It was a mild surprise that Darius Butler will be seeing some snaps at wide receiver this spring. It makes sense that the Huskies desperately would want to get their athletes on the field on offense, and Butler has lobbied for this for quite some time. Still, how much can one man take?
He is one of the top corners in the Big East, he is a team captain, and he will be returning kickoffs this fall. Add to that some time at wide receiver and I have to wonder how Butler is going to hold up.
Desperate times call for desperate measures however. The Huskies' wide receiver position is a mess. The top three are injured with only Brad Kanuch even scheduled to come back and play. d. J Hernandez is out for the spring and Ellis Gaulden is probably finished trying to play football. And, it's not like the WR crops wasn't an issue. The spring was supposed to spent finding some playmakers.
Offensive coordinator Rob Ambrose talked today about the WR corps. He likes walk-on Marcus Easley's size and strength. The Moore Brothers (no relation) Kashif and Isiah are still learning the system and it's going to take time. That leaves Rob Theoudele and Kevin Poles in the mix. That's not enough to go with this spring prompting UConn coach Randy Edsall to finally relent.
Very thin at wideout. Considering this was need No. 1 it is a setback for the team.
How much Butler plays and is used depends on his progress. It could be an extensive role, a limited role, or no role at all.
He is a great athlete and can be an explosive player. Does that translate?
The Huskies have no choice but to find out.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Huskies hurting at wideout
I didn't even have to go into practice at the Shenkman Center to realize something was wrong with the Huskies' wide receiver corps. Locked outside of the Shenkman Center I had already placed a call to UConn SID Leigh Torbin before a kind gentlemen opened up the door for me.
It was none other than Ellis Gaulden, and that is a bad a sign. UConn was practicing, and Ellis wasn't. Instead of opening up the passing game, Gaulden was kind enough to open the door to me. He walked out and went on his merry way while I went into practice.
VERY VERY BAD SIGN.
Gaulden is Mr. Glass and it looks like his career may be over after suffering a tendon injury in his foot. Coach Randy Edsall didn't know how serious the injury was, but anytime there is tendon detached from foot, it isn't a good scenario. Two knee injuries, a fractured foot and now a tendon tear. Kid can't catch a break.
Ellis is out, probably forever. Then D.J. Hernandez goes down with a left ankle injury in practice.
Brad Kanuch has yet to practice with a quad injury and now let's see...that's the Huskies' top 5 receivers from last season either injured, graduated (Larry Taylor) or transferred (Terrence Jeffers).
Hernandez is out for the spring.
OUCH.
It's s so bad Randy Edsall is contemplating moving someone to wide receiver off the defense. He didn't want to say who it was, but that player won't have much competition around.
Let's break it down:
With no Kanuch and Hernandez for the time being what's left is:
Rob Theodele
Kashif Moore
Isiah Moore
Kevin Poles
Everyone else like Marcus Easley, Erik Mushette and Alex Molina are walk-ons. Not very deep.
Who is going to be moved? I don't know. There is an excess of players in the secondary.
Edsall said Darius Butler is probably already in his office lobbying for WR time but is a non-starter. My guess?
Maybe Jon Louis from safety or even Gary Wilburn. Maybe Robert Vaughn (starting safety moved?). Jasper Howard could also be a candidate. I would assume a safety but you never really do know.
It was none other than Ellis Gaulden, and that is a bad a sign. UConn was practicing, and Ellis wasn't. Instead of opening up the passing game, Gaulden was kind enough to open the door to me. He walked out and went on his merry way while I went into practice.
VERY VERY BAD SIGN.
Gaulden is Mr. Glass and it looks like his career may be over after suffering a tendon injury in his foot. Coach Randy Edsall didn't know how serious the injury was, but anytime there is tendon detached from foot, it isn't a good scenario. Two knee injuries, a fractured foot and now a tendon tear. Kid can't catch a break.
Ellis is out, probably forever. Then D.J. Hernandez goes down with a left ankle injury in practice.
Brad Kanuch has yet to practice with a quad injury and now let's see...that's the Huskies' top 5 receivers from last season either injured, graduated (Larry Taylor) or transferred (Terrence Jeffers).
Hernandez is out for the spring.
OUCH.
It's s so bad Randy Edsall is contemplating moving someone to wide receiver off the defense. He didn't want to say who it was, but that player won't have much competition around.
Let's break it down:
With no Kanuch and Hernandez for the time being what's left is:
Rob Theodele
Kashif Moore
Isiah Moore
Kevin Poles
Everyone else like Marcus Easley, Erik Mushette and Alex Molina are walk-ons. Not very deep.
Who is going to be moved? I don't know. There is an excess of players in the secondary.
