When I first saw Book play...Spring of last year....I was very impressed with how he got the ball off very quickly and with confidence while throwing accurately. No hesitancy or delay. He was also quick with run opportunities and did not stay around to get sacked.
What I observe this season is he takes much longer to get his passes off and too often to covered receivers. I don't pretend to know what he is being asked to do, but he makes fewer...but does some...throws in rhythm and quickly. He seems to take too much time to observe and may be looking farther downfield...which we have been informed that the coaches want him to do. There is no question and stats bear it out that he is a bit less consistent in his completion %. The result is a seemingly less effective passing game.
I make no claim on knowing if this is a good or bad thing, but he certainly has not moved the offense as well this year for whatever reason. But for certain, the Irish seem to be a bit less effective in the passing game.