FB: Empire 8

[AUPepBand]

Also, a lot of talk coming out of the Alfred camp - a bit premature considering they have the potential to lose their final three games of the year.

Welcome aboard, Tags!

Not sure whether you've been a reader of E8PP but as far as "premature talk" from the Alfred camp...this poster talks year-round. Been lifetime AU fan, win or lose.

And while certainly the Saxons have the potential to lose their final three games (who doesn't?) of the year, they are also in a position to take some major steps forward. Right now, AU is focused on Husson.

One game at a time.

GO SAXONS!!!

[AUPepBand]

To the AU crew -

What are your thoughts on the 06 St. Larries?  Looks like they gave you a pretty tough game a few weeks back (TGP believes the final was 17-14).

What should Bart fans expect as our boyz roll up to Canton this weekend?

Saints always give the Saxons fits in Canton. This year, AU scored TDs on its first two possessions while SLU squandered some first half scoring opportunities (two missed field goals as AU defense stiffened). After the 14-0 lead, with each AU offensive series, SLU defense began to build confidence. A fourth quarter interception set up AU for a late field goal to take a 17-7 lead, then SLU took less than a minute to score to pull within 17-14 but Saxons recovered onside kick and ran out the clock.

Don't remember all the details but Saints have a big tight end (Young) who's been around. Decent QB. Decent defense. Overall, seems the morale at SLU is way up from what AUPepBand has seen of late.

AU squad had heavy heart at Canton, with team sparkplug and starting tailback Julio Fuentes fighting for his life in ICU in Rochester, where he'd been a week already with little progress to report.

TGP: Alfred Sun picks 'bart over SLU 21-20...the way I figure (mathematically challenged here), the Sun is 55-11 on NYS D3 picks this season, about 83% accuracy.

[bombsaway]

Saxon73 your sense of humor is almost as bad as the alfred football prgram.  I am so sick and tired of the Utica, Alfred fans coming on this board and talking about how their program is "headed in the right direction" and "shouldn't be overlooked".  BS.  These teams are bottom of the barrel and will be until they actually PROVE they can beat springfield/fisher/IC.  While I appreciate the enthusiasm of AUpepband, Mr. Saxon73 can take his inferiority complex back to the basement of the E8.  And my karma means very little to me Sir, many posters on this board will tell you, it's not uncommon to be penalized for making a good point that other schools don't want to hear.... granted I don't make as many good points as some..

Max, there's no way you can compare A-rod and Jeter to Reyes and Wright at this point in their careers, obviously A-rod and Jeter are more proven and seasoned than the two 23 year olds in queens.  But they also have 10 years on them.  They both have a long way to go to be like their yankee counterparts, but they're on the right track..

[JQV]

but they're on the right track..

Is this another way of saying that Wright and Reyes are "headed in the right direction" ??

[labart96]

21-20 sounds a little TOO CLOSE for TGP's liking, but TGP will take a win.

BTW - StLarry on the LLPP had some interesting points if you are interested.

Thx!

[John McGraw]

Jose-

I wouldn't necessarily agree with that. McNabb put up good numbers running the option at Syracuse, did that mean he was the least dangerous threat in the eyes of the defense?

I have not seen them, but I am assuming the offense is built around him and that's why he's getting the yards - and carries.

Thoughts?

The Syracuse option is not a good comparison to SC.  A better comparison is Navy.  SC doesn't just use the option, it is all they do.  Also, they didn't build it around this QB.  They have been doing this for a while now and, with the exception of the last two seasons, have sent a QB to the top of the nation in rushing.  At one point, a few years ago, they used two different QBs and both were among the national leaders in rushing (Ryan Silva was one of them I think).  Anyway, the point is, it is hard to tell just how good these guys are because of the system.  Nevertheless, for the option to be so effective, the other options have to be respectable.

You are correct. Ryan Sylvia was one of them. The other was Michael Judge. Before those two, it was Kevin Cahill. And the Springfield triple option is much akin to the option formerly run by Army (pre-Bobby Ross) and Navy. Three backs in the backfield, mostly wishbone, one receiver or a double-tight set and lots of running.

Sharpe is a very good athlete. I must admit though, I figured him to be a little taller. He's listed at 5'9" 204lbs. on the Springfield roster. Now, there's nothing wrong with being that small. But, traditionally the typical Springfield option QB is on the bigger side (linebacker size) so that he can run right over you. But, Sharpe's a tough kid. He plays both football and lacrosse and greatly excels at both of them.

