Right now, Rivals.com has UCF at #65 in the team rankings. Tell me how O’Leary is supposed to make us a top 10 or even a top 25 team with a #65 class. It’s like trying trying to make the world’s best pizza but you don’t have any pepperoni, mushrooms, sausage, or onions. You need talent. You can over acheive only so far. A great coach might be able to recruit in the 50s and 60s consistently and do well in C-USA. Tulsa comes to mind. But that’s about as well as you can do. If UCF is supposed to be hanging with the big boys eventually, we have GOT to recruit better. We have got to get a coaching staff who can bring in some three and four star guys. I know they don’t all pan out. But enough of them will if you bring enough of them in. If you go back to the last three or four years on rivals, it is no coincidence that the top teams in recruiting are the same teams who wind up in BCS Bowl games. There are some exceptions (Notre Dame). But not many. You recruit well, you play well.
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December 31st, 2008 at 8:00 pm
I’ve been following UCF football since 1996 and would have to disagree with you about the players that are joining the UCF football program.
We have talented receivers, a good offensive line but lacked the experience at the QB and RB positions; the latter part was the downfall. It’s very difficult to compensate (in one year) what Kevin Smith did last season. He basically carried the whole team on his back. Look at Tulane (which had Matt Forte) and see if they’re experiencing the same crisis.
The defense did awesome for what they had to work with…which was the weakest offense in the nation. You can’t expect the “D” to hold up if the UCF offense keeps churning out “3 and outs” most of the time. It’s so deflating…
The UCF football players are not the problem. Let me repeat again…it’s not the players nor the lack of blue chip players in the program (although, it would help).
It’s the lame, predictable, out-dated offensive scheme year in and year out. Truthfully, I don’t understand why O’Leary recruits 3 star WRs when he (very rarely) uses a spread formation; just be happy with the 3 wideout look O’Leary puts out from time to time (for us fans).
The last time I saw the field spread offensively was during the Kruczek days. By the way, isn’t he unemployed?! Problem solved, O’Leary. Hire Kruczek you fat !@#$!!!! You know those days…when UCF was rarely televised and the only way you can keep up with live coverage is through the radio. And, even at that, the game was more entertaining than watching these past few seasons on TV under the O’Leary era.
You’re absolutely right…O’Leary NEEDS TO LEAVE/STEP DOWN/or get FIRED. He believes in work ethic, conditioning and discipline. And it’s not bad to have those traits on a team. But O’Leary needs to do his part also. He needs to inject some fire to that offense and change with the times. He’s one of the dumbest coaches I’ve ever seen. I don’t believe he knows the concept of “making adjustments”. He’s like an 8 year old head coach on the sidelines…”this is our gameplan for this game and we’re sticking to it…whether we win or lose”. My favorite part of the game is when O’Leary (or the offensive coordinator) calls a “play action” on 3rd and 8. I’m sure the opposing defense will bite on that play, Coach. What a dumbass!
But I’ll give some respect to O’Leary. He finds a lot of small hidden gems in this vast pool of high school recruits throughout the tri-state area. I would definately have him as a scout for UCF. Any more responsibility given to him would be detrimental for the football program.
On a different note,…
NFL draft prediction…CB Joe Burnett goes to the Detroit Lions in the 3rd round. A new era begins…no more Matt Millen.
January 1st, 2009 at 8:54 am
We have talented receivers? Where? Maybe #9 but of course we don’t throw him the ball. He takes a quick slant to the house in the middle of the season and we never run that play again. But we throw to #81 constantly who couldn’t a pass if his hands were covered in Fred Biletnikoff’s stick’em. It’s like you sadi. If a play works then he says “ok we conquered that one” and if it doesn’t he says “run it until it does.”
I don’t think Kruczek is the answer. He’s unemployed for a reason. He screwed up by not taking the Kentucky job when he had the chance. I have no problem with a coach who believes in work ethic, conditioning, etc. But you HAVE to get some talent. UCF had NINETEEN players on NFL rosters this year. That’s a hell of a lot for a school who can’t recruit any better than #65. Of course it’s not over yet. Maybe he’ll surprise us late in the game. Let’s hope so.
