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Posted by Scipio Tex on November 3rd, 2009 under Football
Now that we own the state of Oklahoma, what exactly do we do with it? Do we sell it in a flea market in Addison for rims? Trade it for the monsoonal portion of Bangladesh?
Defense
I’ve run out of superlatives. This is a smart, mean, fast group of athletes playing with cohesion, discipline, and tremendous effort. They’ll only get better. We destroyed a good offense and made a good QB look like a guy that should be QBing Sam Houston State. The first team defense gave up 7 points and scored 14. So they surrendered a net -7. That’ll work.
OSU opened with a solid game plan: establish the run out of the spread, shorten the game, get us to overcommit to the run, hit us with the play action game over the top. Not dissimilar from the game plan employed by Texas A&M back in ‘06 (imagine if Stephen McGee been able to throw a spiral with his hurt shoulder). The difference is that we have a DC now that can adjust in one series as opposed to Gene Chizik, who didn’t know what to do if he couldn’t find the answer on his Monte Kiffin laminated flow chart. We’re not stopping the run with overloads - it’s players, scheme, and coaching.
DL
Lamarr Houston has wreaked more havoc that doesn’t show up on a stat sheet than any Longhorn player in memory. He delivers his initial blow on the blocker like a rattlesnake. OSU has some really solid OL and he acquitted himself nicely.
Sergio didn’t have any sacks, but don’t dwell on it. We rushed 3 or 4, asked our guys to maintain their lanes, and Kindle more than made up for it against the running game. He was just fantastic with six tackles, five of them solo, many of them in space. Go the 2nd quarter 7:13 mark if you want to see him whip the shit out of Russell Okung on a run play. Next play? Curtis pick 6.
Acho offered a forced fumble (an excellent hustle play force on a WR slip screen) and a batted ball. Ben Alexander had a TFL. The rest of the DL knew their role. We asked these guys to eat up blockers, rush with discipline, be selfless, and make our LBs and DBs the stars of this game.
LB
LBs accounted for 4 of our top 5 tacklers. Muckelroy played at an All-Big 12 level again and Keenan Robinson played his best game as a Longhorn. His tackle of Robinson in space while eating a facemask stiff arm was manly and he made several less visible plays against the run inside that really speaks to his development. Emmanuel Acho made me shake my head when OSU ran their little motion sweep to the slot to the wide hash and he ran with the their guy stride-for-stride and beat him to the corner for a no gain.
Dustin Earnest looks good. 5 tackles in limited snaps and a couple of really nice special teams plays, including an open field tackle on Parrish Cox. Muschamp asked him to drop 15 pounds and it shows.
DB
Our glue-fingered, ball hawking, scalp-taking secondary…Rusty Smith hitting them for big plays in last year’s opener seems so long ago.
The Hollywood script dictated that Earl Thomas, Curtis Brown, and Blake Gideon all have big games in this year’s version of the Halloween BCS buster and they delivered. Curtis is making the move from freakish athlete to real CB and it eerily mirrors the transformation that Aaron Ross made. Gideon’s 4th interception?! High pointing another ball in zone coverage - good stuff, Blake.
Earl Thomas is a wonder. Does it make me a bad person that I’m glad he’ll measure out at 5-9.5 when he gets to a NFL combine and that will probably keep him from going pro next year? The pass breakup on the first OSU possession prevented a TD, he was everywhere, and he the bait he laid for Robinson on the Pick 6 was a great marriage of scheme and athlete.
Nolan Brewster had some really nice snaps for us. He’s a physical kid and he covers more ground than you think. That we went to a three safety nickel with Earl Thomas as a corner when Williams went out is a tribute to Nolan. He can’t turn and go like some of our guys, but he’s a good run force and a physical presence overall if you can shield him in zone concepts.
Deon and Chykie had the most adversity of our DBs - Deon getting hit for the TD and Chykie losing Anyiam on a could-be TD, but neither guy played poorly. We ask our guys to do a lot back there and they’ve got to throw it at someone. It ain’t going to be Curtis, Aaron, and Earl. Chykie, I know it’s hard to do, but we knock down 4th down interceptions on the goalline.
