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Freshmen WRs look to make big impact
NEW HAVEN >> All four of Yale’s freshmen wide receivers have a shot to come in and contribute right away. That’s no secret.
Sure there are variables that come into play: learning the offense, adjusting to the speed of the college game and college life itself.
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posted by Anonymous at
10:10 AM
150 Comments:
Reno didn't even make it to August this year because the excuse campaign started. For the third year in a row were young.
2:08 pm Wah WAH WAH
Good lookin Lads,I get more excited as the days go by.
Go BIG BLUE
Cheers Jon Harris
Sebastian Little still on the team? Didn't see him mentioned in the article.
Little is still on the team, he is a TE. The article was basically about the WR corp. Little should play a larger role this year offensively.
We'll see how these your WR's fit in. @ of the 4 of them are fairly large bodies as well.
Avery Lewis going to play a factor in the WR corp this season?
Good question 12:48PM. Lewis has a large athletic body that looks like it could be well utilized. Unfortunately he has been bitten by the injury bug 2 years in a row. It will be interesting to see his impact in camp. Any news on how he has looked in these pre-season workouts with the team?
How big is Sebastian Little last year he was 6'1 205 small for a tight end.
I agree he is a bit small. Roster says 6’1” 219, so it looks as though he has gained a few pounds. Maybe to make him a more productive blocker. Averaged 12.6 a catch last year though, so he is productive in the pass game. We’ll have to see about his blocking skills and how many balls he gets his way.
Sebastian Little decomitted from Harvard when Tony Reno came to us. He is looked on with great favor and justifiably so.
Maybe Little will turn into a Joe Walton. This means Yale is thin at TE position.
Well Leunan and Coty were booted. Buric is not durable so depth is an issue at TE.
There are 5 TE’s on the roster other than Little and Buric, so it doesn’t really look as though depth will be an issue. In this mix also there are two 6’6” freshmen that are 235 lbs. and 200 lbs.
Leunan and Coty were booted. I literally just lol'd. You guys on here....man.
To 4:04; What creditable facts do you have Leunan and Coty both fifth year players were booted as opposed to voluntarily deciding not to play.
Of course they weren't actually booted. Reno simply did not play them so they decided not to return.
As to saying "we're young" they are. This senior class was recruited during the year Williams left and Reno came.Great guys, great heart but not all at the same level. Generally you look to your senior class to make the biggest impact on the field. The senior players that are starting are great but the year itself was a tough one for recruiting. Next year will tell the test but there sure could be some surprises this year
Well said 5:47PM. There are a good amount of harsh and uneducated critics weighing in regularly. To crucify Reno without giving him a few seasons to win games and get his players in is absolutely ridiculous. He has made strides in his records yearly and as 5:47PM said he was doing this with basically all of Williams’ guys. This will be his 3rd recruiting class (Really 2 ½ classes as he was hired in the second week of January 12’) in and the current incoming freshman are one of his supposed best yet. I agree that next year will and should be the year for Reno and his squad. However if things gel quickly this could be a year where they get a few teams also. Until then, hold off on burning him at the steak.
8:47: I believe you mean stake. Otherwise, I agree with what you say except that Reno's impact on the junior class was more like 25%
The constant freshman hype is all a job saving move by Reno. This is his third year so the give him a few seasons argument is over.
Sorry 11;24, this is Reno's second recruiting class. Virtually all the rising juniors were signed up by Tom Williams. But if you keep telling lies maybe someone will believe them. Call it the Putin approach.
Why don't we actually try and figure out whether we've got a "young" team.
How about this? Get the "two deep" rosters for the position players (I'd skip the specialists) for each of the Ivy League teams. Assign each player a number starting with one for a freshman and proceeding with relentless logic too…four for a senior. Total the numbers for each team, and publish the results right here.
L et V
Isn't it a little premature to once again anoint incoming freshman as the heart of the team? They haven't even stepped foot on the college practice field to prove themselves. I only hope that we give ourselves a chance to compete for a title by putting the best players on the field regardless of who they were recruited by. There is something to be said about players earning their position and not being put there because of a promise of immediate playing time. There are definitely some quality upperclassman that can help us win games that have been overlooked and pushed aside in favor of incoming recruiting classes.
Who are these wronged players?
If it wasn't for Henry Furman (a Tom Williams recruit) Reno would be coaching DB's at Worcester State today.
A lot of juicy posts on here!! To start, 10:13AM, I know what you are trying to get at, but what you are asking is a little much.
And 11:36 AM, you have absolutely no idea what you are talking about.
10:17PM, the incoming freshman are by no means the “heart” of this team. The heart of the current team is undoubtedly upper classmen who have engrained themselves in the program. Randall, Varga, Champion, Vaughn, Cazetta. All seniors and a junior, these guys are the real heart of the team.
And let’s not get ahead of ourselves or unrealistic. Reno is a football coach. Football coaching jobs are unstable and short lived in many many cases. His employment is based on wins. Ultimately he is going to get the best players he can on the field so that the team can be successful so in turn he can be successful. No coach on the higher levels of football plays kids because they “recruited” them instead of playing the kids that will make them win, and Reno is no different. His ultimate goal is and will be to win games, and he will play whoever helps that, regardless of recruiting class or age. I do not believe that any upper classmen have or will be “overlooked” if they are productive enough on the field and in practice. There are upper classmen who have had their positions switched to be best utilized and get their abilities on the field to help the team and win games. If the kids are good enough, and can help get wins, they’ll play. That is the name of the game in college football.
Well said 12:32.
So if Furman wasn't the QB last year, who is and how many games does Yale win?
C'mon 12:32, what's a little much? The two-deeps for every Ivy League team will (or certainly should be) sitting in Ray Tompkins House by September 18 or 19 at the very latest. Someone there can do the not very taxing arithmetic or if that's too much to ask, post the info here. If my idea's flawed, unflaw it (perhaps assign a somewhat greater weight to the starters?). Or is there some objection to trying to find out whether we really are younger than our opponents. I think a lot of us would be interested in looking at these numbers.
Cheers, L et V
Yale has to be the only school in the country running pump up articles on incoming freshman right now. These kids haven't even stepped on a college field yet. Anyone can be good at the high school level.
Seriously 2:18PM? Did you just ask us all to create the hypothetical of how many wins Yale would have had if they played another QB? Goodness. Furman did a pretty good job, but so did Roberts with his limited time and repetitions for that matter. Both could have stood to improve.
And L et V, easy easy, you seem fired up! I don’t think 12:32PM is saying that your idea is flawed, yet rather that your request is a tedious and not easily accessible one. Yet if someone has the means and can get that info and will post it I know many including myself would be interested in it. And if that someone is Ray Tompkins then we are all anxiously awaiting your input Ray!
Stop being coy, 11:19, you late night poster you. As all of us know, Ray Tompkins House is to Yale football operations what the Pentagon is to our military ops. Something will be terribly amiss if those in RT House are NOT studying our foes' two-deeps which, as you also know are readily obtainable once the season draws nigh.
To Mr. Hunn: Please keep your pieces coming. Your last one was a delight. While it may be unrealistic, fans thrive on hope and expectations. Maybe you'd consider tackling the "young" team issue. I'm not sensing much get-up-and-go in certain quarters. Kind like dealing with folks at the Registry of Motor Vehicles.
L et V
FYI Little is moving to FB for the upcoming season. He is now too big to remain in the receiver corps...
Little is listed on the current roster at 219 which is light for a FB.
Is Yale going to use a fullback? Conlin is a one back guy.
The freshman hoopla is just a buy time action. This will be his third year, he needs to go 7-3
That's ridiculous 11:23. He doesn't "need" to "go" 7-3 or anything else. Of course it will be great if they do and we wouldn't ever say they won't. But Everything has a CONTEXT and only a total naysayer, who has some kind of animus, would say otherwise. Building often takes time. Come around in 3 more years and we'll see where we are. Meanwhile, time to support the team, the incredibly hard working fantastic kids who are here, the up attitude that prevails, to win every game we possibly can with the right people and strategy, to do the top best in the present and sustain and build for the future. The schedule this year is ROUGH -the toughest in the league - players welcome it.You have something against reno, but whatever it is, your fiats: "he needs to go 7-3" are pure animus. It will be great if we DO go 7-3. Everyone will give his best. They are itching to start. But reno doesn't "need" to "go" anything.
Is Rubino still on team? Read he had a good spring game.
Yes, Rubino is still on the team.
Thank you 12:55. That needed saying and it was well said. I wonder if every Ivy program is blessed with "fans" like 11:23.
L et V
CHUNN,
Any updates re new football recruits?
Agreed L et V, well done 12:55PM. It is both hilarious and a shame that these uneducated naysayers come on here and bash Reno and the program under this “Anonymous” umbrella. Good to have people like you and the rest of us to set him straight. There does seem to be a great attitude about the program right now. 90% of the team is on campus participating in these voluntary team activities getting ready for war. And I agree, the players are really ready to start practice and attack this year and that tough schedule with everything they have. They are excited, and so are we, the truest of true fans. GO BULLDOGS!!!
BULLDOGS BULLDOGS BULLDOGS BULLDOGS BULLDOGS BULLDOGS....
GO YALE
Now the schedule is too tough....
Not too tough, tough; and toughest in the conference. And if you cared to read on you would see that everyone in the program is excited about the challenge.
