TicketsThe official day of interviews took place on Tuesday from the Big East Media Day in Newport, RI. There will be plenty of videos and comments from multiple different news outlets coming below.
It's remarkable so much work got accomplished there considered the lobster-induced coma I assume all the media folks fell into after Monday night's clambake.
Here's a photo taken by one of the scribes.
I've had dreams which started with that image. While there likely weren't any Cheddar Bay biscuits, this was no Red Lobster feast. This is the real deal. My jealousy of not being in attendance runs deeper than pockets of the median household breadwinner in Newport, RI.
We need to move on. Let's eat...
--- Bill Koch filed his story from the clambake on the high number of veteran quarterbacks leading their teams this year. All but UConn and Louisville return their starting QBs from 2010, but only UC brings back the reigning BE first-team quarterback.
Still, most of the preseason hype surrounds West Virginia QB Geno Smith. That stems primarily from the success nearly every quarterback has enjoyed in new coach Dana Holgorsen's offense.
He spent 2009 as OC/QB coach at the University of Houston and turned Case Keenum into the nation's top passer. After moving to Oklahoma State under the same title last season, QB Brandon Weeden finished third in the country in passing yards per game. Certainly, those rankings come thanks to a pass-heavy offense where Keenum finished first in the country in attempts (617) and Weeden finished sixth (511).
That said, Holgorsen's QBs aren't close-your-eyes-and-fire types. What's remarkable has been besides their attempts, the efficiency rating has been among the best as well. In 2009, Keenum ranked 6th in QB rating. In 2010, Weeden ranked 16th.
I spoke a bit with WVU alum and All-Pro Blogger John Thornton yesterday and he talked about how Holgorsen's offensive success has followed him everywhere and the coach thinks Smith has taken to the system faster than even Weeden did at OK State. Indeed, a scary thought.
It's remarkable so much work got accomplished there considered the lobster-induced coma I assume all the media folks fell into after Monday night's clambake.
Here's a photo taken by one of the scribes.
I've had dreams which started with that image. While there likely weren't any Cheddar Bay biscuits, this was no Red Lobster feast. This is the real deal. My jealousy of not being in attendance runs deeper than pockets of the median household breadwinner in Newport, RI. We need to move on. Let's eat...
--- Bill Koch filed his story from the clambake on the high number of veteran quarterbacks leading their teams this year. All but UConn and Louisville return their starting QBs from 2010, but only UC brings back the reigning BE first-team quarterback.
Still, most of the preseason hype surrounds West Virginia QB Geno Smith. That stems primarily from the success nearly every quarterback has enjoyed in new coach Dana Holgorsen's offense.
He spent 2009 as OC/QB coach at the University of Houston and turned Case Keenum into the nation's top passer. After moving to Oklahoma State under the same title last season, QB Brandon Weeden finished third in the country in passing yards per game. Certainly, those rankings come thanks to a pass-heavy offense where Keenum finished first in the country in attempts (617) and Weeden finished sixth (511).
That said, Holgorsen's QBs aren't close-your-eyes-and-fire types. What's remarkable has been besides their attempts, the efficiency rating has been among the best as well. In 2009, Keenum ranked 6th in QB rating. In 2010, Weeden ranked 16th.
I spoke a bit with WVU alum and All-Pro Blogger John Thornton yesterday and he talked about how Holgorsen's offensive success has followed him everywhere and the coach thinks Smith has taken to the system faster than even Weeden did at OK State. Indeed, a scary thought.
Bottom line in college football these days, great quarterbacks win games. Period. End of discussion. More specifically, veteran quarterbacks win games.
Take a look at the last five Big East champs:
2010: UConn - Zach Frazer, Sr., 2nd-year starter
2009: UC - Tony Pike, Sr., 2nd-year starter
2008: UC - Tony Pike, Jr., 1st-year starter
2007: WVU: Pat White, Sr., 4th-year starter
2006: Louisville: Brian Brohm, Jr., 2nd-year starter
Outside of Tony Pike and the remarkable season UC enjoyed in 2008, experienced quarterbacks -- more often than not seniors -- have ruled the day. The good news for UC? Well, Zach Collaros, of course. The bad news? Two other quarterbacks in the conference fit the senior mold this year: Geno Smith, Ryan Nassib. And three others fit the mold as second-year junior starters.
It's all part of the reason I believe the Big East will fair remarkably better in non-conference play this season, but that is for a different post.
The prominence of spread attacks and veteran quarterbacks should make for much more competitive teams and increased parity within the league, if that's even possible after last season.
--- Speaking of Collaros, he made the rounds in Newport. He spoke here with the Big East TV folks.
Collaros also took three minutes to catch up with Andrea Adelson of ESPN. He talked during both stops about this team learned how to deal with adversity and maintain composure as one of the primary benefits of last year's disappointment. No doubt, chip has been placed squarely on the shoulder.
--- Interesting conversation between Adelson and national writer Ivan Maisel here. They talk about possible expansion and the feeling on the future of the league on the verge of its most critical television deal in history.
Maisel said he thinks Villanova has been so indecisive about its dedication to making the leap to D-I that they are far from a sure bet anymore. Nor is the league even expanding at all a sure shot.
I still believe UCF would be a fantastic fit in both size and TV market, but my opinion means about as much to them as that of those dead lobsters above.
