The View From Section 241

[Carl Spackler]

My favorite part of the game, and I'm not sure if it ended up on TV or not, probably not because it happened on our sideline. Teddy Jennings comes off the field so fired up after a defensive stop, pulls his helmet off, and he's still so pumped that he's screaming and yelling and head butting players on the sideline in their helmets, while not wearing his own headgear. There are some people out there that were lucky he didn't catch them with the helmet he was swinging!

I suppose that there are still some people out there that will probably argue that this team continues does not show the passion or energy to play.

 

[jdb50]

The o-line needs to stay engaged longer both on the run and pass blocking. Some of that is determined by foot speed. McCombs showed an improvement in getting yardage after contact to me. JJL should be getting some more carries since we run mostly between the tackles. Unless our QB and recievers on on the same page for getting the ball out quickly the empty backfield sets are a recipe for disaster. Not blitzing as often was a big plus as BL pointed out. Other games I thought our blitzers weren't going full speed later in games as they were either tired or weren't getting there and so lost faith in the constant blitzing. One thing that nobody has mentioned is the look on the Huskies faces as they stood in front of the band and then left the field. A win is a win and I felt really good for the kids as they work their butt's off, have had to listen to the negativity and didn't want to lose 3 in a row at home. I felt really good for those players and coach's. Their hard work had paid off.

 

[HuskyNan]

Not really the point. Heck yeah, I'll definitely take this win. But, it doesn't bode well. Went to the casino this past weekend for some Blackjack slots style. On one hand, "stood" defiantly at 16 . . . and won. Doesn't mean that I wanna keep drawing 16's. And definitely "staying up" at that point is gonna end up with way more losses than wins over the course of an evening.

And an the flip side, if UConn had a high octane offense, most fans would be displeased with an awful defense. Giving up 30+ points a game is just as much a recipe for getting beat as the inability to score touchdowns.

Have you honestly not seen the improvement in offense from game to game? It hasn't been dramatic and McEntee isn't going to turn into Cam Newton overnight (and news flash - Nebrich isn't going to, either) but there has been incremental improvement each game.

I don't know why some people are expecting everything to be different overnight. When you're dealing with human beings, there has to be a learning curve. You're watching the team develop in front of you and it's not pretty and is far from polished but it's at least moving in the right direction.

And besides, why on earth would anyone waste so much energy complaining ad nauseum about something they can't change? It is what it is. Root for it or go find a team that meets your aesthetic requirements.

 

[freescooter]

McCombs is listed at what 175? If he's 175 at this point in the season, after the work he's put in, he's got to be eating a side of beef every other day. He's probably playing weight about 165 right now and eating like a horse trying to get up to 170.

He's simply not going to last if he's in there picking up 230lb linebackers and 300lb DL's on pass protection going chest to chest, and we're extremely thin on backfield players that can stay in there and have any threat of running and passing diversity on offense.

Needs to get better at his craft.

He ran the ball very well on Saturday.

Exactly right. McCombs has always been a lookout blocker. That just isn't going to change this year when he doesn't have a replacemnt really. He goes down and our running game which has been better than most people expected and frankly better than most people give it credit for, would be in trouble. I'd rather see someone else in sometimes in passing situations to help out with the blocking, but that takes away an option since McCombs is also a pretty good reciever out of the backfield.

 

[HuskyFan16]

Don't get me wrong, I understand completely that we don't have any stud playmakers on offense. This fact is painfully obvious. So I am not disagreeing that we shouldn't try an open set every down and hurl the ball down the field and then get pissed we we don't score. But thats not good enough. Its just not a good enough excuse to accept that the current reality makes the perpetual mediocrity OK. The most frustrating part of this is that we continually have exceptional playmakers on defense. If all these players were on the other side of the ball, our team would be electric to watch, pourous on D as all he11, but electric on offense. Maybe P played to the comforts of the players, but chalk me up as one who would have been ok with a rebuilding year if it meant in the near future we would play football the way its supposed to be played in the 21st century.

