Watson Brown on the 'Drops' This Year

[DeltaSCVol]

It’s a WR’s job to catch the ball, plain and simple.

Agree when it hits them in the hands or within reach. This is not the same Joe from yester year like the Pitt game over throwing guys by 5 yards...

 

[savannahfan]

It doesn’t matter how fast the jug machines are compared to Milton. The point is if he’s gonna throw it hard it’s gotta be more accurate. When guys are wide open he’d be better off to take a little off of it. But who knows, maybe actively trying to take zip off of it throws him off

Just thank of and watch pro golfers. Most times when they "take a little off" a shot, they don't get very good results..

 

[GreveHaller]

I’m not sure anyone fired from Vandy should be an “expert” on anything

 

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

I wonder if it would be helpful to let Nico play the first quarter while Joe calms down. Against a good team, Joe is going to lose a game in the first quarter. It was a smart decision last year for the Lady Vols to bring their best player in off the bench.

That’s how you get smoked. I hope Joe goes wild tomorrow night and puts a lot of this to rest. As long as we are winning ball games, I don’t care how it’s done.

 

[JRich]

Stating the obvious.

 

[BruiserVol]

I saw an article yesterday that this week the coaches stated they have set the jug machines to “one step below finger breaking” to get the receivers used to catching that for Joe. That honestly does not bode well. Cannot unteach that instinct I don’t think and they have realized that’s just how it’s going to be.

 

[DaddyChad]

Basilio had Watson Brown on as a guest yesterday. I always enjoy Watson, he had a decent career, not as successful as his brother, but the guy knows football, and especially QBs and WRs. And strikes me as just an all-around likeable guy.

Last year, he was over the top in his praise of Hooker, and warned several times that we would inevitably see a significant dropoff at QB this year. He is a Milton supporter, but notes bluntly that Milton just isn't Hooker, and never will be.

All that side, he had a simple, yet brilliant observation on the missed passes and drops. He noted that Hooker would "miss" receivers last year in what is a complex passing offense. The difference is that Hooker didn't throw every pass at 250mph in a tight spiral, so the receivers had a much better chance to adjust and still catch the ball. And they did regularly. With Milton, the same miss is 9 times out of 10 an uncatchable ball, even for excellent receivers. It is simply travelling too fast and has too much juice on it to be catchable if it is a bit off target.

This makes a lot of sense to me. It doesn't trash our WRs, nor does it take a shot at Milton. In the Clemson game, Joe was relaxed, had fun, and took juice off his throws. At this point, he is stressed and unsure of himself, which is likely making him throw even harder trying like heck to make things happen. I REALLY hope he pulls it together, and we don't end up going to Nico. I'd like 9 wins, a solid bowl outing, and to keep the incoming recruit class intact. That sets up a very nice year next season. The longer Nico can learn and develop without starting pressure, the better. And at this point, I really want Big Joe to succeed. The guy deserves it.

Time will tell.

If Joe is in his own head already we have problems. He’s played two games basically at home this season vs two cupcakes. Already had a players only meeting if he’s “thinking” already at the position we may have an issue.

 

[aRmo]

You can keep trying to put the majority of the blame for the drops on Milton. But you are wrong. Yes Joe had some bad throws but the vast majority of the passes were catchable.

you cant tell people that. Thanks to ESPN pushing the narrative that Joe is SOOOO INACCURATE since before he got on campus, this fanbase has been relentless about it.

 

[Rocky Top T]

I wonder if it would be helpful to let Nico play the first quarter while Joe calms down. Against a good team, Joe is going to lose a game in the first quarter. It was a smart decision last year for the Lady Vols to bring their best player in off the bench.

Heck no!

 

[Rocky Top T]

You can keep trying to put the majority of the blame for the drops on Milton. But you are wrong. Yes Joe had some bad throws but the vast majority of the passes were catchable.

