If credentials, history, track record and pedigree mean anything, Dwayne Difton is going to leave his mark on the UConn football program in a short amount of time.
The 5-foot-11 wideout became the highest-rated recruit to commit to UConn, when the four-star Floridian gave his verbal Friday. He'll arrive as the 39th ranked player at his position and leaving a St. Thomas Aquinas High School squad that ESPN and USA Today considered the best in the nation.
Difton told me that his mind was made up after researching new UConn offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead's track record. But when I spoke with Difton's father, he said that running backs coach Terry Richardson came to him "man-to-man" and assured him that playing doesn't matter if the younger Difton doesn't take care of priority No. 1 — grades.
Difton never saw snow before his official visit on Jan. 16, but said he knows that the coaching staff has in place an environment that will help him as he deals with the changes that college, football and Connecticut present.
The kid seems genuinely nice and he knows that he's going to start next season, alongside Kashif Moore and Brad Kanuch. If there's one thing the Huskies will have at wide receiver is speed. Now, if they can get the ball to the WRs — and they can catch the ball — there's a lot of potential.
And let's not overlook that if UConn can improve its passing attack (it'll be hard not to), it takes pressure of Jordan Todman, who should start in the place left by Donald Brown.
Friday, January 23, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
New OC
The Huskies named former Akron offensive coordinator and QB coach Joe Moorhead to the same position. Clearly, this is a step up for Moorhead who leaves the MAC for the Big East.
What I like: Moorhead has a multi-set no-huddle offense that he will be implementing. He's a 50/50 kind of guy, so seasons such as the one Donald Brown just had should become a thing of the past once a reliable passing attack is in place. He should also make UConn more attractive to high school WRs looking for a place to play.
What I don't like: Rankings-wise, Akron was much better than UConn. Statistically, Akron wasn't much better. The Zips averaged 10 yards and three points more than the Huskies per game. If the Huskies had that tacked on to this season's games, they would have won one more game and maybe would have played in a different bowl, but not likely. Give me six points and we're getting somewhere. I'll admit, having what should be -- I emphasize should be -- better talent in Storrs than in tire country may more than make up for that gap and then some. However, two new o-linemen, a new tight end, a new QB and a new tailback not named Donald Brown means this could be a very bumpy first year for Moorhead.
What I like: Moorhead has a multi-set no-huddle offense that he will be implementing. He's a 50/50 kind of guy, so seasons such as the one Donald Brown just had should become a thing of the past once a reliable passing attack is in place. He should also make UConn more attractive to high school WRs looking for a place to play.
What I don't like: Rankings-wise, Akron was much better than UConn. Statistically, Akron wasn't much better. The Zips averaged 10 yards and three points more than the Huskies per game. If the Huskies had that tacked on to this season's games, they would have won one more game and maybe would have played in a different bowl, but not likely. Give me six points and we're getting somewhere. I'll admit, having what should be -- I emphasize should be -- better talent in Storrs than in tire country may more than make up for that gap and then some. However, two new o-linemen, a new tight end, a new QB and a new tailback not named Donald Brown means this could be a very bumpy first year for Moorhead.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Sayanora, Ambrose
Rob Ambrose, UConn's offensive coordinator, was named the head coach at Towson Saturday. It ends Ambrose's seven-year stint with the Huskies. Ambrose began his tenure at UConn as the quarterbacks coach and then moved up to the post he is leaving.
Now the search for a replacement begins. My guess is the replacment comes from the outside.
Now the search for a replacement begins. My guess is the replacment comes from the outside.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Back in the saddle
It's been a while, and between finals and using the last of my vacation, this blog is up and running again.
I want to use this spot to discuss Donald Brown. Granted everything this season seemed to have a hint of Brown to it, but that's OK. Yes, he's said he was coming back but today after speaking with a program official, let's see if he changes his tune once the NFL underclassman evaluation comes back in about a month.
The honors have not stopped coming in for him. He found himself first or second team All-American on just about everyone's list, which is no small accomplishment. It shows you how much people are really paying attention.
The day the Doak walker award was announced, I published this column, which was picked up by a sister paper in Illinois, not far from Iowa. The Iowa fans waited until Shonn Greene won before saying anything. Check out the responses. The e-mails weer even better.
