2009 Kansas Post-Mortem

by Scipio Tex on Nov 23, 2009 11:08 PM CST in Texas Longhorns and Other Football

This was a methodical win, a great celebration of our seniors and Colt’s place in history; and I saw some encouraging things, particularly on offense. I’m less interested in breaking down every aspect of this game than in using this game as a basis for evaluating some of the good and bad things we did and how they’ll play out for us in College Station,

against Nebraska, and, most crucially, against our bowl opponent. Keep that in mind as you read as it’s not my intent to offer a comprehensive game breakdown.

If you didn’t have the chance to follow along on Barking Carnival’s open game thread - wherein much gnashing of teeth occurs every time our secondary gives up a 7 yard pass - you may have missed one of the more amusing insights into the Clueless Sideline Chick Reporter phenomenon (Erin Andrews excepted, she actually asks coherent questions). The poster Cricketslayer (now a Top 10 media market guy at the top of his profession and still, for my money, the best sports anchor that Austin television ever had) dialed in the early satellite feed in his office and was rewarded with Shelly Smith practicing her pre-game interview with Mark Mangino…on a UTPD cop. The guy role- played right along and our girl was in top form. That a two question interview required this much prep work made me laugh out loud. Maybe Shelly is just thorough, but generally when this is YOUR WORK it seems that one might be able to draw upon a reservoir of knowledge and, you know, wing it sufficiently to articulate two intelligible questions. Anyway, I thought it was a great commentary on the state of sports media.

Offense

The O gets to lead on this review because I saw some really solid things from us philosophically and in how Colt is conducting his business down the stretch run. We looked deep and attacked down the field, we used Shipley on intermediate crossing routes multiple times (watching him out of his break is just impressive), we ran the back out of the backfield on play action for simple pitch and catch, and we diversified our passing attack beyond the Jordan Shipley show. I particularly liked using Colt on waggles out on the edge because it’s a way of keeping DEs honest in the absence of a trap or draw in the running game. Malcolm Williams had his best game since Tech last year and Kirkendoll played his most complete game as a Longhorn. I liked what we saw from Goodwin too. This is the passing attack we should have been running all year and the one we have to run against a quality defense.

Let me propose something counter-intuitive: Colt needs to get hit. Not blindsided in the pocket, mind you, but as part of our running game where he has a shot at protecting himself and choosing his spots. I understand the idea of not getting Colt hit against Wyoming and Baylor, however it’s now nut-cutting time and the shift in the risk-reward ratio is, to me, tipped in that direction. I don’t just mean in terms of opening up our running game on the zone read, running QB draws, or punishing teams that play seven or eight in coverage and refuse to assign him a spy, but also the fact that getting a lick put on him brings out Colt’s competitiveness. The guy gets into the game, it gives him an edge and a certain degree of focus, and he gets tough-minded. I loved seeing him lay into the WRs and OL (repeatedly) when they blew assignments though seeing Chiles sulk off on the sideline and refuse to make eye contact when Colt corrected him on a 3rd down route irritated me. I wish all of our players much health, but Chiles potentially missing the Aggie game is a net positive in our passing game. I’m not sure what Devil’s Bargain our coaches struck with JC, but I now consider that contract paid off with his 30+ catches on the year.

Liked what we saw from Tre Newton, particularly as chain mover in the flat. He’s an unexceptional athlete, but he has an understanding of the game and what’s needed of him in the same way that Chris O did and he’s potentially the easy safety valve that has been a missing component from this offense. He may run a 4.6, but he’s got fresh legs and instincts for the game.

On the negative side of the ledger, the OL was poor in pass protection and it’s the same old shit with these guys. They’re the perfect confluence of incoherent recruiting, poor scheme, and misguided S&C. Colt took 3 sacks, multiple hits, and he doesn’t trust his protection. There were instances where KU pressure didn’t break through, but as the pocket constricted a bit Colt bailed early, essentially creating his own pressure. A QB has to trust his pocket and right now Colt doesn’t. It’s keeping his eyes from being downfield where we want them.