Let’s sit out Aaron until he’s 100%. No rush.
Special Teams
The best kick coverage of the year against the only team as dangerous at returning kickoffs as we are. Kenny Vaccaro delivers blows on special teams and in the basketball gym. Jordan Shipley made a really bad decision on his punt return that created an OSU scoring opportunity and he owes the defense a beer and an acoustic guitar exhibition. On second though, just make it a beer.
I thought our last punt to Cox that set up his big return was a travesty. Short line drives are not optimal in the punting game.
Hunter Lawrence has been amazing. On the year, 16 of 18 with one miss from 50 and another block.
Offense
Our offensive production was subpar again though total offensive possessions were heavily impacted by defensive touchdowns, short fields, and an entire 4th quarter spent running clock. That written, I’m less interested in raw yardage than in productivity and 4.9 yards per play in a pass heavy offense isn’t getting it done. I just shrug at this point. I made my peace with what defines this team back in August. At least we didn’t turn it over. Though replays may disagree.
We mostly eschewed the 11 personnel featured in the Missouri game and 15 combined carries for 49 yards from Johnson and Whitaker spoke to that. I dislike almost everything about this offense when we open a first half series in a base 5 wide (the defense completely dictates to us with three man rushes and heavy coverage or by a simple extra man zone blitz overload), but we haven’t exhibited a lot of learning curve on this point. It’s frustrating and if you think OSU can give us problems in it, I shudder to think of Florida or Alabama.
The good news is that we’ve retained elements of the running game first unveiled in the OU game and though it’s not exactly world-beating, it at least has a chance and gives us some credibility in play action that we saw against Mizzou. Fozzy and Cody seem settled as our RB combination and I’m comfortable with that going forward.
We continue to dominate in the red zone and I continue to find it interesting that a supposedly soft OL always wins in our goalline package when we rely on man blocking and run behind Huey and Hix. No one thought the French were soft under Napoleon. Perhaps scheme and fighting spirit are linked?
Colt looks like he’s feeling good and I don’t think that unleashing him in the running game, new WRs, and his better passing numbers are unrelated to that.
He threw some nice balls and I actually screamed in joy when I saw us run double deep posts on Malcolm’s 44 yarder.
Malcolm Williams demonstrated why you play extremely talented players and stick with them even when there is short term pain involved. We should coach to upside. He made two NFL plays and the ease with which he made them reminded all of us that what we saw against Texas Tech and Missouri last year. By the way - if you get a chance to see the Nov 2nd Tanner Report on Texassports, you’ll see that Malcolm looks like he has a bigger natural frame than both Tanner and Hall. Freak.
If Mack Brown is to be believed, he forbade Greg Davis from unleashing a torrent of scoring plays when we had the game in hand (and during our first half three and out). He advocates the Tigger Principle espoused in Winnie the Pooh. C’mon, you remember. Tigger would often boast that “Tiggers are the bestest ________” but when challenged to demonstrate his prowess, he would always demur, responding, “I choose not to.” We’re saving up some kick ass plays for Baylor.
Parting Thoughts
We’ll take care of business and I’ll see you all in Arlington in December and Los Angeles in January. Williams and Goodwin have four more games to get ready for the Big One while the defense and special teams continue to dominate. This is a fun ride.
ghostofagroundgame said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:39 pm
Glad to have you back — great write up, as always. It was a really nice game, all thanks to the defense. not sure what got in Shipley’s head on that punt return, as that was the only time I can recall seeing him do something dumb on the football field. Then again, I’d rather not have him returning punts at all considering how important he is to the offense (see OU game).
Not enough can be said about Earl Thomas. I really think he might be a cornerback at the next level. He reminds me of Dunta Robinson before Dunta destroyed his knee.
Scipio Tex said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:48 pm
ghost -
Thanks, man. Good to be back after my Pacific 1 tour.
Hey, no complaining about Mack letting Shipley return punts. We’ve argued for years to put playmakers in at special teams and we’re finally reaping the benefits. I like Jordan returning kicks just fine. It’s a risk worth taking.
Memphizbell said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I will assume you live in Dallas from your Addison reference. Where are some good places to watch UT football games in Dallas/Addison/Plano?
