If McCombs is really all-conference . . . . .

[ruskin]

That would be a good sign. How many running backs are all-conference without a competent offensive line?

http://www.philsteele.com/All_Conference/2013/2013_Preseason/AAC.html

 

[Palatine]

He's not all conference based on what we saw in 2012. Competition at RB is what we need.

 

[BoatShow]

Wish Hyppolite was healthy regardless. No clue why he didn't get more touches last year.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

We don't see practices, unfortunately, so for all we know, Williams/Hyppolite just weren't bringing it in practice and McCombs was miles ahead. I hope not. But we just don't know.

I am a little surprised to see the optimistic pick of Byron Jones as an All-Conference Corner. But hey, we have a strong history of great Cornerbacks, so let's keep it going.

 

[Husky25]

We don't see practices, unfortunately, so for all we know, Williams/Hyppolite just weren't bringing it in practice and McCombs was miles ahead. I hope not. But we just don't know.

I am a little surprised to see the optimistic pick of Byron Jones as an All-Conference Corner. But hey, we have a strong history of great Cornerbacks, so let's keep it going.

If that was the case, then why burn Williams' redshirt by having him on special teams? He was not the primary returner. It was a poor move from my view on the 30 yard line.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

If that was the case, then why burn Williams' redshirt by having him on special teams? He was not the primary returner. It was a poor move from my view on the 30 yard line.

It probably was a poor decision, then. Luckily, most of us don't have to perform our jobs on television, and therefore are all doing our jobs 100% mistake-free.

 

[Husky25]

It probably was a poor decision, then. Luckily, most of us don't have to perform our jobs on television, and therefore are all doing our jobs 100% mistake-free.

How does Solenko describe the kick back policy to Donald in Heat?

"Rules of game."

Besides I think we would know that Coach Pasqualoni was not 100% mistake free even if his industry was not televised. He went 10-14, with zero bowl appearances for 2 years and his 2nd in command was demoted by his boss.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

We don't see practices, unfortunately, so for all we know, Williams/Hyppolite just weren't bringing it in practice and McCombs was miles ahead. I hope not. But we just don't know.

I am a little surprised to see the optimistic pick of Byron Jones as an All-Conference Corner. But hey, we have a strong history of great Cornerbacks, so let's keep it going.

I generally subscribe to this line of thinking.....but my God our running game was beyond ineffective. How could it not have warranted making some changes? The only thing we did was swap Bullock in for Mateas. Could Joe Williams have done any worse? Not much.

 

[Srqhusky]

Keep in mind a quality offensive line can have GDl running for 100 yards a game. Line should be Mutch better this year having another year to gel. As crazy as it sounds last year they looked close.

 

[Husky25]

Keep in mind a quality offensive line can have GDl running for 100 yards a game. Line should be Mutch better this year having another year to gel. As crazy as it sounds last year they looked close.

100 yards per game ain't gonna cut it in college. UConn was 4th from the bottom in rushing yards per game with 88yds/game. Wake Forest was 9th from the bottom of Div 1A with 100.5 yards per game. If the passing game was as inept as it was per the eyeball test, A "running" team needs to average closer to 200 yards rushing.

 

[UConnDan97]

For what it's worth, I think that McCombs is going to be one of the top four running backs in the league. I really am expecting to see an improvement on the OLine, and I think that having most everyone back on the line is going to pay big dividends this year. Of course, I also believe that I can live to 120 years old, so I could be mistaken.

The other thing that I noticed about Steele's first team is that the other RB is Sims from Houston. Didn't he recently announce a transfer to WVU? Amazingly, I think the preseason info is already out of date...

 

[huskymedic]

The other thing that I noticed about Steele's first team is that the other RB is Sims from Houston. Didn't he recently announce a transfer to WVU? Amazingly, I think the preseason info is already out of date...

Yup - the list came out end of May - transferred towards end of June.

