FB: Liberty League

[labart96]

Question to the Union crowd:

What's the skinny on the MMA?  Looks like they are mo-fo real this season than in the past.

What can Bart expect this weekend?

[Tlm]

Can't fathom how Union is struggling, or how they struggled against some teams they did last year.  Their defense was swiss cheese for most of the Ithaca game, but that offense looked like it could score 50 a game.  Is it the loss of the WR? Turnovers? Motivation? I don't get it.

I don't think that motivation is the problem, but certainly new guys on the O-line, the loss of an All-American WR and turnovers (Union was 1st in turnover ratio in '05 and last so far in '06) all play a part.  But the O-line is getting better each week, they have found some new folks to throw the ball to (Most notably they have converted their soph, backup, all-state QB from NJ to WR for the time being and he has made some big plays), and turnovers are something you can improve on with some focused effort.  

It is also interesting to note that last year Union had scored 152 points through 5 games.  This year they have scored 147 against the same 5 teams.  Due to the new rule changes in '06 everyone is running fewer plays from scrimmage so overall yardage is down (2472 yds in '05 vs 2007 yds in '06), but when you look at yds per play on offense through 5 games Union averaged 6.3 in '05 and 6.2 so far in '06.  

Union is very close to where they were last year at this time on offense.  IF they stay healthy they will continue to get better on offense, and IF the All-American WR gets back on the field this year they could be even better then last season.

A lot of "IF's" to consider, but over the course of a season teams evolve, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worst.

[Tlm]

Question to the Union crowd:

What's the skinny on the MMA?  Looks like they are mo-fo real this season than in the past.

What can Bart expect this weekend?

GP,

KP has some big time players on the defensive side of the ball, the best of which is FS Frank Dore who due to medical redshirts is in his sixth year as a college football player.  Eusepi and Dahlgren are also big time talents.  They can get after the QB and stop the run.  On offense I think KP is a bit one-dimensional.  They will succeed or fail based on the success of their QB.   If it comes down to a kicking game, their all-American kicker has 50 yd+ range.

I don't think KP should be able to match up with Bart, but a few weeks ago I would have told you that WPI couldn't match up with Bart or Union either.  There are just no easy marks in the LL this season. 

['gro]

Gro will be driving down to Atlanta tonight for some company training tue-wed. Gro will conduct a full scale holladawg search of the greater atlanta metropolitian area and report back to LLPP wednesday afternoon.


Lewdogg, any messages you want me to deliver to the only white girl at the DT ATL hooters??

[Regulator]

Gro,

Reg will  be in Hotlanta this weekend.....any possibility you are around friday evening?
Reg needs to attend a Wedding where MR is the maid of honor, so you KNOW Reg has a free pass in the pre-reception limo...

Updates on Italy coming later on tonight.

['gro]

wedding crashing??... don't know if 'gro could make it but I could send my alter ego Derrick Austin 1st basemen for the Lancaster Barnstormers.

[Regulator]

RE: Wedding Crashing

Gro,
  I don't know what the situation with crashing is with this family.....I just think it's wierd that you are going to be there....I'll holla at you in T-29 mins.

['gro]

I hear dat, I'm gonna be back in chatt wednesday and probably can't make it back Friday either way but it would be funny if Gro should up 3 sheets to the wind and said he was "uncle remus".

[Touchdown Tommy]

Big thanks to Frank R for breaking down the TV logistics.  Very confusing all the BS that they come out with and the salesmen try to reel ya in with. 

REG: What part of the ATL?  We need to get all the burbs covered in the search for Holladawg.  I am hoping he was just kidnapped by a MILF and now tends to the pad in the Buckhead neighborhood....

[Regulator]

Big thanks to Frank R for breaking down the TV logistics.  Very confusing all the BS that they come out with and the salesmen try to reel ya in with. 

