As I detailed in an article in today’s Journal News, Lewis Edney is settling in as the new quarterback at New Rochelle. Nope, Jonny McGhee hasn’t come back to the team and, according to the coaches and players, it doesn’t seem like he’s going to.
I’ve said it before and I stand by it: Jonny McGhee would have been the best returning player in Section 1 this season. He started as a sophomore two years ago and had his team three minutes from the state championship game, only to guide them within a 26-yard field goal from the Dome last year. You know what happened from there.
The reason McGhee is no longer considered a part of the team centers around him not showing up to offseason workouts and arranged meetings in the spring and summer. As the starting quarterback, he was expected to be there. On most occasions, he was a no-show without warning. New Rochelle tried to convince him the importance of being with the team. Eventually, the Class AA champs had to move on.
That’s where Edney comes in. I spoke with the senior for a while last week. He seems ready to take over from a confidence standpoint. He just needs a little more time to develop physically and get a firmer grasp of the playbook. The next month, especially Champions Camp, will allow him to do that.
Until then, though, you have ask yourself one question: What if McGhee comes back? There are several other scenarios and issues involving McGhee, which I’ll detail below and give my thoughts. I’d love to hear yours in this very unique situation:
What if, on Aug. 21, he shows up?
It’s not out of the realm of possibility. August 21 is the first official day of fall practice. By rule, any workout a team has in the offseason up to that point is deemed voluntary. He technically didn’t HAVE to show up to those. August 21, by state rule, is the first day.
However, and many might disagree here, it’s well within the right of the coaches and players to award positions based on attendance. Maybe Edney would have earned the starting job even if McGhee was there. Who knows? But McGhee hurt his team by not showing up this spring and summer. Edney was there to help. So Edney being named the starting quarterback is totally valid.
But if McGhee shows up, passes the physical and New Rochelle has a no-cut policy for football, he HAS to be a member of the team. Case closed.
Do you allow him to take reps?
Before I even let him back on my practice field and put a helmet on, the first 20 minutes of practice will be a closed door meeting. It’s the coaches, the captains and McGhee. Nobody leaves the room until they’re satisfied with what McGhee says, whether he issues an explanation or an apology. Unless McGhee gets the blessing from them, you cannot move forward.
Then, he must speak to the team. Again, explanation, apology, whatever. You can’t have a distraction like this on your team, especially not when you’re aiming for your fourth straight sectional title. Then, he can step on the field.
If you have a two-time all-section quarterback who has lost one regular season game in two years on your team, do you necessarily have to play them?
Nope. Absolutely not. It might be uncomfortable, and you might have an unstoppable scout team, but if New Rochelle wants to play the kids who committed to the offseason workouts and reward them, I respect it.
McGhee has earned his spot back on the team, not just from a talent standpoint. This is more about trust. When you put on a uniform, every one of your teammates expects you to commit and work your hardest, whether you’re the starting quarterback or the fifth-string kicker. It’s the same with the kids who miss games in the spring with the prom. As a teammate, you expect the people around you to do what’s best for the team. New Rochelle expected that from McGhee. And if he’s going to be a member of the ‘09 squad, they’ll expect it again. He’ll have to prove to them he’s committed.
Because, imagine this: What if McGhee proves how good of a player he still is and they put him at quarterback. Who’s to say that before the playoffs he might not lose his ambition to play and stop showing up again? Then what? You might think that’s extreme. But I can imagine nobody thought in the spring he would mysteriously stop showing up. So why can’t it happen again?
Can you turn McGhee away from the team?
I’m not in education. I don’t work in schools. And my contact with kids is limited to being around practices and games.
But, as an educator, how can you turn your back on a kid regardless of the situation?
I don’t think you can. It’s your job to help these kids. They’re 16, 17 and 18. They’re not adults. The adults in this situation have to recognize there was a problem here and do whatever it takes to help the student athlete. Tony DeMatteo once said at a clinic that you can never turn your back on a kid, no matter what. I couldn’t agree more.
Let’s not lose focus on what’s important here. It’s not about winning football games. Sports is a privilege, not a right. McGhee is in no way entitled to play football for New Rochelle this season. But if this can help steer away from trouble — whether he’s getting into trouble or not — it is worth some of the adults swallowing their pride and, once again, reaching out to help him.
If McGhee does come back, how do you use him?
