Julian Hayes
Overview
If Brett Nottingham
were still playing, we could call this game the “Battle of the Transfers,”
because so many Monmouth players are transfers. But c’est la vie.
When looking at the Hawks, it’s very important to separate
the team’s performance in the first two games of the season from their
performance in the last two games.
That’s because opening up on the road at Montana State and
then Liberty is such a rough challenge, that you just can’t glean too much from
those games.
Besides, the next two games against Lehigh and Holy Cross
were no walk in the park either.
So with a prejudiced eye mostly in favor of the last two
weeks, here’s my take on the Monmouth Hawks.
OFFENSE
This is a run-oriented offense with two great weapons on the
ground in Julian Hayes, (105 yards per game), and KB Asante (66 yards per
game, but a 6.1 yards per carry average).
In the last two games, BOTH Hayes and Assante have broken
the 100-yard rushing mark. Last week against Holy Cross, they combined for 253
yards on 52 carries and two TD’s.
Clearly, Head Coach Kevin Callahan would like to see more
balance in his attack, but UMass transfer Brandon Hill has been
inconsistent at QB so far.
There’s a large number of talented WR’s for the Hawks, but Monmouth
has passed the ball less than half the amount of times they’ve thrown it so far
this year.
Still, I get the feeling the Hawks aren’t quite ready to go
all Chuck Knox and commit solely to the run.
That’s because the O-line has done a super job of pass
protection along with run blocking the last two weeks. Against the aggressive
opponents Lehigh and Holy Cross, the Hawks allowed just ONE sack total.
DEFENSE
The Hawk “D” is a lot harder to get a handle on, mostly
likely because Holy Cross laid such an egg in Worcester on Saturday.
Against Lehigh, Monmouth did give up some big numbers on the
ground and through the air, but Lehigh is a very, very, good offensive team.
Holy Cross is not a great offensive team, but Monmouth still
embarrassed the Crusader run and pass attacks for most of Saturday night.
But we do know a lot about the Hawks individual weapons.
The biggest one is another transfer, LB Gary Onuekwusi from
Temple. Fellow LB Dave Damirgian already has 4.5 tackles for a loss. Sophomore
DL Darnell Leslie is the dangerous speed rusher from the outside who is making
a big difference for the Hawks this year.
And finally, there’s ANOTHER UConn transfer in Tevrin
Brandon, who is a true “shutdown corner” with two interceptions and seven total
pass breakups so far this year.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter/Kicker Eric Spillane is a real star. A preseason “watch
list” player, Spillane has missed just one FG this year, (a 47-yarder), and is
an excellent punter with a 39 yard average. Lucas Santangelo handles the kickoffs and gets
touchbacks most of the time.
The primary return man is the CB Brandon. He’s averaging a
hefty 28 yards per KO return, so he’s dangerous.
The Hawk coverage teams have been very good.
31 comments:
CU is a sure thing in this game because we have much better coaching.
are you talking about the Colorado Buffalo squad?
Nice upbeat story in Spec today. I wish I would see more of that here, which after all is a blog for supporters of the program. In fact, I would have that Jake would start deleting all of the negative stuff that is posted. There is no First Amendment right to blog here
Should read "I would hope that Jake ....."
Is this blog a "booster" site or something more wide-ranging? For example, if I think not dressing everyone for home games is a mistake and the program would be strengthened by changing the policy, should that observation be excluded here because it's "negative"? Does the blog's orientation need to be clarified in this regard? If it's a booster site, I'm outta here.
The coach is a clown. He does nothing to earn the respect from players, or fans. The way he treats his players is horrible and he will never succeed because they will never want to play for him. Fire the jerk.
Ignorance is a dangerous state of mind, and you sir are ignorant .
Jake, it really is harmful to the program for you not to delete some of these unfortunate comments, trashing the coach, etc. No friend of the program would say some of these things. I am not saying that all criticism should be off limits, but certainly comments which are little more than ad hominum attacks on the coach should be deleted.
If the Columbia athletics dept. weren't so insanely obsessed with quieting all criticism, I would delete some comments here. But since it is, I take on the obligation of providing a completely free forum for criticism here. Believe me, it's essential. Barring profanities, etc. no comments get deleted here.
