FB: Liberty League

[Frank Rossi]

No, you heard two guys side of the story. I don't think you'll find most Union fans justifying this loss, especially in the midst of a 2-5 season, which could soon be 2-7. This program has been mediocre for some time now, this season may be the wakeup call that things have to change.

Actually, you would've heard six guys' side of the story, including two guys from RPI at halftime.  However, sit there throwing stones without knowing the facts -- I'm getting used to it.

[Doid23]

No, you heard two guys side of the story. I don't think you'll find most Union fans justifying this loss, especially in the midst of a 2-5 season, which could soon be 2-7. This program has been mediocre for some time now, this season may be the wakeup call that things have to change.

Actually, you would've heard six guys' side of the story, including two guys from RPI at halftime.  However, sit there throwing stones without knowing the facts -- I'm getting used to it.

What stones am I throwing at you, Frank? Grow up, for christ's sake. The point was about the team.

[Frank Rossi]

What stones am I throwing at you, Frank? Grow up, for christ's sake. The point was about the team.

Because we know the "two guys" you're pointing to, attempting to claim we sugarcoat and justify the games when we report on them.  The specific thing Reg was pointing to was the second weekend in a row that an ECAC official robbed Union of rightful possession of the football.  Last week, Union would've been 30 yards from a 3rd-quarter tie.  Last night, Union would've been in the red zone, 1st and 10, down 14-0 with nearly ten minutes left.  Because of the wrong call and because the officials rushed the ball back into play instead of huddling to correct the call, RPI reeled off a 30-yard play -- and Union's defense was done in that drive.  Essentially, it was a 10- or 14-point swing in a game decided by 14 points.

We were not justifying the loss based on this -- the points I made were centered on how the officials were playing a role in the outcome of the last two games.  Needless to say, the ECAC observer in the Press Box, who normally has not much to do during the games, raced out of the Press Box to speak with the officials.  He could hear us during the broadcast and never came down to correct us -- so, I feel comfortable after checking the rule that we were correct -- and I don't have ECAC officiating training.

The loss sucks.  The game wasn't that great either -- I posted a pretty concise synopsis, much like what I said toward the end of the game on the air last night.  And we pointed our finger to mistakes the team made throughout the night (high punt snap, blocked FG on a low kick, the taunting call, etc.).  To make the comment you made undercuts the job we did on the air last night, whether or not we are the "Union broadcast."  I work with the best crew in the business when it comes to my color commentators and co-hosts, and I will defend the job we do since in Division III, there is no pay for this and the time commitment is great.  Perhaps defend the people getting torn apart on the boards when they actually provide a service for your team, win or lose, instead of lobbing on with cute little asides.  It's not appreciated, regardless of where your comments were pointed toward.  Win with class; lose with more class.

[EDIT:  By the way, speaking of winning with class, I've yet to see an RPI poster congratulate their own team on the win last night.  Oddly enough, Union89 and I [further edit: and dlip] were the only two three who did send congratulations last night publicly.  RPI posters owe their team some kudos for the big win last night -- we'll be doing more congrats later on ITH with Coach King... so, trust me, I know who won and lost the game and for what reasons.]

[lewdogg11]

Are you serious Frank?  Big deal, we won a game. Had we beaten St. Lawrence it would be a little more exciting but this team is a model if inconsistency and has been for a few years. I think too much emphasis is placed on this game by the coaches. So just for you, congrats RPI.  Woopdy Doo. Atleast we won the 'important' trophy game.

[Frank Rossi]

Are you serious Frank?  Big deal, we won a game. Had we beaten St. Lawrence it would be a little more exciting but this team is a model if inconsistency and has been for a few years. I think too much emphasis is placed on this game by the coaches. So just for you, congrats RPI.  Woopdy Doo. Atleast we won the 'important' trophy game.

Yep, as expected.  LD winning with class... minus the "C" and the "L"...

[lewdogg11]

Are you serious Frank?  Big deal, we won a game. Had we beaten St. Lawrence it would be a little more exciting but this team is a model if inconsistency and has been for a few years. I think too much emphasis is placed on this game by the coaches. So just for you, congrats RPI.  Woopdy Doo. Atleast we won the 'important' trophy game.

Yep, as expected.  LD winning with class... minus the "C" and the "L"...

You are ridiculous. Go shove your nose further up Audino's butt.

[Frank Rossi]

Are you serious Frank?  Big deal, we won a game. Had we beaten St. Lawrence it would be a little more exciting but this team is a model if inconsistency and has been for a few years. I think too much emphasis is placed on this game by the coaches. So just for you, congrats RPI.  Woopdy Doo. Atleast we won the 'important' trophy game.

Yep, as expected.  LD winning with class... minus the "C" and the "L"...

You are ridiculous. Go shove your nose further up Audino's butt.

