10 things to watch for in the Texas opener against the Rice Owls this Saturday.
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Is Garrett Gilbert truly ready to step up? Or do we have another Chris Simms at Texas?
This question may seem a bit crazy, considering all the pre-season hype and expectations surrounding Gilbert after his showing in the most difficult of games last January versus Alabama. But the fact is Texas fans have not seen a full game under Gilbert’s belt. Sure, he responded well and helped lead Texas impressively for about 9 minutes during the BCS title game. But the reality is he still turned the ball over five times, and had one of the worst first halves in football with his 1-10 performance in the first half.
He seems primed for a big year and a legendary career like his predecessor Colt and Vince. But remember, Chris Simms was the national Gatorade Player of the Year coming out of high school too. He couldn’t handle the leadership requirements that come with being QB at a place like Texas. With key seniors from the 2009 team gone, this is the game where Gilbert must step up, young as he is, and make this HIS team. He can’t rely on the success he had in spring ball, or fall camp, or the Alabama game. Going forward the success will be credited to him, sure, but Texas fans and coaches aren’t going to forgive him for 5 turnovers in a game like they did after Alabama. Time to put up and show you’re the real deal.
Can he make the transition from a spread offense QB to a guy who goes under center? Will he see blitzes and audible? Can he learn the art of checking down instead of trying to force it deep? These are questions any first year starter must answer – and although Texas fans think they’ve got another winner in Gilbert, it’s finally time to see just what #7 can do.
What will the “new” running game look like?
The coaching staff’s decision to move to a more power running attack has been routinely questioned and analyzed all off season. Now the question is: what will this attack look like? With powerful Cody Johnson earning the start this week against Rice, you can expect more running between the tackles than fans have seen in Austin in recent years. Gone are the days of the zone and option read in favor of more downhill running. Using Johnson to bully their way down the field, Texas ought to be able to control the clock and allow their defense and running game to maintain tempo to its liking.
Mack Brown alluded to the fact that the game plan won’t be overtly different from the previous years. He still wants to run some no-huddle, fast paced attacks. Expect to see Tre Newton and Fozzy Whitaker to get their fair share of carries, as the Longhorns try to establish the identity of the running game for the 2010 season against the subpar Rice defense.
Keep an eye on Kyle Hix and Michael Huey, the anchors of the left side of the Texas offensive line. With the most experience of any lineman, and the loss of Tray Allen, Greg Davis and Brown will spend ample time seeing if Hix and Huey can become more downhill blockers and lead the charge. Last year’s line couldn’t change during midseason to be better prepared to come off the ball. Now Texas fans learn if the offseason work paid off.
Who will emerge as a go-to receiver?
Jordan Shipley is gone trying to catch whatever extra passes are around Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens in Cincinnati. After catching 115 balls last year, and breaking most all Texas single season receiving records, Shipley leaves behind a group of unproven receivers, one of whom will need to step up to become the safety net and reliable threat for Gilbert in 2010.
Coming out of camp coaches have raved on James Kirkendoll as the potential # 1 receiver, but Greg Davis has also alluded to the fact that 4 guys could catch upwards of 40 passes each this year. Kirkendoll’s disappearance during last year’s Big 12 title and BCS title games is a bit disconcerting – can he step into the role of Shipley and make the key catches when needed? What about Malcolm Williams? Ever since he caught 2 TDs against Texas Tech in 2008 (including a 91 yard streaking bomb), Texas has been waiting for him to step up into a deep ball threat. With a focus on running the ball and more play action, down the field plays, it would seem Williams would be poised for a breakout year. But remember, this is the same guy who had a perfect lob bounce threw his hands (courtesy of Gilbert, in fact) against Alabama that could have turned the tide in favor of Texas in the 2nd quarter. Instead Texas settled for a field goal, and we all remember what happened after that.
There has been praise for some of the freshman, including Mike Davis, a young man who is evidently a workhorse and has impressed coaches with his ability to grasp the offense. Still, relying on freshman is a dubious decision, especially so early in the season.
Whoever it is, someone will need to emerge quickly. A name to keep an eye on – Marquise Goodwin. The world class track athlete may be able to slip past defenders on deep posts and go routes, where the defensive safeties have bitten up against the run on play action fakes.
Can Will Muschamp contain his enthusiasm?
This is simple. Of course not. The biggest of the day Saturday may come from Muschamp on his own players leaving the field after a big defensive stand.
Who will be this year’s Sergio Kindle / Brian Orakpo?
It’s got to be one of Acho brothers, even if Emmanuel is inside LB to start the year. Sam will move from a down lineman in a 4-3 defensive scheme to a blitzing linebacker in 3-4 pass defenses. Remember, Kindle didn’t have a high amount of sacks last year, but he led the Big 12 in QB pressures. All Texas needs for the defense to succeed is a consistent pass rushing threat that offenses must scheme for and protect. Once that is established, Muschamp’s defenses are far more wide open and able to bring more pressure from other parts. With a secondary that is ranked as one of the best in the country, Texas should have no problem remaining a leading sack team in the country, so long as someone steps up into the QB pressure – master role, like Kindle and Orakpo of the last two years.
Don’t be surprised if we see quite a bit of Jackson Jeffcoat occupying this role on Saturday. He’s listed as a backup defensive end behind Eddie Jones, and comes in to bolster one of the strongest aspects of the Texas D – defensive end. He’ll move around much in the same mold as Sam Acho, and it will be interesting to see him compete in game situations as a true freshman.
Will ANYONE throw the ball at Aaron Williams?
My guess is no. And thus, Williams won’t be discussed much for the 2010 Thorpe award, given to the nation’s best defensive back. Unless he makes plays out of position, Williams will be expected to shut down UT opponents’ top receiving threat on a regular basis. He’ll oftentimes be left alone, on the proverbial island against some of the best receivers in the land. Will it happen this Saturday? Probably not, but it’ll be interesting to watch and see how an offense with no identity will avoid the top DB at Texas, and a future NFL first rounder.
Can Kyle Hix make the switch to left tackle and protect Gilbert? Can Texas run behind Hix and Huey?
Kyle Hix seems like he’s been at Texas for years, because he’s made 30 starts on the offensive line. This year, he’s switching over to the left tackle spot to protect Garrett Gilbert’s blind side. Coaches say the switch has gone well thus far, but all it takes is one missed blocking assignment and Gilbert could be lost for the season. Quite a bit of pressure for a guy learning the nuances of a new spot on the field.
In addition, the only other starter on the line with significant playing time is Michael Huey, who will be lining up next to Hix. Even when not worrying about protecting Gilbert, expect the Horns to try and run the ball behind their two most experienced linemen. It will be interesting to gauge how successful the running game can be, especially if, as expected, the run slants heavily to the left side of the line.
Can John Gold replace Hunter Lawrence as a productive placekicker?
Texas fans won’t soon forget the name Hunter Lawrence, he of the last minute kick to win the Big 12 Championship in 2009. John Gold, the Longhorns punter last year, will take the place of a guy who hit over 80% of his FG attempts in his career at Texas. During preseason, Gold missed one opportunity during live ball scrimmages, so the coaching staff is confident in his ability to get the job done. Can he do it with :01 on the clock, with the Big 12 on the line? No one knows until they are in that situation, but Texas will find out Saturday how the new placekicker will perform in front of 70,000 plus fans with expectations sky high.
Who returns kickoffs – can Texas be explosive on kick returns?
DJ Munroe? Marquise Goodwin? These would seem the logical answers, although Munroe’s status is still unclear for Saturday’s game. Last year, Texas was proficient in kick and punt returning, though they will have to replace Jordan Shipley in the punting game. If Goodwin or Munroe can emerge as elite returners, Texas can rely on decent field position to implement their revised offensive scheme. Goodwin also appears to be in the lead for the punt returning job, though a final decision may not be known until Saturday. It was also be interesting to see how the new NCAA rule that eliminates wedge blocking affects the return game of Texas. Coach Brown doesn’t think it will matter much, but Texas has been an excellent special teams group over the last two years. To remain a top 5 team, they will need that spark again this season.
What’s the final score going to be? Can Texas sell the game out in Houston?
The game probably won’t see out, because it is still just Rice. Texas will pour it on well into the 3rd quarter, to ensure the starters are ready to go for Texas Tech in just 2 weeks time. The average score over the past few years has been around 52-10. Our final prediction will come out later this week.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
CFN #6: Texas Tech Preview
A preseason preview of what to expect when Texas meets Texas Tech September 18.
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A new coach, a new offensive coordinator, a new defensive coordinator, and a bubbling quarterback controversy. While it doens't sound like the recipe for success against the Texas Longhorns, the Red Raiders may be able to pull off some huge upsets with their new leading men in 2010. The game against Texas Tech won't be as easy as some folks think.
Offense
Texas Tech is replacing their offensive coordinator and head coach Mike Leach. In his ten years in Lubbock, Leach only had a QB lead the nation in total offense three times. With a system predicated on spreading the ball around to different receivers and allowing them to make plays by spreading out the defense, Leach built the most prolific offenses of the last decade out in the middle of the dusty West Texas plains.
