Muschamp's evil plan to save the world...
by RolloTamasi on Aug 24, 2010 4:25 AM CDT
in Texas Longhorns and Other Football
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Print...Just you wait till it's unfurled. Scipio covers much of it in his DT/DE/LB post along with his thoughts on the defensive backs.
Like the rest of you I have been devouring his unit write-ups like a cat fed with canned tuna. All dignity is lost when the aroma of football fills the kitchen.
Also, QB/RB/WR, TE/HB/OL, and Special Teams. Lap it up. Then go consider giving money for little Raylee. If just part of the readership here chipped in it would make all the difference. Apparently there are many of you. And just look at that little girl reaching out for the no. 10 hat...
For all that Trips Right has brought us on basketball, football, gambling and whatever else it's an awesome opportunity to bless him and his family now.
Now, while this coach has received some credit here and there I also want to call attention to a man named Mike Tolleson. Scipio praised him in his practice reports and several other places but it's worth noting that Defensive tackle and Special Teams, 2 places that have been essential cornerstones in the 10-win season Mack Brown Temple, are both coached by this individual. As excited as I am about Muschamp taking over this team someday and continuing to run the defense I get a little nervous thinking about a world where Tolly and Duane aren't involved in Texas football. Hopefully Muschamp can hire as well as he can coach.
Scipio has outlined, above, the defensive strengths and possibilities while Muschamp himself has mentioned several plans including heavier use of zone. By zone you can be reasonably certain that he means pattern-reading, where players defend routes and, in the case of OU or Bama, tendencies.
Heavier use of more complicated coverages also means more inundation with these techniques for the incoming players trying to catch up, so the defense won't have to revert back to 2008-level complexity everytime a batch of defensive backers graduate. The future linebackers and defensive backs will be used to the more complex coverages being a routine part of practice and game plans.
In 2008 the coverage was basically just a lot of 2 deep with man coverage underneath. In 09 there was a lot more Cover-1 Robber with Gideon playing deep and Thomas playing robber or over the slot receiver.
The quality and specific abilities of the safeties often plays heavily into the chosen scheme of a guy like Muschamp who is looking to put guys in position to make positive plays and not merely reduce negative ones. 2010 has a combination of the best qualities of 08 and 09.
At the starting safety spots he has guys that are strong in support but not when isolated in coverage. I won't have a hernia if I see Gideon or Scott on slot receivers other than Broyles, Fuller, Nwachukwu...well this list is getting a little long, but suffice to say they aren't horrendous but you'd rather not give teams an easy 5-10 yards with one of them lined up over a quality receiving option.
In support, however, they can be ballhawks. Gideon has proven himself a quality centerfielder, he's like the buzzard in this scheme, methodically flying high above waiting for carrion to pick off.
Christian Scott is your Peregrin Falcon, 175 mph of straight line speed into the earhole of unsuspecting prey.
Kenny Vaccaro is your more typical Red-Tailed Hawk which Muschamp will train to viciously strike game of his own preference from the slot position.
Brewster is a Snowy Owl.
The redtail may not lock down guys like the Earl could but the value here is in lining up guys on receivers who can be physical tacklers and useful in the running game. Chykie Brown's presence on the team means that Aaron can play inside, where he is a solid LB/DB option (the slot defender takes the place of the Sam linebacker) and the team fields 3 high caliber corners. Then, offering further versatility is the emergence of Vaccaro and Scott which will allow Williams to stay outside as well (where he will be less easily avoided), preserving physicality inside without losing too much coverage by getting Norton or Earnest on the field.
Combined with Acho uno ocho and Robinson's growth in understanding coverage principles and you have a back 7 suited for the following basic strategy.
For most of these Big 12 teams, even the supposedly "run-heavy offenses" they'll gang up on the pass with 2 deep defenders while maintaining coverage, speed, AND physicality underneath. Gary Patterson has been doing this for years at TCU with his 4-2-5 and hasn't yet had anyone like Aaron Williams and would be thrilled to have Vaccaro or Scott.
You might see Gideon left alone deep in Cover-1 or in Cover-3 but I'm guessing that 2-deep coverages will be more common. Cover-2, Cover-4, Cover-5 (2 deep man under). Whether or not Muschamp can coach guys to attack tendencies from those coverages like Stoops I can't say for certain but obviously we would all suspect the answer to be yes. It sure seemed like Thomas and Gideon had an idea of where to be last year.