One thing I do know. Florida is going for it’s second championship in thre years. Florida has also had a top three recruiting class three straight years. If Florida was recruiting in the mid 20s, they would not be playing on Jan 8th.
January 1st, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Perhaps, I should name the individual players who catch my eye for “talent”. Some choices might be obvious.
QB – Michael Greco
Unfortunately, he doesn’t “fit” into O’Leary’s system. My question is, “Why the !@#$ would you recruit him, Coach?” If you don’t like him at QB than make an effort of putting him on the field. It makes no sense to have a guy as quick (and sometimes elusive) as he is sitting on the bench and holding a clipboard; he’s had flashes of brilliance on the field…they type of plays that can pump up the UCF defense/crowd. I’d start working him out as WR (slot receiver), (receiving) TE or H-Back. I personally like the H-Back position. You can line him up anywhere and create huge mismatches/assignment confusion with opposing defenses. It does no good to keep this kid off the field.
By default, Rob Calabrese shows talent. I see potential in him and has made improvements from game to game. I see him as the #1 QB next season. I do hope he turns out to be like Ryan Schneider but with a lot more mobility.
WR – #6 Brian Watters and #9 Jamar Newsome
These two individuals should be (in my opinion) in the starting rotation next year (if Rocky Ross doesn’t get his eligibility next year).
You’ve expressed disappointment with #81 Kamar Aiken. Again, UCF is not using him to his full potential. When he was recruited by the Golden Knights (yeah, I said it…Golden Knights), he was categorized as an athlete…not a pure WR (he was rough around the edges). So, guess what… The staff works him out at wideout and probably assumes that enough reps with this kid will make him better. Unfortunately, the excessive dropped balls come into place; “risk vs. rewards” theory at play. Aiken runs well with the ball. I’d put him as a slot receiver. And if you’re gonna line him up on the edges, make sure it’s some kind of WR screen play or any kind of play that can allow this kid to have the ball in his hands quickly and let him make the plays. He would be brilliant for endzone plays inside the 7 yard line. That’s his strength. Eventually, he would work himself into the “legit” WR corps (through the years of experience and reps) and turn him loose by his JR/SR seasons. That would be my recommendation.
And don’t forget about #11 Richard Jackson (transfer from Notre Dame). Hopefully, he’s familiarizing/learning the playbook. He had an extremely minute role this year.
My darkhorse out of the group of wideouts is #80 Sidney Haynes. I wish he would get more opportunities…he’s basically a bench warmer.
But, in my belief, it really doesn’t matter. These guys can know the playbook like the back of their hands and still would be limited to what they can contribute on the field. Again, O’Leary’s offensive schemes…they type of schemes you play when you have a 3 score lead heading into the fourth quarter. From the start of the 1st quarter to the end of the game, O’Leary uses this tactic and that’s the way he wants to run his ship; he’s a tyrant. And, if he continue to run this “vessel” through this same course, he’s bound to run this ship aground.
RB – #34 Brynn Harvey
The only player to separate from the RB pack. He’ll have a good 4 year stretch at UCF.
TE – #84 Corey Rabinzinski
I’m not sure what to say about this position. They’re mostly used as blockers. I would like to see more offensive plays for these guys and attack the middle; have those opposing linebackers worry about the big fellas moving up the field and open up some lanes for the RB when the draw play is implemented.
The fact that UCF moved #79 Adam Nissley to the offensive line means that there will be a battle for the #2 spot in the depth chart.
O-Line – looks descent but the loss of Patrick Brown is huge. We’ll see how cohesive the next unit will be in 2009. There’s a lot of depth within this unit. I hope they don’t decide to play musical chairs with these players during the season.
DEFENSE
The front seven will be as strong and deeper as ever…even better than this year. My concern will be the loss of all starting D-Backs. That will be the biggest news/concern next year. Who will start in 2009. The competition will be fierce and I look forward to spring practice to take a closer look at the competitors.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Kicker and Punter are intact. No worries there. UCF has one heck of a punter…way to go Blake!!!
PR and KR will be a concern. UCF has been spoiled by the spectacular plays of Mr. Burnett over the years. This facet of special teams might take a huge dive in productivity.
I’m aware of the UCF talent that’s been allocated in the NFL. Detroit holds approx. 25% of the former UCF alumni athletes from that group.
