Could we be better at every position group?

[Palatine]

Hey, if you're not optimist now, when?

QB- All indications are that Pindell is throwing the ball well in camp. Edsall says he looks more comfortable and it is reasonable to expect some year to year improvement. The back up situation looks much improved.

WR - The wide out group is deep and experienced. Without naming names, it returns everybody. This should also have a positive effect Pindell.

RB - Newsome and Hopkins are losses. Newsome was a very good pass catcher out of the backfield. O'Reilly was lost in camp but he didn't play a down last year. The backfield is definitely faster this year with the additions of Scott, Black and Gillespie. Our leading rusher, Mensah, returns. The group is young but could be one of the more talented in recent years.

OL - Rutherford, Vechery, and Hopkins are gone but a lot of experience returns. The group was okay last year and seems poised to make another jump. A little shuffling has guys in the spots they belong. Peart is the power RT, Van DeMark brings his fast feet to the blind side. With DeGeorge, Cespedes, Holmes, Hubbard, Tunstall, Crozier and Leone, this is the most depth we have had in the interior of the line in recent memory. It seems as though the staff has slimmed down almost everyone in an effort to produce a faster, more athletic group.

DL- Start with the four of the best defensive linemen we have brought in (according to Edsall). The DL has shown such an improvement during camp that Edsall has been using a four man defensive line. Besides the the numbers --eight should play-- and this may be hard to believe, but Travis Jones might be an upgrade on Foley at NT with Caleb Thomas and Kevin Murphy providing some depth.

LB - We lost a lot at LB. But his group is much faster than it predecessor. Beaver, Terry, Gilmartin, and Sterling can all move. The other Jones, Kevon, looks like he will be hard to keep off the field. The question is whether their speed and athleticism can make up for the loss of experience and toughness that left the program.

DB - The loss of Summers and Trey Bell are not as large as they one seemed. Neither played all that well as seniors and once again freshman are pushing for playing time. For the returning players, just the fact this is the second year in the same system should provide confidence and improvement. Coyle looks like a star in the making to me.

If the defensive line is as improved as I think it can be, that alone will improve the LBs and secondary. At any rate, the potential is there to be better at every position group on the field. Like I said, this is the time to be optimistic. Let's pu-nch UCF in the nose and start surprising people.

 

[CL82]

Hey, if you're not optimist now, when?

QB- All indications are that Pindell is throwing the ball well in camp. Edsall says he looks more comfortable and it is reasonable to expect some year to year improvement. The back up situation looks much improved.

WR - The wide out group is deep and experienced. Without naming names, it returns everybody. This should also have a positive effect Pindell.

RB - Newsome and Hopkins are losses. Newsome was a very good pass catcher out of the backfield. O'Reilly was lost in camp but he didn't play a down last year. The backfield is definitely faster this year with the additions of Scott, Black and Gillespie. Our leading rusher, Mensah, returns. The group is young but could be one of the more talented in recent years.

OL - Rutherford, Vechery, and Hopkins are gone but a lot of experience returns. The group was okay last year and seems poised to make another jump. A little shuffling has guys in the spots they belong. Peart is the power RT, Van DeMark brings his fast feet to the blind side. With DeGeorge, Cespedes, Holmes, Hubbard, Tunstall, Crozier and Leone, this is the most depth we have had in the interior of the line in recent memory. It seems as though the staff has slimmed down almost everyone in an effort to produce a faster, more athletic group.

DL- Start with the four of the best defensive linemen we have brought in (according to Edsall). The DL has shown such an improvement during camp that Edsall has been using a four man defensive line. Besides the the numbers --eight should play-- and this may be hard to believe, but Travis Jones might be an upgrade on Foley at NT with Caleb Thomas and Kevin Murphy providing some depth.

LB - We lost a lot at LB. But his group is much faster than it predecessor. Beaver, Terry, Gilmartin, and Sterling can all move. The other Jones, Kevon, looks like he will be hard to keep off the field. The question is whether their speed and athleticism can make up for the loss of experience and toughness that left the program.

