Thoughts on Endres

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.

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Thursday update-- everybody is good

Here is the Thursday injury update. Everyone is probable and can play. Scott Lutrus will start and Zach Frazer will be the backup at quarterback and can play. Ryan Griffin will also play, but he will serve as a backup. Aaron Bagsby will get the start at strong safety and has beaten out Jerome Junior for the position.

Having Frazer available should be a nice crutch if Endres has some troubles on Saturday. The QB derby is still TBD and I think considering the circumstances Edsall is making the right call by at least starting Endres. Will Endres end the game? That's up to him and performance.

Is this one of Edsall's elaborate ruses? I don't think so. It's a different time in the program and at least for me, I take people at face value. To be honest, Frazer or Endres don't really change the offense enough that any kind of ruse would yield tangible results. They are both the same skill sets.

This game will go a long way in determining who the starter is for the rest of the year. If Endres lights it up, I don't see how you can take him out. Mediocre? Then it's a competition -- as it should be.

I won't call this a QB controversy because this is different than most QB situations. Most of the times, both QBs are middling. Right now, I think both QBs can play and it's choosing which one you feel can play better. Endres doesn't throw INTs. That's his biggest plus right now that he manages the game. He better make quick decisions against Pitt or he might be out of there voluntary by the coach, or involuntary because of injury. The pass rush for Pitt is fierce. They have to make the Panthers pay in the secondary.  

Here is a story on Cody "Easy" Endres --- RELAXED FIT -- in today's JI.

Got to pay the bills and will hit the blog later and definitely in Pitt. Go Yankees. 

Endres to start, Lutrus doubtful

Zach Frazer is questionable but a touchy Randy Edsall said that Cody Endres is his starter Saturday at Pittsburgh. There are going to see how much work Frazer can do and whether he could be the backup this week. Frazer hasn't taken any snaps yet since the injury. Ryan Griffin is also questionable and will try and be ready for a backup role.

It couldn't be anymore clear.  Edsall accused some of the media of  trying to stir something up (no idea what or who he's talking about) and then answered the question as asked -- Endres is the starter, Frazer is going to push to see if he may be able to backup. They will figure it out after this week. So, Frazer is not in the mix this week, to start anyhow.

More importantly in my opinion, it would seem Scott Lutrus' stinger is still giving him a lot of trouble. He is doubtful for Saturday's game and will be re-evaluated this week again. He hasn't had any contact in two weeks.

I tried to ask if the injury is more serious than originally thought and Edsall said the trainers give him the info about how he is progressing. Nerve endings are tricky. No idea when he could get better.I would start to be worried now about that.

Team is much healthier than two weeks ago.

Got to pay the bills.

Reality check

Encountered this while writing my story.

The 292 yards is the most a UConn quarterback has thrown for since Tyler Lorenzen threw for 298 against Duke in 2007.

That surprised you, didn't it? Why am I being a Debbie Downer? Because the most important thing in college football to me is week-to-week consistency. I remember that game from Tyler Lorenzen and he looked terrific, as did the UConn receiving corps. Terrance Jeffers had 8 catches that day (as did Mike Smith today). I am telling you this because I think it's important not to jump the gun and to use a Randy Edsall term "anoint" anyone. URI was averaging giving up 315 yards per game passing against UMass and Fordham. If UConn couldn't throw it today, they weren't going to be able to on anyone.

Lorenzen had a terrific junior year, and a mediocre to poor senior season. But, looking at his career that first game was the best he ever played. Hopefully, this will be a jumping off point for Endres and not a pinnacle.

Where do the Huskies go from here? TBD. Endres has managed the offense nicely in his two starts and avoided turnovers. I don't think we have see enough of Frazer to make a determination on his abilities or effectiveness. I have seen enough of Endres in these two games that I think he has what it takes to win. That's for sure.

What I liked about  Endres today was his ability to get the ball down field. This wasn't dinking and dunking for 289. Endres stretches the field and can really throw the ball when given time. His accuracy on short passes is dreadful, but that can be worked on. He makes the hard throws, he has to learn to make the touch ones.

Endres gained confidence. I have been harping on Endres to get rid of the ball quicker and Edsall alluded to that in the postgame. Confidence seems to be the issue here. Endres isn't slow reading his plays, he is waiting too long for the guy to get open. Edsall would like him to throw it and let the receiver make a play. Perhaps Endres is trying to be too fine. That said, he can throw the football and he is so relaxed it borders on comatose.

