The all things Boyle Merged Thread

[HuskyHawk]

You are correct, Diaco wasnt recruiting for UConn 2 years ago but the CT HS FB coaches associations' favorite was, PP. But if I remember correctly UConn was his fall back school. Didnt he choose BCU even though he had the sufferable offer from Florida?
Diaco likes mobility out of his QB's - that is not TB's strenght - thats probably why he recruited Davis with the ODU offer and brought in the mobile QB transfer from NC ST.
Listen, I am not trying to get in a peeing match - I am 1000% behind what is best for UConn FB moving forward that is why I am backing a coaches decision and not the local FB hero fans choice. If Boyle was going to be a big surprise he had spring and summer to show it - I wish he could have kept the redshirt but that is out of play at this point. If and when he comes in I will be hoping and cheering for him and the team and if he wins the job great - but there is nothing that is stated from coaches or media that he will surprise - I pray they are all wrong and he goes 3 for 3 for 3 TD's.

We're all just fans. Here's what it comes down to for me at this point. Boyle has the physical tools to be our best QB since Dan O. I have no freaking idea whether he will ever put it together and play that way. However, I think Chandler Whitmer is what he is. I have no confidence that we will: (a) see much more out of him than we saw last week against the worst team we'll face all year or (b) win many games with him as a our QB. Therefore, I believe that if he's still our best QB a couple of weeks from now, the season is lost. Being an optimist and always trying to find the bright side, I can't bring myself to face that. So I choose instead to believe that Boyle will have that light switch go off, will make a huge leap and win us some football games.

Don't get me wrong, if Whitmer suddenly changes and becomes Kurt Warner, I'll be thrilled. But at this point we've got two QBs, neither of which have been good. One has played for almost three years and is less physically talented. The other is a sophomore, played 3 games against very good teams last year and hasn't played since. Of the two, if I had to bet on one of them to become more than he has been so far, I think it's more likely that Boyle does it.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

The one hard, fast conclusion I can make about Boyle based on last year is that he clearly has the best physical tools of any QB we've had sine Dano. He may (due to his mobility) even exceed Dano in terms of physical tools (I know, there is far more than merely size, mobility and arm strength involved in being a quality QB, which is why I limited my response to physical tools).

 

[ddent68]

Boyle should stay on the bench. It's not safe out there.

 

[upstater]

I don't understand your confusion? What does thinking CC should have been on the field all the time have to do with assuming that Whitmer is more ready to play than Boyle based on the fact that he was and is ahead of Boyle on the depth chart?

I was responding to the part of your post that put ultimate trust in the coaches. I agreed with what you wrote a month ago about Cochran. The decision to split is still a head scratcher. This is why I'm wondering what is going on at the QB position.

 

[businesslawyer]

If Boyle is the better QB right now he should start. I believe the fact he isn't starting means he isn't the better QB right now. He could be by the end of the year. Both of them can improve within the year. Hopefully they both do.

Saying "exactly this" doesn't begin to show how right this is. All this speculation is totally overwhelming the only two things that are facts: (i) that Whitmer's play last year, at least measured statistically, was far, far better than Boyle's (I think the statistics are consistent with what I saw, but that is an opinion that no one has to pay any attention to); and (ii) Whitmer was and is ahead of Boyle on the depth chart. Neither of those are debatable statements.

Look, I've seen Whitmer this year and I'm not high on him. If Boyle is Tom Brady, great. No one will be any happier than me. But the FACT is that it is pure, unsupported speculation to ASSUME that Boyle's play is going to be on a far higher plane than Whitmer's.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

This is where I am completely stunned by the boneyard.

Are you actually claiming that there is no way to argue that we could be better served (as a program, over the long haul) by placing a higher value in potentially adding a few more wins in 2017 than potentially adding those (likely fewer as we are transitioning a defense and rebuilding an offensive line) in 2014?

Before you answer that think of how the program's fortunes would have been different if Dan Orlovsky could have played for us in 2005.

I am arguing that if playing Boyle gives you a better chance to win this year you play him. Neither you nor I can predict what level of impact playing Boyle now will have in terms of wins and losses. If the coaches think he gives us the best chance to win this year, you play him. 2017 be damned. The only QB to go through all 5 years of eligibility at UConn has been JMac (a walkon).

