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The 2009 Liberty Cup-a Recap-By Dr. Bill Chachkes-Football Reporters Online




The 2009 Liberty Cup-a Recap-By Dr. Bill Chachkes-Football Reporters Online

When the schedule came out last winter, I quickly circled the date on the calendar: Saturday the 19th of September, 2009. It would be the day the 8th annual Liberty cup would be played. The benefit game between Fordham and Columbia is a fast growing rivalry between the only 2 division 1-AA (or FCS) teams in close proximity to each other in New York City. Columbia ‘s Morningside campus is close to midtown Manhattan, While Fordham’s main campus is in the heart of the Bronx, surrounded by the Botanical gardens and the Metro North Harlem Line and the Fordham Road shopping district.

This would be my 4th year attending the game, and it’s always a pitched battle between the teams. Each year the game is highly anticipated and there are always several “back stories” about the players and coaches. This year was no different. The Rams return the Skelton brothers to the roster. John is the QB, and a senior, while Stephen is a junior who plays the “Y” position, more or less the tight end spot. Both are 6’5” tall. John has been mentioned in several circles as a pro prospect, and is well deserving of the attention, no matter who is proclaiming what ranking he is or should be. He gained 30 pounds two off seasons ago, and reminds some of a Joe Flacco type of QB, big and strong, yet still mobile. He moves well in the pocket, but is also a threat as a ball carrier as well. He does have an issue with his left knee. While it was never severely injured, he has had some soreness since increasing his size. Skelton was 25-47 for 383 yards, but was sacked twice and threw 3 interceptions to offset his 4 TD performance. Fordham Punter Patrick Murray was named the Patriot League special teams player of the week for his 6 punt, 274 yard performance (45.7yd per kick average). On the defense for the Rams. Isiejah Allen let the unit with 11 Tackles (8 solo), and the unit overall amassed 96 total tackles!

All that said, we expected a quality game from both sides. Columbia has some special players of their own, including at least one player who has gained some recognition as well. WR Austin Knowlin, a 5”11” Senior, has been a first team all Ivy selection in his sophomore season, and a second team as a junior as both a Kick/Punt returner and a Receiver. He has a natural ability to find the “gaps” in a defense when running his routes as a receiver, and has proven time and time again that he can find the end zone as a receiver and return man. Two other players earned player of the week honors for their play Saturday night. Sr. QB M.A. Olawale for his 13-23-167-2TD performance (plus 50 yards net rushing), and Freshman Punter Mike Willamson. Also deserving mention were RB Ray Rangel for his 25 carry 118 yards net rushing performance (1TD), and TE Andrew Kennedy who had 4 receptions for 83 yards and 2 TD’s. The Lions Defense was led by Adam Merher at Free Saftey, with 16 Tackles (7 Solo)!

While the final was 40-28 Columbia, this game was closer then the score would indicate. An early missed XP conversion, as well as a late two point try after RCB Jared Morine’s Interception return for a TD kept the final score under a two Touchdown difference. The performance of both teams was a fitting tribute to the Charities supporting 9/11 victims from the NYC Police and Fire departments and the Port Authority Police attending the games, as well as settingan example for the Youth football programs and H.S. teams’ Players enjoying a Saturday evening Honoring the game of Football as well.

The 38th Annual NY Urban League Classic-A recap By The Gambler [J.Gamble] Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online


The 38th Annual NY Urban League Classic-A recap

By The Gambler [J.Gamble] Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online
 
East Rutherford, N.J. -- The first half of Morgan State’s 16-10 OT win over Winston-Salem State in the 38th annual NY Urban League Classic should have been renamed The Exuse Caboose Classic.
 
Each team had credible and understandable exuses as to why despite the huge stage – 25,000 Giant Stadium fans, an epic battle of the bands and the Deputy Mayor of New York sitting front endzone – they played sloppy and uninspired football.
 
“We have to get back and work on our timing on offense, said MSU coach Donald Hill-Eley, “and we have to create an identity for our offense.”
 
The Bears were without the services of their offensive identity, junior sensation Devan James. James, out with an abdominal strain, is an All- MEAC First Team tailback. He rushed for a whopping 1,337 yards last season as a sophomore. And 219 of those were in one big game against Howard !
 
