How many yards for Zach?

[Blueforlife]

Ya, a few weeks ago I measured a couple and they were his normal range. Same as last year.

However, he clearly can't heave a dart wrist throw like Alexander!

Thanks awesome good to know.

A few QBs with the wrist bomb ability is so impressive

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Folks, Zach's arm is shot. He needs a full tripod to be able to make the 35+ yard throws and the big problem is he has never been a quarterback to play that style of game.

The first quarter air ball the other night is exactly the kind of play he would have made 4 years ago and what he was really good at, a scramble to his right, throw on the move. Now it just hangs up and dies.

Must be frustrating to not be able to play the game like your head tells you you should be able to but all the wishful thinking in the world won't bring Zach's arm back. Sorry.

[Tecno]

I haven't seen much regression from last year. Range seems the same. Just can't do it on the run like in 2019. So then don't do it on the run! He had time on that throw to stop and plant, though he might been whacked after.

[bunker]

I haven't seen much regression from last year. Range seems the same. Just can't do it on the run like in 2019. So then don't do it on the run! He had time on that throw to stop and plant, though he might been whacked after.

If he stopped and planted, by then Cobb might have been beyond his range. And the defender would have had more time to close. The window to make a play is usually tight, and if you need an ideal platform to make every throw over 30 yards, thats a problem.

I think even the long throw to Demski was underthrown, but Demski is great at coming back to the ball and the DB wasn't aware of where the ball was.

That throw to Cobb was only 45 yards and he barely got it there, and it hung up quite a bit. If thats his range now, we're in trouble. Not only can't he stretch the field, but if your max throw is 45 yards, your accuracy at 30-45 is going to go down also. His max may be longer when he's set in the pocket and is able to fully step up into the throw (I think he wasn't able to fully step into the Demski throw because he had a defender in his face). But those are ideal conditions, which may not occur with many plays, especially with our O-line.

He also seems to have gotten worse at navigating the pocket. The first 2 sacks wern't on the O-line in my opinion, they were a combo of cover sacks and Zach being unable to figure out how to slip loose, the way Fajardo would have done.

I am grateful to Zach to what he's done for the team, bringing us 2 cups. I also think he's still our best option at QB. He's very smart, can read a defense, and is a good leader. But he is definitely regressing both in terms of mobility and arm strength, and thats hamstringing our options on offense.

[Tecno]

If he stopped and planted, by then Cobb might have been beyond his range. And the defender would have had more time to close. The window to make a play is usually tight, and if you need an ideal platform to make every throw over 30 yards, thats a problem.

That throw to Cobb was only 45 yards and he barely got it there, and it hung up quite a bit. If thats his range now, we're in trouble. Not only can't he stretch the field, but if your max throw is 45 yards, your accuracy at 30-45 is going to go down also.

I've measured Zach's range this year as matching his '25 range.  He's still able to do 50Y with a bit of effort.  55Y with a lot of effort.  60Y would be the absolute limit and rare.  45Y is his ideal range and every deep shot should be timed to hit the REC 45Y from Zach.

I measure point to point (not Y from scrimmage, so my numbers will seem bigger than the stats show) and try to adjust for pythagoras (also making my numbers bigger), as that is the true arm strength stat, not Y from scrimmage or pass yards with YAC.

Whenever Zach is on the move the RECs should be doing comeback routes and Zach should be throwing them into a comeback window.  Once the REC is past that 50-55Y window there is zero reason to continue running.  Everything should be a comeback after that.  Everything on O should be designed around this.  And short routes could convert into go routes to still give Zach 50Y in-stride options if he gets the time or escapes.

I can't believe everyone in WPG O can't see this and scheme specifically around it.  Is everyone afraid of saying the emporer has no clothes??  Just admit what the limitations are and maximize your options within those limits!!  Plenty of decent QBs can't throw much past 50 either!  And part of it is timing... you need to throw every deep shot sooner so the REC is just hitting your max range as the ball arrives.  The "sitting and waiting" thing we see over and over again means Zach & O haven't figured this out yet!!

[Blueforlife]

The negativity on Zach's arm is overstated.  Yes it's declined but he still has touch on the ball and I trust Techo on his 45 yard max.  He can still throw a deep enough ball to open up the run game.  His accuracy and touch on the ball is his gift, which he struggled with in his first game back but that expected.  If he has time, he can still sling at least on an average basis.

[Tecno]

Yes, to put it in perspective, Zach's arm is still stronger than Cody's, and still more accurate at long range.  And look at Cody, dude might win another cup this year.  Oh ya, and same for T.Harris.

[bunker]

Yes, to put it in perspective, Zach's arm is still stronger than Cody's, and still more accurate at long range.  And look at Cody, dude might win another cup this year.  Oh ya, and same for T.Harris.

I think Cody has improved as a passer with time. He's got better stats than Zach working with worse receivers. He's also much more mobile and less injury prone. I would take him over Zach this year, no contest.

[dd]

Yes, to put it in perspective, Zach's arm is still stronger than Cody's, and still more accurate at long range.  And look at Cody, dude might win another cup this year.  Oh ya, and same for T.Harris.

Not a chance, fajardo s arm is way stronger than zachs, he puts some major zip on his passes, your hatred of fajardo is blurring your vision.

[Tecno]

Not a chance, fajardo s arm is way stronger than zachs, he puts some major zip on his passes, your hatred of fajardo is blurring your vision.

Cody has big zip, yes, in the short/medium game.  But for some reason his zip does not translate to distance.  I think it's because he throws a bad deep ball.  I've measured his throws too, and at best he's a stretch to hit 55-60, just like Zach.

Don't take my word for it, go search the Rider forum for talk about that back in Cody's time there.  They described his deep ball as a shot put throw.  And his deep accuracy is really bad, not even remotely comparable to Zach's.

Cody just looks better because his RECs in EDM are pretty darn good (even the no-names, like future star Luther), and in MTL they were league best too.

No blue googles here.  I'm telling you what I say is true.  If I'm wrong, why does EDM so rarely throw it deep??  And yes, I still hate Cody.