No one is looking for an out 11:22PM. Not as frequently or intensely as you are looking for something negative to say about the program. Sooner or later you won’t have anything to say; which is when you will “anonymously” switch to supportive comments. See you then..
GO BULLDOGS!
Greetings 8:56:
Perhaps we should take up an Ambien collection for poor 11:22 who evidently mutters to himself all night under his bridge.
I have to say I'm less optimistic than you about 11:22 ever turning positive. Just not in his DNA, but maybe he could be persuaded to haunt a non-Yale program. I bet he's a lot of fun once you really get to know him.
L et V
Why all the personal attacks on anyone who dares to say anything negative about Coach Reno or the football program as a whole? A measurable percentage of the negative things that have been said over the last two years is true.
However, it is the childish, immature responses of the Yale supporters that are concerning. In most cases you do not disprove the information, you just play kill the messenger. Before any objective dialog can take place, both the Yale FB cheerleaders who will never see anything negative and the Yale FB naysayers who will never see anything positive need to acknowledge their true colors.
As for this blog, it is not the Yale FB cheer page and this is America, so people can, do, and will continue with objective negative comments as is their right.
TruthTeller
YALE FOOTBALL RECRUIT
KYLE MARCINICK, DUBLIN COFFIN H.S., DUBLIN, OHIO. WR, 6"1", 185 LBS.
4.41 40 YD. DASH
Truth teller yes kill the messenger and the message does'nt have any merit.All you do is lie, slander.
So as long as you splatter your childish game. People like me will dispell you.
And Wilmot quit for personal reasons
And you suck....
Take it easy truth teller. No one is saying or insinuating that people are not entitled to their opinions positive or negative. Furthermore this would not be a blog worth reading or participating on if no one weighed in with negative points to discuss and be able to refute. However it is definitely preferred that the negative have some substance and truth. It doesn’t seem like that is the case too much here. Yet it looks as though those who refute the negativity have some facts to their claim.
“Reno stinks”, yet he has steadily improved every year. “Reno kicks kids off the team”, yet kids leaves rosters of athletic teams all over the country regularly in this and any sport. “Reno didn’t get along with or philosophically agree with coaches so they left”, when we all know high level collegiate coaching positions are all often revolving doors in all sports, but most specially in football given the number of positions. “Reno favors freshman over players that have been in the program for years”, when every coach of every sport on the collegiate levels job is to win games to keep their jobs; and they all play players that they believe are going to get them wins, regardless of their age.
If you are going make comments or points of discussion that don’t back Reno or the program, that is perfectly fine and well within your or anyone else’s right; and until the season starts what is basically going to sustain the conversation on this blog. Yet if so, these naysayers need to make sure their points of contention are educated and conversation worthy, rather than just egg on Reno or the programs face.
“The New Comer”
Truthteller; Is the classic opposite of true facts.
To all, enough is enough. Yes, to date Reno appears to be a second rate Ivy League coach and yes, a
6-win season looks like a reach and yes, he's going to pump up and favor his recruits, but any coach deserves to have 4 years to prove himself. I personally believe that he will fail and hope that we can go out and get a top notch coach that understands Ivy League football and can take advantage of the recruiting edge that Yale has over most of the rest of the league. Regarding this year's Junior class, it was partly Tom Williams' class and partly Reno's and Reno's recruiting effort actually benefited by his having access to Harvard's list as well as their list of rising seniors. Let's wait and see how he does when he has to put together his own list of recruits. Go Bulldogs.
Yale fans sure seem be a funny breed of fan.Sounds a might abit of forked tongue lizard in the kitchen.
Best just to step on the head of that critter.Thats all I got to say bout that.
Yale hired a coach with no head coaching experience and no experience as a coordinator. Did people really expect him to hit the ground running? They went cheap so you get what you pay for.
Reno is a young coach, with alot of potential and moxie.The players who stayed and the ones who are coming to Yale are a talented group of men.Who are on the verge of doing somethingvery special for Yale.
I for one love to see comments that are negative.You know why 9:57 ?.It makes them want to do better. Senior Parent
Reno has improved every year hasn’t he? I’m interested to know what the expectation of 9:57PM and the Truth Teller were from Reno to start. 7:21, you sound rather interesting; like you may be checking in from deep in the everglades. I agree that a 2-8 start is a rough one that no one wants. But last year at 5-5 he made a nice improvement. And while as fans we all have a many times unreasonable expectation of substantial improvement and would like to see that 7-3 that 11:23am from way back was speaking of, if we do go 6-4 is that considered a failure?
If Reno in fact gets to that “reach” of 6 wins that 6:07PM talks about (which last I checked was 1 win more than last year…so why the reach) is the season a “victory” or a “failure”? Or is the expectation here that every year without an Ivy League title is a “failure”. Because in that case all but Penn are mostly failing then. Curious to find out what standard the naysayers are holding Reno to? I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
Me, I’ll wait until we play a few games to really praise or hang the guy. I deal with facts. His record has improved each year as the head coach, fact. If he wins 6 games he did better this year than he did last year, which is better. If he wins 7 or more, I’ll be curious to see what people have to say then, especially you naysayers. 5 or less wins, we’ll all have some different things to say, especially if it is less, I know I will. Until then, let the wins and losses tell the story.
TNC
Holy Cannoli, I've said this before, but is there another Ivy football blog whose comments come *remotely* close to Portal 31's level of antagonism, bitterness, cynicism, and passion? I mean, the latter is great; at least people care. I guess it's the gift and curse of Yale's long proud football history that makes expectations so high; as, frankly, they rightly should be.
Personally, I figure the time has arrived for this program (and Randall and Varga for starters are first-rate) so I'd be surprised if we *don't* go 7-3 or better. Since we're not gonna beat Army I should probably temper my expectations... but what I really want is for the goals to be reached, an Ivy title and/or beating Harvard. As Carm always said, it's easier to win THE GAME on the road.
10:43 Has hit the nail on the head as he hit recievers throughout his carreer. The goal is beat Harvard!
I think people forget this: In Tom Williams' first year he was 4-6. In his second he was 7-2 going into the Harvard game. That is "significant improvement," yes? He lost that game, a tightly contested 28-21 battle at Harvard. Everything was on the upswing in the program. A year later, he was done. Let's not get carried away with the "Reno has shown improvement" nonsense. His team was embarrassed in back to back weeks by the two best teams in the conference last year.
To 12:55 who said Reno doesn't "need" to go anything, or all of you on this blog who say you have to give a coach four years: How about this? He goes 3-7 (2-5 Ivy), beating Cornell Columbia and Colgate, and still has made no progress, going into his fourth year, toward establishing what the offensive plan is or who the QB is. And he is still claiming "we are young." You still all in? Just asking...
From 5-5 to 3-7 is marked decrease, which is a major problem 2:06PM. You would assume then the naysayers win and Reno is no good, I’ll definitely give you that.
4-6 to 7-3 is the same improvement as 2-8 to 5-5 mathematically, 3 more wins & 3 less losses. Of course it is on a different scale because of the better start. So Williams started better than Reno, agreed, but they showed equal improvement over the span of time so far.
So it looks at Reno needs now to go at least 8-2 and win or share the Ivy to be “comparatively” as good as Williams in the eyes of 1:53PM, correct? Again, interesting. Is this a true comparison? If he does in fact go 7-3 or 8-2 isn’t that much more substantial to have brought a team that had 2 wins 2 years ago to 7 or 8 now? Interesting to ponder…
With 3 wins, I’ll agree with everything you said 1:53PM, but with 7, you may have to eat your words…
TNC
the reality is Williams had MUCH better talent on the team when he arrived. Williams was a terrible recruiter and left Reno with a D3 roster. That being said, you are not comparing apples to apples when it comes to record. For those of you who say Reno isn't good at in game management, remember 4-22? Or the next year when we were physically dominating up north and lost? how about scoring early before QUITTING in the second half year three? Yale will improve this year regardless of the record and will contend for a title every year moving forward. Had Williams not been fired, we would be with Columbia! Don't think these are facts????? Go ask your captain!
There are two key factors to the success of this season. One, since the QB miracle is not going to happen and we do not have a capable QB to run this offense, the OC and Reno have to have enough common sense to switch to a scheme that utilizes our strengths and hides our weakness. Two, this scheme must be focused around our strength, the run game, Varga, and it must be designed to keep him healthy for the duration. If he gets hurt again the pressure will be squarely on the QB position and we will not win more than 3 games max!
9:13AM, while I understand your concern, I will say I agree and disagree. I am hoping we are not going to need a “QB miracle” at that position. I think we can have a successful season without a miracle at the QB position. While we would love to have the best QB in the Ivy’s it doesn’t look like we are there right now. What we need, at the very least, is a serviceable game manager. Hoping Roberts is the answer; although no one long standing on this blog seems to think that he is. In that case Reno brought in 4 QB’s. If Roberts isn’t the answer then hopefully we can get something out of one of them.
I know some people’s fingers are being magnetically drawn to the key to rip me after that comment. But what do I mean? Reno obviously wants to have a QB that can run the ball and be serviceable in the passing game. There is a chance that one of these freshmen can do that. Reno and Conlin need to shoulder the load; if put in that position, by calling plays conducive for our offense to be successful, and a frosh QB’s success by not putting winning the game on them each game. Which brings me to my next point.