HenryJames said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:02 pm
He’s Addison born and raised.
bigdukesix said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I think we miss Houston next year more than Kindle (nothing against Sergio). Lamarr is just a really, really good college DT.
CloseToJumping said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:04 pm
“If Mack Brown is to be believed …”. When that is followed by thoughts on what Brown says about Davis, there is nothing to be believed. He lies and covers for his friend without fail and it doesn’t even irritate me at this point.
I am in agreement that this defense is on par with any in the country. That’s remarkable given that they probably have less talent than those put on the field by Florida and Alabama. Florida for sure. It is actually pretty weird how closely the three teams resemble each other right now. I think we’ve got more talent on offense, but I lack faith in executing against either of them. I am certain neither of them can execute against us. They really don’t have the horses. Julio Jones is terrific, Ingram is serviceable, and nothing else exists for Bama. Florida has Hernandez and a bunch guys named Stroud.
As good as our defense is right now, it will be better next year. If Muschamp becomes the head man or sticks around for awhile anyway, the 2011-2012 defenses could be legendary with the talent being accumulated currently.
scagnetti said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:06 pm
indeed, expert analysis, Scip.
get locked up for pissin’ in the pool at San Simeon?
JP said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Glad to have you (and Clipper) back. Life’s just a little sweeter with Scip & Clip around..
ghostofagroundgame said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Scip — your right, I’m not complaining about having Shipley return kicks because he’s not good at it — i just wince everytime he gets cracked by some special teams gunner. As putrid as our offense can be it’s hard to imagine how brutal it would get without Colt’s blankie.
NY Horn said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 5:48 pm
I think Davis carried away with OSU’s pass and run defensive instead of focusing on the ground our offense covered with the 11 personnel adjustments. It’s always two steps forward and then one backwards with him.
beowulf said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:29 pm
I’m a bit more enthused with our offense than you are it seems. Colt is Good Colt again. 2008 Heisman ability best QB in the country Colt.
His accuracy is stunning again. No more high throws. His decision making is faster and more definitive. The deep sideline to Shipley on 3rd and 11 was thrown through a closing window that had about 2 inches of room around the oblong sphere. Absolute precision. Then the TD throw to Malcolm Williams was classic Colt as he checked down to Williams after primary receiver Jordan was covered, then under heavy duress with an Okie State defender in his face threw a perfect pass where only Williams could snag it in the back of the endzone. Malcolm snagged it. Then the deep ball to Malcolm in the 3rd quarter. Goosebumps.
The move of Shipley back into the slot and going with Goodwin and Williams wide will pay bigger dividends as the season progresses. Colt is finding his comfort zone with these two.
OTOH, you see better more manly OL efforts as we near the goalline and try a bit of smashmouth. I saw our 1st drive of the night stall out inside the 10 after two straight dive plays to our Bigboy and a failed Colt run attempt. I do like that Cody is able to break arm tackles on his smashmouth runs as he did for his TD in the 2nd half.
We love our defense and all its moving parts equally. At age 60 I’m convinced that I’m going to be privileged to see Texas play the best defense in the country till Gabriel blows his horn for me. I love badass defense, possilby more than anything an offense can deliver for me.
koufax said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Emmaunel Acho’s tackle on the sweep was an NFL play
Horncasting said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:13 pm
” I saw our 1st drive of the night stall out inside the 10 after two straight dive plays to our Bigboy and a failed Colt run attempt. ”
The end of that drive almost looked like Davis/Brown were afraid to let Colt throw it with that short of a field.
Veritas said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I’m not sure how you can trash the offense here. They scored four out of the first five times, five out of the first seven, and then coasted. I’m not sure anyone can justify OSU giving us fits. I normally agree with just about everything you type, but that was a superb offensive performance.
Eskimohorn said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:22 pm
You mentioned “upside” and “play in space” in the same post. The Internet geniuses will curse you.
The General said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:26 pm
They’ll only get better.
The first team defense gave up 7 points and scored 14. So they surrendered a net -7.