This program is hanging by a thread and you're worried about 2017?

 

[Fishy]

Welcome to the BY Mrs. Boyle

STFU.

 

[BlueDogs]

He's what we got, so I hope he lives up to the prognostication. Hard to tell from last year given that the line was Swiss Cheese. Put Manzel back there last year and his stats would be 2,000 yards rushing for his life.

 

[businesslawyer]

Exactly! +1

If Whitmer was just going to sit and watch CC play, this hypothesis would make sense. But he wasn't. We know from opening day that Whitmer was going to get somewhere around a third or more of the snaps. To think he'd get this many snaps if Boyle was clearly better than him makes no sense to me.

But enough. I've made my point. Obviously not everyone see it that way.

 

[businesslawyer]

I was responding to the part of your post that put ultimate trust in the coaches. I agreed with what you wrote a month ago about Cochran. The decision to split is still a head scratcher. This is why I'm wondering what is going on at the QB position.

O.K., but I still don't get what you think is inconsistent. I provided my opinion that what the coaches were doing playing two QBs wasn't the right way to go. By providing my opinion, that doesn't mean that I think a rational person should believe that the next time the coaches make a decision I disagree with that I'm more likely to be right than them. I make this point every year.

 

[UconnFan33]

To the OP - which game did PP start Boyle in?

You hit on a hilarious aspect of the Boneyard. The idea that what people post here matters.

Thats my bad I should have said Weist..and my original point was probably a bit too harsh on Whitmer..but if Boyle is as good as I beleive he will be Uconn is not that far away from becoming relevant again...again my opinion but Boyle has the potential to be a turning point for the program

 

[Pudge]

My view of Boyle ...

I remember the kid's first 5 plays as getting me very excited. I honestly saw a ton of talent & saw something that led me to really hope we had a good prospect to lead us to a more successful program.

That turned. I think he got hit & roughed up. I think he got down on himself because balls were dropped and the confusion of bigger level of football hurt his confidence. One year later? Kids are resilient. He can be far better and humility is a positive. He was not good in several games. I think he has the tools and throws a really great ball. I think he needed a redshirt Soph year. But ... what the hell, let's see where the chips fall. He could definitely be the answer.

 

[upstater]

O.K., but I still don't get what you think is inconsistent. I provided my opinion that what the coaches were doing playing two QBs wasn't the right way to go. By providing my opinion, that doesn't mean that I think a rational person should believe that the next time the coaches make a decision I disagree with that I'm more likely to be right than them. I make this point every year.

Maybe I misunderstood you, and I'm obviously not going to look back from a month ago, but I thought you were questioning the very idea that Whitmer might even be considered the equal of Cochran.

 

[CL82]

Far from Mrs Boyle...do I know the kid...yes. Do I think hes better then Whitmer...yes. Would I go out on a limb and say he will be the best QB in the American next year...yes. My overall point is this...he wasn't red shirted based on ability...there were factors such as future depth...learning curve..etc. But now all that is out the Window meaning if hes gonna burn the shirt...might as well give him the reigns and start getting some continuity in the offense.

Well clearly you are unbiased. Thank you for your opinion!

FWIW, I'm looking forward to seeing Tim play but I'm not quite ready to start building a shelf for the Heisman just yet.

 

[businesslawyer]

Maybe I misunderstood you, and I'm obviously not going to look back from a month ago, but I thought you were questioning the very idea that Whitmer might even be considered the equal of Cochran.

No, I did that. Based on what I saw on the field last year. I understand speculation about player personnel based on what happens in games. Like those who liked Endres more than Frazier, in '11 after we had seen them both play in '09 and '10. But that's different than assuming someone has gotten better than the last time we've seen him with no evidence of it and the coaches not picking him to play.

I'm answering your questions, but I'm going to walk away from the discussion. I've said enough. Whether or not everyone else thinks they have.

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

If Whitmer was just going to sit and watch CC play, this hypothesis would make sense. But he wasn't. We know from opening day that Whitmer was going to get somewhere around a third or more of the snaps. To think he'd get this many snaps if Boyle was clearly better than him makes no sense to me.

