So are we on schedule?

[SubbaBub]

While i don't think anything "dooms a program forever", i also think giving him another year is practical. The roster is starting to resemble an FBS squad. They were very bad in this regard when Edsall got here. The biggest issue i have he hasn't come close to identifying an answer at QB, and he struggled with this his 1st time around as well.

Forever was a hyperbolic reponse to the chicken littles. It would however damage the programs reputation long term if we cut ties with Randy. The only coach to ever have success here couldn't even do it without P5 access would make future hires a complete crapshoot. We'd have to get lucky and find the one guy who can take Randy's recruits and win where Randy could not.

They also would need to have that next guy be able to recruit people here better than Randy. Something else no one has done.

I get it, winning 3 games in three years is terrible by any measure would winning 4 games this year, the top end on most predictions, really mean all that much in the long run?

The plan is to get back to bowl eligibility and win games agaisnt P5 teams. We had Illinois and Houston within reach, if a few more of Diaco's upperclassmen stuck around to produce, there's your 2 wins.

As for the blow outs, with the exception of Tulane, they (Navy, Indiana, and Cincy) are all currently ranked.

I think we are better, maybe not as much as we'd hoped. If we are sitting at 2 wins at this time next year, he can be fired without any reasonable complaint. Of the 9 games currently on the schedule, 4 are very winnable.

 

[DefCONNOne]

Here’s the guy Chief wanted instead of Randy. He also has a multi year rebuilding job but Moorhead won some games in the SEC. When he speaks, Joe mentions specific stuff - he speaks with passion, sounds like he actually has a plan and you sense light at the end of the tunnel to being competitive.

Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead gets fired up after loss to LSU

Mississippi State coach Joe Moorhead was passionate in his post-game press conference after a loss to LSU.

www.clarionledger.com

Well maybe Chief should've hired him instead of Randy. Just sayin'.

 

[Pudge]

Revisionist history from a former Diaco cheerleader. He was a transfer from NC State and he was filling a big void. Diaco was a buffoon but he actually went out and found a kid from a P5 school (even though he was a backup) to transfer to Uconn. I would say that getting BS to Uconn was the only thing that Diaco did right while he was here.

Shireffs was a warrior and took way more shots because of the ineptitude of the coaching coaching and scheme and more so because Diaco did not recruit a single D1 quality O-lineman.

wtf.

love you guys taking shots ... like you had some prescient notion to not give Bobby Cranberry pants the job or the big extensions after a kinda bowl experience

It should be clear: Edsall can evaluate & fill/manage a roster better than either Diaco or PP. Huge issues cropped up when he toys with the Crocker D & his own unique grind of O in a conference that has jet fuel in most every Program versus our fumes; and playing FR/Soph versus experienced deep rosters.

I still think UCONN has good FB teams coming. But this is tough fandom.

 

[Pudge]

Well maybe Chief should've hired him instead of Randy. Just sayin'.

Chief is amazing

Firstly, Moorhead in the winter of 2009/2010 was somewhat premature. And after good success at Fordham, Manuel never sniffed. Narduzzi or Diaco. My view will be we need Head Coach experiences with Northeast recruiting ... Moorhead (2014 or 2017 NOT 2009).

 

[06029]

.

love you guys taking shots ... like you had some prescient notion to not give Bobby Cranberry pants the job or the big extensions after a kinda bowl experience

It should be clear: Edsall can evaluate & fill/manage a roster better than either Diaco or PP. Huge issues cropped up when he toys with the Crocker D & his own unique grind of O in a conference that has jet fuel in most every Program versus our fumes; and playing FR/Soph versus experienced deep rosters.

I still think UCONN has good FB teams coming. But this is tough fandom.

Unfortunately, the posts from the time he was hired are gone. I was not a fan and said so the day it was announced. I had heard he was "weird" from a highly placed source at another school he interviewed at and that did not offer him the job the year before he came to Uconn. If those post are around, show me where and I will link my posts.

the question on RE being able to evaluate talent is legit. This is a much harder sell today, even before independence was announced. He has upgraded most positions, some he has not and the lack of depth is really concerning. I think independence makes the recruiting job exponentially harder. No way he gets a top in-state recruit to come to play for Uconn the way he did the first time around. He could sell a Tangible promise last time. Now he he is selling smoke with no conference, no bowl tie ins and no TV deal.

My worthless opinion, the team is better than last year but at least 1 season behind schedule. I can see things that I did not see last year with flashes on both sides of the ball. Team appears to lack internal leadership and accountability to me and I think RE has tried to make it happen but its not working. The depth is still way below where it needs to be. And the move to independence (save me the lecture about why it had to happen, it is not good for FB in my opinion) will continue to be a drag on the improvement.

 

[chuck shick]

We are so ahead of schedule I can’t even find an article about the game Saturday on the New Haven Register website. I guess they are tired of covering blow outs and now that basketball has started no more football.

 

[huskymedic]

We are so ahead of schedule I can’t even find an article about the game Saturday on the New Haven Register website. I guess they are tired of covering blow outs and now that basketball has started no more football.

