So... UConn 56 - URI 49

[huskymedic]

crocker became a lame duck DC the second we stepped onto the field against UCF and came out with 4 down lineman.

@Excalibur has been saying this since last year - this is not Crocker’s defense - Edsall seems to have put his own spin on it based on what he sees for talent (and the buck stops w/ him as H.C.). Crocker may end up moving on but it will probably be because he will end up convincing himself it’s a lost cause.

 

[huskyrob1]

Edsall sees the same thing that Crocker does - you can only correct poor fundamentals so quickly. It’s why he goes on his rants. If kids have underlying talent/speed but have struggled to develop it it’s hard to turn that around in a summer of limited contact practices. Tackling rolling foam donuts only goes so far. The majority are freshman direct out of high school. It’s not an indictment of previous coaching - the game is faster and there are so many variables coming out of high school.

Medic, did you ever play football? Different coaches have different ways of teaching in practice, using different drills, and getting the kids to understand what they have to do. Edsall's definitely a more experienced teacher of the game than Crocker is. Yes, they are freshman and the defense had three critical injuries early on, but these kids do not know how to tackle.

 

[CTMike]

Medic, did you ever play football? Different coaches have different ways of teaching in practice, using different drills, and getting the kids to understand what they have to do. Edsall's definitely a more experienced teacher of the game than Crocker is. Yes, they are freshman and the defense had three critical injuries early on, but these kids do not know how to tackle.

There is no “yes, they are freshmen, but...”

They are freshmen. Marginal at that. Full stop. You know what fixes that? 3 more years. We don’t have the depth necessary to compete and it will take years to fix.

 

[Brochacho]

When we play UCF its for the rights to the Conflict trophy. Today, Dan Hurley was up for grabs.

Happy to hold off those pesky Rams in Hurley Bowl I.

 

[huskymedic]

Medic, did you ever play football? Different coaches have different ways of teaching in practice, using different drills, and getting the kids to understand what they have to do. Edsall's definitely a more experienced teacher of the game than Crocker is. Yes, they are freshman and the defense had three critical injuries early on, but these kids do not know how to tackle.

I did...

... and coaching can correct that technique/deficiency/short fall in a short summer? The vast majority of these kids should have been red-shirted to continue to refine their skills but that seems to have not been an option. It is what it is..

 

[huskyrob1]

This is all on Crocker? You guys are all on dope.

No one is saying it is, but he bears a lot of the responsibility being DC.

 

[JMick]

@Excalibur has been saying this since last year - this is not Crocker’s defense - Edsall seems to have put his own spin on it based on what he sees for talent (and the buck stops w/ him as H.C.). Crocker may end up moving on but it will probably be because he will end up convincing himself it’s a lost cause.

Next you'll tell me Edsall has a habit of micromanaging his coordinators

 

[huskyrob1]

There is no “yes, they are freshmen, but...”

They are freshmen. Marginal at that. Full stop. You know what fixes that? 3 more years. We don’t have the depth necessary to compete and it will take years to fix.

BS!!! All the hard hits today were made by marginal URI FCS players. Lol

 

[gopher2]

Medic, did you ever play football? Different coaches have different ways of teaching in practice, using different drills, and getting the kids to understand what they have to do. Edsall's definitely a more experienced teacher of the game than Crocker is. Yes, they are freshman and the defense had three critical injuries early on, but these kids do not know how to tackle.

Through 3 games the tackling seems to be getting worse.

 

[RSTuthill]

Pindell is the only reason we won that game

Yup, but the number of wide open receivers he never saw was incredible.

 

[CTMike]

BS!!!

I’m sorry that reality offends you. Diaco punted us over a cliff. Depth takes years to build and we don’t have any.

 

[Rewster]

Chief has been saying we should blitz more since we can’t cover anyways. Randy effectively overruled Crocker the last series of downs and started blitzing from the edge. Number 22 Thomas had two huge plays.
Earlier Hahn blitzed up the middle but it was basically ineffective since he got swallowed up.

