Texas-Oklahoma Post-Mortem: Defense Special Teams
by Scipio Tex on Oct 10, 2011 4:39 PM CDT
in Texas Longhorns and Other Football
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PrintLike much of last year, our offense never gave the defense a chance and this defense needed all the help they could get.
Statistically, our performance was poor, even without the offense gifting scores and field position (21 points without the defense on the field, another 6 to 10 pretty much guaranteed based on field position). The Sooners compiled 453 yards at 6.4 yards per play and though the yardage was something I'd assumed we'd concede, the efficiency with which OU achieved it, the lack of turnovers, and our inability to stop them on 3rd down (8 of 15 for the game, 6 of 10 in first half, including a 3rd and 25 conversion) all proved to be our undoing. The early red zone stops were encouraging, but as the waves of turnovers and compromised field position continued, the defense broke down in the pivotal 2nd quarter (28-7, Sooners).
There's no question in my mind that we played defense well enough to win in the 2nd half, but it was far too little, too late.
OU's rough game plan was to not allow any inside pressure, put any outside late pressure on LJ's internal clock and quick release, run the ball symbolically, and throw balls to spots with anticipation rather than try to move the pocket or attempt longer drops. It was a great, simple game plan - perfect for this sort of emotional rivalry game and proof how much they now trust Uncle Rico at QB. Its effectiveness eroded as the game went on, but by that point, the game was out of hand and our offense was still slitting the D's throat.
DL
I mentioned in my game preview that I didn't think OU would be able to run on us and that was true save for the inexplicable bust on Whaley's 64 yard touchdown run. I think the Sooners were a little surprised that play went given that Oklahoma's other 18 carries were for 22 yards with a longest run of 8 and included 5 tackles for loss. Much of the credit for that goes to our DL - Randall, Okafor, and Jeffcoat all inflicted negative plays in the run game and held up well at the point of attack. OU committed to throwing the ball when they realized our ability to rush the passer was negligible. The Sooners will continue to struggle running the ball against quality fronts, but their passing game will cover up that deficiency against 90% of college football.
As well as the DL played the run, they were largely non-factors in the passing game. Calvin Howell had a sack, we had a couple of pressures, but OU either had the right call on (on one play we bring Acho up the A gap untouched and Jones calmly drops the ball into the vacated spot on a middle screen - the perfect call) or they just protected well inside-out and Jones obeyed the clock in his head to get the ball out with anticipation and pace to frustrate our rushers. When Jones did extend the play, our pass rushers looked as if they were expecting a three step drop.
Alex Okafor is a technically sound DE, but he doesn't have a first step and though Jackson Jeffcoat really showed at times against the run game in space, he had zero impact as a pass rusher (0 QB hits). He's actually less effective than as a true freshman. On the inside, Howell and Randall gave us consistently good snaps, but offered little in terms of pass rushing consistency and couldn't collapse the pocket against Oklahoma's tight pinch OL schemes. Ashton Dorsey appears to not have a single pass rushing move in his arsenal beyond trying to shoot a gap that isn't there.
LB
OU made us take at least one of them off of the field to play nickel. Acho and Robinson generally played the run well inside the tackles, but Hicks found himself sprinting the wrong direction entirely on Whaley's TD run. In a game where we needed them to shine wreaking some havoc in space with pressure on the QB, hawking turnovers, or delivering big hits on receivers in the short game or on crossing routes, they basically showed up and played like solid cogs in the machine. No value-added. Not what we need from senior leaders.
DB
These guys by far drew the toughest assignment on the field.
We're still in a learning phase here and finally showed our youth against schemes executed by top level athletes with a QB who can deliver the ball with accuracy to any point on the field. Our zones were soft and not reacting quickly enough to pattern matching and man coverage was doomed more often than not with the lack of pressure. You could see our guys get more comfortable as the game progressed and OU's passing game efficiency eroded, but by then it was too little, too late. Although OU's passing game was a manageable 31 of 52 for 367, that only works when it's partnered with some forced turnovers, better 3rd down efficiency, sacks, and some big hits on OU's skill players. Just didn't happen. It's that missing element to the defense that really sank us. Basically, OU ran a clean, risk-less passing game. We did nothing to make them uncomfortable.
I praised Blake Gideon for his play against Iowa St and it's a reminder how contextual football can be. Oklahoma has a NFL quality QB throwing to multiple WRs who can hurt you and that forces every man in your secondary to cover, run, and operate in space. No one can play a one man deep zone on every play. Gideon was consistently targeted - either as part of OU's game plan or by simple QB recognition - and OU exploited him at will both in zone and man coverages. OSU will do the same. There is no solution and no place to hide.
Kenny Vaccaro is our best DB, but the game plan had little for him. Blitzing him off the edge late with the expectation that Landry Jones would take a deep drop got old - he's not getting there, Manny - and he seemed tentative trying to balance keeping his fingers in the dam of our zone coverage, taking on OU WR's individually, and supporting against the run. He had two pass break ups and a TFL, but this is a game where we really needed him to unload on an OU WR to set the tone. It felt like he hit the wall of Diaz's assignment expectations.
Quandre Diggs is a true freshman and his time in Dallas played out like David Ash's on the other side of the ball. He's a promising raw player who just isn't prepared for this kind of game. The blow-by-blow is unnecessary.