The real pressure will be on the linebackers in Fisher's 4-4 alignment. They will have to play disciplined and remain covering their responsibilities rather than going for the ball. The safety in the defensive backfield could be used as a QB spy since Springfield will probably only be throwing two or three passes at most.

Opposite side of the ball, Springfield runs a 3-4, very similar to Ithaca. All three linemen up front have good size and the linebackers are experienced. As Ithaca proved in the first half against Fisher, the 3-4 can be effective. The task will be up to the Springfield linebackers on the inside to plug up the inner holes and the outside linebackers will have to watch for Robinson to cut to the outside. On Robinson's second touchdown run against Ithaca, he had nothing up the middle, bounced to the outside and no one was there for Ithaca.

Since I'm broadcasting the game, I won't make a prediction. Fisher won last year rather handily out at Benedum Field so I think Springfield has a lot to prove. When both teams were having solid seasons in 2004, Fisher won going away in a shootout. Springfield's defense is better now but I still think this will end up being high scoring and it may come down to the last possession.

[maxpower]

also, shouldnt there be more press about that other NY teams left side of the infield? perhaps the best in baseball... and silence. MIYH?

Jeter is far better than Reyes and A-Rod is far better than Wright. The numbers don't lie, and all the stuff about "heart" and crap you can give to Jeter and A-Rod just as soon. As far as postseason performance, both Reyes and Wright have had pretty crappy postseasons so far.

Don't make me pull out VORP on your ass....

I was a big supported of the deal to bring A-Rod in for the basketball-impaired Aaron Boone and I stuck with him all the way through game 2 of the ALDS this year.  His offensive numbers are great and thus his VORP will be off the charts (not as good as Jeter's THIS year, but he's top 40 every year).  The big problem with A-Rod is that he just isn't the best fit for this team.  You can see it in the way that no one in the clubhouse stood up for him after the SI article or in the way he constantly makes comments about how he will "carry the team" or "take the team to another level" when the team quite obviously doesn't NEED him to carry them.  Add in his historically bad propensity to hit with RISP during the playoffs with his atrocious defense this year and I think it's time for a new direction at the hot corner for the Yanks.  I hope that Sweet Lou gets his wish and that the Yanks can get Zambrano in the deal since pitching and defense (along with timely hitting) that got us those 4 championships.

Last season A-Rod was the most valuable player of the g*ddamn american league. The Yankees may not "need" him, but they sure as hell won't be better off without him. This year he had an off year to the tune of 35 HR and 100 RBI. He had a terrible year in defense, which averages out with his incredible year in his first year at 3B. Jeter, on the other hand, had uncharacteristically good defensive performance the past two years, and undoubtedly had his career year at the plate. A-Rod is obviously more talented than Jeter, and Jeter had an up year while A-Rod had a down. Players have a tendency to regress to the mean. So explain to me how Derek Jeter is more vaulable to the Yankees next year than A-Rod? Is it his leadership, which, as you pointed out didn't show itself when the issue of A-Rod came up. I think Jeter not defending A-Rod is immaturity on the part of the captain rather than A-Rod. I should state that Jeter is my favorite athlete now that Steve Yzerman retired, and I think he is the number one player the Yankees should not trade. A-Rod is number two, maybe three behind Rivera.

And why is everyone licking Torres' nuts after he left Giambi, the Yankees most productive hitter this season, out of the lineup in the series clinching game? He also put Brian Bruney, the yankees' best relief pitcher of late, in to face one batter in a non-matchup situation.

Max, there's no way you can compare A-rod and Jeter to Reyes and Wright at this point in their careers, obviously A-rod and Jeter are more proven and seasoned than the two 23 year olds in queens.  But they also have 10 years on them.  They both have a long way to go to be like their yankee counterparts, but they're on the right track..

At Wright's age, Rodriguez had 148 home runs. Wright has 67. He had three gold gloves (a stupid award, but still). Wright has none. At age 20, A-Rod finished 2nd in MVP voting. At age 22, Wright finished 19th. At Wright's age A-Rod had led the league at some point in batting average, runs scored, hits, total bases, and doubles. Wright has never led the league in anything. I think it's very easy to compare Wright to A-Rod and say that unless Wright shatters some single-season records, he will not become close to the player A-Rod is.

True, Reyes could become a better player than Jeter. People seem to fawn over his speed, but until he gets caught stealing less than 19 times, I'm not too impressed. I think Reyes is the third or fourth best player on his team.

