FB: Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[OldAuggie]

Agree the sleeping bear was awaken in U$T a few years ago.  And until someone knocks them off you obviously have to give them the nod again this year, but will anybody be able to stop the Auggie offense?

Should be an interesting year! Looking forward to it.

[Retired Old Rat]

Was at The Onion in Chicago today.  I sold them some stuff and was making a follow up visit.  They're planning their 2013 Stagg Bowl coverage.  Larry Kheres is signed on to conduct the  post game mid field interview of winning coach Glen Caruso.

Here's a past story for you Packer fans:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gG6qB1X9Y2k&list=TLckpzLE16mRM

[MadRedFan]

Hello Johnnie fans and MIAC fans.  Glad for the season to finally get here.  Going to be off the board for a few days after today, so wanted to toss a couple things out there for discussion.

I'm one who prefers some beef in the middle, both sides of the ball, but especially DL and LB.  I don't see Joe Zrust on the roster, and I always felt like the line played much better with him in the middle.  Wasn't he just a freshman last year - anyone know what happened?  Joe Donner was a senior last year?

There's lots of question marks, but no one has mentioned RB really.  We don't bring much experience, or "stats" back, at all.  Is Colin Moynahan gonna be the man?  Will Sura and - Essler, Vakulskas - become a young capable RB by committee??  I'm a little worried, considering the running game has been pretty sad the last couple years - I mean, I thought Steve Johnson and Nick Schneider were a very capable running duo but they only gained 600+ yards between them last year.  Tell me it will get better!!

Looking forward to an entertaining season!

[sfury]

Shameless plug time again. Little piece on the Johnnies returning, minus Gagliardi. Hopefully it doesn't make me an outcast among fellow Johnnies.

bit.ly/1eMfGeR

[tmerton]

SJU's got their 2013 roster posted.  19 kids from California?   

It's about time. 

[tmerton]

I don't recognize any of those kids from California schools that are perennial football powers.

Loyola and Bishop Amat are traditional powers from the LA area.  We used to go to the Loyola games when we lived down there; they didn't have many stars but I saw them play quite a few.

[hazzben]

Vista Murrietta, who provided, I believe, 5 players on the Johnnie Roster has been one of the better teams in their section for some time.

I don't recognize any of those kids from California schools that are perennial football powers.

Loyola and Bishop Amat are traditional powers from the LA area.  We used to go to the Loyola games when we lived down there; they didn't have many stars but I saw them play quite a few.

I think criswyly was saying he didn't recognize the players as being 'big names.' I don't think it was knock on the schools themselves. At least that's how I read his comment.

[sjusection105]

Hello Johnnie fans and MIAC fans.  Glad for the season to finally get here.  Going to be off the board for a few days after today, so wanted to toss a couple things out there for discussion.

I'm one who prefers some beef in the middle, both sides of the ball, but especially DL and LB.  I don't see Joe Zrust on the roster, and I always felt like the line played much better with him in the middle.  Wasn't he just a freshman last year - anyone know what happened?  Joe Donner was a senior last year?

There's lots of question marks, but no one has mentioned RB really.  We don't bring much experience, or "stats" back, at all.  Is Colin Moynahan gonna be the man?  Will Sura and - Essler, Vakulskas - become a young capable RB by committee??  I'm a little worried, considering the running game has been pretty sad the last couple years - I mean, I thought Steve Johnson and Nick Schneider were a very capable running duo but they only gained 600+ yards between them last year.  Tell me it will get better!!

Looking forward to an entertaining season!

We are learning as we go. The change to Ramler as OC could see a lot of faces in different places.

D is a work in progress,also different faces in different places.

Best athletes on the field and speed will be the motto for 2013- IMHO

[finsleft]

Shameless plug time again. Little piece on the Johnnies returning, minus Gagliardi. Hopefully it doesn't make me an outcast among fellow Johnnies.

bit.ly/1eMfGeR

My plug isn't shameless at all...it's a fine piece of writing, sfury. Read it.

[finsleft]

Hello Johnnie fans and MIAC fans.  Glad for the season to finally get here.  Going to be off the board for a few days after today, so wanted to toss a couple things out there for discussion.

I'm one who prefers some beef in the middle, both sides of the ball, but especially DL and LB.  I don't see Joe Zrust on the roster, and I always felt like the line played much better with him in the middle.  Wasn't he just a freshman last year - anyone know what happened?  Joe Donner was a senior last year?

There's lots of question marks, but no one has mentioned RB really.  We don't bring much experience, or "stats" back, at all.  Is Colin Moynahan gonna be the man?  Will Sura and - Essler, Vakulskas - become a young capable RB by committee??  I'm a little worried, considering the running game has been pretty sad the last couple years - I mean, I thought Steve Johnson and Nick Schneider were a very capable running duo but they only gained 600+ yards between them last year.  Tell me it will get better!!

Looking forward to an entertaining season!

We are learning as we go. The change to Ramler as OC could see a lot of faces in different places.

D is a work in progress,also different faces in different places.

Best athletes on the field and speed will be the motto for 2013- IMHO

I agree with 105's sagacious points above. With new faces (players, coaches) look for a less predictable offense, and improvements in all facets on the O side, except for kicking...

[ron doney]

Now that Fasching's got the pads out for practice at SJ1, I'm sure ND is not the only one with this problem.... 

http://instagram.com/p/c_996gvUxi#

[Boys of Fall]

Agree with what some are saying about the Johnnies.  With experienced QB/OL/WR's coming back less will be needed out of the RB position.  Surely they have RB athletes that can fill that role, and with Ramler at the offensive helm they'll be creative in moving the ball.  I think the Johnnie questions are interior on defense.  Sounds like they are committed to going back to the quick DL game as opposed to size.  This has worked for them in the past, time will tell if they have the athletes to recapture that presence up front.  However, even a little improvement on the D side might swing some of the closer games their way.

[OzJohnnie]

Shameless plug time again. Little piece on the Johnnies returning, minus Gagliardi. Hopefully it doesn't make me an outcast among fellow Johnnies.

bit.ly/1eMfGeR

A good article, sfury. I don't feel quite the same way about the transition to a new coach as you. It could be better to describe me as like Travis in Old Yeller: ther's no way anything could replace my perfect old dog, but one of Old Yeller's pups captures my heart and I fall in love again. I think that Fasching is the most Gagliardi like pup possible (and he was no slouch as a HS coach either) so I have no buyer's remorse over him.

In fact, I don't think he was necessarily settled for either. I think he may have very well been a positive first choice. Many folks believe Grant dropped out because SJU wouldn't give the resources requested. But a business case is about value, not cost. Fasching seems to have plenty of new resources so stinginess doesn't seem to be overwhelming. Maybe he presented a more compelling case than grant on what he would do with his resources. Maybe SJU pushed back on grant's requests because they didn't find them as persuasive.  I believe this is more likely than not.

But I enjoyed your article and feel similar feelings. I cant wait to see how this year turns out.

[tmerton]

I think criswyly was saying he didn't recognize the players as being 'big names.' I don't think it was knock on the schools themselves. At least that's how I read his comment.

Do you refer to players as "perennial football powers"?   

[tmerton]

Shameless plug time again. Little piece on the Johnnies returning, minus Gagliardi. Hopefully it doesn't make me an outcast among fellow Johnnies.

bit.ly/1eMfGeR

My plug isn't shameless at all...it's a fine piece of writing, sfury. Read it.

What "fine piece of writing" are we supposed to read, Fins?