One thing overlooked in the decline of the running game is the FB | The Boneyard
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One thing overlooked in the decline of the running game is the FB

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Devland

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For 8 years in a row, from 2002 to 2011 we had the luxury of having great blocking full backs. Deon Anderson from 2002-2006 the Anthony Sherman from 2007 to 2011. I know the O-line troubles have had an effect on the running game, but I'm sure the decline at fullback also is a major factor. The lack of a running game then has a negative effect on the passing game. It had cascading effect on the whole offense. Is there a backup at another position who could be converted into a big physical fullback?
 
I am not sure I would pin poor recruiting on Pasqualoni versus Edsall.

What I am certain of ... Edsall was a far better manager of the Roster. He knew how kids fit his system and had plenty of depth even if they were not 4/5 star guys (see Burton). Offensive Line? I basically see that as a DeLeone issue. We seem to totally lack confidence and commitment and communication. The Breakdowns are far beyond our level of talent. RB? Edsall used to have 3-5 kids that we easily could see as good replacements for the main guy; and of course, we were blessed with many many fine Fullbacks. Even the ones you aren't mentioning were great in their moments . We had far better Tight Ends - even though guys like Lassen and Danny Murray were not kids that ever played TE like this in HS. One after another ... Edsall could manage the full complement of 85.
 
Devland said:
For 8 years in a row, from 2002 to 2011 we had the luxury of having great blocking full backs. Deon Anderson from 2002-2006 the Anthony Sherman from 2007 to 2011. I know the O-line troubles have had an effect on the running game, but I'm sure the decline at fullback also is a major factor. The lack of a running game then has a negative effect on the passing game. It had cascading effect on the whole offense. Is there a backup at another position who could be converted into a big physical fullback?
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Your post touches on a subject I have been thinking about since the start of the season. All during camp, we were hearing wonderful reports about Walsh and Clax. I remember even hearing that Walsh was getting burn at crucial goal line situations and getting the ball! Now, I did not see the Buffalo game, but I really don't remember seeing a FB on the field in the first three games? Why not? I thought these guys were looking really good in camp? Why not provide a lead full back when you line up McCombs 10 yards in the backfield by himself and everyone, including me knows he is getting the ball?

Anyway, I don't think it is the issue of not having good FBs on the team. It is that we need to actually utilize them. It has been one of the more puzzling questions I have had.
 
Walsh has been in on mostly goal line situations and had a nice block for the McCombs TD against Turtle U. He has had a few whiffs along the way as well but he's a true freshman as well. They just haven't been using a boodle of two back sets.
 
There are no fullbacks in a spread offense. Even the great Sherman only played on half of our downs. Boyle ran the shotgun spread in high school, expect more of it next week. Fullbacks are just situational players these days.
 
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huskymedic said:
BerlinCitSports 11:23am via Web
#UConn football making plenty of changes, including naming #Connecticut native Tim Boyle a starter. Will #Berlin's Max DeLorenzo be next?
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I say give Max the ball and let him run backwards on every carry. Did you see the 2 plays versus Buffalo where he used his leg power while in a reverse mode?

He should have gotten the majority of the carries vs Buffalo. I think we see a lot more of him.
 
While I am more hopeful that I have been in several seasons, I would be utterly surprised if UConn’s OL fixed all of its problems overnight in time. Unfortunately, I expect GDL’s influence to be around for the rest of the 2013 season.

Thus, I hope Weist quickly acknowledges what UConn’s strengths and weaknesses are and includes a FB or an extra TE to help with blocking schemes or McCombs will still be going nowhere and Boyle will need track shoes. I would even be interested to see if a two back set, especially if DeLorenzo can block, that uses him to block and move the pile when needed by running up the guy while McCombs can be used for sweeps (along with Foxx?) and screens. A FB, especially one who can hold onto the ball in short yardage situations and maybe even catch, could also work.
 
sportsart said:
I say give Max the ball and let him run backwards on every carry. Did you see the 2 plays versus Buffalo where he used his leg power while in a reverse mode?

He should have gotten the majority of the carries vs Buffalo. I think we see a lot more of him.
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Not to mention when he plowed into two Michigan defenders, and,knocked them,backwards on their ass as they made the tackle. Why hasn't this kid played more? Cause he doesn't run 4.4, or make run well laterally? Misuse of talent on hand.
 
Mr. Conehead said:
While I am more hopeful that I have been in several seasons, I would be utterly surprised if UConn’s OL fixed all of its problems overnight in time. Unfortunately, I expect GDL’s influence to be around for the rest of the 2013 season.

