FB: Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference

[cave2bens]

Oh yeah, 1-12 on 3rd down doesn't really help.

C'mon Has_Been and 70_...the glass is half full!

1 of 12,  3rd conversions in a first game doesn't automatically translate into an 0-10 season, does it?  I'd hate to think that the Jackets are still suffering hangover from Bluffton last November.    OTOH, 

I'm not saying they will go 0-10 & I still have hope they can turn it around, but losing 35-10 to a team that went 0-10 last year hurts.  You should have heard the announcers on the radio.  It was like they won the championship.

Just yankin' your chain a bit, and for Musky (after the last several years), it probably felt like they'd won a championship. 

Appears that Taylor, et.al. are going to be earning every cent of their salaries this year to scrape the keel, plug the holes, and right the boat. 

[JacketsFan]

Hey everybody. It's been a long, busy spring and summer adding onto Clan Palmer. Oldest son married in May and Richard married August 8 up in Ohio. We all went up for the wedding. How can you guys ever complain about heat and humidity? It felt like October to us. Needless to say, I've been away from the board for awhile.

But .... some observations.

First, Rich and I listened to the game on the Muskingum station yesterday b/c DC's affiliate didn't carry it. Strictly bush league. What's up with that? Can't even get your own affiliate to do the season opener? Sad.

Second. DC's defensive tackle lineup is a week south of adequate this year. No big strong mooses on the roster to be seen. The Musky offense was running amok on them yesterday. Guys, if you can't stop plays consistently at the line of scrimmage, it ain't a good sign.

Third. Doesn't look like they have much in the receiving corps this year. Having said that, I know a Luke Dillon doesn't come along often but dang, when you have to start switching defensive guys over to wide out, something's wrong.

Fourth. The QB dilemma. Joey Stephens is more accurate than Hans Vetter was but he doesn't have a strong arm for making those necessary deep passes. The Karcher kid looks to me to be their best bet for now. He's tall and lanky. Could use a few more pounds but that's probably easy to remedy. Don't know much about his stats at wherever he played his freshman year or if he saw any pt there at all. But, his was impressive in high school. Played in a tough conference up in the Atlanta 'burbs comprised mostly of private schools with better than average programs for the most part. His last year of stats show 117 completions out of 190 attempts and two TDs in rushing on short yardage. He passed for nearly 1500 yards, if I'm not mistaken. If I were Coach Taylor, I think I'd focus on getting this kid beefed up and ready to be the regular signal caller. If his dad is a QB coach, the kid has probably been learning the basics from him and just needs spit and polish. I don't know who this third QB is but I wouldn't go the triple or double headed QB route. It didn't work for Spurrier and Taylor ain't Spurrier.

Fifth. Running game. Caralla is hot but if there's no passing game to keep the opponent honest, where does that get you? My guess that the trouble yesterday - not being there to see is a handicap - was a combination of poor pass protection and poor receiving.

Sixth. Someone speculated that the newspaper reporter made up that windy say nothing quote. I don't think so. I got to know Crescent News reporter Lynn Groll when Richard was playing there and he wouldn't do that. Besides, it's death to a reporter who gets caught doing it.

I'm disappointed that DC couldn't man up against a team that was 0-10 last year. But, on the bright side, when I look at the conference Muskingum plays in and see who their opponents are, it tells a little different story. They usually win their non-conference games although they didn't last year. But in conference, they're up against all the big OAC powerhouses. They managed to beat Ohio Northern a couple or three years back so they've got something going for them. Is it possible they just look bad because they're up against Capital and all the other badass teams?

Having said that, next week's game against Adrian scares me. Last time DC was at Adrian was Richard's senior year and that's the year they embarrassed the Bulldogs at the grand opening ceremony of their new sports complex. As the saying goes, there will be blood.

Adios, amigos. Sorry to be away so long but you know how it is. Howdy to one and all. Drop me a line. Adam, the photos were a hoot.