I disagree with you here. I don’t think we can reasonably expect a better performance out of our defense than we got against OSU. Individually, Kindle, Sam Acho, Houston, Alexander, Curtis Brown, Gideon, AJ Williams and Thomas are playing at a high enough level that I don’t think we will see them play better. Let’s look at the rest.
Robinson and E. Acho - These guys can probably dominate a football game, but I think it will take a traditional running attack to really see the magnificence of our linebackers. I expect them to step up next year, but in the context of what we do they are playing as well as can be expected.
Chykie - A game without mental errors (though I don’t count the interception as one, that is alot to ask) would be improvement, but I don’t see it happening.
Beasley - Frankly, every snap we get from him is a bonus.
Kheeston Randle - He has the ability to dominate a ballgame, but I don’t expect that unitl next year from him either. He is doing everything we ask of him, but two years ago he was playing TAPPS football.
I don’t expect a dropoff like we saw from the offense post Mizzou in 2008 because of Muschamp, but I don’t see much room for improvement.
The improvements we need to see from this team are on offense.
parlin said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:28 pm
This writeup just gets me through a week ruined by the absence of a CTJ Baylor post.
I think Emmanuel actually gained ground on that RB, who seemed to be timing his steps for a burst to glory once he turned upfield. As we know, things didn’t work out that way.
Scipio Tex said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Memphizbell -
I don’t live in Dallas.
bigduke -
I think you may be right about that.
CloseToJumping -
Agree on the defenses down the road. Our current and last years recruiting class are an embarrasment of riches. I have a much higher opinion of Ingram than you do. I think he’s got some Emmitt Smith in him. Bamas fundamental issue is their inability to pass protect against a quality pass rush. No LT at all.
scagnetti -
I skipped Hearst Castle. I can’t handle group tours. Loved the elephant seals right down the road though.
ChrisApplewhite said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:49 pm
There is a pretty good chance that Kindle just isn’t a good pass rusher. Aside from signature hits on Bradford and Potts, he hasn’t really made a mark in that area. He vanished for the second half last year. He’s more like a fluid Cory Redding, busting up the run game with quickness, strength, anticipation, and enthusiasm. He just has no feel for the rush unless he can get an immediate step on the OT. Excellent cleaner, though. You never know how he’s going to hurt you but he always will.
I’ve watched Thomas’ pick over and over and still can’t believe he did it. Offensive coaches tell QBs on coverages like that not to worry about the wall off player inside because they can’t get out to the next route in time. Not only did he get there, he got there early. Curtis’ was just as awesome. Neither guy had any business getting to those balls.
ChrisApplewhite said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:52 pm
Julio Jones is a shitty route runner and Ingram benefits from the best run blocking OL in the game. Hardesty at Tennessee is better, imo.
Scipio Tex said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:01 pm
JP -
Thanks! Appreciate it.
NY Horn -
Those were my sentiments.
beowulf -
I agree with you. Great defense does it for me in ways that offense just can’t. Given the choice of beating someone 24-6 or 42-24, I’ll take the former.
I’m in agreement on Colt. I thought he threw some great balls and we’ve introduced some diversity into our routes and scheme that he’s benefitting from. I’m sometimes amused at his need to create false pressure so that he can scramble and improvise, but that’s part of the deal.
I’m not talking about our running game when we’re spread and try to run it with Cody. That’s always doomed to fail. I’m talking about our jumbo set. Our success rate with that group is extremely high.
Veritas -
I don’t think I’m trashing the offense. I certainly provided the context of how the defensive touchdowns and Shipley fumble robbed them of possessions. That written, we have three phases to evaluate and it’s clear where we most lacked. Since the season began, I’ve written from the perspective of our offense playing well enough to beat an elite defense for a national championship (i.e. putting 21-24 offensive points on the board). That’s my measuring stick. Even our scoring drives featured a number of negative play situations that we had to extricate ourselves from - lots of 2nd and 14, 3rd and 11, 3rd and 18 type stuff. We can play that game against an OSU, but we will not be able to do that against Florida/Bama. I’m evaluating process, not just results. Does that make sense?
We’re not where we need to be on offense if we want to win a MNC. Yet.
Austin180 said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:09 pm
“The difference is that we have a DC now that can adjust in one series.”