Quarterback Carlton Jackson seemed to be battling two fronts. The lingering effects of an injury that caused him to miss some key games at the end of the 08’ season, and the 41-0 beating MSU suffered in a season-opening loss to Akron. The negative effects of James absence was obvious, as MSU’s offense sputtered. The ground game was non-existent. The passing attack was limited.
 
WSSU entered the game in the midst of turmoil and disheartening circumstances.  The Rams, in their fourth year of a five-year transition into Div 1 football, found out on Thursday that the school’s chancellor has abandoned the ambitious plan, and will return the school to Div II status next season.
 
“Its been tough for the whole team not only football team but whole athletic program,” said Rams sophomore defensive end Stephen Young, whose college will suffer a loss in scholarships from 53 to 38 as well as exclusion from high-profile Div I games, like the Urban League Classic.
 
“We feel the freshman and sophomores deserve better than that. We came here with the intention of playing DIV I football. The whole team was sad and upset. A whole lot of emotions were going through our minds.”
 
There were even rumors around the WSSU campus of an organized boycott of games. But Young says the team had a meeting and never considered quitting on the season.
 
With the halftime score an offensively stifled 7-3, Hill-Ely looked at the scoreboard and realized there was a game up for grabs that neither team seemed to want. He needed a few good men to stop feeling sorry, and will his team to victory.
 
Senior quarterback Carlton Jackson and widereciever Ed Baptiste seized the moment.
 
Down 10-7 late in the fourth quarter, Jackson found a groove with Baptiste and they connected on pass plays of 36 and nine yards to fuel a 5-play, 39-yard drive, capped with a  42-yard field goal that tied the game and sent it into an overtime shootout.
 
On MSU’s first OT possession Jackson -- who at this point had transformed into Doug Williams -- withstood a vicious hit in the pocket and connected with Baptiste, who outhustled a leaping defender in the end-zone, sealing victory for the Bears. MSU evened its record at 1-1, and can look forward to trying to play up to the team’s high preseason MEAC Conference and FCS [Football championship Subdivision] expectations.
 
“Me and Baptiste we work everyday for moments like this,” said Jackson, who completed an efficient 16 of 21 passes for 146 yards and two TD's. “I been playing with Devan James since five years old and he is a vital part of our offense and he is missed, but that doesn’t stop the show. We got to keep trucking.”
 
WSSU, on the other hand, is just stunned. Stunned by the news of going back to Div II. Stunned by the likelihood of falling to 0-4 with a meeting against FCS No. 1 South Carolina State a week away.  Stunned by the way they relinquished a 10-7 lead. Stunned by the fact that they had 188 rushing yards to MSU’s 43. And 79 more total yards. And still lost.
 
The future of the Rams athletic program is in limbo. Coach Kermit Blount has re-written the record books at WSSU in his 17 years there. He is confident the university and its football team will end up on its feet.
 
 “We just didn’t make the plays” said Blount. “We’ll make the proper adjustments. I won’t blame it on the transition back to Div II. The kids were hurt and the coaches were hurt [by the news], but the things we control are in between the lines. We have to move on.”
 
 
 

Close Win For SBU Over The Brown Bears By Douglas Speigel-Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online

Close Win For SBU Over The Brown Bears

By Douglas Speigel-Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online

Sure it was only a one point victory, but if you want an early prediction, here it is, Chuck Priore: FCS coach of the year. After quipping “We needed it” during his entrance to the post game conference he went on to explain, what could be clearly seen, as the mental and philosophic fever that is spreading throughout this team’s players.
Tonight at LaValle Stadium, Brown was in town to play their first game of the season vs.-The Seawolves. Ticklish excitement from home-based fans could be felt the moment you entered the parking lot, and moved beautifully into the first plays of the game.
The Browns stability and togetherness, throughout the first half, could be clearly seen as they marched down the field, between a series of flags drawn by the very patient Stony Brook.
These periods, of well played football, lead to a beautiful roll-out pass from Caballero, to the man in the end zone, Matthew Sudfeld. A successful kick and it is 7-0.
Stony Brook immediately answered back with a 51-yard kick-off return by WR #80 Matthew Brevi, a well-choreographed five yard pass to Porter, and hand off to Edwin Gowins, who hesitated not at all, and broke to the outside for an explosive 27 yard touch down run.
The game tied 7-7, it was Browns turn to score again, and Kyle Caballero, did just that. Locating #46 Buddy Famham for the touch down.
#80, does it again, with a 36-yard kick off return, giving the Seawolves great field position. With SBU looking for the end zone, they go to the air a lot for what had to be seen as a bunch of nearly gotten beautiful plays.
SB Freshman Justin Blake intercepts a pass in the end zone. Tides still not being sturdy the Seawolves #46 Schwicke intercepts a deflected pass and takes it for a nice run leaving SBU at the 44.
This series of action culminated with a gorgeous Coulter pass, on a gorgeously orchestrated play, and a gorgeous reception by Number 25 Jordan Gush, putting Stony Brook on the board again. Skiffington makes the second of his first two extra point attempts and leaves the game tied 14-14 at the half.