This is a terrible negative feedback loop and one I hope we can correct, but it’s probably not going to happen. Additionally, we still have no answer for a team bringing an extra man in a zone blitz when we go to our empty set, a set whose primary benefit is in getting Colt hit in the pocket, eliminating any hint of honesty in defending the run, creating an optimal environment for enemy pass rushers, and setting up a guaranteed check down hot route for a 4 yard gain. Once again, Kyle Hix let a DE go free off of the edge despite KU only rushing four. Bad line call? Brain lapse? Don’t know. But it needs to get fixed.

Defense

It’s amusing to me that Will Muschamp has so altered our perception of what acceptable defense is that 300 yards of offense and 13 offensive points are cause for consternation amongst the Longhorn faithful.

In defense of our defense, that was the healthiest and best I’ve seen Todd Reesing all year (given the competition level) and he made some outstanding throws. I think Kansas has the best crop of WRs in the league – if not in raw talent, then talent, skill, and scheme utilization. We followed the game plan that I laid out in my preview by making a concerted effort to keep Reesing in the pocket, we took away Reesing's Woobie in Kerry Meier, and sacrificed a bit of our edge pressure. Five sacks will get it done though.

We started the game a little poorly and it was actually a function of not lining up correctly on a couple of plays. When KU ran the easy 3rd and 1 conversion with a simple dive play, our LBs were offset incorrectly. You can see the RB make the realization while in his stance and he turned it weak side for the easy 9 yard gain. We did it again on an option play with Sharp. We cleaned it up quickly, but I’m surprised a pro like Muckelroy let it happen. We don’t need to show susceptibility to formational complexity if we play Florida, I assure you.

I’ve been a strong defender of Sergio Kindle all year because I understand what he’s being asked to do and he’s a demon against the run even though his lack of gaudy sack numbers has various internet rubes wondering if he’s now a 3rd round pick. That all understood, Sergio cannot get locked up on the OT for that long in normal pass rush situations, even when he’s specifically tasked with containment first. I understand that the containment imperative removes his taking an inside rush and that limits his tools, but he can’t let a blocker’s hands in on his trunk and get paralyzed. His lack of a three tool pass rush really hampers him and I hope the bowl layoff is focused on some hand work. I wish Jim Jeffcoat could spend two hours with him.

Eddie Jones is the best 3rd DE in college football.

If our Defensive MVP isn’t Earl Thomas, it’s Lamarr Houston. We’ll miss that guy immensely. He’s dominant and I won’t apologize when I put him on my 1st Team All Big 12. Maybe I’ll run a 3-4 and line up Lamarr, Suh, and McCoy as my front. Bill Belichick would shit an illegal video camera to have that front.

Earl Thomas was fantastic and I’m not talking about his gimme interception. I had him with five tackles in KU’s first 20 plays from scrimmage. He deserves the Thorpe not only for his talents, but because he’s producing. I have a giant football crush on Eric Berry, but he hasn’t produced like Earl.

Pleased with Keenan Robinson’s development down the stretch. He makes errors, but they’re full speed and someone ends up with their head snapped back. All I can ask. The LB group as a whole has been a pool of Evian after decades in the Sahara.

We need a healthy Aaron Williams to win a MNC. Start sacrificing to the deity of your choice. My guess is that we role with Beasley against the Aggies and then revisit his status for Nebraska. If the Aggies try get physical in the running game out of a 3 WR set, another possibility is to go Big Nickel – Chykie, Curtis, Blake, Earl, Nolan.

As for the complaints about our pass coverage, we play a lot of man, teams can’t run against us, opponents can let it hang out because they usually start on their 40, and we were playing a great WR corps. Giving up some plays happens. We’ll give up some against A&M too. We’re not playing UTEP. The “Curtis/Chykie Brown are awful” diatribes are silly. Four of our five sacks were coverage sacks. If you can name three secondary units in the country you’d take over ours, I’ll read you a Bill Little story for your bedtime.

Special Teams

A&M starting at least two of their drives around the 45 yard line would surprise me not at all nor would a Cyrus Gray TD return. We’ve done a terrible job on kick coverage all year, but we’ve been saved by not facing elite kick returners and that gave us a false sense of progress. Briscoe reminded us what an elite athlete looks like returning kicks against us and Stuckey looked good too. We suck so bad here that Earl Thomas absorbed the suck via osmosis and missed a tackle on Briscoe’s TD. Kenny Vaccaro can hold his head high (which will help him in finding people to possibly tackle and/or punch), the rest of the group not so much.

