Patriot League: Any Preseason Assessments of Your Team?

[carney2]

I'm asking you Patriot League posters to take off the rose colored glasses and give us a position-by position rundown of your team for 2011. Honesty is the best policy.

LAFAYETTE:

Coming off a 2-9 disaster in 2010, expectations should not be too high. Perhaps a case can be made that 5 of those 9 losses were by a TD or less so maybe that 2010 team wasn't so bad after all. In reality however, the 2010 Leopards had more problems than Bayer has aspirin tablets. Most of those problems will carry over to 2011. Lackluster recruiting may be addressing one or two issues, but has not infused the quantity of real talent needed to plug all the holes. Here is a quick and dirty summary by position of where things stand:

OL: We begin here because this is the key to almost everything. The offense cannot function without these guys. Offensive line coach Stan Clayton (Penn State, '88 and 4 years in the NFL) is on the hot seat. The OL was dreadful in 2010. No, I take that back. The 2010 group aspired to, but never achieved, dreadful. OL is not an easy position for a quick fix. Tavani is “tired of being pushed around” and has adopted the philosophy "size matters." At one point in the spring the two-deep averaged – AVERAGED! - over 310. OL recruiting is one area that has gone well the past two years, but if Stan Clayton can turn this bunch of lard butts into football players it won't be until the second half of the season. This is where it starts though. If there is to be any football team at all this year, there must be a vast improvement in the offensive line.

QB: Mediocre in 2010 with the same starter (Ryan O'Neil) returning. "He's the best we have" is an unfortunate but true statement. Undoubtedly OL deficiencies were a factor, but the coaching staff didn't seem to trust O'Neil in 2010, calling an endless stream of dumps, outs and flat passes, with few throws down the field. Knowledgeable observers expect improvement, but real hope rests with the two incoming freshmen, especially the kid from Wilson West Lawn (Reading) who apparently slipped through all of the big school recruiting nets due to senior year injuries. Unfortunately, neither he nor the other promising freshman from Canton, OH will contribute this year.

RB: Some talent, but, as a group, undersized and injury prone. The best of the bunch is probably senior Jerome Rudolph who is listed at a Lilliputian 170 and is one concussion away from becoming Quasimodo's permanent assistant.

WR: Perhaps the best group of wide receivers in school history was wasted last year. The 2011 group is also very talented and deep. Sophomore Mark Ross may be the real deal. The question is, can anyone get the ball to them?

TE: A disappearing position in college football, but leather helmet Tavani keeps it alive and well on College Hill. (Real men don't run the spread offense!) TE is used mostly as an extra blocking lineman in the Lafayette scheme of things, but even that didn't help in 2010. Some talent here with 6'7” 235 heavily recruited sophomore Brandon Hall probably the pick of the litter.

DL: No penetration or serious first line of defense in 2010. One or two bright spots in spring drills. You might want to file away the name Tahir Basil, a junior, who, if he can stay healthy, looks like a player.

LB: Not a great performance in 2010, but some question if it was because of being sandwiched between a bad DL and a handcuffed DB . Expectations are that this group will perform better in 2011 than in 2010, but without a dominating presence in the Romans, Bennett, Costanzo mold.

DB: Soft coverage r us. Every receiver is given a 10-yard cushion. Apparent philosophy: tackle well, but don't challenge for a ball that's in the air. The problems appear to be more with the coaching than the playing.

KICKING: Punter, place kicker and the kickoff guy have all graduated. If there are replacements in house it isn't obvious. Kickoff coverage was a serious problem last year, giving up huge chunks of field position. Need to find some headhunters who can change this. Unfortunately, at a school like Lafayette that usually means that starters have to man the bomb squad. That is a high risk solution.

COACHING: Any version of an opponent's hurry-up offense in 2010 turned the entire Lafayette defense into a Chinese fire drill. John Loose, the defensive coordinator, needs to turn some decisions over to the kids on the field. I won't go into some of the other dopey stuff that was pure Tavani – and we forgive him for it as long as he wins.

PREDICTION: The Pards will have a tough time with a very difficult OOC schedule. Will probably joust with Holy Cross for 3rd/4th in the Patriot League.

There ya have it, and expecting lots of flak from my fellow Leopards.