 

[Carl Spackler]

Don't get me wrong, I understand completely that we don't have any stud playmakers on offense. This fact is painfully obvious. So I am not disagreeing that we shouldn't try an open set every down and hurl the ball down the field and then get pissed we we don't score. But thats not good enough. Its just not a good enough excuse to accept that the current reality makes the perpetual mediocrity OK. The most frustrating part of this is that we continually have exceptional playmakers on defense. If all these players were on the other side of the ball, our team would be electric to watch, pourous on D as all he11, but electric on offense. Maybe P played to the comforts of the players, but chalk me up as one who would have been ok with a rebuilding year if it meant in the near future we would play football the way its supposed to be played in the 21st century.

huh?

We won the game. We're 3-4, and 1-1. We've got a big game on a Wednesday night at Ketchup field on the road to get us primed for a stretch run at home in November. Time to take all the lessons we've learned so far, work like hell in the next week and a half and take the show on the road and get another big east conference W.

Try to focus on that.

 

[businesslawyer]

Don't get me wrong, I understand completely that we don't have any stud playmakers on offense. This fact is painfully obvious. So I am not disagreeing that we shouldn't try an open set every down and hurl the ball down the field and then get pissed we we don't score. But thats not good enough. Its just not a good enough excuse to accept that the current reality makes the perpetual mediocrity OK. The most frustrating part of this is that we continually have exceptional playmakers on defense. If all these players were on the other side of the ball, our team would be electric to watch, pourous on D as all he11, but electric on offense. Maybe P played to the comforts of the players, but chalk me up as one who would have been ok with a rebuilding year if it meant in the near future we would play football the way its supposed to be played in the 21st century.

Running the offense as if you had electric playmakers, when you don't, is not getting you closer to the day that you have them. It puts you further away from that day because you are less likely to get those players when you don't win games.

 

[jbdphi]

Thanks for the write-up BL. Better than most of the reporters out there in terms of the details.

One play I noticed that I haven't seen get a lot of commentary was the 3rd and 2 play when JJL got the carry and absolutely barreled into the USF defenders making a loud thwack and falling forward for that first down. I just loved that physicality carrying the ball in a short yardage situation. Anyone else notice that play?

 

[Nostical]

The reason BJ Daniels didn't throw deep as much against what heretofore was a pretty porous pass defense was because there wasn't enough humidity and he couldn't grip the ball. That's the same complaint Don Meredith had against the Packers in the 1967 Ice Bowl.

 

[HuskyFan16]

How would you know? We've never tried it, and what we have tried over and over hasn't yeilded different results. I mean I feel like we're watching one big game of Einstein's theory of insanity. Every year people complain about the same things, and every year we have people who accept those limitations but just think "we're not there yet." Well if thats the case, we better get there soon. At least if P acknowledged Mac wasn't a solution (which there is no denying he is not) and threw the kid out there it might save us from a situation next spring where we are back to square one without any field tested offensive weapons. But no, about half-way through the season we'll probably be unimpressed, and just glad the Big East is the worst BCS conference in the country.

 

[businesslawyer]

With respect to the last two posts:

1. JJL looked good on both his carries. I'm guessing you're not seeing more because the coaches are worried about ball security, but who knows. It was strange that he had two good carries early and then never got on the field again (although less strange I guess because McCombs was having his best day).

2. The very fact that anyone is comparing Saturday, which was a nice, crisp fall day, to the Ice Bowl is patently absurd.

The Rent has been a house of horrors for USF. They are 0-4, and they've lost in incredible fashion all four times. All but the '09 game were about USF not converting in the red zone. At least this time they didn't give up their chance with gimmick plays, like the double reverse pass on 4th and goal from the 5, or the naked bootleg on 2d and goal from the one. And, as I've said before, this game was as identical to the '05 game as any two football games could be to each other.

 

[businesslawyer]

How would you know? We've never tried it, and what we have tried over and over hasn't yeilded different results. I mean I feel like we're watching one big game of Einstein's theory of insanity. Every year people complain about the same things, and every year we have people who accept those limitations but just think "we're not there yet." Well if thats the case, we better get there soon. At least if P acknowledged Mac wasn't a solution (which there is no denying he is not) and threw the kid out there it might save us from a situation next spring where we are back to square one without any field tested offensive weapons. But no, about half-way through the season we'll probably be unimpressed, and just glad the Big East is the worst BCS conference in the country.

