FB: Liberty League

[superman57]

rev I am a fisher fan but I try to be leval headed and this is a real tough game for fisher...but a) it is a home game for fisher...and don't give me wilkes had a home game too...it's a different weekend...Growney would have been quite if it were in pittsford.  B) Fisher's d is going to be better than what rowan has seen in a while... C) in order for rowan to win this needs to be a defensive battle... I think Fisher's offense is too balanced and to strong up front to be stopped enough for rowan to be able to keep up with fisher

[Frank Rossi]

rev I am a fisher fan but I try to be leval headed and this is a real tough game for fisher...but a) it is a home game for fisher...and don't give me wilkes had a home game too...it's a different weekend...Growney would have been quite if it were in pittsford.  B) Fisher's d is going to be better than what rowan has seen in a while... C) in order for rowan to win this needs to be a defensive battle... I think Fisher's offense is too balanced and to strong up front to be stopped enough for rowan to be able to keep up with fisher

Not sold on Fisher's Defense against a team like Rowan...SJF had a great game against Springfield in part because SJF has seen Springfield before...This allowed SJF to see that stacking the middle would not be a bad idea against the conservative play calling of Springfield (i.e., it's worth the risk of getting burnt once or twice in a likely shootout if you can contain the other 96% of the plays against a Springfield offense).  The defense played Saturday will not work against Rowan because the secondary cannot come in the box EVERY PLAY.  Thus, the secondary will get a good test against Rowan.

A lot of what killed Union against SJF was bad decisions by Marotti combined with SJF capitalizing on those mistakes.  The run game was abandoned very early when it was obvious Arcidiacono was too injured to cut, so the secondary could easily play the pass without much threat of a run.  So, for two consecutive weeks, SJF has faced what turned into one-dimensional offenses.  Rowan may not seem like a great running team to most people this year, but it's better than many.  You cannot use the last two weeks to prove that SJF will roll over the Profs.

With respect to the offense, it's going to come down to Kramer's efficiency, sure.  However, Robinson needs to be used more -- his stats read a little deceivingly for the last couple games -- lots of touchdowns, but running has been marginal between the 20s.  It's a combination of a lack of use and defenses reading him well.  Kramer's only chance to avoid a pass rush from hell is the inclusion early and often of Robinson.  It took SJF nearly four full quarters to effectively use Robinson outside the 20 when Kramer used a toss sweep to get Robinson to the corner much earlier.  His runs up the middle were too frequent, and he couldn't seem to beat Springfield to the corner the couple times he tried to string out the Springfield defense.  I'm a little surprised the toss sweep wasn't used earlier.

[mattvsmith]

and don't give me wilkes had a home game too...it's a different weekend...Growney would have been quite if it were in pittsford.

The Rev doesn't even understand this.  Is Superman57 trying to assign an argument to The Rev that The Rev clearly has never indicated positing?  Yes, Superman57 is.

As for the rest of your Post, The Rev can't argue against it.  He is not a close follower of Rowan nor SJF unless there is a direct relation to Hobart which would cause concern.  Anyway, The Rev would expect you to argue in favor of SJF because that's what fans are supposed to do. 

The Rev is neither a fan nor a critic of any team at this point.  The Rev is just interested in seeing how things pan out without favoring one team or another.  (In other words, predicting a Rowan win shouldn't be construed as being anti-SJF.  If SJF beat Rowan, great.  More good news for NY football.)

BTW: How many years away do you think a regular season match-up between SJF and Hobart happens?  Five? Ten? Never?  Just curious.

[Jonny Utah]

Although I havent seen Rowan in a few years, their team speed can often times neutralize the opponent. 