I suspect I'll get some disagreement here, but after re-watching the game, Carrington Byndom and Adrian Phillips gave us winning performances. No one is going to go against OU's WRs with little pass rush and emerge unscathed, but Byndom won a hell of a lot of battles and Phillips was active throughout. Both guys hung in there, stayed competitive and feisty, and gave a good account of themselves even when they made mistakes.
Christian Scott gave us some physical and active snaps (6 tackles, including a forced fumble) but he is a coverage liability in space. Very difficult to play him with Gideon against an offense that spreads you out.
Special Teams
Still not great on kick coverage and won't be until we get more leg from the kicker, but punting and kick return were clear wins (thanks, Fozzy - you showed up big time) and we won this battle overall. Unfortunately, special teams play and hidden yards become negligible factors when the offensive unit keeps flipping field position, giving up defensive scores, and is generally overwhelmed by the ineptitude of the complementary units.
I now proclaim this unit a juggernaut.
Overall
You win a game like this on defense by conceding some plays and yards, but by being tough on 3rd down, forcing some turnovers, inflicting some big hits and negative plays at opportune moments, and playing hard all game. We did play hard all game and no one quit, but OU ran a clean passing game and we did very little to take away their momentum in the first half.
I also think Manny Diaz had his first experience against a top level QB playing in a true spread passing game. The SEC plays the best football in the country, but you don't see the passing game executed as cleanly as it can be by some Big 12 teams, particularly ones where the #2 and #3 WRs can hurt you almost as badly as the #1. I hope he learned what's going to fly and what isn't. He'd better apply it to the OSU game plan, because the problems they pose are nearly identical to OU.
There are some layers of complexity to what Diaz teaches and in a big game where things are going against you early, it's easy to paralyze your defense with over-thinking. It's pretty clear OU's defense came in with a pretty simple plan that they were all comfortable with and they cut it loose and played fast. Of course, they drew an easy assignment too. It looked a lot like a defense still thinking through what they're seeing that eventually played its way into comfort. The difference between six months in a scheme and six years, I suppose.
We knew youth and inexperience would be an issue at DB so if you want to have a good cry about that, certainly feel free, but these young guys are good players. If I have any concerns about their long term development, it's more along the lines of Akina's ability to teach zone rather than their talent, effort level, or toughness (which Duane always maximizes).
The DL's inability to pressure the passer in a game where they could finally cut loose is concerning and doesn't bode well for Oklahoma State.
Our LBs are proving to be more workmanlike than difference making. We're five games into the season and the hardest hits I've seen from this unit are from freshman Steve Edmond. We can talk scheme all we want - and it's vital - but knocking an offensive player out sends a message.
This Oklahoma State game will tell us a lot about our week-to-week development against first rate offenses because, without breaking into the finer details (more WR screen game for one thing), the problems posed by the Cowboy offense and the things they want to do will be almost identical to the Sooners.
Check out PB's take here.
Hook 'em.
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Somewhat similar to last year. D > O, but…
WIP. WIP. WIP. WIP.
It’s a Work In Progress.
by Tex Long on Oct 10, 2011 4:47 PM CDT reply actions
Even if it sounds more like the big legs on Roger Miller’s Levis.
by Tex Long on Oct 10, 2011 4:47 PM CDT reply actions
As always, Nails Scipio.
Even though we got our asses handed to us this past weekend, I am still excited about the thought of this team moving forward. Oklahoma was extrememly good, even better then I thought they’d be. Saturday will present a huge challenge, but luckily for us, history says Mack wins the game after OU. WE’ll see.
Looking forward to it.
Hook em
by McCoy12 on Oct 10, 2011 4:51 PM CDT reply actions
Great breakdown. I think I unjustly slandered Carrington while at the game as rage and vodka conspired to blur #23 / #28.
If this game hinged on anything besides All America Candidate vs. Young Pups at QB, it was the ability to get pressure with a four-man rush. To your point on Dorsey, I’ve long wondered at the lack of real pass-rushing moves that seems to afflict many of our DL/rush LB’s – I don’t remember Cory Redding making a single ‘move’ during his whole time at DE. Our edge rushers became a lot more productive at dipping a shoulder/staying low and working around the outside of the OT as Muschamps ‘speed to power’ mantra came into effect, but I’d love to see our guys employ a few devastating rip/spin/hump/club moves from the Reggie White playbook.
A few weeks ago I figured that Jordan Hicks would be the defensive MVP of this game based on his absolute clinic against BYU, but it certainly never materialized.
At least special teams looked like it could be a go-forward positive for the rest of the season if those units play with Saturday’s intensity.
by nobis60 on Oct 10, 2011 4:56 PM CDT reply actions
I caught the same thing about our CB play. Byndom was featured on camera a lot and Stills had nothing on him. Phillips less often, but he seemed to be always in good position too.
by OldTimeHorn on Oct 10, 2011 5:02 PM CDT reply actions
Dravannti dropped 10 yds into zone coverage on Whaley’s long TD run. No one came up to hold the edge. Hicks gave himself up inside. Kinda a funny on replay.
DJ Monroe looked shot out of a cannon on his kick-off return. It was beautiful even though called back correctly.
At least Gideon had us lined up correctly.
by ultralight on Oct 10, 2011 5:06 PM CDT reply actions
I did see at least one kick-off go into the end zone. The special teams are indeed a juggernaut!
by Felonious Monk on Oct 10, 2011 5:07 PM CDT reply actions
If the big guys in the middle aren’t getting pressure up the middle, and we can’t get to him on the edge, why not try mixing up the front? Maybe Jackson and Okafor at DT and bring some guys with a little more speed off the edge? Just a thought.
by DJ on Oct 10, 2011 5:11 PM CDT reply actions
Byndom was the defensive MVP, so good call there.