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/sports/columnists/x1049853612/Joe-Perez-Voters-must-have-not-noticed-Donald-Browns-incredible-season
When UConn decides its going to promote Donald Brown in the future, it should consider this:
Here's a better way to compare Greene and Brown: The quality of rushing defenses faced.I've excluded Maine for Greene and Hofstra for Brown.
Iowa faced rushing defenses Nos. 81, 95, 37 (common opponent/Pitt), 36, 72, 93, 43, 78, 8, 94 and 71. (Avg rank 64.36)
UConn faced rushing defenses Nos. 9, 13, 37 (common opponent/Pitt), 40, 47, 49, 53, 57, 75, 88 and 101. Avg rank 51.72)
Based on that statistic, it's tough to say Greene faced a harder group of defenses. Furthermore, with UConn having zero passing game, everyone knew Brown was getting the ball.
Pitt can be the tie breaker, if we'd like. Greene had 23 carries for 147 yards and a TD. Brown had 34 carries for 189 yards and a TD. One had more yardage, but the other a higher average.
As for Greene's yards per carry, he was 24th in the nation, so clearly that can't be that significant of a factor if that many backs had better averages.
I've needed to get that off my chest because at the risk of sounding like a homer, I do believe Brown was the best running back this year.
Some stocking stuffers before Christmas....Tony Ciravino will likely handle kick offs in Toronto. Desi Cullen had his appendix removed last week and is recovering. Cullen will still punt.
Offensive coordinator Rob Ambrose is interviewing at his alma mater, Towson State, for their head coaching position. I hope Ambrose gets it. The Huskies need a more creative mind calling the plays.
Linebacker C.J. Marck is transferring, likely to a I-AA or Football Championship Subdivision school. He's not playing in Toronto and has already left the team because he felt he shouldn't play if he's not coming back. That's a tough call to make -- not playing, that is. That's a class move by someone who from what I've been told, was well liked by teammates.
I want to use this spot to discuss Donald Brown. Granted everything this season seemed to have a hint of Brown to it, but that's OK. Yes, he's said he was coming back but today after speaking with a program official, let's see if he changes his tune once the NFL underclassman evaluation comes back in about a month.
The honors have not stopped coming in for him. He found himself first or second team All-American on just about everyone's list, which is no small accomplishment. It shows you how much people are really paying attention.
The day the Doak walker award was announced, I published this column, which was picked up by a sister paper in Illinois, not far from Iowa. The Iowa fans waited until Shonn Greene won before saying anything. Check out the responses. The e-mails weer even better.
http://www.norwichbulletin.com/sports/columnists/x1049853612/Joe-Perez-Voters-must-have-not-noticed-Donald-Browns-incredible-season
When UConn decides its going to promote Donald Brown in the future, it should consider this:
Here's a better way to compare Greene and Brown: The quality of rushing defenses faced.I've excluded Maine for Greene and Hofstra for Brown.
Iowa faced rushing defenses Nos. 81, 95, 37 (common opponent/Pitt), 36, 72, 93, 43, 78, 8, 94 and 71. (Avg rank 64.36)
UConn faced rushing defenses Nos. 9, 13, 37 (common opponent/Pitt), 40, 47, 49, 53, 57, 75, 88 and 101. Avg rank 51.72)
Based on that statistic, it's tough to say Greene faced a harder group of defenses. Furthermore, with UConn having zero passing game, everyone knew Brown was getting the ball.
Pitt can be the tie breaker, if we'd like. Greene had 23 carries for 147 yards and a TD. Brown had 34 carries for 189 yards and a TD. One had more yardage, but the other a higher average.
As for Greene's yards per carry, he was 24th in the nation, so clearly that can't be that significant of a factor if that many backs had better averages.
I've needed to get that off my chest because at the risk of sounding like a homer, I do believe Brown was the best running back this year.
Some stocking stuffers before Christmas....Tony Ciravino will likely handle kick offs in Toronto. Desi Cullen had his appendix removed last week and is recovering. Cullen will still punt.
Offensive coordinator Rob Ambrose is interviewing at his alma mater, Towson State, for their head coaching position. I hope Ambrose gets it. The Huskies need a more creative mind calling the plays.
