The QB Issue | Page 9 | The Boneyard

The QB Issue

Who should start at QB going forward?

  • Evers

    Votes: 104 43.7%

  • Fagnano

    Votes: 78 32.8%

  • Mcdonald

    Votes: 3 1.3%

  • Welliver

    Votes: 53 22.3%
  • Total voters
    238
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JMick said:
I don't know how you take the ball out of his hands unless the staff really, really believes in Evers and sees things no one else has
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well, the staff doesn't have the best record in this area in that category. Start based on the evidence, let's go Joe.
 
giddyup said:
JF was playing against a slower FCS opponent so the game slowed down. Not convinced he can handle the faster game speed at the FBS level. Not convinced Evers is better just because he has better physical tools, either. I think you stay with guy who got you the W and give Evers some series to get reps and see if he rises to the occasion when given the opportunity.
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I think you are underselling Fagnano.

His college stats:

481/810 59.9%, 6,118 yards, 7.6 yards/attempt, 51 TDs, 14 INTs

His stats against FBS (7 games) + ranked FCS (1):

112/202 55.4%, 1,375 yards, 6.8 yards/attempt, 10 TDs, 7 INTs

Yesterday, Fagnano had the best offensive weapons at his disposal that he has ever had and it showed, albeit against a mid tier FCS opponent. All QBs will look better against inferior opponents, but Joe has held his own against FBS opponents on overmatched teams.

As for the QB competition, Evers seems to have a lot of upside, but he has only played a partial game in college. Fagnano is very experienced and I think that is what UConn's offense needs right now.
 
ZooCougar said:
Bell didn’t start putting up those numbers until after Fagnano came in so…
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i dont know what Mora does. I still think Evers has greater athletic ability, but Fagnano has a lot lot more experience.

Evers has only played one game in his career and he came here and is paid to play here. Thst said, not sure how you can put him back there against Duke this week. Coming off a concussion, and Fagnano had such a great game, would hate for Evers to have a rough outing.

Evers really needed to play against Merrimack to get reps. Maybe if a game gets out out of hand Saturday he gets in. Or give him a series.

I’d go with Fagnano this week, I think that gives team best chance to win against Duke. Then, maybe keep it open week to week.
 
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Bubba1957 said:
If Evers is healthy, I’d like to see him start. Joe has the perfect temperament (just based on what the coaches say) to come off the bench if needed.
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That's a no. You go with the QB who can throw the ball and get it into the endzone. And the NIL be damned. You play the hotter hand.
 
ShakyTheMohel said:
I still wonder how much NIL plays into these decisions. If you are a donor who was asked to pony up to bring Evers in….are you happy with him getting passed over by the FCS kiid who was already here…and would you donate again?

I think this is still part of the equation…and makes Mora’s job very hard.
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If anybody donated significantly, I’d expect they’d be happy to see UConn win. Period. That was the point, after all.
 
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I think Joe is what he is. A solid backup who won’t do too much damage and can step in for a game or 2 and do pretty well. He isn’t going to carry us to an 11-1 season. I think but could be wrong that he is not going to be the guy who turns thing around. Maybe though he is the guy who steadies the ship for a while until one of the younger guys is actually ready to step in.
 
Think of your favorite UConn QB not named Orlovsky. Yes, Merrimack is FCS, but Joe just threw more TD passes than every other QB in our FBS history vs an FCS opponent, including the glory days. He tied a school record (that I assume was set against an FCS team) and helped set scoring records for points in a quarter and a half (that I assume was set against another FCS team). Those are program standards - not just “well he only did it against Merrimack.”

Lots of other (better) FBS schools have played FCS teams this season, and yet Joe has the highest QBR in the nation.

I can’t believe we’re having a conversation about this, but you absolutely have to start him. Unfortunately for Evers, the door opened for Joe and he stepped through in a big way.

You start Joe, and if he looks bad, you go to Evers. That’s it.

You don’t need to think about “could Evers have done this or matched that?” You don’t need to play “Could’ve, Would’ve, Should’ve.”

People were sour on Joe because he was NC’s guy and we don’t like NC. People assumed he beat out Roberson because he was NC’s guy. What if he beat him because he was better? What if NCs bad play calling made Joe look bad?

We roll with Joe vs. Duke.
 
UConnJim said:
I think you are underselling Fagnano.

