KU struggles with deep ball..

[Blackshirt]

Passing attack goes short route

 

Kansas hasn't been deep threat it was last season

 

By JASON KING

 

The Kansas City Star

 

 

LAWRENCE — When Kansas appeared in the Tangerine Bowl last winter, event organizers printed posters of pass-happy quarterback Bill Whittemore and billed the game as a “shootout.”

 

Coming up with a marketing gimmick for this year's Jayhawk squad may not be as easy.

 

He's tossed his share of spirals, but it's not as if new Kansas quarterback Adam Barmann is in danger of tearing a rotator cuff. Four games into the post-Whittemore era, it's obvious the Jayhawks still like to throw. The difference is that the football isn't traveling as far.

 

“We're not having the same success on the deep balls as we did last year,” KU receiver Mark Simmons said. “That's a little frustrating.”

 

Kansas' passing attack used to be as unpredictable as Britney Spears after a night in Vegas. Remember all those 25, 30 … heck, sometimes 60- or 70-yard heaves from Whittemore to Simmons and Charles Gordon? This year, they're being replaced by quick outs to Brandon Rideau and shovel passes to John Randle.

 

Other than a short screen pass or an occasional bullet to tight end Lyonel Anderson, it's rare when Kansas throws out the marbles and goes vertical. Need proof? Consider this stat: In four games, Barmann has just eight completions for more than 20 yards. Whittemore had 19 at this time in 2003.

 

“We're not putting any restrictions on Adam,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “And we haven't changed our offense. It might be anything from what the defense is giving him to the choices he's making at times, where instead of throwing (over the middle), he throws (toward the sideline).”

 

Kansas' short, east-to-west passing game has certainly been a factor in the Jayhawks' two losses. KU scored just three points in the first three quarters against Northwestern — a team that ranks last in the Big Ten in total defense. A mediocre TCU squad had torched Northwestern for four long touchdown passes in a 48-45 victory two weeks earlier.

 

Thanks largely to their defense, the Jayhawks jumped out to a 30-5 lead against Texas Tech on Saturday. But KU's conservative offense was completely stagnant in the second half, when it failed to score as the Red Raiders rallied for a 31-30 victory.

 

“I can see where people think we don't throw down the field a whole lot,” Barmann said. “But that's not entirely what our offense is all about. We love getting big plays, but we like (sustaining drives) and keeping the ball in our possession.

 

“A lot of times, if it's first and 10, why not throw the ball out there and make it second and three? A lot of that helps our short running game, too. If we throw our wide receiver a quick screen and get some yards, it's basically like running a sweep.”

 

While the strategy usually enables KU to pick up a few yards, it hasn't exactly led to many big plays. Of the 94 passes that Kansas quarterbacks have completed, 55 have resulted in less than a 10-yard gain. That's 58.5 percent.

 

“A lot of times, it's just because of what the defense is showing us,” Barmann said. “Really, though, that's a part of our passing attack. When we throw, it's not just to get the ball downfield or to get huge plays.”

 

Simmons — KU's top deep threat — was in on plenty of huge plays last year, when he had 293 receiving yards through the Jayhawks' first four games. Right now, he's got 180.

 

Rather than point the finger at Barmann, Simmons chuckled when asked why longer passes are rarely attempted.

 

“Teams are covering that pretty well, you know,” Simmons said. “They know about us now. Adam is coming along. He'll be fine. He hasn't had a full season yet. The deep balls will come.”

 

At this time last year, Whittemore had thrown for 171 more yards (1,098) than the 927 Barmann has amassed this fall — and Whittemore had 25 less completions (65) than Barmann (90). Whittemore was averaging 10.4 yards per pass attempt through four games last year. Barmann is averaging 5.8.

 

KU coaches also insist they aren't frustrated with Barmann. Mangino loves the sophomore's leadership and poise. And at 6 feet 4, 220 pounds, Barmann has the ideal size and strength for a Division I quarterback. It's clear the staff is willing to be patient.

 

Barmann simply needs to do a better job of seeing the field while making an effort to improve his footwork, an area Mangino said is rapidly improving.

 

“He just has to set his feet in the pocket and just be patient,” Mangino said.

 

“For a guy that has seven or eight college games under his belt, he's progressing well.”

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