[boobyhasgameyo]

rev I am a fisher fan but I try to be leval headed and this is a real tough game for fisher...but a) it is a home game for fisher...and don't give me wilkes had a home game too...it's a different weekend...Growney would have been quite if it were in pittsford.  B) Fisher's d is going to be better than what rowan has seen in a while... C) in order for rowan to win this needs to be a defensive battle... I think Fisher's offense is too balanced and to strong up front to be stopped enough for rowan to be able to keep up with fisher

Not sold on Fisher's Defense against a team like Rowan...SJF had a great game against Springfield in part because SJF has seen Springfield before...This allowed SJF to see that stacking the middle would not be a bad idea against the conservative play calling of Springfield (i.e., it's worth the risk of getting burnt once or twice in a likely shootout if you can contain the other 96% of the plays against a Springfield offense).  The defense played Saturday will not work against Rowan because the secondary cannot come in the box EVERY PLAY.  Thus, the secondary will get a good test against Rowan.

A lot of what killed Union against SJF was bad decisions by Marotti combined with SJF capitalizing on those mistakes.  The run game was abandoned very early when it was obvious Arcidiacono was too injured to cut, so the secondary could easily play the pass without much threat of a run.  So, for two consecutive weeks, SJF has faced what turned into one-dimensional offenses.  Rowan may not seem like a great running team to most people this year, but it's better than many.  You cannot use the last two weeks to prove that SJF will roll over the Profs.

With respect to the offense, it's going to come down to Kramer's efficiency, sure.  However, Robinson needs to be used more -- his stats read a little deceivingly for the last couple games -- lots of touchdowns, but running has been marginal between the 20s.  It's a combination of a lack of use and defenses reading him well.  Kramer's only chance to avoid a pass rush from hell is the inclusion early and often of Robinson.  It took SJF nearly four full quarters to effectively use Robinson outside the 20 when Kramer used a toss sweep to get Robinson to the corner much earlier.  His runs up the middle were too frequent, and he couldn't seem to beat Springfield to the corner the couple times he tried to string out the Springfield defense.  I'm a little surprised the toss sweep wasn't used earlier.

Soooo Frank you aren't sold on Fisher's defense against a team that struggled to average about 20 ppg in 12 games this year?  You are acting like they are an offensive juggernaut with their suprising running game and team speed.  Throwing out a lot of excuses there too.....Marotti's bad decisions, Arcidiacono being too injured, Fisher seeing Springfield's offense again.  Couldn't possibly have anything to do with Fisher's defense just being good.  But we will throw out those games in your argument, how can you dissect Fisher stopping teams like Ithaca and Alfred and U of R that all averaged significantly more ppg than Rowan?  Talking about Fisher's secondary will be tested, I think that is one of their best strengths when healthy.  It's just nice to see the defense get discredited all season long when they have averaged about 13 ppg given up and that includes the 55 Springfield scored on their one mistake filled game...

[zachattack22]

Although I havent seen Rowan in a few years, their team speed can often times neutralize the opponent. 

JU...this could be a battle between speed and strength....Speed Kills, they say....but strength can really wear a team out by the third and fourth quarter....IF the strength is slow, speed wins...But, if the strength is athletic and has an explosive power element to it, ZA goes with the strength....

Should be very interesting.....ZA is predicting an SJF win....27 to 17... Although ZA's prediction is meaningless because he hasn't seen either team play this year....just going by what he has read.  

[zachattack22]

What happened to ZA's team (Union) this year at SJF was no accident....Neither was it at RPI. Both teams showed better defense.  But SJF showed a dominating defense that controlled the line of scrimmage.

IF they control the line of scrimmage against Rowan, they should win because they are balanced on both sides of the ball. 

[radiomike]

Although I havent seen Rowan in a few years, their team speed can often times neutralize the opponent. 

Rowan has an amazing back in Edwards that will have to be contained. However, Fisher seemed to squash Sharpe, so it may be able to do the same here.

[radiomike]

Enough of the posturing Frank...the problem with these boards is when guys think that they are bigger than what they really are in their posts...posts are just  that...we are not examples to anyone in  here so lets stop pretending that anyone cares about this other than for some fun, socializing and trashtalking. 

