Working the weekend

Was up late doing some work on the JI's UConn football preview (coming out Wednesday Aug. 27) . We have some good stuff running. At a paper our size and format (tabloid) it's difficult to really make something eye catching, but I promise guys you will like the look of this.

It's a weekend of work with the tab and a Sunday presser, but something struck me as I waited up this morning for a text from my boy Barak Obama (Brilliant idea that turned into a disaster. Why did they string people along only to have NBC break the news just after midnight? 3 a.m. text wasn't cute).

Back to football.

I have had a good vibe about this team ever since media day. Maybe it's because there are so many returning players, but just on vibe and gut, I like the way things are looking. It's remarkable the lack of suspensions, transfers, and or what Randy Edsall terms "distractions." Every single freshmen showed up, no one has left the team, and no one has had any trouble. That's a good vibe.

In contrast to my previous two years covering the team, there isn't that hard edge that the team had. I don't find them overly tense. Intensity is good, tension is bad. Last year and especially the year before, there was always a tension. Not just with the media, but around everyone. Maybe it was caused by losing and uncertainty. It's hard to describe, but the players and coaching staff were overly tense most of last year. In retrospect, there was a tremendous amount of pressure on the coaching staff last year and that trickled down to the players.

Maybe that's what losing does to you. That started to dissipate last year at the Meineke Car Care Bowl (the team had a chance to look back on the season for a couple of weeks). I know the team better than I did in my first two years, but I don't think it's a reach to say this team is by far more relaxed. It's not as uptight.

What's not to like? There is very little to worry about on the depth chart. The receivers are a worry, but the staff knows what it has. QB isn't a worry, Tyler Lorenzen is solid and can manage the game. There are some deficient areas like the passing game, but unlike last year when they trotted Lorenzen out for the Duke game, they don't have their fingers crossed. There is a good sense about what the offense, defense and special teams are capable of.

Nothing keeps a coach up at night more than "I don't know."

This team knows its talent, its strengths and weaknesses and there isn't a position you send out there where you have to hold your breath.

In that sense, it's much easier to relax. They are a known quantity.

A close game, or god forbid, a loss to Hofstra next Thursday and you will see this thing get ugly real quick.

Right now, five days before Hofstra, I like the way it feels.

Was D.J. demoted?

The big talk during practice on Wednesday was the apparent demotion of D.J. Hernandez at wide receiver. He was second on the depth chart behind Kashif Moore (see UConn notebook in today's JI), so the question is, did Kashif Moore beat D.J. Hernandez out for the starting position?

Talking to D.J. after practice it's certain that he didn't think he wasn't beat out for a job. It was a pretty icy exchange. When he was showed the depth chart he said he had no idea what it was.

Hernandez is best used in the slot, the W, while Kashif Moore and Ellis Gaulden are the X and Y receivers. So, is D.J. a starter or not?

Of course he is. The Huskies use three receivers much of the time depending on the packages and the game plan. Hernandez sees much more time than fullback Anthony Sherman. The notion that he was beaten out for the starting spot by Moore is a bit nitpicking. Moore is more suited for the X and is a deep threat. Hernandez could certainly play the X, but he is more suited for the slot where he can work intermediate routes and exploit mismatches against linebackers and safeties. That was always his job and position.

Hernandez's position is no different than last year. I don't think that was a surprise looking back on it.

If the Huskies go with two tight ends and a fullback set with one wide receiver, then does that mean Ellis Gaulden and D. J Hernandez were benched? No. It's a question of package.

If Brad Kanuch comes back and beats out Moore for the X spot, D.J. Hernandez stays put at the W, or slot. Moore isn't going to move into Hernandez's position in the slot. Right now, with Kanuch out, if Moore gets hurt D.J. moves to the X and Michael Smith moves into the slot.

D.J. Hernandez is the starting slot receiver whenever that package is used. Same position as last year. He wasn't competing with Moore for the X because his skills are better suited in the slot.

If Brad Kanuch comes back and he bumps Hernandez out of the slot down to the No. 4 receiver, then that is a real demotion. I am not sure how much time Hernandez even spent competing with Moore for the X receiver considering the dearth of candidates.

Hernandez right now is the backup at the X, and starter at the W, which means heavy action in the Huskies offense.

For purposes of those who like a clean depth chart, there are perhaps 13-15 positions that can be considered first team. Fullback, 3rd and 4th wide receivers, and the second tight end are all technically starters.

You need 4 receivers, 2 tight ends and a fullback as part of your base package. That's your first team offense folks.

Big week ahead

Am in the midst of work for our special section, coming out next week pre-Hofstra. It's a lot of work.

Anyhow final scrimmage was held today at Rentschler, the best vs. the best. The staff should have a working depth chart for Wednesday. The team will begin game planning for Hofstra starting on Thursday.

Some random thoughts:

1. Is Brad Kanuch ever going to see the field? Last action he had was in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. They need him at receiver. But, if he can't be effective and is slowed by injuries, perhaps getting him that redshirt year he should have gotten his freshman year wouldn't be a bad idea. Just thinking out loud.

2. If Jordan Todman is going to miss any significant amount of time with the shoulder injury, he may be headed for a redshirt too. Any time a true frosh gets injured it's a serious question to ask. If the player can't be effective, why even play them if you can get a redshirt in? I think this team needs Todman though. We'll find out more soon enough. Not surprised bu the injury, I wasn't at practice Saturday, but I know Robert Vaughn hits like a truck.

