Brandon Zermeno - late QB add for depth

[NEforceUConn]

Kid has good size.

I hear that’s what the ladies say.

 

[ClifSpliffy]

hey charlton! we should run this play, too!
i mean, dirk kinda used it all the time with his knee when he shot the ball, and he's heading to the hall as a championship winner.


i just can't understand why a lot of my ideas crash like a lead balloon.

 

[CTforthewin]

I have to say, not exactly. We are asking wide receivers to catch footballs. The idea is not so much they will break open every time. The idea is you take pressure off the box because they have to cover, because if they do get lazy and cheat, then our second class WRs are perfectly capable of catching a deep pass. The same goes with the mid-range passing. Simply using your TEs to block and release and move 12 yards down field behind the LBs forces them to back off the LOS and hold. A few passes behind the LBs does wonders. They simply have to account for a possible releasing TE. This is hugely effective in a play action. None of these things were done, and they are perfectly executable. Where I do agree is Zion can’t throw in small windows. So, what’s “open” is a function of QB accuracy and ability to put the ball where it must be when there is small separation. Final thought on this point. I am amazed how none of the guys were taught any back shoulder techniques. When you can’t beat man coverage, underthrowing to the back shoulder can work wonders.

The problem is that the TE’s on the field right now aren’t effective and they lost their best blocking TE to injury before the season. We can’t catch a break with all of these injuries.

 

[freescooter]

I agree with this. The coaches know better than anyone on this board 1) what plays win games and 2) what plays our team can execute.

If we are going to run Ohio State’s offense from cica 1965 it will be a looong season.

 

[JohnFSilver]

Um....I didn't say he had to be a genius...I was just answering why he has the genius reputation.

But...I think you are letting Charlton off the hook too easy. He has to either figure out a way to coach up players to "get open and make a play"...or he has to design plays that succeed despite the team's deficiencies.

I am not saying Charlton sucks because they aren't passing for 300 yards a game. But I do think it's fair to question him when they only pass for 24 yards.

Circumstances are extreme....and he needs time...but it's fair to

We can blame Mora, players, OC for 24 yards passing because that little amount of passing is a joke.

That said:

Does anyone really think the play calling is an issue? They have a backup freshman qb, third string RB, 4th string WRs.

The issue is that The degradation of the program depth wise from Diaco to Edsall to Mora is a disaster. UConn’s first string players can be competitive, but once you get to the backups and back half of the roster there is a wide gap in ability.

Mora has to not only get dynamic players, which UConn doesn’t have, he needs to get the 40-85 on the roster elevated. They just don’t have any depth that can step in competently. No one is open in passing game.

 

[CL82]

No one is doubting that to have an effective offense you have to be able to throw the ball down the field at least somewhat. You are assuming that our unwillingness to do so is based on something other than knowing our personnel isn't good enough to execute it. I believe that the more rational assumption is that the coaches have tried it in practice and know we aren't good enough to do it.

I am inclined to agree, but reread your last sentence and realize what a staggering statement that actually is.

 

[RSTuthill]

Where I do agree is Zion can’t throw in small windows. So, what’s “open” is a function of QB accuracy and ability to put the ball where it must be when there is small separation.

Actually it is anticipation and timing ... as well as accuracy. Being open is time dependent and very transient. First the WR is covered, he makes a certain move that the QB expects, and then for a split second the WR is open. Then the window closes. That is a complicated physics problem as well as a problem for the QB to have confidence that the WB will deliver what is expected and the throw has to be initiated often when the WR is still covered, bookkeeping that he will deliver the move at the prcise moment that the QB's arm starts forward causing the ball to arrive at precisely the right moment.

Not surprising that ZT and the WR's are not yet quite on the same page. But that is exactly the reason I have advocated opening it up and letting him pass more. Sure, NCST and Fresno may blow them out, but the WR's and QB's will learn and team up a lot faster for when it really matters -- in the second half of the season.

 

[kcc1442]

The passing game is not Charlton's fault right now. You must give him a pass based upon injuries to WRs, starting QB, and even starting RB as well as the strength of schedule. The fact of the matter is that the Michigans and NC St.s of the world are going to man cover. And their 4 star DBs are going to lock down UConn's third string WRs 80% of the time. Giving not an inch to deliver a ball. 15% of the time that they are open momentarily ZT will be either sacked or hurried from the pocket, leaving a whopping 5% of the time our FRESHMAN QB has to comfortably deliver a well-timed accurate throw. He has not converted much in his 5% but what can you expect. With a lack of run game against the big boys those safeties will hawk in the intermediate game too. No design from Charlton is going to alleviate any of those issues right now. Maybe when we have everyone back or against lower level comp.

