The View From Section 241 -- Preseason

[businesslawyer]

With regard to the line development and game work, are people comfortable opening night if we run the ball 15 straight times, even if it's not always successful (I am). Or will people be instantly booing if we don't air it out all over the place in game 1?

I"m fine with running the ball 15 straight times, but not if it's unsuccessful.

 

[RedStickHusky]

If the Maine game is 'telling', it won't be in a good way. What I'm hoping to see is a crisp, efficient, momentum building, buzz-generating first half from the 1's, a lot of time in the second half for the 2's. What I don't want to see is: 1) a competitive game in the 2nd half; 2) trouble getting plays in, wasted time outs; 3) the OL struggling to get push. I'm really looking forward to not having any flashbacks to previous struggles with FCS opponents. Am I asking for too much?

 

[RSTuthill]

With regard to the line development and game work, are people comfortable opening night if we run the ball 15 straight times, even if it's not always successful (I am). Or will people be instantly booing if we don't air it out all over the place in game 1?

Execute the basic offense that they are gonna run against Navy. That is what I would be comfortable with. Tempting to run the ball until Maine can stop it but that doesn't accomplish much. Of course they have to save some things in the play book for tougher opponents. Stuff they do not want on the game film.

 

[freescooter]

Bl, probably "smaller" is the wrong adjective. I'm talking about a different type of Oline player, and if that is your system and what you want to recruit and develop I think most coaches would tend to go with at least those principles even if they don't have exactly the players yet. I think we have hitorically recruited power lines but are now going toward more finesse. E are sort of in between at the moment. As a result we have lots of power guys trying to fit into a system that they are only ok for. Over time we hope to see more quick zone types guys. We are probably a hybrid now as we have been really since the Brothers Karamasov ran the show.

 

[businesslawyer]

Bl, probably "smaller" is the wrong adjective. I'm talking about a different type of Oline player, and if that is your system and what you want to recruit and develop I think most coaches would tend to go with at least those principles even if they don't have exactly the players yet. I think we have hitorically recruited power lines but are now going toward more finesse. E are sort of in between at the moment. As a result we have lots of power guys trying to fit into a system that they are only ok for. Over time we hope to see more quick zone types guys. We are probably a hybrid now as we have been really since the Brothers Karamasov ran the show.

Well that didn't cheer me up. You now have me expecting Tyler Samra to be sitting in Section 241 still looking for someone to block with a puzzled look on his face.

 

[Chin Diesel]

With regard to the line development and game work, are people comfortable opening night if we run the ball 15 straight times, even if it's not always successful (I am). Or will people be instantly booing if we don't air it out all over the place in game 1?

Yes. With the caveat that they show different sets, run the ball with different players in different directions and that it is apparent that all 11 players know what they are supposed to do on each play.

 

[uconndogs]

Bl, probably "smaller" is the wrong adjective. I'm talking about a different type of Oline player, and if that is your system and what you want to recruit and develop I think most coaches would tend to go with at least those principles even if they don't have exactly the players yet. I think we have hitorically recruited power lines but are now going toward more finesse. E are sort of in between at the moment. As a result we have lots of power guys trying to fit into a system that they are only ok for. Over time we hope to see more quick zone types guys. We are probably a hybrid now as we have been really since the Brothers Karamasov ran the show.

Towards the last several years of Edsall's tenure he moved to very physical OLs. There was size (Hurd), but across the board they were very physical (think Petrus). Those lines wore folks down and you had pretty big backs running behind them in Brown and Dixon. Then the stupid twins came along and appeared to throw S&C out the window. At UCONN's pro day Bennett and Greene benched about as well as the average WR. Development and recruitment were off the rails.

I don't think there is any doubt Diaco wants size, and I don't think there is going to be all that much finesse. We have a big OL. Whether they can move or not is another matter, but Diaco wants to get back to a physical, run oriented offense and balance it with a good passing attach. My read fwiw.......

 

[UConn66]

Edsall got there eventually, but really struggled with the basics of game management during his first 4-5 years. I don't expect Diaco to be a master at it at this point. I do think that the craziness was dialed down quite a bit after the Missouri game last year. Still, there were glaring mistakes (the end of the first half vs. USF, and a number of issues getting plays in on third down in the red zone).

Coach Edsall's started at I-AA, so it took a while to ramp up. He did well, and I think that, given time, Coach Disco will, too.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I will take 5 Zach Hurds on my OL 6 days a week and twice on Saturday. Seeing him pull and bury the ND linebacker on Dixon's winning TD was a thing of beauty.

 

[Husky25]

Teams out of the south sometimes do not fare well at the Rent in the cold and sleet of November. UCF the year before last is another case in point. So we will see. We DID think enough of their chances to buy the tix this year at least.

It was fairly warm (for November) that night and no elements.

 

[weyuo]

With regard to the line development and game work, are people comfortable opening night if we run the ball 15 straight times, even if it's not always successful (I am). Or will people be instantly booing if we don't air it out all over the place in game 1?

I don't want to see them run it 15 straight times but I do want to see them run enough to keep the linebackers honest. And, if they only need one or two yards I want to see a bull rush that gains them 3 or 4 at least. I expect they'll run more than pass(or try to anyways) but they need to utilize Thomas more.

