Open Practice Binge

On defense, we will have a very physical back 7. However, we won’t set the LOS like last year’s front four did. That’s where Kindle and Houston excelled. We’re going to rely on penetration and inflicting negative plays to get someone’s running game derailed. That will also mean some busts when we guess wrong.
 
And our dreaded enemy, the middle RB screen.
 
So be it.
 
Good way to look at the O. Thanks for attacking this from a different angle.
 
I think we have a 1st down offense, a 2nd down offense, a 3rd down offense. One is a running/play action O, one is a 3 WR O, one is spread. For most defenses, they won’t be able to scheme or will lack the athletes to deal with at least one of them. However the good ones, particularly once we establish some film, will be able to break us down for keys in each that will create cheats and anticipation plays.
 
That’s where I’d like to us work for more diversity within one or two offenses rather than going wide and shallow.

“We haven’t fixed anything, we’ve added new stuff…I definitely harbor concern that we will struggle to find any identity in an offense that has such disparate approaches. I worry that we end up with packages in 6 different formations: each package very defensible on it’s own.”

This is my complaint about GD as OC in a nutshell. I thought your wish (“we would build our core offensive identity around versatile H-Back sets with Cody Johnson and play-action passing”) made a lot more sense. Run some reverses and screens off that to keep people honest. In sum, take a few things that play off of each other well, practice the hell out of them, and let our personnel beat people.

I’m looking forward to watching this defense tear shit up.

Good stuff as always, from both of you. I could listen to (read) you two talk for hours.

So keep talking, dammit.

Any thoughts on Jeremy Hills? He looks good to me every time he runs the ball. Is it that he sucks at everything else, or do I just not know what i’m looking at?

Jeremy Hills is physically talented. Never understood the deal.

I have been leading the Jeremy Hills To Safety chant for two years now. Nevertheless, he’s still at RB. Thin the herd there, dammit.

Oh well, thought I’d ask. Maybe he drowns kittens.

I’m with Nordberg on this one and have wanted to see Hills cut his teeth as a DB for awhile. The coaches apparentlty wanted to start his clock and not slow it down.

Will the D give up 20 in a game this year?

Will there be a game when the O can’t score 20?

I see a loss or two somewhere but I don’t know where.

One easy answer to the different packages and defenses simply packaging each offense situationally is to have guys like matthews take on different roles and roll out the no-huddle.

OU did that in 08 and just wore everyone out. I still think that’s the best comparison for what this offense should shoot for, obviously they won’t be that good yet.

Scip,

Agree completely on the defense. Although I would argue that Muschamp’s guys will thrive in the vertical chaos we create and most offenses will fold. We’ll give up some plays here and there and if a team gets confident early there are some opportunities against this defense. I just think it’s going to be a fire drill the entire game and most teams aren’t up for it. 3rd down defense is my big question… our ability to man up and deny on third down last season would be hard to match. The flip side is that I think our mix of zone blitzes and focused pressure this year is going to tie some QB frontal lobes in knots.

I think we are on the same page with our thoughts on the offense. There are some promising elements in what we saw the first two practices, but this may be shaping up to be a schizophrenic rolodex year. Greg and Mack know that they will face exactly the situation you describe with a few defenses this year… we’ll “save” some packages for those games. Wide and shallow indeed.

hopefulhorn,

Obviously I agree with your general idea. Start with one or two deep packages and keep adding and adjusting. Let your players talent take over as they learn to execute the packages at a high level. It’s bread and butter football. Of course that requires a willingness and know-how to round out a package when a defense stops respecting the empty threats. And that’s what we just never do.

I’m damn excited about the defense too.

nordberg,

much appreciated. It’s hard to add much to the highly developed and relevant analysis that regularly appears here. The doldrums of the offseason don’t call for editing though… more is better in this case.

Savage Henry,
sure this D will give up 20. I don’t think they will be quite as suffocating in the red zone as last years unit. But they are going to give our offense a ton of short fields and score a good number of points over the coarse of the year. This is an offense that is going to score a ton of points but will also have a chance to get completely shut down a couple times this year. High delta. I think Scip and I touched on the reasons why pretty well. But to be clear… I am definitely glad we are including the new sets… I actually wish we would let go of the shotgun stuff and focus on the new sets more. I also would not mind seeing the 5-wide disbanded altogether… it’s like asking for teams to take free shots at Gilbert.