Our offense needs to RTDB this week and shorten the game. They certainly weren’t of any help in Dallas to a 6 month old defense playing against one of the most prolific passing offenses in the country.
It will get better. Needs to in a real big hurry.
by beowulf on Oct 10, 2011 5:18 PM CDT reply actions
McCoy12 -
Thanks. Appreciate the praise. I don’t put much stock in the “Mack always wins after OU” stat since we were usually playing a bad or average team the following week. We definitely have a chance to apply some learning from OU to this week’s game, but I’m pretty confident we don’t have enough offense to win this game.
nobis60 -
Totally agree on the lack of pass rushing moves. Lamarr Houston and Brian Orakpo seem like distant memories. I guess there’s a reason the NFL covets pass rushing DL the way it does. Not a lot of these cats running around.
ultralight -
That’s what I saw too. I have to confess to laughing on the rewatch. It was a perfect play call and we were playing pass all the way.
Felonious -
In the 4th quarter, if I recall correctly.
DJ -
That’s a great concept, but you can’t do it on honest down and distance or people will run right through us. I definitely endorse putting 4 DEs on the field when it’s 3rd and 13.
by Scipio Tex on Oct 10, 2011 5:19 PM CDT reply actions
beowulf -
Thanks, didn’t know that Byndom was the defensive MVP when I wrote this. Glad Manny saw it the same way.
You’re right. It will get better. I’m hopeful that it’s this Saturday.
by Scipio Tex on Oct 10, 2011 5:20 PM CDT reply actions
It bothers me that we were able to make them completely one dimensional on offense (every DC’s dream), yet they took that one dimension and completely torched us with it. Yeah, yeah – youth, new schemes. I get it. But I saw precious few flashes of playmaking promise and giving up 300 passing yards in a single half just can’t happen, ever, excuses or not.
by tokamak on Oct 10, 2011 5:29 PM CDT reply actions
So do we still have the best front 7 in the league? 2 DE’s that don’t rush the passer well, and one of which that also doesn’t hold up well when the play is coming at him. An army of unknowns at one DT spot. And 3 OLBs.
Sadly, there is probably at least 5 NFL players in that 7.
by Horncasting on Oct 10, 2011 5:31 PM CDT reply actions
tokamak -
Agreed.
More broadly for everyone –
My perspective isn’t about excusing anything. It’s just explaining things as they are with some expectation that we should all now share some mutual understanding of what got us here. Endlessly lamenting Mack’s total failure to manage large portions of the program for a period of time has very little interest to me. It’s old news.
This bewildered act from a portion of our fan base (“I didn’t know we had gotten so bad!”) on the heels of 5-7 is as amusing as it is strange.
by Scipio Tex on Oct 10, 2011 5:34 PM CDT reply actions
Great recap. One thing that stuck out to me was the complete lack of substitution of any defensive players during OU’s first two drives. IIRC, we went with base 4-2-5 (+Phillips, -Hicks) the entire time in the first two drives. I believe our first substitution was in drive 3 when Scott came in for Phillips and played safety. Let’s not fail to mention that I was a few beers in and have not rewatched the horror.
What that tells me was that Diaz was a mite unprepared for the vaunted OU speed snapping. I think he had it ingrained in his mind what he wanted to do and stuck to it. There was a little bit of fool’s gold in those drives. Yes, we held them to two field goals, but we weren’t particularly effectively in doing so. We never really tried to throw any early curveballs, like a dime or 3-3-5 stack, that deviated from our gameplan going in. I also think it hurt us, either physically or psychologically. By mid-second quarter, our D looked tired, particularly that last drive before the half.
The killer was the 3rd and 25 where Diggs inexplicably played press coverage on Jaz Reynolds and there was no safety help from Gideon (or Phillips?) over the top. The stands on the Texas side were rocking and we thought we were one play from forcing a huge stop and weathering the first INT. Really took the wind out of our sails. Then our offense follows up with 6 pass play calls in a row (Harsin’s worst sequence, IMO), if you count the Onyegbule reverse as a pass (which I do), doubling down on the 3 and outs. At that point, the fan base was pretty much lost.
by jc25 on Oct 10, 2011 5:40 PM CDT reply actions
Horncasting -
I’ll go with #2 in the Big 12. But if you’re going to judge Big 12 defenses by how they perform against our O vs how our D performs against the likes of OSU, OU, Baylor, A&M, Tech, then it’s not exactly apples to apples.
jc -
Interesting perspective from someone who was there. It sounded like on TV our fans tried to hang in there, but our performance pretty much prevented it.
by Scipio Tex on Oct 10, 2011 5:40 PM CDT reply actions
While I have felt obliged to defend Gideon at times this year for his solid play, I look forward to the developing of a secondary like we saw in 2005 that was athletic and skilled at every position. You wouldn’t spread that crew out and find much to pick at.
I love how Byndom has been developing and how he and Phillips have been playing in man coverage. Of course, neither has much of a chance of being able to handle Blackmon but still.
