FB: Empire 8

[fisherfanatic99]

Just in-
Gulls- No.9
Cards-No.11
preaseason poll

Just in-
Gulls- No.7
Cards-No.11
preaseason poll

Happy for both SU and Fisher. Now let's live up to that ranking...

All that matters is where you end up at the end.  Only complaint I have is that Del Valley shouldn't be ranked higher than Fisher.  But it is a small complaint.  Other than that it was nice to see SU at 7 Fisher at 11.  It is hard not to be pumped for week 1 with #11 and #20 in the country going at it. 

[PBR...]

Just in-
Gulls- No.9
Cards-No.11
preaseason poll

Just in-
Gulls- No.7
Cards-No.11
preaseason poll

Happy for both SU and Fisher. Now let's live up to that ranking...

All that matters is where you end up at the end.  Only complaint I have is that Del Valley shouldn't be ranked higher than Fisher.  But it is a small complaint.  Other than that it was nice to see SU at 7 Fisher at 11.  It is hard not to be pumped for week 1 with #11 and #20 in the country going at it.

What is your reasoning on why DVC should be behind SJF in the rankings?

[fisherfanatic99]

What is your reasoning on why DVC should be behind SJF in the rankings?
[/quote]

I think SJF would have the edge after beating DVC by two touchdowns at DVC last year.  Also I personally feel the Empire 8 is stronger than the MAC conference, and going undefeated in that conference is much harder to do than the MAC.  I think DVC is deserving of their ranking, but part of me feels that they shouldn't have been as high as SJF (maybe Fisher at 10 DVC at 11).  Both teams have young core players and return key starters, but winning away by two touchdowns, and coming back with similar tools I would give the nod to SJF over DVC.  With that being said, I'm pleased with the number 11 ranking for Fisher and understand why DVC is where they are, just as I said, it was a small complaint of mine

[Pat Coleman]

I think losing two All-Americans and a pretty darn good wide receiver is a good reason for a lot of voters to slip St. John Fisher past Delaware Valley.

[fisherfanatic99]

I think losing two All-Americans and a pretty darn good wide receiver is a good reason for a lot of voters to slip St. John Fisher past Delaware Valley.

As I said in my last post, I understand why the two teams are where they are.  To me, after watching the game last year I felt DVC was an overrated team. They were not as physical as I expected, and relied too much offensively on making the big play.  The way Fisher is designed defensively they just refuel in every position.  Leavell who was better than Vosburgh the year before last season and was out all this last year with an injury and now is back.  Schmidt will be missed at receiver for making big third down plays, but I think Fisher is moving into a run heavy offense anyhow.  Francis is an average receiver with below average hands, but is one hell of a return specialist.  Biggest loss for the SJF team from last year is at right tackle.  If they can find Balzcersak's replacement they are more talented and more football experienced than last year having a lot of guys from the playoff team back.  Nevertheless, I understand the rankings, but still feel DVC is a bit overrated.

[boobyhasgameyo]

What is your reasoning on why DVC should be behind SJF in the rankings?

I think SJF would have the edge after beating DVC by two touchdowns at DVC last year.  Also I personally feel the Empire 8 is stronger than the MAC conference, and going undefeated in that conference is much harder to do than the MAC.  I think DVC is deserving of their ranking, but part of me feels that they shouldn't have been as high as SJF (maybe Fisher at 10 DVC at 11).  Both teams have young core players and return key starters, but winning away by two touchdowns, and coming back with similar tools I would give the nod to SJF over DVC.  With that being said, I'm pleased with the number 11 ranking for Fisher and understand why DVC is where they are, just as I said, it was a small complaint of mine
[/quote]

Wasn't DVC realllllly young last year though?  To be able to do what they did with such an inexperienced group was impressive and you would have to assume their ceiling is higher than Fisher's at this point. 

I don't see Fisher beating Salisbury this year because Fisher has yet to beat them and until they do I'll give the advantage to the Gulls. 

I think Fisher will probably end the regular season 8-2, Salisbury and then some random could be anybody team which they tend to do every year they have a strong team (Alfred in 2010 and 2009, Hartwick in 2007, Norwich in 2004 come to mind).  I think they'll be on the bubble for a pool C again only I'm not so sure the committee will select them as a two loss team in consecutive years, despite how in my mind they justified the selection last year. 

