FreaKnight

If I were a USF fan, the main criticisms I would like the USF coaches to answer for lies in 2 areas: 1) Where was the QB talent the past few seasons since MB left? Has it been that difficult to find a talented player at the QB position? 2) Up until last year, the USF defense was a staple, something to count on. Last year the defense imploded. What happened? For the 1st question, it looks like competition at the QB position is greatly improved in 2005, and from that mix, a productive player should emerge. The 2nd question obviously will be answered on the field, but it looks like the segments will be stronger in 05 than 04.

From what I have read, CJL runs the show and that includes the type of offense that will be run. The offensive skill position players recruited were probably told that the offense would be a "spread" type. 2005 Spring Practice has already come and gone. It would be a bad move to bring in an OC who would revamp the offense. It can't be done from now unitl September. CJL has a plan for the offense and Smith knows how to run it. The question is, does USF have the QB to execute it? I think it goes back to what Bien has said, if Denson or another QB is the real deal and plays like Blackwell did, Smith will look like a genius.

The longer into the future one looks, the more financing issues arise as this increases uncertainty, the very definition of risk. I am not worried as much about the stadium because the planning is still so early and 2007 is really the main plan. UCF officials have been very clear that 2006 was a long-shot, and 2007 more likely. It's only logical to think that $45MM price tag only goes up with time and should be higher this time next year. The convocation center is tougher to figure out, but if one goes back to the hiring of Steve Orsini, that is when the clock really started ticking with respect to the new facility plans. He said not too long after he started that the 2006-2007 season was the goal for the center to be completed, and that was then pushed back to 2007-2008. If construction does not start inside of the next 6 to 9 months, that will be in jeapordy. Apparantly, part of the financing involves occupied dormatories in the vacinity of the center. 500 beds are on schedule to be ready by Fall 2005, and the next 500 are to be ready I believe by Spring 2006. We shall see. Right now it appears that the stadium is a more secure project than the convocation center, but that is just one man's opinion...

Velcro, Haynes' nagging injuries and what is one of the deepest RB drafts in the last 20 yrs had much more to do about him not getting drafted. Playing thorugh the adversity of having 2 different coaches and the losses may have improved his status to some coaches.

This was a stacked RB class. Anthony Davis didn't go until the 7th round...I know he measured in on the small side at the combine, but that guy was so productive when he was healthy I thought for sure he would go in the 4th or 5th round. With a repeat of his junior year, Hall should be a mid-round pick easily.

That is an ignorant statement, or at least one made with gold and green glasses on. Just a quick 30 second guess on who is better at each phase: WR - Even RB - USF QB - Even OL - UCF DL - USF LB - USF DB - USF K - UCF Return game - Even Coaching - USF

Very true about the "yeah but" game, and that applies to more than just the WR position. Both of our teams had a lot of players "disappear" from our respective teams for varoius reasons at the 11th hour last year. Hopefully the injury bug, among other things that keep players off the field unexpectedly, will stay away and allow the coaches to practice with and play in games the players available. One thing I think we can all agree on...can September get here fast enough???

Aside from the sarcastic RB pot-shot, that was exactly what I wanted to see from you, S.Bien. Thanks. Looking at the numbers and seeing the different points, made, it looks like a more even match than I first considered, and at the end of the day I think USF and UCF will have some exciting players to see running down the field next year looking for the ball. Now, about our respective QB's having the time and ability to deliver the ball down the field consistently, well, that's a topic for another thread...

I think Pat Carter will be a great WR in 2006 when he can actually play. Plus, as you have also said many times, transfers are tricky. They always have some kind of baggage and some do very well, and others don't amount to anything. Amarri Jackson looks like a great athlete, that's no joke to set the long jump record in FL.

The continuity of playing all sports will help as well. We will be playing the same teams in football, basketball, and baseball, and this will help in attendence as we continue playing in CUSA in 2006 and beyond. This is something that UCF fans have NEVER been able to enjoy.

Bien, it's not that complicated, I simply offered my opinion on a football discussion message board, and was curious to see what other UCF fans and USF fans had to say.