[Bogus Megapardus]

Flak

[carney2]

Flak

Bogie, you're alive - and as opinionated as ever.

[Bogus Megapardus]

I quit for a while because a nameless AGS moderator, whilst indubitably more astute and worldly than I, issued me a "demerit" of some sort, at which I took personal umbrage. Apparently, it was a linguistic disconnect (said moderator, IMHO, might wish to invest in a dictionary or a remedial course in English at his local community college) but I chose not to dispute the matter. You know what they say about arguing with a . . . . oh, never mind.

In any event I would challenge your assessment at RB (experienced and talented), QB (starter is not a given), OL (size, greater experience) and K/P (remember that Rodriguez started as a freshman). I would not argue with you at LB, DB, and DL.

[carney2]

I would challenge your assessment at...QB (starter is not a given)

Interesting - and hopeful. Just where do you see the challenge at QB coming from? Our 2-star, Mr Shoop, seems to be fading into the background, Surfer Dude has not made even a ripple on these waters that I've heard of, and Tavani really dislikes playing freshmen (as do I - at QB and OL). Paul Reinhard, our link to reality from the Mourning Crawl, indicated that, coming out of the spring, O'Neil was heads and shoulders above all challengers.

[DFW HOYA]

I'm asking you Patriot League posters to take off the rose colored glasses and give us a position-by position rundown of your team for 2011. Honesty is the best policy.

GEORGETOWN:

At first glance, a 4-7 finish would seem a tremendous step forward from an 0-11 team the year before. On closer study, however, the Hoyas early start benefited from some favorable scheduling which evaporated thereafter. Lafayette gained 509 yards but four turnovers handed the Hoyas a four point win, while Holy Cross went into a second half slumber that allowed the Hoyas a 17-7 win and a surprising 3-1 start. Georgetown stumbled badly to end the season, dropping six straight before slogging through a win over Marist where the two teams combined for 21 points and 16 punts. The schedule is less favorable and neither Lafayette nor HC will be sleeping through its return game.

Recruiting scored high on the Carney index but the low-equivalency Hoyas remain thin at skill positions and only 15 seniors remain from an even higher regarded class that entered in 2008.

OL: Georgetown must replace three starters that saw the Hoyas average just 104 yards a game on the ground. Junior Donald Rhodes leads a line that is traditionally undersized, with only one expected starter over 300.

QB: More of the same, with a regular rotation between run-friendly, pass-averse senior Scott Darby (141-259-6, 270 yards rushing) and pass-friendly, run-averse junior Isaiah Kempf (68-128-2, 22 yards rushing). Opponents seem to scout this out and this limits Georgetown's options downfield.

RB: Hoyas graduated its leading RB in Philip Oladeji (88-400, 4 TD). Two smaller RB's, 5-9 Dalen Claytor and 5-10 Chance Logan, figure to be the best options, but Georgetown still lacks a larger blocking back. Also lost graduating slotback Keerome Lawrence (563 total yards) who could bail out the QB's in the backfield.

WR/TE: Former QB's John O'Leary and Tucker Stafford figure to get some time as receivers, with junior Patrick Ryan (22-237-1) its most consistent option.

DL: Andrew Schaetzke continues the tradition of Georgetown getting one defensive player a year into all-PL talk. Schaetzke is the only returning lineman upfront in Georgetown's 3-4 setup from last season, and help is needed with only one underclassmen returning from last season's two-deep.

LB: Underclassmen figure to get a look at linebacker, with the Hoyas graduating two seniors from 2010. Junior Robert McCabe (66 tackles) has the opportunity to pick up the mantle from Nick Parrish, the Hoyas' all-time leading tackler. Hoyas may be a bit underrated at LB relative to other teams.

DB: Georgetown returns its entire secondary, arguably its best lineup since joining the PL. Junior Jeremy Moore (62 tackles) and senior Jayah Kaisamba (59.5) will lead the charge.

KICKING: Returns both placekicker Brett Weiss and punter Matt MacZura. Georgetown was in the middle of the PL statistics in each.

COACHING: At nearly any other school, a 9-45 record after five years generates trouble and turmoil, but Kevin Kelly returns for a sixth season without fanfare. An 11th consecutive losing season (the previous record before the 2000 season was three) has lowered expectations to a point at Georgetown where most fans don't seem to notice. Five new assistants join the staff.