Here is where I agree with you 9:13AM, I don’t’ know about basing the system, but there needs to be a concentration on the run game with Varga. Running the ball needs to be the foundation of the offense. Although counting on Varga lasting a full season at this point (from a Giants fans perspective) seems like counting on David Wilson (whose misfortune I would not hoping for either guy). We all hope that he can be and stay healthy, consistently, and back to his 2012 form. It is very very difficult, if not impossible to utilize a player you want to feature (even to a certain extent) and run a scheme to “protect him” Injuries are a part of football, sometimes they are a problem(last year), sometimes teams are able to deal with them. Let’s also hope that is the type of season where we are able to deal with our injury misfortunes. If Varga can stay healthy then we are going to have a serious weapon there. If we are again unfortunate and don’t have Varga then Keys, Johnson, and maybe McCallister need to shoulder the load 2 or 3 for 1.
The passing game, which will not be the Denver Broncos, also looks to have pretty good options. Between what was done in the spring with Rubino, Wallace and others and what is coming in (frosh presence again) there are stable positives and things to build on there as well.
And of course Randall is our X factor. How will he be used? And where? To me, we need to get the ball in his hands as much as possible and anyway we can. He played QB, RB, WR & DB in his time here so far. Last year I believe he played 3 of the 4 in the same season and did a great job with them all. If Varga can’t go do you put him at RB? Do you just leave him WR and move him between the slot and the perimeter? Do you create some way to get him and Varga in the backfield together and utilize your other playmakers on the perimeter? Something for Reno & co. to think about. Get the best players on the field is all.
A serviceable QB who of course can run a little bit, Varga and Randall, a serviceable to hopefully above average receiving corp. Hopefully an offensive line that can gel together and be solid. With a concentration on the run game, Reno seems to have some good thing to work with. Hoping for much more than 3 games, looking forward to it.
TNC
Could you at least wait till they open up camp,maybe have a weeks practice. BEFORE AIRMAILING THE SEASON IN, OR IS THAT JUST TO MUCH
TO ASK FOR.?
I FIND THAT THE THOUGHTS ARE ASSINE ON THIS BLOG SOMETIMES.
THIS PROGRAM WILL FLORISH WITH OR WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF PASSIONATE AND DIE HARD FANS OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL A 2 FACED BLATHER.
CHEERS JON HARRIS
TNC:
Thanks for your thoughtful analysis. A question: you didn't list Rich among the RBs who may have to shoulder the Varga burden. Was that an oversight or a message?
Cheers, L et V
Jon Harris I love your spunk and how you always take your opportunity to regulate the masses here if need be. Cheers to you too…
L et V, leaving out Candler Rich was just an oversight, no underlying message at all. Also obviously a big oversight, I would think he would be more of a contributor than Johnson or McAllister if Varga gets hurt again.
TNC
Looks like 4 Tom Williams recruits on the pre season all american team. Reno have any?
Touche 7:44. And the two big holes on the O-line were left by Oppenheimer and Gavin, Williams recruits and multiple year starters. Where is Jon Harris to call out as "assinine" the comment abut Williams recruiting division three players? That was straight up silly. I am the person who speculated about Reno's feature if he wins three. I don't hope for that; I wonder about it. I also thought Tom Williams was a good man and a good coach who didn't lose his job over a resume, he lost it because he couldn't beat Harvard and got shelled in his last try. If Reno's season ends that way, with losses to Princeton and Harvard (let alone non-competitive ones like last season) we are in the same place as we were after three years of Williams. Talk recruiting all you want, coaches have to win games. And the Yale coach has to beat Harvard and Princeton.
Hey 7:44 Actually yes if you look at the Yale football site.Tony has 8 additional players on various all star watch list.
Reno and his staff is so much better than Williams.
8:03 Whats your major malfunction?
My comment was all inclusive,but when you call me outI WILL ANSWER.
Williams,I did not have the pleasure of ever talking to him.
I hope he and his family are well.No he did not leave the football team in the best shape.
But he is long gone ,nothing is going to bring him back.
We have TR now, Nighty nite 8:03
JON HARRIS
So Williams got fired because he couldn't beat Harvard? Reno is 0-2 and last year they could have lost 84-0. He will be 0-3 after this year.
Go back to the rock you came from underneath. Fans like you who needs enemies.
Mr. Harris:
You are a disgrace to the intelligence and openness associated with Yale. You are an embarrassment to anyone who really cares about the program. All you do is fill this blog with your hatred of anyone who does not agree with you. Your responses are immature and really not worthy of a response. For 2 years you have stated very few facts to dispute negative comments. You have not engaged in any intelligent debate.
What you specialize in is the insult. Any idiot can do that. It is people like you who view anyone who disagrees with them as somehow not worthy of existence that is destroying the Yale FB and this country.
Go ahead and insult me. That is all you know how to do. Get a life.
TruthTeller
Well Well well hey TT ,I thinks I uncovered the RAT.I'm a embarrassment full hatered,No sir you are that. I do this out of jest to make fun.I like it when you get frothy at the mouth, you sorry excuse of a human being. You are nothing but a lying negative know it all of garbage.
As far as insulting you do very well ,I just happen to do it better.Good nite Madem
A lot of people are drinking the fruit punch on Joe Conlin as well. He's never called a play at any level of football. He will make mistakes just the way it is.
Truth Teller, when you put your real name down, you can call out Jon Harris for his comments. You aren't much different bashing people who question your comments and all your "facts". We are headed in the right direction under Coach Reno. We were a mess under TW. I know this first hand. What ever your hate is toward the change in the program, sorry. Hopefully we will make all of you proud this fall.
'14
Shouldn't count on Varga this year.
I agree that it seems very unlikely that Varga will be a factor due to his inability to stay healthy going all the way back to high school. As far as Conlin, his goal is to emulate Oregon's fast-paced quick strike offense. The conflict between that and Morris's more traditional approach (and Reno's failure to embrace one or the other) led to that strange no-huddle, yet no-urgency offense that we have been watching struggle. Now Conlin has his way. Could be a lot of fun, could be complete chaos. But don't expect it to look like much his first year. To 8:14, who claims "first hand" knowledge: I have always had the impression that probably 70 or 80 percent of the people on this blog can claim first-hand knowledge (myself included) which is why the variety of viewpoints regarding Coach Reno is so fascinating.
Congratulations 11:43:
Your "no huddle, yet no urgency" observation is magnificent. We neither communicated nor agitated ourselves. I passed a lot of the down time trying to decipher that absurd but colorful, post-Woodstock signaling device. Not something that would have been carried at the head of a Roman legion.
How about us resurrecting the Restic multi-flex? It was a complete FUBAR for the first seven or eight games but unstoppable thereafter.
If all else fails, we will still have, I hope, our glorious baton twirler.
L et V
Great banter, with the exception of truth teller. Who didn’t seem to do much besides bash Jon Harris for his opinion and give his own which most time has no substance either. I’ll be interested to see you make a comment with some factual evidence truth teller.
To me, “firsthand” knowledge only really comes from the inside of the program, and the real inside. Not front office, managers or trainers, or even the strength coach. The only real insiders are coaches and players. And at times even that is skewed depending on the attentiveness of the source.
I will too be interested to see what Conlin’s stamp on the program offensively is and how things are going to work under him. Also very interested to see how he uses people. As for you 14’, I believe the Bulldogs will make you and all of the true fans proud this season. All intentions and off season actions have led to that so far, now it is time to put it all together. 2 weeks from today is report date, correct? Can’t wait…
TNC
Jon Harris Supporters: I did not bash his comments because he rarely makes any! That is my point.
Does he know how to do anything other than insult people. Read his comments over the last two years and read mine. My focus is not on calling people names, it's on information and my opinion.
As I stated, a small mind throws insults when they do not have the facts or the mental capacity to participate in a debate. If you read my comment, I said BOTH sides need to be honest about their positions and allegiances. That is called being objective.
To: '14: I noticed you did not leave your name while criticizing me for not doing so. That is called being a hypocrite.
TruthTeller
BTW:
To all of the Yale FB players and parents commenting on this blog. Never confuse the circumstances working or not working in your favor as an objective indicator as to whether what is going on is fair or just. It is a best a datapoint.
The history of this country bears out the truth of my comment.
The reason this blog is so venomous is because most will not admit that their primary indicator of whether Reno is capable or not is "is it working for my little Johnnie".
That is why their is no objectivity.
TruthTeller
Well Reno has his interns and operations people post comments on this site to defend him for starters. It's not just parents and players.
10:26PM, that is an interesting claim. I wonder how much truth to this there is. If Reno has truly appointed people to “refuting negative comments” about him on a local blog, then Yale football is in more trouble than any of us know. I am going to have to go with I don’t believe that one. As I don’t usually believe the short on sentence “hang Reno” posts that I read on this blog. Which usually lack the appropriate factual info to be taken seriously.
Truth teller, “venomous” is a great description of your posts that I have read. At least now we are all clear on a few things, based on your “information”. One definitely is the fact that you are NOT a fan of Jon Harris having an opinion. It also seems rather clear that you are NOT a fan of Reno and would like to see him fail to in turn have a new coach appointed. Personally I think people like you make this blog interesting and I am excited to be able to debate things with you going further. Especially if at some point this things you bring to the table are based on “information” and create good debate.