DB - The loss of Summers and Trey Bell are not as large as they one seemed. Neither played all that well as seniors and once again freshman are pushing for playing time. For the returning players, just the fact this is the second year in the same system should provide confidence and improvement. Coyle looks like a star in the making to me.

If the defensive line is as improved as I think it can be, that alone will improve the LBs and secondary. At any rate, the potential is there to be better at every position group on the field. Like I said, this is the time to be optimistic. Let's pu-nch UCF in the nose and start surprising people.

Buy in to the scheme and eye discipline alone could make a big difference on defense. If you've been watching the camp videos, a lot it is back to basics, but basics that we've been lax on like wrapping up on tackles. I'm hopeful that we will have a better defense. I doubt we will be pitching many shut outs, but I think we may be good enough to make people work much harder for yardage.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Could they be better? Yes.
Will it end up that way? No.

 

[Husky25]

Buy in to the scheme and eye discipline alone could make a big difference on defense. If you've been watching the camp videos, a lot it is back to basics, but basics that we've been lax on like wrapping up on tackles. I'm hopeful that we will have a better defense. I doubt we will be pitching many shut outs, but I think we may be good enough to make people work much harder for yardage.

Probably won't give up 70 either.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Buy in to the scheme and eye discipline alone could make a big difference on defense. If you've been watching the camp videos, a lot it is back to basics, but basics that we've been lax on like wrapping up on tackles. I'm hopeful that we will have a better defense. I doubt we will be pitching many shut outs, but I think we may be good enough to make people work much harder for yardage.

Always bet on a mediocre plan executing well by a group that has full buy in over a great plan executed average.

 

[Husky25]

I don't think the O-line lost much. Rutherford was versatile and Vechery was consistently average, which is not good enough when the rest of the line is subpar/inexperienced. Hopkins was the most talented of the three, but couldn't stay on the field for one reason or another. Skill means little if it's not being put to use.

For as much talent that left the team on the defensive side, I can't say I'm sorry to see any of them go. Maybe it was the scheme. Maybe it was the 4th coach in 5 years, but there was not a lot of passion on Defense. Now that everyone who is left has a year under their belt and Crocker seems to be open to either a hybrid linemen/backer or backer/safety (Husky backer), instinct will take over more this year.

 

[Block C]

It’s a learning experience. Of course they are getting better, but can it transition to games. We will find out. It will take some time for us until we are consistent

 

[uconnphil2016]

Some positions will be better. I think we’ll miss Bryant at QB and didn’t appreciate what he did for our team. He was good at bailing out bad pass blocking, and good at making reads on read option plays. Also a born leader.

We will run the ball better and RB will be better as a group. We will miss Newsomes big play ability but not running him between the tackles out of the gun on 3rd down.

WR and OL will both be much improved. Our OL may end up being our strongest unit IMO. Lots of experience there now.

DL won’t be as bad as anticipated but will miss Foley in the middle. Freshman on the ends will have a learning curve. Probably worse than last year.

LB will be better on the outside, worse on the inside. MLB may be our weakest spot.

DBs will be better despite still being young.

Specialist will be improved by replacing Graham, who was probably one of the worst punters in CFB last year

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

“It can’t be any worse than last year.”

- Said the BY the last 7 years.

 

[uconnphil2016]

“It can’t be any worse than last year.”

- Said the BY the last 7 years.

In fairness, RE’s year 1 was way better than BD’s year 1 or 3. It’s gotten a little better

 

[Pudge]

EEEEEYYORRREEE

Hey, if you're not optimist now, when?

QB- All indications are that Pindell is throwing the ball well in camp. Edsall says he looks more comfortable and it is reasonable to expect some year to year improvement. The back up situation looks much improved.
Pindell was supposed to be the one for the new LASHLEE offense. Instead of getting killed (and I do mean that literally) ... he played a tentative first half against Holy Cross and Shireffs - rightfully - took it on. Pindell did have a good learning process on the bench and M-F on the playing field; he looked better against UCF and will get better with solid WRs he knows and a cohesive OLine. I am enthused on the paper potential of both Washington and Krajewski.