If we don’t establish the running game against OSU we can expect more brutal lessons for our QB’s. OSU’s secondary is as good as the Sooners’ if not better.
by Nickel Rover on Oct 10, 2011 5:42 PM CDT reply actions
Yes, OSU definitely has a ball hawking secondary. They’re not always sound, but they punish mistakes with turnovers.
by Scipio Tex on Oct 10, 2011 5:43 PM CDT reply actions
This is probably an overreaction, but Jeffcoat looks like a total mediocrity due to lack of size and athleticism. He needs to be either 35 pounds pounds heavier or .35 seconds faster. Maybe it is scheme related, but he looks to be falling well short of expectations. Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone can beat him out.
by KB on Oct 10, 2011 5:49 PM CDT reply actions
Young players didn’t appear to be ready for the intensity of a rivalry game – definite learning experience.
In the first four games the opponents helped us. This game we helped out OU, who probably didn’t need the help.
The weakness of a two quarterback system is neither quarterback is really fully prepared. OU really took advantage of their lack of recognition and failure to switch out of bad plays. Need to make Ash the starter and see if he has what it takes. Case has too many limitations to be the starter for a team wanting to contend for conference and national championships. I think Ash has the physical ability. The question is can he grasp the offense. That is a question I would like to see answered this year rather than next.
by HoustonHorn on Oct 10, 2011 5:53 PM CDT reply actions
Brodrick Brown, Shaun Lewis, and Markelle Martin are all really good. Brown locked up Fuller in ways I didn’t expect. Crappy Aggy turf helped as well.
Bill Young just knows how to teach Cover-2 though.
by Nickel Rover on Oct 10, 2011 5:53 PM CDT reply actions
KB -
Agree. I’ve observed before that Jeffcoat just doesn’t move well. He’s not spry. I don’t know if it’s injury, bad weight, or he was an early bloomer.
HousHorn -
Good thoughts.
by Scipio Tex on Oct 10, 2011 5:55 PM CDT reply actions
Nickel -
Totally agree. I thought Brown worked over Fuller. OSU’s DL isn’t all that, so I’m encouraged a little there.
by Scipio Tex on Oct 10, 2011 5:56 PM CDT reply actions
I kept screaming at the TV for all out blitz every damn play. I know that’s not practical, but for once I’d like to see an opposing QB look like he needs a shower, and an ice bath, when the game ends.
by Texoz on Oct 10, 2011 6:02 PM CDT reply actions
We can discuss this in your OSU prep I’m sure, but other than having a fairly athletic looking 3-tech and ends who can rush if they don’t sweat contain or constraints they aren’t much against the run and if you wanted to chip whichever proved most dangerous that day, you could have all day to throw.
I’m interested to see how we tackle against OSU’s WR crew and how we handle their blocking on WR screens. Not getting reamed up the middle on IZ or OZ (didn’t know we could miss so bad on one of those until Whaley took it to the house) is big as well. You have to play in front of these guys and tackle well because Blackmon burned Aaron Williams, Prince Amukamara, and everyone else over the top last year.
by Nickel Rover on Oct 10, 2011 6:04 PM CDT reply actions
Agreed on Jeffcoat. Complete disappointment this year. I’m ready to see what Reggie can do.
Quandre will be a great player for us someday, but on Saturday, he was abused. Plain and simple. Hope this game serves as a fire for him, and not an extinguisher.
Byndom and Phillips both have me very excited. Two future NFL prospects IMO. Gideon graduating also has me very excited.
by HorninHouston on Oct 10, 2011 6:05 PM CDT reply actions
I’m not writing off Jeffcoat, but maybe we should have known to temper expectations for him coming out of high school when every scouting report listed his technique as his greatest strength.
by Bobby Time on Oct 10, 2011 6:09 PM CDT reply actions
Hopefully we will be able to run a bit more effectively on OSU. I don’t think they are near as good as OU up front. If we are depending on our QB’s to make more than 2-3 plays down the field in this game we will be in trouble.
OU consistently blitzed to stop the boot and the reverse, I thought we could hurt them up the middle more shuttle pass, screen etc, but our QB’s were way overmatched for that apparently.
I think we can run against OSU, hit a couple big plays over the top to keep them honest and put all 6 guys Manny likes to play in his 4 5 6 defense on Blackmon.
The fact that the game is at home and OSU has a history of absolutely shitty second half play against us gives me a bit of encouragement. The shitbird is once again on our side whether he knows it or not.
by roach on Oct 10, 2011 6:09 PM CDT reply actions
Bobby Time, I’ve wondered about that as well. If Jeffcoat maxed out in high school, and I don’t think that’s necessarily the case, then that’s not exactly a star defensive end. I wonder if he’s injured though, or has grown large in the wrong ways, because he was explosive as a freshman before the ankle injury.
by Nickel Rover on Oct 10, 2011 6:22 PM CDT reply actions
Hasn’t Jeffcoat had back problems? He currently moves like a player with a tweaky back. Unfortunately, I know all too well how that affects someone.
by Felonious Monk on Oct 10, 2011 6:26 PM CDT reply actions
This alone distinguishes 2011 from 2010.
The DL’s inability to pressure the passer in a game where they could finally cut loose is concerning and doesn’t bode well for Oklahoma State.Well… I am hopeful that OSU’s OL
(a) isn’t in the same league as OU’s
(b) will bear the brunt of the Texas DL’s frustration from the week before
Those boys have even more motivation than they did a week ago to show the world what they can do. And if OSU feels a little squeeze, their receiving corps might not pan out quite like OU’s.
