GDL and offensive line

[Jimmy Serrano]

Wasn't trying to be a but there are plenty of threads where jimmy can bash on gdl or he could start his own. I find it non productive to bring it up on every thread. We have a new team new coaches. New season New beers to be tried. If someone sees there might be some value in gdl and that is the topic we don't just change the topic to serve ourselves.

LOL. This thread is about GDL and how the game has passed him by.

 

[jdb50]

Unfortunately last year we seemed to confuse ourselves more than the opposing defense on gameday. The timeouts needed, false starts, and bungled execution hurt us badly. How many times did we come out, run a shift and then motion a receiver back to the center of the field before running up the A or B gaps? Drove me nuts. Spread the field and snap the ball. Get some momentum going. Just to damn complicated most of the time.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

LOL. This thread is about GDL and how the game has passed him by.

Selective reading, but, hey, you and ZooCougar never miss a chance.

Only four more months of it to look forward to. I'm pumped.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Selective reading, but, hey, you and ZooCougar never miss a chance.

Only four more months of it to look forward to. I'm pumped.

No, actually it's not selective reading. Here is part of the OP:

Pioli did insinuate that perhaps the game had passed GDL by. Pioli spoke a lot in the past tense about GDL's coaching prowess and at the end, almost as throw away line, said "He's still working in football at UConn in some capacity."

Not trying to start a GDL bash-a-thon, I just thought it was interesting to hear the perspective of someone who worked with him during his prime.

This is like me saying, "I don't mean to start another thread about Randy Edsall, but boy did he really the bed his first 2 years at UMD."

If it hurts your feelings to read criticism about your Uncle George, don't read the threads. That simple. No need to come on these threads and act like a all the time.

 

[dsturdy5]

No, actually it's not selective reading. Here is part of the OP:

Pioli did insinuate that perhaps the game had passed GDL by. Pioli spoke a lot in the past tense about GDL's coaching prowess and at the end, almost as throw away line, said "He's still working in football at UConn in some capacity."

Not trying to start a GDL bash-a-thon, I just thought it was interesting to hear the perspective of someone who worked with him during his prime.

This is like me saying, "I don't mean to start another thread about Randy Edsall, but boy did he really the bed his first 2 years at UMD."

If it hurts your feelings to read criticism about your Uncle George, don't read the threads. That simple. No need to come on these threads and act like a all the time.

I started the thread to share what Pioli thought of GDL and was wondering other people's thoughts on why the o-line struggled given this perspective. I had hoped that it would not degenerate into one of the 55 page GDL or FHCRE battle fields.

 

[Waquoit]

I had hoped that it would not degenerate into one of the 55 page GDL or FHCRE battle fields.

Hey, you know what they say about best-laid plans and all.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I started the thread to share what Pioli thought of GDL and was wondering other people's thoughts on why the o-line struggled given this perspective. I had hoped that it would not degenerate into one of the 55 page GDL or FHCRE battle fields.

Right you wanted opinions. Surely you realized that some of those opinions wouldn't be complimentary, right? I agree with Pioli. The game has passed him by. He's been an unmitigated disaster at almost every stop the past 15 or so years. The McNabb days at Cuse were a long long time ago.

That what you were looking for?

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

If it hurts your feelings to read criticism about your Uncle George, don't read the threads. That simple. No need to come on these threads and act like a all the time.

Cute.

But you completely glossed over all of the stuff about GDL and the O-line and former students' opinions of him. As I said, selective reading. I can't help you with reading comprehension.

But by all means, continue with your strategy of name-calling and pretending to take the high road. Super effective stuff.

 

[dsturdy5]

Right you wanted opinions. Surely you realized that some of those opinions wouldn't be complimentary, right? I agree with Pioli. The game has passed him by. He's been an unmitigated disaster at almost every stop the past 15 or so years. The McNabb days at Cuse were a long long time ago.

That what you were looking for?

No, I was looking for conversation on why that might be the case. Was it the development of spread offenses? Did the pace of the game catch up with him? Is it simply age? Why is a man, so widely revered in football circles, looking like he can't keep up with the game?

