FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[02 Warhawk]

Jeff Brown: Golden helmet part of plan to reverse UW-L's slide into mediocrity

http://lacrossetribune.com/sports/jeff-brown-golden-helmet-part-of-plan-to-reverse-uw/article_07f50336-187a-59e8-a12d-ba458766c257.html

Not a bad idea. Hopefully the Eagles can turn it around this year.

[emma17]

Blanchard getting some mop up duty for Hundley in the 4th and throws a beautiful seam route to Janis for a TD. Listening to the eagles radio broadcast while watching the TV video and they were very impressed with that throw. They said there are scouts for 5 teams plus 2 canadian teams in attendance, so maybe if he finishes strong, someone might take notice.

Raheem (?) Bailey from Delaware Valley making a couple catches for the Eagles, too.

Matt throws an INT at the 6 while he was driving the Pack...but the announcers (correctly) stated that it was the receivers mistakes for pulling up and not completing the route. He gave up after the ball was already released and the DB made a backpeddling INT.

Judging on how much time he got that game, I don't think it's looking good for Matt. I think the Packers have their minds made up about their backup QBs.

It was pretty much made up the second they drafted Hundley, whether people want to admit it or not is a different story.

That's right, Matt should have packed his gear and bolted out of GB the second the Hundley draft was announced.

On a positive note, I was able to watch the replay of the GB game. My personal feelings aside, Matt looked fantastic- better than I've ever seen him play. I'm completely serious. His deep throws were dead balls accurate. His TD was picture perfect. The long balls that weren't completed were terrific throws- giving the receivers opportunities to make the plays. The first long ball down the right sideline went off the receiver's hand. The interception, Bobo referenced, was a mis communication. Matt threw a Post Corner while the receiver stopped after making his corner cut. Perhaps the ball shouldn't have been thrown as the DB was sitting deep anyway, but had the receiver completed the route there would at least have been a fight for the ball.
Matt B, IMO, did a lot to show his abilities in that game. If he performs similarly in the 4th game I'll really be surprised if he isn't picked up by a NFL team.

[ScreamingEagles]

Jeff Brown: Golden helmet part of plan to reverse UW-L's slide into mediocrity

http://lacrossetribune.com/sports/jeff-brown-golden-helmet-part-of-plan-to-reverse-uw/article_07f50336-187a-59e8-a12d-ba458766c257.html

Not a bad idea. Hopefully the Eagles can turn it around this year.

Me too - it's now three straight preseasons that this is "our year" and Coach Dettwiler finally has "his guys" in place (at least according to newspaper articles).  With Tony Bilderback and Ben Hertrampf graduating, the entire team in 2015 is now truly "his guys" and have all been recruited solely by Dettwiler and staff.

Tough schedule again this year though - St. Thomas, Mary Hardin Baylor, and Whitewater on the road.  In my opinion, a 5-5 record should be considered success this year, which could come from wins against Luther, UWRF, UWEC, Stout, and UWSP.  Losses against St. Thomas, UMHB, UWW, UWO, and UWP.  Maybe pull off an upset and go 6-4.

[badgerwarhawk]

Jeff Brown: Golden helmet part of plan to reverse UW-L's slide into mediocrity

http://lacrossetribune.com/sports/jeff-brown-golden-helmet-part-of-plan-to-reverse-uw/article_07f50336-187a-59e8-a12d-ba458766c257.html

Not a bad idea. Hopefully the Eagles can turn it around this year.

I think it's a good idea too.  The WARHAWKS have something similar in the yellow jersey.  It's awarded to the player on each unit who had the best practice the day before. 

I remember saying that I thought last year would be the year the Eagles got back on track.  I don't think it helped any when they were forced to use three QBs due to injuries. 

[ScreamingEagles]

Jeff Brown: Golden helmet part of plan to reverse UW-L's slide into mediocrity

http://lacrossetribune.com/sports/jeff-brown-golden-helmet-part-of-plan-to-reverse-uw/article_07f50336-187a-59e8-a12d-ba458766c257.html

Not a bad idea. Hopefully the Eagles can turn it around this year.

