FB: Empire 8

[Jonny Utah]

I know it was brought up earlier...but the Ithacan article was interesting to me.
http://www.ithaca.edu/ithacan/articles/0609/28/sports/0tailback_.htm

I hate criticizing these kids who are learning to write, broadcast, etc (I've been there)...but while it is a really nice article and both backs are great....why do they always have to bring up the "Arguably the best ever" line.  Best this author has seen?  Maybe.  Best ever, probably not.  Someone listed off a few from years past earlier and I agree with those and would add Carpenter....also as staed, Johnny Utah can shed some light as well.  While I have only seen old video, I think many would argue that Jeff Whittman was the best ever.

Anyway - my point is, I hate that writers have to use phases like that just to make an article more interesting.  It was a good article about 2 good kids and football players without it.  Besides, he miss quoted Anchorman too.

Rating bomber running backs is tough since only one really stands out.  After that there are a bunch of great backs.  Heres my 2 cents.......

Jeff Wittman is probably the best running back that Ithacas ever had.  All-American, two national championships, the guy was an option/fullback/running back that was as tough as there ever was in d3football.

Pual Parker is also up there (Ive only seen him on some film).

There was also Mike Scott and Bob Ferrigno that are past record breakers and good runners.  ( Ive never seen these guys play.)

After that its tough.  There were many great backs but none stand out.

There was this guy Jason? Johnson in 1994 that ended up transferring to Pittsburg St. after the season.  He was tough.

PJ Cooney was a big tough runner.

Dibble was a shifty back as was Carpenter.

Tommy G was also quick and had a little more speed that a lot of the other backs in the 90s.

I have actually never seen Donovon had a good game live.  Ive seen Baez explode and win some games but Ive only see about 3 games a year.

[JQV]

Tommy G was also quick and had a little more speed that a lot of the other backs in the 90s.

He may not have been the best runner but, I have not seen many players at any position with a better nose for the end zone.  Giorgio just had a quality that gave every play a potential to go to the house.

[JQV]

i just think when the teams take the field 11 men go out there

Unless you are at Butterfield where a 12th "man" (or since it is Ithaca I suppose it is a 12th "person") joins you from the East end of the seats.

Or, unless you are at Cortland and a 6th member of the kickline joins you from the bleachers....

[AUPepBand]

Turning the RB discussion to the West, I would probably rate Ray Rogers as AU's finest RB. Used to love watching the elusive Lance Locey pitch to him on the option. Gave you the feeling I remember having when O.J., before all his troubles, would get the ball while a Bill. As you say, everytime he got his hands on the ball, he could take it to the house.

Not sure but that Jesse Raynor probably eclipsed  Rogers' career rushing record...but I would credit Raynor as AU's most versatile football player rather than finest RB.

Okay....now you can go back to your IC backs.

[grand pere]

thanks fisheralum91-- I really was'nt talking about any specific school--just in general --my heart goes out to the guys in the trenches and the second-third and 4th string-they put in just as much sweat and effort -all for love of the game, especially at  the d3 level.

[fisheralum91]

No prob grand,
Its nice to see that the od keeps up with athletes after they go to college.

[superman57]

good article in the school news paper on R&R

[JQV]

Not sure but that Jesse Raynor probably eclipsed  Rogers' career rushing record...but I would credit Raynor as AU's most versatile football player rather than finest RB.

He really was amazing.  I remember him putting together like a 6TD game or something once (in fact, I think it was against Fisher) where he ran one, caught one, passed for one, returned a kick, returned a punt, or some sort of cycle like that.  He also, drove the team bus to the game, cooked the pregame meal, painted the helmets, coached the defense, molded the mouthpieces, and founded AU

[fisheralum91]

hey superman- anyway to get a hold of it?

[maxpower]

molded the mouthpieces,

eww

and founded AU

ewww



Just kidding, love the AU guys.

[bomber27]

John P.

