Anyhow, UConn is in on the twitter craze and follow them @uconnathletics.
If you want to sign up to twitter and follow myself and others, go to link on the right side of the page.
As far as UConn football. Big East Media Day is Aug. 3 and 4th in Newport. This is perhaps the greatest two day media event in the country. Newport is a beautiful place in summer and the Big East sets up a golf outing and a clambake the night before. It's not all fun, some good networking takes place and a couple of years ago Randy Edsall and Menieke Car Care Bowl chairman Will Webb played golf and hit it off. Hmmm, later that year UConn got a Meineke Car Care Bowl invite.
As far as golf? Most of the media is terrible and I include myself in that. Last year I skulled (is that a word?) a ball through the green and almost hit Doug Flutie in the head while he was eating a hot dog.
Speaking of golf, heading to the Travelers tomorrow and will be back for the final round Sunday. Will be on vacation for most of July, but I can smell football season.
Starting to read the annals...typically underestimate UConn. Can't say I blame them this year however.
Still, here is how I see the Big East, which is wide open, playing out.
1. Pittsburgh2. South Florida (didn't want to do this, but nowhere else to go.)3. West Virginia4. Cincinnati5. Rutgers6. UConn7. Syracuse8. Louisville
Am I dogging the Huskies? I don't think so. They lost a ton on offense including the nations leading rusher and a first round pick, their center on the offensive line and a second round draft pick at left tackle. Oh, they are also breaking in a new quarterback.
Rutgers is also breaking in a new QB, and lost their wideouts. I would say both of those teams have potential to breakthrough, but I have to see it first.
For preseason and what I know coming out of the spring, I don't see how you can't think this is anything but a rebuilding year for the Huskies.
I love the defense and it's going to be good at LB, but they have to replace Cody Brown and Julius Williams at end, and Darius Butler and Dahna Deleston in the secondary.
DE Lindsey Witten is ready for a big year, so I am not worried there, and Reggie McClain and Jasper Howard are both excellent corners. Defensive tackle is underrated with Twyon Martin and Kendall Reyes. Love the LBs.
The offense is where I have a concern. An anemic passing game loses the nations leading rusher in Don Brown, and two keys off the offensive line in Keith Gray and Will Beatty. These guys were excellent.
I will say, I think the line is going to be very good eventually, but you take a step back when you lose anchors like Gray and especially Beatty.
Running back is going to miss Brown of course, but Jordan Todman is explosive and there is plenty of depth with Andre Dixon and Wylie.
Here is why I am not bullish. Breaking in a new offense and a new QB in Zach Frazer. I like the offense, and I also like the Frazer's demeanor and ability. I covered this team post Dan Orlovsky, so it's somewhat of a shock to see a QB throw the ball like Frazer does. I think it will work eventually.
It comes down to the same old, same old -- wide receiver and playmaker. I didn't see anything this spring that led me to believe the Huskies have playmakers and answers at wide receiver or tight end. They have some freshmen coming in who are highly touted, but who knows?
It's going to be a long haul this year as the passing game retools. I remember thinking last summer that the wide receivers just didn't look good in fall camp. In the opener against Rhode Island I asked rhetorically "If they can't throw it against Rhode Island, who will they throw it against?"
I have to see the passing game become at least average for me to put UConn in contention.
Right now they are 6-6 in my book. They are going to need the passing game to raise it up a level to make a bowl again considering their schedule.
Big East is wide open however, and if UConn gets a passing game all bets are off.
But hell, it's June and what do I know?
2 comments:
Uconn vastly underachieved in 2008 and talent is there for big leap in Win/Loss record in 2009.
Not worried about offense, Uconn will be better overall no matter who quaterbacks or runs the ball. Last year was stupendous mistake re play calling and quarterback choice (once Tyler injury shows can not pass at all). Defensive backs on other teams were so quick to fill running lanes and take away short over middle passes because couldn't throw long nor sideline passess. Last year Uconn played USC type offense without Sanchez type quarterback, didn't matter what receivers did, unless defensive back fooled or fell down Uconn receivers were not going to get the ball zipped in (see USC vs. Penn State last year for zippy passing). 2009 offensive line play will be very good (not Oklahoma good, but still very good).
Don't think Uconn getting enough credit for quality of defensive players returning. Lost some really good players, but are we saying that this time last year we saw all those guys as legit NFL roster contenders. Answer is no. What makes everyone think they were so much better than their team mates.
Should be 10 win season with a reasonable special teams effort, Virginia Tech type special teams performance and BCS.
Gus,
10 wins? That's ambitious. UConn may have underachieved with talent when you look at the NFL talent. But,consider at one segmentof the offense (passing game) they were among the worst in the nation.
Considering the QB play and the lack of any production at WR (that I blame on the play-calling, QB and the WRs) I am still stunned they won 8 games.
You have to pass the ball in college. UConn hasn't had a decent passing game since Orlovsky left. I don't think they can do it with smoke and mirrors this year as the last 2 offensively.
It's a tough schedule this year.
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