April 26th, 2008

Let The Drafting Begin

By Justin Verrier on April 26th, 2008

6:29 p.m.

The Jets just took TE Dustin Keller. Hilarity ensues.

My Super Bowl Champion Giants will show them how it’s done.

6:19 p.m.

I’m pretty sure all of those blows to the head have made Steve Young forget that football games aren’t played solely on offense. I don’t think I’ve heard him mention a defensive player, and throughout the show he has been campaigning for the best WR for nearly every team in the bottom of the draft.

Also, his points don’t really make sense. He just went on a rant for two minutes where all he said was the 49ers will be better if they win games.

Jets just traded up. Apparently they want to blow another pick this draft.

6:13 p.m.

The run on cornerbacks seemed to be slowing down after Rodgers-Cromartie was taken,but is starting to heat up again. The Chargers just took Antoine Cason, CB, Arizona, marking the second corner taken in three picks. This could help Tyvon Branch’s cause, because even though some (including me) think he will be a better safety in the “L,” teams that run a cover 2 could stick him at corner.

6:01 p.m.

The Cowboys just jumped ahead of Houston and stole Mike Jenkins with the 25th pick. The Texans followed it up by taking Duane Brown (who?), OT, Virginia Tech with the next pick. Here’s an updated list of today’s action:

1. Miami — Jake Long, OT, Michigan

2. St. Louis — Chris Long, DE, Virginia

3. Atlanta — Matt Ryan, QB, BC

4. Oakland — Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

5. Kansas City — Glen Dorsey, DT, LSU

6. NY Jets — Vernon Gholston, DE/LB Ohio State

7. New Orleans (from N.E., from San Fran.) — Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

8. Jacksonville (from Baltimore) — Derrick Harvey, DE, Flo Rida (that is not a typo)

9. Cincinnati — Keith Rivers, LB, USC

10. New England (from N.O.) — Jerod “Hold The” Mayo, LB, Tennessee

11. Buffalo — Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

12. Denver — Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

13. Carolina — Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

14. Chi-town — Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (home of Terrence Jeffers)

15. Kansas City (from Detroit) — Branden Albert, OG/OT, Virginia

16. Arizona — Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CD, Tennessee State

17. Detroit (from K.C., from Minn.) — Godser Cherilus, OT, Boston College

18. Baltimore (from Houston) — Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware

19. Carolina (from Philly) — Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh

20. Tampa Bay — Aqib Talib, CB, Kansas

21. Atlanta (from Wash.) — Sam Baker, OT, USC (perhaps the top beard in the draft)

22. Dallas (from Clev.) — Felix Jones, RB, Arkansas

23. Pittsburgh — Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Illinois

24. Tennessee — Chris Johnson, RB, ECU (the third running back taken by the Titans in the first two round the last three years). This pick is essentially confirmation that they should not have taken Chris Henry, a player that was an unproductive version of Lendale White, a year ago.

25. Dallas (from Seattle) — Mike Jenkins, CB, South Florida

5:58 p.m.

This just in, Ron Jaworski studies tape. Before everything Jaws has said today — and now that I think about it, in his entire TV career — he’s made it known that he’s done his homework and studied tape. We get it, Jaws. We’ve all seen you on that ESPN show where you and Merrill Hodge break down tape and turned the channel immediately.

5:15 p.m.

A lot of movement and picks, but since I am in no way affiliated with a company that covers the draft, I’m only gonna be updating in order to bring the funny.

The latest hilarity: Joe Flacco being taken at 18 by the Ravens. Here’s a guy who couldn’t cut it at Pittsburgh, where Dave Wannstedt’s scared him off to Delaware.

Rating on the Verrier Bust-O-Meter: 10 out of 10.

Ravens blow another pick. Delaware’s uniforms are still a lame version of Michigan. Life continues.

Eagles just traded their pick to the Panthers. Carolina selected Jeff Otah, a player who could earn a starting spot at Pittsburgh.

