JSilver's UConn blog

Saturday practice observations

2011-04-09T20:56:00.001-04:00

Practice 12 is in the books and by this time next week we will be getting ready to watch and than overly dissect a spring game and see if we can find any indication of what season is in store. I am going to say this now. The spring games means nothing because last year’s UConn’s passing attack looked like the 45 points a game offense that Zach Frazer promised. Huskies got to the Fiesta Bowl, but it wasn’t on the passing game.

So, going to practice I decided to concentrate on a couple of positions today outside of quarterback (more on that latter). I wanted to see how the linebackers move (very good) and I wanted to take a look at the wide receivers and see if I see anything.

Now, a lot has been made and written about UConn’s struggles at wide receiver barring Marcus Easley’s “Joe Hardy” like run in 2009. Barring that, the Huskies have been among the least productive and explosive teams in the passing game in the FBS.

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2011/04/09/saturday-practice-observations/

Today in the JI

2010-12-28T18:49:00.000-05:00

Almost forget. Here's today's JI.

Huskies prepare to face to music

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — University of Connecticut assistant head coach Hank Hughes won’t be appearing on “Dancing with the Stars” any time soon.

But the long-time defensive coach was thinking of dancing when he started to analyze how potent and explosive the Oklahoma offense is. The challenge of playing the Sooners and their no-huddle attack reminded him of a dancing course he took as an undergrad at Springfield College.

“I was a phys ed (physical education) major in college, and we had to take different physical education classes and square dance was one of them,” Hughes said. “The guy was a Hall of Fame wrestling coach and taught the class. He would talk us through the moves and then turn the record on.”

That’s when things became difficult.

“When (the music) starts happening quick, how quickly can you respond?” Hughes said.

Familiar name calling plays for Sooners

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Oklahoma Sooners co-offensive coordinator Josh Heupel doesn’t feel like a football player anymore.

The former quarterback is one of the most storied players in Sooners history, having passed for 7,456 yards and 53 touchdowns in his career.

Heupel was a Walter Camp Award winner, the Associated Press National Player of the Year and a Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2000. He capped off that historic season by leading the Sooners to the national championship before he embarked on a brief NFL career.

Heupel is back in the spotlight in Norman these days. He took a major step in his coaching career when head coach Bob Stoops promoted him to co-offensive coordinator in early December.

Fiesta Bowl Tuesday Part II

2010-12-28T18:28:00.000-05:00

Joe Moorhead talked a lot about the UConn offense and what it likes to do and what it is. The paltry passing numbers this season are indicative of the loss of Marucs Easley. No other explanation. The Huskies catch the ball, but there is not that big play threat. UConn is running the same percentage of runs and passes, the aerial attack just isn't as explosive.
"We don’t have the balance this year like last year," Moorhead said. "Last year we were second in the conference in passing and we still maintained our rushing effectiveness. This year our passing numbers have slipped a little bit, but, when you have an All-American running back and three all-conference offensive linemen those are what your are going to lean on to win games.
“We are still 55 percent run and 45 percent pass. We aren’t running it anymore than we have last year. But, losing Marucs Ealsey and the big play capability that he brought about that’s where the yardage has gone. Mike Smith, Kashif More and Ryan Griffin have totaled highest receptions in their career.
"The fabric of each game and each season is woven differently. We have relied on the run more this year.”
As I said earlier, the Huskies have a puncher's chance in this game because of a big and physical offensive line.

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2258

UConn's Puncher's chance

2010-12-28T12:23:00.000-05:00

UConn is a big underdog and no one expects the Huskies to defeat Oklahoma.
Coming out of the press conference on Monday I thought there was no chance for the Huskies at winning. The OU offense is that explosive.

Now, I just left today’s press conference which was UConn offense and OU defense.
Now, I am waffling. The Huskies are the big underdog, but they have a puncher’s chance.

UConn’s one shot at this game is going to be doing it like they have all season — running down OU’s throat.
The Big 12 is a spread league, and the only team that is a run downhill team like UConn is Nebraska. The Huskies’ offensive line is big a nd physical and we are going to know early on if this is going to be a long day for the Huskies, or a good day.

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/12/28/uconns-punchers-chance/

Fastbreak football

2010-12-27T15:58:00.001-05:00

Oklahoma runs a no huddle offense and the difference between Oklahoma and everyone else is staggering. The Sooners have run 1,131 plays this season. The second most plays this season for a team is Troy with 997, also in 13 games. That’s 134 more plays from scrimmage than any other team this season and with an average of 70 and 8 plays per game, the Sooners have had two more games worth of offensive plays more than most of their opponents.

The numbers that no huddle attack puts up is staggering. Landry Jones has 4,289 yards passing and 35 touchdowns. Ryan Broyles has 118 catches and 1,451 yards and 13 touchdowns while running back Demarco Murray has 1,121 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns.

Here is wide receiver Broyles on that high-octane offense.

“It’s one of the greatest in the country,” Broyles said. “We don’t huddle and we use our time well. We can get mismatches on substitutions. I am glad we are in this offense.

“We don’t drop back on defense (like basketball), but we run and gun and keep the pressure on the defense.”

“You can’t prepare for it. A team ran extra sprints to play us – that’s weird– and guys on the field are like – What are you doing? You are going too fast?”

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/12/27/fastbreak-football/

Lang out, Generett in

2010-12-27T12:06:00.000-05:00

Tough blow with the defense as safety Mike Lang is out for the Fiesta Bowl as an academic casualty. Harris Agbor has started at free safety for most of the season, but Lang has had a ton of action and was seventh on the team in tackles with 41.

Agbor has 34 tackles and four sacks.

Here's Coach Hank Hughes on the adjustment.

"Harris has been the guy that has been the regular there and Mike subbed in," defensive coordinator Hank Hughes said. "We are confident with what Harris can do. It hurts us in terms of depth at the position. Harris has been the regular there for most of the year," UConn defensive coordinator Hank Hughes said.

Some other injury news. Scott Lutrus is feeling better and he did confirm he had surgery on the left hand before the South Florida game. Lutrus said it still hurts, but he it is much better than South Florida, where he played.

Got some great stuff this morning from Hank Hughes, Lawrence Wilson, Lutrus and Kendall Reyes.
Saturday's game will be all tempo. OU has run about 200 more plays this year than anyone else in the county.
Will be back in a little bit.

For all you snowed in people, I am at a resort that is in Paradise Valley.

Gotta pay the bills. Be back later.

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2245

Bowl media day

2010-12-20T19:00:00.000-05:00

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/12/20/bowl-media-day/

Long day here taking care of football stuff, wanted to hit the blog while at the HCC (doing some freelance work for men’s hoops).

It was a pretty exhaustive media day and the one thing I did come away with is that the Huskies are sick of how they are being perceived. It’s easy for the players to say they are ignoring what others are saying about them, but, when you know someone is talking about you it’s impossible to ignore. Here’s Jordan Todman, who went off on a riff about those saying the Huskies aren’t worthy.

“It makes you smile,” Todman said of the worthiness talk. “Who are (the pundits) to say that type of thing? We are where we are because we worked hard. We won, beat the teams, and won fair and square. This is our reward. For someone to say we don’t deserve it is a smack in the face. We will take that in, and let them say what they want to say. At the end of the day we will see.”

Edsall also boasted a bit about the Huskies’ progress. I always thought people calling the Huskies and “up-and-coming” team was a bit of a slight. You either belong, or you don’t, and Edsall kind of put the hammer down on that. I think the time people marveled that UConn has a football team has long since past.

On that bowl money

2010-12-18T14:44:00.002-05:00

So, how much does making a bowl game give to UConn?
Here are the basics of the revenue distribution.

The Big East gives more revenue to the BCS rep (unlike the Big 10), so that means of the 6 bowl eligible teams that are headed to bowls the Huskies will get the most.

The Huskies are going to get $2 million from the Big East for making the BCS bowl. That is the highest of the entire conference. The range of the six payouts will be a low of $1.1 million (St. Petersburgh Bowl) to the Huskies’ $2 million. That’s the range.

The Huskies will also get a travel fee from the Big East based on distance to travel. That range is $100,000-$300,000 as a maximum. The Huskies are going to be do close to the maximum because of the distance.

There are other additional revenue sources, but a good working number for straight bowl revenue from the Big East is $2.5 million. That’s the revenue for the bowl game.

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/12/18/on-that-bowl-money/

McKee arrested on Child Porn Charges

2010-12-08T10:16:00.000-05:00

Full post http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2213

Freshman offensive tackle Greg McKee was arrested after turning himself at Tolland Troop C barracks on Wednesday morning on child porn charges.

McKee was suspended from the team on Tuesday indefinitely.

Here's the release from the state police. This was an ongoing investigation from September. I am unsure how much the football team and the athletic department knew of the investigation, but on Tuesday afternoon, McKee was suspended indefinitely from the team.

http://www.ct.gov/dps/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=469594

STATE POLICE COMPUTER CRIMES UNIT
MAKES POSSESION OF CHILD PORN ARREST

Arrested: Gregory McKee DOB: 05/10/1992
402A Rosebrooks Hall Dormitory
University of Connecticut
Storrs Mansfield, CT

CHARGES: C.G.S. – 53a-196b Promoting a minor in an obscene performance
C.G.S. – 53a-196c Importing child pornography
C.G.S. – 53a-194 Obscenity

Upon receipt of information in September 2010, the Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes Unit initiated a criminal investigation into possible possession and distribution of child pornography from the Campus of the University of Connecticut.

On Tuesday, November 16, 2010, the Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes Unit and the Mansfield Resident Trooper, assisted by UConn Police, executed a search and seizure warrant at the dormitory room of accused Gregory McKee, located at 402A Rosebrooks Hall on the University of Connecticut campus.

During the execution of the search warrant, items of evidence were seized by Troopers. This evidence was transported to the Connecticut State Police Computer Crimes and Electronic Evidence Laboratory for further investigative examination.

The analysis of the evidence seized and investigative information uncovered by investigators led Troopers to submit an arrest warrant application to Superior Court for the arrest of the accused in this case.

An arrest warrant was issued by the court G.A. 19 Rockville, for the arrest of Gregory Joseph McKee.

Accused McKee turned himself in to State Police Barracks, Troop C, in Tolland, on 12/08/2010. The accused was processed and held on $75,000 court set bond.

The accused will appear at G.A. 19 today, Dec. 8.

The investigation is continuing and additional arrests may be forthcoming.

-end-
Lt. J. Paul Vance

Waiting for the BCS bid

2010-12-05T19:42:00.002-05:00

Back after a long day.

I haven't heard any leaks anywhere on where the Huskies are going. This is getting talked about to the last minute because sending UConn to the Fiesta and Stanford to the Orange is just a long way for both team that don't travel.

The problem is UConn is extremely unattractive at 8-4. When you have Stanford as No. 5 in the country, that's tough to turn down. The key is the unknown UConn travel. We'll find out soon enough.
Another thought, on a 4 loss team being in the BCS -- UNPRECEDENTED! -- not exactly.

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/wp-admin/post.php?post=2202&action=edit&message=1

BCS BOUND

2010-12-05T02:09:00.000-05:00

Tampa has been good to the Huskies. In 1999, this was the site that the UConn men won its firt national title over Duke. This is also the place that Randy Edsall has done the near impossible and got UConn to a BCS bowl game.

Sure, the Huskies are 8-4 and 5-2 in conference, but they earned this baby fair and square.

Full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2198

Bowl contingencies -- Big East in the Sun Bowl?

2010-12-01T17:02:00.000-05:00

I don't want to be the one to bring this up, but if the Huskies do lose on Saturday night it could be a long fall in the bowl pecking order for the Huskies.

If UConn loses, then WVU gets into the BCS game and that would have a domino effect on the lineup.
The Champs, not enamored with an 8-4 USF, would then pocket Notre Dame for this season in a move no one would complain about this year.

Then, it's up to the Car Care Bowl. The Bulls would have an excellent profile and haven't been to Charlotte since 2005. They would be a good choice over the Huskies, which they just defeated.
Pinstripe Bowl? This bowl has Syracuse written all over it.

Full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2175

Tuesday presser-- Championship week

2010-11-30T15:12:00.000-05:00

Full blog post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2171

There is no sense in ignoring the obvious.

If UConn wins on Saturday against South Florida it will be heading to a BCS game.
The stakes couldn't be higher for the Huskies and there is no use hiding it. That doesn't mean you do anything different however.

"We are all aware how big this game is. But, we are treating it like a regular game and preparing for it (as a regular game)," linebacker Lawrence Wilson said. "Everyone is excited. This game Saturday is a real big game. Probably the biggest game in UConn history."

The Huskies game against South Florida is going to generate national waves. In the absurd world of college football, the underdog and the good story is the villain.

Then there were 9

2010-11-29T15:31:00.000-05:00

The TCU Horned Frogs are part of the Big East.

The conference announced today that they have added TCU and its No. 3 ranked football team to the fold in the Big East in the first expansion since creating the super league in 2004.
This expansion was also done out of necessity, though it's much more aggressive than reactionary. The football is stagnant in the Big East. There is no way to counter this. It's not that there aren't good teams in the Big East -- there are -- but no one stands out and they all beat up on each other.

More at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2165

TCU to BIg East official

2010-11-29T14:07:00.002-05:00

The Horned Frogs become the 17th member of the Big East.

This is a no brianer considering the conference landscape, press conference on its way now.

TCU is ranked No. 3 in the country in football and is going to leave the Mountain West. TCU is located in the Dallas area and will join in ALL sports. They will play in the Big East starting in summer 2012.

More later.

Here's the release out of Providence.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Texas Christian University has accepted an invitation for full membership into The BIG EAST Conference, it was announced today. The BIG EAST, by a vote of its Presidents and Chancellors, extended the invitation for membership.
TCU will become the 17th conference member on July 1, 2012. Its athletic teams will begin competing in the BIG EAST in the 2012-13 academic year.
With an enrollment of 9,142 in Fort Worth, Texas, TCU competes in 20 sports. The university’s Chancellor is Dr. Victor J. Boschini, Jr. and the Athletics Director is Chris Del Conte. The university was founded in 1873.

Sunday bowl thoughts

2010-11-21T23:12:00.000-05:00

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2116

The Huskies are bowl eligible for the fourth time in a row and the fifth time and in five years and if you don't think that it means anything you didn't see the Huskies and coaching staff after the game in the Carrier Dome.
The Huskies aren't Texas, USC or Notre Dame, and while I know the expectations for the Huskies are higher, but this is goal No. 1 for the team. The Huskies were happy after this game.
First off, it was an excellent performance on the road. The Huskies look like they are starting to get it together. It puts the Big East title within striking distance if Pitt falls, and, the Huskies are finally playing like we thought.

Tuesday presser -- Syracuse week

2010-11-16T14:20:00.000-05:00

Full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2101

I could feel the intensity and tension like it was one of those exercise bands.

The Huskies game at Syracuse can make or break the season for the Huskies. It's no secret that the Big East doesn't have a top tier team, and that means someone has to go to the BCS game -- likely the Fiesta Bowl (how about 99.9 percent sure).

The Huskies are in the best position of any other Big East team to pull off the BCS outside of Pittsburgh, which only has to win its final three games to win the league.

Campbell arrested

2010-11-08T18:09:00.000-05:00

http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2075

Laptop is a dirty word with UConn athletics, but it reared its ugly head again.
Junior defensive end Marcus Campbell was arrested on Monday morning for 5th degree larceny after being accused of stealing a back pack with a laptop in it with all the contents valued at $879 according to arrest reports.

More expansion talk

2010-11-01T20:42:00.003-04:00

From the NY Post:

Several sources confirmed a Post report last month that TCU is a strong candidate. Houston, Central Florida, Temple and/or Villanova, which is in the midst of evaluating a move up from FCS, are other lead candidates.
Two sources said if the presidents give their blessing to explore expansion, invitations could be issued before the end of the college football season. TCU is said to be very interested, as is Central Florida.

We have been hearing for quite some time about expansion. Perhaps with the conference flailing nationally (no ranked teams) they are going to do it by numbers.

I am a strong proponent of adding 4 teams. A TCU, Houston, UCF and ‘Nova/Temple/Memphis would give the conference a strong footprint geographically.

People make too much about the geography. Dallas is easily accessible from the Northeast, as is Houston. It would give the conference a foot print — no matter how small — into Texas. That helps when you want a TV network.

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/

UConn-WVU postgame

2010-10-30T01:38:00.000-04:00

It wasn't pretty, it wasn't fun, but the UConn Huskies will take it.

Dave Teggart's 26 yard field goal gave UConn its first ever win over West Virginia and probably saved UConn's season.

The Huskies didn't play perfect, far from it, and the wide receiver play has to get better, but for the first time in a long time I see some hope.

The Huskies looked like zombies in the first quarter as they went without a first down on their first five possessions. Think about that.

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2062

Frazer to start

2010-10-27T21:25:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the late post and the general lack of post today. Johnny Jr.'s one year old birthday spoiled by the news that Mike Box is out and Zach Frazer is back in.

What do I think?

I should always take the cynical view and assume if a guy is nicked up he won't play and going on that assumption. Box practiced this week, spoke to the media and said he passed everything, and then is now out.

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2044

Tuesday presser- Edsall defends his job, looks for leaders

2010-10-26T15:57:00.000-04:00

Interesting Tuesday press conference.