I agree with oldlion. Jake, I agreed with your call to fire Wilson during his sixth year. But you have unleashed the hounds of incivility and vitriol.
Words like ignorant, jerk and ad hominun remarks like someone is a clown do not belong here . It seems to me that most of this stuff comes from our (in)famous "anonymous"
The criticism can be made without resort to such language.
I am out of here until the season is over and we can all comment then.
I have to agree with the Oldlion. It is great to have an outlet to read and talk about Lion football, and also great that it's not a cheerleading site, but the vicious anonymous attacks don't serve a purpose.
Also, terrific story on baseball's Dario Pizzano in Spec, and generally good football coverage so far this year. Nice work.
Sorry, Jake, but I don't agree with your position. Looks like you are losing both old time contributors and parents.
Another parent signing out.
I would like to ask anonymous above how he knows that the players don't respect the Coach. I would also like to ask what treatment is this that is so horrible? Has he been in the locker room? Does he know this first hand, and how many players have lost respect? Please anonymous "do tell". I think you are way off here.
My child has said nothing but positive things about Coach Mangurian and the way he treats them. He feeds them like kings. He got them new uniforms this year. He got them all of the shoes etc that they wanted. He demands that they do their job and if they don't then they will not play. This is the real world ,not pee wee league. He has always communicated with us as parents everything that is expected of our kids. I have nothing but praise for him and the staff. I think the team is on the right path!
Hurray for anonymous numbers 158,
159, 161 and 162.
I am dumbfounded by those whom oppose Jake's stance? This is hit site. His blog. It is what he intends it to be. If you want all fluff and flowers read the school's website or speak directly to Ray and Dianne. You then can rest comfortably that all is well, that your kids are well cared for and that the Lions are on the cusp of greatness.
Anonymous of 9/27 has it right. This is a "hit" site. Like "hit" man.
Jake showed his cards above. He has an axe to grind against the administration for some reason. His comment pointedly states that he doesn't care if the comments on this blog have a negative impact on the players, coaches or the program - so long as he can provide a forum for the angry and disenchanted.
Jake doesn't want Columbia success. He just wants a forum to be heard and feel important. His focus on taking it to the administration makes him come off like a two-bit narcissist like Ed Snowden, Bradley/Chelsea Manning or Julian Assange. Three of his favorites, I guess.
Columbia is going 0-10 this year. How do I know? Because we have no offensive line. McDonagh will get injured this week it next. Hilinski will be next and on down the line. If you really care about your kids, stop cheerleading and ask Pete why he is deliberately sending your kids out to be hurt so he can prove some point about lighter linemen. We just got blown out by 45 points. We just lost a great QB transfer because the coach failed to gameplan a way to protect him. And you're mad at JAKE for not deleting a few angry comments????
Thank you for those comments directly above. Coach Pete should be made to answer for the terrible job he did last week.
Jakes blog is the only real positive thing about Columbia football. He wants CU to win a lot more than Pete does, and he is a much bigger and better man for not deleting any comments, especially the ones that attack him. After 50-plus years of losing, it's amazing Jake is as patient and fair as he is with the administration and the athletic dept. Maybe 2% of what he says on the blog is critical, but ugly people like you only see and remember the rough stuff because that's how you envision your world. We call this projection. Meanwhile, as you attack jake he doesn't even tear your comments again showing how much better a person he is than you. And to say he doesn't want CU to win us just entirely laughable.
I am not attacking Jake. I admire Jake's love for Columbia football. I am simply suggesting that Jake exercise his editorial discretion and delete offensive posts which are demoralizing to the team, their families, and devoted followers in the alumni ranks, of which I am one. I recognize that it is Jake's blog and his prerogative to run it his way. I am not calling for a hallelujah chorus here. Just a little more respect and civility.