[Tags]

John-

I'm sure Sharpe is a tough kid, but you're not going to get away with only throwing 5 times vs. a defense such as Fishers - the Fisher linebackers will eat their lunch all game long. Same will hold true when head to Ithaca.
Sure the argument can be made that Springfield has been putting up numbers all year, but name a good defense that has been put in front of them? I'm not saying they won't put some points up, but I'm seriously doubting they'll post the numbers they are accustomed to.

On the other side of the coin, getting too aggressive with the backers can be Springfields downfall - Kramer will pick them apart underneath. Stacking the box against Fisher isn't anything new, and Robinson's field vision allows him to usually make positive yards. The key is that Fishers passing game is surprisingly decent, and will help to spread the field. That means you'll have to pick your poison and hope one of the two has a bad game.

[Tags]

Also, a lot of talk coming out of the Alfred camp - a bit premature considering they have the potential to lose their final three games of the year.

Welcome aboard, Tags!

Not sure whether you've been a reader of E8PP but as far as "premature talk" from the Alfred camp...this poster talks year-round. Been lifetime AU fan, win or lose.

And while certainly the Saxons have the potential to lose their final three games (who doesn't?) of the year, they are also in a position to take some major steps forward. Right now, AU is focused on Husson.

One game at a time.

GO SAXONS!!!

Peppy-

Thanks for the welcome. All I'm saying is that Alfred has a long way to go in order to consider themselves a top team in the E8. I'm a Fisher fan, and to be quite honest Ithaca still holds the crown in my opinion. They have a history of a fantastic program - Fisher is closing the gap, and has proven they can play at that level but even Fisher has to have a few more strong seasons to go in order for them to try and lay claim to anything.

That said, enthusiasm about your program is understandable - good luck.

[JQV]

Sure the argument can be made that Springfield has been putting up numbers all year, but name a good defense that has been put in front of them?

I think we are basing our predictions of their success on the success their system has had against good defenses in previous years.

[BobNapoleone]

Thanks Jose -

I'll be at the game this weekend so we'll see how he does against a fairly decent defense. I'm anxious to see him go up against Ithaca also. Saw them at Fisher & they can be a very tough defense, as evidenced in the first half of that one.

You get +k for pimping IC's defense (I am assuming Mr. N. will match my karma award as well) but, I think you are being awfully generous there.  On their best day they are streaky.

I think SJF's turf field may negate some of their home field advantage given the Pride's speed and chosen method of attack.  Someone raised the FieldTurf argument earlier but, I think it is still way faster than natural grass...especially natural grass in upstate New York this time of year.

Here's hoping the Bombers leave the mower in the garage until the SC bus is pulling out of town.  No reason to cut the grass until after the final gun goes off in that way.

Jose- Please tell me that Lou will turn around the Cubs franchise.  Pleeeeeease?

It wouldn't be the first losing team he has turned around (Cincy and Seattle) and it wouldn't be the first losing team he didn't turn around (TB- Although, we were certainly headed the right way when he had his falling out with management).  I think they make a dramatic turn around if they bring in "Lou" guys (ie, players that can bunt, run, and are gritty as hell).  If they keep what they have, he is going to let some F-Bombs fly this summer.

Tags....welcome aboard and +K as the "wise one" suggested....

"Streaky" works Jose...but I still go back to our discussion of two weeks back.....I think that the personnel is stabilizing (in the 3-4), obviously the bye week gave us an extra week to mend...and I think as a unit they will take another step this week....

I have also heard that Sharpe is one of the best athletes to pass thru Springfield......

...and we stole the spark plugs out of the "Bomber Lawn Mower"......just cattle and goats for two weeks...Pinella may even drop in as an advisor....

  two days to Saterday and some football...!!! 

[JQV]

Thanks Jose -

I'll be at the game this weekend so we'll see how he does against a fairly decent defense. I'm anxious to see him go up against Ithaca also. Saw them at Fisher & they can be a very tough defense, as evidenced in the first half of that one.

You get +k for pimping IC's defense (I am assuming Mr. N. will match my karma award as well) but, I think you are being awfully generous there.  On their best day they are streaky.

I think SJF's turf field may negate some of their home field advantage given the Pride's speed and chosen method of attack.  Someone raised the FieldTurf argument earlier but, I think it is still way faster than natural grass...especially natural grass in upstate New York this time of year.