The marching band graces the crowd with the classic White Rabbit and an early 70’s Don’t Fear the Reaper.. and it is on to the second half.

Who else to start it off, but the sophomore Matt Brevi. #80. Gaining yet another 53 yards, moving like a barracuda’s chewing at his heels and leaving his daily kick off return total at 140 yards.
Kyle, with a nothing less then relentless performance, showed his ability to run, picking up 22 important yards on foot, and earning 267 yards passing for the game. However, getting to Alex Prestly for The Bears third touch down, proves to be the turning point as the third of Plitcha’s field goal attempts flies right and leaves the score, Bears 20 SBU-14.
With 47 seconds left on the clock, The Seawolves come up strong again as Coulter connects with WR Donald Porter(#6) in the end zone, setting up Skiffington for the potential game winning extra point. The kick is good and after enough 47 seconds of play to keep us all interested, including a failed 43 yard kick by Brown, Stony Brook walks away with their first victory of the season.

I felt a quite sense of strength in the Browns locker room after the game, a sense of brightness on the rise, and heard a lot of silence. While I am a reporter, I also respect privacy. I know it is not best to put a word in a person’s mouth, but I do believe If I had gotten up the momentary rational to ask the The Bears coach Phil Estes for comment, he undoubtedly would have spoken of hope for their next game on September the 25th.

Next week, look to see the Bears come out strong and for Stony Brook to try many new things in Massachusetts, and as Chuck put it “be what they need to be to win that game.”

Week 4 NCAA FBS Predictions By Max Baez Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online



Week 4 NCAA FBS Predictions
By Max Baez Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online


The marquee story of the third week of the college football season were clearly the events in Seattle, where an uberconservative approach by USC caused them to lose to Washington. Aaron Corp showed why Matt Barkley was named their initial starter, and many are still wondering what in the world happened to Mitch Mustain. Lots of teams are starting up their conference schedules this week, which makes for a solid weekend of football. Now, for the five games to watch this weekend, at least in my mind:

Ole Miss @ South Carolina

I don’t know what’s up with South Carolina and playing on Thursday night, but this is already their second appearance there this year. Ole Miss is already ranked number four in the nation, and this is their first true test. South Carolina looks like they can be solid on both sides of the ball. Against North Carolina State, they were great defensively, while the offense looked great against Georgia. They haven’t put it together on both sides of the ball in a big game yet this year (they’ve only had two), but if they can, they can definitely pull the upset at home. Stephen Garcia looks like he will be a great QB for the future, but while part of me wants to take South Carolina and the upset, my gut is just telling me that the talented Rebels will pull out a close win.

Ole Miss 24, South Carolina 20


North Carolina @ Georgia Tech

These are definitely two rising programs, and you can say Georgia Tech has already risen after their performance last year. Georgia Tech was embarrassed last week at Miami, and took a major hit by the pollsters, falling out of both polls. While North Carolina is ranked, I don’t think they are the better team. They looked pretty flat in their one semi-difficult game this year, a road game at UConn, while Georgia Tech still has a strong run game and defense, outside of last week’s mishap. Georgia Tech gained a reputation as a tough team last season, and I think they are going to be real hungry this week, so expect them to run all over the Tar Heels.

Georgia Tech 28, North Carolina 10


Cal @ Oregon

Many have given up on Oregon after the bad start to the season against Boise State (and then losing LeGarrette Blount for the season), but Oregon has recovered nicely, with wins against Purdue and Utah. Cal is a solid all around team, but this game is going to be a test. Autzen Stadium is a very tough place to play, and you can guarantee that the Ducks don’t want to start the season 2-2. However, Cal matches up well against Oregon. The Oregon offense won’t be able to pass at all on Cal’s stellar secondary, and Cal will be able to stack the box and make themselves more effective against the run. My guess is that we will see Cal pull out the solid road win and put itself in a great position to start the Pac-10 season.