Here’s a list of the first round up to this point:

1. Miami — Jake Long, OT, Michigan

2. St. Louis — Chris Long, DE, Virginia

3. Atlanta — Matt Ryan, QB, BC

4. Oakland — Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas

5. Kansas City — Glen Dorsey, DT, LSU

6. NY Jets — Vernon Gholston, DE/LB Ohio State

7. New Orleans (from N.E., from San Fran.) — Sedrick Ellis, DT, USC

8. Jacksonville (from Baltimore) — Derrick Harvey, DE, Flo Rida (that is not a typo)

9. Cincinnati — Keith Rivers, LB, USC

10. New England (from N.O.) — Jerod “Hold The” Mayo, LB, Tennessee

11. Buffalo — Leodis McKelvin, CB, Troy

12. Denver — Ryan Clady, OT, Boise State

13. Carolina — Jonathan Stewart, RB, Oregon

14. Chi-town — Chris Williams, OT, Vanderbilt (home of Terrence Jeffers)

15. Kansas City (from Detroit) — Branden Albert, OG/OT, Virginia

16. Arizona — Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CD, Tennessee State

17. Detroit (from K.C., from Minn.) — Godser Cherilus, OT, Boston College

18. Baltimore (from Houston) — Joe Flacco, QB, Delaware

19. Carolina (from Philly) — Jeff Otah, OT, Pittsburgh

4:19 p.m.

After the Jags took Derrick Harvey, the Bengals and the Pats each scooped up linebackers, grabbing Keith Rivers and Jerod “Hold the” Mayo, respectively.

Buffalo just picked Leodis McKelvin from Troy, my favorite Roman-sounding southern school.

By the way, did I mention the Patriots are cheaters?

3:55 p.m.

The Jaguars just moved up all the way from 26 to 8, giving up Jack Del Rio’s sweet leather jacket to do so.

3:52 p.m.

Will the Patriots just stay put for once. Of course, Bill Belicheat traded the pick to the Saints, who are looking to blow another pick on a DT. Sedrick Ellis was their pick.

Would just like to point out that the Pats are cheaters. Just saying.

3:45 p.m.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The Jets just took Vernon Gholston, the second-most overrated player in the draft. Gholston is just another example of what a fast 40 time and going to the gym a lot can do.

Funny story — I just went to Gholston’s wikipedia page and someone — most likely a person with a lo of time on his/her hands — already updated it to say he was a defensive end for the New York City Jets — you know, as opposed to the mighty New York State Jets.

Although Gholston fits better in the Jets’ 3-4 scheme better than if he went to another team and played end, I think he’s a bust in the waiting. Holler at me in three years.

3:36 p.m.

Anyone surprised that the Raiders took McFadden? I’m not.

Like I said in Friday’s mock draft, as soon as the Arkansas running back ran a 4.3, Al Davis’ heart swooned.

Glen Dorsey was taken by the Chiefs with the next pick in what is the best pick of this year’s draft. Dorsey fits a huge need for Kansas City, especially after Jared Allen was traded, and should be solid up front. Past injuries are a concern and the Chiefs haven’t had a good track record with taking DT high in the draft — I’m looking at you, Ryan Sims — but I’m convinced he’ll be a good one.

3:23 p.m.

Three picks have gone by and so far, nothing too exciting. Both Long’s were taken with the top two picks, and looking to turn their franchise around, Atlanta chose a quarterback that will set them back another five years. I don’t know what Arthurt Blank’s mustache was telling him in that war room, but Matt Ryan is by far the most overrated player this season. He was mediocre for a mediocre team in a mediocre conference — that, my friends, does not spell success. -

Teams at the top always reach for QBs, mainly because bad teams usually need them, but the Falcons should have waited until the second round. Matty Ice, good luck. As long as you don’t battle your pets, you’ll still be not that good.

2:45 p.m.

T-minus 15 minutes until the draft, and I am tingling with excitement.

The Dolphins are on the clock first, and I’m predicting they grab Darren McFadden, RB, Arkansas with the first overall pick in the draft. There is the issue of the contract with $30 million in guarantees they already signed with Jake Long, but I have a feeling about this one.

After the ‘Fins, it looks like the Rams are poised to take Jake Long’s brother, Chris, and things will finally become interesting after that. Rumors have it that Arthur Blank and his mustache will take Matt Ryan, but in my opinion, Glen Dorsey will be the better pick.

Stay tuned, kids.