Now Leach is gone, replaced by the less controversial Tommy Tuberville. Fans of college football will remember TT as the man who led the 2004 Auburn Tigers to an undefeated record (though no national title), only to be ousted as head coach at the end of the 2008 season after failing to successfully install a new offense. What offense was that? A spread, similar in theory to the same scheme designed and perfected by his predecessor in Lubbock.
So how will Tech take to the new stylings of Tuberville? The change may not be as drastic as folks think, and may in fact help TTU get over the final hump which has kept them second tier in the Big 12 south behind OU and UT. Tuberville kept Dan Brown, a young coach (29) who played a few years under Leach and Hal Mumme in Kentucky in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Now, the newly anointed youngest offensive coordinator in the Big 12 has some legendary shoes to fill – those of his mentor Leach.
If 2009 was the year of the QB controversy for the Red Raiders, don’t expect much different this season. Tech has sold more season tickets than ever before heading into the 2010 campaign, and will be opening renovated Jones Stadium this year. Which means the pressure will be on Brown and Tuberville to succeed, early and often. Tech coaches recently anointed Taylor Potts the starting QB job, but you can bet his backup, Steven Sheffield will be breathing down his back.
Tuberville says the job is Potts’s, and he won’t yank him right away if he isn’t getting the job done. But Potts is shaky on his feet in the pocket, and even with the improved running attack that Tuberville promises will be a compliment to the spread Brown will install, Potts is going to have to learn to stick in the pocket and wait for his man to break open. Against a team like Texas, and that ferociously good secondary, don’t expect too much patience from a guy who’s already been shellacked by the Longhorns once (remember the hit from Sergio Kindle in 2009)?
If Tuberville can truly create a running game to keep some defenses honest, he should have no trouble matching last year’s win total. For all the hype about Leach following 2008, when Tech went 11-2, the fact is he averaged a record of 8-4 over his 10 years as head coach. His offense, while effective against the less impressive teams, was only moderately successful against the big boys, including Texas (2-8). Oftentimes, including 2003 and 2007, Tech found itself outplayed against the Longhorns in games that turned into shootouts. Don’t expect that in 2010 – because the Texas defensive strength is its ultra athletic secondary, Tech will have to figure a way to ground the ball with either short screen passes or by running the ball. You can bet Tubby will go with what makes him comfortable – don’t be surprised to see Potts under center and dropping back to hand the ball to Barren Batch more often on September 18 than you would have EVER seen Leach do the same. Running the ball may be Tech’s only chance.
Defense
Tuberville will be installing a 3-4 defense, but won’t have the man power to actually play it. This is going to result in an questionable success rate for a team whose offseason motto over the past few years has been “Man, our defense is going to be GOOD this year,” only to watch that same D crumble and the let the team down. While 5 starters return, this is the same group that gave up 52 points to Texas A&M at home last year.
Specifically against Texas, though, this group may have an advantage: new defensive coordinator Patrick Willis, who was instrumental in helping draft the game plan for a defense who flummoxed Texas QB Garrett Gilbert in the BCS title game in 2009. As linebackers coach at Alabama, Willis helped mold some of the best LBs in the country down in Tuscaloosa, and his work with Kirby Smart and Nick Saban can only make the defensive units at Texas Tech improve. Whether or not this improvement will come in time for the Red Raiders 3rd game remains to be seen.
So what will happen? Tech will keep the game closer than many experts think. Because Gilbert won’t have been tested yet, this will be his true first road experience against a quality opponent. Texas fans know that weird things happen in Lubbock on Saturday nights, especially to Texas. The game is certainly no gimme, but the Texas defense should be able to limit the effectiveness of a Tech offense in a transitional phase. The key will be whether the defensive tackles at Texas can stuff the run that Tuberville will likely try to impose on them. They likely will, leaving the game in the hands of Taylor Potts in the face of constant and varying pressure from Will Muschamp and the Texas D. While Gilbert won’t shine, he’ll do just enough to earn the win, 27-17.
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A new coach, a new offensive coordinator, a new defensive coordinator, and a bubbling quarterback controversy. While it doens't sound like the recipe for success against the Texas Longhorns, the Red Raiders may be able to pull off some huge upsets with their new leading men in 2010. The game against Texas Tech won't be as easy as some folks think.
Offense
Texas Tech is replacing their offensive coordinator and head coach Mike Leach. In his ten years in Lubbock, Leach only had a QB lead the nation in total offense three times. With a system predicated on spreading the ball around to different receivers and allowing them to make plays by spreading out the defense, Leach built the most prolific offenses of the last decade out in the middle of the dusty West Texas plains.
Now Leach is gone, replaced by the less controversial Tommy Tuberville. Fans of college football will remember TT as the man who led the 2004 Auburn Tigers to an undefeated record (though no national title), only to be ousted as head coach at the end of the 2008 season after failing to successfully install a new offense. What offense was that? A spread, similar in theory to the same scheme designed and perfected by his predecessor in Lubbock.
So how will Tech take to the new stylings of Tuberville? The change may not be as drastic as folks think, and may in fact help TTU get over the final hump which has kept them second tier in the Big 12 south behind OU and UT. Tuberville kept Dan Brown, a young coach (29) who played a few years under Leach and Hal Mumme in Kentucky in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Now, the newly anointed youngest offensive coordinator in the Big 12 has some legendary shoes to fill – those of his mentor Leach.
If 2009 was the year of the QB controversy for the Red Raiders, don’t expect much different this season. Tech has sold more season tickets than ever before heading into the 2010 campaign, and will be opening renovated Jones Stadium this year. Which means the pressure will be on Brown and Tuberville to succeed, early and often. Tech coaches recently anointed Taylor Potts the starting QB job, but you can bet his backup, Steven Sheffield will be breathing down his back.
Tuberville says the job is Potts’s, and he won’t yank him right away if he isn’t getting the job done. But Potts is shaky on his feet in the pocket, and even with the improved running attack that Tuberville promises will be a compliment to the spread Brown will install, Potts is going to have to learn to stick in the pocket and wait for his man to break open. Against a team like Texas, and that ferociously good secondary, don’t expect too much patience from a guy who’s already been shellacked by the Longhorns once (remember the hit from Sergio Kindle in 2009)?
If Tuberville can truly create a running game to keep some defenses honest, he should have no trouble matching last year’s win total. For all the hype about Leach following 2008, when Tech went 11-2, the fact is he averaged a record of 8-4 over his 10 years as head coach. His offense, while effective against the less impressive teams, was only moderately successful against the big boys, including Texas (2-8). Oftentimes, including 2003 and 2007, Tech found itself outplayed against the Longhorns in games that turned into shootouts. Don’t expect that in 2010 – because the Texas defensive strength is its ultra athletic secondary, Tech will have to figure a way to ground the ball with either short screen passes or by running the ball. You can bet Tubby will go with what makes him comfortable – don’t be surprised to see Potts under center and dropping back to hand the ball to Barren Batch more often on September 18 than you would have EVER seen Leach do the same. Running the ball may be Tech’s only chance.
Defense
Tuberville will be installing a 3-4 defense, but won’t have the man power to actually play it. This is going to result in an questionable success rate for a team whose offseason motto over the past few years has been “Man, our defense is going to be GOOD this year,” only to watch that same D crumble and the let the team down. While 5 starters return, this is the same group that gave up 52 points to Texas A&M at home last year.
Specifically against Texas, though, this group may have an advantage: new defensive coordinator Patrick Willis, who was instrumental in helping draft the game plan for a defense who flummoxed Texas QB Garrett Gilbert in the BCS title game in 2009. As linebackers coach at Alabama, Willis helped mold some of the best LBs in the country down in Tuscaloosa, and his work with Kirby Smart and Nick Saban can only make the defensive units at Texas Tech improve. Whether or not this improvement will come in time for the Red Raiders 3rd game remains to be seen.
So what will happen? Tech will keep the game closer than many experts think. Because Gilbert won’t have been tested yet, this will be his true first road experience against a quality opponent. Texas fans know that weird things happen in Lubbock on Saturday nights, especially to Texas. The game is certainly no gimme, but the Texas defense should be able to limit the effectiveness of a Tech offense in a transitional phase. The key will be whether the defensive tackles at Texas can stuff the run that Tuberville will likely try to impose on them. They likely will, leaving the game in the hands of Taylor Potts in the face of constant and varying pressure from Will Muschamp and the Texas D. While Gilbert won’t shine, he’ll do just enough to earn the win, 27-17.
CFN Article #5: Reaction to Texas 1st Depth Chart 2010
Texas released its first 2010 depth chart. A look at what some of the moves may mean for 2010 and beyond.
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Biggest Surprise: It’s a tie between Cody Johnson at running back and Tyrell Higgins at defensive tackle.
Johnson came into camp as almost an afterthought, a player who would crush the ball in during short yardage and goal line formations. After losing considerable weight, and adding what appears to be a burst of speed, Johnson leadpfrogged Fozzy Whitaker and Tre Newton to snag the start against Rice. In his only other start, Johnson racked up over 100 yards against the Baylor Bears in 2009. While Texas looks to improve upon the running game with a more ferocious downhill attack, it seems Johnson may be best suited for a between the tackles offensive game plan, especially when you consider the limited bulk and size of his counterparts. Johnson may start, but you can expect Greg Davis will get the ball into the hands of Newton and Whitaker – both of whom bring a game breaking speed to the offense that Johnson lacks. The choice of Johnson could also be an indicator that the offensive philosophy switch may be taking longer than expected to take hold with the offensive line – perhaps the line isn’t opening the holes it needs for the shiftier backs, and coaches believe a bigger, more physical back like Johnson can still earn the tough yards behind a suspect offensive line.
