Charles/MacDuff gonzo
by ChrisApplewhite on Jan 2, 2008 9:17 PM CST
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Print. . . according to the AAS:
"Larry and I met this morning and he informed me that he is not returning for the 2008 season, citing philosophical differences," Mack Brown said. "Larry is a great coach and man and we appreciate all he’s done for our program. We want to wish him luck in the future and will begin looking for a replacement immediately."
Philosophically, MacDuff did not enjoy being forced to play thee talentless LBs that make him look bad. Fair enough, I say. Would seem to back up the rumors that he was not happy here. Good luck to him wherever he lands next. I hope he slashes Greg Davis' tires on the way out, in one last rampoplex (OK, that is a noun). This is the much more troubling news:
Jamaal Charles, who said only a week ago he was staying at Texas, has decided to leave school early for the NFL.
[ignorant homer Texas fan] But he'll go no higher than the 6th round! He needs to come back and play for another 4 years! No NFL team would draft him because he's fumbled before! He will be lucky to be a free agent! [/ignorant homer Texas fan]
Don't ask me why so many Texas fans want him back despite his growing list of weaknesses *rolleyes*.
Anyway, this leaves us with nothing at the RB position but potential. Chris O. has played a fair number of snaps but the drop off from Charles/McGee to him is a violent one. He's a good pass blocker, but really nothing more than the black Brett Robin. Despite this, he will almost certainly start up to his 15 carry, 23 yards game against OU. He's the kind of kid you are proud to have on your team, but you don't want him getting meaningful time.
Behind him we've got three decent but unproven options. McGee, we've seen, and I'm really impressed with him. However, as Charles found out last year it's one thing to average 6 ypc as a spot player, and another thing entirely to do it as the man. There will be an adjustment period. Let's just hope he can adjust vs. UNT and TCU, and not whoever we play after OU.
Then there are the two unknowns, Cody Johnson and Fozzy Whitaker. No one but the coaches know how good these two are, but I will still pretend I know what I'm talking about.
Fozzy is the guy I'm most excited about out of all our young skill players. In high school he was a classic one cut and up the field player, perfect for our style of attack. He is so quick in and out of his cuts, and showed surprising strength for a little guy. Probably not who you want with the ball 25 times a game, because he'll bang his way onto the injured list, but as a returner and change up option in the backfield, we could have quite the little playmaker on our hands. A friend of my dad's was the radio announcer for a bunch of Pearland games, and he was really impressed with Whitaker, too. I expect big things.
Johnson, I was not all that impressed with, on film. He seemed slower than people we giving him credit for (but film can lie), and didn't use his size well. And after Ivan Williams and Henry Melton, I don't want any more big guys who don't want to be big runners. So we'll see with him. If he is as good as people say he is, then we might finally have a short yardage runner. I think Vondrell is perfectly capable of getting two to three tough yards, since he's so quick and strong he can dart in between tacklers and pull them forward since they can't get in front of him. But he's not a goalline package, 3 TE/I formation runner, which is what we love to do for whatever reason even though we suck at it. Johnson could potentially be that guy. It's nice to have options, I say. If Johnson is willing to lower his shoulders (something I don't remember him doing a whole lot of), we could have a varied and productive stable of backs, even without Charles.
The other great thing about Johnson is that when Chiles is playing, we could line him up on one side, and McGee or Whitaker on the other, and have a deadly triple option game out of that. Now that would require, you know, we actually figure out that you are allowed to have more than one option on a play, but it's a deadly combination that almost every self respecting spread option team has now. I don't get my hopes up, especially since Colt will start for the next 7 years, but it's nice to think about.
Anyway, Godspeed, Charles. Please don't end up on the Lions or Dolphins like all the rest of our best players seem to.
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Man, I wouldn’t wish the Dolphins on my worst enemy, or even on echeese. The Lions are only marginally less repulsive as an organization.
by EyesOfTX on Jan 2, 2008 9:20 PM CST reply actions
Ricky = Saints then Dolphins
Roy = Lions
Vince = Worst set of WR in the free world
Benson = Terrible offense, plus he got fat
Big Leonard = Cardinals
Huff = Raiders
Griffin and Robison = Vikings
I can’t think of a Texas player than landed on a playoff team as a rookie outside of Michael Griffin and David Thomas (did Benson?). Not a notable one anyway. I guess that’s the product of having so many top 5 picks, though.
by ChrisApplewhite on Jan 2, 2008 9:28 PM CST reply actions
I guess Mack wanted to start Norton, Kindle, and Muckleroy but was over ruled all year by MacDuff. That should teach you a lesson, Big Bad Larry….again, Mack has a scapegoat.
by Groundhog Day on Jan 2, 2008 9:41 PM CST reply actions
why does Bob Stoops do such a shitty job preparing his team for a bowl game??
by echeese on Jan 2, 2008 9:55 PM CST reply actions
Yes, Ross. From a fan’s perspective, I would like to see more late round first round picks.
