2011 Texas-Texas Tech Post Mortem: Defense/Special Teams

Remember, we didn’t have any turnovers by TT because our DB’s couldn’t catch three balls that hit them in the hands…not Diaz’ fault…

Sorry, forgot the 4th one…

Tech was unable to score on us in the red zone. As long as they kept getting three while we were getting seven Diaz didn’t care how many first downs they got.

Our special teams were very good. I’m all for kicking the ball short if we can cover. Trouble is early in the year we were kicking short and not covering.

fozzy’s presence essentially forced Tech to concede at least a field goal to our offense by kicking so short, we only had to go about 20-30 yards on offense.

Missouri will be a much better test for our D than tech because they can run the ball some.

I’m still amazed that we played the same Tech team that beat OU at OU. In watching those two games the value of a power running game was very obvious.

There was some dude on here and Recruiter Cosm harping on Byndom for a good part of the offseason. Whoever you are, I told you so. He’s a stud with a frame that’s going to be prototypical size by the time he leaves.

I’ve said it once I’ll say it again. Anytime you find an East Texas kid that’s smart enough to get into Stanford and is athletically versatile enough to play baseball and football you take him every time.

That dude’s a unique cat, and his name is a very small part of it.

“And if, after that description, you ask – well, how is it that Mizzou is 4-5 then? – my response is: I was hoping you’d tell me. "

Gary Pinckel. You’re welcome.

“Barking Carnival absolves you, Ashton.”

I read this and instinctually signed the cross with my right hand and whispered “Go and sin no more my son.”

“I’m still amazed that we played the same Tech team that beat OU at OU.”

We didn’t, though, did we? I’m pretty sure they had some important players out against us that they played against OU.

I think OU’s stubbornly aggressive defense killed them in that game, too.

Jake hit it…. it’s the visor, man!!!!

^^ by killed “them,” I meant OU killed themselves. Got screened to death.

“And if, after that description, you ask – well, how is it that Mizzou is 4-5 then? – my response is: I was hoping you’d tell me. "

Inconsistency at everything that you just listed as a team strength.

After watching the performance of our offense in the 2nd quarter, he knew the conservative assumption was sound enough to win going away. We had additional layers of game planning on defense, but when the score was 31-6 at halftime, Diaz put those extra note cards in his pocket.

Gah, that’s like giving your girlfriend X and forgetting to nail her in the ass. She’s still going to want to marry you in the morning anyway.

“well, how is it that Mizzou is 4-5 then?”

Are you inviting us to commit the sin of narrative fallacy? My guess is Golf Prick has been playing with his indoor putting practice set during game planning meetings rather than paying attention.

Spider with the underrated dirt post of the year.

Is Missouri the UCLA of the Big 12?

Nice analysis. Thanks.

I see by the subtitle on the main page you are trying to appeal to “a cooler head.”

Spider has me interested in locating some MDMA

How is Mizzou 4-5? Beyond the Pinkel factor they’ve also had a rough schedule so far. They’ve already played all their road games for the year. Four of those road games were against OU, KSU, Baylor and Arizona State and they lost all four by ten points or less.

Dagga, where the hell have you been?

hold up, do you mean Stanford as an athlete, or Stanford as a Carrington?

How doe we get Western Illinois and Miami(Ohio) on our schedule?

I was thinking the Coach Aloha should give “stonehands” awards to his DBs and they should walk around the complex with big oven mitts on their hands as punishment.

But, I kid (sorta)

One play that was particularly impressive to me was Chris Whaley’s destruction of an otherwise well-setup screen pass on a third and seven or so in the third quarter. He begins his pass rush, sees two OLinemen and the running back leak out to his left, halts, and chases the running back in coverage. Doege had no option but to throw it away. Without Whaley making that play, the running back has lots of green and a convoy.

It was one play in a game that had already been decided. But it was a hell of a play in which Whaley showed awesome athleticism for a DT and great awareness (especially considering he’s been playing the position for less than a year).

Great write up. Thanks for that. Really happy to see a pash rush from all 4 DL positions. Jeffcoat and Okafor brought it, and I really thought Reed looked good when he was in (including a few snaps with Wilson in the first half).

Kind of feel like you short changed Dorsey though. He looked to be exploding at the snap most of the game. 4 tackles, 3 solo, 1 TFL, 3 QB hurries and 1 batted ball. Nice statline to go along with a very active game.