I have never stood up, flapped my arms and tried to fly. I don't blame the fact that I can't fly on my failure to try, but my lack of ability to do so. Your statement, which is it's worth trying something that you can't do for the sake of trying it, is dumb in normal circumstances, but is utter lunacy COMING OFF A GAME THAT WE FRIGGIN WON.

 

[HuskyFan16]

Ya and that win on saturday I bet inspired soooo many recruits to play UConn football, or make fans want to get into the stadium early and stay late, or keep the fan at home glued to the TV to the point switching the channel would become sacrelige. I'm not saying I have the perfect answer, but I didn't apply to fill the position of coach of a FBS football team. I don't know, I think handing the offense over to Nebrich would have been a start, maybe expand McCumming's role into whatever can become of that, maybe we run a Navy triple option or just do flea flickers and triple reverses all day with our recievers, but score a freaking touchdown. Jesus H.

 

[businesslawyer]

Ya and that win on saturday I bet inspired soooo many recruits to play UConn football, or make fans want to get into the stadium early and stay late, or keep the fan at home glued to the TV to the point switching the channel would become sacrelige. I'm not saying I have the perfect answer, but I didn't apply to fill the position of coach of a FBS football team. I don't know, I think handing the offense over to Nebrich would have been a start, maybe expand McCumming's role into whatever can become of that, maybe we run a Navy triple option or just do flea flickers and triple reverses all day with our recievers, but score a freaking touchdown. Jesus H.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3UQwyKrTtI&feature=related

That is complaining for the sake of complaining. Oh, the recruits are turned off. What utter BS. You have to win games, and you can only win them with what you have on the roster. You want better skill players? Bully for you. Like there is a single poster here who doesn't. But you accomplish zip for either the program or the quality of the discussion on this board by wishing it were otherwise. We have what we have. The coaches used it to get us a win.

Go complain somewhere else, with people who don't care desperately about whether UConn wins football games. Because those who do don't have the time or energy to be whining about whether people watching on TV are turning off the game early. (As if our two recent high scoring losses to WMU and ISU were so good for the development of the program. LMAO).

 

[Carl Spackler]

The reason BJ Daniels didn't throw deep as much against what heretofore was a pretty porous pass defense was because there wasn't enough humidity and he couldn't grip the ball. That's the same complaint Don Meredith had against the Packers in the 1967 Ice Bowl.

HA!!

Have to admit I was pretty amused and surprised to see the weather excuses from USF. There were several little cloudbursts during the day too with some little sprinkles coming down, but it wasn't humid enough? I think it's pretty much 100% humidity, if there's actually rain drops in the air, no matter how few. I suppose they would've rather played in a monsoon, or a snowstorm.....wait.....

When we woke up in our house on Saturday morning, and looked outside - the first thoughts out of mine and my wife's mouths god bless her, were - "what a great football day."

I suppose it's a matter of geography, and culture and climate.

But to me - the conditions for the game on Saturday, were perfect for football, and it's what should be in the encyclopedia next to "homecoming game" under the weather heading. Mid October. 60 degrees, breezy, partly sunny/cloudy. Perfect fall day.

It will be a lot colder out there in November.

 

[businesslawyer]

HA!!

Have to admit I was pretty amused and surprised to see the weather excuses from USF. There were several little cloudbursts during the day too with some little sprinkles coming down, but it wasn't humid enough? I think it's pretty much 100% humidity, if there's actually rain drops in the air, no matter how few. I suppose they would've rather played in a monsoon, or a snowstorm.....wait.....

When we woke up in our house on Saturday morning, and looked outside - the first thoughts out of mine and my wife's mouths god bless her, were - "what a great football day."

I suppose it's a matter of geography, and culture and climate.

But to me - the conditions for the game on Saturday, were perfect for football, and it's what should be in the encyclopedia next to "homecoming game" under the weather heading. Mid October. 60 degrees, breezy, partly sunny/cloudy. Perfect fall day.

It will be a lot colder out there in November.

They've come to the Rent four times. They lost in bitter cold with snow piled up on the sidelines in '05. They lost in a monsoon in '07. They lost on an early December evening with some "wintery mix" falling in '09. And they've lost on a crisp New England autumn afternoon.

