Re: 2015 Season Thread
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2015 5:37 pm
A co-op community for Arizona Fans
https://beardownwildcats.com/
I missed where Allis was serving Anu flavored kool aid, but, again, I'm going off my faulty memory.Solomon might not get much better physically. But he can improve on his ''reads'' and seeing the field. He's not an NFL prospect, and his arm strength is average. But he's elusive and his instincts were terrific as a freshman.
So are you saying Anu had a bad RS Feshman year? 10-4"? First 10 win season in how long? TD/INT ratio? 3,700 yards passing? I don't understand what you're getting at. The logical thing to see is that his play deteriorated as his injuries accumulated. Thinking or saying he's under performed as a RS Freshman is a HUGE stretch.MrMeow wrote:Good new information, ANG. Thanks. Didn't know all that about Hansen's/Allis's practice attendance. Just going off what I observed in Anu's performance last year his accuracy would have improved immensely had his receivers been 2 feet taller and wore neon signs. Then there were all the excuses, injured leg, freshman, bad O-line, etc. Everyone says he looks bigger and stronger, even faster, now. What that has to do with finding open receivers, passing accuracy, and decision making I have no clue, but hey, what do I know ? I'm a big Coach Rod believer, so if Coach Rod thinks Anu is gonna do it this year, I'm all in.
YES!ASUHATER! wrote:I'll take some high throws if that means 28/9 td/int ratio and 3700 yards.
Look at the season he had, that the team had. He's a freshman. He's not a finished product. "Excuses" isn't exactly an accurate term. He was indeed injured and was not able to move around well in the pocket. He wasn't able to finish the Utah game, and it was clear against a fast Oregon defense that he was not able to move quick enough to get some room to work (the same Oregon defense he carved up in Autzen.) He'll be the first to tell you that he can be a lot better than what he was last year. But that's the price you pay with a freshman. The mistakes that he made were part of the price of becoming a top-tier quarterback over a career. Even with all of that he still threw for 3700+ yards, 28 TDs vs only 9 picks. Almost any team in the country would take that from their starting QB. He's only going to get better.MrMeow wrote:Good new information, ANG. Thanks. Didn't know all that about Hansen's/Allis's practice attendance. Just going off what I observed in Anu's performance last year his accuracy would have improved immensely had his receivers been 2 feet taller and wore neon signs. Then there were all the excuses, injured leg, freshman, bad O-line, etc. Everyone says he looks bigger and stronger, even faster, now. What that has to do with finding open receivers, passing accuracy, and decision making I have no clue, but hey, what do I know ? I'm a big Coach Rod believer, so if Coach Rod thinks Anu is gonna do it this year, I'm all in.
Let's hope he does, because constant high throws, stranded open receivers, and bone headed decisions ("I try to do too much myself") aren't going to cut it two years in a row. Anu went 10-4? Last I heard football is a team sport.azpenguin wrote:Look at the season he had, that the team had. He's a freshman. He's not a finished product. "Excuses" isn't exactly an accurate term. He was indeed injured and was not able to move around well in the pocket. He wasn't able to finish the Utah game, and it was clear against a fast Oregon defense that he was not able to move quick enough to get some room to work (the same Oregon defense he carved up in Autzen.) He'll be the first to tell you that he can be a lot better than what he was last year. But that's the price you pay with a freshman. The mistakes that he made were part of the price of becoming a top-tier quarterback over a career. Even with all of that he still threw for 3700+ yards, 28 TDs vs only 9 picks. Almost any team in the country would take that from their starting QB. He's only going to get better.MrMeow wrote:Good new information, ANG. Thanks. Didn't know all that about Hansen's/Allis's practice attendance. Just going off what I observed in Anu's performance last year his accuracy would have improved immensely had his receivers been 2 feet taller and wore neon signs. Then there were all the excuses, injured leg, freshman, bad O-line, etc. Everyone says he looks bigger and stronger, even faster, now. What that has to do with finding open receivers, passing accuracy, and decision making I have no clue, but hey, what do I know ? I'm a big Coach Rod believer, so if Coach Rod thinks Anu is gonna do it this year, I'm all in.
No. Solomon must improve A) his efficiency and B) his decision making (sack avoidance). He does that, and UA wins a lot of games. If he duplicates his statistics from last year, then there will be a lot of disappointed UA fans.ASUHATER! wrote:I'll take some high throws if that means 28/9 td/int ratio and 3700 yards.
