NEC Football 2017 offseason/preseason thread

[Original_RMC]

Bryant:
Returning Offensive Starters (3)
Returning Defensive Starters (4)
Returning Specialists (0)


Biggest Lost from 2016: QB Dalton Easton
Top Returner from 2016: LB Jesse Nemerowicz
Bryant wins the NEC if: Can Bryant recover from losing this much? Rebuilding year for Bryant in 2017.


CCSU:
Returning Offensive Starters (8)
Returning Defensive Starters (7)
Returning Specialists (1)


Biggest Lost from 2016: DE Asia Bolling
Top Returner from 2016: QB Jacob Dolegala
CCSU wins the NEC if: Can CCSU protect Dolegala with replacing 3 OL. They bring back everyone else on offense. Should put up big numbers but need more help from their D in stopping teams.


Duquesne:
Returning Offensive Starters (7)
Returning Defensive Starters (8)
Returning Specialists (1)


Biggest Lost from 2016: QB Dillon Buechel
Top Returner from 2016: RB AJ Hines
Duquesne wins the NEC if they? Replace their WRs and hope that Brett Brumbaugh can come in as a Soph to manage the game. AJ Hines will carry the Offense.


RMU:
Returning Offensive Starters (11)
Returning Defensive Starters (7)
Returning Specialists (1)


Biggest Lost from 2016: DB Marcelis Branch
Top Returner from 2016: LB Adam Wollet
RMU wins the NEC if they? If they find a QB and keep that individual healthy.


Saint Francis:
Returning Offensive Starters (8)
Returning Defensive Starters (8)
Returning Specialists (0)


Biggest Lost from 2016: QB Zack Drayer
Top Returner from 2016: WR Kamron Lewis
SFU wins the NEC if they? Jr QB Andrew Koester can help carrying the load. He will have help with their RBs & WRs returning.


Sacred Heart:
Returning Offensive Starters (4)
Returning Defensive Starters (3)
Returning Specialists (0)


Biggest Lost from 2016: QB RJ Noel
Top Returner from 2016: LB CJ Parvelous
SHU wins the NEC if they? It all depends on who replaces Noel at QB. It will be a rebuilding year in 2017 for SHU.


Wagner:
Returning Offensive Starters (6)
Returning Defensive Starters (5)
Returning Specialists (0)


Biggest Lost from 2016: RB Matthias McKinnon
Top Returner from 2016: QB Alex Thomson
Wagner wins the NEC if they? Wagner needs to replace some of their RBs and WRS for 2017. I'm sure Wagner will land a transfer or JUCO to help rebuild and will continue to build on Thomson and Williams in their passing attack.

[aceinthehole]

Nice summary. As usual, the NEC is wide open.

DID YOU KNOW: Since earning AQ status in 2010, the NEC has sent 6 different teams to the Playoffs in 7 seasons. Bryant and Central Connecticut are the only current members not to have reached the NCAA postseason.

----
I think CCSU needs more talent on both sides of the ball, period. I like our QB situation, but everything else needs lots of offseason improvement. Rossomondo is in his final year of his contract and needs to show significant results or it will be difficult for the AD to justify a new deal.

Central Connecticut State
2016: 2-9, 1-5 NEC
2015: 4-7, 3-3 NEC
2014: 3-9, 1-5 NEC

Totals (3 yrs): 9-25, 5-13 NEC

[RedFlash]

Nice work O_RMC. Thanks for posting this. As I mentioned in the Pick 'em threads - I know there aren't a lot of NEC fans on this Board, but perhaps if we use this thread over the next few months we can lure some new people into the fold.

Some interesting numbers in your post. I did not realize RMU had so many returning starters for 2017. Is Barr due to return at QB? I'm also curious as to how well RMU can recruit this season given Banny's status. Like Rossomondo at CCSU, he's on the last year of his contract and has to be feeling the heat from a new administration. I have to think it could push some kids to other schools where the coaching situation is a little more stable.

I expect Duquesne to be the preseason favorite, especially since they get StFU at home in 2017. Plus, AJ Hines is a really good RB. StFU loses some really big contributors on defense which will put a lot of pressure on some younger guys - although I think they are really solid in the secondary and have two rising junior LB's who had solid 2016 seasons.

Curious what the SHU and Bryant folks think about 2017. Both will only return 7 total starters - so who knows how they'll be.

[Bluefish845]

Curious what the SHU and Bryant folks think about 2017. Both will only return 7 total starters - so who knows how they'll be.

SHU actually returns 8 on Offense and 5 on defense I think. The whole O-line returns as does 2 receivers and the Rb's (pretty sure). We lose QB, TE and #1 receiver. I don't expect the offense to drop off much despite the lose of Noel at Qb. His replacement while not as experienced has the same skill set. On D the front 4 graduated as did a LB and CB. Good news, bad news is our underclassmen in the secondary had a ton of playing time and we tend to swap out players depending upon the opposing packages. Playing time good, result not so good. Another year of experience and hopefully a recruit or 2 for the secondary can shore up that part of the D.

The reason for the discrepancy on returners is due to red shirt years not accurately reflected on Shu's website.

[UNHWildcat18]

I've always like Bryant in terms of adding them to AE for sports and root for them in FB since my buddy went there. I do believe they will disappoint me again next year and not win the NEC. Will they get turf and lights though?????

[RedFlash]

According to Craig Haley, Bryant announces coach Marty Fine's resignation after 13 seasons. 80-61 overall, including 53-47 at the FCS level.

What's interesting about this is that his son is set to be a senior on the team next year.

http://bryantbulldogs.com/sports/fba.../fine_joe_enq7

[aceinthehole]

According to Craig Haley, Bryant announces coach Marty Fine's resignation after 13 seasons. 80-61 overall, including 53-47 at the FCS level.

What's interesting about this is that his son is set to be a senior on the team next year.

http://bryantbulldogs.com/sports/fba.../fine_joe_enq7

It is official - he "resigned" from the "pinnacle" of his coaching career to "pursue new opportunities"
http://bryantbulldogs.com/sports/fba...20161130spdlca

Didn't see that coming, but as I posted above, Bryant and CCSU have yet to win the NEC. I certainly think they have fell short of expectations in Smithfield, but not sure this puts Bryant in a better position for next season.

Oh well, this is still a business, even in the NEC.

[aceinthehole]

I thought we had a Bryant poster or two, but does anyone have any leads on the potential replacement for Marty Fine?

[RedFlash]

I thought we had a Bryant poster or two, but does anyone have any leads on the potential replacement for Marty Fine?

I'm not sure I've ever seen a Bryant poster on here. Same for Duquesne and Wagner.

[Libertine]

According to Craig Haley, Bryant announces coach Marty Fine's resignation after 13 seasons. 80-61 overall, including 53-47 at the FCS level.

What's interesting about this is that his son is set to be a senior on the team next year.

http://bryantbulldogs.com/sports/fba.../fine_joe_enq7

What's also interesting is that Bryant had cut loose their defensive coordinator, Greg Gigantino, just a week ago. It's very strange to fire a guy and then resign yourself a week later ... UNLESS (conjecture alert!) it was actually somebody above Fine's head who dropped the hatchet on Gigantino without Fine's blessing and maybe MF realized that, even after 13 years, he was still holding a knife in a gunfight.