I did the first 15-Minutes+ . . . others can do parts of the rest. If we get to see a lot of the QB on the first part of this film, we will be doing just fine this fall. After that I understand there are some inconsistencies which I'm sure some will point out for us and which we need to know about. I'm interested in how much was on Mertz (which he can improve) and how much was on the Wisconsin OC (which no longer coaches Mertz).
1:16 – Washington State Game Had heard what Wisconsin fans said about Mertz, had seen the stats, so let’s see what the film tells us. Was pleasantly surprised . . . Here, Cover 0 dropped into a Cover 1 man and immediately Metz ID’d the safety and wanted to take one of his 1-on-1 matchups. WRs didn’t get any separation and line held (better than Florida’s in fact and Mertz was pressured less than AR last season) . . . Now GNFP Guy says he looks for the optimal read and throw on every play. Even an NFL HOF QB misses reads and misses throws. Says the purpose of film study for a QB is to better yourself. While that’s fundamentally true this guy isn’t teaching AR or Mertz or the hypothetical NFL HOF QB . . . and is, instead, showing what AR or Mertz messed-up on for almost every play. I think we should keep that in mind. Anyway, a good throw. Better option was to wait on the second WR running a dig route. * * * 4:04 – Washington State Game Mertz isn’t the runner AR could have been, when he ran, but Mertz has some mobility and shows it on this play, escaping a collapsing pocket for a first down (deep on their own side of the field). Moves better than Trask but certainly isn’t as good a QB as Trask. * * * 5:05 – Washington State Game Mertz is well-known as a “High IQ player.” He’s also a “film junkie.” Identifies pre-snap very well. Could use work post-snap reads. ID’d a 1-on-1 coverage and went right to it with a nice, easy 35-yard throw. * * * 6:25 – Washington State Game Mertz has quick feet and a very nice drop back. Quick to set. Quick to throw. Here there’s a hidden corner blitz and Mertz ID’s it immediately and goes right to the open WR with a very nicely thrown ball (laid out and not rifled). When Mertz is not pressured, he does a lot of really good stuff. His footwork, when not under pressure, is one of the best parts of his game. * * * 7:50 – Washington State Game “Perfect quarterbacking.” Pre-snap read was perfect. Post-snap reads were perfect. All with a well-disguised defense. Throw was perfect. First down. Folks should watch this short section, at least, if not the whole first 15-20 minutes, IMO. * * * 9:30 – Washington State Game 3rd and long (14) and attempting to confuse Mertz with a murky pre-snap look, dropping into one defense then shifting into another . . . post-snap they drop into almost max coverage defense, again well-disguised, Mertz makes the reads and stick his throw perfectly to the correct WR. “Boom!” First down. Mertz looks great when he has good protection . . . * * * 10:45 – Washington State Game Last season Florida struggled with a quick game and he says it was almost non-existent. In quick game, Mertz’s best attribute is his footwork. First play where Wisconsin had anyone in motion and it opened the field to a very nice slant route that Mertz saw and hit in stride giving the WR the ability got get an extra 10-yards after the catch. “Another perfect play by Mertz.” * * * 11:30 – Washington State Game One of GNFP guy’s favorite man play calls by Wisconsin and Mertz throws one of his best throws of the season on this play. As the play develops Mertz identifies the advantage and makes a perfect pass to the corner of the end zone for a TD. On this drive a lot of high level stuff from Mertz. Good pre-snap and post-snap reads and good play calls by Wisconsin. GNFP guy was pleasantly surprised to see this stuff on film. * * * 13:12 – Washington State Game Another nice route combination from a team that struggled as much on offense as Wisconsin did. Hmmmmm. 3rd and long (10) from about the 45. Mertz sees the coverage, immediately reading the safety, knows he has the go route and throws a “dime . . . right on the facemask.” * * * 14:57 – Washington State Game 2nd and goal from the 9 (probably a false start on first down after the “dime . . . right on the facemask”). Looks like Cover 0. Mertz knows he has potential pressure coming. Makes the pre-snap read and knows where he wants to go if there is pressure from the Cover 0. It could be disguised and some drop back. It is Cover 0, the TE beats his man and Mertz throws it perfectly for a TD. “Excellent quarterbacking. Perfect pre-snap read. Great post-snap read and execution, leads to a TD.” * * * Again, really interested to know where Mertz has trouble or issues or inconsistencies . . .
Great stuff ET! Thanks... As the reviewer says, if he has some time he does really well. I have to think this year's offensive line is gonna be pretty sick. Hopefully, that translates into some great decision making on his part. Afterall, Georgia's Bennett was really good, (Like it or not) but his line helped get him to the Heisman ceremony. Bowers didn't hurt either. Excited for the Spring game. Go Gators.
I learned as much about Anthony Richardson as I did about Graham Mertz in this film breakdown, which is great information. I am cautiously optimistic about Mertz.
The first 15 minutes of this video give me great hope and expectation for Mertz. There is no substitution for experience, and it seems this kid knows how to read defenses. Napier wanted a smart QB and it looks like he found one. Here's hoping we can protect him well enough to let him shine. I think he'll be an excellent bridge for 2 years until Lagway can learn the ropes. Thanks for sharing it.
It was 45 min in before I saw almost ANY flaws. Excellent long throws with good velocity. Good ball placement. Reads defenses very well. Makes the easy throws look easy. Seems like his play dropped off a bit after changing coaches mid season, which is understandable. But, on the whole, he looks like a big upgrade over AR to me.
Here’s a few observations. There are a number of things that Wisconsin could’ve done that would’ve made Mertz’s job much easier. First of all somebody should’ve informed Badger coaches that it isn’t actually against the rules to throw on first and second down. It looks like Mertz only threw on third and very long. There may has been criticism of Mertz’s completion percentage but I wonder how it compares if this was factored in. Nor is it against the rules to dink and dunk more in the passing game. Short little 5 to 7 yarders could’ve also really help down and distance. Come to think of it, did they ever give Mertz any easy throws? Mertz may have the arm to complete the deep out but it shouldn’t be thrown in high risk low reward situations. It would also behoove Napier to rely more on Mertz’s pre-snap reads by relying more on the quick passing game while eliminating Mertz’s responsibilities to go into third options. Finally, Mertz at times, would have the bad habit of falling too in love with his big arm and again fall in the trap of high risk passes when under pressure. Just because he can throw deep outs why try those while rolling out.? How often did Wisconsin ever give Mertz a play call which provided for an easy check down when protection broke down? In short, Mertz shows some real talent but was also inconsistent especially when under pressure. Nonetheless, it doesn’t take an offensive genius to see that there were many things stacked against him last year. Surely, this is what Napier was looking at when projecting him into a starting role at Florida.
I believe Mertz will be pretty good, especially after getting those new receivers around him. I do worry about the new offensive line.
Wisconsin never has and never will be a place that produces great WRs or has a lethal passing attack. QBs are therefore by default limited in that offense. Lets give Mertz the benefit of the doubt.
This isn’t true. Coan in 2019 was a top 10 QB nationally. 2017 Hornibrook was top 25. Mertz started in 2020-2022 and has been well below average (like 80th) nationally. Im praying Mertz turns it around but his poor performance is not a Wisconsin thing
