2014 Huskies -What is the question that you are most curious about? | Page 2 | The Boneyard

2014 Huskies -What is the question that you are most curious about?

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We will need to run the ball effectively. Absolute must. That will take some of the pressure off a young OL and will be the only way to keep defenses honest. As much as this will be dependent on the OL, we will need a back, or group of them, to step up and run well. I am hopeful that Mariner turns out to be something. I am also hopeful that Cochran continues to show the poise he did last season. He, by far and away, was the best at making reads and decisions and played with great finesse.

On defense it will be all about the play at LB. I think we are solid on the DL and in the backfield. We need the LB group to make plays.

ST will be a big unknown with a new kicker and punter. We absolutely must show more in the return game.
 
SeoulHuskyFan said:
Will watching Husky football stop feeling like a bad trip to the dentist?
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Last year it seemed like the tailgate rush of drinking Bloody Mary's, Beers and cooking breakfast was the highlight of the game. Sorry to say I really didn't look forward to going in and seeing the same old, same old on the sidelines and field. I want to see amped up enthusiasm on the sidelines. Just to see some excitement will be a change. I remember seeing Tyler King #52 walking/stalking the sidelines of the GT game at Memorial. With his face painted with lamp black he was a raving maniac exhorting his team mates. We sat about 6 rows behind the fence/bench and I was sort of stunned at his tirade. This is what we need less some of the potty mouth. For the last 3 years there was none of this. PPGDL treated them as pros who needed no help in getting ready for a game. An atrocious fit of 2 individuals for a college coaching staff. Not sure how these guys are fitting in with their new respective pro teams but Hathaway brought them here for their name recognition. Both of them were too far removed from even their last run of the mill college experiences. That being said I'm looking for an enthusiastic group from the trainers on up. I see a decent season coming where we stay in our seats till the end and "want" to listen to the rehash of the game on the way home like I used to. I want to hear Joe D's drive of the game to be a relevant part of the game experience not just some lucky footage. Hell we have nowhere to go but up. I want to see them come out and punch them in the Fuc#ing mouth with their new found bench pressing strength. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!!!
 
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The season begins and ends on the offensive and defensive lines. Every other question is merely noise.
 
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My questions are:
  1. who will be the quarterback (guessing Cochran)?
  2. will the O-line be able to open some holes and protect the passer?
  3. what type of offense will we run? I am guessin git will be much more wide open than we've seen in the past and that will have an impact on #1.
  4. Pass rush?
  5. Return game? We were pretty weak last year. Who takes over this year on both punt and kick off returns.
 
I have a few questions.

1. Who is going to be a leader for this team? Is Cochran mature enough to handle it, given his age/relative inexperience? Especially with the loss of several veterans, we're going to need some people to step up and be vocal leaders.
2. Can the fans be patient in this rebuilding process? How long is it going to take, anyway? Our schedule isn't exactly terrifying this year -- if the players are well-conditioned and improve over the course of the year, will it improve attendance? Will the fans reward a move in the right direction?
3. Can Diaco work with what we have, knowing there's going to be some serious holes in O-line, running back, defensive line, etc.? Can he adjust and play to our strengths? What are our strengths? Secondary/LB's?
 
Irish Loop said:
I have a few questions.

1. Who is going to be a leader for this team? Is Cochran mature enough to handle it, given his age/relative inexperience? Especially with the loss of several veterans, we're going to need some people to step up and be vocal leaders.
2. Can the fans be patient in this rebuilding process? How long is it going to take, anyway? Our schedule isn't exactly terrifying this year -- if the players are well-conditioned and improve over the course of the year, will it improve attendance? Will the fans reward a move in the right direction?
3. Can Diaco work with what we have, knowing there's going to be some serious holes in O-line, running back, defensive line, etc.? Can he adjust and play to our strengths? What are our strengths? Secondary/LB's?
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Anything is better than the product that PPGDL put on the field aver the 1st 2.3 years. They coached to their strengths and we are still wondering what that was. Damn I wish I could have made that kind of money without hardly trying. PP even had a nice summer home in Charlestown, RI. Such a deal. If only life were that easy.
We can rest assured that HCBD and his staff will push them just a wee bit harder than the last full time staff. The team, the fans are going into the season with a new bright outlook on life. I'm EXCITED no matter what, the old debacle is gone. No Traces are left. The Elevators were turned into stairs and they/we are headed in the right direction. GO HUSKIES!!!!!!!!
 
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CL82 said:
I can't wait for the season to start. I have to admit that I'm more excited than I have been in years. There are so many unknowns.

