FB: Empire 8

[fisheralum91]

I cant wait til the 5th ---here is to hoping that a doctor reunion takes place!!!

[Bombers798891]

Keep in mind that a preseason poll is just a preseason poll. It's often hard to gauge, aside from your Mount Union-level squads, what a team is going to do based on what they're showing on paper.

As a voter, one simply has to make his best guess as to how a team is going to do, based on various information, including that which is provided to him/her by the poll collector.

Right now, based on what I know, I think that Ithaca and Hobart will be the best squads in upstate New York. I don't think Cortland will be up there with them given their losses, which includes a senior quarterback, a power running back and an entire offensive line. Knowing the program, I think they'll be competitive but I don't see them as a top 25 team. Other people do.

I do think Alfred will be around in the end though do I think they're one of the 25 best teams in the country at this juncture, I'm not sure. I would say they're fairly close and would definitely be in a top 35 or 40.  And country, that's the other thing to remember too. While the Alfred's, RPI's and Union's of the world will be extremely competitive against upstate New York teams, how do they stack up against other teams nationally?

Recently, Fisher and Cortland most notably have done very well in postseason play though the strength of the region I'm sure nationally was questioned when a very good Ithaca team lost at home to Curry.

Alright, I'm done bloviating for now. I'll more than likely be heading to Pittsfield to get a glimpse of St. John Fisher in a couple of weeks, and oh yeah, that other team too I guess from Alliance.

I figured I'd ask the board this because it's something about sports I've never understood:

DISCLAIMER: This is not an attack on anyone who is responsible for making, or voting in a poll

Are preseason polls needed other than to give fans something to yak about before the year starts? As John said, at best, it's an educated guess and no-one really knows anything solid. I suppose on the D-III level, it's less important than at the D-I level where spots in polls determine who plays in the title game, (and the fans are more rational and less apt to whine about their team being "disrespected" or "hated on" but I've always wondered if polls would be better if they started, say, in Week 4 or 5, after we at least had some idea of like "Hey, that Secky kid is even better than we thought" or whatever.

Again, I understand that on the D-III level where the polls have no bearing on anything official, this probably isn't an issue. But what do you guys think?

Note: Any responses I get may be used in a course I teach this spring

[wickfan]

I heard Utica recruited 150....can anyone validate this?

recruited or are actually bringing that many into camp?

Sorry for the late reply....been busy at work, I hate when it gets in the way of football....

Anyway, my understanding was recruited and are bringing in 150.  Then I heard a rumor that they now are going back and telling some kids that there is no room.  I hope this is false, I truly do.  Now, I have heard that some kids "recruit" themselves to a school and unless you have a roster limit, the school will take them.

[dlippiel]

I heard Utica recruited 150....can anyone validate this?

recruited or are actually bringing that many into camp?

Sorry for the late reply....been busy at work, I hate when it gets in the way of football....

Anyway, my understanding was recruited and are bringing in 150.  Then I heard a rumor that they now are going back and telling some kids that there is no room.  I hope this is false, I truly do.  Now, I have heard that some kids "recruit" themselves to a school and unless you have a roster limit, the school will take them.

Maybe this will be a sign for drastic change and improvement in Utica? Question? Will Utica look like Springfield during warm-ups having 150,000 players stretching at once?

[AUKaz00]

AU's pre-season story has been released:

http://saxons.alfred.edu/pressreleases/viewrelease.cfm?ID=5543

Coach Dave Murray has 66 new recruits coming with camp to open, Pep believes, on August 12.

The only thing that wrap-up was missing was that Alfred was so enthralled by closing 86 Field last year that the Saxons will be honoring its memory by recreating the experience at home this year complete with limited seating and fans lining the perimeter of the field.  So, if you intend on coming to Merrill Field this year, plan accordingly.

Well, truth be told, if the Merrill Field grandstand is not demolished in time to install temporary bleachers (and a temp. pressbox), AU will be playing home games either at Alfred State or Hornell High School. Pep is of the mind that the band will follow the Saxons....wherever they may play, home or away!! Pep is hoping, however, that AU will take some action soon, so as to allow the Saxons an actual "home field."

