THE MOUSE THAT ROARED: PART DEAUX

by davey o'brien on Nov 23, 2010 8:51 AM CST in Texas Longhorns and Other Football

Growing up in Dallas I first saw the brilliant work of Peter Sellers in movies shown on Channel 8's Late Movie.

I wasn't old enough to understand the political and social commentary of Dr. Strangelove and Shot in the Dark, but I found the guy very funny. As I got older, I thoroughly enjoyed re-watching those masterpieces.

One work of his I truly enjoy and think often times gets overlooked is the movie The Mouse that Roared. If you haven't seen it I highly recommended it and I'll give a quick summation.

The smallest country in the world is the Duchy of Grand Fenwick, a poor European nation on the verge of bankruptcy. The government devises a plan for fiscal salvation by declaring a war on the U.S. with the expectation they will be quickly defeated and then Fenwick will be re-built with foreign aid from the U.S. Knowing there is no way the U.S. Would ever declare war on Fenwick they dispatch their army (actually a small band of men armed with crossbows) led by a noble, but dimwitted general.

A series of events that can only happen in the movies unfolds resulting in the small country capturing a scientist who is carrying with him a briefcase containing a “doomsday” device. Upon hearing that Fenwick now possess such a weapon the American brain trust decides to surrender.

Basis of the movie is sometimes things can have a completely different result from what one might expect. After the Texas game against FAU I got two text messages from friends who chided me for my lack of faith in Mack, GD, and the program and they proudly stated that game was clear indication that the Horns were back on track (No Magnus, echeese and Bill Little do not have my cell phone number).

These texts really weren't unexpected and as I have read the thoughts of more than one Texas fan stating how it was just a matter of this team getting a little confidence and some growth among the younger players I laughed to myself. The funny thing was I was more frustrated after watching the Texas game last night followed by the Ags and OU than I have been after any loss this season.

Maybe I am just being a grumpy, old man who is still pissed off that I had to sit in the freaking parking lot on Sunday for 15 minutes so I could go back and buy some red wine to help me prevent heart disease and start writing this since I made my mistake to check out with my other groceries at 11:45 AM.

Maybe I have just adapted a defeatist attitude about this team and this season. Nah. I am frustrated because this game and then watching OU and A&M afterwards only reinforced to me the existence of the unholy trinity of Texas offensive football. I am referring to:

1) Scheme (Both overall offensive strategy and failure to game plan)

2) Execution

3) Personnel (Both selection and development)

Some will counter that it takes pretty bitter person to complain and be frustrated after the Texas offense has its biggest day of the year, but my complaint isn't the team's production on Saturday or how they attacked FAU.

My biggest complaint is that after going out and attacking Nebraska with a ground based attack that actually looked like it was part of a game plan to go right at the Husker defense and take the pressure off of Gilbert, Greg Davis fell back into character for four straight weeks and showed no real cohesive plan.

Four straight weeks of grab bag offense with no sense of continuity, no real indication he'd had even watched fucking game film of the opposing offense nor constructing a plan as to how the offense would impose their will against the ISU, Baylor, KSU, and OSU defenses as it had in Lincoln.

It wasn't until four consecutive losses, four consecutive weeks of the offensive failing to attack the opposing defense's biggest weakness, and four weeks of depending upon an unsteady young quarterback and a group of receivers who have consistently underperformed as a group this season that we saw Texas revert back to what had actually work in at least one game this year.

Consider the run to pass ratios of the Texas offense as it relates to the ranking of the opposing defense against the run in the last six Texas games:

Nebraska 46 rushes -16 passes #57 ranked rush defense
ISU 29 rushes- 57 passes #94 ranked rush defense
Baylor 37 rushes - 40 passes #68 ranked rush defense
KSU 26 rushes - 59 passes #117 ranked rush defense
OSU 37 rushes - 33 passes # 44 ranked rush defense
FAU 57 rushes -21 passes #103 ranked rush defense

I am not a fan that can't ever be made happy, I rarely go back and re-watch games, and I can't ever say my week has been ruined by a Texas loss. Maybe I don't bleed enough orange, but what I am is smart enough to watch those series of games and see games in which Texas had no clue what they wanted to do against bad defenses.

