I don't have a problem with that crosser since it is typically designed to give the receiver a ton of open space which pauu has there. I remember Hifo being particularly effective with this play in the early grimes O. Pauu just had to catch that one.
Timing is often off too when a new qb comes into the game. So that might have contributed to drops? Agree on the hitches that don't meet the sticks. There often isn't much room to do anything with those routes.