“I guess Mack wanted to start Norton, Kindle, and Muckleroy but was over ruled all year by MacDuff. That should teach you a lesson, Big Bad Larry….again, Mack has a scapegoat.”
Forgive me if this is sarcasm, because I can’t tell. But legend has it MacDuff wanted the good players but was the one being overruled.
by ChrisApplewhite on Jan 2, 2008 10:04 PM CST reply actions
OK, I’m almost sure it’s a joke now. Well done. I’ll shut up now.
by ChrisApplewhite on Jan 2, 2008 10:06 PM CST reply actions
As long as Davis is going to run a pass-first scheme with McCoy, why not leave early? Unlike Reggie Bush at USC, Jamaal has only played a minor role in the passing game and he hasn’t been used as a returner, either, so he has next to zero shot at the Heisman due to the way he is used.
Jamaal’s speed will torch the NFL scouts’ stopwatches and someone will take a flyer on him in the late 1st/early 2nd round. Sounds smart to me, if it’s all about me.
by Laces Out on Jan 2, 2008 10:16 PM CST reply actions
It was sarcasm, Applewhite. We can hire all the new assistants we want, but the philosphy of this team will never change. Don’t forget that Reed Boyd started for 4 years while Marcus Wilkins rode the pine. I’m waiting for Drew Kelson to show up on an NFL roster while Marcus, Erik, and Brandon will never sniff Sundays.
by Groundhog Day on Jan 2, 2008 10:16 PM CST reply actions
“Don’t forget that Reed Boyd started for 4 years while Marcus Wilkins rode the pine. "
thanks for reminding me of that, :(((((((( i swear i wonder if mack even knows what an LB is supposed to look like…
by mileslong on Jan 2, 2008 10:39 PM CST reply actions
Echeese I bet you would like to grab a handful of Johnny Dingle
by ChrisApplewhite on Jan 2, 2008 11:05 PM CST reply actions
Great scene for Bill Stewart of West Virginia
Congrats!!
by echeese on Jan 2, 2008 11:10 PM CST reply actions
Once again, Mack Brown comes up second to Bob Stoops. Mack can’t even be the most overrated coach in his division.
by CrazyJoeDavola on Jan 2, 2008 11:16 PM CST reply actions
I think most people outside of echeese and sii rate Mack Brown correctly. He is what he is, and we all know it.
by ChrisApplewhite on Jan 2, 2008 11:18 PM CST reply actions
If Snoop Minnis plays for Florida State in the championship game does Bob Stoops have a MNC?
by Question on Jan 2, 2008 11:27 PM CST reply actions
Mack Brown ain’t the greatest coach in the world but he ain’t the worst.
Bob Stoops is what he is too…once again in a big game and OU is a huge favorite and gets their asses handed to them
by echeese on Jan 2, 2008 11:30 PM CST reply actions
Unfortunately for Jamaal pretty much every playoff team has a young running back. Washington has Portis, who is getting older. But that’s about it and they are drafting earlier in the first round than I figure Jamaal will go.
by Huckleberry on Jan 2, 2008 11:55 PM CST reply actions
I wonder how much of this was Charles trying to get out ahead of the potentially huge wave of quality junior RBs this year.
by CrazyJoeDavola on Jan 3, 2008 1:04 AM CST reply actions
“If Snoop Minnis plays for Florida State in the championship game does Bob Stoops have a MNC?”
Almost certainly. FSU wasn’t hurting for WR that year, even without Minnis. They still had Anquan Boldin, who was like the 4th receiver that year, if I have my facts straight. The problem FSU had was Weinke, easily the worst Heisman winner of all time.
“But that’s about it and they are drafting earlier in the first round than I figure Jamaal will go.”
Jamaal I’m not so worried about since I doubt he goes top 10. And these days is pretty much a requirement to carry two capable RBs on a team, anyway.
by ChrisApplewhite on Jan 3, 2008 4:40 AM CST reply actions
“The problem FSU had was Weinke, easily the worst Heisman winner of all time.”
Perhaps. I think Gina Torretta might have something to say about that, though.
by BigSatan on Jan 3, 2008 6:11 AM CST reply actions
FSU had Boldin but he was hardly the player that Minnis was for that team. Minnis was the #1 receiver (and #1 player on the team on offense) and Bouldin was the #2 but was still learning the position at that time (former QB).
by echeese on Jan 3, 2008 7:52 AM CST reply actions
Andre Ware was, beyond any murmur of the slightest doubt, the worst heisman winner of All Time.
by Gooba on Jan 3, 2008 9:17 AM CST reply actions
I think most of OU’s players major in Nailbiting and/or Hair Growing. Maybe a double major. I’ve never seen so many long-haired nail biters in all my time.
by Gooba on Jan 3, 2008 9:19 AM CST reply actions
Regardless of where you rank the individuals at the time, my point was that Boldin only started for them because 4 WR started. If they were a pro set team, he would’ve been on the bench. That’s mad depth, and losing one guy isn’t going to mean the difference in ten+ points.
by ChrisApplewhite on Jan 3, 2008 10:07 AM CST reply actions
“Bob Stoops is what he is too…once again in a big game and OU is a huge favorite and gets their asses handed to them.”
