No, Mertz just doesn’t push the ball down the field. It’s that simple, he’s a game manager and nothing wrong with that IFFFF you’re a team built to that kind of make up.
The play calls Saturday weren’t any different than what they’ve always been; one QB let it fly while the other doesn’t.
Miami’s O in the passing game isn’t much different from last year; they just have a way better QB.
Sorry, sir, but you are only half correct here.
"Mertz just doesn't push the ball down the field". Nope, not buying that load.
First, you have playcalls. So I'm putting that one on Slingblade Billy. Second, the line has to give you time. Mertz couldn't get time against Miami, but I can certainly understand how your line was able go give Lagway time against SAMFORD. Third, you need WRs to get open downfield. Hmmm, I wonder what the chances of a UiF WR getting past the opposing DBs might be if you were to compare Miami to SAMFORD.
So here's a simple question. Please feel free to tell us (and provide video) about all of the Slingblade Billy playcalls where he had Mertz fake a pitch, run untouched in the other direction, and then throw a short pass instead of to a wide open WR. We need all the plays where the OL gave Mertz time and the deep WRs were open.
This ONE game against SAMFORD is not evidence that Lagway "pushes the ball downfield" and Mertz doesn't. Yes, Lagway may ENJOY throwing the log ball more, and he may be more accurate in doing so. But you cannot ignore the playcalls, the OL, the WRs, and the quality of competition.
If Lagway does this for 10 more games, I'm more than willing to admit my mistakes. But I don't think I'm wrong on this. Until you show us video of Mertz choosing NOT to go deep when he has protection and open receivers, the Downfield Lagway Myth is just a myth.