And I had to smile after last week Scipio and a poster were wondering why we hardly ever see any batted balls by our DL, and then Dorsey gets one in the first half.

Scip, Mizzou is 4-5 for lots of reasons. Dagga pointed out one. Lots of injuries is another good one. An AA FG kicker who missed the game winner against ASU, two against OU, and two against KSU (OU and KSU could have been different games had he made those). Really Bad James Franklin showing up for a couple games. Senior WRs who aren’t very good getting to play a lot more than the youngsters – Marcus Lucas and L’Damian Washington – who by every measure appear to be very good. Defensive line underperforming and repeatedly getting hurt. Bad free safety play. And there have been quarters of games where it appears everyone just forgets how to play football.

It’s just been one of those seasons. Computers still see Mizzou as a top team (Sagarin, e.g., ranks Mizzou 17th). It’s hard to see that when you watch all the games and lose more than you win, though…..

roach nailed it.

Mizzou is the UCLA of the Big 12.
Doing less with more. (so happy not to be hearing that applied to The Longhorns anymore)

Doing less with more. (so happy not to be hearing that applied to The Longhorns anymore)

You do realize that Mizzou’s last recruiting class was rated lower than KU’s, right? In fact, Mizzou’s recruiting classes have never been near the top of the Big 12, generally falling in the middle of the pack. The idea that Mizzou does less with more is confounding to those who follow the program.

Mizzou is 44-19 over the last five years. One 4-5 start does not a UCLA make.

Phenomenal Smith:
Mature dual threat QB.
“the best, most explosive RB in the Big 12”
“the best TE in the league by a mile”
NFL prospects on both lines.

Granted they’ve lost to some very good teams but by their own expectation they are underachieving. They are hanging their season on this game.

Though Seth Doege was the most impressive QB we faced this year. He was on most of the game.

Mizzou is paying the cost of having to face all the Big 12 South this year. They feasted on a weak North division over the past several years. When the North was the stronger division at the inception of the Big 12 they weren’t any better than a .500 team. Now that they have to face all the Big 12 powers they aren’t much better than a .500 team.

Phenom,

Does Mizzou lack depth? It seemed like they wore out in the second half vs Baylor.

They also seemed to give up a bunch of big plays in the 2nd half vs Baylor. Is that because of safety problems?

Some thoughts:

- It was early and I may not have had all my brain waves functioning, but I thought our DL pressure on the first drive was positively anemic and that was going to hurt us later on. Turns out it didn’t. IIRC, two of our sacks were coverage sacks, not necessarily due to spectacular pass rushing. What I’m trying to say: I was encouraged by what I saw, but I wonder if that wasn’t partially a function of an outstanding coverage secondary and Tech playing from behind.

- On the play that Byndom got burned for a TD, he looked furious for giving it up. I’m not sure a receiver did anything against him for the rest of the game.

- It still looks like Hicks is running around at times without understanding role responsibilities and containment. Not sure if it’s due to lack of reps or cause for greater concern.

- I’m scared to think about our foot game without Tucker next year.

- I noticed Keenan Robinson on special teams as well. Liked the idea. If we put Vaccaro back on kick coverage he just might kill a guy with a trident.

coyote, that was just Scip being nice.

Anyway, how is Mizzou anything like UCLA this year? UCLA plays in an inferior conference and has lost to a C USA team and to others by margins of 29, 26, and 36 (that one to Arizona!). Mizzou has lost on the road to ranked teams (by 10 points or less) and lost to the current #2 team at home by 21 (and had a chance to make it a 7 point deficit in the 4th before Bad James Franklin showed up and fumbled on the OSU 5). It’s been a disappointing season to be sure, but UCLA? No.

Mizzou we are going to make you traitors pay! Aggies, you have a kicken coming, too! No, we will not play you again as there is nothing to prove. I bet Aggie Jack will not show up again after the spanking we give them. AJ tell all your buddies that you guys are worthless caca.

horns3,

Tech tried that same RB screen out of a 2×2 set several times. I think Whaley recognized it and determined that was not happening again. Good anticipation on his part.

Speaking of screen passes that went nowhere, the one Scipio described under the DB heading is the one that caught my eye. In that first million play drive of Tech’s, Byndom split a double team block and destroyed the WR screen out of a 4×1 set. That was quite an effort to defeat three of the four receivers to his side of the field and the play as a whole. I’m not sure Neal Brown tried that again. Carrington is very talented.

