FB: Empire 8

[Touch The Rock]

I'd be in.

[union89]

What I'm saying is that Coney ripped up IC last year. It definitely showed a weakness. Just like in 2007 (I think that's right) hartwick exploited the cushion IC gave for the 10 yd out route. So, its not so much that they changed to stop Coney, rather he exploited a possible weakness and this change should help fix said weakness. But I guess we'll see this weekend

That ignores the addition of a quality second receiver and potentially a decent catching Tight End this year -- that's why I'd find a wholesale change of defense questionable.  If you have four real threats on the field at any given time, then the defense is always going to be taking gambles -- you can't easily cover all four no matter how many you have stacked in the box and in what order they are there.  As a Union fan, I'd almost invite the 3-4 to be player because it will establish the run game for sufficient yardage such that Union will retain possessions, shorten the game and make it tough on Ithaca to gain momentum in the game.  That's at least my take on this.

How long have you been a Union fan, Frank?

This is my 16th season announcing at least some of their games, Pep.

To dlip the deal with Union is complex yet simple. The have a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball. Aside from Chris Coney you have a QB who, when smart and playing well, has the arm strength to absolutely kill a secondary. You have two very talented athletes at receiver, one of which dlip wholeheartedly believes cannot be covered one on one by anyone in the country, as well as a decent tight end who may end up playing a larger role in the O than many think.

What it comes down to for Union is their ability to show teams they can successfully execute in the air and on the ground consistently so opponents' defenses are always on their heals. If Union can do this, and the young D with some experienced leadership on the D line can step up to task Union will be very difficult to deal with.

Yet, if the air game remains inconsistent and turnover prone and defense may just benefit from zeroing in on Coney.

IMO, Union's season comes down to 2 key components. 
- Union lost 3 studs on the OL, 2 being 1st team LL'ers for multiple years....'U' has very good skill position players, but replacing these 3 will be the offenses main focus.
- Defensively, Union lost two of their best team leaders, a Gag's finalist at ILB & a DE who brought a ton of intensity to both practices and games.

Union may tout a ton of returning starters, but the loss of the above leaders will be very difficult and paramount to their success to open the season vs. Ithaca.

[theoriginalupstate]

Match ups are posted for this week in the pick em section...

Join in if you want!

[dlippiel]

What I'm saying is that Coney ripped up IC last year. It definitely showed a weakness. Just like in 2007 (I think that's right) hartwick exploited the cushion IC gave for the 10 yd out route. So, its not so much that they changed to stop Coney, rather he exploited a possible weakness and this change should help fix said weakness. But I guess we'll see this weekend

That ignores the addition of a quality second receiver and potentially a decent catching Tight End this year -- that's why I'd find a wholesale change of defense questionable.  If you have four real threats on the field at any given time, then the defense is always going to be taking gambles -- you can't easily cover all four no matter how many you have stacked in the box and in what order they are there.  As a Union fan, I'd almost invite the 3-4 to be player because it will establish the run game for sufficient yardage such that Union will retain possessions, shorten the game and make it tough on Ithaca to gain momentum in the game.  That's at least my take on this.

How long have you been a Union fan, Frank?

This is my 16th season announcing at least some of their games, Pep.

To dlip the deal with Union is complex yet simple. The have a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball. Aside from Chris Coney you have a QB who, when smart and playing well, has the arm strength to absolutely kill a secondary. You have two very talented athletes at receiver, one of which dlip wholeheartedly believes cannot be covered one on one by anyone in the country, as well as a decent tight end who may end up playing a larger role in the O than many think.

What it comes down to for Union is their ability to show teams they can successfully execute in the air and on the ground consistently so opponents' defenses are always on their heals. If Union can do this, and the young D with some experienced leadership on the D line can step up to task Union will be very difficult to deal with.

Yet, if the air game remains inconsistent and turnover prone and defense may just benefit from zeroing in on Coney.

IMO, Union's season comes down to 2 key components.  
- Union lost 3 studs on the OL, 2 being 1st team LL'ers for multiple years....'U' has very good skill position players, but replacing these 3 will be the offenses main focus.
- Defensively, Union lost two of their best team leaders, a Gag's finalist at ILB & a DE who brought a ton of intensity to both practices and games.

Union may tout a ton of returning starters, but the loss of the above leaders will be very difficult and paramount to their success to open the season vs. Ithaca.

dlip feels your O is quite solid 89, +k

[sjfcards]

Thanks for putting the pick em games up Upstate.

