The View From Section 241 -- Temple

[huskymedic]

At least give Rishell/Bisack a chance to know what we have for next year. Perhaps ...?

Rishell - everyone has a job.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

One of the worst parts of all this losing and frustration is how much it puts us at each other's throats.

 

[BugsyCT]

Imagine if they decide to start Shirreffs against BC. This board will explode.

Actually that could be likely. Williams was clearly overmatched against Temple's D and with our pathetic excuse for a coaching staff. BC also has a tough D. Nothing would be surprising at this point - except for success.

 

[businesslawyer]

Just read Altavilla's AAC notebook on Courant.com. Like Biz, I'm not reactionary to the point of demanding Diaco's resignation immediately, but my goodness, how many times can we hear the same old drivel:

"We will let the players know how much we care," Diaco said. "We will try to do the best job we can with our presentations each day to reach and communicate and correct and work to reinforce. We will continue to stay positive and communicate with respect and discipline and consistency in staying the course as it relates to doing our business the right way.

I would imagine Benedict is getting tired of all of this nonsense from Diaco on the public front. College football is a results driven business. Diaco keeps spewing all of this love and caring and togetherness talk, yet the result on the field is abominable!

Then there's this nugget:

"I know why we are in the circumstance we are in. I see the problems and the reasons and understand the answers. But it's not realistic [to cure it all] in the next two weeks. But we are working towards it and we took a big step in that direction at the beginning of last week and its going to pay major dividends."

I am literally speechless after this comment!

In fairness, the last sentence makes logical sense (or at least may). I think he's telling us that we have a much higher ceiling with Williams than Shirreffs and even if we don't see it this season it's going to be there eventually. Hopefully, he's correct on both the count that Williams will ultimately be better and that playing these last three games will help speed up the process. But none of that changes the fact that he wasn't ready to hit the field on Friday night.

 

[gtcam]

It's not about winning. It's about improving and building a culture. Loving and caring about each other. Making sure the players have good grooming habits and table manners. Building a foundation the right way, so it lasts. Not just repainting the walls, but picking the right trim and accents colors. Something that matches the rug. So we can represent this great university the right way. It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the cat and the dog keeping the litter box clean with the right kind of cats and dogs and sometimes fish. And we would like to thank Temple as our partner for their role in making us better.

DAMN ..... HCBD couldn't have said it better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[whaler11]

Can someone help me understand the value of finding out if he is the future faster?

They are going to keep recruiting quarterbacks aren't they no matter what?

The actual value is to satisfy the bloodlust of cranking through to the next guy?

Is the premise that players can't be evaluated in practice?

 

[businesslawyer]

Can someone help me understand the value of finding out if he is the future faster?

They are going to keep recruiting quarterbacks aren't they no matter what?

The actual value is to satisfy the bloodlust of cranking through to the next guy?

Is the premise that players can't be evaluated in practice?

If Palatine can't see it, it don't exist.

 

[Dooley]

Imagine if they decide to start Shirreffs against BC. This board will explode.

Actually that could be likely. Williams was clearly overmatched against Temple's D and with our pathetic excuse for a coaching staff. BC also has a tough D. Nothing would be surprising at this point - except for success.

I don't know if it's funny, sad or a little of both but I had this exact same thought earlier. Our coaching staff is going to burn Williams' RS on a short week right before a bye, saw that he was nowhere near ready to play, and now cement him to the bench for the rest of the season now that we have been officially eliminated from bowl contention.

 

[wethyhusky]

As stated in many other threads, my apathy (as most of you as well) is really sad and disappointing. I have had tickets for 15 years, and really am considering not renewing for the first time. I would put the games on the calendar and nothing would prevent me from going. The PP debacle, and now a coach who really seems to have no clue have made me jaded. I just want hope and a reason to get excited.

 

[microfich]

With all due respect to those who don't know anything about football and those that think they know everything, think about this re: Williams. When was the last time a QB started 3-4 years here? Irrational to get so upset about burning a redshirt on an obviously talented kid.

 

[Exit 4]

With all due respect to those who don't know anything about football and those that think they know everything, think about this re: Williams. When was the last time a QB started 3-4 years here? Irrational to get so upset about burning a redshirt on an obviously talented kid.

The board does seem to have an unusual concentration of geniuses... or blowhards....actually, probably much more likely the latter.

 

[Ready4action]

Some folk on this blog write so recklessly about taking ones livelihood. Fire BD! Just nonsense. Get off of your worn down couches buy a ticket and support the home team with nothing but positive energy. No wonder Connecticut has so many insurance companies the state is full of depressed cry babies.

