Utes closing spring camp still trying to find offensive identity
by JazzyUte on Apr 14, 2011 2:52 AM MDT
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PrintIt's not been an easy spring for Utah's offense and its new offensive coordinator Norm Chow. Not only is he teaching an entirely new offense to players who are used to the spread option, he's also doing it without his starting quarterback.
Jordan Wynn's injury has really changed the dynamics of spring camp. Certainly not having him practice has made the growing pains more obvious and it will mean he's going to have to do a lot of work between now and fall camp to get himself ready for Montana State.
Those issues haven't been helped by the struggles of Tyler Shreve and Griff Robles - as neither quarterback has shown much evidence they're capable of starting in the Pac-12.
Because of this, Kyle Whittingham has brought in Butte College quarterback Jon Hays, who is expected to battle for the second spot. In fact, with how both quarterbacks have struggled, it wouldn't surprise me if Hays ends up Wynn's backup at the start of the season.
Here is a highlight video of Hays, whose role on the team could be similar to Brett Ratliff in 2005 - a junior college transfer who backed up Brian Johnson before taking over the starting role after Johnson went down with an injury.
Of course, I'm not comparing him to Ratliff, who I think did a pretty good job at Utah all things considered, but he at least looks good in that highlight video.
Hopefully both Shreve and Robles can step up and give Utah a decent cushion outside of Wynn. Though I hope he stays healthy and I expect that will be the case, we can't ignore the fact that Wynn was injured during last year's spring game (on the first play), injured in the season-opening win over Pittsburgh (missed two games) and finally, was injured mid-season in a win over Iowa State that nagged him the remainder of the season and kept him out of the Las Vegas Bowl.
So, all told, Wynn managed one game last season without playing injured or injuring himself (he started against San Jose State and then two weeks later, after a bye, was injured at Iowa State).
Sure, the Utes didn't miss much of a beat against Wyoming and Colorado State - two awful, awful teams, but it became apparent something was seriously wrong against Air Force, TCU, Notre Dame and BYU in the season finale.
Hopefully that isn't the case this season. Especially if they can't find a suitable backup.
Anyway, enough pessimism for today. Some articles about Wednesday's practice after the jump...
Offense still has a lot to prove | U of U Sports | The Salt Lake Tribune
Utah football: Matthews returns to receiver | The Salt Lake Tribune
Petersen gets helping hand from Utes legend | The Daily Utah Chronicle
Utah Utes football notebook: Offense showing some signs of progress | Deseret News
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I remember that wyoming game......
and I could tell that something just wasn’t right with him. I remember tossing a couple picks in that game and thinking that he must still be hurt, because those aren’t Jordan Wynn throws.
If he can stay healthy, we can win 8, 9, 10 games this year. If he is out, breaking .500 will be no small achievement.
Formerly SportsInUtah
Follow me on twitter: @BigBenSportsGuy
by BigBenSportsGuy on Apr 14, 2011 8:46 AM MDT reply actions
Wynn staying healthy is key
Wynn isn’t the biggest guy, and this injury has prevented him to bulk up in the weight room over the off season. I’m concerned he won’t be as durable because of it. We REALLY need a healthy Wynn this year.
by RunninUtes30 on Apr 14, 2011 9:58 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Wynn staying healthy is key
Wynn isn’t the biggest guy, and this injury has prevented him to bulk up in the weight room over the off season. I’m concerned he won’t be as durable because of it. We REALLY need a healthy Wynn this year.
by RunninUtes30 on Apr 14, 2011 11:14 AM MDT via mobile up reply actions
Wow, look at the time stamps on these duplicates.
How did that happen?
"From the end spring new beginnings." - Pliny the Elder
Agreed...
We chalked it up to Utah just playing a bad game they had well in their control heading into the half.
But there were obviously bad throws there.
Wynn will be the difference here. If he goes down, Utah is looking at a very difficult season. Cause once you’re in Pac-12 play, you’re not going to find many CSUs, New Mexicos and Wyomings on the schedule…
Hays looks decent, but....
watching his highlight video, his progression could improve speed wise. his short-intermediate throws look good, but almost all of his long passes seem to be short or behind the receiver a little bit. he looks to be a decent scrambler, but these PAC12 defenses will be a lot faster than JUCO so I’m not sure how he would hold up there. another thing I noticed in the video, it’s as though he has a bad habit to want to throw into double coverage. PAC12 defenses will deff take advantage of this. hopefully he can make some improvents in the mentioned area so if he has to be thrown in due to an injury Wynn could sustain
Pro's and Con's
Looking at the Vid, I really like his pocket presence. He has enough foot speed to avoid the rush, and even if he’s being pressured he hangs in their and keeps his eyes downfield. He’s a gun-slinger QB, meaning he seems comfortable throwing the ball jumping, twisting, off balance, or against his body. Almost like an early Brett Farve. When he gets time to set his feet he seems to put a nice touch on the ball too.
His throwing motion has a little bit of a side-arm feel to it, and his ball release looks to be coming out fairly low. Playing D-I ball in the Pac-12 where you have 6-5 D-lineman means you’ve got to get that ball up fast and then have it drop fast or else you’re either going to get the ball batted or picked if it hangs too long.
Lets all hope Wynn stays healthy, and that somebody can step up at #2 if he’s not.
by RunninUtes30 on Apr 14, 2011 2:09 PM MDT up reply actions
Brady
Jordan in order to get better (more inspired) pocket protection should do what Tom Brady does. That is take his O-linemen out to dinner or something like that. Though in Wynn’s case on a student budget, it may mean lunch at Ray Olpin union bldg or dinner at the Pie.
Wynn’s fragility is definitely a weakness that needs to be addressed.
Enough Pessimism?
Jazzy, I can’t help but point out the irony in the last line of your blog where you said “enough pessimism for today” then the first link after the jump is a Lya article :P
That's none of your business...yet!!!
haha, this is true...
She’s the eternal pessimist.
I should have said enough from me (and now more from Lya…) haha
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