Edsall-Crocker

[uconndogs]

URI was in the red zone yesterday and they were stopped at the end of the game.

Yes. But I believe that was the first time in three games.

 

[CL82]

When I was playing in junior college my coach showered me with similar praise. He frequently said, “you may be small, but you’re slow”.

Auriemma famously made the same quote about Maria Conlon who was the point on the last two Diana Taurasi UConn squads. Thought it was pretty funny at the time.

 

[Chief00]

The fact that Jones is often doubled teamed as a true freshman is telling. If he works on his explosion off the line and conditioning, he will be a real load to block 1x1 in a year or two. What we need is for some other guys to establish themselves.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

In weeks 1 & 2, UConn's D failed miserably not only against starters, but backups. Games were effectively over at halftime. Adjustments weren't made or didn't work. And players were beat regularly by large margins, as well as being out of position and unable to make stops for pretty much the entire 60 minutes.

Yesterday, URI needed to score on every possession. Their first unit played the entire game (granted its FCS, but a lot of upperclassmen vs UConn frosh nonetheless). UConn did make enough stops. The margins on getting beat were smaller. There was progress, although not enough for most fans. But progress regardless. Therefore, if first two weeks were Fs, this was at worst a D-minus, IMO.

Week 1 we gave up 56 points to a ranked UCF team with a Heisman hopeful at QB.

Yesterday we gave up 49 points to a middling FCS program.

If you saw progress, I'm not sure where you were looking.

 

[BlueDogs]

Yeah, I had my binoculars on the D-line most of the game. The DT's were platooning. T. Jones and Fines were one pair and Kevin Murphy and Caleb Thomas were the other pair. They alternated defensive series. Jones got double teamed quite a bit. They rarely ran up the middle but they exploited the DT/DE gap all day and the LB's just never plugged the hole. It was like UConn was playing without LB's. Guessing some stunts like HCPP's teams used to do would work wonders.

Our LBs (with exception of Kevon) are non factors. Out of position, not aggressive, can’t shed blocks, bad angles, no crossing route pickups, failure to get depth in pass cover, can’t blitz effectively...at least get some aggressive animals on the field. I’d rather see huge aggressive mistakes than tentative pussyfooting around.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Week 1 we gave up 56 points to a ranked UCF team with a Heisman hopeful at QB.

Yesterday we gave up 49 points to a middling FCS program.

If you saw progress, I'm not sure where you were looking.

Week one was 56 points because UCF didn't want to score 80+ points.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Week one was 56 points because UCF didn't want to score 80+ points.

And how many points would have URI scored if not for us putting up 56 and controlling time of possession?

Point being, every team we've played has been able to score at will. I don't see any improvement yet.

 

[Scrutineer]

If the ending taught us anything they should work on a bunch of blitz packages. Here is why:

• Make the opposing QB prove that he can consistently make the right decision. College guys really can't do that consistently. They won't be facing any 40year olds named Brady.
• It also puts way more pressure on the O-Line to prepare and forces them to do more than win individual battles.
• RE talks about being aggressive and having fun. Well blitzing is a great way of simplifying things and letting them run wild.
• Blitzing creates turnovers and big plays on D, thus increasing confidence.
• There really is no increased risk. We are giving up big plays without blitzing and not getting enough stops.
• The base D is not giving them the 3 or 4 stops per half that you need to win. It is not realistic to pitch a shutout, but a few more stops will make a difference.

The offense has performed well in 2 of 3 games. Wins could be had this year if the D can get a few more stops and force a couple more field goals and turnovers. I think this is the only way given the experience level.

What's puzzling is I thought Crocker's defense featured stunts and blitzes from varying positions and thus was able to make up for physical deficiencies with stealth and surprise. That was what I recall from when Villanova played us a few years ago.

Why not now? Does it take shorter, less muscular, slower but more experienced players?

 

[SubbaBub]

Anyone who believed Edsall was going to run a gimmick defense lonf-term should be drug tested. He too one look at the D-linemen he inherited and knew he would never find four or five required to run a 4-3. He brought in some kind this year and went back to what he knows. Not to mention, our LBs are way to slow and raw to run a 3-3-5.
I don't blame Crocker. I don't blame Edsall. This isn't about X's and O's. It's about Jimmies and Joes. And right now, our guys aren't ready. But I think they will be in a couple of seasons.

This is the right thought but I would add that regardless of the talent level or youth, we shouldn't be getting smoked like we have been over the last 15 games. There is still a difference between being an inexperienced defense, a bad defense, and a flat out embarrassing non-competitive defense. When you can count defensive possessions that didn't end in touchdowns on your fingers after three games, that is a whole other level of bad assuming you field 11 players that all have use of their legs.

 

[SubbaBub]

What's puzzling is I thought Crocker's defense featured stunts and blitzes from varying positions and thus was able to make up for physical deficiencies with stealth and surprise. That was what I recall from when Villanova played us a few years ago.

Why not now? Does it take shorter, less muscular, slower but more experienced players?

To be fair it requires a level of football IQ, assignment discipline, and communication that we just don't have.

 

[SAMCRO]

This is a bad defense. Buddy Ryan in his prime couldn't make it even mediocre.

Buddy Ryan could probably start on this Defense tomorrow, and it would be an improvement.

 

[Nostical]

These kids play like they have a hall pass to be young/inexperienced and not very good.That's a bad mind-set even if the description is true.

