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Andy

O-Line Depth

#73 Mike Butler, predicted RG starter, no longer on roster.
RichH

Not any of my business and no disrespect intended,bt what is going on with team. I do recall LU going thru spasms like this when Small came in and earlier with Dunlap.A smaller bit with Lembo. None of them were pleasant. Some were coaches cleaning house to alter program OK, others were too many kids becoming disaffected. Tavani a good coach with solid staff. A few losses each yr are to be expected but you guys seem snakebit.
Pard94

RichH wrote:
Not any of my business and no disrespect intended,bt what is going on with team. I do recall LU going thru spasms like this when Small came in and earlier with Dunlap.A smaller bit with Lembo. None of them were pleasant. Some were coaches cleaning house to alter program OK, others were too many kids becoming disaffected. Tavani a good coach with solid staff. A few losses each yr are to be expected but you guys seem snakebit.


I don't even know what the hell that means.
RichH

Perhaps I meander too much. I was simply noting that there has been a lot of turnover with the Lafayette squad this off season and wondering if this was a flluke or might there be some sort of problem.
Andy

RichH wrote:
Not any of my business and no disrespect intended,bt what is going on with team. I do recall LU going thru spasms like this when Small came in and earlier with Dunlap.A smaller bit with Lembo. None of them were pleasant. Some were coaches cleaning house to alter program OK, others were too many kids becoming disaffected. Tavani a good coach with solid staff. A few losses each yr are to be expected but you guys seem snakebit.


I feel like Tavani has enjoyed outstanding player retention during his tenure.  Perhaps because of that record these losses over the past year or so seem magnified.  

Losses:

Katz--potential starter this year at DE. Transferred to Amherst for a particular internship program they offer. A unique situation being a former pro athlete and 23 yrs old.

Butler--probable OL starter.  On sidelines, not suited up, did not play in spring game and I'm not sure if he participated at all in drills. Injury, academics? I dont know.

I believe those are the only potential 09 season opening starters we've lost.

Two junior OL backups--Lavon and Sloat. Neither had played much and I really dont know what the future held for them. I did have hopes for Sloat based on HS career and scout team MVP award as a freshman.  Their loss combined with Butler and some puzzling lack of OL #s in recruiting classes creates OL depth problem IMO.  

Who will take Butler's starting spot?  Dont know, just know it wont be someone w/ experience.  The OL looked to be a team strength w/ Hart, Wycinowski, Wojcik, Butler, Moore.  Still should be good.  

Other losses:

Two promising sophs to be--Watts and Langen.  I dont know why Watts did not return to campus, havent heard a thing about the other.

In total I believe we've lost 12 from the 07 class of 30, many of whom did not look to be future starters inc the two QBs.

There are others whose loss I personally just dont see as all that significant.  

I'm not a parent or anyone w/ inside info so take it w/ a grain of salt, however, I see the significant losses as independent situations not tied to any common cause or reaction to some condition(s).
RichH

Thanks Andy,

I hope that it is just a 1 class blip.Stuff happens. 12 of30 not that unusually high for one class.Only a problem if it is 2 or 3 classes like that in a row.
Franks Tanks

RichH wrote:
Perhaps I meander too much. I was simply noting that there has been a lot of turnover with the Lafayette squad this off season and wondering if this was a flluke or might there be some sort of problem.


The Staff that left got promotions.  Coach Hach became the DC at Towson and he was the LB coach here.  Heff went to Northwestern, he has less responsibility there, but I think he desired a move back to a major conference.  Other assistants that left were young virtually part time guys who move along all the time and have little bearing on the staff.


We also replaced the coached who left with some very good coaches. The new OL coach was at Toldeo and Princeton prior to that.  They other new coach came from a D-II program but has good experience and is a up and coming energertic young coach.

The departures just happened this year as things lined up for Heff and Hach, noting is awry.
Andy

It's great to see the underestimation of the Pards in the various threads around the boards. Let's hope the opposing coaches feel the same, however, I doubt it.

Many may be unaware of what was happening in the Colgate game before the kid fumbled on the 5 and Curley left concussed.

They know that we lost to the celebrated Dominator et al with our back up QB, who knows what string RB, on a last gasp heave, right?