WR - The wide out group is deep and experienced. Without naming names, it returns everybody. This should also have a positive effect Pindell.
They are better. I think the top 6 ... and maybe 8 ... are as solid a group we have had since the later Orlovsky phase (and they certainly are more athletic than then). Mayala and Buss and Beals and Dixon are top CFB WRs at this point; all good solid experience in several different environments. Donaldson is a nice changer. Skanes is quick and YAC capable. TDavis and McLean are both solid ballcatchers; yet not the Blocking TEs we have had. Maybe the Zordan can provide. As good as we have had in the FBS era.

RB - Newsome and Hopkins are losses. Newsome was a very good pass catcher out of the backfield. O'Reilly was lost in camp but he didn't play a down last year. The backfield is definitely faster this year with the additions of Scott, Black and Gillespie. Our leading rusher, Mensah, returns. The group is young but could be one of the more talented in recent years.
I really like Mensah. I think he is the best all purpose - run between the tackles and breakaway - that we have had since Jordan Todman. He isn't the YAC or receiver that Newsome became. We need that. I love the speed and the idea of Scott ... let's see once the real hits come. And Dante Black is as promising as any coming in. WE took a big hit lately and we simply do not have the depth we could have had. And looking at other AAC, they all do. Light candles on health.

OL - Rutherford, Vechery, and Hopkins are gone but a lot of experience returns. The group was okay last year and seems poised to make another jump. A little shuffling has guys in the spots they belong. Peart is the power RT, Van DeMark brings his fast feet to the blind side. With DeGeorge, Cespedes, Holmes, Hubbard, Tunstall, Crozier and Leone, this is the most depth we have had in the interior of the line in recent memory. It seems as though the staff has slimmed down almost everyone in an effort to produce a faster, more athletic group.
Edsall is noticeably thrilled. I saw this talking to him in Stamford. He listed 8 solid OLine guys ... and now we hear good things about Haines. Van De Mark and Peart are both rising as predicted; and DeGeorge, I suspect, is a underrated gem. Great depth; great competition. Hopeful Giufre is great ... and can take these guys back to the way we dominated South Bend. May be the best OLine situation since that moment.

DL- Start with the four of the best defensive linemen we have brought in (according to Edsall). The DL has shown such an improvement during camp that Edsall has been using a four man defensive line. Besides the the numbers --eight should play-- and this may be hard to believe, but Travis Jones might be an upgrade on Foley at NT with Caleb Thomas and Kevin Murphy providing some depth.
Well. Let us see. Losing Ormsby, Fatukasi, Carrezola ... is interesting - to say the least. But the NEW blood: exciting to see what Travis Jones can bring. Uguak, Pace, DeVaughn can play with abandon ... because they will play; add Garson. Murphy seems to be the wily experienced hard nosed kid we can use. Then, Caleb Thomas etc. I guess I feel more optimism than warranted. Based on Jones and 3 fresh faces.

LB - We lost a lot at LB. But his group is much faster than it predecessor. Beaver, Terry, Gilmartin, and Sterling can all move. The other Jones, Kevon, looks like he will be hard to keep off the field. The question is whether their speed and athleticism can make up for the loss of experience and toughness that left the program.
yikes ... that's right. I do love Beaver. And then Eli Thomas ... and his speed is always early in conversation. I like his story and hope his play is as good as I imagine. That leaves ONE key interior position ... and Jones or Gilmartin or Sterling? We are not as good at LB as we have been. We could be if one of these last 3 surges. Terry? Swenson? I just hope one of these HYBRID guys play outstanding ... as last year - that looked totally ineffective and crazed.