It's not looking good, Pep.  There's no demolition permit application on the agenda for tomorrow night's Planning Board meeting, so we're looking at September 4th before demo could begin.  That gives them 2 weeks to complete the work while all the fall sports teams are using the field for practice/games before the home opener.  It's looking like 3 dates at ASC and 2 at Hornell High for the Saxons this year...

[wickfan]

I thought I would take the time out to give my own opinion on the 2009 Alfred Saxons.

guys comming back
-Returning QB that may be the best in the (north)east.  This kid has the potential to be one of the top eastern QBs in a long time.
-Top WR returning
-3/5 o-linemen returning.
-Good linebacking core comming back
-A few good d-linemen comming back

holes
-Lost starting running backs (is the old 2007 RB going to be 100%?)
-Lost #2 WR (other WRs could be a question?)
-Lost entire secondary (how will that fare against passing teams?)
-Lost 2 good d-linemen

Now let me break down the Hawks for ya.

Strenghts
-Returning a WR who is a big time playmaker and maybe one of best in east.
-Returning RB is a big time playmaker and is very effective when ball is put in his hands. I see him as a big time difference maker this year
-Almost entire offensive line returning
-Almost entire Defense returning

Weakness
-Losing Jason Boltus (Duhhh)
-Losing All American WR Jack Phelan
-Losing WR Dan Gill who was very big on 3rd downs last year.
-Losing starting safety on defense who was heart and soul of defense.
-Has tough games late in season so upsets will have to kome in crucial weeks (Fisher last week of regular season at Hartwick)

I agree, will add a few things....


Offensively
- Heard rumor Cody Whitman, talented freshmen from 2007 has returned. Can play RB or WR, could help out since Dan Gill left.
- I figure Radley is the starting QB to start. Has a live arm, has played in the past and is a senior. We will need to understand when to get rid of the ball since I don't believe he has the ability to avoid the rush like Boltus had. I did hear an Adamio kid transferred in that is 6-4 and 220. Not sure if he was at JC or what.
- I think Grady Edwards the 6-4 freshmen receiver last year is going to have a big year.
- Offensive line development is key. Some freshmen OL will have to step and play I believe. I know the focus of recruiting was getting bigger and better up front. I think Coach Harrica  does a great job with the talent he has. If they can ever recruit bigger/better OL, it will be a strength. I was just amazed last year in the difference Brockport's oline was to Hartwick's. Hartwick's looked like a JV team compared to Brockport.
- Tosh Demulder/Noah Koreman will need to have a great years, again, the OL play will determine this.  

Defensively,
- The good thing is a lot of defensive guys are coming back, the bad thing is they gave up a ton of points.
- Again, focus was on getting bigger and better up front. I know they have some larger freshmen coming in, how good they are, we will see. I do know they have a transfer from Hobart that will be a sophomore. He was playing on the offensive line and will play defense to start at Wick.
- Heard that a promising freshmen LB from last year is not coming back. The kid had the ability to be all conference. Not sure what happened.
- Defense must be able to stop the run. As I said before, they couldn't stop the power running teams. They have to get off the field more this year. Especially since they will not score as many points as last year.  I do believe if they don't score in three plays like last year, it will keep the defensive snaps down. Almost 90 defensive snaps in game will wear any defense down.
- Key defensive guys must stay healthy and depth must be created. Last year against Brockport, when our starting DT Ben Tomaino left the game, Wick was up 14-0 and actually had some defensive stops. When he got hurt, they just steam rolled us up front. The other key is our starting inside LB Dan Contrastano health wise.
- Safety, can Ben Zarzycki  replace #5?  Ben is more of a true free safety but they will miss Ogey's(#5) tackling. When #5 didn't suit up against Brockport it was a huge minus. He was the only guy in the secondary that had a shot at consistently stopping Brockport's huge tailback Garrett Lynch.
- Replacing Mike Ashcroft at CB, very talented, but raw Ray Mitchell would be my guess.

I think they go anywhere from 3-6 to 6-3.....  .500 sounds about right. Then again, you never know....

[maxpower]

Hey everyone-

maxpower is back in time for the season... bear with me while i get caught up around here. it's been awhile, maybe even since the crushing loss that ended last season. Anything I should know?

i'm in logan, ut, in the middle of a cross-country move. by the end of the month i'll be set up in Boston, ready for a new season and maybe attending my first cortaca since '06....

Go Bombers.