If I were coach Lou DiRienzo — and I’m not, nor will I pretend to ever be — I think you allow McGhee back on the team with three stipulations:
1. He addresses the team and accepts comments and questions from those who have them, players or coaches.
2. He re-proves his commitment to football. The slack he might have received as a veteran, star player the last two years is totally lost. If he misses a single practice, or even shows up a minute late, he gets treated like a rookie and they withhold his reps at practice and his playing time.
3. No way can you allow him to play quarterback. It’s not fair to Edney, who busted his rear end all spring and summer. If McGhee played any other position in any sport, you could ease him back in. But not quarterback. No way. If you let McGhee play QB, you will lose the team.
Do you hold losing the last two Monroe-Woodbury games against him?
McGhee has been beaten up on this blog for what happened in the final minutes of those two games. Those two games, when put together, is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
Some feel that losing those two games has something to do with this. I can’t imagine it does. Honestly, in the 2007 game where he fumbled was not his fault. I question whether New Rochelle should have even been attempting to throw the ball on 2nd-and-long at its own 35 leading with with just over three minutes left. They put a lot of trust in McGhee in that spot, maybe more than any sophomore should ever have. McGhee, though, was so good that season that you forgot how old he was.
As for last year, I could not believe that any kid would call his own fake in a spot like that. But do I totally blame him? First, the snap, he felt, was a little high and the kick could have been blocked. Secondly, he pulled the snap twice before on extra-points in big spots — highlighted by his two-point conversion run in triple OT to beat John Jay — and it worked. Third, and it’s hard to write this, but I don’t think McGhee had any faith whatsoever that the kick would have been made. He felt he had the better chance of winning the game so he took it.
Now, he’s not a coach and that’s not his decision to make. If I were running New Rochelle and he was coming to every offseason workout, I’d probably suspend him for the first game of this season for defying the decision of a coach. But that’s a separate issue.
To me, McGhee lost those two games not because he choked in a big spot. He made two mistakes playing as hard as he could. You can’t ask more a kid than for him than to play his hardest. And, no matter how good of a coach you are — and right now Lou DiRienzo is the best — you’re always at the mercy of your kids in a game.
When it comes down to it, will he back back?
So many of you have speculated, quoting Facebook posts and rumors from friends. Personally, I don’t think this is over. In fact, I think today’s article might have only fueled the push some are trying to make to convince him to return.
Whether he goes into the office today, tomorrow or some time before August 21, he will be, even if for a day, again a member of the New Rochelle football team.
Again, I’m anxious to hear your thoughts and whether you agree or disagree with my perspective. I’ve thought about this issue for a long time, and pretty much avoided the discussion until we got closer to the season.
Champions Camp begins a week from today. The clock is ticking.
192 Comments
ok 10960 I respect your post and I appreciate your sense of humor. So lets bury the hatchet and move on. Last year’s Nyack players, did any of them go on to play in college? I know “boot” went up to Cortland. What about Anthony and Dominic..anything?
What a coward! So to recap, you create enemies with your blogs and now you want to cry about it? Waaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!
I agree, back to football
Sounds good, Back to football
What do you guys think about the rumor… true rumor that Ramapo is the fastest team in doubla AA??
I believe they had 2 recent 7 on 7’s. One of’em just yesterday. I know the other day they were supposed to have one at North Rockland. They have 2 all section track stars as well.
I believe Mike Abelard is the section champion in the 200 meter sprint. He’ll be returning.
10960- any info on what go deep wrote about last years players? here is an article on that QB from Burnt Hills. Thought it might interest you.
http://stanhudy.blogspot.com/2009/03/burnt-hills-qb-paul-layton-to-kick-at.html
10960 Be careful at the gas station !Lots of flammable stuff around !
Where the hell is the “Crazy Dragon” when you really need him? He’ll need this debate once and for all.
football Giant,
I honestly don’t know where Dom or Ant Davis is going. I’ll see if I can find out.
Q: How did I know “not kieth fagan” was Bill Tribou?
A: Because he’s the only dumbass who can’t spell in Chappaqua.
You’re a sad old man. Retire already. It’s too bad Cas is actually close with this guy. Bring’s Cas’ credibility down.
10960 If you catch fire around Rhiengold.He can put you out with his fist.
NKF is no longer.It has been fun.
To Not Kieth Fagan,
Do you think Brewster can beat Somers, Poughkeepsie, Greeley, or the mighty Rye. Supposdly there talking mad smack about these teams. How would you rate Brewster as a team this year.
NKF do not go!
Since football is a couple weeks away, I think it is time to address a non football item now.