SCHEDULE: Only four home games this season, fewest since 1995, and no bye week until the final Saturday of the season. After two home games to open the season (Davidson, Lafayette), the Hoyas begin a five game road trip, longest since 1940. Any of the five are winnable (Yale, Marist, Wagner, Bucknell, Howard), but the Hoyas lost its most recent game against four of these five and GU is just 1-17 in the month of October under Kelly. Home games against Colgate and Fordham do not appear promising, with a road game at Holy Cross and a game at Lehigh to end the season. The ever-temporary MSF (six years and counting) continues to offer no home field advantage, but seven road games over the final nine weeks of the season is a real point of concern for a young team.

PREDICTION: Four wins would be an accomplishment this season, and would most likely come out of conference. The budget gap continues to punish the Hoyas in what is a downward era for Patriot League football, but here is the number that may tell the story of 2011: 63--that's the expected number of freshmen and sophomores on the team this year. That level of inexperience is not a favorable number in 2011.

[Sam]

Colgate



Qb ? Who knows the senior that we were looking to step in for Sullivan is hurt and out. Maybe a freshmen
OL all returning they may move a few around but we are not sure?
RB NATE EACHUS I worry that we dont have QB in place and that will make it difficult for Nate
DL holes to fill and improvement on the weights
Kickers sore spot for Biddle I think he is tired of chasing them down on the sidelines for another miss FG?

Positive will be coaching staff will get the most out of the players . Your guess will be as good as mine where we end up...

[Sader87]

Pain..... for the rest of the Patsy League.

[TheValleyRaider]

COLGATE:

Colgate's 2010 campaign was a mixed bag. 7 wins is nice, but losing 3 out of 4 in blowout fashion was rough. Admittedly, the Syracuse game went about as well as one could hope, all things considered, but getting hammered at Lehigh after a tough lastminute loss at home to Holy Cross leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. 2011 is shaping up to be a strong year for the Raiders, with one very critical potential exception

OL: The Raiders return 5 guys who started games last season to the O-Line, including 1st Team All-PL Vittorio Ottanelli and James Germano. If numbers are to be believed, Ottanelli is the only starter that doesn't crack 280. This is a tough, experienced group that might be the League's best all-around line

QB: Here's the rub. Greg Sullivan, one of those guys who just wins wherever he goes, graduates after 3 successful seasons. Steve Rizzo is the only returning QB on the roster with any playing time, as he started the ill-fated Lehigh game. Beyond that experience, I haven't heard if any competitor has seized the reins (unlikely at this point), and we'll probably have to wait until the lineup is announced before Game 1 to know who will be under center

RB: Here's why the QB situation might not sink the season. Nate Eachus is back for one more go-round as the Patriot League's best RB. A candidate for national awards, Eachus will pace the offense. If he's still going, the Raiders will move the ball. Jordan McCord and Noah Jackson are there to back him up, and so long as Eachus doesn't miss significant time, the Raider run game is one of the nation's most productive. At FB, Gigi Cadet needs a replacement, and the starter was projected to be converted LB John Tinkham

WR: Solid possession receiver Doug Rosnick graduates, leaving a lot of young guys in his place. The best of the bunch is probably Daniel Cason, though Chris Looney and Jonathan Mputu will be in the starting mix as well, Mputu especially after starting all 11 games last year. None of this group strikes me as the next Pat Simonds (or ever Luke Graham), but they won't be asked to be either. This will remain a run-heavy offense, potentially even more so with an untested QB. The offense may yet open up as the season goes along, but in the early going don't look for much in the passing game

TE: BaRack Little takes over as the starter from graduated Nick Cvetic. Biddle doesn't really use the TE as a pass catcher, so as long as Little can assist the line in blocking for Eachus and Friends, he'll fulfill the role

DL: Tackles Tyler Danielson and Greg Kafaf return. This isn't a great DLine, but their experience will help. Both Ends graduated, so we'll see who fills into these positions. Chris Horner, who saw time last year, likely will fill into one spot, while a host of players are competing for the other