You can have all the features and attractions at UCF to bring in blue-chip recruits…but, if you can’t win consistently year in and year out, it would be very difficult to make the case for UCF. And most importantly win the big games…win the big games…win the big games. I would have traded a Conference USA Championship season for a home opener victory over Texas. In order to be a “big dog”…you need to beat the “big dogs”. Ask Boise State. And, if I do recall, Boise State is doing it with mostly 2 and 3 star recruits with the occasional 4 star recruit every once in a while.
All of this goes back to what UCF is lacking…which is having a creative offense. O’Leary’s theory of offense would only work if every recruit he signed up was a 5 star recruit. But guess what. We don’t. And so you substitute the lack of blue-chippers for another trait; creative offensive schemes and outstanding coaching/generalship (meaning forseeing possible problems/opportunities and “making the adjustment”). This is what he’s always lacked. Making him the dumbest NCAA Div I-A coach in history. And to add insult…UCF pays him and some of the inept staff handsomely.
On another note…
I’d like for my Detroit Lions to pick up OU QB Sam Bradford for their 1st pick (in round 1) and OSU TE Brandon Pettigrew as their 20th pick (in round 1). Make it happen Lions organization.
January 1st, 2009 at 11:05 pm
Sam Bradford? You might want to wait until after you see what the Gators do to him first.
I agree with almost everything you say. Not sure about #6 though. He’s got a bad case of the drops too.
Not sure I would have swapped that championship for the Texas game or not. A win over Texas would have been sweet. But that C-USA Championship Game was off the hook. Plus you had about a month of genuine craziness leading up to the bowl game. UCF was on ESPN constantly. Channel 13 was giving almost round the clock updates. The game was exciting even though it was low scoring. If we could do that every year, or even every other year and on the odd years at least make a smaller bowl, I’d have no complaints.
I do agree that we could do better with the talent we recruit, but we can only go so far with it. Just like Tulsa. They will contuinue to succeed in C-USA with what they recruit, but they will never beat Oklahoma with it. Or even Oklahoma State for that matter. And that’s probably ok with them. But UCF supposedly had it’s sights set on someday beating UF and FSU. If so, we’ve got an odd way of going about it. We could perhaps open up the offense and become another Houston or Tulsa or maybe even Boise State. But you notice those teams rarely hang with the big boys. That’s because they’re outweighed by 50 pounds per man or more on the line of scrimmage. That’s the difference between a five or four star lineman and a two star lineman.
Urban Meyer told his receivers a couple of years ago that at Florida you’re expected to beat man to man. “If you can’t beat man to man, you need to go to UCF” was his quote. To this day, NOBODY from UCF, Orlando, or anywhere has ever said anything about UCF being insulted by that. That should tell us something.
January 2nd, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I’ll reiterate…OU QB Sam Bradford for the #1 overall pick for the Lions (and for the record, I have Florida winning the national title game also). But OU will rely on him more than ever after the Sooners lost their feature back for the game; expect huge numbers from him…which, in return, will catapult Bradford to be the obvious choice for the #1 overall pick of the 2009 NFL draft.
If not the Heisman Trophy winner and Detroit picks up an offensive tackle (for their 1st selection), my second choice in QB (he’s more like a hidden gem) is Cincinnati QB Tony Pike; if eligible for the draft, he can slide to the 5th round. He has all the tools to be a good QB in the NFL. But he’ll need a good mentor/quarterback coach to help him develop. I see him as a much taller version of Tony Romo. This kid has a lot of potential (in my eyes).
There’s really nothing a UCF fan can do when Urban Meyer talks crap about the Golden Knights football program. The only effective comeback a Golden Knights fan can have on Meyer is stating and providing evidence (via videotape) that you “banged” his daughter (I believe she’s a couple of months of being “legal”) and post it everywhere on the internet and mainstream media. If you complied with all these actions, it’s safe to say, “Mission Accomplishment…Ball’s on your court, Urban.”
On another note…
There’s a clause for former Miami QB Robert Marve when the “U” released him. He’s not to play for any collegiate teams in the state of Florida, the ACC nor the SEC. So, if you cross out all these potential teams targeting or interest him, there’s a great chance Rutgers University will have a shot at him. Unless Marve can arbitrate this clause with Miami, UCF is hopeless to have him as a QB transfer.
