The View From Section 241

[TouchdownHusky]

Real question is why did PP burn Nebrich's red shirt. Just let him sit out the year. Heck he has hardly used him at all, if the kid wasn't ready, he wasn't ready. And, if injuries had become a problem,thenhe could have yanked the RS.

 

[uconnflyer88]

Real question is why did PP burn Nebrich's red shirt. Just let him sit out the year. Heck he has hardly used him at all, if the kid wasn't ready, he wasn't ready. And, if injuries had become a problem,thenhe could have yanked the RS.

While I somewhat agree with that statement....think about it this way

Coming into the season HCPP didn't know who the QB was going to be with four options, what if Nebrich had come in and just absolutely lit Fordham up (which he didn't) then he would be the starting QB

I agree it wasn't the best choice to burn the redshirt, but I think with the hype coming in it was worth the shot to see if he could step up especially with Cochran coming in January

 

[TouchdownHusky]

Question is does Cochran become next Year's Nebrich's? A year ago this time fans were eagerly awaiting this outstanding QB recruit. This guy could run and throw, right. Now we just don't know. So are we to believe Cochran is now the "new hpoe" for the program?

 

[uconnflyer88]

honestly, if this QB combination works itself out and becomes extremely production for the rest of the year I would say redshirt Cochran next year and then let Nebrich and Cochran battle it out in two years

I mean there are a million things you could do after this year being that two out of the three QBs in the competition this year have had a full years experience....moral of the story is you can never have too many QBs on the roster

 

[TouchdownHusky]

Great point. Ones all the coaches need to do is go out and bring in at least two a year, every year till things get fixed.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Great post, once again BL. The first thing I do every Sunday morning is to refresh the Boneyard when I wake up and read The View From 241.

I thought the crowd brought it, and as much as it pains me to say this, DJ Joey Franchise actually gets me pumped up in addition to Welcome to the Jungle on 3rd downs.

I was very vocal about Coach P's insistence on leaving in McEntee. I just don't see how Nebrich can't get a few snaps out there. I mean, McEntee's has had his moments (he played a solid second half) but it seems like Nebrich couldn't be any worse and would add the dimension of being able to run.

All that being said, the kids played with a ton of heart and grit and they deserved this win. This season just got a lot more interesting, and I think all of us will be jacked to go back to The Rent for Loserville in 2 weeks.

 

[Sean]

I want Nebrich badly, BUT...

I'm a Redskins fan, and plenty said "It can't be any worse than Rex Grossman". I said, I hate Rex, but it could be worse, you might be sticking a kid who can't even tie his shoes in there. Well, sure enough, John Beck is 10x worse.

Unless you have a guy who is turning the ball over every single possession, it can always get worse!

 

[SAMCRO]

Is it just me or is anyone else wondering if nebrich is doing that bad in practice that he is not getting a shot to start the second half after mcentees brutal 1st half. I love what mccummings did but why is pp so hesitant to mix nebrich with mccummings instead of jmac. Maybe once you go with nebrich pp feels you can't go back? Is he scared of two freshmen starting? Mcentee just isn't cutting it out there. I hope nebrich shows pp something in practice the next 2 weeks.

It's not just you Sean. I still never understood why we burned Nebrich's RS b/c I dont believe he was given much of a shot during those earlier games. A series here or there, with only 1 or 2 of them being consecutive series just wasnt enough, or even the same opportunity JMc had. Not being at practices all week, it is impossible for us to say waht the real deal is. I just have to trust PP's judgment, but I'm honestly having a hard time w/ it though based on what I do see on Saturdays. But it is definitely not just you.

 

[Nostical]

If you noticed Nebrich was warming up on the sidelines behind the bench, throwing to a receiver for about 10 minutes at the start of the second half, but never saw the field.

 

[businesslawyer]

If P could have Nebrich's redshirt back, he'd take it. But that's not the question. The question is whether it's fair to blame him for blowing it early on. And the answer is not. This team had the potential to win a lot of games if it had decent QB play, and he started the season thinking that even if Nebrich wasn't the number 1 on opening day, he might be shortly. So he played him. It worked out differently, but you can only criticize decisions based on the situation when they are made. This was just not a dumb decision.