Higgins ascent to the starting position beside Kheeston Randall answers one of the nagging questions concerning Texas fans coming into 2010: Who will step up and lead the interior of the defense? Always a strength for the Longhorns, defensive tackle questions have plagued the Longhorns all off-season, as they looked to replace Lamaar Houston. Most thought Calvin Howell had the job locked up, but he’s currently listed as third team behind Higgins and former defensive end Alex Okafor. Moving Okafor inside is a move similarly made for Houston two years ago, a move which clearly paid off for Texas and Lamaar. It also allows highly regarded freshman Jackson Jeffcoat to earn some playing time at defensive end behind senior Eddie Jones. So while the move to start Higgins may not have been a huge surprise, its announcement exemplified the shakeup of the Texas defensive line, which points to the fact that Will Muschamp and co. are still looking for permanent answers – a troubling idea with the season opening in a few days. Everyone may play every position before the coaches figure out the best combination for each game.
Also, the move to select Case McCoy as the primary backup for Garrett Gilbert over the more celebrated Connor Wood may be an indication of a very smart move by the Texas coaching staff. Texas may be leaning towards redshirting Wood, a more polished player who came out of high school with far more hype, this season and allowing McCoy to play the role Garret Gilbert played last season – mop up duty for blow-outs. Brown may be looking ahead to 2013, when Wood could replace Gilbert as a redshirt junior, allowing the Horns to get two full seasons out of Connor. While his brother will always be a Texas legend, it seems unlikely that Brad McCoy can deliver two starting quarterbacks to Texas. Call it crazy – but the backup QB for 2010 may not be the best player at QB not named Gilbert. Yet.
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Biggest Surprise: It’s a tie between Cody Johnson at running back and Tyrell Higgins at defensive tackle.
Johnson came into camp as almost an afterthought, a player who would crush the ball in during short yardage and goal line formations. After losing considerable weight, and adding what appears to be a burst of speed, Johnson leadpfrogged Fozzy Whitaker and Tre Newton to snag the start against Rice. In his only other start, Johnson racked up over 100 yards against the Baylor Bears in 2009. While Texas looks to improve upon the running game with a more ferocious downhill attack, it seems Johnson may be best suited for a between the tackles offensive game plan, especially when you consider the limited bulk and size of his counterparts. Johnson may start, but you can expect Greg Davis will get the ball into the hands of Newton and Whitaker – both of whom bring a game breaking speed to the offense that Johnson lacks. The choice of Johnson could also be an indicator that the offensive philosophy switch may be taking longer than expected to take hold with the offensive line – perhaps the line isn’t opening the holes it needs for the shiftier backs, and coaches believe a bigger, more physical back like Johnson can still earn the tough yards behind a suspect offensive line.
Higgins ascent to the starting position beside Kheeston Randall answers one of the nagging questions concerning Texas fans coming into 2010: Who will step up and lead the interior of the defense? Always a strength for the Longhorns, defensive tackle questions have plagued the Longhorns all off-season, as they looked to replace Lamaar Houston. Most thought Calvin Howell had the job locked up, but he’s currently listed as third team behind Higgins and former defensive end Alex Okafor. Moving Okafor inside is a move similarly made for Houston two years ago, a move which clearly paid off for Texas and Lamaar. It also allows highly regarded freshman Jackson Jeffcoat to earn some playing time at defensive end behind senior Eddie Jones. So while the move to start Higgins may not have been a huge surprise, its announcement exemplified the shakeup of the Texas defensive line, which points to the fact that Will Muschamp and co. are still looking for permanent answers – a troubling idea with the season opening in a few days. Everyone may play every position before the coaches figure out the best combination for each game.
Also, the move to select Case McCoy as the primary backup for Garrett Gilbert over the more celebrated Connor Wood may be an indication of a very smart move by the Texas coaching staff. Texas may be leaning towards redshirting Wood, a more polished player who came out of high school with far more hype, this season and allowing McCoy to play the role Garret Gilbert played last season – mop up duty for blow-outs. Brown may be looking ahead to 2013, when Wood could replace Gilbert as a redshirt junior, allowing the Horns to get two full seasons out of Connor. While his brother will always be a Texas legend, it seems unlikely that Brad McCoy can deliver two starting quarterbacks to Texas. Call it crazy – but the backup QB for 2010 may not be the best player at QB not named Gilbert. Yet.
CFN Article #4 Wyoming Preview
Wyoming coach Dave Christensen brings his 2010 Cowboys to Austin as a followup to last year’s Longhorn trip to Laramie. Texas fans flooded the state of Wyoming to beat the Austin heat, and watched the Longhorns struggle in the first half against Wyoming before pulling away for a 41-10 victory. In his first year as head coach, Christensen led Wyoming to a 7-6 record, including a New Mexico Bowl victory over Fresno State.
Offense
After leaving Missouri as the Offensive Coordinator, Christensen installed his high octane spread attach in Wyoming – the same attack that led Missouri and Chase Daniel to their magical 2007 #1 ranking and Heisman finalist season. Last year, Wyoming played the role of comeback kids, winning 4 games in which they trailed in the 4th quarter. This year, with sophomore QB Austyn Carta-Samuels returns with a seemingly better grasp of Christensen’s offense. After throwing just 10 TDs in 2009, Carta-Samuels spent the off-season working on routes with his receivers and tight-ends, as Christensen looks to improve an offense that averaged only 18 (113th in FBS) points per game. With a running game that picked up 1770 yards total returning most of its production, Wyoming knows maturity at the QB position can only help improve their results in 2009.
Against a defense like Texas, though, this could prove difficult. Carta-Samuels was sacked 30 times last year behind a suspect offensive line, which seemed at times to have difficulty picking up complicated blitzes. With one of the best secondaries in the nation, you can bet Texas will bring the heat from a variety of places against the Cowboys. Expect Texas to tee off on the still developing QB early and often with a variety of different looks. This is another game where Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp should be able to play some young guys to try and fill the holes at the defensive tackle position, and see who can step up for the interior of the Texas line this season.
Defense
S Chris Prosinski returns to lead the defense. While they bring back 8 starters on the D, it’s not like the guys returning were all that impressive in 2009. Wyoming gave up 27 points per game last. They were even worse against elite teams, giving up 52 to BYU, 45 to TCU, and 41 to Texas. Prosinski is garnering hype as a potential MWC player of the year. Christensen’s defenses focus on utilizing his safeties as a rover, ala Ed Reed and the Baltimore Ravens, so having an experience leader like Prosinski back should help improve the Cowboys efforts.
Again, though, when we’re talking about Texas, Wyoming just doesn’t match up. The athletes on the Longhorns’ side of the ball should push around any players the Cowboys throw out there. The game should be a good opportunity to continue establishing the running game. Oftentimes, games like this in 2009 should have allowed that Texas team to do much the same, but the ineffectiveness of the Texas offensive line in 2009 didn’t allow for such glorified practice. By going back under center and allowing the offensive linemen to push off out of a three-point stance, Mack Brown should be able to establish an attitude against weaker opponents this year that was lacking last year, and ultimately hurt the running game.
Add the weather factor into the mix (Laramie averages temperatures in the mid 70s during August and September – and while the game isn’t until 6, Wyoming players won’t be used to the furnace that is Memorial Stadium in early season games), and you ought to expect a blowout.
Brown and company would be wise to build up Gilbert’s confidence heading into the week 3 matchup against Texas Tech in Lubbock, so the running statistics won’t be as impressive as expected. Still, Texas wins going away 45-7.
Offense
After leaving Missouri as the Offensive Coordinator, Christensen installed his high octane spread attach in Wyoming – the same attack that led Missouri and Chase Daniel to their magical 2007 #1 ranking and Heisman finalist season. Last year, Wyoming played the role of comeback kids, winning 4 games in which they trailed in the 4th quarter. This year, with sophomore QB Austyn Carta-Samuels returns with a seemingly better grasp of Christensen’s offense. After throwing just 10 TDs in 2009, Carta-Samuels spent the off-season working on routes with his receivers and tight-ends, as Christensen looks to improve an offense that averaged only 18 (113th in FBS) points per game. With a running game that picked up 1770 yards total returning most of its production, Wyoming knows maturity at the QB position can only help improve their results in 2009.
Against a defense like Texas, though, this could prove difficult. Carta-Samuels was sacked 30 times last year behind a suspect offensive line, which seemed at times to have difficulty picking up complicated blitzes. With one of the best secondaries in the nation, you can bet Texas will bring the heat from a variety of places against the Cowboys. Expect Texas to tee off on the still developing QB early and often with a variety of different looks. This is another game where Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp should be able to play some young guys to try and fill the holes at the defensive tackle position, and see who can step up for the interior of the Texas line this season.
