Joe Fagnano appreciation thread

[Chin Diesel]

Issue right now with NE is that his threat of running is what gives him an advantage as a dual threat presence. Since the second concussion, he hasn't really be a threat of running like what he was doing earlier in the year like in the Duke game. He's diving at the first threat of contact now, which is great if he needs to protect himself.. but it doesn't really make him a dual threat anymore. And now, not knowing the knee situation.. it's another disadvantage to the idea of a dual threat quarterback if his knee isn't in shape to go. So if you don't have a dual threat quarterback predicated on running.. why would you not start the quarterback that has a better passing game?

Correct. With most dual threat QB's you sacrifice pure passing due to the QB's ability to extend passing plays with their mobility and make plays with their legs. Evers has below average acceleration and isn't very good at making the first defender miss. Without those qualities, he's just a below average QB.

 

[gsmooth]

I am not rooting for either QB. I only want the best QB on the field and set NIL aside and the QB has earned the position in Joe.

If Joe doesn’t come in against UAB, that would have been a loss.

I don’t want to anoint Joe the starter no matter what - but only to see him start v Syracuse.

His stats and clutch play make him to clear choice in a couple of weeks. If he stinks it up bring in Evers.

I agree 100% with what you are saying. If you look at my recent posts, even before the UAB game and especially after the UAB game, I want Fagnano to start as well. I don't think they beat UAB with Evers.

I was just responding to UConnDan97's comment about how he was stating people in the BoneYard are going into their Team Joe and Team Nick's sides, and going over the top and having more venom (my word not his) when being critical of the QB they don't prefer. I was stating what's best of UConn is what we all should be pulling for. Me personally, I think Fagnano is clearly the better QB for this team.

Later Edit: I agree no one should be anointed the starter unconditionally.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I just want to win the game. I don’t care if players go to nfl, don’t care about awards, NIL, or what other people think of the program.

Win games. Maybe when there is something more to play for like a G6 CFP bid, a superior bowl game bid and what not, then I might worry. But, there is exactly zero reason to worry about style points.

Most effective players play.

Maybe if I was stroking the NIL checks I'd feel differently but, seems to me if I helped fund an NIL pool of money with an expectation much of it goes to a player who is supposed to help the team, my money is already spent.

I guess I'd rather see my NIL money player on the bench and the team winning than see my NIL money on the field and the team losing.

There is no additional cost to me other than being pissed at the coaches who thought the player I funded was better than he was.

 

[Chin Diesel]

if we suck at running the ball vs Syracuse and JF is forced to throw us to a victory, do not crap on him if/when he gets 2 picks by the half. It will have been a function of the pressure he's facing due to lack of a run game.

All that being said, QB doesn't matter if we can't make gains on the run.

Conversely, if Nick Evers is in there AND Syracuse stuffs the run AND Nick is forced to throw us to a victory, he would also throw at least two picks.

 

[JohnFSilver]

Conversely, if Nick Evers is in there AND Syracuse stuffs the run AND Nick is forced to throw us to a victory, he would also throw at least two picks.

These are the decisions of the coaches. If nick is effective, plays, if he isn’t, Fagnano plays. I would start Fagano, I think the vertical threat helps running game.

I don’t expect Evers to throw it like Fagnano, but what can’t happen against cuse is him spraying the ball all over the field. He has to be an efficient passer as well.

But I have come around to loving the arm.

Also, watch fagnano get on a praxtice squad next year and annoy everyone. lol

 

[gsmooth]

I don’t get this post.

Don’t have luxury? What are you talking about? How much better than 7-3 should they be? They got lucky against temple. They had Fagnano steal the game from uab. They lost frustrating games against wake and Duke.

Those are the 4 toss up games this year and they are 2-2. They could easily have been 0-4 in this games and maybe with a little luck, could have been 4-0.

As I said, their record feels about right. And, I am for the qb chance against Syracuse.

We sitting here 5-5, then I am grumpy , but 7-3? Nah.

How much better than 7-3 should they be?
I don't know the answer to that. But what I can tell you is that they would be 6-4 after the UAB game if Fagnano doesn't enter the game-the offense was stuck in mud in that UAB game. UConn needs the running game to be effective to be successful no matter who the QB is. The less effective the running game is the greater the chance for UConn to lose, it's that simple. Fagnano's passing ability will do more (than Evers) to keep the opposing defenses honest and make them more hesitant of selling out or loading the box to stop the run. With Evers, the defense really doesn't have to worry about the downfield passing. And Evers with his recent injuries is not a running threat at all now.

