FB: Empire 8

[boobyhasgameyo]

Minor note - the last time prior to 2010 that the teams matched up wasn't in 2003.  Fisher beat Hobart 24-7 in 2007 in the first round of the playoffs. 

So that would be 4-0 from 2002-2010.  But I get your point - not every single year as my original statement seemed to imply. 

[pumkinattack]

That's right, I actually went to that 07 game in the playoffs - was thinking of the regular season.  Actually 2002 was probably the most surprising loss to me.  03 was a weird year and you were the better team in 07 (still we were the 2 and 5 seeds and Hobart was pretty hot shredding everyone including a highly rated Alfred team after a weird 1-2 start, so I was bummed for that matchup in the first round anyway).

Still, nothing about 2010 or 2011 is surprising in hindsight.  Hobart went out in the first round in 2011, but on the road to a truly elite Wesley team with three backups playing in key positions. 

Those 02-03 games were both close amongst teams on the rise.  Hobart got into the playoffs a little faster (2000 & 2002), but Fisher made bigger progress faster.  Over the past decade, they start to look pretty similar overall at this point with different peaks.  I'm sure some will object, and not counting Wesley as an "eastern" team, seems like these are 1a & 1b over the past 10-12 years. 

I think the question for both is can it be sustained over the next decade.  Pretty hard to do, especially in the ever expanding/dilutive eastern region. 

[Jonny Utah]

I am also really excited to see what Fisher does this year. The switch back to a traditional offense adds so much to the overall offense that I don't think it can be understated. For all the bad that we have talked about with Fenti, no one has ever said he has a weak arm. The ability to throw the ball down field should open up holes for Kramer and Miller running the ball. I love Miller as a RB, but Kramer is a much more dynamic option and adds the ability to make people miss. Defenses have to account for him as a back, receiver, and can not throw out the option of him throwing so it gives teams so much more to prepare for.

   What type of offense were they running before switching back to a "traditional offense"?

They were spread no huddle for a long time.   

[MooseKnuckles]

   Sorry sjfcards...I screwed up using the quote option.  I accidentally made it look like you asked that question.

[Upstate]

What's the definition of "traditional"

Are we talking pro style offense or are we talking anything but the shotgun zone read?

If we're talking "traditional" pro style it would be 2006. They worked their offense from under center most of the time and mixed in a good amount of shotgun like most teams do. The following year (2007) they started to move towards a primarily shotgun based team with Kramer during his senior year.

The following year with Bailey in 2008 they went nearly all shotgun all the time. They ran some zone read stuff with Bailey and he would rip off some pretty good runs from time to time.

2011 with Kramer 2.0 they went to being a primarily zone read team.

I think we see more of a mix between 2007 and 2008 this year.

[dlippiel]

Speaking to the offense only dlip feels this may be quite a year for the Cardinals. The key to dlip will be turnovers (duh...nothing mind blowing here from dlip). From what dlip understands Fenti has quite an arm with a big upside. However IDHO he must show opposing defenses that he can distribute the ball with consistency to spread the field. With the NAMELESS (Lew is going to hammer me again for this ) talent now running the ball and being used in a manner that fits his strengths this O will be potent if Fenti can keep everyone honest. The pressure on O is really on Fenti to not make mistakes and maybe even shine. Not to mention there is some other talent on this side of the football. dlip looks for SJF to be strong.

[sjfcards]

Speaking to the offense only dlip feels this may be quite a year for the Cardinals. The key to dlip will be turnovers (duh...nothing mind blowing here from dlip). From what dlip understands Fenti has quite an arm with a big upside. However IDHO he must show opposing defenses that he can distribute the ball with consistency to spread the field. With the NAMELESS (Lew is going to hammer me again for this ) talent now running the ball and being used in a manner that fits his strengths this O will be potent if Fenti can keep everyone honest. The pressure on O is really on Fenti to not make mistakes and maybe even shine. Not to mention there is some other talent on this side of the football. dlip looks for SJF to be strong.

Fenti will be the key for sure. Limiting turnovers and smart decision making will be paramount to Fisher's ability to score enough to support what I think will be another good defensive unit. Don't forget that Danny Catan is waiting in the wings, and Fenti may be on a short leash.

[sjfcards]

Happy college football day guys! Still have another week before our teams start, but enjoy opening weekend for the big boys.


Go Irish!

[D3MAFAN]

Happy college football day guys! Still have another week before our teams start, but enjoy opening weekend for the big boys.


Go Irish![/b]]Go Irish!

Hahahah!

[AlfredSaxon8]

Happy college football day guys! Still have another week before our teams start, but enjoy opening weekend for the big boys.


Go Irish!

Huge +1 to that!

"On the heels of legends, we rise to victory!" Go Irish!

[ITH radio]

Any IC fans see the scrimmage vs. SLU today?

Reports from Hobart were that Buff State was very strong.

[rams1102]

Any IC fans see the scrimmage vs. SLU today?

Reports from Hobart were that Buff State was very strong.

Could we have them knocking off Cortland again?

[XREDDRAGON77]

This XRedDragon hopes not!

[Upstate]

Buff St's offense could be explosive with everyone that returns...

If they find consistency it will be extremely tough to defend them...

[D3viewer]

Wow..Just checked out Buff St's schedule.
Pretty tough first 6 games.
Cortland
Brockport
Wisc Whitewater.
Ithaca..
Alfred.
Salisbury..