3 for sure where drops

 

[SpaceCoastVol]

Yeah it is. However it’s pretty dumb to pretend that the speed of the pass doesn’t change drop rates. Specifically when the throw is slightly off, making an adjustment is much more difficult on a heater.

And making those are what make a receiver 'elite'. Other than that and they are just average.

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

Basilio had Watson Brown on as a guest yesterday. I always enjoy Watson, he had a decent career, not as successful as his brother, but the guy knows football, and especially QBs and WRs. And strikes me as just an all-around likeable guy.

Last year, he was over the top in his praise of Hooker, and warned several times that we would inevitably see a significant dropoff at QB this year. He is a Milton supporter, but notes bluntly that Milton just isn't Hooker, and never will be.

All that side, he had a simple, yet brilliant observation on the missed passes and drops. He noted that Hooker would "miss" receivers last year in what is a complex passing offense. The difference is that Hooker didn't throw every pass at 250mph in a tight spiral, so the receivers had a much better chance to adjust and still catch the ball. And they did regularly. With Milton, the same miss is 9 times out of 10 an uncatchable ball, even for excellent receivers. It is simply travelling too fast and has too much juice on it to be catchable if it is a bit off target.

This makes a lot of sense to me. It doesn't trash our WRs, nor does it take a shot at Milton. In the Clemson game, Joe was relaxed, had fun, and took juice off his throws. At this point, he is stressed and unsure of himself, which is likely making him throw even harder trying like heck to make things happen. I REALLY hope he pulls it together, and we don't end up going to Nico. I'd like 9 wins, a solid bowl outing, and to keep the incoming recruit class intact. That sets up a very nice year next season. The longer Nico can learn and develop without starting pressure, the better. And at this point, I really want Big Joe to succeed. The guy deserves it.

Time will tell.

Bullets are harder to adjust to than Tennis balls, I get it!

 

[loosecannon]

I read something from Steve Young years ago. He was working out for teams before the draft and was firing balls at guys. They were dropping them. 49ers coach who was working his out stops him and starts yelling at him for not completing passes. He takes a little off and they don’t drop another ball. They draft him and all is great. Point is, completions are what really matter. Joe has the best arm I have ever seen, heck maybe ever. But, it is a hard ball to catch and adjust to. He has to be supremely accurate with the football or the catch chances go way down.

 

[amstelman]

Sometimes I have wondered if JM is trying to hit the receiver or be sure to miss the defender. Just sayin.

 

[ptcarter]

Sometimes I have wondered if JM is trying to hit the receiver or be sure to miss the defender. Just sayin.

I know what you are saying, but JM could also be "jug machine".

 

[JohnWardForever]

Basilio had Watson Brown on as a guest yesterday. I always enjoy Watson, he had a decent career, not as successful as his brother, but the guy knows football, and especially QBs and WRs. And strikes me as just an all-around likeable guy.

Last year, he was over the top in his praise of Hooker, and warned several times that we would inevitably see a significant dropoff at QB this year. He is a Milton supporter, but notes bluntly that Milton just isn't Hooker, and never will be.

All that side, he had a simple, yet brilliant observation on the missed passes and drops. He noted that Hooker would "miss" receivers last year in what is a complex passing offense. The difference is that Hooker didn't throw every pass at 250mph in a tight spiral, so the receivers had a much better chance to adjust and still catch the ball. And they did regularly. With Milton, the same miss is 9 times out of 10 an uncatchable ball, even for excellent receivers. It is simply travelling too fast and has too much juice on it to be catchable if it is a bit off target.

This makes a lot of sense to me. It doesn't trash our WRs, nor does it take a shot at Milton. In the Clemson game, Joe was relaxed, had fun, and took juice off his throws. At this point, he is stressed and unsure of himself, which is likely making him throw even harder trying like heck to make things happen. I REALLY hope he pulls it together, and we don't end up going to Nico. I'd like 9 wins, a solid bowl outing, and to keep the incoming recruit class intact. That sets up a very nice year next season. The longer Nico can learn and develop without starting pressure, the better. And at this point, I really want Big Joe to succeed. The guy deserves it.

