2015 vs 2014

[uconndogs]

To me, the big question is direction and projection of the program under Diaco's leadership. Yesterday was frustrating, but I don't see it as indicative of a lack of progress or that the program can't and won't continue to improve under Diaco.

That we continue to struggle on offense is blatantly obvious. If you look at the team stats I believe you will find that we had marginally more points and yards in 2015 versus 2014. The turnover margin is much improved and that, probably more than anything else, is why this team hung around in every game and managed to get to a bowl.

To my eye, the OL improved, but has a long way to go. In 2014 there were huge stretches when our QB and RBs had absolutely no chance to get plays off. Yesterday, I thought the pass protection was pretty good, but Sherrifs either couldn't make the reads or the receivers couldn't get separation. Not sure which.

I will say that this team was ill equipped to lose Crozier and McQuinlan prior to the start of the season. There was just not the depth. When Myers went down that was about all she wrote at TE. This is pure speculation, but I think Ron Johnson is nursing an injury and that is why he saw such spotty action. I think the offense will continue to improve. A running QB and read option are our future. I think we need a big back to compliment Newsome.

I have concerns about the defense. The secondary will be talented, but Adams is a loss. I see a lack of speed at LB and edge rushers and that Steward and Vann were not supplanted suggests to me that play makers are not readily appearant to this staff. I think Diaco like bend don't break, but I don't think he feels he has much choice. We do not have speed rushers at LB of anywhere off the edge. In many ways, I think the defensive schemes this season were masterful given the talent level.

A successful season in terms of program development. Improvement in 2016 will be dependent largely on continued development the OL and Sherrifs. We need to hope that their is some real talent with the young guys that we did not see this season, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

A good season. This staff did much of what had to be done.

 

[FDNY99]

To me, the big question is direction and projection of the program under Diaco's leadership. Yesterday was frustrating, but I don't see it as indicative of a lack of progress or that the program can't and won't continue to improve under Diaco.

That we continue to struggle on offense is blatantly obvious. If you look at the team stats I believe you will find that we had marginally more points and yards in 2015 versus 2014. The turnover margin is much improved and that, probably more than anything else, is why this team hung around in every game and managed to get to a bowl.

To my eye, the OL improved, but has a long way to go. In 2014 there were huge stretches when our QB and RBs had absolutely no chance to get plays off. Yesterday, I thought the pass protection was pretty good, but Sherrifs either couldn't make the reads or the receivers couldn't get separation. Not sure which.

I will say that this team was ill equipped to lose Crozier and McQuinlan prior to the start of the season. There was just not the depth. When Myers went down that was about all she wrote at TE. This is pure speculation, but I think Ron Johnson is nursing an injury and that is why he saw such spotty action. I think the offense will continue to improve. A running QB and read option are our future. I think we need a big back to compliment Newsome.

I have concerns about the defense. The secondary will be talented, but Adams is a loss. I see a lack of speed at LB and edge rushers and that Steward and Vann were not supplanted suggests to me that play makers are not readily appearant to this staff. I think Diaco like bend don't break, but I don't think he feels he has much choice. We do not have speed rushers at LB of anywhere off the edge. In many ways, I think the defensive schemes this season were masterful given the talent level.

A successful season in terms of program development. Improvement in 2016 will be dependent largely on continued development the OL and Sherrifs. We need to hope that their is some real talent with the young guys that we did not see this season, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

A good season. This staff did much of what had to be done.

O-Line has to make some SERIOUS improvement moving forward and is the key to this team's success next year. They get their together and 8-9 wins is possible As for LB..I think Leavenberry is gonna be a stud for us, and Joseph will be much improved. Biggest losses on this team will be Adams and Campenni. Obi will need to take another HUGE step forward like he did from last year to this year.

 

[SubbaBub]

This year's improvement was easy compared to what it will take to win a conference championship. It's easy to go from 2-3 to 5-6 wins, getting from 6 to 8 is harder and from 8 to 10 harder still.

 

[06029]

To me, the big question is direction and projection of the program under Diaco's leadership. Yesterday was frustrating, but I don't see it as indicative of a lack of progress or that the program can't and won't continue to improve under Diaco.