That’s what I meant by “it doesn’t matter what we think.” These players have to believe in themselves, regardless of their youth and inexperience. They have to think they can stop the other guys. Until they do, it’s not likely they will.

 

[Marty Jackson]

Yes. But I believe that was the first time in three games.

but you're quote said never. now we have one. let's build on that!!!!!

 

[Excalibur]

Was URI faster than our defense? I don't think so. What are you guys talking about?

It was an even match at best.

 

[noeynox]

What's puzzling is I thought Crocker's defense featured stunts and blitzes from varying positions and thus was able to make up for physical deficiencies with stealth and surprise. That was what I recall from when Villanova played us a few years ago.

Why not now? Does it take shorter, less muscular, slower but more experienced players?

He had a stud, eventual 2nd round NFL pick, DE on that team that was probably better than anyone we have ever had, let alone currently have. That by itself gives a defense a different look.

 

[uconnphil2016]

The thing that’s killed us this year is run defense. URI averaged almost 9 yards per run IIRC. That’s insane. The pass defense is no better or worse than last year, but we’ve now added a putrid run defense to compliment it. Teams run straight up the gut for 30+ yards routinely. I saw a stat today that this is the most yardage a team has given up through 3 games since at least 2000 (stats online didn’t go back further than that)

 

[gopher2]

The thing that’s killed us this year is run defense. URI averaged almost 9 yards per run IIRC. That’s insane. The pass defense is no better or worse than last year, but we’ve now added a putrid run defense to compliment it. Teams run straight up the gut for 30+ yards routinely. I saw a stat today that this is the most yardage a team has given up through 3 games since at least 2000 (stats online didn’t go back further than that)

Even during this long 8 year decline we were always pretty good at stopping the inside run game. There was a noticeable drop off last year but this year is much worse so far.

 

[whaler11]

That’s what I meant by “it doesn’t matter what we think.” These players have to believe in themselves, regardless of their youth and inexperience. They have to think they can stop the other guys. Until they do, it’s not likely they will.

But I read here that if people aren't positive enough it impacts the team in a negative fashion.......

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Was URI faster than our defense? I don't think so. What are you guys talking about?

You came to this conclusion before you ever saw URI play one snap. There was not a noticeable difference in speed or athleticism and URI was definitely stronger.

 

[uconndogs]

but you're quote said never. now we have one. let's build on that!!!!!

Amen to that!

 

[Hamms30]

Yes. But I believe that was the first time in three games.

First drive against Boise St. last week. Fortt broke up a slant in the end zone and forced a FG

 

[Scrutineer]

To be fair it requires a level of football IQ, assignment discipline, and communication that we just don't have.

You're right. That was the point of my attempt at humor regarding experience.

 

[Duncan Idaho]

You came to this conclusion before you ever saw URI play one snap. There was not a noticeable difference in speed or athleticism and URI was definitely stronger.

There is a separate Mensah thread but all those tough yards he got was a result of him getting stronger over the year. We are playing alot/too many kids on D that rightfully should be RS.

 

[Excalibur]

There is a separate Mensah thread but all those tough yards he got was a result of him getting stronger over the year. We are playing alot/too many kids on D that rightfully should be RS.

Experience corrects the strength deficiency, but do kids get faster? The lack of foot speed, especially at the ends and at linebacker, is painfully obvious.

 

[CL82]

Experience corrects the strength deficiency, but do kids get faster? The lack of foot speed, especially at the ends and at linebacker, is painfully obvious.

I've been thinking about this as well. They do and they take better lines which makes them seem faster.

 

[Excalibur]

I've been thinking about this as well. They do and they take better lines which makes them seem faster.

I would agree with this for the most part -- increased familiarity with assignments and recognition of plays will make players look faster in terms of game speed. Another reason why moving from scheme to scheme is not recommended as you sacrifice that familiarity.

 

[CL82]

My son used to look faster in the second half of games. I asked him why that was, was he holding back early on, did the opponent get tired, etc. His answer was by the second half he had a good idea of what opposing players liked to do, how they made their cuts, etc. So he gained a step or two by anticipating. At the end of games in made a difference.

Not a perfect analogy, but experience matters. These guys will look better next year. The question is will it matter enough to make a material difference on the field. That, I'm just not sure about yet.

 

[Chief00]

I just having a feeling it’s gone to end with a bad look - Edsall and Crocker blaming each other. Crocker will say he couldn’t run his D, Edsall will say Crocker did not effectively teach fundamentals.

 

[huskymedic]

I just having a feeling it’s gone to end with a bad look - Edsall and Crocker blaming each other. Crocker will say he couldn’t run his D, Edsall will say Crocker did not effectively teach fundamentals.

The buck stops w/ Crocker (on D) then Edsall but isn’t teaching fundamentals/technique primarily a position coach’s responsibility? There are others in the mix here that seemingly get overlooked in the grand scheme of things.

 

[#1 PA Husky Fan]

Crocker has been ineffective as a coordinator. The talent-level and youth are certainly issues that make this a long-term fix. Maybe given time, he and his scheme can work out, but we don't have much time. I would rather see us make a change, and bring in someone that can recruit. I just don't see him having an impact on the recruiting trail, and that is what we desperately need. You could argue that our geography is a barrier in recruiting, but the local preps are bringing in D1 prospects from all over the country.