Here's hoping the Bombers leave the mower in the garage until the SC bus is pulling out of town.  No reason to cut the grass until after the final gun goes off in that way.

Jose- Please tell me that Lou will turn around the Cubs franchise.  Pleeeeeease?

It wouldn't be the first losing team he has turned around (Cincy and Seattle) and it wouldn't be the first losing team he didn't turn around (TB- Although, we were certainly headed the right way when he had his falling out with management).  I think they make a dramatic turn around if they bring in "Lou" guys (ie, players that can bunt, run, and are gritty as hell).  If they keep what they have, he is going to let some F-Bombs fly this summer.

Tags....welcome aboard and +K as the "wise one" suggested....

"Streaky" works Jose...but I still go back to our discussion of two weeks back.....I think that the personnel is stabilizing (in the 3-4), obviously the bye week gave us an extra week to mend...and I think as a unit they will take another step this week....

I have also heard that Sharpe is one of the best athletes to pass thru Springfield......

...and we stole the spark plugs out of the "Bomber Lawn Mower"......just cattle and goats for two weeks...Pinella may even drop in as an advisor....

  two days to Saterday and some football...!!! 

+k for stealing the spark plugs.

If I could give +k twice, you would also get it for recognizing my wisdom.

I do agree about the defense growing into the 3-4.  They have to be learning their roles better.  Hopefully we run the table, get a berth at 1 loss, and prove we have erased the inconsistency.

[BobNapoleone]

Thanks Jose -

I'll be at the game this weekend so we'll see how he does against a fairly decent defense. I'm anxious to see him go up against Ithaca also. Saw them at Fisher & they can be a very tough defense, as evidenced in the first half of that one.

You get +k for pimping IC's defense (I am assuming Mr. N. will match my karma award as well) but, I think you are being awfully generous there.  On their best day they are streaky.

I think SJF's turf field may negate some of their home field advantage given the Pride's speed and chosen method of attack.  Someone raised the FieldTurf argument earlier but, I think it is still way faster than natural grass...especially natural grass in upstate New York this time of year.

Here's hoping the Bombers leave the mower in the garage until the SC bus is pulling out of town.  No reason to cut the grass until after the final gun goes off in that way.

Jose- Please tell me that Lou will turn around the Cubs franchise.  Pleeeeeease?

It wouldn't be the first losing team he has turned around (Cincy and Seattle) and it wouldn't be the first losing team he didn't turn around (TB- Although, we were certainly headed the right way when he had his falling out with management).  I think they make a dramatic turn around if they bring in "Lou" guys (ie, players that can bunt, run, and are gritty as hell).  If they keep what they have, he is going to let some F-Bombs fly this summer.

Tags....welcome aboard and +K as the "wise one" suggested....

"Streaky" works Jose...but I still go back to our discussion of two weeks back.....I think that the personnel is stabilizing (in the 3-4), obviously the bye week gave us an extra week to mend...and I think as a unit they will take another step this week....

I have also heard that Sharpe is one of the best athletes to pass thru Springfield......

...and we stole the spark plugs out of the "Bomber Lawn Mower"......just cattle and goats for two weeks...Pinella may even drop in as an advisor....

  two days to Saterday and some football...!!! 

+k for stealing the spark plugs.

If I could give +k twice, you would also get it for recognizing my wisdom.

I do agree about the defense growing into the 3-4.  They have to be learning their roles better.  Hopefully we run the table, get a berth at 1 loss, and prove we have erased the inconsistency.

I think the most obvious change in their defense wil be having the luxury of Bluemenauer and Stephens.....

That makes tthe difference in how you attack IC....or hope to attack them....

One suspect half of football all season.....everthing else seems to be falling into place....

BUDCREW...this is a shout out.....tell us something about the Pioneers.....I found out that the Maroney kid is from my hometown....Lockport, NY....so I like him already....at least until kick-off....

[realistic]

Tags....its been hit on a number of times, but really the Springfield option is an animal unto itself.  I have seen it four times, and John would have seen it more and I think jose as well.

I think you'll be surprised as to how effective and confusing it is.  You mentioned a team cannot be affective only throwing the ball 5 times...but trust us, they are VERY affective.  Talk next week about this and I think you'll have a different opinion (regardless of the outcome).

That being said, If SJF can stop them once or twice then they can easily win.  Expect a very high scoring game though.

[BobNapoleone]

What can we expect for an FDC head count this week at Butterfield??