Being new to this group I have only really been following things on here for the last few months. But as I mentioned in an earlier post, I try to do my homework on the program, and I definitely have knowledge of the game.
I’d agree that many people need to take “lil Johnny’s” feelings out of the mix when making claims or comments on the current state of things. Objectivity is important and no one deserves “a pass” especially if they are not improving their performance at all. In addition I do know how passionate fans are, sometimes seeing things through “rose colored glasses”. But the facts still are and always will be the facts.
However as of late truth teller, concerning your original point (of your comments not being based on calling people names, but being based on information and your opinion), it seems like your anger has mounted and all you currently have is barbs to throw. And unfortunately, unless I have missed something, which is possible, I’ve definitely seen your opinion, yet the information that was supposedly with it, seems…almost non-existent.
Maybe it will be forthcoming. I find no need to go any farther back than when I came in to find it. If you are the “Truth teller” you claim to be, then your factual info, if it ever appears, should show up. Unless of course, you are “lil Johnny” in disguise. As usual…we shall see.
TNC
Common people, stop talking nonsense. Character attacks are for girls! This is a football blog. Do any of you actually know anything about football or are you just seeing things through your spectator glasses?
Guys just a thought. Did anyone see the giants last night? nice to have a fullback blocking for the running backs.It would be great if reno this year uses the fullback so the running backs will not have to do all the work by themselves Varga would be happy.
To TNC:
Some facts to answer the misconception that Coach Williams left Reno with a D3 roster. Below is a list of Williams 3 recruiting classes narrowed down to starters and significant contributors. Some of these players did not have complete careers but all played major part in winning one or more games individually for the Bulldogs.
Check the stats and the game summaries. While the last class was clearly the weakest, Reno was not left with a D3 roster.
2009-2010
Collin Bibb DB
Mordecai Cargill RB
Roy Collins OL
Nick Daffin DL
Allen Davis DE
Chris Dooley DL
Dylan Drake DE
Allen Harris WR
Brian Leffler LB
Will McHale LB
Philippe Panico K
John Powers DB
Derek Russell QB
Chris Smith WR
Kurt Stottlemeyer DB
2010-2011
Henry Furman QB
Wes Gavin OL
Jackson Liguori WR
Nick Okano DB
John Oppenheimer OL
Beau Palin DL
Deon Randall RB/WR
Cameron Sandquist WR
John Whitelaw QB
2011-2012
Ben Carbery OL
Kyle Cazzetta K/P
William Chism OL
EJ Conway DE
Charles Cook DB/LB
Kahlil Keys RB
William Vaughan LB
Anyone surprised by the names?
TruthTeller
Ahhh thanks for the facts truth teller…let’s look at them.
So your point is that Reno had a roster of “good” or non D3 players left to him, and your proof is that they “played major part in winning one or more games individually for the Bulldogs”. I’d agree, to say that Reno was left a roster of D3 players is a bit harsh. We are all in agreement that the vast majority of players in the Ivy’s especially nowadays is much closer to the higher level D1AA level player than the D3. So agreed there
Your statement would insinuate that by playing a major part in wining these games “individually” (which in itself is very tough in football, but I was not present for any of these games) they are a roster of “above average players? The fact is that they played a major part in winning whatever games we did win. All that says about them is that they were contributing as the “best of what we have”, which does not compare them to the rest as we know. A fair comparison to the rest of what is in the Ivy League would be to measure All-Ivy status of these players. Agreed?
Let’s start with the season Williams finished and what he first left Reno with:
2011
Yale Record 5-5 1 – 7 All-Ivy players (1st & 2nd) (2 underclassmen)
Cornell Record 5-5 1 - All-Ivy players (1st & 2nd) (1 underclassmen)
Columbia Record 1-9 1 - All-Ivy players (1st & 2nd) (1 underclassmen)
So it looks as though Reno started his tenure in the season of 2012 with 2 returning All-Ivy players and a team that came off a 5-5 record
2012
Cornell Record 4-6 4 - All-Ivy players (1st & 2nd) (2 underclassmen)
Columbia Record 3-7 3 - All-Ivy players (1st & 2nd) (2 underclassmen)
Yale Record 2-8 2 - All-Ivy players (1st & 2nd) (1 underclassmen)
He finished the year going 2-8 in his first season and didn’t have either guy return as All-Ivy (was he “playing his favorites here” or not giving the seniors a fair shake, some would say yes I’m sure), but had one other become All-Ivy. What type of job would you consider this? May a bad one. I am assuming that you would have expected some of these guys (Bibb, Cargill, Collins etc.) to be All-Ivy and his record to be better correct? So we’ll look at the outcomes and call that year a bust.
2013
He goes into his 2nd season with 1 returning All-Ivy player One his (Collins) (Varga, who I would assume Reno brought in since you didn’t mention him in your post) and 2 wins from the previous year).
Yale Record 5-5 5 - All-Ivy players (1st & 2nd) (4 underclassmen)
Cornell Record 3-7 4 - All-Ivy players (1st & 2nd) (1 underclassmen)
Columbia Record 0-10 2 - All-Ivy players (1st & 2nd) (0 underclassmen)
Reno finishes the season with 3 more wins and 3 less losses. Finishes ahead of the 2 teams that finished ahead of him last season, and who had more returning All-Ivy players than he had entering the season. He has 5 All-Ivy players. 2 were from his recruiting and 3 were from Williams recruiting. So Williams did recruit more of them.
But you must look at this fact. Williams players (Craberry, Randal and Gavin) didn’t make All-Ivy until their junior and senior seasons respectively, when Reno was their coach. Whereas Champion and Oluokun both made it in their freshman and sophomore years. A supporter probably would argue that Reno had a hand in making them all All-Ivy performers through time. Where he also had the eye in talent to bring in recruits (Champion and Oluokun) that were closer to being ready and with the addition of his tutelage quickly rose to the top half of players in the Ivy’s. Yet I would assume that you would say that Reno just merely benefited from Williams genius. Either way thanks truth teller for the research and through provoking comment. All this information gathering continues to increase the intrigue of this upcoming season.
TNC
TNC:
Glad to have a objective debate!!!
I do not agree with your statement that a fair comparison to the rest of what is in the Ivy League would be to measure All-Ivy status of these players.
My reason is two-fold. My main reason is that the level of talent at various positions within the Ivy-League changes year by year which impacts who makes the team.
Most of the players I listed were on the two-deep ahead of Reno recruits for their career. A few who were not, such as Leffler and Okano (who was Pre-Season All Ivy in 2012 after being second among DBs in tackles and having a career best of 6-1-7 vs Harvard in 2011, but not good enough for Reno to start), should have been starters.
Since you have only been around 3 months and did not see the players it may be a little tougher for you to recognize individual player contributions.
Thanks for the intelligent debate.
TruthTeller
It is refreshing to see real debate with no name calling. Here is my two-cents: Truth Teller, I would take issue with your inclusion of Liquori and Whitelaw on that list of strong Tom Williams recruits. These are kids who quit the team because they did not like the new coach and/or the new coach's decision making. They are certainly entitled to that decision, but shouldn't be commended for it. And understand that this opinion comes from someone who thought Reno's first and biggest mistake (perhaps one from which he will never recover) was the choice of Williams over Whitelaw. His first huge personnel decision resulted in one QB leaving the team, the other being so far from the correct choice that he now no longer even plays the QB position, and the upperclassmen beginning to question whether they had a fair shot of playing over his guys (which is of course what happened to Okano, also on your list.) And one other thing: the current senior class really seems to undermine your argument. From a recruiting standpoint, they are a disaster. Even if we concede you the list of kids you have as strong recruits, it represents about a quarter of the kids recruited. Also, about a third of them are no longer even on the team! The current roster shows only 18 seniors. I am excluding Deon Randall and Kahlil Keys because they were recruited with the prior class.
My pleasure TruthTeller, that is what I came here for. I agree with the level of talent changing at various positions in every football conference throughout the nation, this is fact. I also agree that this impacts who makes which team. This is exactly what makes the numbers so important. It is tough on an “All-American” teams because you are taking guys from different conferences, which have many times a great disparity. Most times more of a disparity between conferences than there is within the specific conferences. In most cases, if you have the numbers, you get the All-conference billing. So I guess we agree to disagree there.
You are correct, I have only had a short time here and have not seen the team play at all (other than the spring game that I did attend) so I don’t have the scope that you do.
In reference to your comment on the DB’s, it’s interesting. From where I see it the DB’s last year were arguably the best unit on the team (The OL was up there as well) and had numerous standouts (Champion & Oluokun being All-Ivy). So from your perspective Okano should have been a starter or major contributor in that group rather than at least one of the ones that were there. Let’s take a look at that.
Given what I have researched I am curious to know who you think Okano should have played instead of on this past year’s team. Take into consideration I don’t know who played which DB positions I am just looking at the presented statistical facts here. Clearly Champion & Oluokun had highly productive seasons. Do you feel as though it wasn’t the right decision having them play instead of Okano? I’m assuming not. There seemed to be 3 others guys who got time in addition to these guys. Charles Cook a junior who played in10 games, and 2 freshman, Spencer Rymiszewski who played in 10 games and Robert Reis who played in 8 games.
