Masoli continues to struggle passing downfield.

[echo31]

Echo, that is probably the right call. I could see him trying to fit some throws over the recievers' shoulders and trying another approach that he is not quite use to. Hopefully when the spring game begins he is more consistent. Maybe he will be the complete quarterback package by the beginning of the season. (Well, except for height.)

At the end of last year, it was obvious that he threw lazer beams and didn't have much touch on his deep passes. No one can expect him to suddenly wake up one day being able to pass with perfect touch. He is probably just practicing and tweaking his technique.

[Elduderino]

TTown, great post.

The nice thing about this year is that Masoli is going to have the benefit of being surrounded by very capable talent & a scheme that fits his skill set perfectly. In theory he shouldn't have to be on fire for this team to win, just efficient. I'm excited to see how he does at Boise; the guy seems to be a gamer.

[pikestick]

I am not at all bothered by Masoli "struggling" with deep passes right now. A LOT of times last season when a receiver had multiple steps on the secondary, Masoli underthrew the ball a couple yards, leading to much shorter plays or enough time for the defense to recover. I assumed this was an area that he was having trouble adjusting to Division 1 speed, so if he spends some time in practice getting familiar with timing the throws downfield a bit better (and misses some in the process) it is time well spent.

I know I'm looking forward to the first time we see a "Dixon to Paysinger vs Michigan" type pass get connected by Masoli and Davis/Holland/Harper this season!

[stewbertwilloughby]

True enough. Downfield passing can be misleading, too. The best downfield passer (25+ yards) I've seen at Oregon was Jason Fife. The kid could air it out, and he was accurate on those types of passes. He just couldn't hit anything short or intermediate. So it was awesome the one time a game he hit Keenan Howry for a 45 yard pass, but the rest of the game was an adventure. Clemens struggled downfield much of the time (though he had his moments) because of a weak arm, and he was great for us. Joey Harrington was always extremely erratic, especially in the first quarter. I don't believe he ever touched 60% over a season but he completed passes when he needed too. Masoli just seems like one of those guys who'll do what he needs to do.

Akili Smith threw a great down field ball. He threw everything great. And as for actual deep balls over the shoulder, Dixon his senior year could have been one of the best Oregon has seen. And per fishduck's report, Masoli is working hard on NOT laser passing it all over the place. He's trying to throw catchable balls to receivers instead of breaking their hands. He's just struggling a bit now. But when he lets loose, he's on the money.

[Destroyer77]

I am not a single bit concerned about Masoli.

[buckmarkduck]

I haven't been to any practices yet but, this is the same writer who is a HUGE Costa fan. So he might be struggling but, I've also read from other observers that he has been doing pretty good. I would bet come Boise he will be ready to roll.

[fpsduck]

I will judge Masoli's ball-tossing skills on May 2nd.

[BisonDucks]

The streaky Masoli theory is a bit flawed, imho. He struggled in the middle of the season when the competition got tough (after UW, USU, WSU) and got better in the end. He dominated at the end. He will get more consistent with time.

[brich75]

The schedule was as tough at the end of the season as it was all season. Both Arizona and OSU were in the Top 25 for total defense, and Masoli shredded them. IMO, the "streaky" theory worked to a "T" last year. Doesn't mean it will carry over to '09, though.

I dont like the streaky tag either. I think he simply just got better and better as he adjusted to the quality of the competition.

[buckmarkduck]

Actually he had a pretty good game vs. ASU also. I'm not sure if to many QB's would have had much luck in the monsoon condition's that plagued the Cal and Stan games.

[wheaton4prez]

I wonder if he's any good at baseball.

[brich75]

I wonder if he's any good at baseball.

well I would hate to be the catcher if there is a play at the plate!

[GoDucksIn09]

Would probably leave a hole in the mitt if had to catch one of his balls.

[uodux1212]

If JM had been a super accurate deep threat QB last season and was REGRESSING this spring, so much so to be called "struggling" then I'd be worried. But since you can probably say he was "struggling" with the deep ball at the end of last season too, I have a feeling he's just working out the kinks.

Not at all surprising he's "struggling" with the deep ball, he's learning everyday, just like the rest of the team. Should we be worried? No.

GO DUCKS.

[brich75]

If JM had been a super accurate deep threat QB last season and was REGRESSING this spring, so much so to be called "struggling" then I'd be worried. But since you can probably say he was "struggling" with the deep ball at the end of last season too, I have a feeling he's just working out the kinks.

Not at all surprising he's "struggling" with the deep ball, he's learning everyday, just like the rest of the team. Should we be worried? No.

GO DUCKS.

I completely agree, its not like he was money any time last year he just gets it done. He is only going to get better and better.Thats GOOD news for us.