FB: Liberty League

[pumkinattack]

Since the season's over, except SU NCAA and Union ECAC I thought I'd put this in to see if anyone had any comments.  

Sus: 8-2, 6-1, best win on the road v. Union
Union: 7-3, 6-1, best win at home v. IC or possibly Hobart, although IC finished really strong
Hobart: 6-3, 5-2, best win home v. CMU or possibly home v. RPI
UofR: 4-6,4-3, best win @ RPI
RPI:  5-4, 3-4, best win home v. Utica?
SLU: 3-7, 2-5, best win @ Norwich or home v. MMA
MMA: 4-6, 2-5 best win at home v. SUS (probably the biggest achievement of the year)
WPI: 3-7, 0-7, best win v. one of the NEFC teams.  

Depending on what happens in the playoffs, Union had the best body of work, but SUS won the one important road game out of the top five at the end of the day, that's what did it.  MMA-SUS is the biggest "upset", but that was right after the Hobart game and when Palazzi got knocked out against Bart, the backup was horrendous, so I think that really explains that loss.  SUS improved because they had a passing game with Palazzi and the Navy transfer WR.  Otherwise, Paveletz can be minimized as was seen the last two years.  The QB area is where the LL is down, I have no doubt about that.  Only three starters had more TD's than INT's (Palazzi 19-3, Subick 12-10 and Vella 7-4) and only two QB's had a completion % above 55% (Palazzi and Subick).  No one will be able to convince me that it was because of the so far superior defenses.  The much maligned Hobart defense ended up with the lowest scoring D in the league and third best rush D after a terrible start against Dickinson and CMU.

Union and Hobart bring back a lot on O and RPI (Hermann, not sure of the RB situation) and UofR bring back some key pieces on O (although Roch loses some good receivers and after following the Hobart game and looking back, I have to wonder whether the passing stats, and to a lesser degree rushing stats, were a bit hollow – for example, Adam Barrett looks like he had better #'s than Tyler Vincent yesterday, but the reality is Vincent dominated and made an impact on the game, Barrett got a lot after they were passing all the time down by 14 – 20 pts).  I think these four will be very competitive next year depending on what underclassman improve, who leaves school and/or transfers in plus any truly gamebreaking FR.  Unfortunately, I don't see the bottom three changing except for position with each other.  Damn, we should've taken IC instead of RIT (I guess RIT makes RPI and UofR happy though).  

Thoughts/opinions?

[dlippiel]

Damn, we should've taken IC instead of RIT (I guess RIT makes RPI and UofR happy though). 

Thoughts/opinions?

dlip concurs the LL commish and whomever should have removed their heads from their asses, stopped tipping their academic noses up in the sky, and accepted a very good school both academically and athletically in Ithaca.

The QB area is where the LL is down,

dlip is with ya on this point. The QB play as a whole was down this year. Seemingly the potential was there (ex. Swanton, Pallozzi, Connelly, Hermann, Vella, etc) but the execution was not. Aside from Pallozzi and early season heroics from Hermann and Swanton (noted against inferior competition) the QB's struggled and in some ways may have been a piece the the idea of the LL being a bit down strength wise here in 09.

[pumkinattack]

Yeah, Vella, Connelly, Hermann may be future studs, but they didn't do it this year.  Here's 2007 and 2005 by comparison

2007 - two playoff teams
1. Jimmy Robertson REN  JR 10 310 191   9  61.6 2574 17 257.4
2. Andrew Strom... HOB  SR 11 332 216   3  65.1 2742 27 249.3
3. Brad Heil...... STL      9 319 188  13  58.9 2157 18 239.7
4. Derek Pope..... SSQ  JR 10 293 150  20  51.2 1772  9 177.2 - The difference for SUS
5. Rob Pantalone.. WPI  SR  9 200 103   9  51.5 1532 14 170.2

