UCF Thread: Spring Practice

Post #1 » by **UCF** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:10 pm

Go Knights!

*New thread created because we reached 100 pages again for like the third time*
Link to page 101 from last thread:
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=817536&start=1500

Post #2 » by **UCF** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 4:15 pm

New venue: The conference tournament is moving to Tulsa next year, and that will most certainly be a good location.

But some hate to see the league's post-season dance move from Memphis. The FedEx Forum is a beautiful arena, an NBA arena. The facilities are first-class, and there are at least a dozen nice hotels within walking distance, and it is within walking distance of the Blues capital, Beale Street.

Memphis does a nice job in the early games, bussing in schoolchildren to have a crowd. There were 25 school buses parked outside the arena Wednesday afternoon.

http://www.elpasotimes.com/sports/ci_11892369

Post #3 » by **craig01** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 9:58 pm

Too bad.

I thought Memphis was a great place for the tournament.

Post #4 » by **UCFJayBird** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 10:05 pm

I thought Memphis was a great place too, but then again, it'll be nice to not have the powerhouse team of the conference have a home game every tournament.

AdamTheGreek · Post #5 » by **AdamTheGreek** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 11:54 pm

It needed to be done, I was getting tired of Memphis constantly having an advantage.

Post #6 » by **UCF** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 2:25 am

Bring the darn thing to Orlando is what I'm thinking

On a sad note, EP's family sued today.

Post #7 » by **craig01** » Fri Mar 13, 2009 10:29 pm

A law suit was expected, and I am sure there will be a hefty settlement before it ever goes to court.

What a shame for everyone.

AdamTheGreek · Post #8 » by **AdamTheGreek** » Sun Mar 15, 2009 5:40 pm

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/sports_college_ucf/

UCF officials just announced all 15 spring football workouts are slated to be open to the public. The Knights start spring practice at 9:10 a.m. Thursday. The team will practice for three days straight and then shift to Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday workouts until the spring game. The spring game is set for April 11.

The school also is holding two pre-spring practice press conferences this week. UCF offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe and defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable will talk Monday morning about the offense and defense. Six players coming back from significant injuries will be available on Tuesday to talk about spring football. The players are WR A.J. Guyton, LB Cory Hogue, DE Darius Nall, TE Corey Rabazinski, LB Jordan Richards and WR Rocky Ross.

Despite a recent slowdown in blog activity, Knights Notepad is very excited about covering spring football. Consider this the calm before the storm and look for wall-to-wall football coverage.

sp1187 · Post #9 » by **sp1187** » Mon Mar 16, 2009 2:11 pm

http://apps.facebook.com/thebracketchal ... wclc=ba-10 - UCF NCAA Pool!!

Post #10 » by **craig01** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 12:06 am

Lets hope that Taaffe can teach somebody how to throw the ball....lol

AdamTheGreek · Post #11 » by **AdamTheGreek** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 12:53 am

Women's Tourney bracket is out, #14 UCF vs. #3 UNC in Chattanooga, Saturday at noon.
Let's go ladies, bring everything you got.

Post #12 » by **UCFJayBird** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 1:58 am

it's been a great run just to find a way to make the tournament given their record, let's hope for the big upset over UNC.

N4U|Redux · Post #13 » by **N4U|Redux** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 2:56 am

Good luck Lady Knights, which is perhaps the biggest misnomer and stupidest name in the state outside of the "Lady Bulls" to your left. At least you made the tourney, we're abuzz over the screw job about not being invited (with 22 wins; including more than some teams picked out of our own conference whom we beat head-to-head).

It's really amazing how bad our monikers fit our female teams.

Post #14 » by **UCF** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 8:28 pm

Part of what will be different in 2009 will be the offensive sets, as Taaffe vows to go with a pro-style offense with more single-back sets.

“We will not start out with a traditional two back system," Taaffe said.

Part of the reason for the single-back sets will be the lack of talent at the fullback position, according to the Knights new offensive coordinator. The team will utilize more of an H-back position that will likely feature Corey Rabazinski, who missed most of last season.

Still, schemes alone won’t transform the nation’s worst offense a year ago to an explosive one in 2009, even if many of the key players do have another year of experience. The hopes are that the single back pro-style set will be easier for the young quarterbacks to wrap their arms around.