Curley gets no love, but he's like 9-1 in games he's started and finished.  I'm going to edit and post a highlite disc of Mo one of these days to remind folks about what we've got there.  There is a question at WR, but Layton is solid and if Bennett is the real deal, we'll be fine. There are speed threats in Morrow and Stripe to work in the offense. Defensively we've got experienced kids like Irving, Gerowski and Dixon to fill in at DE and I'm not kidding about Protin.  At LB of course we'll miss Romans but there's a lot to like in a group of Goldsmith, Leggiero, Schmidlien and I cant wait to get a look at a healthy Eaton. We're flush with outstanding DBs, no worries there. Biggest flaw IMO is the depth issue on OL and at DT position.  Need to keep those guys fresher deeper in games.

Pards will be well in the mix.
carney2

Andy wrote:
Pards will be well in the mix.


Agreed!  I can't believe the lack of respect the Pards got ON THIS SITE in that recent "poll" thread.  Where are all those lunatic homers that we know and love?!!

This team has lots of potential holes, but there is no one in the Patriot League without this many problems or more.  Look at the apparent odds-on favorite, Holy Cross.  They are ensconced in the preseason cat bird seat on the strength of one man - one arm.  In reality, however, their bottom to top roster is a notch or two worse than last year's.  They are one step closer to that empty cupboard that is their post-Randolph future,  And this is the favorite!

If someone is heads and shoulders better than Lafayette in the Patriot League, I don't see it.
Franks Tanks

carney2 wrote:
Andy wrote:
Pards will be well in the mix.


Agreed!  I can't believe the lack of respect the Pards got ON THIS SITE in that recent "poll" thread.  Where are all those lunatic homers that we know and love?!!

This team has lots of potential holes, but there is no one in the Patriot League without this many problems or more.  Look at the apparent odds-on favorite, Holy Cross.  They are ensconced in the preseason cat bird seat on the strength of one man - one arm.  In reality, however, their bottom to top roster is a notch or two worse than last year's.  They are one step closer to that empty cupboard that is their post-Randolph future,  And this is the favorite!

If someone is heads and shoulders better than Lafayette in the Patriot League, I don't see it.


Wow I agree Carney.  The Cross is probably the favorite right now as every team has holes and questions mark.  The Cross may overwhelm with their passing game, but they are by no means a heavy favorite to win the league.  It should be another jumbled mis-mash of a year that ends with a 7-4 PL team getting slaughtered by the best team in the CAA
carney2

Franks Tanks wrote:
Wow I agree Carney.  The Cross is probably the favorite right now as every team has holes and questions mark.  The Cross may overwhelm with their passing game, but they are by no means a heavy favorite to win the league.  It should be another jumbled mis-mash of a year that ends with a 7-4 PL team getting slaughtered by the best team in the CAA


I am assuming that the "Wow" refers to this being the first time in my memory that you and I have found common ground on anything, with the possible exception of being able to point out on-campus locations where we each were in involved in unspeakable debauchery, albeit generations apart.

You are correct in your statement about the mish-mash Patriot League vs. the upper level CAA/FCS teams.  The first round of the playoffs reasonably projects to another Patriot embarrassment.  Also, I wouldn't hang my hat on win-loss records for League teams.  It appears to me that Lafayette and Lehigh have more difficult OOC schedules than the other Patriot League contenders, and may have lesser overall records in November than, let's say, Colgate and Holy Cross.  Frankly, this looks like one of the more demanding Lafayette schedules in years.  Consider:

Liberty - A comer with visions of grandeur and a score to settle.
Penn - Despite the two in a row, this is one of those Ivies we just don't beat all that often.
Harvard - A top Ivy team - in fact, a top FCS team - with an incredible recruiting advantage.
Yale - Probably a down year for the Eli, but this is a team that we have never - repeat, NEVER - beaten.  And, the game is at the Bowl.  A road trip must.
Columbia - Most consider this a gimme, but the Lions are inching forward, and will surprise us one of these years.
Colgate - Yet another team that we can't seem to beat, even when the deck appears to be stacked in our favor.
Franks Tanks

carney2 wrote:
Franks Tanks wrote:
Wow I agree Carney.  The Cross is probably the favorite right now as every team has holes and questions mark.  The Cross may overwhelm with their passing game, but they are by no means a heavy favorite to win the league.  It should be another jumbled mis-mash of a year that ends with a 7-4 PL team getting slaughtered by the best team in the CAA


I am assuming that the "Wow" refers to this being the first time in my memory that you and I have found common ground on anything, with the possible exception of being able to point out on-campus locations where we each were in involved in unspeakable debauchery, albeit generations apart.