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April 25th, 2008

Draft Just A Day Away

By Justin Verrier on April 25th, 2008

The NFL Draft is just 20 hours away — are you excited? I am

I’ve been perusing the mock drafts, including the one in today’s Daily Campus, and it looks like Tyvon Branch has a good chance of being taken on the first day. In Todd McShay’s — or as I like to call him, Mel Kiper Jr. Jr. — last mock draft, he has Branch going at pick No. 61 to the Dallas Cowboys. He also has also has Donald Thomas going to the Packers in the fourth round (pick 198).

But more importantly, McShay has linebacker Danny Lansanah being selected with the last pick of the draft, thus making him the 2008 “Mr. Irrelevant.” If that’s the case, I will be attending the parade.

Check back tomorrow, as I’ll be posting a running commentary of the draft.

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April 19th, 2008

Jeu De Printemps

By Kevin Meacham on April 19th, 2008

3:40 p.m.

White wins! White wins!

Receiver neophyte Darius Butler hauls down a 27-yard touchdown from Zach Frazer with 3:09 to play, and White beats Blue, 21-20.

If you like running and screen passes, you loved this game. The two teams combined for 280 yards rushing on 72 carries. Robbie Frey led all rushers with 92 yards on 14 carries with a TD, and Meme Wylie had 88 on 14 carries, including a 34-yarder that set up the winning score. Andre Dixon churned out 69 yards on 19 carries.

In the passing game, Frazer didn’t look too bad for his first start, with 272 yards on 27 attempts, though he had a bad interception in the end zone early in the fourth quarter.

All of the wrap-up stuff will be in Monday’s paper, though I think you all should know that Tyler Lorenzen would want his one superpower to be “two superpowers - teleportation and the ability to fly.”

Also notable from the postgame presser: Randy Edsall’s impassioned Gettysburg Address in favor of the proposed 10-game series with Notre Dame (which would include no Rentschler dates). I’ve made my feelings on the subect known in the past (check the DC archives…probably somewhere in February), but if I can transcribe some of the coach’s quotes later today, I’ll do so.

But for now, so long from Rentschler Field, where the result is irrelevant, but at least kickoff for Hofstra is just 19 weeks away.

1:20 p.m.

We are rolling along here at the Rent. We’re already 10 minutes into halftime festivities, which are suspisciously similar to the media timeout games played at basketball games.

Anyway, the White team (1st-team defense) leads Blue, 14-10, at the break.

Not much in the way of a standout performer; both Cody Endres and Zach Frazer have been handcuffed, play-calling wise. Lots of screens and swing passes so far. They’ve both confusingly switched teams in the first half; Endres is a combined 11-for-16 for 93 yards, while Frazer is 7-for-14 for 139 yards (including a 59-yard pass to a wide-open Marcus Easley over the middle, as well as a QB-sneak touchdown).

Both quarterbacks, especially with a nod toward Frazer, have made some poor decisions with the ball, which is not a good augur of success. Edsall likes

Given injuries to 3 potential starters at receiver and Lorenzen, it’s hard to take much away from the Huskies’ passing game, though Easley, Robert Theoudele and tight end Yianni Apostolakos have made a couple nice plays.

The offensive star so far, though, has been Robbie Frey. Frey has 76 yards on 11 carries - albeit against the second-team D - and was the workhorse on White’s last touchdown drive.

Can we start calling UConn ‘Running Back U.?’ The Huskies appear to have three starter-quality tailbacks (Frey, Donald Brown, Andre Dixon - the latter two of course having started last year) and Meme Wylie isn’t all that far behind.

White (Frey/Wylie) backs have rushed for 112 yards on 23 carries, while the Blue backs (Dixon/Brown) have 41 rushing yards and 39 receiving yards between them.

Defensively, various players have dropped interceptions, but otherwise both have done a good job against the pass. The first-team D has been a little rough around the edges, allowing almost 6 yards per play.

Back with more if breaks allow.

12:01 p.m.

Randy Edsall just announced his four captains for the 2008 season (two offense, two defense), and they are as follows:

WR #14 D.J. Hernandez

QB #4 Tyler Lorenzen

CB/WR #1 Darius Butler

DE #50 Cody Brown

We just had the coin toss, and in the first of I’m sure many hilarious jokes from the assembled media, I overheard that UConn won the toss. Chuckle.

It looks like the White team will get the ball first (no kickoffs and only fair catches on punts). Stay with us.