There is a pattern here, but it focuses on USF's inability to win, not the weather. Man up guys.

 

[HuskyFan16]

Tell me I don't care if it makes you feel better but we could have fundametally played the exact same game, and if they don't fumble the ball a couple times, or drop easy picks you don't have the luxury of telling the world "see if we play not to lose, we'll win." I fully admit a loss yesterday would have hurt, but I didn't see too much of a different strategy than what we employed in the ISU game. P could have been credited a rebuilding year, but its not gonna be next year so sue me that I wish he figured out now.

 

[businesslawyer]

Tell me I don't care if it makes you feel better but we could have fundametally played the exact same game, and if they don't fumble the ball a couple times, or drop easy picks you don't have the luxury of telling the world "see if we play not to lose, we'll win." I fully admit a loss yesterday would have hurt, but I didn't see too much of a different strategy than what we employed in the ISU game. P could have been credited a rebuilding year, but its not gonna be next year so sue me that I wish he figured out now.

Where did I say "if we play not to lose, we'll win?" Where did I say USF couldn't have won if they executed better?

But he is figuring stuff out. We lost a game under similar circumstances five weeks ago because we couldn't be patient and recognize our limitations. It showed growth that Deleone restrained himself and let the win come without feeling the need to push the envelope.

And what is your point? We went to the Fiesta Bowl last year winning that way. Is your point we are not Oklahoma yet? Because there are a thousand reasons that we're not Oklahoma yet that have nothing to do with the play calling. Our goal, each and every year at this stage in our development, should be to win the Big East. What we did Saturday was designed to help us get there. Not to pretend that we're something we're not, even if we would be better if we were.

 

[spsct]

Thanks for the write-up, BL. Agree that the offense is making incremental improvements, but we really have a long way to go.

 

[EdgewoodNHV]

Great write-up as always BL. I agree with most of what you stated, and am pretty excited to see how our secondary holds up with Wreh-Wilson coming back, hopefully for Pittsburgh.

I understand that people want a more explosive playmaker throwing the ball, but given how little we know about what goes on in practice, I guess we just have to believe Nebrich is simply not playing at the same level as McEntee right now.

 

[HuskyFan16]

My point is that the way the game was played yesterday is identical to the way it has been every game since Orlovsky left save a riveting second half in 2009. My point is that while some years we may get a layup home/away schedule from the Big East and by default of 37 tie-breakers end up in the BCS, every year we're still vulnerable to teams like Temple, Western Michigan, Virginia, Iowa State, even at home. My point is not that we are not Oklahoma, just that there has not even been a glimpe or flash where I could honestly convince myself that we might be. Calhoun had his dream season four years after being hired. Auriemma had his after six. P has a chance to build towards his, unfortunatly he seems to be leaning toward the perpetual 8-4, 8-5 land of RandyBall.

Oh and no of course you didn't explicity say we were playing not to lose, but how is that any different than praising Deleone for giving up what he is trying to teach and implement in favor of the conventional 30 yards and kick?

 

[businesslawyer]

My point is that the way the game was played yesterday is identical to the way it has been every game since Orlovsky left save a riveting second half in 2009. My point is that while some years we may get a layup home/away schedule from the Big East and by default of 37 tie-breakers end up in the BCS, every year we're still vulnerable to teams like Temple, Western Michigan, Virginia, Iowa State, even at home. My point is not that we are not Oklahoma, just that there has not even been a glimpe or flash where I could honestly convince myself that we might be. Calhoun had his dream season four years after being hired. Auriemma had his after six. P has a chance to build towards his, unfortunatly he seems to be leaning toward the perpetual 8-4, 8-5 land of RandyBall.

Oh and no of course you didn't explicity say we were playing not to lose, but how is that any different than praising Deleone for giving up what he is trying to teach and implement in favor of the conventional 30 yards and kick?

A "dream season," where we are competing to be one of the ten? five? two? best teams in the country will require an entirely different roster than we have. It will require a roster that really no Big East team has had, save WVU with White and Slaton, since Miami and VPI left. It will require one that I don't think Steve Spurrier or Urban Meyer would be able to bring here to Connecticut in ten years of trying because of the systemic disadvantages, but whether you think they could or couldn't remains irrelevant to why we should be designing an offense around players we'd like to have but don't instead of players we have.