No. 17 Cincinnati stays unbeaten in AAC, routs UConn 48-3

CINCINNATI (AP) - A couple of close calls against overmatched opponents got Cincinnati's attention. The 17th-ranked Bearcats made sure the lowliest team in the American Athletic wouldn't stick around very long. Desmond Ridder threw for a pair of touchdowns and Michael Warren II ran for two...

www.nhregister.com

None of the CT print media outlets sent a reporter to Cincinnati.

 

[huskyblooz]

If Randy returns, the OC must change. We need to overhaul everything on offense to bring it into this century.

 

[J187Money]

If Randy returns, the OC must change. We need to overhaul everything on offense to bring it into this century.

IMHO this is more about execution than the offense. Play calling isn't always great, but let's just look at the facts.

If our QBs hit guys that are wide open even 50% of the time - what is our record? How many more first downs? Possession time? Keeping our bad but improving D off the field?

We do have the 21st ranked rusher in the country. And even though Pindell was ranked higher last year, he was also running for his life a good portion of the time. Mensah is going to be 1000+ yard rusher for the 2nd year in a row.

Our biggest problem this year is that Pindell is gone and we didn't adequately replace him. That's on RE for not getting the right guys - but I'm not sure I'm going to blame the OC.

 

[noeynox]

If Randy returns, the OC must change. We need to overhaul everything on offense to bring it into this century.

I have no problem with the playcalling. When your QB is missing WRs by 5 to 10 yds, i don't care who is calling the plays. Against Illinois Z played with confidence. He is a shell of that kid at this point.

 

[Waquoit]

To my eye, I’m not ready to throw Zergiotis out ... and I’m anxious to see what’s next for Krajewski.

I agree with this. Players get better.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

If A.D. Dave had a spine, he'd hire Dann O. as Offensive Coordinator-Quarterback Coach & tell HCRE hands off on Dan's decision making. Dan was the only UConn qb in recent memory who had the moxie to call audibles on the field & take Randy's verbal abuse when he came off of the field. AND, his plays usually worked!

Why would he leave his sweet ESPN gig to take this mess on?

 

[Tdaley]

Revisionist history from a former Diaco cheerleader. He was a transfer from NC State and he was filling a big void. Diaco was a buffoon but he actually went out and found a kid from a P5 school (even though he was a backup) to transfer to Uconn. I would say that getting BS to Uconn was the only thing that Diaco did right while he was here.

Shireffs was a warrior and took way more shots because of the ineptitude of the coaching coaching and scheme and more so because Diaco did not recruit a single D1 quality O-lineman.

Our offensive line is made up of Diaco recruits. Diaco could not recruit any defensive players. It was Coach P that could recruit a offensive lineman.

 

[PackTheRent]

The effort against Illinois shows that we are raising the bar, though it's by 1/100th of an inch. So we will be fully REstorred when our great grandkids are on campus.

 

[kemba]

He continues to kick the can down the road while Benedict looks the other way. It's as if the 5 year plan reboots every fall and he gets to cash $1MM checks. That's a VERY impressive retirement plan he's got

I agree with a lot of the criticism but i don't know how you say it reboots when it hasn't been 5 years yet. Disagree that he deserves all this time all you want, its a fair argument, but he's been pretty consistent, and so have the people who have said we should give him more time.

On schedule is hard to say. There's a lot of question marks going forward. I dont think anyone can look at this roster and say there's this clear cut path to being good. However, progress isn't linear. Edsall 1.0 took a huge jump midway through 2002. There's been other examples of rebuilds posted here quite a bit of having a couple of dismal years and then being very good very suddenly.

For me, the aftermath of the season plays a big role in whether he should be back or not. If its a mass exodus of guys you need to make a change. If it looks like guys have still bought in I'd give him one more year. But next year there should be substantial growth in some areas, and there needs to be much more improvement than there was between last year and this year. D-Line for instance, is going to be a pretty experienced unit of Edsall recruits. They need to be good next year. If certain units can take that jump and be a strength, that should make things easier on other positions that aren't as strong or that we need to still play freshmen and sophomores.

 

[HuskyDogArt]

What exactly is the schedule? The QB position, a FB team's most important one, is in worse shape than when Randy got here. As this year closes out and we head into year 4, we don't even know if we have anyone that can really play the position. Z misses way too many open guys. His footwork is an awful mess. Beaudry i doubt will be here next year and Krajewski got hurt the 1st time he got extensive run.

I've been big on bringing Randy back for a 4th year, but you need a magnifying glass to see any sort of tangible progress. He has been worse than wacky Bob.

On Schedule for disbanding the team? Yes, but I think it is time to Disband Randy2.0 and get a new Coaching staff...DB, time fot you to open your SEC booklet and get an assistant Coach.

 

[HuskyDogArt]

How do u possibly sell season tickets next season?

You give them away....or package them with Patriots tickets....

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

You give them away....or package them with Patriots tickets....

white elephant gifts at the office?

 

[HuskyDogArt]

I still scratch my head at the number of people committed to selling low.