2005 - two playoff teams
1. Anthony Marotti UNI  JR 12 410 214  21  52.2 3095 26 257.9 - Marotti had one of the best backs of the decade in the LL.
2. Jimmy Robertson REN  FR  9 325 193   8  59.4 2313 26 257.0
3. Chuck Kleinschn MMA  SO  7 277 138  11  49.8 1615  8 230.7
4. Shawn Mizro.... HOB  JR 11 285 157   8  55.1 2143 17 194.8

[Boxer7806]

Have to give credit where credit is due. You guys sure know how to analyze your teams. It will make submitting my poll for next year that much easier. +k

[tecmobowler]

What was the word on Ithaca not being accepted into the LL?

I had first heard the murmurs last Spring... and wasn't on here much during the summer, and actually assumed it was a done deal.  Too bad, could have been a lot of fun, and it seems like Ithaca has a pretty similar student body to many of the schools in the league...

[dlippiel]

What was the word on Ithaca not being accepted into the LL?

I had first heard the murmurs last Spring... and wasn't on here much during the summer, and actually assumed it was a done deal.  Too bad, could have been a lot of fun, and it seems like Ithaca has a pretty similar student body to many of the schools in the league...

From what dlip heard it was a "non-football" decision and that the LL felt RIT was a better fit academically and sports wise. dlip doesn't necessarily agree with that conclusion. Academically dlip can kind of see how RIT parallels the Unions, Vassars, RPIs, Skidmores, Clarksons, etc more than IC, but sports wise, IC has excellent D3 sports teams and dlip feels IC is a very good academic institution. In dlip's mind it is the LL's loss denying IC.

[Frank Rossi]

Big show tonight on "In the HuddLLe":

- As always, we'll start with our final "Around the League" of the season, recapping yesterday's Liberty League action;

- We will discuss the East Region bracket and the implications for Susquehanna this year;

- We will be joined by Timothy Danehy, Commissioner of the Liberty League, to discuss the Liberty League Football season and the future of the Liberty League;

- Joy Solomen, Chairwoman of the NCAA Division III Football Championship Committee, will join us for an interview to discuss the selection process this year and any surprises in the brackets;

- Susquehanna Head Coach Steve Briggs will join us to preview his team's First Round NCAA Playoff game; and

- Depending on availability late in the show, we will provide any information related to ECAC Bowl bids -- especially the bids affecting Union and RPI.

Join us live at 7:30pm EST at http://inthehuddlle.com (or at the same address for the archive after 10:00pm EST)!

[Frank Rossi]

We just finished our "In the HuddLLe" interview with Dr. Joy Solomen, Chairwoman of the NCAA Division III Football Championship Committee.  I have to admit, I learned some things during the call -- and I'm sure readers will want to hear what she said about strength of schedule issues, the East as a whole and the way to avoid Mount Union at the top of the East Bracket every year.

Tune in at http://inthehuddlle.com at 7:30pm EST for the interview and a lot more.

[pumkinattack]

Sorry PBR, but let's go Crusaders. 

[AUPepBand]

In addition to cheering on his Saxons, Pep will be rooting for the LL Crusaders to upset Delaware Valley.

While Pep hasn't seen the actual seedings, Pep is thinking Delaware Valley is likely the #2, Alfred the #3, Susquehanna somewhere below that, which would mean a Saxon win and a Crusader win would result in a rematch of the August 29 scrimmage...in Alfred!!

But, of course, first things first. There's a couple of busloads of lions coming to Mayberry to be let loose on Merrill Field. Let's hope there are some lion tamers among the Saxons!

On Saxon Warriors!

[stimulator]

Gents:

Feel compelled to tell you a short story..

As only a few of you may know my son was a player up until Sat.. I have tried to be impartial on this board and while i certainly wore the red glasses it's a bit dangerous to comment while your son is still playing.  In any case I enjoyed the banter and tried to be careful about what I said and how it came across.