 

[buckley503]

The passing game is not Charlton's fault right now. You must give him a pass based upon injuries to WRs, starting QB, and even starting RB as well as the strength of schedule. The fact of the matter is that the Michigans and NC St.s of the world are going to man cover. And their 4 star DBs are going to lock down UConn's third string WRs 80% of the time. Giving not an inch to deliver a ball. 15% of the time that they are open momentarily ZT will be either sacked or hurried from the pocket, leaving a whopping 5% of the time our FRESHMAN QB has to comfortably deliver a well-timed accurate throw. He has not converted much in his 5% but what can you expect. With a lack of run game against the big boys those safeties will hawk in the intermediate game too. No design from Charlton is going to alleviate any of those issues right now. Maybe when we have everyone back or against lower level comp.

Excellent "knowledge of the game" post!! Thank you.

 

[businesslawyer]

I am inclined to agree, but reread your last sentence and realize what a staggering statement that actually is.

Agreed, but the other option is that the coaches aren't smart enough collectively to realize what everyone on the board realizes. As staggering a conclusion as it is, it is the far more rational and likely one.

 

[Bongo Fury]

Passing needs improvement but the QB needs to run more as well.

 

[Nostical]

Can the WRs throw a block once in a while on those WR screens?

Isn't that the truth!. I've marveled for years at how other teams can make yardage on those plays and we can't get out of our own way.

 

[Husky68]

I buy all the woe is me player availability, freshman, competition; but the offensive players have a great advantage on the defense. They know the play and where they are supposed to go. You can claim there is no scheme issues when a pro set offense gets 24 yards of passing on 20 passes and barely 100 yards total offense, I say hold the coaches to a higher standard.

Hawaii and CS both passed for over 100 yards and between them threw 1 interception against Michigan. UConn ran 53 plays to get 110 yards of offense against Michigan. Hawaii and CS are a combined 0-6 and have scored a total of 70 points in those 6 loses. UConn's offensive performance against Michigan was far, far worse than these other two 0-3 teams.

Not saying fire the offensive coordinator, or start the new QB. Saying included in the inability to move the ball was crappy offensive scheme and poor play calling. Calling that Millen run on 4th down after the timeout with Michigan in a run blitz formation was just another coaching mistake among many.

Let's do a little "what is ok passing performance against NCST" game. NCST has given up about 225 yards per game and lowest being 114 against the Charlston Southern Buccaneers.

Will UConn's passing offense exceed:

1. 24 yards gained against Michigan;
2. 83 yards per game UConn has averaged in 3 FBS loses;
3. 114 yards Charlston Southern gained against NCST;
4. 119 yards UConn achieved in highest yardage FBS game against UTS;
5. 225 yards. the average NCST has given up in passing in 3 games

Say what you think is ok before the game, not rationalize after the fact that a turd was really just good fertilizer.

I'm saying I have confidence in UConn coaches and players and UConn passing yardage will be the highest of the season against FBS opponent.

 

[crazyUCfan23]

I think we will see TP at some point this year - coming back from ACL playing against Michigan and NC State isn't exactly a recipe for re-establishing confidence post injury. Mora has clearly been very cautious with him and can't say I blame him with the injuries mounting the way they are. I think Turner will definitely start the next two games and then get an opportunity to show he can move the ball once we get to the more winnable games, and if not, TP will get his chance. JMO

 

[businesslawyer]

I buy all the woe is me player availability, freshman, competition; but the offensive players have a great advantage on the defense. They know the play and where they are supposed to go. You can claim there is no scheme issues when a pro set offense gets 24 yards of passing on 20 passes and barely 100 yards total offense, I say hold the coaches to a higher standard.

Hawaii and CS both passed for over 100 yards and between them threw 1 interception against Michigan. UConn ran 53 plays to get 110 yards of offense against Michigan. Hawaii and CS are a combined 0-6 and have scored a total of 70 points in those 6 loses. UConn's offensive performance against Michigan was far, far worse than these other two 0-3 teams.

Not saying fire the offensive coordinator, or start the new QB. Saying included in the inability to move the ball was crappy offensive scheme and poor play calling. Calling that Millen run on 4th down after the timeout with Michigan in a run blitz formation was just another coaching mistake among many.

Let's do a little "what is ok passing performance against NCST" game. NCST has given up about 225 yards per game and lowest being 114 against the Charlston Southern Buccaneers.

Will UConn's passing offense exceed:

1. 24 yards gained against Michigan;
2. 83 yards per game UConn has averaged in 3 FBS loses;
3. 114 yards Charlston Southern gained against NCST;
4. 119 yards UConn achieved in highest yardage FBS game against UTS;
5. 225 yards. the average NCST has given up in passing in 3 games

Say what you think is ok before the game, not rationalize after the fact that a turd was really just good fertilizer.

I'm saying I have confidence in UConn coaches and players and UConn passing yardage will be the highest of the season against FBS opponent.

It would be a great analysis, but all it shows is that those other crappy teams are much better than throwing the ball than us. None of it shows why -- schemes, injuries and/or personnel.

Given that Mora has a track record that college players don't, I know where the smart money is. But you are entitled to say it's the coaches and the schemes all you want, because that could only be disproven by firing the coaches now and let someone else do better with the same personnel. And we both know that isn't going to happen (and shouldn't).