I saw this team take over a month that they return to the formula that helped them win easily their biggest win of the season. You can argue Texas really didn't have the personnel to utilize a power running scheme, but how is it possible they have the personnel to effectively run the ball versus Nebraska in Lincoln, but they can't run the ball against ISU, Baylor, KSU, and Oklahoma State? Was Lincoln a running game anomaly? Maybe, but we will never know because after emphasizing the running game and taking pressure off of Gilbert the Texas offense did a 180 and went to a strategy they have struggled with all year long, a strategy that put all the pressure on a struggling young quarterback who regularly gets no help from his group of receivers.

The FAU game did also illustrate the two other aspects of the unholy trinity. Failure in personnel in regards to coaching/execution and player development. Once again Texas struggled in short yardage situations against a front that isn't exactly loaded with NFL prospects.

The inability to run the ball in short yardage situations is not as much a matter of scheme. There are only so many ways to block a dive play that is supposed to gain six inches and that is for your offensive line to knock the defensive front back. That requires you have players who can explode off the ball and have been coached to explode off the ball - coached to execute very simple blocking schemes and help these players develop the physical abilities to do all of this.

Watching the Texas offensive line ooze off the line of scrimmage in short yardage situations eleven games into the season only re-enforces the poor job Texas has done in recruiting, teaching and developing players in the offensive line.

Yes that horse is now just a pile of bones after the beating it has taken this year, but it truly stunned me watching eleven games into the season and seeing the Texas offense go back to where they started this season against Rice. I am watching OU and Baylor and I notice how OU has developed a run game out of the shotgun that wasn't there in October. Isn't that a sign of good coaching? To identify what you can do well and build from that? I am watching how A&M pulled a senior multiple year starter who wasn't getting the job done to be replaced by an unproven talent. Teams find ways to integrate true freshman into their offensive schemes and there is Texas running out the same players who have gotten the job done this year game after game. For some the FAU game was a sign of hope for next year, but for me it just summed up how this has been a lost year for the Texas offense.

One quick side note. Texas wasn't the only one who found their football fortunes not going as expected this year. Watching Nebraska melt down in College Station not only did my heart good, but it reinforced to me just how far that team has to go to be truly competitive in a conference stronger than the Big XII. There is no doubt they are not close to the same offense without Martinez. I am also not so sure he can take the pounding of an entire season and that defense is losing some key players this year.

Anybody really ready to say Pellini has turned that program around?

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Comments

The FAU game was a win and well-needed little psychological boost for the team prior to a must-win game against a (gulp) superior opponent. For that, I’m thankful and I wouldn’t want to deny the team the momentary sweetness of victory. But only a fool would try to spin that game as a turning point or a validation. In fact, I say that game said a lot more about FAU than it did about Texas.

by Dumeril Seven on Nov 23, 2010 9:03 AM CST reply actions

Hey, at least we handled Yourhighness… http://www.fauowlaccess.com/pages/2010-fau-football-roster.aspx

by CZW on Nov 23, 2010 9:14 AM CST reply actions

I ran nine miles Saturday around noon, then went to Murphy’s Deli for a late lunch, listened to a few minutes on my way to HEB to do some Thanksgiving grocery shopping (my favorite grocery store outing of the year), then listened to the end of the 2nd quarter on my way home (awesome catch M. Williams – should be ready to try that again this week!). I pondered watching more of the game, but instead decided to weed eat and mow my lawn for the last time until spring. I finished up and watched a few minutes of the fourth quarter, seeing McCoy come in at least one series too late, and was very happy with my decision.

Why did I bore you with all of this? It was my most enjoyable Longhorn football game experience of this entire season.

by uthookem on Nov 23, 2010 9:33 AM CST reply actions

“Watching the Texas offensive line ooze off the line of scrimmage in short yardage situations eleven games into the season only re-enforces the poor job Texas has done in recruiting, teaching and developing players in the offensive line. "

This has been our problem for YEARS. We get no push at all in short yardage situations. As far back as when Colt nearly broke his neck against K-State five years ago. I’m actually stunned on the rare occasion we push someone off the ball. Given the amount of talent we should have on the O-line, the only thing I can think of is that we spend an inordinate amount of time teaching pass blocking and almost zero time practicing firing off the line with a low pad level to knock the d-line back. That is, we “catch” block more than we drive block. We are used to stepping back at the snap, not forward and it becomes glaringly obvious in short yardage situations.