Randy Edsall was asked about some fans wanting HCRE fired for his season. Edsall said he didn't want to get in trouble and talk about it, and then went on to talk about it.

"I didn’t get dumb over night and I didn’t get stupid over night," Edsall said. "Some years you have enough pieces for the puzzle, some years you don’t. You have to continue to work each and every day. Everything you are judged on is how many you win and some you lose. Sometimes you spoil people. "
Now, I am going to defend Edsall here

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2039

Gameday 'Ville

2010-10-23T12:22:00.000-04:00

Going to head to Cardinals Stadium in a bit, but I want to give some pregame thoughts.
First off, the more I think about it, the more I think Mike Box is the right call. Why?
I am saying this before the game because whether Box does well or struggles, I think it was the right call with an impossible choice.
Zach Frazer lost the job fair and square through ineffectiveness. Cody Endres threw away his career and I think for the sake of competition and fairness Box has to be the guy. He has waited patiently, and certainly has impressed in practice.

full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/10/23/gameday-ville/

Box to start

2010-10-21T13:36:00.000-04:00

Mike Box is going to get his first career start Saturday at Louisville.

Randy Edsall has said Box is No. 2, and despite having former starter Zach Frazer sitting right there, will go with Box to sub for Cody Endres, who is suspended from the team for the year after failing his third drug test of his career.

Why Box? Well, it's just time and the staff feels he gives UConn the best chance to win.

"Box was No. 2. When he was the No. 2, and everything here I do is what I think and the staff thinks are the best people. We made that move before. We feel Mike Box gives us the best opportunity to win. He has our faith and a lot of confidence, he just doesn’t have experience.”

http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=2016

Endres suspended

2010-10-20T15:01:00.002-04:00

UConn quarterback Cody Endres has been suspended for the season for a violation of university policies.

He is no longer with the team.

Mike Box is the backup, will he start now? With Erik Kuraczea is also gone, he left Tuesday. Endres met with the media on Tuesday and everything looked fine.

Not the way the Huskies wanted to get into things after the bye week.

Saturday potsgame conference call

2010-10-09T14:59:00.000-04:00

If you are out for blood or want some reason for the Huskies collapse against Rutgers now is the time to turn away.
It’s the big plays that led to UConn’s demise, most notably a 52-yard TD pass to Mark Harrison and a 45-yard catch by Jeremy Deering that set up the winning touchdown.
UConn coach Randy Edsall knows the ailment, but right now the cure is about as far away as one for the bubonic plague.

full blog post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/10/09/saturday-potsgame-conference-call/

Postgame Rutgers

2010-10-09T01:01:00.000-04:00

It took me 4 hours and 45 minutes to get to Rutgers from Farmington, Conn. I came in the stadium early first quarter.
My goodness, it seems like a lifetime ago.
The Huskies lost another heart breaker to Rutgers, 27-24, and gave away another game. The Huskies put the game in the ice box in the second half and played so conservative I don't think they gave the offense a chance. Then, when it needed to rev back up, the offense couldn't do it.
Two second guesses here. If I am Edsall, I go for the touchdown with 6 seconds left and a yard out at the end of the half. I think it's worth the risk, and if that TD scores, I think UConn wins going away. UConn needed two scores to prevent what happened tonight, a broken play leading to a death spiral. It's a classic second guess, and UConn should have won anyway, but I would have liked Randy Edsall to have run the ball one more time. It's risky, no doubt about it, but the reward is tremendous. Imagine a 28-17 lead at the half? Not a chance Rutgers comes back.

http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1989

Tuesday presser -- back in the bunker

2010-10-05T15:38:00.000-04:00

I could tell right away when UConn coach Randy Edsall walked into the room what team the Huskies were playing this week. Edsall isn't a poker player and he wears his thoughts and emotions on his sleeve. Edsall heard a brief joke coming into the press conference and gave a polite laugh. He wasn't in an mood to talk to the press about the game on Friday because that would give the opponent an edge.
Edsall's answers were vague, short and intense, and in a half hour I am not sure he answered a single question.
When asked about Friday's game being a rivalry we were given the entire conference is a rivalry spiel. That could mean only one thing in Storrs -- IT'S RUTGERS WEEK!!

Full blog post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/wp-admin/post.php?post=1978&action=edit&message=1

Sunday call

2010-10-03T14:38:00.000-04:00

UConn coach Randy Edsall liked what he saw on game film of Saturday except for a handful of plays. Edsall said five plays went for 198 yards and 51 for 121.
It's a matter of correcting those plays.
On the injury front, Edsall is going to wait for Monday to give season enders and is going to abide by the injury report, but I didn't get a good vibe out of Jimmy Bennett and surprisingly Robbie Frey. Frey played limited punt and kickoff coverages (saved a touchdown) and was on a stationary bike during the game. When asked if he needed more time to rest for Big East play Edsall said he want to talk with trainers etc. and will know more later.
Frey is a terrific football player. He is worth about 3 players to be honest with what he does on special teams and is a very good running backup running back. If he is out for an extended period of time that's really going to hurt the Huskies.
As for the offensive line, Adam Masters' status for this week won't be known until tomorrow at the earliest. We won't know until Thursday, but Edsall is hopeful to get him back.

Full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1971

Todman in a lunch pail effort

2010-10-02T21:44:00.000-04:00

Now, Denard Robinson is the most impressive player in college football -- not going to even attempt to argue that he isn't -- but Jordan Todman has been flat out one of the best players in college football this season.
Todman had 190 yards and two touchdowns today on 37 carries.
UConn had nowhere to go at RB. D.J. Shoemate has fumbled twice and the staff has lost confidence in him. Kelmetrus Wylie is out for the year and Robbie Frey has a mysterious non-injury and is limited. Frey spent a lot of the game on a stationary bike and I assume it's a leg problem.
The staff moved Martin Hyppolite over to RB from LB, and the kid ran like a LB today. He just wasn't sharp and he looked slow getting the ball. Not sure they have something there. Hyppolite's body has to change if he is going to be a RB.

http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1967

Ugly duckling gets a chance

2010-09-30T15:57:00.001-04:00

Not much on the conference call today.
Biggest things are that Zach Frazer is taking the demotion OK. At least that’s according to Edsall. This is on the curve. He’s upset, but as long as he shows up to practice and isn’t a disturbance and genuinely somewhat helpful that’s taking it well.

As far as the rest, injury report coming out tonight with no comment. The scout team players of the week are Tyler Bullock (offense), LB Mike Osiecki (defense) and S Ty-Meer Brown (special teams).
Now, here’s a story from today’s JI on Cody Endres.

It’s funny with Endres, he’s always been the ugly duckling of UConn quarterbacks.
Every quarterback since Dan Orlovsky left has been greeted with high expectations and excitement. People loved the athletic ability of DJ Hernandez and Dennis Brown. Tyler Lorenzen’s ability and what he did in JUCO had everyone in a tizzy. Zach Frazer? Notre Dame QB hype follow him here.

Full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/09/30/ugly-ducking-gets-a-chance/

Tuesday presser -- catnip edition

2010-09-28T15:15:00.002-04:00

Catnip: an egg shaped mint leaf that is an attractant for cats.

Welcome to the Tuesday press conference at the University of Connecticut catnip edition.
What we have today is an irresistible offering of stories to talk about that has the media in a tizzy. There are two things that are catnip for sports writers.

1. Quarterback controversy

2. Football players arrested

We got both in spades this morning at the Burton Family Complex. It was an orgy of information.
Let's start with the "news." Yes, that's quote unquote.
In the most ridiculous arrest on campus since Mike Osiecki stole a candy bar instead of walking across the street to get one for free, UConn kicker David Teggart and middle linebacker Jerome Williams were arrested for breach of peace after a fight with each other.
The pair were pinched after midnight on Monday morning.

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1927

Monday news

2010-09-27T20:22:00.000-04:00

Some decent news today and with the depth chart out for Vandy some interesting developments.
First off, Kelemtrus Wylie is out for the year with a knee injury. That's a terrible news. Wylie was going to get some carries in the second half against Buffalo and the first play he was in went a play-action pass for 56 yards for a TD. On the next special teams play he injured his leg (knee) and is done. Tough break for Wylie, who every time he had a chance to play ended up getting hurt. Also, frosh Yawin Smallwood is out for the year with a shoulder injury, but, he was redshirting anyhow.

http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1922

Shoemate No. 1 back, Frey special teams only

2010-09-23T20:23:00.002-04:00

http://wtic.cbslocal.com/2010/09/23/coachs-show-with-randy-edsall-923/

Check out the coach's show on TIC 1080.
Todman is on along with Greg Lloyd.
Bit of news, Robbie Frey is only going to play special teams this week. Shoemate and Wylie will be the 1-2 back.
Frey isn't on the injury report.
Edsall refused to discuss any changes on Thursday afternoon.

What will Huskies look like without Todman?

2010-09-23T19:49:00.000-04:00

This is going to be an interesting game on Saturday for the Huskies, and it isn’t going to be interesting in a good way.
Where would the Huskies be without Jordan Todman? He’s their only explosive player on offense and at 5-foot-9 has been a complete work horse.
How big a horse?
He’s fourth in the nation averaging 149.33 yards per game and has 448 yards rushing in 61 carries (a robust 7.3 per carry). Now, what’s scary is he has been quite frankly the entire UConn offense.

full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/09/23/what-will-huskies-look-like-without-todman/

Todman out, Lutrus still not ready

2010-09-23T18:14:00.004-04:00

Things keep spiraling out of control for the UConn Huskies. Jordan Todman, perhaps the only bright spot on offense, is out for Saturday's game against Buffalo with an injury to his arm.
Todman injured his left arm in the first half against Temple and returned to the game and finished with 192 yards rushing and has 448 this season in three games. Now, Todman's out and when he returns is unknown.

Full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/wp-admin/post.php?post=1880&action=edit&message=6

Tuesday presser -- Buffalo week

2010-09-21T16:09:00.002-04:00

Full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1870

Welcome back Cody Endres and Erik Kuraczea. It couldn't have come soon enough.
UConn's other quarterback in Endres has returned to the team this week as well as banished o-lineman Kuraczea. Endres' long banishment is certainly interesting. He only watched the Michigan game because the next two games were blacked out on campus (go figure, can't watch a UConn on game on campus. But that's another story). He was able to work out a little bit with some wide receiver such as Isaiah Moore, and he also threw to Kuraczea.
He's in shape but that's not at issue. How soon can he play if called on?
"We are going to find out this week," Endres said. "I feel good physically. Haven’t had wear and tear of practice. We’ll find out. If they calI my number we will be ready.
“All we have to do is get back to what we did last year. Get ball to open receivers and allow them to make plays in space.”
If it was any other position on the field besides quarterback this wouldn't be nearly the drama, but QB is the face of the program and is a drama position. It's going to be interesting this week. Frazer has to perform or this thing will be blown wide open going into Vanderbilt.

About that passing game

2010-09-19T20:23:00.000-04:00

I went to late dinner when I got back from Philly on Saturday and since I missed an entire day of football I watched the highlight shows to catch up.

What struck me was the ease with which some teams pass the ball. I am not talking about Top 25 teams, I am talking about everyone. Now, it’s a highlight show so you don’t see the bad, but looking at the numbers there is a lot of passing going on in college football. How hard is it to pass it 10 yards and let your receiver make a play?
Look what UMass did against Michigan.

full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/09/19/about-that-passing-game/

Post game Temple the Apocalypse

2010-09-18T18:33:00.000-04:00

Jordan Todman walked into the postgame locker room with tears in his eyes. He had no excuses. 192 yards and a touchdown and he left everything on the field.

Of course, Todman felt it was his fault because of the fumble and he took the blame. Here's what Todman said after a debacle in Philly that was a 30-16 loss to Temple.

"It was tough. But I won’t make any excuses," Todman said. "It was a mistake and I take responsibility for that. No excuses. Hurt or not hurt, it’s my job to hold on to the ball. I apologize to my team and the UConn fans.”

Full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1859

Hafltime wrap

2010-09-18T13:37:00.000-04:00

Huskies trail 7-6.

Huskies had ball on the 8 with 6 seconds left and elected for a FG with a timeout in the pocket. I would have taken one more shot at the endzone, but that is very risky at this point and the Huskies needed the points.

Offense is abysmal outside of Todman's 16 carries and 101 yards in the first half, though they did engineer a drive to end the half in the 2 minute drill. Huskies can't get anything in the passing game going. Frazer is inaccurate, the receivers can't get open at all, and when they get the ball it's no YAC. Huskies have a problem right here. The WR and passing game is just not up the level it needs to be.

Full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1856

Temple is dangerous

2010-09-17T17:01:00.000-04:00

Just got here to Philly, beautiful weather I must say. Heading out to a Philly's game in about 10 minutes so here are a couple of stories for you that appeared in the last two days.

Full blog post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1846

Tuesday presser Temple

2010-09-14T14:52:00.000-04:00

Good banter today with head coach Randy Edsall as the Huskies play this week at Temple, always a dangerous game.
Edsall downplayed the rivalry between the schools, though I am not sure the head coach can pick the rivalries. The last two games have certainly been memorable with the controversial TD disallowed at Rentschler Field that cost Temple, and then Donald Brown breaking tackles in the rain at Lincoln Financial. The two schools took a year off and now are back again playing.
As far as news, the big thing on the depth chart was Nick Williams moving up to being the full-time PR replacing Gary Wilburn, who was banished from the unit.

Full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1836

Cox to add SNY

2010-09-10T19:15:00.002-04:00

Manchester, CT – Cox Communications has just announced that it will SportsNet New York (SNY) throughout its service area in Connecticut, just in time for SNY's first televised University of Connecticut football game Saturday, September 11 at noon vs. Texas Southern.
SNY is the new home for UConn football and men's basketball. SNY will be on its expanded service tier, channel 62.

Full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1809

Lutrus out — not a surprise

2010-09-09T23:42:00.005-04:00

Linebacker Scott Lutrus is out for Saturday’s game against Texas Southern with an injury to his upper extremity that was suffered at an unknown time, with an unknown severity, that will keep him out for an unknown number of games
His timetable for return is also unknown.

http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/09/10/lutrus-out-not-a-surprise/

Tuesday presser -- SOFT LANDING

2010-09-07T15:31:00.001-04:00

OK. I am offically letdown as a member of the media. A week after writing stories about the Big House and Michigan, here we are this week writing about the sacrificial lamb Texas Southern.

But, I have a job to do.

Why Texas Southern this week?

That is perhaps the most interesting part of the story. UConn, like every other FBS team, brings in an FCS team to play during the year. In the last couple of years there was Hofstra, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island to Rentschler. The purpose is simple for the Huskies. The FCS game should be a sure win, and the Huskies still get to play some of their old Yankee Conference rivals or at least team in the Northeast. This game is a big payday for the FCS schools, and it helps football throughout the Northeast. The design was to use this game to play FCS teams in the Northeast.

Well, this Sept. 11 game was set to be played Northeastern University. Last year, Northeastern cut its football program leaving the Huskies with the task of trying to find and open date. Rutgers has usually cornered the market on all these FCS teams, so, the Huskies had to search far and wide for a team that had an open date, was willing to travel (and get $$$$), and come to Rentchler as a one time game.

So, hence, Texas Southern is here.

(Editors note: JIblogs.com is down for now, so I will write and entire post here.)

Now, what to expect?

Randy Edsall during his weekly press conference and talked more about the Michigan game than than Texas Southern, which lost to Prarie View A&M on Saturday.

The bottom line if the Huskies were beat, fair and square, and that's about it. One thing was certainly obvious is that the atmosphere was too muhc for the Huskies. It was 21-0 before they could breathe, and all that stuff about the game being just a game, well the psychology didn't work.

"The situation we went into, that was probably most difficult road test we had in 12 years,” Edsall said of playing at Michigan Stadium.

The important thing is if the Huskies are better for the experience. Sometimes, teams need to be coddled and built up. This year's Huskies need to be able to find out where they are. The general consensus is much more physical on the offensive and defensive lines.

That's where UConn is at.

So, was it worth losing 30-10 last week?

"The level of competition. Having an opener like that you are put in a lot of situations," Edsall said. "We go down 21-0, they could have folded their tents. You found out a lot about character, attitude, perseverance. They learned a lot of things."

This game is what's termed a soft landing. Whenever a football team challenges itself early in the season the next week needs a soft place for them to land after getting knocked down or out the previous week. This week, Texas Southern is here to allow the Huskies to play a rela game that means something, but the design is not to be in serious jeopardy. Now, we saw Jackson St. against Ole Miss, but that should help the Huskies and not hurt them.

Some other notes:

* Now on injury updates. I'll touch on this later tonight, but UConn is only going to release a status late Thursday afternoon. Edsall will not speak about injuries on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Thursday or postgame Saturday.

So, when a player gets hurt in a game Saturday, we won't know what or who was hurt, how he is doing, and his potential status during the game or after until at least the following Thursday. And, we won't get any detail about the injury other than a vague part of the body. UConn is saying this is the Big East's policy (which it isn't, coaches can talk on their own volution. Edsall chooses not to speak to us).