Let’s look at Okano
2011 (Soph) Games played - 9 Tackles - 35 Int - 2 (clearly his best year)
2012 (Junior) Games played - 9 Tackles - 14 Int - 0
2013 (Senior) Games played - 9 Tackles - 17 Int - 0
Looks as though his production dropped off each year.
Taking Champion & Oluokun out of the mix, here is what last season looked like for the other 3 guys.
Charles Cook played 10 games - 56 Tackles
Spencer Rymiszewski played 10 games - 42 Tackles
Robert Reis played 8 games - 42 Tackles
True I did not see any of them play, but these numbers look like these kids are just down right better. Even in his best year it doesn’t look as though Okano is the kind of player that Cook, Rymiszewski, or Reis are. Not even in the ball-park of Champion (78 tackles and 3 picks) or Oluokun (58 tackles and 4 PBU’s). Champion and Oluokun were second and third on the entire team in tackles last season, where the best Okano ever did was second best in his unit. With the stats from his best statistical year applied this year he would have been 9th on the team in tackles, and last (6th) among DB’s
Again, I have not seen a game yet. But it looks like the numbers here speak for themselves a little. I would say the correct choice was made to play these 5 guys over Okano, from where I see it. Just saying. If you still think he should have been a starter, I’m curious to know who you think should have sat out and why?
Thank you TruthTeller. Your input is giving me just what I have been looking for, things to discuss. Counting today…13 days till report date.
TNC
Having seen every game during the last three years to say Okano and Leffler should have been starters is incorrect. Both were slow at their positions and missed many tackles.
To TNC:
Okano numbers dropped off because he did not get playing time. Additionally, having personally attended every Yale FB game his freshmen year, Champion made a lot of tackles NOT at the line of scrimmage, but 15-20 yards downfield after being out of position defensively and failing to defend the pass. Tackle numbers for a DB can be deceiving because the question is where are they making the tackles and why.
Champion may have had a better upside, but he was not ready his freshman year. Keep in mind that incoming Freshman do not report until August so they missed Spring Ball where the offense and defense is installed so no matter how gifted they are athletically, it is hard for them to grasp the playbook quickly. This is especially problematic for the secondary. On the interior defensive line it is definitely easier to play a freshman.
As it relates to Leffler, look at who he had official offers from, they did not think he was too slow and can I say Penn game 2012?
Then less take the case of William Vaughn. In Reno's first year he buried him on third or fourth team. I give credit to the young man for not letting this destroy his confidence. The next year Reno again had him buried until injuries forced him to play him. Once he did he could not get him off the field.
So what I believe Reno did was sacrifice wins his first year by playing people who were not ready that he perceived had a bigger upside. That was good for him, but not for the Seniors on the team.
As it relates to the speed of players, I will tell you what an SEC linebacker coach once told me. He said, if you never make false steps, you play faster than you are, if you make false steps, you must be quicker to recover from those false steps.
The NFL is littered with All-Pros and Hall of Famers who were deemed to slow.
As it relates to team speed, when Yale stops being one of the whitest teams in the Ivy League that will change. In 2012 Harvards starting defense had 9 African Americans. Check Penns roster and it also has had significantly more over the years.
How may white DBs, WRs, and LBs and even DEs, do we see in major college football, let alone the NFL. The comment may not be politically correct but it is true.
Additionally what Reno can do is stop taking athletic prototypical outside linebackers and asking them to gain 30 pounds and play DE, which is not enough weight to compete with the tackles and often neutralizes their best asset which is their speed.
TruthTeller
Some racy comments TruthTeller. Of course those are the ones that elicit lengthy responses…
I understand the issues with freshman learning systems given the fact that they “just arrived” on the team and campus. Again, something that is dealt with all over the country, even in your previously mentioned SEC. Yet there and everywhere athleticism and play making rule out, so chances are taken regularly if it deems worth it. And it is obvious that it is easier to play DL than in the secondary, but again, exceptions are made everywhere.
Not sure what Leffler had but it seems as though you are refuting yourself with your Vaughn info. It seems like you are against how Reno “buried” him in the depth chart early in his career and he happened to persevere and finally got his due. Which should Reno do, play the young guys or not play them? Play them if they play positions closer to the line of scrimmage? You confused me a bit there.
I do see your point is that Reno tanked his record the first year to be able to be good now playing some kids earlier than later in their career. If he did this you are right it is not a great deal for the seniors. Yet while I am not condoning this action, it is also something that is done all over the country by coaches. Especially those trying to preserve their jobs, which is actuality is what all coaches are doing. Even though I used the word “tanking” I think that was not the appropriate term to use. Because I don’t think football coaches do that, the season is too short. They may play guys young, but they rarely “tank” seasons to do it.
I like how 1:13PM got you going on team speed when he called your guys slow, so I’ll follow you there. Your first point being if players know what they do they will have less wasted movement and appear to get places “faster” and be in position more. Factual statement. We didn’t necessarily need an SEC coach as the authority to know that.
But that broke the surface of you and allowed your true feelings of the fact that Reno needs to get more athletes of color on the roster, which will bring more “athleticism” to come out. Interesting to say the least.
As I mentioned I did attend the spring game. To be honest I was surprised to see as many players of color on the roster as I did. It also looks like on both sides of the ball there are numerous players of color that add to the athleticism of both units. These guys did look good and many of them looked like they can play, but we will have to wait and see on that. Furthermore it looks as though there are a “fair” amount of players of color in the incoming freshman class with a lot of athleticism as well. From the outside in it looks like Reno is addressing your “issue” of the amount of athleticism on his roster. No shot for you to give him a compliment though. As it seems.
I’m curious to know who you are speaking of when you made your last comment. Egu maybe?
TNC
TNC:
I was speaking of the following players some of which you may know nothing about since you are recent:
Allen Davis
EJ Conway
Egu
As it relates to Vaughn, my point is Reno's preference for his recruits vs Williams. My point is Vaughn should have never been buried on 4th team. Either Reno's staff can't see talent, there was a preference, or again they thought his recruits had a larger upside. Vaughn did not just transform from nowhere. Reno was FORCED to give him an opportunity and Vaughn made the most of it. Do I believe Reno is promising early playing time to lure recruits, yes I do.
As it relates to players of color, my point was simply pointing out the fact that in the Ivy League it is hard to get significantly faster without more of them. To Reno's credit I do not believe this is a Reno issue.
Having been around when Coach Williams was there, there was always a subtle racial undertone to how some people responded to things he did or said, even his sideline demeanor. They were the minority, but a vocal one.
I also felt at the time that those around the Yale FB program did not want it becoming "blacker". They wanted athletes of color but in smaller doses. In other words they wanted to follow the Boston Celtic, Indiana Pacer, Utah Jazz model.
I do understand people being frustrated with Reno claiming to be a "young team" prior to every season. As people have stated they are young by his choosing. It feels like a built in excuse to insulate him from accountability and to lower expectations.
The facts are Yale had not been as uncompetitive as they were last season in several years. Last year they had two of the largest deficit defeats in Yale FB history. People on this blog rather than holding Reno accountable for this want to say Williams left him with a D3 roster, the team is young....insert excuse. I know what would have been said if Coach Williams had those margins of defeat.
The facts are Yale hired a Head Coach whose previous highest position had been Special Teams Coordinator. When you do that there are going to be growing pains. Reno has made mistakes in how he deals with parents of players, how he manages the players, how he selects and manages his staff, how he handles the year end football banquet. He has improved on some of these.
I do not like his to cool for school or I'm better than you attitude. I do not like how he treats his players. The number of injuries skyrocketed after he took over mainly due to how he runs practices once the season starts. Players would say that by gameday they were beat up and exhausted from the physicality of the practices. Players felt there was a macho level they had to live up to. Before you say who, no current player would ever admit this. It is about the culture that Reno sets within the program. It becomes group think and know one wants to be the outsider. Continuing to play QB Williams in I believe the 2012 Columbia game (I may have the game wrong)was criminal. Being there watching it in person, the kid though injured, was trying to prove his toughness, but clearly should not have been on the field. I believe he has never recovered from the beating he took that day. To me it showed a lack of care for the player. There is a difference between hurt and injured and I wonder if Reno knows the difference.
When players are tired, the fundamentals break down and they are more suspect to being injured.
TruthTeller
Great info and very strong opinions, I like them both. All background info for me as I am watching things unfold. The Yale football community seems to be an interesting one, as I expected.
It is interesting to me still that you said that they “had not been as uncompetitive as they were last season in several years” having won more games last year then the year before and lost Penn and Dartmouth close. To me that seems more competitive.
It makes me understand the magnitude of not only “The Game” but playing Princeton is as well. None the less it will be very interesting for me to gather information as time progresses and see how it relates to what you just provided. I’ll also be quite interested in the health of the team as the season progresses based on your input. I would assume that having the majority of the team there for the a month and a half of the summer prior to camp is to prepare them for the rigors of the way the season is going to be run. We’ll see though won’t we…
TNC
Reno hasn't put a defense together in two years. They fly by the seat of their pants every game. Lack fundamentals, scheme, knowledge of the league, game planning. This is not a fast league and Yale's speed is no better or worse than any team including Harvard. Those last two classes of Tom Williams were not great either.
