Fagnano and Bell are out for the Wasabi Bowl

[Waquoit]

Still find it hard to believe people are still criticizing Mora, the guy who brought us out of the abyss

That's like saying "It's can't believe people would criticize their ex. It was really good there for a time."

 

[Husky pride]

My group was on fence. Looks like we will be skipping the bowl game as well. UConn can’t expect fans to spend money on this event when the starting WB and #1 receiver don’t think the game is worth playing in. Surprising Fagano is sitting out when the game will most likely be his last game in his career.

Totally disappointed but not surprised that Fagnano has chosen not to play. He risks taking the glow off of what he’s accomplished and also risks getting hurt— both of which would work against him openly looking to play at the next level.

 

[CL82]

L

i love his response.

What a team guy. Is it still too late for Fagnano to do the right thing?

No, but if his advisors are telling him it's a bad idea, he's not likely to do it. As much as I'm unhappy about that, I don't fault him for it.

 

[noeynox]

The guy I'm really disappointed in, is Evers. He got a bag and was HANDED the starting job here a year ago. In return, he bails before what could be a program defining 10th win.

 

[CL82]

Still find it hard to believe people are still criticizing Mora, the guy who brought us out of the abyss

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Without any inside knowledge, I would be willing to wager that Fagnano has already hired someone and is working with him to prepare for the all star games that he's going play in so that he can look his best for the scouts that will be there for practices and the games.

 

[uconndogs]

I am sure JF has an agent and I suspect that agent and hopefully those he trusts like his family convinced him that it would be in his best interest to sit out the bowl. Who knows if that turns out to be the best advice. Pure speculation, but if he was banged up a bit he might have felt the extra time to get to 100% physically. Who knows......?

 

[huskymedic]

I am sure JF has an agent and I suspect that agent and hopefully those he trusts like his family convinced him that it would be in his best interest to sit out the bowl. Who knows if that turns out to be the best advice. Pure speculation, but if he was banged up a bit he might have felt the extra time to get to 100% physically. Who knows......?

Give this article a read:

-> “Early in the season, he did not have a high grade with the scouts,” said Linta, long-time Connecticut-based player agent who has taken Fagnano as a client. “Then I watched his first couple of games, and I said, ‘There’s definitely something here with him, far greater ability than the grades he had gotten.’

“Then when he got in that BC game and the Duke game, you could really study and see that, athletically, he stacks up with anybody out there. What really enamored me with him was the ability above the shoulders, the ability to process routes, process reads and go from read one, to read two, to read three, side to side. That Boston College game, if you watched his eyes and his head, it’s a teaching tape for young quarterbacks on how to read defenses.”

Linta was one of the first to approach Fagnano with such a scenario. “It was weird, because I’ve always believed in myself, something as a quarterback you have to have,” Fagnano said, “but it was pretty cool to hear somebody outside of my circle to say that they believed in me, that I’m as good as I think I am. It gave me that extra confidence to chase this dream if mine.” <-

 

[ZooCougar]

We got a bonus year out of Joe. It was a great surprise and given the shabby treatment he was given in 2024 before Mora came to his senses (he should have been starting all along) ;he probably could have found another place to play.

Let him go and get ready to succeed in the next phase of his career. Thanks Joe.

 

[ATLDYKA]

That's like saying "It's can't believe people would criticize their ex. It was really good there for a time."

My goodness now we are comparing it to relationships. He fixed the program, he's in his late 60's, left before the bowl so we could get a good coach in early 50s, heck Kiffin left and his team is going to playoffs. That is the unfortunate nature of the game today. If he was ready to leave for whatever reason he left at the right time. We have our coach.

 

[Scoe]

I think this thread title needs an update.

 

[ctchamps]

I am sure JF has an agent and I suspect that agent and hopefully those he trusts like his family convinced him that it would be in his best interest to sit out the bowl. Who knows if that turns out to be the best advice. Pure speculation, but if he was banged up a bit he might have felt the extra time to get to 100% physically. Who knows......?

I find it more plausible that the agent canvased NFL teams to determine where JF stands and what he must do to improve his chances. The kid has demonstrated his care for UConn. I doubt his decision was an easy one. But if he has a shot to make an NFL team he has to take it. IMO with how much he's helped UConn football he deserves this opportunity.

 

[UConnJim]

My goodness now we are comparing it to relationships. He fixed the program, he's in his late 60's, left before the bowl so we could get a good coach in early 50s, heck Kiffin left and his team is going to playoffs. That is the unfortunate nature of the game today. If he was ready to leave for whatever reason he left at the right time. We have our

Candle just turned 46.

 

[ZooCougar]

I find it more plausible that the agent canvased NFL teams to determine where JF stands and what he must do to improve his chances. The kid has demonstrated his care for UConn. I doubt his decision was an easy one. But if he has a shot to make an NFL team he has to take it. IMO with how much he's helped UConn football he deserves this opportunity.

His agent knows what he is doing.

 

[RedStickHusky]

If Joe is worried about getting hurt in the bowl game why did he accept the invite to the East West Shrine Bowl? That's my only gripe about the subject. Bail on the guys that got you there in the first place?

Because NFL scouts are watching every practice at the all-star games.

 

[RedStickHusky]

That's like saying "It's can't believe people would criticize their ex. It was really good there for a time."

Most exes don't leave you better than they found you...

 

[ZooCougar]

If Joe is worried about getting hurt in the bowl game why did he accept the invite to the East West Shrine Bowl? That's my only gripe about the subject. Bail on the guys that got you there in the first place?

It's not about the game guy. It's about the week of workouts and facetime with scouts. It's how they get to know players.

 

[huskymedic]

I think this thread title needs an update.

One better…😉