Edsall said Darius Butler is probably already in his office lobbying for WR time but is a non-starter. My guess?
Maybe Jon Louis from safety or even Gary Wilburn. Maybe Robert Vaughn (starting safety moved?). Jasper Howard could also be a candidate. I would assume a safety but you never really do know.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
random observations
Just some random thoughts on spring practice:
The big thing I like to look at is the size of these players. Who looks bigger? Lindsay Witten has put on some more muscle and Rob Lunn looked pretty big. Jarrell Miller looks like a D-lineman.
But, the one guy who looked huge was Alex Polito. 6-6, 271 according to the guide. He looked humongous. I couldn't believe how big and strong he looked.
Also, the kickers aren't too busy. I have no idea what they are supposed to do, but it looks like they just stretch on the sideline and wait for special team practice to begin.
Also, Keith Gray getting in a scuffle is hilarious. He is so quiet and reserved and I think of him as a gentlemen. Lunn is going to be this years Dan Davis --funny, refreshing, and eventually ridiculously over quoted.
I think he should pick up his Car Care bowl blog for the entire season. Wonder what he would say about Gray...
The end of the world is near. We have a new website redesign that actually looks good and is manageable.
Here is a notebook on camp opening.
The big thing I like to look at is the size of these players. Who looks bigger? Lindsay Witten has put on some more muscle and Rob Lunn looked pretty big. Jarrell Miller looks like a D-lineman.
But, the one guy who looked huge was Alex Polito. 6-6, 271 according to the guide. He looked humongous. I couldn't believe how big and strong he looked.
Also, the kickers aren't too busy. I have no idea what they are supposed to do, but it looks like they just stretch on the sideline and wait for special team practice to begin.
Also, Keith Gray getting in a scuffle is hilarious. He is so quiet and reserved and I think of him as a gentlemen. Lunn is going to be this years Dan Davis --funny, refreshing, and eventually ridiculously over quoted.
I think he should pick up his Car Care bowl blog for the entire season. Wonder what he would say about Gray...
The end of the world is near. We have a new website redesign that actually looks good and is manageable.
Here is a notebook on camp opening.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Let's get it on!
Went to spring practice today and a wrestling match broke out.
Defensive tackle Rob Lunn and center Keith Gray got into a shoving match that lasted about 15 seconds before teammates had to separate them.
It was the first day of spring practice, but the Huskies played the end of practice helmets only, non-contact drill, like there was something on the line.
Gray and Lunn weren't going to back down, and in it taught a lesson to their young teammates.
"This is the defense, no matter how close you are as a team there is an imaginary line that divides white shirts and blue shirts. I wasn't going to let anyone talk about our defensive line like that."
What was said? Lunn laughed and said no comment
Gray didn't' back off after practice either.
"We want to set a tone. It's not UConn right now, it's offense vs. defense. It's a game right now, and we have 15 games to get better."
The scuffle led UConn coach Randy Edsall to kick both Lunn and Gray out for the remainder of practice. Lunn tried to sneak back in after a couple of more plays before Edsall yelled at him about this is what happens when you hurt your team.
Edsall doesn't like to see the fights because of the injury risk. But, he did like the intensity out there.
Gray, a quiet gentleman off the field, went over to LUnn and talked for a couple of minutes after the fight. There was no carryover thought Gray feels he got the better of action despite ending up on his back after Lunn bull rushed him.
"I won the fight," Gray laughed. "It was just two guys, both leaders, defending their lines. All that aggression builds up."
Lunn had a piece of advice for the youngsters who may worry about how intense it can get:
"We are football players, we don't have to put on pads to hit each other. If you don't want to go out and bang and compete you are in the wrong line of work...you know, go play tennis."
Other notes:
Brad Kanuch is limited with a left quad strain. Kanuch hurt it two weeks ago and wasn't taking sitting on the sidelines well. Kanuch walked with a limp and when asked about the leg said he is day-to-day. Kanuch isn't happy abut sitting out. "I am not in a good mood. I will just try and get back as soon as possible."
Even when Kanuch is in a bad mood he smiles. Some people just have a pleasant disposition.
Mike Cox is out with a knee injury at least until midseason., It was a freak accident last week.
Quote of the day:
"He is one of the big heart beats of the offensive line. He gets down and nitty gritty. He is a dirtball, and I love him." -- Tyler Lorenzen on Keith Gray.
Defensive tackle Rob Lunn and center Keith Gray got into a shoving match that lasted about 15 seconds before teammates had to separate them.
It was the first day of spring practice, but the Huskies played the end of practice helmets only, non-contact drill, like there was something on the line.
Gray and Lunn weren't going to back down, and in it taught a lesson to their young teammates.
