This is the query that’s consuming away at Longhorn fans around the country proper now, and it’s a tough query to confidently reply. The solely method to say sure or no with absolute confidence is to look into Arch’s thoughts, which nobody can do. I’m going to do my finest to present the explanations to fret and the explanations to really feel assured about Arch going ahead.
Let’s begin with causes, at the very least in my view, that fear is legitimate round Arch Manning.
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Pace of Throws
This was the factor that jumped out to me, and one thing that was current final yr as properly. Arch Manning has unimaginable arm power and expertise, however gearing your passes down is a should in Sarkisian’s offense at instances. If he’s going to play on the stage he’s able to, he must get extra comfy layering passes on deep crossers and simply tempo down the display screen and brief passes. There have been a number of passes on Saturday that in the event that they have been thrown at 70% as an alternative of 100%, they’re accomplished and optimistic good points. Some of that’s the stress of the second, a few of that’s who Arch is. Regardless, he wants to point out extra range within the tempo of his passes.
Mechanical Breakdown
This was way more shocking to me. One factor that Arch by no means did poorly final yr was his throwing mechanics, high to backside. From the start of the Ohio State sport, Arch’s mechanics simply seemed off, notably in his decrease half. Even on the good throws within the 4th quarter, it was extra Arch’s elite arm power than a really fluid throwing movement. That is a barely regarding factor as a result of the setting within the Swamp goes to place him in an identical place and he must maintain his mechanics in place. Although it is a actual concern, it’s one which hasn’t been a difficulty for Arch previous to Saturday, which makes me assume it was extra of a nerves factor.
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Now, let’s get into a number of causes there should be confidence that Manning can discover his footing and get again to the participant we noticed final yr.
More Live Reps
There is not any substitute for live-game reps. That is completely unavoidable, and we noticed the downfall of solely having 90 faculty passes previous to Saturday. Over the following three weeks(and past), Arch will be capable of play extra stay soccer and get extra comfy because the full-time starter. He is a really good soccer participant and there’s little purpose to consider he isn’t within the movie room, seeing his missteps and getting it fastened for the remainder of the season. These subsequent three weeks of out of convention video games is about getting Arch as many reps with as many ideas as potential, so there isn’t a breakdown when the Longhorns head on the street once more.
The Fix Is Clear
Now, once I say the repair is evident, I don’t imply it’s going to be extremely simple to repair. What I imply is it’s exhausting for me to consider Arch and Sarkisian didn’t watch the tape and never instantly discover what was unsuitable. There’s little question Sarkisian and firm are doing the perfect to get Arch again to the fundamentals, get his mechanics again the place they should be, and be capable of execute at a excessive stage transferring ahead. The repair for the Texas offense is clearly extra difficult, however relating to Arch, I might be keen to wager the issue is already being fastened.
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That Is The Toughest Defense He Will Face All Year
This is possibly the largest purpose to really feel assured that Arch will be nice transferring ahead. That Ohio State protection, each from personnel and scheme, is the toughest factor he’ll face at the very least till October fifteenth, when he heads to Athens. That’s to not say there aren’t powerful defenses, like Florida and Oklahoma, that he must cope with, however to say none of them will deliver NFL schemes to the desk at that stage. He should be capable of have extra readability, see the protection extra clearly and most significantly, not have Caleb Downs lurking in the course of the sector.
This article initially appeared on Longhorns Wire: Despite a poor start, Longhorn fans should feel good about Manning