FB: Liberty League

Jonny Utah · October 15, 2006, 08:34:27 PM

Reno, I still dont see how anyone could think that Unions defense was going to be great this year. Im not saying that to start of controversy or anything either, but from what I saw in one Ithaca game last year was that the Union offense was an A+ while the defense was a C.

I would say the same about Ithaca in that game and last season where the offense was an A and the defense was a D+.

Jonny Utah · October 15, 2006, 08:41:37 PM

Quote from: John P. Utah on October 14, 2006, 12:11:18 PM
Picks for today (5-6-1 this year)

Syracuse +26.5
Minnsota +8.5
NCState -3
Auburn +2
Mich St. +14
USC -19
FLA St. -23.5
Virginia +3
K-State +9
Penn St. +6
Miami -26

NFL tommorow (23-18 this year)

Tampa +5.5
Tenn +10.5
Dallas -13
Buffalo -1.5
Seattle -3
Giants +3
Saints +3
Ravens -3
Jets -2.5
SF +9.5
Pitt -6.5
Raiders +14.5
Arizona +11

5-6 today (10-12) this season now

5-6 with the college games yesterday. (10-12) overall in the season

7-4 NFL today (30-22) overall

Whats up with San Fran? Are they worse than Oakland?

Reno Hightower · October 15, 2006, 08:43:45 PM

JPU,

The general consensus was that Union was very inexperienced in many positions last year, and young in others.
The DL had 2 new starters from the year before and the 1 returning starter had only been a solid player. All 3 kids returned this season giving Union a starting down 3 consisting of a senior and 2 5th year seniors (both of whom were All-LL last year).
The OLB's were new and inconsistent. 1 returned so there is still some inexperience there this season.
The ILB both returned and the corps added a transfer from Lehigh.
Both CB's returned and both were very solid last year. Teams did not kill Union with the pass.
1 Safety returned and the others vieing for the other spot had both played a lot on special teams and because of injuries suffered last year.

Basically, the consensus was that the Defense showed flashes last year (as you said, they were a C and they DID carry Union thru the middle part of the scehdule when the offense was struggling), but that experience plus another off-season in the weight room led many to believe that the D would be able to make a signifigant improvement this year. They have showed flashes, but have just been VERY inconsistent. If they can take those flashes and turn them to consistency, Union will be a force on both sides of the ball.

Jonny Utah · October 15, 2006, 08:49:21 PM

Ok, I see what your sayin there. Im still betting that the loss of that oline is the thing thats probably biting them the most. Thats an area where expereince can get you a whole lot better though throughout the season so maybe theyll be ok there down the stretch.

Reno Hightower · October 15, 2006, 09:07:16 PM

I think the loss of Angiletta and having Twichell at only 1/2 speed is the biggest thing. When those 2 are at full strength, its almost impossible to defened Union with TA in the backfield and all. They keep the UD off the field and the other teams D on the field. Union does not have great stats in the 3rd down and TOP areas this year, 2 stats that if they were better would drastically help Union's Defense.....

Jonny Utah · October 15, 2006, 09:44:25 PM

Quote from: Reno Hightower on October 15, 2006, 09:07:16 PM
I think the loss of Angiletta and having Twichell at only 1/2 speed is the biggest thing. When those 2 are at full strength, its almost impossible to defened Union with TA in the backfield and all. They keep the UD off the field and the other teams D on the field. Union does not have great stats in the 3rd down and TOP areas this year, 2 stats that if they were better would drastically help Union's Defense.....

Thats right, forgot about those two (didnt know twichell was 1/2 speed). Interesting to see yesterday two major college players ending their seasons with broken collarbones (Adrian Peterson and I cant remember the other)

Reno Hightower · October 15, 2006, 09:50:18 PM

Yes, Twich has been 1/2 speed all year with a hamstring issue. Basically he has been working all week just enough to get him to play on Saturday when he plays but hurts the hammy again. If Ang hadnt been hurt Twich probably would have missed the 1st 2 games. He did miss this past Saturday against F+M.
Union is also not getting the production out of the TE position that they did last year with Ryan Perry but have been getting more out of the FB Tillo than they did out of last years Deguire (who in his defense was playing with a club which limited his receiving ability).

Union does still have talent, there is no questioning that (I know Im biased).....it just needs to come together for a full game and then happen every week. The best teams do this. But Union, for all its talent, just cant seem to get there.....

Reno Hightower · October 15, 2006, 10:21:10 PM

Call Reno crazy, but he thinks the whole East Region is wide open. Rowan, much like Union and Hobart wins but not by the margins you would expect.....

Jonny Utah · October 15, 2006, 10:31:27 PM

Reno, if your still up turn on espn and look at the new mexico state helmets. Is it me or are they the same as Unions helmets. I remember last year noticing something different about the unions helmets like a different shape or somethingl.

Regulator · October 16, 2006, 08:05:43 AM

Quote from: 'gro on October 14, 2006, 07:30:50 PM
Quote from: sollified on October 14, 2006, 04:33:51 PM

The RPI athletic department has created a great video to highlight the new athletic facilities that will be added at East Campus (near the Field House and existing turf field). If you have a few moments, make sure to check it out at the following link:

http://www.alumni.rpi.edu/ecav/EC_Athletic_Village.mov

daaaaaaaaaamn!! When do they start?

p.s. if you go to 1:27 into the movie you'll see the REGULATOR in action.

That is a really nice stadium...hopefully they do something crazy, like use red turf or something to draw attention.

I thought you were kidding about Reg making an appearance...but you were right....and did you happen to see the way I man handled that cat?

'gro · October 16, 2006, 08:14:05 AM

gro noticed that there are no endzone stands... which is fine as long as they allow the red swarm alumni to set up shop there.

Reg you are a bad mofo, "2nd best FB in New York" gro used to say (#1 being LaPorta from Union... man that would piss Reg off!!).

zachattack22 · October 16, 2006, 08:40:26 AM

You RPI guys should not be allowed on the sidelines when the new facilities are there because you're not going to be able to stop yourselves from running onto the field during a game and trying to play again.

That plan will help recruiting big time...Who wouldn't want to play in facilities like that!!!

ZA has a bad feeling you guys are going to pull a Frank Drummond from the naked gun when he knocked out the umpire and went out to ump the game...

Any player at RPI not starting better watch their backs because Gro and the Reg might put the sleeper holds on you and take your uniforms so they can be on the field!!!

zachattack22 · October 16, 2006, 08:44:25 AM

Justin Beaver from W-Lacrosse is the other guy that broke his collar bone...He had 286 yards rushing....That's a tough one. Good luck to him healing up ok.

'gro · October 16, 2006, 08:51:05 AM

It's the year of the collarbone. Adrian peterson from OK is done for the year too.

It's also the year of the 'Fro-hawk... you've got Chad Johnson, Shawn Merriman, and Clinton Portis all sporting the 'fro-hawk. Did they have a meeting during the preseason?

zachattack22 · October 16, 2006, 09:06:34 AM

One time ZA's wife tried to cut ZA's hair and made a huge mistake necessitating all hair trimmed down to a number1...So, on the way to that, ZA told her to make it a mohawk....ZA looked like the chicken hawk on looney toons....

IF it was a frohawk instead, ZA might have looked meaner....Not sure about these ways of the world. ZA needs lessons in styling...