FB: Empire 8

[gobombers15]

Boltus is a very, very good D3 Quarterback. But let's not lose perspective here. He is nowhere close to being drafted right now, I don't care which obscure scouting service you subscribe to. He has a lot working against him:

1) Speed: You can't compare the speed of the D3 game to speed of the D1 game, let alone the NFL. This ain't Norwich or Sprinfield (errr, Utica) that we're talking about here. His head will spin the first few times he plays in post-season draft camps.

2) Decision-Making: He threw 10 INT's this season. He made some really poor throws in that Ithaca game, one of which was taken back. There are quite a few D1 QB's who threw fewer INTs per attempt than Boltus against much stiffer competition. With the increased speed of the game, will those mistakes increase? I bet the scouts think they will.

3) System: Let's be honest, he plays in a gimmick offense. Again, he's a very good QB, but you can't dispute that Hartwick's offense doesn't seriously artificially boost his numbers. Where are Sonny Cumbie, Kliff Kingsbury, B.J. Symons, and Cody Hodges? Those are all Texas Tech QB's who played in similar systems to Boltus and put up sick numbers. Scouts would rather you play in a pro offense and they're going to make Boltus be a drop-back QB. We'll see if he can handle the switch.

4) Numbers Game: 11 QB's were drafted last year. Sorry, but if you gave me 25 picks of Senior QB's, Boltus wouldn't be in that group of 25.

I agree with the poster who said somebody will bring him in as an undrafted FA. That said, I don't see him sticking with an NFL roster next year. He should go to Canada and try to catch on there or switch over to arena ball; he can make a good living at both.

[Reno Hightower]

How about a quick prospectus of how we expect Ithaca to be next season? Gotta love opening up the season with Union-Ithaca, the 2 most tradition-laden NY D3 Programs! Cant wait for it!

['gro]

Q: What NFL scouting service has Boltus ranked as a top 10 QB?
A: Don Hansen

Hi-ohhhh!!

(D3 Humor)

[wickfan]

I dont think you realize how bad Hartwick's defense is...that is how they lost to Curry.  Also they were manhandled up front by a much larger line which put a ridiculous amount of pressure on Boltus in that game. 

I guess we will all see in a few months.  I hope he makes it.  From what I hear the only knock on him is that he played in D3.  he has the size and speed and his strenght numbers are off the charts.  I am pulling for him and I think he will be on an NFL roster next year. 

Hartwick's offensive line is a bunch of 5-9 guys....Certain games, Boltus was running for his life. For him to do what he did with limited resources around him, was astounding.

With that said, will he get drafted, not sure, will he get a good look, yes. What really would have helped him was if NFL Europe was still around. He could have gained the experience he needed.

I still believe if you switched Micheli and Boltus, Boltus wins. He would have loved those huge linemen that MUC has in front of him and the best running game around.

[wickfan]

I agree with Upstate's point on this.  Think of all the excellent DI QB's that don't get drafted (for example, I have a hard time believing that Boltus, though excellent at this level, is better than Brad Smith, who had good arm strength and yet wasn't drafted).  That's not even talking about DIAA or DII.   

Would it be incredible if he got drafted?  Of course, but the talk like its a done deal is more wishful thinking than a true understanding of that level of play. 

That being said there's been a few to get niffs from the NFL including Alex Bell at Bart and the OL from Brockport a few years ago.  Who else do people remember getting attention or some modicum of run at that level? 

Josh Warner....played 2-3 years for the Bears.

[superman57]

as I've said before... Boltus will be best suited playing arena ball for a while... and then hoping that he can become a Kurt Warner-Jeff Garcia type and break through...

[E8]

BOLTUS... Fortunately, during the Fisher/Hartwick broadcast this year, there were two scouts in to see Boluts that day seated right next to us; Bills and Vikings.   At the break, I had a chance to talk with these scouts and they were impressed with him and one of them said "he's the real deal".   We can ALL speculate on knowing what it takes to make it in the NFL, but I am going to yield to the actual NFL scouts.  We'll see Boltus on an NFL team next year.  Whether practice squad or roster, he'll be there.