Thanks for clearing up the 2005 WR list. USF 2005 returning WR/TE with 2004 production: GP Rec Yds Avg/Rec TD Long Avg/Game PEYTON, Johnny 11 22 469 21.3 2 77 42.6 GREEN, S.J. 11 22 262 11.9 1 26 23.8 CHAMBERS, J. 11 14 197 14.1 2 38 17.9 GARRIS, J.B. 11 9 129 14.3 0 36 11.7 CARTER, Derek 1 1 1 1 1.0 0 1 0.1 UCF 2005 returning WR/TE with 2004 production: GP Rec Yds Avg/Rec TD Long Avg/Game JOHNSON, Darcy 11 30 244 8.1 0 32 22.2 TURNER, Brooks 11 16 126 7.9 0 18 11.5 WALKER, Mike * 11 9 191 21.2 1 70 17.4 MARSHALL, B.* 10 8 84 10.5 0 21 8.4 ELDEMIRE, A. 11 6 46 7.7 1 16 4.2 *Both played in the secondary for a large part of the 2004 season, but played WR previously. The 2004 production indicates that USF returns superior numbers at the WR and with UCF bringing more production from the TE position. USF's returners had a total of 66 catches @ slightly over 16 yds/catch vs. UCF's returners with 69 catches @ slightly over 10 yds/catch. Based on 2004 production, USF extended the field better than UCF did. With Walker expected to play WR full time, the avg/catch would be expected to increase in 2005 for UCF's WR corp. At the end of the day, I think that UCF's top 3 returnees Walker, Marshall and Turner bring more to the table physically than USF's top 3 returnees: Chambers, Payton, and J.B Garris or S.J. Green.

I thought about including FR, but it's rare for incoming freshmen to make a big impact right away and even harder to determine if they will be good or not, but let's do it. Overall, USF's 2005 WR class is better. USF signed 5 WR: Cedric Hill Taurus Johnson Jesse Hester Jr. Ishmael Grant Carlton Hill (for arguments sake) On numbers alone, clearly this is a superior group as a whole to what UCF signed. USF needed more WR in its class than UCF did, and it sounds like all of them are good looking recruits. I think USF has a better class of WR coming in with the 2005 class based on what I have read about Jesse Hester and since I believe Carlton Hill will be playing WR this year (no way he beats out Matt Grothe, forget about Denson). Hill is too good an athlete for JL to not play at WR and he will not be RS to defer eligibility as a QB down the road. Johnson looks to be a player as well. I don't think Grant will be eligible based on comments made by Bulls fans before. UCF's new WRs: Rocky Ross Jarvis James Ross is the Bolles HS WR that I think was a great pickup and I think that Javid James, the JUCO WR that is enrolled at UCF now is a good player based on what I have seen this spring. I watched him make a great catch in the back corner of the endzone. It wouldn't surprise me if Ross was redshirted.

UCF WR and TE: WR Blake Carter 6'2" 210 SO Mike Walker 6'2" 190 JR Steven Baker 6'3" 210 JR Javid James 6'3" 190 SO Brandon Marshall 6'4" 230 SR Brooks Turner 5'11" 190 JR Andre Sumpter 6.0" 170 JR Sergiori Joachim 6'5" 200 SO Chris Narsesian 6'0" 200 SO Willie Thornton  5'10"  175   FR TE Darcy Johnson 6'5" 255 SR Mike Merritt 6'3" 260 SO Antonio Eldemire 6'3" 250 SR Comments: UCF's receivers discussion starts with Mike Walker.  He is a legit 6'2" and 190 lbs, and a true NFL caliber WR with respect to route running and natural WR abilities, and with legit 4.5 speed and a vertical leap north of 3 feet.  The other starter is Brandon Marshall, who is just a physical specimen at 6'4" and 230 lbs.  He lacks the fluid ability of Walker with respect to route running, but makes up for that with his overall athletic ability.  Marshall runs a legit 4.6 40 and can jump with the best of them.  Complimenting starters Walker and Marshall is Brooks Turner, who is a complete WR that can play the slot at 5'11" and 190 lbs.  Also in the mix is Sergiori Joachim, who lacks great speed and strength but has great hands and size at 6'5" and 200 lbs with a large wing-span.  The return of Andre Sumpter to the field after a brutal knee injury 2 yrs ago is a big bonus.  He is slight at 6'0' and 170 lbs, but is a natural WR with an understanding of the game having played QB in HS.  He is a great change of direction WR who can make plays.  On the radar screen are preferred walk-ons Willie Thornton, who played HS ball in Miami, and Blake Carter, the nephew of NFL future hall-of-famer Chris Carter.  Thornton is a true speed WR at around 5'10" and 175 lbs and Carter has good size at 6'2" and 210 lbs.  2005 recruit Javid James had a good spring and at 6'3" and 190 lbs is another big target for QB's Moffet and Israel. This segment overall is the strongest on UCF's team. USF WR and TE: I didn't see an updated 2005 roster on the USF official website, but based on what I can remember this is what I came up with: WR King, Cedric Jr. WR 5-11 170 Peyton, Johnny Fr. WR 6-05 185 Garris, J.B. Fr. WR 6-02 180 Edwards, Marcus Fr. WR 5-11 170 Lipp, Travis Jr. WR 5-11 175 Joyner, Rod So. WR 6-00 175 Green, S.J. So. WR 6-03 200 Chambers, Jackie Fr. WR 5-11 180 Hearn, Colby So. WR 5-10 170 Cedric Cill Fr WR 6-03 220 Darren Haliburton ? WR 6-03? 210? TE Ruegger, Mike Jr. TE 6-02 240 Demesmin, James Fr. TE 6-03 245 Bleakley, Will So. TE 6-03 230 Carter, Derek Jr. TE 6-04 240 Comments: I know that Jackie Chambers and Johnny Payton are studs, and that the new player Hill is supposed to quite the athlete, but I think that overall, UCF's WR corp is superior.  I don't think there is any question that UCF's TE corp is a better overall receiving unit based primarily on Darcy Johnson.  Merrit and Eldemire both looked great catching the ball this spring as well. What do the USF faithful think?  Any comments from other UCF fans?