 

[Nostical]

This game is all about setting a tone for the season. Raucous students happy with their gratis bus trip and barbecue treats making it tough on the Maine offense--satiated tailgaters happy with the extra time and able to arrive in their seats by pregame. The Band will be back to running down the stairs to start pre-game as Benedict wanted to see a more kinetic approach, like at Auburn. We'll hear more from the band and less PA announcements. So let's see how engaged we all are. Not so much for Maine-- but to be ready for when it'll really count.
Oh yeah, the team. Get ready for a team that will be crunching their blocks, making breakaway runs and spectacular catches, crisply kicking field goals with a new long snapper and holder, booming punts, causing multiple turnovers--and perhaps, just perhaps, a punt return for giggles.

 

[CL82]

Well that didn't cheer me up. You now have me expecting Tyler Samra to be sitting in Section 241 still looking for someone to block with a puzzled look on his face.

Pretty sure that was one of the GDL read and reacts.

 

[huskypantz]

Pretty sure that was one of the GDL read and reacts.

Zone blocking 101.

 

[Kgun7]

This is probably the largest OL we've ever put on the field. If the coaches aren't playing to it being a large OL, and are still hoping that we look like Denver zone blocking, than this staff is no better than the last one.

I see no reason to believe that, however. How good these guys are as a uni I don't know, but I will assume that we're at least going to play to their strengths until I'm shown differently.

I agree with you about the size and strength of this OL and needing to game plan for it. But you need to be able to block to the defensive front you are facing. Newsome's long TD run vs East Carolina was zone blocking all the way.

 

[uconndogs]

Zone blocking 101.

Remember watching the last game we played in the Carrier Dome and Bennett jumped twice in a row. P calls TO and he and Bennett started yelling at each other full bore with the cameras rolling. That was the same game that Sio got into it with one of the assistants after the game. P had no control over the team or program. I take great comfort that GDL is with Temple. Honestly, how these retreads end up with jobs based on their resumes is a complete mystery to me.

 

[joey3$trike$]

I want to see Gang tackling, yards after contact, blitzes, sacks, a punt return or 2. Don't care who plays, just keep a level head and play tough

 

[FfldCntyFan]

This is probably the largest OL we've ever put on the field.

I'm not yet sure it is the largest (will need to look up a couple of seasons six to eight years ago) but it may well be the tallest in the country (as well as the tallest we ever had). 6'8", 6'7" at the two tackles, 6'6" for each of the two starting guards and 6'4" at center is going to be difficult to out height.

 

[huskypantz]

Remember watching the last game we played in the Carrier Dome and Bennett jumped twice in a row. P calls TO and he and Bennett started yelling at each other full bore with the cameras rolling. That was the same game that Sio got into it with one of the assistants after the game. P had no control over the team or program. I take great comfort that GDL is with Temple. Honestly, how these retreads end up with jobs based on their resumes is a complete mystery to me.

Old boys club. Emphasis on "old".

 

[huskypantz]

I'm not yet sure it is the largest (will need to look up a couple of seasons six to eight years ago) but it may well be the tallest in the country (as well as the tallest we ever had). 6'8", 6'7" at the two tackles, 6'6" for each of the two starting guards and 6'4" at center is going to be difficult to out height.

Off the top of my head there was a lot of talk about the size of our oline when we played michigan in 2010. I am guessing that group was larger from a weight perspective. Still, this is a decent-sized group and should be able to push d-lines around.

 

[CJS87]

Now that's a bizarre overreaction. I am not a cheerleader for HCBD, but certainly a defender. The "whacky Bob" moniker is nicely trying to give him a free pass for kicking a long field goal attempt in a game where we needed a TD to keep the game alive, or not attempting a makeable FG to tie the game in the last minute in Missouri where our D would have given us a chance to win the game in OT, or burning the redshirt of every player, trainer and equipment manager his first year just to let them play a down or two, as if he didn't plan to be here five years out anyway. Or being the only football coach in America who thinks a punt return is a trick play, to only be used once a year.

Would someone explain how we're getting all of these new posters adding so much to our board all of a sudden. It's so great to see intelligence added to our football discussions.

You may see it as an overreaction; but it's my opinion so sorry if you're offended. It's a public forum (" would someone explain how we're getting all these new posters...to OUR BOARD. So this is a private club? You might want to re-think that chief.) If you can't stand the heat don't share your opinion.

 

[CTMike]

You may see it as an overreaction; but it's my opinion so sorry if you're offended. It's a public forum (" would someone explain how we're getting all these new posters...to OUR BOARD. So this is a private club? You might want to re-think that chief.) If you can't stand the heat don't share your opinion.

Welcome?

 

[CJS87]

Come on, you can't be that dumb and still be able to turn on a computer.

Whit is not one of your strengths.

 

[CJS87]

Welcome?

Lol!! Now that is funny. Seriously, very funny. Mr Biz Lawyer takes himself way too seriously.

 

[sportsart]

Whit is not one of your strengths.

Making friends is certainly not one of your strengths.