Defense
S Chris Prosinski returns to lead the defense. While they bring back 8 starters on the D, it’s not like the guys returning were all that impressive in 2009. Wyoming gave up 27 points per game last. They were even worse against elite teams, giving up 52 to BYU, 45 to TCU, and 41 to Texas. Prosinski is garnering hype as a potential MWC player of the year. Christensen’s defenses focus on utilizing his safeties as a rover, ala Ed Reed and the Baltimore Ravens, so having an experience leader like Prosinski back should help improve the Cowboys efforts.
Again, though, when we’re talking about Texas, Wyoming just doesn’t match up. The athletes on the Longhorns’ side of the ball should push around any players the Cowboys throw out there. The game should be a good opportunity to continue establishing the running game. Oftentimes, games like this in 2009 should have allowed that Texas team to do much the same, but the ineffectiveness of the Texas offensive line in 2009 didn’t allow for such glorified practice. By going back under center and allowing the offensive linemen to push off out of a three-point stance, Mack Brown should be able to establish an attitude against weaker opponents this year that was lacking last year, and ultimately hurt the running game.
Add the weather factor into the mix (Laramie averages temperatures in the mid 70s during August and September – and while the game isn’t until 6, Wyoming players won’t be used to the furnace that is Memorial Stadium in early season games), and you ought to expect a blowout.
Brown and company would be wise to build up Gilbert’s confidence heading into the week 3 matchup against Texas Tech in Lubbock, so the running statistics won’t be as impressive as expected. Still, Texas wins going away 45-7.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Colt McCoy Fans - RELAX
There have been mutterings around the sports world, especially here in Austin, about the Cleveland Browns cutting former Texas QB Colt McCoy. Folks in Texas wouldn't mind - we'd probably hope the Cowboys or Texans would pick him up. Keep hoping. Cleveland is NOT cutting McCoy.
Will McCoy be on the opening day roster for the Browns? Absolutely not. He's probably the 4th string QB right now, behind Jake Delhomme, Senaca Wallace, and some dude you've never heard of. Come September 12, when the Browns kick off their season, you can expect Colt to have the best seat in the house - in some press box, with headphones on, watching the game as a spectator.
Consider this his redshirt season at Texas. His seasoning on the bench behind Vince Young apparently did him so good. Delhomme is no VY, obviously, but McCoy is learning an entirely new way to play his position. He hasn't been under center for 4 years. The speed of the game in the AFC north far outclasses anything that Baylor, Rice, or the Iowa States of the world threw at him over the past 4 seasons in Austin. He doesn't have his roommate Jordan Shipley to throw to. A lot is working against the success of Colt, and a year to get acclimated to the life of an NFL QB is EXACTLY what he needs. Browns President and GM Mike Holmgren has a knack for making some pretty impressive decisions regarding his quarterbacks (see Brett Favre and Matt Hasselback), so we should trust he knows what he is doing here.
McCoy won't see the field this year. He'll be lucky to wear a jersey. Head Coach Eric Mangini is trying to save his job - remember when Cleveland brought Holmgren in, most folks assumed Mangini was gone. You can bet he feels the pressure from above to win. Now. McCoy is the solution for the future. NFL rosters are limited to 53, and only 46 dress for game day. Do you think Mangini is going to use one of those spots on a 4th string QB who has no business being on the field now? Of course not. Mangini needs to win to save his job. McCoy can do nothing but hurt his chances of doing that this season.
The press continued to hound Mangini about the status of McCoy. They asked whether Colt will be part of the team this year. Finally, Mangini alluded to the truth - No, in fact, our 3rd round pick will NOT be a part of plan to win this season. Well duh.
The Browns invested an absurd amount of money into McCoy. He was paid a signing bonus that was nearly unprecedented for a 3rd round player, with a guaranteed $1 million. Holmgren has repeated said that Colt is the future. Obviously, Cleveland has made their choice for the long term. But that doesn't mean his learning curve should be hampered, or his play be allowed to hamstring Coach Mangini for 2010.
Think about the position former OU quarterback Sam Bradford is in. He starts tonight. Against the New England Patriots, behind an embarrassment of an offensive line. Here's a kid who hasn't taken a snap in ANY game since October of 2009. His last 3 games have been unimpressive, with 2 shoulder injuries, 3 losses, and a subpar showing against anything resembling a decent defense. And that was on the collegiate level. Does the name David Carr ring a bell? Bradford is getting thrown to the wolves, expected to learn a new system, adjust to the increased speed of the game, earn the respect of his teammates, and deal with absurd expectations, all while being tabbed the savior of a long-languishing franchise. You're talking about odds against success stacked so high, even Bob Stoops couldn't help young Sammy out.
So let the kid from Tuscola "redshirt". Keep him off the field. Let him learn through some seasoned vets about the rigors of this game on the pro level. Don't panic. Come 2012, you'll see him flinging the ball around. Likely with Holmgren back in a head coaching role. For now - just buy his jersey, wear it on Saturday, and hope new Texas QB Garrett Gilbert learned enough from the Real McCoy to help Texas on the field this year. Cause Colt won't be helping Cleveland in 2010. And that's OK.
Will McCoy be on the opening day roster for the Browns? Absolutely not. He's probably the 4th string QB right now, behind Jake Delhomme, Senaca Wallace, and some dude you've never heard of. Come September 12, when the Browns kick off their season, you can expect Colt to have the best seat in the house - in some press box, with headphones on, watching the game as a spectator.
Consider this his redshirt season at Texas. His seasoning on the bench behind Vince Young apparently did him so good. Delhomme is no VY, obviously, but McCoy is learning an entirely new way to play his position. He hasn't been under center for 4 years. The speed of the game in the AFC north far outclasses anything that Baylor, Rice, or the Iowa States of the world threw at him over the past 4 seasons in Austin. He doesn't have his roommate Jordan Shipley to throw to. A lot is working against the success of Colt, and a year to get acclimated to the life of an NFL QB is EXACTLY what he needs. Browns President and GM Mike Holmgren has a knack for making some pretty impressive decisions regarding his quarterbacks (see Brett Favre and Matt Hasselback), so we should trust he knows what he is doing here.
McCoy won't see the field this year. He'll be lucky to wear a jersey. Head Coach Eric Mangini is trying to save his job - remember when Cleveland brought Holmgren in, most folks assumed Mangini was gone. You can bet he feels the pressure from above to win. Now. McCoy is the solution for the future. NFL rosters are limited to 53, and only 46 dress for game day. Do you think Mangini is going to use one of those spots on a 4th string QB who has no business being on the field now? Of course not. Mangini needs to win to save his job. McCoy can do nothing but hurt his chances of doing that this season.
The press continued to hound Mangini about the status of McCoy. They asked whether Colt will be part of the team this year. Finally, Mangini alluded to the truth - No, in fact, our 3rd round pick will NOT be a part of plan to win this season. Well duh.
The Browns invested an absurd amount of money into McCoy. He was paid a signing bonus that was nearly unprecedented for a 3rd round player, with a guaranteed $1 million. Holmgren has repeated said that Colt is the future. Obviously, Cleveland has made their choice for the long term. But that doesn't mean his learning curve should be hampered, or his play be allowed to hamstring Coach Mangini for 2010.
Think about the position former OU quarterback Sam Bradford is in. He starts tonight. Against the New England Patriots, behind an embarrassment of an offensive line. Here's a kid who hasn't taken a snap in ANY game since October of 2009. His last 3 games have been unimpressive, with 2 shoulder injuries, 3 losses, and a subpar showing against anything resembling a decent defense. And that was on the collegiate level. Does the name David Carr ring a bell? Bradford is getting thrown to the wolves, expected to learn a new system, adjust to the increased speed of the game, earn the respect of his teammates, and deal with absurd expectations, all while being tabbed the savior of a long-languishing franchise. You're talking about odds against success stacked so high, even Bob Stoops couldn't help young Sammy out.
So let the kid from Tuscola "redshirt". Keep him off the field. Let him learn through some seasoned vets about the rigors of this game on the pro level. Don't panic. Come 2012, you'll see him flinging the ball around. Likely with Holmgren back in a head coaching role. For now - just buy his jersey, wear it on Saturday, and hope new Texas QB Garrett Gilbert learned enough from the Real McCoy to help Texas on the field this year. Cause Colt won't be helping Cleveland in 2010. And that's OK.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
CFN Article #2: Texas Opponents Preview RICE OWLS
Link to articles here
Game #1
Texas at Rice (Reliant Stadium)
Saturday, September 4 2:30PM CDT on ESPN2
The 2010 Rice Owls are coming off a disappointing '09 campaign, when their total points per game dropped by over 10, following a surprise run to the Texas Bowl Championship and a 10-3 record in 2008. As a program that seems to be in constant flux, Rice is looking to return to a more offensively potent attack under fourth year head coach David Bailiff.
Offense
Offensively, the only question that matters is quarterback. Right now, 10 days before hosting Texas, Rice has no idea who the starter will be when they take the field against the Longhorns. Surely within the next week and a half, this will be decided, but the fact of the matter is, a 3 person rotation at the most important position on the field won't cut the mustard. Until Taylor Cook, Nick Fannuzi, or Taylor McHagure step up, the offense could remain as bogged down in 2010 as it was last year.
The wide receivers and running backs are marginal at best. This is still Rice. However, Bailiff spent a considerable amount of time in the offseason working on bringing more running to his spread attack. Perhaps this will help the Owls down the road. Don't bet on it against Texas.