To repeat, UConn coach Randy Edsall will not address any injury to any player at any time for the entire season. UConn will release only a status on Thursday about players who are hurt and their status. The effect of the injury will not be discussed. No detail no comment.There is no mandate that the injury reports be accurate or exhaustive, and there is no penalty to coaches who don't comply fully.

I have some more thoughts on this later. But, it's real fan friendly, isn't it?

* Talked with Harris Agbor, who had 3 TFLs (tackles for a loss), 2 forced fumbles and was pretty good. He blew a couple of assignments, but Edsall generally thought he played well.

* Greg Lloyd's knee came through in excellent condition. He's still stewing from the performance of the defense on Saturday.

*Speaking of that, I am happy I am not lining up against Kendall Reyes on Saturday. I thought he was going to take me out when I quizzed him about the play of the offensive line. Edsall said it shouldn't have happened, and was furious that they were getting beaten up and down the field. He talked a lot about mentality and physical play. They are coming to hurt on Saturday.

* Lot's of talk about Zach Frazer's throwing. Edsall said he had better touch in the preseason. Frazer has a nuclear arm, and he was throwing the ball way too hard at times. Frazer said he is getting better. It's going to get better from here.

That's about it, gotta pay the bills for now.

Day after Michigan

2010-09-05T14:49:00.003-04:00

Randy Edsall knows where this game was lost. It was lost in the trenches.
Here's Edsall on the offensive line:

"I didn’t think they were very good," Edsall said of the O-line. "We got whupped on both sides of the line of scrimmage. All you have to do is watch the tape. We didn’t win the battle in the trenches."

Full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1784

Michigan prediction

2010-09-03T21:59:00.000-04:00

Why UConn could win: The Huskies are a veteran team and do something that is essential to win on the road — run the ball. UConn’s strength on offense is its offensive line and the running game, and pounding with Jordan Todman, D.J. Shoemate and perhaps a little Robbie Frey should eat up the clock and take a physical toll. Michigan was subpar against the run last year, and they have gone full-time to the 3-3-5 stack defense, and you need big defensive linemen to do that. Michigan is going to struggle on defense this year, and can the Huskies exploit that physically on Saturday? I also love the fact UConn is starting an experienced quarterback who is in his fifth year. Zach Frazer has had an up and down career, but the stars are aligned for him. We have to look no further than the growing pains of Tino Sunseri of Pitt against Utah to see how critical an experienced quarterback is. Frazer knows how to manage a game, and he knows the offense stone cold. He’s always had ability, now it looks like the knowledge has caught on. The fans and atmosphere won’t bother Frazer. It isn’t as much scrutiny as last year at Notre Dame, or as much pressure.

Full post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/09/04/day-before/

The Hit Man reuturns

2010-08-31T16:15:00.000-04:00

Greg Lloyd was unsure if the knee would hold up.

But there he was in a full contact scrimmage looking in the backfield as a hole opened up.
The running back was someone he knew well -- former safety/linebacker and now running back Jonathan Jean-Louis. Greg Lloyd is known as the Hitman for his bone-crushing hits. Jean-Louis was his sidekick on defense and also known to be a hard-hitter.

There was no way they were going to avoid contact. It was 1-on-1. Lloyd’s eyes lit up. This was a test moment.

Full blog post at: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1726

Tuesday Presser--Michigan Week!

2010-08-31T13:48:00.000-04:00

Game week is here.
It’s been 9 months since the Huskies flattened an overconfident South Carolina team in the Papajohns.com Bowl and staring down the barrel at the Huskies is Michigan.
There is just something about game week and an opening game in particular. Jordan Todman can’t stop thinking football. Zach Frazer has been focused on it since last season.
There are starts to the season (Rhode Island, Hofstra, Sisters of the Poor). This one is different.

More at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1722

Lloyd is back

2010-08-30T15:12:00.000-04:00

Got a confirmation from UConn that the Lloyd at MLB is not an error. He's going to start at MLB, Lutrus to the outside and Wilson at weakside linebacker.

I am stunned in the sense that no one talked about him the entire camp about him starting at middle linebacker. I saw him practicing with the second team, but we have been shutout from practice since last week when we only saw the backups during the opening of 2-a-days. (for example, I haven't seen Zach Frazer throw a ball in 2 weeks during practice. He sits out the media session.).

http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1717

Depth chart is up

2010-08-30T14:08:00.000-04:00

Some notes: Greg Lloyd listed as starter at MLB. Will confirm that later.that would be a major development.
Harris Agbor and Kijuan Dabney to start at safety. Top 6 WRs include Leon Kinnard as a wideout. Also, Adam Masters is the LT. Backup RB is an or with DJ Shoemate and Robbie Frey.
Will confirm if Greg Lloyd listing is accurate.

More at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1713

Martin gets it

2010-08-25T18:28:00.001-04:00

Back for Round 2 today as I take a breather from work (blogging is a breather?).
I talked to Twyon Martin for the first time since the spring on Tuesday and if it weren’t for the No. 4 on his chest, I wouldn’t have recognized him. The trademark dread locks that the Florida native has sported are gone.

In it’s place is a clean short cut of hair. Add to that about 15 more pounds and the 295 pound Martin (yes, that’s right. Huskies’ D-line is now 295, 295 at DT) looks like a new man.

Full post at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1701

In today's JI -- Special backup

2010-08-25T14:45:00.002-04:00

STORRS – No one comes to play college football with the hopes of being a special teams star.
Every one of the University of Connecticut’s 105 players were the best player at their high schools. They know what it’s like to be the big man on campus and before stepping foot in college, have never been asked to be a role player. Some players struggle with that change, others never actually make it.
Then, there are players like UConn backup running back Robbie Frey.
Frey embraces his role.

Read the full post: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1686

Back at practice!

2010-08-24T14:53:00.000-04:00

Nice to be back at practice, it’s been over a week since I have seen the team live and it’s hard to get a good sense of the position battles that way.

I hope you guys aren’t too hungry (yeah, right) for information. I have some info and a lot of it comes from Coach Randy Edsall, who was kind of enough to be held hostage by myself and a couple of others for an extended time after practice. It was more of a conversation than an interview, but I have about a 30 minutes worth of tape that I will transcribe. I’ll filter out some stuff and eventually get you some good stuff on recruiting, the team, and a whole bunch of other stuff in the next day or so. One thing I didn’t know was that every assistant as well as coach stays up on campus during camp. I always knew Edsall used to sleep on an air mattress in his office, but a lot of the assistants stay in the dorm rooms during camp. It’s an intensive process and grueling.

Anyhow, to the matters at hand and practice. It’s still difficult to figure out

more at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1683

Thoughts on Endres

2010-08-19T15:15:00.003-04:00

http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1674

Now that I have a chance to digest the suspension of Erik Kuraczea and Cody Endres it is cause for concern no matter what comes out officially.

I wasn't at practice Thursday morning, the JI is a PM paper and I was working in the office (went in ungodly early), but the reports I have read had UConn coach Randy Edsall saying he is confident in Michael Box and Johnny McEntee at QB. I can't say I am surprised Edsall said that (what's he supposed to say? If Zach Frazer goes down we are doomed?), but all that Endres did by getting suspended was perhaps put some early season games in jeopardy if Frazer goes down.

More at JIblogs.com

Endres, Kuraczea suspended

2010-08-18T20:14:00.002-04:00

Per UConn Cody Endres and Erik Kuraczea suspended indefinitely. Hurts depth, though it looked like neither was going to start. Backup QB just got a little more interesting:

STORRS, Conn. (August 18, 2010) --- University of Connecticut redshirt junior quarterback Cody Endres (Washington, Pa.) and redshirt sophomore offensive guard Erik Kuraczea (Ansonia, Conn.) have been suspended indefinitely from the football team due to a violation of University of Connecticut and Division of Athletics policies.

In today's JI

2010-08-17T12:54:00.000-04:00

Story on Blidi Wreh-Wilson.

Read more at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/08/17/blid-wreh-wilson-has-come-a-long-way/

UConn media day

2010-08-16T17:51:00.002-04:00

Looks like the UConn safety position is still in flux. UConn coach Randy Edsall said right now sophomore Mike Lang -- a converted wide receiver -- would be the starter at free safety. At strong safety? Looks like junior Harris Agbor is right now at the head of the pack. part of this is injuries as both Jerome Junior and Kijuan Dabney have missed times with "dings" to the head.

It's not welcome news for the Huskies, who need to be healthy in the secondary because there are a dearth of options. Lang looks like he is going to be a factor sooner or later and this is a move I liked.

Lang's move to free safety was an interesting one. He came in last year to UConn as a wide receiver and eventually was pushed into action as a true freshman at the position. He showed explosiveness with a 70 yard TD catch last year and also ran back a touchdown as a kick returner. I thought Lang was a pretty good receiving prospect, but after this spring the staff moved Lang to safety. The staff saw Lang play safety in high school and came away impressed. There was a need there, and the Huskies are deep at wide receiver, so the switch was made.

Read the rest at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1664

Campbell out for season

2010-08-15T21:12:00.000-04:00

Tough break for Campbell and Huskies.

UConn Athletic Communications --- August 15, 2010 – Campbell Out For Season

STORRS, Conn. (August 15, 2010) – University of Connecticut junior defensive end Marcus Campbell (Bloomfield, Conn.) will miss the entire 2010 season after he torn an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in practice on Saturday.

Campbell suffered the injury in a non-contact drill. He will have surgery for the injury later in the week.

Campbell has played in 23 games for the Huskies in 2007 and '08 and has 24 career tackles with a pair of sacks and 4.5 tackles for a loss. He did not play during the 2009 season.

-- Post From My iPhone

First practice: Edsall takes over safeties

2010-08-09T20:07:00.002-04:00

Crossposted here: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1648

There is perhaps one position on the UConn football team that could derail their hopes for a Big East title in a hurry. UConn's safety play a year ago was inconsistent and led to big plays on numerous occasions including last second losses at West Virginia and Rutgers among others.

That was before it lost Robert Vaughn to graduation. Currently at safety UConn's most veteran player is Jerome Junior, a promising prospect who was wildly inconsistent last season. On the other side there is converted linebacker Kijuan Dabney, who has spent sparse time at the position. The Huskies have plenty options at safety, but almost no experience there. How they play may determine UConn's season.

As the Huskies kicked off fall camp today UConn coach Randy Edsall put his own neck on the line in regards to the safety play. If they don't improve all Edsall has to do is blame himself. First year secondary coach Daryl Perkins is going to work exclusively with cornerbacks during camp while Edsall is taking over the instruction of the safeties.
This is like taking a CEO and putting him as the foreman on an assembly line. As the Huskies prepare for the season opener Sept. 4 against Michigan, Edsall isn't going to take any risks with the one unit on the team that could be called a serious question.

"Darrell (Perkins) is an excellent coach," Edsall said. " But it would be too much to place on one guy with the youth and inexperience back there. We are going to do it that way.

"As a CEO, president and head coach, you have to take a look at the organization and see how you can be the strongest. It's no indictment of Darrell. He's an outstanding coach. Looking at it, it was too much for one guy to handle because of the youth and inexpereince."

The safety play was torched in the spring game with Zach Frazer throwing for four touchdowns passes of over 50 yards. Sophomore Jerome Junior has heard all about the safety play. He knows having Edsall, a defensive backs coach with Jacksonville Jaguars under Tom Coughlin at one time, there means the unit has a lot of work to do. Junior welcomes the head coach's continued attention. He's also confident that the unit can get better.

"I always had coach Edsall on my back about everything, especially last year," Junior said. "He is coaching all the safeties instead of being behind me every play. Coach Edsall is getting in depth and everything. The first meeting I was nervous because it's the head coach, and now he's quizzing me, but I think I am ready for it. It doesn't worry me."

There are things the Huskies can do to help the safeties. They pressured tremendously in the papajohns.com bowl win over South Carolina and that negated the weakness. There is also a lot of coaching up that can help and while the team is in training mode Edsall plans to make the most of it.
.
More notes:

*This was perhaps the most relaxed first practice I have ever seen since covering UConn. It was smooth, eerily efficient, and focused. Edsall didn't raise his voice once. They ran it like a machine today. They weren't exactly sharp, but there was a giddy-up in the team's step. Most unusual, and most unexpected. I think it's a good sign.
* I asked Edsall about Greg Lloyd's situation and Edsall didn't want to force Lloyd into action unless he was comfortable and confident. Lloyd eventually could have ben healthy and contributed, but Edsall could tell Lloyd wasn't comfortable with the rehab and how he fit in coming off an injury. Since Scott Lutrus can play the middle, they are going to give Lloyd, a senior, a redshirt year he never got. On the move of Hyppolite from RB to linebacker. It was a numbers game at running back, but the staff liked him as a linebacker in high school and this is a way to get him on the field quicker. It's a work in progress, but Hyppolite has good size and speed for the position.
* Talked a bit with left tackle Jimmy Bennett about his coming back from injury. Bennett is massive, and his knee is healthy, but he is rusty as expected. Today was his first contact since last year. The strength, footwork and agility are there for Bennett. Bennett said the key for him was getting his timing. He was actually moving too fast today. Edsall firmly believes Bennett can be the player he thought he could be last year. It's a battle at left tackle, but Bennett looks like he is ready to fight for it against Adam Masters.

That's the quick version. Got to play the bills now.

Lastly, check out today's story on D.J. Shoemate in today's JI. He is well-spoken and I think a pretty nice guy. I can see why they wanted him on the team. 4.5 40 at his size helped I bet too.

Wilson on Bednarik watch list

2010-08-09T14:22:00.002-04:00

http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1637
UConn Athletic Communications — August 9, 2010 – Wilson On Bednarik List

SOUTHAMPTON, Pa. (August 9, 2010) — University of Connecticut senior linebacker Lawrence Wilson (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) has been named to the watch list for the 16th annual Chuck Bednarik Award, given by The Maxwell Football Club.

Wilson was a first team All-BIG EAST Conference pick in 2010 and led the Huskies in tackles with 140. He also had five sacks and 11 tackles for a loss. He was first in the BIG EAST in tackles per game with 10.8 – which was also tenth nationally.
The Chuck Bednarik Award has been presented to the nation’s top defensive player since 1995. Bednarik is a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame Class of 69 and the NFL Hall of Fame in 1967.
Semifinalists for the Bednarik Awards will be announced on November 8th and three finalists will be announced November 22nd. The winners of the 2010 Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show which will be held on December 9, 2010. The formal presentation of the award will be made at the Maxwell Football Club Awards Gala on March 4, 2011.

UConn Football on TV in 2010

2010-08-06T12:56:00.003-04:00

Cross posted at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1638

Had a nice long conversation with our TV writer Matt Buckler and we went over the SNY deal. The Huskies get a ton of original programming and branding, but as far as men's basketball, all the local games were on SNY anyway but blacked out locally. So, the amount of additional games for football and men's basketball won't increase by much.

This helps UConn immensely with original programming and the branding and breaking into the NYC market like this is a coup for UConn. In sheer number of people watching a local game, it will actually decrease the number of sets coming off a broadcast network. Now, the exposure is much greater -- they became a feature team -- but for live games, less people will actually be watching (no free TV will show the game).

In the Manchester, Conn. and Enfield areas the dominant cable provider is Cox, and right now there is no deal. So, what could UConn fans miss on the football side if Cox doesn't carry SNY?

09/04/10    at Michigan TV    Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.    3:30 p.m. ET
09/11/10    vs. Texas Southern TV    Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Conn.    12:00 p.m. ET
09/18/10    at Temple TV    Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pa.    12:00 p.m. ET
09/25/10    vs. Buffalo    Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Conn.    TBA
10/02/10    vs. Vanderbilt    Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Conn.    TBA
10/08/10    at Rutgers * TV    Rutgers Stadium, New Brunswick, N.J.    7:30 p.m. ET
10/23/10    at Louisville *    Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Louisville, Kent.    TBA
10/29/10    vs. West Virginia * TV    Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Conn.    8:00 p.m. ET
11/11/10    vs. Pittsburgh * TV    Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Conn.    7:30 p.m. ET
11/20/10    at Syracuse *    Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y.    TBA
11/27/10    vs. Cincinnati *    Rentschler Field, East Hartford, Conn.    TBA
12/04/10    at USF * TV    Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.    TBA

Two games are locked into SNY -- Texas Southern and Temple. There are 4 other potential games on the schedule that could be on SNY.
Now, this decision will be made 12 days before the telecast. ESPN has the option to take any of these games and put them on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPNU. I am not sure of ESPN3 internet broadcasting.

Sept. 25 against Buffalo likely isn't going to be picked up as an ESPN, 2/U game. This one is a good candidate for BE Game of the Week which would put it on SNY.

Oct. 2 against Vanderbilt could also be on SNY. But, the SEC/Big East matchup makes me think we will see this one on ESPNU at a minimum.

Oct. 23 against Louisville looks like another ESPNU game.

Nov. 20 against Syracuse. This game has traditionally been a BE game of the Week, and I would think unless both teams are contenders (not expecting Cuse to be there) that this one would be on SNY as a Game of the Week.

Nov. 27 Cincinnati. I imagine this one will be on ESPNU at a minimum.
So, if your cable outlet has ESPNU and SNY, you are going to be in heaven.

If you are in a Cox household you might want to start calling the company. The JIs office is in Manchester and we don't get SNY here. Jeff Hathaway has Cox Cable at home, and he doesn't get SNY either.

