Putting it in Perspective

[uconnphil2016]

Our offense consists of 10 freshman and sophomores who see considerable time.
Beals
Mayala
McLean
Shirreffs
Newsome
Johnson
Bloom
Myers
Hopkins
Vechery
There are only four upperclassmen who see considerable time on the offensive side of the ball. I'm not including DeLorenzo because he seldom plays, but the four are Knappe, Levy, Thomas and Samra. Only one of those four is a senior. Obviously most of you guys know the age of our starters, but it's worth remembering after a game like this. We have an incredibly bright future ahead of us and this is just one small bump in the road. In two years we are going to be very, very hard to stop.

 

[BlueDogs]

Perspective - Houston

 

[uconnphil2016]

Perspective - Houston

Houston won 8 games last year...it's not like they're coming out of nowhere

 

[HobokenHusky]

Our offense consists of 10 freshman and sophomores who see considerable time. Beals Mayala McLean Shirreffs Newsome Johnson Bloom Myers Hopkins Vechery There are only four upperclassmen who see considerable time on the offensive side of the ball. I'm not including DeLorenzo because he seldom plays, but the four are Knappe, Levy, Thomas and Samra. Only one of those four is a senior. Obviously most of you guys know the age of our starters, but it's worth remembering after a game like this. We have an incredibly bright future ahead of us and this is just one small bump in the road. In two years we are going to be very, very hard to stop.

Well look at you struttin' in here with your "rational thoughts" and fancy "facts". Go back where you came from! Houston is winning with a first year coach so why can't we! I mean every football program and coaching situation is the same! Aggggrrrrrrruuuuggggghhhhhhh bring the block C back aaaagggghhhhhhrrrrr (fart)

 

[#1 PA Husky Fan]

This team is so young and improving. They are making mistakes that young teams make. Expectations need to be realistic. The difference from last year is night and day. I can actually watch a full game for the first time in a couple years. There are good times ahead as this team matures.

 

[uconnphil2016]

Well look at you struttin' in here with your "rational thoughts" and fancy "facts". Go back where you came from! Houston is winning with a first year coach so why can't we! I mean every football program and coaching situation is the same! Aggggrrrrrrruuuuggggghhhhhhh bring the block C back aaaagggghhhhhhrrrrr (fart)

This is too good

 

[JMick]

There is a lot to look forward to in the future. I think 2017 has the potential to be special.

 

[Dooley]

Bottom line: we knew we were going to lose games like this in 2015. Young teams make mistakes and we made our fair share today. It's all part of the ultimate process. We all hoped that we would find a way to squeak out 6 wins this year while we re-learned how to win. It doesn't look like that will happen now, but we're not getting blown out in any game and a few of these Ls could have very easily been Ws.

 

[JMick]

but we're not getting blown out in any game and a few of these Ls could have very easily been Ws.

Personally that's what I find the most frustrating; knowing that the team has the ability to win these games yet we haven't. It will be nice when we start winning the 50/50 and 60/40 games, though. It's all a process

 

[Jimdish255]

Actually it's 12 including Sophomore HCBD. But he's getting paid to figure stuff out and should be further along in his development.

 

[BlueDogs]

Houston won 8 games last year...it's not like they're coming out of nowhere

Precisely my point. You need to build on success. Same for Temple and Memphis. Few teams flip dramatically. That said, this loss was a real dagger and chance to make a real step forward. Let's see if we can steal a signature win. Still games to play.

 

[History Geek]

Progress was never going to be linear. Of course, just because setbacks were going to be inevitable, they still are very frustrating. Here to hoping players and coaches learn from it and the others which are sure to come.

I actually think next year my be special.

 

[SubbaBub]

That's all well and good, but underclassmen making mistakes underclassmen shouldn't make isn't anything to be excited about. Neither is inexperienced coaches making mistakes even inexperienced coaches shouldn't make.

I like watching the team this year, as opposed to last year. That doesn't mean not meeting the most reasonable expectations gets a pass based on youth and inexperience.

