It’s probably easier/safer to bomb a ball to an area than it is to zip it in closer where the coverage is generally tighter.
How about a dump off to the flats and let Oliveira make plays in space.
Regardless, while I’m not going to absolve Buck Pierce - absolute dog shit game plan on his part - the blame should be squarely on Collaros for those INTs.
Nearly every pass play has a deep shot option, an intermediate option, and then a short/checkdown option. Collaros, busted finger and all, decided to keep playing hero ball and float moon balls 30-35 yards downfield or fit throws into impossibly tight windows.
Elephant in the room is that Collaros kinda sucked for most of this season. Had himself a game at home vs. the Elks, another great one in the West Final. Then a few more decent ones, but it felt like the D and running game dragged his ass across the finish line in most of the wins. Too many mistakes and boneheaded turnovers this season, and his ability to create magic on the run has steadily eroded over the last two seasons.
Collaros is the greatest Bomber QB in my lifetime and in the conversation with Ploen, Clements and Brock for sure. But to call a spade a spade, he’s on the downswing of his career and I don’t see it getting significantly better next season. I’ll hold out hope for a renaissance with a fully loaded and healthy group of pass catchers.