 

[jbdphi]

With respect to the last two posts:

1. JJL looked good on both his carries. I'm guessing you're not seeing more because the coaches are worried about ball security, but who knows. It was strange that he had two good carries early and then never got on the field again (although less strange I guess because McCombs was having his best day).

2. The very fact that anyone is comparing Saturday, which was a nice, crisp fall day, to the Ice Bowl is patently absurd.

The Rent has been a house of horrors for USF. They are 0-4, and they've lost in incredible fashion all four times. All but the '09 game were about USF not converting in the red zone. At least this time they didn't give up their chance with gimmick plays, like the double reverse pass on 4th and goal from the 5, or the naked bootleg on 2d and goal from the one. And, as I've said before, this game was as identical to the '05 game as any two football games could be to each other.

I would have liked to at least see us try JJL at least once in that 1st and goal series from the 1. I liked that we tried McCummings as well but the blocking on that play achieved no push and some (Corey Manning) got absolutely manhandled to the point where taking it to the outside was closed. Certainly the JMac draw on 3rd down was a disappointment. I understand that they were looking to surprise like they did in the same play against WVU a week ago but neither time did JMac have a chance of getting into the end zone. Just not his strength. There is no excuse for not getting the TD in three chances from the 1-2 yard line.

With respect to ball security, I know JJL missed that pitch once but I didn't see him carrying the ball in the wrong place (but also didn't look particularly carefully). As far as I'm concerned, he's just a trustworthy with the ball as McCombs or maybe even moreso since he should be able to handle bigger hits.

 

[Kgun7]

A "dream season," where we are competing to be one of the ten? five? two? best teams in the country will require an entirely different roster than we have. It will require a roster that really no Big East team has had, save WVU with White and Slaton, since Miami and VPI left. It will require one that I don't think Steve Spurrier or Urban Meyer would be able to bring here to Connecticut in ten years of trying because of the systemic disadvantages, but whether you think they could or couldn't remains irrelevant to why we should be designing an offense around players we'd like to have but don't instead of players we have.

+1 ... Every single player, coach, and fan wearing green and white would have given up a lot to look as bad as UCONN did Saturday ...

 

[sdhusky]

A "dream season," where we are competing to be one of the ten? five? two? best teams in the country will require an entirely different roster than we have. It will require a roster that really no Big East team has had, save WVU with White and Slaton, since Miami and VPI left. It will require one that I don't think Steve Spurrier or Urban Meyer would be able to bring here to Connecticut in ten years of trying because of the systemic disadvantages, but whether you think they could or couldn't remains irrelevant to why we should be designing an offense around players we'd like to have but don't instead of players we have.

If Boise can do it. If TCU can do it. If Utah can do it. If WVU can do it. If VCU can do it.

UCONN can do it.

Not likely, but it can be done.

 

[businesslawyer]

If Boise can do it. If TCU can do it. If Utah can do it. If WVU can do it. If VCU can do it.

UCONN can do it.

Not likely, but it can be done.

I did not say "never." But WVU has a lot of advantages on us. History. Stadium size. More big time recruits within a two hour drive. Things that will take time before we can be in their position (and they were lucky (in the sense of being more than three standard deviations from their mean) to have Pat White be Pat White).

The others are comparing apples to oranges because they do not have to play quality opposition week in and week out. That is not knocking what Boise especially has accomplished.

More importantly -- this is still irrelevant to how we get better calling plays for athletes we don't have rather than the ones we do, which is what this discussion was about. If you think we should have Top 5 athletes -- more power to you. But if you think we have them, you're alone in this world

 

[Nostical]

I'm with you on a lot of this Biz but I wouldn't be so sure about saying "I don't think Urban Meyer would be able to bring (a top ten finish) here to Connecticut in ten years of trying because of the systemic disadvantages."
If by systemic disadvantages you mean the back door deals and admittance of unqualified students, or the failure of our program to sanction paying players--I agree. But if you mean recruiting the faster "Percy Harvins"to a northern school I don't agree. And, by the way does anyone think that if Urban Meyer was hired tomorrow, we would be kept out of a big boy conference. It's called star power. In the business side of show business it's called attachments. It's what makes a marginal musical a big Broadway hit.