 

[freescooter]

bl,

I think ity was more wishful thinking than anything else when the decision was made to play Nebrich. IN many respects he's the type of quarterback Deleone has always preferred. But he simply wasn't ready and I would have hoped that would be obviouls from practice. That is where the decision can be faulted. Again, you always have the opportunity to play a guy later in the year if situations change. Using him early and finding he wasn't ready was poor judgement in my view.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

If P could have Nebrich's redshirt back, he'd take it. But that's not the question. The question is whether it's fair to blame him for blowing it early on. And the answer is not. This team had the potential to win a lot of games if it had decent QB play, and he started the season thinking that even if Nebrich wasn't the number 1 on opening day, he might be shortly. So he played him. It worked out differently, but you can only criticize decisions based on the situation when they are made. This was just not a dumb decision.

The answer is definitely a YES. There was no need to trot out three different QB's in the first quarter against DII opponent. First off, find out what the walk on and the red shirt QB could do. Can they play or not? We still have no conclusive body of evidence. Nebrich is no closer to the field now dispite this horrible mess. He should have red shirted and been available if needed. This year was a waste of one year's eligibility. So yeah, it's all on HCPP, my friend. Thought he was suppose to have some football knowledge?

 

[freescooter]

I think a lot of what happened this year was totally predictable. A new coaching staff with a very different philosophy on both sides of the ball, no experienced quarterback, no experienced running backs, add in injuries, especially to our best defensive back and it was not too surprising to me to see UCONN struggle, although I didn't expect losses to Vandy and Western Michigan I admit. But the mess we had with the quarterback situation and how that was handled was totally inexpicable in my mind. This was a case where the coaching staff, as the Irish say, tried to be too cute by half. If Nebrich wasn't better than Mac and McCummings there really wasn't any reason that he should see the field this year. If he had been the best of the 3 quarterbacks, I say play him. But if he was no better than equal to, as was apparently the case, playing him was a monumental mistake. And since redshirting is really only permanent after the season, it wouldn't have prevented him from playing if either there was an injury, or he suddenly "got it" in practice.

 

[Husky68]

If P could have Nebrich's redshirt back, he'd take it. But that's not the question. The question is whether it's fair to blame him for blowing it early on. And the answer is not. This team had the potential to win a lot of games if it had decent QB play, and he started the season thinking that even if Nebrich wasn't the number 1 on opening day, he might be shortly. So he played him. It worked out differently, but you can only criticize decisions based on the situation when they are made. This was just not a dumb decision.

The dumb part is to claim that playing time would be based at all positions based on PRODUCTION and then define PRODUCTION each game as "what my starter did this last game" when it comes to QB. Current passing efficiency rating for Uconn is 95 out of 120 (would be #102 if counted only JMc's stats), now that is PRODUCTION. But then the passing efficiency rating doesn't include JMc's escapablility and rushing yardage (hard to make Zach look agile but JMc's minus 98 yards rushing vs. Zach's plus 14 yards almost does). Well at least it is better than last years final 112 ranking and the current Terps ranking of 114!

 

[rich1122]

Real question is why did PP burn Nebrich's red shirt. Just let him sit out the year. Heck he has hardly used him at all, if the kid wasn't ready, he wasn't ready. And, if injuries had become a problem,thenhe could have yanked the RS.

I think that there was, and still is is, a legit battle for the the starting QB position. I really don't think anybody knew who it would be.

 

[freescooter]

The dumb part is to claim that playing time would be based at all positions based on PRODUCTION and then define PRODUCTION each game as "what my starter did this last game" when it comes to QB. Current passing efficiency rating for Uconn is 95 out of 120 (would be #102 if counted only JMc's stats), now that is PRODUCTION. But then the passing efficiency rating doesn't include JMc's escapablility and rushing yardage (hard to make Zach look agile but JMc's minus 98 yards rushing vs. Zach's plus 14 yards almost does). Well at least it is better than last years final 112 ranking and the current Terps ranking of 114!

The one difference I have with you on this H68, is I came into the year figuring we didn't have much at quarterback. Based on what I saw with Box I wasn't impressed, Mac was a walkon, McCummings was a rs frosh who was usually described as a project and Nebrich was a true frosh. Not much there unless Nebrich turned out to be way above expectations. But from the reports coming out of camp, that didn't seem to be happening. He couldn't beat out Mccummings. he couldn't beat out McEntee. Again, unlike some people here, I wasn't surprised since the jump from playing high school football to D1BCS football is huge. If nothing else, we have actual defensive backs, and I'm willing to bet that he never faced a dt as big fast or agile as Reyes in high school. It is why 98% of quaterbacks, including many who go on to be stars, redshirt as freshmen.

 

[Jimdish255]

I think if we see Mike it will be after a week of real preparation and not thrown into a pressure situation. I agree with that but it's possible he might respond well to the challenge. It is a big risk to damage a young guy's confidence if he isn't ready.

