Here is some thoughts. Let's think logically:
I know people are going to read into statements. Perhaps, that is inevitable and I am sure UConn fans would like him to just say: No, I will not be Syracuse coach next year. Edsall didn't go that far, but I would take the statement at face value. Nick Saban said he wasn't going to Alabama because he hated the local Miami media and he had no respect for the Dolphins organization.
Do you really think Randy Edsall would volunteer the info if it wasn't true? Does he have that little respect for the university, state and his players? Not in your life. He would take 3 uncomfortable weeks over a damaged reputation. UConn has been good to him and vice versa.
Remember, if Cuse wants to negotiate Edsall is bound by contract to let UConn know. As a courtesy, Syracuse would go to UConn AD Jeff Hathaway anyway. Why would UConn play along? Why would UConn allow Edsall to take the pressure off himself, only to go to Syracuse three weeks from now? UConn would be nuts as an administration to play along. The harm it would cause Edsall's reputation is immeasurable anyway.
No coach wants to be the next Nick Saban or Rich Rodriguez. Saban's and Rodriguez's reputations are in tatters.
Edsall isn't going to Syracuse this year. I believe him. He took that off the table Monday. Flat out took it off the table. There is no splicing words or careful wording. Edsall's intentions can't be clear. No to Syracuse. He can't back out of this without severe harm to his reputation.
Great blog stuff, but perhaps Syracuse should bark up another tree.
On to the more important stuff, the USF presser!:
* Edsall talked a bit about the defensive tackle rotation and why redshirt freshmen Kendall Reyes and Twyon Martin have passed the banged up Rob Lunn and Alex Polito. Polito is still hurting, but Reyes and Martin are quicker and more stout and have great hands. Edsall then talked about his young defensive tackles. Defensive linemen are the toughest to recruit and Edsall loves the youth and ability of not only Reyes and Martin but also redshirt Ryan Wirth. Those three guys are for the future and when you factor in upcoming recruiting classes it looks like the Huskies are going to have a nice D-Line situation for years to come.
Reyes and Martin roomed last year. They talked a lot about getting on the field together. Neither figured it would be this quick.
UConn is looking for quicker and more athletic defensive lineman to combat the spread. He wants athletic and mobile over straight 300 plus size. They have these guys all over the place. This is the hardest position to find, and Huskies look to have a nice stable.
*Edsall talked about DE Cody Brown too. "Living up to my expectations." Brown has been a monster. Edsall saying Brown's living up to expectations is about as high a praise you can get for Brown in season (wonder what Edsall thinks of Donald Brown?).
Brown said that he still considers George Selvie the best DE in the league. He also said watch out next year for UConn junior DE Lindsey Witten. "Lindsey's a beast," Brown said.
Brown has a bet with Jasper Howard about how many deflected balls each will get this year. Right now it is Jaz 11-8. Brown said he used to do it with Darius Butler but Butler was sick of losing.
* As far as D. Butler. He hasn't returned to practice yet but he is aiming for the Pittsburgh game to return. It is a sprained left knee and won't require offseason surgery. Butler said he is "All done" returning kicks. He also was told early on that it wasn't serious. On the field the and in the locker room right after he was given some positive information. He said the NFL didn't enter his mind because he didn't think the injury was that bad and it he had the same thing happen to his right knee before.
Look for Butler definitely for the bowl, maybe for Dec. 6.
*Steve Brouse is going to return to practice this week. Mostly this week in a special teams capacity, and they will see if he can play at tight end. I would expect him back Dec. 6 also if he doesn't return this week.
*Edsall saw Jordan' Todman's kick and couldn't believe he took the ball out from 5 yards deep. Todman got to the 40 yard line, an excellent kick return. Edsall: "It's a good thing he is fast."
*Lastly, this is the first time returning to Tampa since the infamous Beergate scenario that led to six players being dismissed from the team. A handful of players went and got beer from a convenience store and were soon outed. It was a disaster to the team and even worse a public relations fiasco. The Huskies have had relatively few problems since, and that was a point of emphasis.
Edsall isn't taking any chances: "We aren't staying in that same hotel."
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