Here is to hoping I'm wrong and they don't finish with two losses.  It's so much better when you don't have to worry about getting in!  Does anybody know of any great new recruits on the team?   

[boobyhasgameyo]

I think losing two All-Americans and a pretty darn good wide receiver is a good reason for a lot of voters to slip St. John Fisher past Delaware Valley.

As I said in my last post, I understand why the two teams are where they are.  To me, after watching the game last year I felt DVC was an overrated team. They were not as physical as I expected, and relied too much offensively on making the big play.  The way Fisher is designed defensively they just refuel in every position.  Leavell who was better than Vosburgh the year before last season and was out all this last year with an injury and now is back.  Schmidt will be missed at receiver for making big third down plays, but I think Fisher is moving into a run heavy offense anyhow.  Francis is an average receiver with below average hands, but is one hell of a return specialist.  Biggest loss for the SJF team from last year is at right tackle.  If they can find Balzcersak's replacement they are more talented and more football experienced than last year having a lot of guys from the playoff team back.  Nevertheless, I understand the rankings, but still feel DVC is a bit overrated.

Francis was not an average receiver.  Are you serious with that?  If anything I'd say he was more a victim of Kramer not being able to make long throws effectively.  Look at how Francis did with Bailey. 

[Bombers798891]

I think losing two All-Americans and a pretty darn good wide receiver is a good reason for a lot of voters to slip St. John Fisher past Delaware Valley.

As I said in my last post, I understand why the two teams are where they are.  To me, after watching the game last year I felt DVC was an overrated team. They were not as physical as I expected, and relied too much offensively on making the big play.  The way Fisher is designed defensively they just refuel in every position.  Leavell who was better than Vosburgh the year before last season and was out all this last year with an injury and now is back.  Schmidt will be missed at receiver for making big third down plays, but I think Fisher is moving into a run heavy offense anyhow.  Francis is an average receiver with below average hands, but is one hell of a return specialist.  Biggest loss for the SJF team from last year is at right tackle.  If they can find Balzcersak's replacement they are more talented and more football experienced than last year having a lot of guys from the playoff team back.  Nevertheless, I understand the rankings, but still feel DVC is a bit overrated.

Francis was not an average receiver.  Are you serious with that?  If anything I'd say he was more a victim of Kramer not being able to make long throws effectively.  Look at how Francis did with Bailey.

Yeah, Francis was legit. I remember all the trouble he gave Ithaca, and the Bombers haven't exactly been lining stiffs up at corner these past few years. He was a great WR...

As far as the Del Valley/SJF game goes...wasn't you telling me, FF99, that I was incorrect in my analysis about the Salisbury-Fisher game because of total yards and TOP and that the game was a lot closer than the score because Fisher just shot themselves in the foot?

Because I'm pretty sure Del Valley significantly outgained Fisher (385 to 288), won the first down battle (24 to 19) and the TOP battle (31:59-28:01) but were undone by mistakes, several of which occurred deep in Fisher territory. What's the difference?

[fisheralum91]

I think that despite losses to graduation, the Fisher D is going to be nasty this year.
They showed a lot last year, and can build upon that.
Look for Nick LoBrutto to have a coming out season.
He showed flashes of brillance last year before injury.

[dlippiel]

As much as dlip will love and focus on the East thoughout the season the big picture goal should be to get an Eastern team into the semi's or the final (which dlip knows runs through UMU and U--DUB DUB). After last years exchanges on some of the other regions boards it would be nice to have a team from our beloved region make a jump to that next level. Believe dlip, he feels as a whole, the east is pretty deep, just missing that one real top notch team. He would just like this to be the year one of ours really makes noise in the Tourney. Dlip was very proud of SJF and Salisbury last year.

[lewdogg11]

As much as dlip will love and focus on the East thoughout the season the big picture goal should be to get an Eastern team into the semi's or the final (which dlip knows runs through UMU and U--DUB DUB). After last years exchanges on some of the other regions boards it would be nice to have a team from our beloved region make a jump to that next level. Believe dlip, he feels as a whole, the east is pretty deep, just missing that one real top notch team. He would just like this to be the year one of ours really makes noise in the Tourney. Dlip was very proud of SJF and Salisbury last year.