I think when Kevin gets back from his vacation he will need to address the possible breach of this blog. Again, assuming so jacka$$ knew who “Not Keith fagan” was, all of us need to know how. It needs to be addressed here in an open forum. Again my take it is one of three scenario’s
1. Kevin Devaney told someone
2. Keith Fagan is close to Devaney and has pass codes to this blog (NKF did say some bad things about him)
3. One of the bloggers here works for the journal news.
I personally do not have a problem with us all exposing our names, but that is not the case. You are supposed to be able to blog in anonymity. Now when someone does like certain blogs, their name will be exposed? Based on whose call?
Kevin I think this needs to be addressed. Anyone else?
Maybe coaches shouldn’t be yellow-bellied snakes and post on a blog and they won’t get their stuff blown up.
The amount of courage that this guy has adds up to the fact that he was probably a cook in the military. He certainly didn’t see any real time because he’s a phony.
The closest battle he’s ever seen is listening to the marketing agents of Rogaine and Just For Men.
Just a Fact, whoever said “You are supposed to be able to blog in anonymity.” When you personally attack someone you should be man enough to say who you are. I have never posted under my real name, but then again, I never personally attack anyone. Once you personally attack anyone, you lose your “right” to anonymity. This wouldn’t be a problem if people used some common sense and just posted about the issue, not the people. My take is this. Kevin will never have people post under their real names. If you’ve been a long time blog follower like me, you’ll remember when this blog switched formats, people thought they had to put their real names on their posts, and posts slowed to a crawl. So, it’s bad for business. But, here’s what should happen. Kevin should do a much better job of policing this blog. Anyone who posts personal attacks should be banned, period. Stick to the issues. I for one could care less what not kieth fagan thinks about 10960, or why he chose that idiotic screen name. I want to hear about high school football and basketball, and what teams people think are better, what players are the best, etc. Why do we attack fellow posters? it’s insane. Especially when most if not all of the “attackers” would NEVER say the stuff they say on here to the other people’s faces. Who cares how someone found out Coach Tribou was posting, I for one am glad, maybe he, and others, will be too afraid to make personal attacks in the future and all that crap will stop. I for one think he should be very embarrassed and ashamed, what about you? And, if I were a Greeley parent, I would have serious thoughts about that man coaching my kids, and he would certainly have to explain his actions to me and others. Just a fact, are you a parent? Would you like a person who would personally attack others on a blog around your children? Have you attacked anyone on here? Do you like reading that crap? Anonymity makes cowards of us all. And, if your so brave sir, what’s your real name?
Im not one to say if that is coach Tribou, however, I do know that he has posted in the past( it might have been on Syracuse.com) under his real name. Knowing the man he is and the way he presents himself, I highly doubt that he would not use his real name. Devaney knows many of the posters names by their email address. All he would have to do to find out my name is look at my email name.
More importantly, is that great QB from Cornwall back (Arduino)? Because Kevin said that Rye will lose to Otown and then make the Dome. No way they beating Cornwall. \That kid is tremendous and Cuse better be going all out for he and Scalo.
Arduino graduated
Riley.. 10960 is right, Arduino graduated, he is going to prep school(Trinity). 10960 from what I hear neither of them are going to school at all. So I was hoping that was incorrect!
rileygirl,
what’s your email? i’ll prove it’s him.
rileygirl….crazy right? but trust me, it was him. scary. very scary. and even if you didn’t believe me, the fact that he didn’t deny it speaks volumes. what i’d love to know is what did the real keith fagan and 10960 do to piss him off, but knowing that character, prolly nothing, the guy is three cents short of a nickel brain. too much agent orange hanging out at the supply depot no doubt. and what the hell is Just a Fact doing jumping in on this guys side, that guy’s gotta be an idiot to do that! But like i said, lemme kno yur email (or anyone else who isn’t a believer) and i can prove it.
Right to Anonymity,
I hope you are not Keith Fagan, because that would be just real sad for you.
The current rule is you have a right to anonymity and I do not care what is written on here, you should not be exposed, because someone did not like the post. If you can’t take the heat get out of the kitchen. Period!
With that said, the blogs should not be used to attack someone. So yes Kevin needs to better police these blogs (though I do not know where he would get the time.
But back to the REAL ISSUE which it seems you tried to avoid. How did this breach happen. All bloggers on here have a right to know.
Plus I will sign up tomorrow to have all of our names out there. Right behind you of course.