REG: What part of the ATL?  We need to get all the burbs covered in the search for Holladawg.  I am hoping he was just kidnapped by a MILF and now tends to the pad in the Buckhead neighborhood....

TDT-
Much like the trip to Italy, whenever there is a trip to go on involving flying Reg only wants to know 2 things.
#1- what time does the flight leave
#2- what do I need to pack

This really makes everything so much better, I dont need to worry about plane tickets, how Im getting to the airport, what hotel to book, how may nights we are staying somewhere, who is going to be there, what are we doing or whether or not I can consume between 1&2 beers or between 4&27 beers.  I just show up and put on pants.

Reg is responsible for all weekend planning... during the summer...on sunny days....when he isnt hung ovah.

My point is, I have no idea where we are going to be....or where the wedding and reception is.  The girl getting married has family all over the place in the ATL...maybe HD will be in the band..?

[dea]

Tlm...I have to agree with your assessment about the competitiveness of the LL this season.  Of all the AQ conferences the LL has the highest percentage of teams with overall records at .500 or above  (6 of 7).

[zachattack22]

Many good observations regarding LL and about Union....For a brand new offensive line, they are playing well...Some statistics don't matter, but 527 yards of offense and time of possession, and number of first downs are good indicators the offense has tremendous potential, with little drop off from last year.  The three turnovers really mattered and many teams will not win doing that.  One turnover though, was an awesome hit by WPI....Definitely an earned turnover.  For whatever reasons yet to be figured out, Union, Hobart and RPI have played pretty sloppy with the care of the football. 

ZT knows the defense bailed out the offense several times last year,  but if you've been able to really watch the games, the offense just needs to take care of the ball better, play a little bit smarter at times...but the defense needs to step it up and improve much more and run that darn 3-4 the way it was supposed to be run....Much more aggressively and create some confusion, some corner blitzes, etc.  The talent and experience is there, especially with the front seven...ZT admits he's a frustrated coach and its easy to be a critic...but all those 40 yard passes completed were never thrown more than 10 yards....Many missed assignments.

But, if you're into heart-stopping fourth quarters, it appears WPI/Union and RPI/SLU certainly provided that for everyone. 

[zachattack22]

NCAA team rankings regarding Union's offense and defense do seem to tell some of the story although stats don't mean everything....Out of 229 ranked, Union is 28 in total offense, 41 in rushing offense, 47 in passing offense, 38 in scoring offense.  When looking at defense, out of 229 ranked, Union is 155 total defense, 112 rushing defense, 133 pass efficiency defense, 137 scoring defense and the ever most critical turnover margin, 197 ranked out of 229.

This is why ZT believes the offense can only improve so much....Take care of the ball, improved play calling in the red zone, etc...Defense has the talent to improve and MUST improve if the U is going places.

Interesting note to those that were so frustrated about Springfields QB running all over the Union "D"....He's the leading rusher nationally, slightly ahead of Ardiciacono and Springfield is the leading rushing team. 

Maybe the offenses of today are just too much for the defenses of today to contain....Many potent offenses out there for sure! 

[union89]

U89 was in his lovely hometown of Worcester this weekend for the WPI/Union game.  Many have stated it previously, but U89 must agree that both sides of the ball for Union were extremely frustrating.  The offense repeatedly turned the ball over (seems like last year it was picks, this year the fumble has reared it's ugly head), while the defense seemed to allow WPI's wide-outs to run freely down the middle of the field....goal-line offense was a major problem as well....U89 has complained about play calling in the past, but the ground game seemed to repeatedly let down the U in the red zone.

Also, the Angeletta kid was on the sideline for the game....according to many close to the program, the WR will be back very soon and there is no chance at all of a redshirt year.....hope his return helps, but in U89's opinion, the passing 'O' is not the problem this year.

[Jonny Utah]

those collarbone injuries are tough.  Its important that you dont come back too early as it can break again just as easy.  Hope Ang doesnt rush things..

Oh, Denver -5 tonight......