His college stats:

481/810 59.9%, 6,118 yards, 7.6 yards/attempt, 51 TDs, 14 INTs

His stats against FBS (7 games) + ranked FCS (1):

112/202 55.4%, 1,375 yards, 6.8 yards/attempt, 10 TDs, 7 INTs

Yesterday, Fagnano had the best offensive weapons at his disposal that he has ever had and it showed, albeit against a mid tier FCS opponent. All QBs will look better against inferior opponents, but Joe has held his own against FBS opponents on overmatched teams.

As for the QB competition, Evers seems to have a lot of upside, but he has only played a partial game in college. Fagnano is very experienced and I think that is what UConn's offense needs right now.
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You might be right. I just know the speed of the game picks up. Faster rush, tighter coverage, etc..
 
Need to go with Joe he seems to have a bit of that coolness to him, not saying Evers can't be the starter eventually, I say you give him another week then reevaluate the position, if he gets Wally piped then so be it.

One thing about the Maryland game is on the first drive of the game Evers overthrew the receiver which was a ball the receiver still should've caught, if that connection is made we have the ball right on the edge of fg range, not saying the game would've turned out much differently but I do believe it was a big momentum shift that took the wind out of our sails.
 
This thread cracks me up with how certain most people are that you "absolutely have to" start this guy or that guy. And without exception, all of those people who are so certain about it haven't said a single thing about Duke's defense and what would be most effective against it.

If I told you that they were susceptible to scrambling QBs, you'd come to one conclusion. If I told you they were susceptible to the vertical pass, you'd come to another conclusion. Etc,etc.

I don't know what the answer is, but I can guarantee that the head coach is thinking about that as part of his calculations, along with current form, current health, and other factors. Ultimately, Mora will have to make a tough decision because it doesn't "absolutely have to be" either QB...
 
Hoophound said:
I’ve been busy all weekend so haven’t been commenting, but Joe has to play. You can’t bench him after that performance. It wouldn’t even be fair to Evers. Let Joe show what he’s got against Duke. If he can’t get it done, pull him and put in Evers.

Putting Evers back in against Duke would put tremendous pressure on him. He’ll be pressing because he knows Joe is breathing down his neck. I don’t want him pressing against Duke thinking he has to match Joe’s game against Merrimack. It’s isn’t realistic.
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This is a good point
 
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UConnDan97 said:
This thread cracks me up with how certain most people are that you "absolutely have to" start this guy or that guy. And without exception, all of those people who are so certain about it haven't said a single thing about Duke's defense and what would be most effective against it.

If I told you that they were susceptible to scrambling QBs, you'd come to one conclusion. If I told you they were susceptible to the vertical pass, you'd come to another conclusion. Etc,etc.

I don't know what the answer is, but I can guarantee that the head coach is thinking about that as part of his calculations, along with current form, current health, and other factors. Ultimately, Mora will have to make a tough decision because it doesn't "absolutely have to be" either QB...
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All the horrid QB play we’ve had over the years, and we had someone play well, set records, and you’re trying to nitpick?

I’d agree with you if anybody in the room had more than 3 games of FBS experience, but nobody in the room is beyond reproach and everybody is unproven.
 
Hskies4Ever said:
All the horrid QB play we’ve had over the years, and we had someone play well, set records, and you’re trying to nitpick?

I’d agree with you if anybody in the room had more than 3 games of FBS experience, but nobody in the room is beyond reproach and everybody is unproven.
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So if everyone is unproven, then what are you getting worked up about??

The fact that everyone is unproven IS MY POINT...
 
UConnDan97 said:
So if everyone is unproven, then what are you getting worked up about??

The fact that everyone is unproven IS MY POINT...
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My point is, everyone is unproven but one guy has played well. Don’t out think yourself.
 
Chin Diesel said:
He was disappointingly slow in his reads and decision making. Yes, it was his first real game in three years and yes it was against the best defense UConn will see all year but a dual threat has to be decisive as to which threat he will be and Evers also showed horrible touch and accuracy down the field.

As much as I've not advocated for Fagnano, I've been equally consistent saying the vertical passing game has to exist and Fagnano has been spot on with his 15-20 yard throws and Depp passes.
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Nick also seemed inaccurate on his throws while rolling out against MD. Didn’t love his footwork there.
 
TouchdownHusky said:
That's a no. You go with the QB who can throw the ball and get it into the endzone. And the NIL be damned. You play the hotter hand.
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Best player plays. I think it is unfair to compare the two.

But, you also got to set Evers up for success. Having him play two road games against superior teams, first of his career, and then taking fagnano’s game playing against a lower division and trying to compare the two.