Byndom received an automated offer from Stanford based on the fact that his name is Carrington Byndom.

As well he should’ve, nordberg.

Also important to note, Tech had 11 snaps (including penalties) inside the 12 on that first drive and had to settle for a field goal. That was big in terms of momentum IMO.

Phenomenal – how do you see this upcoming game turning out?

Kafka, that’s safe to say re depth, especially in the secondary. The starting free safety went down with a knee injury right at the beginning of the second half and RG3 picked on the backup for two TDs and the backup bounced off Ganaway on his long TD run. The starter, Braylon Webb, was playing very well.

And, yes, I think the defense was wearing down. Mizzou’s offense went dumb in the third quarter with a couple three and outs and an Egnew fumble at the start of a drive. Defense was run out there pretty quickly during Baylor’s surge.

Phenomenal – how do you see this upcoming game turning out?

I’m glad it’s in COMO, but I put Mizzou’s chances at less than 50%. I’m still pretty disappointed by the Baylor game and not feeling very optimistic overall. UT’s defense is probably the best Mizzou has seen this year and Josey isn’t 100% (he took himself out of the game a few times last week) and I have zero faith in his backup. Also, I fear that UT will be able to run run run and wear down the D. Mizzou will need some breaks it hasn’t been getting this year to pull off a win.

Missouri will be without their starting kicker and starting free safety. Their starting Center is questionable and one of their WR’s (Jerrel Jackson) is dinged up.

I think the reason they’re 4-5 is because they’ve played all the tough teams and they’re young. If they beat us they will end up 7-5. I don’t see them having any problem against Tech or Kansas.

Missouri hasn’t lost to anyone that we’ve beaten.

Okay, lousy comparison……sorry.

I’m just pissed about Richardson’s rant.
I hope the O line steamrolls that guy.

And if, after that description, you ask – well, how is it that Mizzou is 4-5 then? – my response is: I was hoping you’d tell me.

I’d say 4-5 is what happens when you take a team that would be 7-2 with an average schedule and give them one of the five hardest schedules in the country instead.

For the record, I haven’t seen Missouri, except for the last few minutes of the ASU game this year. So I was really asking if they were UCLA like. Certainly Scipio’s write up ascribed a ton of talent to the team, and they just don’t seem to have been able to translate that into wins.

Surprisingly, UCLA is still apparently in the running for the inaugural PAC 12 championship game. So Slick Rick is doing what he is best at, saving his job. I can see a scenario where UCLA beats UCS in the UCS quits bowl and makes it to the Championship game.

UCS=USC damn auto correct.

coyote, you wouldn’t be so pissed if you knew that Sheldon was joking around. He was smirking the whole time. He gets a ton of shit from Dom Hamilton and Jacquies Smith (Texans both) about how he wouldn’t have been a five star recruit if he’d played in a Texas high school. They call him the Messiah – ironically, of course. When reminded that 35 of his teammates were from Texas, he said “and I don’t like them either half the time.”

Sheldon’s been pretty good, but it’s clear he hadn’t played football in awhile. Had a good game against Baylor, believe it or not.

For those who are interested, here is a review of the Baylor – Mizzou game. Some tidbits that make me cautiously optimistic. Webb, the starting Free Safety, is apparently out for our game. Bad news for him and Mizzou, good news for us.

http://www.rockmnation.com/2011/11/9/2546772/baylor-42-missouri-39

Mizzou and Texas have played 3 common opponents: OU, OSU, and ISU. Both Mizzou and Texas lost to OU and OSU and beat ISU. In terms of point differential vs those three common opponents, Mizzou netted out 45 points (i.e. 15 points/game) better than Texas..

It’s not an uncommon sentiment.
I live in enemy territory (Ks) and run into it all the time.
It’s hard because KSU has had our number for so freaking long.
I’m of course counting on that all ending next week.
I’m still burping up crow flavors from years ago.

Kafka
“Mizzou and Texas have played 3 common opponents: OU, OSU, and ISU. Both Mizzou and Texas lost to OU and OSU and beat ISU. In terms of point differential vs those three common opponents, Mizzou netted out 45 points (i.e. 15 points/game) better than Texas.”

So???? Means nothing guy. Sorry to burst your bubble.

Phenom,

Thanks for your answers.

Texas has a couple ultra speedsters (Monroe and Goodwin) who have done well this year running wide. Are the Mizzou OLBs responsible for contain on outside runs and how do you think Mizzou will do versus the Texas outside run?

