FB: Empire 8

[Jonny Utah]

So IC has Widener, Union and Cortland as nonleague games next year.

Are Frostburg, Kings or Lycoming going to be on there at all?

And no gossip or rumor on any additions to the E8?

The last that I heard, the additions to the E8 was kind of at a stalemate.  E8 doesn't really want to bring in some of the obvious potential choices (Cortland, Brockport, Buff State)...but is losing options fast.  

Did you hear this from someone official?  I know in general the E8 wanted to stick to private schools, but they did put out an official invitation to public schools.

I assumed Cortland turned it down.

As for IC next year, Im sure they will still be a threat to make the playoffs and possible do some damage.  They lose some key players but also have some key ones comming back.  I wouldn't exaclty call it a "rebuilding" year since some of the key players did see some legit playing time last year.

I don't think its that bad if the E8 (or LL for that matter) ends up losing an AQ.  I have faith that the best teams will get into the playoffs.  I mean, this Ithaca/Union series is great for upstate.  Id love to see Hobart back on the IC schedule as well.  That seems to me as kind of a natural game (about an hour away) for both schools.

[Yanks 99]

So IC has Widener, Union and Cortland as nonleague games next year.

Are Frostburg, Kings or Lycoming going to be on there at all?

And no gossip or rumor on any additions to the E8?

The last that I heard, the additions to the E8 was kind of at a stalemate.  E8 doesn't really want to bring in some of the obvious potential choices (Cortland, Brockport, Buff State)...but is losing options fast.  

Did you hear this from someone official?  I know in general the E8 wanted to stick to private schools, but they did put out an official invitation to public schools.

I assumed Cortland turned it down.

As for IC next year, Im sure they will still be a threat to make the playoffs and possible do some damage.  They lose some key players but also have some key ones comming back.  I wouldn't exaclty call it a "rebuilding" year since some of the key players did see some legit playing time last year.

I don't think its that bad if the E8 (or LL for that matter) ends up losing an AQ.  I have faith that the best teams will get into the playoffs.  I mean, this Ithaca/Union series is great for upstate.  Id love to see Hobart back on the IC schedule as well.  That seems to me as kind of a natural game (about an hour away) for both schools.

I heard from someone official...though the whole process seems to be strange...almost like they know they have to offer the state schools, but are hoping that a miracle school comes out of nowhere to complete the AQ requrements that is not on anyones radar...knowing that this school really doesn't exist.

I have a little less faith when things are put in the hands of the committee...remember Ithaca getting screwed a few years back.  I like the AQ...with the option of a few Pool C's to make sure teams that deserve to get in do.  It kind of gets rid of the back room deals and brings a bit more transparency to the choices.  We may not agree every year with the selections, but genreally speaking the last two teams in and the last two teams out all had chances throughout the year to solidify their selection and faltered in some way.  I do agree though that bringing back some of these more "local" rivalries would be great for everyone in NY.  Tough to get excited about your team traveling to Husson, WPI, Susquehana, or anywhere in New England...when you could be traveling a shorter distance to Hobart, U of R, RPI, Union, etc. (at least in 'Wick's case).  How many more fans could show up for a IC-Hobart game or a Hartwick-RPI game...as opposed to IC @ Norwich or Wick @ Husson.  In those games, there are generally little reason to even make an effort to go. 

[AUKaz00]

The 2009 Hornell-Bath-Dansville Talking Phone Book just arrived with none other than Tom Secky on the cover.  It was a warm walk back from the mailbox looking at that and has put me in a good mood before heading out to join th pep band at the Saxons' home bball finale.

On Saxon Warriors!

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

AUKaz00,

Were you leaning on the ENTER key at the end of your last post? 

[Bombers798891]

So IC has Widener, Union and Cortland as nonleague games next year.

Are Frostburg, Kings or Lycoming going to be on there at all?

And no gossip or rumor on any additions to the E8?

Re: Ithaca's schedule, Frostburg is still on there I believe, as is Lycoming. Don't quote me on that though. From my understanding, Ithaca only has 4 home games this season, and both those games would be on the road. As for the players returning, well, it's going to be interesting

Notables returning:

QB Brian Grastorf--not the starter, but did a good job filling in when Juvan got hurt
RB Thomas Bergerstock
RB Dan Ruggerio
FB Dan Witbeck--20 catches for 168 yards
WR Thomas Vossler--2nd on team with 41 catches. Also had 535 yards and 1 TD
LB Matt Scalice--89 tackles, 12 TFL, 1st team AA
LB Matt Dibble--36 tackles, 12 TFL, 5 sacks
DE Adam Drescher--28 Tackles, 7 TFL, 2 Sacks
DT Joe Goetz-- 35 Tackles, 12 TFL, 6 Sacks
OT- Jake Queener

The Bombers have four big question marks

1) Who's going to replace Chier and Samela in the defensive backfield? Ahonen and White were getting starting time and Bencosme returns, but Chier and Samela were their top two DB's

2) After Vossler, who's catching the ball? There's not a lot of talent returning

3) The offensive line loses almost everyone from the team's unit

4) Crandall and Chier also did almost all the kick returning, so who's taking over there?