DB - The loss of Summers and Trey Bell are not as large as they one seemed. Neither played all that well as seniors and once again freshman are pushing for playing time. For the returning players, just the fact this is the second year in the same system should provide confidence and improvement. Coyle looks like a star in the making to me.
I am excited by the infusion of young speedy talent. I felt Summers and Bell were just ... blah. We got burned so often and so easily. This needs to be a UCONN strength ... and I do like the profile of Fortt and Coyle and the Tahj. Add in a Carroll or Lazarus or Paul ... plus all that speed and newbies on KR etc. WE needed this and Edsall's eye WE TRUST.

If the defensive line is as improved as I think it can be, that alone will improve the LBs and secondary. At any rate, the potential is there to be better at every position group on the field. Like I said, this is the time to be optimistic. Let's pu-nch UCF in the nose and start surprising people.


I expect surprises. I expect constant linear improvement and STARS by mid-year. I expect WE play great against TEMPLE in our last game because we pushed to improve all year. And I expect UCF to not be playing on all cylinders; that they lost great LBs, WRs, DL, OL ... and we can stay with them; get us into the last 7 minutes with the ball and the capability to win.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

In fairness, RE’s year 1 was way better than BD’s year 1 or 3. It’s gotten a little better

Right. But to think we could be better at DL while penciling in true freshmen is absurd. To say we “could” be better at every position isn’t the bold proclamation it sounds like. I “could” sweep Kate Beckinsdale off her feet. I “could” hit powerball this week.

The positions I think we’ll be better at are DB, QB, and WR. It’s gonna take more time to wash the stench of Diaco from this program.

 

[RSTuthill]

Nice analysis. Rose colored glasses firmly on the nose, but that is OK in the Final Fortnight.

The only two things I worry about with very young RB's are: their abilities to break tackles, and protecting the football. They are not at full strength yet and when they break into the secondary they think they can make everybody miss with no need for a second hand on the ball. I am guessing there will be some difficult lessons learned, especially the first two weeks.

 

[uconnphil2016]

Right. But to think we could be better at DL while penciling in true freshmen is absurd. To say we “could” be better at every position isn’t the bold proclamation it sounds like. I “could” sweep Kate Beckinsdale off her feet. I “could” hit powerball this week.

The positions I think we’ll be better at are DB, QB, and WR. It’s gonna take more time to wash the stench of Diaco from this program.

I agree. DL will be worse. We lost our only drafted player there and will start freshmen. No doubt about it. This year won’t be pretty

 

[JMick]

I agree. DL will be worse. We lost our only drafted player there and will start freshmen. No doubt about it. This year won’t be pretty

We're going to lose a lot of games this year. I just hope that when the last game ends we can feel good about our chances over the following two seasons

 

[BlueDogs]

Buy in to the scheme and eye discipline alone could make a big difference on defense. If you've been watching the camp videos, a lot it is back to basics, but basics that we've been lax on like wrapping up on tackles. I'm hopeful that we will have a better defense. I doubt we will be pitching many shut outs, but I think we may be good enough to make people work much harder for yardage.

The biggest gaping hole was a lack of good football fundamentals. I’m hoping they hammer away these critically important skills.... wrapping up, heads up tackling, keeping feet under them, getting leverage on contact, taking good angles, shedding blockers, blitz technique and gang tackling. Team was horrible in all basic phases. This was the number one reason I have a beef with Crocker.

 

[CL82]

Always bet on a mediocre plan executing well by a group that has full buy in over a great plan executed average.

Sadly it took me a couple of read through to get this, but now that I do I think that it is spot on. I think we've been hearing that the simplifying things, which makes sense with a young group. Better to do fewer things well than more things poorly.

 

[LouAllen4prez]

The idea of linebacker being our weakest spot on the team with an inexperienced secondary over the top frightens me, especially with the likes of UCF and Boise weeks 1 & 2. I've completely bought into the offensive hype train for some reason, Pindell uprooted his whole world last year and people are sleeping on Zavier Scott.

 

[businesslawyer]

Hey, if you're not optimist now, when?

QB- All indications are that Pindell is throwing the ball well in camp. Edsall says he looks more comfortable and it is reasonable to expect some year to year improvement. The back up situation looks much improved.

