George Dixon

I was talking about design misfire. Which yes, I believe Crown's program this year is, it's less so now after many revisions the past few weeks.

snip of Cavaliers 91 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CjDOCW9QVk

wow you guys are defensive... I just hope (and frankly think) they'll go in a different direction next year - this year got away from them a little bit isn't the first time this has happened - a lot of the same folks had this issue in Cadets 91 and Cadets 2006, again with incredible membership talent both of those years... Just like Crown this year Crown looked great last night - they are my dark horse for second and I really think can/very well likely will take Cadets out

go watch it again... And yes, I loved the show overall. But flag changes, sock flags, huge pink flags & flag debris all over the field got a little tad crazy -- but all that said the SHOW was great musically & drill wise and they executed very well

Cavaliers had silks galore that year and left them all over the field. Frankly thought it was beneath the quality of the music program and hurt their GE in the end. Crowd favorite though

there's a lot of ways to challenge them...

no. Star was leading all year and no one challenged them. It wasn't even close. Cavaliers tried, but their 3000 flags got in the way

the thing is we've heard very similar runs for a few years now from Crown - someone posted a practice link to Crown the other day and it sounded GREAT but the run literally sounded like it was taken from the For the Common Good show note for note I think Crown fans are getting a little too defensive here - they are great, but maybe it is starting to come across a little redundant and picking music with runs in it for runs sake. Runs are great! But... my favorite part of their show is still the ballad lol

I only mentioned 90 because even up to the week prior all the top six were beating each other and scoring very close together - went into finals week not knowing who would win or even the top 3 - no clear leader emerged until the Sunday prior, and that event (Meadowlands) was a believed unscored due to rain - so the whole thing was a mystery

how about I start following you around the site picking apart your posts for a single word? frankly it does REEK of the Star drill, but as we know Crown has always emulated Star and Cadets (where much of their staff are from) so this is nothing new, nor is it necessarily a bad thing so buzz off

looks very possible indeed... not sure if Troopers will take out Madison but I do agree that Crossmen will take them out. I also give Crown the best shot at breaking into the medals group and Coats the best odds at being pushed out.

No - star 90 - when they went though all the different stars and crosses really quick at the end of their program http://youtu.be/YYVaHmgrLr8?t=19s

I agree.

I was just stating a fact that it really reminds me of the Star 90 ending when they did all the crosses... it's not a BAD thing, just an observation

1990's top six was very strong - but this year's is much stronger

I certainly don't care what color the judges are - let's face it the whole drum corps activity is pretty white I do very much agree that they are TOO OLD and been around TOO LONG - some fresh blood would really help So I agree a younger group with fresh eyes and a more current perspective with more varied background would benefit overall... it does seem like they are mixing in some new judges this year, hopefully that trend will continue

Cadets better get busy or next weekend they'll be in third and the weekend after in fourth or fifth Trends don't lie, and right now the trends in the recaps aren't looking positive I certainly hope they have a lot more planned than some feel good finish with big presidential panels and the corps laying down in the middle of the field... Because IMO that won't keep them ahead of Crown, or Coats as they both clean up - and certainly won't close the gap with BD

Boy a lot of second guessing the judging panel and results! This was a very deep, experienced panel Doesn't mean you have to "like" the outcome - but personally I think the recaps look pretty reasonable A couple of notes: Clearly BD is the front runner this year - I'm not sure anyone will challenge them. The judges see the same thing I'm seeing, VERY strong and balanced corps performing the heck out of a strong and well-designed, effective program Cadets: seems some polish is off the apple as the recaps are much more mixed. A week ago they were a pretty consistent #2 in everything, now we see more 3s & 4s mixing in. Cadets are clean and technically sound, but as the corps behind them have improved execution their show is starting to come off more "stale" in comparison. Time for Cadet land to get busy and ramp this show's GE up and put a better ending in place. If they fail to do so - they could easily drop as low as fifth by finals. If they make the perfect changes it's possible they could close in some on BD and give them a challenge Coats: a true contender for second, an outsider contender for Gold. They'll need to clean clean clean this next week to cut that gap down to a more reasonable 1 point with BD at Allentown and then have a GREAT finals week. If I was on Coats staff Crown would be making me vary nervous, as would SCV. Crown seems to have more momentum and GE potential to move into the medals ranks. Crown: a very talented corps with a dirty show. But changes in place have improved the clarity of the program and its effectiveness. The Brass caption is theirs - they've got to clean their feet and that guard. If they do - watch out. Bit downer here remains percussion. After starting the season in great shape they've been posting fifth and sixth place finishes. Looks like it remains their achilles heal - perhaps cleaning the feet will help. Guard MUST get sparkling clean, and they could contend for a medal or even second place. SCV: a very dangerous corps but frankly the judging community is placing them lower than I'd expect. Drums are unreal and they've got a great shot at the Sanford. With the right cleaning they could medal - and the 3 corps in front of them should keep close watch on SCV as they clean that marching - particularly direction changes and the transitions. Guard doesn't seem to connect as well this year as last, and the "story" is a bit fuzzy - so some changes in that regard could help their GE Some real interesting stuff in the middle ranks (Boston could take out Regiment if they can clean enough), around 12th place (which seems like Crossmen's to lose, but it could be Madison's to lose eventually) and also of course the 13th-17th place corps which are very strong this year and quite competitive. Getting into semi-finals will be a real challenge and a very good corps or two will be left watching on Friday night! Overall a great year in DCI with several competitive shows, and a ton of variety in the top 12 ranks - perhaps the most varied programs I can recall Looking forward to A-town! George.

Giada's big potato head and massive teeth scare the crap out of me!

well fork em over

they just loaded them on Crossmen's wagons...

they were on fire, best run of the year for them & yes, the changes are very positive

94 BD is one of my all time favorites also. You sir are a god.

A great night of drum corps!! BD is incredible. I'm a little surprised SCV isn't scoring closer to Coats...

it was A JOKE