You are correct in your statement about the mish-mash Patriot League vs. the upper level CAA/FCS teams.  The first round of the playoffs reasonably projects to another Patriot embarrassment.  Also, I wouldn't hang my hat on win-loss records for League teams.  It appears to me that Lafayette and Lehigh have more difficult OOC schedules than the other Patriot League contenders, and may have lesser overall records in November than, let's say, Colgate and Holy Cross.  Frankly, this looks like one of the more demanding Lafayette schedules in years.  Consider:

Liberty - A comer with visions of grandeur and a score to settle.
Penn - Despite the two in a row, this is one of those Ivies we just don't beat all that often.
Harvard - A top Ivy team - in fact, a top FCS team - with an incredible recruiting advantage.
Yale - Probably a down year for the Eli, but this is a team that we have never - repeat, NEVER - beaten.  And, the game is at the Bowl.  A road trip must.
Columbia - Most consider this a gimme, but the Lions are inching forward, and will surprise us one of these years.
Colgate - Yet another team that we can't seem to beat, even when the deck appears to be stacked in our favor.


We do have a difficult schedule this year, perhaps the most difficult in recent memory.  Liberty may not be as good as a top tier CAA school, but they are pretty darn good.

We face traditional Ivy powers that we always have difficulty with and a balanced league schedule.  Colgate and Holy Cross will be difficult games, and Lehigh and Fordham have good talent but are a bit unpredictable.  

What we do have going in our favor this year in unpredictability.  I love Heff and Farigalli and what they have done for the program, but the offense did become a bit predctable and stale.  If we can get new thinking and strategies from Fein and the new OL coach perhaps our offense will be more difficult to defend.  We wil need that to contend for the league and a good record this year.

This wil be an interesting season I believe, and an importnat one as we transition to some new people in key roles on the staff.
carney2

Franks Tanks wrote:
What we do have going in our favor this year in unpredictability.  I love Heff and Farigalli and what they have done for the program, but the offense did become a bit predctable and stale.  If we can get new thinking and strategies from Fein and the new OL coach perhaps our offense will be more difficult to defend.  We wil need that to contend for the league and a good record this year.

This wil be an interesting season I believe, and an importnat one as we transition to some new people in key roles on the staff.


Frank addressed this in the Q&A at the recent reunion reception for Maroon Club members.  Actually, someone asked him if he expected a different offense with Fein vs. previous years.  His response (I am describing it from memory and not quoting - therefore no use of quotes):

Not really.  I [Frank] will continue to be involved on both sides of the ball and don't expect too many changes.  On the other hand, you can't expect things to be exactly the same with an ex-QB making the calls as opposed to an ex-lineman.

My read:  Things may be a little different, but I wouldn't expect too much in this area.
TheRock90

I predict that it will be a more open offense, until the first interception.
IntheTrenches

Quilling vs Curley for the starting QB spot, the winner of this battle may be in for another battle as if injuries occur to this line...... You won't wanna be back there in the pocket.

Hart Wiz Woj ? ?
Joe Moore is an absolute monster, strong as an OX and im prayin he stays healthy this whole year, but he is coming off a torn ACL so we could be in a lot of trouble.
I'm assuming Bilal Butt gets a starting spot somewhere on this line, and Butler had shown promise last year and is a tough guy but is M.I.A.
Andy

cr posting on LU board that this player(apparently) will be transferring to Lehigh rather than Colgate:

Speaking of offensive linemen, a red shirt sophomore offensive lineman at the University of Cincinnati with great academic credentials was reportedly looking to transfer to an Ivy school, but Blake McCroskey has ended up at Colgate. (bleacherreport.com a Columbia blog).

http://www.gobearcats.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mccroskey_blake00.html

McCroskey was included in Colgate's original recruit list.

