As I skim every other media outlet, I think we will call August 12 Ellis Gaulden day.
I was impressed with Gaulden's practice Tuesday. He isn't going to turn into an all-conference guy, but he showed ability and at his height and athleticism, is perhaps the team's only option. I think the kid can play and he is going to get time on the field. Now, if only Brad Kanuch would get healthy.
Other semi-big news is potentially pro football coming to Hartford. By the reaction I have gotten from Northland (very tight-lipped), I imagine they aren't too happy with the UFL commissioner right now. The entire league has flown under the radar since failing in its attempt at starting up for the 2008 season. The league has a long way to go.
Several problems. Of the six teams, only the potential New York franchise is close to Hartford. And, how do you run a league with six teams? 10 games and then a 4-team playoff? The league has to be at least 10 in my opinion, preferably 12 with a 4 team playoff of division winners.
I just don't see it working in Hartford for a number of reasons. The only way for it to succeed is to siphon off UConn football fans.
The cat came out of the bag early on this, way too early and clumsily. It puts Northland in a bad spot because they aren't ready to talk logistics and expectations.
I am skeptical of the league anyway. I don't think there is a market for another major pro football league. In most areas that lack an NFL team there is a strong college presence. LA is major USC country.Orlando has UCF and two teams within a days drive in Tampa and Jacksonville of the NFL. LA has USC.
San Francisco and New York have NFL franchises. Las Vegas doesn't need any more entertainment.
It seems every decade or so very smart people throw a lot of money thinking that there is a market for something that isn't there. I don't know what marketing data they look at, but I am not sure I believe it.
For most of the country the ways are set: Friday is high school, Saturday college and Sunday NFL.
Any deviation from that is doomed to failure.
Showing posts with label Ellis Gaulden. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ellis Gaulden. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Quick hits
Open practice today and there was no Tyler Lorenzen and D.J. Hernandez (hmm, is this a coincidence? Maybe Tyler is Boomer Esiason and Hernandez, Chris Collinsworth. Just maybe?).
Randy Edsall wanted to see some of the other guys and I thought Zach Frazer, Cody Endres and Casey Turner each had their moments. Endres is getting better, you can see him stepping into the throw and being more accurate. He is also slimmer and much more mobile than he was a year ago.
Zach Frazer is likely the No. 2, but Endres does have ability. Saw Casey Turner for the first time. Tall player and he is kind of slow with the delivery, but he throws a nice tight ball. He generally looked good.
Now to the wide receivers: Ellis Gaulden had a big practice. Sixth year senior, maybe there is a good story here. Ellis wants to prove he is "not Mr. Glass." I have used that sometimes, hope he didn't get that from here.
He looked like a threat out there today. Good strength, can get separation, and he can turn it up field. He is healthy and his legs are under him.
Love this quote: "This is my year. My year to do what I have to do and prove to everyone that I am not Mr. Glass." He meant it.
Bad sign: Brad Kanuch in shorts.
Injury report: In addition to Kanuch, Lindsay Witten sat out (should be back tomorrow), as did Greg Robinson (new nickname is Plaxico cause he doesn't practice). Saw Mike Cox, not coming back soon, and Aaron Bagsby (not coming back soon). Also, Jerome Junior was on crutches and with a bulky knee brace (left knee I think, will check notes later). I don't think he is going to play this year (I like to be conservative).
Other observations:
* Jasper Howard is a bit ahead of Reggie McClain as the other corner based on coverage ability.
* Dan Ryan and Mike Hicks are locked in a battle to the death at right tackle. Edsall quote: "If only we could combine them."
*Robert Vaughn is a big hitter at safety. He made a couple of bone crunching hits. Gaulden took one and the entire place cringed. Gaulden of course got right back up.
*Open practice for fans on Saturday at 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at Memorial Stadium.
Time to pay the bills and then get some sleep. Had a small side on Jordan Todman today in the JI .
Later,
John
Randy Edsall wanted to see some of the other guys and I thought Zach Frazer, Cody Endres and Casey Turner each had their moments. Endres is getting better, you can see him stepping into the throw and being more accurate. He is also slimmer and much more mobile than he was a year ago.
Zach Frazer is likely the No. 2, but Endres does have ability. Saw Casey Turner for the first time. Tall player and he is kind of slow with the delivery, but he throws a nice tight ball. He generally looked good.
Now to the wide receivers: Ellis Gaulden had a big practice. Sixth year senior, maybe there is a good story here. Ellis wants to prove he is "not Mr. Glass." I have used that sometimes, hope he didn't get that from here.
He looked like a threat out there today. Good strength, can get separation, and he can turn it up field. He is healthy and his legs are under him.