Good luck to him.

[Btown999]

BOLTUS... Fortunately, during the Fisher/Hartwick broadcast this year, there were two scouts in to see Boluts that day seated right next to us; Bills and Vikings.   At the break, I had a chance to talk with these scouts and they were impressed with him and one of them said "he's the real deal".   We can ALL speculate on knowing what it takes to make it in the NFL, but I am going to yield to the actual NFL scouts.  We'll see Boltus on an NFL team next year.  Whether practice squad or roster, he'll be there.

Good luck to him.

I saw Boltus play at Curry last year.  I was truly impressed by his ability, his cool and courage under fire.  He will play at the next level somewhere.  If not immediately in the NFL then either Canada or the Arena football league for a few years before making the jump to the NFL.

I join you in wishing him the best of luck.

[gobombers15]

Again, I must disagree. I do not see Boltus ever making a NFL roster. There are too many things working against him (see my post from yesterday). He's a good QB who was aided by a chuck-and-duck offensive system. Every few years a D3 QB comes along breaking records and hanging crooked numbers on scoreboards, and all of a sudden everyone thinks this guy can hack it at the highest level (I think Linfield had a similar guy a few years back). It doesn't happen because it's too high of a hill to climb. I understand the emotional element of it, as well; people who pay close attention to D3 football want to believe that the guys they've rooted on, watched, etc., can make it at the highest level. Unfortunately, it rarely works out.

E8, I have no reason to disbelieve you or your sources, I just think they're wrong. I don't want to get into a "who should I believe, a poster or NFL scout" argument, if scouts did, in fact, say these things to you.   The proof is in the putting and we'll see, by their actions on Draft Day, if Buffalo or Minnesota truly believe that Boltus is the "real deal." Methinks their actions won't parallel their words.

I do wish Boltus luck. He can still make a good living for himself, doing what he loves to do, playing in Canada or in Arena ball. I hope he catches on with one of those.

[HHawks]

Again, I must disagree. I do not see Boltus ever making a NFL roster. There are too many things working against him (see my post from yesterday). He's a good QB who was aided by a chuck-and-duck offensive system. Every few years a D3 QB comes along breaking records and hanging crooked numbers on scoreboards, and all of a sudden everyone thinks this guy can hack it at the highest level (I think Linfield had a similar guy a few years back). It doesn't happen because it's too high of a hill to climb. I understand the emotional element of it, as well; people who pay close attention to D3 football want to believe that the guys they've rooted on, watched, etc., can make it at the highest level. Unfortunately, it rarely works out.

E8, I have no reason to disbelieve you or your sources, I just think they're wrong. I don't want to get into a "who should I believe, a poster or NFL scout" argument, if scouts did, in fact, say these things to you.   The proof is in the putting and we'll see, by their actions on Draft Day, if Buffalo or Minnesota truly believe that Boltus is the "real deal." Methinks their actions won't parallel their words.

I do wish Boltus luck. He can still make a good living for himself, doing what he loves to do, playing in Canada or in Arena ball. I hope he catches on with one of those.

I've seen just about very Hartwick game these last 3 years and Boltus is the real deal. He has size, speed, throwing power, and the strength to play at that level. Of course it will be a learning experience adjusting to the speed of the game but  with the great work ethic that he possess Its very possible. I don't know if he will be drafted but I do think he will be signed on as a undrafted free agent.

[E8]

Well, the SAME thing was said by a number of people about Pierre Garcon for the past few years and Indy went and got him and he is actually contributing this year.

Let's just note how impressive it is when NFL scouts come to see a D3 QB... and then speak positively about him.   It's just good for D3 football.....