LB: All 3 starters return, headlined by Chris DiMassa, who might be the playmakers the Raiders have looked for since Mike Gallihugh. Patrick Friel and Adam Lock are also back, while Mike Carbone will look to compete for playing time. This is a solid group that could be the strength of the defense

DB: The big loss here is CB Demitri Diamond, who has left the team. Kenny McKenzie, the other CB, returns, as does S Chad Frey. Vinnie Nicosia will probably take the other Safety spot, and CB is still up for grabs

KICKING: Still looking for someone to seize the K and/or P positions. Evan Goldszak has experience, but it says a lot about his performance that the position is considered up for competition with Andy Heagle and Andrew Burgess. Kickoffs are a sore spot, both in coverage and returns. Punt returners are asked simply to not fumble the ball, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a surehanded starter in there to wave the fair catch. Blocked kicks have been a problem, especially on PATs, but of course we'll see what happens with that

COACHING: Dick Biddle enters his 16th season on the sidelines as the class of Patriot League coaches, extending his own school and league win records with every victory. His staff is as good as they come in getting the most out of their talent, and the players would run through a wall for him

SCHEDULE: After a solid lineup last year, and the promise of bigger games in the future, this is a disappointing slate. The biggest concern is probably at Holy Cross in Game 2. Combine Colgate's usual slow start with breaking in a new QB, and a trip to a likely title contender is a tough road to hoe. Lehigh is probably the biggest home game, along with Albany in the opener

PREDICTION: At minimum, I expect Colgate to be where it usually is: in the mix for a League title. The Raiders are a veteran group that knows how to win games, especially close ones. QB play will be the key. If whoever emerges can really take the reins, this could be a 10 win team

This is my reading of the situation based on my memory of 2010 and a reading of the Spring Prospectus. Fellow Raiders ought to chime in, especially if they've seen anything over the Spring and Summer

[breezy]

The Holy Cross Crusaders.

SUMMARY: HC stumbled out of the gate last year as Ryan Taggart took over for the graduated Dom Randolph and needed some time to adjust to the starting role. HC scored an impressive win against Colgate in Hamilton but lost its chance for the League title when it lost to Lehigh at home. HC took second place in the league by winning its final two contests at Lafayette and against Bucknell. For 2011:

QB. Taggart is back for a fifth year and with the year of experience should be able to hit the ground running. Backups Kevin Watson and Mark Tolzien both played last year and have experience and ability to step up if Taggart is injured or falls short. HC had good success recruiting QBs this year, so the future is bright.

RB. Lots of talent here. Senior Matt Bellomo had played extensively before missing last season due to injury. Junior Eddie Houghton had an impressive freshman year but missed half of last year due to injury. Junior Sam Auffant got the bulk of the playing time last year and displayed good speed. Soph Reggie Woods has promise.

WR. HC graduated three receivers who had significant playing time, but there is still lots of talent. Junior Gerald Mistretta has been playing since his freshman year, soph Mike Fess worked his way into a starting position last year, and soph Kyle Toulouse impressed as a freshman in 2009 but missed last season. They are the main contenders to start but HC likes to play numerous receivers, so senior Charles McCall, junior Nick Mercurio and at least a couple of sophs will get a chance to display their talent. One or two of the frosh may also contribute.

TE. Alex Schneider returns for his senior year -- big, strong and with good hands. There are two or three very capable backups as well.

OL. Three starters return from 2010 -- center Sean Whited, and tackles Mike McCabe (fifth year senior) and Kyle Pedretty. Experienced senior Kyle Cannon and junior Fred Hilow will step up at the guard positions. This OL will be a bit smaller than recent HC units, who distinguished themselves in pass protection but sometimes could not sufficiently support the running game. With a smaller but seemingly quicker OL this year, the running game should improve and allow HC to have a more balance offensive attack.

DL. Two starters return in the 3-4 alignment, and a promising soph is poised to move into the third starting position. Historically rather thin, the DL has been greatly improved in the last couple of years through successful recruiting. Junior Jack Maliska will be the mainstay at NT, and will be backed up by promising soph Mike White and senior Eric Oldiges. Senior Ryan McGinn and soph Gary Acquah should start at the ends, with soph Matt Boyd and highly touted freshman Max Phelps in reserve.

