Joe Fagnano appreciation thread

[noeynox]

Maybe Mora hasn't been starting Fagnano as a secret weapon for Cuse? Didn't he say like last interview he didn't want to give away too much in the tapes

Doubt this is true at all, but I think Skyler Bell with some accurate throws in that dome could absolutely TEAR IT UP.

 

[UCFBfan]

I think Joe completely saved that game and deserves a ton of credit last night. That said, he made some plays that could have gone either way. I feel he still forces some throws. That last TD was thrown into triple coverage. Amazing catch and places well by Joe but that could have been disastrous.

I'm at the point of the season that whoever will get us wins I want to play. If we need to play Evers and Joe, so be it. I just wanna keep winning and at this point I'm not sure if Joe would be the full answer but he looks a lot better right now.

 

[Kolumbo]

There are two things going on here. Mora is playing Evers for the good of the program. He will be here for years, so will Mora. Evers needs reps. To some degree he is being force fed them.

Fagnano has made an unexpected leap. He is clearly the better passer and now looks like the better overall QB. He is the best thing for the short term, for this year, his last.

Coaches have to play the best players. He owes it to the team. Otherwise the coach will be playing favorites. Evers has been dinged up this year and he is hurt again. So the decision to start Joe against Syracuse is easy and obvious. But Evers will have a bye week to heal. The question is which road does Mora take? Does he continue to prioritize the program or does he prioritize winning tomorrow?

We play today. We win today. Das it.

There is no tomorrow.

 

[PlayItLeo]

Not sure if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but one thing I noticed when Fagnano entered the game was that the attitude and body language of the WR corps notably improved. When Evers was in, his missed throws elicited visible signs of frustration within the unit. Once Joe came on, they seemed more engaged, unphased and upbeat despite the occasional miss. It looked to me like they clearly trust him more, and I think that made a big difference between winning and losing.

 

[RioDog]

Not sure if this has been mentioned elsewhere, but one thing I noticed when Fagnano entered the game was that the attitude and body language of the WR corps notably improved. When Evers was in, his missed throws elicited visible signs of frustration within the unit. Once Joe came on, they seemed more engaged, unphased and upbeat despite the occasional miss. It looked to me like they clearly trust him more, and I think that made a big difference between winning and losing.

Yup. Saw that too.

 

[businesslawyer]

Yup. Saw that too.

Anytime Fagnano comes in, Skyler Bell thinks it’s Christmas morning.

 

[RioDog]

Anytime Fagnano comes in, Skyler Bell thinks it’s Christmas morning.

Based on yesterday he's kinda right.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

If he played more than 2 and a half games we’d be talking about him breaking records

 

[cthog]

Anytime Fagnano comes in, Skyler Bell thinks it’s Christmas morning.

And the only game fagnano struggled in, bell got hurt on the first drive. With a healthy bell, it's not even a question who the better QB has been.

 

[Woof 101]

I just think Fagnano is a gamer, a darned good football player, and should be recognized as a UConn Football hero.

I agree with the premise most have put forward here. Not wanting any player to get hurt but the injury and Joe got us a win. Down 17 with only 10 minutes. Priceless......
Agree with all the kind words for him but I will save hero for the men & women we thank tomorrow.

 

[tiger paw]

Don't ever under estimate a 5th year player with a lot of experience. Play who ever has the hot hand. Nothing wrong with both sharing playing time in same game. The odds of 1 QB staying healthy + productive for all 12 games is small. Depth goes a long way to successful season. Mora will make the right in-game decision.

 

[AllHusky]

Yup. Saw that too.

One in particular stood out, Gaithings I believe. Absolutely horrendous throw, and he just stood and stared, clear disgust. Not a good situation.

 

[metsfan2323]

There are two things going on here. Mora is playing Evers for the good of the program.

The best thing for the program is to play Fagnano. "Building for next year" in the Transfer portal/NIL era is foolish. Joe Fagnano's football career is almost over, please Jim Mora, let him play.

 

[Scoe]

Don't play the could've should've would've game it's not healthy, it's what is and what we should do going forward.

 

[Bubba1957]

I'll say something that might get laughing emojis but I think Fagnano could be an nfl qb. A 7th rounder/FA it's not out of the realm of possibility. There are a lot of bad qbs and Fagnano obviously has experience being a backup and coming into games off the bench. If Tim Boyle and Tommy Devito can be on nfl rosters so can Joe Fagnano.

I agree. I’ve said before that the third string job on the NFL is a little different. Need to be able to make throws in practice to give receivers reps (he can). Athletic enough to be a good scout QB (he can) And finally, be a good student that can help the starters (he can).

 

[Windham4th]

I'll say something that might get laughing emojis but I think Fagnano could be an nfl qb. A 7th rounder/FA it's not out of the realm of possibility. There are a lot of bad qbs and Fagnano obviously has experience being a backup and coming into games off the bench. If Tim Boyle and Tommy Devito can be on nfl rosters so can Joe Fagnano.

If Tim Boyle can do it, anyone can...

 

[Jacks5556]

Like I been saying. We are 9-1 for sure if they would have started the right QB out of the gate.... possibly 10-0.

 

[UCan3]

I'll say something that might get laughing emojis but I think Fagnano could be an nfl qb. A 7th rounder/FA it's not out of the realm of possibility. There are a lot of bad qbs and Fagnano obviously has experience being a backup and coming into games off the bench. If Tim Boyle and Tommy Devito can be on nfl rosters so can Joe Fagnano.

I agree. It’s not likely to happen but not outside the realm of possibility. He’s got that accuracy with throws that separates him from the rest.

 

[jdb50]

Right off the bat Joe F threw a deep ball that was not a high pop hoping our receiver would make a play but a throw to our receiver on target to have a chance to make a catch. It was so obvious the difference in accuracy. Joe is not a big threat to run but we have very good backs for that.

 

[Viet Vet]

Strong arm, inaccurate, vs moderate arm, accurate. Exhibit 1,2,3+++….Tom Brady. Give me accuracy every time. JF, no doubt.

 

[GoConn]

He's a future NFL player

 

[Patman]

Maybe Mora hasn't been starting Fagnano as a secret weapon for Cuse? Didn't he say like last interview he didn't want to give away too much in the tapes

You are thinking way too much with your heart. Things are so much simpler than that. Mora needs wins every week so he isn't going to run out a surprise starter. He's also like 62. He only has 10 seasons left. He isn't going to leave wins on the table unless he has a plan.

You don't switch qbs because it makes you look like a dilletente and you lose the room. That's the school mora is in. The problem is fagnano is the better qb.

So the reality mora is playing Evers because he thinks it will net him more wins and success down the line

 

[Patman]

He's a future NFL player

I didn't realize Nicaragua had a league

 

[gsmooth]

I agree with this take. I wonder if Sammis has seen that and would love to be a fly on the wall...has Gordy just been the Good General or do you think he's verbalized this to Mora? His offense seems to flow so much more smoothly under Joe...he HAS to know that, right?

Interesting thoughts and question(s). We will never know if Sammis expressed doubts to Mora about Nick Evers and even though I am curious to know it's frankly none of our business and best kept private. Having said all of that, I am sure Sammis is restricting his playcalling and considering certain pass plays off limits when Evers is playing QB-that is a fact. Look at the the numerous consecutive pass plays that were called when Fagnano entered the game. Sure they were behind by 13 and that played a part, but has that many consecutive pass plays been called for Evers, ever?