Linebacker C.J. Marck is transferring, likely to a I-AA or Football Championship Subdivision school. He's not playing in Toronto and has already left the team because he felt he shouldn't play if he's not coming back. That's a tough call to make -- not playing, that is. That's a class move by someone who from what I've been told, was well liked by teammates.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Awards
Tonight most of the college football awards are presented. There are two awards I am interested in: the Doak walker (RB) and Fred Bilitenkoff (WR).
The first because I think its a shame UConn's Donald Brown isn't a finalist. I'm not saying he should win, but you can't tell me he isn't one of the three best at his position.
The second, because I voted on that award and think it's going to be a lot closer between Michael Crabtree, last year's winner, and Dez Bryant.
Today voting begins on the Football Writers Association of America's coach of the year award. We rank them 1-9.
My vote:
Kyle Whittingham, Utah
Chris Petersen, Boise State
Mike Leach, Texas Tech
Joe Paterno, Penn State
Nick Saban, Alabama
Mack Brown, Texas
Bob Stoops, Oklahoma
Pete Carroll, USC
Urban Meyer, Florida
Your thoughts?
The first because I think its a shame UConn's Donald Brown isn't a finalist. I'm not saying he should win, but you can't tell me he isn't one of the three best at his position.
The second, because I voted on that award and think it's going to be a lot closer between Michael Crabtree, last year's winner, and Dez Bryant.
Today voting begins on the Football Writers Association of America's coach of the year award. We rank them 1-9.
My vote:
Kyle Whittingham, Utah
Chris Petersen, Boise State
Mike Leach, Texas Tech
Joe Paterno, Penn State
Nick Saban, Alabama
Mack Brown, Texas
Bob Stoops, Oklahoma
Pete Carroll, USC
Urban Meyer, Florida
Your thoughts?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Brown sets the standard
Donald Brown became the first UConn player to win a major Big East award. he was named the conference's Offensive Player of the Year Wednesday. Brown, a junior, led the nation in rushing yards and yards per game. He was also among the leaders in scoring.
Now the question of will he or won't he leave really begins to heat up.
Now the question of will he or won't he leave really begins to heat up.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
It's Toronto
Playing in a bowl game in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history, UConn will face MAC champion
"We are very excited to be playing in the International Bowl in the beautiful city of
Check back with this blog and www.NorwichBulletin.com for more info.
Saturday, December 06, 2008
Leader One
If his numbers hold up, Donald Brown will end the regular season as the leading rusher in all of Division-I football.
Shame on you
Fans,
You want your UConn football team to be taken more seriously. You think it's not treated like the supposed "big-time" program you allege it is on blogs and message boards throughout cyberspace.
Why not try showing up to home games, particularly the last game of the season, on a day when your seniors are being honored? 5,000 people in the stands for senior intros and under 15,000 for kickoff is a joke.
Until YOU treat the program like it matters, no one else will.
You want your UConn football team to be taken more seriously. You think it's not treated like the supposed "big-time" program you allege it is on blogs and message boards throughout cyberspace.
Why not try showing up to home games, particularly the last game of the season, on a day when your seniors are being honored? 5,000 people in the stands for senior intros and under 15,000 for kickoff is a joke.
Until YOU treat the program like it matters, no one else will.
Fond farewell
Nineteen seniors say goodbye to Rentschler Field today.
Some we've gotten to know well as a result of their regular playing time, some we've started to get to know and other we just never saw much of.
This much is true: Whatever happens in the game today against No. 23 Pittsburgh, these 19 men will have quite a few memories to share for a lifetime. Let us not forget there's still one more game, probably the International Bowl.
I began talking to players about their careers a month or so ago when I sat down with D.J. Hernandez. D.J.'s an interesting cat. He really puts a great deal of thought into what he does and doesn't say. But I'd say since last year he's begun to show great introspection.
After games, D.J. was the worst interview win or lose. Usually terse, short, annoyed or saying as little as possible with as many words as possible, he's changed. In group settings he'd clam up a bit, which is understandable. But this year, he was so infrequently available that many of my peers and I would speak with him with one or two other people. The result was D.J. opening up about family, college, football and his future.
Then when you watch him become all but forgotten this season, you appreciate him a whole lot more.
There were a few standup guys in this senior class that deserve recognition for that. Tyler Lorenzen, Rob Lunn, Keith Gray, Cody Brown and Tony Ciaravino.