This can also help replace Earl's heavy INT totals in that multiple players will be in position to attack the ball when it's flung haphazardly from a quarterback trying to escape the clutches of whichever of 10 options Muschamp has chosen to send at him on that given play. Zone, even pattern-reading, helps defenders keep their eye in the backfield more often and take cues from the eyes of the quarterback rather than the receiver.
When it comes to interceptions, looking for the ball makes all the difference and 2-deep read coverages make that easier. Quantity is job 1 on turnovers for Muschamp and that's how I see him getting them.
That's your base defense with a strong dose of stunts, zone-blitzes, and different fronts to choose from. Versatility and packaging is clearly the name of the game with Muschamp and future squads are going to zone more to achieve that goal.
As a peak into the future, next year's squad will be full of first year starters at corner back along with the veteran group of Scott, Gideon and Vaccaro. Beyond keeping the Big Nickel as a useful package, Vaccaro's training in the slot makes him a starter in that position in 2011.
Gideon, as we've probably all slowly come to accept, is going to be a 4 year starter at Texas. He understands Muschamp's schemes and has enough ability for that to add up to a strong case for him starting. Then, in the long run this could pay off after his inevitably brief stint in the NFL. What do you think happens after that? Coach's son with 120 credits for the major of "Muschamp studies" is going to do what after his playing days are over? I can guess.
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"I get a little nervous thinking about a world where…Duane (isn’t) involved in Texas football."
"…after (Gideon’s) inevitably brief stint in the NFL. What do you think happens after that? Coach’s son with 120 credits for the major of ‘Muschamp studies’ is going to do what after his playing days are over? I can guess."
Coach DBs at his alma mater?
by TKO on Aug 24, 2010 6:09 AM CDT reply actions
"…after (Gideon’s) inevitably brief stint in the NFL. What do you think happens after that? "
He will work on an aircraft carrier as a “Yellow Shirt”. The jets will be perfectly aligned on the flight deck and he’ll ensure that the “Chykies” of Naval aviators don’t taxi overboard..
by Ghost Rider on Aug 24, 2010 6:29 AM CDT reply actions
While i am as optimistic as you and Scip… how do you explain that we have forced no turnovers in the last 2 scrimmages?
by Orangechipper on Aug 24, 2010 7:34 AM CDT reply actions
Orangechipper it is too early to start drinking for today and too late in the morning to have a carry-over from last night’s imbibing so my powers of perception are a bit dulled due to sobriety so please confirm you are only asking a satirical question and truly aren’t serious about results from practice.
by Davey O'Brien on Aug 24, 2010 8:38 AM CDT reply actions
Gideon in three years is Brian Russell. Gideon in eight years is Duane Akina. Gideon in twelve years is Will Muschamp. Wonder who will be first in line to hire him?
Any chance Scott has a huge year and bolts for the league?
It’ll be interesting to see how much Will mixes in White and Byndom (and Barnett?) in preparation for next year. Relying on young corners is a dangerous game.
by jc25 on Aug 24, 2010 8:48 AM CDT reply actions
how do you explain that we have forced no turnovers in the last 2 scrimmages?
I’m actually more excited about this bit of news than anything. I chalk it up to the offense being further along than I thought they would be and especially to Gilbert’s accuracy and good decision making (and a soupcon of clutchiness).
This defense is going to force turnovers, there is too much talent and they are too well coached not to. I wouldn’t worry about that. I would be more worried about our offense if the practice reports were that the D was forcing 3 turnovers per scrimmage.
by t1climb1 on Aug 24, 2010 8:49 AM CDT reply actions
Because Gilbert is awesome and we’re not hitting hard enough to force fumbles.
by nordberg on Aug 24, 2010 9:02 AM CDT reply actions
Just sent some support Raylee’s way. Hook’em
by triplehorn on Aug 24, 2010 9:20 AM CDT reply actions
“how do you explain that we have forced no turnovers in the last 2 scrimmages?”
1) The offense is doing less gambling.
2) Muschamp already knows his D is the shiznit and doesn’t need to prove anything in practice.
3) Muschamp also knows that a rookie QB’s confidence can be sapped by turnovers, even in scrimmages.