Time will tell.

Give Joe a mild sedative?? And beta blockers fix stage fright. Not that I'm advocating that.

 

[Mccage]

I wonder if it would be helpful to let Nico play the first quarter while Joe calms down. Against a good team, Joe is going to lose a game in the first quarter. It was a smart decision last year for the Lady Vols to bring their best player in off the bench.

Good lord!

 

[AthensVol2007]

you cant tell people that. Thanks to ESPN pushing the narrative that Joe is SOOOO INACCURATE since before he got on campus, this fanbase has been relentless about it.

ESPN’s talk doesn’t have any impact on my sight. This assessment from Brown is spot on. Balls behind you that you get two hands on should in theory be catchable, however a ball coming 70 MPH behind you isn’t the same as one at 60 MPH. Your hands react quickly enough to touch the ball but not quickly enough to be “waiting” in the right spot to fully grasp the ball. How is this any different than hitting a 92MPH fastball vs a 102MPH fastball both in the exact same spot laterally and vertically over the plate with the same spin rate, plain etc? One you simply have more time to make an adjustment to/catch up to. This isn’t a degradation of Joe and it isn’t rocket science; if he’s gonna miss he needs to miss a little softer, if he can’t take a little off, it has to be more accurate.

 

[Frozevol]

I wonder if it would be helpful to let Nico play the first quarter while Joe calms down. Against a good team, Joe is going to lose a game in the first quarter. It was a smart decision last year for the Lady Vols to bring their best player in off the bench.

I’ve had similar thoughts. He did great in garbage time the last couple of years. Some folks seem to play better off the bench…ZZ is an example, albeit different sport.

 

[papatomany]

With all due respect to Watson Brown, who has coached a lot of football while I’ve just practiced a lot of law, his theory doesn’t hold up if you go back and actually watch the passes that were dropped from Saturday. The replay of the game is on YouTube, go check out the misses. The ball that was dropped by Keaton on come back route was thrown hard, but hit him right in the chest, it was probably Joe‘s most on target throw all day. But it had to be thrown hard because he was throwing across his body on the run. Outside of that, the only one I would even rule a fastball was the ball in the end zone that he threw well wide of McCoy. So that wasn’t even a drop, it was just a miss. The other balls should’ve been caught, even if they were a little behind.

Completely agree. I grew up watching Bradshaw and then Elway throw 8 yard curls so hard the receiver couldn't get his hands up before it blasted off his chest or his face mask. This isn't that. It certainly looks like Joe is taking quite a bit off the throws. These aren't lightning bolts; they're very catchable balls. If anything, he may not be using his arm enough. Softening your throw messes with your timing. Another thing that messes with accuracy is when you stop trusting that your receivers will make the play if you're slightly off. You try to be too fine, and things go downhill from there.

 

[TennEddie]

I’m sure that he has been told MANY times during his 6 years of
playing college ball to use more “ touch “ on the ball and less zip.
If he doesn’t get it by now he never will.

 

[Lars]

I hope our WR's hands aren't bruised from practicing this week with the jug machine just under the finger-break setting.

 

[Arrested Devolopment]