Also, OSU’s QB is getting on in years. I hear his rheumatism — to use a fine old phrase — acts up from time to time.
by Louis L'am Jones on Oct 10, 2011 6:42 PM CDT reply actions
Jones: I was shocked by the performance of the Sooner OL in their game against us. The OSU line has been much better. They were really good last year and everyone of them is back plus a Juco guy that knocked someone out of the starting five.
by Nickel Rover on Oct 10, 2011 6:51 PM CDT reply actions
Scip,
I thought Byndom acquitted himself very well and Phillip played well too. Hicks was responsible for the 64 yard run. The DLine played great against the run. I think Vaccarro is suspect in coverage.
Question, when do you think it will be time to take the training wheels of Evans, Thompson, Turner and try these guys out at the Safety position?
by Groundhog Day on Oct 10, 2011 7:07 PM CDT reply actions
Some encouragement from a Texas Ex who had some big plays vs. OU.
by Drew Dunlevie on Oct 10, 2011 7:07 PM CDT reply actions
Scip — thanks for the skillful, objective, painful breakdown.
Can you speak at in any more detail on what jc touched on — was our defense in some sort of a base call or was Manny trying to mix up the calls frequently in the first half? The lightning fast tempo of OU’s snaps was obviously working us over — at times our defense was not even set when the ball was snapped.
And yes — our fans were a tinderbox awating a spark that never came.
by ACE on Oct 10, 2011 7:10 PM CDT reply actions
Nice analysis, as usual.
The only thing I’d add is that in many coverage attempts we were clearly over-matched physically. Some of that is freshmen/sophs versus upperclassmen, but most of that is just the great size of the OU WR, with no real loss of speed or mobility. With no pass rush, and near-perfect throws in the first half, that is a difficult coverage assignment to win even half of.
We seem to have more of the frail/quick receiver types (Shipley excepted). Unfortunate that Malcolm Williams did not work out, and that John Harris is injured.
by kosciousko on Oct 10, 2011 7:13 PM CDT reply actions
superb analysis and observations. and your take on what got us here It’s old news is absolutely dead on. much appreciated.
you and peter bean are hitting the nails square on.
by yeh on Oct 10, 2011 7:24 PM CDT reply actions
One more question, why do we not have Monroe or Goodwin permanently returning kicks?
by Groundhog Day on Oct 10, 2011 7:28 PM CDT reply actions
I want to see Reggie Wilson get heavier snaps moving forward. He’s the one edge guy we have who has some explosive qualities off the edge. That alone give him a chance to force negative plays. Okafor and Jeffcoat just play patty-cake with the tackles on passing plays.
by CS on Oct 10, 2011 7:50 PM CDT reply actions
What happened to all the exotice blitz packages? All week we heard how we were going to bring pressure and that never materialized. In the first half (before I left for good-guilty) he missed several tackels and was beat around the end on short passes. He took poor angles. So much for the best front 7 in the conference. We got our panse pulled down in Dallas.
by Mysterious Package on Oct 10, 2011 8:12 PM CDT reply actions
Has there been any talk of starting Wilson? Jeffcoat looked solid last year. Either it is motivational issue or an injury. Either way Wilson may help. 2ndly it is time for Edmund to play. If Keenan cant be a plus player vs a team that passes 9 out of 10 plays I am not sure where playing him out of position is beneficial.
by codaxx on Oct 10, 2011 8:46 PM CDT reply actions
Wilson was out there on Saturday – he wasn’t exactly blowing people up as far as I coudl see.
by Arriviste on Oct 10, 2011 8:57 PM CDT reply actions
i really don’t think pressure from the defense line was a huge problem this game. we got pressure, ou just always was able to handle it with either them having a great play call and execution or us just getting beat in coverage(or playing off enough that ou had an easy play to make).
byndom did play really well at times but also had a lot of mistakes. the td to stills where gideon jumped broyles’ route and seems to be taking all the blame was equally byndom’s fault for biting on the pump fake. and all of our corners had too many times where they had no idea when the ball was coming(not getting their heads turned or reading the receiver at all). philips and byndom both gave up free tds where they just followed the receiver, never had any clue the ball was coming, and then just shoved the guy in the end zone after he made the uncontested catch. and then diggs was easily the worst of the 3 this game.
overall though, i think our defense played well enough for us to keep it close if our offense didn’t give away so many points. we weren’t ever going to shut down ou’s offense, but we were pretty effective at slowing them down until our offense just got overwhelmingly dominated.
by timmy teat on Oct 10, 2011 9:05 PM CDT reply actions
My hope was Jeffcoat is being lazy and needs a Kick in the ass message. Hard time believing he has regressed and I hope it isn’t injury related. Something is wrong there.
by codaxx on Oct 10, 2011 9:07 PM CDT reply actions
Scipio,
I agree with your analysis of OU’s passing plan, and it was very stoppable. Landry was throwing mainly to predesignated points on the sidelines. Their WRs ran excellent routes. Our DL did not fail us in this area. Manny will have already looked at the tape and know he missed this one. We rarely used more than a basic four man rush. When we did bring extra pressure in the first half , four out of five times Landry failed to get the ball to the receiver. The one complete was for short yardage. This was a failure of scheme by Manny. When you are playing any top 10 opponent you expect to have to bring extra manpower consistently to be able to put pressure on the QB ( unless you have an exceptional DL like Suh). OU seemed to overpower our OL because they were more often than not bringing an extra man or two, thus not allowing our QB the time needed to find a receiver. You wait and watch. Other teams will have seen the same thing. Anyone that brings the pressure to OU’s QB will definitely pose major problems for them.
by billw on Oct 10, 2011 9:10 PM CDT reply actions
On Fozzy’s KO return TD, I think Bergeron comes across the middle of the field and lays out Corey Nelson who is sitting in the hole. Either great coaching or great awareness by Joe.
