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Date Posted: 12:23:34 07/24/08 Thu
Author: RichH
Subject: Camp soon!!

Who will be the QB? For us as he goes so does our O.

Coaches expect Lum to challenge . My favorite is Clark altho very young has great arm Cisneros has a yr of prep not quite the same arm but more atletic I think and a lefty Bokoskey solid little kid good qb prob better grasp of O but not much of an upside.

D front 7 s/b very very good Carter etc s/b adequate at safeties CB s are the concern very little experience and the ones starting last yr weren't that good.Can they hold up for the season?,

In the recruits are there any difference makers for this year?

Overall class very solid lots of good to very good players.
OL,LB and DL very solid but probably for the future.

Skill positions LUM certainly in the mix do not know enuf other than video of him whether he can come in like Horn or Stambaugh now. Drwal and Soeprestanyo very highly regared but lots of wrs.


Questions questions and more questions, perhaps if Coen can answer a few we might finish higher than 5th. It has been a long time since we were picked so low in the PL. But a very even league anything is possible.

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[> Re: Camp soon!! -- LU 94, 15:18:08 07/24/08 Thu

Beyond the QB the OL is a real big concern. For two years it has at times been manhandled by some league schools.
DL, DBs are probably the strength. On O, who will be a big-play guy? Again cannot say.

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[> [> Re: Camp soon!! -- Like It Is, 18:11:11 07/24/08 Thu

Looks like mediocrity as best.

Offense appears very questionable: messy and unclear QB situation, running backs look weak and especially with Kankam quitting, OL will probably not be very good again, and the receiving situation at Lehigh has evolved into a black hole.
Add to this poor play calling, questionable coaching, and a group of players who "can't figure out the offense" again and we have the makings of a laugher of a season.
Staying home or playing golf may be the better option because when a program deteriorates to this level, it is just to depressing to watch.

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[> [> Re: Camp soon!! -- LU '98, 11:51:07 07/25/08 Fri

NEVER seen the OL "Manhandled" over the last few years. That's a ignorant comment. Probably been the bright spot. The problem on Offense has been an erratic QB and poor WR's. I don't think I've seen a WR in the Coen era that could actually catch a ball.

In '04, the last year we had real success, we won with a bad OL. They gave up over 40 sacks. But we had good QB's and receivers.

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[> Re: Camp soon!! -- Lehigh74, 20:11:34 07/24/08 Thu

How about giving the team a game or two before we write off the season? I'm hoping this is the year Coen figures it out and starts to become the head coach we all expected him to be. The history of college and professional football is littered with head coaches who had a few bad years on their way to becoming very successful.

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[> [> Re: Camp soon!! -- Lehigh's Offense too Hard to Learn, 06:12:15 07/25/08 Fri

I think LU has a good shot in the first game - against Drake. This assumes that the QB, offense, and coaching staff can "figure out the offense". The problem is that the Lehigh squad has failed to "figure out the offense" for the last several years. The Lehigh offense, which had performed brilliantly, for years and dominated the League has now been deemed to be too complicated for the team's QB's and skill players to execute. Ergo, the offense scheme has been dumbed down to the level where the opponents know Lehigh's play calling scheme better than Lehigh. Because the passing game has deteriorated and play calling has been so simplified, opponents have packed the box and stayed close to the Lehigh recievers and reduced the ability to get separation. This has compressed the field and is a major reason Lafayette and other teams shut down the new Lehigh offense each year.

When one reads that there is mass confusion as to who will be chosen as quarterback when the first game is a month away, it is not encouraging. Every year, in more recent times, we read that we have recruited great prospects at QB only to find later on that there is no one with a combination of adequate "arm", sufficient athleticism, or the ability to "figure out the offense". We learn that there is one player who has part of the package but is woefully lacking in the other areas with the result that the coaches can't figure out what to do. This is occuring on a team and in a program where the quarterback position is especially critical and where the running game and receivers are less than stellar.
I agree that we should not put too much stock in the Drake game but assess progress after Lehigh has played Villanova, Princeton, Cornell, and Fordham.