He has it asterisked now. (https://www.philsteele.com/Blogs/2013/MAY13/DBMay28.html)

http://the-boneyard.com/threads/phil-steeles-pre-season-aa-for-the-american.39717/

 

[Whale22]

Just an observation. I opened that link expecting to see a few more UConn players on a 2-Deep All Conf team (nevermind 4-Deep). The lack of representation on what is basically a Conf USA All-Conf team was definetly a surprise. Granted UConn is usually under represented in any pre-season picks of any kind. Just relaying my initial reaction. Hopefully it is a sign the conference will be better than expected and that we're like usual under represented.

 

[freescooter]

I don't subscribe to all the anti-McCombs stuff that goes around here much of the time. I think he had a fine freshman year and wasn't terrible last year running behind (and I use the term behind generously) a horrible offensive line. He's not Jordan Todman and he's not Donald Brown, but he is more than serviceable. It would be great to have someone else step up and earn some reps, too but that nobody has is hardly McComb's fault, though some folks here seem to think it is. I thought he showed better patience last year and I thought he did a better job of staying up when he got hit. If he continues to progress and we get better line play and better, less predictable play calling, he'll be back at the 1000 yard level. I continue to have hopes that someone like Williams or the kid from Berlin whose name I can never remember will emerge as a true partner in the backup. I think the Berlin kid may end up as a fullback,he just looks like one to me. But if McCombs is all-conference I think that will be a good sign for this season.

 

[Nostical]

McCombs will lead the AAC in rushing. He is even better than his 2011 season promised. Last year he was so utterly misused it was criminal. Interesting that Phil Steele sees the reality.

 

[Husky68]

I don't subscribe to all the anti-McCombs stuff that goes around here much of the time. I think he had a fine freshman year and wasn't terrible last year running behind (and I use the term behind generously) a horrible offensive line. He's not Jordan Todman and he's not Donald Brown, but he is more than serviceable. It would be great to have someone else step up and earn some reps, too but that nobody has is hardly McComb's fault, though some folks here seem to think it is. I thought he showed better patience last year and I thought he did a better job of staying up when he got hit. If he continues to progress and we get better line play and better, less predictable play calling, he'll be back at the 1000 yard level. I continue to have hopes that someone like Williams or the kid from Berlin whose name I can never remember will emerge as a true partner in the backup. I think the Berlin kid may end up as a fullback,he just looks like one to me. But if McCombs is all-conference I think that will be a good sign for this season.

LM is not a BCS starting back. How many RB's haven't shown what they can do by red shirt sophomore year when getting 250 plus carries and get better their third year? PP had one game where another back had to play and came close to 100 yards, then he gives the kid virtually no burn after that. LM is not a terrible back, he just isn't an every down back to the exclusion of all others at a Div1 BCS program. He is not serviceable.

LM's lack of speed, power and elusiveness is not Ollie's fault.

 

[Nostical]

Husky68, you couldn't be more wrong about this kid.

 

[metsfan2323]

Josh Marriner has the size (190) speed (4.5 40) and character (military academy offers) to contribute this year. I hope he gets a real opportunity to show what he can do.

 

[Srqhusky]

Tjw said he was looking to use two rb this year. Not sure if McConbs is going to get as many carries. We have joe Williams who should get a good look this year. Thunder and light ing in the backfield

 

[Rumrunner]

McCombs just doesn't have that break-away, pop the clutch, and get to the next gear speed. But he's the epitome of an every down back. He's durable, competent, understands the schemes, knows how to block, and he's not afraid of staying in bounds. How much was the dropoff due to the o-line? We get to see in two months.

He's very workman like. Ideally, however you don't want mccombs to carry the ball 90% of the time. He should carry not more than 65% of the time. Carrying too much is a recipe for fatigue, and inevitably wears down the ypc. I guess pasqualoni (imo wrongfully) gives up some yards at the expense of the risk of fumbling. Remember, pasqualoni is statistically obsessed about turnovers.