LB. A strong and deep cast make this the highlight of the defense. Starters C.J. Martin and All-PL Ricky Otis hold down the inside, while Jimmy Thomas and Dave Herman bring experience at the outside positions. The backups are more than capable of stepping up.

DB. Cav Koch and Chandler Fenner return as starters at CB, with promising soph Irvin Scott available to backup. HC graduated its starting safeties, but Tom Mannix moves from backup CB to claim the starting SS spot, and soph Philip Gough (brother of former HC standout DB Casey Gough) will step in at FS. HC's recruiting class includes some very promising DBs.

Kicking. Paul Tearson returns to kickoff and will now also handle the placekicking duties. Senior Corey Paige is the favorite to take over the punting duties and soph John Macomber is available to backup.

Coaching. Tom Gilmore.

Schedule. Despite a solid lineup top to bottom and good depth at most positions, HC faces a very challenging schedule that will make it difficult to improve on last year's 6-5 mark. UMass, New Hampshire, Harvard, Brown and even improving Dartmouth will all be difficult games, and perennial PL powers Lehigh, Lafayette and Colgate will also provide substantial tests.

Outlook. Although it may not attain an impressive overall record, HC will be in the hunt for the PL title.

[Pard4Life]

I question the moderators... two years ago, they kept bumping my threads on FBS conference changes and its subsequent impact on FCS to the other forum because it was not relevant... I was the first one on here who made the connection so maybe they didn't get it at the time... and now, like every 10 threads is about said topic... durf...

I think we will be better than alot of people expect... six wins is possible... of course the absolute key is the OL, and I think the first game against NDSU is going to be a real barometer... we are going to be ready to play and should give NDSU a good game. Tavani teams have always showed up for big games.

[Franks Tanks]

Unfortunantly I think the class of the PL in 2011 is Lehigh. They may be the most clear cut PL favorite in a few years, and it will be their race to lose.

Colgate can't be counted out, but their QB situation is a little scary. Eachus and the OL may be dominant at times, but they need a little help. Holy Cross will probably be about the same as last year-- a solid team that may pull some upsets, but I don't think they win the league. The Leopards will be improved and we have some talent, but a lot of pieces have to mesh perfectly for Lafayette to win the league in 2011.

Bucknell and Georgetown will fill their usual spots.

[RichH2]

Lehigh arrived a year early, Q will be whether they can sustain progress for this year

OL: 3 starters back but lose 2 best. last season great pass protect poor run blocking.Overall s/b solid.
TE/WR : excellent with Drwal, Spadola and a healthy Gordon. Quality depth. TEs both started some last year. Haggins could bloom if avoid injury
QB: Lum has improved each yr. Expect he will have a monster season. Colvin solid backup too good an athlete to sit . Will see him in set packages and as an H-back. BB moves up to varsity. Best arm and athleticism of the 3

DL 6 LM lots of quality depth. Will be better than last yr.

LB: Pierce's loss more than balanced by Groome's spectacular play. Greene shold step rightin. Watch for Muhammed to move at least into 2 deep by PL start. Solid across the board with great depth.

DB: Lost all starters. Andrews and Littlejohn very good lots of talent very little depth with experience. Liberty and UNH coud pass us silly if backfield not solidified.

Specials; Need PR and KR and a Punter.


My guess is 8-3 or 9-2 for the season. 10 wins last yr was great but remember losse were routs and we had a number of close wins.

[Ken_Z]

Bucknell and Georgetown will fill their usual spots.

Bucknell will upset the spots

[Bogus Megapardus]

Bucknell will upset the spots

I picked Bucknell as the upset surprise of last season but it didn't pan out. I now fear that the Pards will see fit to drop comfortably into Bucknell's spot and remain there for the the duration of the current hostilities.

[RichH2]

Bogie,

Dnot think Pards will be that bad or Bison that good. Pards need a qb and an OL . D needs some depth. Bison need experience 1st then some more size for both lines. Both s/b a game or 2 ej\ither side of .500

[Bogus Megapardus]

Keith Groller, that unabashed Lehigh shill from Morning Call, once again slobbers all over his beloved Brown Panties:

http://blogs.mcall.com/groller/2011/07/lehigh-football-getting-a-lot-of-preseason-recognition.html

[carney2]

Bucknell will upset the spots

Perhaps. After all, Georgetown humiliated "the spots" last year and the Pards carry beau coup the problem baggage into the new season. On the other hand, the Buffalo have been long time bed mates with mediocrity and did little to improve their lot in Joe Susan's first recruiting season. A home game for the Pards, but perhaps part of a three way battle for the basement if Tavani and his offensive line coach don't get things straightened out.