There were players free all day on the field. It was a good performance by the offense and the wide receiver corps should gain confidence. I wouldn't anoint Endres yet however. I also don't see how you immediately make a change. If Frazer can't practice this week because of injury I would be inclined to go with Endres for Oct. 10. How long will Frazer be down for? It's week-to-week right now and the assumption is he will return for Oct. 10. We are assuming and that's dangerous. Until he steps out on that practice field however Cody Endres has to be the starter for this team.

This business about you should never lose your starting job because of an injury is a pro football thought. I don't think it applies in college football. That said, the offseason, spring practice and summer camp should mean something.

Three years ago the Huskies didn't have anyone who could play quarterback. Now they have at least two. That's a comforting thought.

Some other notes.

Mike Smith bounced back nicely and showed no ill effects of a bum knee. Smith is a terrific route runner and is good underneath and over the middle. Smith is going to have to be a major player for this team. The Huskies are probably going to whittle it down at wide receiver. They can't keep playing 9. I know Mike Smith will be there, and I think Isiah Moore makes enough plays. After that no one has done much. Dwayne Difton is two games without a catch (or a ball thrown at him) and Kashif Moore has had few snaps and even less action in the passing game. Brad Kanuch gets 1 long one a game, but just doesn't get enough looks. Perhaps they should give Smith and I. Moore more snaps and then work the other guys in situationally. I don't like shuffling that many receivers in and out. Hard for one guy to get in a rhythm.

Frosh receivers show promise. Mike Lang is a deep threat and I like Nick Williams in space. Would like to see Difton get more balls thrown his way. All in all, a good crops of young ins.

If you didn't notice, Jerome Junior may have lost his job a strong safety. Junior has tremendous potential, but he is still learning the position and Aaron Bagsby has returned from a suspension. Bagsby is a playmaker and a ballhawk, and he was flying around there making plays. He isn't the size of Junior, and probably will return to free safety when Robert Vaughn graduates, but now Edsall has options at safety. Harris Agbor has returned and Bagsby is back along with Kijuan Dabney. It isn't Macus Aiken backing up at safety.

In the secondary, playing Reggie McClain at the nickel has worked well. McClain had two more INTs today. Having him play there and with Blidi Wreh-Wilson at corner has worked well.

On to the Big East:

Incredible win for USF over Florida State. That's a program builder though the quite "It changes history" is kind of silly. What does that mean? You can't change history, you make it. It sounds profound, but I don't get it.

Rutgers won over at Maryland in a crucial game for the Scarlet Knights. I don't know how Maryland got so bad. Considering the light schedule Rutgers plays they couldn't lose this game. A lot of pressure and that they came away on the road is a positive. Lastly, there is Pittsburgh.

The Panthers had a chance late and scored 31 points, but surrendered over 500 yards of offense to NC State. The Panthers are on the cusp of the top 25 and they lose another head scratcher. First and goal for the 8 and they can't get it in with the game on the line? Pittsburgh is a tease, and they always have been.

When you get excited, they always disappoint (Sun Bowl last season). I am done with Pittsburgh.

More notes

In this internet age, there was a bit of a controversy today in the media room when Edsall was told that Cody Endres intimated that he wasn't ready or prepared to come in to the game Saturday. Edsall took the comment as though Endres wasn't prepared to play as a backup which irritated Edsall to no end. 

Edsall in his mind demoted Endres to the 8th string QB and quickly said -- "If Mike Box plays well we might go with Mike Box." Endres was summoned to Edsall's office for a chat and then was brought down -- sick and all -- to the remaining media. I had already left to get to work, but I received a couple of calls that Endres in fact came down and told the reporters he didn't remember saying anything that could be construed that he was not prepared to play. 

It's a non-story, but if you read the Mike Box quote without context you might think it is an open competition this week. It isn't. If Endres is healthy he is going to play and Box is going to be the backup. The Huskies aren't going to hold back however. If playing Box for whatever reason is better than what Endres is doing, the  Huskies are going to go with the player  that gives them the best chance to win. 

Edsall also talked about how the reps go in practice. Zach Frazer and Cody Endres get all the reps in practice. Mike Box hasn't taken a repetition during practice since the season started. Endres needs to get out there to develop a little more comfort level with his O-line, specifically center Moe Petrus. Petrus had a costly premature snap because he confused Endres' cadence with something he heard. That’s a comfort issue. In case everyone forgot, Endres has a good arm and throws a very tight ball. It doesn’t have the RPMs that Frazer’s has, but Endres can throw the deep ball. What he has to work on is making quicker decisions and reads, and that intermediate pass accuracy.

Endres has an ability to move in the pocket perhaps a little better than Frazer. To me, it’s how quick Endres can read the defense and how accurate he is on the intermediate routes.