PS: I was so sick and tired of listening to Lee Corso repeat yesterday how Florida hasn't beaten Miami since 1985 that I would've driven to G-ville and kicked Tebow's butt had they not won yesterday. And then, after I snuck up on him and kicked his ass from behind, he probably would've turned around and picked me up and spiked me in the endzone.

[Adam Sayer]

I change my pick. The Bengals will not be 4-12....they will be 2-14 and will get the #1 pick next year and the trade of Chad "Ocho -I'm a dumb crazy, schitzo" for 2 #1 picks to Washington will look like a complete mistake. I don't even know if what I said made sense...but the Bengals are terrible. Wonder how long it's going to take for people to show up with bags on their heads and fire Marvin signs?

[Adam Sayer]

Kevin...hope you didn't contribute to Mike Brown's retirement fund by buying tickets this year.

That was the worst I've ever seen a Bengal's team play. I think some of those 3-13/2-14 teams from back in the 1990's were better.

[BashBacker#16]

FC_alum_84,

The FC D gave up some serious yards, 26 first downs has to be concerning, including 576 yards in total offense, 35 points...that is HUGE.  Unless they can get the D in shape, if they do make the playoffs, it will be a short run!  This isn't a slam at all, I have great respect for Coach Leonard and what he has done in a short time.  A win over an OAC team is solid but those are some staggering numbers.

Just my take.

Good luck to the Grizzlies the rest of the season.

[SaintsFAN]

Nope.. I saw this year coming for the Bungles... and decided to wait and see...buying tix on a game by game basis only. 

Well, I didn't think it would be this bad already...but I thought it might be rough. 

They looked clueless out there on offense and defense..  Odom was playing 3 different postions and didn't have one mastered.  I recorded it on my direct tv... I played softball today at 1pm.. glad I didn't waste my day.

Watching the Browns now...is there anything worse than a Browns Fan?  This will be the only time I say during the season....Go Cowboys.  BTW, Touchdown TO.. Nice.  Shut up Dawg Pound

[formerd3db]

SaintsFAN:

I suppose I should post this to you over on your PAC board, however, since you frequently post here, thought I would just follow yours.  What happened to your TMC yesterday against John Carroll?  I was shocked.  Then again, my Hope didn't fare well either as they gave one away, although Illinois Wesleyan is no slouch team.  I am embarrassed to say that my alma mater has now lost 19 out of the last 22 home openers - incredable.  Let's hope both our teams improve next week.  BTW, I hope you are feeling better re: your medical issues.  I'm keeping you in prayer for that.  Talk to you later.

formerd3db

JacketsFAN:

Great to see you back on the board.  First, congratulations on both of your son's weddings.  I know what that is like as you recall our oldest daughter got married this summer also back in July.  Our other daughter gets married next July 4th as well (to Hope's ice hockey goalie no less!).  Second, I hope your summer was enjoyable aside from the weddings as well.   Got to run so I'll cut this short, but will correspond more next time.  Take care.

formerd3db

[SaintsFAN]

formerd3db,

We have great talent offensively...they got off to a slow start, fumbling on the first offensive play of the season to set up JCU's first TD.  I think that set the tone...

JCU returned 17 starters and looked very seasoned.  Good QB and WR play..  They played well... we ran into a buzz saw.  A glimpse of the future was revealed after JCU's first TD...when Thomas More marched 60+ yards in 10 plays to even the score.  We thought we were in for a great game at that point.  None-the-less, we have a week off and go to Waynesburg on the 20th and then return for Homecoming (to open the new stadium) against Westminster. 

If you saw Westminster's score in the first game....Coach Hallett's squad got after them Saturday...  scored on first 5 of 6 possessions.  Word out of Tiffin is the Student Princes have some great offensive talent.  I'll be heading to Tiffin on October 11th to see Hallett's HC squad host Dean Paul's Ohio Northern team. .

Thanks for the wishes.. prognosis is good again...they say.  You guys have to put up with me for a little while longer 

[Adam Sayer]

Oct 11 huh...I may want to make that trip with you if I'm able.