[Bogus Megapardus]

Perhaps. After all, Georgetown humiliated "the spots" last year and the Pards carry beau coup the problem baggage into the new season. On the other hand, the Buffalo have been long time bed mates with mediocrity and did little to improve their lot in Joe Susan's first recruiting season. A home game for the Pards, but perhaps part of a three way battle for the basement if Tavani and his offensive line coach don't get things straightened out.

The Pards' last home loss to the Bison (indeed the last loss to Bucknell, period) appears to have been 17-16 on October 13, 2001. We went 2-8 that year (Tavani's second), beating only Columbia and Georgetown.

[DFW HOYA]

Perhaps. After all, Georgetown humiliated "the spots" last year and the Pards carry beau coup the problem baggage into the new season.

Lafayette put up 509 yards total offense in that game, driving the field in the final 1:58 before throwing an interception at the Georgetown three yard line and falling short, 28-24. How is that humiliation?

[Bogus Megapardus]

Lafayette put up 509 yards total offense in that game, driving the field in the final 1:58 before throwing an interception at the Georgetown three yard line and falling short, 28-24. How is that humiliation?

I was there. It was humiliating.

[RichH2]

Pl is a skill position driven league particularly at qb. Lum probably best of returnng starters. Pards qb is OK altho Pardfans dont think much of him. Cross a 5th yr sr back but he did not show much. Overall team solid not great. Gate probably best OL and rb no qb yet, D has some players but pass D weak and no pass rush. BU qb is scary with talent not much around him tho. OL small and slow. D OK but no depth will wear out early. GU ,if only Hoyas could blend their 2 qbs into 1 body. he would be great. A few bright spots particularly on D. Fordham s/b pretty good, coaching is their achilles heal

[SideLine Shooter]

too young to tell!!

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Lehigh and Colgate are both going to be darn good imo. Scholarships or no scholarships these are two high level FCS teams. Lehigh is a better, more experienced team, but not by a whole lot. There's a good chance, barring serious injuries, both teams make the playoffs. In fact, i think both are capable of winning a game or two in the playoffs with the right matchups. If Lehigh avoids the injury bug and the offense takes anothet step under Cecchini this could really be a special year. Barkett is going to have a big time breakout year. The question is, can Coen and the team handle expectations. Anything less than 8-3 and Coen will be feeling some heat again imo.

Holy Cross and Lafayette will both be solid. There's no way Lafayette goes 2-9 again this year, there's too much talent in Easton for that to happen. I think they'll give NDSU a good game in Fargo which will propel them to a winning season. Unfortunately for the Pards, they'll lose once again to Lehigh. Don't worry, the Pards will break the streak next year. Holy Cross is always well coached which makes them a threat. Still, the Crusaders still seem to lack athletes that Lehigh, Colgate and Lafayette get.

Georgetown should once again be a scrappy headache. I don't believe they'll win a lot of games but they have enough defense to be competitive.

I don't see much in Bucknell besides a new HC. Despite a nice stadium and great academics, Bucknell is a tough sell to FCS recruits imo.

[Franks Tanks]

Lehigh and Colgate are both going to be darn good imo. Scholarships or no scholarships these are two high level FCS teams. Lehigh is a better, more experienced team, but not by a whole lot. There's a good chance, barring serious injuries, both teams make the playoffs. In fact, i think both are capable of winning a game or two in the playoffs with the right matchups. If Lehigh avoids the injury bug and the offense takes anothet step under Cecchini this could really be a special year. Barkett is going to have a big time breakout year. The question is, can Coen and the team handle expectations. Anything less than 8-3 and Coen will be feeling some heat again imo.

Holy Cross and Lafayette will both be solid. There's no way Lafayette goes 2-9 again this year, there's too much talent in Easton for that to happen. I think they'll give NDSU a good game in Fargo which will propel them to a winning season. Unfortunately for the Pards, they'll lose once again to Lehigh. Don't worry, the Pards will break the streak next year. Holy Cross is always well coached which makes them a threat. Still, the Crusaders still seem to lack athletes that Lehigh, Colgate and Lafayette get.