Yes, "40 points a game"

Was up in Storrs on Wednesday for a little chat with a couple of players. It's not on the JI website and not sure if it ran Friday for space, but Zach Frazer is looking to be quite confident at quarterback.

I asked him to explain the offense as if he was talking to someone who knew nothing about football.

Here is Zach Frazer:

“It’s a put 40 up a game offense,” Frazer said. “It’s going to be a high-scoring offense. It’s going to be great.”

More Frazer, who has slimmed down 13 pounds and needs to be more mobile and athletic in the pocket. He didn't try and downplay or soft pedal expectations which is absolutely going to happen when we talk to the coaching staff next week and in coming months. Frazer is beyond thrilled at the hiring of Joe Moorhead and the offense.

"I knew something had to change. Donald Brown was going to leave and after he announced it, I thought, ‘Are we going to a more passing or more traditional offense?’,” Frazer said. “I am excited that coach Edsall hired Moorhead. It’s exactly what I wanted.”

I talked to Cody Endres also and he is excited about the quarterback opening and did a "may the best man win thing."

I was struck however by Frazer's matter of fact confidence and demeanor. This is the offense he ran in high school, and he isn't shy about telling us what his expectations are.

As far as the Huskies' offense, I think that kind of confidence is sorely needed. The Huskies the last two years have been to gun shy on offense. The offense showed little confidence, and the offense played very close to the vest. Sure, some of that was the play-calling, which in turn was a reaction to the talent and ability of the players on the field.

What was always lacking was a sense of confidence. I don't think anyone on the team last year would have said that "We are going to score 40 a game."

Sure, talk is cheap, but Frazer was aggressive and confident in an interview on February. Perhaps it would be best if he carries that through the spring and into the fall.

It looks as though the entire offense is going to come out of its shell. That starts with the quarterback.

It's a good change. The humility of the offense (we do what we have to do to win) was a little tough to take the last two years.

Thursday no news teleconference

Wow. Missed the call because of computer issues, should I even write anything? It's comical.

True story. I was emailed a replay of the conference call because I missed it. The link I was sent was a Pre-Syracuse call in the subject line. I clicked on it and listened for five minutes and took notes off the internet. Predictable stuff about the injuries,and nothing major happening. I am thinking to myself, same old same old. Then, there was a question about North Carolina's big offensive line...WHAT?

No joke. I couldn't tell the difference between the call five weeks ago and this one. It's the same answers every week.

This week was the same as last week's call when I actually dialed in on my phone into the replay.

Is Tyler available?

Edsall says: "I don't know?"

The coach doesn't know two days before the game?

Come on. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.

Listen to this nonsense on Cody vs. Zach and what will determine which one will play ahead of the other:

"Zach was ahead before Cody got hurt. Cody got his opportunity when Zach got hurt. Both guys are healthy and played and did some good things and did things they need to improve upon. We will see what transpires this week and what transpires (Thursday)."

Quarterback shuffle

One and only update today unless there is major breaking news. I am a news guy at heart, and the excitement of elections is too much for me to ignore.

First off, who is going to be the QB for the Huskies? If you take Randy Edsall's words, Cody Endres, Tyler Lorenzen and Zach Frazer are all in the mix for Nov. 15 at Syracuse.

Lorenzen seems to me to be the biggest longshot since he hasn't played since September. He hasn't officially returned to practice yet, but that's not to say he can't this week. Lorenzen is walking around fine and has resumed "land-based drills." No idea what land based drills are, but considering football is played on the planets surface I take it as a good sign.

As far as Endres vs. Frazer. I have been told that Frazer was ruled out of the West Virginia game on Tuesday after practice. Frazer did practice last week, he just wasn't fully cleared by the medical staff, which is being very conservative with him (as it should). He was never going to play.

So, in essence, Endres was the only possible option against West Virginia as opposed to being selected over Frazer on performance. Frazer is back and cleared to practice, so it's going to be a QB duel, or a three-way race if Edsall isn't blowing smoke about Lorenzen, for Nov. 15 at Syracuse.

As far as my view on the three. I like all three quarterbacks. Cody Endres has to work on his accuracy. It hasn't been good in the two games he started. Even on some completions, the passes sailed on him and in the middle of the field you are playing with fire if you do that. 46 percent completion percentage isn't going to get it done (though not all of it is Endres' fault with a lot of drops).

Still, unlike Bones or D.J. Hernandez a couple of years ago, I think Endres can play at the Division I level in the Big East. Endres is good enough for this level though he isn't ready just yet.

