Can Foley reverse the damage done? | Page 2 | The Boneyard

Can Foley reverse the damage done?

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Point of reference perhaps; Calhoun went 9-19 in 1987. We will need patience.
 
Carl Spackler said:
But Foley didn't leave did he? That should tell you something too.

Look, the change has been made. You don't go backward, you go forward. Foley very well will be put back with the OL - we'll find out later today......BUT.

These players don't need friends in coach's now, and zone blocking, is the kind of blocking that was used at Cincinatti by our sitting offensive coordinator, and I've seen a offense that can do things, as long as get ready......everybody executes. This system is better for us moving forward, than what Edsall installed. That's my opinion, and it's up for debate.

I also think that changing your entire installs for the offensive and for that matter defensive playbooks at this point in the season, after 2 years, is dumber than retaining Pasqualoni and Deleone would have been. Unless you are willing to scrap the entire season, which according to Manuel's press statement, was the complete opposite purpose - this change was done to salvage - THIS season.

They need a coaching staff that's going to install a disciplined approach to football, and do it in way that the players can embrace and have fun with. There is nothing fun about George Deleone. He's an embarrassment to everyone with a UCONN diploma.
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1 - I don't know what makes you think I want changes in entire installs of the offensive and defensive playbooks but I absolutely do not want that nor do I foresee it happening. The blocking schemes will be simplified but beyond that there should not be much changed. It would be impossible to implement a whole new scheme at this point and any attempt would leave the line appearing even more inept than what we've seen. Foley can coach (regardless of what the anonymous may claim) and he is willing to teach (which in itself makes him a damned sight better than the man who as coaching the offensive line).

2 - Foley was not a friend to any of the players he coached. He was loved because he was able to teach them how to be better football players, primarily because he was willing to actually teach them.
 
huskymedic said:
It will be noticeable as soon as Friend gets down in a stance.
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I'm not sure if this is a claim that Kevin friend returning will make Foley appear better than he really is.

Yes, adding a senior who has been a multiple season starter obviously will help but look at Kevin Friend when he was coached by Foley and compare that to his play when he was being coached by GDL. You should also add to the equation that offensive linemen normally improve substantially when they gain experience. Kevin was a far batter lineman as an underclassman than what we,ve seen since GDL took over (injury aside).
 
huskymedic said:
It will be noticeable as soon as Friend gets down in a stance.
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FfldCntyFan said:
I'm not sure if this is a claim that Kevin friend returning will make Foley appear better than he really is.

Yes, adding a senior who has been a multiple season starter obviously will help but look at Kevin Friend when he was coached by Foley and compare that to his play when he was being coached by GDL. You should also add to the equation that offensive linemen normally improve substantially when they gain experience. Kevin was a far batter lineman as an underclassman than what we,ve seen since GDL took over (injury aside).
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Don't read that much into it - my comment was a response to SportArts's comment: "There will be improvement as the year goes on. How much remains to be seen. But, IMHO, it will be noticeable before too long.".

They missed Friend the first 4 games...
 
FfldCntyFan said:
I'm not sure if this is a claim that Kevin friend returning will make Foley appear better than he really is.

Yes, adding a senior who has been a multiple season starter obviously will help but look at Kevin Friend when he was coached by Foley and compare that to his play when he was being coached by GDL. You should also add to the equation that offensive linemen normally improve substantially when they gain experience. Kevin was a far batter lineman as an underclassman than what we,ve seen since GDL took over (injury aside).
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I'm guessing that medic is saying you'll get a good idea about what kinds of things Foley might change up with the OL, by observing the stance that Kevin Friend gets into at the line of scrimmage. Same would go for Bennett on the other side. If that is what he meant, I agree. One of things INMNSHO, (do I have to keep using that acronym, pneumonic, whater the hell it is - or can we just assume that opinion is never humble?)......

anyway - one of the biggest difficulties I think that Deleone created was with the stances and splits at the line, that he demanded the linemen be in.
 
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Spackler, with complete candor I can tell you that I've never viewed your opinions as being humble. Many times I've viewed them as over the top and often I've found them humorous but humble was never a consideration.
 
Question: Can Foley reverse the damage done?

Answer: Yes.

Boom!!! Here come the Huskies, baby!!!!
 
Traditionally, the best college football teams have a handful of key plays that they keep running until the other team proves they can stop them. In my opinion, the offensive line schemes/responsibilities will be simplified and the results will be better. The only question is how much better?
 
sportsart said:
Wouldn't it be cool if Foley busted into the room and said we are going back to what made the UConn line successful in the past? ;)
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koolaid.jpg
 
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UConnJim said:
Traditionally, the best college football teams have a handful of key plays that they keep running until the other team proves they can stop them. In my opinion, the offensive line schemes/responsibilities will be simplified and the results will be better. The only question is how much better?
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You just described our old running game. I got a feeling the old might be the new. ;)
 
I'd like to see the fullback on the field more which should help our run game. Another thing, I was dreading going to the South Florida game but today has completely changed that. It's opening day again for UConn football!
 
jdb50 said:
I'd like to see the fullback on the field more which should help our run game. Another thing, I was dreading going to the South Florida game but today has completely changed that. It's opening day again for UConn football!
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It somehow feels like a new season, doesn't it? What a nice shot in the arm...
 