The problem isn’t athletes – we’ve got a surplus of talent ideal for the chore, we’re just not coaching them up and picking the guys who will charge down like rabid jackrabbits. Additionally, we keep attempting to pin the returner on the sideline and we’re sacrificing distance to do so. We’re also not very good at it. I’d rather a returner catch it at the goal line with some hang time with the full field available to him rather than at the sideline at the 10 on a running start. Thankfully, neither Florida nor Alabama has any fast skill athletes, so I’m confident this will work out just fine for us if we continue the status quo.

We continue to grope punts like Japanese men on blondes in a bullet train. Clark Ford in the house! We got a bad roll, but such is life. I hope that our punt blocking acumen forces teams to keep their guys in a little longer as it can only mean good things for Shipley on the return.

Hunter Lawrence gives me confidence in a tight spot. Nailing two 40+ yard field goals like they were lay ups gives me great hope for our ability to get certain points if we can break the opponent 30 yard line. I like him kicking a game winner.

Parting Thoughts

At this point of the year, you are what you are.

Offensively, we’ll rise and fall on Colt. The key is giving him the right pieces at WR/RB and calling plays that put him in a position to succeed that ask a minimum from a disappointing OL. Allowing pressure on Colt can be our ally when we shape and funnel that pressure constructively and create counters for it. However, an opponent should never get it rushing three or get free men on a four man pass rush. That speaks to basic unit pride and coaching. If that continues, there is no amount of improvisation that will allow us to achieve our ultimate goal.

Defensively, we need a healthy Aaron Williams.

On special teams, we need to cover kicks. No excuse for it. Christian Scott can’t get eligible fast enough.

Let's finish strong.

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Comments

The poster Cricketslayer (now a Top 10 media market guy at the top of his profession and still, for my money, the best sports anchor that Austin television ever had)

That does it.

No egg nog for you at the BC Christmas party.

by srr50 on Nov 23, 2009 11:21 PM CST reply actions

No offense, but this has got to be the worst comprehensive game breakdown I’ve ever read.

by Woody Bombay on Nov 23, 2009 11:22 PM CST reply actions

Thanks for bringing the wood. Your post mortems offer closure to the games and allow me to quit watching DVR replays on a loop trying to decipher what’s going on. You’re like Steve Tasker to my Marv Levy marriage counselor. My psychiatrist, on the other hand, wants to know why I keep repeating “Malcom Williams not John Chiles” over and over while lying on the couch.

by Trips Right on Nov 23, 2009 11:26 PM CST reply actions

"seeing Chiles sulk off on the sideline and refuse to make eye contact when Colt corrected him on a 3rd down route irritated me. I wish all of our players much health, but Chiles potentially missing the Aggie game is a net positive in our passing game. "

GD previously justified allowing Chiles playing time because WR is a new position for him, and he has a steep learning curve to overcome. It is a defensible position to take, except that Chiles has a poor attitude, and he is unwilling to learn from the best college QB in the whole country. Perhaps his immaturity can be cured by prolonged periods of reflection and introspection on the bench.

by Fried Rice on Nov 23, 2009 11:27 PM CST reply actions

Cricketslayer is Vic the Brick?

by That's what she on Nov 24, 2009 12:07 AM CST reply actions

Good stuff, Scipio. Disappointed to hear you say the kickoff return issues are systemic — I haven’t been watching closely of late and was lazily hoping it was just Briscoe breaking a big one.

Good, I suppose, to get the coaches focused on this now, before it really counts.

by PB on Nov 24, 2009 12:08 AM CST reply actions

I am simply applying the lessons of journalism that srr50 instituted in the Austin market many years ago. And thank you, Scip. Much, much too kind of you.

One more note from the satellite feed that I wanted to share. After ABC went off the air, they still had a camera on Colt and caught him in what looked to be a semi-private moment. He looked up, gave a quick point to the sky and smiled to himself. At once he was thankful and completely satisfied in the moment. Not that I had ever doubted him before, but it simply reinforced to me how genuine Colt is in his faith.

As I’m sure many of you know, there is often a wide gap between the type of person that an athlete portrays himself to be versus the type of person he actually is. Colt is obviously not one of those people. We’re incredibly lucky to have had him as our quarterback for four years. And he’s not done yet.