I respect what you do on the radio because that serves a real and true purpose but please 'Dad' do not lecture me I have been on the field and in 'here' and understand and know where the line is...they are the ones that say '5', '10'....'50' and endzone
 

They don't normally mark the 5-yard line with a "5" -- You sure you played?

It's the attitude you're putting forth that makes people like Michael Richards think that they can go out and act like fools because "nobody of meaning is watching/listening" - In this world of YouTube and camera phones, everything you say and do matters and is fair game.  I think these boards apply to that same characterization.  This is why coaches pretty much forbid players from writing on these boards.

WOW! Equating LL posts with Michael Richards? A bit of a stretch. And these posts do get noticed, by players, coached (when they have the time), fans, and alums. And while it may be fair game, at times, it is better left unsaid.

[radiomike]

rev I am a fisher fan but I try to be leval headed and this is a real tough game for fisher...but a) it is a home game for fisher...and don't give me wilkes had a home game too...it's a different weekend...Growney would have been quite if it were in pittsford.  B) Fisher's d is going to be better than what rowan has seen in a while... C) in order for rowan to win this needs to be a defensive battle... I think Fisher's offense is too balanced and to strong up front to be stopped enough for rowan to be able to keep up with fisher

I am not sure Growney would have been "quiet" this weekend. Fisher draws most of its students, fans, and alums from the Rochester metro, so I think it would have been pretty well attended. It likely would not get as much as the game this week, but based on past turkey weekend games, bigger metros have drawn better than isolated schools, IMHO. I will be really curious at seeing the good Rowan Defence going against Fisher, that can run up the points, as they did with Union.

[Cardinals10]

Mr. Rossi,

Your posting was less than substantial aginst SJF!

1.  You mention the defensive scheme SJF played last week vs. Springfield - stack too many in the box and won!

2.  You mention the Union game and didn't give a lick of credit to the Fisher D (completely different scheme) but gave excuses of the opposing offense.  What was the verdict of that game?  A blowout?!?!

I credit the Fisher victories to a "well balanced" attack.  They can obviously match up offensively and defensively to any team.  Have you check the difference in average point for vs. point against for Fisher?  Obviously not - I'll give it to you 29 points.  

I"ve got an idea with your knowledge and postings - either post them to the E8 board or stick your head in a toilet and flush!

Get a clue and revisit your comments.

[FisherAlum05]

rev I am a fisher fan but I try to be leval headed and this is a real tough game for fisher...but a) it is a home game for fisher...and don't give me wilkes had a home game too...it's a different weekend...Growney would have been quite if it were in pittsford.  B) Fisher's d is going to be better than what rowan has seen in a while... C) in order for rowan to win this needs to be a defensive battle... I think Fisher's offense is too balanced and to strong up front to be stopped enough for rowan to be able to keep up with fisher

Not sold on Fisher's Defense against a team like Rowan...SJF had a great game against Springfield in part because SJF has seen Springfield before...This allowed SJF to see that stacking the middle would not be a bad idea against the conservative play calling of Springfield (i.e., it's worth the risk of getting burnt once or twice in a likely shootout if you can contain the other 96% of the plays against a Springfield offense).  The defense played Saturday will not work against Rowan because the secondary cannot come in the box EVERY PLAY.  Thus, the secondary will get a good test against Rowan.

A lot of what killed Union against SJF was bad decisions by Marotti combined with SJF capitalizing on those mistakes.  The run game was abandoned very early when it was obvious Arcidiacono was too injured to cut, so the secondary could easily play the pass without much threat of a run.  So, for two consecutive weeks, SJF has faced what turned into one-dimensional offenses.  Rowan may not seem like a great running team to most people this year, but it's better than many.  You cannot use the last two weeks to prove that SJF will roll over the Profs.