"A pro style offense with an option,” Taafe said when describing the system he plans on utilizing. “I think Rob can do it.”

http://smu.scout.com/a.z?s=357&p=2&c=848323

Post #15 » by **craig01** » Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:31 pm

What's missing here is talent.

KnightChris · Post #16 » by **KnightChris** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 7:11 pm

UCF wrote:

New venue: The conference tournament is moving to Tulsa next year, and that will most certainly be a good location.

Eh, I'm torn. I think it's only fair that the site be rotated amongst the other conference members (especially since we'll almost assuredly get our turn soon enough), and Memphis CERTAINLY doesn't need any more advantages over the rest of us. However, a trip to Memphis for the tournament was on my "to do" list. Now it may be delayed until Memphis has its turn again. By then, who knows if they'll even be in the conference?

AdamTheGreek wrote:

Women's Tourney bracket is out, #14 UCF vs. #3 UNC in Chattanooga, Saturday at noon.
Let's go ladies, bring everything you got.

Not exactly a favorable match-up for us, but then again I don't think any of us expected one. The good news is that we drew a high-profile opponent that will garner us some TV time (this appears to be the game they're mentioning most prominently in ads for ESPN's Saturday coverage). As such, a decent showing will only help recruiting.

N4U wrote:

Good luck Lady Knights, which is perhaps the biggest misnomer and stupidest name in the state outside of the "Lady Bulls" to your left. At least you made the tourney, we're abuzz over the screw job about not being invited (with 22 wins; including more than some teams picked out of our own conference whom we beat head-to-head).

Our women's basketball team is NOT the "Lady Knights." They are the Knights, the same as every other team we field. A VERY small contingent of our fanbase may call them that though (probably the ones that "discovered" we have a WBB team right after they won the conference). However, most of us are smart enough to realize how condescending such an appellation sounds, and wisely use their designated nickname.

I have no idea what nom de guerre the USF student body may have assigned their WBB team, nor do I care, but regardless, thanks for the unsolicited review of their season. :wink:

UCF wrote (quoting an article):

"A pro style offense with an option,” Taafe said when describing the system he plans on utilizing. “I think Rob can do it.”

Interesting. Is this the first confirmation that Calabrese is the assumed starter? Granted, common sense would dictate that this was the case, but some Knight fans seemed to think/hope there would be more of a competition. Call me overly optimistic, but I believe we'll see a huge breakout year for Rob in 2009. Kid's going to be special IMO.

-Chris

Post #17 » by **UCF** » Thu Mar 19, 2009 10:23 pm

Yeah, it does sound like Calabrese is the projected starter still. I'm assuming Flores isn't going to play this year to preserve his eligibility. I really like this kid and I think it all goes back to his first game for me. He played a down field style of game and our guys weren't ready for that. Hopefully this year we hit those openings better and move the ball.

I'm also really excited to see Poe and Harvey. Poe sounds like the real deal, he'll be a definite spring game player I'll be paying extra attention to.

AdamTheGreek · Post #18 » by **AdamTheGreek** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:11 am

Calabrese has the potential, I've seen enough of the kid. He's got the arm, just needs to work on accuracy and calmness in the pocket.

Post #19 » by **craig01** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 12:37 am

It will be an interesting spring.

Unfortunately, whether good or bad, no measuring stick on potential and progress is accurate.

Post #20 » by **UCF** » Fri Mar 20, 2009 2:42 am

UCF starting QB Rob Calabrese talks to media for 1st time
By Iliana Limón | Sentinel Staff Writer

UCF freshman quarterback Rob Calabrese grinned at the small mob of reporters ready to interview after the first day of spring football practice. It marked the first time the Knights' starting quarterback was allowed to be interviewed by the media. Calabrese talked about UCF's 4-8 record during the 2008 season and his high hopes for major improvement this year.

Question: How was the first day of spring football? Calabrese: It went well. We were a little sloppy. Gotta fix things up, you know first day with all the installation. We've just got to be more consistent.

Q: What has it been like working with new offensive coordinator Charlie Taaffe? C: I like Coach Taaffe. We got to work with him a little bit. We got to meetings. Just going over all the new stuff, new installation and all that. It's been good getting to work with him.

Q: Do you feel comfortable running the option Taaffe has talked about adding to the playbook? C: Sure, sure. I like running the ball a little bit. We haven't gone over that yet, so we'll see when that comes up.

there's more...
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/c ... 9082.story