 

[jdb50]

Because we were able to beat Rutgers 2 years ago in a game that meant alot for them and then beat Louisville last year on their home field it shows that the coaching wasn't all incompetent. There were issues with player performance and coaching that led to two 5-7 seasons. Having GDL just concentrate on O-line should strengthen our coaching performance this year. It's up to the players to do what it takes to get better, miss less assignments, commit less penalties, hold their blocks longer. It's up to GDL to get everyone on the same page and motivate players to get better, not turn them off. If this group doesn't improve we are sunk. As someone else said we should know if this is the case by halftime of the Maryland game.

 

[J187Money]

Our offensive stats in 2011 and 2012 were offensive. All meaningful categories at or well below 90 out of 120 in division 1 rankings.

Keep in mind though, that in our most prolific season to date, a Fiesta Bowl appearance, in 2010.....
total offense as yards per game was ranked 95 of 120
Yards per offensive play was 98 of 120
Our passing offense was ranked 110 of 120 in total yards per game, 112 out of 120 in yards per pass.

THe prevailing piece of wisdom aroudn here, was that we could continue doing that forever and win games, (run the ball well on offense, and play defense and special teams) but you have to recruit people, you have to recruit for a WHOLE team.

Two years though, is plenty of time, MORE than enough time, to install fundamental changes in both approach to the game, and personnel on offense. We needed it, badly, for recruiting.

It's got to click now though.

I think most of us would have thought the stats were much better that year. Interesting.

 

[ruskin]

I think most of us would have thought the stats were much better that year. Interesting.

35th in the nation rushing (Jordan Todman) and 11th in turnover margin was very helpful.

 

[ZooCougar]

Wasn't trying to be a but there are plenty of threads where jimmy can bash on gdl or he could start his own. I find it non productive to bring it up on every thread. We have a new team new coaches. New season New beers to be tried. If someone sees there might be some value in gdl and that is the topic we don't just change the topic to serve ourselves.

This is a bash GDL thread.

He should eating breakfast for dinner at the Wimdmill Diner. Not causing further damage to this program.

 

[J187Money]

35th in the nation rushing (Jordan Todman) and 11th in turnover margin was very helpful.

Turnover margin in particular. We were probably 2 turnovers each year away from 7-5 each year.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Cute.

But you completely glossed over all of the stuff about GDL and the O-line and former students' opinions of him. As I said, selective reading. I can't help you with reading comprehension.

But by all means, continue with your strategy of name-calling and pretending to take the high road. Super effective stuff.

Oh please, you sanctimonious plick. You lobbed the first insult.

And pardon me, if I don't give a flying fack if former players wax poetic about how they love the guy. Win games. Design an offense built for this century. While you're at it, throw in an in game adjustment for once. I'll take a huge a who runs a competent offense over a nice guy who has failed miserably at his job for the last decade.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

There are a couple of distinct issues here and each carries a considerable amount of weight in what our offensive shortcomings have been under GDL.

For openers, as someone pointed out, his (lack of) effectiveness as an offensive coordinator was not due the level of his knowledge of or ability to teach offensive line blocking. He basically attempted to get the offense to master too many different things tried to do too much with the limited teaching time that a college football program is allowed.

As far as Pioli's comments from working for (with) him at Syracuse. That happened nearly two and a half decades ago. When Pioli was a grad assistant at Cuse, GDL was a proponent for a physical, body on body offensive line blocking philosophy (not too different from what Foley taught under Edsall). At some point in the not too distant past (perhaps a dozen years ago, maybe less) GDL found religion (so to speak) and became a proponent of Alex Gibbs' zone scheme, which (for whatever reasons, i have my theory) he has been unable to teach

Throughout most of the 1970's, Jack Pardee was a highly respected, defensive minded coach (the Bears and Redskins were head coaching stops who were solid defensively but offensively challenged while he was there) who by the late 1980's became so enamored with the run and shoot that a 60-40 win (such as what they did against Texas) was a normal final score. From all appearances, GDL (without the success) has gone through a similar philosophical change in his golden years.

 

[ruskin]

I did find it a bit odd that this topic was brought up again, since both sides are pretty locked in to their position. I think this Jacobs line sums up the position of the vast majority here.

News: According to The Day of New London, UConn AD Warde Manuel lit into the football team after the end of the season.Views: Good. And I hope he lights into Paul Pasqualoni or George DeLeone if they try to interfere with new offensive coordinator T.J. Weist.