I am sorry but the DB’s have very poor technique on their coverage.

Too much detail to cover on this very busy weekend, but perhaps some day Chief will write a post regarding what ways the technique needs to be improved. Does anyone have interest in Chief doing that?

If you think Edsall finally had enough with the defense and took over in the last possession you are deluting yourself. I know it fits your narrative but no.

After the game Edsall said the defensive package(with Beavers and Thomas as the ends) was installed this week in practice but they did not get a chance to use it during the game because they couldn’t get URI in a 3rd down... literally could not get them into a 3rd down to put those 2 rushing ends in.

Went on to say that in games going forward maybe they will need to use that package in more than just 3rd down to get more speed on the field(or something to that effect).

There is blame to go all around for the defense. To lay it all at the feet of Crocker is BS.

 

[gtcam]

Absolutely no need for Chief00 to teach anyone on secondary techniques - quite simply these freshmen need to grow into 20 yos real quick - it's men vs boys
The missed tackle thing is team wide issue that has to be addressed immediately - that is the biggest issue
Crocker getting canned, blah blah bah, RE isn't canning him during the season because he really needs to stand by his desire of this spring - coaching continuity - but he can do more of the hands on D coaching and let Crocker work on something else
As far as QBDP is concerned - he is the biggest offensive threat this team has now and while he isn't the best passing QB - he is more than serviceable at this time
A win is a win - glad I could sit in my seat and watch it - it was an entertaining game
No disrespect Chief00 but concentrate your energy on the Coach Hurley and his recruiting because I feel that there may be some very disappointed people if many of his targets choose P5 schools. I am fingers crossed that doesn't happen but it's a vibe I've been feeling the past few weeks

 

[JMick]

Yup, but the number of wide open receivers he never saw was incredible.

it's college football. outside of your top echelon of QB's, that's what you get. if everyone could do it, it wouldn't be the hardest position in football

 

[UConnDan97]

Bright side:

1) got the win
2) offense put up highest point total in probably 8 years.
3) defense performed slightly better in the later part of the game, with a sack to win it.

Yes, we're supposed to beat that team and letting up that many points to a 1-AA team is obnoxious. But you take the win, the good moments, and start to get ready for the fruit next Saturday...

 

[metsfan2323]

After the game Edsall said the defensive package(with Beavers and Thomas as the ends) was installed this week in practice but they did not get a chance to use it during the game because they couldn’t get URI in a 3rd down... literally could not get them into a 3rd down to put those 2 rushing ends in.

Went on to say that in games going forward maybe they will need to use that package in more than just 3rd down to get more speed on the field(or something to that effect).

So glad this is happening. The coaches are working hard on the pass rush. There is hope.

 

[huskyrob1]

Next you'll tell me Edsall has a habit of micromanaging his coordinators

Lol

 

[JMick]

Bright side:

1) got the win
2) offense put up highest point total in probably 8 years.
3) defense performed slightly better in the later part of the game, with a sack to win it.

Yes, we're supposed to beat that team and letting up that many points to a 1-AA team is obnoxious. But you take the win, the good moments, and start to get ready for the fruit next Saturday...

most points since 2010 is what they said on the broadcast

 

[BlueDogs]

we aren't even running his defense. if you're going to complain, please be correct in your complaints.

Can’t be a DC and perform like he has over 15 games.

 

[huskyrob1]

most points since 2010 is what they said on the broadcast

More missed tackles than points though.

 

[Excalibur]

Can’t be a DC and perform like he has over 15 games.

Can’t bring in a DC if you have no intention of running his system.

