COLGATE - 56
The Raiders have fallen on some hard times. They fell to the bottom of the Patriot League standings in 2011. The faithful see that as an aberration, a one year wander. Maybe. It was predicted by the Patsy Ratings, and a similar lackluster performance is predicted for 2012. The problem is recruiting. The good times over the past few years have been highly dependent on a handful of offensive skill position players. The supporting cast, particularly the defense, has been “not so much.” “In Biddle we trust” only works if Dickie B. can go out there to block and tackle. Even he can't make chicken soup out of chicken feathers.
A quality 2012 recruiting class seems essential if the Red Raiders are to rise from the Patriot League rabble of also rans. Frankly, The Committee feels that this group sends a mixed signal. Is this a good class? Some things say that maybe it is – not great, but perhaps adequate. Does this recruiting class doom the Raiders to perpetual middle of the Patriot League status? Other indicators say this may be the case.
THE GOOD
This appears to be the last chance for each school to load the roster with bodies before scholarships and perhaps roster size restrictions kick in. A recruiting class of 30 puts some horses in the stable.
60% of the recruits are rated. As indicated in the Quality section below however, this may be a bit of a dull edged sword.
The Raiders seem to have done pretty well in addressing their top two needs (see below).
THE BAD
Biddle seems to have done little, if anything, about his screaming and seemingly perpetual deficiencies on defense. He has cornered the market on DBs by bringing in 8. That probably means that he will have a lot of options on the punt return team. He has done virtually nothing to shore the front ranks of the defense however, with only one LB recruit and two questionable DL kids.
QUALITY = 22: As noted above 60% (18) are Rated. It should also be noted that only one of these 18 garnered more than a bare minimum fog a mirror rating. The Committee does not have a lot of confidence that this is a “quality” group.
CLASS SIZE = 6: 30 Recruits.
DISTRIBUTION =8: At least one recruit for each position considered in the Patsy Ratings. A reminder that TE is no longer considered in this category.
SPEED = 6: The usual disclaimer that reliable speed information is hard to come by.
TRIGGER = 0: Two QBs, both Rated, neither with any star ratings.
JUMBO = 4: 4 OL and 2 DL; 3 OL and 1 DL meet and beat the Jumbo criteria.
NEEDS = 10 (of 12):
RB = 5 (of 5): 4 recruits, 3 Rated, one a 2-star. The committee has no doubt that the Raiders deserve all 5 Patsy Points for this group, but the question really is that, given Biddle's funky offense, does he have the successor to Branch, Jordan and Eachus? There is no reason to believe this is so.
OL = 4 (of 4): 4 recruits, 3 Rated, 3 Jumbos. The Committee didn't really debate it, but someone might question whether all 4 points are merited by this group. A higher than minimum rating for at least one of them would have made this more solid.
DL = 1 (of 3): 2 recruits, 1 rated, 1 a Jumbo. Unfortunately, the Rated recruit and the Jumbo are not the same guy. The Rated recruit is listed at 210. Even in a defense that has its DLs occasionally dropping into coverage that is puny to say the least. Raider fans should consider the one point for DL needs a gift. There is no quantity, and the quality is questionable at best.
COMMITTEE ADJUSTMENTS = O
The Committee is convinced that the Patsy Points assigned to this Colgate recruiting class is not correct. Should it be more? Maybe. Should it be less? Maybe. 56 is certainly not the correct number however. There are no obvious inequities, so there is no reason for an adjustment.
THE RATINGS RACE WITH 2 TO GO:
Lafayette 67
Lehigh 62
Colgate 56
Holy Cross 54
Fordham 47
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