As my friend Matt Buckler -- best TV writer in the state -- has pointed out these are going to be contentious hearings. First off, in Enfield's Cox system, they don't carry the YES Network that has made Yankee fans irate. So, now, Cox is going to offer Mets game, but not Yankees games?
If Cox says no, and won't put SNY on a expanded basic (doubt SNY would accept being in the sports tier), then it looks like UConn fans in these areas could be shutout of a maximum of 6 UConn games, and asurredly already 2.

Basketball season would be a disaster for these communities as 13 games would be unavailable. Can Cox Communications really shut out the Manchester and Enfield areas from UConn men's basketball and football games?

It could happen. If Cablevision can take Yankees out of NYC, then anything can happen. Perhaps, people should start looking into ATT U-Verse or a dish.

Greg Lloyd will redshirt

2010-08-05T20:41:00.001-04:00

Greg Lloyd is going to redshirt in 2010. He will move back to MLB. Coach Randy Edsall said Thursday night at an Evening of Randy Edsall.

Lloyd wasn't ready for the season and from what I understand wants to be a linebacker.

Other news from Thursday evening, Jory Johnson has a sprained wrist. In response, they move David Kenney to Husky. Also, Martin Hypolite moved from RB to Husky backer. Byron Jones and Josh Alexander are now safeties.

Also, had a chance to meet D.J. Shoemate. Very nice person and he is anxious to see what he can do. he was at the Notre Dame game supporting Johnny McEntee. He said he was blown away by the effort. It planted a seed, and when things went down at USC he felt very comfortable. He wants to be a running back.

Look for something on Shoemate in the coming days. Very personable person.

NYC UConn's town?

2010-08-05T13:32:00.000-04:00

Cross posted at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1626

The SNY deal is huge exposure for the Huskies. Virtually the entire area that has cable gets SNY. UConn is going to be the featured college team on SNY and will have premium access into New York, New Jersey and Eastern Pa. UConn's local package will be 12 million homes, which is 3 times population of the State of Connecticut.

Why UConn? While there are plenty of teams in the NYC area, SNY felt UConn was a unique program.

"When you think of the excellence of football and basketball, who else is there?," SNY president Steve Raab said. "It became an obvious fit for us. UConn is unique in it's football, basketball and fan support than a lot of the schools in our region."

Edsall finally has something to fight with on the recruiting trail now as he battles other teams.

"When you take look at schools we compete against, we have more exposure in the Metropolitan area than any other school we have to compete against," Edsall said. "That's something we will use in recruiting."

So then I asked the loaded question...is NYC now UConn's town?'

Edsall laughed:

"I will say this, we get the most exposure of any team."

Huskies-SNY ...mainlining into NYC

2010-08-05T13:21:00.000-04:00

Cross posted at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1623

I don't think we can underestimate the partnership that UConn and SNY just announced. SNY is now essentially the home of the UConn Huskies.
That's Sports New York, with a reach of 8.8 million people in the Tri-State area. This is a LOCAL package, meaning local non-network games. UConn's local package will have a reach of 12 million people through SNY nationally. Jeff Hathaway said this was one of the most significant days in UConn history.

"In our home game market, our local games will go to 9 million homes in a 3 state area. Throw in satellite and telcom (ATT U-Verse), it will go to 12 million nationally. That's a great local TV package. "

For football, the benefits are incredible. Huskies have unfiltered access into New York and New Jersey. Randy Edsall found out last Friday and couldn't contain himself.

"It covers our primary area we want to recruit," Edsall said. "We're on a 5 hour drive off your campus. The exposure we will get in that area with 4 million more homes and then nationally, you open up a bigger avenue. That wil make a huge huge difference. We can tell kids to go to SNY and watch this. We never had capability to do that."

Edsall loved the fact that UConn games on SNY will be replayed during the week. Some of them condensed. The Tuesday pressers will be televised.

For hoops, it makes virtually every UConn game that is on ESPN Regional (which are most) accessible to fans and recruits in New York, New Jersey and Eastern Pa. That's an incredible reach for the Huskies. The non-ESPN games are going to be televised to an incredibly broad area.

For football it's even more. While there are games that can't be televised (such as what happened at baylor last year), UConn football will be featured and highlighted from Connecticut, into New York, and New Jersey as well as Eastern Pa. That folks, is UConn's recruiting base right there. It's not going to take an ESPN national game to get regional exposure.

What Jeff Hathaway has done is break the Huskies out of Connecticut. This isn't access into the New York market for UConn -- it's a mainlining into NYC.

I know there are some Cox people out there. There is a lot of Cox subscribers in JI land, but I cant' see Cox holding out here. UConn is a religion on the hoops side in Vernon/Manchester. It will get on. All other Comcast outlets in CT will now have SNY including Vernon. Don't worry about Charter in Storrs. It will get on to. That's just one system, and SNY are on other Charter systems.
The exposure and reach of this is incredible.

Day After Media Day

2010-08-04T20:44:00.000-04:00

(Cross posted at http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/08/04/day-after-media-day/).

Sorry about not getting back here. I had a nice post all ready to go and instead of posting it my computer went into an automatic update and shutdown for some kind of serious Windows Update. I gave up after (ha).
Press conference tomorrow at the Rent about a partnership with SNY. That’s great for UConn getting on NYC TV. I wonder if Cox is going to get SNY up in Manchester.

If you thought the ESPNU spat was bad, I would hope getting SNY up for UConn games is something that’s coming in the Manchester area.
I also hope to see many of you out at Rentschler for An Evening with Randy Edsall. If you are a fan it’s a terrific opportunity to talk with some players and the coach and get a preview of the coming season. Even more so, you can meet me and say hello. Just kidding. I’ll be there.

Here’s today’s top sports story on what really was a sad newspaper in Manchester. I can’t get the shootings out of my mind. Just terrible. UConn is certainly piqued the interest of the nation.
Anyhow, here’s the lede to my work in today’s JI about Skip Holtz.
http://journalinquirer.com/articles/2010/08/04/sports/doc4c5987dd99593809300040.txt

NEWPORT, R.I. — It’s been 12 years and a world of difference since Skip Holtz left as the head coach of the University of Connecticut football team.
Holtz was hired as a 29-year-old neophyte in 1994 and was originally the choice of then-athletic director Lew Perkins to lead the Huskies into Division I-A. Holtz was coach of the Huskies for five seasons, which culminated in a 10-3 record in 1998 and an appearance in the Division I-AA playoffs.
Holtz left after the 1998 season to coach with his father, Lou, at South Carolina and Randy Edsall was tabbed for the Huskies soon after.
Twelve years later, the program that Holtz left bears little resemblance to the one he will compete against in his first season as head coach at South Florida. Memorial Stadium has been replaced by Rentschler Field and its 40,000 seats. The office trailers and small weight rooms gave way to an indoor practice facility and football complex. The Huskies now have appeared in four bowl games, including each of the last three seasons, and pulled off a win at Notre Dame last season.

There are also some other notable things coming out of media day. The thought is courtesy of Greg Auman out in Tampa. The Big East doesn’t have many experienced quarterbacks back. The combined starts for all 8 is 43. That is perhaps the reason why the Big East is thought to be so wide open.

Let’s not confuse that with talent however. Zach Collaros was as good as any player in the Big East last year and B.J. Daniels from USF is a star on the rise. Geno Smith out of WVU looks to be another keeper while Tom Savage at Rutgers has shown a ton of improvement.

Zach Frazer is going to have a terrific year for UConn and looks primed to finally live up to his promise coming out of high school. I don’t know who has the best QB in the league, but at this point talent trumps experience. Frazer seems to have everything you need around him with a good and tested offensive line as well as experienced receivers, though he will miss Marcus Easley.

Tino Sunseri at Pitt has 17 passes under his belt. Shows you how chaotic the league is. Perhaps my undying love of the Panthers in 2010 should wait until I see Sunseri throw. No wonder coaches laugh at the preseason poll. Who knows what’s going to happen?
Later.

Big East Media day part II

2010-08-03T21:19:00.001-04:00

(Cross Posted at JIblogs.com. h ttp://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1610)

Back home in Farmington after a long day and I before I finish work for the JI I want to express my shock and sadness about what happened in Manchester today. One is a tragedy, but to have so many taken in such violent fashion doesn't make sense. It hit way to close to home here as I know someone who works there (he's fine). We were getting updates at media day and I just can't believe this kind of violence is possible.

I do want to get back to media day and it was a good day for the popular Huskies in Newport. Edsall had a crowd of reporters around him for the entire hour and the players, notably Scott Lutrus, had more than there share of interviews.

Lutrus is a player to watch this season. Coming off an injury-plagued season he looks primed to resume form of 2008. That would be great for the Huskies who struggled defensively last season. Lutrus' move to to the middle and that allows Lawrence Wilson and Jory Johnson on the outside. That speeds in the linebacker corps as Lutrus will be a fast linebacker.

Lutrus also was sporting the motto of the team Tuesday -- "Win the day." It sounds simple. All the Huskies have to do is win 12 days and they are golden. Not so easy, but with all the hype coming their way it's a way to keep grounded. UConn is turning into that team that it becomes "cool and sexy" to pick to win the Big East. It's a different place they are in right now.

Kendall Reyes also knows that UConn is getting a lot of attention these days.

    "I see more expectations. Analysts say we are the upset team in the Big East. That's cool, but we take it one game at a time. We can't get caught up in the hype. That's when you become complacent and lose your drive.

    "Towards end of season we started to hit all cylinders. The season edned, and in the spring we were hungry. We are hungry right now."Reyes looks huge. He came to UConn at 6-3 245 and after eating lobster Monday night is at bout 295. Reyes' arms are like oak trees and he says he is still as quick and agile as he was before.He still said he can dunk a basketball.

    "I can't do all the things I used to do. I can still dunk, but I used to be real acrobatic and do back flips," Reyes said. "I haven't tried it. At 295, I don't want to try it. I still feel pretty good."

Zach Hurd is looking to be the next NFL Draft pick on the UConn line and by the looks of things he is well on his way. Hurd has become one of the top linemen in the Big East and considering the success of Donald Thomas and Will Beatty in the NFL UConn linemen are something to watch out for. I know there a lot of people who will like what Hurd had to say about blocking.

This on what he sees when the play is a sweep and he's pulling -- a staple power play. Keep in mind he is 6-7 325.

    "I get to run full speed and hit a guy who is a lot smaller than a D-tackle and it's a lot of fun," Hurd said. "It's all down blocks on the front side, I come around the corner and the fullback takes out the first backer and I take out the second. That leaves running back 1-on-1 with the safety. That's what running backs get paid for to make the safety miss."

I then asked Hurd what is the reaction of a linebacker when they see him come clean.

    "Some will take it on like a man, but some crumble," Hurd said.

Ouch. I would like to think I would stand-up, but I run away when Jordan Todman is running out of the sidelines during practice. Take on Hurd? No thanks.

Some bit of bits for you

    * * Greg Lloyd's status is still unknown. Edsall will get an update Wednesday. If Lloyd is healthy he will play (won't redshirt to learn new position). If not, the Huskies do have other options including Marcus Campebell, Jesse Joseph and Trevardo Williams at DE.
    * *Kijuan Dabney has dropped a lot of weight for the move back to safety opposite Jerome Junior. "He looks like a safety and note a linebacker laying safety." Edsall also is thinking of ways to perhaps scheme to help out the safeties, who were torched in the spring game. It's the biggest hole on the team but Edsall is confident they can get better.

Got some more later. Talked to Skip Holtz, Edsall responds to the BC email, and also new rules for injuries.

Catch ya'll in the nightcap and everyone stay safe.

UConn fourth in preseason poll

2010-08-03T09:10:00.001-04:00

Blogging at the new address. http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/

Big East predictions

2010-08-01T16:06:00.000-04:00

(Cross posted at our new website: http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1592)

The Big East will put out its writers' predictions on Tuesday and I am going to bet UConn will be no better than 5th.

I don't vote in the preseason poll (I think only 1 writer for a school), but if I was going to vote here's my list.

1. Pittsburgh -- QB is an issue, but from running back in Dion Lewis, Baldwin at WR and terrific defensive unit led by Greg Romeus I think this is going to be the year. If they had Stull back (who is playing for the Colonials this year) I would have picked them first without a thought. But, right now I place them first with a little trepidation because of the QB question.

2. UConn -- The Huskies are in for a big year. I think everyone around the program can feel it. They are the most complete team back, but I am cautious about the secondary. While I like the receivers, they do have to establish a Marcus Easley type. UConn will pressure more this year to make up for the struggles at safety, and if they can get good safety play and return to the physical defense of the past I think we will see them in the Fiesta Bowl. Zach Frazer is going to have a big year. Secondary scares me -- specifically safety. Offense is going to be terrific. Smash mouth football with a QB who can pass. Big year out of Kashif Moore at WR and Ryan Griffin at TE is what I predict. Plus for UConn -- Pitt, WVU and Cincinnati all at the Rent. the more I am writing, I am tempted to move the Huskies up to first.

3. West Virginia -- Lost a lot, but still have a lot of talent.Love Noel Devine and Jock Sanders. Geno Smith intrigues me at QB. I like this team a lot and there are a ton of starters returning. Under Stewart, however, the team has had two straight 9-4 season. I don't think WVU is going to do better than that this year. Enough talent to win the league, not sure they will be able to put it all together to do it though.

4. Cincinnati -- I don't fear the Bearcats as much without Brian Kelly. Zach Collaros looked great running Kelly's offense, but Cincy getting absolutely waxed in the Sugar Bowl bothers me. Collaros returns at QB, they have Pead back at running back, but no more Mardy Gilyard at WR which is going to hurt. This defense has a lot to replace for the second straight year. Last year Cincinnati was able to overcome a defense overhaul and win big. Butch Jones did a great job replacing Kelly at Central Michigan. Can he do it again? Eventually, but not this year.

5. USF -- Old friend Skip Holtz is now in Tampa and with that fertile recruiting area this program may explode in several years. They have a lot of talent and speed and what's not to like about QB B.J. Daniels? Defense lost a ton with Jason Pierre-Paul and George Selvie off to the NFL. There are holes there. If USF wins the league I wouldn't be surprised. If they finished in 6th I wouldn't be surprised. The big question is can USF stop the October swoon that plagued them under Jim Leavitt?

6. Rutgers -- Tough to put Rutgers here since they are a bowl caliber team. But, someone has to be sixth is my best defense. More likely Rutgers will be tied with a couple of teams for this spot. I don't expect a 2-5 year in the Big East from the Scarlet Knights. Why behind the others? This team lost an awful lot of talent. Anthony Davis is gone from the O-Line, Tim brown is no longer at WR and the running game has hardly been explosive with the workman-like Joe Martinek. Mohammed Sanu is their best skill player and Tom Savage has the makings of a terrific player. Rutgers is returning only two offensive linemen. They also lose their top five tacklers from last season including Ryan D'Imperio at linebacker. Rutgers has some pieces -- Savage, Sanu and DE Jonathan Freeny (9 1/2 sacks), but if you think like me that the Top 6 in the Big East are all relatively competitive I would think Rutgers is a question mark with the amount of holes to fill. for my money, top 6 in conference get to bowl games.

7. Syracuse -- Team is going to be better than last year, and there is light in Syracuse. Defense looks like it may be a terrific unit. Doug Hogue returns as well as 10 other starters. Delone Carter is a good running back, but at QB who much will the Orange get? Doug Marrone has turned the corner, but it's still years off.

8. Louisville -- Where have you gone Bobby Petrino? New coach in Charlie Strong and while I don't put a lot of stock in recruiting rankings, the Cardinals are making progress. The defense needs to be revamped and while I would expect a bounce-back year for Victor Anderson I don't see much else. Cardinals could challenge for a bowl spot, but this looks to me like it may take a couple of years for Strong to get his players in there and on the field.

Two Huskies honored for service

2010-07-28T18:17:00.002-04:00

(Cross posted at the new blog address. http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/?p=1584

UConn may be cornering the market on quality and high character football players. Zach Hurd and D.J. Shoemate have both been nominated for the 2010 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.

I was forwarded the following information.

Hurd participates in Dare Day, during which he speaks to over 4,000 elementary school children on the dangers of drugs. He also leads the Goal Line Project, a weekly community service initiative where UConn student-athletes visit local schools to mentor students in academics and athletics, and lends his time to children volunteer work at the Connecticut Children’s Hospital and Children’s home.

Shoemate (who was nominated by the Sports Information Director at USC before transferring) visited East LA as part of Cry Out with Athletes in Action and distributed school materials, played sports and interacted with current and former gang members. He also spent three days in Tecate, Mexico building a house for a low income family through AMOR Ministries and regularly mentors underprivileged youth in Los Angeles, working on homework, playing and serving as a positive role model for the kids.

Here's the complete release. One thing is certain is that Shoemate seems like the quality of person the Randy Edsall wants. It's not an accident that he's here.

College Football Hall of Fame member and ESPN broadcaster Lou Holtz to continue as ambassador for the 19th Annual Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®
NORTHBROOK, Ill., July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- To honor the distinguished group of college football players who stand out for the positive influence they have in their communities, Allstate Insurance Company and the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) announced the 112 student-athletes nominated for the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team®. It is the most ever in the 19-year history of the award.