With respect to the offense, it's going to come down to Kramer's efficiency, sure.  However, Robinson needs to be used more -- his stats read a little deceivingly for the last couple games -- lots of touchdowns, but running has been marginal between the 20s.  It's a combination of a lack of use and defenses reading him well.  Kramer's only chance to avoid a pass rush from hell is the inclusion early and often of Robinson.  It took SJF nearly four full quarters to effectively use Robinson outside the 20 when Kramer used a toss sweep to get Robinson to the corner much earlier.  His runs up the middle were too frequent, and he couldn't seem to beat Springfield to the corner the couple times he tried to string out the Springfield defense.  I'm a little surprised the toss sweep wasn't used earlier.

Wow, I usually don't say much on these boards I just observe but this is quite ridiculous  Frank.  I respect your opinions but your views on the Fisher defense these past few weeks have been idiotic.  You must not know much about football if you think the Fisher defense is lacking.  Before the Union game you said fisher "lacked defensive team speed."  haha.  that is there strongpoint.  And I wouldnt call the Rowan offense balanced.  I heard they aren't a very good offensive team from several cortland followers.  After saturday you'll have to give the Fisher defense the respect they deserve!! Go Fisher!!

[bigdvs]

okay SJF (and all you other transplants) you won the games (you beat Union by a lot, and got revenge for your only loss), does not mean a whole lot when Rowan is coming to play ya. Have you seen any NJAC games? What is your barometer for how up or down that league was this year? If you dont know then pointing out a 12ppg offense for Rowan is way off the mark. SJF has a good team. They play solid defense and run a balanced offense (most of the time). The funny thing is as bigdvs types that it is the same thing written about Union before facing Rowan last year. They will be faster then what you have seen count on it. They will be bigger (at some positions) count on it. They are a playoff tested program that has already pulled 2 games out of the fire this post season, so rattling them by scoring first wont work, count on it. All that said, bigdvs would love for someone other then brown and gold to be the East representative in the Final 4.  (though some of you are not engendering any goodwill SJF's way either at this point)

[Frank Rossi]

rev I am a fisher fan but I try to be leval headed and this is a real tough game for fisher...but a) it is a home game for fisher...and don't give me wilkes had a home game too...it's a different weekend...Growney would have been quite if it were in pittsford.  B) Fisher's d is going to be better than what rowan has seen in a while... C) in order for rowan to win this needs to be a defensive battle... I think Fisher's offense is too balanced and to strong up front to be stopped enough for rowan to be able to keep up with fisher

Not sold on Fisher's Defense against a team like Rowan...SJF had a great game against Springfield in part because SJF has seen Springfield before...This allowed SJF to see that stacking the middle would not be a bad idea against the conservative play calling of Springfield (i.e., it's worth the risk of getting burnt once or twice in a likely shootout if you can contain the other 96% of the plays against a Springfield offense).  The defense played Saturday will not work against Rowan because the secondary cannot come in the box EVERY PLAY.  Thus, the secondary will get a good test against Rowan.

A lot of what killed Union against SJF was bad decisions by Marotti combined with SJF capitalizing on those mistakes.  The run game was abandoned very early when it was obvious Arcidiacono was too injured to cut, so the secondary could easily play the pass without much threat of a run.  So, for two consecutive weeks, SJF has faced what turned into one-dimensional offenses.  Rowan may not seem like a great running team to most people this year, but it's better than many.  You cannot use the last two weeks to prove that SJF will roll over the Profs.

With respect to the offense, it's going to come down to Kramer's efficiency, sure.  However, Robinson needs to be used more -- his stats read a little deceivingly for the last couple games -- lots of touchdowns, but running has been marginal between the 20s.  It's a combination of a lack of use and defenses reading him well.  Kramer's only chance to avoid a pass rush from hell is the inclusion early and often of Robinson.  It took SJF nearly four full quarters to effectively use Robinson outside the 20 when Kramer used a toss sweep to get Robinson to the corner much earlier.  His runs up the middle were too frequent, and he couldn't seem to beat Springfield to the corner the couple times he tried to string out the Springfield defense.  I'm a little surprised the toss sweep wasn't used earlier.