Love this quote: "This is my year. My year to do what I have to do and prove to everyone that I am not Mr. Glass." He meant it.
Bad sign: Brad Kanuch in shorts.
Injury report: In addition to Kanuch, Lindsay Witten sat out (should be back tomorrow), as did Greg Robinson (new nickname is Plaxico cause he doesn't practice). Saw Mike Cox, not coming back soon, and Aaron Bagsby (not coming back soon). Also, Jerome Junior was on crutches and with a bulky knee brace (left knee I think, will check notes later). I don't think he is going to play this year (I like to be conservative).
Other observations:
* Jasper Howard is a bit ahead of Reggie McClain as the other corner based on coverage ability.
* Dan Ryan and Mike Hicks are locked in a battle to the death at right tackle. Edsall quote: "If only we could combine them."
*Robert Vaughn is a big hitter at safety. He made a couple of bone crunching hits. Gaulden took one and the entire place cringed. Gaulden of course got right back up.
*Open practice for fans on Saturday at 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at Memorial Stadium.
Time to pay the bills and then get some sleep. Had a small side on Jordan Todman today in the JI .
Later,
John
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Huskies hurting at wideout
I didn't even have to go into practice at the Shenkman Center to realize something was wrong with the Huskies' wide receiver corps. Locked outside of the Shenkman Center I had already placed a call to UConn SID Leigh Torbin before a kind gentlemen opened up the door for me.
It was none other than Ellis Gaulden, and that is a bad a sign. UConn was practicing, and Ellis wasn't. Instead of opening up the passing game, Gaulden was kind enough to open the door to me. He walked out and went on his merry way while I went into practice.
VERY VERY BAD SIGN.
Gaulden is Mr. Glass and it looks like his career may be over after suffering a tendon injury in his foot. Coach Randy Edsall didn't know how serious the injury was, but anytime there is tendon detached from foot, it isn't a good scenario. Two knee injuries, a fractured foot and now a tendon tear. Kid can't catch a break.
Ellis is out, probably forever. Then D.J. Hernandez goes down with a left ankle injury in practice.
Brad Kanuch has yet to practice with a quad injury and now let's see...that's the Huskies' top 5 receivers from last season either injured, graduated (Larry Taylor) or transferred (Terrence Jeffers).
Hernandez is out for the spring.
OUCH.
It's s so bad Randy Edsall is contemplating moving someone to wide receiver off the defense. He didn't want to say who it was, but that player won't have much competition around.
Let's break it down:
With no Kanuch and Hernandez for the time being what's left is:
Rob Theodele
Kashif Moore
Isiah Moore
Kevin Poles
Everyone else like Marcus Easley, Erik Mushette and Alex Molina are walk-ons. Not very deep.
Who is going to be moved? I don't know. There is an excess of players in the secondary.
Edsall said Darius Butler is probably already in his office lobbying for WR time but is a non-starter. My guess?
Maybe Jon Louis from safety or even Gary Wilburn. Maybe Robert Vaughn (starting safety moved?). Jasper Howard could also be a candidate. I would assume a safety but you never really do know.
It was none other than Ellis Gaulden, and that is a bad a sign. UConn was practicing, and Ellis wasn't. Instead of opening up the passing game, Gaulden was kind enough to open the door to me. He walked out and went on his merry way while I went into practice.
VERY VERY BAD SIGN.
Gaulden is Mr. Glass and it looks like his career may be over after suffering a tendon injury in his foot. Coach Randy Edsall didn't know how serious the injury was, but anytime there is tendon detached from foot, it isn't a good scenario. Two knee injuries, a fractured foot and now a tendon tear. Kid can't catch a break.
Ellis is out, probably forever. Then D.J. Hernandez goes down with a left ankle injury in practice.
Brad Kanuch has yet to practice with a quad injury and now let's see...that's the Huskies' top 5 receivers from last season either injured, graduated (Larry Taylor) or transferred (Terrence Jeffers).
Hernandez is out for the spring.
OUCH.
It's s so bad Randy Edsall is contemplating moving someone to wide receiver off the defense. He didn't want to say who it was, but that player won't have much competition around.
Let's break it down:
With no Kanuch and Hernandez for the time being what's left is:
Rob Theodele
Kashif Moore
Isiah Moore
Kevin Poles
Everyone else like Marcus Easley, Erik Mushette and Alex Molina are walk-ons. Not very deep.
Who is going to be moved? I don't know. There is an excess of players in the secondary.
Edsall said Darius Butler is probably already in his office lobbying for WR time but is a non-starter. My guess?
Maybe Jon Louis from safety or even Gary Wilburn. Maybe Robert Vaughn (starting safety moved?). Jasper Howard could also be a candidate. I would assume a safety but you never really do know.
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