The problem with starting Whitmer

[Palatine]

He NEVER wins. So far in 2014, the only win we have with him starting is the Stoney Brook game which was won by a Foxx's punt return.

Without Foxx's return UConn hasn't won a game CW has started since 2012.

But just keep telling yourself that Boyle isn't ready.

 

[sub legacy]

I can't stomach much more of Whitmer. He's hit his ceiling a long time ago, and it's been beyond time to move on. If Diaco names him the starter this week, it just proves this coaching staff has learned nothing from their utter lack of functional or competent offense through this past bye week, and they're content with sticking with Whitmer even though the wheels have already fallen off.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

How many wins does Boyle have?

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

And for the love of God, stop it with the strawmen.

I think at this point everyone is hoping that Boyle starts from here on out. You might be the only one expecting miracles though.

 

[freescooter]

Do you even know if Boyle is physically able to play? If he is, I would play him just to change the feel if for no other reason. If not, he won't play.

 

[Palatine]

And for the love of God, stop it with the strawmen.

I think at this point everyone is hoping that Boyle starts from here on out. You might be the only one expecting miracles though.

I believe your understanding of a straw man argument is faulty.

It is a logical argument. Many on this site argue that Boyle isn't ready. However, if the current QB is incapable of winning, then Boyle can do no worse.

I would also refer you to this site http://www.fallacyfiles.org/strawman.html which explains a straw man argument in detail. BTW, it's two words, "straw man."

 

[HuskyHawk]

And for the love of God, stop it with the strawmen.

I think at this point everyone is hoping that Boyle starts from here on out. You might be the only one expecting miracles though.

I think that's pretty much it. With Boyle there is at least a glimmer of hope.

 

[CTMike]

Can Boyle get better with the current state of our O-Line?

 

[Dogged]

Can Boyle get better with the current state of our O-Line?

Can Foxx learn to throw the long ball in two weeks?

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I believe your understanding of a straw man argument is faulty.

It is a logical argument. Many on this site argue that Boyle isn't ready. However, if the current QB is incapable of winning, then Boyle can do no worse.

I would also refer you to this site http://www.fallacyfiles.org/strawman.html which explains a straw man argument in detail. BTW, it's two words, "straw man."

We'll see how many people "like" your posts as opposed to mine in this thread. You are getting as bad as Muntz with the strawman. Yes, strawman, as in one word. Know why? Cause I don't give a fugg.

 

[Justin M]

Boyle simply gives a new hope, the reaction of the fans when he enters a game is enough to play him more. There is a buzz in the air when he steps on the field regardless of his success. Give the people what they want, for all we know 1 touchdown out of Boyle could bring the confidence we need him to have, it gets the monkey off his back and lets the kid play the game. He should be able to go out and play without having to worry about Chandler coming back in after he throws one incomplete pass.

"Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong."

Give the kid a shot

 

[tiger8mush]

Many on this site argue that Boyle isn't ready. However, if the current QB is incapable of winning, then Boyle can do no worse.

Boyle being ready to play has nothing to do with performance of the guy above him on the depth chart.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Boyle being ready to play has nothing to do with performance of the guy above him on the depth chart.

You're right of course, but you're wasting your breath.

He is solid in his position.

 

[Jimdish255]

So what are we expecting this week? Change at starter? 1 QB? 2 or 3 on a merry-go-round? All wildcat? I just hope the blocking schemes are simple enough that they can hit the sleds and not worry who's taking snaps. Put me on record for Boyle and a sprinkle of Foxx.

 

[Palatine]

Can Boyle get better with the current state of our O-Line?

Of course he can. Funny how our line got better last year with Cochrane at QB.

 

[Dogged]

So what are we expecting this week? Change at starter? 1 QB? 2 or 3 on a merry-go-round? All wildcat? I just hope the blocking schemes are simple enough that they can hit the sleds and not worry who's taking snaps. Put me on record for Boyle and a sprinkle of Foxx.

I like this but prefer Foxx with a sprinkle of Boyle.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Boyle being ready to play has nothing to do with performance of the guy above him on the depth chart.