Ithaca will be loaded at RB, set at QB and reasonably solid at LB. But WR/TE, OL and the return game will have to be rebuilt. Welch always seems to have his team ready for 7-8 wins, but he's replacing a lot of top end guys and he's doing it against a rough, road-loaded schedule

About the best news for IC is that the conference still has an auto-bid (right?) and both Alfred and SJF come to Butterfield, as does Cortland--though that doesn't really count

[fishfan]

As of today, Fisher has only 9 games for '09, it is the same schdule as 08, minus Norwich. There are no takers to fill the opening at the D3 or D2 level. The time is now for the New York D3 football schools to form a football only conference. The savings would be huge. It is just a matter of time that Springfield will leave the E8. There are less schools playing football in 09 than 08, a trend that will continue.

[Jonny Utah]

Im not so sure about Springfield leaving the E8.  SC is a place where the emphasis on football is similar to other E8 schools, and I think they like that.  These other NE leagues simply do not put in the time or money to the football programs.  Never say never though.

Now that the LL and E8 have 6 teams in each league, I think it would be good to see some sort of unofficial crossover for non-league games.  Maybe 2-3 each year for each LL and E8 team?

It sounds like the RPI coach wants nothing to do with playing the best teams possible though.

[fishfan]

1 or 2 players from Springfield are coming to Fisher in 09, also a transfer from Albany is commited to Fisher. Fisher has been recuiting kids from Iona since they dropped football. An all NYD3 football will make D3 football that much stronger.

[Jonny Utah]

1 or 2 players from Springfield are coming to Fisher in 09, also a transfer from Albany is commited to Fisher. Fisher has been recuiting kids from Iona since they dropped football. An all NYD3 football will make D3 football that much stronger.

You might lose a playoff spot though if you lost an AQ

[Pat Coleman]

As of today, Fisher has only 9 games for '09, it is the same schdule as 08, minus Norwich. There are no takers to fill the opening at the D3 or D2 level. The time is now for the New York D3 football schools to form a football only conference. The savings would be huge. It is just a matter of time that Springfield will leave the E8. There are less schools playing football in 09 than 08, a trend that will continue.

There are the same amount, actually. Castleton State and Anna Maria add, while Blackburn and Principia drop.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Boltus put up some respectable numbers at the combine today.

Top Performers

I did hear Gruden refer to him as the #1 player in DIII Football this past year on the NFL Network.  I don't remember Boltus earning that award.

[HHawks]

Congrats to Jason Boltus. He ran a 4.83 in the 40, and had a QB record 26 reps in the bench press. It will be interesting to see if any one takes a shot at him in the late rounds of the draft...

[AUKaz00]

AUKaz00,

Were you leaning on the ENTER key at the end of your last post? 

Yeah, I was typing with my 11 month old in my lap and he has a habit of wacking at the keyboard.  I cleaned up all the characters he inserted, but I must have missed those extra carriage returns.

I brought the phone book to the basketball game to show Pep and by halftime he had finally convinced me to go 5 rows down the bleachers to where Secky was sitting and playfully ask him to autograph the cover.  Thankfully #14 promptly got up and left saving me the embarrassment of acting like a wide-eyed five year old at his first baseball game.

[AUKaz00]

So, any NFL combine follow-up for those of us without the NFL Network?  I've tried looking around online for some insight, but what I've found isn't exactly promising.

Scout.com
"Boltus is a small school player who has good size (6-foot-3, 225 pounds), but lacks the skills necessary to be drafted. He ran a good 40 (4.83) and showed some athleticism, but appeared hesitant throwing the ball on a national level surrounded by a multitude of scouts who will determine his football future – a future that doesn't look very promising."

Sports Illustrated
"Boltus struggled on the big stage and did not show the skills to make scouts believe he has a real big future at the next level. His accuracy was poor most of the day. In once instance, Jeremy Maclin contorted backwards then fell to the ground trying to catch one of his errant passes. Maclin momentarily left the field with a left leg injury."

[PBR...]

So, any NFL combine follow-up for those of us without the NFL Network?  I've tried looking around online for some insight, but what I've found isn't exactly promising.

Scout.com
"Boltus is a small school player who has good size (6-foot-3, 225 pounds), but lacks the skills necessary to be drafted. He ran a good 40 (4.83) and showed some athleticism, but appeared hesitant throwing the ball on a national level surrounded by a multitude of scouts who will determine his football future – a future that doesn't look very promising."

Sports Illustrated
"Boltus struggled on the big stage and did not show the skills to make scouts believe he has a real big future at the next level. His accuracy was poor most of the day. In once instance, Jeremy Maclin contorted backwards then fell to the ground trying to catch one of his errant passes. Maclin momentarily left the field with a left leg injury."

aukazoo as usual the LLPP was on top of the situation and discussed earlier today....

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jason-boltus?id=81274#player-profile-tab-set-1:player-profile-tab-analysis