FB: Empire 8

[D O.C.]

Of course these are always one-sided but it might give you all some more insight...

http://bit.ly/1PlmRlr

[Bombers798891]

Had to offer my Cortland thoughts.

Lots for the Red Dragons to be proud of. They went on the road, against what a decent number of people consider to be the best team in the country, and played about as well as anyone could have expected. This wasn't some laugher or blowout. The Red Dragons were legitimately in the game for the entire first half and I'm sure a whole lot of people just figured they were going to be fodder for a blowout. Cortland was a very talented team, and it showed in how competitive they were. Major, major props to the Red Dragons.

But—and this is less about Cortland than this conference as a whole—this game also illustrates just how far the E8 has to come to be truly "elite." Perhaps Cortland wasn't exactly the E8's best ever rep (though frankly, they're probably better than the two Ithaca teams that preceeded them as the AQ), but they still did what they needed to do.

And ultimately, when I look at some of the underlying numbers—Linfield's starting QB going 17-of-19, the 8 sacks, 3 picks from a guy who had just two all season—I see that there are just areas where the teams we're producing just can't compete with the best teams. It's not meant as a personal attack, just an observation. Even when the overall result is pretty good, we can see areas where the talent difference is just too vast.

I remember asking Jamie Donovan what it was like facing Mount Union in 2007. He just said "Man, they're just big, and, strong, and fast." And this was a guy playing for an Ithaca offense that scored three touchdowns against a defense that hadn't allowed ANY all season. But Ithaca was, in a lot of ways, in way over its head, even if the 18 points were great, and, like Cortland, the Bombers kind of hung around for a half (Trailed just 21-12 at the break)

I've been known for disagreeing with the perception of the E8 as elite, and these things are what I'm getting at. We're a very good conference, with very good teams, which is why we can go out and not lose these games 56-10. But we're just not there yet.

[pg04]

You are right, Bombers. Teams in the conference are still not at that level  and one can see that by watching the battles on the lines and in the skill positions; but I think that the winner of the E8 and Wesley will have the best chances in the east to challenge the elite in the coming years. The way that the E8 is though, I don't think we'll ever have a dominating team that wins several conference championships in a row. So we'll send different looking teams almost every year.

[D3viewer]

All conf team announced :
http://www.empire8.com/documents/2015/11/30//FB_All_Conf_2015.pdf?id=1249

Brockport secures both Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year...despite finishing 5-5.

Here's how many 1st teamers each squad had:
Cortland    7
SJF           5
Brockport 3 (2 POYs)
Utica        3
Buff St     3
Morr        3
Hartwick  2
Ithaca     2
Alfred      0     

[pg04]

Congrats to Andrews and Bennett! I am certainly not surprised by Andrews selection. He was a beast and broke all sorts of Brockport records.

Good job to all those named!

[MonroviaCat]

Sharing this here since many of us (myself including) were bashing this guy's performance on Saturday.  (I for one feel like a jerk now).

Story on Bill Johnson's passing is up on the Linfield Athletics site:

http://www.linfield.edu/sports/release.html?id=6097&sport=gs

[pg04]

Seems like he was very dedicated to the job and my thoughts are with his family. RIP Mr. Johnson

[umhbalum]

Oh wow, I feel bad for my comment I made. It wasn't personal just an observation. Prayers for his family and friends. I feel terrible.

[clandfan]

Sharing this here since many of us (myself including) were bashing this guy's performance on Saturday.  (I for one feel like a jerk now).

Story on Bill Johnson's passing is up on the Linfield Athletics site:

http://www.linfield.edu/sports/release.html?id=6097&sport=gs

Wow, condolences to the Linfield family.  I, too, was critical.  Prayers to his family.

[Bombers798891]

Condolences to Linfield

[wildcat11]

Oh wow, I feel bad for my comment I made. It wasn't personal just an observation. Prayers for his family and friends. I feel terrible.

Bill was incredibly off on Saturday.  He was in a bad car crash the weekend before and was visibly in bad shape on Saturday when I saw him. Radio is what he does so he drug himself into the booth to do what he loved even though he probably should have been home resting. 