Tribou Out of his mind
“The amount of courage that this guy has adds up to the fact that he was probably a cook in the military. He certainly didn’t see any real time because he’s a phony.”
You make this statement and yet I do not see your name anywhere. Your attack on Tribou lacks courage and to me you are the obvious phony.
I take back what I said above. “Right to Anonmytiy” is obviously 10960. 10960 stop using multiple screen names please.
Just a fact,
Your obsessed with me.
I had nothing to do with the above post.
whatever happened to getting back to football??
I come on here to check the blog out and there it is, another post on 10960.
Can I breath??
Just a Fact, this is “Right to Annonymity??”. My Name is Stephen Brown, and I live in Shrub Oak, NY. My son played high school football several years ago, and I have followed section 1 football ever since. You are a little twisted accusing multiple people on here of my post. I have posted under many names like I said; Class A Fan, hsfootball fan, section 1 fan, etc. I post under different names depending on the topic of my post. Hence, the Right to Annonymity post. I’ve gone back and carefully read the last several days of your posts, and I see now why you objected to my post so much. You are an “attacker” yourself! It’s probably why you didn’t see that I DID answer your question in my post, you were so geared up to attack who you thought was making the post you didn’t even bother to read the damn thing! I COULD CARE LESS how someone found out Coach Tribou was posting malicious comments, only that he was exposed for what he was. Whichever one of your scenarios is correct I could care less, as long as the poeple who attack others on here are exposed. For all those loyal high school football and basketball fans out there that are sick and tired of at least having to start reading the endless, sensless, juville, cowardly personal attack posts I say GOOD! Now, will you remain true to your word ”...I will sign up tomorrow to have all of our names out there. Right behind you of course.” Now that I have “outed” myself, or are you going to run behind your monitor and hide? Better yet, how about this. How about you just cease and desist all “attack” posts, and just stick to the issues. Here’s a question for you. Why do you think that Sal Sulla is the key to putting North Rockland over the top of New Rochelle. Wouldn’t it be the offensive line that would be the key?
3 weeks fellas!
Stephen Brown, I must admit you do have a pair of ba$$$. You do deserve credit for that, at the least.
So that means your son went to Lakeland. Curious, what year?
As to your post we will have to agree to disagree.
I do not care what the post, if there is a breach on this blog then we all need to know how. Period!
I do not even know Tribou so I have looked at this objectively. One question, have you? Do you have a history with Tribou? After reading your posts, it certainly sounded like it. So that is why I thought it was 10960, but I WAS WRONG!!!!!
10960 SORRY!
You or I, do not get to choose who is allowed on this blog or what the terms are going to be. The decision is Kevin’s. His blog. It was his choice to allow us all to blog in anonymity. If this is going to change KEVIN should be the one to decide not some jerk off on a witch hunt.
If Kevin deems someone is out of line, kick him off the blog. That simple. It is easy to block e-mails and IP addresses. It is not rocket science.
You can read all my posts. I usually blog about football only. Once in a while when someone is out of line attacking a kid, I usually call them out on it. Other than that maybe a rebuttal to someone that disagrees with me.
Back to football. This is based on history, but North Rockland always seems to have a strong line. The years they have great running backs, they do very well. I had a previous post that I felt Ramapo never has a good line. I base this on what I have seen for 20+ years, but I will take it one step further. In 2006 when Ramapo had the QB, Obi and Malvert, if those three were on North Rockland, would New Ro ever have a shot against them? My belief is no! This year some have stated Sulla is a beast. I have not seen him play. If he is the real deal my contention is New Ro will be the only team with a chance to stop them. But let the season begin so I can be poroven wrong! 10960 is counting on it.
Well The QB Ike Illegbu which was Obi Ezemmas Cousin from Ramapo actually caused Ramapos downfall. He had alot of hype but he fumbled 4 times at the snap alone against Clarkstown South which put an end to the Ramapo unbeaten record that year. That was a loss that came back to haunt them because they missed the playoffs.
Ramapo runs a wing T. They need fast gaurds and big tackles. Ramapo doesn’t need the type of O’line that over powers. With that being said, It’s amazing how Ramapo has had a fair share of prominant fullbacks over the last decade.
With North Rockland, a dominant fullback helps but the O’line makes or breaks the season. “EVERYONE” on the O’line needs to have good size and strength when running a Power I. North Rockland Must win the battle at the line of scrimmage to succeed. If they get jammed up then Sulla is forced to run lateral which is bad for an offense geared to be run north.