I think it's a good idea too.  The WARHAWKS have something similar in the yellow jersey.  It's awarded to the player on each unit who had the best practice the day before. 

I remember saying that I thought last year would be the year the Eagles got back on track.  I don't think it helped any when they were forced to use three QBs due to injuries.

Much of that comes down to line play.  The offensive line under Coach Dettwiler has been well below average his entire tenure.  I don't know if the problem is talent or coaching, likely both.  Sacks given up the last few years:

2014: 29
2013: 31
2012: 45
2011: 38

[bman]

Blanchard getting some mop up duty for Hundley in the 4th and throws a beautiful seam route to Janis for a TD. Listening to the eagles radio broadcast while watching the TV video and they were very impressed with that throw. They said there are scouts for 5 teams plus 2 canadian teams in attendance, so maybe if he finishes strong, someone might take notice.

Raheem (?) Bailey from Delaware Valley making a couple catches for the Eagles, too.

Matt throws an INT at the 6 while he was driving the Pack...but the announcers (correctly) stated that it was the receivers mistakes for pulling up and not completing the route. He gave up after the ball was already released and the DB made a backpeddling INT.

Rasheed Baily has had a very nice camp for the Eagles.   A couple really nice catches bailing out the QB.  Saw a lot of time with the 2s and sometimes the 3s.  He is number 2 in catches so far in the pre-season...
My guess is that he will be waived, and if no one grabs him, the Eagles will sign him to the practice squad.   That seems to be the media consensus as well.  His speed is average, but he's been a great route runner.  He seems to project to a 3rd down possession receiver.  The one thing with Chip Kelly though, is you have no idea what he is ever going to do, so we'll see.     

[gbpuckfan]

PACKERS ANNOUNCE ROSTER MOVES

The Green Bay Packers have placed WR Jordy Nelson on injured reserve and waived/injured WRs Javess Blue and Jimmie Hunt. The Packers have also released QB Matt Blanchard, WR James Butler, LB Adrian Hubbard, DB Kyle Sebetic and TE Harold Spears. The transactions were announced Tuesday by Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations.

[MasterJedi]

PACKERS ANNOUNCE ROSTER MOVES

The Green Bay Packers have placed WR Jordy Nelson on injured reserve and waived/injured WRs Javess Blue and Jimmie Hunt. The Packers have also released QB Matt Blanchard, WR James Butler, LB Adrian Hubbard, DB Kyle Sebetic and TE Harold Spears. The transactions were announced Tuesday by Ted Thompson, Executive Vice President, General Manager and Director of Football Operations.

Actually a good thing for him to be released now instead of next week. Gives him a chance to be picked up by another team and possibly make a squad since he has played really well. If not I hope he ends up on the Packer's practice squad.

[badgerwarhawk]

Hundley is obviously a lock for the team.  Speculation is that Hundley will make the 53 player roster if for no other reason than the team doesn't want to expose him to other organizations which they would have to do before adding him to the practice squad.  If that is the case than I don't see the organization using a practice squad spot for a fourth quarterback. 

I agree that it's probably a good thing he was cut now rather than later but if his future is in the NFL I don't think it will be in the PACKERS organization.  I regret that and I would like nothing better than to be mistaken. 

[BoBo]

Jeff Brown: Golden helmet part of plan to reverse UW-L's slide into mediocrity

http://lacrossetribune.com/sports/jeff-brown-golden-helmet-part-of-plan-to-reverse-uw/article_07f50336-187a-59e8-a12d-ba458766c257.html

Not a bad idea. Hopefully the Eagles can turn it around this year.

They should play the hokey pokey at practice too. They say that's a good way to turn yourself around. And that's what it's all about!!

