I thought that the loss to UNC would be impossible to overcome. Boy was I wrong. That game doesn't even register anymore. So much has gone on this year with the Huskies suffering tragedy and triumph, it's hard to even think about trying to succinctly sum up the UConn season. All we can do is look back on what we predicted, assumed, and how none of it played put like we thought.
Let's run down the unit and where they are after the 2009 regular season:
Quarterbacks
Who would have thought that both Cody Endres and Zach Frazer would end with 1,354 yards passing in the regular season? If I told you in the summer that in the spring of 2010 there was going to be a quarterback battle at UConn I think we would have all assumed disaster. The old saying that if you have two quarterbacks, you don't have none is now turned on its head. I like both Zach Frazer and Cody Endres. Frazer is a little more confident, bigger arm and a bit more fiery. Endres throws a great deep ball, tighter spiral and seems to be a terrific thrower. He's also a little more athletic and perhaps a little better on the big play. Each has to work on things -- Frazer mechanics and decision-making, Endres short passing touch and reading through progressions quicker.
Endres performed beautifully. Frazer has a toughness, confidence and can really throw it. The Huskies have two starters at quarterback and this is going to be a decision and a battle that is not going to be settled for a long time. We began the year wondering if Mike Box was the answer at QB. He may be, but it's not going to be for a very long time.
Credit here goes to Joe Moorhead. The offense, when it got going, is terrific. Take a look at some nice work at UChuskies.com.
Preseason question: Could this unit produce any passing game? We would settle for mediocre.
End of season answer: The Huskies are a threat passing and next year if they remain dangerous at receiver, will be even more powerful.
Silver's prediction: Zach Frazer holds on to the job come spring ball, but Cody Endres remains there in the wings.
Silver's prediction: Zach Frazer holds on to the job come spring ball, but Cody Endres remains there in the wings.
Running backs
Couldn't have gone better. Not only did they run well, but the way the carries worked out with Andre Dixon 1083) and Jordan Todman (1,186) were almost a perfect balance. Having two backs with the Huskies offensive line wore down most teams. The running game never slacked off with Donald Brown, and that was a big surprise. Huskies are really going to miss Andre Dixon next year, though Todman may be writing 1,500 yards 20 TDs on his preseason goal list.
For the future with Martin Hypolite and Meme Wylie and Robbie Frey, the Huskies look like they will have a viable tough back to replace Dixon. Robbie Frey could get some carries, and has already proved hos worth as a special teams maven. Wylie is the big bruising back and should join with Hypolite to spell Todman.Todman is the workhorse, they need a solid No. 2 just in case.
Preseason question: Could the Huskies replace Donald Brown?
Answer: Uhm, yes.
Silver's prediction: Not going out on a limb here, Todman 1,400 yards and 16 TDs next year. Huskies find a viable NO. 2, but Todman gets most of the work.
Preseason question: Could the Huskies replace Donald Brown?
Answer: Uhm, yes.
Silver's prediction: Not going out on a limb here, Todman 1,400 yards and 16 TDs next year. Huskies find a viable NO. 2, but Todman gets most of the work.
Wide receiver/tight end
The most jaw-dropping outcome on the team. Senior Marcus Easley is an NFL receiver. That came out of nowhere literally. 44 catches, 853 yards and eight touchdowns is essentially 2/3 of a season makes you wonder how he wasn't the top wideout out of camp. No one else on the team is close to this guy. Kashif Moore has also found a nice niche in the slot and that's good going forward.
At tight end Ryan Griffin is going to be a dangerous player. He is raw and athletic, but he is such a big target and has good hands I think he will develop into a major receiving threat over the next 3 years.
Senior Brad Kanuch had some moments as did Isiah Moore early. Mike Smith has been inconsistent, but also hasn't had much of a chance with Easley's emergence. The three highly touted freshmen were a disappointment. Dwayne Difton, who looked so good early never got going after the third week. He took the loss of his "big brother" Jasper Howard hard and needs to regroup come spring. Mike Lang and Nick Williams had their redshirt lifted at Baylor and then promptly never saw much time at wide receiver again. Lang is now on special teams and Williams a backup punter. I found them lifting the redshirts kind of peculiar looking back. They got a shot before Marcus Easley. Go figure.