Jake, I admire your devotion to CU football, but I join the criticism of your approach - and of the handful of others here who follow your lead. I doubt the athletic department is trying to squelch all criticism; how could they? I have no doubt they want nothing to do within unfair, hysterical and poorly informed destructive criticism. There's a significant amount of that here, both during the Wilson regime and now. Unfortunately, you do not recognize the irony of what you are doing. Destructive criticism is a cornerstone both of this blog and of a so-called losing culture. Overreaction to adversity is part of the problem, on the field and in the stands. You provide some positives here, Jake, but you also are part of the very problem you decry - you and certain bitter camp followers. Correct that, stick to legitimate, supported, constructive criticism where appropriate - lord knows there is enough there to keep us entertained for months. The quality of your blog will improve, and most likely your relationship with the AD, as well. Continue as you have, and you'll just be another obstruction to the great turnaround project.
Oh puh-lease. First of all, I think we're dealing with some fogies who don't understand the Internet. You DO know that the negative comments are not written by Jake... right? That's really not clear from some of you're hyper-sensitive posts. Second, I still haven't seen any profane language or ANY attacks on the players. I see criticism here of bad coaching and bad CU administrators. Aren't they adults? Aren't they the owners of a 52-year no championship losing streak? Again, the fact that Jake's blog isn't 100% dedicated to tarring and feathering these losers every single day is a singular credit to him, his patience, and his decency. For the commenter who said he wanted more "civility," fine... but let's try to define that. After we lose 52-7 or 69-0, is it uncivil to say the coaches screwed up?... or can we only say that after we lose 53-7 or 70-0? I'm not sure. The fact that anyone here actually takes a second more time to criticize Jake and not the coaches this week especially is beyond belief.
My son has been on the team now more than 1 year. I have been reading Jakes blog and these comment since my son started playing. Honestly?? He could care less what Jake or any of the posters has to say. As a parent it doesn't bother me that much when I read some of the negative comments. I know you are all venting, and sometimes I do agree. What I don't like, is that no matter how you feel about Coach M. , you really need to back these kids. Geez all they have in their lives is Football, studying and sleeping. I don't want a pity party here AND neither does this team, but at an Ivy League School you all know they work very hard! Just please , come out and show some support. The least you can do is cheer them on winning or loosing. Support from the fans has a huge impact.
I strongly believe that even the harshest critic on this blog is a season ticker holder who comes to at least 3-4 games per year.
Let me ask a question. CU repeatedly failed to pick up the blitz against Fordham, one of the big causes of the anemic offense. How can you tell that was the coaches' fault, and not the QB's or another back's fault? Maybe the coaches didn't give instructions on how to react against the rush. Maybe the QBs didn't recognize the blitz and call appropriate audibles. Or maybe the running backs didn't stay back to block, or respond to an audible shift as they were instructed? How can you guys tell from the stands that it was bad coaching?
How can you blame a coach for an experienced kick returner's attempt at a fair catch on his own one yard line? Please explain.
My two cents:
(1) This is Jake's blog and he can run it any way he wants to.
(2) What makes this blog interesting is the differing points of view-the discussion, even (gasp) criticism.
(3) People who post nonsense are best ignored. They usually go away.
(4) We can have a more meaningful discussion if posters would identify themselves in some way.
Parents of players will never identify themselves
I am somewhat at a loss for words regarding how Jake is to blame for what other "supporters" of the program say on this blog? He allows for an open forum of idea exchange; typically i have found that those types of forums have people on both sides of the discussion. Call me crazy, but isnt that something that Columbia thrives on? oh yeah, it is called diversity, diversity of race/color/creed and the lists goes on.
Here lies the problem; everybody wants diversity, but nobody wants anybody to say a differing opinion from what they have.
that some dont like all of the ideas is nothing new to the real world. Along those lines, just ignore it and move on.
to the parents, everybody here is supportive of the players. Some just think the program is letting them down and would like to see them in better hands. It has been this way for a long time and it is going to take a special type of person(s) to change this.
Good luck blue despite the obstacles the administration and coaches have put in front of you.
The supporters of the HC and AD seem to be saying that we need to wait until the end of the season before calling for the resignation of the HC and AD. I'm glad to hear that we can all agree that the HC and AD must go if we have another losing season. But do we need to wait until the end of the season? Surely, once we have six losses (i.e., a losing season), we can all come together to demand their resignation. As a critic of the HC and AD, I find this very encouraging.
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