"This is the defense, no matter how close you are as a team there is an imaginary line that divides white shirts and blue shirts. I wasn't going to let anyone talk about our defensive line like that."
What was said? Lunn laughed and said no comment
Gray didn't' back off after practice either.
"We want to set a tone. It's not UConn right now, it's offense vs. defense. It's a game right now, and we have 15 games to get better."
The scuffle led UConn coach Randy Edsall to kick both Lunn and Gray out for the remainder of practice. Lunn tried to sneak back in after a couple of more plays before Edsall yelled at him about this is what happens when you hurt your team.
Edsall doesn't like to see the fights because of the injury risk. But, he did like the intensity out there.
Gray, a quiet gentleman off the field, went over to LUnn and talked for a couple of minutes after the fight. There was no carryover thought Gray feels he got the better of action despite ending up on his back after Lunn bull rushed him.
"I won the fight," Gray laughed. "It was just two guys, both leaders, defending their lines. All that aggression builds up."
Lunn had a piece of advice for the youngsters who may worry about how intense it can get:
"We are football players, we don't have to put on pads to hit each other. If you don't want to go out and bang and compete you are in the wrong line of work...you know, go play tennis."
Other notes:
Brad Kanuch is limited with a left quad strain. Kanuch hurt it two weeks ago and wasn't taking sitting on the sidelines well. Kanuch walked with a limp and when asked about the leg said he is day-to-day. Kanuch isn't happy abut sitting out. "I am not in a good mood. I will just try and get back as soon as possible."
Even when Kanuch is in a bad mood he smiles. Some people just have a pleasant disposition.
Mike Cox is out with a knee injury at least until midseason., It was a freak accident last week.
Quote of the day:
"He is one of the big heart beats of the offensive line. He gets down and nitty gritty. He is a dirtball, and I love him." -- Tyler Lorenzen on Keith Gray.
Spring practice begins
Practice starts today. Should be interesting. I will give an update when I get back. Every practice is open to the media and Edsall will speak today and every Saturday. On other Tuesdays and Thursdays a designated assistant will be available. It should be a good chance to get some alternate and fresh voices talking about the team.
Here are a couple of position battles I will be watching closely: I will expand on them a little later.
Wide receiver
Wide receiver is the big worry spot for the Huskies which
struggled with production at the position even before the transfer of leading
receiver Terrence Jeffers. Brad Kanuch and D.J. Hernandez are the most
experienced receivers returning. After that, it is all hands on deck. Senior
Ellis Gaulden was the Big East high jump champion and is poised to expand his
role after missing almost two years with injuries. Kashif Moore, a freshmen who
sat out as a redshirt, will be one to watch this spring with his blinding speed
and playmaking ability. Edsall is looking for six receivers to go into summer
camp with and it will take him all spring to find it.
Offensive line
The offensive line is in very good shape with four of five
starters returning. The battle here will
be with depth as freshmen Mo Petrus, Mike Ryan, and Gary Bardzak will push for
time on the line. Mike Hicks has moved to guard fulltime while Dan Ryan and
Will Beatty are at tackle with Keith Gray at center.
Secondary
The secondary is so loaded Edsall moved three year starter at
safety Dahana Deleston to outside linebacker. Darius Butler is entrenched at
one corner, but the other corner replacing Tyvon Branch will be immensely
competitive. Jasper Howard, Robert McClain, Jameson Davis, Terry Baltimore and
Garry Wilburn all vying for the job opposite Butler.
At safety Robert Vaughn returns and replacing Deleston will be a handful of
prospects led by freshmen Aaron Bagsby, Kijuan Dabney, John Jean-Louis and junior
Glen Mourning. Edsall, a former defensive backs coach of the Jacksonville
Jaguars, has a cupboard full of athletes ready to play the position.
Quarterback
The job is Lorenzen’s – case closed. But the spring will
give the first extended look at Notre Dame transfer Zach Fraser. Fraser
impressed as the scout team quarterback last year and with Lorenzen entering
his final year of eligibility looks to be the heir apparent. Cody Endres will
have something to say about that however. There is no quarterback battle, but
considering how much the future rests on the position the development here is
critical.
Here are a couple of position battles I will be watching closely: I will expand on them a little later.
Wide receiver
Wide receiver is the big worry spot for the Huskies which
struggled with production at the position even before the transfer of leading
receiver Terrence Jeffers. Brad Kanuch and D.J. Hernandez are the most
experienced receivers returning. After that, it is all hands on deck. Senior
Ellis Gaulden was the Big East high jump champion and is poised to expand his
role after missing almost two years with injuries. Kashif Moore, a freshmen who
sat out as a redshirt, will be one to watch this spring with his blinding speed
and playmaking ability. Edsall is looking for six receivers to go into summer
camp with and it will take him all spring to find it.