by roach on Nov 23, 2010 10:03 AM CST reply actions

Give up on the Jumbo Package on 1st (or 2nd, 3rd, 4th) and goal, roll the pocket with a run-pass option. Just score the damn touchdown and fix the O-line [beginning with the coaching] during the off-season.

by dood on Nov 23, 2010 10:17 AM CST reply actions

Was there ever a “Part Un”?

by dood on Nov 23, 2010 10:18 AM CST reply actions

Ahhh, memories! Saw The Mouse that Roared at the Inwood… 1960? What that Sellers movie has to do with UT fooball’s fortunes this year is mightily imaginative however. I’d suggest the “She turned me into a newt” scene from Holy Grail better captures the intellectual approach of the casual fan toward the underpinnings of the game and the way its outcomes are consistently determined.

by OldTimeHorn on Nov 23, 2010 10:19 AM CST reply actions

Any body really ready to say Pellini has turned that program around?

Yeah, well YOU tell him so….

by oletnhorn on Nov 23, 2010 10:36 AM CST reply actions

you’re friends that texted you are morons. erase their numbers now!

by Savage Henry on Nov 23, 2010 10:41 AM CST reply actions

I bet Trips our dinner tab that FAU wouldn’t score on its last drive before half and things were looking pretty good when we sacked the QB after lingering in the pocket for ten seconds, leaving four left on the clock.

Then Texas converts its Hail Mary … ever? … to our flankerghost, Malcolm Williams. Thankfully Trips wanted to take his kids to Bonedaddy’s instead of VY’s Steakhouse.
Family atmosphere, imo.

by Vasherized on Nov 23, 2010 11:10 AM CST reply actions

It isn’t just the Oline…watch the tape Roberson and Matthews whiffed on their lead and kick out blocks every time at the goal line. The jumbo worked best when we had a defensive lineman like Roy Miller in it to mash people at the second level coming in run support. I’m not defending the O Line, but it’s a complete fail except for Cody, who had to break a clean tackle on an unblocked player on the fourth down toss when we scored our only TD. In other words, he scored despite missed assignments.

by Confused and Dazed on Nov 23, 2010 11:18 AM CST reply actions

OldTime – the problem with newt line in this context is that you’ve only quoted half of it. The full reading -

“She turned me into a newt!”
(then sheepishly, off looks of disbelief)
“… I got better.”

And therein lies the rub: We haven’t gotten better yet.

by BEHorn on Nov 23, 2010 11:45 AM CST reply actions

Chauvinism by its nature is a cognitive dysfunction.

by exuLt on Nov 23, 2010 12:16 PM CST reply actions

I wrote this in another post. Check out our blocking on some of those short yardage plays. We are cut/low blocking which would make perfect sense for a small back to jump over the top into the endzone. Cody jump stops into the pile at ground level.

by DGinBigD on Nov 23, 2010 12:36 PM CST reply actions

KEEP THE JUMBO PACKAGE

I mean as a decoy and design 100 variations out of that formation.

by Chad on Nov 23, 2010 12:36 PM CST reply actions

roach said:

November 23rd, 2010 at 9:03 am

"Watching the Texas offensive line ooze off the line of scrimmage in short yardage situations eleven games into the season only re-enforces the poor job Texas has done in recruiting, teaching and developing players in the offensive line. "

This has been our problem for YEARS. We get no push at all in short yardage situations. As far back as when Colt nearly broke his neck against K-State five years ago. I’m actually stunned on the rare occasion we push someone off the ball. Given the amount of talent we should have on the O-line, the only thing I can think of is that we spend an inordinate amount of time teaching pass blocking and almost zero time practicing firing off the line with a low pad level to knock the d-line back. That is, we "catch" block more than we drive block. We are used to stepping back at the snap, not forward and it becomes glaringly obvious in short yardage situations.

Bingo!

by Joetx on Nov 23, 2010 1:07 PM CST reply actions

If we are going with Holy Grail analogies, I’d say the average fans are the Black Knight.

UCLA game lops off an arm- “’Tis but a scratch.”
ISU takes off the other- “Just a flesh wound”
KSU lops off a leg- “Greg Davis always triumphs! Have at you! Come on then.”
Baylor takes off other leg- “All right; we’ll call it a draw.”

by stuckinmn on Nov 23, 2010 1:13 PM CST reply actions

“I ran nine miles Saturday around noon….”

You had me until that sentence. I just threw up a little bit.