2. Saw the AP Top 25. Not many surprises, though Pittsburgh was ranked No. 25 (hitting head against wall). Don't get me wrong, I think the Panthers are going to be improved this year and may very well live up the hype, BUT, you have to show me first. Coming off the last two years they had don't you think they should win a game before getting votes? Get an impressive win or two under the belt first. And, I have quarterback concerns with them. Pitt has had two straight terrible seasons, and now they are the trendy pick? I don't get it.

3. Love Poll Stalker. Everything in life should be this transparent. I call for the coaches poll to open up too, especially since that has more of an impact (AP asked out of the computer rankings as a matter of ethics) nationwide.

4. Imagine Jamaican sprinter Usain "Lightning" Bolt at wide receiver? 6-foot-4 and can run the 100 in 9.69! I can't fathom that type of speed, height and athleticism. It's Plaxico Burress height combined with the fastest man who has ever lived. The "fastest man who ever lived" is perhaps the coolest title on earth.

5. On Jamaica, looking at the sprinters and athletes, I wonder where is the enterprising college coach who is going to recruit those sprinters at 17 and 18 and try to get them to play football? That's an off the radar way to get big-time speed. If one of those guys showed up and ran 10.4 they would be begged to come on the football team. UConn's Gerrard Sheppard played one year of high school, it can be done. No coach turns down that type of athleticism. Get the sprinter to a prep school, redshirt him a year, and then take your chances. It's at least worth a try. Hoops is worldwide in recruiting, football should be too. You can mold athletes. If I am a football coach I would take a shot at them.

6. Watching Giants-Browns, 30-3 a minute or two into the second quarter. That's a Tecmo Bowl score. The Browns look like the worst team in the NFL, and Dominick Hixon has 3 touchdowns in a quarter. That is a fantasy MVP type numbers and it doesn't count. Way to waste it guy. Brown's QB Derek Anderson got destroyed by Osi Umenyiora. Makes you wonder why they are even playing this preseason game. Money, money, money...

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

Quick hits

Some quick hits from Media Day. Have a lot more when I am done working:

1. Tyler Lorenzen back with the first team for most of yesterday's scrimmage.

2. Michael Smith is on the two-deep now at wide receiver. Look for a story in Saturday's JI on Smith. Smith and running back Jordan Todman are the two players who will see time as a true frosh right now.

3. Todman is EXPLOSIVE (not my term but another players). Randy Edsall doesn't want to put the cart before the horse (after all, only eight practices), but he does add a dimmension this team has lacked. Todman is No. 5 on the depth chart at running back, but his skills are so unique they may put in some packages for him. He will be a punt returner/kick returner. Running back is loaded.

4. Cody Brown is hilarious. He tried to get Darius Butler to laugh during an interview making fun of Butler by continuing to scratch his upper lip (Butler always scratches his lip while being interviewed). He made Donald Brown wear a cone on his head while doing an interview.

Gotta pay the bills,

Take care,

John

In today's JI

Randy Edsall went after guard Zach Hurd pretty hard. No one was spared. If Hurd and company are feeling down let me give a word of advice: Don't be worried when the coach yells at you. Be worried when he doesn't yell at you. That means your not an option to play.

My take on the Zach Frazer first-team? A bit of a dog and pony show. Tyler Lorenzen never looks great in practice. Until further notice, I think Randy Edsall was just trying to send a message. Zach Frazer did look pretty good at times and has a good arm.

On the other hand, the wide receivers for the Huskies dropped a ton of balls. It is early, but the unit has a long way to go. Got a feeling Edsall is going to give Kanuch the Ryan Henegan silent treatment soon.

This year Edsall does have options however and if Lorenzen doesn't get the job done, Frazer is likely to get a shot sooner rather than later. One thing is sure, Frazer is dying to play.

On a tight schedule here and just some notables.

1. Zach Frazer took a lot of snaps with the first team as Tyler Lorenzen drew the ire of Edsall with some poor throws. Is the QB job open? Technically, all jobs are open. Is this a shot across the bow for Lorenzen to wake up? Absolutely. The season is going to hinge on the passing attack. It has to be productive.

2. Brad Kanuch sat out with a wrap around his left leg. Coach Randy Edsall said it was possibly his hamstring. When I asked if it was a re-occurrence of the quad injury Randy said he didn’t think so since the quad is in the front of the leg and the hamstring was in the back. Hey, I write for a living give me a break. The wide receiver corps dropped a lot of balls. stood out. Ellis Gaulden was out there. Weird not seeing him on crutches.

3. Jordan Todman was cleared of all charges for his May arrest at his senior prom at Dartmouth High in Dartmouth, Mass. Todman and his date were detained at the prom after alcohol was found on a privately chartered bus and there was an incident when they were refused entry into the prom. According to the Standard-Times, the charges were dropped in pre-trial because there was no probable cause to arrest Todman.

4. Congratulations are in order for soon to be ex-UConn football SID Leigh Torbin. Leigh is headed to Central Florida working in its athletic department and also as its football SID. It’s a good career step for Leigh and I wish him the best of luck. Tough break for us night owls, Leigh is notorious for the 1 a.m. answer to an email.

Will have more later.