 

[hardcorehusky]

Personally that's what I find the most frustrating; knowing that the team has the ability to win these games yet we haven't. It will be nice when we start winning the 50/50 and 60/40 games, though. It's all a process

After all our losses based on how we played, we don't have the ability to win these games. Right now, blown coverages are getting punished, the lack of OL push creates 4th downs that aren't converted and the coaching staff is still learning. We are what we are- full of potential and growth - both mental and physical.

 

[Tdaley]

Baby steps. The fans want to focus on what they perceived to be poor choices by the coaching staff which is always up for debate. Most of the time its really more the execution by the players and not the coaches decision that causes a play not to work. The reality is our coaches are handicapped by a very young team with two major gaps in talent. Its hard to run an offense when your oline blocks as poorly as ours does. Did anyone watch the Cincinnati offensive line block BYU Friday night? Despite blitzing on almost every down the bearcat's quarterback still had plenty of time to throw. He wasn't running for his life like Shirreffs has to do on almost every passing play. The lack of a good oline with running backs that can block a pass rush is why we have trouble completing drives and converting 4th downs. Also, we are the worst pass rushing defense in our conference. How many quarterback sacks do we have this season? We gave the South Florida's quarterback way too much time to throw. We simply don't have enough speed on defense especially on the edges. Once we develop and improve those two areas of weakness this program could become really good. People have to be patient. It takes time and a few good recruiting years. If we can keep Shirreffs, healthy, I think we still could steal a win or two before the season over. You have to keep the faith a little longer.

 

[huskysupporter]

The only position I am horrified about for the future is O Line, other than that position I have seen enough flashes from our youngsters that I am optimistic about the talent on this team. It's the coaching that has me worried the most. Let's just hope the old adage "It ain't the X's and O's, it's the Jimmys and Joes" holds true.

 

[uconnphil2016]

The only position I am horrified about for the future is O Line, other than that position I have seen enough flashes from our youngsters that I am optimistic about the talent on this team. It's the coaching that has me worried the most. Let's just hope the old adage "It ain't the X's and O's, it's the Jimmys and Joes" holds true.

True. I'm just hoping that the o-line looks better once Diaco's guys are in there. Levy is brutal and none of them are good.

 

[huskysupporter]

True. I'm just hoping that the o-line looks better once Diaco's guys are in there. Levy is brutal and none of them are good.

I just see no hope here right now. I thought Levy actually played solid this game (still want him at guard). The interior line was absolutely destroyed. Looked like they were playing in quicksand

Just not sure where the help is coming. We need to scour JUCO ranks, and graduate players.

 

[jdb50]

The way teams seal our edge and get around it are a major problem. When teams decide they need yards and are going to run they know who to attack. BD has to get to work recruiting taller DE's and OLB's who can move, with the influx of offensive minded coaches in the AAC we will have many more days like Saturday if he doesn't. Our defense fell apart after we took the lead on BS's run.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I'm guessing here but I think the plan is to get as far as we can with what we have this year (while redshirting a few kids) and shake things up considerably next year.

Peart will be LT (and suffer some growing pains) while Levy (where he would be far better suited) and Knappe fight it out for starting RT, allowing Rutherford to finally redshirt (and start at RT as a junior the following season). Crozier steps in at center while a handful of kids (including two who are starting at the moment, Vechery & Hopkins) will compete for the starting guard positions.

My guess is it won't be until 2017 that our offensive line will have caught up to the rest of the offense. We also need keep non-starters on the roster for a couple of more seasons (and recruiting classes) in order to have a sufficient number of bodies for practice.

 

[History Geek]

I'm guessing here but I think the plan is to get as far as we can with what we have this year (while redshirting a few kids) and shake things up considerably next year...

This.

Even though we only lose Samra at the end of the year, Crozier is back, those redshirting are available, and everyone left will have another year of maturity, lifting, and technique/agility drills under their belts. There is no way we just find a replacement for Samra and leave everyone else in the same position. FFC has one definitely plausible scenario outlined above, but it could shake out differently.