In the areas of giving back and volunteerism, the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® represents the "best of the best" among more than 50,000 student-athletes participating in the sport at all four-year institutions. The total eclipses the 106 nominees achieved last season, demonstrating the continued growth of a platform that is widely recognized as the most prestigious community service award in college football.

While glory and praise may be traditionally reserved for the most athletically skilled college football players on the field, it is the student-athletes committed to serving others who make the most important impact off the field. The Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® exists to tell their stories and acknowledge their impact beyond the game.

"In the third year of our partnership with the AFCA, Allstate, our employees and our agents continue to be inspired by the stories of class and character displayed by these young men," said Guy Hill, vice president of sales and service for Allstate, who also serves on the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® voting panel. "We applaud the commitment of these 112 student-athletes to positively impact their communities with innovation, creativity and passion that reflects so well on their sport, and their respective institutions."

This year's class of nominations includes student-athletes with a wide range of accomplishments, including developing programs to support Haitian relief efforts, working with rural and minority students to help them reach their goal of attending medical school, and organizing a campus fundraiser to incentivize students to shave their heads to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

From the nominees submitted by sports information directors on behalf of their schools, a special voting panel consisting of former Good Works Team® members and prominent college football media members is responsible for selecting two 11-player Good Works Teams® – one comprised of players from the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and another representing players from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III, and the NAIA – to be announced in September. College Football Hall of Fame member and ESPN broadcaster Lou Holtz is returning for a third year to serve as spokesperson for the program and raise awareness for the stories of the nominees and team members.

"For the third straight year, the AFCA is pleased to partner with Allstate in highlighting football student-athletes who have achieved outstanding success, both on and off the football," said Grant Teaff, AFCA Executive Director. "From the record total of nominees that were submitted from colleges and universities around the country, it is apparent that collegiate football is producing some of the best and brightest that our country has to offer."
ESPN.com will launch a customized Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® web site featuring profiles and images of the final 22 award recipients, as well as unique and interactive content for college football fans. For the first time in the program's history, fans will be able to vote for a Team Captain on ESPN.com.

The 2010 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team® voting panel includes: former Good Works Team® members Matt Stinchcomb (Georgia, 1997, 1998 teams), Mike Proman (Amherst, 2002 team), Mewelde Moore (Tulane, 2003 team), Brian Brenberg (St. Thomas, 2001 team), Zaid Abdul-Aleem (Duke, 1994 team); media members Lou Holtz (ESPN), Pat Forde (ESPN.com), Tom O'Toole (USA Today), Gary Shelton (St. Petersburg Times), Blair Kerkhoff (Kansas City Star); current AFCA President and Mount Union College Head Coach Larry Kehres; 1996 AFCA President Fisher DeBerry, former head coach at the United States Air Force Academy; and Allstate Vice President, Guy Hill.

A week to Media day

2010-07-27T16:49:00.001-04:00

(Note: Moving over the blog to Wordpress. Will continue to cross post but if you want to bookmark it, here's the new blog address. I am going to shut down this URL soon. http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/2010/07/27/a-week-to-media-day/)

On vacation for most of this month, but I would be remiss to not post about a couple of things.

First off, looks like Thursday is going to be Randy Edsall day at ESPN. That raised an eyebrow for me. Edsall has for the most part in his career been fiercely expectation averse. He has high expectations, but he has always kept a low profile. That has loosened up in recent years and I think the last couple of Summer updates (though there was little news per se) is an indication UConn and Edsall think it’s about time UConn gets seen a little more.

This ESPN junket is terrific for the program.

Here’s the junket from ESPN. This is essentially a media tour.

BRISTOL, Conn. (July 26, 2010) — University of Connecticut head football coach Randy Edsall will spend Thursday, July 29 on the “campus” of ESPN in Bristol, Conn., for a number of interviews and appearances on the ESPN family of networks.

Here is a tentative schedule for Edsall on Thursday with all appearances and times subject to change.

    10:50 a.m. – Appear on First Take with Jay Crawford, Dana Jacobson, Jay Crawford and Reischea Canidate

    11:05a.m. – Interview with SportsCenter.com

    11:20 a.m. – Interview With ESPN Rise

    11:40 a.m. – Appear on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on ESPN Radio, ESPNU and ESPN.com

    1:00 p.m. – ESPN.com chat

    1:20 p.m. – Interview with ESPNW

    1:40 p.m. – Appear on ESPNU

    2:10 p.m. – Appear on ESPNews

    2:40 p.m. – Radio interview on 1250 ESPN Radio in Pittsburgh

    3:10 p.m. – Appear on the The Scott Van Pelt Show on ESPN Radio, ESPN2 and ESPN.com

    3:30 p.m. – Appear on College Football Live with multiple airings on ESPN and ESPNU

Two points here.

1. UConn is starting to get some national traction. If they beat Michigan in the Big House Sept. 4 there are going to be everyone’s darlings for at least until Big East play. I would say that UConn is going to be the cool pick for the Big East.

2. UConn, specifically Edsall, thinks his team has a shot at it. Edsall isn’t going to stick his neck out if he doesn’t think the team has a better than punchers’ chance at the Big East title. As the season gets closer I am looking the Huskies more and more. QB, offensive line, defense front 7 are very very solid. If they can fix that secondary, or more likely get pressure with the front 7 to make the safeties moot, I really like their chances. Every other contender has a question mark at QB or head coach…or both.

I have some thoughts I will ramble off before we get into the season. Good job by Desmond Connor on the BC-UConn recruiting fiasco. BC is wrong, but I don’t know if the BC coach is off base.

Brief view.

If UConn has the season we all think UConn is going to have, Edsall is going to be white hot on the coaching carousel. All of UConn nation needs to understand this.

When BC coach Frank Spazziani apologized to Edsall I wonder if Edsall asked if they would like to play and just start to get along? Ha, not going there. Maybe another decade for the Cold War of New England football to thaw.

See ya’ll soon.

Shoemate officially in the fold

2010-07-16T10:51:00.004-04:00

(Editors note: We're moving the blog to a Word Press server. Here's the new blog address. I will cross post here for some time. But please move over. http://jiblogs.com/jsilvers_uconn_football_blog/ )

D.J. Shoemate is officially in the fold for the UConn Huskies and with three weeks to go before camp the UConn running back situation got a little more crowded...and at that's a good thing.

Shoemate is a refugee from Southern California where the Trojans were hit by big-time NCAA sanctions. Edsall is going to allow the former high school All-American to come in and compete right away

"He will have the opportunity to compete for playing time. Whomever is the best guy will play."

There are a couple of spots where the Huskies are thin going into fall camp but running back isn't one of them. Shoemate is a terrific athlete and Edsall felt he is very shift and quick. He's much bigger than incumbent Jordan Todman, who rushed for over 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns last year.

Todman was unchallenged this spring with Andre Dixon now headed the the UFL's Hartford Colonials after the duo both went over 1,000 yards last year. Now, Shoemate looks primed to compete for some of Dixon's carries and even more.

"Jordan has shown what he can do," Edsall said. "No question about that. Over 1,200 yard rusher. DJ will compete for carries at that position. Whomever is best guy is going to play. We have seen here in previous years, we have one guy a starter, next year not a starter. It’s competition and guys that can do that. I am not saying it's going to happen at running back, but he has an opoortunity to come here and get carries."

That's a warning to Todman, who didn't endear himself to the coaching staff this spring missing several practices because of disciplinary reasons. What Todman did was nothing serious, but the coaching staff didn't really have anyone primed to challenge Todman for carries. Now with Shoemate, if Todman doesn't work hard and compete, then there is a player here who can take those carries away.

It's not hard to fathom. The backup running back for UConn going into fall camp is perhaps the most dangerous rusher east of the Mississippi. Cornell Brockington, Donald Brown, Andre Dixon have all had big years unseating 1,000 yard rushers. If Edsall can send Terry Caulley, whom Edsall adored, to the bench as well as Brown during their careers, it isn't that much of a stretch to think the same could happen to Todman.

If UConn is going to compete for the Big East title Edsall will need to get the best of both worlds out of his backs. Shoemate is bigger, at 220 pounds, and was a fullback at USC who did a lot of pass catching, and the tandem could put up big numbers this season. Todman showed his explosion, and if Shoemate's scouting report is accurate, they added another explosive back into the mix. Shoemate will also play on special teams which should help immensely.

I am not expecting Todman to be supplanted. I would actually bet against it. But, I don't think the coaching staff is going to waste talent and athleticism offensively. Shoemate is going to get on the field and will get carries. That should make the Huskies a much more dynamic bunch.

Also some house keeping. Geremy Davis will redshirt his freshman season after having successful surgery. Also, backup fullback Bret Manning was granted a scholarship.

Here's UConn's release on Shoemate.

D.J. Shoemate, a 6-0, 225-pound, tailback from Corona, Calif., will enroll at the University of Connecticut and play for the Husky football team this fall. Shoemate transfers to Connecticut after spending his first two years at the University of Southern California. Shoemate will be eligible to play at UConn immediately and has two years of eligibility remaining.

Shoemate served as a backup fullback for the Trojans and played on special teams as a sophomore in 2009. He played in 12 games for USC and had a pair of carries for two yards and two receptions for 23 yards, including a 13-yard TD.

Shoemate began 2008 as a wide receiver, and then was moved mid-season to fullback. He also played on special teams and played in a total of nine games.
He enjoyed a tremendous career at Servite High School in Anaheim where he was teammates with current Husky quarterback Johnny McEntee.

Shoemate earned ESPN 150 honors as a senior and was named Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team, Orange County Register Fab 15, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Los Angeles Times All-Star, Orange County Register All-Orange County first team and was the Trinity League Co-Offensive MVP.

In his senior year, he ran for 1,291 yards on 241 carries with 24 TDs. Shoemate also caught 40 passes for 570 yards with 4 TDs.

As a sophomore in 2005, he made the All-CIF Division I first team, Orange County Register All-Orange County first team and was the All-Serra League Co-MVP while rushing for 604 yards on 71 carries with 13 touchdowns, catching 46 passes for 930 yards with eight TDs and getting four scores on blocked punts.

From ESPN: UConn gets USC transfer

2010-07-09T14:31:00.002-04:00

Looks like UConn is the benefit of the USC Trojans problems. Per ESPN. Looks to be a short yardage back at worst. They do need a No. 2 behind Todman too. This is going to be interesting.

Another Big East team is benefiting from the fallout at USC.

Junior fullback D.J. Shoemate told ESPN's Shelley Smith on Thursday night that he is transferring to Connecticut. Shoemate will be immediately eligible because of the NCAA sanctions placed on the Trojans.

Shoemate, who has also played wide receiver at USC, said he wants to play tailback and that at UConn he "will have an opportunity to play right away and hopefully contribute to an up-and-coming program."

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigeast/post/_/id/10473/uconn-gets-usc-transfer

If he is going to be a tailback, there is room following Andre Dixon's departure. Jordan Todman isn't a 30 carry back, and the Huskies will find room for him to grow. The rest of the RBs on UConn's roster are untested after Todman. Robbie Frey is coming off a shoulder injury and while he is fully healed for next month, he and Kelmetrus Wylie have had scant opportunities. Add in martin Hypolite, Jon Jean-Louis and Lyle McCoombs and the Huskies are stacked at the position.

This kid handpicked UConn for a reason. There is carries to be had here, and a good offensive line. Build the line, and the backs will follow.

Edsall summer update

2010-07-01T13:28:00.000-04:00

Good news, mostly, during today's update.

First off, injury-wise almost everyone is healthy and has the clearance to practice. That includes tackle Jimmy Bennett who had a serious knee injury last year. The 6-8 300 pound Bennett could be an anchor on the offensive line and Randy Edsall said he is 100 percent ready to practice. Good news is also in store for Blid Wreh Wilson and Jesse Joseph. Both shoulder injuries are healed and they are 100 percent.

Greg Lloyd Jr. isn't 100 percent yet and Edsall issued a challenge to Lloyd, who will become a defensive end.

"It depends on how hard he wants to work in the next month. It will be up to him."

DT Alex Polito is looking like a late August return while walk-on Emmanuel Omokaro is set for sometime in September.

There has been one dismissal from the team with redshirt Marcus Aiken being dismissed from the university. Edsall didn't come out and say academics, but that's the reason for his dismissal. Malik Generrett, a promising 6-5 WR prospect, will be ineligible this fall. That's too bad, I love Generett's potential.

All 20 freshmen recruits are on campus and taking classes. There is no last second flakeouts.

Practice will begin Aug. 9 and the team will hold three open practices for fans:

Friday Aug. 13 3:15p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Aug. 19 8-10 a.m.
Aug. 24 9-11:30 a.m.

Edsall said he felt it was an uneventful summer and as far as he's concerned that's a good. Vacations are coming up amongst the staff (and media) and I am starting to get some football annuals in. Interesting stuff.

Later. Gotta pay the bills.

Big 12-2 saved

2010-06-14T20:30:00.001-04:00

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/061510dnspoblogcoll.a2975b0c.html

That's good for college athletics. Now, the Big East can't rest on its laurels and assume it has several more weeks of life. It has to find some way to guard against a Big Ten raid, or die trying. Right now, I am somewhat skeptical that the Big Ten is going to blow the Big East up. Rutgers and the other ilk just won't bring in the cash, and don't have the tradition. I don't think we will see Rutgers going unless they are followed by Notre Dame, or 3 other Eastern teams.

The era of super conferences may be over before it got started.

Perhaps the Big Ten -- when it doesn't get Notre Dame -- stops where it is. NU is a nice scalp for that league and adds a ton of tradition. Also, I assume Missouri is out of the picture for the Big Ten so there is one more less team in play. Rutgers should be careful about batting eyes or they too can be "Missouried." I wonder what Colorado and Nebraska are thinking right now?

Got to hand it to Beebe and it's a lesson for the Big East. Now, it helps to have some bullets in the holster namely Oklahoma and Texas, but the Big 12 was going to go down on its own terms instead of going quietly and being resigned to its fate. The Big East should leverage its teams much like the Big 12 did and put them all on the spot. Beebe made the institutions uncomfortable and made them choose. Now, it was a miracle save, but even if it blew up and the Pac 16 came to be -- isn't knowing that your done better than wondering when the ax is going to fall? Do nothing, and eventually it's over anyway.

I would recommend the Big East either insure its future, or accelerate its demise. You can't wait for the Big Ten to do it on its terms.

Texas mucks up Pac 16?

2010-06-14T16:22:00.000-04:00

It looks like Texas may have blinked and they are looking into the viability of the Big 12 at 10 teams.

http://texas.rivals.com/.

To me that's bad news for the Big East. It would seem that Missouri would be out of the Big 10 expansion list, and that means the only way Big 10 goes 13 or 14 is if it's East to either Maryland of the ACC or the Big East.

I have read a lot of the expansion stuff. Some of it's garbage. I never believe TV reports or radio reports. I don't find those local media outlets credible. They never pan out. I always look for a media source close to the decision maker. Texas has Orangebloods, and they have nailed this every step of the way.

I have a gut Texas may go to the Pac 10 anyway. Universities always err on the side of progress. It's not just about money in the next 4 years. It's money over the next 20 or 30 years. Also, they have to get commitments from Missouri and A&M that they won't bolt to the Big 10 or SEC. The ship may have sailed, or they are having cold feet.

We should know tomorrow. And, if the Big 12 remains, we probably won't know the Big East's fate for another 6-12 months as the Big 10 can take their sweet time trying to convince Notre Dame to become No. 13.

FYI: I am going to be moving the BLOG from Blogspot to the Journal Inquirer's own blog network in the next couple of days. When I have the URL, I will make sure to send it out. I hope you all make the transition with me.

How east does the Big Ten turn?

2010-06-12T13:23:00.001-04:00

So let me get this straight. The Big 12 has 10 teams currently (at least for the weekend), the Big 10 has 12 teams and the Pac 10 has 11 teams and may soon be 16.

That Mountain West could be going to the Great Plains and the Big East's best basketball school could reside in the center of the country in Kansas.

Nothing like getting a bunch of academics in the room to figure out geography.

The one good thing I am getting from the Big 12s imminent implosion is for the first time I can see the Big East surviving as a BCS conference. The MWC is almost assuredly going to have access to the BCS next go around (to keep Congress of their backs) and the Big 12s BCS auto bid has to go somewhere (not in favor of two autos for the Pac-16. If they want auto bids, remain apart. The PAc 16 champ gets the auto bid. What happens if USC never makes it back from probation? Could have 8-3 getting a BCS bid. The Pac-10 without the Big 12 is a weak conference if USC isn't national caliber.

But, a glimmer of hope with Kansas and KSU possible targets of the Big East. the conference said it would only expand in football if it added something. That means that Memphis and ECU aren't worthy. But Kansas and Kansas St. would certainly add to the conference.

Kansas has to take along Kansas St., and the only way to do that would to go to the MWC or the Big East. I think the Big East is a better spot for Kansas and KSU. The Big East gives East Coast media access to the conference and allows them to remain viable. MWC, no matter how good, are always relegated late night in all sports. When I was a AP Poll voter I had to search and search to watch Utah play. TV access is much better in the Big East. And, let's not talk basketball.

