FOOTBALL

Was it Windy Or Not In Tucson?

Here is what Clay Helton said regarding Kedon Slovis’ arm problems Saturday:

“I played the position before and there was a little wind down there, to be honest with you. When you were going towards our locker room there was a little bit of wind in your face and to be honest with you, on a really dry day, that ball can get slick on you a little bit. I know a couple slipped out of his hands.”

But I spoke to an Arizona coach on Saturday night who was down on the field the whole game, and he said, “it wasn’t windy at all.”

Here is what Slovis said: “My arm feels fine. I think at times my mechanics get sloppy. I don’t know if like Coach was saying, dryness, or maybe it’s the ball. I don’t know what it is but I’ll get it fixed next week.”

It’s worth noting that Slovis had problems last week too. And also worth noting Helton is not the best source for information.

55 thoughts on “Was it Windy Or Not In Tucson?”

  1. It’s the hand, prob the thumb. I had the shoulder injury at age 21 that’s floating around rumor central and I can tell you 1100% it’s not that. He threw the ball 55 times last week. He wouldn’t have been making his best throws at the end of that game if his shoulder was screwed up. Good thing USC has a solid running game and stout pass protection to guard him if he is injured.

    Liked by 5 people

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    1. “Good thing USC has pass protection for ailing QB.” Hate to admit it but smackyd’s snarky remark says it all. Barkley, J. T and, now, Slovis deserve better than they got.

      Liked by 4 people

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      5. I’ll grant you that, Pudly. But grant me this —it seems like one too many Arizona guys were in our backfield on a bunch of plays inside their 20 yard line.
        [Side Note: The refs didn’t let our defensive backs get away with squat —Arizona held our linemen several times and got away with it].

        Liked by 3 people

      6. We have undersized centers. Doesn’t help to have a nose guard push him back into the backfield and running an RPO at the goal line with a QB who’s not going to run, well obviously, the backside DE is able to crash and make the play from the backside (it’s happened now 2 weeks in a row for a loss of yds at the goal line). I’d also say, going with a jumbo formation might help there, rather than trying to use rhythm and run a quick play. Again that might work if Slovis was a runner, or they actually could throw, but clearly Slovis’ hand is a bigger issue than they said. Last year those would be quick slants to Pittman or deep corner to London.

        Liked by 4 people

      8. Smart analysis, as usual.
        I’ve listened to Slovis talk about his throwing problems —and he seems to be on the level when he says his hand is fine. I expect b.s. from Helton —- but I don’t think Slovis would be able to lie so easily. Is it possible the problem REALLY is a mechanics issue and not an injury?

        Liked by 3 people

      9. Even his “dart” to London last week was a wobbler, as was his pass to Kromenhoek yesterday. Deception is part of a good QB’s have in their repertoire. And in his tweets yesterday, ryan abraham mentioned Slovis’ hesitation and restarting his answer. So I just don’t know. But play calling is one dimensional and doesn’t include passing in the red zone. I guess, it is what it is.
        Hopefully he either fixes his mechanics or he improves his grip. Neither announcer yesterday mentioned his mechanics and one was a qb.

        Liked by 3 people

      12. I usually defer to my betters (well, not really) but I don’t over-respect the analysis of yesterday’s “announcers”. They established some ‘themes’ they liked and continued to go back to them even when USC had made adjustments. As far as Slovis— regardless of what anybody tells me —-I can see with my own eyes a pretty big difference between last year’s and this year’s follow through. The velocity of his downward motion immediately after the ball has left his hand has decreased noticeably — and that’s an indicator the throw itself didn’t have the same power as last year.

        Liked by 3 people

  3. Not sure why anybody would admit to their QB being hurt. You don’t think that defenses would adjust and make life even worse for us?

    2 – 0 baby!! And this team has been clutch, whatever your criticism, quitting can’t be one.