As for Nick Williams he seems to have gotten his legs back under him and is really looking dangerous. I'd like to see him in the backfield trying to iso against anyone, but especially a linebacker in space. It's just too obvious and mind-boggling that this hasn't taken place.

 

[kemba]

Nebrich did not get nearly as much of a shot in games as McEntee. So I don't really get what they were thinking in burning his redshirt. If they gave them an equal shot and McEntee was just clearly better, than I wouldn't blame them for playing him. And if they decided based on practice that Nebrich didn't earn more playing time in games, that's perfectly fair. But then they shouldn't have played him at all.

 

[rich1122]

The kid was a freshman. He was in high school last year. Sure we know he is good. He has talent. But to ask him to direct a D1 program, well that may be asking a little too much. He will have plenty of opportunity to lead us in the future.

 

[Palatine]

The kid was a freshman. He was in high school last year. Sure we know he is good. He has talent. But to ask him to direct a D1 program, well that may be asking a little too much. He will have plenty of opportunity to lead us in the future.

Like Johnny Mac has set the bar so high that Nebrich can't possible do better? Nebrich doesn't have to be the best QB in D1, he just has to be more PRODUCTIVE than McEntee. That's all.

 

[Carl Spackler]

This Nebrich redshirt discussion is so tired and old. The kid is the backup quarterback for a division 1-A/BCS football team. Not only is he backing up 1 guy, he's backing up two QB's running different offenses. One of the QB's recruited ahead of him, was booted out of the program, the other recruited ahead of him, he beat out for the backup position, and until a few weeks into the regular season, was still competing for the #1 overall position. I suppose that's the biggest hangup for most people, the fact that the coaches actually felt that he was good enough to put on the field in actual games at all, in limited basis, rather than giving him a redshirt. Although I can't imagine how this makes sense to anyone, b/c if the kid was able to take a luxury redshirt instead of actually compete on the field in actual games, which means the coaches felt he had the capability to contribute to wins.....he would have been better off NOT playing?

Lament the loss of a redshirt year if you want, but if your'e going to throw blame around, blame Endres for his habits, blame Box for not being good enough to beat out a true freshman, blame Edsall for recruiting those guys. There's no reason to assume that the kid's 5th year of eligibility is gone anyway.

And let's talk about development for a second. This staff took a nice prospect out of high school, and in 8 months had him competing for a starting spot for a 1-A/BCS program, taking snaps in games against the likes of Iowa State and Vanderbilt, and a kid clearly earned the #2 spot on te roster, the most improtant #2 spot on a roster IMO.

Let's think about development of the QB position over the past 12 years at UConn. Let's look at this statemetn about te 2010 ACC rookie of te year at QB position.

"Again, I think sometimes that expectations on young people can make it tough as well. Maybe I didn't do a good enough job of minimizing expectations for him [Danny O'Brien]. So again, I think those are things we all can learn from. The only thing that you can do is go out and do your best. Some days, you're going to be good. Some days, you're not going to be good.

I expect Nebrich to MAXIMIZE his expectations for himself and his performance for the team, and so far he hasn't disappointed at all, and he's never more than one snap away from being in that spotlight.

I trust guys that have actually developed QB's with their decision making, and I can only conclude that the opinion that anything that has happened around Nebrich is a negative thing comes from the conditioning that was built up over the past 12 years.

 

[rich1122]

Like Johnny Mac has set the bar so high that Nebrich can't possible do better? Nebrich doesn't have to be the best QB in D1, he just has to be more PRODUCTIVE than McEntee. That's all.

Well obviously he is not or cannot or he would be. I am just saying that it is hard to throw a freshman in there despite talent level.

 

[nebrich]

This Nebrich redshirt discussion is so tired and old. The kid is the backup quarterback for a division 1-A/BCS football team. Not only is he backing up 1 guy, he's backing up two QB's running different offenses. One of the QB's recruited ahead of him, was booted out of the program, the other recruited ahead of him, he beat out for the backup position, and until a few weeks into the regular season, was still competing for the #1 overall position. I suppose that's the biggest hangup for most people, the fact that the coaches actually felt that he was good enough to put on the field in actual games at all, in limited basis, rather than giving him a redshirt. Although I can't imagine how this makes sense to anyone, b/c if the kid was able to take a luxury redshirt instead of actually compete on the field in actual games, which means the coaches felt he had the capability to contribute to wins.....he would have been better off NOT playing?