Now, the Big Ten can destroy the Big East by taking Syracuse or Pittsburgh, two linchpin programs. The only team the Big East can afford to lose is Rutgers (side note, if they are worth so much $$$$, how come the Big East hasn't prospered from it?) . So, this is contingent on how strong the Big Ten moves to the East Coast, though I think its kind of waned.

Here's a simple expansion to get to 12 teams in football for a championship game. It's worth noting that I think the Big East is going to have to add 4 more in football to get this championship game to keep its BCS berth. All the other conferences are going to title games, why should the Big East not go through a title game? That inequity will be fixed eventually.

Assuming the Big Ten takes Rutgers -- and only Rutgers -- and the ACC stays on the sideline for another 5 years add Kansas, Kansas St. Iowa St. and Central Florida. I think Missouri winds up in the Big Ten- Eleven-Twelve-Thirteen-Fourteen, and Baylor is just too far South to be meaningful. If the Big East needs to go to 14, Memphis and ECU are on deck.

Divisions:

Big East:
UConn
Syracuse
West Virginia
Pittsburgh
South Florida
Central Florida

Big Midwest
Ville
Cincinnati
Kansas
Kansas St.
Iowa St.
Memphis

That would make the Big East a 20 team monstrosity for hoops. Not sure that could work. You would have to move Pitt and probably WVU to the Midwest Division for hoops to join DePaul and Marquette.

Now, if the Big Ten takes Rutgers, Cuse and/or Pitt, then the Huskies need to go with WVU to the ACC. The Big 12 and Big East would merge with Ville and Cincy joining Kansas in a new Great Midwest.

We have to be patient. It's going to take a couple of weeks, if not months, to see where everyone is going. The Big 12 did everyone a favor by accelerating the Big Ten expansion. I think the Big East should do the same so as not to lose Kansas and Kansas St. to the Big East. That, or just add them anyway in a preemptive strike at expansion.

A month ago I saw no way the Big East could survive. But, unless the ACC and Big Ten join the Pac-16 as a mega conference, there is a chance the Big East could remain.

Now, what happens to the Yankee Bowl?

It's the end of the world as we know it

2010-06-08T10:50:00.000-04:00

Is the apocalypse upon us in college football?

Take the lede in Stewart Mandel's SI column. An absolutely sobering read.

Today is Monday, June 7, the first day of what could be the most earth-shattering week college athletics has seen in decades.
It's hard to believe that less than a week ago, hardly a soul outside of the parties involved had any inkling the Pac-10 might be on the verge of inviting Texas and five other teams. But with The Conference Realignment Texas Hold 'em Game suddenly moving at breakneck speed, we could be sitting here a week from now looking at a radically altered landscape. A series of impending, interconnected decisions currently being made in the offices and board rooms of a select few universities -- most notably Notre Dame, Nebraska and Texas -- could unleash a sweeping tidal wave that impacts nearly every Division I-A member.

For most of the last three months the Big Ten's expansion plan has focused on the demise of the Big East. In Connecticut, that would be catastrophic, but who knew when Big Ten commish Jim Delaney said he wanted to expand that we would get not only the Big East's implosion but a titanic shift of the college athletic landscape?

It's bigger than anyone ever imagined.

The potential Pac-10 expansion dwarfs anything what the Big 10 was going to do. The Big 10 was going to raid the Big East and move into the Eastern markets. The product of that would have been expansion by almost every other conference and depending on the scale, the dissolution of the Big East. That's small potatoes now. The Pac-10 has decided to destroy the Big 12. That would make the Pac 10 the Pac 16 adding Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St. and Colorado (If Baylor doesn't do some politicking).

Now, the Big 12 has decided to either survive or die in a week. I guess Texas Hold'Em isn't called that because the longhorn state is timid. The Big 12 has given Missouri/Nebraska an in or out ultimatum. If Nebraska doesn't commit to the Big 12 longterm, Texas is taking their ball to the Pac-10.

That's pushing all your chips to the table. Texas went all in and decided to decide its fate on their terms this week. Big Ten is going to have to extend invites in the next week, or be done with any thought of taking Nebraska or Missouri (that latter not a big loss for the Big 12).

Texas wants to stay in the Big 12, and is going to put the pressure on Nebraska to stay around, or destroy the entire thing. This will accelerate the Big 10 timeline because Nebraska has to be in or out in the next week. What would happen if the Big 10 never offers Nebraska/Missouri? This is going to get settled soon. It's a power play by the Big 12 that could keep its existence together, or destroy it. Bold move, a little reckless, but this is new territory.

If Nebraska bolts, and the Big 12 dissolves, the collateral damage is astounding. Then, the Big 10 will turn East an presumably take 3 of Rutgers, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, UConn and the big guy -- Notre Dame.

If this goes down, it vaporizes the athletic landscape. Kansas is tied to Kansas St. (politics) so the inclusion of the Jayhawks in the Big 10 is unlikely because they won't go without the Wildcats. So, Kansas hoops will be looking for a home. Will the SEC pillage the ACC? Will the ACC expand and take UConn?

Teams left out in the cold after all this could be Iowa State, Baylor and the two Kansas schools. If the Big East loses 3, would they attempt to expand again by adding Kansas, Kansas St. and perhaps Central Florida into the mix?

Or, would the Big East break up? The Mountain West wants to add Boise St. and get a BCS bid. Could Kansas, K-State got to the Mountain West with Iowa St and Boise? That league would probably take over the Big East's BCS auto bid

To think that UConn and Kansas -- two of the great basketball programs in the NCAA -- could be left out and scrambling for their athletic futures shows how little hoops plays in this decision.

We have been all following this expansion scenario with bated breath. We are waiting for something to come. After all of this talk, I am not sure I want to see what happens on the other side.

One thing I do like however is what the Big 12 did. They put their destiny into their hands. As Andy Dufrense told Red in the Shawshank Redemption -- "Get busy living, or get busy dying."

Gray traded to Colonials

2010-06-06T21:11:00.000-04:00

Former Uconn center Keith Gray was acquired by the Colonials today. Gray will be the 5 th uconn player on the colonials roster. He joins andre dixon, dahna Deleston, mike hicks, and Danny Lansanah.

-- Post From My iPhone

Michigan ticket packages

2010-06-04T13:32:00.001-04:00

UCONN FOOTBALL TO FACE MICHIGAN AT THE
"BIG HOUSE" ON SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2010

---Ticket and Travel Information---

Our University of Connecticut football team is excited to open the 2010 season at Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 4. Kickoff will be at 3:30 p.m. Much like our historic game at Notre Dame last year, we are hoping to have a large contingent of Husky fans in Michigan Stadium for this great event.

The ordering period for game tickets and travel packages begins on Tuesday, June 15 and will continue for one week. For complete ordering details as well as ticket and travel package information, please use the link below. We hope to see you in Ann Arbor as we kickoff the 2010 football season against the Wolverines!

-- Post From My iPhone

Dixon off to UFL

2010-06-03T00:09:00.001-04:00

It was nice seeing Andre Dixon land on his feet in the UFL.

Dixon was selected No. 2 overall by the Hartford Colonials and will join the upstart league for 2010. For Dixon, it ends 6 weeks that at times were unbearable. I was in the war room when the Colonials made the pick and Dixon shook Colonials coach Chris Palmer's hand and then did so with the rest of his staff. It was probably the first real smile he cracked since the end of the NFL Draft.

"“I didn’t sign a free agent and I didn’t know where I was going. I felt out of control. You always feel a certain weight when its out of your hands. What was my next move? When you can’t control something you feel like it's a dead end.”

Dixon always believed in himself.

“I knew I was a good enough athlete to play something. CFL, AFL, all of those options passed through my mind. I wasn’t going to get a job. I think I am too talented for 9-5 right now. Getting a job part didn’t cross my mind."

The disappointment of not getting drafted still rests with Dixon. He knows why he wasn't taken. Whenever a projected late round pick can't even get an invite to camp means there is something else at play.

"My off the field issues shied teams away," Dixon said. "I can honestly say that. S lot of teams had great things to say to me, but with how strict the NFL is now, and how they don’t tolerate any negativity I was too much of a risk. There were too many red flags around me.”

Dixon had to go down to Danbury and pay his $60 to tryout. He wasn't humbled however, and instead went out and lit the camp of fire. Chris Palmer came over to me at the logo unveiling and mentioned how Dixon can do a lot of things catching the ball that Brian Westbrok can do. This was a part of his game UConn really never exploited (much to my dismay, I had been clamoring for that for two years), but if he does eventually end in the NFL it will be because of that skill.

I would be remiss to not give my opinion on the UFL and the Colonials. There is legit talent on the roster and some names. Ahmad Carroll will be on the Colonials and the QBs currently on the roster include Andre Wooodson (Kentucky) former LSU QB Ryan Perrilloux and Pittsburgh's Bill Stull as well as Josh McCown. There is also going to be a significant QB signing later in June.

I know there is a lot of skepticism about the team and league, but I get the feeling talking to everyone involved -- it's legit..They had their ducks in a row and a plan before they landed in Hartford. For example, Chris Palmer isn't going to jump into this league because he needed the job.

Nearly all the executives are former NFL executives, and the league eventually will get major backing from the NFL as a developmental league (NFL desperately needs a developmental league). The quality of the league is going to be so far superior to the XFL and World League it isn't even worth discussing. This is going to be a league of NFL caliber players, not the CT Seawolves of the Arena League. I would say it's Triple A caliber football. You will recognize the names.

People think that this is some kind of mom and pop shop and they are just looking to sell some seats as glorified semi-pro. It can't be further from the case. These guys have done their home work and more importantly know what they are doing. This isn't some pie in the sky enterprise.

The quality will be there, the professionalism will be there, and they are going to run things first class. I think the league is going to stick around. Will it do so in Hartford? I don't know, that's up to the fans, but if people think this is some fly by night organization they are misinformed.

It's a real league, and they know what they are doing.

Michigan on ABC 3:30 p.m.

2010-05-26T16:00:00.001-04:00

Michigan Game To Be Televised On ABC

The game will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. ET

STORRS, Conn. (May 26, 2010) – The University of Connecticut football game at Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 4, will kickoff at 3:30 p.m. and be televised regionally by ABC. The game will be the season opener for both the Huskies and Wolverines and will be the rededication game of historic Michigan Stadium.

Ticket and travel information for the game will be sent to all UConn Club members and football season ticket hold in the upcoming weeks.

Big East Death Watch

2010-05-18T13:58:00.003-04:00

As more expansion news hit the internet, and I would expect a great deal more, it looks like the death of the Big East is all but imminent.

It's like waiting for your execution date. The NY Post is reporting the basketball schools had a secret meeting (that's nice of them), and aren't waiting for the Grim Reaper.

“The concern is if that there will be too much carnage to the football league, we want to be in a position to be the best possible league we can be,” said the athletic director of a non-football playing Big East program.

The more it looks like it is that the football schools left post Big Ten expansion are going to have to scramble.

Now, this is conjecture, there is no back room sources, and "nothing imminent." That leads me to a point a little off topic. The sourcing done on these expansion stories has been a bit of embarrassment to the profession. Whatever happened to confirming a single source? It is essentially throw something on the wall and see if it sticks.

Perhaps my standards are too high. I try to find a second confirmation everything. Darn journalism school.

Anyhow, back to the task at hand. After studying this for the last couple of months the only school the Big East can afford to lose is Rutgers. The school hasn't really added much to the Big East athletically except for a good women's basketball team and a lot of promise in football, but nothing that is even close to being realized. That's a shot at Rutgers, but right now they are unrealized potential.

As far as UConn is concerned there is a chance they won't have a chair when the music stops. It's clear to me that no one knows what's going down except Jim Delaney and the college presidents.

The only way the Big East could be saved is if Notre Dame joins in football, which is not going to happen. I know there is sentiment to kick out the Irish in all sports and force their hand -- called from now on the Edsall Ultimatum. Here is our old friend the Fat White Guy on it.

Letting Notre Dame keep this loose affiliation is a dangerous move for the Big East. Should push come to shove in 2010, there could be major controversy -- the type that rips the conference from the inside out. Should a spectacular team with a good record in the Big East be passed over for a mediocre Notre Dame team -- simply based on ticket sales or the power of the Notre Dame network -- it will look awful for the Big East in terms of publicity and respectability among the college football ranks.

That is a nice feel good scenario. Many say the Irish can save the Big East by going to the Big Ten. Sorry folks, the Big East will still struggle in football.

Why you may ask?

There is one thing that Mike Transghese and his successor John Marinatto have always said with regards to Notre Dame --- It helps Big East football. Without Notre Dame the Big East's bowl ties would be severely hampered. In the current contract you can thank Notre Dame for the Champs Sports bowl and even the Yankee Bowl on Notre Dame. Champs wouldn't do this deal without Notre Dame and when the new cycle is done in several years the same bowl wouldn't be available.

Kick them out, and the Big East No. 2 would probably end up in Charlotte.

It doesn't help that UConn loses its president to a Big Ten school after 3 1/2 years. Perhaps that puts a UConn favorite into the room when they discuss, or at least have some input. But, it has destabilized the university at such a critical juncture. The Big Ten isn't just an athletic union, it's also an academic consortium. It's hard to sell the school when there is no top guy.

I have played around with my own scenarios for the Huskies and I'll join the party below.

UConn to the Big Ten with Cuse and Rutgers: This one is the only way UConn gets into the Big Ten. This would solve everything, but relegate the football team to the second division. But, hoops is saved (actually be an easier road) and its tons of cash. This to me would be ideal. You can get a Big Ten East and play Rutgers, Penn St., Syracuse etc. Maybe once every 15 years you make a run to the BCS. I do like the logic of the Big Ten surrounding NYC. I think all 3 schools get the market. I don't get taking Rutgers, Cuse and Pitt and not UConn. If you are going to take 3, the NYC trio is the way to go. If only 1? Then take Rutgers.

UConn to ACC as ACC expands to 14: If UConn is out of the Big Ten scenario, then the only option is to beg into the ACC. I don't know where the ACC is at with expansion. A lot of it is going to be reactionary to the Big Ten. The ACC would do great adding UConn and West Virginia as the 13th and 14th members? It gives BC a team regionally despite their sworn blood oath never to play UConn again. West Virginia and Maryland can also be partners. This is a good scenario, but will ACC expand? And, what affect will the lawsuit from seven years ago have?

UConn stays in Big East: This is problematic, because depending on who leaves, the Big East could be a reduced football conference that loses its BCS bid. That's a disaster. And, why would the non-football schools add East Carolina, Memphis and UCF to then mix? They could just say we are breaking off from football all together and essentially have a Catholic school league and be done with this football thing. What would that do to UConn football and hoops? Perhaps the conference should have split apart several years ago.

UConn in C-USA or MAC: This is the disaster scenario. UConn playing football in C-USA is a step down with no regional ties, and it destroys hoops, they would rather stay in the Big East.

The alternative is to stay in the Big East as a basketball only and find a home for football. That could be the MAC, which has adjunct members. Seriously though folks, UConn spent $150 million on a new stadium and practice facility. They pay their football coach a million plus. After selling us for 15 years on major college football, the best rivalry we get is UConn-Temple? That is so 1999, and that would eviscerate the football program.

There you have it. I don't think it's hyperbole to say that this is going to be the most consequential summer in college sports history this summer.

Let's hope the Big Ten has at least a conscience in what it does and doesn't destroy athletic programs in Storrs, Louisville, Tampa, Morgantown and Syracuse for the sake of just straight cash.

Loose notes

2010-05-04T19:01:00.000-04:00

The quiet time is coming for football, but the Big Ten expansion is going to loom over college sports well into the summer.

I haven't heard anything new, and it looks like everything we have heard is just being tossed against a wall. Now, I don't think others are guessing, rather, scenarios are being talked about and that gets leaked.

Here's a good summary from the Post-Dispatch on the candidates. UConn can make a strong case athletically and market wise in my opinion. Big Ten looks like it is looking for strong athletic departments. I am sure the Big Ten schools can get UConn into the AAU, which I think the school is certainly capable of belonging too academically. Geography however is a problem.

It's a good idea to set up a Google alert with Big Ten expansion. The stories come fast and furious, and it's good to read what others around the country write. By reading it all, you can get a picture where expansion is at (big, rather than little).I take a little from every nook and cranny. Not sure I believe anything yet. The Nebraska, Missouri and three Big East teams just seems a little rich to me.

Edsall's comments reportedly at a Chamber of Commerce function on expansion are cause for worry. I don't think the ACC wants to make a move, and who's to say that UConn would pass the vote amongst presidents to get into the league after the lawsuit several years ago?

Dark times for the Big East. I don't think the conference can be saved.

Champs Bowl Dec. 28

2010-05-04T18:50:00.001-04:00

ORLANDO – Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan announced today that the 2010 Champs Sports Bowl will be played at 6:30 p.m. (EST) on Tuesday, December 28. The game, the first of two bowls hosted in Orlando, will air nationwide on ESPN.

Florida Citrus Sports’ other game, the Capital One Bowl, will kick off at its traditional slot of 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011. It will move to its new television home on ESPN.

This year will mark its first year of pairing upper-tier teams from the Atlantic Coast and the BIG EAST conferences. The 2010 Champs Sports Bowl will have the second post-BCS selection in the ACC and the first post-BCS pick in the BIG EAST, as well as the opportunity to select Notre Dame.

