Thank you Coach Don Brown, Yawin, Trev, Sio, etc

[ruskin]

A devastating defense that would be a test for ANY offense in the country. Losing Jesse, Teddy is a challenge but still think we're a top 10 defense by the end of the season. A challenge this week with a rematch against a passing attack that got 479 yards at Rent last year. We'll see how far we've come by 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Maybe this is the week when the defensive touchdown is scored. This D is generating a lot of positive energy and hope everyone on the team feeds off it.

Maybe coach Brown could give pointers to PP/GD on how to attack opposing Ds?

 

[businesslawyer]

To be fair, I have an issue with assuming that P is a big part of the problem on offense and not a big part of what we're doing on defense. It's his team -- he should get credit for the good along with responsibility for the bad.

 

[ruskin]

To be fair, I have an issue with assuming that P is a big part of the problem on offense and not a big part of what we're doing on defense. It's his team -- he should get credit for the good along with responsibility for the bad.

My bad. I meant to include PP. He certainly deserves some credit for D's performance. We may have a problem with how the offense is being handled, but PP does know defense.

 

[weyuo]

I can't wait for 5-10 years down the road when everyone is whining about how we're ranked 7th instead of 5th because we've knocked off Boise St, FSU & Penn St and only lost to ND by 3. For now it's "gee they don't pass enough" or "they only use one running back" or "we're doomed because we're not in a conference with Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan, USC, Ohio St, Texas and Oregon". Give it a rest guys. Is there anything you like about UConn football?

 

[businesslawyer]

I can't wait for 5-10 years down the road when everyone is whining about how we're ranked 7th instead of 5th because we've knocked off Boise St, FSU & Penn St and only lost to ND by 3. For now it's "gee they don't pass enough" or "they only use one running back" or "we're doomed because we're not in a conference with Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan, USC, Ohio St, Texas and Oregon". Give it a rest guys. Is there anything you like about UConn football?

People were whining about the 10-11 basketball team all the way to the national championship. Unfortunately, wins in football are just as unlikely to make it stop.

 

[ruskin]

Wait a minute. . . .can we keep this thread on how great the defense has been playing? Please? Lots of opportunities elsewhere on the site to discuss the offense and take blindside shots at people who have legitimate issues with the playcalling.

 

[ruskin]

People were whining about the 10-11 basketball team all the way to the national championship. Unfortunately, wins in football are just as unlikely to make it stop.

BL, if you saw that 11-game tournament run coming and stayed calmly silent after they lost 7 of their last 11 regular season games (4 of last 5) you a are much better man than I. That could be one example where people who were criticizing were proven right when the team played up to its capabilities and brought home the trophy.

 

[sportsart]

Fordham (Moorhead) scored 102 points in their first 3 games. Just sayin'

Nebrich got hurt in the last game. Didn't say what or how bad.

 

[businesslawyer]

BL, if you saw that 11-game tournament run coming and stayed calmly silent after they lost 7 of their last 11 regular season games (4 of last 5) you a are much better man than I. That could be one example where people who were criticizing were proven right when the team played up to its capabilities and brought home the trophy.

So when you criticize someone for sucking, you are proven right if they then win and, presumably, you're still right if they continue to suck.

Well that doesn't seem cricket now, does it?

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I can't wait for 5-10 years down the road when everyone is whining about how we're ranked 7th instead of 5th because we've knocked off Boise St, FSU & Penn St and only lost to ND by 3. For now it's "gee they don't pass enough" or "they only use one running back" or "we're doomed because we're not in a conference with Alabama, Notre Dame, Michigan, USC, Ohio St, Texas and Oregon". Give it a rest guys. Is there anything you like about UConn football?

Can you tell us how to become a super fan like yourself? Get off your high horse.

 

[ruskin]

So when you criticize someone for sucking, you are proven right if they then win and, presumably, you're still right if they continue to suck.

Well that doesn't seem cricket now, does it?

That line of reasoning tells me you must be one helluva lawyer BL. Pissing match over, I say Uncle. . . .so how about that defense? Gotta come up with a nickname. Junkyard Dogs is sort of taken, but if you spell dogs right it works

 

[mets1090]

Is there anything you like about UConn football?

This thread is supposed to be about how good the defense is.

 

[sportsart]

This thread is supposed to be about how good the defense is.

Going off topic surprises you?

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

People were whining about the 10-11 basketball team all the way to the national championship. Unfortunately, wins in football are just as unlikely to make it stop.

Not for nothing.....but weren't you whining about Don Brown last year?

 

[Hoophound]

Don Brown is the honey badger of DC's. His ability to make these guys as vicious as they are so fast, especially with a bunch of 2* talent, is amazing. The guy is a ducking genius.

Warde Manuel didn't hire PP. He has to be looking at Don Brown right now and thinking "how do I avoid losing this guy in the next year or two so I can have him on standby if PP doesn't cut it.". How could he not be thinking that?

 

[businesslawyer]

Not for nothing.....but weren't you whining about Don Brown last year?