Lang is now in academic trouble so his future is murky.
Lang is now in academic trouble so his future is murky.
No Easley next year makes this unit a big question mark again. But, I think there is talent there and plenty in the cupboard. I like the size of Malik Generett and his 3 scout team player of the week awards. They could also use Gerrard Shepperd to step in. UConn needs that big receiver.
If Lang and Difton return with clear heads and motivated, they will improve immensely.
Tight end is locked down with Ryan Griffin. He is a big athletic target and is going to be a weapon. He is only a redshirt freshman, and that is going to serve the Huskies well for a long time.
If Lang and Difton return with clear heads and motivated, they will improve immensely.
Tight end is locked down with Ryan Griffin. He is a big athletic target and is going to be a weapon. He is only a redshirt freshman, and that is going to serve the Huskies well for a long time.
Preseason question mark: Could anyone be a big play threat?
Postseason answer: The man, Marcus Easley, was right under our noses the entire time. Better late than never.
Silver's prediction: Kashif Moore is leading receiver next year. Isiah Moore is the No.2 receiver.
Silver's prediction: Kashif Moore is leading receiver next year. Isiah Moore is the No.2 receiver.
Offensive line:
Best unit on the team. At the beginning of the year I thought Dan Ryan and Mathieu Olivier were playing pretty well, but Randy Edsall changed anyway and the line was even better with Mike Ryan and Erik Kuraczea on the line. To think, Jimmy Bennett was the most highly touted of the pair and he is out for the year. This team is loaded with at least three NFL prospects in Mo Petrus, Zach Hurd and Mike Ryan. I think you will see the entire line in NFL camps eventually.
Preseason question mark: Could they replace Will Beatty and Keith Gray at LT and C?
Postseason answer: Yes.
Silver's prediction: Unit is even better next year with a healthy Jimmy Bennett at tackle and Erik Kuraczea a year older and a full-time guard. We are going to look back on this unit in 5 years and marvel about how many NFL players were on this offensive line.
Silver's prediction: Unit is even better next year with a healthy Jimmy Bennett at tackle and Erik Kuraczea a year older and a full-time guard. We are going to look back on this unit in 5 years and marvel about how many NFL players were on this offensive line.
Final analysis
This isn't the Bones, DJ, Lorenzen offense that was conservative and meant to do no harm. This offense was excellent under Joe Moorhead. I not only saw production, but there was balance and creativity. The QBs allowed for a much better passing attack and the staff did a good job of putting the players in the right position to succeed.
A am dumbfounded Easley wasn't playing earlier this season or career, but better late than never. The Huskies still need to become consistent accurate in the passing game. That's Frazer's or Endres' biggest weakness, but now they have a full season under their belts. Was this the 40ppg offense Frazer promised last spring? No. But I thought the scheme and tempo were improved and they ran more plays than past year's. That allowed them to remain productive in the running game, and also become a pretty good passing team.
The Huskies won't have that explosive player outside of Todman next year, but they have guys with talent and play-making ability. I expect the production and points to continue to poor in.
Preseason question mark: Could the unit do anything productive?
Answer: Better than we could have hoped. It was dynamic and productive, and at times with Easley, explosive.
Silver's prediction: Easley is a big miss, but production and play-making will continue as the playbook is mastered. I expect even more aggressive play-calling next year and more points.
A am dumbfounded Easley wasn't playing earlier this season or career, but better late than never. The Huskies still need to become consistent accurate in the passing game. That's Frazer's or Endres' biggest weakness, but now they have a full season under their belts. Was this the 40ppg offense Frazer promised last spring? No. But I thought the scheme and tempo were improved and they ran more plays than past year's. That allowed them to remain productive in the running game, and also become a pretty good passing team.
The Huskies won't have that explosive player outside of Todman next year, but they have guys with talent and play-making ability. I expect the production and points to continue to poor in.
Preseason question mark: Could the unit do anything productive?
Answer: Better than we could have hoped. It was dynamic and productive, and at times with Easley, explosive.
Silver's prediction: Easley is a big miss, but production and play-making will continue as the playbook is mastered. I expect even more aggressive play-calling next year and more points.
1 comment:
J great write up I have been coming back looking for your view on the D and I am dissappointed everyday to find nothing new. When can we expect a D write up and something about the recruiting?
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