[gobombers15]

Well, the SAME thing was said by a number of people about Pierre Garcon for the past few years and Indy went and got him and he is actually contributing this year.

Let's just note how impressive it is when NFL scouts come to see a D3 QB... and then speak positively about him.   It's just good for D3 football.....

Surely you know the difference between making the NFL at WR or RB, and making it at QB. Apples and oranges, I'm afraid.

HHawks, I have no doubt that you've watched him for the past few years and think he's the real deal. Unfortunately, that myopic opinion and .75 cents will get you a bag of chips. I think you're overestimating Boltus's arm. I think it's an average to above-average D1 arm from the couple of times I've seen him play. I also think he makes poor decisions when he's under pressure, a big red flag to any NFL organization. Time will tell when he has the opportunity to compete against other QB's from higher levels. I just don't see him being NFL-ready nine months from now. He is relatively raw and will need A LOT of time to develop.

[HHawks]

Well, the SAME thing was said by a number of people about Pierre Garcon for the past few years and Indy went and got him and he is actually contributing this year.

Let's just note how impressive it is when NFL scouts come to see a D3 QB... and then speak positively about him.   It's just good for D3 football.....

Surely you know the difference between making the NFL at WR or RB, and making it at QB. Apples and oranges, I'm afraid.

HHawks, I have no doubt that you've watched him for the past few years and think he's the real deal. Unfortunately, that myopic opinion and .75 cents will get you a bag of chips. I think you're overestimating Boltus's arm. I think it's an average to above-average D1 arm from the couple of times I've seen him play. I also think he makes poor decisions when he's under pressure, a big red flag to any NFL organization. Time will tell when he has the opportunity to compete against other QB's from higher levels. I just don't see him being NFL-ready nine months from now. He is relatively raw and will need A LOT of time to develop.

Im curious, whats your definition of NFL ready? I not saying that he's gonna come in his rookie year and take  the starting spot and lead his team to the super bowl. Thats crazy talk. Im simply saying that in time I believe he can be a good player at that level. It might take him 1 year or it might take 4 years  but I think he has the talent to play at that level.

[AUPepBand]

Best of luck to Boltus if indeed he gets a crack. He's an outstanding quarterback. But Pep has seen better on Merrill Field. Back in the 90s when AU was playing CW Post, Perry Klein came to town and on a windy day, he was throwing unbelievable passes against the wind--50-yard bullets against a 20 mph gust. He was in a similar position as Boltus--went to a D1 school (California-Berkeley) that ended up not being a fit, so he transferred to D2 CW Post where he set all sorts of records. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons so he was on an NFL roster but always a bridesmaid, never the bride.

http://www.gjw.com/Fans/PerryKlein.htm

[AlfredSaxon8]

Hey All!!  New to the board, greetings from Alfred New York.  Would like to start off by saying great season to all the Empire 8 teams.  We have very high standards for our teams and to be disappointed by winning seasons says a lot about the football being played in the E8. Also like to thank everyone for their support, it means a lot to those playing to have fans that are passionate...

I would like to respond to a topic on the board, Boltus status at the NFL level.  I have played quarterback a good part of my life and have played behind two of the best QB's in Alfred U history.  With that said, Boltus is the real deal.  The pure arm strength and ability to put the ball in any pocket on the field from any position is truly amazing.  The kid also has good speed for someone considered to be a pocket passer.  On the run, in the shotgun, or under center, he can make any throw needed at the NFL level.  The only fault I see besides occasionally holding the ball too long, is that he is too good for the D3 level, not knocking the D3 level but allow me to explain.. He was able to make throws and force balls that would have turned negative in other levels but the competition he was playing against allowed him to do that.  Some of the time it worked out for him and others it did not. But he was able to make poor decisions because he was that good.  I agree that he is the best QB in D3 football and better talent than D1 prospects. I think the NFL scouts with see the pure ability to play QB and capitalize on the "under the radar" talent in the late rounds or supplemental draft.