That’s an exciting Saturday, Random Task. My girl couldn’t get me to do that shit you did in an entire year. If she reads this I’m screwed. “But uthookem went to the store during the game.” “He’s obviously p-whipped, something I am not. You go to the store or I’ll go to the bar.”

Our timing is off dramatically in the run game and our RB’s lack the necessary vision to find an alternative running lane.

I liked some things I saw from Cody, however. Hopefully he can duplicate his effort from ’08 against the Ags.

by magnusbleuveigner on Nov 23, 2010 1:30 PM CST reply actions

Nice post, Davey. If you like vintage Sellers, give “After the Fox” (1966) a try.

by parlin on Nov 23, 2010 1:32 PM CST reply actions

Wait to see the aftermath if we beat Aggy. Fans will hit the koolaid so hard that it would even make an aggie blush.

by Mad Clapper on Nov 23, 2010 1:46 PM CST reply actions

Roach,

“YEARS” is right! Forget 2006 when Colt got injured trying to score against KSU on 4th down because we couldn’t get any push on the first 3. Does anyone else remember the ’99 Cotton Bowl against Arkansas?

by hoju on Nov 23, 2010 2:37 PM CST reply actions

How about we run with Saltshaker’s idea for moving GD around with another face-saving title? Something like promotion to “Vice-Head Coach in Waiting in Case After Waiting the Head Coach in Waiting is Temporarily Unable to Perform His Duties” as part of a Longhorn line of succession plan for the continuity of coaching during a national emergency/prostate surgery.

And of course since this requires GD be secured in an undisclosed location on game day, he’d have to give up OC duties. A noble sacrifice when called to step up to more important service to program and country.

(Yes, I’m too lazy to go through the registration process to be able to post on his thread.)

by Del Unaware on Nov 23, 2010 2:50 PM CST reply actions

That picture looks like Jesus and Tipsy getting ready to fend off Bobby Burton and the other pay site owners.

by Davey O'brien on Nov 23, 2010 4:32 PM CST reply actions

I agree with the “koolaid” comment by Mad Clapper. Obviously I want us to beat aggy and win big. However, a part (small part) wants us to get the shit kicked out of us so that meaningful changes come to the coaching staff. The catch is, I’m not sure an ass raping by aggy would be what it takes to get rid of GDGD. I think the bastard is staying no matter what. That being the case my horns go up and I scream Hook em!

by ScandalMan on Nov 23, 2010 5:13 PM CST reply actions

Was there ever a "Part Un"?

You seem to be thinking he meant “Part Deux”… not so… he meant “Part Deaux”, but somehow left out Homer Simpson’s trip to Frawnce, where they phoneticized “D’oh!” as noted in the title.

by Tex Long on Nov 23, 2010 7:14 PM CST reply actions

Point taken, BEHorn.

by OldTimeHorn on Nov 23, 2010 8:24 PM CST reply actions

I maintain that our Interior OL is the one strength of the offense and definitely good enough to run the ball decently on every Big 12 team this year, because they are all lacking premier DT talent and have adjusted their schemes and personnel for the spread.

by Nickel Rover on Nov 23, 2010 11:08 PM CST reply actions

It’s no mystery that our last two wins featured an offense that ran the ball more than it passed.

Back in the Nebbie game, Miz longtex asked me if Applewhite was calling the plays, and I had to agree that it sure looked thataway to me. Woulda made me a lot happier if they’d kept it up and – as Saint Darrell useta say – danced with who brung ‘em, for the rest of the game. I have a feeling that if they had, the score there wouldn’t have been much different than the Florida Oceanic score. Mayhap there was some truth to the rumor about Will & Major scheming this last one, too.

If I wasn’t so damn worried that a decent finish would save Davis’s job, I’d be one of them pulling for an agy mudhole and a bowl game win. But I’ve pretty much got to the point where I don’t trust Mack a whole lot, and I can see him parlaying such a decent finish into a declaration that the young team finally shaped up, thanks to Greg and his patient tutelage.

by Tex Long on Nov 24, 2010 12:09 AM CST reply actions

As great as it felt to watch successful drives, scoring, sacks, and a win, it’s all tempered by the fact that FAU was a vacation. Now watching the Horns is going to feel like going back to work. I want the win, but it feels like anybody’s guess whether we’ll do things to put the game in our hands, or fall behind and watch it slip away. I sincerely hope we’ve done our homework on this one.

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