I really hope RPI players stopped reading these boards.  Those kids worked their asses off to win that game, regardless of how ugly the offense looked at times.  For the Darryl Brown's of that team, maybe actually make those guys feel like they have a really supportive alumni base behind them once in a while.  What does it take, a Final Four appearance to get you excited?  How many times did you make the playoffs or win the shoes, out of curiosity?

[redswarm81]

For the Darryl Brown's of that team, . . .

Browns.  No apostrophe.

[Frank Rossi]

For the Darryl Brown's of that team, . . .

Browns.  No apostrophe.

There's actually disagreement about that since it would affect a proper noun adversely.  I've adopted both.

[labart96]

Now those are sweet camo unis:

[redswarm81]

For the Darryl Brown's of that team, . . .

Browns.  No apostrophe.

There's actually disagreement about that since it would affect a proper noun adversely.  I've adopted both.

Man.  Some lawyers will say anything.   

(BTW, what is "it," and what is the adverse effect of forming the plural of a proper noun by adding s, just the same as when forming the plural of an "improper" noun?  Adding 's is confusing enough already, since it can either mean possessive or a contraction.)

[lewdogg11]

Are you serious Frank?  Big deal, we won a game. Had we beaten St. Lawrence it would be a little more exciting but this team is a model if inconsistency and has been for a few years. I think too much emphasis is placed on this game by the coaches. So just for you, congrats RPI.  Woopdy Doo. Atleast we won the 'important' trophy game.

Yep, as expected.  LD winning with class... minus the "C" and the "L"...

You are ridiculous. Go shove your nose further up Audino's butt.

I really hope RPI players stopped reading these boards.  Those kids worked their asses off to win that game, regardless of how ugly the offense looked at times.  For the Darryl Brown's of that team, maybe actually make those guys feel like they have a really supportive alumni base behind them once in a while.  What does it take, a Final Four appearance to get you excited?  How many times did you make the playoffs or win the shoes, out of curiosity?

How about alumni that want BETTER for the program?  Alumni that EXPECT better and aren't happy with mediocrity or just beating Union, when we've seen some horrendous losses(WPI, St. Lawrence), as well as some equally horrendous wins(Endicott).  But then we get nice wins(Alfred, Union, Rochester) dangled in front of us, so you know the team has some talent, but just isn't consistent.  Maybe some alumni just expect and demand better.  But if you think stroking their backs and telling them good job for being mediocre is the way to go, to each his own.  That just isn't my style.

[Frank Rossi]

Are you serious Frank?  Big deal, we won a game. Had we beaten St. Lawrence it would be a little more exciting but this team is a model if inconsistency and has been for a few years. I think too much emphasis is placed on this game by the coaches. So just for you, congrats RPI.  Woopdy Doo. Atleast we won the 'important' trophy game.

Yep, as expected.  LD winning with class... minus the "C" and the "L"...

You are ridiculous. Go shove your nose further up Audino's butt.

I really hope RPI players stopped reading these boards.  Those kids worked their asses off to win that game, regardless of how ugly the offense looked at times.  For the Darryl Brown's of that team, maybe actually make those guys feel like they have a really supportive alumni base behind them once in a while.  What does it take, a Final Four appearance to get you excited?  How many times did you make the playoffs or win the shoes, out of curiosity?

How about alumni that want BETTER for the program?  Alumni that EXPECT better and aren't happy with mediocrity or just beating Union, when we've seen some horrendous losses(WPI, St. Lawrence), as well as some equally horrendous wins(Endicott).  But then we get nice wins(Alfred, Union, Rochester) dangled in front of us, so you know the team has some talent, but just isn't consistent.  Maybe some alumni just expect and demand better.  But if you think stroking their backs and telling them good job for being mediocre is the way to go, to each his own.  That just isn't my style.

You're not their coach, however.  And based on what Coach King said tonight and in the past, he's the first one to expect a better level from his team.  You know as well as anyone should his pragmatism about the game of football.  Sometimes, a little positivity around the program is a good thing, as RJ Napodano said in our second interview tonight.  There's such a thing as balance when you try to gain respect and legitimacy in this world.  I don't think I've ever seen you say a positive thing about an RPI team since 2004.

[maxpower]

If player gets down on himself, or misses a catch on Saturday because he's thinking "man I wish LewDogg11 would give us more respect," I think there are bigger problems there. This is a forum for people to shoot their mouths off, what's the harm? Are RPI players gonna start whining more than David Ortiz about how hard it is to play with all these distractions? Let's not make ourselves out to be more important than we are.

Next time I'm at an Ithaca game, I'll try not to express any disappointment in the stands, for fear of the team seeing me and getting down on themselves. Yeah, right.

Also, it's pretty condescending to congratulate a team "for its fans."

[Frank Rossi]

Also, it's pretty condescending to congratulate a team "for its fans."

I have no earthly clue what this means.