2023 Fall Camp | Page 7 | The Boneyard

2023 Fall Camp

You're missing the implicit future tense, as in they would like to hear the 2 deep on the OL.

TY.

Helluva way to save seven characters.

"I would".........

Heck even a

"Would".......

Would make it clear.
 
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Assisted access <<

-> One hundred percent," Rosa said when asked if he was a better player now than the one who played against Marshall in the Myrtle Beach Bowl in December. "How? Because of the work I put in during the offseason, getting better every day whether it's in the run game or pass game. I'm bigger, faster, and stronger. I gained seven or eight pounds and didn't lose any speed. I can't wait.

"I got my feet wet last year and got to go out there and do my thing. I have games under my belt now and I'm more prepared." <-

-> Rosa will be part of the running back by committee plan that will include returning juniors Devontae Houston and Brian Brewton and graduate student Jalen Mitchell.

"Devontae, Brew, Victor, and now with Jalen in the mix, we feel good about all those guys," Mora said. "They're all a little different and that poses a problem for our opponents. They don't have the same style.

"And Victor is unique in that he's an angular runner and he runs with high knees and his elbows are out and he's tough to bring down. We love that about him. And he plays on special teams and catches the ball out of the backfield. I love where we're at in the running back position." <-
 
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Alternate access link <<

-> “We’re not gonna wear a guy down. I think with guys like Devontae or Brewton, they put pressure on the defense. The defense better be right because those guys can find a gap. They can get through it and if they get through it, they’re hard to catch. You put Victor and Jalen in there to pound them a little bit, to beat them down a little bit… So having a healthy running game with improving our passing game, we should be a more effective offense.”

Mora also said the team is using Michigan tight end transfer Louis Hansen in a role reminiscent to that of the powerful runner Robert Burns, who is now competing for a spot with the Chicago Bears. Mitchell, though he’s 20 pounds lighter than Burns was, could also help in that role in addition to sophomore Hunter Clark, Mora said.<-

All great, but I really want to start hearing about Cam Ross. If he is the #1 he was before Covid and the injuries, we’ll be fine at WR.

-> Wide receiver Cam Ross was expected to be the Huskies’ top receiver in each of the last two seasons before he broke his right foot to end the 2021 campaign and broke the left during last year’s camp. UConn’s staff is being “very conservative” with how Ross is used ahead of this year, especially in camp, with hopes of finally getting him back to 100%.

“I have so much respect for Cam. To go through what he’s gone through the last few years – I mean, a lot of guys would’ve given it up and he hasn’t, he’s only worked harder, he’s doubled down on everything that he’s done,” Mora said. “We’ve got to get him to the starting line. That’s for our football team but maybe more importantly for Cam. So if he’s not feeling right we’re backing him off – today I noticed him limping and we backed him off. We’ve got to get him to the starting line, he deserves that and this team deserves that. <-
 


Assisted access <<

-> Friends, teammates, Ruelas and McFadden are locked in fierce competition for one spot that can’t really be shared. For a team that figures to win its games without large margins for error, success or failure, bowl-bid or home for the holidays in 2023, could rest on Joe’s toe. Or Noe’s. “Joe’s a heck of a competitor and so is Noe,” coach Jim Mora said. “I think Joe is at 100 percent, and he looks really strong, and Noe’s not going to give in.”<-

-> “Off the field, we’re friends and we joke around and stuff,” Ruelas said. “On the field, we both respect each other. We both know we’re both pretty good and we could both be ‘the guy’ and we’re both pretty good. So there’s a friendly competition out there, but there’s only one No.1. We’re both very competitive. … We could be in the conversation for some of the best special teams rooms in the nation.”

A football team at any level is fortunate to have one kicker in which it can put its faith with a game on the line. At UConn, Ruelas and McFadden represent – would you believe it? – a luxury. Mora, looking for touchbacks and near-unerring accuracy inside 50 yards, estimated McFadden is slightly ahead at the moment – but what coach wouldn’t love having two trustworthy kickers going toe-to-toe? “You want guys on your football team that push each other to get better, but do it in a productive way,” Mora said. “Those guys are emblematic of that. It’s not often that you’d spend this much time talking about the kicking competition, but it’s a heck of a problem to have. It’s a great problem to have.” <-
 
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Assisted access <<

-> Friends, teammates, Ruelas and McFadden are locked in fierce competition for one spot that can’t really be shared. For a team that figures to win its games without large margins for error, success or failure, bowl-bid or home for the holidays in 2023, could rest on Joe’s toe. Or Noe’s. “Joe’s a heck of a competitor and so is Noe,” coach Jim Mora said. “I think Joe is at 100 percent, and he looks really strong, and Noe’s not going to give in.”<-

-> “Off the field, we’re friends and we joke around and stuff,” Ruelas said. “On the field, we both respect each other. We both know we’re both pretty good and we could both be ‘the guy’ and we’re both pretty good. So there’s a friendly competition out there, but there’s only one No.1. We’re both very competitive. … We could be in the conversation for some of the best special teams rooms in the nation.”