Define "ready". He has taken snaps in games...therefore he is ready to play. Aside from a physical injury, there is no excuse not to play him more, since the guy above him has proven incapable despite playing through parts of three seasons.

I don't agree with Palatine on Diaco, but I do on this.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I have a question for you Pal: Who exactly is it that you are attempting to debate on this?

I don't believe that there is a poster on this board who wouldn't prefer seeing Boyle take over as QB. Yes it is frustrating not knowing what the reasoning was for his very limited playing time against Temple but I'm very confident that there was a reason beyond Diaco trying to see how irritated you would with Boyle's lack of playing time.

 

[Husky68]

Boyle being ready to play has nothing to do with performance of the guy above him on the depth chart.

But it does have a lot to do with the definition of when "being ready" comes into play is good enough to get you in the game. Boyle not available, CW gets hurt; then Foxx is "ready" to play (and this is a senior wide with 3 weeks of 1A QB practice.) You telling me that Johnny Mac. was more ready to start and play against Vandy than Boyle is to start against Tulane (lower leg pain aside, whatever that is), or that Nebrich would have been (I think he was but that is not the argument, the argument is a lot does depend on the performance of the guy above).

 

[freescooter]

I have a question for you Pal: Who exactly is it that you are attempting to debate on this?

I don't believe that there is a poster on this board who wouldn't prefer seeing Boyle take over as QB. Yes it is frustrating not knowing what the reasoning was for his very limited playing time against Temple but I'm very confident that there was a reason beyond Diaco trying to see how irritated you would with Boyle's lack of playing time.

No, I think that was the reason he didn't play Boyle...didn't he say exactly that in the post game?

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I like this but prefer Foxx with a sprinkle of Boyle.

You're being funny, right?

 

[Palatine]

I have a question for you Pal: Who exactly is it that you are attempting to debate on this?

I don't believe that there is a poster on this board who wouldn't prefer seeing Boyle take over as QB. Yes it is frustrating not knowing what the reasoning was for his very limited playing time against Temple but I'm very confident that there was a reason beyond Diaco trying to see how irritated you would with Boyle's lack of playing time.

There are plenty who believe Boyle should sit or try for a redshirt. There is also the Boyle isn't ready argument we have seen on this thread. Others still back Whitmer or trust what Diaco believes he is seeing in practice from Whitmer. That seems to be the position you are advocating. The idea that Whitmer will improve in games after observing he hasn't improved for three years runs counter to reality. We know CW is awesome in a red jersey. He must be burning up practice.

Frustrated does not begin to describe how I feel when watching CW trot out game after game. How can the coach thinks there will be a different result? BTW, I appreciate every player who ever said "yes" to a UConn scholarship offer. This is completely about CW performance on the field.

 

[whaler11]

I'd just really like some clarity but of course we won't get it.

I personally don't believe Boyle isn't healthy enough to play... since he played.

If Diaco doesn't want to get him hurt behind this line that is fine - but then don't use him at all and why did you burn his redshirt?

 

[businesslawyer]

Without looking, isn't Boyle 0-4 as a starter while Whitmer is 6-15?

Whitmer is who he is. I don't expect him to change. I wouldn't mind seeing what Boyle can do, and if he's healthy I'd be surprised to not see much more of him against Tulane. But Boyle did enough bad things last year that if the coaches tell me he doesn't give us as good a chance to win as Chandler, I believe them.

 

[noeynox]

Whitmer, the back breaking turnover can happen opening drive see Temple, the 4th quarter see Boise, or anywhere in between.

He is a turnover machine.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

I am as critical of Diaco as anyone, but to think that he doesn't know which QB gives him the best chance to win is idiotic.

 

[Dogged]

You're being funny, right?

Honestly, and seriously, I'd take either one right now. Whoever it is will be running for his life. Given our group of backs I wish we were running a wishbone or a flexbone offense.

 

[Alum86]

Killin' time 'til Sheriffs. Let Boyle play, agreed. God how far we have fallen.
And as for the RB carousel....

 

[HuskyHawk]

Honestly, and seriously, I'd take either one right now. Whoever it is will be running for his life. Given our group of backs I wish we were running a wishbone or a flexbone offense.

