FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[phil]

Rowanlb92
Don't complain about special teams play until you see what TCNJ is dealing with. As I said to Dave during the game, it's not a matter of how many points the Lions' special teams will cost the team, it's a matter of how many games!

Two blocked punts for Montclair leads to 10 points. A missed chip shot FG to end the half and tie the game hits the crossbar ... and this isn't just last night ... it's a reoccurring theme. TCNJ has had four punts and a PAT blocked so far this season. The O-line will cause any Lion QB (and they've used plenty) to have a case of happy feet. In all fairness, the Lion Offensive line is banged up, and last night didn't help as they lost their starting left tackle (a freshman) for the year with an ankle fracture.

Given the fact that no Lion QB had the time to pass the ball and all Montclair had to do was gear up to stop the run and that was it. Game over. TCNJ has a nice defense, but the lack of an offensive line will make 20+ point games by the offense a near impossibility. It's sad when you look at the schedule and see the Rowan and Cortland games as automatic loses – and you look at WPU, Kean and Buff State as games you'll cross your fingers for and hope for the best.

Dave,
Thanks for the hospitailty again. Happy birthday and good luck to your daughter! I'm hoping by next season that TCNJ joins the 21st century and webcasts its football games so I can enjoy some D3 football in Texas!

[JT]

I know the defense is good enough, but maybe the offense just does not have what it takes to make it to Salem this year.  I hope I am wrong.  I'll be fine once Rowan brings home the National Championship.  I just hop[e that I don't have to wait too many years to see that happen.

Me too.

West Conn took a page out of the RMU playbook and jammed the receivers.  I'm sure a lot of our young receivers just showed up in HS and were great.  College football requires a lot of work.  They've got to get off the line.   There were some misrun routes too. Although I didn't see RMU, I'm told their front four was pretty good.  We were able to run on West Conn and that helped.

You can tell Orihel is a bit fustrated.  Not all of his receivers are mentally in synch with him yet.  They've gotta make the right reads.

 

[JT]

Thanks for the hospitailty again. Happy birthday and good luck to your daughter! I'm hoping by next season that TCNJ joins the 21st century and webcasts its football games so I can enjoy some D3 football in Texas!

I just checked www.wtsr.org the browser told me it was not found.  I couldn't tell if they had a sports dept or not. I know in the past that they had music shows, but no webcast of those shows. You'd think there would be a couple of Madden wannabes running around campus. 

Regardless of the stigma of a Radio, TV, Film major (Rather Than Fail), you'd think some students would want to work on public speaking skills.  I'm so much more adept at making presentations in front of an audience because of my experience in college radio.

[JT]

West Conn WGLS podcast and game photos are available http://www.rowanfootball.com game story to follow soon.

[rams1102]

Montclair has (2) big games ahead of them. Travel to Buff St. and then to Kean. Buff St has played some good teams and Kean has been on a roll the past 3 weeks. They are looking good. We will see when Kean ges a real test vs. Cortland. Montclair has to improve the O quickly, I realize that they are young, but the D has been the major player this year. McCoach was stopped dead yesterday, I think because TCNJ knew when he would get the ball and swarmed. One time we faked to Ryan and the FB got the ball for a real nice gain. Maybe some screens and let Ryan run wide then maybe the passing will open up. Jump seems to have major tunnel vision, and many times he can run out of the pocket and doesn't. I know things will improve. Let's get ready for Buffalo St. Let's get the fire burning inside.

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

[njlincolnlion]

rams1102:

Congratulations to the Red Hawks on "back to back' wins at home.  Keep up the "Good Luck" tailgating!

[4merprof]