[Touch The Rock]

+ imaginary K upstate.

[Frank Rossi]

IMO, Union's season comes down to 2 key components. 
- Union lost 3 studs on the OL, 2 being 1st team LL'ers for multiple years....'U' has very good skill position players, but replacing these 3 will be the offenses main focus.
- Defensively, Union lost two of their best team leaders, a Gag's finalist at ILB & a DE who brought a ton of intensity to both practices and games.

Union may tout a ton of returning starters, but the loss of the above leaders will be very difficult and paramount to their success to open the season vs. Ithaca.

Very true.  And if the team can put together a playoff-berth season, then I'd think you'd have to credit the coaching staff and the players for really transcending the important losses you cited in your post.  We'll revisit this one later in the season, for sure.

[Old IC Voice]

Great article on the IC o-line by Brian Delaney of the Ithaca Journal: http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20100909/SPORTS03/9090404/Building+blocks++Bombers++O-line+under+construction

[AUPepBand]

Pep has been pleased to have some reading material on the E8(6) boards. The +K is on me all around tonight.

On Saxon Warriors!

[dlippiel]

dlip is looking forward to making the trip tomorrow out to Ithaca for the game. Any good places to eat lunch? dlip believes the Dutchmen are ready and is quite sure after recent game results Ithaca will be ready to go, especially at home.

[Bombers798891]

What I'm saying is that Coney ripped up IC last year. It definitely showed a weakness. Just like in 2007 (I think that's right) hartwick exploited the cushion IC gave for the 10 yd out route. So, its not so much that they changed to stop Coney, rather he exploited a possible weakness and this change should help fix said weakness. But I guess we'll see this weekend

That ignores the addition of a quality second receiver and potentially a decent catching Tight End this year -- that's why I'd find a wholesale change of defense questionable.  If you have four real threats on the field at any given time, then the defense is always going to be taking gambles -- you can't easily cover all four no matter how many you have stacked in the box and in what order they are there.  As a Union fan, I'd almost invite the 3-4 to be player because it will establish the run game for sufficient yardage such that Union will retain possessions, shorten the game and make it tough on Ithaca to gain momentum in the game.  That's at least my take on this.

How long have you been a Union fan, Frank?

This is my 16th season announcing at least some of their games, Pep.

To dlip the deal with Union is complex yet simple. The have a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball. Aside from Chris Coney you have a QB who, when smart and playing well, has the arm strength to absolutely kill a secondary. You have two very talented athletes at receiver, one of which dlip wholeheartedly believes cannot be covered one on one by anyone in the country, as well as a decent tight end who may end up playing a larger role in the O than many think.

What it comes down to for Union is their ability to show teams they can successfully execute in the air and on the ground consistently so opponents' defenses are always on their heals. If Union can do this, and the young D with some experienced leadership on the D line can step up to task Union will be very difficult to deal with.

Yet, if the air game remains inconsistent and turnover prone and defense may just benefit from zeroing in on Coney.

IMO, Union's season comes down to 2 key components. 
- Union lost 3 studs on the OL, 2 being 1st team LL'ers for multiple years....'U' has very good skill position players, but replacing these 3 will be the offenses main focus.
- Defensively, Union lost two of their best team leaders, a Gag's finalist at ILB & a DE who brought a ton of intensity to both practices and games.

Union may tout a ton of returning starters, but the loss of the above leaders will be very difficult and paramount to their success to open the season vs. Ithaca.

As good as Coney is and was last year, he did put the ball on the ground twice, and IC's defense, all things considered, played pretty well. Connolly struggled pretty bit too.

I admit Coney's a stud, and after last week, I really think Union wins the game. But it's not like last year was a reprise of the 2005 debacle (AKA: The Worst Defensive Performance in School History)

It's always interesting when turf teams (even the new style turf) come up to play on grass. I've always thought it hurt Alfred when they came up here.

Revised prediction: Union 23, Ithaca 14

[theoriginalupstate]

If you guys are in a pick em type of mood, the E8 games are listed on the pick em page...

[AUPepBand]

As good as Coney is and was last year, he did put the ball on the ground twice, and IC's defense, all things considered, played pretty well. Connolly struggled pretty bit too.

I admit Coney's a stud, and after last week, I really think Union wins the game. But it's not like last year was a reprise of the 2005 debacle (AKA: The Worst Defensive Performance in School History)

It's always interesting when turf teams (even the new style turf) come up to play on grass. I've always thought it hurt Alfred when they came up here.

