Rhode Island moving to the NEC?

[GannonFan]

MJ says Maine's fine.

[danefan]

MJ says Maine's fine.

[89Hen]

The new CAA.. if URI leaves..?

North:
Maine
UNH
UMass
Villanova
Delaware
???

So we'd be with the high school stadium crowd.

[mainejeff]

What if Maine goes with them?

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnf ... id=4322072" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After all the rumors floating around about Maine's situation, it does make some sense.

You wish.......this guy is talking out his ass.

[danefan]

What if Maine goes with them?

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnf ... id=4322072" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After all the rumors floating around about Maine's situation, it does make some sense.

You wish.......this guy is talking out his ass.

I personally don't really care about Maine and of course he's talking out of his ass, but you have to admit that its not really a far fetched idea.

I don't want my team in the NEC either Jeff.

[mainejeff]

MJ says Maine's fine.

Albany is not joining the CAA.......sorry.




Everyone seems to keep playing the pecking order game........let me guess........after Maine, UNH is next!.......and then UMass.....and then Villanova......and then........cripes, before you know it the entire East Coast will no longer have college football. Seems to be what everyone is hoping for...........

[mainejeff]

You wish.......this guy is talking out his ass.

I personally don't really care about Maine and of course he's talking out of his ass, but you have to admit that its not really a far fetched idea.

I don't want my team in the NEC either Jeff.

Too bad......that's where you are staying.

[danefan]

Albany is not joining the CAA.......sorry.




Everyone seems to keep playing the pecking order game........let me guess........after Maine, UNH is next!.......and then UMass.....and then Villanova......and then........cripes, before you know it the entire East Coast will no longer have college football. Seems to be what everyone is hoping for...........

If you've read any of my posts on this move, you'll know that I agree with you on Albany. Right now there is really no reason for the CAA to take anyone. In fact, if anything, the CAA has more motivation to force teams like Maine out then it does to add more teams like Maine.

And if you don't see the difference between Maine and teams like UMass and Villanova then you're clearly not looking objectively at the situation.

[GannonFan]

Albany is not joining the CAA.......sorry.




Everyone seems to keep playing the pecking order game........let me guess........after Maine, UNH is next!.......and then UMass.....and then Villanova......and then........cripes, before you know it the entire East Coast will no longer have college football. Seems to be what everyone is hoping for...........

If you've read any of my posts on this move, you'll know that I agree with you on Albany. Right now there is really no reason for the CAA to take anyone. In fact, if anything, the CAA has more motivation to force teams like Maine out then it does to add more teams like Maine.

And if you don't see the difference between Maine and teams like UMass and Villanova then you're clearly not looking objectively at the situation.

I agree that the CAA doesn't need to add anyone (we have 8 conference games and no problems getting 3 OOC games so scheduling is easy) but why is there any motivation at all for the CAA to jettison Maine? Maine's no drag on the CAA as it currently stands, either off or on the field.

[mainejeff]

Albany is not joining the CAA.......sorry.




Everyone seems to keep playing the pecking order game........let me guess........after Maine, UNH is next!.......and then UMass.....and then Villanova......and then........cripes, before you know it the entire East Coast will no longer have college football. Seems to be what everyone is hoping for...........

If you've read any of my posts on this move, you'll know that I agree with you on Albany. Right now there is really no reason for the CAA to take anyone. In fact, if anything, the CAA has more motivation to force teams like Maine out then it does to add more teams like Maine.

And if you don't see the difference between Maine and teams like UMass and Villanova then you're clearly not looking objectively at the situation.

You've been thumping your anti-Maine, rumor mongering crap all day on Any Given Saturday and on here as well. You can hope, wish, pray all that you want........but Maine is not following URI to the NEC and not dropping football and not being "forced" out of the CAA.

Enjoy another autumn in the NEC and deal with it.

[mainejeff]

If you've read any of my posts on this move, you'll know that I agree with you on Albany. Right now there is really no reason for the CAA to take anyone. In fact, if anything, the CAA has more motivation to force teams like Maine out then it does to add more teams like Maine.

And if you don't see the difference between Maine and teams like UMass and Villanova then you're clearly not looking objectively at the situation.

I agree that the CAA doesn't need to add anyone (we have 8 conference games and no problems getting 3 OOC games so scheduling is easy) but why is there any motivation at all for the CAA to jettison Maine? Maine's no drag on the CAA as it currently stands, either off or on the field.

Because danefan has an agenda.......that's why.

[danefan]

If you've read any of my posts on this move, you'll know that I agree with you on Albany. Right now there is really no reason for the CAA to take anyone. In fact, if anything, the CAA has more motivation to force teams like Maine out then it does to add more teams like Maine.