Georgetown should once again be a scrapps headache. I don't beleive they'll win a lot of games but they have enough defense to be competitive.

I don't see much in Bucknell besides a new HC. Despite a nice stadium and great academics, Bucknell is a tough sell to FCS recruits imo.

Fair assesment. You can't count out Colgate with Eachus and the best OL in the league, but they have to find a QB. I checked the gate board and some are suggesting an incoming freshman QB is the answer. If Gate can find a QB the will be very good.

I still think the Pards have the skill players to challenge Gate and Lehigh, but our O and D line will have to improve significantly over last year. With Rudolph and Mputu in the backfield as well as Bennet, Stripe, Hayes, Padilla, and Ross (a very talented rising soph) catching the ball we can be very dangerous. Even Doty our TE is a good weapon. However the stars will really have to align for the Pards to capture our first league title since 06.

[Bogus Megapardus]

Even Doty our TE is a good weapon.

But I hope to gawd his long-snapping days are over. I think he might have lost three games for us single-handedly.

[TheValleyRaider]

Fair assesment. You can't count out Colgate with Eachus and the best OL in the league, but they have to find a QB. I checked the gate board and some are suggesting an incoming freshman QB is the answer. If Gate can find a QB the will be very good.

The Voy folks are pretty optimistic about the limited word from Hamilton. Apparently most of the QBs are good, it's just a question of which one will start. The rest of the team looks solid, but man I hate having to fill in a QB like that...

[carney2]

Lafayette put up 509 yards total offense in that game, driving the field in the final 1:58 before throwing an interception at the Georgetown three yard line and falling short, 28-24. How is that humiliation?

We lost - to freakin' Georgetown.

[carney2]

Lehigh and Colgate are both going to be darn good imo. Scholarships or no scholarships these are two high level FCS teams.

Look up hyperbole in the dictionary and you'll get this. Owlie, you're talking about the Patriot League fergawdsake.

[ngineer]

Been away for a bit with vacation and a ton of work on the return.

Lehigh should be the favorite this year with the most balanced team experience returning. The expectation is to improve and the offense must do that if the Mountain Hawks are going to take 'another step up.' Excellent skill positions at QB, WR and RB.

OL should be good. Depth will be the issue if the injury bug rears its head. TE Haggins could be a 'break out weapon' this year as well.

DL and LB should be as good or better than last year as units.

Secondary has talent and some game experience, but not having started should not be a huge issue. Andrews could be all-league at one of the corners. He showed a lot of talent last year.

Key is special teams. New long snapper is currently unknown until camp is over. PK is nothing to write home about. Anything over 35 yards is crap shoot. The freshman is an unknown quantity. The punter is huge ? The word in the spring was that Smith was ineligible, yet I see his name in Phil Steele's preseason list. IF Smith is able to return, that will be a HUGE defensive weapon as he was very effective last year in pinning opponents deep in their own territory. If we have to go with the sophomore, then it's "who knows?" He has a strong leg, but game experience in placing the punt is not easily acquired.

Coaching: The players love Coen and last year's success seems to have validated the ol' "stay the course" and believe in yourself adage. Cecchini's presence, I think, had something to do with it. A new sense of confidence and accountability was instilled. The defense has gelled very well the last couple years with the players now all in sync with the 3-4 that Coach K brought with him.

Outlook: Preseason, the only game on the schedule wherein Lehigh is the underdog is the home opener with UNH. Liberty and Colgate, at this moment, are toss-ups, and the rest, Lehigh should be favored. Dare I say "9-2", AGAIN? (;-)

[RichH2]

Players clearly love Andy, no one quits. Classes Sr tho Frosh are all about the sme number. Sr has 3 5thyr fellows. No drop off classes. He's getting good players and except for homesickness keeping them for the most part. Now he has hardest job of proving last yr not a fluke. I think he will ut it will not be easy.

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Look up hyperbole in the dictionary and you'll get this. Owlie, you're talking about the Patriot League fergawdsake.

I didn't say they were elite so i'll stand by my comment that they are high level, i.e. Top 25.