Don’t have luxury? What are you talking about?
I was responding to a post asking if I believed Nick Evers could be taught various QB skills. I said I am sure he has made some progress since he started, but not a lot, and that there is a huge urgency to get wins right now and for the next season with the importance and goal of getting a P4 invite. The offense is not being maximized with Evers, how long do you stick with him in hopes of training him as the starter in these skills while the offense isn't reaching it's true potential? UConn is winning in spite of Evers, not because of him.

According to Mora, there is $1.5M more coming in for NIL for UConn Football, that should be used to find the best possible QBs for next year for a QB competition with Welliver. And no, I don't think Tucker McDonald is the guy for next year.

I don’t get this post.
I hope you get it now.

 

[UCan3]

Conversely, if Nick Evers is in there AND Syracuse stuffs the run AND Nick is forced to throw us to a victory, he would also throw at least two picks.

Our receivers don’t always help Evers. Many slightly imperfect passes but catchable that get dropped.

But with Joe F he puts it where they can catch it - like right there. The TD he threw on 4th and 1 a grest example. He looked through his options and delivered it with precision.

I think Evers can get there but it’s not happening soon enough for us to meet our full potential as a team In 2024.

 

[hardcorehusky]

You clearly didn't see the Wake or Duke games if you think that.

From a gameplan standpoint, at least with Duke, qb runs were part of the RPO in order to loosen up the D front. Fagnano would not have given us that and our OLine would have been overpowered.

Not saying Fagnano would not have won that game as Evers was bad for 3 qtrs, but what Evers brought to the table on paper made sense.

 

[ZooCougar]

From a gameplan standpoint, at least with Duke, qb runs were part of the RPO in order to loosen up the D front. Fagnano would not have given us that and our OLine would have been overpowered.

Not saying Fagnano would not have won that game as Evers was bad for 3 qtrs, but what Evers brought to the table on paper made sense.

Why do we need a running QB when we have these running backs?

We needed to be able TO PASS THE BALL.

 

[gopher2]

With our Oline injuries we are going to find ourselves in passing situations all day so I think JF should start and throw quickly and often. Try to wear down the fruit rush. Maybe we can use the pass to set up the run as the game goes on.

 

[Huskygrad88]

I can’t misrepresent what his actual words were. I think you are just reinterpreting it creatively.

I read them and listened.

He twisted himself into a pretzel explaining how he deserved it. Couldn’t really be specific as to how he was better than the others. “The reality is that when you go into the portal and pay a guy that you start him”.

Other things of note.

He was only a 4 Star after committing to Oklahoma. He got the old upgrade when the Oklahoma offer came in.

The guy literally has the same upside that Roberson had. Maybe less. We just happen to be paying him.

Did you actually write that “ I can’t misrepresent what his actual words were.” and then misquote him?

“Nick is our starter and we're going to throw all our support behind and put him into position to win,” Mora said. “In this day and age, you don’t bring a guy in and help him get NIL opportunities unless you are pretty convinced that he’s going to be the guy. That’s the way this thing works nowadays.” That’s the actual quote.

 

[UConnDan97]

Did you actually write that “ I can’t misrepresent what his actual words were.” and then misquote him?

“Nick is our starter and we're going to throw all our support behind and put him into position to win,” Mora said. “In this day and age, you don’t bring a guy in and help him get NIL opportunities unless you are pretty convinced that he’s going to be the guy. That’s the way this thing works nowadays.” That’s the actual quote.

Don't let facts get in the way of a good Zoo story...

 

[giddyup]

So, Evers has no capability to be coached up in pocket presence, footwork, reading defenses and even getting over injuries? He has peaked at age 20? That is what you are saying here.

Sometimes the reason your 4* portal QB isn’t cutting it is the same reason your 4* QB ended up in the portal…just sayin

 

[ZooCougar]

Did you actually write that “ I can’t misrepresent what his actual words were.” and then misquote him?

“Nick is our starter and we're going to throw all our support behind and put him into position to win,” Mora said. “In this day and age, you don’t bring a guy in and help him get NIL opportunities unless you are pretty convinced that he’s going to be the guy. That’s the way this thing works nowadays.” That’s the actual quote.

Which is pretty much what I said in paraphrasing.

It's not a ringing endorsement. "We paid him so we are playing him". Imagine if that was your kid that he said that about. You'd probably be a little concerned right?

 

[hardcorehusky]

Why do we need a running QB when we have these running backs?

We needed to be able TO PASS THE BALL.

Offensive design. We are an rpo zone stretch offense, not old school Power I. The ability of the qb to run keeps the defensive ends home and keeps at least one less defender out of the box.
When we played Temple, they didn't respect Fagnano's running ability, shut down the run and forced him into passing situations. He was off that day and it wound up being a slog offensively.