WR - The wide out group is deep and experienced. Without naming names, it returns everybody. This should also have a positive effect Pindell.

RB - Newsome and Hopkins are losses. Newsome was a very good pass catcher out of the backfield. O'Reilly was lost in camp but he didn't play a down last year. The backfield is definitely faster this year with the additions of Scott, Black and Gillespie. Our leading rusher, Mensah, returns. The group is young but could be one of the more talented in recent years.

OL - Rutherford, Vechery, and Hopkins are gone but a lot of experience returns. The group was okay last year and seems poised to make another jump. A little shuffling has guys in the spots they belong. Peart is the power RT, Van DeMark brings his fast feet to the blind side. With DeGeorge, Cespedes, Holmes, Hubbard, Tunstall, Crozier and Leone, this is the most depth we have had in the interior of the line in recent memory. It seems as though the staff has slimmed down almost everyone in an effort to produce a faster, more athletic group.

DL- Start with the four of the best defensive linemen we have brought in (according to Edsall). The DL has shown such an improvement during camp that Edsall has been using a four man defensive line. Besides the the numbers --eight should play-- and this may be hard to believe, but Travis Jones might be an upgrade on Foley at NT with Caleb Thomas and Kevin Murphy providing some depth.

LB - We lost a lot at LB. But his group is much faster than it predecessor. Beaver, Terry, Gilmartin, and Sterling can all move. The other Jones, Kevon, looks like he will be hard to keep off the field. The question is whether their speed and athleticism can make up for the loss of experience and toughness that left the program.

DB - The loss of Summers and Trey Bell are not as large as they one seemed. Neither played all that well as seniors and once again freshman are pushing for playing time. For the returning players, just the fact this is the second year in the same system should provide confidence and improvement. Coyle looks like a star in the making to me.

If the defensive line is as improved as I think it can be, that alone will improve the LBs and secondary. At any rate, the potential is there to be better at every position group on the field. Like I said, this is the time to be optimistic. Let's pu-nch UCF in the nose and start surprising people.

While I hope you're right, I want to start drinking what you're drinking.

We will miss Shireffs far more than you think. While we might still be as good on offense, there is no reason to think our defense, as young as it is, is going to be anywhere near even below average. But it's fine to hope.

 

[MilliniumPrince]

If we miss Shireffs beyond halftime of game 2, the season is over. I loved his energy and grit, but some of you saw things with him I just didn't see.

 

[Ldandy]

Pump the brakes on any Jones being better than Foley talk. Dude was an NFL Draft Pick. Could Jones be better in the future? Sure. Is he better right now? Hell no.

 

[uconndogs]

Honestly, we won't know what we have on defense until we're 4-5 games into the season. There's just too much youth to expect anything right out the gate. I could see them getting abused on the road at Boise and Syracuse, but having a fine second half of the season if the speed and talent is in fact in place.

I'm actually much more bullish on Pindell than many. In fact, if he stays healthy and Mensah continues to improve I think the offense could be much better than last season.

 

[Husky25]

Right. But to think we could be better at DL while penciling in true freshmen is absurd. To say we “could” be better at every position isn’t the bold proclamation it sounds like. I “could” sweep Kate Beckinsdale off her feet. I “could” hit powerball this week.

The positions I think we’ll be better at are DB, QB, and WR. It’s gonna take more time to wash the stench of Diaco from this program.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say "could" is way more optimistic than your chances with either Kate Beckinsale or winning Powerball.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Pump the brakes on any Jones being better than Foley talk. Dude was an NFL Draft Pick. Could Jones be better in the future? Sure. Is he better right now? Hell no.

Eh this has been Palatine’s gimmick for over a decade. Make some bold prediction with enough wiggle room to drive a truck through. If it happens, he takes credit and hails himself a genius. When it goes sideways (they do most of time) he has his built in out. His favorite position on the team is the backup QB.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say "could" is way more optimistic than your chances with either Kate Beckinsale or winning Powerball.

I’m leaving for LA tomorrow. You never know.