Frazer impressed me when he had time to throw the ball, and looks to be a much more accurate passer than Endres, though not quite as nimble. Accuracy is superior to arm-strength in my book. Lets see Frazer in a home game at Rentschler Field. it's hard to compare the two considering the circumstances. His two games were on the road while Endres was at home for two. That's a big difference with a young quarterback.

What can Lorenzen's role be? Depending on the Huskies record and how Endres/Frazer do, I would imagine that would dictate how much or if he ever sees the field again. His running ability makes him an option to split time with Frazer/Endres I would start one of the young guys, and then maybe for a series or two go with Lorenzen.

Thinking out loud here. But, the offense could use another playmaker and I like Lorenzen's wheels. It all depends on how that foot feels.

Here is the queston of the by week. Put your headsets on assuming all three are healthy and can go, who do you start, and why?

Postgame Cincinnati thoughts

Sorry so late, had a family issue. Everything is fine, good news. So I am home writing this.

What struck me today was the tone of Randy Edsall's postgame press conference. He was so happy, he almost seemed down. It's an odd emotional state. Perhaps satisfaction is the best way to describe it. Very very low key.

He didn't know how today was going to end up, and he was worried about that. That the Huskies came through with a 40-16 win (though it was piled on late) left a certain amount of satisfaction. It's been a month. Good win for the Huskies, one they could have very easily lost.

Here are some of my impressions as I am sure others have touched on the notes. I am going to do some work, and get back late.

Cody Brown was an absolute monster. Two sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, twp pass deflections, a tackle for a loss and two holding penalties called on the people trying to block him. That's as dominating as you can get. NFL caliber today.

I talked to him earlier in the year and he told me the one team he wanted to beat was Cincinnati. Why? Because they talk trash at Nippert, they are physical, and UConn came out of that game with injuries all over because of the physical play (not dirty).

When reminded, Brown started to smile. He then said he "felt like dominating today." Brown laughed when he said it. Then he mentioned something about how Endres was good because his name is Cody too. Get the TV cameras off him and he is hilarious. TV cameras on? He buttons it down.

The other Brown?

When Donald Brown was told he set the single season rushing mark he said, I didn't know that, cracked a smile and laughed and then quickly thanked his offensive line. When he was asked about it 5 minutes later he brushed it off like he already knew. It was actually funny how it sounded. His initial reaction was a smile and excitement, then he went back into a "aww, it doesn't mean much." routine. Funny stuff. Brown rushed for 150 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Big time game. He now has 1,324 yards rushing this season, a UConn record in only eight games.

Key to the game was 0-for-14 on third down conversions. That is as good as you can get defensively. 0-for-16 on third down and fourth down conversions.

Edsall did make a mistake in the press conference. When asked about Dave Teggart he said Teggart made him look good. You know what? Teggart was so good he made the coaching staff look bad. How the heck has this kid not kicked since he has been on campus?

With the wind, Teggart said he could have kicked it from 60. It was stunning how easy and confident he was today. Teggart from 47 into the wind was a stretch, but he made it look easy.


As far as Cody Endres. Shaky at times, and not as accurate as he needs to be, but he managed a winning game. First time out against a defense like Cincinnati is as tough as it comes. UConn was stubborn throwing the ball. Patience is very important and he made enough throws. The kid has a good arm, and he has great poise. He has a little more mobility than Zach Frazer, though I think Frazer has the better arm and is a flat out better thrower. Endres has to work on his touch. Good arm, tight spiral, but he has a little too much mustard on the short throws.


Tidbits

Edsall made a decision on Endres over Frazer Tuesday. Thanks coach. Also, Zach Frazer is day-to-day. I will try and figure it out next week.

*Rob Lunn was injured with a shoulder injury in the first half and didn't return. Edsall termed it an upper extremities injury.

*Edsall went after weathermen Saturday. He kept waiting for it to rain like forecaster. "If only I could be wrong so much and still have a job." Nice of his to beat up on some other media for a change.


The best quote of the day comes from Donald Brown and sums up this game:

"I feel if we didn't win it could have turned into a long season. We got it done, now we have to focus up, have a great week of practice, and get ready for West Virginia

More great quotes from the Bearcats. I get these courtesy of JI basketball guru Phil Chardis, who was kind enough to be my gopher.

For you aspiring writers. A bit of advice. You want to know what really happened in a sporting event go to the losers' locker room. Losing is truth serum.


From Cincinnati defensive end Connor Baldwin:

"Donald Brown is better than I thought and a real good player. He is really hard to take down. I don't think the holes were that big. He is just really hard to take down."

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly:

"UConn whipped us in the second half. It was a tale of two halves. The real thing is Donald Brown ran it when he needed too. He was the story. He was more physical and proved why he is the leading rusher in the nation."