Cal 24, Oregon 13


Miami @ Virginia Tech

And here goes my upset of the week. Virginia Tech is good all around, just like they tend to be. Very well coached, good defense, solid offense – they are a very good team. They’ve also been tested, already playing Alabama and Nebraska. However, Miami looks electric this year. Jacory Harris is the real deal at QB (and looks better than his adversary in this game, Tyrod Taylor), and while the defense didn’t look good against Florida State, they really showed up strong against the vaunted Georgia Tech run offense. Miami has already won two big games, and they are filled with confidence. They’ve had two extra days than Virginia Tech to prepare for this one, and I think it will pay off, with Miami winning a close one. Jacory Harris could become a darkhorse Heisman candidate with a win here, if he hasn’t already.

Miami 23, Virginia Tech 20


Iowa @ Penn State

With a schedule featuring the likes of Akron, Syracuse, and Temple, Penn State better have the record it currently has: 3-0. Now, their first conference game of the year has Iowa coming to town, and the stars are well aligned for a Penn State win. Iowa has gotten off to a 3-0 start, but nearly lost to FCS team Northern Iowa, and simply doesn’t have the talent that Penn State has on either side of the ball. Also, Penn State will surely be out for revenge against the Hawkeyes. Penn State lost one game last year, which was at Iowa, and if they had won out, Penn State would have played for a national title. The circumstances simply favor a Nittany Lions victory.

Penn State 24, Iowa 7


Five more to watch: TCU @ Clemson, Arkansas @ Alabama, Arizona State @ Georgia, Texas Tech @ Houston, South Florida @ Florida State

Last week’s record: 5-0

Max Hall-BYU QB-Early Scouting Report-By Will Osgood-Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online



Max Hall-BYU QB-Early Scouting Report-By Will Osgood-Contributing Writer-Football Reporters Online

When the BYU Cougars took the field last Saturday night, against Florida State, they were the number seven team in the country. They had a legitimate chance to play in a BCS Game. They also possessed perhaps the best chance of any non-BCS Conference team ever to play in the National Championship Game. As a result of all this, their quarterback Max Hall also looked like a legitimate Heisman Trophy contender.

But by the end of Saturday night, it all looked like a distant pipe dream, as the Cougars were trounced by the Seminoles. Gone are the BCS or National Championship aspirations, and likely the Heisman Trophy consideration for Max Hall as well. So that leaves me with this question alone: Is Max Hall a legitimate NFL quarterback prospect?

To make a determination I got a look at four games of his—last year versus Washington, and the three from this year—Oklahoma, Tulane, and of course Florida State. I charted out every throw he made in those games, 142 in all. But I didn’t only chart the throws, because there’s more to being a quarterback in the NFL than being accurate and strong when throwing the football. I looked at his throwing motion, his decision-making, his athleticism, his perceived leadership skills (which are tough to see on t.v., but you can at least make some generalizations). Of course, the height and weight issue is going to be a knock on him, as he stands just 6”1’ and 200 pounds (my guess is that’s a generous listing).

But it isn’t fair for scouts to write him off simply because he lacks the necessary height or weight. If they did that, they would’ve written off Drew Brees, Jeff Garcia, Doug Flutie, even Michael Vick. There’s a whole lot more that makes a good QB than his height. And those examples prove it’s possible to overcome a lack of height to have success as a professional football player.

The scout must look objectively at game film, chart out his throws, look at his athleticism, decision-making, and leadership skills and from that determine whether he can be a successful quarterback. I’ll admit right now, I’m glad I don’t have to make a decision today, because if I did, it would be very difficult. So I’ll give you some information that I gathered and allow you the reader to make a decision if you want to.

Accuracy

Out of 142 total throws (four games), I graded him as being accurate on 103 of those throws. Percentage-wise that is 72.5 percent. If you grade him on throws of five yards or less, he was 49 of 60, which is about 81.5 percent. Throws between six and ten yards: only 30 of 45, for 67 percent. Eleven to fifteen yards: 12 of 15 for 80 percent. And all throws deeper than fifteen yards he was 12 for 20, which is 60 percent.