Is the DL one of the strengths of the Mizzou D? Why do you think Texas will be able to run well vs Mizzou?

Phenomenal- thanks for the take

Mizzou is a mature team.
Texas is so young but in a very powerful growthimprovement curve.
These next weeks will tell the tale.

This Longhorn team is becoming scary fast.

Phenomenal – Glad to hear that you think Sheldon was joking. When I read his quote on BON, I found it hard to believe that he was really serious. These quotes get blown out of proportion sometimes as to their importance in motivating the opposing team. Someone disrespects Texas High School football? That just shows their ignorance. This Texas team is much more motivated by 5-7 than by anything they read online.

Now, if your team’s cornerback calls out the opposing star WR before the game, his coach should worry. Fortunately, most DBs prefer to let their actual play do the talking.

The Tech mascot looks absolutely ridiculous in the background of that lead image. Great pic, though. If you look close, the turf is absorbing Zouzalik’s soul…

Kafka,

I am 36c and my sister 34d. Which of us has a better rack?

Duke said:

“So???? Means nothing guy. Sorry to burst your bubble.”

Please feel free to explain your answer. No need to feel sorry since there were no bubbles burst. I made no conclusion regarding the 45 point differential, just calculated it in case it is interesting to discuss.

 BTW, Sagarin’s best computer poll, his predictor poll, includes point differential.

“Mona said:

November 9th, 2011 at 5:01 pm

Kafka,

I am 36c and my sister 34d. Which of us has a better rack?"

Please provide pics to help determine

Whoever my husband is laughing at. He says "Just do not bet til you get a better feel than that for the game. No disregard because we are all just killing time. "

TDL, I should have that name and my husband would kill me if I sent them. You must be cool with a name like that, very creative.

Not doubting you Mona but we’re going to need pictures. Natural >>> implants.

Just tell him it’s purely for the sake of knowledge, For the betterment of mankind.

We can’t wander around in the dark like troglodytes not knowing who has the better rack; Mona or Mona’s sister.
Your husband can’t get mad if you send pictures of your sisters rack. See…we can find a compromise.

We are both natural. Maybe my sister would do it but I can’t. I am a couple years younger and my hubby says he loves how i point to the sky.

TDL, I bet you are a guy that could tell by the description only. Which of us sounds the best?

Video would be nice too, we can get Longhorn Scott to do his breakdown and voice over.

“You see here, she has a nice 45/55% volume proportion along the nipple meridian, with a great 23 degree upward nipple angle”

The mere fact that you are engaging in this conversation tells me ’who’s I’d probably enjoy more’. But yah, I’m getting a pretty good idea.

Now I’d better go hit the shower, sans the caliente.

36c…..

Mona said:
Kafka,

I am 36c and my sister 34d. Which of us has a better rack?"

You’re going to do well here Mona. I can feel it.

OOPS! Hubby says I’ve been naughty! Got to go. Do you guys come here every day? Gotta Go!

Thanks TDL, you are a sweetheart and my favorite. I’ll see you guys again.

“Do you guys come here every day?”

Scipio is Sam, I’m afraid I’m Norm, and Kafka over there is Cliff. Pull up a stool. Vasherized will be along shortly with your drink.

TDL impersonating LonghornScott = Flawless Victory! And I thought Spider had it all locked up.

Well, this turned into penthouse forum rather quickly by postmortem standards.

I love threads with happy endings.

my belief is this game shows that manny has settled in as a texan. i hope he is comfy and sets a spell.

upshot here is that manny, in so many words, said, ‘git along, little doege.’

Fuck, I just made myself Frazier, didn’t I?

Zero question that Vasherized is Woody.

Vasherized is Woody in Kingpin.

Also, not sure how that Mona thing happened but it is probably the strangest exchange I have ever seen on this site and that is really saying something.

wtf

So I step away for a bit and Mona happens. I’m here all day and I have to put up w/ aggie trolls. FML

Toad, that was a completely random and …. Well, awesome way for her to break the ice. be like me breaking onto Pregnancy board with the question “what do you say ladies, length or girth?”, only much less welcome.

Weisse, something tells me we’ll being seeing mote of Mona.

Mona>Aggie Rick????

Mona=Aggie Rick????

I can’t wait for the Aggie Jack troll to try and do his Mona impersonation!