Ok, here are the 2 articles from WSR looking at the season from different views.ANGCatFan wrote:Looks like the first article in an attempt by WSR to look at issues from different perspectives. First up, can the Wildcat football team finally build upon a successful season?
If you can't figure out why someone gave you a half empty glass of red sugar water, here's why Arizona will take a step back.Speaking of coaches, Arizona is just one of four college football programs at the FBS level to return its entire coaching staff. While staffs can’t win a football game, they certainly prepare and scheme to best-position their team to compete and win games. This is critical, again, for a young team and an emerging program clearly on the rise.
First, the obvious: the Wildcats play in the incredibly deep Pac-12 South division, which saw its top five teams combine for a 48-18 record last year, with each winning at least nine games. All five – Arizona included – are ranked or receiving votes in preseason polls, and project to seriously compete for the South title once again.
FYPGilbertcat wrote:Great stuff, the Scooby part was funny. I like how people didn't know that's the way the Bond movie spelled "Licence" on Twitter.
i cans reed and wrightcatgrad97 wrote:FYPGilbertcat wrote:Great stuff, the Scooby part was funny. I like how people didn't know that's the way the Bond movie spelled "Licence" on Twitter.
Curious, what would you say to Anu each and every game before he stepped out on the field? Especially a Freshman QB who needs to do well if the team is going to do well. Something along the lines of whatever you do, don't turn the ball over? So knowing that, wouldn't you have a tendency to hesitate just a second before you threw it to make sure the WR was open? Wouldn't you also have a tendency to throw long to make sure only your guy is going to catch it? It was his first year starting at QB and no denying he made some freshman mistakes but you live with those because you know you have him for another 3 years.Puerco wrote:No. Solomon must improve A) his efficiency and B) his decision making (sack avoidance). He does that, and UA wins a lot of games. If he duplicates his statistics from last year, then there will be a lot of disappointed UA fans.ASUHATER! wrote:I'll take some high throws if that means 28/9 td/int ratio and 3700 yards.
Solomon was very good for a freshman. That won't be enough this year.
EDIT: to expound on that, UA was in the lower third of the country in pass completion %, yards per pass play, and in sacked %. Not good enough, but all areas that can be fixed with experience.
Good takes! I'm thinking a TE to be named later will be a huge component to a explosive Rich Rod led offense!dc4azcats wrote:Curious, what would you say to Anu each and every game before he stepped out on the field? Especially a Freshman QB who needs to do well if the team is going to do well. Something along the lines of whatever you do, don't turn the ball over? So knowing that, wouldn't you have a tendency to hesitate just a second before you threw it to make sure the WR was open? Wouldn't you also have a tendency to throw long to make sure only your guy is going to catch it? It was his first year starting at QB and no denying he made some freshman mistakes but you live with those because you know you have him for another 3 years.Puerco wrote:No. Solomon must improve A) his efficiency and B) his decision making (sack avoidance). He does that, and UA wins a lot of games. If he duplicates his statistics from last year, then there will be a lot of disappointed UA fans.ASUHATER! wrote:I'll take some high throws if that means 28/9 td/int ratio and 3700 yards.
Solomon was very good for a freshman. That won't be enough this year.
EDIT: to expound on that, UA was in the lower third of the country in pass completion %, yards per pass play, and in sacked %. Not good enough, but all areas that can be fixed with experience.
Did either you or Meow cat watch the spring game? It was a different Anu from what we saw LY. From everything I've been told from a couple of folks who have been to almost every practice, Anu has an air of complete confidence this Fall. He knows where he wants to go with the ball and there's no hesitation. Will that carry over into the season? I would be surprised if it didn't? His confidence is extremely high right now and I'm not sure if you could shake it right now. I'm sure RR is trying as I've heard we're throwing all kinds of different looks defensively at Anu.
I think the other key factor for Anu is he has a group of WR's that he knows well and vice versa. The confidence in having watched a ton of film together and just knowing that a WR is seeing the same thing you are and will be in the spot that Anu expects him to be. At least once or twice a game LY you had a mix-up between Anu and the WR. Anu would throw deep and the WR had cut the route short. I don't think we will see that TY.
For those who haven't seen Cayleb yet TY - he looks like a pro player and shouldn't be playing at this level. He's going to be a handful for each and every D we face because of his size, his added strength, and his ability to go get the ball. If they actually kept a stat on how many times you draw a PI call, Cayleb would win hands down. He will get the other teams best cover guy and all that does is leave mismatches for the other WR's. If Anu and Cayleb stay healthy, they will shatter a ton of Arizona passing records TY.