I think Manny wants to stop the run and that’s why Jeffcoat and Okafor play. We could probably use Wilson’s motor out there more, especially against pass first teams.
Did Cobbs play?
by ultralight on Oct 10, 2011 9:30 PM CDT reply actions
Glad to see that you mentioned what I was feeling about Byndom and Phillips (confirms for me I was just shittin’ myself). I agree to what everyone here has been discussing about them.
After watching this game, my suspicion that I had about Byndom is pretty much confirmed: I think the kid is already a straight up badass, and after each weak he’s starting to realize his potential and his growing confidence can be seen in his play and his attitude.
I think when he reached out to Stills it was just something that showed his character as a person (he probably has just genuinely been taught to be nice) so he could of not put much thought into it about doing it (even though it looks like he hesitated, maybe thinking a little “should i put my hand out?”, to himself).
After Stills beat him a couple times (once for a TD), it was visible how pissed Byndom was and how personal he took, ha, he seemed mad as hell with all the OU fans just cheering what had just happened, at his expense. He later knocked the ball out of Stills hands on a ridiculous play (that shit ain’t easy and he wasn’t just flaying his arms at the ball, he locked onto and smacked it right out).
Just the fact that, even though it might be hard to remember or imagine, he played a solid game throughout, going up against some of the best talent out there, shows how good he is and can be, but it’s his attitude and confidence that shows in his play that has me almost sure that he will be in the conversations with all our other great secondary guys (do i really need to list them?). So far he seems like a quiet dude on the field that doesn’t really draw a lot of attention to himself, but the whole game he gives off a “Don’t fuck with me” vibe.
If he plays just as good or hopefully better against Ok State, then there will be no more questions about him for me. Pretty much most of the same can be said about Phillips.
by l24nico on Oct 10, 2011 10:12 PM CDT reply actions
Great write up Scip.
Why does it feel like Gideon has been here since I was in school…seriously – that’s the most athletic guy we can get at the safety spot.
Anyone comprehend why when ok was driving for a score, ball spotted on about the 5 or 6 yd line best I remember, we lined up opposite Broyles about 5 yds deep in the endzone? They basically had 5 yds to work with and we gave them 10…..sure enough, score. Whats the worse that would happen asking the corners to press in that situation? I just don’t see the point of taking the field lining up in that manner.
by Buford T. Justice on Oct 10, 2011 10:28 PM CDT reply actions
Good point Groundhog and something else I brought up in another post – where the hell was Goodwin or Monroe on kick returns instead of Diggs. I hate it when questions like these come up with no decent answer.
by Buford T. Justice on Oct 10, 2011 10:31 PM CDT reply actions
I actually rewatched the game. It’s not so bad when you know the outcome. Byndom was by far our best defensive player on Saturday. Jeffcoat actually played his best game this year and that is not saying much. He was the most fundamentally sound DE I have seen coming out of HS for good reason. But, I fear that was his ceiling. When you are already coached up to an NFL level in HS, there isn’t much upside left barring physical improvement and he’s not showing any to this point. Okafor is a fine run stopping DE. It may be time to get Reed some snaps against passing teams. Talk about upside. Once that malnourished kid gets some food, he is going to be a big time DE, imo.
As for LB…they never showed even on tape. Can’t figure out why we are so average there. Can Edmond get some snaps blitzing up the middle or even at DE on passing downs? Just something to get him on the field. Still waiting to see what Cobbs brings to the table. Ghost 2, imo.
DBs other than Byndom ranged from mediocre to awful. It’s time to roll with Diggs, Byndom, Phillips and Vaccaro with Scott as deep safety. Gideon went from his best performance in 4 years at Iowa State back to taking poor angles, jumping under routes and just plain blowing his assignment multiple times. He was responsible for over 200 of OUs 420 yards single handidly.
Lastly, whoever had the idea of going with Diggs on Broyles in the first half should get half his salary taken away. Not sure if that was Manny or Akina, but it was truly stupid. When we switched to Vaccaro on Broyles, he didn’t get much other than when Gideon blew deep help after Kenny had cut Broyles loose knowing that Gideon had over the top responsibility. I truly think we will see how much autonomy Manny has the next few weeks with regards to who is playing safety. Mack owns that call imo and nothing will change.
by Bartoncreek on Oct 10, 2011 10:36 PM CDT reply actions
It might just be me, but I thought Byndom put his hand out to stills as a last second “oh fuck I’m about to get a taunting flag” thought entered his mind. He wasn’t being nice, he was standing over him jawing then you see a slight hesitation then he puts his hand out.
by Paulie on Oct 10, 2011 10:36 PM CDT reply actions
GroundHog -
Barring injury, you’ll see new safeties next year. Gideon is untouchable and Vaccaro is the best player on the defense.
I have no idea what we’re doing on kick return, but I’m OK with Fozzy, aren’t you?
ACE -
I thought we handled OU’s tempo much better than last year. It wasn’t a problem in and of itself, but it does prevent D the ability to mix and match your calls every down. It absolutely makes you play more base defense, particularly when the offense is hitting on all cylinders. You create your own rest as a defense going against up tempo – get a sack, force a big negative play, cause two quick incompletions, OU will slow itself down. But if they keep hitting plays, they’re just waiting for the ref to move the sticks and blow the whistle.
kos -
OU’s best WRs are both medium to small, but they have ball skills. I saw us mostly overmatched in quickness and experience.