Tyler was the kind of guy who enjoyed the candid moments with people and told you what he thought. As a QB, he was the ideal interview. Never took the credit and always took the blame even when it wasn't his to take.
Lunn, despite being a Red Sox fan, is the guy everyone wants to be around. He's smart and funny, and puts things into amazing context, beyond most people his age. This past week, it took him 15 seconds before he started crying when asked about his memories at UConn. You know the bye week killed him. That gave him two weeks to marinate on playing his last home game.
He reminded me that there's more than Xs and Os, something easily forgotten week after week when everyone is talking about this formation or that, starting quarterbacks and "personal reasons."
Keith Gray flies under the radar. He's deceptively funny. Every week he imparts a little humor and shares his take on the previous game and the next. Few people take the win or loss as personally as he does.
Eveyone knows that Cody Brown is funny. He's a different funny than Lunn. You see how amped he gets on game day and then minutes after the game ends, he's doing standup. Every team needs a Cody Brown and everyone needs to know a Cody Brown.
Finally, Ciaravino is a unique kicker. He understood the pitfalls of being a kicker and never complained. He was always willing to face the music and because of it, the media held him in high regard. He's also blessed with a great disposition. I'm sure he's looking forward to getting back to the warm weather in Florida.
Good luck to the seniors.
Some we've gotten to know well as a result of their regular playing time, some we've started to get to know and other we just never saw much of.
This much is true: Whatever happens in the game today against No. 23 Pittsburgh, these 19 men will have quite a few memories to share for a lifetime. Let us not forget there's still one more game, probably the International Bowl.
I began talking to players about their careers a month or so ago when I sat down with D.J. Hernandez. D.J.'s an interesting cat. He really puts a great deal of thought into what he does and doesn't say. But I'd say since last year he's begun to show great introspection.
After games, D.J. was the worst interview win or lose. Usually terse, short, annoyed or saying as little as possible with as many words as possible, he's changed. In group settings he'd clam up a bit, which is understandable. But this year, he was so infrequently available that many of my peers and I would speak with him with one or two other people. The result was D.J. opening up about family, college, football and his future.
Then when you watch him become all but forgotten this season, you appreciate him a whole lot more.
There were a few standup guys in this senior class that deserve recognition for that. Tyler Lorenzen, Rob Lunn, Keith Gray, Cody Brown and Tony Ciaravino.
Tyler was the kind of guy who enjoyed the candid moments with people and told you what he thought. As a QB, he was the ideal interview. Never took the credit and always took the blame even when it wasn't his to take.
Lunn, despite being a Red Sox fan, is the guy everyone wants to be around. He's smart and funny, and puts things into amazing context, beyond most people his age. This past week, it took him 15 seconds before he started crying when asked about his memories at UConn. You know the bye week killed him. That gave him two weeks to marinate on playing his last home game.
He reminded me that there's more than Xs and Os, something easily forgotten week after week when everyone is talking about this formation or that, starting quarterbacks and "personal reasons."
Keith Gray flies under the radar. He's deceptively funny. Every week he imparts a little humor and shares his take on the previous game and the next. Few people take the win or loss as personally as he does.
Eveyone knows that Cody Brown is funny. He's a different funny than Lunn. You see how amped he gets on game day and then minutes after the game ends, he's doing standup. Every team needs a Cody Brown and everyone needs to know a Cody Brown.
Finally, Ciaravino is a unique kicker. He understood the pitfalls of being a kicker and never complained. He was always willing to face the music and because of it, the media held him in high regard. He's also blessed with a great disposition. I'm sure he's looking forward to getting back to the warm weather in Florida.
Good luck to the seniors.
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Dixon arrested
An already disappointing season for UConn redshirt junior tailback Andre Dixon took a major turn for the worse and not only is his ability to play in an upcoming bowl game in question, but so is his place in the program.
Dixon was indefinitely suspended from the team after he was arrested early Tuesday morning for driving under the influence. The New Jersey native was released after posting $500 bond. Dixon is slated to appear in Rockville Superior Court on Dec. 15.
Huskies coach Randy Edsall announced the suspension at his weekly press conference, calling it a violation of team rules.
“The young man made a mistake and he came into see me and we’ve talked,” Edsall said. “It’s unfortunate, but he made a mistake.”