Thus, I hope Weist quickly acknowledges what UConn’s strengths and weaknesses are and includes a FB or an extra TE to help with blocking schemes or McCombs will still be going nowhere and Boyle will need track shoes. I would even be interested to see if a two back set, especially if DeLorenzo can block, that uses him to block and move the pile when needed by running up the guy while McCombs can be used for sweeps (along with Foxx?) and screens. A FB, especially one who can hold onto the ball in short yardage situations and maybe even catch, could also work.
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I wouldn't mind seeing him move Sean Marinan back to block for his old HS teammate. He'll never get on the field as a DE.
 
Our tight ends are both relatively small at least compared to the guys we've had. That doesn't help. Nor does the fact that the back up left tackle is under 275, which is small even for 1AA. I don't care how quick he is or how good his footwork is Carl, he is just oo small. th eother problem we have is a recruiting problem. P got lots of Connecticut kids, but they aren't all that good. Boyle probably will be, but DeLorenzo is limited, Cochran is limited, the tight ends are both limited...you can go down the list. This was a bizzaro world we lived in under Pasqualoni, almost like he wanted to prove you could win with Connecticut kids.
 
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freescooter said:
Our tight ends are both relatively small at least compared to the guys we've had. That doesn't help. Nor does the fact that the back up left tackle is under 275, which is small even for 1AA. I don't care how quick he is or how good his footwork is Carl, he is just oo small. th eother problem we have is a recruiting problem. P got lots of Connecticut kids, but they aren't all that good. Boyle probably will be, but DeLorenzo is limited, Cochran is limited, the tight ends are both limited...you can go down the list. This was a bizzaro world we lived in under Pasqualoni, almost like he wanted to prove you could win with Connecticut kids.
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But, it did make the CT Football Coaches’ Association happy. :mad:
 
I don't want to see Max and Lyle in the backfield together. I don't see the point in this. Max and Walsh yes! Some power runs with play action off it would be nice. Norris made a catch at TE. He should be able to block. One problem has been that Lyle really doesn't have enough speed to turn the corner so we have been running him between the tackles. This is poor talent utilization that above posters mentioned.
 
freescooter said:
th eother problem we have is a recruiting problem. P got lots of Connecticut kids, but they aren't all that good. Boyle probably will be, but DeLorenzo is limited, Cochran is limited, the tight ends are both limited...you can go down the list. This was a bizzaro world we lived in under Pasqualoni, almost like he wanted to prove you could win with Connecticut kids.
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I'll just point out that DeLorenzo and McQuillan were both Edsall recruits.

McQuillan looks like he has some ability, though is slower after the injury. Nobody knows about Myers yet or whether he can play.
 
What happened to Rueben Franks at FB I noticed in Michigan game he was on D
 
I like having Delorenzo and lyle in the same backfield, as the play can go either way quickly, run or pass. I think with a fb in there it's primarily a running play. It really doesn't matter unless they get some better o-line play though.
 
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Excalibur said:
I'll just point out that DeLorenzo and McQuillan were both Edsall recruits.

McQuillan looks like he has some ability, though is slower after the injury. Nobody knows about Myers yet or whether he can play.
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True enough. De Lorenzo seems to me like a situational back and he isn't a great blocker though he might improve with time. McQuillan is a pass catching tight end, I think. He's smallish at least compared to what UConn traditionally has at the position. And that doesn't help with a small tackle on that side too. That's what I meant by limited.
 
freescooter said:
True enough. De Lorenzo seems to me like a situational back and he isn't a great blocker though he might improve with time. McQuillan is a pass catching tight end, I think. He's smallish at least compared to what UConn traditionally has at the position. And that doesn't help with a small tackle on that side too. That's what I meant by limited.
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Fair enough, and I agree that Max has limitations even if I think he's the better option to get a majority of the carries right now.
 
Mr. Conehead said:
While I am more hopeful that I have been in several seasons, I would be utterly surprised if UConn’s OL fixed all of its problems overnight in time. Unfortunately, I expect GDL’s influence to be around for the rest of the 2013 season.

Thus, I hope Weist quickly acknowledges what UConn’s strengths and weaknesses are and includes a FB or an extra TE to help with blocking schemes or McCombs will still be going nowhere and Boyle will need track shoes. I would even be interested to see if a two back set, especially if DeLorenzo can block, that uses him to block and move the pile when needed by running up the guy while McCombs can be used for sweeps (along with Foxx?) and screens. A FB, especially one who can hold onto the ball in short yardage situations and maybe even catch, could also work.
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This and;

IF we can get some blocking early and keep these guys on the field, backs like DeLorenzo and Hyppolite can wear down a defense over the course of a game. So a fullback may not necessarily be the answer. They could provide the balance to complement our passing game and keep some heat off TB. I don't think Coach Weist is going to try to overly protect TB. Any attempt to limit his options just makes it easier to bottle us up and put him in bad situations. And he has the skills to do the things that Chandler did, in some cases better as he gains experience.
 
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