[dc_has_been]

I change my pick. The Bengals will not be 4-12....they will be 2-14 and will get the #1 pick next year and the trade of Chad "Ocho -I'm a dumb crazy, schitzo" for 2 #1 picks to Washington will look like a complete mistake. I don't even know if what I said made sense...but the Bengals are terrible. Wonder how long it's going to take for people to show up with bags on their heads and fire Marvin signs?

No way Cinncy will get the #1 pick over Detroit this year.  But don't worry, Detroit will waste it on someone they don't need & Cinncy will still have their choice of who they want.

[Superfoot Wallace]

Really?

My Lions will be okay.

Indy on the other hand... the hometown team...  oddest word in last weeks IndyStar crossword was oriel, or bay window.  Well, Al Michael's opens up yapping about the rollback roof and the bay window...  and, well you see where I'm going with this.

If you were in Indy before 84 you were most likely a Bengals or Bears fan.  Around 78 or so I had a Bengals sweatshirt...  By 1980 I had fullblown Steelers gear, the jacket, gloves and hat...  Then along came Matt Suhey.

What was that defense the Bears were running tonight?  8 downlinemen and 5 defensive backs?

First game in the Hoosier Dome... errrr RCA Dome was Bills versus Bears...  Well, Indy gets Polian and the Bears get a stomping ground?  First preseason game in Lucas Oil Stadium? Bills.  First Regular season game in Lucas Oil Stadium?  Bears.

How dissimilar is this to the Texans winning their franchise opener over the Cowboys?

signed,
Hurricane Dykstra

[Adam Sayer]

Had you watched the Bengals...you would agree with me. I know the Lions are bad, but They have a better defense and OL than Cincy does. Carson Palmer will not make it 16 games this year. I'm willing to say he'll see 12 before he gets another serious injury.

Instead of "do your job" Marvin's new saying should be "Lay down like sissies and get your QB killed."

[SaintsFAN]

If you were in Indy before 84 you were most likely a Bengals or Bears fan.  Around 78 or so I had a Bengals sweatshirt...  By 1980 I had fullblown Steelers gear, the jacket, gloves and hat...  Then along came Matt Suhey.

MacLeod,

I lived in Indy (Danville actually) 1982-1987.   You're right..because the Colts weren't there...most of my extended family were Bears fans.  I remember the "Super Bowl Shuffle" year... going to my Uncles house to watch the Bears pound someone.  I actually went to the first preseason game the Colts played.. My dad is still a Colts fan..


Sayer,

You are more than welcome.. I have room so far.... Justin Frisk is the only other confirmed as "in"..

[KYGrizzly]

Watching the Browns now...is there anything worse than a Browns Fan?

Some of us Browns fans are okay.

Back in the 60's the Browns were always the regional game on TV here in Louisvlle before the Bengals were in existence. When Art Modell moved the team to Baltimore I didn't have a favorite team in the NFL and I sure wasn't going to be a Ravens fan.

Some of the players I remember watching were Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly, Paul Warfield etc.

[JacketsFan]

formerd3db, congratulations on your daughter's wedding. Now we sit back and await those delightful grandchildren, eh?

Not hearing good things about DC's team this year. The one bright spot is Lewis Caralla but he can't do it all. As I guessed, the D-line is practically paper thin and got totally outgunned by the Muskies O-line. There's some talent on DC's O-line but they're going to have to get their helmets out of their rectal orifices and give their running back and QB some breathing room. Karcher looks to be an accurate passer but can he lob the ball out there? Enquiring minds wanna know.

This week at Adrian is gonna be ugly. The Bulldogs want some payback for the a$$whipping DC put on them at the inaugural game in their new house two years back and, from what I'm hearing, they are also still pretty po'd about some preseason shenanigans from last year.

I'm thinking DC could see a long hard road this year and, if Saturday is any indication, I think 4th place is being generous.