1) Will HCBD get buy in from the team? There is a huge culture shift happening. How much the veterans buy in will go along way in determining how well we do this season.

2) How big an impact will the new off season conditioning regime have on game day? I'm looking forward to watching the team compete for all four quarters. This could be the Six Million Dollar Man season with players being "stronger, faster."

3) This is sort of 2) b. but how well will the OL do this season? This may be the biggest factor in how well we do this season.

4) Who wins the QB competition? I think it will be Cochran but I'm excited to see someone emerge.

5) What does our running game look like? Delorenzo is more of a between the tackles guy than McCombs was. Clax brings experience and it will good to Marriner on the field. Does Newsome play this year?

6) Does our defense return to dominance? We had a good run under FUCHCRE. BD is a defense guy. I look forward being able to stop people more consistently.

So what is the biggest question you have for the 2014 season?
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Answers compressed for time:

1. Yes
2. Substantial and noticable, but probably not to 2009 levels.
3. Better, still bottom half of the league.
4. Casey, next year will be the battle.
5. Committee, maybe 130 yds/game.
6. Decent against the run, iffy vs. Pass.

Biggest question: Will we perform well enough to build some good momentum for the program? Means beating one of the big 4 games (BYU, BSU, Cincy, UCF) and not losing to the weak 4 (Temple, Memphis, Tulane, USF, Army).
 
weyuo said:
My biggest question(what I'll be looking to see) is how will Husky Nation respond, both inside of the Rent and outside, if A: The Huskies perform beyond reasonable expectations in the first four games or B: if they struggle in the first four games(struggling enough so that it resembles last year's start). I want to see the fan reaction, local media's treatment of the team and especially the coaches body language which ever way the first 3rd of the season goes. You could tell things were going south just by looking at Coach P. In the face of adversity will Coach D try to rally the troops with pats on the back and sideline pep talks or will he be in peoples faces?
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UCONNRPh said:
My biggest question is. did attendance increase??????
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Are fans supposed to come back blindly in droves without a entertaining product on the field? I (and I assume others) go to football games for a number of different reasons, but at the end of the day, there has to be an indication that the game will be entertaining in order to keep the majority of patrons in their seats.
 
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SubbaBub said:
Answers compressed for time:

1. Yes
2. Substantial and noticable, but probably not to 2009 levels.
3. Better, still bottom half of the league.
4. Casey, next year will be the battle.
5. Committee, maybe 130 yds/game.
6. Decent against the run, iffy vs. Pass.

Biggest question: Will we perform well enough to build some good momentum for the program? Means beating one of the big 4 games (BYU, BSU, Cincy, UCF) and not losing to the weak 4 (Temple, Memphis, Tulane, USF, Army).
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I agree with you on #1. My sense is that those who didn't buy in have left the building.
2. There will be some noticeable improvement but nothing compared to next year.
3. O line will be better but it too is a year away. Maybe 2 years. We're back to the Mike foley approach getting athletes and building them into linemen. It is not a process that gives instant results but it does give solid results in time.
4. I agree that Cochran will be the quarterback. And if he is and if he stays healthy, he will be the quarterback for a few seasons. Personally I doubt there will be a battle if he has an effective season. the tendecy is always to go with the guy with better "measurables" but that doesn't usually work out and I think Diaco gets that.
5. Agree that we'll have running back by committee this year. But the guy who is most effective out of the backfield will have the best chance to get the most playing time.
6. We have a couple of very good dbacks, so I sort of disagree here. I'm a little worried about the line play on defense. I'm also a bit concerned with our linebacking crew. Ashariu is good. After that it is show me time.
 
One thing i'm not buying is the idea that the O-line may still have a DeLeone hangover that will take two full seasons to recover from. Foley has been their coach since last October and Balis will have them all in great condition. If the line fails this year it will be due to a talent and experience deficit IMO, it won't be a DeLeone virus, that excuse needs to be eliminated.

The running game already improved significantly last year when Foley took over. The pass protection was terrible but half of that was due to a true freshman QB who struggled to get the ball out.

We will have two new lineman this year but most teams have turnover in their line so we are no different than most teams.
 
