Jimbo Fisher explains pass drops, effect on quarterback

The Texas A&M offense has struggled mightily at times this season, and it does not help that pass catchers are dropping the ball. 

The Aggies have 19 dropped passes on the season. Last week in a 20-3 win over Auburn, star tight end Jalen Wydermyer had three drops alone. Receiver Anias Smith added another. 

On Monday, Aggies head coach Jimbo Fisher discussed the impact the drops not only have on Texas A&M drives, but also how they impact young quarterback Zach Calzada.

“That can’t affect you,” Fisher said. “I tell him ‘Hey keep doing what you’re doing… Just keep throwing to them.’”

Calzada, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound redshirt sophomore who had seen the field just three times in the previous two years, has a number of starts under his belt now. But his relative inexperience still makes him ripe for discouragement when the offense is not clicking due to dropped passes.

The fourth-year head coach went into some additional detail about factors leading to the drops. To him, it’s relatively simple. 

“It can affect your psyche if you let it,” Fisher said. “I think [you need] just focus and concentration. Ordinary things, go back to it.

“If you watch the first [play from last weekend] in the flat, he goes to catch it, and he’s already got his head right here looking to turn,” Fisher said, looking away from his hands. “Because he knows he’s going to turn that corner, and he wants to see how much he’s got. Put your nose on the ball, and your eyes follow… As you go back and watch it, it’s just fundamental things.”

Aside from the drops, Wydermyer and Smith have made massive contributions to the Aggies offense as the two leading receivers. Wydermyer has 30 receptions for 406 yards and four touchdowns, while Smith has 35 catches for 391 yards and six scores.

Against a high-octane Ole Miss offense on Saturday, Texas A&M may need to create some of those big pass plays to top the Rebels. The Aggies are averaging just 26 points per game against Power Five opponents. 

With a 4-2 SEC record, Texas A&M is still firmly in the SEC Championship Game discussion, but they have to win out. Ole Miss is their last ranked test, as they close with Prairie View A&M and LSU.

Texas A&M-Ole Miss kicks off at 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN. The Aggies are favored by 2.5 points and seeking their eighth win of the season.