And if you don't see the difference between Maine and teams like UMass and Villanova then you're clearly not looking objectively at the situation.

I agree that the CAA doesn't need to add anyone (we have 8 conference games and no problems getting 3 OOC games so scheduling is easy) but why is there any motivation at all for the CAA to jettison Maine? Maine's no drag on the CAA as it currently stands, either off or on the field.

The CAA is moving decidely South. Maine's program doesn't fit with teams like JMU, ODU and Delaware with stadiums and fanbases like they have? UNH could be said to fall in the same spot, but UNH has had so much success on the field that its hard to see the CAA making any definitive moves to jettison them.

I'm not saying the CAA will do anything to kick out Maine, but if you step back and look at the conference, where does Maine fit?

[danefan]

I agree that the CAA doesn't need to add anyone (we have 8 conference games and no problems getting 3 OOC games so scheduling is easy) but why is there any motivation at all for the CAA to jettison Maine? Maine's no drag on the CAA as it currently stands, either off or on the field.

Because danefan has an agenda.......that's why.

Strikes a nerve with you doesn't it Jeff? Maybe because you know that some of it is possible or maybe even probable?

I don't have any agenda. I don't care. I'll be happy for Maine if they're able to stay in the CAA. I love when Albany beats CAA teams.

How in the world does Maine leaving or getting booted out of the CAA help Albany at all? It doesn't and therefore I have absolutely zero reason to wish for anything.

I'm just pointing out facts. I'm sorry that it gets you so upset.

[mainejeff]

I agree that the CAA doesn't need to add anyone (we have 8 conference games and no problems getting 3 OOC games so scheduling is easy) but why is there any motivation at all for the CAA to jettison Maine? Maine's no drag on the CAA as it currently stands, either off or on the field.

The CAA is moving decidely South. Maine's program doesn't fit with teams like JMU, ODU and Delaware with stadiums and fanbases like they have? UNH could be said to fall in the same spot, but UNH has had so much success on the field that its hard to see the CAA making any definitive moves to jettison them.

I'm not saying the CAA will do anything to kick out Maine, but if you step back and look at the conference, where does Maine fit?

It fits perfectly is as a football affiliate......certainly more than Georgia State. Your personal bias borders on delusion......almost feel sorry for you.

[mainejeff]

I'm just pointing out facts.

"Facts"????......

I've heard that Albany football is on the chopping block with Ford coming up on retirement and the State of New York slashing budgets across the SUNY system. Without a new facility and more scholarships.......Albany football is squarely on life support. How do you like those "facts"?

[danefan]

The CAA is moving decidely South. Maine's program doesn't fit with teams like JMU, ODU and Delaware with stadiums and fanbases like they have? UNH could be said to fall in the same spot, but UNH has had so much success on the field that its hard to see the CAA making any definitive moves to jettison them.

I'm not saying the CAA will do anything to kick out Maine, but if you step back and look at the conference, where does Maine fit?

It fits perfectly is as a football affiliate......certainly more than Georgia State. Your personal bias borders on delusion......almost feel sorry for you.

Georgia State isn't a football affiliate. Its an all-sport CAA member. I wouldn't see Maine any different than Georgia State if they were an all-sport CAA member.

And please, you keep mentioning this personal bias, but you haven't yet described what this bias is. Don't you see that its probably helps Albany for Maine to stay in the CAA? The only shot in hell for Albany to get to the CAA is for the Northern teams to push for them (very highly unlikely, but still possible). Without Maine in the CAA, not only does Albany lose a CAA team it has a realistic chance to beat, but it also loses a potential America East ally.

[danefan]

I'm just pointing out facts.

"Facts"????......

I've heard that Albany football is on the chopping block with Ford coming up on retirement and the State of New York slashing budgets across the SUNY system. Without a new facility and more scholarships.......Albany football is squarely on life support. How do you like those "facts"?

Read my post again Jeff, I never said Maine was on the chopping block. All I said was that there were rumors floating around that Maine was looking at its program.

Read Jeff! Read!

Is it not a fact that there were rumors about Maine?

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15109&start=0&hilit=maine" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Seems to me like its a fact that were/are rumors about Maine's program.

[mainejeff]

here's your post from yesterday on http://bigpurplefans.ipbhost.com/index. ... topic=6516" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;:

"The writing has been on the wall for a while now. It would be a perfect opportunity for us to move up. An easy trade - URI for Albany.....but I really just don't see our Administration moving in that direction." - danefan



Nah.....no agenda.

[mainejeff]

"Facts"????......