Wouldn’t it be sweet if we had an OC that could do the same?
Sasha is a Longhorn Dog said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:11 pm
Oooooo. The “yet.” From Scip, no less. Sasha likey.
nordberg said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:13 pm
So, ballpark guess… how many points does the Texas offense score against Florida or Bama? I’m thinking it would look fairly similar to the Fiesta Bowl, and that was, what, 24? Seems about right. And I don’t think either of those teams would get 24+ against us without significant help from the Texas offense, i.e. multiple INT’s returned for TD’s.
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Running colt is back. On the 2 minute drill offense before the half, he had 3 rushes for 23 yards. Methinks thats part of the reason we are seeing more production out of him of late. He scrambles and the safety’s bite and suddenly CHILES is open 20 yards downfield.
I guess I’m a bit more optimistic that you are with the offense. However, I still foresee a game in the next 4 where we absolutely play like horse manure in the first half and its another way closer than it should be game until the second half. The blame will be on the offense, of course.
Scipio Tex said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:17 pm
El General -
I think we can get better. I’ve watched us get better just since ULM and Tech. Earl and Aaron are sophomores. Gideon is improved. Brewster and Wells have gone from guys I wouldn’t mind transferring to keepers. Curtis Brown is just now having the light come on fully and finishing plays. Chykie is better invested in each snap mentally. Our LBs raise their game each week. Kheeston Randall and Sam Acho are far from finished products. That’s not even to speak of the growth that we’ll see in our second teamers as they get heavy minutes over the next four games.
parlin -
I had similar thoughts watching it on TV. You could just see the little guy having visions of a 35 yard run and he ends up getting beaten to the corner by a 230 pound LBer. Dispiriting to say the least.
Chris Applewhite -
I agree. Kindle isn’t a great natural pass rusher, partly because he doesn’t have a lot of moves and he’s still learning to use his hands. However, his first step is so good that he can create havoc on athleticism and effort alone.
We’re also playing a lot of contain and collapse - Muschamp clearly believes that big plays will only happen on this defense on a busted play. So why not keep the QB in the pocket, collapse, contain, and make ‘em throw into our back 7? It’s not like we’ve even unveiled any blitzes yet either.
ChrisApplewhite said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Probably, but contain is something you focus on when you realize you can’t get there, like bad secondaries suddenly thinking tackling and staying on top of everybody is the most important thing ever.
It’s good that we can contain and it’s good that the defense can still function to make a mild understatement), but I’m guessing they were relying on Kindle to be Orakpo 2 and he hasn’t been anything close. That being said, I can’t recall a more disruptive run player at end since . . . I don’t even know. Maybe not in my lifetime.
Your beliefs about Muschamp’s beliefs are probably right on. You could tell since the day he got here he wants to cut down on big plays first and foremost.
Luckily for us you don’t really need a huge rush against any potential MNC challenger we might get. UF’s run game was tailor made for Kindle to ruin.
nordberg said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:33 pm
I would just like to add, randomly, that I don’t know if I’ve ever been more surprised by a Texas player than I have been with E. Acho. Well, unless it’s Ben Alexander, the 09 version. Or the 09 version of Curtis Brown. Wait, I’m sensing a theme here… for the first time ever, all of our players on one side of the ball actually noticeably progress from year to year. As opposed to, say, all of the offense.
someone said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 8:45 pm
“Emmanuel Acho made me shake my head when OSU ran their little motion sweep to the slot to the wide hash and he ran with the their guy stride-for-stride and beat him to the corner for a no gain.”
That was probably the single biggest “did you just see that” play for me of the game.
dick said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Who would Muschamp select as OC if he could have anyone for our offense?
topo gigio said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:59 pm
anyone have that E Acho play on youtube yet?
srr50 said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:00 pm
The best defense I have ever seen was the 1983 Texas squad, and the best game I have ever seen a Texas defense play was their opener that year at Auburn.
Auburn had played the week before, and were ranked #5. They had Bo Jackson, Lionel “Little Train” James and Tommie Agee as running backs. The crowd was loud and nasty to begin with, but Texas took them, and the Tigers totally out of the game in the first five minutes.