 

[businesslawyer]

I'm with you on a lot of this Biz but I wouldn't be so sure about saying "I don't think Urban Meyer would be able to bring (a top ten finish) here to Connecticut in ten years of trying because of the systemic disadvantages."
If by systemic disadvantages you mean the back door deals and admittance of unqualified students, or the failure of our program to sanction paying players--I agree. But if you mean recruiting the faster "Percy Harvins"to a northern school I don't agree. And, by the way does anyone think that if Urban Meyer was hired tomorrow, we would be kept out of a big boy conference. It's called star power. In the business side of show business it's called attachments. It's what makes a marginal musical a big Broadway hit.

How long did it take Spurrier to get USC East near the level of talent he was used to at Florida? And that's in a state with more people than ours, with more football history, with a bigger fanbase, with more history, ....

I don't know what Urban Meyer could accomplish here. I think it's safe to say more than almost anyone else. But if you don't think his recruiting would have to "overcome" our lack of history, our membership in a less prestigious and troubled conference, our small stadium, northeastern weather, etc., etc., etc., -- well, I'd ask you how many national championships he won at Bowling Green. Or even at Utah. I'll tell you this -- like Spurrier at South Carolina, he will accomplish more if you give him time to build the fanbase, increase prestige and "buzz," cause a stadium increase, etc. than if you just bring him in and demanded immediate results.

 

[freescooter]

My point is that the way the game was played yesterday is identical to the way it has been every game since Orlovsky left save a riveting second half in 2009. My point is that while some years we may get a layup home/away schedule from the Big East and by default of 37 tie-breakers end up in the BCS, every year we're still vulnerable to teams like Temple, Western Michigan, Virginia, Iowa State, even at home. My point is not that we are not Oklahoma, just that there has not even been a glimpe or flash where I could honestly convince myself that we might be. Calhoun had his dream season four years after being hired. Auriemma had his after six. P has a chance to build towards his, unfortunatly he seems to be leaning toward the perpetual 8-4, 8-5 land of RandyBall.

Oh and no of course you didn't explicity say we were playing not to lose, but how is that any different than praising Deleone for giving up what he is trying to teach and implement in favor of the conventional 30 yards and kick?

do you think maybe we're still playing Randy-ball in part because 100% of the players we have were identified and recruited by Edsall so they are both schooled in the Edsall style and they were recruited to fit his approach. To some degree we're seing an offense that simply doesn't have the players to play wide open style right now. That's just the way it goes. Beyond that, I think you exaggerate how vulnerable we are to some of those other schools. We've lost 2 games to the MAC since 2002. This is the first time in years that we've lost home non-conference games since 2006. The fact is that this team was going through a transition on both sides of the ball. We're trying ot make the best of a difficult situation on offense where we had no quarterback and no experienced running back.

 

[Carl Spackler]

Recruiting is the lifeblood of any football program. Establishing a recruiting foothold as a northeast division 1-A football program destination of choice among the very best players coming into college, is the only thing, the ONLY thing this program has lacked when it comes to recruiting. That is changing.

And the beauty of it, is that you don't need the championships. You don't need the glitz and glamour and history. You need to be able to recruit players.

BUT - we've actually got it. We've been to teh BCS game. We've got the championship banners up there on the facade of the stadium. We've got the top notch facilities.

WHY?

The bottom line is that players choose to go somewhere, because they like the coaches.

That's what recruiting is all about. The facilities, the glitz, the glamour, the prestige, the conference affiliation, that's what gets the players through the front door easier.

The vast majority of palyers choose where they want to go because of the coaches and nothing else.

So far, given where they came from, how little time they had, and what they had to accomplish, I think this coaching staff has done a phenomenal job with everything they've done both on the field and off.

It's only going to get better, with a full year under their belt back in the saddle, and what everything the UConn football program brings to the table.

BTW - We kicked Spurrier's South Carolina's by the way.......and it wasn't that long ago when it happened.

and Pittsburgh right now, is in line for their whupping.