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freescooter said:
I agree with you on #1. My sense is that those who didn't buy in have left the building.
2. There will be some noticeable improvement but nothing compared to next year.
3. O line will be better but it too is a year away. Maybe 2 years. We're back to the Mike foley approach getting athletes and building them into linemen. It is not a process that gives instant results but it does give solid results in time.
4. I agree that Cochran will be the quarterback. And if he is and if he stays healthy, he will be the quarterback for a few seasons. Personally I doubt there will be a battle if he has an effective season. the tendecy is always to go with the guy with better "measurables" but that doesn't usually work out and I think Diaco gets that.
5. Agree that we'll have running back by committee this year. But the guy who is most effective out of the backfield will have the best chance to get the most playing time.
6. We have a couple of very good dbacks, so I sort of disagree here. I'm a little worried about the line play on defense. I'm also a bit concerned with our linebacking crew. Ashariu is good. After that it is show me time.
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Don't discount Graham Stewart. I heard that the coaches are very high on him!
 
Husky25 said:
Are fans supposed to come back blindly in droves without a entertaining product on the field? I (and I assume others) go to football games for a number of different reasons, but at the end of the day, there has to be an indication that the game will be entertaining in order to keep the majority of patrons in their seats.
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was this supposed to quote me? I didn't see how they matched up
 
I also feel we can get solid play from the O-line with the existing talent and Coach Foley, as well as Coach Balis and a new OC. We should benefit from a more accurate and organized approach for our Offense. Year One of the old regime just seemed dysfunctional from the get go even though it had some big moments like the home Cuse and Rutgers games. The questions for me are can our RB's become a scoring threat again, who will give us a pass rush consistently and can we get more production out of the return game? I want to see UConn running backs running for chunks again...sorry. But it sure would help.
 
UCFBfan said:
was this supposed to quote me? I didn't see how they matched up
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No. I meant to quote Weyou. I fixed my post and agree with yours.
 
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coachcap said:
I want to see consistent team effort in all phases.
Also want to see an animated coaching staff on the sidelines, not one that looks like it's auditioning as posing subjects for Mount Rushmore.
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You mean "Mount Rush Less" right?


They own that slot. Charter members.
 
Husky25 said:
No. I meant to quote Weyou. I fixed my post and agree with yours.
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You need to go back and re-read what I typed. I am curious to see what happens with fans and media once everyone sees how the first 3rd of the season goes. I believe I made that clear in my post but will gladly re-explain it to the folks that just seem to see what they want to see in my posts. If that sounds snide or cynical I apologize but getting sick of peeps misinterpreting my posts.
 
weyuo said:
You need to go back and re-read what I typed. I am curious to see what happens with fans and media once everyone sees how the first 3rd of the season goes. I believe I made that clear in my post but will gladly re-explain it to the folks that just seem to see what they want to see in my posts. If that sounds snide or cynical I apologize but getting sick of peeps misinterpreting my posts.
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I didn't misinterpret anything. The former regime did a lot of damage to the heart and psyche of the UConn fan base. Three games is hardly a large sample size coming off 13-23. It's not only the fans' responsibility to "support" this program. Some responsibility lies with the product on the field. Regardless, nothing will be proven after three or four games.

As an overweight guy who has yo-yo'ed for the better part of his adult life, take it from me ( or don't. I don't care.). It took 3 years for the former regime to make this program fat and bloated. It's going to take more than 3 weeks to lose all that weight with regard to fan perception, no matter how much energy the exercise regimen expends.
 
Husky25 said:
I didn't misinterpret anything. The former regime did a lot of damage to the heart and psyche of the UConn fan base. Three games is hardly a large sample size coming off 13-23. It's not only the fans' responsibility to "support" this program. Some responsibility lies with the product on the field. Regardless, nothing will be proven after three or four games.

As an overweight guy who has yo-yo'ed for the better part of his adult life, take it from me ( or don't. I don't care.). It took 3 years for the former regime to make this program fat and bloated. It's going to take more than 3 weeks to lose all that weight with regard to fan perception, no matter how much energy the exercise regimen expends.
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BYU and Boise will see decent crowds. The people who follow the program closely will give Diaco time. The casual fans will not. If we get off to a 1-3 start the Rent will be a ghost town for the rest of the year. Anyone who is not expecting that is living a fantasy.
 
Jimmy Serrano said:
BYU and Boise will see decent crowds. The people who follow the program closely will give Diaco time. The casual fans will not. If we get off to a 1-3 start the Rent will be a ghost town for the rest of the year. Anyone who is not expecting that is living a fantasy.
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There are a lot of questions with this years team given the inexperience in the trenches, new coaching staff, and lack of depth. Even still, I think 3-2 going into the first bye and 4-2 going into the second are not out of the question. UConn's first six opponents are BYU, SBU, Boise St., Temple, USF, and Tulane. UConn never won three in a row under Former "Coach" Pasqualoni. Coach Diaco has a chance to do it by Columbus Day.
 