 

[jdb50]

We do not have the physical strength or quickness with enough players at LB and DB to run Crocker's defense. So we put more lineman on the field the first 2 games and most of today. Finally we put some faster players at DE in the 4th Q. Having this many freshman DB's is insane but it is where we are. The need to recruit at the DE and LB spots is glaring and unless we get a JUCO we are still putting freshman on the field who aren't ready next year. Pindell sometimes takes a while to hit an open receiver and there are times when he needs to put more heat on his throws but for the most part he put the ball on the money today. The biggest thing that led to the win for us today is that we took the lead and never trailed all game.

 

[noeynox]

There is no “yes, they are freshmen, but...”

They are freshmen. Marginal at that. Full stop. You know what fixes that? 3 more years. We don’t have the depth necessary to compete and it will take years to fix.

Some of these kids just ain't ready. It is what it is. I saw a DB trip over his own feet in coverage today. A true freshman who should be redshirting. I'm more disappointed that the DBs Edsall recruited last year Bebe Olanayan, Rob King, etc are not seeing the field over some of the true freshman.

 

[noeynox]

If you think Edsall finally had enough with the defense and took over in the last possession you are deluting yourself. I know it fits your narrative but no.

After the game Edsall said the defensive package(with Beavers and Thomas as the ends) was installed this week in practice but they did not get a chance to use it during the game because they couldn’t get URI in a 3rd down... literally could not get them into a 3rd down to put those 2 rushing ends in.

Went on to say that in games going forward maybe they will need to use that package in more than just 3rd down to get more speed on the field(or something to that effect).

There is blame to go all around for the defense. To lay it all at the feet of Crocker is BS.

Could have sworn Thomas came on a stunt from an OLB position am I wrong that?

 

[JMick]

Could have sworn Thomas came on a stunt from an OLB position am I wrong that?

I'm not sure about that play, but he had his hand in the dirt a couple times

 

[SwingDog]

I am happy to get one in the win column, but giving up 49 points and a total of 167 points in the first three games....that's cause for just a bit of concern. Next up is Syracuse which has scored a total of 134 points in their first three games.

 

[Rewster]

Could have sworn Thomas came on a stunt from an OLB position am I wrong that?

Beavers and Thomas were on the ends for the last series.

Actually put good pressure on the qb the whole series.
I think we'll see more of them on the ends in the future.

 

[huskymedic]

Beavers and Thomas were on the ends for the last series.

Actually put good pressure on the qb the whole series.
I think we'll see more of them on the ends in the future.

Discussed in this Jacobs article in its own thread:

Jeff Jacobs: UConn’s crucial stop could be a step in the right direction

>>Edsall said he saw players with more confidence in the fourth quarter. Maybe that manifests itself in the coming games. Maybe it doesn’t.

“What matters is we made big plays when we needed them,” Edsall said. “Eli made big plays.”

Again, truth.

Edsall said they had experimented in preseason when Thomas did drills on one-on-one pass rush with the offensive line.

“We put that in this week to help us a little bit on third down,” Edsall said. “This is a constant evolution of trying to get the best mix, the best packages of guys we can for all different scenarios we might see.

“Putting him and Darrian (Beavers) in there, making that move with Beavers (from linebacker to defensive end) and putting James (Atkins) and Lwal (Uguak) inside, and also Pierce (DeVaughn) we got in there this week,” Edsall said. “We had to find a way to get more speed on the field on third down and generate a pass rush without having to blitz all the time.

“Maybe that’s something we look at on first and second downs.”<<

>>“We didn’t tackle as well as I hoped,” Edsall said. “Some of it’s strength. Some technique.”<<

 

[noeynox]

I'm not sure about that play, but he had his hand in the dirt a couple times

He was way out on the outside with his hand in the ground and came on a wide looping stunt. It was a nice play.

We have to get teams into third downs for that formation.

 

[huskyrob1]

Why do you think that hasn't already happened?

Because I saw them arguing during the game, or if not arguing having an animated discussion. Also the way Crocker reacted when the game was over. If it had already happened there would have been no arguing at all, though I do think Edsall called for some blitzing near the eog.