I don't think it should be that difficult to recruit at least a competent QB who's capable of throwing the ball without making too many mistakes, no matter how young the program is. As important a position as QB is to a football team, we should have done and need to do a lot better recruiting job there.
We have first-rate facilities, we've had good OL play for the most part since DanO, and we've made it to several bowl games, including one BCS bowl. Practically all of our games are televised on some version of ESPN. Edsall convinced Hennegan's parents that they would see all of his games in Fort Worth by simply getting a satellite dish, if they didn't already have one.
During that time span, we've had Hernandez, Bonislawski, Lorenzen, Endres, Frazer, McEntee and Whitmer. Only Lorenzen and possibly Frazer qualify for the 'competent' category.
We are surrounded by four of the larger population states in the entire country. We ought to be able to identify and get at least a few decent QBs from that talent pool. Two of those states (NJ and PA) produce some great HS football talent, and a lot of it. Our former HC was from one of those states.
I don't buy the argument that we can't recruit QBs. We've managed to recruit some NFL-caliber talent at other skill positions during this same time period. Why not at QB?
First, Endres was competent, and I fully believe that Whitmer is going to be a very good one.
Second, just because we are surrounded by high population in the northeast does not mean that we are the destination of choice for QB's, especially since we have been known primarily for our run game for over a decade. I'm not saying that we can't recruit a QB. I'm saying that we are bringing in better quality than we have had in past seasons, but we shouldn't expect that Andrew Luck and Geno Smith are going to choose UConn over other programs at this point in our maturity. I fully expect that people like Whitmer, Cochran, and Lagow will build us up to that point, because I believe that all three have talent and ability at the position. What we need now is time....and an OLine that will keep them alive!! Re-instate Foley...
I haven't seen anything like that yet from Whitmer. I could be wrong, but his performance so far is not confidence-inspiring. He plays with a deer-in-the-headlights look, stares down his primary receivers and doesn't have any conception of how fast the game is played at this level. He's got no clock in his head for knowing how long he's got to hold the ball before throwing it. That could change over time with experience, but I'm not so sure. Lorenzen had those skills from day one. Whitmer doesn't.
Don't forget that fumble!Perhaps it was the 6 sacks yesterday that led you to believe that Whitmer wasn't competent. However, even after having said that, he threw for just shy of 300 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no INT's. I'd say that's a pretty competent performance, especially after having picked himself off of the ground six times...
Don't forget that fumble!
This is the only thread we should be posting in now. What a disaster this OL is. Whitmer is going to get killed.
Why Foley was ever moved is beyond me - however DeLeone basically coached the o-line last season as well...FWIW
Losing that fumble was crucial to losing the game. Blame it on o-line if you want, but CW saw the defense and didn't protect the ball when he was hit. So 1 "aw " wipes out a lot of "atta boys".Yeah, don't forget that fumble that he was HIT ON, right? He wasn't trying to run the ball and just didn't have ball security. He didn't have protection...
Losing that fumble was crucial to losing the game. Blame it on o-line if you want, but CW saw the defense and didn't protect the ball when he was hit. So 1 "aw " wipes out a lot of "atta boys".
What are some things that score more often than GDL's offense?
RutgersAl.
This was about the TEMPLE 4th quarter fumble.Whitmer had less than a second to make a decision. Watch the replay on it. Yes, the fumble was bad. But the blitz sent several Fruit through our swiss cheese OL untouched. It's tough to make a heady play (ie - get rid of the ball to your hot read like Whitmer was trying to do) in less than 1 second.
Bingo. Everyone knew UCONN was running the ball last year. 8 men in the box? Try all 11 defenders were cheating run. And we still ran effectively. Pass blocking was a work in progress. Not nearly as bad as the sacks would make you think as McEntee was horrible in the pocket. Happy feet, when he could have just stepped into the pocket.
There was no reason Foley should have been removed. None. It was a ridiculously stupid move.
I was greatly encouraged when Mike Foley was retained when PP was hired ... Far more than the others.
I was disturbed at what I've seen. The OLine was clearly far better coached with Foley before PP.
It's NOT a talent issue. Hate any words coming out saying that. We had a very successful formula ... You fecundity changed it.