Back to assignment blocking, and basic offense execution. Foley can do it if the offense simplifies. Step one is cut the play book by 80% and go back to basic frameworks and build. We won't be deceptive and it will require each player to execute and win the battle on every play.
 
Chief00 said:
I agree our OL lacks strength and talent. I do think Foley can coach Big Uglies, especially in run game. Kids and parents like him too unlike GDL.
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Another dumb O line comment. Do you even know what you're looking at?
 
huskysupporter said:
How do you judge talent?

We all know GDL changed the scheme to something we all (except Spackler) hated.

I judge talent by watching the players on the field. I don't look at stats, I watch the players.
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Unless you know what play is called, what adjustments are made, and what blocking schemes are called ... It is very difficult to judge the o-line ... Even if you know what to look for.
 
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huskeynut said:
Since GDL was the preacher of the zone blocking, I read up on it. No wonder the O line was terrible. It's a complex scheme.

I believe Edsel had a more traditional blocking. Straight ahead - the old smash mouth blocking. That should be able to be re-installed in time for USF.

I would rather see 6 to 12 running plays that are executed well than the GDL wallpaper mess. It can be done.
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I thought we only had Lyle off left tackle, Lyle off right tackle, and Foxx flanker sweeps. What were the other 6-8 plays?
 
Can he do it in 2 weeks? Seems to be a huge ask.

How many practices are ther allowed? Is film time limited? What can the oline do on their own time?
 
UConnJim said:
Traditionally, the best college football teams have a handful of key plays that they keep running until the other team proves they can stop them. In my opinion, the offensive line schemes/responsibilities will be simplified and the results will be better. The only question is how much better?
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Well, it's more than just the best college football teams. Any football team that is successful from might mites to the NFL, has a handful of plays, and usually just one formation, that is their go to play for when it's time to move the ball, and pressure is on.

The questions really, is how much you want to build from there. Our problem in the past 2 seasons, is that we don't have a reliable Go To play.

I expect that to change this week.
 
If Foley gets these guys clicking even a little bit, I think he has done a magnificent job. It would surely help to have Friend back, though. Hemingway isn't gainign 30 pounds by Columbus Day
 
Id like see to some basic push from the line. Assignment blocking with physicality will be evident. I don't expect miracles, just modest improvement which will over the season.
 
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Get the sleds back out. Start pushing forward. Once we've got that down we can worry about formations. Of course I'm simplifying but you get my drift. Then we work on Carl's B&B plays.
 
The problem with the line isn't just the schemes. It is partly a personnel issue that needs to be addressed over a fairly long time. there isn't much depth there and the depth that is there like Hemmingway (6-5, 273) and Samra (6-2 285) are kind of small for their positions. Gifford is bigger but hasn't shown much in his appearances. The tight ends are on the smallish side too. So whether they are even capable of the kind of power blocking we had in the past is an open issue. You also have to wonder if Friend's injury will continue to linger and I question if Bennett has recovered from his multiple surgeries completely. A guy like Hemmingway can get bigger and stronger in the off season but he isn't getting there by next Saturday.Samra probably isn't going to be 6-5 by USF. Friend may or may not be healthy again. Add that it is pretty near impossible to change the schemes too much at this point. And those are the problems Foley faces.
 
These guys are so psyched to have the real O-line coach back, I'll bet our ground game this week is 120-150 yards. When was the last time we did that since GDL took over the O-Line?
 
freescooter said:
The problem with the line isn't just the schemes. It is partly a personnel issue that needs to be addressed over a fairly long time. there isn't much depth there and the depth that is there like Hemmingway (6-5, 273) and Samra (6-2 285) are kind of small for their positions. Gifford is bigger but hasn't shown much in his appearances. The tight ends are on the smallish side too. So whether they are even capable of the kind of power blocking we had in the past is an open issue. You also have to wonder if Friend's injury will continue to linger and I question if Bennett has recovered from his multiple surgeries completely. A guy like Hemmingway can get bigger and stronger in the off season but he isn't getting there by next Saturday.Samra probably isn't going to be 6-5 by USF. Friend may or may not be healthy again. Add that it is pretty near impossible to change the schemes too much at this point. And those are the problems Foley faces.
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One thing that I am very curious about is how the former leadership viewed strength and conditioning. About five years ago there was a write up about our S&C coach winning some national award. All of our linemen (offensive and defensive) steadily added quality size during the RE years but for some reason players like Hemingway, Nwokeji, Adeyemi and even Gifford (who was ~ 290 when he got here) haven't added a whole lot of weight over the course of a couple of years. Did P & GDL de-emphasize this?
 
Kgun7 said:
Unless you know what play is called, what adjustments are made, and what blocking schemes are called ... It is very difficult to judge the o-line ... Even if you know what to look for.
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Yes and no. Offensive line is very much a results oriented position. Was a hole opened? is the QB's jersey dirty? How many yards did the back gain before getting touched? Over the past year+, the line couldn't generate a push and couldn't open holes. Fine. No problem. Tweak something. It seemed that the former regime would either 1) yell louder, 2) blame talent.

If someone asks you a question in Italian, and you respond in English, they aren't going to understand you, no matter the volume of your voice. You have to figure out a way to communicate the answer or ignore them and move on. One answers the person's question, the other is what the former O-line coach seemed to do.

From all accounts, UConn has relieved itself of the first excuse (the kids don't understand). Let's see if the talent was really as lacking as they thought.
 
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