[BoBo]

Blanchard getting some mop up duty for Hundley in the 4th and throws a beautiful seam route to Janis for a TD. Listening to the eagles radio broadcast while watching the TV video and they were very impressed with that throw. They said there are scouts for 5 teams plus 2 canadian teams in attendance, so maybe if he finishes strong, someone might take notice.

Raheem (?) Bailey from Delaware Valley making a couple catches for the Eagles, too.

Matt throws an INT at the 6 while he was driving the Pack...but the announcers (correctly) stated that it was the receivers mistakes for pulling up and not completing the route. He gave up after the ball was already released and the DB made a backpeddling INT.

Judging on how much time he got that game, I don't think it's looking good for Matt. I think the Packers have their minds made up about their backup QBs.

It was pretty much made up the second they drafted Hundley, whether people want to admit it or not is a different story.

Bob McGinn of the Journal-Sentinal stated in his column today that talent determines much of what happens in the NFL. But timing plays a big part too. He compares Blanchard with Graham Harrell, calling him a lesser talent than Matt. Harrell was on the roster for 23 regular season, 7 playoff, and a super bowl - Harrell showed up at the right time for him & the Pack. MB came at the wrong time for the Packers. My 2 cents says it's easy to see now that had Hundley not fallen into the 5th round, with the training camp Matt has had, he probably would've made the roster. But at the time of the draft, no one knew MB would have this kind of camp coming out of the concussion that ended his season last year. And having him available in the 5th round, Thompson almost had to pick Hundley.

McGinn points out, and later confirmed by QB Coach Alex Van Pelt, that on the 27 yard TD pass Matt threw on the 3rd and 11 to Jeff Janis last Saturday vs the Eagles, he called an audible at the line.

Said Van Pelt: "Matt looked like a Green Bay quarterback with his feet, his feet were outstanding. Very smart, learned our system quickly. He's athletic. Threw the ball well. He's great in the room."

"I think he can play in the league, I really do. I think he'll have a chance."

Link: http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/matt-blanchard-among-five-players-cut-by-packers-b99568222z1-323810601.html

[badgerwarhawk]

I never could figure out how Harrell could throw for something like 15,000 yards in college and be so bad in the NFL.  It simply defies logic. 

[ScreamingEagles]

UW-L confident, ready for Luther

http://lacrossetribune.com/sports/uw-l-confident-ready-for-luther/article_d6a9a682-c441-504d-8b7b-67cec8a146ab.html

[badgerwarhawk]

From today's Wisconsin State Journal:

http://host.madison.com/wsj/sports/college/state-and-regional/whitewater/wiac-football-new-coach-kevin-bullis-eager-to-continue-uw/article_2548d368-3243-5356-b849-1a4cadc2cfb9.html

[ExTartanPlayer]

I never could figure out how Harrell could throw for something like 15,000 yards in college and be so bad in the NFL.  It simply defies logic.

Because college and the NFL are different?

I agree with your premise - insanely productive D1 college players theoretically should still be at least OK in the NFL - but I think we collectively still tend to underestimate the enormous jump from college to the NFL.  That slant he misses half-a-step-inside , or the slightly-underthrown-deep-ball that still finds the WR, will turn into incompletions or interceptions against NFL defensive backs.

As incredible as D1 guys are, we should remember that maybe the top 10% or so of those guys are even going to get drafted (back-of-the-envelope math, 128 FBS programs, 20 seniors a team = roughly 2,500 guys, and that's without counting the FCS and handful of D2/D3 guys who get a look...competing for 250 draft slots).  So a Harrell (or any QB) is playing an awful lot of their college games against guys who are an inch shorter and a step slower and a hair less instinctive than the guys who will be in the NFL, and a lot of those yards might come on throws that worked in college but will get broken up or picked in the NFL.

Yeah, I know he's not playing will all NFL receivers either, and it seems like that should balance out, but it never quite does.  Projecting whose skills will actually translate to the next level is a tricky, tricky business because there are so many other variables - all the other guys on the field, the system he plays in, quality of coaching, and so on.