The offensive line returns 4 players who have started at least 10 games, and 3 All Conference-USA players. If this group can gel, and find some time for whichever QB steps up, then the Owls may have a chance to surprise some folks in C-USA this year. But again - not Texas.
Defense
Last year, Rice gave up 43.1 points per game, 120th in FBS. Yikes. The team is loaded with young players, many of whom were adjusting to the speed of the game. And C-USA has some of the top offensives in the country with Houston and SMU. But still - when your offense is only getting 18 points a contest, you've got to find a way to stop somebody. At some point. Sometime. Just wow.
The D is led by defensive end Cheta Ozougwu, who had a career year in 2009 with highs in tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss. Alex Lowry anchors the 3-4 unit at noseguard, and started 10 games as a freshman in '09. The D is young, which bodes well for Rice's future. But, the D remains young, which bodes not-so-well for their first game.
Outlook
The opening lines from Vegas have Texas as a 27.5 point favorite. If I were a betting man, I'd take Texas. BIG. The Longhorns will use this game to establish their new offensive system, allowing a variety of running backs (Tre Newton and Fozzy Whitaker come to mind) to run ram-shot over Rice while giving their reconfigured offensive line some confidence against an inferior run defense. Additionally, Mack Brown knows he needs to boost the psyche of first year QB Garrett Gilbert, and having the sophomore at the reins of a monster blowout can do just that.
On the other side of the ball, a shutout wouldn't surprise anyone. Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp enters his third year in Austin, and he's looking to find playmakers to replace S Earl Thomas, LB Sergio Kindle, DT Lamarr Houston, and LB Roddrick Muckelroy - a quartet that led the Horns to the BCS Title game last year. Expect new names to step up and get their feet wet against the softer Owls. Whoever loses that Rice starting QB job better not get too comfortable on the bench - Muschamp brings the heat, and the Longhorns may just knock a few QBs loopy trying to establish their dominance.
Over the past few years, it seems Texas has played Rice with some regularity. And the result always seem to be 52-10. I'd expect a similar outlook at Reliant on September 4th. The good news for Rice? At least the roof will be closed, so they can avoid a treacherous Houston September afternoon.
Game #1
Texas at Rice (Reliant Stadium)
Saturday, September 4 2:30PM CDT on ESPN2
The 2010 Rice Owls are coming off a disappointing '09 campaign, when their total points per game dropped by over 10, following a surprise run to the Texas Bowl Championship and a 10-3 record in 2008. As a program that seems to be in constant flux, Rice is looking to return to a more offensively potent attack under fourth year head coach David Bailiff.
Offense
Offensively, the only question that matters is quarterback. Right now, 10 days before hosting Texas, Rice has no idea who the starter will be when they take the field against the Longhorns. Surely within the next week and a half, this will be decided, but the fact of the matter is, a 3 person rotation at the most important position on the field won't cut the mustard. Until Taylor Cook, Nick Fannuzi, or Taylor McHagure step up, the offense could remain as bogged down in 2010 as it was last year.
The wide receivers and running backs are marginal at best. This is still Rice. However, Bailiff spent a considerable amount of time in the offseason working on bringing more running to his spread attack. Perhaps this will help the Owls down the road. Don't bet on it against Texas.
The offensive line returns 4 players who have started at least 10 games, and 3 All Conference-USA players. If this group can gel, and find some time for whichever QB steps up, then the Owls may have a chance to surprise some folks in C-USA this year. But again - not Texas.
Defense
Last year, Rice gave up 43.1 points per game, 120th in FBS. Yikes. The team is loaded with young players, many of whom were adjusting to the speed of the game. And C-USA has some of the top offensives in the country with Houston and SMU. But still - when your offense is only getting 18 points a contest, you've got to find a way to stop somebody. At some point. Sometime. Just wow.
The D is led by defensive end Cheta Ozougwu, who had a career year in 2009 with highs in tackles, sacks, and tackles for loss. Alex Lowry anchors the 3-4 unit at noseguard, and started 10 games as a freshman in '09. The D is young, which bodes well for Rice's future. But, the D remains young, which bodes not-so-well for their first game.
Outlook
The opening lines from Vegas have Texas as a 27.5 point favorite. If I were a betting man, I'd take Texas. BIG. The Longhorns will use this game to establish their new offensive system, allowing a variety of running backs (Tre Newton and Fozzy Whitaker come to mind) to run ram-shot over Rice while giving their reconfigured offensive line some confidence against an inferior run defense. Additionally, Mack Brown knows he needs to boost the psyche of first year QB Garrett Gilbert, and having the sophomore at the reins of a monster blowout can do just that.
On the other side of the ball, a shutout wouldn't surprise anyone. Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp enters his third year in Austin, and he's looking to find playmakers to replace S Earl Thomas, LB Sergio Kindle, DT Lamarr Houston, and LB Roddrick Muckelroy - a quartet that led the Horns to the BCS Title game last year. Expect new names to step up and get their feet wet against the softer Owls. Whoever loses that Rice starting QB job better not get too comfortable on the bench - Muschamp brings the heat, and the Longhorns may just knock a few QBs loopy trying to establish their dominance.
Over the past few years, it seems Texas has played Rice with some regularity. And the result always seem to be 52-10. I'd expect a similar outlook at Reliant on September 4th. The good news for Rice? At least the roof will be closed, so they can avoid a treacherous Houston September afternoon.
Notes of the day - Aug 24
Does anyone else find humor in the fact that the Minnesota Vikings top receiver, Sydney Rice, recently underwent hip surgery? I mean, you'd think the return of Brett Favre, he of 41 years of age, would lead the headlines of orthopedic injuries, not some mid 20's, supremely athletic receiver. Irony, it seems, is upon all of us.
Also - a quick note on the AP Top 25 College Football poll. I know there are Longhorn haters out there. I know there are Sooner haters out there. I know there are Cornhusker haters out there. But be honest: Does anyone out there think the Boise State Broncos, who came in ranked ahead of all 3 of those Big 12 schools, would defeat any one of them on the field this year? All three teams would be heavy favorites against the Boise Boys in Blue, and yet here we sit, waiting for the start of the 2010 college football season, with the Broncos ranked number 3 in the polls. I thought the polls were indicators of who would win head to head matchups, and who the best teams in the country really are. Instead, it appears the AP voters have decided that because Boise State has a light schedule (save that first game against VaTech), we're expecting an undefeated season from Carl Peterson's team. And thus - we should grant them a shot at a BCS title. Let me ask this - will they feel the same in December if one of those Big 12 schools is undefeated as well? Does an undefeated Nebraska team get the shaft because of Boise State? Not bloodly likely.
The New Mexico State Hairpuller has returned to the Lobos for the fall season. For those who forgot, check this out. Pretty impressive stuff. Even more impressive that New Mexico is letting Ms. Lambert play again. And by impressive I mean embarrassing. Look, I'm all for Title IX and women's rights, but it's not like NCAA soccer is driving up the athletic budget for New Mexico in 2010. I guess if she gets a shot at being a WWE superstar, maybe the Lobos get something out of this reinstatement, other than the ridicule and embarrassment of being another school afraid to truly teach life lessons to student athletes. I mean, if Lambert pulled something like this in her professional career, it's not like her employer would suspend her for a year, and then allow her to return. Sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are the ones it seems coaches who are too eager to win are afraid to teach their students.
The NFL fined Chad Ochocinco 25K for tweeting during a preseason game. What - were they afraid his tweets would take away from the excitement on the field? Of a preseason game? The No Fun League needs to lighten up.
Also - a quick note on the AP Top 25 College Football poll. I know there are Longhorn haters out there. I know there are Sooner haters out there. I know there are Cornhusker haters out there. But be honest: Does anyone out there think the Boise State Broncos, who came in ranked ahead of all 3 of those Big 12 schools, would defeat any one of them on the field this year? All three teams would be heavy favorites against the Boise Boys in Blue, and yet here we sit, waiting for the start of the 2010 college football season, with the Broncos ranked number 3 in the polls. I thought the polls were indicators of who would win head to head matchups, and who the best teams in the country really are. Instead, it appears the AP voters have decided that because Boise State has a light schedule (save that first game against VaTech), we're expecting an undefeated season from Carl Peterson's team. And thus - we should grant them a shot at a BCS title. Let me ask this - will they feel the same in December if one of those Big 12 schools is undefeated as well? Does an undefeated Nebraska team get the shaft because of Boise State? Not bloodly likely.
The New Mexico State Hairpuller has returned to the Lobos for the fall season. For those who forgot, check this out. Pretty impressive stuff. Even more impressive that New Mexico is letting Ms. Lambert play again. And by impressive I mean embarrassing. Look, I'm all for Title IX and women's rights, but it's not like NCAA soccer is driving up the athletic budget for New Mexico in 2010. I guess if she gets a shot at being a WWE superstar, maybe the Lobos get something out of this reinstatement, other than the ridicule and embarrassment of being another school afraid to truly teach life lessons to student athletes. I mean, if Lambert pulled something like this in her professional career, it's not like her employer would suspend her for a year, and then allow her to return. Sometimes the hardest lessons to learn are the ones it seems coaches who are too eager to win are afraid to teach their students.