His experience at RPI has been great.  They had a tough season this year but they have won a ton of games, won the LL, made the NCAA's and the experience for him as a player has been great.  He made 1st team all conference last year and has started every game since his So. year.  Deans list every semester and LL all academic.  If I sound proud I am.

I personally have met some great coaches, alumni, and parents.  But it all has to come to an end and it has been a great ride.

He has played for 12 years.. from pop warner through college.  So Sat. was pretty emotional.  Thinking back on 12 years and all those games ....  from throwing the ball in the back yard to now has been something I will always cherish.

I tried to prepare myself for the "senior ceremony" where they announce the player and the parents meet him on the field.  Everything was great.... I held back the emotions and told him to have fun today.  Then I looked down at his cleats.  He had #10 on both cleats..  I asked him what that was for...?  He said "that's for you pops..."

# 10 was my number in college and high school.

At that point I had to look away...Kinda lost it.

So for all you young guys with boys that may eventually play the sport we love.  Enjoy it.  It goes fast.

[pumkinattack]

Good story. 

[AUPepBand]

Gents:

Feel compelled to tell you a short story..

As only a few of you may know my son was a player up until Sat.. I have tried to be impartial on this board and while i certainly wore the red glasses it's a bit dangerous to comment while your son is still playing.  In any case I enjoyed the banter and tried to be careful about what I said and how it came across.

His experience at RPI has been great.  They had a tough season this year but they have won a ton of games, won the LL, made the NCAA's and the experience for him as a player has been great.  He made 1st team all conference last year and has started every game since his So. year.  Deans list every semester and LL all academic.  If I sound proud I am.

I personally have met some great coaches, alumni, and parents.  But it all has to come to an end and it has been a great ride.

He has played for 12 years.. from pop warner through college.  So Sat. was pretty emotional.  Thinking back on 12 years and all those games ....  from throwing the ball in the back yard to now has been something I will always cherish.

I tried to prepare myself for the "senior ceremony" where they announce the player and the parents meet him on the field.  Everything was great.... I held back the emotions and told him to have fun today.  Then I looked down at his cleats.  He had #10 on both cleats..  I asked him what that was for...?  He said "that's for you pops..."

# 10 was my number in college and high school.

At that point I had to look away...Kinda lost it.

So for all you young guys with boys that may eventually play the sport we love.  Enjoy it.  It goes fast.

When all is said and done....that's what it's all about! Great story...you've done well, Pops! +K

[labart96]

Since the season’s over, except SU NCAA and Union ECAC I thought I’d put this in to see if anyone had any comments. 

Sus: 8-2, 6-1, best win on the road v. Union
Union: 7-3, 6-1, best win at home v. IC or possibly Hobart, although IC finished really strong
Hobart: 6-3, 5-2, best win home v. CMU or possibly home v. RPI
UofR: 4-6,4-3, best win @ RPI
RPI:  5-4, 3-4, best win home v. Utica?
SLU: 3-7, 2-5, best win @ Norwich or home v. MMA
MMA: 4-6, 2-5 best win at home v. SUS (probably the biggest achievement of the year)
WPI: 3-7, 0-7, best win v. one of the NEFC teams. 

Depending on what happens in the playoffs, Union had the best body of work, but SUS won the one important road game out of the top five at the end of the day, that’s what did it.  MMA-SUS is the biggest “upset”, but that was right after the Hobart game and when Palazzi got knocked out against Bart, the backup was horrendous, so I think that really explains that loss.  SUS improved because they had a passing game with Palazzi and the Navy transfer WR.  Otherwise, Paveletz can be minimized as was seen the last two years.  The QB area is where the LL is down, I have no doubt about that.  Only three starters had more TD’s than INT’s (Palazzi 19-3, Subick 12-10 and Vella 7-4) and only two QB’s had a completion % above 55% (Palazzi and Subick).  No one will be able to convince me that it was because of the so far superior defenses.  The much maligned Hobart defense ended up with the lowest scoring D in the league and third best rush D after a terrible start against Dickinson and CMU.

