Topic: Our WRs

[Herdalum83]

Fancher is taking a lot of heat and rightfully so, I think many of us felt the success of this season relied on how much improvement he made, but that improvement seems to be nonexistent. What I haven't seen much talk of which is equally concerning to me is lack of talent at the receiver position.

For the last few years, we have struggled at wideout to have any kind of downfield threat, which was mitigated somewhat by the fact that Gammage was a really good possession & red-zone receiver. But, with him gone, we look pretty bad at WR, small, slow, sloppy route runners and questionable hands. I believe the lack of WR talent is as much to blame for the type of passes we are throwing as the lack of QB talent is.

Hard for me to grasp how a school with our history at the QB and WR positions can be so underwhelming in both of those positions for the last several years. Haven't had a dog at QB since Cato and haven't had a big-time WR since Brady.

[MUfan08]

Was thinking about WR and the struggle there.
We lost 3 starters/contributors from last year
Gammage had zero catches for UCF in a blow out win to Kent State
shadeed ahmed had zero catches for Texas State over the win at Baylor
EJ Horton had zero catches for wvu against Penn state

Now maybe these players have injuries (didn't care to look) or maybe Gammage is on his 10 team now looking for nil deal. But it is interesting these players for us last years that were starters or key contributors can't get a catch in the first week.

In saying that, Huff did bring in a bunch of transfers highly rated players last few years (UK transfer, FSU transfer, VPI transfer, etc.). It was the first game of the year, but no creativeness in routes or motion (outside of the basketball pass with Montgomery). Montgomery and Coombs seem to have potential with quick outs. Harrison seems to make plays when given the ball.

[puma]

As much as I liked Gammage, I don't think he was much more than a slightly below average P5 caliber WR. I was actually surprised to see him as a starter at UCF. The fact he was by far the best WR since Brady says a lot about the lack of depth here.

[MicDrass1]

I like this Wr Corp better than last year.  I like our TE better than last year.  Ali is better.  Need more Rb play to help Ali.  This should be a better offense this year compared to last.  Didn?t seem ready to execute much on Saturday. 

[DC01HERD]

Hopefully Coombs can become a consistent threat.

[MarshallHerdFan99]

I agree. The offense struggles are one of four things

1) The OC just sucks
2) They have no confidence in Fancher to throw down field. So they only allow these 3-5 yard passes.
3) They have no confidence in our receivers to go down field and make catches. So once again they only allow the short game.
4) The pass blocking is so bad they can?t give any time for them to get downfield.

All four are very concerning however I don?t feel it?s appropriate to put blame on Fancher, or the receivers, or even the OC when we don?t know what the weakness truly is.

[herdfan93]

I liked Harrison, Montgomery, Conley and McMillan in this game.  All were pretty reliable I thought. Did Keaton play any in the 2nd half? I don't recall seeing him on the field.  I hope he's not hurt already.

[muherd34]

I saw the opposite, I think our WR crew is much improved over last year.  They block on the screens well and are breaking tackles behind/at the los and turning them into positive gains.  Also super happy with the play of the TE Conley who had several catches and also blocked well.  With him, Coombs, Harrison and Montgomery it is probably the best WR group we have had in a few years.  Just have to figure out a way to take the top off the defense with a poor passer at QB.

[Herdiowa]

I saw the opposite, I think our WR crew is much improved over last year.  They block on the screens well and are breaking tackles behind/at the los and turning them into positive gains.  Also super happy with the play of the TE Conley who had several catches and also blocked well.  With him, Coombs, Harrison and Montgomery it is probably the best WR group we have had in a few years.  Just have to figure out a way to take the top off the defense with a poor passer at QB.

I agree.  Not to mention their downfield blocking

[luvherd]

We need more quick slants.

[gochneaur645]

As much as I liked Gammage, I don't think he was much more than a slightly below average P5 caliber WR. I was actually surprised to see him as a starter at UCF. The fact he was by far the best WR since Brady says a lot about the lack of depth here.

He's not a starter at UCF. Not even on their two-deep

[BigJimslade]

Lack of YAK
Of course when everything is to the sidelines that what u get

[elginherd]

We need more quick slants.

Well, he did throw a slant on that 4th and one deep in the Danes' end. It was inaccurately thrown.

Slants have to be thrown pretty precisely, not to be picked or put the receiver in the hospital. Is there anyone that has the confidence that our QB can do that consistently?

[marshallmark]

Lack of YAK
Of course when everything is to the sidelines that what u get

He doesn't throw downfield and there's no YAC.  But yet he had 260 yards passing.  It has to be either one or the other - you can't lack downfield passing, with no YAC and still throw for that many yards on 28 passes (9.5 ypc). 

If you saw the game, you would have seen a LOT of YAC.  No big plays, and that's probably what you're referring to, but there was plenty of YAC. 

[svherd]

I don't mind the 10-15 dink and dunk plays. We are never gonna be a long ball, downfield team. We haven't been in a while. Yes, once in a while to keep defenses honest but I still contend our issues are with Trickett, bad play calling and abysmal situational play calling. He just doesn't have it. We win despite his play calling.

[Herdalum83]

Yeah.. I still have MAJOR concerns about our WRs. They block well but they do not run great routes, or catch the ball very well, way too many drops!

I do like that we are attacking the seams in the passing game today, though.

[puma]

I miss Tyre Brady.

[mu79grad]

Yeah.. I still have MAJOR concerns about our WRs. They block well but they do not run great routes, or catch the ball very well, way too many drops!

I do like that we are attacking the seams in the passing game today, though.

Those two drops on the late second half drive might very well cost us this game. 

[Herdalum83]

Those two drops on the late second half drive might very well cost us this game.

They cost us at least 3 points for sure.

[Herdalum83]

Our WRs still killing us. Drop another ball down the field and then run a route short of the sticks on a crucial 3rd down.

[herd2win]

They stink