The NFL fined Chad Ochocinco 25K for tweeting during a preseason game. What - were they afraid his tweets would take away from the excitement on the field? Of a preseason game? The No Fun League needs to lighten up.
Monday, August 23, 2010
CFN Repost#1: Texas Longhorns - The case for running the ball in 2010
The story entering the 2010 football season for the Texas Longhorns has been centered on Mack Brown and the coaching staff's desire to transition their offense from a zone-read, spread formation to a more power-running, play-action attack. It appears the idea is to create a team consistant with the SEC model - win by running the ball and stopping teams with a vicous defense. Think Alabama, 2010. Brown saw up close what a power running game can do for you, and it looks like with the departure of the most accurate QB in Texas history (Colt McCoy), Brown and Offensive Coordinator Greg Davis are making the shift.
A number of folks may question the decision to change a system that has worked so well in Austin for the past 2 years. In 2008 - 2009, the Longhorns averaged over 40 points per game, won 25 games, lost only twice, went to a Fiesta Bowl and the BCS National Championship, and had a QB in the running for the Heisman in back to back years. Seems like the old addage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" comes to mind.
Clearly, the offense was one of the more dominant in the game over the past few years. But if we anaylyze some of Texas's biggest wins, close games, and those two losses, figuring out why Brown and company want to transition the offense ins't all that hard.
In 2008, everyone remembers the loss to Texas Tech that kept the Longhorns from playing for a Big 12 title, a BCS title, and kept a Heisman trophy out of the hands of Colt McCoy. While the play of the year is what most people remember (Tech QB Graham Harrell to Michael Crabtree with :01 to play), and the bonehead play of the year (Texas S Blake Gideon dropping a gimme interception on the play before the miracle touchdown pass) is what Texas fans remember, it would do folks some justice to recall just why the Texas defense had to take the field in the first place. The fact of the matter is, Brown and the coaches had no confidence in a running game with the game on the line. On the Horns final drive, Texas reached the Tech 30 with just over 3 minutes to go in the game. Intead of lining up in a power offensive set, the Horns stayed in their shotgun, hurry up offense. They scored to take a 33-32 lead with 1:29 to go against a team who had at that time had scored 11 touchdowns in under two minutes in their previous 8 games. Had Texas had a consistant running game aside from McCoy, the Horns could have eaten more of the clock. As it was, they left Tech at least one second too many, costing them a conference title, a BCS title game birth, and potentially a Heisman trophy.
In 2009, their Red River Rivalry game against OU wasn't what many prognasticators anticiated - a repeat of the 2008 shoot out (a 45-35 win for Texas). Instead it was a turnover filled, hard hitting, defensive battle. It was one of those games that folks in every part of the country cringe at. Every part of the country except the SEC, where they call that hard hitting smash-mouth football. At any rate - the most telling stat of the winning team? Texas outgained OU on the ground 142 to -16. The Horns committment to running the ball in a close, turnover prone, defensive struggle earned them a time of possession advantage of almost 10 minutes, and allowed them a victory over a hated rival.
Against Nebraska in the 2009 Big Championship, the play of all star Ndndamukong Suh made headlines, but it was Nebraska's ability to close down any hope of a Texas running game that really cost the Horns. Taking pressure off of McCoy would have been a huge lift against the constant Cornhusker pressure. Instead of being able to establish any kind of running attack, Texas mustered 18 yards on the ground, allowing Bo and Carl Pelini to call a defensive game that allowed Nebraska to tee off on McCoy to the tune of 9 sacks. If not for some poor play by Nebraska's special teams (a kickoff that went out of bounds) and a silly horse caller tackle on Texas's final drive, the Longhorns would have traveled back to Arizona instead of Pasadena last year.
And of course, the 2009 BCS Championship game agaisnt Alabama is a prime indicator of just how important an effective running attack is to the Longhorns. After losing McCoy early, Texas needed to find a way to run the ball, and keep freshman QB Garrett Gilbert as cool and collected as possible against the most dominant defense in college football. Instead, the wide-eyed freshman faced numerous 2nd and 3rd and longs, and as a result had a first half most Longhorns would like to forget (1-10, -1 yard passing). While he and the offense rebounded nicely in the second half, the outcome may have been different if the Longhorn offense wasn't so one dimensional that losing McCoy ended any chance of a vicotry. It's unlikely that Alabama fans would be crest fallen if Greg McElroy went down with an injury at any point during last season, unlike Texas fans who understood the offense would fall apart without McCoy. There simply wasn't any other option.
And thus, Mack Brown decided that the 2010 Longhorns, who will in essence be breaking in Gilbert for REAL this time around, will become a more downhill running team. And face it - Texas faces two challenges this year to getting back to a BCS bowl, and perhaps another shot at the National Title. OU and Nebraska. As 2009 indicated, the games seem to hinge on the ability to own the ground game. With a power running attack, and a strong armed play action QB to keep defenses honest, the Brown running plan may well pay off. So long as Texas can execute.
New Blog
I've begun blogging for CollegeFootballNews about Texas football exclusively. I will be reposting those blogs and links on SWA2, but just wanted everyone to have a direct link if they chose to check it out. I believe we are in the trial period, so you may have to search for BYLINES, but I'm there....
Check it out HERE
Check it out HERE
Thursday, August 19, 2010
2nd Chances don't always pan out....
Man, some people never learn. Remember LaGarrette (which is a stupid same. What does that mean - The Garrette?) Bount from Oregon? He's the one who went all Mike Tyson on some Boise State player after last year's 19-8 loss in Boise. Well, he's at it again. After being picked up by the NFL's Tennessee Titans this off-season, Blount seemed to be the poster child for giving troubled athletes a 2nd chance. He endured the harsh standards set forth by the University of Orego coach Chip Kelly last year, and followed through with some quality playing time in the Ducks Pac 10 Championship clinching win over rival Oregon State. It appeared he was on his way to a productive career, having learned his lesson from his unfortunate encounter last September.
Fast forward to yesterday at Titans training camp.
Apparently, all The Garrette learned wasn't that much. In fact, at least last year he cheap shotted some unsuspecting, 2 star recruit, white dude from Idaho. This year, he went head to head with a NFL man-beast, who not only could probably eat The Garrette for dinner, but also was wearing a helmet. I'm not sure what is stupider - punching some dude who could clearly end you, or punching some dude who could clearly end you while the dude is wearing a helmet, making your attack utterly futile.
Hey The Garrette: It seems your anger management classes that taught you self control have worn off. Also: it seems your common sense hat was left back in Oregon. He'll probably get cut, because the last thing the Titans need is more bad publicity (thanks, Vince Young vs. the Strip Club).
The good news for the The Garrette? He could end up at Ole Miss, with his former Ducks backfield mate, QB Jeremiah Masoli.
Fast forward to yesterday at Titans training camp.
Apparently, all The Garrette learned wasn't that much. In fact, at least last year he cheap shotted some unsuspecting, 2 star recruit, white dude from Idaho. This year, he went head to head with a NFL man-beast, who not only could probably eat The Garrette for dinner, but also was wearing a helmet. I'm not sure what is stupider - punching some dude who could clearly end you, or punching some dude who could clearly end you while the dude is wearing a helmet, making your attack utterly futile.
Hey The Garrette: It seems your anger management classes that taught you self control have worn off. Also: it seems your common sense hat was left back in Oregon. He'll probably get cut, because the last thing the Titans need is more bad publicity (thanks, Vince Young vs. the Strip Club).
The good news for the The Garrette? He could end up at Ole Miss, with his former Ducks backfield mate, QB Jeremiah Masoli.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Favre lands in Minnesotta
In other news - Tiger Woods is black. I just figured if we were making headline news with stories that are as obvious as the color of the sky, I'd drop a bombshell regarding the race of the world's number ranked golfer.
Of course he landed at Vikings training camp. He wants to play. He will play. He will be successful, just like last year, and he was able to miss a large part of training camp, again, in 2010: same as 2009.
Look, when you are arguably one of the greatest players in the history of a sport, I think it seems pretty obvious that Vikigns brass should just tell him from the get-go "Look, Brett. We want you back. You don't have to come to training camp, until the very end. Then you can drop in, act injured, joke with the fellas, and be ready by the first game. You've earned that right."
Would it be fair to require the league's best runner, Adrian Peterson, to come to camp, but not Brett Favre? Of course it would. When Peterson passes Emmett Smith as the league's all time leading rusher, and still performs at a Pro Bowl level, I am sure Vikings coach Brad Childress will be happy to cut him the same slack Favre gets. We're talking about one of the game's top 5 QB's of all time. He knows how much time he needs to get ready, and his 33 TDs last year were proof-positive that an entire 8 week training camp isn't mandatory for a guy whose spent the better part of 2 decades playing the game.
At least if Minnessotta would acknowledge publicly that they don't expect Favre unilt late August each season, the folks at ESPN and the NFL Network could sleep better at night. Or at least focus on something else. I mean serisouly, has Ed Werner taken up residence inside Favre's butthole, or is he just renting space? Although, after the stinker from Favre during last year's NFC title game, I hope Ed got a discounted rate....
Of course he landed at Vikings training camp. He wants to play. He will play. He will be successful, just like last year, and he was able to miss a large part of training camp, again, in 2010: same as 2009.