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Husky25 said:
There are a lot of questions with this years team given the inexperience in the trenches, new coaching staff, and lack of depth. Even still, I think 3-2 going into the first bye and 4-2 going into the second are not out of the question. UConn's first six opponents are BYU, SBU, Boise St., Temple, USF, and Tulane. UConn never won three in a row under Former "Coach" Pasqualoni. Coach Diaco has a chance to do it by Columbus Day.
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That's the thing with this year. A 4-2 start is on the table, but so is 1-5. I'm not sure which one is more likely either. If we are 4-2 after Tulane I will be happier than a pig in sheet.
 
Just repeating what others have written, but as fan who makes it to at least 3 games a year, I have watched UConn dominate teams off the ball with the offensive line and a solid run game. The past couple of years have been hard to watch. I will be interested to see the improvement this year.
 
Let's not imagine and project what may happen if some other thing happens.

The OP nailed it. I am very excited to see what we have, what Diaco does different with respect to schemes and game time play calling, what the players look like physically, stamina improvements, which players step up, who wins the QB job etc. An insider in the program suggested to me that Newsome would RS. It would still surprise me.
 
Jimmy Serrano said:
That's the thing with this year. A 4-2 start is on the table, but so is 1-5. I'm not sure which one is more likely either. If we are 4-2 after Tulane I will be happier than a pig in sheet.
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And so will the fans, the coaches and.... the local media will having something positive to talk about regarding UConn football. My original point, and I'll try to explain it in simpler terms for you slow folks, was that I'd be curious to see after 4 games A: if they are doing good or B: If they are a carbon copy of last years start, what the fan reaction, local media treatment and coaches body language on the sidelines will be.

A: If things are going well(4-0 3-1) will we see 30K+ for the Temple game at the Rent? Will the local media start buzzing? What will UConn's sideline look like? People bouncing around juiced to get into the game? Coaches rushing around making sure their charges are ready?
B: If they go into the Temple game 1-3 or 2-2 with a couple embarrassing losses will the stadium be half full at kick off? Will the local media be questioning Diaco's strategy or will they be forced to publicly excuse his start as either first time head coach learning experience or still cleaning up the last regimes mess? What will the coaches body language be on the sidelines? Will Diaco and co be in peoples faces or will, in the face of adversity, Diaco be the teacher/consoler on the sidelines?
 
weyuo said:
And so will the fans, the coaches and.... the local media will having something positive to talk about regarding UConn football. My original point, and I'll try to explain it in simpler terms for you slow folks, was that I'd be curious to see after 4 games A: if they are doing good or B: If they are a carbon copy of last years start, what the fan reaction, local media treatment and coaches body language on the sidelines will be.

A: If things are going well(4-0 3-1) will we see 30K+ for the Temple game at the Rent? Will the local media start buzzing? What will UConn's sideline look like? People bouncing around juiced to get into the game? Coaches rushing around making sure their charges are ready?
B: If they go into the Temple game 1-3 or 2-2 with a couple embarrassing losses will the stadium be half full at kick off? Will the local media be questioning Diaco's strategy or will they be forced to publicly excuse his start as either first time head coach learning experience or still cleaning up the last regimes mess? What will the coaches body language be on the sidelines? Will Diaco and co be in peoples faces or will, in the face of adversity, Diaco be the teacher/consoler on the sidelines?
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We get your point. We just think it's stupid.
 
weyuo said:
And so will the fans, the coaches and.... the local media will having something positive to talk about regarding UConn football. My original point, and I'll try to explain it in simpler terms for you slow folks, was that I'd be curious to see after 4 games A: if they are doing good or B: If they are a carbon copy of last years start, what the fan reaction, local media treatment and coaches body language on the sidelines will be.

A: If things are going well(4-0 3-1) will we see 30K+ for the Temple game at the Rent? Will the local media start buzzing? What will UConn's sideline look like? People bouncing around juiced to get into the game? Coaches rushing around making sure their charges are ready?
B: If they go into the Temple game 1-3 or 2-2 with a couple embarrassing losses will the stadium be half full at kick off? Will the local media be questioning Diaco's strategy or will they be forced to publicly excuse his start as either first time head coach learning experience or still cleaning up the last regimes mess? What will the coaches body language be on the sidelines? Will Diaco and co be in peoples faces or will, in the face of adversity, Diaco be the teacher/consoler on the sidelines?
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Your point sucks. Quit shilling for Pasqualoni and DeLeone. Just give it up.
 
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