What do those numbers tell us? First off, 72.5 percent is good, but does not compare very favorably to QBs of the past such as Mark Sanchez, Kevin Kolb, or even his predecessor John Beck. That being said, it is better than such players as Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan, and Joe Flacco. So maybe it doesn’t really mean anything.

For any QB prospect, he must be accurate short, and he is. That is a good thing. His six-to-ten yard percentage though is something to be a little concerned about. A lot of NFL throws take place in that range of the field, and that happens to be his weakest accuracy range.

Although it’s a small sample size, his accuracy from 11 to 15 yards, and the way he throws those balls most of the time, with some zip, is very encouraging.

But the true test for a future NFL QB is how he handles pressure, since he’ll be getting hit almost every time he drops back to throw. Unfortunately for Hall, he struggles greatly under pressure, as he was accurate on only 11 of the 26 passes he made. This is just 42 percent. At least he hits his throws when on the run at more than 60 percent.

It is encouraging to see Hall throw accurately to all three sections of the field—right, middle, and left. This proves he is able to make fairly quick decisions and set his feet. It also shows he has an ability to go through his route progressions and not just lock onto one receiver.

Decision-Making

Hall is the leader of his offense, as he should be. He is allowed to check out of bad play calls, and when he does, generally makes good decisions. This I think is a very underrated aspect of being a quarterback in the NFL.

Because of the look offense in college, many QBs are not being trained how to read defenses pre-snap and figure out how to get their offense into a better play. But at the NFL level, there is no look offense. It is the quarterback’s job to get his team into a better play. For me Hall has an advantage in that he has already done this for a couple years.

Another aspect of decision-making of course is the quarterback’s decision of who and where, and when for that matter, to throw the football. Hall makes those decisions very quickly and almost never gets sacked. You could say there are times he could hold on just a little longer to allow his receivers more time to get open, but of course I’d rather him be a quick decision-maker than a slow decision-maker.

Throwing Technique

At 6 feet—we’ll give him that much credit—Hall must make up for his lack of height with a flawless release in order to avoid potential trouble, such as tipped balls and bad ball trajectory.

With shorter quarterbacks, like Hall, it is a double-edged sword, as you want them to be able to get that ball over taller linemen, but knee bend remains important so that they can get everything behind their throw. For a shorter QB, Drew Brees does this so well. Hall is still a work in progress. I wouldn’t call his release a three-quarters, but I also wouldn’t say it’s fully over-the-top. It’s maybe 7/8.
He needs to get more bend in the knees which allow him to really drive into his throws. The thing is there are times he does, and he generally gets a lot of zip on the ball. His arm is definitely not the issue. But he needs to stride into all his throws, which he generally does not do when facing pressure.

And although he is accurate on the run, he fades away from the throw. That is going to cause some inaccurate throws down the line, especially when the speed of the game is faster.

Pocket Presence

One area I did not mention earlier, but may actually be the most important area, or one of them, is pocket presence. I did touch on this above, saying that Hall does not step into his throws when facing pressure. But it is more than that. It’s moving within the pocket, being able avoid a sack, sometimes even leaving the pocket, but keeping his eyes downfield.

Hall does not excel in this area of the game. He is a good athlete, but when he scrambles, he generally decides he is going to simply run and make as many yards as possible. At the NFL level, a QB will not be able to gain very many yards so they must keep their eyes downfield looking for a receiver to come open.

Within the pocket, he does not step up into the pocket and make throws, but instead tries to throw everything off his back foot. That is a big part of why he is so inaccurate against pressure. If he has any chance to become a good NFL QB, he must improve in this area over the course of this season and in the NFL.

Summary

Despite his size, Hall has a lot of positive attributes that lead me to believe he could be a good NFL QB. Among them are his decision-making and experience in audibling and calling some of his own plays. I didn’t talk a lot about his footwork, but it is better than many spread QBs, and that is what allows him to be accurate to all three sections of the football field. Also his ability to make quick decisions and go through his progressions help in his overall accuracy as well.

Things that hurt his cause are his size, his difficulty to be accurate against pressure, and lacking a big-time arm like a Matthew Stafford or Jay Cutler. I’m still not sure where I stand on him, but I do believe he’s at least worth a late-round pick. You never know what he could turn into with some good coaching and the right system.
 

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