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Some quick thoughts

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whaler11 said:
I used to think it was is insane to go for 2 down 12. But when you sit down and consider overtime is a coinflip it makes a compelling argument to do everything you can do to win in regulation.
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Agree. Just have to guard against deflating your team not converting after a score. I trust Diaco to know the pulse of his team to judge whether or not that would happen. The team certainly didn't quit today so that's encouraging. We've missed enough EPs this season that the logic makes even more sense!
 
Easy to pick out the negatives and the scratch you head calls but we also saw a well timed and executed flea-flicker (except the ending), a successful on-side kick and a two point conversion. They'll get it figured out...
 
The option call was terrible. We were having success running between the tackles on that drive. Even if you get stuffed, the possibility of a loss on the play is much less than running some POS stretch play that we aren't used to running.
 
huskymedic said:
Easy to pick out the negatives and the scratch you head calls but we also saw a well timed and executed flea-flicker (except the ending), a successful on-side kick and a two point conversion. They'll get it figured out...
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Those calls made sense within the context of the game. The others, not so much.
 
The only thing that bothered me other than the 4 and 6 call,even though it was early and it looked like FGs weren't going to cut it anyways, was the conservative play calls on our one third quarter possession. Basically killing clock for them without a pass play to attempt to move the ball down the field after our first forced punt of the game. Other than that second half was an improvement imo.
 
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huskymedic said:
Easy to pick out the negatives and the scratch you head calls but we also saw a well timed and executed flea-flicker (except the ending), a successful on-side kick and a two point conversion. They'll get it figured out...
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They are doing a lot of right things. It is fair to point a bonehead call when you see it.
 
4in16 said:
The only thing that bothered me other than the 4 and 6 call,even though it was early and it looked like FGs weren't going to cut it anyways, was the conservative play calls on our one third quarter possession. Basically killing clock for them without a pass play to attempt to move the ball down the field after our first forced punt of the game. Other than that second half was an improvement imo.
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I think you're talking about the drive that started on our 2 inch line. Can't fault the playcalling on the first 3 plays, but I too was a little disappointed we didn't see play action on 3rd down once we got out of the shadows of our goal posts.
 
Dooley said:
I think you're talking about the drive that started on our 2 inch line. Can't fault the playcalling on the first 3 plays, but I too was a little disappointed we didn't see play action on 3rd down once we got out of the shadows of our goal posts.
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Yeah that's the one and yes would've liked to see play action called at the very least once outside the 15.
 
I wouldn't say the the issue is the whole staff. The problem I see are the offensive play calling at times. Verducci needs to step up the play calling, he's been shown to be repetitive at times and conservative. When he starts to open up the playbook you can see what we're capable of on offense. We need to see that aggressiveness some more, not just 1 or 2 series a game, which ultimately causes us the games. We also have to keep in mind that this is his first year with Uconn, I think once he gets settled in and gets more comfortable with the play calling he'll get a bit more aggressive. If not Verducci would have to go because we will not win week in and week out playing conservative on offense. Yes, the defense struggled in the first half, but they made adjustments. Good job by the defense and the rest of the staff.
 
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Thanks btw, for the 'voice of reason' thread. Yes Navy was the better team and we were going to have to turn them over to get a chance. That kick-off fumble was a huge swing play though; we get to the half no worse than 14-10 and Navy isn't stretching it out to 28-10 in the 3rd qtr just grinding clock and putting pressure on us to run a quick strike offense. We're at least in the game much longer if that play goes our way. One thing that I wonder though, is why not take 3 to get to 7-6 in the first qtr? I mean is that about HCBD trying to send a message or change the culture or what? They had a decent play called but Max can't get to the spot and they come up empty off a nice drive. Take three points there and 14-6 and 21-13 are still one possession deficits.... I'm not trying to criticize, I am in fact very impressed with the improvement in this team. just trying to understand the call...
 
whaler11 said:
Most overrated thing in football is playcalling.
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I don't think play calling is overrated. It sets the tone. Absolutely hated the FG on first drive. We were moving and had Navy on their heels. On 4th and 1 we needed to go for it. We knew Navy was going to be tough to stop. We needed points. Kick it on 4th and 6. And we needed to have our two big TE's challenge the smaller guys playing against them. For all that Navy did, one thing is clear to me. We could and should have won the game. With our offense. But hats off to Navy. The only thing that can beat them is a superior offensive effort by the opponent. I expected that from us.
 
Nostical said:
Absolutely hated the FG on first drive. We were moving and had Navy on their heels. On 4th and 1 we needed to go for it. We knew Navy was going to be tough to stop. ".
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Understand your point. Maybe on not going for it-his thought
1)was to get points on the board AND
2)after last week's ST breakdown, give confidence to his kickers & team AND
3)he had confidence in his Defense that they could stop NAVY 3 & OUT sending a message
and get the ball back.
4) WE HAD HELD THE BALL four minutes plus.

The counter to that was not kicking the field goal with a fourth and six later on.....
 
Hindsight is 20/20

I didn't like the 4th and 6 th call at the time.
Looking back I still don't. Unless you are going for the win at that point in the game you could have used the FG.
 