And I completely agree with you about Colt needing to get hit. In fact, after he was “popped” for the first time against KU, I’m almost positive that he threw that touchdown pass to Shipley a play or two later. Obviously, we have to be careful about this against the Ags because you know they’ll take a cheap shot if they get the chance.

by Cricketslayer on Nov 24, 2009 12:54 AM CST reply actions

As you’re aware, I couldn’t agree with you more on Chiles. I hope he’s ready for mop up work in our bowl game.

And if Aaron Willams isn’t cleared by Thursday, I would wager that the Nickel you prescribed will be our base defense. With Muck and Robinson at LB, it’s the perfect solution to the 2 dimensional scheme the Ags will attempt to deliver on Thanksgiving. Having him back 100% or so healthy for Nebraska and Bowl is the bigger picture.

A weak, inexperienced OL is not a recipe for success against the talent and schemes that Muschamp will throw at the Ags. Unleash the hounds. I expect a defensive score.

by beowulf on Nov 24, 2009 6:20 AM CST reply actions

Perhaps Shelly was merely practicing where to point the microphone when she got to Mangino-land.

Sports journalism meets GPS.

by parlin on Nov 24, 2009 7:22 AM CST reply actions

I saw the same damn thing and swiftly forgot about it.

Chiles’ attitude and body language was totally unacceptable. To turn your back and walk away from your senior QB as he’s pointing something out to you…that’s all I need to know. Chiles has got no business starting (much less being depended on) for this football team.

by Lo Primero on Nov 24, 2009 9:05 AM CST reply actions

I have to say that I thought the offensive was surprisingly good in this game. We took repeated shots downfield. We used play action and some misdirection. Pretty basic stuff, but exotic for us.

by Bartoncreek on Nov 24, 2009 9:14 AM CST reply actions

Before the season, our DL against Okie St. gave me repeated nightmares.

Now visions of Ndamunkong Suh having his way with our interior OL, prision style, is really starting to freak me out.

by Bateshorn on Nov 24, 2009 9:18 AM CST reply actions

Thanks for another good write-up.

Like you, I just don’t see any value to the empty set. The absence of the RB makes the defensive front seven a half step quicker due to certainty.

Looking forward to Thursday night.

by Kosciuszko on Nov 24, 2009 9:44 AM CST reply actions

The empty set scheme is also weakened by the fact that the RB split out wide has never been thrown to. They just jog up the field ten yards. Cody Johnson split wide? The opponent can cover him with a student trainer.

by JUICE on Nov 24, 2009 9:49 AM CST reply actions

Cricket-I assume you are talking about Lord Tebow and it’s one of the things that infuriates me about the guy. He tries so hard to pretend to be what Colt effortly is. Also, Colt apparently thinks he’s a prick so that’s really all I need to form an opinion. Thanks for sharing.

Scip-Great write up as always. I missed the open thread and can only shake my head in knowledge that there are those upset with this D. Cool drink of water indeed.

Bates-I am having the same nightmares.

by lowery on Nov 24, 2009 9:53 AM CST reply actions

Yes our version of the empty set is horrible, like any first draft done by Davis. He sees it work somewhere, and attempts to emulate it without understanding how or why it should work. See:Horn, Wild.

by lowery on Nov 24, 2009 9:57 AM CST reply actions

“They’re the perfect confluence of incoherent recruiting, poor scheme, and misguided S&C.”

Bingo.

Wonder if there’s a chance in hell McWhorter calls it a career in the off-season or if this is just a pipe dream on my part.

It would have to be someone with big enough balls or the skins on the wall to be able to challenge Davis somewhat. A Muschamp clone would be ideal. I know – not gonna happen.

by blackscholes on Nov 24, 2009 10:14 AM CST reply actions

John Chiles is not a WR…or a football player, for that matter. And he has a bad attitude, which is almost enough for me to bench him in favor of one of the most talented WRs in the country. But hey, he’s just learning the position, right…

O-Line is an abomination. Yippee. Thank God we have a fast QB.