 

[Adios]

Well, at least everyone agrees that Diaco is fish cake.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

With all due respect to those who don't know anything about football and those that think they know everything, think about this re: Williams. When was the last time a QB started 3-4 years here? Irrational to get so upset about burning a redshirt on an obviously talented kid.

With all due respect it's more about playing a kid that clearly wasn't ready more than anything else. Losing the additional year of eligibility was just the icing on the cake.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

The board does seem to have an unusual concentration of geniuses... or blowhards....actually, probably much more likely the latter.

Don't forget know nothings who build spectacular straw men. YUGE concentration of those around here.

 

[Exit 4]

Don't forget know nothings who build spectacular straw men. YUGE concentration of those around here.

Yep, but its the blowhards that are "special" because they just can't get over a difference of opinion. Drives them crazy...then they get the uncontrollable need to toss insults all around the boneyard.

 

[Dooley]

With all due respect to those who don't know anything about football and those that think they know everything, think about this re: Williams. When was the last time a QB started 3-4 years here? Irrational to get so upset about burning a redshirt on an obviously talented kid.

Williams has talent. His best talent as of right now (until he learns the offense better) is his speed. But there we are dropping him back behind a porous OL and making him sit in the pocket and throw the ball. I have no idea who to blame for it either since it's on the heels of an OC change too. But if we're going to burn his RS, we might as well try to use his best asset: his legs. That 40 yard scamper in 1H was a sight to see. The only problem is that we only saw it once when we might have seen it a few more times if we had just moved the pocket and played more read-option to give Williams a little extra time and field to find some holes.

 

[uconndogs]

Looks like we made two bad coaching hires in a row. That will take some time to overcome.

My sense of Diaco is that he is young and reactionary. I think he was feeling some real pressure and decided he would really shake things up so he switched out his OC and QB at the same time. Maybe not such a good idea. A little grey hair and you probably know not to over-react to such pressure and dig a hole that's deeper than you might already be in.

This is not a bad guy and at the end of the day he may simply not have been ready. The Verducci hire never made any sense to me and having watched this offense it may be the one key element that doomed Diaco.

What BC's defense will do to us may not be legally permissible in the State of Massachusetts.

 

[Confident Carl]

.

It's getting harder and harder to write these. Heck -- it's getting harder and harder just to watch the damn games. Luckily, the game Friday night was for all practical purposes over by 7:30. Last week, I was in Florida and figured I would watch the tape when I got home on Sunday. Never bothered. After one year of free pass and one year of hopeful baby steps, now we're back to this not even being fun again. Where did this come from. Yes, I know I'm more patient and less reactionary than many here, but coming off the Cincy win I was frustrated that we were only 3-3 but more than a little hopeful at the improvement in our offense, and certainly thought that, even if the record didn't show it this year, we were making forward movements. And then this utter, total and depressing collapse the last two weeks.

I have been patient with our coach and his staff because I want to be fair and they walked into a s***storm that became a s*** hurricane with the injuries to Cochrane and others their first year. But whomever felt that putting Donovan Williams in the lineup with a new formation and a very, very limited playbook, one week before we both got a bye week and while we were still playing to get to .500 in a minor bowl, just knows nothing about football. Nothing. This is not a knock on Williams. Is there a chance he'll be a good QB for us down the road? Sure. Is there chance he was going to be the guy next opening day? Time will tell but that's possible. But was he our chance to win Friday night? LMFAO. Again, if you wanted him to play this year, the time was to let BS try to rally the team and get to .500, and then, with a bye week and that possibility eliminated, start Williams in Chestnut Hill.


That having been said, quite obviously Donovan Williams was not the only football player who wasn't ready to win a football game Friday night. No one on any unit did a damn thing until the game had already been decided. My question is, was that because Temple was so much better than us, or did HCBD totally misread the mood of the team and did the team think HCBD had quit on them and given away the season by making the QB change now? I have no dea if the players thought that or not, but I would have thought that if I were on the team, and it sure looked like they came out totally unprepared to play football.

So where are we now? It's too early to tell if HCBD is recruiting and developing personnel at an acceptable level, but I have not seen the proof that he is. I already knew that he and his staff were rotten at in game coaching. And now this. Will he get a 4th year? I imagine he will, but I'm no longer sure of it. Does he deserve a 4th year? Gun to my head I say probably yes, but again, I'm no longer sure of it. But I am sure of this -- I HAVE BECOME CONVINCED PERSONALLY THAT HE IS NOT GOING TO SUCCEED ON THIS LEVEL AND THE ONLY QUESTION IS NOW HOW LONG IS HE HERE, AND NOT WHETHER HE WILL SUCCEED. And that is going to make continuing emotional expenditures for this program very, very difficult.