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[> [> Re: Camp soon!! -- Pete, 06:19:19 07/25/08 Fri

Took Higgins 3 years but he was starting off with a bit weaker program I expect the OLto be morestable this year if not necessarily great. Rbs absent injuries should be OK but without the speed back as a change of pace. Wrs IMHO will be better. No matter who qbs he won't throw as hard as Sedale .I am not as optimistic about dbs. Winning the close games will set the season given the parity in PL. Other than Cross we were in the games. Can coen convince them to win?

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[> Re: Camp soon!! -- LU Fan, 08:19:01 07/25/08 Fri

Higgins first season was '94. LU won the PL title in '93 so I'm not sure it's fair to say he started off with a weaker program.

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[> [> Re: In All Fairness -- LU in NJ, 10:26:35 07/25/08 Fri

>>>>>>>In all fairness,Lehigh was 10-11 in the two yrs before Higgins took over vs. 17-6 in the two years before Coen.

For a more valid comparison, the year before Higgins took over as coach Lehigh was hammered by Delaware 62-21. We were a good PL program but not an elite I-AA program

The year before Coen, Lehigh lost in OT, on the road, to an excellent Delaware team (33-34). Coen took over a program that was (and it's sad to have to use the word "was")an elite I-AA program.

Higgins proved his mettle early on by Lehigh winning the PL in his second yr as head coach.

Lembo also proved his mettle by the team achieving the best 5 yr record in Lehigh history (including a 1-1 record against I-A opponents).

This is Coen's 3rd yr and, by all accounts he is a strong recruiter and Lehigh has considerable talent.

I really hope, for the sake of the players, Coen can get things back on the right track.

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[> [> [> For the record -- Ultimate Hawk, 14:39:11 07/25/08 Fri

A team is what its record says it is. A coach is measured the same way.
I hope for improvement and hope is about all we have.
If this year is mediocre or bad it will be time to make a move. Another 49-point loss will be tough to take and THE gme last year proved that LU could not stop another team, could not execute, when everything was on the line.

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[> [> [> Re: In All Fairness -- Neighbor, 14:51:59 07/25/08 Fri

Ultimate Hawk,

I must agree. THIS is the year that should determine the future of the program under Coen.

Less than 7 wins, I'll lose patience (like anyone cares) and call for ANOTHER new start under someone else.

I do think they'll win 8.

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[> [> [> [> seven is fine -- Ultimate Hawk, 16:38:17 07/25/08 Fri

Seven wins is good. Eight would be spectacular. I do not think we can expect nine as an average anymore. Going 0-2 Drake and Nova to start would be a huge problem. Drake was 6-5 last year with a couple obscure wins.

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[> [> [> [> [> Re: seven is fine -- Go Lehigh TU owl, 18:44:05 07/25/08 Fri

I've been saying all along it's up to the coach to get the players to perform. This team has a good amount of talent across the board. I could agrue man for man there is more talent and depth than anyone in the league. It's up to the coaching staff to put them in position to succeed. Good coaches can get players to achieve beyond their perceived ability. I have yet to see anyone who i can honestly say has overachieved, especially on offense. Coen and his staff have failed to do that the previous two years. Look at what Biddle, Gilmore, Massalla, and Tavani were able to do their first 2-3 years with easily way worse situations and talent bases. That is what Coen needs to judged upon. If this team has a losing season Coen needs to go, no ifs ands or buts about it. He would have thus shown he could not improve upon anything. Even a 6-5 record and loss to Lafayette might deserve the axe. 7-4 and he's safe for another year. Who was the last Lehigh coach to start out their tenure losing their first 3 against the Pards?

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[> [> [> Re: In All Fairness -- nufan, 08:55:49 07/26/08 Sat

A couple of points.

Is it coincidence that Lehigh's and Higgin's real success started when he brought Lembo on as an assistant and then Asst. Head Coach , in the late 90's ???

Also, there probably hasn't been a more complicated offense at Lehigh than Lembo's spread offense. His players seemed to grasp it well. Atleast his record would indicate that.

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[> [> [> [> Lembo could recruit and coach,and he did, and he still is. Just not here. -- BERTHA, 18:18:08 07/26/08 Sat

Look at what he did here and what he has done at Elon. I will beat the dead horse again but everybody who for whatever reasons wanted him out should do some repentance.
Coen may well turn out to be a great coach but the university in my humble opinion, and it is always so humble, has lost two years so far. Had Lembo stayed, LU would not have been 11-11 the last two years. He certainly would have had substitutions and situational defenses ready for the Albany game in 2006, one of the worst moments of Lehigh football in the last decade until that 49 point loss last year.