11:55 a.m.

Welcome to the ghost town known as Rentschler Field, where it is a gorgeous 73 degrees, without a cloud in the sky and with very few butts in the seats. We’ll be here all day for the Blue-White game - unlike most of the UConn fans, as only a tiny minority of the Rent is filled up.

Seriously, UConn - http://media.www.dailycampus.com/media/storage/paper340/news/2008/04/17/Sports/Bring.BlueWhite.Game.To.Memorial-3332210.shtml

Let’s juice it up a bit.

Attendance woes aside, it is a perfect day for football. It’s great to be back at Rentschler Field for the first time since late November.

The Huskies, of course, finished 9-4 last year with a trip to the Meineke Car Care Bowl. UConn returns 17 starters and most of the key contributors, and so today’s game will be an interesting look at how far everyone’s come.

The Blue team will be your first-team offense (quarterbacked by Notre Dame transfer Zach Frazer, in lieu of injured starter Tyler Lorenzen) and second-team defense. The White jerseys will be your first-team defense and second-team offense. The game’s on Cox TV, but if you’re on campus and don’t get it, stay here and we’ll give you the jist of it.

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April 18th, 2008

Last Practice, Thoughts On Saturday’s Blue-White Game.

By Justin Verrier on April 18th, 2008

Hi all,

Other responsibilities have kept me from blogging over the past few weeks, but I’m here to bring you some interesting tidbits from the last two practices of the spring season. Also, you’ll notice that I bucked the “Fourth and Goal” title and structure, mainly because it was not only lame, but it was also mega lame, and that’s a little too much lame for me and anyone else to handle.

Before I get down to business, I would like to take some time to point out the hilarity of the video message the athletics department forced Randy Edsall into doing. The clip begins with the camera zooming out from a view of a TV screen – which, if you pay attention to, shows a quarterback (I think it’s Cody Endres) sailing the ball way over a receiver’s head – and then you see Edsall lounging in chair, seemingly caught off guard.

The next 30 seconds is just a train wreck, with Edsall trying to seem endearing or your pal while reading off a poorly written script (at times he sounds like a robot). The only thing that would make this better would be if he stood up toward the end and began putting on a sweater and started to sing.

Won’t you be, my football coach?

The clip finishes off with a fade out done in what seems like Microsoft Powerpoint into a screen advertising Saturday’s game … AND TAG SALE. Really? A Tag Sale? What are they going to try and sell off, memorabilia from former UConn stars such as Tyler King and … uh … well, you get the idea.

If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favor and go to the home page at UConnHuskies.com and click on link underneath the ad for the Blue-White game that reads “CLICK HERE FOR A MESSAGE FROM HEAD COACH RANDY EDSALL” (I would’ve linked it myself, but it only appears as a video file.)

Anyway, here’s some thoughts from practice in a new, bulleted form:

Tyler Lorenzen will sit out his second straight Blue-White game. Lorenzen tweaked his ankle rolling out of the pocket a week ago, and although he was doing some throw and dropping back yesterday, he didn’t participate in the full workouts. Zach Frazer will guide the Blue team (first team offense, second team defense) in his place, and Cody Endres the White team (second team offense, first team defense). Wide receiver Marcus Easley, who will be the No. 1 receiver with the trio of Ellis Gaulden, D.J. Hernandez and Brad Kanuch all out, took some throws with the QBs Saturday, and it looks like he will work as the emergency quarterback.

Talked to both Dan Davis and Danny Lansanah at practice (look for articles next week on all the Huskies who may be drafted) and ironically both said they have been worked out by the Colts. I suppose it makes sense, because Davis is an undersized defense linemen with some speed — the type of players Indianapolis seems to look for to put in the trenches — and Lansanah is very smart and a good leader on the field. Lansanah also noted that he went and visited with the Packers, and was kind of awe-struck when he saw Brett Favre’s locker.
The team received their Big East regular reason championship rings after practice Thursday. Didn’t see any of them, but I was told they look pretty snazzy.