Veer type offenses like the Wing T are made for teams with not so dominant linemen. I feel that Ramapos ex-coach Vitolo didn’t utilize his wing backs in the past. If your running an offense designed to attack by way of mis-direction and speed then you should use your fast players more often then not.
Ramapo has the right personel for their offensive needs. When coach Dan Zotter took over, the Wing T was used in the way it was designed to be used. The fast pulling gaurds, the decent Tackles and the speedy wing backs.
When it comes down to it…... If your school traditinally runs Wing-T then your school traditionally doesn’t have the greatest line. Always keep in mind “why” an offense like the wing T was ever invented.
In college and NFL football, the personel must cater to the offense but in High school the Offense must cater to the personel.
Speaking of the Line.
What team do you think has had the best line in the last 10 years??
I’m going with North Rockland 2001
Followed by Harrison 2006
Then Spring Valley 2004
Of recent, you would have to mention New Ro line of 2003. I am sure North Rock line back when they had Derric Lassic and Cameron Williams would have to be mentioned as a possible top 10.
10960,.
Just for clarity on your post above about the wing-t, the full back in the wing-t is usually your best back. The full back in a wing -t would usually be the tail back in the power I or I. So all those good rb’s from Ramapo would be sitting 8 yards away from the ball with a lead blocker and a good o-line. Obi and Malvert would have had a field day on the competition if they went to North Rock.
Also the wing-t was designed for undersized lineman. I for one think you can still have a very good line even if you are under sized at the guard and center positions. I agree, you do need some big tackles though. New Ro 2003 o-line, ran the wing-t and should be considered top 10 of all time.
10960,.
Just for clarity on your post above about the wing-t, the full back in the wing-t is usually your best back. The full back in a wing -t would usually be the tail back in the power I or I. So all those good rb’s from Ramapo would be sitting 8 yards away from the ball with a lead blocker and a good o-line if they went to North Rockland. In 2006 Obi and Malvert would have had a field day on the competition if they went to North Rock.
Also the wing-t was designed for undersized lineman. I for one think you can still have a very good line even if you are under sized at the guard and center positions. I agree, you do need some big tackles though. New Ro 2003 o-line, ran the wing-t and should be considered top 10 of all time.
just a fact you just repeated ecerything 10960 said and second place should go to rye 06 for kicking harrison butt that year hoo Ra!!!!
Mr Brown, I remember your son like yesterday. He was the qb and Okeefe was the great young TB, I have tapes from my and your sons senior year when the local news would do highlights and features on the local teams . Myself and your son were on a number of them. Your son was a great athlete. Big and fast. I remember hearing that he tore his hamstring off the bone and that put a hamper on college. I dont know about the give and take of all these posts but the name Steve Brown brings me back to the fall of ‘91
10960- Does 99 Harrison Line count? They were big athletic and awesome. The tackle, cant remember his name, went and played at Wisconson….Repeat – the game was only 19 – 18 and Rye of course got all the breaks. I just watch the game. I couldnt believe how many momentum breakers Dino Garr gets! Dino must give all the refs reach arounds before the game! Isnt Dino Garr the President of the Referee Association
92 Husky,
I dont know much about 99’ Harrison. I especially don’t know about their line.
What I do know is that Harrison had a dominant reign those years. I know that they won 2 out of 3 state championships in a span of 5 years. They dominated from 98’ till 02’.
Can you tell us about the linemen they had those years…..about the program as a whole?? why were they so successful and what happened to the program recently??
For heaven’s sake !
I go on vacation for a few days and what do I find ?
A gang assault on 10960. What for people ?
Personally I find 10960 very humorous and very knowledgeable but that isn’t why I am writing this comment.
Guys this isn’t a popularity contest. This is a blog about High school football. And with football as with most everything, not everyone is going to agree. So instead of trash talking about someone just because your viewpoints are different can’t you just agree to disagree, or be adults and have a mature debate. I see now that the childish posts have died down so this is just for future reference I suppose.
And to answer your question 10960 I would have to say that New Ro’s line of 2003 was one of the best.
Andre Douglas has just signed with the Cowboys . How about that NewRo team? Whats Mcdermott doing now?
Yes Andre Douglas was a superstar.
He was part of the 2003 team
MCDermott is getting ready to play basketball overseas, trying for Spain or Ialy.
tribou,
it was snafu then the situation was fubar. When the boss arived it was clearly gonna be a bohica moment. GREELEY