Nickel Rover,
I absolutely agree with rolling a few packages together into a no-huddle concept and dictating. I think Brown and Davis are gun-shy about relying too much on the skill set of one or two players though. I don’t think it would be as complete as what Oklahoma had but certainly a lot of similar pieces are there. I also think the first time you have a 2-minute 3 and out that Mack pulls the plug. We are all about risk prevention on that side of the ball.

It seems there are two basic O’s, one is running oriented (QB under center, H back, TE) and one is passing oriented (shotgun, 3/4/5 wide). In the running O, the passing is play action passing. In the passing O, the running is mostly play action running (i.e. running after an initial passing fake).

When you are schedule WRT down and distance, you line up with the QB under center. When you are behind schedule, you line up in the shotgun. When the the QB is under center, you might run 75-80% of the time. When in the shotgun, you pass 75-80% of the time.

If you line up in the shotgun 35 to 40 times (assuming the O is balanced this season), you only run it 7 or 8 plays out of the shotgun. You might have Gilbert roll out and run for the corner a couple of times, and run 5 or 6 draws of off either roll out action or moving the pocket action or the normal delay draw. The counter usually is a sweet play too for Fozzy and Tres that you could run out of the shotgun. If you have Cody at TB, you can quick pitch to him with big receivers blocking down to isolate Cody on a DB.

The paradigm shift is that the horns don’t need to run their traditional suck zone run game very much out of the shotgun. Most of the running will be when the QB is under center and when the horns do run out of the shotgun, it will mostly be play action running.

Kafka,

The issue is if you don’t have enough teeth in a package you can’t expect a fair shake from the defense. There’s absolute nothing wrong with having formations with heavy run or pass tendencies and there’s nothing wrong with using them situationally. But if a defense decides that they don’t respect the tight end as a legitimate target or that they can roll out seven dbs and not sacrifice anything against the run, you have to have an answer or you have to abandon the set. Sometimes we don’t do either in a game… we try to execute against stacked defense. I didn’t see anything to suggest that our issues in the spread have been addressed.

Hasn’t Hills fumbled in just about every game he’s been in?

UT will probably go as hurry up as much as they can manage because it takes the opposition DC out of the game. The key thing to make it operate efficiently is to have players that are multiple. That is:

• WRs that can run block as well as catch, stretch the field, and run end arounds productively,
• TEs and H backs and flex TEs that are both good blockers and pass catchers,
• TBs who can run the ball, catch the ball, and pass block well)
  so that you can switch between the run O and the pass O with the same guys.

It seems that the WRs and TBs are relatively multiple. Malcolm, Mike Dav is, Chiles, and goodwin all block well. Fozzy and Tres are both good pass receivers. The main question (WRT multiplicity) is can the TEs and H backs and flex TEs be adequate pass receiving threats.
   
The horns O scheming will probably be better than most expect because Major and Muschamp make big contributions. According to Mack, GD is asking Muschamp for feedback about which schemes are effective (or not) and why and Muschamp is providing that feedback (i.e. the two are working together closely).

The DL was wildly impressive stopping the run in the spring game. Inside zone, at least. I’m not really that worried about anybody being able to pound it again. If they do, it’ll be in the Alabama mold of 25 plays of less than 4 yards and 3-4 of more than 15.

Physicality aside, the technique was very good. There are guys with long arms up and down this roster now. It won’t be an issue.

“The issue is if you don’t have enough teeth in a package you can’t expect a fair shake from the defense. There’s absolute nothing wrong with having formations with heavy run or pass tendencies and there’s nothing wrong with using them situationally. But if a defense decides that they don’t respect the tight end as a legitimate target or that they can roll out seven dbs and not sacrifice anything against the run, you have to have an answer or you have to abandon the set. Sometimes we don’t do either in a game… we try to execute against stacked defense. I didn’t see anything to suggest that our issues in the spread have been addressed.”

Excellent points. If the TE or H back can be ignored by the D as pass targets, that is an enormous problem.