But enough. I've made my point. Obviously not everyone see it that way.

Because Boyle has a different skillset than Whitmer. Casey is known to be slow of foot....we have a bad offensive line...if the O line is getting blown up, BD can bring in Whitmer to hopefully slow the D down. To me, Boyle is a more talented, less confident version of Casey. Until Boyle gained confidence, Casey was the better option with Whitmer in there ot mix it up.

 

[freescooter]

Saying "exactly this" doesn't begin to show how right this is. All this speculation is totally overwhelming the only two things that are facts: (i) that Whitmer's play last year, at least measured statistically, was far, far better than Boyle's (I think the statistics are consistent with what I saw, but that is an opinion that no one has to pay any attention to); and (ii) Whitmer was and is ahead of Boyle on the depth chart. Neither of those are debatable statements.

Look, I've seen Whitmer this year and I'm not high on him. If Boyle is Tom Brady, great. No one will be any happier than me. But the FACT is that it is pure, unsupported speculation to ASSUME that Boyle's play is going to be on a far higher plane than Whitmer's.

You are forgetting that Boyle is the backup. So he is at least 75% better than anyone who actually plays. And he is from Connecticut so people know him and have seen him play at Xavier which is comparable to playing somewhere. So he is better.

 

[SubbaBub]

Win the job in practice. It's not like trying to unseat Andrew Luck at Stanford. I'm confident that BD will play the guy he thinks can play best. The fact that he's been in full contingency mode regarding the position from the git go, says he's probably not thrilled with any of the QB'S on the roster.

But, by all means let's keep arguing who's the 6th or 7th best QB in the AAC.

What I want to see more than anything else on Saturday is the BSU dline being planted on their rear ends.

 

[SAMCRO]

Boyle is going to be a very good and productive QB for UConn by the time he's done here. Let's check back in after this sesaon is completed to see where we stand.

As for the OP, it wasn't P who burned Boyle's redshirt, it was Weist...

 

[kris1]

Far from Mrs Boyle...do I know the kid...yes. Do I think hes better then Whitmer...yes. Would I go out on a limb and say he will be the best QB in the American next year...yes. My overall point is this...he wasn't red shirted based on ability...there were factors such as future depth...learning curve..etc. But now all that is out the Window meaning if hes gonna burn the shirt...might as well give him the reigns and start getting some continuity in the offense.

While I do think TB had the best upside of all the QB's on the roster when camp broke, HCBD while saying all the right things to build TB's confidence, believes the game still moves too fast for Tim right now. The things he did at Xavier were great....at Xavier. He hasn't had enough time to see the game at a slower pace. He rarely had to check down high school, because his arm was strong enough to fit the ball in tight spots. Those windows close quickly on the college level. He didn't have to read defenses very often in high school, because "most" CT high school teams don't disguise coverages. He didn't have 6 Neanderthals breathing down his neck either. TB needs time to grow and mature as a QB. He's in a tough spot, because the clock is ticking a little faster now. I just hope HCBD can dig in that tool box of his and find the right tool. Maybe TB is the duct tape. That $h!? fixes everything!!!

All seriousness, I think the biggest thing missing for TB at this point (and if you ready between HCBD's lines) is the respect of his teammates. I think CC's work ethic earned him the respect of his teammates. He didn't have the physical tools, CW and TB have. CC was also a natural leader. CW, as bad as he's been, has taken his lumps in his time at UConn (probably one too many, hence the happy feet), but I think the fact that he hasn't quit trying, commands the respect of the team (Although a few more arrant throws, they may not). I don't get the feeling the team will rally around TB, just yet. I think HCBD sees that. CC had "it", CW to some extent earned it. TB still hasn't found it......yet. Hopefully he will.

 

[Excalibur]

Yeah, I guess that was mistake. Using Dan as an example.

But ORlovsky played what 6 games in his freshmen season? I don't remember exactly. But I don't remember ever feeling the same way I did about ORlovsky as a freshmen, that I did about Boyle last season. It was repeatedly - for me - with Boyle - "come on kid, why are you throwing that?" It got worse instead of better during his couple of games. I don't remember that from Dan O at all. Dan progressively got better, clearly.