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Nostical said:
I don't think play calling is overrated. It sets the tone. Absolutely hated the FG on first drive. We were moving and had Navy on their heels. On 4th and 1 we needed to go for it. We knew Navy was going to be tough to stop. We needed points. Kick it on 4th and 6. And we needed to have our two big TE's challenge the smaller guys playing against them. For all that Navy did, one thing is clear to me. We could and should have won the game. With our offense. But hats off to Navy. The only thing that can beat them is a superior offensive effort by the opponent. I expected that from us.
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You live in an alternate universe from me so none of this surprises me.

Your standard for should have won a game is every game UConn plays they should have won.

5 possessions - 4 long TD drives. How should they have won that gane? If they go on fourth and 1 you start with an assumption they score a TD on the drive?
 
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Dooley said:
Why is this playlist thing an issue? Should we also say Diaco can't coach because the new carry-a-dude-through-an-obstacle-course-race is a dud? Or that he can't coach because we've yet to see a contestant throw more than 2 footballs through a Webster Bank hole? C'mon guys.
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The only issue I have with the playlist is the playlist itself.
 
If we did everything right we maybe win by 7. Navy is very good. We don't have the luxury of making mistakes either in the coaching calls or the execution.
 
Nostical said:
Absolutely. They were clicking on all cylinders and had Navy guessing.
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Yet they ended up 4th and 1. I guess if you take every hypothetical to the most positive conclusion with results based analysis...
 
huskymedic said:
Easy to pick out the negatives and the scratch you head calls but we also saw a well timed and executed flea-flicker (except the ending), a successful on-side kick and a two point conversion. They'll get it figured out...
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I somehow don't think Diaco will. He continues to make boneheaded decisions. Its like he is thinking backwards. the 4th and 1 on the first drive should have gone for it. The 4th and 6 you kick the FG.....that side had the wind too. I honestly don't think he has a great 'thinking on the fly' mentality.
 
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huskymedic said:
10 pt deficit versus 11 pt deficit - Right call?
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Yes, with no reasonable argument otherwise. Kick the extra point or fail the conversion and you still need two touchdowns. Make the conversion and you need one touchdown and a field goal.
 
Dooley said:
Hmm...interesting. So essentially the sabremetrics support going for 2 early and not waiting until absolutely necessary?

My first thought when they lined up was that Diaco has lost all faith in our EP team. Then I thought that it might make sense to go for 2 when Navy's D may have been slightly less interested than if the score was closer and the conversion would have tied the game (if we got there).

I'd be interested in the stats of when to go for it and when to kick.
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Our weak spot on offense is how to take 3rd and 3 or 4 when we are in four down territory and how to call two coherent plays. Once we get inside the opponents 45, it should be 4 down territory. Instead of trying a couple of plays that develop quickly and force the defense to read and react the coaches have long, drawn out plays that take forever to come about.

First down calls have been fine, UConn can finally execute a WR screen, there is variety in the schemes. But when UConn absolutely needs a play to keep a drive alive, the coaches bail out and bring out the Goofy play list.
 
Excalibur said:
Yes, with no reasonable argument otherwise. Kick the extra point or fail the conversion and you still need two touchdowns. Make the conversion and you need one touchdown and a field goal.
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Didn't finish my thought - navy holds the ball and melts clock, so possessions were limited. Lastly, it's not like we are great at finishing drives. Two more touchdowns was not reasonable to expect.
 
Chin Diesel said:
Our weak spot on offense is how to take 3rd and 3 or 4 when we are in four down territory and how to call two coherent plays. Once we get inside the opponents 45, it should be 4 down territory. Instead of trying a couple of plays that develop quickly and force the defense to read and react the coaches have long, drawn out plays that take forever to come about. First down calls have been fine, UConn can finally execute a WR screen, there is variety in the schemes. But when UConn absolutely needs a play to keep a drive alive, the coaches bail out and bring out the Goofy play list.
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Great analysis. It shouldn't be difficult to learn that on third and four or less in for down territory, you run the ball, take a big loss out of the equation, and then get creative on fourth down if you don't get it.
 
bigAbruns said:
I somehow don't think Diaco will. He continues to make boneheaded decisions. Its like he is thinking backwards. the 4th and 1 on the first drive should have gone for it. The 4th and 6 you kick the FG.....that side had the wind too. I honestly don't think he has a great 'thinking on the fly' mentality.
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Pure speculation on my part, but I have the feeling that his decision making is at least partially influenced by a concern over messaging. Whether he's trying to convince the team or himself or the fans, he's so committed to the message that we're all in on winning that he's making decisions that don't make much tactical sense.
 
There's no denying just how far this program has come even from the end of last season. They got beat by a better team today and that just flat out happens.

They are improving and there is absolute buy in from the team on Diaco and his staff. This is all very encouraging as a fan.

Speaking of fans? 1 year removed from what 3k in the house against SMU, to 34k announced at today? Seems like the fan base is coming back too.

I don't think it takes much to get people to come out and grill, drink beers, see their friends and family all while watching at least a somewhat competent team. That was lost during the P era. If UConn can get back to 07-10 levels, even in the AAC, I think people will show up.

Another week and another loss, but I still can't do anything but remain hopeful based on what I've seen from the players, Diaco and the fans.
 
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