Re: issues with running in the spread, they are partially addressed in that the horns won’t be running out of the spread that much. If the horns previously ran 30 times per game out of the spread and reduce it to 7 or 8 times per game, that is a huge improvement (i.e. 20+ runs out of the spread that can’t be screwed up because they don’t happen).

The second big improvement is that when you run so seldom out of the spread the D is going to sell out to stop the pass so initial passing fakes will be effective (play action running), Tech was very effective when they ran out of the spread partially because they did it so seldom that the opposition D sold out to stop the pass. UT will have the same advantage. So rather than attack the D with a frontal assault (i.e. a traditional running play), the horns will be running out of the spread almost always after an initial passing fake). this will really set up blocks.

I wrote my previous post (9:55) before I saw your response but I guess it partially addresses the points you raise. The horns have to be able to run against nickel and dime packages. By adding the H back (in addition to the TE) and putting the QB under center, they’ve improved their run blocking and make the running quicker hitting. This should make the running game more efficient vs nickels and dimes.

If either the H back or TE can be ignored as pass catchers, that will be a huge problem.

featuring both a TE and an H back, they have improved their run blocking a bunch. They have 4 good blockers at WR. Putting the QB under center and prearranging the hole is going to make for a quicker hitting run O.The horns have excellent blocking at WR, H back, TE

The real key to running well out of the spread is to run well when the QB is under center and the O has both a TE and an H back.

 If this works well, then the horns will seldom run out of the spread and when they do will have the advantage of surprise, deception, and will be facing a D that is configured pessimally to stop the run.

LonghornScott, good call on risk aversion. I mean, the team could lean heavily on the defense or they could protect them as much as possible and let the defense set up the offense.

Given the special teams and kicking game I think this squad can really blow open some games without being particularly impressive in terms of overall offensive yardage.

A turnover here, an excellent kick return or blocked kick there, a Gilbert PA TD pass, a long William Russ field goal. You can really rack up points and bury teams that way, hell we saw that some last year.
With this defense, getting ahead by any manner will translate to efficient wins.

How good is DR. Johnson?…I’m guessing he might be playing the role of 3-4 Rush LB’er, but I could be wrong.

Mitchell could end up being a MAULER at RT. If it doesn’t work out though, I’d hope to see Walters at RT an move Ashcraft to one of the OG spots.

Luke Poehlmann is what…a Soph.? The dude looks like a giant at 6’7" and from what I’ve heard looked solid during the practices. I hope is able to add a considerable amount of good weight fast over the next season or so.

“If the TE or H back can be ignored by the D as pass targets, that is an enormous problem.”

Agreed. The answer? Barrett Matthews. He’s going to light it up this year in this offense.

Now LonghornScott is contributing, too? Damn. Nice. Can’t wait to see The People’s Elbow and Doperbo’s reports which are surely coming down the pike.

On defense, we will have a very physical back 7. However, we won’t set the LOS like last year’s front four did. That’s where Kindle and Houston excelled. We’re going to rely on penetration and inflicting negative plays to get someone’s running game derailed. That will also mean some busts when we guess wrong.

Scip, I’m not so sure why you think we won’t control the LOS like last year with our front four. If you buy that Randall is picking up where Houston left off then there’s no reason not to think this years DL will be everything last year’s was. We don’t have the depth at DT today, but we might by the time we get to mid September. Also, we are deeper at DE, which is going to allow #81 to play a lot as a 3 tech so the DT issues to me are not a concern unless Randall gets hurt. Also, with the dearth of pass rushers I don’t disagree we are going to rely more on penetration and negative plays, but I think the reason we are is not due to any deficiency or weakness, but rather because we can afford to due to the linebacker play we have this year. #18 and #1 are the reasons why I don’t think we are as vulnerable to some of the big plays you are worried about. Feel free to tell me where I’m wrong.

t1climb1 -
 
You’re not wrong. We’re just separated by degree. I consider Houston one of the best DTs in program history. And a young Kheeston Randall is a more consistent run presence than a converted DE or one of the other DTs. Similarly, Kindle was really dynamic against the run.
 
I don’t mean to imply we’re going to do gimmicky things to stop the run; just that we’ll be using our quicks to get in gaps and disrupt.