Passing to set up the run is our optimal strategy. Really opens up the field for us. Except when we, inexplicably, don’t have a RB on the field to even give a semblance of a running threat. Or pass blocking. Oh…that’s right. He’s split out to the wide side to slap high fives with the coaches on the sideline during the play. Well I do love to see our O-Line getting busted up on a four-man rush.

Defense looked shaky at best. Surprised Will didn’t adjust and bring more blitzes. I know we shut down the run, but KU is not a running team and after they started passing all over us it was time to adjust and we didn’t. That one blitz with Chykie was beautiful, then we just stopped. I was perplexed to say the least.

by Blake Borron on Nov 24, 2009 10:58 AM CST reply actions

The Big Nickel intrigues me. We’ll see.

Most of the big plays on KU’s TD drive in the 2nd half were the result of Reesing making really good throws and the KU receivers making really good catches. I’ll take Curtis Brown all day — even knowing that he, like most corners, will struggle with big, fast, physical receivers. Because everyone but A. Williams struggles with those guys. Chykie — well, I love him on delayed blitzes. He gets beaten deep at least once a game, but so it goes.

Agreed about the receiving corp. It’s amazing to me how keyed our offensive success this year has been to personnel decisions. Malc + Goodwin + Tre = success. Chiles + Kirkendoll = stagnation. We had the right people on the field, Kirkendoll played as well as I’ve ever seen him play, and we looked good because of it.

Our kick coverage, man, I don’t know. Needs work. Serious work.

Our O-line needs graduation.

by ghostofagroundgame on Nov 24, 2009 11:01 AM CST reply actions

Oh — forgot to say. We threw deep and it opened up screens and short passes. We have to take some deep shots to be successful offensively. It breaks our tendencies.

by ghostofagroundgame on Nov 24, 2009 11:02 AM CST reply actions

“Bill Belichick would shit an illegal video camera to have that front.”

Greatness.

Any chance we’ll get a Clipper reset before we play aggy?

by Looney on Nov 24, 2009 11:14 AM CST reply actions

We’ve been downright horrible at covering kicks for about 7 years. I just don’t understand why it is the one phase on which we simply cannot improve other than to look at Akina.

I love Ford and Vaccaro flying around and hitting anything they can. Sends a great message to the coaches, “This is the only place you’ll let me see the field? Fine, I’m going to go kick ass and make you play me more.” That’s the attitude of a championship team.

For all the talk of our experienced O-line, they are just a damn embarassment. The number of times we completely miss an assignment and allow an untouched free rusher when they only bring 4 is beyond shocking. These guys could fuck up a cup of coffee. And I haven’t seen a mean streak in a single one. I hope Colt bitch slaps them all.

by LosHorn on Nov 24, 2009 11:27 AM CST reply actions

You mean Aggie, NU, or SEC Champ is not already scheming a double team for Cody Johnson split wide?

by uthookem on Nov 24, 2009 11:43 AM CST reply actions

That sounded very dirty.

Oh yeah, Clipper Cooper. I almost forgot about him. Maybe I’ll call into the podcast this week and voice my complaints. Oh wait, I almost forgot about the podcast too. For shame Scipio. For shame indeed.

by nordberg on Nov 24, 2009 11:48 AM CST reply actions

I was hoping John would grow out of that kind of shit, but I guess not. Welcome to two years of my hell!

He wa advised he’d be better suited elsewhere, but no – he was going to TEXAS!!!!! He should have gone somewhere where he was going to be allowed to be a QB because that is the only way he’s ever happy.

by Ag_in_TX on Nov 24, 2009 12:16 PM CST reply actions

by admin on Nov 24, 2009 12:19 PM CST reply actions

Actually, I don’t think we need A Williams for Nebraska. Their offense is beyond bad. Its painful. I am pretty confident our D and special teams can score enough points to win that game as long as our O does not turn it over too much ala 2001 Colorado One or maybe two turnovers and we should win. But we will need him if we make a MNC game, no question.