To 10:20:
I agree with you on coaching, but not Williams last two classes. Here are some of his last two classes:
2010-2011
Henry Furman QB
Wes Gavin OL
Jackson Liguori WR
Nick Okano DB
John Oppenheimer OL
Beau Palin DL
Deon Randall RB/WR
Cameron Sandquist WR
John Whitelaw QB
2011-2012
Ben Carbery OL
Kyle Cazzetta K/P
William Chism OL
EJ Conway DE
Charles Cook DB/LB
Kahlil Keys RB
William Vaughan LB
Some of them "quit" like Conway who would have been a star and was flashing as such.
TruthTeller
Not sure where Reno learned his I'm better than you attitude. He still went to Worcester St right?
Truth Teller you never responded to 12:48 p.m.'s comments on your assessment of Williams' recruits. Instead, you just posted the same list again. And by the way, you have Keys in the wrong recruiting class and Conway on the list despite his having quit, which leaves you complimenting Williams on coming up with FIVE players among the current seniors (one of whom is a punter!)of roughly 30. Among the class who just graduated you list just nine, and include two who quit! Can that possibly be seen as anything other than poor talent evaluation and recruiting
To 10:21:
I got the list from the Yale Roster on their website. So unless the website is wrong, it is correct.
Whether they quit or nit does not matter. The issue being addressed was the talent of the recruiting class, NOT their status on the team. Conway quit when Reno was coach. Given his talent level, how did Reno let that happen?
I do not need to comment on the names. If you have been watching Yale FB over the past 5 or 6 years, and can access the stats, the names speak for themselves. If you have not been watching for at least 4 years and will not access factual information you should not be commenting.
Continue with your search for excuses for Reno. Here are the margins of defeat for last year: 7, 19, 11, 41(To Columbia), 36 (Princeton), 28 (Harvard). That is called not even being competitive. How do you lose by 41 to Columbia!!!! So you would say none of that blame falls on Reno, REALLY!!! What would people have been saying about Williams if that happened? Could he get away with blaming Sidecki? Could he say we are young? No, so neither can Reno.
A good leader accepts responsibility, sometimes even for things that are not all his fault. Reno seems incapable of accepting responsibility for the failures of the team and chooses instead to throw his players and anyone else necessary under the bus. His specialty is deflection. That is not a leader!
TruthTeller
To TruthTeller:
Yale beat Columbia by 41, they did not lose by 41.
Truth Teller I think you showed your true colors in that last post in which you are so insistent on bashing Reno you gave him a 40+ point loss to Columbia. And it's not just a simple typo as you go on to speculate about what would have happened to Tom Williams if he did that. Designating yourself "Truth Teller" suggests (especially to those newer to the blog who haven't figured you out yet) that you are one who rationally, logically, and objectively walks through the facts. You do no such thing. It seems pretty clear you are an aggrieved party with an ax to grind - my guess is a relative of a Tom Williams recruit who lost time to a Reno recruit. If you choose to be bitter about that, that is your right. But don't present yourself as a neutral party to whom those who don't know better can turn for unbiased information.
To All:
I thought I had recanted the Columbia loss. I misread the results from the website. Honest mistake. However, it takes Reno apologist to jump on that instead of explaining all the other points I made.
To all Reno defenders, is he responsible on any level for the failures of the team over the last two years?
He can't say the buck stops at him, and then try to pass the buck when things do not go well.
As I stated before, just because someone is negative or positive about Reno within itself does NOT mean they are not objective. IF you have been following I have given credit for correcting some of his initial mistakes. All my comments have not been negative.
It is not complicated, they hired a coach whose previous highest position had been Special Teams Coordinator. I would like to think Yale could have attracted someone more qualified. Having said that, when Yale FB makes that decision, they should expect someone who is learning on the job. The problem is when you are learning on the job you WILL make mistakes. Reno cheerleaders seem to want to act like he hasn't made any.
TruthTeller
I do not understand TT,bashing and why is so.I have never heard or seen Reno throw his kids under the so called bus.?
TT I have been around the program for 45 years.I am old school.I have a little understanding my patientce runs shiort when my family as I percieve it is attacked and yes slanderized by ANYBODY including you.
I do not trust or understand you. I see that you do not like me, I am fine with that.I suggest that you come down and meet the coaches and players and I am at the practices as well.
I would enjoy a chat eye to eye.
maybe gain abetter understanding of matters. GO BLUE JON HARRIS
To Harris:
When you keep saying we are young you are 1) throwing the upperclassmen under the bus and 2) Blaming the underclassmen's youth and experience for mistakes.
Mr. Harris; please answer the following question; is Reno responsible on any level for the failures of the team over the last two years?
Additionally, do you agree with the following statement; He can't say the buck stops at him, and then try to pass the buck when things do not go well.
Remember on persons basher is another persons TruthTeller. It is all about perspective.During the Revolutionary War, American fighters were called terrorist by the British.
You have a different perspective, so you chose to call me a basher.
TruthTeller
tt, forget what I said you are a lost cause.How dare tou compare yourself to a patriot.You are a TORY,that would be tared and feathered believe me.
Reno is no saint He is a young coach that has a learning curve ,he is a commodity to be had
I believe a person deserves to prove himself,with Reno 4 to 5 years is that time.
I see this program in a up pattern.Reno is not at FAULT of course he is at FAULT .HE'S THE COACH.!!!!!
These are the writings that make me agonize over this blog.
Yes I spit fire JON HARRIS TTBOY
Mr Harris:
Calm down...So if we agree he is at fault because he is the Coach, then making excuses about being young, being left with a D3 roster, or people on this blog blaming the players (poor tackling, eratic QB play), is not accurate. It is fair to blame the coach.
If I understand you correctly, much like some of Reno's freshman starters, we got (hired) him BEFORE he was ready but you think Reno has a large upside. Read some of my comments, I have not said he has an upside, but I have said everything else.
So in summary, you do not disagree with a large portion of my comments, you disagree with my conclusion.
TruthTeller
TT no shape or form do I agree with you.It's your manner or lack of,you are not cute in your delivery or assumption of what is accurate or real.
You try to find fault,where there is none.That is the job of the coach.TTboy that is in coaching description.You or I will not get fired for lack of performance.
Jon Harris
Interesting reading this thread how truth teller obvious scam has failed to accept Jon Harris offer to meet in person.
TR is a young head coach, he has made mistakes, he is improving the program every day. these are facts. the program is progressing forward. saying the team is young on the field is a fact, not an excuse. he is playing who he feels are the best players and that is the head coaches decision. go ask the seniors on the team if they feel the freshmen and sophomores are more talented. the answer might surprise you or might validate why they are playing. no one on this blog is an "insider" even if your kid is a player, you are getting his perspective of what's going on. i'm sure this staff is working hard every day to prepare for the season and win football games. go ask nick saban if he would rather have talented players or talented coaches! players win games and he has said that too many times over his coaching career.
I watched Yale play at Princeton last year and Yale looked like a high school team compared to Princeton. Granted Yale did have several freshman playing in that game, but Princeton had a few playing also. Princeton dominated in every phase of the game: offense, defense, special teams and coaching.
I watched the highlights of the 4 receivers and the smaller kids looks pretty good. The three others are slower guys - I thought two of them were TEs in the picture and the way they moved out of breaks. Not sure this are great additions to our team in the future plus the new 2015 WR highlights look very average. Harvard, Princeton and Penn are getting athletes that are becoming great Ivy League players and have NFL teams looking at some of these guys. Reno has 3 recruiting classes and I think we will end up 3-7 or 4-6. Next year we can't say Yale is a young team anymore. That will be 4 classes that Reno has recruited. At that point I think we may see that he is being outcoached or the scheme is not up to the Ivy intelligence. Harvard, Dartmouth and Princeton all have coaches that are Ivy graduates running their schemes. Yale has a basic scheme on both sides of the ball and they have intelligent players to expand that but I think the coaching intelligence and knowledge is limited. I think that will show up as a fault and continue to have losses against the better teams: Harvard, Princeton, Penn and Dartmouth.
Repeating the same untruth seems to be a standard anti-Reno tactic. Reno does not have three recruiting classes. The great majority of the junior class are Williams recruits, but what's a few fibs among fellow fans.
L et V
10:04am be a man just use your monicker Truth Teller,it's OK we know it's you..Let me tell you about you convaluted thoughts.
H Pr and Pe they are not the only schools that have NFL interests.or games at a given time if not the majority TT boy, NFL scouts are present at all the IVY League Football practices.
As far as Princeton, watching the game it looked like High school team against Princeton. No kidding really TT.? be original at least. (I'm talking to you like a 5 year old now TT. Princeton was a Senior dominated team.No Princeton did'nt start any Freshmen not until they put in the 3rd and 4th strings.
Yale,on the other hand did start1 freshman Rb Mr. Candler and 5 on defense.Thats why TTboy.
Also, Yale does have NFL caliber talent, how do I know. I have talked to different NFL scouts during practices
I am watching you Truth No your NOT Teller JON HARRIS
Wow! I am not TT or whoever that is. I am an unbiased observer who was at the Princeton/Yale game. I did see the backups for Princeton enter the game - all the way down to freshman and it was still dominated by Princeton. Princeton did have some seniors on the field, but the majority of their playmakers were underclassmen. As for the NFL prospects. The last two years Harvard has had a player get drafted and Princeton has had two players get drafted to the NFL. As a formality, there are some NFL scouts that do come out to most colleges and they measure and test the athletes. But who gets drafted is a different story than having them out for practices. I don't think Yale is attracting a bunch of the NFL scouts to watch the team (and the 7 freshman that played in the Princeton game) because why would they be recruiting a bunch of players that are down by close to 50 points in the 3rd quarter to a team that had 1 NFL draft pick.