This still leaves Colgate with 5 OL in their incoming class of 30 compared to 2 in our original class of 17.
TheTruth

carney2 and  FrankTanks:  I think you have a very good assessment of our schedule. I predicted us 4-5 in the league mainly because of the schedule and uncertainty at QB.  I think Frank has built a great program with nice depth across the board which is why we have so consistent the last few years even with injuries and roster departures.  But we'll need to see a more explosive offense this year if we want to see a 9-2 or 10-1 season.  We're very capable of it but we also had the same abilities the past few years.
Lafalum

I agree, the O-line problems are real and our lack of junior class of O lineman means a lot of inexperience. Any QB will have to have a quick read and release and the ablility to scramble. We have a lot of running backs and that will be a good thing over a long difficult season. There a real challenges for the offensive coordinator but our success will depend, I agree, on our ability to be more explosive.
Defense will be fine and will keep us in most games
carney2

TheTruth wrote:
we'll need to see a more explosive offense this year if we want to see a 9-2 or 10-1 season.


This is, in my opinion, the least predictable of any of the last 4 or 5 seasons.  This team could go anywhere from 5-6 to 10-1.  Since I have never heard the terms "explosive" and "Tavani offense" used in the same sentence, I guess I'm betting against 10-1.  Paraphrasing a witty fellow Pard who has previously posted to this thread, our offense will be explosive until the first interception.  We are, after all, talking about the man who invented the prevent offense.

Oh yeah, correcting a previuos post, Quilling may be the safest of the QBs despite the possible OL problems.  My read is that he has dropped to number 3 on the depth chart - behind Curley and O'Neil - and if Shoop is even a decent percentage of what we are expecting, he may be pushed hard for any playing time at all.
RichH

Thanks Andy

Trying to get confirmation on OL transfer . Saw his name on bleacher for IL, did not look at this year's recruits for Gate so I missed it.

OL for Pards will be tough , Gate while more bodies same problems.

No squad this year comes in w/o major issues. Other than theiramazing ability to underperform Fordham seemstohave less issues than the rest.
carney2

Does anyone have any information at all as to what is going on with the OL?  It was only a few years ago that OL was the single greatest strength of a Tavani team.  Now we are one strained knee away from oblivion.  On top of that, OL recruiting has been almost non-existent.  This ball has been dropped big time.  There has to be an explanation.  There is an obesity epidemic in America.  Fat guys can't be that hard to find.
RichH

Could it be change in OL coach? Aren't the 2 LM from Barket's HS supposed to be pretty good?
carney2

RichH wrote:
Could it be change in OL coach? Aren't the 2 LM from Barket's HS supposed to be pretty good?


Nice piece of logic, oh member of the loyal opposition.  This, however is not an overnight problem and I refuse to be confused by logic.  Consider:

Class of 2011:  Only 3 OL recruits.  None are currently on the roster.

Class of 2012:  4 OL recruits.  All still on the roster.  One looks like an all-league performer.

Class of 2013:  3 OL recruits, two from the same small school.  One of these two "buddy" recruits apparently has some credentials.  The other...well, not so much.  The 3rd recruit was a late addition to the recruit list.

Not a horn of plenty for a position that requires more than the minimum number of bodies due to injuries and other flameouts.  Next year could be a real disaster even if recruiting piles them up like fans at a Michael Jackson funeral.
RichH

I really thought you were over dramatizing the Ol issue. Srs should get you thru this yr, injuries and its so and fr fill ins.

If I impugned your ability to ignore logic I apologize. Went thru the roster, OL even with all seniors will not be up to LC's usual quality injuries will be very hard to overcome. Next year . Well there's always JC or transfers. Smile

LC still going to be a very tough team, if you can pick a QB and keep OL healthy.
RichH

Forgot

For Andy,

We must be trying to keep in step, lost 2 dLinemen 1 of whom could start inlatest roster update. This on top of losing 3 froshbefore they even got to school
cr

Re: Forgot

RichH wrote:
For Andy,

We must be trying to keep in step, lost 2 dLinemen 1 of whom could start inlatest roster update. This on top of losing 3 froshbefore they even got to school


Rich:  That would be Lasher and who???
Andy

Re: Forgot

RichH wrote:
For Andy,

We must be trying to keep in step, lost 2 dLinemen 1 of whom could start inlatest roster update. This on top of losing 3 froshbefore they even got to school


Lasher was one of several frosh DL/LB who stood out for Hawks in the JV game last season, Rich---tough kid to lose.  I'm not familiar with Ray.