Right now, we have nothing to offer any coach worth having. So, long as Edsall csn remain committed and not take up the PP/GDL retirement plan, I am confident that he knows how to get the program off the mat. By that, I mean not a laughingstock that merits consideration by recruits, fans, media, and potential coaches.

He gets one more year to show progress. Not giving it to him for some unknown and hitting reset yet again would doom the Program forever.

Keeping RE here for another year will DOOM the program forever...

 

[BlueDogs]

I have so much respect for Bryant. Guy left everything on the field, just a tough football player.

Kid was a leader. Tough as nails. Total respect.

 

[AAC Guru]

Not throwing him out, but there is a serious problem when your QB is overthrowing an open WR by 5 to 10yds. I'm seeing a similar arc to Boyle. Arm talent? Check. Afraid to make mistake? Check.

The funny thing is, of all the FBS coaches we had, P probably had the best eye for QB talent.

Huh? He started a walk on QB for some bizarre reason when he had 12 NFL players in 2011. How that team went 5-7 is mind boggling. Why the hell did he start trick shot at QB?

 

[bobbyinaz]

I agree with a lot of the criticism but i don't know how you say it reboots when it hasn't been 5 years yet. Disagree that he deserves all this time all you want, its a fair argument, but he's been pretty consistent, and so have the people who have said we should give him more time.

Waiting until today to tell the world that the guy he wanted to start at QB has been out all season (Leon) is his way of punting this season away.

The old saying of "if you have more than 1 QB you don't have any QB" could never be more accurate given our situation.

Him telling the world TODAY that he didn't have the QB he thought was the best of the bunch is typical RE placing blame somewhere else

 

[noeynox]

Huh? He started a walk on QB for some bizarre reason when he had 12 NFL players in 2011. How that team went 5-7 is mind boggling. Why the hell did he start trick shot at QB?

I don't know. Stubborn that Nebrich wasn't "his guy". He did land Boyle and Lagow in the same class.

 

[AAC Guru]

I don't know. Stubborn that Nebrich wasn't "his guy". He did land Boyle and Lagow in the same class.

Boyle fell into his lap when BC fired its coach and Addazio told Boyle he wasn’t a fit. He also still was in the big east and the program wasn’t terrible in 2011-2012 which I imagine made it exponentially easier to recruit. I don’t think he had a good eye for Quarterbacks in the slightest. Great defensive coordinator though.

 

[uconnbill]

Not going to need some company to organize parking if there are only a couple hundred cars. They shouldnt even charge people to park at the game at this point.

Do you go to games?

I do and I am a season ticket holder and have been for number of years now. I don't like what is going on either, but all of you forget how bad it was with FCS talent in terms of speed and strength. When I saw the Maine game a couple of years ago, I said there is no real difference in talent, speed or strength. That is changing as I see the wide receivers, running back, defensive backs and both lines. Yes quarterback is still a problem but that should improve as I think Steve K is the quarterback of the future as did Dan O.

 

[AAC Guru]

Do you go to games?

I do and I am a season ticket holder and have been for number of years now. I don't like what is going on either, but all of you forget how bad it was with FCS talent in terms of speed and strength. When I saw the Maine game a couple of years ago, I said there is no real difference in talent, speed or strength. That is changing as I see the wide receivers, running back, defensive backs and both lines. Yes quarterback is still a problem but that should improve as I think Steve K is the quarterback of the future as did Dan O.

Did you watch the Wagner game?

 

[Ldandy]

Edsall will get next year as there is so much uncertainty swirling around the program heading into independent status that hiring now would be very difficult. That said if/when the team wins >3 games in 2020 will anyone have the stones to say enough is enough? There is some talent on the team at spots, however not enough to consistently compete with the level of coaching they receive. JMO but they need to go with a young offensive minded coach the next time around. Need to put something exciting on the field that fans will want to watch regardless of W/L Record.

 

[SubbaBub]

I'm just saying this because so many here are claiming that RE has significantly increased the talent level over his predecessor.

That is not an accurate statement at all.

It is impossible to win at ANY level without competent QB play. The fact that RE continues to whiff at this position is a clear indication of his recruiting failures.

We don't actually know yet. Diaco wasn't playing this many young kids. Maybe Randy is burying upperclassmen (Donaldson as WR) in favor of underclass reps, but the lack of contributing upperclassmen on the roster says RE was starting at zero.

That said I was expecting more from the DL this season than we are getting. I knew LB and QB would still be a problem.

 

[J187Money]

we might be on schedule...just depends on the destination...

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

Do you go to games?

I do and I am a season ticket holder and have been for number of years now. I don't like what is going on either, but all of you forget how bad it was with FCS talent in terms of speed and strength. When I saw the Maine game a couple of years ago, I said there is no real difference in talent, speed or strength. That is changing as I see the wide receivers, running back, defensive backs and both lines. Yes quarterback is still a problem but that should improve as I think Steve K is the quarterback of the future as did Dan O.

And that's great that you keep showing up despite the product on the field. I'm just talking about the less devoted people who dont necessarily want to watch a team get blown out by 45+ points a game that dont live in the Hartford area.