Detroit Lions 1st pick for the 2nd round will be a “reach”…OU OT Phil Loadholt. Boy, that draft class is looking good so far if I was in the Lions’ warroom.
January 4th, 2009 at 1:45 am
I don’t have a problem with Meyer’s comment. You know why? because it’s the TRUTH! That’s the problem. We have ZERO speed on this team except for #9 who we rarely use. We need to recruit guys at UCF and say to them that “at UCF we expect you to beat man to man. If you can’t, go to USF” But we act like we’re supposed to accept the rejects from Florida, FSU and Miami and be happy with it.
Bradford will be another Heisman bust. I’d take McCoy over him. I’d take Stafford over him. I’d take Tebow over him. He stands back there with a clean uniform because A0 OU’s O-Line is unreal and B) no defense allowed in the Big 12. Put some heat on him and then show me what he’s got.
Randy Shannon is the BIGGEST wuss in college coaching. First he cries over UF kicking a late field goal. Now he’s telling Marve where he can transfer to and where he can’t? I could see maybe the ACC but the SEC? How will he hurt you there Randy? And Florida? You play UCF next year. He would have to sit out next year. What’s the problem? Grow a set and quit your whining.
January 4th, 2009 at 10:23 am
Listen…as for recruiting, it all comes down to the kind of philosophy the team goes by. In this case, O’Leary likes big O-linemen, bruising backs, blocking TEs, and a QB that doesn’t turn the ball over. He reminds me of Al Pacino in the movie “Any Given Sunday”; the old ball coach who’s stuck on out-dated football philosophies. Run the ball 60% of the time, clock management, and good defense.
He’s an extremely cocky person who will never admit of doing anything wrong. I know he is. He believes he’s God’s gift to collegiate football. He still believes he’s a great coach for his past accomplishments/accolades at Georgia Tech and winning ACC Coach of the Year; how long ago was that? …a decade ago?. And in that decade or so, the TE position evolved from a mostly blocking and sometimes pass catching position…to an undisposable weapon in every potent offense in today’s football programs/organizations. Again, it comes down to his inability to “make adjustments” to today’s game.
O’Leary takes over the UCF football program (as a member of C-USA) and figures, “I’m gonna roll over these sorry ass non-BCS teams. I’m going to shove that ball down their defense’s throat.” O’Leary came into realization afterwards that the clock management/wearing out the opposing “D” via a heavily run-oriented offense strategy doesn’t work as well in C-USA. As soon as the Golden Knights put up 7 points on the board, two minutes later his opposing C-USA team already matched the score. Homeboy, thought he could roll over those undersized C-USA LBs all day long with his punishing runs. It took him approx. three years to realize that UCF had slow linebackers and needed to change the way the program recruits in that area; notice the speed of the LB corps that he’s recruiting now.
O’Leary is like the Bush (Jr.) administration; reacting way too late when a disaster is present and unable to forsee problems in the near future. I can’t believe this !@#$er gets compensated so well for such a lack of production. This dude represents more like those CEOs from the faultering financial/American motor vehicle corporations than a real football coach. What a !@#$ing weasel! That’s right O’Leary; who gives a !@it about the program as long as you’re getting paid (and laughing all the way to the bank).
UCF fell for the biggest scam up-to-date. And I’m ashamed that such an event occurred in our campus. It’s been 5 years under his realm. If he doesn’t make consecutive trips to a bowl game starting next year and win both post-season games, I’ll be officially on your bandwagon. I like your rollercoaster shirt, but is there any way I can make a design (for a shirt) and submit it to you (to be kept in your arsenal)?