Look, when you are arguably one of the greatest players in the history of a sport, I think it seems pretty obvious that Vikigns brass should just tell him from the get-go "Look, Brett. We want you back. You don't have to come to training camp, until the very end. Then you can drop in, act injured, joke with the fellas, and be ready by the first game. You've earned that right."
Would it be fair to require the league's best runner, Adrian Peterson, to come to camp, but not Brett Favre? Of course it would. When Peterson passes Emmett Smith as the league's all time leading rusher, and still performs at a Pro Bowl level, I am sure Vikings coach Brad Childress will be happy to cut him the same slack Favre gets. We're talking about one of the game's top 5 QB's of all time. He knows how much time he needs to get ready, and his 33 TDs last year were proof-positive that an entire 8 week training camp isn't mandatory for a guy whose spent the better part of 2 decades playing the game.
At least if Minnessotta would acknowledge publicly that they don't expect Favre unilt late August each season, the folks at ESPN and the NFL Network could sleep better at night. Or at least focus on something else. I mean serisouly, has Ed Werner taken up residence inside Favre's butthole, or is he just renting space? Although, after the stinker from Favre during last year's NFC title game, I hope Ed got a discounted rate....
Monday, August 16, 2010
Why sports teach life lessons....
I'm sure we've all seen what happened to Dustin Johnson yesterday at the PGA Championship. For those of you who missed the final hole, a quick recap: after an amazing instance of "Mashed Potatoes" captivated audiences worldwide, the drama really unfoled with Johnson's 72nd hole, and his apparent gaffe that cost him a chance for the PGA Championship. Lying in what was later identified as a bunker, Johnson buried his club to get out of the muck, a rule which incurs a 2 stroke penaly by course and PGA rules. Johnson's inability to correcly identify the lie as a bunker meant he missed out on the 3 hole playoff for the title.
What we may not have immediately recalled is that Johnson is same person who blew a 3 stroke lead on the last day of the US Open earlier this year. Imagine that - 2 major championships flushed from your grasps within 3 months of each other by one unfortunate person. The anguish running through Johnson as he lumbered off the 18th green Sunday night must have been crushing.
And thus, the world of sports finds a way to teach the rest of us lessons of the world. Is it fair that Johnson loses 2 major championships in such gut-wrenching fassion? Of course it's not. But life's not fair. People lose their jobs, their wives, their husbands, parents, friends, faith, and car keys. Spouses cheat. Children leave home. Friends die in far-away wars. Democrats get elected. Yet, people somehow find a way to persevere. Johnson will do the same.
Oftentimes, folks ask how so many of us can be such suckers for all things sport. Be it baseball, football, basketball, golf, NASCAR, hockey, horse racing, the Olympics...there is drama, heartbreak, triumph. All the things we love about life, and all the things that make life rich, can be captured on camera on one Sunday evening in late August. Is it the Fairy Tale ending we wanted? No, unless you think that Prince Charming should be eaten alive by the dragon while the evil King has his way with the Princess. But that's life - it's not always fair. Not even close. But overcoming the heartbreak and anguish is what drives the human spirit. Just imagine how much better Johnson's first major title will be, having gone through the bummer of a season he's had since June.
Or don't. He may not win one. Ever. Life is like that. As is sports.
What we may not have immediately recalled is that Johnson is same person who blew a 3 stroke lead on the last day of the US Open earlier this year. Imagine that - 2 major championships flushed from your grasps within 3 months of each other by one unfortunate person. The anguish running through Johnson as he lumbered off the 18th green Sunday night must have been crushing.
And thus, the world of sports finds a way to teach the rest of us lessons of the world. Is it fair that Johnson loses 2 major championships in such gut-wrenching fassion? Of course it's not. But life's not fair. People lose their jobs, their wives, their husbands, parents, friends, faith, and car keys. Spouses cheat. Children leave home. Friends die in far-away wars. Democrats get elected. Yet, people somehow find a way to persevere. Johnson will do the same.
Oftentimes, folks ask how so many of us can be such suckers for all things sport. Be it baseball, football, basketball, golf, NASCAR, hockey, horse racing, the Olympics...there is drama, heartbreak, triumph. All the things we love about life, and all the things that make life rich, can be captured on camera on one Sunday evening in late August. Is it the Fairy Tale ending we wanted? No, unless you think that Prince Charming should be eaten alive by the dragon while the evil King has his way with the Princess. But that's life - it's not always fair. Not even close. But overcoming the heartbreak and anguish is what drives the human spirit. Just imagine how much better Johnson's first major title will be, having gone through the bummer of a season he's had since June.
Or don't. He may not win one. Ever. Life is like that. As is sports.
Friday, August 13, 2010
A Few Random Musings from the past week
Golf
The PGA Championship got underway yesterday, and everyone's favorite playboy, Tiger Woods, shot out of the gate with a good showing. Something is weird, though. Despite his dominance of the last 2 decades, I've got this strange feeling that Woods won't be a major player come Sunday afternoon for the 4th and last Major this year. Having a driver smashed into your car (and head - unverified) over the Thanksgiving Holiday can apprently affect you far longer than most experts thought. That or he's got another Perkins waitress on his mind. Either way, Tiger's play is 2010 has begged the question: does the PGA World Rankings use a computer system developed for the BCS? Because this is a guy who has missed cuts, performed poorly, and hardly looks like the best player week in and week out. Yet, he maintains his hold on the #1 spot.
Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush apologized for the troubles at USC, and says no one feels worse than him about what is happening in Southern California. Funny. I would bet the juniors and seniors at USC who won't be able to play in any bowl games in 10 or 11 feel worse than him. I bet those guys who won the 04 natioanl title and didn't go pro, and who just lost their glory moment of their sports lives, feel worse than him. Hell, I bet Matt Leinert, who's struggling in Arizona, feels worse than him. I'm sure those who voted such a blatant cheater for the Heisman Trophy, and now can't do anything about it, feel worse than him.
ESPN Power Rankings
Pat Forde is an idiot. He's voted Boise State #1 in his preseason poll, because its a BCS Bowl Champion (by beating TCU....) with 20 returning starters. I'm not going on another rant about non-BCS teams, especially those in the WAC. Let's just wait until Labor Day, when Frank Beamer takes the wind outta the Boise sails, and sends them packing back to the Poinseittia Bowl this winter.
The PGA Championship got underway yesterday, and everyone's favorite playboy, Tiger Woods, shot out of the gate with a good showing. Something is weird, though. Despite his dominance of the last 2 decades, I've got this strange feeling that Woods won't be a major player come Sunday afternoon for the 4th and last Major this year. Having a driver smashed into your car (and head - unverified) over the Thanksgiving Holiday can apprently affect you far longer than most experts thought. That or he's got another Perkins waitress on his mind. Either way, Tiger's play is 2010 has begged the question: does the PGA World Rankings use a computer system developed for the BCS? Because this is a guy who has missed cuts, performed poorly, and hardly looks like the best player week in and week out. Yet, he maintains his hold on the #1 spot.
Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush apologized for the troubles at USC, and says no one feels worse than him about what is happening in Southern California. Funny. I would bet the juniors and seniors at USC who won't be able to play in any bowl games in 10 or 11 feel worse than him. I bet those guys who won the 04 natioanl title and didn't go pro, and who just lost their glory moment of their sports lives, feel worse than him. Hell, I bet Matt Leinert, who's struggling in Arizona, feels worse than him. I'm sure those who voted such a blatant cheater for the Heisman Trophy, and now can't do anything about it, feel worse than him.
ESPN Power Rankings
Pat Forde is an idiot. He's voted Boise State #1 in his preseason poll, because its a BCS Bowl Champion (by beating TCU....) with 20 returning starters. I'm not going on another rant about non-BCS teams, especially those in the WAC. Let's just wait until Labor Day, when Frank Beamer takes the wind outta the Boise sails, and sends them packing back to the Poinseittia Bowl this winter.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
What Chip Brown and Orangebloods can teach ESPN....
For those of us who are as addicted to ESPN as Rosie O'Donnell is to Ding-Dongs (the cake kind), the last few days have been a whirlwind of Brett Favre coverage, the likes of which we haven't seen since, well....actually last season. Coverage and reports from the "Worldwide Leader in Sports" have run continuously since initial reports came out Tuesday that Favre was leaving football for good.
ESPN analysts talked about the legendary career, and the even more legendary 3 retirements of one of the greatest QB's in history like there was nothing else going on in the world of sports. Including Alex Rodriguez's chase for 600 HRs.
Come to find out, the reports out of Bristol revolved around alleged text messages that Favre sent to annonymous teammates. Think about that. What kind of sports reporting are we expecting of ESPN if we're permitting the Mouse Ears to run with a story about the retirement of a legend based on unconfirmed reports?
It got worse. After Favre confirmed on Wednesday that 1) he sent no text messages to any Vikings players and 2) he would play in 2010 if his ankle allowed, ESPN commentators and reporters spent the day blasting us with coverage about how Brett kept "us hostage" with his decision, how he's an ego-maniac, how the Vikings can't move on until he lets them go from his grasp. Basically, they cried out how unfair it was that the reporting they did the previous was shabby, and Favre called them out, and they had to deal with egg they flipped onto their own face. It was an embarrassing moment in sports journalism, and a warning what the modern world of technology can do. In a world of instant access, facebook, twitter, textings, emails, and mobile device updates, it's becoming more important even to the most trusted sources to be the first to break a story, whether it's right or not.