Brown will have the most inexperienced team in the Ivy League this year, and I bet their coach will not make excuses.
This is the same person as 3:14PM.
On another note, I do give Coach Reno credit as to understanding what his needs are. I see on the 2014 roster that he has about 6 freshman QBs. I have seen the Barmore kid in person and he is pretty good. I have seen the athletic stats and the QB that Princeton got from Oklahoma that will be a freshman and I think he will be better than Epperly unless they end up playing him in another position. The scored over 120 in the Nike Sparq score. I doubt any other players recruited to an Ivy school scored over 100 in the class of 2014.
So, Reno does understand what he needs to have a chance to compete with the top 3 or 4 teams. The top 3 teams in the Ivies as from the preseason polls all have the top 3 best QBs in the Ivies. No question those teams have great offenses and the best 3 QBs, and all 3 are returning starters. So Coach Reno does see the talent that he has on his roster and decided to bring in about 6 quarterbacks!
Whoa! The heat has definitely been turned up here. TruthTeller, you sure did fire up the honorable Jon Harris! Mr. Harris, I will definitely be looking forward you hopefully meeting up with you at some point. And you as well TruthTeller. And Mr. 3:14PM & 3:29 PM, you sure seem interesting. I agree with Mr. Harris in that people like you should give yourself a title. So we know when you are weighing in on different points. I figured I would weigh in on the “QB situation”. Does anyone think that the position is open or is it “Roberts to lose”? Because believe it or not those things are two very different things.
Currently there are 10 kids listed on the roster at QB. In my opinion, that is too many. I’m assuming some will get “Re-assigned” some time through camp. Watching the spring game it was clear to me that Robetrts was the best of that bunch. From where I see it if there is going to be a “battle” for the position it will be between Roberts and one of the incoming freshman.
Of the 10 QB’s on the roster 6 of them are freshman. One of them is a QB/CB. I’m thinking he will probably be the first one switched. However of the freshman, whose highlights are accessible, he looks like he runs the best of all of them. Having a QB that is a running threat is what Reno wants to do there, correct?
What do you do with 10 though? Will 5 of them suit up for varsity games and 5 for “Freshman” games? Will more than 1 get reassigned? Will they all get a shot at Roberts’ job? Spitting up those repetitions should be an interesting situation. Let’s say Roberts does win out because he is functional and has the best “grasp” of the system once the season starts. If he proves later not to be the answer (which I have noticed many people feel) how long is his leash? Does Reno play with a multi QB rotation? Should he? I know I am opening this up for a possible barrage of “hate entries” but I hope that is not the case and this works out positively. As does this “QB situation”.
TNC
When Reno took over...had he valued his upperclassmen, the experiences they brought to the team, the respect that they naturally gave each other, and the comaraderie that was already there (despite the "fact" that "Williams was a poor recruiter")...they were a a T E A M ! ! ! ...his first year and beyond would have been entirely different. He just can't seem to catch up. Football is much more than just talented INDIVIDUALS. He just didn't seem to understand that, and I'm not sure he's learned anything since. Hoping Yale football thrives in the years to come, but...
Why shouldn't Logan Scott be the starter next season? He's been productive for Yale in all the games he's played.
Guys no sense in putting the cart before the horse.Speculation can cause you to lose sight.
Since practice has'nt started TT 9:31 or 10:13 or whatever you call yourself.We will have to wait and see what unfolds.
But please keep on saying the same thing over and over again.
I think it will be Roberts to lose,Scott has the talent but have not a clue of the rest of the QB's .But I'm sure that the coaches will get it done.
Jon Harris
There is always a "QB situation" with Reno...with that position obviously a very important one, he should commit to one player...develop that...that position requires a sense of confidence...isn't it already obvious to him who should QB? Why always make it such a "competition" instead of developing the important relationship between THE QB and the rest of the team? So frustrating!!! Ever since he arrived, this has been an issue.
There have only been two games since Reno arrived where we had the QB play that is required from a spread type offense. Both were in 2012. One was when Russell played QB vs Penn and the other was when Varga played QB vs Columbia. That is exactly what the first and primary threat from the QB position in this offense requires. If the QB is not a running threat first, this offense is garbage.
9:15 or TT ,TR has commited to QB's ,he commited to Williams in 2012.May have been a different story if Whitelaw did'nt flip and quit the team.That will haunt him for a long time poor kid.
Injury bug Scott ,Russell,williams, Varga,Furman.
2013 the man was Furman he did well he got hurt at Colgate. got hurt again at Cal poly and Dartmouth.
It would be nice have a QB for a whole season,Who is able to function and run the plays.
Not even sure what offense they will run,this year.
They start next Monday ,have to see. Jon Harris
Ok so based on your comment 12:32PM you believe the best thing for the offense to be successful (the way it is meant to be) is to have the QB on the roster who is the best “runner” be the starter. This would be the “required” choice for its highest functionality. If that happens to be a freshman then we deal with his throwing “issues” or “growing pains” (however big or small they are) and just put everything into making him being able to navigate the offense the way it should be run.
Granted, as I have stated numerous times before the only game I have seen so far is the spring game. In that game the QB’s didn’t really do much running and when they did there was a quick whistle with no contact (as it should have been). Yet if this is the case then Roberts doesn’t seem to be the answer. That is solely based on the little I saw and the reaction to him (as a runner) that I have heard here for the last 4 months.
If this is in fact the answer then maybe Reno may be finally getting the “Recipe” correct for his “QB issue”. I would have to assume that of the 6 QB’s he recruited and brought in there are at least a few of them that can run well (I have watched film of 3 that I believe are above average runners at the QB spot), so maybe that is what he was looking for. And if in fact that is what he is doing then he may have his player at QB that can be here to lead this team for him the next 3 to 4 years.
As usual, we’ll have to wait and see on that one. Fortunately for all of us, camp begins in only 5 days…can’t wait.
TNC
Correct! If I am grading the QB position for this offense the QB has to be as good a runner as the RB or better and be able to run the read option perfectly. If we have a few that fit the bill then the one with the best passing ability gets the start, and it doesn't matter if he is a freshman! If the QB is not a good runner it is easy to neutralize the RB and the down field passing game. Exactly what has happened the past two years. Varga is an exception at the RB position as he can break so many tackles and get YAC, so our run game statistically still looks good. However, when he gets injured from all of this, we can't run the ball worth a crap against any reasonable defense. So the answer is a running QB to make this offense function like it is designed to do. Harvard has this formula down pat so I am surprised that Reno doesn't get it? Failing this, a change of scheme is required to better utilize the RB and make it easier for the poor runners to pass the ball.
12;03 Truth Teller sound bites,?
Anyhow yes optimal QB play encompasses this fundamental element.But as far as RB with out Varga,he is good but Keys is just as good of a runner, and Rich is no slouch either.
Have you talked to the coaches ,?have talked to any players,not that they would devulge any info to anybody at this time.
5 more days till camp opens I'm gonna wait see in 2 weeks time whats happening.have better understanding instead of who gets it ,who does'nt kinda like to run my life like that TT.
Cheers Jon Harris
Oh excuse me, TNC I am also looking forward to meeting in the near future.Wether at practice or a game take care.
Walt Yale Fan,I need to talk to you brother, about these Giants. I'll see you sooner than later.
Cheers Jon Harris
That is very optimistic. Keys is good and Rich is decent but they are certainly no Varga. Just look at the YAC for each one and you will have the full story. Your Aunt could run the ball in open field. Shedding tacklers and getting yards when there are none to be had is a whole different story. The next time someone runs for 150 yards look at the situation that they got these is in rather than the end stat it self. If you rip a 90 yard run on one play and then take 25 more carries to get 50 what does that say? How many times do you get stuffed for no yards or a loss?
Ok,Heres my point .Varga is not durable,he has not completed a season.
infact each one of the backs have had problems,health wise.
But each one that stepped up, did a good job.Hey it's what Yale has.also the nature of the game.
So with that said get your Auntie ready boy.Yale will by all accounts need her.
Or you could stop bitching and wait to see what happens ,who emerges to play. Jon Harris
Jon Harris
Jon you lose all credibility by saying keys is as good of a runner as Varga. Thats a false statement.
While YAC is obviously an important stat, it is not the "full story" as suggested by 3:06. This article, while mentioning YAC for the top NFL backs breaks down three other important attributes of a good back... vision, agility, and burst.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1900175-why-lesean-mccoy-is-the-best-running-back-in-the-nfl
Yards gained by avoiding contact is just as important(if not more) as gaining yards after contact. Many RB's careers have ended early because they made their living gaining yards after contact. Varga may unfortunately be another example.
Keys is a different runner than Varga but very effective. If Varga does not play I expect Keys will be one of the premier backs in the Ivy League.