Honestly neither Swoyer nor Barkett impressed in the E-W game. Barkett perhaps just because there was no where to run.  Swoyer has decent size and ran well straight ahead, but his pass blocking was sub par. (the usual excuses re AS games could be raised, I guess, ie new schemes and lack of practice time). I thought he might make a good run stopper at DT but lack of OL depth might preclude that move.  

The Iona transfer was listed by them at 6-2 245.  Our other late OL signing, Kajmo,  looked very athletic on film and I have high hopes, but he tore his ACL playing basketball so who knows.

The good news--I think anyone who watched us through the first half at Colgate would agree--is we have a quality QB in Curley, much better than those around the league seem to regard him.  The mystery/tragedy remains why the staff declined to play him the last two games of the season.  (Let's not go there, however.)  If the OL play is questionable Curley becomes an even clearer first choice IMO as he is the most mobile, the quickest to find a receiver and release.
carney2

I'm still asking the same question - how did we get into this mess?  Recruiting seems to be (let me be charitable here) inconsistent.  The class of 2010 OL (current seniors) seems OK, and the class of 2012 OL is promising.  On the other hand, the class of 2011 is a void and the 3 incoming freshmen are suspect.  In my business experience folks always blamed the dead guy, the retiree, the guy who just left.  It would therefore be easy to point fingers at the departed Bob Hefner, but no one on this board is going there - nor should they.  What the H E double-hockey-sticks happened?!  I know that Patriot League recruiting is a crap shoot, but do the coaches look at the roster before they start putting names up on that chalk board?  "Needs" and keeping the pipeline filled have to be part of the equation.

(I am, if you haven't already surmised, sharpening my Curmudgeon skills for the season at hand.  Just to give you advance warning:  after last year's Lehigh fiasco, Frank has moved from hero to potential target.  I have forgiven his sins up to now - the Frank being Frank bonehead game day decisions - but when it costs us a Lehigh game, he's stepped over the line.)

Yours in Curmudgeondom,

c2
Pard94

I tend to wait for an actual mess to manifest itself before I figure out whose fault it is and how we go about cleaning it up. That's just me though.
Andy

Pard94 wrote:
I tend to wait for an actual mess to manifest itself before I figure out whose fault it is and how we go about cleaning it up. That's just me though.


Oh, it manifested itself alright, 94, if you saw the spring game where there were between 10-15 QB sacks and numerous hurries. It was embarrassing, honestly. Coach acknowledged same pointing out that the line was staffed with DL converts and walkons and that basically "the cavalry was coming" in the form of Butler and Moore. Problem is one half of the solution is gone.  

carney, I share your OL recruiting frustration primarily with this incoming class where in the face of losing 4 senior starters and the walk off of the entire OL class of 2007 we shockingly (to me, anyway) brought in 2 kids in the original class!  We can safely assume that economics played a part and maybe we just lost some recruiting battles.  

In the staff's defense, of course, they couldnt predict the 3 kids walking off and in '07 I believe they wanted a bigger OL class but lost several publicized  recruiting battles, one or two to LU--rich could prob back me up there.  This year though--puzzling.

I was going to say that perhaps the staff looks more highly/sees more potential in the current remaining group of OL, however, coach's comments post spring game indicate he recognizes the problem, so this class remains puzzling.  

Overall without doubt I have faith in a staff that was able to recruit and rebuild this program against long odds.  But the topic I think is a fair one for fans to discuss this offseason.
Franks Tanks

Andy wrote:
Pard94 wrote:
I tend to wait for an actual mess to manifest itself before I figure out whose fault it is and how we go about cleaning it up. That's just me though.


Oh, it manifested itself alright, 94, if you saw the spring game where there were between 10-15 QB sacks and numerous hurries. It was embarrassing, honestly. Coach acknowledged same pointing out that the line was staffed with DL converts and walkons and that basically "the cavalry was coming" in the form of Butler and Moore. Problem is one half of the solution is gone.  

carney, I share your OL recruiting frustration primarily with this incoming class where in the face of losing 4 senior starters and the walk off of the entire OL class of 2007 we shockingly (to me, anyway) brought in 2 kids in the original class!  We can safely assume that economics played a part and maybe we just lost some recruiting battles.  