Apparently, glass was not a component in the construction of your living abode.
The earth version of me vexes the shit out of me.
by bizarro echeese on Jan 3, 2008 10:09 AM CST reply actions
…and losing one guy isn’t going to mean the difference in ten+ points.
by Sailor Ripley on Jan 3, 2008 10:16 AM CST reply actions
From the Houston Chronicle link aboive
Where have you gone, Big-Game Bobby Stoops?
Sooners Nation turns it’s lonely eyes to you.
Woo, woo, woo.
What’s that you say, Joe Castiglione,
Big-Game Bob has left and gone away …
by echeese on Jan 3, 2008 11:32 AM CST reply actions
A considerable portion of Stoops’ reputation rests on his ability to beat/frustrate Texas with regularity.
by Soldier of Orange on Jan 3, 2008 12:00 PM CST reply actions
I would prefer if you left me out of the worst heisman contest, please. Thanks.
by Eric Crouch on Jan 3, 2008 12:21 PM CST reply actions
sonovabitch stole my line
http://barkingcarnival.fantake.com/doperbo/tennessee-titans-week-5
by Doperbo on Jan 3, 2008 2:24 PM CST reply actions
Charles will go down as one of the most underappreciated Longhorns in a long time. I wish him nothing but the best. He was clearly our best player and our best rb since Williams and without him we probably lose 3 more games.
by Groundhog Day on Jan 3, 2008 4:00 PM CST reply actions
Underutilized is right. Why we didn’t use him to catch the ball out of the backfield is mindboggling. The NCAA deemed it illegal since it worked so well his freshman year.
Again, milk and cookies for everyone…..welcome to Mack’s world of Little League Baseball.
by Groundhog Day on Jan 3, 2008 9:00 PM CST reply actions
I am hearing the same thing, unbiased. Trying to confirm. His bio:
by hopefulhorn on Jan 3, 2008 9:26 PM CST reply actions
The Houston Chronicle:
http://blogs.chron.com/longhorns/2008/01/auburns_muschamp_could_be_name.html
by hopefulhorn on Jan 3, 2008 9:38 PM CST reply actions
That is a great hire. I’m sure one of the stipulations was that he would have full reign over the D and personnel decisions.
by Groundhog Day on Jan 3, 2008 10:52 PM CST reply actions
I’m starting to think that if Sally started to have philosophical differences with Mack, he’d go out and bring in Scarlet J or Jessica A (whichever he thought would bring more intensity)
Great hire.
by AustinYankee on Jan 3, 2008 11:21 PM CST reply actions
“…and losing one guy isn’t going to mean the difference in ten+ points.”
I meant out of that WR group.
by ChrisApplewhite on Jan 4, 2008 12:05 AM CST reply actions
“I’m starting to think that if Sally started to have philosophical differences with Mack, he’d go out and bring in Scarlet J or Jessica A”
1. Muschamp’s not a done deal as of midnight CST
2. Based on track record, Mack would be just as likely to hire Bea Arthur in that capacity as your candidates
by CrazyJoeDavola on Jan 4, 2008 12:15 AM CST reply actions
Muschamp is a done deal, now. The best thing is that he’s the sole DC and he can bring in his own staff, which is to say he doesn’t sound like another “yes” man for MB.
I guess fielding the worst defense in Texas history finally got Mack off his ass. It’s about time.
Now, let’s hope Muschamp can field a defense to withstand the ineptitude of Greg Davis.
by DBH on Jan 4, 2008 7:56 PM CST reply actions
Akina is now "Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs "
by SizzleChest on Jan 5, 2008 10:26 AM CST reply actions
“Assistant Head Coach” is a demotion??? Does our program have just an unlimited budget for the pay of “demoted” coaches?
by EyesOfTX on Jan 5, 2008 10:28 AM CST reply actions
It will be interesting to see how the new DC gets along with the new assistant head coach and highly unsuccessful former DC.
But yes, the “family” budget is virtually limitless. We can only hope that throwing more money at the problem will solve the problem.
And then there’s the offense…
by DBH on Jan 5, 2008 10:39 AM CST reply actions
I see the Co-Publisher of Inside Texas has written an editorial proclaiming that Mack has made “All the Right Moves.”
In the same editorial he admits that Greg Davis “is not the caliber offensive coordinator this program should have…”.
So I guess maybe we haven’t exactly seen “all the right moves”, but all the right cheerleaders will enable Mack’s retention of GD.
by DBH on Jan 5, 2008 11:04 AM CST reply actions
Lea Thompson nekkid. I remember those titties.
by SizzleChest on Jan 5, 2008 1:55 PM CST reply actions
until mack sacks the albatross GD he will never have made all the right moves…
by mileslong on Jan 5, 2008 7:56 PM CST reply actions
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