The Fordham Rams are now in the habit of telling everyone who will listen that they think they have a shot to win the FCS title.
The big focus in training camp right now is improving the rush defense, which allowed 202 yards per game.
Seeing that in print just reminds me of one of the biggest mistakes Columbia made last year in that fateful season opener against the Rams.
Despite some very good runs by RB Marcorus Garrett, the Lions passed the ball more than they ran it in the 1st half at a monster 2-1 ratio. Remember, the halftime score was just 10-0 and so Columbia was not passing twice as much out of desperation. This was the scripted gameplan against a team with a monster pass rush. And even after QB Brett Nottingham was sacked three times and harassed on about six or seven other plays, the pass plays just kept coming in from the sidelines.
And in that brief period in the 3rd quarter when the game was not yet decided, the coaches still sent in more passes than runs. Eventually, Nottingham was creamed, injured, and lost for the year.
Let's hope we learn our lesson for this year's game. Protecting Nottingham is more important than just about anything else in the early stages of this season.
18 comments:
They are good but not that good. Too much of a disparity between the top rung FCS and the second tier better teams. It remains to be seen if Fordham can knock off teams of their own class like Stony Brook let alone monsters like Towson, North Dakota State, Eastern Washington and a few others.
I am hoping for the following scenario:
Fordham recognizes it's potential, and blows thru the first 3 games.
They remember what they did to us last year, and come in relaxed.
Somehow, someway, the CU team actually has improved, and catches FU by surprise. Better condition, bigger, smarter play calling, whatever.
Not for the win, but for a decent score and no one hurt.
I mean, we need to be realistic, right?
Big Dawg has the right idea. If Nottingham can stay on his feet, based upon what I saw during the first half of last year's Fordham game, we can surprise them. Nottingham has a big arm, much bigger than the Fordham guy (this is for the benefit of the Fordham guys who read this blog and already have exhibits a massive inferiority complex). So if our receivers can actually hold onto the ball, we can do some damage. And on defense Padilla will have to,be double teamed, leaving opportunities for whoever emerges as a pass rushing DE or LB.
OldLion, come on.. Seriously??? Nottingham hasn't thrown a pass in 2 years and only threw a handful of passes behind Luck. Mike Nebrich was the UCONN transfer who played in 8 games a a freshman at UCONN. Last year he was Offensive Player of the Year in the Patriot League and is a pre-season All-American. Nottingham is full of potential, I get it, but come on... There is no way that FU will take us lightly... This false optimism is only kidding yourselves.
http://www.fordhamsports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=5591
oldlion, before the last comments were blown out you said 60 scholarship players is a nonstarter for you. Does that only apply to having the Fordham game on the schedule? Columbia simply does not have the players to match up against this opponent right now. They could put up a few TDs but if Fordham plays their game, how will the offense go drive for drive with them.
Nebrich is a good college player but does not have a big arm. Nottingham has a very big arm. That is all I am saying.
Just a note. Columbia beat a 63 scholarship CAA team called Towson under the Wilson regime.
Columbia has beaten Towson a few times
With Brackett
with McCall
I don't follow Towson closely to know what happened with their upgrade but it is no sense thinking CU has a a smidgen of a fraction of a chance to take them on now.
I played on the 1999 team that beat Townson they were not scholarship then.
I also played on the 2000 and 2002 teams that beat Fordham. We were actually the inaugural winners of the "Liberty Cup".
While a nice gesture; I think everyone should be honest that this trophy was manufactured after the grief of 9/11. While I will always remember 9/11 and the friends and teammates lost I dont think it makes any sense to maintain a series with Fordham.
Things change, people change, programs and goals certainly change but to maintain this "rivalry" if you can call it that for the sake of the Liberty Cup makes zero sense at all.
Since Ivys are not allowed a table in the playoff why do we even play a 10 game slate? Why not just cut it down to 7? Being 12 years away from playing I dont understand why we need to fill a 10 game slate if we arent allowed into the playoffs. There is nothing wrong with Ivy football and if we only play 7 games so be it but at least then everyone is on a level playing field.
Upgrade or not CAA is CAA. I played and coached in that league.
Tony, those were good wins for the program but as the alum who posted above you mentions, times change and scenarios change. Look at the CAA conference now: http://www.caasports.com/?path=football. There is quite an imbalance, even for the other Ivy programs to play any of those teams (I haven't looked into Elon but that is powerhouse football conference anyway it is looked at).
Al anytime you play a school that's good or bad that has 63 schollys and win that is unbelievable for an ivy. The CAA is the best 1aa conference in the country, they have always had 2-4 teams in the playoffs. When u can measure up and sometimes beat a CAA school it's usually a good gauge.
Tony, while we have you here I can't resist asking you your opinion of this current staff. I realize you probably don't want to trash other coaches, but perhaps you can just phrase your thoughts by saying: "here's what I'd do," etc
I don't disagree with your statement Tony but the alum/player that posted before yours is correct that Towson did not have scholarship players at that time or maybe not as many.
All I did was look at their wikipedia page which shows a very erratic football history with lots of highs and lows. I think the current coach and administration has made a concerted effort to make the football program as strong as it can be (which is why they are a top 10 team right now and played in the NC game last season).
Al I coached against Towson from 2004-2007 and they were a 63 scholarship school in the CAA south division. Before that they bounced around. Actually played and coached against them back in 94 and 95 when they were in the Yankee conference. They were 63 scholly then too and dropped to the Patriot league for awhile.
Jake I am not in the business of trashing coaches so I will withhold any comments regarding staff. I don't know if the landscape at columbia changed much since I have been there but I always felt we could win.
Columbia did not play Towson between 2004-2007.
2004
2005
2006
2007
If I understand coach's argument it is that CU has beaten Towsen as a scholarship program. So if not between those years, when?
Sorry al. Miscommunication on my part I meant I coached against them from 2004 to 2007 which was BEFORE I cam to CU.
Post a Comment