Yes. I didn't say Brown's system wouldn't or couldn't work, but I did say that he was putting implementing his system above getting the most out of our players -- and attempting to win games -- last year. I absolutely believe that -- and that it cost us some games. Now, this year, the players have his system down and we're playing great D. And, for what it's worth (which is not much), I still think this year's personnel would be very good playing the Hughes -- Orlando conservative D as well. We have an experienced, talented D.

 

[huskymedic]

Nebrich got hurt in the last game. Didn't say what or how bad.

"The win came at a price, however, as sophomore quarterback Michael Nebrich was taken off the field following a hit on a failed jet sweep run, which led to a knee injury. The injury, which has still not been given a diagnosis by Moorhead or the team, will most likely keep Nebrich out for an extended period of time. Sources have said the injury is most likely a torn ligament. Nebrich, who was helped off the field by the Fordham staff after laying on the ground for a few moments, returned to the sidelines on crutches for the rest of the game."

Michael Nebrich ‏@FreeAgentNeebs
Well... That MRI gave me some of the worst news iv ever been given.. #blown

 

[Dann]

Yes. I didn't say Brown's system wouldn't or couldn't work, but I did say that he was putting implementing his system above getting the most out of our players -- and attempting to win games -- last year. I absolutely believe that -- and that it cost us some games. Now, this year, the players have his system down and we're playing great D. And, for what it's worth (which is not much), I still think this year's personnel would be very good playing the Hughes -- Orlando conservative D as well. We have an experienced, talented D.

so any chance that all of our new pieces are going thru a building year this fall in tun for next year getting almost everyone back?

 

[Husky68]

Other teams are taking chances on our blitz's as game goes on and hitting some plays, guys get tired, over the middle is hard to cover (except it seems when Uconn on offense). My concern is just based on fact we are good but not Alabama good on defense that the number of times defense has to stop other teams offense just puts the odds against us.

Uconn has ball with 4 minutes to go, let's do the ground and pound football, get a few 1st downs and game over (maybe TE will be uncovered). So - run 160lb back for 1 yard, throw pass to 160lb back for loss 5 yards, pass incomplete on 3rd and 14 to WR. That's how the offense runs out the clock.

 

[businesslawyer]

so any chance that all of our new pieces are going thru a building year this fall in tun for next year getting almost everyone back?

Dan -- I think I'm missing your point. This year is an experienced, senior led D. Next year we will have to replace 7 opening day starters, and I would expect to take a few steps back on D regardless of what kind of system we play.

 

[Dann]

Dan -- I think I'm missing your point. This year is an experienced, senior led D. Next year we will have to replace 7 opening day starters, and I would expect to take a few steps back on D regardless of what kind of system we play.

ok. so lets hope we get joseph back and there is a slim chance we get ted also. then we have a couple lbs just waiting to play and we have burlingame on tap. if we land hush thats another. adams has looked good also. while i agree we have to replace some after losing a few great players, i'm not scared D wise next year at all. to me the worst that might happen is we drop down to a top 35 D. just have to hope the O slowly improves this year and next year is year 2 for most of these guys on O like this year was year 2 on D.

 

[pj]

Next year's D won't be as good as this year's but it should still be Big East average. Then 2 years from now it should be outstanding again.

The O will get an infusion of freshman talent next year. Not sure how much they help in year 1 -- the line looks it will be weak again next year -- but by 2014 we should have an excellent offense.

2014 could be shaping up as a monster year for us.

Still think this year has potential if the passing game can get untracked. I've been very surprised at how poorly the offense has played. No identity, no chemistry. I hope the coaches pull this together soon, it would be a shame to waste this year's defense.

 

[Srqhusky]

Lets not pay each other on the back just yet. Only when we get into the heart of big east games can we truly judge.

I am very excited about our defense but there are many tests ahead for them. This is a very special group however Coaches watch film and we will see how din brown adapts.

Has anyone noticed we tend to give up yards on bootlegs and screens. Granted every system has its flaws for the other team but how great we will be this year will depend on how we adapt come October and November

 

[UConn07]

Don Brown is the honey badger of DC's. His ability to make these guys as vicious as they are so fast, especially with a bunch of 2* talent, is amazing. The guy is a ducking genius.

Warde Manuel didn't hire PP. He has to be looking at Don Brown right now and thinking "how do I avoid losing this guy in the next year or two so I can have him on standby if PP doesn't cut it.". How could he not be thinking that?

Pasqualoni did bring Don Brown in, no? So as many have said in the offense threads, he should be held responsible for the defense as well. And yes-ouur defense is unbelievable.

 

[Hoophound]

Pasqualoni did bring Don Brown in, no? So as many have said in the offense threads, he should be held responsible for the defense as well. And yes-ouur defense is unbelievable.

I like Coach P, he's a good guy. I just find it hard to believe that the guy responsible for our D could have anything in common with the guy running the O.

If Coach P advocates such hard hitting, aggressive and sophisticated defense,
how can he advocate such conservative offense? This offense would be crushed by our defense head to head. I just can't see how it is possible that Brown isn't the magic ingredient.