Revised prediction: Union 23, Ithaca 14

The fact that the field hadn't been mowed in three weeks and had been watered daily may have had something to do with Alfred's less than stellar performances at ButterField.  

(Home stands are on the hill and visitor stands are on top of a building so that spectators can see over the statuesque blades of grass to view the action.)

[Bombers798891]

As good as Coney is and was last year, he did put the ball on the ground twice, and IC's defense, all things considered, played pretty well. Connolly struggled pretty bit too.

I admit Coney's a stud, and after last week, I really think Union wins the game. But it's not like last year was a reprise of the 2005 debacle (AKA: The Worst Defensive Performance in School History)

It's always interesting when turf teams (even the new style turf) come up to play on grass. I've always thought it hurt Alfred when they came up here.

Revised prediction: Union 23, Ithaca 14

The fact that the field hadn't been mowed in three weeks and had been watered daily may have had something to do with Alfred's less than stellar performances at ButterField.  

(Home stands are on the hill and visitor stands are on top of a building so that spectators can see over the statuesque blades of grass to view the action.)

Doesn't seem to stop Fisher, does it?

Hey, we both play on the same field...if ya can't take the heat...

I remember Springfield fans complaining about that when Chris Sharpe came in and only put up 74 yards on 24 carries in 2006. Although the weather was awful that day

To me, as long as the field is playable, it's all fair game. Gotta be able to adapt. The Bombers' haven't ever really played well on turf. It's a give and take

[Touch The Rock]

What I'm saying is that Coney ripped up IC last year. It definitely showed a weakness. Just like in 2007 (I think that's right) hartwick exploited the cushion IC gave for the 10 yd out route. So, its not so much that they changed to stop Coney, rather he exploited a possible weakness and this change should help fix said weakness. But I guess we'll see this weekend

That ignores the addition of a quality second receiver and potentially a decent catching Tight End this year -- that's why I'd find a wholesale change of defense questionable.  If you have four real threats on the field at any given time, then the defense is always going to be taking gambles -- you can't easily cover all four no matter how many you have stacked in the box and in what order they are there.  As a Union fan, I'd almost invite the 3-4 to be player because it will establish the run game for sufficient yardage such that Union will retain possessions, shorten the game and make it tough on Ithaca to gain momentum in the game.  That's at least my take on this.

How long have you been a Union fan, Frank?

This is my 16th season announcing at least some of their games, Pep.

To dlip the deal with Union is complex yet simple. The have a ton of talent on the offensive side of the ball. Aside from Chris Coney you have a QB who, when smart and playing well, has the arm strength to absolutely kill a secondary. You have two very talented athletes at receiver, one of which dlip wholeheartedly believes cannot be covered one on one by anyone in the country, as well as a decent tight end who may end up playing a larger role in the O than many think.

What it comes down to for Union is their ability to show teams they can successfully execute in the air and on the ground consistently so opponents' defenses are always on their heals. If Union can do this, and the young D with some experienced leadership on the D line can step up to task Union will be very difficult to deal with.

Yet, if the air game remains inconsistent and turnover prone and defense may just benefit from zeroing in on Coney.

IMO, Union's season comes down to 2 key components. 
- Union lost 3 studs on the OL, 2 being 1st team LL'ers for multiple years....'U' has very good skill position players, but replacing these 3 will be the offenses main focus.
- Defensively, Union lost two of their best team leaders, a Gag's finalist at ILB & a DE who brought a ton of intensity to both practices and games.

Union may tout a ton of returning starters, but the loss of the above leaders will be very difficult and paramount to their success to open the season vs. Ithaca.

As good as Coney is and was last year, he did put the ball on the ground twice, and IC's defense, all things considered, played pretty well. Connolly struggled pretty bit too.

I admit Coney's a stud, and after last week, I really think Union wins the game. But it's not like last year was a reprise of the 2005 debacle (AKA: The Worst Defensive Performance in School History)

It's always interesting when turf teams (even the new style turf) come up to play on grass. I've always thought it hurt Alfred when they came up here.

Revised prediction: Union 23, Ithaca 14

Coney fumbled twice but didn't lose either.  All in all U had 3 fumbles but recovered them all.  Also, he averaged 4.8 yards/carry 157 yards on 33 carries. 

Agree on Connolly though, he did struggle a bit.  Couple of picks.  I remember one he threw to Ahonen in double coverage right around the 50 yard line.  But, a QB with a year of experience under his belt like that can typically only get better. 

Still like IC, can't wait to see how it turns out.