Welcome to college football

Mike Osiecki started college in January. The freshman linebacker from Seymour started spring practice a week ago today. He got an introduction to college football near the end of UConn's spring practice on Tuesday.

Osiecki came up on a run play inside the 10-yard line and tried to tackle running back Meme Wylie. Osiecki didn't use great technique and didn't get low enough to create leverage. Well, Wylie lowered his shoulder and absolutely obliterated Osiecki on the play. It was like a Mac truck against a Ford Pinto.

The calls from the sideline was of concern. "You OK, Mike?". "Get your pads low." then a chuckle from defensive coordinator Todd Orlando: "Welcome to college football, Mike."

The Huskies were in pads for the second day on Tuesday and through four practices things are coming along for the football team.


There are some highlights and themes that are developing and I will give some thoughts and observations from the first week.

* At running back I am absolutely loving the way Meme Wylie is running. I am going to have a story this week on him and this quote keeps on sticking out to me -- "I love contact."

I think Osiecki wouldn't disagree. Wylie is a big guy and a power back and he really delivers a hit. Jordan Todman is the franchise for the Huskies, but there are going to be some backup carries. Wylie provides that pounding that Andre Dixon provided last year. It hurts to tackle him. Right now, Meme and Jon Louis are the two backs getting the most looks after Todman, who the staff is going to use sparingly because it already knows what he can do. Jon-Louis has great change of direction and balance and has some speed. He is big too. But, Wylie is thicker and is much more powerful.

Now, Wylie knows his role, he doesn't expect to take over Todman's job and run for 1,500 yards. But, there is a need for a 2nd runner and with him punishing linebackers in the hole, it looks like he time on the field could be coming very soon. This is going to go into the summer when Robbie Frey and Martin Hypolite (mono) will also be in the mix. I think there is a lace for Wylie.

* While Zach Frazer is the sure No. 1 starter, and Cody Endres the sure backup, I have taken a closer look at Miek Box and Leon Kinnard. I like both a lot and they are so much different than statue men Frazer and Endres. Box has a nice mobility and can make plays o the feet. He throws a nice ball (have already established that) and I like the quick trigger. The accuracy seems to be there. I don't think he will sniff the top 2 anytime soon, but he is someone that certainly has ability.

As for Kinnard, I look at him and say at QB, no way at 5-foot-9 (generously). But then I see him make some plays with his feet and then start thinking of ways to use him (Wildcat anyone?). He is a thrower. He made a great throw on the run about 30 yards down the field rolling out of the pocket. The more I see him, the more I try and see what he can do at QB. He might be explosive enough that they move him to get him on the field, but why not exhaust the possibilities at QB. I think he can play it. Now, when 6-foot-8 Jimmy Bennett is his left tackle? That's a problem since he won't be able to see over Bennett. The more I see the young guys and with Scott McCummings coming in, the more it looks like they want to have QBS that are mobile and not just throwers like Orlovsky and Frazer and to a lesser extent Endres.

Box said that with him the offense probably will have more QB running plays in it, that would be a difference now.

I also talked to Cody Endres and he is the same Easy Endres that he always is. He said the injury was the most difficult time of his life. It was hard for him to sit considering he played so well. One thing to remember about Endres is that he has confidence. He knows he can play, and while Frazer is the No. 1 guy, Endres feels the door is "still open a little" for him. Is he still having fun? He seemed like it Tuesday. Endres is going to get his chance here if he is patient.

Endres caught a tough break and it hasn't exactly been fair, but it wasn't fair how Frazer lost his job in the first place. I think they both are good quarterbacks.

* Speaking of confidence, the wide receivers look terrific out there. Kashif Moore has played very well and Isiah Moore and Mike Smith have become a pretty cohesive unit. Randy Edsall said that the confidence level of the above 3 is noticeable. They are trying to get the others onto that level. For Kashif, it's so much different than last year. He was playing so well at the end of the year he said he told one of his coaches he wished their was a game a week after the Papajohns.com Bowl. I get a sense the team would just as soon play Michigan next week than September. The coaches? There will never be enough time.

*Lastly, the secondary is coming along. Jerome Junior is the most experienced there which is a scary thought at safety. Junior played great n the bowl game. they worked out Andrew Opuku at string safety and he is a huge safety. He is wearing Lindsey Witten's No. 9 and at 6-4 217 is bigger than Witten was as a freshman. the difference is Opuku is a safety not a D-End. He is struggling and that's not surprising since he has no base to rely off of as a January enrollee. Edsall said he can really hit. Good enough for me now. Can he cover? We'll see.

Ok, that's a quick hit, nice to be back on the blog. I asked Edsall about the UFL and the turf and he has changed his mind. Edsall likes the grass now and feels that it gives the Huskies an advantage in the field. Go figure.

Pro day tomorrow.

Got to pay the bills now.

Edit: Looks like Chip from Runway Ramblings ripped off my headline. Or, did I rip off his?