I agree about your collegiate QB assestments. Colt McCoy is good…unfortunately, he’s staying one more year at Texas; so scratch him out of the draft. Mathew Stafford is the proto-typical QB, but I’m not sold on him until I see the result at the NFL combines. Tim Tebow is way off the mark. If he comes out this year, it’ll be a huge mistake. He’s no where near to being NFL ready. I believe he’ll be one of those football players that will be a legend in the collegiate level (in fact, the greatest college football player if he plays for his SR season), but, as soon as he turns pro, he’ll never achieve the kind of success he’s been used to before going pro. He’s maxed out at all levels in the intangibles department; there’s no question about that. But the way he plays the game will never translate into the NFL. NFL Defenses are so good these days…half the stuff he does on the field will lead to turnovers or injuries. The only way I can see him successfull is if he went to an NFL team that has 16 games scheduled with the Detroit Lions. It will be interesting how his career will progress; will it be at QB, H-Back, TE? Who knows? But I’m definately intrigued.
Now, back to Sam Bradford. All I have to say is “the flip”. If there was anything that convinced me about Mr. Bradford, it was the one play where he did a complete flip out-of-bounds for a 1st down (short of a TD). All great QBs do it…from John Elway to Brett Farve to Michael Vick. If I was a GM for Detroit, my first choice is to pursue Matt Cassell (if the Patriots don’t franchise tag his ass…which will most likely happen). Can you imagine what the Lions can do with all those draft picks and not using one pick for a QB? I’d be in heaven. My second choice would be analyzing “the flip” flick over and over and over again. Forget all the highlight tapes of him throwing or looking at his ridiculous stats posted thru his short stint at OU against tough opposition (to include the upcoming national title game) or watching him workout at the combines/school workouts. It’s the “flip”, my friend. The “flip” sealed the deal.
As for Randy Shannon, maybe it’s a reverse racial thing. I don’t ever recall such a clause for release with any other football program. Maybe Randy hates this kid as much as New Orleans residents hate Hurricane Katrina. Who knows?
As for the speed factor you mentioned previously, a trip to Jamaica should come into order (since every major program taps into the Florida (especially Miami area). Set up some football camps down there and give that project a shot. That would be me “thinking outside the box”.
January 4th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
You can send me a design if you want. I’ll have my graphics person check it out. I’m not much for art. I’m more of a sloganeer.
If I were the Lions I’d draft tebow, and hire a coach who knows the spread. You’re 0-16. You need to “think outside the box”.Put him in the stotgun with smith in the backfield. Johnson to go deep, get him one more shifty guy like a Brian Westbrook type. Run the spread. You won’t be any worse than this year.
You’re right on about O’Leary. He thought C-USA was going to be a cakewalk. it’s only going to be a cakewalk if you recruit players.
one question though. Why aren’t you on the bandwagon already?
January 5th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
Reason for which I’m not officially on the bandwagon yet…
I always believed in letting an incoming head coach enough time to put his mark after taking over a football program. To me…6 years is enough time to build the program towards how you want it to be; from the football philosophy, to the “make up” of the team (having your own recruits in place), balancing a team out with the appropriate number of players needed at each position (just look at the cluster f!#$ at the RB position this year; there was no experience in the backfield heading into the season), having those recruits learn “the ropes”/philosophies/techniques of the program, and have a couple of graduate senior classes go by (to evaluate and compare the kind of players the coach first recruited to the following graduating class). After that, there’s no reason why a program should fail at obtaining winning records year after year. All mistakes (by the coaches) have been made and rectified. The football program should be churning out wins on a constant basis (along with bowl appearances every year).
You might be saying, “…six years?!!!”. You know sh!@ happens. Recruits fall through (Does 4 star recruit Alphonso Bryant come into mind?), tough game schedules, injuries/suspensions to the team’s key players, etc., etc.
I think a rash of success to certain coaches (in college and pros) have led this idea that, if an incoming head coach is not successful by his 3rd year,…he basically stinks and needs to get fired or go back to being a coordinator/position coach.
So, as much as I hate O’Leary with all my passion, he’s still due his last year of coaching for 2009. That fat f!@# better have his s!@# straight next season. Or I’ll be pegging him with an orange (decorated as a Citronaut) to his face.
January 6th, 2009 at 12:38 am
See I think five years are plenty. All the fifth year seniors are your recruits. You have played everybody in the conference already. You ought to have your stuff together by now. If he has a good year next year and falls on his face in year seven, he just proved what we’ve been sying all along. And we just wasted two more years.
When you have five years in and you’re 10 under .500 and recruiting at #65, that’s just mediocrity breeding more mediocrity.