Silver's Synopsis on UConn QB's

[UConnDan97]

It's a nice little writeup of the QB's for both this year and the upcoming year. There's not much here that most of us don't know about, but I figured I'd put it out there for everyone to see (and comment, if there's one to be had):

http://snyuconn.com/uconn/football/season-review-quarterbacks/#more-3892

I at least feel good about the future prospects at that position, and assuming that the pass protection is there, I expect really good things in the years to come...

 

[Bootsthemonkey]

QB depth will continue to be a concern IMO. Whitmer and Cochran, and I assume Lagow redshirts. I have zero confidence in McCummings playing full time QB if it comes to it.

 

[rich1122]

QB depth will continue to be a concern IMO. Whitmer and Cochran, and I assume Lagow redshirts. I have zero confidence in McCummings playing full time QB if it comes to it.

Oui

 

[Srqhusky]

I hope George's new years resolution is to put in a two minute or hurry up offense. I would love to see us snap the ball before the defense gets set next season.

 

[UConnDan97]

QB depth will continue to be a concern IMO. Whitmer and Cochran, and I assume Lagow redshirts. I have zero confidence in McCummings playing full time QB if it comes to it.

I agree with your assessment of McCummings, but if Cochran is as good as we think he is (now with a year of the system under his belt), then I don't see why depth will be a problem. Whitmer will likely be the main guy, and Cochran should be a very solid backup. McCummings would be the third string option...

 

[bmayuc]

I agree with your assessment of McCummings, but if Cochran is as good as we think he is (now with a year of the system under his belt), then I don't see why depth will be a problem. Whitmer will likely be the main guy, and Cochran should be a very solid backup. McCummings would be the third string option...

You watched our Offensive Line this year, yes?

I mean, our top two QBs for next year were both hurt and missed games this year, which sort of proves boots' point.

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[noeynox]

If were going to insist on running the "wildcat" I'd like to see a guy like Kamal Abrams, who was dual threat QB in HS get a shot with it. McCummings isn't a burner and it takes a while for him to get going in. Our version of the Wildcat was way too slow developing. OR scrap the whole damn thing already, we fooled ourselves with more than we did the opposition.

 

[UConnDan97]

You watched our Offensive Line this year, yes?

I mean, our top two QBs for next year were both hurt and missed games this year, which sort of proves boots' point.

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It goes without saying that these guys are going to have to get better pass protection, otherwise I don't give a damn if you have 10 quarterbacks! Also, remember that if worse came to worse, we could burn the redshirt year for Lagow, and also, I'm sure there is going to be at least one "preferred walk-on" in the QB position (actually, I'm already hearing that on our recruiting thread for 2013; a kid out of Cincinnati). Depth shouldn't be an issue. And I like the quality...

 

[jackl]

Don't know about Cochran, After seeing him on the sidelines during the Cincy game I was surprised at his bulk especially below the waist. A lot heavier in the leg/thighs than I've seen before. At a glance he doesn't look like the very mobile QB that we are going to need behind our OL. I hope that I'm wrong but I think maybe Lagow will be the QB of the future.

 

[huskymedic]

I mean, our top two QBs for next year were both hurt and missed games this year

Lost me here...?

 

[UConnDan97]

Lost me here...?

I think he's referring to Cochran's injured wrist, but the plan was always to redshirt the kid anyways...

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Isn't it a bit early to b!tch about the QB position for 2013?

 

[TouchdownHusky]

It goes without saying that these guys are going to have to get better pass protection, otherwise I don't give a damn if you have 10 quarterbacks! Also, remember that if worse came to worse, we could burn the redshirt year for Lagow, and also, I'm sure there is going to be at least one "preferred walk-on" in the QB position (actually, I'm already hearing that on our recruiting thread for 2013; a kid out of Cincinnati). Depth shouldn't be an issue. And I like the quality...

I'd actually prefer that "our preferred walk-on" QB be a kid that someone at the BCS level had offered a scholarship to, if we are going to seriously worry about depth.

 

[hexlub]

OR scrap the whole damn thing already, we fooled ourselves with more than we did the opposition.

I am in favor of scrapping it. Either that or run it for a full series with more robust options other than QB keeper right/QB keeper middle. The way it is traditionally run, and UConn is not the only culprit, is that it is brought in as a change of pace for a play. However, usually the change of pace is that it kills offensive momentum. I'd rather put in a Wildcat package for a series much like when you'd use a different QB option for a series because you want to change the pace of the game or show a different look.