Maybe so. But the Patriots seemingly fixed their OL troubles last night, with the same OL personnel. Instead they schemed differently and Tom was obviously given a directive to throw the ball quickly to whoever was open, rather than holding it for his favored guys to break open (as he had been doing). Boyle gets rid of the ball faster than Whitmer from what I can see, and he doesn't have happy feet. I think he can help reduce the pass rush if he can burn it a few times.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

My guess (entirely a guess) is that Boyle has been bit nicked up, not to the point where in the football universe it would be viewed as an injury but enough to lead to siding in favor of caution on the coaching staff's part. I also believe that the staff would prefer he receive more work in practice (he was third string before Casey's retirement, meaning that first and second team reps were taken almost entirely, if not entirely by Cochrane and Whitmer) before throwing him to the lions.

We had a bye week, allowing for additional practice time. I fully expect to see far more of Boyle this week than have to this point. I also believe that by the time we return home Boyle will be our #1 QB.

As far as those favoring a redshirt for Boyle, while we still had Casey I was firmly in that camp and in all candor, if there were a means to pull it off this season after losing Casey I would likely have gone in that direction. Unfortunately we couldn't consider trying to finish the season with one scholarship QB from mid September forward if we had a great offensive line.

 

[Pudge]

Of course he can. Funny how our line got better last year with Cochrane at QB.

I guess you don't see the irony of correcting spelling/grammar in one post ... and then making a spelling error a few posts later. Myself? I would be very careful in my subsequent posts to make sure I was perfect.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

There are plenty who believe Boyle should sit or try for a redshirt. Where are these people? The RS is off the table now. Who are the people saying Boyle should sit? I want names. This is Straw Man #1. There is also the Boyle isn't ready argument we have seen on this thread. There are people, including me, who are not convinced that Boyle gives us the best chance to win but want to play him this year. Does that mean he's not ready? I don't know. I do know that my analysis is based on what we've seen in games. What is your analysis based on? Others still back Whitmer or trust what Diaco believes he is seeing in practice from Whitmer. Straw Man #2. That seems to be the position you are advocating. The idea that Whitmer will improve in games after observing he hasn't improved for three years runs counter to reality. Everyone agrees that Whitmer is what he is. Straw Man #3 that you arguing with yourself on. We know CW is awesome in a red jersey. He must be burning up practice.

Frustrated does not begin to describe how I feel when watching CW trot out game after game. How can the coach thinks there will be a different result? BTW, I appreciate every player who ever said "yes" to a UConn scholarship offer. This is completely about CW performance on the field.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I guess you don't see the irony of correcting spelling/grammar in one post ... and then making a spelling error a few posts later. Myself? I would be very careful in my subsequent posts to make sure I was perfect.

Palatine also really likes Graham Steward.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Honestly, and seriously, I'd take either one right now. Whoever it is will be running for his life. Given our group of backs I wish we were running a wishbone or a flexbone offense.

You really want to see more of Foxx at QB? I'm not sure how to respond.

 

[whaler11]

Unfortunately we couldn't consider trying to finish the season with one scholarship QB from mid September forward if we had a great offensive line.

But to date they could have gone with only Whitmer. They didn't have to put Boyle in a game yet.

Whitmer hasn't gotten hurt and they had plenty of time to get Foxx ready without him getting hurt.

It's like the worst of both worlds: No redshirt AND not enough playing time to develop or evaluate him.

I mean if the argument is going to be well if Whitmer gets hurt then somehow the 4-5 series Boyle has played in three games help him? Seriously?

 

[Dogged]

You really want to see more of Foxx at QB? I'm not sure how to respond.

No need to respond.

 

[Palatine]

But to date they could have gone with only Whitmer. They didn't have to put Boyle in a game yet.

Whitmer hasn't gotten hurt and they had plenty of time to get Foxx ready without him getting hurt.

It's like the worst of both worlds: No redshirt AND not enough playing time to develop or evaluate him.

I mean if the argument is going to be well if Whitmer gets hurt then somehow the 4-5 series Boyle has played in three games help him? Seriously?