Soooo Frank you aren't sold on Fisher's defense against a team that struggled to average about 20 ppg in 12 games this year?  You are acting like they are an offensive juggernaut with their suprising running game and team speed.  Throwing out a lot of excuses there too.....Marotti's bad decisions, Arcidiacono being too injured, Fisher seeing Springfield's offense again.  Couldn't possibly have anything to do with Fisher's defense just being good.  But we will throw out those games in your argument, how can you dissect Fisher stopping teams like Ithaca and Alfred and U of R that all averaged significantly more ppg than Rowan?  Talking about Fisher's secondary will be tested, I think that is one of their best strengths when healthy.  It's just nice to see the defense get discredited all season long when they have averaged about 13 ppg given up and that includes the 55 Springfield scored on their one mistake filled game...

I'm not throwing out excuses for Union -- I've said on the air and elsewhere that SJF gave Union a "thumpin'."  I'm explaining that people who are using the last two games to build their hypothesis that SJF's defense will roll easily in the Rowan game need to reassess that view for a minute because Union became one-dimensional (pass) by the end of the first quarter and Springfield was one-dimensional (rush) throughout.

There's no doubt that Fisher put up some great defensive and offensive statistics this season.  However, this past Saturday was their first "close game" in quite some time.  This Saturday will not breed a rout, and Fisher fans speak as if Rowan is just another opponent.  I throw most of the stats from the Ithaca, Alfred and other games out at this point because the mentality heading into a playoff game is just different.  I've been around the Union program during its 2000, 2005 and 2006 playoff games, and you can tell that the players play a tighter game and the coaches call a little more conservatively.  It's just the nature of the beast.

We all point to Fisher's success in Saturday's game, but Fisher is VERY lucky that it didn't fall behind by two possessions on numerous occasions in the second quarter (the fumble at the one-yard line was a pivotal game-changing play because it prevented such a potential momentum situation for Springfield).  As I said at the end of the broadcast, Fisher cannot play like that against Rowan.  Fisher did not play anything near a perfect game, and I'd hope even a Fisher fan could admit that.

So, long story short for me is this:  trash talk all you want about the Fisher offense or defense -- and of course, ignore my point about the use of Robinson on Saturday which might be of more value to pay attention to.  Fisher cannot give up 21 points to Rowan, period.  The difference in the game will be whether Fisher's defense can go back to playing a versatile offense -- something it hasn't had to do for three weeks.  Either way, the game will not be a rout.  I just know what happened last year to Union against Rowan -- and the Hobart/Rowan and Wilkes/Rowan games give me the same impression -- when a team takes a lead on Rowan, it somehow wakes up the beast within.  I'm not a Rowan fan, but there is no ignoring these kids' will to win.  Trash talk will only make it worse.

[radiomike]

Pretty much, the winning answer is somewhere in between my opinion and Radiomike's opinion, which doesn't surprise me. 

I tend to agree. Let's face it. Both of us don't coach. Both of us, while spending lots of time on or near a football field, have done so in a non-athletic basis, unless you count running after a coach or carrying equipment, "athletic" participation.
Pet peeve: It always troubles me when the fan or the broadcaster of a D3 contest, tries to second guess or cirticize a coach, a coach of student-athletes. While my feeling extends to DI slightly but not as much, these are not "professional" highly paid individuals like their NFL and top level D1 "churn out pro-players" programs.  It bothers me even more when the same fans and broadcasters villify a player. At the student -athlete level, and especially D3, unless it is fight or blatant personnel foul, including unsportamanlike conduct, then there are no stupid players or stupid coaches. Are there judgement questions, on which play should be called or how the play is executed? Sure. However, I rarely hear that kind of language used on air, and instead, the blame is heaped upon the QB that threw the pass or the coach that called that play, with the same intensity as commiting a crime. Thus, using the word Cowardly and Inappropriate, bothers me a lot, whether talking about Coach Cragg, Audino, or any other coach. Well, maybe not Bobby Knight, but that is a different discussion.