--- Jeff Jacobs of the Hartford Courant writes about why the next TV deal is so important. As d oes the NY Times, while pounding the pavement for the validity of the conference which is only beefed up by the addition of TCU next year.
Related news, UC will travel to Dallas/Fort Worth to play TCU next season.
--- Of course, Butch Jones spoke in Newport yesterday. Here it is.
--- Here was the roundup of all the coaches' comments from yesterday from Chip Patterson at CBSsports.com
--- On the homestead, Tommy G spoke with Kerry Coombs. You really shouldn't need more reason to click the link than that.
--- Unfortunate update on Tony Pike in Carolina. Apparently, he's been sidelined with shoulder inflammation. Poor timing to say the least for a team that just brought in another high-profile quarterback.
--- Armon Binns pulled in a nice jump ball for an impressive TD catch at a Jags practice. No surprise there.
--- Larry Bird called Lance Stephenson his best player in June. It appears things are looking up for Lance, at least for now. Here's the story from the Indy Star.
--- Some randomness...
--- Syracuse defensive end Mikhail Marinovich looks like Rollie Fingers.
--- The Cardinals have hit full-on excuse-cycle time as they start falling out of the race. First the lighting at Miller Park is inconsistent? We're blaming ribbon boards now? Then, they are throwing at Ryan Braun. And Yadier Molina comes completely unglued. Wonder what @DatDudeBP thinks about all this. My guess is validated. Once again.
--- What would you do if a bear attacked you? If the answer is punch it in the face, you are the most badass member of the US Ski Team.
--- Have a good Wednesday everyone and I'll talk to you tomorrow. Remember UC football holds its first practice on Monday and the season beings in exactly one month!
--- Don't forget you can follow me on Twitter. @Sc000tter does and he sent me this link, titled "Bengals war room during free agency." I'm not sure which one is Mike Brown, but I couldn't be happier about trying to figure it out.
Take a look at the last five Big East champs:
2010: UConn - Zach Frazer, Sr., 2nd-year starter
2009: UC - Tony Pike, Sr., 2nd-year starter
2008: UC - Tony Pike, Jr., 1st-year starter
2007: WVU: Pat White, Sr., 4th-year starter
2006: Louisville: Brian Brohm, Jr., 2nd-year starter
Outside of Tony Pike and the remarkable season UC enjoyed in 2008, experienced quarterbacks -- more often than not seniors -- have ruled the day. The good news for UC? Well, Zach Collaros, of course. The bad news? Two other quarterbacks in the conference fit the senior mold this year: Geno Smith, Ryan Nassib. And three others fit the mold as second-year junior starters.
It's all part of the reason I believe the Big East will fair remarkably better in non-conference play this season, but that is for a different post.
The prominence of spread attacks and veteran quarterbacks should make for much more competitive teams and increased parity within the league, if that's even possible after last season.
--- Speaking of Collaros, he made the rounds in Newport. He spoke here with the Big East TV folks.
Collaros also took three minutes to catch up with Andrea Adelson of ESPN. He talked during both stops about this team learned how to deal with adversity and maintain composure as one of the primary benefits of last year's disappointment. No doubt, chip has been placed squarely on the shoulder.
--- Interesting conversation between Adelson and national writer Ivan Maisel here. They talk about possible expansion and the feeling on the future of the league on the verge of its most critical television deal in history.
Maisel said he thinks Villanova has been so indecisive about its dedication to making the leap to D-I that they are far from a sure bet anymore. Nor is the league even expanding at all a sure shot.
I still believe UCF would be a fantastic fit in both size and TV market, but my opinion means about as much to them as that of those dead lobsters above.
--- Jeff Jacobs of the Hartford Courant writes about why the next TV deal is so important. As d oes the NY Times, while pounding the pavement for the validity of the conference which is only beefed up by the addition of TCU next year.
Related news, UC will travel to Dallas/Fort Worth to play TCU next season.
--- Of course, Butch Jones spoke in Newport yesterday. Here it is.
--- Here was the roundup of all the coaches' comments from yesterday from Chip Patterson at CBSsports.com
--- On the homestead, Tommy G spoke with Kerry Coombs. You really shouldn't need more reason to click the link than that.
--- Unfortunate update on Tony Pike in Carolina. Apparently, he's been sidelined with shoulder inflammation. Poor timing to say the least for a team that just brought in another high-profile quarterback.
--- Armon Binns pulled in a nice jump ball for an impressive TD catch at a Jags practice. No surprise there.
--- Larry Bird called Lance Stephenson his best player in June. It appears things are looking up for Lance, at least for now. Here's the story from the Indy Star.
--- Some randomness...
--- Syracuse defensive end Mikhail Marinovich looks like Rollie Fingers.
--- The Cardinals have hit full-on excuse-cycle time as they start falling out of the race. First the lighting at Miller Park is inconsistent? We're blaming ribbon boards now? Then, they are throwing at Ryan Braun. And Yadier Molina comes completely unglued. Wonder what @DatDudeBP thinks about all this. My guess is validated. Once again.
--- What would you do if a bear attacked you? If the answer is punch it in the face, you are the most badass member of the US Ski Team.
--- Have a good Wednesday everyone and I'll talk to you tomorrow. Remember UC football holds its first practice on Monday and the season beings in exactly one month!
--- Don't forget you can follow me on Twitter. @Sc000tter does and he sent me this link, titled "Bengals war room during free agency." I'm not sure which one is Mike Brown, but I couldn't be happier about trying to figure it out.