Lament the loss of a redshirt year if you want, but if your'e going to throw blame around, blame Endres for his habits, blame Box for not being good enough to beat out a true freshman, blame Edsall for recruiting those guys. There's no reason to assume that the kid's 5th year of eligibility is gone anyway.

And let's talk about development for a second. This staff took a nice prospect out of high school, and in 8 months had him competing for a starting spot for a 1-A/BCS program, taking snaps in games against the likes of Iowa State and Vanderbilt, and a kid clearly earned the #2 spot on te roster, the most improtant #2 spot on a roster IMO.

Let's think about development of the QB position over the past 12 years at UConn. Let's look at this statemetn about te 2010 ACC rookie of te year at QB position.

"Again, I think sometimes that expectations on young people can make it tough as well. Maybe I didn't do a good enough job of minimizing expectations for him [Danny O'Brien]. So again, I think those are things we all can learn from. The only thing that you can do is go out and do your best. Some days, you're going to be good. Some days, you're not going to be good.

I expect Nebrich to MAXIMIZE his expectations for himself and his performance for the team, and so far he hasn't disappointed at all, and he's never more than one snap away from being in that spotlight.

I trust guys that have actually developed QB's with their decision making, and I can only conclude that the opinion that anything that has happened around Nebrich is a negative thing comes from the conditioning that was built up over the past 12 years.

Well said Carl!

We all have similar questions but believe your assessment is how the coaches have handled Michael's situation. You are so right to point out all the positives...there are many. Like I have said before on this board, Michael has been doing very well at practices. It amazes me how quickly people jump to conclusion that if he is NOT playing it must mean one thing or another. Coach P confirmed what I and others have said in that Michael has and is doing very well. Period. We have to trust that the coaches have his interest and the interest of the team in mind. I think a lot of folks are going to be surprised when he does get his shot. Michael is a very motivated and dedicated player far beyond his age. We all have to be patient (believe me it's been tough). But he will get his shot and when he does, he won't disappoint. For now, I like all the positive things you have written. You are spot on! Thanks Carl!

 

[Carl Spackler]

I can understand the frustration that many feel in watching this team, all around, and the things happening around the QB position. Lord knows I've felt it, and I bet the coaches can't sleep at night with many of the inconsistencies. The funny thing is that, IMO, the offense is pretty far ahead in development as compared to the defense. We're having big problems in consistency in pass coverage on defense, but we made a lot more plays on D, than we failed to make last week. As for QB, this is just my opinion, but I believe that what you do around that position is the most important thing to the success of any team. That guy is the important piece on the field. He's the one that needs to have control of the other 10 guys in the huddle and have a really good understanding of what all 22 pieces on the gridiron are doing at any one time, and on, and on. On the other side of the ball, the most effective way to stop an offense, is to knock that QB's you know what in the dirt over and over. That guy out there in that role, needs to know that all the players around him, and the coaches above him in the chain are all on board 100%. When things are going bad, the worst thing you can do is make an impulse decision to pull a QB or start jerking around the depth chart for motivational purposes and/or game planning distractions for opponents, as was the MO for years prior to this one. McEntee earned the starting job. FOr several weeks, he was on a clear upward projection in performance that has since leveled off.

My gut tells me that he's right back to where he was every week in the spring and summer, having to compete with the other QB's. I don't have any inside info, nor do I want it, but I'd be surprised, if for the past week, and at least one of the next two weeks, that all 3 QB's on this roster are essentially splitting reps again in practices.

The thing about making a QB switch, and we've got coaches that have seen it and done it the lowest to highest levels, is that once you do it, there's no turning back. Because the 3-5 seconds when the QB drops back to throw, or hands off, is the tip of the iceberg as to what surrrounds that position on the field.

I remember talking to Deon Anderson several years ago when he made the Cowboys roster and started seeing the field. He said that the hardest thing for him was just understanding the play calls. Romo kept getting on his ass b/c he never knew what to do and if it was for injury to players ahaed of him, Deon probably never sees the field as a starting fullback. Marion Barber would point out to Deon what hole he was going to in the backfield. The offenses we used to run under Edsall were very, very simplistic. I'm very sure we've got all kinds of route trees worked into this offense, all kinds of blocking schemes and it's going to take a QB that can process a TON of info to run it effectively in those 3-5 seconds on each snap. That's a lot to expect from an 18 year old kid coming out of high school.

 

[Palatine]

I believe the frustration comes from the fact that Mac did not "earn" the job with his on-field play or his production.

Nebrich started the second quarter against Vandy and was pulled after one series. He never got back in although Mac was flat out awful and single-handedly (Mac's words) lost the game.

