fill and a rather critical audience.  What can we say, most of us are Eagles fans, and you know how that goes. 

It will be interesting to see next year, what transfers will be interested in coming to Rowan, since Orihel will be gone, because if I were a D-I QB, that either had problems at my school or I was backing up a first round NFL pick, like Elliot did for Utah, I can't think of another school in the country that runs a wide open offense, and has the winning tradition that Rowan has.  If Ohio state is linebacker U, Rowan is definitely QB U.

[4merprof]

Almost forgot...

To all NJAC supporters, especially Rowan Fans...

I hope everyone has a safe and fantastic Memorial Day Weekend!

-4merProf

[FearTheRam]

I think they are both from Clearview. The one kid is 6'3" around 210 and the QB is his cousin.

[PBR...]

ohio state is NOT linebacker U.....there is a little school in state college, pa  that holds that honor

[4merprof]

UpBeer,

I can agree that happy valley has had some great LB's, But OSU has had there fair share as well

[PBR...]

i agree totally osu has had some great ones(katz, carpenter, hawk) but  lets not forget who won the butkus award and is back for another season Mr. Poz himself. psu should have 2 preseason all americans at lb(connor and poz) and tim shaw could easily be an AA as well. plus their def. coordinator coach bradley says the redshirt freshmen (seargent, sayles etc...)they have are pushing them hard for playing time. they also just got a early verbal commitment from what many consider the top lb in the nation. 

[dragonflyer]

Congrats to Cortland's Greg Steward (#18-CB) and Keith Greene (#12-WR) who were members of this year's national championship lacrosse team

[Pat Coleman]

Gordon Mann is writing a story on the pair, should be posted by tomorrow.

Also, we have a photo gallery up, almost halfway through editing the photos. Should be completed tonight, knock on wood, or at least mostly completed.

http://www.pictureprints.net/albums.php?gallery=1001

[4merprof]

Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day weekend!  Good luck to all of the D3 athletes that are serving our country. 

On a Prof note, if the Stys brothers are either headed to Iraq or if they are already there, Good luck and God speed!

[RU Fan]

4mer:

I don't think that the Stys brothers are in the military yet.  I think they're entering the Airborne later this year.  In any event, "good luck and be safe" to them  and all of the young people wearing uniforms. 


Regarding the season, it looks like the Profs will again only have 9 games.  There's got to be one team out there needing a game that would be willing to take a shot at the Profs.  I think Accorsi is willing to play just about anybody in DIII, DII or 1AA. 

Its a tough situation because the Profs would have 2 weeks idle after their 1st game.  Then, after cooling their heels for 2 weeks, travel to Pittsburgh to play a pretty tough 1-AA Robert Morris team in their new stadium.  That much time off just breaks up the "flow" and "continuity".  I hope Accorsi can pencil in someone even if the Profs have to travel a reasonable distance.  Its better than sitting idle.

[4merprof]

RU Fan,

Great to hear from you...  I definitely agree about the 9 game season, but it is kinda beating a dead horse at this point.  I would imagine that with the support of the Brown and Gold club, and either past players and alumi, that Acorsi could definitely raise enough money to travel pretty much anywhere in the country.

Put me in for $5.00