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    1. Clutch is right. The team has a ton of heart. You can see the effort to win, you can see Slovis emerging as a real leader, despite the pain he is obviously dealing with. His demeanor coming off the field didn’t look like he had just pulled another rabbit out of his hat. On the D side, I hope they figure out how to really lever Drake Jackson. The kid is great and has even more potential. I’d love to see what this group could do with different coaching leadership.

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      1. Drake missed most of the game…came back in late when the game was in the line. IE also didn’t play except for a couple plays after a head injury when his helmet came off during a tackle and ensuing scrum.

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      3. Yeah he is, it’s a shame he’ll be gone after next year. Feeling like we’re getting cheated on seeing one of our better defenders because of this f’n covid bullish!t…
        #99problems

        Liked by 3 people

      4. When you say “better leadership” are you referring to things like calling a timeout at Arizona’s goal line, giving Slovis the play on the sidelines….and then yelling so many instructions to him we get a delay of game AFTER we return to the field?…
        #….ThatKindOfThing?

        Liked by 4 people

      5. Michael, I am thinking back in time, over all the games I have watched, and I can’t recall a more incompetent event than what happened yesterday at the goal line with the delay of game penalty.

        Liked by 3 people

      6. Me neither — I know it’s not the case, but it almost looks at times like Helton is in charge of STOPPING the offense from scoring…

        Liked by 3 people

      7. Liked by 1 person

      13. Pudly —a defense must get a very special kind of bad feeling when they have their opponent backed up against their own endzone….realize they’ve left a hole….& the runner has gotten out…

        Liked by 3 people

    1. That explains it! I was wondering why opposing coaches are always saying “in your face” to Helton during their pre-game conversation……
      #They’reWarningHimAboutMysteriousWindConditions

      Liked by 4 people

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      1. A long time ago Gore Vidal said, “You know you’re in the presence of a wholly evil person when you watch a man look straight into the camera and —-without a twinge of conscience— repeatedly tell obvious lies.”

        Liked by 3 people

  5. Went to a weather site, avg wind during the game yesterday was 8.7 mph with 18% humidity, are either enough to cause the ducks Slovis was throwing ? Utah at night, cold, maybe wet, Gomer better pray for a COVID outbreak.

    Smakyd is probably right, it’s probably his thumb as most of Slovis short throws don’t seem to wobble and Pudly is right, you don’t say your QB is hurt, but you could just say he’s got some mechanical things to work out, ducks happen.

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    1. I am inclined myself to pray that Utah can’t show up next week —-but it’s probably better, in the long run, that they do….and we take our lumps……
      #IWasHopingTheNewStaffWouldFreezeHeltonOut…
      #…ButItAppearsHe’sDemoralizedTheShitOuttaThem

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      1. Don’t waste this brilliant “Advisory” on us, gt —- forward it to Heritage Hall before it’s too late to get outta the Utah game…..
        #IWannaGoUndefeated…
        #[NoMatterHowMeaninglessTheSchedule]

        Liked by 3 people

      2. ” Persons arriving in California from other states or countries, including returning California residents, should practice self-quarantine for 14 days after arrival. These persons should limit their interactions to their immediate household. This recommendation does not apply to individuals who cross state or country borders for essential travel ”

        So, is going to Utah to play a football game ” essential travel ” ?

        Liked by 3 people

  6. BREAKING NEWS: A. P. is reporting that Clay Helton has asked state health officials for immediate clarification of the phrase “necessary travel.” “Those close to Coach Helton report he’s concerned that the term might be subject to ‘unintended expansion’ that could lead to unnecessary health risks [and possible humiliation].”

    Liked by 3 people

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  7. And we can add Lin Wood to the “fighter” list.
    #NowIsTheTimeToStandUpForWhatYouBeliveIn…
    #…IHaveMoreRespectForStaceyAbrams…
    #…ThanIDoForPussiesLikeGovernorKemp

    Liked by 1 person

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