That we continue to struggle on offense is blatantly obvious. If you look at the team stats I believe you will find that we had marginally more points and yards in 2015 versus 2014. The turnover margin is much improved and that, probably more than anything else, is why this team hung around in every game and managed to get to a bowl.

To my eye, the OL improved, but has a long way to go. In 2014 there were huge stretches when our QB and RBs had absolutely no chance to get plays off. Yesterday, I thought the pass protection was pretty good, but Sherrifs either couldn't make the reads or the receivers couldn't get separation. Not sure which.

I will say that this team was ill equipped to lose Crozier and McQuinlan prior to the start of the season. There was just not the depth. When Myers went down that was about all she wrote at TE. This is pure speculation, but I think Ron Johnson is nursing an injury and that is why he saw such spotty action. I think the offense will continue to improve. A running QB and read option are our future. I think we need a big back to compliment Newsome.

I have concerns about the defense. The secondary will be talented, but Adams is a loss. I see a lack of speed at LB and edge rushers and that Steward and Vann were not supplanted suggests to me that play makers are not readily appearant to this staff. I think Diaco like bend don't break, but I don't think he feels he has much choice. We do not have speed rushers at LB of anywhere off the edge. In many ways, I think the defensive schemes this season were masterful given the talent level.

A successful season in terms of program development. Improvement in 2016 will be dependent largely on continued development the OL and Sherrifs. We need to hope that their is some real talent with the young guys that we did not see this season, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

A good season. This staff did much of what had to be done.

Results were an over achievement and puts the team ahead of schedule in my mind. Win over a ranked team was also ahead of schedule.

The ECU and UCF wins are a reason to think the O could be a lot better next year.

The D and the huge turn around take/give aways were the biggest and best improvement on the year. No longer had to worry about the first series fumble or pick 6 this season.

But there are other things that are on the concern side of the ledger -
Too many one sided losses. Navy, Cinci, Temple - Uconn was not even close to being competitive with those teams. Those are the teams you need to beat to win conference championships.

Too many ugly wins - Nova, Army, Tulane - one or two breaks the other way, those are bad losses
Too many games where there were no in-game adjustments on both sides of the ball.

Play calling - predictable except when the most strange of all calls were made (ie - fake FG when 3 points actually mattered). Lack of clock management.

Lack of depth - Newsone and Sherieffs are the offense. And they are going to be keyed on very intensely next year and if either gets hurt, it will be a long season. OL also has a concerning lack of depth.

 

[uconndogs]

8-9 wins next season is a tough order. Schedule is rough and we have EC, Houston, Navy, USF and BC on the road. We do get 7 at home though.

 

[FDNY99]

8-9 wins next season is a tough order. Schedule is rough and we have EC, Houston, Navy, USF and BC on the road. We do get 7 at home though.

It's safe to say that this year's OOC schedule was considered to be tougher than next years's. It's the in-conference schedule that is a step up...

 

[uconndogs]

It's safe to say that this year's OOC schedule was considered to be tougher than next years's. It's the in-conference schedule that is a step up...

Certainly can make that argument. But, 3-1 versus Maine, Virginia, Cuse and BC would be exceptional football for this program right now. BC with that defense will be tough for us.

 

[FDNY99]

Certainly can make that argument. But, 3-1 versus Maine, Virginia, Cuse and BC would be exceptional football for this program right now. BC with that defense will be tough for us.

yes most definitely...just keep an eye on who Addazio replaces Brown with and remember what happened here when he left.

 

[noeynox]

The season overall to me was a HUGE step in the right direction. Next year, I want to see control over the procedural stuff i.e. not burning timeouts and that he can adjust a game plan early. When teams like Temple and Marshall roll that safety down to put 8 in the box knowing you're going to run, can he counter and make teams pay? This was beyond our capability this year, given our progress track, I cant wait to see what year 3 brings. Similar improvement could lead to the same win total to about 8 wins.

Think about our division next year. Temple loses a ton, but does return their QB. They will take a step back. ECU and UCF will have 1st year head coaches. UCF went 0-12, so I don't expect Frost will have them anywhere near competing for the division year one. The two favorites in the division should be USF and Cincinnati. We get Cincy at home. We could be in the mix for the division given what we have returning vs what is going on at other programs.