Paulie -
Of course. Byndom was fucking with him by offering to help him up. It was clear as day.
Bartoncreek -
Good take.
Here’s the thing on Jeffcoat though – he did look quicker last year. So is it that he’s maxed out or did he grow in a bad way? He honestly looks like he has a nagging lower back injury or something. He can’t open up his hips.
by Scipio Tex on Oct 10, 2011 10:52 PM CDT reply actions
Who knows on JJ? That’s the problem with HIPPA, we pick apart why a kid has not improved or even gotten worse only to find out in the offseason that the poor kid was playing hurt when he opts for surgery. It’s really not fair to the players, but I understand the reasoning behind it. You would think the coaches might at least be able to say, “so and so is battling through some bumps and bruises and still giving his all”. That way the guy doesn’t get hammered in the press or online about his “lack of fire/work ethic/speed/or whatever…” We tend to give guys we know are hurt a bit of a pass for at least nutting up and playing.
by Bartoncreek on Oct 10, 2011 11:09 PM CDT reply actions
“He was the most fundamentally sound DE I have seen coming out of HS for good reason. But, I fear that was his ceiling. When you are already coached up to an NFL level in HS, there isn’t much upside left barring physical improvement and he’s not showing any to this point.”
BC and Scipio,
Doesn’t that sound a hell of lot like the descriptions you would have to put on a lot of our previous OL and QB recruiting too? Mack loves him some coaches’ son types, guys who look great in high school because they are perfect technique-wise. Those kids, also, tend to get too many stars from recruiting services. I’m more and more coming around to the old, if you want a legit OT then you take a tall, wide-based, underweight high school DE and redshirt him, feed him, and get him on a weight program. If you want skilled WRs then you take a high school option QB and teach him routes. If you want OGs, then you take really good high school OTs.
Point is — I think we’re better off taking rawer athletes and spinning them down than we are taking guys that are high-performing from a technical level in high school. Of course this requires coaching, but I think maybe we can do that now?
I have long suspected (and I think Scipio has said it) that this is part of the reason why our highly ranked classes don’t always pan out.
by Toadvine on Oct 11, 2011 5:34 AM CDT reply actions
Hey, you know who kind of looks like an OT? Ashton Dorsey.
by Toadvine on Oct 11, 2011 8:55 AM CDT reply actions
The Jeffcoat question is a strange one. I can’t remember which games last year made me think that he was a plus-pass rusher, but I definitely saw something from him early in the season that I haven’t seen since. I remember some people saying that his listed high ankle sprain was actually a front for his lower back issues. If lower back problems are truly the problem, then it’s concerning that they’ve lingered this long.
by whoopspat on Oct 11, 2011 8:55 AM CDT reply actions
A lot of their plays were 3 step drops and unload the ball. We typically rushed 4-5 guys on the plays where OU made hay,
1st play of the game to Broyles. They max protected with 8, and it was still a pretty quick throw. Broyles then beat 3 guys b/c we weren’t ready for OUs speed. Also, seen later in 1st Q when Gideon took a bad angle on Jaz and then got laid out by Stills
Later in 1st Q, Byndom comes on a delayed blitz and is clean. Okafor beats his man, but Jones dumps off to Whaley (on Byndom’s side) b/c he sees Byndom coming.
by ultralight on Oct 11, 2011 9:08 AM CDT reply actions
“DJ -
That’s a great concept, but you can’t do it on honest down and distance or people will run right through us. I definitely endorse putting 4 DEs on the field when it’s 3rd and 13."
OU did exactly that on several 2nd or 3rd and longs.
by memories on Oct 11, 2011 9:53 AM CDT reply actions
I like Cedric Reed as an overall player, but he never flashed the burst off of the edge in highschool that we are currently lacking. He actually looked less like an edge player in highschool than Jeffcoat or Okafor.
by Horncasting on Oct 11, 2011 10:55 AM CDT reply actions
We are playing everyone with 10 on defense as long as Gideon is 30 yards deep. Ever wonder how a defensive back who should be a heavy hitter stays clean and never misses a game over 4 years? Lack of contact. Misses tackles when he does get to the POA. He has made a couple of plays, in his defense recently, but against superior athletics and skills in competition, he’s no match.
We were woefully mis-matched physically and it was clear. We looked like a lower division team against their grown ass men and that was the difference in the game.
by lonesome devil on Oct 11, 2011 10:56 AM CDT reply actions
something is definately up with Jeffcoat, doesnt look near as athletic as last year before getting hurt.
I noticed that his body hasnt changed either, I actually saw some fat around his waist which surprised me after the new conditioning program. His legs look like toothpicks.
His Dad had an akward looking body as well.
Lets hope he improves, we have missed on way too many kids at this point, we dont need anymore from the Fr and Soph class.
by VA Horn on Oct 11, 2011 11:14 AM CDT reply actions
hey! how come there isin’t a quan cosby career highlight video? there are like 3 jordan shipley.. im just puting that out there
by wisconsinhornybadger on Oct 11, 2011 2:28 PM CDT reply actions
Toad -
Hey, you know who kind of looks like an OT? Ashton Dorsey.
