Scouting the Enemy
Marist, Fordham, and Lafayette kick off their seasons tomorrow
All three of Columbia's non-league opponents kick off their regular seasons tomorrow and we will be watching... or listening. First, Fordham takes on the University of Rhode Island at 1pm tomorrow up in Kingston.
Fordham's two-deep has been published in that link above and I'm not entirely surprised by any of it. But the decision to go with two sophomore starters on the left side of the offensive line is interesting.
My 100%, take it to the bank, bet the subprime mortgaged house prediction is that the Rams will definitely win. Okay... that was a trick, both teams are called the "Rams." But seriously folks, URI has been a weaker Atlantic 10/ Colonial League team over the years, but I would very surprised if Fordham wins this one. I'm just hoping we get a better picture of Fordham's strengths and weaknesses this year than we did last season. As it turned out, we learned little about the Rams in 2006 after they lost a game at home to underdog Monmouth in a near tropical storm and then beat heavily favored Albany in the rain on the road the following week. They came into Wien Stadium a 1-1 and seemed like they could be great or awful.
But we might hit the information jackpot tomorrow when our week 2 opponent Marist takes on our Week 4 opponent Lafayette in Easton, PA at 6pm. Lafayette is picked by many to win the Patriot League and is excited about unveiling their new super fieldhouse in the home opener. But the Leopards are also dealing with major turnover on both sides of the ball, so it will be interesting to see the new starters. MAAC power Marist is beginning a new trend of taking on the tougher opponents from the Ivy and Patriot Leagues and can't be expected to win this game. But any competitive aspect of Marist's play tomorrow should be noted. As of now, I can't find game notes on either the Lafayette or Marist websites.
Steve's a Lock
Steve Cargile '04 probably locked in his slot with the Broncos last night with an interception and six solo tackles in Denver's 21-3 win in the final exhibition game against Arizona.
Shoop's W&M Debut
I'm rubbing it in here, I admit... but new William and Mary defensive coordinator Bob Shoop has a lot more work to do after the Tribe gave up 49 points to Delaware in a 49-31 loss at home last night. William and Mary gave up 281 yards rushing and 6.5 yards a carry, and that really sounds familiar doesn't it? The Blue Hens shortest scoring drive was 59 yards.
Jake on TV
Yesterday's interview for Westchester County Cable TV, (it's a local government station), went pretty well. I was interviewed along with Columbia Sports Marketing exectuive Barry Neuberger and we talked about the football program and the general enhanced family experience people can expect at Baker Field these days. When the interview becomes available for viewing, I'll post the details here.
... and finally
Someone with fewer scruples than I would have a lot of fun with this story about how a company is going to donate $50 to a local Ithaca drug addiction clinic for every first down made by the Big Red.
posted by Jake @ 8:57:00 PM
9 comments
9 Comments:
Having spent fair time in all the Ivy League's "cities," it's hard for me to imagine the need for a drug clinic in fairly bucolic Ithaca (unless the cuisine at both Moosewood and Turback's has been spiked in truly wild ways). Not at all hard, however, to imagine drug patients (even likely including a few faculty members) from in and around Cambridge, Philadelphia and New Haven.
And such an observation has nothing to do with scruples, Jake.
Hey, interesting report from camp. I hear Jo Jo Smith moves from corner to spur. Perhaps it opens a corner slot to a first year.
While I understand there are many excited freshman parents out there hoping to see their sons on the field this year please relax and let summer practice play out to its end. There will be many changes before Sept 15th and even during the season! To wish for a freshman to start on Coach Ferrari's intricate defense on day 1 is to simply invite trouble. With a few exceptions, it will take some time to work most freshmen into this defense. Let the coaches run their experiments without reading too much into them until opening day. It does appear that two defensive position changes being looked at are paying big benefits so far.
4th N Ten
Good call 4th and 10, it will take way more than two weeks to make these determinations and also there will probably be injuries down the road that will make need for personnel adjustments too. For first years adjusting to new systems and to campus life away from home is to some like drinking from a fire hose. Let them all settle in and learn to relax. Last years freshmen had a big advantage as all the roster was learning the new stuff at the same time,not to mention the team was coming off a pretty abysmal year, which helped create opportunities for new blood.
Any reports from today's scrimmage?
Jake: Was your appearance on Westchester County Cable TV an indication that Columbia is trying to get some publicity up there? A friend who lives in Yonkers tells me articles on some of the local schools, Army and Fordham appear in the county paper but rarely anything about the Lions.
Nice "Rams" prediction...guess Michigan wasn't the only upset victim today.
The Yonkers version of the Westchester Gannet Paper "Herald Statesman" will often preview every local football team/game EXCEPT Columbia. They only reference the Lions after games with snippets of AP releases- no stats either. This is why the Gocolumbialions.com website has been such a godsend!
A tape of the Lafayette and Marist game will be shown at Noon and
midnight Thurs., 9/6 and Mon 9/10 8:00AM (all ET)on FCSA.
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