 

[SubbaBub]

The season overall to me was a HUGE step in the right direction. Next year, I want to see control over the procedural stuff i.e. not burning timeouts and that he can adjust a game plan early. When teams like Temple and Marshall roll that safety down to put 8 in the box knowing you're going to run, can he counter and make teams pay? This was beyond our capability this year, given our progress track, I cant wait to see what year 3 brings. Similar improvement could lead to the same win total to about 8 wins.

Think about our division next year. Temple loses a ton, but does return their QB. They will take a step back. ECU and UCF will have 1st year head coaches. UCF went 0-12, so I don't expect Frost will have them anywhere near competing for the division year one. The two favorites in the division should be USF and Cincinnati. We get Cincy at home. We could be in the mix for the division given what we have returning vs what is going on at other programs.

Compared to a passed out drunk, a staggering drunk is also a huge improvement. They stood up for themselves and demanded a competent game from the opponent to beat them. Much improved and not much of an accomplishment if they don't take the next step.

 

[noeynox]

Compared to a passed out drunk, a staggering drunk is also a huge improvement. They stood up for themselves and demanded a competent game from the opponent to beat them. Much improved and not much of an accomplishment if they don't take the next step.

What were your realistic expectations for this team this year? This team lost to a winless team at home to close out 2014. It lost to a bad Army team. We beat Houston, and played Navy tough this year, two very good teams. We were in almost every game down to the end. We can criticize some of what we see from Diaco and still understand progress has been made.

 

[SubbaBub]

What were your realistic expectations for this team this year? This team lost to a winless team at home to close out 2014. It lost to a bad Army team. We beat Houston, and played Navy tough this year, two very good teams. We were in almost every game down to the end. We can criticize some of what we see from Diaco and still understand progress has been made.

We met my realistic expectations almost exactly. Beat the dregs, one wtf loss, one wft win. Barely make a bowl and show some life in the program that it wasn't a chore to watch.

The only real difference is I thought UCF and Missou would be better, Temple and Navy would have been worse, and that we might need to win one of the last two to make a bowl.

All those who were predicting and or accepting a 3-4 win season had their sights set too low.

Next year is the real barometer on Diaco's rebuild effort. Another bowl game is a must, record doesn't really matter as I don't think they can compete for a title. Maybe a spot in the championship if everything goes right.

Getting 6 wins this season was huge but 6,7,8 wins isn't as important as the eye test next season. Need to show we can run a consistent offense and fill in the talent gaps. I think the D will be better.

I'd like to be in it for a division title until the last week. To me that would be a successful campaign looking to make a conference title run in 2017.

 

[BugsyCT]

They did achieve what most of us though was their realistic ceiling this year (4-5 wins), and maybe a little beyond with the 6th win and a bowl game. That was the bonus. They went from awful in 2014 to competent in 2015.

We all expect better next season, and with a young team maturing, they should be better. Like many have said, there are definite deficiencies across the board that need improving, including coaching.

Getting from bad to mediocre is one thing - getting from so-so to good is more difficult and will be the next step for this team.

After 2 years, the jury is still out on Diaco IMO. He took last year's mess and got us looking like a football team again, and brought a little spark back to the program and for the fans. His in-game decisions are still questionable though. (Hopefully next year they get the clock management/time out issue sorted out.) That being said, it looks like he has the program headed in the right direction, so I'm still on board with Crazy Bob.

Getting to any bowl game this year was big, make no mistake. The losing culture of the previous regime was washed away. Now time to look forward and kick some arse in 2016.

 

[Palatine]

It was a marked improvement over 2-10 which was aided by Diaco refusing to game plan and sitting his best players to give time to young players. The question is not whether Diaco can tank the team and improve from there.

There is plenty enough talent on this squad to be .500 in this league. The question is whether Diaco can create a team that is greater than the sum of its parts? Can he get get the most out of his squad? Can he develop players to their full potential? Can he win games that -on paper- he is expected to lose? Can he put players in a position to get the most out of their talent? Can he gameplan to stress an opposing defense, or surprise an opposing offense?

These are the questions that are important to me. These are the qualities I want to see in a coach.