Last year at this point I stated that this was ET’s last year. I’m similarly worried about Randall. Tall DT’s that play with proper leverage are rare.

I’m not saying he’s a top ten pick, but I think he can be every bit as good as the surplus of DT’s that went late first early second this past year.

“I’m similarly worried about Randall. Tall DT’s that play with proper leverage are rare.”

If he is able to leave early then it means he enjoyed an injury free and all conference type season and that would sit well with me. It would reinforce that we are truly a defensive tackle NFL factory and the next high school bad ass would simply sign up to play for us.

Next year we would still have Howell, Bible, Dorsey and Daniels plus Jackson and the best position coach in the country. We will be fine.

I will root for Randall to play himself into a high round/early exit player.

And we would still have Higgins for depth.

and Cotton, Kriegal, maybe Mims. Reed may get looks there too.

“I definitely harbor concern that we will struggle to find any identity in an offense that has such disparate approaches.”

“Ninety percent of teams today don’t run an offense, they run plays,”
Emory Bellard

newy, quincy russell wishes to have a word with you. i think it is a verb.

I don’t think the LB core is getting enough love coming into this season. Acho and Robinson will be the best starting duo in the Mack Brown era. They’ve gone from 220 lb rangy athletes last year to 240 lb missiles bearing down on the LOS. Them coupled with Vaccaro in the nickel will bring something that the defense didn’t have last year. I really expect this defense to ratchet up the physicality.

I’m not sure why I picked tonight to register and comment. Single malt scotch probably played a role. Anyway, just felt like dropping a line in and declaring that the posting on this site (barking carnival) beats the hell out of what I normally read concerning College football. I got no creditionals, no pedigree that makes me a qualified judge on the matter, but this site produces more insight, better observations, and right-down-the middle observations (I think) that make the pay sites pale in comparison. As an added bonus, it’s all funny as shit.I don’t know if any of the regular posters here are professional writers, but they need to get paid for something.

srr50,
Great quote.

NY Horn,
I agree about the linebacking group. They are going to physically pound some players into submission. Acho and Robinson are all growed up and we clearly see what Muschamp wants at the position. It also gives us that much more flexibility in the front because those guys can step up and fill an inside gap. I think their ability to play the screen and the draw this year is going to be crucial.

regbaker1954,
Thanks for that. I’m just as much of a fan of this place as you. It’s interesting that one of the most popular sports in the country would lack for good commentary from any mainstream sources. But when you think about it, most mainstream writers aren’t in any position to give really great commentary on a particular college team (which doesn’t excuse the steaming pile that most of them put out there). They don’t have the historical perspective and shared experience to be able to make the same insights. It makes me glad that Scip and Co. take the time and effort to put their thoughts out there even though this isn’t what they do for a living.

Rediscovering Scipio and the rest on this site after they’d largely disappeared from Hornfans was a great pleasure. Longhorn Scott’s practice observations were also a summer treat over there, I’m glad to find them again here. Sadly, my own contributions here are as a fawning fanboy who only follows the ball when a game is on without noticing that the two-step reach block is why a run fails or that hip flexibility may be why a db couldn’t make a play. I’m not sure that this knowledge improves my experience of the game, but I’m addicted to reading about such things.

Scip,

I think you and I agree on how this DL is going to look and play. I guess the point I was making was regarding the vulnerability to the middle screen and plays of that ilk due to the aggressive style of play they will employ. To me the linebacker play we will see this year is going to negate this. NY Horn alluded to it as well but Acho and Robinson have growed up indeed. Also, I agree that Kindle was especially strong against the run last year, but don’t sleep on Okafor. I think he is going to continue the progression to run-stopping bad ass and we will see some serious power off the edge from him this year. My biggest question mark for this D is how are Vaccaro’s and Scott’s coverage skills. If they can step up and play the nickel with any semblance of good coverage ability then this D will have virtually no weaknesses.

again, sated… zankou

I don’t see how Kheeston Randall holds up all year when he basically can’t leave the field. Even if he is not injured, he will not be as effective by the end of October as the defense needs him to be.

It’t great idea to do internet page like this one! Really untypical point of view and fine graphic.