The Champs Sports Bowl has continued to make great progress since moving to Orlando. Last year’s attendance figure of 56,747 continued the upward trend in attendance for the game for the eighth-consecutive year. That figure also marked the highest attendance since the game came to Central Florida in 2001 and the second-highest attendance in the history of the bowl (1990 Blockbuster Bowl, 74,021).

The Champs Sports Bowl has existed in name since 2004, but the game’s history extends for over 20 years now. Originating as the Blockbuster Bowl in 1990 and played in Miami, the game was played under a number of titles before moving to Orlando in 2001 and serving as a reincarnation of the old Tangerine Bowl. It was the addition of Champs Sports as a title sponsor that allowed Florida Citrus Sports to aggressively pursue the growth and development that made the game what it is today.

Tickets for the game will be $200 (Uprights Club), $65, $45, $40, $35 and $25. Tickets go on sale to the general public September 1, but tickets to both Orlando bowl games are available by purchasing a 2010-11 Florida Citrus Sports Membership. Please call 407.423.2476 or visit www.FCSports.com for more information.

Edsall Notre Dame Ultimatum?

2010-04-29T13:30:00.001-04:00

Saw this in the Norwich Bulletin and it was a ho hum article about Edsall meeting a Chamber of Commerce. Then, this hits you over the head a Q&A at the end with Edsall.

After dodging the Bulletin's question, Edsall was more candid to the audience.

Q: Should a football ultimatum be given to Notre Dame soon?
A: I think that’s something the powers that be are discussing in terms of the strategies that they’re looking at to be proactive rather than reactive.
Note: In a question-and-answer session with the audience, Edsall said the football coaches have been asking the conference to deliver an ultimatum to Notre Dame to come into the conference for football or get out entirely for the last two years. He added that, if as speculated, two teams leave for the Big Ten, “the Big East is all done.”

Now, this isn't a surprise to me. Over the course of the last several years this has been something Edsall has hinted at in off the record conversations he has had. He is careful around the media because he doesn't want to create controversy, but he obviously was less guarded around the Chamber meeting.

The facts are the Big East football coaches are frustrated with Notre Dame. The Big East allows the Irish to live by two sets of rules. Now, talking to the Big East office, they are going to say ND football helps with bowl tie-ins etc. That may be true, but if the Irish go 8-4, it's almost assured a 10-2 Big East team is going to get bumped out of the Champs Bowl, or in the past, the Sun or the Gator Bowl.

The reason the Big East doesn't give an ultimatum is that Notre Dame would leave.

As far as expansion, the loss of 2 teams and "the Big East is done" comment? Well, it's also true, and why I think the Big East could be on its last legs as a football conference. The league can't lose any of its eastern teams, notably two of UConn, Syracuse or Rutgers. Pitt by itself leaving would be a huge blow.

These are scary times for the Big East, and I don't think that is being alarmist.

Big East Bowl lineup complete

2010-04-27T14:47:00.002-04:00

Here's a release on the Big East Bowl lineup for the next 4 years.

The key change here is the Big East now has a shot at going to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis to play either an SEC or a Big East champion.

Here's the release from the Big East:

Papajohns.com Bowl

The BIG EAST Conference has extended its agreement with the Papajohns.com Bowl. The BIG EAST will face a team from the Southeastern Conference in the game. The new agreement will run through the 2013 season.

For the upcoming season, the Papajohns.com Bowl will be held on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala. The game, in its fifth year, will be televised at noon ET on ESPN.

The Papajohns.com Bowl attracted a record crowd of 45,254 on Jan. 2 when Connecticut defeated South Carolina 20-7. BIG EAST teams have compiled a 4-0 record in the game.

“We’re very excited to extend our relationship with the Papajohns.com Bowl,” said Marinatto. “Our teams have had wonderful experiences in Birmingham and the bowl continues to grow each year. With the support of ESPN, a great local organizing committee in Birmingham and the ability to play an opponent from the Southeastern Conference, the BIG EAST is proud to be a part of the game.”

The Papajohns.com Bowl is operated by ESPN Regional Television, the nation’s largest syndicator of collegiate sports programming.

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

The BIG EAST is pleased to have the opportunity to play in college football’s seventh-oldest bowl game, the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. In an effort to provide the best opportunities for its student-athletes, the BIG EAST could send its representative to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl to play the champion from Conference USA or an opponent from the Southeastern Conference.

The AutoZone Liberty Bowl has a well established history with BIG EAST teams dating back to 1961, when Heisman Trophy winner Ernie Davis led Syracuse to a win over Miami. The Bowl has also hosted BIG EAST teams Louisville, Pittsburgh and West Virginia over the past 52 years.

“The AutoZone Liberty Bowl is one of college football’s great traditions,” said Marinatto. “I know any of our teams would enjoy the opportunity to go to Memphis and play in the game.”

The 52^nd AutoZone Liberty Bowl will be played Friday, Dec. 31 at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be televised by ESPN.

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl

The BIG EAST will continue its relationship with the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl which is played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. The game is in its third year. The BIG EAST has won each of the first two games. Last season, Rutgers defeated Central Florida 45-24. The Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl also is operated by ESPN Regional Television.

“The growth of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl in only two years has been extremely impressive,” Marinatto said. “St. Petersburg is a very attractive destination for BIG EAST teams and BIG EAST fans. We’re happy that we’re able to continue our agreement with the bowl.”

The Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Bowl will be played on Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 8 p.m. ESPN will carry the game.

In addition to its success in the Papajohns.com Bowl and the Beef ‘O’Brady’s Bowl, BIG EAST teams have recorded a 16-6 bowl mark over the past four seasons.

So how does a Big east team end up in the Liberty Bowl? The details are simple. The Liberty Bowl and Papajohns.com kind of share the No. 7 and No. 8 at large from the SEC. In most years that means the No. 8 and No. 9 team out of the SEC with the league likely to have two BCS teams.

In years where the Papajohns.com can't field an SEC team, the Big East will go to the Liberty Bowl to play potentially an SEC team or the C-USA champion. Mostly, the deal for the Liberty Bowl on the Big East's end is to protect the Big East team in the Papajohns.com Bowl. They don't want to have to play a MAC school in Birmingham if they don't have to.

Chances are at least once in the cycle the Big East will end up in the Liberty Bowl. That's a good arrangement for the Big East. It also helps give the league more options. UConn has currently went to both Birmingham and Charlotte. Now the options are extended to either NYC or Memphis for the Huskies if the BCS or Champs Bowl don't work out.

Now, here's the official Big East Bowl lineup.

BCS Bowl -- Big East champion
Champs Sports Bowl -- Big East vs. ACC --Orlando
Meineke Car Care Bowl -- Big East vs. ACC --Charlotte
New Era Pinstripe Bowl -- Big East vs. Big 12 --NYC
Papajohns.com Bowl/AutoZone Liberty Bowl -- Big East vs. SEC or C-USA -- Birmingham/Memphis
Beef 'O’ Brady’s Bowl -- Big East vs. C-USA -- St. Petersburg

Depth Chart

2010-04-26T16:55:00.000-04:00

Here's the official depth chart putting the spring to rest. Only thing that stands out to me is Mike Lang listed now at safety and Marcus Aiken back at WR. Certainly has the speed. I wonder how much work he got done on that in the spring, or was this a move after the season. Perhaps he will red-shirt this year.

Offense

Adam Masters (RSo., 6-4, 270)

Jimmy Bennett (RSo., 6-8, 301)

Greg McKee (Fr., 6-5, 299)

Mathieu Olivier (RSr., 6-6, 276)

Erik Kuraczea (RSo., 6-2, 315)

Steve Greene (RFr., 6-4, 324)

Moe Petrus (RJr., 6-2, 292)

Gary Bardzak (RJr., 6-3, 297)

Ben Chapman (RSo., 6-2, 276)

Zach Hurd (RSr., 6-7, 323)

Tyler Bullock (RFr., 6-4, 291)

Mike Ryan (RJr., 6-5, 332)

Kevin Friend (RFr., 6-5, 287)

Stephen Brown (RFr., 6-4, 289)

Ryan Griffin (RSo., 6-6, 240)

John Delahunt (RSo., 6-3, 243)

Corey Manning (RSo., 5-4, 255)

Alex Kaiser (Sr., 6-5, 238)

Jordan Todman (Jr., 5-9, 190)

Robbie Frey (RFr., 6-0, 199) OR

Kelmetrius Wylie (RJr., 5-10, 223)

Jonathan Jean-Louis (Sr., 6-0, 200)

Martin Hyppolite (RFr., 6-0, 210)

Anthony Sherman (Sr., 5-11, 242)

Bret Manning (Sr., 5-11, 255)

Zach Frazer (RSr., 6-4, 236)

Cody Endres (RJr., 6-4, 223)

Michael Box (RFr., 6-3, 194) OR

Leon Kinnard (Fr., 5-9, 179) OR

Johnny McEntee (RSo., 6-3, 216)

Michael Smith (Jr., 6-0, 200)

Malik Generett (RFr., 6-4, 210)

Joshua Massey (Sr., 5-8, 186)

Kashif Moore (RJr., 5-9, 177)

Nick Williams (So., 5-9, 182)

Dwayne Difton (So., 5-11, 171)

Eric Sawicki (RFr., 6-0, 189)

Isiah Moore (RJr., 6-1, 183)

Gerrard Sheppard (RSo., 6-2, 205) OR

Marcus Aiken (RFr., 5-11, 191)

Defense

Jesse Joseph (So., 6-3, 231)

Trevardo Williams (So., 6-1, 224) OR

A.J. Portee (RSo., 6-4, 236)

Jonathan Louis (Fr., 6-5, 241)

Kendall Reyes (RJr., 6-4, 287)

Alex Polito (RSr., 6-6, 284) OR

Shamar Stephen (RFr., 6-5, 291)

Ryan Wirth (RSo., 6-2, 275) OR

Twyon Martin (RJr., 6-2, 270)

Tim Willman (RFr., 6-3, 271)

Marcus Campbell (Jr., 6-2, 227)

Greg Lloyd (Sr., 6-2, 234) OR

Ted Jennings (RS., 6-5, 238)

“Husky” LB

Jory Johnson (RSo., 6-1, 219)

Andrew Opoku (Fr., 6-4, 217)

Matt Edwards (RSo., 6-0, 189)

Emmanuel Omokaro (RJr., 5-10, 207)

MLB

Scott Lutrus (RSr., 6-3, 240)

Jerome Williams (RSo., 6-11, 248)

Michael Osiecki (Fr., 6-2, 225)

WLB

Lawrence Wilson (RSr., 6-1, 217)

Sio Moore (RSo., 6-1, 231)

Mark Hinkley (RSo., 5-11, 228)

Blidi Wreh-Wilson (RSo., 6-0, 184)

Tevrin Brandon (RFr., 5-10, 172)

Jerome Junior (RSo., 6-1, 208)

David Kenney (RFr., 6-0, 186)

Harris Agbor (RJr., 5-10, 192)

John Yurek (RJr., 6-0, 200)

Kijuan Dabney (Sr., 6-0, 214)

Mike Lang (So., 5-11, 186) OR

Chris Lopes (RFr., 5-10, 183)

Dwayne Gratz (RSo., 6-0, 190)

Gary Wilburn (RJr., 5-11, 196) OR

Gilbert St. Louis (Fr., 5-11, 176)

Special Teams

Chad Christen (RFr., 6-1, 200) OR

Cole Wagner (RFr., 6-2, 197)

Dave Teggart (RJr., 6-0, 209)

Chad Christen (RFr., 6-1, 200)

Derek Chard (Sr., 6-3, 234)

Stephen Brown (RFr., 6-4, 279) OR

Mark Hinkley (RSo., 5-11, 228)

Chad Christen (RFr., 6-1, 200)

Zach Frazer (RSr., 6-4, 236)

Gary Wilburn (RJr., 5-11, 196) OR

Nick Williams (So., 5-9, 182) OR

Leon Kinnard (Fr., 5-9, 179)

Robbie Frey (RFr., 6-0, 199)

Jordan Todman (Jr., 5-9, 190)

Mcclain goes

2010-04-24T17:18:00.001-04:00

Robert mcclain taken very late by the panthers. Surprised no Lindsey Witten drafted. I thought he would be a 5th or 6th round pick. Andre dixon an Udfa. Not shocked.

Huskies have 2 taken.

We'll see where they end up.

-- Post From My iPhone

Easley to Buffalo

2010-04-24T11:03:00.000-04:00

About 20 minutes a go, 4th round. Congrats. Should get him sometime today.

Rags to riches story. Great spot too.

-- Post From My iPhone

NFL Draft, expansion and what's witth the Tebow love?

2010-04-23T13:25:00.003-04:00

I do expect Marcus Easley to be drafted sometime today. He has such potential, and there is sure to be eventually be a run at wide receivers I would think Easley is a late third round pick. That would be a minor miracle considering where he came from. Five catches in three years, a DNP-CD in the first two games, and 8 months later an NFL pick? Rags to riches. You know something else? I don't think I have heard a convincing reason why he never played before.

The likes of Ellis Gaulden,Brad Kanuch and D.J. Hernandez saw so many snaps and Easley sat on the sidelines. I don't get it, but it's better late than never and he was tremendous. I would expect Lindsey Witten and Andre Dixon to go in the fifth round. Dixon could slide to the sixth. at that level he's a good value. He is productive, a tough runner, can catch out of the backfield and pick up the blitz. He isn't a speedster, but so what?

As far as other news, Paul Tagliabue is going to advise the Big East and now commish John Marinatto is talking about expanding the Big East? The league is already unmanageable and sprawling, I can't imagine adding more trips to it on the hoops side. This is no accident. The Big East saw that the Big Ten was looking to blow up the entire NCAA landscape and it went into survival mode. What was it this week with the accelerated and not accelerated.

I think the talks were accelerated, but what the Big Ten was trying to do would have too much of a chain reaction that they have to slow it down for the good of college football. Tagliabue said as much to the New York Times.

“It’s very disruptive to everyone outside of the Big Ten,” Tagliabue said in a phone interview on Thursday. “Everything outside the Big Ten is held in artificial suspension. The Big Ten looks at a bunch of choices and everyone else has to deal with the depreciating value and a ton of negativity. I hope there’s a better way. Otherwise it’s going to have a terrible negative effect on everyone other than the schools in the Big Ten.”

There is an inequity in the BCS between conferences with championship games and those with none. I think eventually you are going to see every BCS conference have a championship game. Obviously, there is a formula in place that could also give the MWC an auto bid to the BCS. That should keep Congress of their backs. I just don't see how the BCS maintains an auto bid with an 8 team league such as the Big East. It's much easier to get to the BCS out of the Big East than it is out of the SEC, Big 12 and even the ACC. If the Big Ten expands and gets a championship game, then it's going to mandate that every BCS auto bid league have a championship game. They won't let that inequity stand for much longer.

I like the idea of having the Big East champion meet the MWC champion for the right to have a BCS berth. You can make contingencies like if the MWC or Big East champ is ranked in the top 12 they get an auto bid even if they lose. This would prevent an unranked or lower ranked team from either league winning the conference and getting an auto bid at say 8-3 or something. At least they would have to win one more game to get to the BCS. I just don't see the feasibility of expanding the Big East even more. Add Notre Dame, add Villanova, and perhaps bring in UCF and Memphis/East Carolina while kicking out Depaul and Marquette (sorry, but they are Midwest schools). Easier said than done, though I think Notre Dame may decide to just create it's own conference that it can control.

Lastly, on the NFL Draft. ESPN had one of the worst telecasts that I have ever seen. When the Giants were picking on the clock they rambled incessantly about Tim Tebow. Then, continually, ESPN destroyed its draft coverage by showing a player on the phone talking to the team that will pick him. It absolutely destroys the continuity of the draft, the excitement and it's hard to follow. They ruined the drafts first pick by displaying Sam Bradford too early. Why even have Goodell announce?

I was even more irritated by Tebow. Sure he is a great guy. Jon Gruden loves his character and intangibles. But, can he throw the ball? Does he have ability? I am sure he is a great leader, I would hire him to run my business and motivate. But, to be my QB? It takes a little more than character to do that. I think the country gets he is popular in Florida. He isn't loved anywhere else, and we shouldn't be forced to fawn over him.

So, it irritated me even more when he was selected. The announcers on set sounded like fools when they tried to figure out what was going on. Tebow was called by the Broncos, who traded up with the Ravens to get the pick. Now, no one knew that because it wasn't officially announced. So, you have people screaming Tebow is being picked and then first say Ravens. Then, there was a Broncos hat, which confused everyone even more. It was chaotic and destroyed the moment for the viewer.

Perhaps we should all wait until the commissioner announces the picks. Really? Is it that hard to hold on for 2 more minutes to create drama? Keep the cameras on, show the tape delay after the pick. The cameras are there to capture the drama and celebration, not preempt it. Awful broadcast.

Expansion on fast track, except when it isn't

2010-04-20T23:08:00.001-04:00

So, Big 10 expansion is not accelerated?

SCOTTSDALE , Ariz. — Prying answers out of Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany has been a challenge — even for colleagues of his who are skittish about the effects of Big Ten expansion.

"I tried (to put) him in a headlock, but he's a tough guy," Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe joked.

Day one of the Bowl Championship Series meetings concluded Tuesday with no formal discussion about expansion.