Remember, our OLine coach is our offensive coordinator. The run has been successful since he has been here. We have to pass the ballnto keep some defenses honest but also fornbig plays. We have a pattern of running the ball well in the late 3rd and 4th qtrs. Whatever Sammis et al are doing is working. I think next year, the offensive could be tweaked toward opening up the passing game.

 

[king conn]

I don't think opposing defenses are all that bothered by Evers 3 yard and cloud of dust keepers

His running ability is way overblown here

 

[JohnFSilver]

Sometimes the reason your 4* portal QB isn’t cutting it is the same reason your 4* QB ended up in the portal…just sayin

I think Evers is fine. Fagnano a better passer, more experienced, and a better arm. He is also erratic, but if he is accurate, a darn good thrower of the football.

Evers can get better, as we saw from other QBs. Right now, Fagnano

 

[Bubba1957]

How many long runs has Nick had? Not many. I don’t recall seeing him get outside, juke someone out and get downfield. So, I don’t see much difference in their ability to run. Joe can still run the RPO, and if it’s there, take the 4 to 8 that are available. Still a good play, still forces the opposition to defend. Not looking to take it to the house, but neither was Nick.

 

[hardcorehusky]

How many long runs has Nick had? Not many. I don’t recall seeing him get outside, juke someone out and get downfield. So, I don’t see much difference in their ability to run. Joe can still run the RPO, and if it’s there, take the 4 to 8 that are available. Still a good play, still forces the opposition to defend. Not looking to take it to the house, but neither was Nick.

Evers at Duke started with a 20+ yard run and in the early 4th quarter almost took one to the house but stepped on the sideline. After Buffalo, he got hurt and has never been the same.

 

[AllHusky]

Evers at Duke started with a 20+ yard run and in the early 4th quarter almost took one to the house but stepped on the sideline. After Buffalo, he got hurt and has never been the same.

Hope he feels better for Spring Practice

 

[Scoe]

Evers at Duke started with a 20+ yard run and in the early 4th quarter almost took one to the house but stepped on the sideline. After Buffalo, he got hurt and has never been the same.

That’s kind of been the story with Evers he’s a play away or a non injury away from turning a corner. We gotta play Fagnano against Cuse need to do what’s best for the team, give Evers another week to get healthy then maybe you play both against Umass.

 

[Scoe]

It’s gonna be interesting how NIL QBs get handled moving forward Thomas Castellanos quit the team,after being benched in a win.

 

[Tdaley]

It’s gonna be interesting how NIL QBs get handled moving forward Thomas Castellanos quit the team,after being benched in a win.

No way. Wow!

 

[Patman]

That’s kind of been the story with Evers he’s a play away or a non injury away from turning a corner. We gotta play Fagnano against Cuse need to do what’s best for the team, give Evers another week to get healthy then maybe you play both against Umass.

I think we all want Evers to develop but as he is at this moment in this season he is not the guy. Maybe he turns the corner on passing and recognition next year.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Finally got around to watching the UAB game last night. I was able to monitor the second half of the game using the ESPN gamecast.

A few things opened my eyes.

UConn was even during the first qtr, slightly better in the 3rd and dominated the 4th qtr. The second qtr was basically even until the clouds opened up and UAB dominated those last 10 minutes of the 1st half. I won't say the 20-3 score was misleading but it wasn't a 30 minute dominant performance by UAB.

The WR's screwed Evers with a couple of dropped balls in key spot and the turnovers didn't help either. UConn was actually decent on offense when Evers was in there....with one caveat, and that's why I posted this here.

Evers can't throw a deep ball to save his life. He was doing decent on the crossing patterns and shorter throws, but there is no reason for a defense to respect his arm 20 yards or deeper. The TD throws by Fagnano were absolutely passes Evers cannot make and it was easy to see how it forced the LB's and safeties to play honest and not crowd the line of scrimmage. The passing game opened up the running game.
I realize Fagnano is gone after this season. For the remaining regular season games and the bowl game, a healthy Fagnano has to start. He keeps the defense honest with his arm and his passing ability helps the running game more than Evers' ability as a runner helps the running game.

Going in to the offseason and for next year, if the coaches don't see a noticeable improvement on deep throws by Evers, there is no reason to annoint him a starter. I realize it's the total personnel package, but Sammis' offense runs better with a competent throwing QB than it does with a marginal dual threat QB.

Finally, someone from Mora's staff had to feed the announcers the line factoid about Mora never switching QB's midseason. Sorry, not sorry, but I highly doubt any media member thought to research that on their own.