[boobyhasgameyo]

I thought I would take the time out to give my own opinion on the 2009 Alfred Saxons.

guys comming back
-Returning QB that may be the best in the (north)east.  This kid has the potential to be one of the top eastern QBs in a long time.
-Top WR returning
-3/5 o-linemen returning.
-Good linebacking core comming back
-A few good d-linemen comming back

holes
-Lost starting running backs (is the old 2007 RB going to be 100%?)
-Lost #2 WR (other WRs could be a question?)
-Lost entire secondary (how will that fare against passing teams?)
-Lost 2 good d-linemen

Now let me break down the Hawks for ya.

Strenghts
-Returning a WR who is a big time playmaker and maybe one of best in east.
-Returning RB is a big time playmaker and is very effective when ball is put in his hands. I see him as a big time difference maker this year
-Almost entire offensive line returning
-Almost entire Defense returning

Weakness
-Losing Jason Boltus (Duhhh)
-Losing All American WR Jack Phelan
-Losing WR Dan Gill who was very big on 3rd downs last year.
-Losing starting safety on defense who was heart and soul of defense.
-Has tough games late in season so upsets will have to kome in crucial weeks (Fisher last week of regular season at Hartwick)

I'm going to be honest I was hoping you were going to set up a nice little joke there and put the "almost entire defense returning" bullet in the weakness section as well.  I would have given you karma for a long time for that one...

[boobyhasgameyo]

Also welcome back Max.  +k for having to drive across the Country...I don't envy that. 

[AUPepBand]

Hey everyone-

maxpower is back in time for the season... bear with me while i get caught up around here. it's been awhile, maybe even since the crushing loss that ended last season. Anything I should know?

i'm in logan, ut, in the middle of a cross-country move. by the end of the month i'll be set up in Boston, ready for a new season and maybe attending my first cortaca since '06....

Go Bombers.

Hey Max, Alfred will be opening the season Sept. 5 at UMass-Dartmouth if you wanna see the Saxons playing near Boston.

[maxpower]

Also welcome back Max.  +k for having to drive across the Country...I don't envy that. 

+k back booby.... actually i love driving so this is my bread and butter, i've always wanted to do it. me and my dad are trucking along with everything i own packed into my 95 saturn coupe. good times.

[Tags]

Attn: Fisher Football

Remember this cat? Here is the answer to that lackluster running game since a certain #25 graduated.

Nothing like a "fresh start" in your hometown  8)

Now get on it!

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=204763868

[AUPepBand]

Attn: Fisher Football

Remember this cat? Here is the answer to that lackluster running game since a certain #25 graduated.

Nothing like a "fresh start" in your hometown  8)

Now get on it!

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=204763868

Tags....are you sure you want this cat in your program? Pep is wondering what it is he did to get dismissed, especially after seeing PT (mostly special teams) in 12 games as a true freshman. Seems they saw potential in him from the get go.

"Running back Tony Jackson has been dismissed from the gridiron program, effective immediately, for failing to uphold the standard of conduct expected of a Blue Devil football student-athlete."

"Lettered three seasons at Bishop Kearney under Art Carlisi ... first team all-state selection at running back in 2006 by the New York State Sportswriters Association ... in just six games, had 1,533 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns along with 41 tackles during senior season ... named the Finger Lakes West Player of the Year and New York Section V's Class C offensive player of the year as a senior ... rushed for a school single-game record 337 yards on 22 attempts in a season-opening 38-6 win over Whitman (Sept. 1, 2006) ... also topped the 300-yard barrier against Waterloo (13-301) and had 200 or more yards four times ... first team all-state selection as a junior ... two-time All-Greater Rochester pick by The Democrat & Chronicle ... finished career with 3,887 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns"

BTW...Mark Robinson still in California? Among AU's 66 new recruits is Haverling of Bath star tailback Andre McCloud, who also was a pretty good sprinter on the Rams' track team.

[fisheralum91]

hmm that certain number 25 .....will he be at the MUC game?
Mark?

[fisheralum91]

Just read the E8 article that had IC as the pick to win the league.
3 first place votes.
Am i way off base or alone in thinking that AU or Fisher is more likely to win this thing?
I respect IC- no doubt- but on many accounts this was going to be a down year....wasnt it?