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[> Re: Camp soon!! -- ngineer, 20:59:06 07/26/08 Sat

I am looking forward to this coming year. Yes, there are always questions to be answered, and QB is a big one, but that is what makes college football so interesting is that programs must constantly adjust due to graduation. Some times, it also take longer for a transition to grab hold. Higgins' got his share of scorn back in 1996 and 1997 with two losing seasons AFTER winning the PL in 1995. Not sure when Lembo first arrived, but I think the arrival of Stambaugh had more of an impact. Regardless of strategems, you still need the players to execute. Coen has had two full recruiting classes, now, as part of his plan to make Lehigh bigger and tougher in the trenches, and I think we're seeing that pay off, especially on defense. We also have some very solid returning OL players this year, with size. A surprise or two from some incoming frosh could be a shot in the arm, and if none of the current upper classmen at QB can get the job done by the time PL time comes around, we could see the highly touted Lum. The quality of Lehigh's personnel is such that we should be 'in' virtually every ballgame. Only in Villanova do I see us as decided underdogs, and there, an upset is not out of the question. As opposed to 'great expectations', this year is more like 'great anticipation' because we don't really know what to expect. For those who are already bad mouthing the team and coach before the season even begins, why do you waste the effort?

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[> [> Re: Camp soon!! -- It Relieves Frustration, 02:50:26 07/27/08 Sun

.... with an offensive unit and QB that "cannot figure out the offense

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[> Re: Camp soon!! -- LU Fan, 08:58:58 07/31/08 Thu

Everyone does know that Coen was the offensive coordinator on Higgins' teams, right? And that Lembo actually worked under and probably learned from Coen? Let's just hold off on the criticism for right now. At least until we see what this team can or can't do.

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[> [> Re: Camp soon!! -- duh-hoy, 10:24:53 07/31/08 Thu

Are you aware we have had two years to see that?

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[> [> [> Re: Camp soon!! -- nufan, 11:13:35 07/31/08 Thu

I believe Dave Cecchini was OC during Lembo's first years as an Asst coach.

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[> [> Re: Camp soon!! -- LU in NJ (Facts are Facts), 10:45:23 07/31/08 Thu

>>>>>>Who worked for who in past years isn't important.

What is important is that every Lehigh fan wants the team to perform well----which means we all want Coen to be a successful head coach.

What you call criticism is, in many cases, simply stating facts about a coach's record.

My comments are directed to two fronts:

A.) Despite posting the best w-l record in Lehigh history, Lembo was crucified by a sizable number of fans for "not winning the big one" and not being warm and fuzzy. Those fans were dead wrong to think that winning was a Lehigh birthright and that Lembo would be easily replaced.

B.) Coen came in and announced plans to change from Air Lehigh to a more run oriented offense and thereby win more games with 4th Q ball control and toughness. The facts, however, show a decrease in scoring and far fewer wins.

Facts are facts---the last two years have been nowhere near as successful as the prior 5 years.

I want the team to be successful and I hope this is the year Coen puts his mediocre record behind him.

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[> [> [> Re: Camp soon!! -- LU Maven, 05:46:46 08/01/08 Fri

Well said, LUinNJ

For this to happen, though, we need a competent QB and a squad that can master the Lehigh offense that was installed in the early '90's and which dominated the League. In addition to having talent and adequate size, The ingrediants are:

- an offense that spreads out the opponents' D because of it is versatile and keeps them uncertain
- a QB that can hit open receivers
- receivers that don't drop so many passes
- complexity in the offense
- a coaching staff that does not dumb down the offense but, instead, makes it more confusing for the opposition

A graduate who once played QB for Yale remarked to me how he and others used to love to watch Lehigh play because of our unique, complicated offense that kept them guessing. They said it was exciting and was a special part of college football. Of course, it also caused us to win most games, regularly beat the Ivy League, and win the PL championship.