Sorry to be such a Debby Downer, but I just find optimism at the moment to be wholly irrational.

I hear you and agree that it is becoming increasingly difficult to watch these miserable games. Sitting in the stands at Dowdy- Flicklin stadium was one of my most embarrassing fan experiences ever. I never thought I would see the team quit the way they did in Greenville. Hard to believe we were only down 7-3 with 1.5 minutes left in the first half and ended up losing 41-3 and it could have been a much worse blowout! The team simply knew they couldn't come from behind! Their spirit died! I don't believe that spirit was coming back after ECU without acknowledging that something was terribly wrong and needed to be changed in order to advance. Replacing Verducci with Corley was making a statement that things were definitely going to change. It spoke to everyone, players, coaches and fans. Replacing Bryant Sherriffs with Donovan Williams was along the same lines. I like Sherriff's toughness and grit but don't believe we will ever come close to an AAC championship with him at QB. From what I have heard the chances are a lot better with DW. I have heard from objective insiders that next years overall team is supposed to be better. I am weighing the risk of burning DW's redshirt with the head start and confidence that he will hopefully gain by starting the last three games and preparing during the off season to be the starter. It's easy for us to look back at Tim Boyle and draw a comparison but let's not forget that PJ Walker started as a true freshman and look where Temple is today. Diaco put his coaching future on the line with this decision. If DW has a good game against BC things will calm down. If he bombs the criticism will mount. Only time will tell.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Lyndon Johnson (the former President, not former UConn assistant) once famously said (in regards to public opinion on the Vietnam War) “If I’ve lost Walter Cronkite, I’ve lost middle America!” after Cronkite, on a national newscast questioned US participation in southeast Asia.


I believe there are few on this forum more calm, rational and realistic than me. BL is absolutely one of them and the truth is, if Diaco has lost Business Lawyer, he has lost too much of the fan base (for the record I admitted he lost me a few days ago). Where he lost me was more than merely burning a redshirt (which in a few years may become detrimental to the program or may be merely an afterthought) as a kneejerk reaction when everything he did up to this point was decidedly against worrying about the immediate in favor of what was supposedly being built. It was more than the constant attempt to blow sunshine up the fanbases’ collective backside after a frustrating, disheartening or mind-boggling loss. It was more than his attempt to claim success and improvement in a defense that at some point in all losses this year has seen three consecutive drives by the opposition where we were clueless to stop them (and defense is supposedly what he knows best). It was in that all evidence to date, despite my best efforts to try to interpret something different, has pointed to one conclusion; he is not capable of seeing enough of the picture to grasp what is in fact necessary to build something here.


I’ve seen coaches who were stubborn to a fault in their opinions. I can accept someone following a philosophy I may disagree with while attempting a job that I know I cannot perform. I also realize that when building something (JC built the basketball program this way), following a philosophy and structure even when the talent to execute it is not there yet is often the better path. The reason Diaco has lost me is that I really don’t know what it is that he is trying to build and worse, I’m not sure he does any longer either. He is either lying to the fan base about the defense or he is lying to himself (and professing that lie to the general public). He made it clear the week leading up to the Temple game that he no longer has the conviction necessary to build the offense he wanted and is now grasping at straws to find something that may work.


His strange, often silly comments could have been passed off as quirky and eccentric once some sustainable success was achieved but it has reached the point where one has to question what he sees and how he thinks. I am curious as to what color the sky is in the world he lives in.


Can he win me back? I don’t know. Shy of someone on the Boneyard hitting powerball while the jackpot is huge I don’t see how he can be bought out for another fourteen months. If he somehow makes a run for the conference championship next season (which this past August appeared to be a reasonable goal) and shows some awareness of the team’s shortcomings I could be back on his bandwagon. Bills Parcells lost me about five games into his first year with the Giants but won me back a little more than a year later. Randy Edsall lost me early in his second season here but won me back a couple years later. Tom Coughlin lost me when the team barely showed up for a playoff game against the Eagles but won me back not quite a year later when the Giants took an unbeaten Patriots team to the edge on the last regular season game (the same day as the Meineke Bowl).

 

[whaler11]

How in the world would next year's team be expected to be better?

Other than it's sort or hard to be worse than this?

 

[Confident Carl]

How in the world would next year's team be expected to be better?