Nope, wasn't at the spring game. I am nowhere near Tucson. I found Anu to be frustrating last year, for all the reasons I said previously, so I am really happy to read what you have seen firsthand, and heard from other knowledgeable people. Gives me confidence, or at least hope, in the kid. As goes Anu so goes the Cats. Hope you are right. That is a great, insightful post, btw. Thanks.dc4azcats wrote:Curious, what would you say to Anu each and every game before he stepped out on the field? Especially a Freshman QB who needs to do well if the team is going to do well. Something along the lines of whatever you do, don't turn the ball over? So knowing that, wouldn't you have a tendency to hesitate just a second before you threw it to make sure the WR was open? Wouldn't you also have a tendency to throw long to make sure only your guy is going to catch it? It was his first year starting at QB and no denying he made some freshman mistakes but you live with those because you know you have him for another 3 years.Puerco wrote:No. Solomon must improve A) his efficiency and B) his decision making (sack avoidance). He does that, and UA wins a lot of games. If he duplicates his statistics from last year, then there will be a lot of disappointed UA fans.ASUHATER! wrote:I'll take some high throws if that means 28/9 td/int ratio and 3700 yards.
Solomon was very good for a freshman. That won't be enough this year.
EDIT: to expound on that, UA was in the lower third of the country in pass completion %, yards per pass play, and in sacked %. Not good enough, but all areas that can be fixed with experience.
Did either you or Meow cat watch the spring game? It was a different Anu from what we saw LY. From everything I've been told from a couple of folks who have been to almost every practice, Anu has an air of complete confidence this Fall. He knows where he wants to go with the ball and there's no hesitation. Will that carry over into the season? I would be surprised if it didn't? His confidence is extremely high right now and I'm not sure if you could shake it right now. I'm sure RR is trying as I've heard we're throwing all kinds of different looks defensively at Anu.
I think the other key factor for Anu is he has a group of WR's that he knows well and vice versa. The confidence in having watched a ton of film together and just knowing that a WR is seeing the same thing you are and will be in the spot that Anu expects him to be. At least once or twice a game LY you had a mix-up between Anu and the WR. Anu would throw deep and the WR had cut the route short. I don't think we will see that TY.
For those who haven't seen Cayleb yet TY - he looks like a pro player and shouldn't be playing at this level. He's going to be a handful for each and every D we face because of his size, his added strength, and his ability to go get the ball. If they actually kept a stat on how many times you draw a PI call, Cayleb would win hands down. He will get the other teams best cover guy and all that does is leave mismatches for the other WR's. If Anu and Cayleb stay healthy, they will shatter a ton of Arizona passing records TY.
http://skicks.com/azcat49 wrote:Where do you order those?
Come in 14s too!azgreg wrote:http://skicks.com/azcat49 wrote:Where do you order those?
"I feel better about our depth than I ever have since I've been here," Michalczik said of his group.
It could be better.
But with so many players being able to interchange positions like they do at Arizona it helps when things go awry, including injuries.
Figure that the second group may look like this: Gerhard de Beer, Kaige Lawrence, Zach Hemmila, David Catalano, Layth Friekh.
"I want to see those guys step up," Michalczik said. "I don't want them to lock themselves into a second team. I want them to work for a starting spot."
Hopefully, this point is pretty obvious to everyone. I realize it is written for the fan who is just now starting to think about Arizona football, but I would have preferred to read what specific steps Arizona needs to take to beat USC, ucla, and ASSu.But for Rich Rodriguez to elevate Arizona Football to another level and continue to compete for Pac-12 Championships, it's imperative to improve against Pac-12 South opponents -- particularly Arizona State, UCLA and USC. In his three years at Arizona, Rich Rodriguez holds a 2-7 record vs those three schools, beating No. 9 USC in 2012 and No. 13 ASU in 2014 for the Pac-12 South.
Hey, DC4, I missed this! Sorry, man, I was distracted by those shoes and immediately went to the site to check sizes for my 6yo daughter.dc4azcats wrote:Curious, what would you say to Anu each and every game before he stepped out on the field? Especially a Freshman QB who needs to do well if the team is going to do well. Something along the lines of whatever you do, don't turn the ball over? So knowing that, wouldn't you have a tendency to hesitate just a second before you threw it to make sure the WR was open? Wouldn't you also have a tendency to throw long to make sure only your guy is going to catch it? It was his first year starting at QB and no denying he made some freshman mistakes but you live with those because you know you have him for another 3 years.Puerco wrote:No. Solomon must improve A) his efficiency and B) his decision making (sack avoidance). He does that, and UA wins a lot of games. If he duplicates his statistics from last year, then there will be a lot of disappointed UA fans.ASUHATER! wrote:I'll take some high throws if that means 28/9 td/int ratio and 3700 yards.