In the staff's defense, of course, they couldnt predict the 3 kids walking off and in '07 I believe they wanted a bigger OL class but lost several publicized  recruiting battles, one or two to LU--rich could prob back me up there.  This year though--puzzling.

I was going to say that perhaps the staff looks more highly/sees more potential in the current remaining group of OL, however, coach's comments post spring game indicate he recognizes the problem, so this class remains puzzling.  

Overall without doubt I have faith in a staff that was able to recruit and rebuild this program against long odds.  But the topic I think is a fair one for fans to discuss this offseason.


The starters this year should be quite good.  Moore, Wiz, Woj, Hart, and probably Butt are a large and experienced group.  What do we have behind them?? I dont know, but ebbs and flows of talent and depth at certain positions are natural at this level.
Lafalum

Ebbs and flows we all understand but no one in the Junior Class??? When you start hoping for freshman and sophs to help, you've got a problem. This is a long season and and its not likely that the line is intact for 11 games or more!
Pard94

Andy wrote:
Pard94 wrote:
I tend to wait for an actual mess to manifest itself before I figure out whose fault it is and how we go about cleaning it up. That's just me though.


Oh, it manifested itself alright, 94, if you saw the spring game where there were between 10-15 QB sacks and numerous hurries. It was embarrassing, honestly. Coach acknowledged same pointing out that the line was staffed with DL converts and walkons and that basically "the cavalry was coming" in the form of Butler and Moore. Problem is one half of the solution is gone.  

carney, I share your OL recruiting frustration primarily with this incoming class where in the face of losing 4 senior starters and the walk off of the entire OL class of 2007 we shockingly (to me, anyway) brought in 2 kids in the original class!  We can safely assume that economics played a part and maybe we just lost some recruiting battles.  

In the staff's defense, of course, they couldnt predict the 3 kids walking off and in '07 I believe they wanted a bigger OL class but lost several publicized  recruiting battles, one or two to LU--rich could prob back me up there.  This year though--puzzling.

I was going to say that perhaps the staff looks more highly/sees more potential in the current remaining group of OL, however, coach's comments post spring game indicate he recognizes the problem, so this class remains puzzling.  

Overall without doubt I have faith in a staff that was able to recruit and rebuild this program against long odds.  But the topic I think is a fair one for fans to discuss this offseason.


Last I checked the Spring Game was a glorified practice that didn't count towards anything. You have a new coach and some new players getting their reps in. That's what Spring ball is for. The problem with having great upperclassman playing on the O-line over the last couple of years is that youngsters don't get much of a chance to play. Well as the Jefferson's would say, they are moving on up. I' don't ever recall an instance when Lafayette lined up with anything other than an O-lineman playing O-line. I assure you, over the next couple of years you will not see Randolph coming in off the bench to take a few reps at O-Guard. Whether it be from recruiting or d-line transfers, we'll field a PL calibur O-line every single Saturday this fall. Will there be an adjustment period? Absolutely. Will there be some QB sacks and plays run for a loss...I'd be willing to bet it is so. Will there be absolute turnstyles at key positions because we have babies or nose guards lining up on the O-line? Umm...no. Incidentally, D-lineman typically tend to be more athletic than O-lineman. If that's where we fill in the gaps, we could do worse. Take it from a former DT who added thirty pounds to start at OT for two years, it can be done.  

My real concern regarding the O-line is the coaching change. We lost a fixture in Heff. What's this new guy all about? Should be interesting. And though I have concerns, I'm hardly calling it a mess yet. You know why? Becuase we're still 3 months away from a real snap. Step away from the ledge fellas...it'll be alright.
carney2

Pard94 wrote:
Step away from the ledge fellas...it'll be alright.


I'm always teetering at the edge of the abyss, but you know that already.  Chicken Little has nothing on me.  I depend on you people to reel me in.  Sorry, 94, not this time.  Nice try, but I'm still staring into the void.  With luck and liberal use of duct tape we may very well weather the 2009 storm, but then...
IntheTrenches

Especially now that we dont have Hef or Faragalli, I don't like the way this year is looking. Remember it was Faragalli who recruited a lot of those monster O lineman during the Championship run ie: Bono, St. Germaine, Padilla, Lippert highlight that group. And it was Hef who got the absolute most out of the O lineman he coached. I know there are a lot of people on this forum that can attest to that.