Offensive line
The offensive line is in very good shape with four of five
starters returning. The battle here will
be with depth as freshmen Mo Petrus, Mike Ryan, and Gary Bardzak will push for
time on the line. Mike Hicks has moved to guard fulltime while Dan Ryan and
Will Beatty are at tackle with Keith Gray at center.
Secondary
The secondary is so loaded Edsall moved three year starter at
safety Dahana Deleston to outside linebacker. Darius Butler is entrenched at
one corner, but the other corner replacing Tyvon Branch will be immensely
competitive. Jasper Howard, Robert McClain, Jameson Davis, Terry Baltimore and
Garry Wilburn all vying for the job opposite Butler.
At safety Robert Vaughn returns and replacing Deleston will be a handful of
prospects led by freshmen Aaron Bagsby, Kijuan Dabney, John Jean-Louis and junior
Glen Mourning. Edsall, a former defensive backs coach of the Jacksonville
Jaguars, has a cupboard full of athletes ready to play the position.
Quarterback
The job is Lorenzen’s – case closed. But the spring will
give the first extended look at Notre Dame transfer Zach Fraser. Fraser
impressed as the scout team quarterback last year and with Lorenzen entering
his final year of eligibility looks to be the heir apparent. Cody Endres will
have something to say about that however. There is no quarterback battle, but
considering how much the future rests on the position the development here is
critical.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
March Madness
I know I have been away, but with UConn Spring practice next week the blog will be back in full force.
Anyhow, March Madness had to be coined by a sportswriter. It's been hoops for me at all levels for the last two weeks it's driving me batty. Pro, college, small college, high school. I am Hoops Silver for March.
UConn men and women, CCSU men, UHart women and men!. Even Sacred Heart is primed for a run.
It would be nice to see the Pioneers win tonight. I have known Sacred Heart assistant Johnny Kidd since I was in middle school and know Anthony Latina, another assistant, pretty well in my years covering Central Connecticut. Of course, it looks like Sacred Heart is locking down CT players. They have Windsor's Ryan LItke and Middletown's Chauncey Hardy on the roster and are brining in four more players from Connecticut this year. They better be good because CCSU is loaded with young talent.
If you are in the neighborhood, go to see tonight's Windsor-Trinity Catholic Class LL semifinal at the New Haven Athletic Center. Windsor hasn't played well in the tournament yet but has had double digit leads on every team it has played. Trinity Catholic is probably the states biggest power in hoops the last 10 years.
This much is simple, if Windsor plays well, I don't think they can be beat. Why you may ask? Ask Class L Finalist Maloney, which beat New London and Florida bound Alan Chaney by 22 points on Tuesday. Windsor beat Maloney by 40 in the CCC semifinals. The scary part is Windsor took the peddle off, they could have won by 60.
Windsor better have its "A" game though. Trinity is as good as it gets.
Add to that the Big East tournament is a must watch for me and Hoops Silver is hoops heaven.
Even did a swimming meet On Tuesday. Talk about a fish out of water...
I'll recap Windsor tonight for those that like this stuff (I love high school hoops personally).
Anyhow, March Madness had to be coined by a sportswriter. It's been hoops for me at all levels for the last two weeks it's driving me batty. Pro, college, small college, high school. I am Hoops Silver for March.
UConn men and women, CCSU men, UHart women and men!. Even Sacred Heart is primed for a run.
It would be nice to see the Pioneers win tonight. I have known Sacred Heart assistant Johnny Kidd since I was in middle school and know Anthony Latina, another assistant, pretty well in my years covering Central Connecticut. Of course, it looks like Sacred Heart is locking down CT players. They have Windsor's Ryan LItke and Middletown's Chauncey Hardy on the roster and are brining in four more players from Connecticut this year. They better be good because CCSU is loaded with young talent.
If you are in the neighborhood, go to see tonight's Windsor-Trinity Catholic Class LL semifinal at the New Haven Athletic Center. Windsor hasn't played well in the tournament yet but has had double digit leads on every team it has played. Trinity Catholic is probably the states biggest power in hoops the last 10 years.
This much is simple, if Windsor plays well, I don't think they can be beat. Why you may ask? Ask Class L Finalist Maloney, which beat New London and Florida bound Alan Chaney by 22 points on Tuesday. Windsor beat Maloney by 40 in the CCC semifinals. The scary part is Windsor took the peddle off, they could have won by 60.
Windsor better have its "A" game though. Trinity is as good as it gets.
Add to that the Big East tournament is a must watch for me and Hoops Silver is hoops heaven.
Even did a swimming meet On Tuesday. Talk about a fish out of water...
I'll recap Windsor tonight for those that like this stuff (I love high school hoops personally).
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