The next step in the development of UConn quarterback Nick Evers: ‘Consistency’ (Arruda)

[TouchdownHusky]

He shows glimpses of his talent, but he just needs to, I don't know calm down? Something

What he needs to be is SAT. He is not a good passer and he is relatively slow.

 

[Tdaley]

I think it is a little hard to understand Nick. Against Wake Forest last week he threw 2 late touchdowns that were not only right on the money but pro level throws. He has also missed a bunch of easy touch passes that are hard to understand. He can not run that effectively since his next concussion is most likely the end of his career. He has also had a lot of passes right in the recievers hands that have been dropped.
He also had a beautiful throw 30 or 35 yards to Skyler Bell . Bell made a beautiful catch but the ball was right there. He obviously has a lot of ability but in reality he really hasn't played much football in the last 3 years which is an eternity.
I think we need to keep him getting reps and see how he progresses.

If you think Fagnano is the guy, you're going to have to tell me more about the Temple game, because that was... not good.

I think he's A guy. I don't think he's THE guy. He's got a lot of reps from Maine, and I think that's the biggest difference between him and NE.

Although my opinion is subject to change as I see more of Evers, I agree 100 percent will both of these posts at this time. Let’s hope for a good bounce back game from Evers and our offensive line in Friday nights game.

 

[Jimdish255]

If it was a choice between a good runner and a decent passer you could make the argument for Nick. But his poor vision, inaccurate late throws and mediocre running has made it way too easy for DC's to shut down our run game and contract our offense down to a starvation diet of 2nd and long runs, and swing passes or roll outs with one option. So the argument becomes one where the offense has more good options or less options. And the "potential" that down the road things might change. Meanwhile we've beaten some weak teams and squeaked out two of them against Rice and Temple while going, 0-3 with Nick against major conference teams where we could claim some credibility. Two of them very winnable games.

To make the potential argument requires evidence of improvement, not seeing flashes or hope that your original assessment of talent was correct. We're very limited with Nick in there. It's hurting the receivers and the running game. And right now with a winning record we should shut down GA State and UAB defensively even with our limited offense. But either game might be closer than it should based on talent. We caught a pretty weak schedule this year and that might be enough to get us to a Bowl. But there's zero evidence so far that Nick is taking us to any next level that makes us a candidate for a major conference, which I always assumed was our objective rather than mudding along as an independent. I hope Welliver can emerge and is given a shot at some point but the larger worry is that by leaving Nick in we start to demoralize receivers and potentially lose them before Cole gets his shot.

 

[CONN78SEJ]

He shows glimpses of his talent, but he just needs to, I don't know calm down? Something

Just like Timmy Boyle, some day he’ll be in the NFL too.

 

[AllHusky]

He shows glimpses of his talent, but he just needs to, I don't know calm down? Something

I think what you see, that missing "IT", is the result of a number of factors, most of which have been discussed on this board in some way shape or form. Often what you see manifests as timidity, tightness, tentativeness or unsuredness. Calm down(ie play with confidence, play relaxed, be sure of yourself, play loose etc etc etc) is a big part of it. That calming comes as many of the factors below work themselves out through Reps.

1. lack of playing over the last 3 years ie experience
2. loss of confidence because of what he was and what he has become (ie superstar TX hs QB to portal version of a "journeyman ballplayer" different team every spring training)
3. lack of confidence, see # 1&2
4. inconsistent developmental progression in this season due to injuries
5. First year in a new system, with a 1st year OC and 1st year QB coach

He may get the requisite reps to work through those issues naturally or in an organic fashion BUT the $64,000 question posed in an earlier thread becomes, CAN HE? Many don't believe he can. Mora is committed to finding out. Hopefully our Huskies don't pay a price for finding out that answer if it is NO. As always, we are all rooting for Nick and Coach Mora!

Go Huskies.

 

[Waquoit]

I think what you see, that missing "IT", is the result of a number of factors, most of which have been discussed on this board in some way shape or form. Often what you see manifests as timidity, tightness, tentativeness or unsuredness.

I'm going with insufficient passing ability.