Yep, and with the benefit of having the likes of UL and Cinci in your league, what did USF get to show for it? Not much, by the admission of many of USF's own fans. I agree that CUSA is losing a lot with UL and CINCI, among the others. By that same logic, however, it will be easier for UCF to produce victories. On one hand, you say, "UCF fans are underestimating how hard it is to win in a tough conference" and then on the other hand you say, "UCF fans don't understand how big UL and Cinci losses will be". That does not add up. The losses hurt the conference, but the losses also improve UCF's chances to win more games. CUSA will not be sending as many schools to the Big Dance, obviously.

True, UCF's best "frame of reference" could be that USF found difficulty producing wins in CUSA, even with the benefit of playing in a solid facility such as the SunDome. UCF won't have to compete in-conference with the likes of Cinci, Marquette, Louisville, etc...so that will make it easier for UCF to produce victories, hopefully. There will be growing pains of course. I am just glad UCF will be out of the ASUN. NCUSA, even with the losses, is a tremendous upgrade for UCF in all sports.

I think UCF is maximizing with it's current situation in basketball, and that is all UCF fans can ask for. I state that USF cannot make that same statement. USF has failed to maximize its basketball potential based on the conference and non-conference schedules that USF has had for many years, and the good basketball facility at USF's disposal (SunDome). Both USF and UCF could improve their teams next year and post worst records due to the tougher schedules our respective teams will be playing.

Great win by Ohio to get in. Florida is a tough draw, though. While this Florida team lacks some of the flair of teams in the past, it is a mentally tough team. I wouldn't have believed that they could have beat Kentucky twice in a week had you told me that a month ago. Walsh, Roberson, and Lee are a handful, no doubt.

I have seen Washington play, and they have a 5'7" inch guard (listed as 5'9" but that is way overstated) who can dunk. His name is Nate Robinson and he is fun to watch. I believe he had 29 points in the conference championship game. Robinson used to play football for the Huskies and made plays as a punt returner...amazing athlete.

Tim Carter was a UCF verbal and then on signing day changed his mind and signed with Auburn. I still remember that one, he would have been one of the fastest HS players to ever sign with UCF. He went on to star at Auburn and is now in the NFL. I suspect Patrick will be a good WR and return man for you guys for a couple of years once he is eligible. I will be surprised if he plays one snap at QB unless there is a lot of QB injuries. I think Grothe will be your man in 2006 at QB.

All kidding aside, I don't think Hill is in legal trouble. The school systems have policies on punishments for performing sexual acts on school property. The investigation is probably verifying that Hill and the girl had sex, and both of them should get a similiar punishment from the school system, something like a 5 to 10 day suspension.

There were no surprises...the players knew about him, it was me that didn't know.  The Kohn name is quite well known in the NE Orlando area.

I live in Orlando and I went to watch a friend's team play in a church basketball league.  Low and behold, the other team had Reggie Kohn.  He had 26 in the first half...needless to say I was impressed.  Seems like a nice guy, too. I went to a few high school basketball games last season and saw Lake Howell play some games.  It looks like he has a bright future in coaching basketball.

And both Joey and Stephen transferred to OK State from UCF...but we aren't bitter about it because we won the ASUN this year. ;D

Flipstyle - Joey and Stephen Graham are both playing for Oklahoma State. Joey was a major contributer to the OK State team and their tourney run this year, and they are both expected to major players next year.