Dixon was pulled over around 1:30 a.m. after following a police cruiser too closely on North Eagleville Road. The arresting officer pulled Dixon and issued a field sobriety test, which he failed.
A year after rushing for 828 yards and second-team All-Big East, Dixon has been a non factor from the start. A nagging ankle injury slowed him coming out of training camp and true freshman Jordan Todman surpassed him, unofficially, on the team’s depth chart.
This season, Dixon has played in nine games and has 37 rushing yards.
Dixon was indefinitely suspended from the team after he was arrested early Tuesday morning for driving under the influence. The New Jersey native was released after posting $500 bond. Dixon is slated to appear in Rockville Superior Court on Dec. 15.
Huskies coach Randy Edsall announced the suspension at his weekly press conference, calling it a violation of team rules.
“The young man made a mistake and he came into see me and we’ve talked,” Edsall said. “It’s unfortunate, but he made a mistake.”
Dixon was pulled over around 1:30 a.m. after following a police cruiser too closely on North Eagleville Road. The arresting officer pulled Dixon and issued a field sobriety test, which he failed.
A year after rushing for 828 yards and second-team All-Big East, Dixon has been a non factor from the start. A nagging ankle injury slowed him coming out of training camp and true freshman Jordan Todman surpassed him, unofficially, on the team’s depth chart.
This season, Dixon has played in nine games and has 37 rushing yards.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
What the Big East has to say about the last UConn play
I just got off the phone with conference spokesman John Paquette, who gave me the Big East's view of the final play for UConn in it's 17-13 loss at South Florida Sunday night.
"The passer's back foot was still behind the line (of scrimmage), so when the pass was released. Also, the play would have been reviewed and probably reversed by replay, but since the pass was incomplete the ball belonged to USF anyway," Paquette said.
As for whether Lorenzen was on the receiving end of a late hit, cause for a personal foul call against the Bulls, Paquette added, "Those are all judgement calls. A play like that is a judgement cal and we wouldn't offer an opinion on that."
"The passer's back foot was still behind the line (of scrimmage), so when the pass was released. Also, the play would have been reviewed and probably reversed by replay, but since the pass was incomplete the ball belonged to USF anyway," Paquette said.
As for whether Lorenzen was on the receiving end of a late hit, cause for a personal foul call against the Bulls, Paquette added, "Those are all judgement calls. A play like that is a judgement cal and we wouldn't offer an opinion on that."
Monday, November 24, 2008
Called into question
On the Huskies' final play from scrimmage, the play where Tyler Lorenzen was called for an illegal forward pass,UConn coach Randy Edsall provided the Big East with a video of that play. His contention is that Lorenzen was subjected to a personal foul after the throw.
I've reached out to the head of Big East officiating Terry McAulay and hopefully I can give you definitive word on the league's take before the night is out.
Also, I eluded to the Biletnikoff Award. My semifinalist votes went to Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree, BYU's Austin Collie and Missouri's Jeremy Maclin. The final ballot arrived today and the finalists are: Crabtree, Maclin and Oklahoma State's Dez White. Maybe my memory is short, but when was the last time the country had three sophomore WRs like those guys?
I've reached out to the head of Big East officiating Terry McAulay and hopefully I can give you definitive word on the league's take before the night is out.
Also, I eluded to the Biletnikoff Award. My semifinalist votes went to Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree, BYU's Austin Collie and Missouri's Jeremy Maclin. The final ballot arrived today and the finalists are: Crabtree, Maclin and Oklahoma State's Dez White. Maybe my memory is short, but when was the last time the country had three sophomore WRs like those guys?
Brown no Walker
UConn's Donald Brown is not a finalist for the Doak Walker award, given to the nation's top running back.
“For me, that’s a disappointment because I think he should be,” coach Randy Edsall said. “He’s the leading rusher in the country; he’s up there (among the best). What else would you have to do? Just because he’s not from a big-name school, a supposed big-name school? He has more yards than them, probably more carries (and) more touchdowns; that is kind of surprising to me. That’s the way it is. He’ll just go about his business and keep working hard and try to help his team win.”
Monday, November 17, 2008
Your take
I just submitted by ballot to determine the finalists for the Biletnikoff Award (top WR). I'm not about to reveal my picks ( I will in a few days but don't want to skew the vote) but I want to see who the fans like.
Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
Chase Coffman, Missouri
Austin Collie, BYU
Quan Cosby, Texas
Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
Eric Decker, Minnesota
Jarett Dillard, Rice
Casey Fitzgerald, North Texas
Kerry Meier, Kansas
Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
Notice, all but three are from the Big 12.
Dez Bryant, Oklahoma State
Chase Coffman, Missouri
Austin Collie, BYU
Quan Cosby, Texas
Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech
Eric Decker, Minnesota
Jarett Dillard, Rice
Casey Fitzgerald, North Texas
Kerry Meier, Kansas
Jeremy Maclin, Missouri
Notice, all but three are from the Big 12.
Larry Taylor en fuego in Canada
Two kickoff returns for touchdowns by the former Husky put Montreal in the Grey Cup Nov. 23.
Is he seeing Orange?
That's what everyone wants to know about UConn head coach Randy Edsall. Is he going to leave for the newly vacant Syracuse job?
Let's look at the facts.
* He spent 14 years there as a player and a coach
* It is, despite what UConn fans may say, a bigger program. Just check out the history.
Let's look at the factors.
*If Edsall wanted to go to Syracuse and move onto another job, a bigger one I presume, he would probably get the same job if he stays put. Why? Because he has to rebuild Syracuse before it can compete and win games. At UConn he's built a respectable program and will have consecutive bowl teams.
* Syracuse would have to make him among the best-paid coaches in the nation. Plus, handle his buyout. Not happening. Plus, Edsall has zero leverage with UConn. He got a new deal a year ago. I do think had the'Cuse come calling then, he would have left. But it was Georgia Tech then. So what it's another Big East school? The state of Connecticut isn't about to give him another raise.
*The most important factor -- he's miffed over not getting the job when the Orange hired Greg Robinson. I can totally see Edsall smiling to himself in private, and he should. Clearly -- Edsall or not -- G-Rob was the wrong call.
Tying in a hot-botton topic of the day, Edsall has said he has no interest. But as he's shown, he's not affraid to lie. He's said as much himself.
Why are reporters, such as myself, in such a tizzy over this? Understand that you, the fan, come to us for news. Our job is to present you the truth of what is going on, no matter if its politics, sports, business or a pet show. Thursday Edsall said it was Zach Frazer or Cody Endres who would start at QB and that he didn't know what Lorenzen could do. He even had Frazer warm up with the first team Saturday night. He knew Tyler Lorenzen was starting. He didn't have to say Lorenzen was starting. He could have said, "Lorenzen is practicing, but right now it's Zach or Cody."
If we are to believe Edsall made the decision based on Thursday's practice, which is generally a walk-through for road games, then the head coach thinks we are all idiots. He says the deciet was an act of gamesmanship. Nevermind that you wasted it on Syracuse, but Lorenzen was a non factor. He passed for 70 yards. 70!!!!
The really point isn't what he lied about. It's that he's done it a few times and we've reported essentially false info as a result. So why should you, the fan, read what we print about your team? There's no way of knowing what is truth and what isn't.
We as reporters should be mad. This isn't a game to play with people's livlihood's, especially in this economy. You want to argue that the press does this with him, but he is a public figure, a state employee. That's part of the job when you coach a football team.
So when Randy Edsall says he's not interested in Syracuse or hasn't been contacted by Syracuse or a third party, etc., do you believe him?
I don't.
Let's look at the facts.
* He spent 14 years there as a player and a coach
* It is, despite what UConn fans may say, a bigger program. Just check out the history.
Let's look at the factors.
*If Edsall wanted to go to Syracuse and move onto another job, a bigger one I presume, he would probably get the same job if he stays put. Why? Because he has to rebuild Syracuse before it can compete and win games. At UConn he's built a respectable program and will have consecutive bowl teams.
* Syracuse would have to make him among the best-paid coaches in the nation. Plus, handle his buyout. Not happening. Plus, Edsall has zero leverage with UConn. He got a new deal a year ago. I do think had the'Cuse come calling then, he would have left. But it was Georgia Tech then. So what it's another Big East school? The state of Connecticut isn't about to give him another raise.