 

[ZooCougar]

I think what you see, that missing "IT", is the result of a number of factors, most of which have been discussed on this board in some way shape or form. Often what you see manifests as timidity, tightness, tentativeness or unsuredness. Calm down(ie play with confidence, play relaxed, be sure of yourself, play loose etc etc etc) is a big part of it. That calming comes as many of the factors below work themselves out through Reps.

1. lack of playing over the last 3 years ie experience
2. loss of confidence because of what he was and what he has become (ie superstar TX hs QB to portal version of a "journeyman ballplayer" different team every spring training)
3. lack of confidence, see # 1&2
4. inconsistent developmental progression in this season due to injuries
5. First year in a new system, with a 1st year OC and 1st year QB coach

He may get the requisite reps to work through those issues naturally or in an organic fashion BUT the $64,000 question posed in an earlier thread becomes, CAN HE? Many don't believe he can. Mora is committed to finding out. Hopefully our Huskies don't pay a price for finding out that answer if it is NO. As always, we are all rooting for Nick and Coach Mora!

Go Huskies.

Maybe you should invent 5 more excuses. This place needs to wake up and smell the coffee. He is not a good QB.

1. We are seeing why he didn't have any playing time.
2. Lame excuse
3. Literally the same lame excuse stated again. In fact, Mora annointed him the starter and then in the presser he basically said he would start no matter what. He doesn't have to worry about getting benched like every other QB. He should feel like he is playing with house money.
4. Hecould have developed at Oklahoma and Wisconsin. At Wisconsin the rub on Evers is that he didn't work hard and didn't learn the offense. Seems like this is self inflicted by and large.
5. Literally the same excuse as #1. We are now seeing why he is in his third system in three years. Again see #1

Lastly. No amount of reps will help him. You want to keep playing him because maybe Fagnano is indistinguishably better and because he's gone then fine. But you better win

 

[AllHusky]

Maybe you should invent 5 more excuses. This place needs to wake up and smell the coffee. He is not a good QB.

1. We are seeing why he didn't have any playing time.
2. Lame excuse
3. Literally the same lame excuse stated again. In fact, Mora annointed him the starter and then in the presser he basically said he would start no matter what. He doesn't have to worry about getting benched like every other QB. He should feel like he is playing with house money.
4. Hecould have developed at Oklahoma and Wisconsin. At Wisconsin the rub on Evers is that he didn't work hard and didn't learn the offense. Seems like this is self inflicted by and large.
5. Literally the same excuse as #1. We are now seeing why he is in his third system in three years. Again see #1

Lastly. No amount of reps will help him. You want to keep playing him because maybe Fagnano is indistinguishably better and because he's gone then fine. But you better win

Hey Einstein, not an endorsement of NE. Doc Who asked a simple question, just regurgitated summary of many of the conversations/debates that have gone on here. Many folks don't think he can do it for a variety of reasons, pretty sure I'm in that camp, but praying for lightning.

Rooting for the kid, he's a Husky and he is going to play.

 

[ZooCougar]

Hey Einstein, not an endorsement of NE. Doc Who asked a simple question, just regurgitated summary of many of the conversations/debates that have gone on here. Many folks don't think he can do it for a variety of reasons, pretty sure I'm in that camp, but praying for lightning.

Rooting for the kid, he's a Husky and he is going to play.

“This place” must be confusing for you.

Many folks in this place thought Jack Zergiotis was the real deal.

It’s like the Boneyard has QB Beer Goggles.

 

[noeynox]

As Ross Tucker on TV pointed out. In the 4th quarter Wake looked perfectly content to let him have those short passes. I mean it’s to his credit that he did it, but they intentionally allowed the offense to do that since they passes were so short they wouldn’t even result in a 1st Down.

Maybe if you were in the stadium you got the impression that all of the sudden Evers was Patrick Mahomes. But that just simply wasn’t what happened.

Yeah. I was at that one. Good observation then, cause it looked like he was turning a corner.