If Evers starts, that to me means the coaching staff feels he was clearly better in preseason and they feel confident in their evaluation.

That said, having Evers start is putting that kid in a really really tough spot. He plays poorly, because Duke is a lot better than Merrimack.

I would start Joe with a quick hook. Or even do the dreaded two qb thing.
 
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UConnDan97 said:
This thread cracks me up with how certain most people are that you "absolutely have to" start this guy or that guy. And without exception, all of those people who are so certain about it haven't said a single thing about Duke's defense and what would be most effective against it.

If I told you that they were susceptible to scrambling QBs, you'd come to one conclusion. If I told you they were susceptible to the vertical pass, you'd come to another conclusion. Etc,etc.

I don't know what the answer is, but I can guarantee that the head coach is thinking about that as part of his calculations, along with current form, current health, and other factors. Ultimately, Mora will have to make a tough decision because it doesn't "absolutely have to be" either QB...
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Fagnano has earned the right to start. The team has also earned the right to have Fagnano swapped out for Evers if Fagnano isn't getting it done against dook.

No is being knighted QB1 for life based on beating Merrimack but Fagnano showed a level of competency most UConn QB's haven't been able to show against FCS competition for almost a decade.
 
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Chin Diesel said:
Fagnano has earned the right to start. The team has also earned the right to have Fagnano swapped out for Evers if Fagnano isn't getting it done against dook.

No is being knighted QB1 for life based on beating Merrimack but Fagnano showed a level of competency most UConn QB's haven't been able to show against FCS competition for almost a decade.
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Believe me, if I were a betting man (and I am), my money would be on Fagnano to start Saturday. But let's not act as if it's a forgone conclusion that he must be the starter. The right being earned as you mentioned also includes every day in practice as well, as well as the coach making a decision of who gives him (and by definition, us) the best chance to win against Duke.

That decision may still be in Evers' favor...
 
nycscooby said:
Nick also seemed inaccurate on his throws while rolling out against MD. Didn’t love his footwork there.
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yea, but so was JF and he was inaccurate on his rollouts y'day too. Airmailed a couple over the RB and TE and then threw one behind the head of a RB on an out pattern like the one that got picked against Maryland. He's much better with his feet set. I'm pretty neutral between the two. Seems a lot of people here are pretty dug in like it's an obvious decision one way or the other and I just don't see the clear and cut talent disparity.

Duke's secondary is going to be a noticeable uptick.. so whoever it is better be ready.
 
Fagnano hangs in the pocket longer than Evers to enable his receivers to gain separation. Evers scrambles too soon.
 
I don’t understand how people ignore that the vast majority of JF’s passing yards (and scores) were after the catch or were to wide open receivers (ie the Konig TD). You cite the statistics like you didn’t watch the game? I’m happy he produced but Merrimack’s pass defense and tackling were both super woeful. We had multiple 0-5 yard swing routes go for 50+ yard TDs.

I didn’t see the MD game (thank goodness) so have no idea how good or bad NE is but it’s feels like anyone with a heartbeat and the same receivers / RBs could have done similarly against Merrimack. JF did have some nice throws (his first completion in particular) but I don’t see how he’s cemented as the starter from here onwards.
 
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jbdphi said:
As many others have said, that’s probably an INT against a decent secondary, throwing into tight double coverage. It was a great catch by Porter though.
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Eh, that's nitpicking. You have to take chances and if the other guys make a great pick you live with it. Playing totally risk averse isn't what you want either.
 
UConnDan97 said:
C'mon, man!

I loved when this happened, and I was happy for everyone involved. But let's not act like he didn't underthrow it and that Porter didn't make a sweet, almost-one-handed catch...
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Can't make a great catch if you are never given the chance. This board kills me. We bemoan that we are utlra conservative. A kid takes a chance that results in a TD and he should not have thrown it.

Keep in mind he eluded pressure before throwing that.
 
noeynox said:
Can't make a great catch if you are never given the chance. This board kills me. We bemoan that we are utlra conservative. A kid takes a chance that results in a TD and he should not have thrown it.

Keep in mind he eluded pressure before throwing that.
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You're getting me wrong.

He did a great job avoiding the rush, and had to make the throw off-balance. The throw gave his receiver a chance to make a play. And the receiver made a great play.

But if you're describing that throw as a throw that has been so rare that we haven't seen it in a decade, You're just wrong. He didn't hit him in stride. The receiver made a great play. And it's okay to say that...
 
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