My Keys Outside The Offensive Line

[whaler11]

I have never felt I had less of a sense as to how good a UConn team is going to be going into the season. Some of that is schedule because I'm so less familiar with the conference teams, some is the huge number of great players that are gone.

Ignoring the fact that the offensive line is the biggest question mark and is the biggest variable between 4 and 8 wins...

1 and 2 really are a bit dependent on each other. The secondary certainly benefited from the pass rush last year, and the pass rush benefited from the quality of coverage.

1. Is there enough of a pass rush. I am pretty comfortable with the tackles, but can the ends get pressure?

2. What are they going to get from the non Jones corners. Jones is easily the most underrated player on the team. Will the others play well enough? Honestly Mack scares the hell out of me.

3. Can the WR's not only improve, but also soak up the production lost at TE? I'm much more worried about blocking at TE than I am replacing the TE receiving production, because it looks like the receivers have the ability - now we've had good groups on paper before but Phillips and Davis showed enough on the field that they can provide even more. Can the less proven and new receivers be productive. I think if the line can give Whitmer time they will be.

4. Can they generate more turnovers on defense? Was there some bad luck last year or was it partially scheme.

5. Can they get big plays in the return game? The kickers are good, I didn't think Williams had a great year but can they get his level or production or better.

6. Can they avoid injuries at the thinner positions. Good health at DB, QB and DE would be especially helpful.

 

[huskymedic]

Don't feel bad... You're not the only one!

Kevin Duffy: Gauging this UConn team as difficult as ever

http://www.ctpost.com/uconn/article...n-team-as-difficult-4762633.php?cmpid=twitter

I agree 100% on turnovers being key (limiting/creating).

 

[sportsart]

The Courant preview had a mention of GDL being...how do I paraphrase this...more quiet this year...due to him being more pleased with the OL.

My guess is grandpa was told to shut up and keep the drool to a minimum.

 

[Chin Diesel]

The Courant preview had a mention of GDL being...how do I paraphrase this...more quiet this year...due to him being more pleased with the OL.

My guess is grandpa was told to shut up and keep the drool to a minimum.

I wouldn't be ad if Uconn treated GDL the way Homer and Marge treated Grandpa Simpson.

 

[jdb50]

A running back who can rip off 30- 40-50 yard runs to the house.
What Stewart can bring to the D. His speed looks exceptional so I see some pass rush here.
Opponents 3rd and longs not resulting in first downs. PP has mentioned this, not giving big plays. Mack got burned last year at times and he has to get better here.
Good run blocking by our wideouts to help get the long runs.
More emotion from our players. I think TJ is going to help get this going. We all saw how Cinci had it.

 

[noeynox]

Mack showed a lot of promise as a freshman. I think he maybe wasn't ideally suited for Don Brown's system where so much was put on the DBs in man coverage. I'm hoping that a return to Hank Hughes and a more balance defense will allow him to look more like his freshman year form. Short of that, I was really impressed with Jhavon Williams at the spring game, and if Mack isn't up to it, I could see him becoming entrenched for quite a while at the corner spot.

Jesse Joseph I think had 8 sacks as a sophomore. I think he got a little too thick/muscle bound as junior and he took a step back. Now he is coming off of a major injury. Willman has a non stop motor. Sort of a DE version of Ryan Wirth, but I wonder if he has the footspeed to be full time starting DE. I was intrigued by Knapp in the spring game. Got good push, and at that height he will deflect some passes inevitably.

The oline I don't have a clue about. I worry about not having a game breaker at TB. I just want to see our boys out with the new unis in about 42hours.

 

[sportsart]

The oline I don't have a clue about. I worry about not having a game breaker at TB. I just want to see our boys out with the new unis in about 42hours.

Let's hope this is their year. We have, what, 4 seniors on the OL? Hear's hoping we RS Newsome next year....but I digress...

 

[metsfan2323]

a major key is someone other than McCombs running the ball, hopefully somebody is ready to step up. I thought Max looked great at the open practice I attended. We are 46 hours away from finally knowing what the new offense looks like.

 

[SubbaBub]

Haven't seen this one. Can our new secondary maintain coverage? Confident they can run and tackle well enough, but young secondaries usually blow coverages on a frequent basis.

Not seeing Towson receivers standing downfield alone, will be a good sign.

 

[freescooter]

Haven't seen this one. Can our new secondary maintain coverage? Confident they can run and tackle well enough, but young secondaries usually blow coverages on a frequent basis.

Not seeing Towson receivers standing downfield alone, will be a good sign.

At least 1 pick. Ideally 2. This was inexplicably a huge problem. We had 3 NFL prospects in the secondary last year and had very few picks. I personally would give up more total yards in exchange for more interceptions by the Defense. Our offense never seemed to start on the opponents side of the 50, never mind inside the 30, which picks can give you. We went from 20 in 2010, 18 in 2011 to 8 last year. I think Brown's d last year was designed to sell out stopping the run and leaving d-backs alone to stop passes. Consequently they were either coached or weren't confident that they could take a chance going for a pick, because if they missed it would be a huge play. Just my theory. In any case, I want to see us start with Towson and snag 2 per game this year.

 

[Husky68]

Seem last year dropped lot of potential interceptions (especially lb's). Also, just like play calling issues on offense, if defense played only man and other team figured out plays where had match up advantages plus D getting tired being on field so many times = 4th qtr and red zone problems. PP mentions (and OL guys) how "surprised" by some teams (Fruit and WM) defensive plays/attack, don't remember that being the case where our defense surprised opponents, Temple game at end is example of many good plays on defense, almost turning them over and finally getting beat 1 on 1 twice for tying scores.

 

[Kgun7]

..."I'm much more worried about blocking at TE than I am replacing the TE receiving production, because it looks like the receivers have the ability" ...

I have never missed Steve Brouse more than I do right now!!!