Here's my Watson Brown story. When I was in college as a student, I was assistant manager of the Vanderbilt stadium club. My job was to setup the room, usually by my self, and to help facilitate whatever the bartenders and caterers needed during the event. One day my boss tells me that there is an event for the Vanderbilt football team, the media, football club, and major boosters. Watson Brown, the head coach at the time, will be speaking and he has reiterated ad nauseum that there can be no hick-ups concerning the microphone; no static, no piercing screeches, etc. It MUST work perfectly and MUST be double and triple checked, so that there are no issues. My boss mentions that he repeated it three or four times and it was the only thing he seemed to care about. So I setup the tables, chairs and podium according to the diagram. He wanted the podium in front of the windows so that the stadium was framed behind him. This means the microphone is on the opposite side of the room from where it plugs directly into it's wall socket and the sound system. I'm pretty worried because a lot can go wrong with 30+ feet of microphone cable weaved through an event where people are drinking, walking around, and chairs are being moved about. I made sure that the cord was tapped down to the carpet, got a new microphone out of the box, and set the tables up so that there was the least possible chance that a chair would squish the cable. Hours later Watson arrived. He ONLY cared about that microphone. He had me show him all about it. I was happy to do so. I asked if he wanted to do a walk through to make sure he knew how it to operate it and that it was perfect. He looked at me like I was a complete moron, despite the fact I had actually gotten into Vanderbilt as a student. I said, there were a couple of things I wanted to go over with him before he used the mike. He said, condescendingly, something to the affect that he at this point in his career knew how to use a mike. The event started and I'm standing off to the side watching that cable like a hawk. I mean no one in the history of an event has kept a better eye on a microphone cable. As the event is about to start my boss calls me back to the office to ask, "You sure that mike is going to work." "Yeah, no problem," I say. "Did you show him how to use it," she asks. "Yeah, I tried that but he said he knew how to use a microphone and had no interest in doing a run through." She said, "Seriously, that damn mike better work. I heard he has a terrible temper." I say, "It's a mike. It's not rocket science." Almost as the words were out of my mouth. I hear Watson yelling about the mike and telling everyone how he'd gone over and over with that kid, me, about the mike and how unbelievable it was that it didn't work. I mean he is super pissed. My boss goes white and says, "I'm sorry. I may have to fire you but you're still going to have to go out there and fix that mike." She legit felt sorry for me. I mean, I was a damn good employee. At this point, I'm over it as only a young teenager can be. I take my damn sweet time and walk at a leisurely pace up to the podium belying the total panic and anxiety pounding in my chest. There is no way I'm going to let these assholes see me grovel in front of a Vanderbilt football coach. F that I'm a still UT football fan and going to Vandy isn't going to change that. I wore orange in the student section at the UT games for 2 years running already but, well, if you've been to those games, so does 3/4th of the season ticket holders. Everyone in the athletic department knew I was a UT fan first and Vanderbilt fan second. Watson's face is red and he's obviously lost his **** and the room is dead quiet. I can't believe the mike isn't working. I tested it like ten times. I get there, step behind the podium, and immediately see what's wrong. With my right hand I reach across Watson's chest and say, "You gotta turn it on and flip the switch." Bam! Perfect sound. I just as leisurely walk out the way I walked in to every one snickering until out right laughter broke out. Even the football players there were laughing at him. My boss is totally red-faced and says, very calmly, "I think it's best you take the back stairs. I'll stay and see the caterers out."

 

[lifeVol]

I think this theory is wrong.

Primarily because we could tell watching the game that Joe was taking energy off his short to mid-range throws. Most of them, anyway. He wasn't burning them in like a jugs machine set at top speed. He has clearly been working on taking energy off the pass when the situation allows.

In fact, I've been working on this hypothesis: Joe's throwing slightly behind the receivers at times BECAUSE he's taking some juice off. His brain is still processing the lead based on his capacity, so when the slightly slower ball takes a little longer to get there, it's behind the receiver instead of on his leading shoulder.

I don't know if that's true. It's just a hypothesis. But it makes a lot more sense thus far than posts #1, #7, and #13. I think RockyTop140's last sentence in post #3 is far closer to right than most here.

Go Vols!

I like this hypothesis ... I also think even with taking energy off the ball it is still at a speed that makes for more drops when thrown a step behind the receiver even if the receiver is able to 'touch it with both hands'

 

[VFL-82-JP]

I like this hypothesis ... I also think even with taking energy off the ball it is still at a speed that makes for more drops when thrown a step behind the receiver even if the receiver is able to 'touch it with both hands'

Agreed.

On the other hand, every single Power 5 (and NFL) receiver worth his salt should have the attitude, "You can't throw it hard enough that I can't catch it. We're not in pop warner any more."

Go Vols!