Solomon was very good for a freshman. That won't be enough this year.
EDIT: to expound on that, UA was in the lower third of the country in pass completion %, yards per pass play, and in sacked %. Not good enough, but all areas that can be fixed with experience.
Did either you or Meow cat watch the spring game? It was a different Anu from what we saw LY. From everything I've been told from a couple of folks who have been to almost every practice, Anu has an air of complete confidence this Fall. He knows where he wants to go with the ball and there's no hesitation. Will that carry over into the season? I would be surprised if it didn't? His confidence is extremely high right now and I'm not sure if you could shake it right now. I'm sure RR is trying as I've heard we're throwing all kinds of different looks defensively at Anu.
I think the other key factor for Anu is he has a group of WR's that he knows well and vice versa. The confidence in having watched a ton of film together and just knowing that a WR is seeing the same thing you are and will be in the spot that Anu expects him to be. At least once or twice a game LY you had a mix-up between Anu and the WR. Anu would throw deep and the WR had cut the route short. I don't think we will see that TY.
For those who haven't seen Cayleb yet TY - he looks like a pro player and shouldn't be playing at this level. He's going to be a handful for each and every D we face because of his size, his added strength, and his ability to go get the ball. If they actually kept a stat on how many times you draw a PI call, Cayleb would win hands down. He will get the other teams best cover guy and all that does is leave mismatches for the other WR's. If Anu and Cayleb stay healthy, they will shatter a ton of Arizona passing records TY.
Not discounting passer rating/efficiency, BUT I fall into that group that doesn't fully understand how well it correlates to win column. It's complex. I'm sure it has its place.Puerco wrote: Of course any RichRod quarterback is going to get high volumes of passing yds. and tds. because he is running more plays, so what's important in judging QB play in Rich Rod's offense is efficiency. Then we have the oft-repeated fact that Anu had the 4th best passer rating of any freshman QB last year. That's great, but if you do a little more research you'll find that his passer rating didn't make the top 50 in the country. He'll need to do better for us this year, IMO, because of the schedule both in terms of toughness in conference and the lack of a bye. Avoid sacks, get a little more accurate, that's all. I will give all due respect to Anu's TD:INT ratio, which was excellent and speaks to solid judgement.
Second take, Gary Randazzo.Next, beat the Devils on the road for the third time in four tries. In and of itself, simply besting their rivals to finish regular season play should not make or break the Wildcats’ season (although it did in 2014; see how hard this is?). But what a second consecutive win over Todd Graham’s team will likely do for Arizona is ensure an invitation to a better postseason game — possibly the conference title game — or at worst, make certain that the Cats achieve a winning record in the Pac-12 and collect eight or more wins.
First, in collegiate athletics, beating one’s rival is a big deal. Some would argue a really big ‘bleeping’ deal. However, my definition of success would sacrifice a loss to ASU if the Wildcats accomplished other significant things like winning the Pac-12 South and possibly the conference crown. Theoretically, I’ll take a 10-2 or 11-1 season with a loss to ASU over an 8-4 season with a win over the Sun Devils.
22. Arizona
Bold Prediction: The Wildcats post two 1,000-yard rushers.
In the three years that Rich Rodriguez has been the head coach at Arizona, the Wildcats have had go-to, 1,000-yard back. Whether it's Ka'Deem Carey or Nick Wilson, Arizona has had a guy it can rely on to carry the load of the run game.
In 2015, though, could the Wildcats share the love more? Jared Baker, the No. 3 running back a year ago, is looking for more carries this season.
“Behind Nick, I think Jared is a co-starter,” Rodriguez told Daniel Berk of the Arizona Daily Star. “Obviously Nick is a proven guy, but we think Jared is, too. He had a great offseason.”
Baker had just 27 carries last year. Obviously, his work load would need to increase a lot. Sophomore quarterback Anu Solomon had the second-most carries on the team in 2014. Rodriguez has never been one to shy his quarterback away from carries, so between Solomon and Baker, there are two candidates who could the load off of Wilson.