*The most important factor -- he's miffed over not getting the job when the Orange hired Greg Robinson. I can totally see Edsall smiling to himself in private, and he should. Clearly -- Edsall or not -- G-Rob was the wrong call.
Tying in a hot-botton topic of the day, Edsall has said he has no interest. But as he's shown, he's not affraid to lie. He's said as much himself.
Why are reporters, such as myself, in such a tizzy over this? Understand that you, the fan, come to us for news. Our job is to present you the truth of what is going on, no matter if its politics, sports, business or a pet show. Thursday Edsall said it was Zach Frazer or Cody Endres who would start at QB and that he didn't know what Lorenzen could do. He even had Frazer warm up with the first team Saturday night. He knew Tyler Lorenzen was starting. He didn't have to say Lorenzen was starting. He could have said, "Lorenzen is practicing, but right now it's Zach or Cody."
If we are to believe Edsall made the decision based on Thursday's practice, which is generally a walk-through for road games, then the head coach thinks we are all idiots. He says the deciet was an act of gamesmanship. Nevermind that you wasted it on Syracuse, but Lorenzen was a non factor. He passed for 70 yards. 70!!!!
The really point isn't what he lied about. It's that he's done it a few times and we've reported essentially false info as a result. So why should you, the fan, read what we print about your team? There's no way of knowing what is truth and what isn't.
We as reporters should be mad. This isn't a game to play with people's livlihood's, especially in this economy. You want to argue that the press does this with him, but he is a public figure, a state employee. That's part of the job when you coach a football team.
So when Randy Edsall says he's not interested in Syracuse or hasn't been contacted by Syracuse or a third party, etc., do you believe him?
I don't.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Vote for the Don...
or another RB, if you choose.
Donald Brown, the electric UConn tailback, is a finalist for the Doak Walker award. It's the annual award given to the nation's top running back. The folks with the Doak Walker award are allowing fans -- yes, fans -- like you to vote on ESPN.com.
It works like this: Whomever gets the most fans votes will receive one actual vote in the balloting. With so many outstanding backs this season, that one vote could make the difference.
So in the spirit of this election year, exercise your right to vote!
http://sports.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/rank?versionId=2&listId=60
Donald Brown, the electric UConn tailback, is a finalist for the Doak Walker award. It's the annual award given to the nation's top running back. The folks with the Doak Walker award are allowing fans -- yes, fans -- like you to vote on ESPN.com.
It works like this: Whomever gets the most fans votes will receive one actual vote in the balloting. With so many outstanding backs this season, that one vote could make the difference.
So in the spirit of this election year, exercise your right to vote!
http://sports.espn.go.com/chat/sportsnation/rank?versionId=2&listId=60
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Another nomination for Brown
In addition to being a finalist for the Maxwell Award (top player) and Doak Walker Award (top running back), the Walter Camp Football Foundation has named UConn's Donald Brown as a finalist for its player of the Year award. He is one of 15 nominees.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Lean with it
During this stellar season for tailback Donald Brown, Brown has been a staple of the weekly media sessions. He's also shown a great amount of emotion when dealing with the media. I don't mean banging fists or crying or yelling or anything like that. But he's an expressive young man, who when the Huskies lose, he's disturbed. When they win, he's more affable.
Today, he showed some humor and laughed more than most of my types have seen in three years.
Recalling memories of Syracuse's appeal when he was younger and the legacy of "44s" or star running backs with the Orange, Brown was asked about running backs coach Terry Ricardson, who played at the 'Cuse.
Brown said that when there's been down time in the fikm room, sometimes he pops in old footage of Richardson. There was one game that stood out where Richadson scored against Louisville and then posed by leaning up against the goal post.
The redshirt junior said he doesn't believe that act would fly today, meaning it is far too tame.
Coach Richardson was kicking it old school.
Today, he showed some humor and laughed more than most of my types have seen in three years.
Recalling memories of Syracuse's appeal when he was younger and the legacy of "44s" or star running backs with the Orange, Brown was asked about running backs coach Terry Ricardson, who played at the 'Cuse.
Brown said that when there's been down time in the fikm room, sometimes he pops in old footage of Richardson. There was one game that stood out where Richadson scored against Louisville and then posed by leaning up against the goal post.
The redshirt junior said he doesn't believe that act would fly today, meaning it is far too tame.
Coach Richardson was kicking it old school.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)