 

[Gburyhusky]

I feel like some of the negative commentary here is based on an unrealistic view of our ability to go in the portal and get a higher level quarterback. The reality is we are a mid level G 5 program at this time. We certainly have aspirations to aim higher, great. However for purposes of portal acquisitions we have to understand what the limits are for the program in terms of getting a finished product quarterback right now. We are not UConn Basketball; and Mora (unlike Hurley) does not have the option of grabbing a high level guy whenever he wants. Yes, Evers is a work in progress, but compared to who/what? Look at some of the portal quarterbacks we have faced this season - Fancher (FAU from Marshall); Ogbonnna (Buffalo from SE MO State); Brock (Temple from Santa Monica CC). Were you impressed with any of these guys? These are the types of portal quarterbacks we are realistically competing for - inexperienced P4 guys looking for a shot and needing a lot of development (Evers for example), G5 guys making a lateral move for money, FCS/CC guys looking to move up the ladder (Joe F). When judged against this standard, I don't think Evers has been as bad as some on here are suggesting.

 

[Waquoit]

I feel like some of the negative commentary here is based on an unrealistic view of our ability to go in the portal and get a higher level quarterback.

Mine is based on seeing the QB throw a 7-yard pass to a wide open receiver 3 feet behind the guy knowing that if it was on the money it goes for at least 20.

 

[noeynox]

I feel like some of the negative commentary here is based on an unrealistic view of our ability to go in the portal and get a higher level quarterback. The reality is we are a mid level G 5 program at this time. We certainly have aspirations to aim higher, great. However for purposes of portal acquisitions we have to understand what the limits are for the program in terms of getting a finished product quarterback right now. We are not UConn Basketball; and Mora (unlike Hurley) does not have the option of grabbing a high level guy whenever he wants. Yes, Evers is a work in progress, but compared to who/what? Look at some of the portal quarterbacks we have faced this season - Fancher (FAU from Marshall); Ogbonnna (Buffalo from SE MO State); Brock (Temple from Santa Monica CC). Were you impressed with any of these guys? These are the types of portal quarterbacks we are realistically competing for - inexperienced P4 guys looking for a shot and needing a lot of development (Evers for example), G5 guys making a lateral move for money, FCS/CC guys looking to move up the ladder (Joe F). When judged against this standard, I don't think Evers has been as bad as some on here are suggesting.

The kid at Eastern Michigan transferred from Buffalo where he had solid numbers including 1 3k yard passing season. I'd rather bring in a guy like that with maybe a lower ceiling and higher floor than basically a complete unknown. Apparently UConn was either #1, or #2, in football NIL in the G5 if reports are accurate. Only Memphis may have been higher. Given the caliber of play from guys like Skyler Bell, Jayden McDonald, Jack Barton, Wes Hoeh, Jordan Wright etc, they identified and had the resources to bring in quality plug and play guys everywhere but whiffed on QB. Hopefully with time, they find a ready to go QB if they don't develop a guy in house.

 

[ZooCougar]

I feel like some of the negative commentary here is based on an unrealistic view of our ability to go in the portal and get a higher level quarterback. The reality is we are a mid level G 5 program at this time. We certainly have aspirations to aim higher, great. However for purposes of portal acquisitions we have to understand what the limits are for the program in terms of getting a finished product quarterback right now. We are not UConn Basketball; and Mora (unlike Hurley) does not have the option of grabbing a high level guy whenever he wants. Yes, Evers is a work in progress, but compared to who/what? Look at some of the portal quarterbacks we have faced this season - Fancher (FAU from Marshall); Ogbonnna (Buffalo from SE MO State); Brock (Temple from Santa Monica CC). Were you impressed with any of these guys? These are the types of portal quarterbacks we are realistically competing for - inexperienced P4 guys looking for a shot and needing a lot of development (Evers for example), G5 guys making a lateral move for money, FCS/CC guys looking to move up the ladder (Joe F). When judged against this standard, I don't think Evers has been as bad as some on here are suggesting.

You don’t think we can find and recruit a QB in the portal who can perform better than Zion Turner levels of production? With our NIL $?

I disagree.

They took a swing with Evers and all signs point to that being a swing and a miss.

Maybe the next one will hit, or McDonald and Welliver will actually be great for us and we can just get a depth QB.