In hindsight I think Davis was right to play Kirkendoll and even Chiles.. The more depth we have the better, and any opportunity to maximize your depth can’t hurt late in the year when guys are hurt and tired. I also like that we have given a number of running backs a chance to take the job. —Ask Bob Stoops what happens when you don’t develop any depth in order to score style points. It’s not like we’ve seriously been in danger of losing except OU. That said, its time to sit Chiles for the shitty attitude, also he’s a junior, a former QB and he should know what the fuck he’s doing by now. They gave him numerous chances and you don’t want to undermine Colt either. Chiles doesn’t have the talent to put up with the attitude.

by Roach on Nov 24, 2009 12:33 PM CST reply actions

We have multiple catches by the RB in our 5 wide set, and I’d much rather have Tre Newton running hitches on the outside than the pouting no wiggle variety receiver. I just wish we had a proper TE so we could use our personnel to dictate a 4-3 defense, and then put multiple LB’s in space via formation. It’s a de facto nickel call just about anytime Big Buck takes the field.

by Bobby_Batronic on Nov 24, 2009 1:22 PM CST reply actions

Agree that Chiles can rot on the bench as far as I’m concerned. Get some talent, practice hard, and may be you can crack the 3rd string next year.

Our OL is so horrible that we would be 6-6 or worse this year without Colt and Ship. Given that college football is down this year, we may just get away with the worst o-line I can remember at UT.

by ransomstoddard on Nov 24, 2009 1:26 PM CST reply actions

nothing could be worse than the OL we trotted out there last time we went to college station. I think it was basically these same guys but younger. Tony Hills Jr and Dallas Griffin were hurt. I think Trey Allen got a lot of time at LT. It was an abomination.

by dick on Nov 24, 2009 2:09 PM CST reply actions

Yeah we have a bad line. The obvious solution is an empty set.

by ghostofagroundgame on Nov 24, 2009 2:10 PM CST reply actions

Back to Colt, your proposal isn’t counterintuitive at all. I thought for the first 5 or 6 games this year, Colt seemed to come out very tight, and he didn’t seem to loosen up until he had run the ball, picked up a few yeards, and absorbed a tough hit. After that first hit or so, he would relax and let the game come to him instead of forcing things. Just my observation…

As for the O-line, when WcWhorter first arrived (2003, right?), I thought it was a huge upgrade over the previous coach (Nunez?). It seemed like after the Nebraska game that year, the O-line and the running game in general took a huge turn for the better. Looking back now, was it just Vince breaking out that made the line (and Benson) look better than they would have?

by hoju on Nov 24, 2009 4:20 PM CST reply actions

“The poster Cricketslayer (now a Top 10 media market guy at the top of his profession and still, for my money, the best sports anchor that Austin television ever had)…”

Ha! Take that Srr50!

by Minnesotahorn on Nov 24, 2009 9:40 PM CST reply actions

I take umbrage with you fellows who are suggesting John needs to “get some talent”. John is one of the more, if not most, athletically gifted young men on your team. It’s “between the ears” that needs fixing.

by Ag_in_TX on Nov 25, 2009 10:30 AM CST reply actions

Great read, Scipio. So true on all points.

Our grossly underachieving OL damn well better not let any of those aggy fuckers cheap shot Colt. These guys have been a seasonlong disappointment and thank God we’ve got one of the greatest QBs in the history of college football playing behind them or we’d be making hotel reservations for San Diego or San Antonio right now.

Aggy’s emotional intensity is going to be sky-high and we’d better match it. With all we’ve got to play for and the senior leadership this team has, I’m not too worried about
it. This rivalry means more to aggy, as they’re obsessed with us and the desire to destroy us, but with everything we have on the line, I think our guys will be sufficiently amped. Hopefully we jump all over them early, b/c the longer we let them hang around, the more confident they become.

As for Chiles, the guy is a selfish choad and if Davis has a shred of football intelligence, he’ll park the punk’s ass on the bench and play Malcolm and Marquise as much as possible. Can’t he see how much better they make our offense? Good Lord, Davis, pull your head out, wipe the shit off your glasses, put your best players on the field and stop rewarding the ones with bad attitudes or who “work hard in practice”.

Here’s hoping we beat the living hell out of aggy.

by burnt orange outrage on Nov 25, 2009 10:43 AM CST reply actions

I agree that Tre Newton doesn’t jump off the screen as an exceptional athlete, but he is a very good football player, and the balance he showed on his TD run was an incredible display of athleticism. I’ve watched it three times, and it still amazes me.

by Art Vandelay on Nov 25, 2009 11:26 PM CST reply actions