I don't think anyone should feel bad for being critical as he clearly wasn't himself on Saturday. Bill was a man of faith and is with the lord now but he'll be greatly missed by all. 

You all have a great holiday and Christmas and be sure to tell those close to you that you love them.

[dlippiel]

Oh wow, I feel bad for my comment I made. It wasn't personal just an observation. Prayers for his family and friends. I feel terrible.

Bill was incredibly off on Saturday.  He was in a bad car crash the weekend before and was visibly in bad shape on Saturday when I saw him. Radio is what he does so he drug himself into the booth to do what he loved even though he probably should have been home resting. 

I don't think anyone should feel bad for being critical as he clearly wasn't himself on Saturday. Bill was a man of faith and is with the lord now but he'll be greatly missed by all. 

You all have a great holiday and Christmas and be sure to tell those close to you that you love them.

dlip sends his condolences to Bill's family, friends, and the entire Linfield family. Very sad.

[AUPepBand]

Had to offer my Cortland thoughts.

Lots for the Red Dragons to be proud of. They went on the road, against what a decent number of people consider to be the best team in the country, and played about as well as anyone could have expected. This wasn't some laugher or blowout. The Red Dragons were legitimately in the game for the entire first half and I'm sure a whole lot of people just figured they were going to be fodder for a blowout. Cortland was a very talented team, and it showed in how competitive they were. Major, major props to the Red Dragons.

But—and this is less about Cortland than this conference as a whole—this game also illustrates just how far the E8 has to come to be truly "elite." Perhaps Cortland wasn't exactly the E8's best ever rep (though frankly, they're probably better than the two Ithaca teams that preceeded them as the AQ), but they still did what they needed to do.

And ultimately, when I look at some of the underlying numbers—Linfield's starting QB going 17-of-19, the 8 sacks, 3 picks from a guy who had just two all season—I see that there are just areas where the teams we're producing just can't compete with the best teams. It's not meant as a personal attack, just an observation. Even when the overall result is pretty good, we can see areas where the talent difference is just too vast.

I remember asking Jamie Donovan what it was like facing Mount Union in 2007. He just said "Man, they're just big, and, strong, and fast." And this was a guy playing for an Ithaca offense that scored three touchdowns against a defense that hadn't allowed ANY all season. But Ithaca was, in a lot of ways, in way over its head, even if the 18 points were great, and, like Cortland, the Bombers kind of hung around for a half (Trailed just 21-12 at the break)

I've been known for disagreeing with the perception of the E8 as elite, and these things are what I'm getting at. We're a very good conference, with very good teams, which is why we can go out and not lose these games 56-10. But we're just not there yet.

Agreed, Bombers. And, quite frankly, Pep doesn't know whether an E8 team will ever get there, unless someone goes elsewhere to recruit and has some success. All the New York State high school talent is spread pretty thin among all of the NYS D3 programs. A more national recruiting scheme, much like Pep believes Hobart has, may be necessary to compete at that higher level.

Pep remembers the season AU was the sacrificial lamb (2010). UMU fans spoke highly of our defense in general, LB Nick Clark in particular. The kid could play. But UMU's defense was more like eleven Nick Clarks. Pep can't imagine what it would take, recruiting wise, to assemble eleven Nick Clarks in Saxonville. There's just too many decent football programs and all of the recruits have their reasons for going where they go.

On Saxon Warriors!

[pg04]

Pep, the points you and bombers (here and on another board) make are valid. It would take quite a shift.

However, there's always the side that is hopeful and is wishing for a few more powerful teams in the east to challenge the purples. That side comes out here on the boards sometimes.

[AUPepBand]

All conf team announced :
http://www.empire8.com/documents/2015/11/30//FB_All_Conf_2015.pdf?id=1249

Brockport secures both Offensive and Defensive Player of the Year...despite finishing 5-5.

Here's how many 1st teamers each squad had:
Cortland    7
SJF           5
Brockport 3 (2 POYs)
Utica        3
Buff St     3
Morr        3
Hartwick  2
Ithaca     2
Alfred      0   

Lots of love for my Saxons here. Given the balloting here, one would think the Saxons finished dead last rather than 8-3 and an ECAC Bowl champ.