University President Michael Hogan stopped by Thursday’s practice to speak to the team and wish them luck good luck on Saturday. Here’s the highlight of the Hulkster’s speech: “Next time you seem me there will be a lot of bling,” Hogan said (speaking on the championship ring he hopes to add to his collection this year) and while waiving his hand like any true g. Classic. I must say, I think Hogan’s been doing a good job in his first year as pres, and I find him to be really endearing. He does a good job of connecting with the students

The competition for the strong safety spot has been a fun one to watch over the spring, and at this point, it seems like the decision will come down to right before the first game. Kijuan Dabney held down the spot with the ones most of the spring, but Jonathan Jean-Louis has made a big push the last few weeks. If I was forced to make a prediction, I would say Dabney starts at the beginning of the season and Jean-Louis replaces him midway through the year. From what defensive back coach Scott Lakatos said the other day, both have similar skill sets, but Jean-Louis has the athleticism while Dabney has the experience, having suited up for every game last season. Once Jean-Louis gets up to speed, I would think his natural abilities will give him the edge – he just looks a step quicker

That’s it for now. Check back tomorrow for a live blog during the game, which starts at 12 p.m.

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April 12th, 2008

Fourth and Goal: Saturday April 12

By Kevin Duffy on April 12th, 2008

We are just one week away from UConn’s annual “Blue and White” spring game, and the way things are going, Randy Edsall probably wishes he could fast-forward through that game and avoid any more injuries. Here’s a rundown of what happened today: 

1st down:  Quarterback Tyler Lorenzen sat out of today’s scrimmage with an ankle injury that he suffered in Thursday’s practice.  According to Randy Edsall, Lorenzen dropped back to pass, planted his foot, and rolled his right ankle.  The injury, which may keep him out of the Spring game, is a result of Lorenzen “being a klutz and a non-athlete,” Edsall said.  With Lorenzen out, Zach Frazer operated the first-team offense and Cody Endres ran the second team.  Neither looked particularly sharp, espeically Frazer, who threw a point-blank interception to safety Robert Vaughn over the middle and then was picked off by Cody Brown on a screen pass.  When asked about what areas of his mechanics Frazer needs to improve on, Edsall replied “I don’t think we have enough time go over that.” 

2nd down:  Kevin Poles had a big day, as he and Endres hooked up for two long touchdowns.  Poles’ first touchdown came on a fade-route where he jumped over cornerback Harris Agbor, and the second came on a straight go-route.  He got behind the defense, caught the ball in stride, and did not come close to being tackled on his way to the end-zone.  Edsall said Poles “did better today,” but noted that he still has to become much more physical to make an impact in a real game.  Kashif Moore also caught a long touchdown pass, and even recieved praise from his head coach after the practice.  Edsall said Moore has really improved over the last couple of practice sessions. 

3rd down:  Senior defensive tackle Rob Lunn went down with what appeared to be an ankle injury when a player landed on his leg as he attempted to make a tackle on an Anthony Sherman run up the middle.  Edsall said that if he went back to review the tape, he can almost guarantee that Lunn got hurt because he wasn’t going 100 percent until the whistle blew and got caught out of position.  Lunn’s injury- coupled with the one suffered by Lorenzen- is part of a long-line of non-contact injuries the Huskies have endured throughout the spring.  DJ Hernandez’s ankle sprain, Ellis Gaulden tendon tear in his foot, Trey Tonsing’s torn ACL, and Isaiah Moore’s pulled hamstring were not the result of big hits, but rather fluke movements or mental errors.

“The hardest hit we’ve had is Mike Cox’s sister jumping on him at home when he got hurt over the spring,” Edsall joked. 

4th down:  Andre Dixon was back in action for the second straight practice after suffering a minor shoulder injury, but he looked as though he never missed any time.  Dixon’s hard work in the offseason in the weight room is begginning to pay big dividends.  He flashed tremendous leg drive and he carried nearly the entire defense on one run and made a habit of gaining yards after contact.  As good as Donald Brown has looked this spring, Dixon has stuck with him and still figures to get his share of carries when the fall rolls around. 

Turnover on downs:  Former UConn quarterback and current Detroit Lions back-up Dan Orvlosky was on hand for practice, along with Alfred Fincher, Orvlosky’s former teammate at UConn who recently signed a free-agent contract with the Lions.  Fincher, who was drafted 82nd overall in 2005 by the New Orleans Saints, is the highest pick in UConn history.  Tyvon Branch may have a chance to eclipse that mark in two weeks. 

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