I think last year's playoff performance did wonders for the East which shows on the Preseason Top 25.  Year in and year out the East teams would get screwed in the playoffs battling each other then losing to Mount Union.  Last year, we got a chance to branch out against some other Regions and showed that the East is not as watered down as they thought, just much more saturated and competitive than the other regions.

[SUADC]

As much as dlip will love and focus on the East thoughout the season the big picture goal should be to get an Eastern team into the semi's or the final (which dlip knows runs through UMU and U--DUB DUB). After last years exchanges on some of the other regions boards it would be nice to have a team from our beloved region make a jump to that next level. Believe dlip, he feels as a whole, the east is pretty deep, just missing that one real top notch team. He would just like this to be the year one of ours really makes noise in the Tourney. Dlip was very proud of SJF and Salisbury last year.

I think last year's playoff performance did wonders for the East which shows on the Preseason Top 25.  Year in and year out the East teams would get screwed in the playoffs battling each other then losing to Mount Union.  Last year, we got a chance to branch out against some other Regions and showed that the East is not as watered down as they thought, just much more saturated and competitive than the other regions.

Even though I loved how the committee mixed things up last year. If last years model would have been based on previous years regarding quarter finals, Salisbury would have faced St. John Fisher in the Elite 8 (Empire 8 lol!) This would had allowed an East team to make it to the Final Four...do not think the result would have change, but it would have at least allowed an East team to be trully represented in the semi's and allowed to play on national T.V.

Nevertheless, I love how things are mixed up. I wish we had funding to send teams from every region here and there. I just love being able to see teams from different regions showcase their talents to other regions, especially teams that aren't usually going to make it to the Stagg, semi's, or even quarterfinals.

[fisherfanatic99]

1st... Bombers. Fisher beat DVC with their back up quarterback (that's enough right there for me)  Francis killed Ithaca on one play last year (he was just faster than any of them) Bailey was a better throwing qb than Kramer obviously, but seeing Francis on a game to game basis he was not that good.   He had below average hands, but his speed is what hurt some teams (average receiver, unbelievable return guy).  No offense, but if I was the coach and figured Francis had good hands wouldn't he be catching punt returns for me too (might be a reason he didn't do that --HANDS).

2nd... Did you guys look at Francis' numbers in the two years.  Last year he had 53 catches for 726 yards and 9 touchdowns.  The previous year WITH BAILEY 50 catches 782 yards and 10 tds.  To me, that seems pretty similar numbers.  So that being a reason to show Francis was victimized from Kramer is not valid. He was dropping a lot of balls and did not go get some balls he had made plays on the previous year.  His numbers last year should have been that much better.


In the end, Bombers you should just worry about Ithaca trying to win some games for once.  Pat Coleman, you guys do very well with everything you do.  And it is time to let the players play and prove all of us right or wrong.

[PBR...]

1st... Bombers. Fisher beat DVC with their back up quarterback (that's enough right there for me)  Francis killed Ithaca on one play last year (he was just faster than any of them) Bailey was a better throwing qb than Kramer obviously, but seeing Francis on a game to game basis he was not that good.   He had below average hands, but his speed is what hurt some teams (average receiver, unbelievable return guy).  No offense, but if I was the coach and figured Francis had good hands wouldn't he be catching punt returns for me too (might be a reason he didn't do that --HANDS).

2nd... Did you guys look at Francis' numbers in the two years.  Last year he had 53 catches for 726 yards and 9 touchdowns.  The previous year WITH BAILEY 50 catches 782 yards and 10 tds.  To me, that seems pretty similar numbers.  So that being a reason to show Francis was victimized from Kramer is not valid. He was dropping a lot of balls and did not go get some balls he had made plays on the previous year.  His numbers last year should have been that much better.


In the end, Bombers you should just worry about Ithaca trying to win some games for once.  Pat Coleman, you guys do very well with everything you do.  And it is time to let the players play and prove all of us right or wrong.

DVC had a true freshmen starting at qb which cause me more concern than a backup playing....

[fisherfanatic99]

DVC had a true freshmen starting at qb which cause me more concern than a backup playing....
[/quote]

So you are saying you would've taking Hassanien (played in end of games and only threw a little over 10 passes IN HIS CAREER before taking over in the 2nd half of the Hopkins game when Kramer went down) over Wilmer who played all season long as the starter for DVC?