 

[Husky25]

If were going to insist on running the "wildcat" I'd like to see a guy like Kamal Abrams, who was dual threat QB in HS get a shot with it. McCummings isn't a burner and it takes a while for him to get going in. Our version of the Wildcat was way too slow developing. OR scrap the whole damn thing already, we fooled ourselves with more than we did the opposition.

1) Uconn does not run a Wildcat offense.

2) The offensive line is what makes the world go round. I remember see the two deep early in the year, where we had a couple sub-270 lb.'ers. Unless their technique is flawless 100% of the time (And we know from the DeLeone Bus himself, that they aren't), that dog ain't gonna hunt.

 

[bmayuc]

Lost me here...?

Whitmer/cochran both missed games to injury. Shows our weak depth and its necessity

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[Husky25]

Whitmer/cochran both missed games to injury. Shows our weak depth and its necessity

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Cochran missed no games.

He missed practice time, but the Coach's intention was to have him redshirt regardless of injury.

Technically, Whittmer missed no games either.

 

[bmayuc]

Cochran missed no games.

He missed practice time, but the Coach's intention was to have him redshirt regardless of injury.

Technically, Whittmer missed no games either.

Yes, but being injured for a full half of the season EVEN WHILE REDSHIRTING does not bode well for his durability. If he were needed, as he will be next year, he would have been on the DL for more than half the year.

that matters when talking about depth.

Basically we will be two deep next year

1. Whitmer(lost two games to head injuries)
2. Cochran(lost half a season to a wrist injury)
3. Redshirt Fr. Richard Lagow(goal must be to redshirt)

Sort-of-qb
1. Scott McCummings (Missed Sprint with Injury) in his RS Soph campaign, he threw 2 passes and was not effective. Staff doesnt trust him throwing the ball at all so he's not very viable as an everydown QB


Basically I'm saying we have a lot of guys, but not many good options down the chain.

 

[Husky25]

Yes, but being injured for a full half of the season EVEN WHILE REDSHIRTING does not bode well for his durability. If he were needed, as he will be next year, he would have been on the DL for more than half the year.

that matters when talking about depth.

Basically we will be two deep next year

1. Whitmer(lost two games to head injuries)
2. Cochran(lost half a season to a wrist injury)
3. Redshirt Fr. Richard Lagow(goal must be to redshirt)

Sort-of-qb
1. Scott McCummings (Missed Sprint with Injury) in his RS Soph campaign, he threw 2 passes and was not effective. Staff doesnt trust him throwing the ball at all so he's not very viable as an everydown QB


Basically I'm saying we have a lot of guys, but not many good options down the chain.

Can't say I agree with you for a number of reasons, but these 4 occurred to me first:
1) Cochran's injury was a freak occurance. It's not like it will linger like a pulled hamstring or other soft tissue injury.
2) The injury was to his non-throwing hand, so he could very well keep his arm in throwing shape.
3) There is more to the offense than the physical aspect. I don't expect it, but who knows. Cochran may very well have a better mental handle on the offense than Whittmer.
4) He did play in last year's Spring game, so he is not as inexperienced as many RS freshmen may be.

Whittmer's missed time is overstated. he missed parts of two games. It's not like he was inactive and Trickshot had to play the entire game. He also only missed a couple days of practice.

McCummings is damaged goods at this point, I'm sorry to say. Shame on the coaches for that. Yet another reason they should have been relieved of their duties last week.

 

[uconndogs]

Frosts my ass that we had a passing game this season and the offense was awful. Whitmer is a keeper.

 

[Bootsthemonkey]

When talking about depth I was thinking back to the Frazer/Endres/Box rotation. That year was plagued with issues at the QB position and having 3 scholarship QB's got them through it. Right now you're looking at two scholarship QB's and a wildcat specialist. If you get one QB injured to where he can't start this means you'll have one QB and the wildcat QB. That's one hard hit away from having to burn a redshirt. This is what I mean by a concern about depth. Not bitching, a concern. And I think the redshirt is important. This helps to build depth at a position.
I also don't understand the comment about the coaching staff making McCummings damaged goods. SM came in under the prior staff and I've yet to see much accuracy displayed in his passing whether it was with the old staff or the current one.