Boyle was only redshirted to put CC ahead him class-wise. Since Cochrane is gone there s no reason to redshirt Boyle.

 

[CTMike]

This is just my opinion, but it looks like Diaco is playing for next year. One can argue that putting Boyle in is the best for that scenario, and I mostly agree. But if the thought process is that by putting Boyle in behind a line in shambles, that it actually hampers his progress and risks him getting seriously injured... That's a valid thought process too. In that sense, CW is a sacrificial lamb until we have a competent line.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Boyle was only redshirted to put CC ahead him class-wise. Since Cochrane is gone there s no reason to redshirt Boyle.

It's Cochran. And there should be an apostrophe in "there's" instead of a space.

Also, nobody is suggesting that Boyle redshirt since, well, it's not possible any longer.

 

[whaler11]

Boyle was only redshirted to put CC ahead him class-wise. Since Cochrane is gone there s no reason to redshirt Boyle.

Um ok.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

This is just my opinion, but it looks like Diaco is playing for next year. One can argue that putting Boyle in is the best for that scenario, and I mostly agree. But if the thought process is that by putting Boyle in behind a line in shambles, that it actually hampers his progress and risks him getting seriously injured... That's a valid thought process too. In that sense, CW is a sacrificial lamb until we have a competent line.

Which makes playing him sparingly all the more puzzling and bizarre.

If Boyle doesn't get increased play on Saturday and isn't named the starter for the rest of the I might get banned because I will hammer Diaco on this.

 

[sub legacy]

You really want to see more of Foxx at QB? I'm not sure how to respond.

What's the worst that can happen? I personally don't have unreasonable expectations for this season, but even on a good day, Whitmer hasn't been efficient enough to produce on a consistent basis. I'll take a garbage time QB who can potentially produce positive plays with his feet and occasionally throw the ball, or a sophomore QB who only gave a small sampling during a brutal stretch of schedule his freshman year, over a 5th year senior who's proven to be largely unreliable the past few seasons, ANYTIME. I recognize the role the OL plays in the offensive struggles and ineptitude, but what else is there to think about? Either get Boyle some experience, or experiment with Foxx, but for the love of God, regardless of results (which we're apparently not playing for anyway), stop playing the same broken record and trotting Whitmer out onto the field every week.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

What's the worst that can happen? I personally don't have unreasonable expectations for this season, but even on a good day, Whitmer hasn't been efficient enough to produce on a consistent basis. I'll take a garbage time QB who can potentially produce positive plays with his feet and occasionally throw the ball, or a sophomore QB who only gave a small sampling during a brutal stretch of schedule his freshman year, over a 5th year senior who's proven to be largely unreliable the past few seasons, ANYTIME. I recognize the role the OL plays in the offensive struggles and ineptitude, but what else is there to think about? Either get Boyle some experience, or experiment with Foxx, but for the love of God, regardless of results (which we're apparently not playing for anyway), stop playing the same broken record and trotting Whitmer out onto the field every week.

I can't believe I state this, but you forced me to do it.

Playing our senior starting slot WR as QB may be the dumbest suggestion I've ever heard.

Foxx is a senior.

He is a starting WR (2nd best on the team).

We saw him in garbage time against Temple.

Other than that, it sounds like a great idea.

 

[Dogged]

I can't believe I state this, but you forced me to do it.

Playing our senior starting slot WR as QB may be the dumbest suggestion I've ever heard.

Foxx is a senior.

He is a starting WR (2nd best on the team).

We saw him in garbage time against Temple.

Other than that, it sounds like a great idea.

You call this a dumb suggestion and nominate it as maybe the dumbest you ever heard but the head Coach has tried it and has a "package of plays" for him as quarterback.

 

[Jimdish255]

This is just my opinion, but it looks like Diaco is playing for next year. One can argue that putting Boyle in is the best for that scenario, and I mostly agree. But if the thought process is that by putting Boyle in behind a line in shambles, that it actually hampers his progress and risks him getting seriously injured... That's a valid thought process too. In that sense, CW is a sacrificial lamb until we have a competent line.

That's exactly how it looks.