Union and Hobart bring back a lot on O and RPI (Hermann, not sure of the RB situation) and UofR bring back some key pieces on O (although Roch loses some good receivers and after following the Hobart game and looking back, I have to wonder whether the passing stats, and to a lesser degree rushing stats, were a bit hollow – for example, Adam Barrett looks like he had better #’s than Tyler Vincent yesterday, but the reality is Vincent dominated and made an impact on the game, Barrett got a lot after they were passing all the time down by 14 – 20 pts).  I think these four will be very competitive next year depending on what underclassman improve, who leaves school and/or transfers in plus any truly gamebreaking FR.  Unfortunately, I don’t see the bottom three changing except for position with each other.  Damn, we should’ve taken IC instead of RIT (I guess RIT makes RPI and UofR happy though). 

Thoughts/opinions?

I would say Bart's best win could have been the Rochester game.  The Statesmen had several season highs for offense, defense kept Onyiruka in check (92 yards with really only that 33 yd td really being a good play) and the game was never really in jeopardy (i.e., those passing stats for them were inflated).  Not to mention that UofR was literally seconds away from beating both Union and SJFC earlier this year (they could have easily ended up with 6 or 7 wins vs. the 4).

Clearly this season was a rebuilding one for teams that otherwise have been consistently dominant in LL play (i.e., Hobart and RPI especially) and SUS putting things all together for a historic run.  You could even say the WPI came back down to earth after making some noise in the LL last season (i.e., 3 teams in a rebuilding year).  Rochester and the USMMA improved but were adequate at best, so yeah probably not a lot else to say.

Looking ahead to 2010 I like that Bart has SJFC back on the schedule.  The Cards were a good team this season and next year's game will be a huge early season test for both squads.  I agree re your post on the other board that RPI should also try and land CMU.  The Tartans are a great squad and make for an interesting OC game every year given their offense (not to mention the academic prestige, etc).

Stim - congrats on your son's career.  I have a (3 yr old) little guy myself and although I am not certain if he'll be interested in playing football like his Dad, I look forward to making the same memories passing the ball in the backyard with him.  Said another way, you should be proud.

[pumkinattack]

I would say Bart's best win could have been the Rochester game.  The Statesmen had several season highs for offense, defense kept Onyiruka in check (92 yards with really only that 33 yd td really being a good play) and the game was never really in jeopardy (i.e., those passing stats for them were inflated).  Not to mention that UofR was literally seconds away from beating both Union and SJFC earlier this year (they could have easily ended up with 6 or 7 wins vs. the 4).

Clearly this season was a rebuilding one for teams that otherwise have been consistently dominant in LL play (i.e., Hobart and RPI especially) and SUS putting things all together for a historic run.  You could even say the WPI came back down to earth after making some noise in the LL last season (i.e., 3 teams in a rebuilding year).  Rochester and the USMMA improved but were adequate at best, so yeah probably not a lot else to say.

Looking ahead to 2010 I like that Bart has SJFC back on the schedule.  The Cards were a good team this season and next year's game will be a huge early season test for both squads.  I agree re your post on the other board that RPI should also try and land CMU.  The Tartans are a great squad and make for an interesting OC game every year given their offense (not to mention the academic prestige, etc).

Stim - congrats on your son's career.  I have a (3 yr old) little guy myself and although I am not certain if he'll be interested in playing football like his Dad, I look forward to making the same memories passing the ball in the backyard with him.  Said another way, you should be proud.

You could be right, UofR was decent, I was just looking more or less at records (and the Case and AU games).  Offense would've been better if they didn't screw around with personnel so much, but can't complain. 

When looking at their career LL record, last year looks like an anomoly for WPI.  Like them, so I hope they stick and build. 

I hope you are having your kid go two ways with FB and Lax.  They've got a kid this year from Marin County, but need a SoCal presence.