Other than it's sort or hard to be worse than this?

I know it's hard to believe but early in the season when I attended a practice I felt this team was going to be "really good" I was pretty excited. I couldn't believe the size and strength of the Offensive line and posted about it. While at practice a source who will remain anonymous told me this team would be good but next year's team will be really good. I took that as kind of a prophecy that I shouldn't get my hopes too high for this year. I have a lot of respect for this individuals judgement which is why I made the statement. Like I said only time will tell.

 

[whaler11]

I know it's hard to believe but early in the season when I attended a practice I felt this team was going to be "really good" I was pretty excited. I couldn't believe the size and strength of the Offensive line and posted about it. While at practice a couple of sources who will remain anonymous told me this team would be good but next year's team will be really good. I have a lot of respect for the judgement of those sources which is why I made the statement. Like I said only time will tell.

Well they were wrong this year, so why would their prediction for next year carry any water? You can't possibly think that if Diaco returns this team will be any good. Who in their right mind would commit to this program?

Just look at who they lose. They might give up 40 a game next season . They can't stop anyone with the seniors they have.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

I know it's hard to believe but early in the season when I attended a practice I felt this team was going to be "really good" I was pretty excited. I couldn't believe the size and strength of the Offensive line and posted about it. While at practice a source who will remain anonymous told me this team would be good but next year's team will be really good. I took that as kind of a prophecy that I shouldn't get my hopes too high for this year. I have a lot of respect for this individuals judgement which is why I made the statement. Like I said only time will tell.

Shirreffs will likely be done. We lose our best (by far) offensive player and 2 starting OL. We lose a ton on defense.

I'm not sure we win 2 games next year.

 

[UCYamsMD]

With all due respect it's more about playing a kid that clearly wasn't ready more than anything else. Losing the additional year of eligibility was just the icing on the cake.

You mean the icing on the fish cake

 

[Alum86]

And the 2 bedt players after Thomas, Wain and Puyol.

 

[UConnJim]

I know it's hard to believe but early in the season when I attended a practice I felt this team was going to be "really good" I was pretty excited. I couldn't believe the size and strength of the Offensive line and posted about it. While at practice a source who will remain anonymous told me this team would be good but next year's team will be really good. I took that as kind of a prophecy that I shouldn't get my hopes too high for this year. I have a lot of respect for this individuals judgement which is why I made the statement. Like I said only time will tell.

At the beginning of the season, I thought the team would be better in 2017 than 2016. Why? We lose only 4 of our top 22 offensive players and 7 of our top 22 on defense. And, I thought Shirreffs would improve in 2016 and in 2017.

2016 has turned out worse than I expected due to poor coaching especially at the beginning of the season, the lack of improvement by Shirreffs, and the lack of playmakers as I thought we would see one true freshman RB and Skanes play this year. Also, I think the UCF game broke the team's spirit with how they lost and the embarrassment of the Conflict trophy debacle. After the UCF game, the team has played poorly.

This team needs to hit the reset button, but I'm not sure Diaco can reset the team. If he can't reset the team, the last 2 games are going to be ugly. That said, I'll be at BC and hope to see a new team.

 

[Confident Carl]

Shirreffs will likely be done. We lose our best (by far) offensive player and 2 starting OL. We lose a ton on defense.

I'm not sure we win 2 games next year.

No way, after this year, I am making any predictions other than I believe Donovan Williams will be a significant improvement over Bryant Shireffs.

You are correct, we lose Andreas Knappe and Richard Levi. Pert will be a year older and stronger plus Crozier, Hopkins, Rutherford, Verchery, Hashemy, Schafenacker and a couple of other huge guys in Bryan Cespedes, 6'7" 313 and Nino Leone, 6'6" 345.

We have all 4 tight ends coming back. Newsome and Johnson are back and they will be backed by Jakevious Vickers and Nate Hopkins who are supposed to be good.

We lose a great player in Noel (Saint) Thomas and also Brian Lemelle but we are adding wideouts Keyion Dixon and Quayvon Scanes.

On defense we lose Meyers, Jhavon Williams and Obi (Big loss) I understand that Marsh Terry and Eddie Hahn are pretty good. We also pick up Tre Bell from Vandy.

Losing Bobby Puyol and Justin Wain will be a big loss and no idea of how good Michael Tarbutt, K, and Brett Graham (P) will be.

So no question we lose some key players, in particular, Noel Thomas, Obi Melifonwu, Mikal Meyers, Puyol, Wain, Knappe and Levi. We can only hope that the up and comers have FBS skill sets!