4) The most intimidating pass rush Gilbert has faced since January can do no more than touch Gilbert’s jersey without getting strangled.
by NateHeupel on Aug 24, 2010 9:27 AM CDT reply actions
All good points by Nate. However, with the most accurate passer in NCAA history last year and a lot returning, the reports were that the defense was forcing more turnovers in scrimmages than this year. So again, clutchiness…clutchiness.
by t1climb1 on Aug 24, 2010 10:17 AM CDT reply actions
Annointing Gideon as a future coach/coach on the field is going to bring the wrath of the NCAA upon us, just like the HCIW tag is only going to allow Muschamp one in home visit with prospective recruits.
Way to go guys.
by magnusbleuveigner on Aug 24, 2010 1:55 PM CDT reply actions
shhhh!!!!!…… Magnus you’re making it even more obvious!!!
by UT wildcatter on Aug 24, 2010 2:14 PM CDT reply actions
Annointing Gideon as a future coach/coach on the field is going to bring the wrath of the NCAA upon us
I would like to see Blake adopted into the Dana X. Bible family tree and name a son “Gideon Bible.”
Guy would feel at home in hotel rooms everywhere.
by parlin on Aug 24, 2010 2:16 PM CDT reply actions
Annointing Gideon as a future coach/coach on the field is going to bring the wrath of the NCAA upon us
2012 = Armagideon.
by triplehorn on Aug 24, 2010 2:36 PM CDT reply actions
Sent Raylee reinforcements last night, along with prayers and best wishes. Love her blog. We should all try to give something; BC has sure given much entertainment to all of us (even Tim).
by SleepyHorn on Aug 24, 2010 2:39 PM CDT reply actions
Think of all the useless shit you spend money on compared to something like this. A worthy cause, imo.
by Vasherized on Aug 24, 2010 3:48 PM CDT reply actions
Quite frankly, I consider these reports, coupled with the lack of smack from the normal sources, as a very good sign. I am not only counting down the days, but the hours, until kickoff.
In the summer of 2005, we discussed how great it was to be a Longhorn, but how much better is it now?
by java on Aug 24, 2010 9:19 PM CDT reply actions
Not as great as it would have been if we had defeated Alabama in the national championship game. I haven’t forgotten the crappy circumstances of that game, nor Saban “putting it away” with several late touchdowns. I want their fanbase to have wandered into walmart and only wondered what might have been if only McElroy hadn’t been cut in half trying to lead a comeback drive in the fourth quarter.
I hope we get them again someday.
by Nickel Rover on Aug 25, 2010 4:40 AM CDT reply actions
Very interesting question. In 2005 Texas had an elite team, a very good program, but not the pieces, process, or mindset to sustain the success.
In 2010 Texas has a team that appears to be positioned to be a very good team, is an elite program, and has the pieces, process, systems and mindset to sustain the trajectory of the program.
In the end, nothing trumps ultimate success which is a national title, but there is no doubt in my mind that the direction of this program in 2010 is far better than 2005. That is something Mack doesn’t get enough credit.
by Davey O'Brien on Aug 25, 2010 10:08 PM CDT reply actions
JC25: I don’t really anticipate a jump by Christian Scott. Big, hard hitting safeties who are useful in support but not coverage are not 1st/2nd round hot commodities in the NFL.
Taylor Mays was drafted in the 2nd round as a 230 pounder who could run a 4.3. Guys like Eric Berry and Earl Thomas who can cover a slot receiver, range across the field to contest or intercept passes, and still kill a guy over the middle are the ones that will be lured into the NFL for big money.
Overall, to clarify on Gideon coaching, there are different types of good coordinators. Guys who understand and can teach and can tweak a particular scheme/system and guys who are innovators.
We can’t know if Gideon is a guy who can teach or if he is the type that could be creative but I think we can at least assume that he posseses the faculties to understand a system.
by Nickel Rover on Aug 26, 2010 2:28 AM CDT reply actions
For examples: Davis is an understander/tweaker. He’s adopted his basic West Coast system to the the zone-read option and the spread. If you want to say he has no understanding of the running game I’m sympathetic to your position.
Muschamp is an innovator. It’s great to have either kind, when I say two types of coordinators I mean 2 good kinds, the real innovators are rare.
by Nickel Rover on Aug 26, 2010 2:35 AM CDT reply actions
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by oxygen sensors on Dec 31, 2010 5:31 PM CST reply actions
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