I wasn't able to make it to the game Saturday, but the one thing that I would have to agree with from the other Prof fans is that, as of right now, the Prof's are not ready for a run at the title.  I'm confident that they will win the NJAC, but the way things currently stand, a national title is a far way off.  I read all of the post game summaries, and Acorsi keeps saying that the will have to run the ball because the receivers aren't experienced...  Well this makes sense, however you have an All-American QB, that in essence is nothing more than someone to hand the ball off.  Since Rowan runs the no-huddle an supposed run and shoot offense.  I think they should just take Orihel out, and go to the single wing offense, that way they could have another RB in the back field to block.  If they have any chance at making it far into the playoffs, they are going to have to establish the passing game and running the ball every play is not the way to give the receivers game experience.  Now I know, regardless of who you have at QB, the receivers this year aren't of the caliber of the Wright's and Silva's, but then you have to make adjustments.  Roll Orihel out, and give the recievers the abilty to run crossing patterns etc... typical Tecmo-bowl football.  But without a threat of a passing game, defenses are going to be getting smarter verse the Profs.  Also if the outside receivers are getting jammed off the line, why not have the slot receivers play on the line, and have the outside guys two yards off to give them the chance to make a move prior to contact.  I don't know, just frustrated that after listening or watching 3 games, our fun and gun offense has been reduced to a running offense.  There just isn't the same excitement this year as in years past when watching the Profs play even in the stands.

I'm sure this week at TCNJ will be a "W" for the Profs, especially after reading the posts about the Lions and their lack of offense as well.  I'm sure that the Prof's "D" will shut them down.  I will be making the trip down to Trenton this week, to cheer on my Profs, but I'm sure that I will be leaving disappointed again with another exhibition of the single wing offense.

[RU Fan]

In any case, from the sounds of things the special teams for Rowan have not been that special lately.....................

When we see play like the recent special teams play, or the offense struggling to get a first down with an all-american QB under center, it drives us die hard fans CRAZY!!!!....................

I know the defense is good enough, but maybe the offense just does not have what it takes to make it to Salem this year.  I hope I am wrong.......

rowanlb92:

Interesting post with some very valid points!

First point:  Special teams really haven't shown any improvement.  You know, there are actually some special teams that get you points instead of costing you points

Second point:  An All-American at QB doesn't help you if all he does is hand the ball off in an attempt to secure a running game.  Orihel has shown over the last 3 years that he certainly can get the job done with his arm.  Granted, he had quality receivers most of those years ..... but the receivers that he currently has are not going to get any better blocking for running backs.  If the coaches think that the Prof running game is going to get them through the playoffs, I fear that they are sorely mistaken.  You may beat some of the NJAC teams with the RBs that we have but you have Cortland and MSU lurking in the weeds with supposedly very good defenses.  Neither Cortland or MSU have proven that they can stop Orihel in the past.  Unless the Profs get some balance in their offense and  the WRs improve (which I surmise is why the coaches schedule practice), don't reserve a hotel room in Salem.  Also, if the WRs were getting jammed at RMU, why are they still having the same problem against WConn after a week of practice. 

Third point is ... are we good enough to get to Salem?  Absolutely! .... but the play calling has to improve, Orihel has to have a chance to perform, the RBs and WRs have to get better and put the best 5 guys you have out there on the O-line.  If the O-line is having a problem pass blocking, roll Orihel out.  He seems to throw the ball as well running as he does sitting in the pocket.  With balance in the offense (run/pass), each will compliment the other especially with how well Orihel fakes during play action.   

Now that all of that is off of my chest, you all have a nice day

[RU Fan]

4mer:

I like your single wing idea.  The Profs even ran a little option last game.  Unfortunately, our Run and Gun offense has developed into the  Run and Done offense.

[Dr. xGSC]

What's with all the negativism?

I'll take the RU win. As each game goes on, the inexperienced players (read WRs) will gain experience. The passing game will come soon and everything should fall into place. The O will click and all will be good in Boro Land. This is one of the best D's that I have seen in quite a while in the Boro. There are some very talented WRs on the RU O and once their timing is set with Orihel, watch out opponents.

[rams1102]

njlincolnlion,

Thanks, and I hope we can produce back to back wins on the road. It sounds like your boys came to life. Good luck the balance of the year!!!

Pat,

Thanks for the Props on The Statistical Spotlight. We can use whatever press we can get. I hope I'm not the only MSU fan that will read it and make a comment. We have  real good D and need to get the O rolling. Thanks again for the press.

[4merprof]

Dr. GSC,

Not being negative at all.  I'm being a true fan, with realistic expectations.  Thinking back over the past ten years or so, I've never seen a Prof offense look as pathetic as it has this year.  Dating back to the Lister, Ornstein, Orihel, Warker, Racciopi days, I've never seen a Prof offense look this way 4/5 weeks into the season.  Granted, in a lot of those years we needed to score more points to win, because we didn't have the "D" we have this year.  But winning the NJAC, isn't exactly what the Prof's shoot for each year as you know. 