Look, we can argue till the cows come home. No right or wrong out here in the interwebs. The one thing that I can't wrap my head around is the 2 QB system. I really don't care actually who does it, as long as the QB position is productive, I just think it's more difficult to get consistent production when you're rotating at that position, rather than playing one QB regularly.

I remember writing last year that Boyle's first start looked remarkably similar to DanO's. Games 2 and 3, not so much, though clearly against far superior competition to what DanO faced in 2001.

I thought the QB rotation made zero sense when it was Cochran and Whitmer. It makes a little more sense when it's Whitmer and Boyle, but the hope is that one of the two separates himself fairly quickly.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I am arguing that if playing Boyle gives you a better chance to win this year you play him. Neither you nor I can predict what level of impact playing Boyle now will have in terms of wins and losses. If the coaches think he gives us the best chance to win this year, you play him. 2017 be damned. The only QB to go through all 5 years of eligibility at UConn has been JMac (a walkon).

This program is hanging by a thread and you're worried about 2017?

If this is the best approach what purpose would there be to redshirt anyone?

Believe it or not many programs (especially those with a new regime attempting to rebuild something) are looking more towards the future than they are the present. If we were Alabama, Oregon or one of the few with a legitimate shot at making a run at a title, yes, you do take risks, potentially sacrificing some wins a few years down the road. Hell, if we went into this season with a legitimate shot at a bowl (my guess is that an AAC team will need eight wins, which may be a bit too much to ask of this squad) I could see the argument.

I do see 2017 as a year where our defense will be very good and where we will be at a minimum solid all other offensive positions, a veteran QB may be enough to give us the season we've been dreaming about since they opened the Rent. If things had been different with Casey, I wouldn't like the idea of sitting around in 2017 saying 'Damn, that fifth win in 2014 (that we wouldn't have had if we redshirted Boyle) really wasn't worth it!'.

 

[bmayuc]

I remember writing last year that Boyle's first start looked remarkably similar to DanO's. Games 2 and 3, not so much, though clearly against far superior competition to what DanO faced in 2001.

I thought the QB rotation made zero sense when it was Cochran and Whitmer. It makes a little more sense when it's Whitmer and Boyle, but the hope is that one of the two separates himself fairly quickly.

Everyone is looking at Boyle's numbers as a whole and killing him. His first game was pretty rough after he had two early TDs dropped.

The cincy game, He threw well, read the defense pretty well, and showed great mobility skills with some nice chunk runs. He was 22 for 39 for 310 yards. That's production.

Clearly, the next few games, while our OLine was getting whipped into shape and forgetting everything GDL taught them, he got the crap knocked out of him, and his performance slipped. To me that is throw away information.

This isn't to say he's going to be great. But C'mon, lets be real here. Whitmer is not the answer. Get Boyle behind center and lets see what he can do.

 

[UconnFamily]

Everyone is looking at Boyle's numbers as a whole and killing him. His first game was pretty rough after he had two early TDs dropped.

The cincy game, He threw well, read the defense pretty well, and showed great mobility skills with some nice chunk runs. He was 22 for 39 for 310 yards. That's production.

Clearly, the next few games, while our OLine was getting whipped into shape and forgetting everything GDL taught them, he got the crap knocked out of him, and his performance slipped. To me that is throw away information.

This isn't to say he's going to be great. But C'mon, lets be real here. Whitmer is not the answer. Get Boyle behind center and lets see what he can do.

(sarcasm) Are you sure Whitmer is not the answer? He had 29 yards rushing against SB and no interceptions in 1 1/2 games. Boyle can't be the answer, he was going to be red shirted this year, so he must not be that good. Tim played great against a top 10 defense in the country last year as a true FR and he was the BEST QB in the spring game this year (according to the Courant) but that means nothing we have to keep Whitmer in there he's the best option for us to win. And if he's the answer then why isn't BD not throwing TB into the fire right away? See, thats gotta mean he's not good enough...

 

[Exit 4]

If for nothing else, can't wait for this game to help throw another log on this fire. I'm not so sure the opponent matters now anymore or the W, instead its all about QB production.