I've heard that Albany football is on the chopping block with Ford coming up on retirement and the State of New York slashing budgets across the SUNY system. Without a new facility and more scholarships.......Albany football is squarely on life support. How do you like those "facts"?

Read my post again Jeff, I never said Maine was on the chopping block. All I said was that there were rumors floating around that Maine was looking at its program.

Read Jeff! Read!

Is it not a fact that there were rumors about Maine?

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15109&start=0&hilit=maine" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Seems to me like its a fact that were/are rumors about Maine's program.

Fine.....continue your rumor mongering......and I'll continue watching Maine play CAA Football.

I'll also be following the State of New York and their budget cuts......as well as Albany's precarious position in the FCS.

[danefan]

here's your post from yesterday on http://bigpurplefans.ipbhost.com/index. ... topic=6516" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;:

"The writing has been on the wall for a while now. It would be a perfect opportunity for us to move up. An easy trade - URI for Albany.....but I really just don't see our Administration moving in that direction." - danefan



Nah.....no agenda.

Uhh....what?

Where's the agenda that deals with Maine?

Let me post everything I've written on other sites about this to make it easier:

Looks like its really going to happen for 2013

http://www.projo.com/uri/content/sp_col ... eb069.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Now, does the CAA even replace them? I doubt it, but if they do, you'd think UMass, UNH and Maine would push for a northern team, of which there are really only 3 viable options:

1. Stony Brook

2. Fordham

3. Albany

IExactly right - will the CAA outside of UNH, UMass and Maine care about adding another Northern team? Do UNH, UMass and Maine carry enough power?

Each of the three teams do add something, but I don't think its really enough to get the CAA Southern teams on board.

SBU - great facility, lofty aspirations

Fordham - academic, name recognition, NYC market (no matter how small the % of NYC that cares about FCS football, its still NYC).

Albany - most on-field success in recent years, coaching legend in Bob Ford, easy travel for UMass (90 miles) and UNH (~200 miles).

I doubt that is enough though, which is why I really don't think the CAA will add anyone.

he CAA is not adding any full-sport members. And no PL all-sport team taking its football team and leaving the PL to play only football somewhere else.

Thus, the only PL football affiliate that makes any sense is Fordham.

So once again, the only Northern football schools that make any sense for the CAA are Stony Brook, Albany and Fordham.

I agree.

I don't think a new league happens.

There have been rumors coming out of Orono for months now about Maine looking at dropping their program.

This seems to me like a great excuse for Maine to move to the NEC along with URI.

I don't think UNH and UMass are going anywhere though. They'll stay in the CAA even if they're the only 2 Northern teams.

I don't think you are being paranoid, because lets be honest here - FCS football is certainly not driving the ship at any school in the Northeast. The point is, while the Athletic Department may like being in the CAA with only UMass, who knows how the University Admins will see it if there is an apparent option elsewhere that costs less.

I don't think anyone ever thought a team would even consider taking the step from the CAA to the NEC until NE and Hofstra dropped their programs. All of a sudden, a step down into the NEC doesn't look like a horrendous compromise when the Academics and University Budget folks come knocking.

Please show me where I'm (1) rumor mongering or (2) pushing an anti-Maine agenda.

[mainejeff]

[danefan]

You obviously do.

[mainejeff]

You obviously do.

Sure.....yeah.....whatever.

Have fun spreading the rumors!

[COBBLESTONE]

a lot of us have thrown the idea around, but this is the first article I have seen. I still think it would be a good move for the NEC and URI.

A man of logical reasoning.


This says it all:

Extended lack of success in the Colonial, a better geographic fit, and less resources required to compete seem to be the prime reasons the Rams are studying a CAA departure. Plus, the NEC gets an automatic bid to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs starting this season.

[COBBLESTONE]

It's logical for URI to do this - heck, most people thought they would be the one to drop football after Northeastern did (no one really saw Hofstra coming along next). Small fanbase, no history of winning, and just no real prospect to be successful going forward. Dropping schollies and playing in a more realistic conference like the NEC is the right step, although URI won't come close to dominating that league either so they should be prepared for that outcome.
I don't see how this affects the other Northern schools - they all are very committed to football, they all have very strong ties with the CAA, and there's nowhere else to go. UMass doesn't have an FBS avenue, so they're staying. If UMass stays put then so will UNH, and if UNH stays put so will Maine. I wonder if Albany ever gets their stadium built will they be a candidate for the CAA, as a football member only. Potentially.

No playoffs since 1985 either.

I'm not so sure I agree with the second point which I have underlined. We may not dominate the conference but I think there will be more balance thus giving us a better chance for (finally) some winning seasons. At least in the NEC we'll have a better chance of winning a conference championship. No way would that ever happen for us in the CAA.