I hope TJ got iron-clad commitments that GDL is not going to be anywhere the chain of custody of play calls - no seat in booth, no headset, no hanging around PP/Day as play calls come in. Maybe even focus on the line and talk to them when they're not on the field. Now that might be helpful

If this setup works -- and all three coaches are in the same position next season - it will be a minor miracle.

 

[rich1122]

This is a bash GDL thread.

He should eating breakfast for dinner at the Wimdmill Diner. Not causing further damage to this program.

The Hater Blog has returned.

 

[UConnDan97]

No, I was looking for conversation on why that might be the case. Was it the development of spread offenses? Did the pace of the game catch up with him? Is it simply age? Why is a man, so widely revered in football circles, looking like he can't keep up with the game?

I tried to make a similar thread towards the end of the football year last year, in an attempt to reconcile the fact that he is a respected OLine coach even at the highest level with the fact that the OLine was our worst unit last year. My thread degraded to rock bottom levels after about two posts. I think you may have beaten me by a post or two...

 

[ZooCougar]

The Hater Blog has returned.

The guy with skulls for an avatar, (or is that P and D?) who has nothing to offer is still here.

 

[rich1122]

The guy with skulls for an avatar, (or is that P and D?) who has nothing to offer is still here.

It's a Boneyard DA

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I tried to make a similar thread towards the end of the football year last year, in an attempt to reconcile the fact that he is a respected OLine coach even at the highest level with the fact that the OLine was our worst unit last year. My thread degraded to rock bottom levels after about two posts. I think you may have beaten me by a post or two...

I think you're a good guy Dan, and would like to share a beverage or 8 with you at the Rent this year, but here is the problem with you Pollyanna guys: the second that people start talking about reality, that may not reflect well on the program, you guys get all bent out of shape. I really don't see many posts (save Zoo) that really bashing GDL. The OP asked for opinions, he got them. I agree with Pioli, and think FCF hit it on the head. The guy has been a disaster at every stop for the better part of 2 decades. Look at Ole Miss' rushing stats during GDL's one year as Running Game Coordinator. That is not bashing GDL. That is providing factual evidence to support your position.

If you guys really want a thread that prohibits anyone saying anything negative about his coaching ability, just state that. I promise I won't post in that thread. I will simply read it for a laugh. But I'm sick of people like Loop, who's first post in this thread insults me and Zoo complete with a picture of a beaten dead horse, lecture everyone else about civility and what we can and cannot post. There are many threads on this board I have not even looked at, because the title doesn't interest me. It's just a suggestion.

 

[UConnDan97]

I think you're a good guy Dan, and would like to share a beverage or 8 with you at the Rent this year, but here is the problem with you Pollyanna guys: the second that people start talking about reality, that may not reflect well on the program, you guys get all bent out of shape. I really don't see many posts (save Zoo) that really bashing GDL. The OP asked for opinions, he got them. I agree with Pioli, and think FCF hit it on the head. The guy has been a disaster at every stop for the better part of 2 decades. Look at Ole Miss' rushing stats during GDL's one year as Running Game Coordinator. That is not bashing GDL. That is providing factual evidence to support your position.

If you guys really want a thread that prohibits anyone saying anything negative about his coaching ability, just state that. I promise I won't post in that thread. I will simply read it for a laugh. But I'm sick of people like Loop, who's first post in this thread insults me and Zoo complete with a picture of a beaten dead horse, lecture everyone else about civility and what we can and cannot post. There are many threads on this board I have not even looked at, because the title doesn't interest me. It's just a suggestion.

1) First of all, it would be 8 beverages. Definitely 8.

2) I don't mind people being critical of the coaching staff, or the administration, or whatever aspect of the university they wish to be critical of. But I'm guessing what the OP was looking for (and what I was DEFINITELY looking for) was a more in-depth analysis. We all know he stunk as a play-caller. But what about the nuances of the zone blocking schemes? How does the new zone blocking affect the running game concepts? Was the horrible turnover margin this past year due to missed assignments, poor design, or both?