Nebrich never got a real chance, even as Mac lost game after game and proved to be one of the worst QBs in FBS.

 

[SAMCRO]

Is it just me, or does it seem that Carl is getting a pass on the 1800 character rule ? What's your secret Carl?

Good post btw. I am frustrated with the QB play, and I think Nebrich should have gotten more time under center in the first few games b/c I believe we would be further ahead with on the field performance (maybe no different W-L record, but further ahead with a longer runway of potential), but we are where we are. Well said.

 

[Carl Spackler]

I believe the frustration comes from the fact that Mac did not "earn" the job with his on-field play or his production.

Nebrich started the second quarter against Vandy and was pulled after one series. He never got back in although Mac was flat out awful and single-handedly (Mac's words) lost the game.

Nebrich never got a real chance, even as Mac lost game after game and proved to be one of the worst QBs in FBS.

All I can say is that to sum up what I wrote before, consistency at the QB position is probably the most single important thing to the success of any football team, IMO. That was the reason given by the coacchin staff then, and all along, They decided they had the best chance to win with McEntee, and they chose to remain consistent on the field in the game referenced.

That word 'consistent' has nothing to do with the 3-5 seconds that the QB has the ball in his hands. That consistency is the other 2 hourse and 50 minutes that goes into every gagme, and the other 25 hourse + of prep time that goes into every 1-week season.

Jerking around a QB position on a roster, is a bad thing. Making a change is a HUGE impact on a team, and it better be done for the right reasons.

 

[Carl Spackler]

Anyway - I've said my piece. All that matters to me right now is 26-0.

Every single one of these guys better strap it up, prepare like hell, and defend home field and kick the tar out of those red birds in 10 days.

The amazing thing, and it's what I'll miss most about a reconfigured big east, is that with this game in front of us, and the way the deck is stacked, if the cards (no pun intended) but if those cards flop right in the next 10 days, there just might, just might, be a big east championship game in our future in December.

We fans can look ahead, but they need to take care of business today, and tomorrow, and that louisville game is all that matters.

I like what P said the other day in the press. Sometimes you can forget September, and sometimes you can even forget October, but you can NEVER forget November.

This is our time. As for the BL's summary, very nice as always and something many obviously look forward to reading., including me.

One thing to add on the game. Special teams? I saw energy there that wasn't so obvious before, and special teams, kick covereages and returns is 100% about energy. Keep it up.

 

[freescooter]

Carl,

I agree with you on this. I think that when you change quarterbacks you rarely end up better off...oh it happens and those are the ones people remember, but most of the time there is a reason that the #2 is the #2. As for the current situation, I continue to think that Nebrich is the future of the program at quarterback. By all reports he is a talented kid and more importantly he is the type of quarterback that Deleone has had great success with over his career. But I also think that an experienced coaching staff made a real rookie mistake by not redshirting him. If at some time in the future a change needs to be made, you can always make it. But in 98% 0f cases, freshmean, especially freshman quarterbacks redshirt. As I've said 100 times, the benefits of a fifth year senior almost always outweigh the benefits of starting a true freshman.
By the way, it is a bye week and the only other thing to discuss is conference re-alighnment....so we might as well argue about handing of quarterbacks...

 

[Carl Spackler]

On this whole red shirt thing, you're regurgitating 12 years of Randy Edsall football thought process. There are other ways to coach and develop players and teams than the way Edsall did it. Edsall's way was perfect for UCOnn from 1999 to about 2007-2008. UConn fans in the d-1 era are conditioned by Edsall's system that a 5th year is extremely important, and is essential in player development. Edsall built his system that way aroudn recruiting. Players always needed time to develop, physically most of the time, coming in. Edsall was perfect for this program, coming from where ti did, to get where it's gotten, but we need to continue growing, and the way redshirts are handled is one of those ways, and it goes to recruiting and quality of depth chart, not development of individual players to get to the level to actually step on the field and compete. Players need to be ready to compete as soon as they get on campus, and Nebrich proved he was, which is a good thing, because the depth chart basically demanded it.

Redshirts exist primarily as a medical consideration for injured players, and when used as not a medical, are a luxury product of a deep depth chart. If players are getting redshirted regularly becuase they're phyisically not ready to play? How is this a good thing? It is highly desireable to luxury red shirt a QB as a freshman, for the all reasons I've written in detail, because to play that position you need to know more about what's happening on the field than anybody else, but our depth chart, and the kid's actual performance on the field didn't warrant it.

I wonder how you feel about greg llyod's last year of eligibility. I was more pissed about that than you can imagine.