@ TDL

rolling on the fucking floor right now

How is Missouri is 4- 5 ? It’s because they snuck up on some teams.

“mote of Mona”

That anything like eye of newt?

I think Mona is a 64 year old man trolling for some male companionship.

Be careful men, Mona may be a walk on the wildside.She may be a he. Never ever judge a book by its cover.

TDL F.T.W.

“Nvrfrgt63 said: November 9th, 2011 at 7:01 pm
"mote of Mona"

That anything like eye of newt?"
________________

Attempting to type on iPhone with one hand and keep my pickup between the lines on a dark South Texas country road with the other on my way home from work.

Good night TDL

My favorite vacarro moment was when one of our guys had a tech player held up high and vacarro came flying out of nowhere and smashed into the ball carrier’s legs. I’m assuming it’s legal – but it looked nasty. Got me excited.

TDL’s pickup skills are clearly “Texas good”… Even if she IS a 64 year old dude.

I think its from Missouri

Was Keenan Robinson vacating the middle on the first couple of series because of something Tech was doing, Diaz was doing, or he was doing? Seems like he started staying home and Tech started having less success.

Mona is a TDL sock puppet. Right, TDL?

Longhorn Josh, TexanNick, come on, don’t ruin it for me. (ok you’re probably right)

Kafka, I’m not the skilled in the split personality dept., but I can see why you’d be suspicious.

TDL, I’m willing to suspend my disbelief. 36c sounds great.

If Mona is real, and by that I mean a, presumably, hot young woman with bodacious 34C’s rather than a 65 year old guy fucking around with other guys on the internet in some cruel, twisted puppet show, then I have to wonder what the dynamic between her and her husband is like. I just imagine he comes home every day and simultaneously says “what fresh hell is this?” and finds himself unavoidably aroused and ready for angry makeup sex.

Team Dirty Leg,

Man up (or woman up). You’ve been caught, admit it. You don’t need to have a split personality to create Mona, she is a pretty standard porn fantasy, right? Moving right along, what was your thought process in creating Mona (there are no right or wrong answers, we’re not judgmental here).

There is no way Mona is a hot young married woman with nice tits. Mona is a TDL sock puppet. Look back at the dialogue. What was funny was when “Mona” said that Team Dirty Leg is a great name and should be “her” name.

Kafka,

We all know this, but clearly for whatever our various reasons may be, we need this. Don’t stomp on our dreams, man. Or our slightly pathetic fantasies.

burntorangejuice,

Sorry for intruding in the fantasy, will now leave the (virtual) room.

Kafka,

Just kidding, man. Was just making a joke. In truth, I’ve found this whole thing slightly bizarre, and mixed with the Californication mini-marathon I’ve just concluded and some strange Paterno rally going on in the background on the muted TV while my wife is in another corner of the Earth taking care of African babies with HIV, it has contributed to this evening taking on a slightly surreal feeling.

BurntOrangeJuice,

Mini marathon sounds painful. I was in a marathon relay once or twice. My job was to do the swimming part. I think I only had to swim a mile which was not too bad since I swam it at my normal pace.

Your wife is doing amazing stuff. Helping babies with aids in Africa. If there is a heaven, she’s probably a lock when the time comes.

Kafka,

You’re right about my wife- she’s an amazing lady- but as for ME, you gave me far too much credit. I said a “Californication” mini-marathon, as in, I spent the evening watching a several episodes of the Showtime original series by the name Californication about the misadventures of a depraved novelist. I highly recommend it. I will be running a half-marathon in January, but my activities this evening were of no similar achievement.

Tone for the game was set on Tech’s first drive: they were going to have to work like hell for points. That’s MannyBall defined. 411 yards by Tech and only 20 points with NO turnovers? That is Tenacious D right there (ever listen to them? “Fuck her gently” is my favorite love song. Hi, Mona. Sorry, 34D for me).

Without video or photographic evidence that will stand up in court (read: no Photoshop), for all we know, Mona could be a dude in a dress walking into this little virtual bar known as Cheers. Now, if Mona proves to be of female persuasion, this place got a whole lot more interesting.

I promise you it’s not me, Kafka. Though, I think I might be getting fucked with.

What’s really funny is that i was once accused of being Aggie Rick.

I said it before and will say it again, I will take Manny Diaz over Will Muschamp any day. Our defense has improved tremendously over what it was last year. I’m glad Muschamp didn’t hang around to become the next head coach of the Horns.