It is sad to see what has happened since then - ineptitude at the passing game, simplified offensive schemes that enable our opponent's to read our plays, boring and poor play calling, and the abandonment of exactly the things that made us a great team. In game after game, we yield momentum and lose games because the offense has been poor.
We also we saw a cult of personality that was harmful.

We all pray for a turn around this year and the return of what we loved about Lehigh football.

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[> [> [> [> Re: Camp soon!! -- Neighbor, 11:14:16 08/01/08 Fri

Maven, you have touched upon a topic that also concerns me. For many years, it seemed to me, Lehigh used the mental ability of its player personnel to "outsmart" its opponents. They threw nothing at us that we couldn't understand and we were diverse enough, flexible week-to-week to keep our foes guessing and confused.

The best example of this was the playoff game at Western Illinois. Frankly, Lehigh made them look foolish trying to deal with what Lehigh presented, both offensively and defensively.

What happened?

Does Lehigh now recruit with an emphasis more toward athlete and less toward student?

Lehigh DID seem to once have an edge, but not now. Has it become too rare to find a true student-athlete combination to fit the traditional Lehigh mold?

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[> [> [> [> [> Re: Camp soon!! -- RichH, 12:14:34 08/01/08 Fri

A very astute point but one w/o an answer. I hope 1 of these qbs steps up so that Coen can run some kind of O.Last year we spent so much time, mostly due to injuries, with a patchwork O scheme hard to tell what Coen can do. We no longer have such a distinct edge as we had for a while with speed and athletes, Air Lehigh supplies the crucial difference.

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[> [> [> [> [> [> Re: Camp soon!! -- LU in NJ, 14:48:56 08/01/08 Fri

>>>>>>>>I posted, at the beginning of the Coen years, that changing the offense away from Air Lehigh would take away a unique advantage that helped Lehigh become an elite I-AA program.

In essense, Air Lehigh helped attract recruits that fit the model------- hs QB or receivers were attracted to an Air Lehigh.

Scatbacks like Jean, Pugh, etc who may not have been big enough for I-A or a I-AA program that liked to play power football were perfect for Air Lehigh.

O-lineman didn't need to overpower opponents-----Air Lehigh used pass blocking and often created running lanes by spreading th field and sealing off d-lineman as opposed to overpowering people.

Air Lehigh had the flexibility to exploit defense's weaknesses and utilize special players skills---the TE position was emphasized when Bergen was on the field.

I understand a new coach wanting to put their mark on the program.

What hasn't made sense to me is Coen moving Lehigh toward a 3 yards and a clump of mud offense when the entire college game is moving toward spread offenses.


Lastly, the Yale comment was interesting-----the same QB who came in for an injured Borda and brought Lehigh from behind to beat Yale in OT. He posted a 5-1 record as a soph QB in an Air Lehigh offense somehow regressed over the next two years.

Coen was hailed as an offensive guru when he was hired-----I hope this is the year we turn things around.

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[> [> [> You overstate the complexity of the O -- Ex-Big Fat Slow Lineman, 17:18:58 08/01/08 Fri

Only one year under Coen but I keep in touch with players and the offense is not much different from what many other schools are playing. Plus we are playing other PL schools and Ivies so the standards are all about the same or in some cases higher. Also schools with much lower standards play the same way. It is football and it does not require a bunch of geniuses. It requires gys who work hard and want to win and a coaching staff that can show them how.
The first year under Coach Coen there was a lot of confusion. Substitutions were not always done right. The players like him. Play calling is always a matter of debate when a team loses but not when it wins.
A lot of us are not surprised by what Coach Lembo has done at Elon. He is very organized and makes the most of practice time and he is not afraid to shift guys to different positions if it helps the team that is one of the things he really knows well.

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[> [> [> [> Re: You overstate the complexity of the O -- Ex Big Fat Slow Lineman, 17:23:23 08/01/08 Fri

Mostly what you need a solid base and on top of that playmakers. Sedale was a playmaker for two years. He had a receiver who came out of basically nowhere to be a playmaker two years ago.
Somebody has to spark a team. The differences in teh Lafayette games of the last four years turned on playmakers. What a lot of people call a lucky catch at the end of the game three yeras ago was a great play made by a guy who was a playmaker.

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