Basing comments on mere stats shows your lack of understanding of what is actually happening on the field. YAC is important in this type of offense. Our offense does not provide for a lead blocker for the RB and always leaves defensive players inside the box unblocked. This is the nature of the scheme when you put 3-4 wide and the QB is supposed to be like another RB. This means that the RB or the QB must be able to break a lot of tackles at the line of scrimmage or there will be a lot of negative plays. Deception is also a key component. In a spread offense it is key for the run play to gain 3-4 yards as the nature of the blocking does not expect huge running plays. The reason our backs and QB's get so many injuries is because they have no blockers and continually have to take contact. Varga had 39 carries the first game last season. Show me another back in the league that had 39 carries any game? Some didn't have that for the whole season! Look at the games where he was not in the lineup (and not when the score was out of hand) and see how our run game went. I think you will be surprised at what you find out. Our problems can all go away (injuries included) if we can find a QB that can run. If that does not happen then switching to a more traditional offense will also do the trick.
9:22 Read again,I said good .Not as good.
Cheers big ears Jon Harris
A healthy Varga vs a healthy Khalil Keys is not even an argument. Keys has zero elusiveness and has marginal speed. He's fumble prone as well. People forget how good Varga is because the injuries. He's a great talent.
Actually, the way I see it they are comparable in straightaway speed. Varga's burst and lateral quickness is unmatched, especially for a big back. And the power goes without saying. Let's hope he is healed up and stays healthy for the season. Can't beat Harvard without him. Keys is a good back and deserves #2 in the depth chart. Rich is too small and I see him more as a slot. Everett Johnson should be the #3.
9;01 Thats a horse of another colour,since each is not ,has not .What are you trying to prove little boy.
By all means, he is. and he's actualy a better person.Who will be a Doctor soon.
Just like all thses special men.
Cheers Jon Harris
couple comments here from a relatively recent football alumnus...
1) To the guy that keeps insisting that Reno was a terrible choice because he has no coordinating experience/ HC experience. Obviously this person does not understand how undesirable many IL coaching jobs are. Every time a Yale coach is let go people for some reason believe that Dick Jauron is gonna come walking through the door. It happens every time. Guys like Addazio, Gilmore, Clawson pay lip service to the job but really have no interest. To any relatively young, respectable coach the IL is a dead end job. Thats why there is a mix of recycled assistants, (Reno, Mangurian), loyal alums (Surace), washed up alums (Teevens), super-unqualified alums (Archer) and middle aged guys who are comfortable and past the point of ambition (Murphy, Estes). Simply put, if Reno gets the can, I can guarantee his detractors will not be happy with the next coach.
2) Along with the first point is the idea that people are already clamoring to get rid of Reno. Do people remember the not too distant past when Surace, Teevens, and Mangurian had seasons where they won 0 games?? Surace in particular shows the importance of patience, especially when you inherit a lousy team, which leads me to my last point...
3) The guy that keeps posting the players Williams recruited that were supposedly good is not thinking clearly. Sure, theres a few solid players he recruited, but there are absolutely no game changers on any of these lists. You need superstars in this league (Abares, McLeod, Hollander, etc. ) and Williams recruited none of these types (Randall excluded). It was widely known that Williams was a lousy recruiter and the lists you've posted with mediocre players don't do anything to disprove this point.
Have I been disappointed with Yale football the last couple years? Yes. Do I wish they'd play better, especially against H and P? Yes. Do I think Reno deserves more time? Yes.
Finally, one thing Reno does need to learn is that seniors win in this league. STOP PLAYING EVERY NEW "FLASHY" FRESHMAN THAT COMES INTO THE PROGRAM. The best Siedlecki teams had a handful of freshmen play AT ALL (STs included) Many of these guys play way too early which not only kills morale but basically means you are starting over every yr with no continuity and young and inexperienced (ie. terrible) players. This practice needs to stop.
Sorry for the rant. Just amazed at the misinformation in the comments above and the animosity towards Reno that has 0 basis in reality.
12:02
You are correct in your statements. No team can win by playing freshman in any of the key positions as a majority. You can mix in few freshman here and there to help your team. Juniors and Seniors especially bring years of practice and working in the weight room. They may not always be the biggest players or even the fastest, but they are more mature and usually are stronger athletes. Freshman can be ruined sometimes when thrown into the fire.
Also, if you play freshman they can get beat up and injured and it can have a negative effect on their future development. A prime example is SMU after receiving the death penalty. They started 8 redshirt freshmen and 7 true freshmen. They were physically outmatched and paid severely on the scoreboard. By the time those guys were seniors they won 5 games (many of the players sustained injuries over the years that ended their careers).
I think Reno is trying to play the guys he recruited to basically make the statement that his guys are better than Williams guys. There are however a few players that are seniors that are leaders on the team. The best player is Randall who was not recruited by Reno and he by far is their best player and the leader of the team. It will be interesting in 2 more years to see if the trend of playing the younger players changes and some leadership from the future seniors develop. Yale will have a tough year with many sophomores starting and if a freshman QB does take the reins then there is a good chance he will not be playing when he is a junior or senior because I feel he will take a beating and become gun shy. This also happened to David Carr at the Houston Texans. He is the most sacked QB in NFL history and his career was ruined because of it
finally some common sense on Portal 31. Two great posts. to 3:33pm, go back to 2006, 2007 and look at Mike McLeod's stats and how many games he missed. And trust me, he had more YAC than Varga!
I agree. The common sense started from the alum who even though not identified was obviously in the know based on the info given in his post. Clearly someone with knowledge of the game and firsthand knowledge of the situation. Welcome 12:02AM Alumnus and your "rants"; hope to hear from you often. Then someone who reacted in an educated way, minus the emotional barbs, this is also what I believe most of us here like to see.
I think the David Carr analogy is a little skewed though given the fact that we are talking about a number one pick in the NFL draft. In addition Carr getting sacked was not necessarily the result of him having to play early rather than the fact that the Texans did a poor job with their high round picks drafting franchise lineman to make a solid unit. It was less of the former and more of the latter.
To comment on the latter part of 10:18PM’s post though I would think that the numbers say that as the years progress the younger contributing players during Reno’s first few years will turn into upperclassmen veteran pieces and unit leaders. You would think that the formula would be about right next year and the year after where the need to play freshman won’t be as in demand considering Reno will be on his 4th and 5th year and will have had a few classes of “his players” that played early and matured in his system. Then you should see the results there.
I’ll be interested to see if TruthTeller has any comments for the 12:02AM alumnus who thinks Reno deserves more time.
TNC
He doesn't win 6 games this year he's out of a job. 3 years to get it right is plenty of time. In major college football you wouldn't get two years. Charley Molnar got two and pasqualoni was fired after game 3 of his third year.
With all due respect to the excellent post by the recent alum, there is nothing new in what he said. I am the person who has repeatedly refuted the claim that Tom Williams was a good recruiter and who said that those posted lists only served to prove it. I also am the person who posted the hypothetical question a while back about whether Reno comes back (or deserves to) if he only wins three games this year. That's not Reno bashing, it's speculation and it's what sports fans do. Part of the reason three or four wins is a distinct possibility is because of his insistence on playing freshmen. As someone else pointed out on this blog, he is ALREADY claiming his team is too young. Now is he doing this because he is sacrificing a few years to get back to the top? Does not the freshmen-sophomore laden team we will be looking at this year translate to perhaps the most experienced team in the Ivy League next year or the year after? If that is the plan, then patience is key. And promises of playing time to recruits will have to stop. If he begins to alienate his own recruits by playing younger guys he's done. My position is it's not just a time and patience thing with Reno, though - a clearer vision or plan has to emerge and his players have to buy in. The problem is not just who is playing, it is the haphazard and unfocused approach he seems to bring. If we see this for another year, letting these guys "grow up" under him will not matter.
WHAT are you a child. Me, I said ,I'm the one. "Get real dude"
Do what Mr. Harris does, so we can confirm and discuss,these matters at hand. Put your name down and take ownership.
Paul T
6:09
Exactly what I am talking about. People with little knowledge of the game come on here and throw stats around when they absolutely have no clue how these stats came to be. McLeod is from a different era and a completely different offense. To compare him and Varga is like comparing apples and oranges. If you put some blockers in front of Varga he runs for 2000 in one season without injuries. You let McLeod run in today's set-up and he too will get injured just like every one of the backs has been since Reno got here! Look what is happening in the NFL and the rate of injuries at the RB position since teams have been adopting the spread. Most now need 3-4 backs and as a result almost none have a feature back any more. Another couple of years and you will be watching arena football on the big field. That's when I am becoming a soccer fan!
Why wait go ahead, you won't hurt anybodys feelings.Go to the light,I mean go to the soccer side.
A running is a running back,not really a different era,Dick Jauron,Rich Diana thats another era.
TT boy like Paul T wrote take ownership of your comments.
Your Friend Jon Harris
When we look at what's in our offensive weapons locker, it's obvious that barring the appearance of a savior in the class of 2018, our best hope lies with Tyler Varga, who, when he's healthy, is in a class by himself. It's a shame there's nobody to play Brian Dowling to his Calvin Hill, but that's the way it is.
Our offense should be designed to protect him and maximize his effectiveness so that he's not a wreck by November. We can't afford another 2013 where he played just long enough to lose a year of eligibility AND miss the important games.
Tyler Varga should be seen as a vital resource and treated as such. Think pitch count and over-fishing. It would be cheating him and those watching him if he's not at his best for P and H.
L et V
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