Winterhawk
Well-Known Member
Was able to be in Kinnick on Saturday and the same things that can be seen on film were more obvious in person.
Those who complain about the lack of big plays and throwing down field are accurate to note the lack of plays, but the reason we don't have them is Rudock. He flat out doesn't have the physical tools to get the ball down field on time, with air and accurate. He pushes the deep ball more than he throws it, and too often waits for the receiver to run open and then underthrows him because of the lack of arm strength. If the ball comes out on-time it is flat and ends up out of reach of the receiver. So those who complain about the coaches not calling more plays down field, or not taking shots, I'm going to give them credit and acknowledge that they are not putting their quarterback in a position that he is unlikely to succeed.
With that said, I'm not inclined to put in C.J. just yet because he throws a better deep ball. The samples we have with C.J. show a live arm, but also less accuracy and significantly lower completion percentages. Those percentages would no doubt go up with more playing time, but I do trust the coaching staff enough to evaluate these players. The offense does have to get better though and it is largely on Rudock. My guess is that he has been coached hard this entire off-season about the interceptions, and it shows in that he is taking his eyes off the deep middle of the field. It's a throw that he can make with his arm strength, but is also where a lot of interceptions happen with crossing defenders. He's checking down before those routes are developing and it messes with the entire offense. You saw the improvement in the last couple drives when he had to hold onto those routes longer. Ultimately this will hold linebackers and safeties to open up running lanes.
Aside from QB play we have two other issues - the obvious kicker and maybe just as obvious John Lowdermilk. Lowdermilk may not be fast enough to play outside linebacker for us, let alone safety. He very well could lose us multiple games.
Those who complain about the lack of big plays and throwing down field are accurate to note the lack of plays, but the reason we don't have them is Rudock. He flat out doesn't have the physical tools to get the ball down field on time, with air and accurate. He pushes the deep ball more than he throws it, and too often waits for the receiver to run open and then underthrows him because of the lack of arm strength. If the ball comes out on-time it is flat and ends up out of reach of the receiver. So those who complain about the coaches not calling more plays down field, or not taking shots, I'm going to give them credit and acknowledge that they are not putting their quarterback in a position that he is unlikely to succeed.
With that said, I'm not inclined to put in C.J. just yet because he throws a better deep ball. The samples we have with C.J. show a live arm, but also less accuracy and significantly lower completion percentages. Those percentages would no doubt go up with more playing time, but I do trust the coaching staff enough to evaluate these players. The offense does have to get better though and it is largely on Rudock. My guess is that he has been coached hard this entire off-season about the interceptions, and it shows in that he is taking his eyes off the deep middle of the field. It's a throw that he can make with his arm strength, but is also where a lot of interceptions happen with crossing defenders. He's checking down before those routes are developing and it messes with the entire offense. You saw the improvement in the last couple drives when he had to hold onto those routes longer. Ultimately this will hold linebackers and safeties to open up running lanes.
Aside from QB play we have two other issues - the obvious kicker and maybe just as obvious John Lowdermilk. Lowdermilk may not be fast enough to play outside linebacker for us, let alone safety. He very well could lose us multiple games.