I will agree that whittman was the best running back to come in in turns of numbers and system.  I saw him during my senior year and he still looks like nhe could run for a grand.  I do know for a fact that if Jamie Donovan touched the ball as much as some of these other backs through out our history, he would break every record we have.  He is 6'1" 220 with 4.4 to 4.5 speed, great balance and tough as nails.  I played with Georgio(stud with speed), Maddi(best moves I have seen), Celebre(toughest I have ever in my life played with), Caleb(game breaker) and the trio this year.  I would say out of all of them Donovan has it all.  Best back I have played with and thats not to take anything away from any others but he just has "it"

[realistic]

Not sure but that Jesse Raynor probably eclipsed  Rogers' career rushing record...but I would credit Raynor as AU's most versatile football player rather than finest RB.

He really was amazing.  I remember him putting together like a 6TD game or something once (in fact, I think it was against Fisher) where he ran one, caught one, passed for one, returned a kick, returned a punt, or some sort of cycle like that.  He also, drove the team bus to the game, cooked the pregame meal, painted the helmets, coached the defense, molded the mouthpieces, and founded AU

I remember that game.  Didn't he end up on ESPN during the Thursday game when they used to highlight a small school player or game?

As for the Ithacan article, I posted the link earlier but the main page is
www.ithaca.edu/ithacan

[maxpower]

John P.

I will agree that whittman was the best running back to come in in turns of numbers and system.  I saw him during my senior year and he still looks like nhe could run for a grand.  I do know for a fact that if Jamie Donovan touched the ball as much as some of these other backs through out our history, he would break every record we have.  He is 6'1" 220 with 4.4 to 4.5 speed, great balance and tough as nails.  I played with Georgio(stud with speed), Maddi(best moves I have seen), Celebre(toughest I have ever in my life played with), Caleb(game breaker) and the trio this year.  I would say out of all of them Donovan has it all.  Best back I have played with and thats not to take anything away from any others but he just has "it"

B27-

I know you knew all these guys and we didn't, but don't you think you might be romanticizing just a bit? I wouldn't consider anything you offered evidence that comes close to proving that Donovan is the best RB in Bomber history, he just doesn't get enough touches. If you ask me, he got too many touches in the Fisher game, and made some bad decisions when he did have the ball. Forget about Bomber history, I want Baez to get more touches THIS SEASON.

[JQV]

Not sure but that Jesse Raynor probably eclipsed  Rogers' career rushing record...but I would credit Raynor as AU's most versatile football player rather than finest RB.

He really was amazing.  I remember him putting together like a 6TD game or something once (in fact, I think it was against Fisher) where he ran one, caught one, passed for one, returned a kick, returned a punt, or some sort of cycle like that.  He also, drove the team bus to the game, cooked the pregame meal, painted the helmets, coached the defense, molded the mouthpieces, and founded AU

I remember that game.  Didn't he end up on ESPN during the Thursday game when they used to highlight a small school player or game?

As for the Ithacan article, I posted the link earlier but the main page is
www.ithaca.edu/ithacan

He definitely was on ESPN.  He played IC (I would say 'they' but, read above) and we held him under 100 yards rushing.  He really was incredible.

[JQV]

John P.

I will agree that whittman was the best running back to come in in turns of numbers and system.  I saw him during my senior year and he still looks like nhe could run for a grand.  I do know for a fact that if Jamie Donovan touched the ball as much as some of these other backs through out our history, he would break every record we have.  He is 6'1" 220 with 4.4 to 4.5 speed, great balance and tough as nails.  I played with Georgio(stud with speed), Maddi(best moves I have seen), Celebre(toughest I have ever in my life played with), Caleb(game breaker) and the trio this year.  I would say out of all of them Donovan has it all.  Best back I have played with and thats not to take anything away from any others but he just has "it"

I gotta disagree too B27.  Donovan may have had "it" the last half of his first season but he hasn't done a whole heck of a lot since.  There are a number of explanations for that I am sure but, he simply hasn't produced like Wittman for a whole career.