You think letting go of Faragalli bit us in the ass? Give him a good qb and he wins the National Championship the year after leaving us. Looking back, wish they would of let him groom Curley from day 1.
RichH

Andy,

Looked back, from what I can recall we had a few OL head to heads, I know we got one , another neither of us got him, Penn, I think. There is another LM , we took that year, LC was listed as a possible along with others. Cant say whether LC actually was recruiting. The 2nd ,Jones ,we both went after, we got him, he quit soph yr .

Is there any way we can save Carney. I find that I miss the Old Bastid's
curmudgeonous posts. The whining must be stopped Razz  

Your OL has hit a perfect storm of a missing class and losing one of the best coaches in the PL.  I still think LC will be OK this yr, next yr a bit scary
Andy

Thanks, Rich.  Trenches--good point on Faragalli and his connection to all those north Jersey linemen.

Today's hit--Goldsmith out for the season, ACL, per updated roster. Second go round of knee surgeries for Neil, isn't it?  Best wishes for a full recovery, good player.

No problem, we can all hold hands and sing The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow, bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow blah blah blah
Pard94

IntheTrenches wrote:
Especially now that we dont have Hef or Faragalli, I don't like the way this year is looking. Remember it was Faragalli who recruited a lot of those monster O lineman during the Championship run ie: Bono, St. Germaine, Padilla, Lippert highlight that group. And it was Hef who got the absolute most out of the O lineman he coached. I know there are a lot of people on this forum that can attest to that.

You think letting go of Faragalli bit us in the ass? Give him a good qb and he wins the National Championship the year after leaving us. Looking back, wish they would of let him groom Curley from day 1.


You're echoing my sentiment a bit. If there is a concern it is the changes in the coaching staff. I won't go so far as to say the upcoming season is in serious jeopardy as I want to give the new guys the benefit of the doubt. Let's give Tavani a little credit. He was able to surround himself with excellent coaches even when he had to do a massive "sell job" to accomplish it. I mean how else do you explain the likes of Faragalli and Heffner coming to Lafayette and sticking with the Leopards given the very tenious situation the program was in when they came? Now he can actually tout Lafayette as a perrenial league leader to prospective coaches. This new O-line coach has a hell of a resume. Let's see if he pans out before we hoist up the red (or god forbid white) flags. As for Fargalli winning the national championship with a great QB, I would contend he also had the benefit of a team full of full scholarship players that factored into that as well. I think we need to come to grips with the fact that NC's just aint going to happen until we adddress the scholarship issue (not likely in the near future given the economy). Just give me a playoff win (or maybe two) in the next few year and I would be quite content. I'd also love to host a playoff game as I think our facility deserves some national attention. I do agree that we need to the coaches to get behind Curly and let him reach his potential already.

Carney, I realized long ago that you have established permenant residence on the brink of the abyss. When I implore people to step away from the ledge I do so knowing full well that you can not because you live there. That's OK. I don't understand it but it's OK. It takes all kinds...
Andy

Bilal Butt off the roster.  As is another celebrated recruit, Alex Rivas.  I dont recall losing this caliber of player before.   Rolaids, anyone?
seenalot

That deserves a large oh shit - on way to CVS to renew prozac....

Both had been pictured in recent gallary photos and both are on 2nd team.....perhaps a mistake (hopeful but unlikely with 2) their grades (seems late to know that) or something else.....?

That said, have seen nothing of Quilling and some recent shots of QB recruit Shoop - which I am fine with as didnt think Quilling showed all that much last year.
Andy

I've heard from refrider that Quilling has throwing wrist bandaged, not participating.

So, the pretty darn good-looking recruit class of '08 has been woefully depleted including losses to four kids whom we might reasonably have expected to be all-league type players: Watts, Langen, Rivas, Butt. Add to that Patterson, Hartzell, Borchert, and Booker-Tandy.

Seenalot is correct, Butt appears in one of the summer workout videos and Rivas is pictured in a camp gallery.  Heat and humidity test their resolve?

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