On a similar note - keep your eye on team specific pages taking over large, broad based sports news agencies in the coming years. Sites like Orangebloods.com, which led the way for reporting in regards to the NCAA football realignment story of 2010, may become the driving source for breaking news - that is actually reliable. Large scale operations like ESPN don't want to be trumped on breaking news by some guy like Chip Brown of Orangebloods, despite the fact that Brown had what turned out to be a reliable source within the Longhorn network. (On the day ESPN reported Texas had a done deal with the Pac-10, Brown reported that the Big 12 would remain in tact, with just 10 teams).
In today's instant access world, the resources with team specific duties are far more likely to be the source of the breaking news. Orangbloods proved it by dropping the Notre Dame vs. Texas football series yesterday, a day before the big boys.
It's quite a statement when a local, pay per user website, proves itself more reliable than the world recognized leader in sports programming in trustworthy news reporting.
ESPN analysts talked about the legendary career, and the even more legendary 3 retirements of one of the greatest QB's in history like there was nothing else going on in the world of sports. Including Alex Rodriguez's chase for 600 HRs.
Come to find out, the reports out of Bristol revolved around alleged text messages that Favre sent to annonymous teammates. Think about that. What kind of sports reporting are we expecting of ESPN if we're permitting the Mouse Ears to run with a story about the retirement of a legend based on unconfirmed reports?
It got worse. After Favre confirmed on Wednesday that 1) he sent no text messages to any Vikings players and 2) he would play in 2010 if his ankle allowed, ESPN commentators and reporters spent the day blasting us with coverage about how Brett kept "us hostage" with his decision, how he's an ego-maniac, how the Vikings can't move on until he lets them go from his grasp. Basically, they cried out how unfair it was that the reporting they did the previous was shabby, and Favre called them out, and they had to deal with egg they flipped onto their own face. It was an embarrassing moment in sports journalism, and a warning what the modern world of technology can do. In a world of instant access, facebook, twitter, textings, emails, and mobile device updates, it's becoming more important even to the most trusted sources to be the first to break a story, whether it's right or not.
On a similar note - keep your eye on team specific pages taking over large, broad based sports news agencies in the coming years. Sites like Orangebloods.com, which led the way for reporting in regards to the NCAA football realignment story of 2010, may become the driving source for breaking news - that is actually reliable. Large scale operations like ESPN don't want to be trumped on breaking news by some guy like Chip Brown of Orangebloods, despite the fact that Brown had what turned out to be a reliable source within the Longhorn network. (On the day ESPN reported Texas had a done deal with the Pac-10, Brown reported that the Big 12 would remain in tact, with just 10 teams).
In today's instant access world, the resources with team specific duties are far more likely to be the source of the breaking news. Orangbloods proved it by dropping the Notre Dame vs. Texas football series yesterday, a day before the big boys.
It's quite a statement when a local, pay per user website, proves itself more reliable than the world recognized leader in sports programming in trustworthy news reporting.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Poop Stoops, Notre Dame, Brett Favre
Oklahoma football coach Bob Stoops recently told reporteres he's not sure that scheduling big time non-conference opponents is to his team's benefit, despite the fact that OU has become almost notorius for playing marquee teams prior to the Big 12 regular season.
Interesting. It seemed in 2008, all Stoops could talk about leading up to the Big 12 three way tie breaker was the great schedule his Sooners had tromped through, and why playing the tougher compeitition meant voters should turn out in droves for his Sooners over Texas or Texas Tech in the Harris and Coaches poll. They did and this led to OU's place in the Big 12 and BCS title games. Now, in 2010, Stoops doesn't think strength of schedule matters?
"I don't know how much it advantages you. In the end, it all gets to down to if you lose of those (marquee) games by a point, and someone else plays for teams that are easy and you have one more than they do, they;'re gonna be ranked ahead of you....Most of you guys (media) rank them by who's lost and who hasn't, and forget about who plays who."
Stoops may be right, to some extent, but the drastic turn around in his opinion comes at a funny time, considering last year's 1 point losses to non-conference foes Miami and BYU. Big Game Bob is feeling the pressure from some angles in Norman that he's lost his mojo, especially after so many BCS busts and his recent struggles against Texas (just 1 win in 5 years). Perhaps this is his way of shifting the blame from poor performances in 2009 to his scheduler, the same scheduler who he touted on high in '08 for helping his team jump Texas in the BCS standings.
According to Bob, it seems unfair that a team would be jumped by someone else who played inferior competition, but didn't lose. How about being jumped by a team that beat you by 10 points on a neutral field? Comments like these should remind Texas fans how lucky they are to have a coach like Mack Brown, who for the most part is able represent his program and his university with class and dignity, and not come off sounding like a 2 year old who didn't get cookies after dinner.
The fact is, the AP voters to whom Stoops was lecturing aren't even factors in the BCS standings. Computers, coaches, and Harris poll voters determine who plays for the crystal ball, so if I were Stoops, I'd worry about fixing a defense that has deteriorated since his brother Mike went to Arizona, an offensive line that coulnd't block Mugsey Bogues shooting a free thrown, and a Texas problem that may eventually have Stoops wishing he'd gone to Notre Dame, than worrying about who his AD thinks his team should play each year.
Texas v. Notre Dame
Reports indicate the Texas football team, in an attempt to beef up future strength of schedules, will look into getting more marquee matchups. The biggest name out there right now is Notre Dame. Marquee? You bet. Helping the strength of schedule? Um, no. The Irish (no longer deserving of Fighting) are 16-21 over the last 3 seasons, and while new coach Brian Kelly may eventually build a winner, I don't see a Texas vs. Notre Dame matchup being a contest with 2 highly ranked teams.
The good news for Texas? At least the media always thinks Notre Dame is good. So if the game can be scheduled early in the season, the Horns might be able to change the recent perception they've earned of not playing the "big boys".
Is Notre Dame a "big boy" still? Well, does Nickelback belong in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame? Hardly. But I'm pretty sure ESPN and college football analysts' favorite song includes "Rockstar".
Brett Favre Retires. Or doesn't
Duh. Just avoiding pre-season camp.
Interesting. It seemed in 2008, all Stoops could talk about leading up to the Big 12 three way tie breaker was the great schedule his Sooners had tromped through, and why playing the tougher compeitition meant voters should turn out in droves for his Sooners over Texas or Texas Tech in the Harris and Coaches poll. They did and this led to OU's place in the Big 12 and BCS title games. Now, in 2010, Stoops doesn't think strength of schedule matters?
"I don't know how much it advantages you. In the end, it all gets to down to if you lose of those (marquee) games by a point, and someone else plays for teams that are easy and you have one more than they do, they;'re gonna be ranked ahead of you....Most of you guys (media) rank them by who's lost and who hasn't, and forget about who plays who."
Stoops may be right, to some extent, but the drastic turn around in his opinion comes at a funny time, considering last year's 1 point losses to non-conference foes Miami and BYU. Big Game Bob is feeling the pressure from some angles in Norman that he's lost his mojo, especially after so many BCS busts and his recent struggles against Texas (just 1 win in 5 years). Perhaps this is his way of shifting the blame from poor performances in 2009 to his scheduler, the same scheduler who he touted on high in '08 for helping his team jump Texas in the BCS standings.
According to Bob, it seems unfair that a team would be jumped by someone else who played inferior competition, but didn't lose. How about being jumped by a team that beat you by 10 points on a neutral field? Comments like these should remind Texas fans how lucky they are to have a coach like Mack Brown, who for the most part is able represent his program and his university with class and dignity, and not come off sounding like a 2 year old who didn't get cookies after dinner.
The fact is, the AP voters to whom Stoops was lecturing aren't even factors in the BCS standings. Computers, coaches, and Harris poll voters determine who plays for the crystal ball, so if I were Stoops, I'd worry about fixing a defense that has deteriorated since his brother Mike went to Arizona, an offensive line that coulnd't block Mugsey Bogues shooting a free thrown, and a Texas problem that may eventually have Stoops wishing he'd gone to Notre Dame, than worrying about who his AD thinks his team should play each year.
Texas v. Notre Dame
Reports indicate the Texas football team, in an attempt to beef up future strength of schedules, will look into getting more marquee matchups. The biggest name out there right now is Notre Dame. Marquee? You bet. Helping the strength of schedule? Um, no. The Irish (no longer deserving of Fighting) are 16-21 over the last 3 seasons, and while new coach Brian Kelly may eventually build a winner, I don't see a Texas vs. Notre Dame matchup being a contest with 2 highly ranked teams.
The good news for Texas? At least the media always thinks Notre Dame is good. So if the game can be scheduled early in the season, the Horns might be able to change the recent perception they've earned of not playing the "big boys".
Is Notre Dame a "big boy" still? Well, does Nickelback belong in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame? Hardly. But I'm pretty sure ESPN and college football analysts' favorite song includes "Rockstar".
Brett Favre Retires. Or doesn't
Duh. Just avoiding pre-season camp.
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