Ashton is the anti-OT prospect. He’s 6’2 without long arms.
by Scipio Tex on Oct 11, 2011 2:32 PM CDT reply actions
Re: Cotton – I’ve said he’s a guard since his senior year of high school. But he’s buried so deep on the depth chart, I can’t even assess where he is as an athlete.
by Scipio Tex on Oct 11, 2011 2:55 PM CDT reply actions
Hey, man. What I want to know is: what the hell does the Asset have to say? And I’ll take some of what the Big Cigar has been smoking! Yee-Haaaaa!!
by JXR on Oct 11, 2011 3:16 PM CDT reply actions
Hey Scip, two things you’ve hinted at in this thread I’d like to hear you expound on a bit…
1. What is the deal with Akina and zone coverages? I don’t believe we’ve ever run them effectively during his time here. He’s great a getting kids with the want to and the physical skills coached up to play solid man but I don’t recall similar success teaching zone. Any thoughts?
2. Gideon the Untouchable…after all that the program went through last year….after all of the changes Mack made…why does this particular blind spot still exist? I thought our days of using the Hindu caste system depth chart were behind us.
by Baghorn on Oct 11, 2011 3:26 PM CDT reply actions
if cobbs didn’t play, are we redshirting him?
by brucebond on Oct 11, 2011 3:43 PM CDT reply actions
Nothing dumbfounds me more than watching us continue to trot Gideon out there. I would rather the players be out of position all GD day long (which is the only excuse I’ve heard for keeping him on the field) than to have to watch him miss tackle after tackle, assignment after assigment, or cover after coverage, all GD day long.
And we have absolutely zero mental toughness right now. None. It might actually be in the negative.
by HorninHouston on Oct 11, 2011 3:59 PM CDT reply actions
I would also know what exactly justifies Gideon being “Untouchable”. We are in a new system so that whole coach on the field thing should not factor as big as it did. What gives?
I will say that I saw a lot more Christian Scott in the 4th quarter and do not remember as much Gideon, but maybe I blocked him out due to PTSD. Now I recognize that Christian has his own limitations in coverage, but he will damn sure hit somebody in the mouth. I am firmly in the anybody but Gideon camp now.
I just cannot truly believe that the ossified and effete $5M A.N. Brocktoon has had some sort of epiphany that points to a brighter tomorrow when Gideon is still out there and seemingly a non-stop quote machine in the media. He seems like a great kid, but where’s the accountability as it relates to football production? This seems like the same ol’ B.S.
Couple the slow motion trainwreck (pun definitely intended) that is Gideon at safety with the article just out on Yahoo! regarding sticking with the 2 QB system when Ash is the only dude out there with any recognizable upside and I just don’t know if the ossified and effete $5M A.N. Brocktoon has learned a goddamn thing that was not forcibly imposed on him.
by Felonious Monk on Oct 11, 2011 4:07 PM CDT reply actions
Re: the Why Gideon questions…
If we’re really rebuilding, then his presence on the field does not make a hell of a lot sense. Yes, I understand he “sets” the DBs, but all things considered, is his presence really worthwhile – especially in the context of the fact that it’s his senior year?
The same could be asked about the other starting seniors – is there a positive effect on the rebuilding, other than that they give us a better chance to win (which is not necessarily true of all of them)? Some, I can understand that we’re giving them a chance to shine as they look forward to a possible NFL career, but there are some that seem to be playing only because they’re slightly better than an underclassman… and if we’re rebuilding, shouldn’t the younger guys be getting those snaps?
by Tex Long on Oct 11, 2011 4:28 PM CDT reply actions
I really don’t think there is an answer to the Gideon question anymore, not a logical one at least. He’s a senior that’s put in his time. Under Mack he plays, under certain other coaches (Stoops, Saban, etc.) he probably does not. When certainly players are held accoutable for their play, while others are not, I think it causes a troubling divide in team chemistry.
by HorninHouston on Oct 11, 2011 4:51 PM CDT reply actions
Gideon has already gotten to play a bunch and it has been a veritable highlight reel of a career, no doubt about that. Unfortunately for the Longhorns, all but maybe 4 or 5 of the highlights have favored the opposing team. Gideon has been given the benefit of every doubt and this program owes him absolutely nothing at this point. If he is the best we have at safety, that’s scarier than the implications of $5M A.N. Brocktoon’s decision-making on this particular matter.
The Gideon conundrum is a big bowl of wrong, that’s for sure. It is analogous to the flask in the chest pocket of the recovering alcoholic’s jacket.
by Felonious Monk on Oct 11, 2011 5:36 PM CDT reply actions
I am not seeing or hearing much about Major Applewhite. Can anyone discuss his role and give us some idea where he mainly contriburtes? Can the Asset tell us anything about Major that need not be redacted?
by Flash on Oct 11, 2011 5:42 PM CDT reply actions
Seriously why exactly is Gideon seeing the field? This is entitlement to the fullest. Bleed for the program still a strategy Mack employs. Gideon is not held accountable but DJ can’t get more than 4 touches a game
by Mysterious Package on Oct 11, 2011 9:59 PM CDT reply actions
Gideon had his post-snap weaknesses exposed about as badly as possible, but ironically, at least in that one replay, was able to audible the gang into a coverage scheme that perfectly stymied OU on one down, so I don’t know what to say other than to give thanks to the god of irony for his bountiful harvest
by Arriviste on Oct 11, 2011 10:20 PM CDT reply actions
Ah, hell, I thought Dorsey was a little taller than that. He’s got some quicks on him but very little technique. Desperate times and all of that.
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by lower back problems on Nov 15, 2011 11:13 AM CST reply actions
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