A football team at any level is fortunate to have one kicker in which it can put its faith with a game on the line. At UConn, Ruelas and McFadden represent – would you believe it? – a luxury. Mora, looking for touchbacks and near-unerring accuracy inside 50 yards, estimated McFadden is slightly ahead at the moment – but what coach wouldn’t love having two trustworthy kickers going toe-to-toe? “You want guys on your football team that push each other to get better, but do it in a productive way,” Mora said. “Those guys are emblematic of that. It’s not often that you’d spend this much time talking about the kicking competition, but it’s a heck of a problem to have. It’s a great problem to have.” <-

Back up kicker is a great gig.

A back up QB is expected to perform.

Back up kicker only comes in if the starter goes down, and if he does well, he's the hero. Shanks a game winning FG? Well, there's a reason he's the back up.
 


End around <<

-> "Last year was really nothing," Houston said. "Preparing my body this year is my goal. I'm lifting in order to take those hits and still be out here playing all the games. The more I play, the more I feel my confidence will go up. Last year was nothing compared to what I can do.

"I can show you all that I'm better in my pass blocking. I can be an every down back. I can get those tough runs. I can lower my shoulder and go and get that yard we need. That part of my game, you guys haven't really seen. Another year in this offense, I'll get to where I need to be as a player. I feel like I'm really coming along. I trust the coaches to get me where I need to be." <-

-> "I would say Devontae has improved in his pass protection," Mora said. "That is something you overlook a little bit, but backs are asked to protect in addition to catching the ball and running the ball. I've seen him stand in there and take some linebackers on and give the quarterback just enough time to get the ball off. For a 170-pounder when you have 230 pounds coming at you, that is not always fun. He stays in there, anchors down and gives us just enough for the quarterback to get the ball off.

"We want to be able to run the football," Mora added. "When you can run the football effectively, it opens up so many things for you offensively. With guys like Devontae or Brew they put pressure on the defense. The defense better be right, because those guys can find a gap and get through it. When they get through it they're hard to catch. You put Victor and Jalen (Mitchell) in there to pound them a little bit and beat them down a little bit." <-
 
Joe M. can punt as well. Given the issues we had at that position last year, maybe he punts?
 
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End around <<

-> "Last year was really nothing," Houston said. "Preparing my body this year is my goal. I'm lifting in order to take those hits and still be out here playing all the games. The more I play, the more I feel my confidence will go up. Last year was nothing compared to what I can do.

"I can show you all that I'm better in my pass blocking. I can be an every down back. I can get those tough runs. I can lower my shoulder and go and get that yard we need. That part of my game, you guys haven't really seen. Another year in this offense, I'll get to where I need to be as a player. I feel like I'm really coming along. I trust the coaches to get me where I need to be." <-

-> "I would say Devontae has improved in his pass protection," Mora said. "That is something you overlook a little bit, but backs are asked to protect in addition to catching the ball and running the ball. I've seen him stand in there and take some linebackers on and give the quarterback just enough time to get the ball off. For a 170-pounder when you have 230 pounds coming at you, that is not always fun. He stays in there, anchors down and gives us just enough for the quarterback to get the ball off.

"We want to be able to run the football," Mora added. "When you can run the football effectively, it opens up so many things for you offensively. With guys like Devontae or Brew they put pressure on the defense. The defense better be right, because those guys can find a gap and get through it. When they get through it they're hard to catch. You put Victor and Jalen (Mitchell) in there to pound them a little bit and beat them down a little bit." <-

Once Houston gets in the open field, it's a wrap... Touchdown... Not big, 'Bama strong ( he's from Alabama... We need to cultivate that area more again... we had a couple of good ones come out of those parts that played for us in the past - Lawrence Wilson, Jorry Johnson come to mind )
 
Back up kicker is a great gig.

A back up QB is expected to perform.

Back up kicker only comes in if the starter goes down, and if he does well, he's the hero. Shanks a game winning FG? Well, there's a reason he's the back up.
They're both good. I could see McFadden doing longer kicks and kickoffs and Ruelas handling all kicks from like 42 yds and in. Good college kickers are hard to find. We have two, which is pretty insane.
 
RB room getting a lot of recent ink:



Assistance <<

-> "I think Brew has really good quickness," UConn second-year coach Jim Mora said. "I think Devontae is one of the fastest players on our football team, but Brew can run. He is hard to tackle in space because he is shifty, and he will pass protect as well.

"With both of those guys — given that they are not the biggest guys in stature — it is critical to have that depth. Because you can't ask the 170, 175-pounders just to run up in there all day long. It is going to take a toll on them. Having Jalen and Victor along with Devontae and Brew really helps us." <-
 
Back up kicker is a great gig.

A back up QB is expected to perform.

Back up kicker only comes in if the starter goes down, and if he does well, he's the hero. Shanks a game winning FG? Well, there's a reason he's the back up.
I'm not an expert on this at all, but i seriously think we have 2 starter-level kickers on our roster. seriously wondering why one of them, presumably mcfadden, didn't just transfer out. they need to get their tape together to pitch to NFL.
 
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