Again no predictions from this guy. I am pretty down on the program right now. Just pointing out that there are replacement parts that need to be better than the originals.

When I see this guy, I have to think a player like this can help.

VIDEO: A must-see punt return from UConn-bound Keyion Dixon

This guy also looks like he has some talent

Senior Highlights - Quayvon Skanes highlights - Hudl

 

[whaler11]

No way, after this year, I am making any predictions other than I believe Donovan Williams will be a significant improvement over Bryant Shireffs.

You are correct, we lose Andreas Knappe and Richard Levi. Pert will be a year older and stronger plus Crozier, Hopkins, Rutherford, Verchery, Hashemy, Schafenacker and a couple of other huge guys in Bryan Cespedes, 6'7" 313 and Nino Leone, 6'6" 345.

We have all 4 tight ends coming back. Newsome and Johnson are back and they will be backed by Jakevious Vickers and Nate Hopkins who are supposed to be good.

We lose a great player in Noel (Saint) Thomas and also Brian Lemelle but we are adding wideouts Keyion Dixon and Quayvon Scanes.

On defense we lose Meyers, Jhavon Williams and Obi (Big loss) I understand that Marsh Terry and Eddie Hahn are pretty good. We also pick up Tre Bell from Vandy.

Losing Bobby Puyol and Justin Wain will be a big loss and no idea of how good Michael Tarbutt, K, and Brett Graham (P) will be.

So no question we lose some key players, in particular, Noel Thomas, Obi Melifonwu, Mikal Meyers, Puyol, Wain, Knappe and Levi. We can only hope that the up and comers have FBS skill sets!

Again no predictions from this guy. I am pretty down on the program right now. Just pointing out that there are replacement parts that need to be better than the originals.

When I see this guy, I have to think a player like this can help.

VIDEO: A must-see punt return from UConn-bound Keyion Dixon

This guy also looks like he has some talent

Senior Highlights - Quayvon Skanes highlights - Hudl

It's a fairly simple equation.

Here are the underclassman who make any kind of contribution:

Crozier
Beals
Mayala
Peart
Davis
Zecchino
Allmendinger
Williams

So as of today - you've got one underclassman who is performing as at least the level of an average AAC player. That one player is the long snapper.

That list would be a giant red flag if they were 7-3. At 3-7, it should be setting off every single alarm within 30 miles of Storrs.

You lose
Three players from an already mediocre secondary (Obi, Williams, Green) - there is no way they are better in the defensive backfield next year
Two players from a brutal offensive line (Levy, Knappe)
Two players that can handle their specialist positions (Wain, Puyol)
Your best offensive player (Thomas)
A serviceable linebacker (Walsh)
Your best defensive lineman (Myers)


So you've got a mediocre team and a terrible coaching staff. You have zero evidence that quarterback play will be improved next year. You lose most of your best players, you have almost no underclassmen forcing themselves onto the field even though you are 3-7.

If they bring Diaco back next year you'll need a literal miracle worker to fix this program. Jesus can't be in the huddle - Jesus will need to be the head coach.

We just went through bringing back a coach everyone knew was a dead man walking. Can we please avoid doing that twice in 4 years?

 

[UConnDan97]

It's a fairly simple equation.

Here are the underclassman who make any kind of contribution:

Crozier
Beals
Mayala
Peart
Davis
Zecchino
Allmendinger
Williams

So as of today - you've got one underclassman who is performing as at least the level of an average AAC player. That one player is the long snapper.

That list would be a giant red flag if they were 7-3. At 3-7, it should be setting off every single alarm within 30 miles of Storrs.

You lose
Three players from an already mediocre secondary (Obi, Williams, Green) - there is no way they are better in the defensive backfield next year
Two players from a brutal offensive line (Levy, Knappe)
Two players that can handle their specialist positions (Wain, Puyol)
Your best offensive player (Thomas)
A serviceable linebacker (Walsh)
Your best defensive lineman (Myers)


So you've got a mediocre team and a terrible coaching staff. You have zero evidence that quarterback play will be improved next year. You lose most of your best players, you have almost no underclassmen forcing themselves onto the field even though you are 3-7.

If they bring Diaco back next year you'll need a literal miracle worker to fix this program. Jesus can't be in the huddle - Jesus will need to be the head coach.

We just went through bringing back a coach everyone knew was a dead man walking. Can we please avoid doing that twice in 4 years?

This is 100% correct, and it's driving me nuts!

Do people understand how much emotional energy its going to take next year for me to predict a 15-0 season??? I've already started drinking in preparation...