3) I didn't specifically call anyone out on this thread, so I'm somewhat surprised at your reaction of calling me a "Pollyanna". There is nothing Pollyanna about me. I was absolutely on board with bringing back Foley at OL (mostly because I like the "three yards and a cloud of smoke" mentality). I'm on record of saying that if PP doesn't go 6-6, he's gone. I like to think that I approach the board with a rational view, despite my fun "13-0" comments from time to time.

I guess I'm just looking for more specific substance and less generality. I would love to hear from someone like Third And One (Griffin's father), who might be able to add some insider perspective to the whole thing. I think that's why I appreciate Carl's point of view on subject matters like this, since he was a former player. At the end of the day, I guess we are all just slinging opinions around, so I suppose we should all have some fun with it...

 

[CL82]

Of all the GDL OC coaching deficiencies; none are cause he is tooooooooooo smart.

Agreed. I love the argument that people fail at something because they are "too smart." Any reasonable measure of intelligence includes the ability to adapt or too adjust. No people fail because they are unable to adjust, unable to communicate effectively, fail to see what strategies are being employed against them, but not because they are too smart.

FWIW, few things would make me happier as a UConn football fan than to see GDL show that he is "genius" of a OL coach. That would mean that: 1) our biggest shortcoming has been corrected; 2) he isn't getting in the Weist doing his job. If that mean that PP/GDL show sticks around, I'm fine with it.

 

[rich1122]

I tried to make a similar thread towards the end of the football year last year, in an attempt to reconcile the fact that he is a respected OLine coach even at the highest level with the fact that the OLine was our worst unit last year. My thread degraded to rock bottom levels after about two posts. I think you may have beaten me by a post or two...

Yes and after awhile it just serves absolutely no purpose except to make ALL of us look like a bunch of jerks and give us a bad reputation. Same old story game passed him by, he should be fired blah blah. Nothing better to do I suppose.

The Hater Blog has become our well-earned reputation.

 

[Waquoit]

The Hater Blog has become our well-earned reputation.

Speak for yourself.

 

[Srqhusky]

I think you're a good guy Dan, and would like to share a beverage or 8 with you at the Rent this year, but here is the problem with you Pollyanna guys: the second that people start talking about reality, that may not reflect well on the program, you guys get all bent out of shape. I really don't see many posts (save Zoo) that really bashing GDL. The OP asked for opinions, he got them. I agree with Pioli, and think FCF hit it on the head. The guy has been a disaster at every stop for the better part of 2 decades. Look at Ole Miss' rushing stats during GDL's one year as Running Game Coordinator. That is not bashing GDL. That is providing factual evidence to support your position.

If you guys really want a thread that prohibits anyone saying anything negative about his coaching ability, just state that. I promise I won't post in that thread. I will simply read it for a laugh. But I'm sick of people like Loop, who's first post in this thread insults me and Zoo complete with a picture of a beaten dead horse, lecture everyone else about civility and what we can and cannot post. There are many threads on this board I have not even looked at, because the title doesn't interest me. It's just a suggestion.

I don't think anyone objects to criticism. What you call criticism is rehashing every mistake the coaching staff makes as if they do nothing right.

 

[FAIRTIDES]

Agreed. I love the argument that people fail at something because they are "too smart." Any reasonable measure of intelligence includes the ability to adapt or too adjust. No people fail because they are unable to adjust, unable to communicate effectively, fail to see what strategies are being employed against them, but not because they are too smart.

FWIW, few things would make me happier as a UConn football fan than to see GDL show that he is "genius" of a OL coach. That would mean that: 1) our biggest shortcoming has been corrected; 2) he isn't getting in the Weist doing his job. If that mean that PP/GDL show sticks around, I'm fine with it.

The uni-bomber is a genius that was "too smart."

GDL seems to be a knowledgeable guy that has trouble disseminating knowledge.

By the way, every time I hear a coach or manager referred to as a "genius," the words "overqualified" and "under-utilized" come to mind.

 

[ZooCougar]

It's a Boneyard DA

Looks like two skulls.

Pasqualoni and DeLeone are awesome coaches! We're gonna the super awesomest this season!

 

[ZooCougar]

I don't think anyone objects to criticism. What you call criticism is rehashing every mistake the coaching staff makes as if they do nothing right.

What are they doing right?