I really don't see, without changing the play calling and trying to establish a passing game this week, how we are going to improve to the level to compete for a national championship.  We run on first down, run on second, and attempt to throw on 3rd and 12 and keep our QB in the pocket to get hit because the opposing "D" knows we are going to throw and our o-line has had problems all year.  We need to mix it up more.  Last year with Wright and Silva on the outside, we could put ourselves into a hole and come out of it on 3rd down, but not this year.  We need to get our QB outside of the pocket and allow the receivers a chance to get open.  Running the ball every play might win the NJAC for us, but it will NOT bring home the walnut and bronze. 

I will hop on your optimistic bus, but I personally don't see how, without massive changes to the play calling and actually throwing the ball to figure out what WR's can make plays, how we are going to compete on the national level.

Good Luck PROFS, and throw the ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JT]

What's with all the negativism?

I'll take the RU win. As each game goes on, the inexperienced players (read WRs) will gain experience. The passing game will come soon and everything should fall into place. The O will click and all will be good in Boro Land. This is one of the best D's that I have seen in quite a while in the Boro. There are some very talented WRs on the RU O and once their timing is set with Orihel, watch out opponents.

Amen.  I believe the talent is there.  Especially from what I saw towards the end of the game.  With more film the coaches can say when your guy does this... or when you see this... do that.

Anyway when the Profs slide in the polls and people jump off the bandwagon (DIII pundits) it just pisses the team off more.  They believe (right or wrong) that there is a Rowan bias among other fans, voters, and DIII pundits.  Some of this may be due to the lack of access and/or problems created trying to get access to the football team.  This is a University administrative issue that has existed for years.

Each year I'm telling various Prof players that Pat Coleman doesn't hate Rowan.  With 234 teams, he can't play favorites and be reputable.  Then I point out some of the nice things d3football.com has done for/about Rowan.

But I think that there is a bias created from myth that is different from reality.  That and the KC factor/hatred that still hangs over the program.  Sometimes the out-and-out hatred of Rowan is surprising as is the racist behavior of some opposing fans.

There is quite a bit of Mount Union success good... Rowan success bad.

FWIW D-1AA Robert Morris pounded D1-AA St. Francis 45-13 on Saturday.  RMU lost to St. Francis 35-28 in 2005.

[RU Fan]

Dr. xGSC

I agree.  I'll take an RU win also ........ but it could have just as easily been an RU loss!  WConn played relatively well but should not have been within a touchdown of RU with the talent that RU has.  RU was playing catch-up the whole game.

I'm not sure what you mean by some of the things that you said in your post.  What does the passing game will come mean?  It just doesn't happen by itself.  I haven't seen any improvement in the WRs.  In fact, I don't think that they are as effective now as they were in the CNU game.  Who's fault is that?  Another point that hasn't been mentioned is that we have to use the whole field.  We keep working the sidelines with the middle of the field wide open for most of the day and short routes without stretching the field once in a while.  Another question I have is .... on 3rd and 12 for example, why have your receivers going 3 or 4 yards down field?  3rd and 12 means ...... you need 12!!!!!!!

Also, the WRs aren't going to get in sync with Orihel; or any better timing with Orihel; or anything else with Orihel by blocking for RBs.  Balance, we have to get balance... each complimenting the other.  Accorsi keeps stressing the running game in his pregame shows.  The running game will not get us a Stagg Bowl win especially with the O-line playing the way they are.

To answer your question about negativism, I don't think the fans are being negative.... true Prof fans will never desert the Team.  I just think that the fans are a little (or better said, a lot) confused about some of the very good points that have been raised in posts since Saturday. 

[Dr. xGSC]

Unless RU wins by a bunch, too many people are computer QBs and coaches. I played the game and I have witnessed many prof teams in the past. Usually it works out in the long run and I believe this team will as well. But for the special teams play, RU would've had a nice win. A win is a win and I'll let the coaches do their job. RU is a successful program because of their ability to do the right things. It is easy to 2nd guess what goes on and this forum provides that easiness to do so. YOU GOTTA BELIEVE! I DO!