 

[Bootsthemonkey]

I also understand there will be walk-ons but anyone who is happy with reliance on walk-ons for depth, I'm not sure I agree with that philosophy.

 

[bmayuc]

Can't say I agree with you for a number of reasons, but these 4 occurred to me first:
1) Cochran's injury was a freak occurance. It's not like it will linger like a pulled hamstring or other soft tissue injury.
2) The injury was to his non-throwing hand, so he could very well keep his arm in throwing shape.
3) There is more to the offense than the physical aspect. I don't expect it, but who knows. Cochran may very well have a better mental handle on the offense than Whittmer.
4) He did play in last year's Spring game, so he is not as inexperienced as many RS freshmen may be.

Whittmer's missed time is overstated. he missed parts of two games. It's not like he was inactive and Trickshot had to play the entire game. He also only missed a couple days of practice.

McCummings is damaged goods at this point, I'm sorry to say. Shame on the coaches for that. Yet another reason they should have been relieved of their duties last week.

1. Freak occurence or not, it illustrates the danger of having poor depth at the QB spot and at very least puts question marks on his durability. We are not talking about a minor injury
2. Coach P stated plainly that he would not have been able to play, period, had he been needed until november timeframe. So who cares whether his arm "was in throwing shape". He couldn't participate.
3. There absolutely is more to the game that physical. However, you have to be physically able to play. You could have Tom Brady's mental game, but if you just had surgery on your wrist you are not going to be on the field. not sure what this even means.
4. He played in last year's spring game. Terribly. I hope he does great. but in terms of what he has showed, the answer is very, very little. And he's #2 on the depth chart behind a guy with a history of head injuries. scary.

 

[UConnDan97]

When talking about depth I was thinking back to the Frazer/Endres/Box rotation. That year was plagued with issues at the QB position and having 3 scholarship QB's got them through it. Right now you're looking at two scholarship QB's and a wildcat specialist. If you get one QB injured to where he can't start this means you'll have one QB and the wildcat QB. That's one hard hit away from having to burn a redshirt. This is what I mean by a concern about depth. Not bitching, a concern. And I think the redshirt is important. This helps to build depth at a position.
I also don't understand the comment about the coaching staff making McCummings damaged goods. SM came in under the prior staff and I've yet to see much accuracy displayed in his passing whether it was with the old staff or the current one.

This is what I'm not getting; we'll have THREE scholly QB's, not two (Whitmer, Cochran, Lagow), even if you aren't counting McCummings. And there's nothing wrong with having McCummings as a fourth option, and we haven't even begin to talk about the walk-on situation. I'm just not getting all the depth concerns from everyone for next year. To me, this might be the most quality depth that we've ever had at the position!!! (assuming Lagow is as good as advertised)

 

[bmayuc]

This is what I'm not getting; we'll have THREE scholly QB's, not two (Whitmer, Cochran, Lagow), even if you aren't counting McCummings. And there's nothing wrong with having McCummings as a fourth option, and we haven't even begin to talk about the walk-on situation. I'm just not getting all the depth concerns from everyone for next year. To me, this might be the most quality depth that we've ever had at the position!!! (assuming Lagow is as good as advertised)

Scholly 1. Whitmer: Starter, courageous kid, but knocked out of TWO GAMES with head injuries. not good. this is quality, but fragile quality.
Scholly 2. Cochran: Zero experience, zero production, very mixed reports from practice. deer in headlights spring game, missed half a year of practice with an injury. basically, we have zero idea what he is, at all. and he's our #2 most likely.
Scholly 3. Richard Lagow: True Frosh, looks like a good prospect but who knows? our trend with freshman quarterbacks is pretty terrible. And we would like to keep the redshirt on him.
_______________
Scholly 4: Scott McCummings: Proven that he cannot throw the ball, and that his limited wildcat packages are somewhere between inconsistent and consistently terrible.

My point being this: You say that this might be the most quality depth we've ever had at the position, ok. Where is the quality? At least with Frazer/Endres we knew we had two guys who could lead a team to victory. I'm optimistic about the future with Lagow/Cochran, but we have exactly zero idea whether the constitute "quality depth".

If Whitmer goes down, we are down to either full=time wildcat(unlikely) or a freshman qb who has zero snaps under their belt.

hard for me to call that quality depth.