"Informally," Beebe said with a chuckle, "there has been plenty."

Delany has informed colleagues that, contrary to a Tribune report, the timetable for Big Ten expansion has not been accelerated from the period of 12-to-18 months that was announced in December.

"You know, Jim wouldn't be one of the top commissioners and one of the top sports people in the country if he didn't take things into very careful consideration," Beebe said.

So, D day hasn't arrived for the Big East. Maybe this drags out another year and gets kicked until the next BCS agreement. Much ado about nothing if this is accurate.

Who knows?

UConn's future?

2010-04-19T19:29:00.009-04:00

I had a nice conversation at work with the JI UConn women's hoops writer Carl Adamec about the fate of the Big East, UConn football and the future. It's a topic these days that I think can't be ignored.

I wonder if Randy Edsall floating fan support and Rentschler expansion was in regards to the expansion plans of the Big 10. He knows the rumors flying perhaps he was thinking out loud. Edsall knows that if another shakeup of the Big East happens the school is going to need to land somewhere, and the MAC or A-10 isn't where they want to be. UConn needs to find itself in a BCS conference, that's certain.

There is one thing Adamec and I both agreed about while talking, and it's a quote that sticks with me that I think I read almost 15 years ago. Lew Perkins was still AD here and I know I am paraphrasing, but when asked why UConn should invest money in football Perkins talked about how in essence it really is to protect the basketball programs.

Of course, us New Englanders laughed at the idea, but it's 2010 and how right has Perkins been? UConn could easily be Holy Cross or UMass if it didn't go to big time football. What if the Big East dissolves? Where would UConn hoops go?

It's a pertinent question because I know all of you here are keeping up tabs with the Big 10 and expansion. The Big 10 wants a championship game and to break into the Northeast market -- something the ACC has tried to do unsuccessfully with the addition of Boston College. CBS' Dennis Dodd has written a ton on this topic and here is a scenario from today. There is talk that the expansion plans are accelerating and Dodd writes about UConn and the Big 10. (Note: this is most likely on background, despite what you guys think, most sports writers don't make scenarios up, rather it's grounded in some off the record conversations and pulled from various sources including what other people have written).

Here's what Dodd says about UConn and the Big 10.

2. Connecticut: A UConn/Syracuse/Rutgers triumvirate maybe makes New York care enough about the Big Ten for the region's big cable carriers to start putting the Big Ten Network on the basic tier. Theoretically, you get New Jersey, New England and, maybe, New York. Taking UConn would be a big of a departure for the Big Ten because it is not an AAU school.

Obviously, this is all get to Notre Dame, and Notre Dame has said there are scenarios where they will be forced to join a conference. The above one I think would resonate. The Big 10 wants to do something big, and short of adding only Notre Dame (which won't happen) they may just blow up college athletics.

The ACC raid was supposed to get the Northeast market and a conference championship game, but that was successfully defended against by the Big East and politics kicked Syracuse out and put Va. Tech in. BC went in later, but the lack of another Northeast team has really hurt that expansion and I don't think its worked for BC. They gave up all their regional rivalries for what?

The Big 10 won't make the same mistake. Let's play with Dodd's scenario. If the Big 10 wants to grab that New York market and also force Notre Dame's hands they can't just do it by taking Rutgers. The market in NYC is shared by all three of those teams as well as Penn St. and Notre Dame. I thought once I read that the Big 10 wants to go to 14 and even 16 teams that this was going to be not a raid of the Big East, rather an annexation of the conference.

NYC is so huge and untapped, but adding all three Big East teams to the conference, plus Pittsburgh and ultimately Notre Dame, that would lock down the Northeast for the Big 10. That famous Eastern Football conference that Joe Paterno wanted in the early 1980s would come to fruition. A Big 10 East could look something like this.

1. Penn St
2. Notre Dame
3. Pittsburgh
4. Rutgers
5. Syracuse
6. UConn
7. Indiana
8. Purdue

Of course the Midwest would be anchored by Michigan and Ohio State. Can a 16 team conference work? In football it would be easy. 7 divisional games and you play 2 or 3 crossover games based on previous years record. The Big East showed that 16 works in the Big East for other sports, and that would be one hell of a hoops conference. This would also make a difficult run to the BCS. I would imagine they would have to change some BCS rules, notably allowing a third team from a conference to get a BCS bid.

Now, the ACC has said no more expansion, but if the Big 10 blows up the Big East then what's the ACC going to do? UConn would be a perfect fit with Syracuse to go to the ACC if the Big 10 only goes for 14 teams. That would be ironic.

I don't know what the Big 10 is going to do and everyone up here is in the dark. I do know Bill Stewart talked a couple of weeks ago about WVu getting into the SEC and when I asked Edsall about it he said those decisions aren't in his hands. It's going to be a chaotic time in college football and make no mistake, something big is coming.

Will UConn be a part of it? Or, will they have to struggle to find a hoops and football home that isn't a BCS league such as the MAC, CUSA or the A-10? I don't know the answers to those questions, and the uncertainty certainly isn't comforting. I can see all those scenarios plausibly.

I do know one thing is certain, if Perkins never pushed UConn to go I-A, and that stadium in East Hartford was never built, in five years we would be gearing up for that big season opener in hoops against Rhode Island. Essentially, the Huskies would be back in the Yankee Conference playing UMass, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Edit: Just doing basic research. Why is the Big 10 accelerating the time table? Big East has 27 month escape loyalty clause as well as $5 million buyout for teams. If a Big East team leaves May 1st, they can join Big 10 August 1, ~~2013~~ 2012.

This is happening soon. Just a matter of who and how. Worst part is, no one in the Big East knows. It's like waiting for your execution date.

Blue White postgame

2010-04-17T15:21:00.000-04:00

Quick wrap here. I have to head down to a function in New Haven.

I wanted to keep an eye on the secondary because I am of the opinion that it is perhaps the one thing holding this team back from a Top 25 year and a BCS game.

Well, the first play of the game went 70 yards from Zach Frazer to Kashif Moore. Brutal.

Then, Michael Smith had three touchdowns of 69, 75 and 52 yards, alll from Frazer. Smith had five catches for 207 yards. Frazer 8-of-14 for 307 yards and four touchdowns. It was scary easy.

"Just getting to watch Marcus (Easley) last year, seeing he excelled at catching the deep ball," Smith said as his motivation. "Wehad to do that to (the secondary). We are good receivers. They aren't bad, they just have to put thier eyes (in the irght place).

Edsall loved what he saw out of Smith.

"Maybe he went to the K-Mart Blue Light special and got some speed."

Smith laughed when told: "I went to Wal-Mart."

The secondary was no laughing matter. Edsall tried to stay positive and not address. Jerome Junior was burned twice for big plays. Gary Wilburn and Kijuan Dabney both were caught on touchdown catches.

Edsall didn't want to talk much about it.

"I'll get that straight," Edsall said.

The problem at safety is the eyes. They are laying the QB, not reading the play. Smith was open by about 20 yards on one touchdown.

Now, there are things Edsall will do to protect the safeties in the season including scheming and perhaps becoming a much more pressure team with blitzes. Today was base against base, and the secondary coulnd't keep up. The search continues there.

As far as the rest of the spring. Edsall loved Frazer's accuracy this spring. It is crisp and pinpoint (no QB controversy now, huh?). He liked what he saw out of Jon Jean-Louis at running back and was impressed with the lay of freshman corner Tevrin Brandon.

Another standout, A.J. Portee, racked up three sacks and 11 tackles out of the D-end spot. It was against second and third string players and Edsall said he wanted to see more consistency.

Leon Kinnard showed some ability, and after in his first comments to the media said the staff is going to keep him at QB, but also move him around to see where he fits. I doubt he stays at QB full-time for his career, he has too muhc athletic ability, but I can see a wildcat package for him which would be tremendous.

Edsall said that Top 25 talk right now is "cheap." He thinks the makings of this team are good, but that's not what they should strive for.

"You have the abiliy to be good. But, do you want to be great?"

That's the task for the Huskies as they head into the offseason. I have to go, will be back on late.

Enjoy. Got to pay the bills

Blue White gam thread

2010-04-17T12:07:00.015-04:00

Pregame: Bad start. The scoring format was incorrectly read aloud. It is conventinal football.

Update 12:05 p.m.: Ouch. Right out of gate Frazer to Moore for a 70 yard touchdown. My goodness, doesn't inspire confidence in the secondary. Junior bit on the pump fake. Moore was wide open. 14:46. Sigh.

Update 12:07: Another big pass play. 48 yard to Difton on a trick play. Kinnard on some kind of pass run option. Secondary...secondary? Anyone.

Update 12:10 p.m.: 47 yard FG from Teggart off a wet turf. Impresive. 7-3 Blue.

Update 12:11 p.m.: Not good in the secondary. Flea flicker for 69 yards Frazer to Smith. Smith was open by about 20 yards. This is not good with the secondary.

Update 12:26 p.m.: A.J. Portee with second team at D end putting tremendous pressure on QB. Two striaght sacks. 14-3 Blue. Portee has 4 tackels and two sacks.

First quarter analysis: Frazer looks tremendous. The secondary is the opposite. The ease with which the first team offense is going through the first team defense is scary. Frazer 5-5 170 yards 2 TDs in three series.

Update 12:41 p.m.: Signs of life from White defense. Gratz INT of Frazer. Good coverage, Frazer forced the ball and Gratz went under the route and picked it off. Should have never thrown it.

Update 12:32 p.m.: Touchdown white. Not sure who it was. Love spring game. Martin Hypolite scored it.

Halftime analysis

The secondary has tightened up after an awful first quarter. The problem is during the season that is two touchdowns and nearly impossible to recover from. That can't happen. As far as a bright spot on defense. A.J. Portee has been a monster. Greg McKee and Scott Brown at RT or LT, Portee has abused. Good prospect. The receiver looks good. TE Ryan Griffin making difficult catches. Frazer has been terrific except for one poor decision on a throw. Good team, have to get the secondary kinks worked out.

Update 1:26 p.m.: Mike Smith 70 yard TD pass from Zach Frazer. It's a good thing that the season opens Sept. 4. Secondary needs a lot of work. The offense can surely get the big play. Blue 23-13 with the TD preceded by a white FG.

Fourth quarter

Update 1:43 p.m.: It's a bit of the dog days of the scrimmage. Things are getting a little chippy on the field. Turned into a semi nice day. Sun is peeking out. Wind makes it cold however. Some good performance (Frazer, Smith, Portee) and some birght spots out of the secondary in Gratz and Brandon. BUt, the secondary has given up a ton of big plays.

That, and I love Leon Kinnard's ability.

Update 1:54: Another long TD from Frazer to Smith. Junior burnt twice, Dabney and Gary Wilbourn burnet twice. Smith has a ton of yards and three touchdown. He looks like Jerry Rice out here. Secondary needs A LOT OF WORK.

Blue White pregame

2010-04-17T11:55:00.000-04:00

Weather is starting to lighten up. It's going to be a small crowd for the spring game. It's a tough day. Nutmeggers Melt.

Key points for the spring game?

Secondary: The play of Jerome Junior and Kijuan Dabney will be interesting. How do corners Dwayne Gratz, Tevrin Brandon and Gilbert Stlouis stack up?

Defensive end: Jesse Joseph is out, but how do Trevardo Williams and Marcus Campbell look? They will rush the passer and have speed, but can they play the run? This is a key to the defense.

Wide receiver: No more Marcus Easley, but how productive will Kashif Moore, Isaiah Moore and Mike Smith be? How about the young ins? I really want to see want Malik Generrett can do. Big target, loads of potential.

Quarterback: How have Zach Frazer and Cody Endres progressed? First look at the backups Mike Box and Leon Kinnard.

Catching up with the old guys

2010-04-17T11:36:00.001-04:00

Dan Orlovsky took a lot of heat for coming to UConn in 2000. The Huskies were a I-AA, and he was a high level quarterback recruit. If the object is to play in the NFL it might behoove a player to play at the highest level.

What was he thinking?

Orlovsky, a Shelton native, had faith in UConn and coach Randy Edsall. That faith has been rewarded. Orlovksy is going into his sixth year of the NFL, currently with the Texans, and surrounded by Tyler Lorenzen, who was on the practice squad with the Super Bowl champion Saints, first round pick of the Colts Donald Brown and former NFL player Alfred Fincher, Orlovsky know he made the right decision.

"It's one of the top three decisions I made in my life," Orlovsky said. "I took a lot, a lot, of heat for it when I made it. I believe in Coach Edsall and what he did and I wanted to do something different. The school took a chance on me to give me an opportunity. Coach Edsall invested his livelihood in the hands of 18-20 years olds. They took a chance on me and I on them and it worked out. "

There was a time the only UConn player in the NFL was tight end Brian Kozlowski. The school went decades without a draft pick. That ended when Fincher and Orlovsky were taken in the 3rd and 5th rounds in 2004. Then, Deon Anderson was a sixth round pick in 2007, Tyvon Branch in in the 4th round and Donald Thomas in the sixth ound in 2008 before and orgy of prospects last year. Brown in the first round and three second round picks in Darius Butler, Cody Brown and Will Beaty. Add to that Lorenzen making the NFL as an UDFA and the Huskies now have nine playrs currently on NFL rosters and several more on the fringe.

It will be added to this season when wide receiver Marcus Easley, defensive end Lindsey Witten and running back Andre Dixon are expected to be drafted. There are also a couple of UDFA that could make a roster in corner Robert McClain and safety Robert Vaughn.

Orlovsky knows when the program has arived and the NFL players are taking notice.

"Now when you get recruited to come to Connecticut, the NFL is an option. It's a legit option. It could be a goal for them instead of chasing a dream," Orlovsky said.

The Huskies moving onto the NFL is perhaps the best show of talent development. 13 months after having played together in the International Bowl Lorenzen and Brown met for dinner the first week of February in Miami. Brown is a reserve running back on the Colts. Lorenzen on the Saints. They were set to play in the Super Bowl.

The change wasn't lost on either.

"Who would have thought? A couple of years ago 4 guys drafted in first day and two guys in the super bowl," Brown said.

The future appears bright for Huskis in the NFL. Orlovsky has two year left on his contract with the Texans as Matt Schaub's backup and he is comfortable where he is. Lorenzen is on a 3 year deal with the Saints and is in a good position to make a roster after spending a year on the practice squad. Brown's in one of the best spots in the NFL in the backfield with Peyton Manning.

One thing is clear, UConn players in the NFL are no longer novelties.

Howard to be honorary captain

2010-04-15T18:20:00.000-04:00

Jasper Howard will be an honorary captain for the Hiskies in 2010. Howard would have been a senior this season and was becoming a vocal team leader and a mentir to other players before his death.

The spring game is set for Saturday at noon.

-- Post From My iPhone

Captains announced

2010-04-15T17:10:00.001-04:00

Football Announces 2010 Captains
Hurd, Lutrus, Reyes and Sherman will lead the Huskies in 2010

STORRS, Conn (April 15, 2009) – Redshirt senior offensive lineman Zach Hurd (Waterford, Conn.), redshirt senior linebacker Scott Lutrus (Brookfield, Conn.), redshirt junior defensive lineman Kendall Reyes (Nashua, N.H.) and senior fullback Anthony Sherman (North Attleboro, Mass.) will be the captains of the 2010 University of Connecticut football team as announced by head coach Randy Edsall, Thursday.

Lutrus and Sherman are both two-time captains for the Huskies after serving as captain during the 2009 season. They become the two-time captain duo since Darius Butler and D.J. Hernandez in 2008.

Hurd was a First Team All-BIG EAST selection in 2009 after playing and starting in all 13 games on the season at left guard. He has started in 26-straight games entering his senior season, 13 at right guard during his sophomore year and 13 at left guard in his junior season. He was awarded the offensive game ball along with his fellow offensive lineman after the Notre Dame game on Nov. 21 for an outstanding job in leading the way for Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman to rush for a combined 244 yards and two touchdowns, including the gamewinner in double overtime.

Lutrus, a freshman All-American and a Second Team All-BIG EAST performer during his time at UConn will return to captain the Huskies for his second-straight season. Lutrus finished 2009, third on the team with 69 tackles despite missing some of the season with a stinger. He had 5.5 tackles for a loss of 28 yards and finished with 3.5 sacks for 23 yards, two pass breakups and two forced fumbles.

Reyes is a new addition to the Husky captain ranks and is the lone junior captain for UConn. Reyes has started 16 games in his first two years with the team on the defensive line, including 12 in 2009. The New Hampshire native finished 2009 with 37 tackles, six TFL and three sacks for 14 yards. Six of his 37 tackles came in a win against Syracuse.

The fourth captain for the Huskies in 2010 is Sherman who, like Lutrus, will be returning for his second year as a team leader. Sherman, the lone true senior in the captain ranks, earned a starting role in his sophomore season and has played in each and every game for UConn since he stepped foot on campus, starting in 20 of them. A tailback, Sherman has totaled 60 rushing yards and 350 receiving yards in his career. He is also an outstanding player on special teams, notching 49 career tackles, 33 unassisted.

Hurd, Lutrus, Reyes, Sherman and the 2010 Huskies will begin their season on September 4 on center stage when they head to Ann Arbor to take on the Michigan Wolverines.

-- Post From My iPhone