Texas won 20-7. Jackson led all Auburn rushers with 35 yards. The Tigers did not pass the 50 yard line untl the last 5 minutes of the game. It was as dominant a performance as you could have on the road.
You had Tony DeGrate, John Haines, Eric Holle, Mike Buchannan, Ray Woodard and James McKinney on the front line.
June James, Jeff Leiding, Ty Alert, Mark Lang and Tony Edwards were linebackers.
That team had a defensive backfield of Jerry Gray, Mossy Cade, Fred Acorn, Jitter Fields, with Richard Peavy, James Lott and Eric Jeffries.
This Texas defense is the first one I have seen that can compare with the 1983 squad. 1990’s defense was good, but not this good.
kafka said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:36 pm
The offense looked pretty good to me when they had a TB and TE. Colt and the WRs made a lot plays. Cody looks pretty good. I wish they would not use the 5 wide.
The difference in the way the UT OL blocks when they have a TE (i.e. Greg Smith) and when they don’t is startling. Greg Smith is now routinely blocking the DE by himself on pass protection when he doesn’t go out for a pass. I’ve always wondered if the TE would be a better match up for blocking a DE than an OT and it looks like that might be the case.
The funniest thing in the game was when Ship and Greg Smith crossed on two or three plays and the D momentarily left Ship open but had two guys on Greg for a second.
Curtis Brown was as close to the WR as you can physically get. Absolutely no surprise that he got the interception. I think that Thomas simply faked man coverage but was actually in zone. Maybe Muschamp taught him that trick. The key to the success of that play is that Thomas timed it perfectly because he was keeping an eye on the QB until the QB went into his throwing motion.
Malcolm is a stud.
It is cool that Colt is getting down and out of bounds to avoid hits but it would be great if he would throw the ball away rather than take a sack.
I remember this sea cave north of San Simeon that is reachable via an elevator.
There were a huge number of huge pinnipeds in the cave and their collective smell was overwhelmingly rank. The view from up top was a mountainous headland thrusting out into the Pacific. On top of the headland was a picturesque light house.
wherethefuckisnate said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Where are the okie trolls these days anyway? And what about that 3MNCinarow fucktard?
Bring on FLA…unless they get the same crew as they had vs. Arky
p said:
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:41 pm
Scip-
Thanks for coming back!
Listening to Muschamp on Texassports reveals to me the master plan of his genius. Most clubs hold back for a few games, and then roll out the full playbook. Muschamp is rolling out new wrinkles every week.
That robber call by Muschamp on the Earl Thomas pick was a thing of beauty, and NFL quality. That might have fooled Peyton Manning.
Earl Thomas lined up showing the same under 2 man coverage we have shown just about everyone all year. It was the same alignment Earl picked off Landry Jones on, where he drives under the route, allowing Gideon/Brewster to squeeze them over top. The timing was perfect! As soon as Robinson finishes his drop and commits to the throw, Thomas peels off.
What scares me is Muschamp has more up his sleeve, and is clearly saving some specials for later. I love this man……………….. homo! I have not seen this kind of complexity out of a defense at Texas. I am glad we finally have someone, who understands that putting good players in a position to make plays is where it’s at.
Soonervino said:
November 4th, 2009 at 12:41 am
Can’t speak for Nate, but here is an Okie.
Though I live in the Addison zip code, I am further south, in more of a “transitional neighborhood”. Friend from Austin looks up at the police helicoptor this summer, I quip, “yeah , we get a lot of that around here”. Not the hood, but the occasional drive by or Wal Mart killing. But I digress.
Your defense is stellar. I agree with the above that Acho is turning out to be a bigger playmaker than Kindle (Norberg). Sergio is mucking things up and probably drawing more concern which allows for more freedom among the others. I don’t think it was Kindle who took down Bradford, was it? Though his hit to Potts was absolutely helmet to helmet.
That notwithstanding.
Your date with destiny awaits. And looking forward to it with either UF or UA, I harken back to the OU National Championship of 2000. Though FSU was clearly a dominant offensive squad, the defense and punter (yes, I said punter) are what won that game. Certainly Big Game Bob’s best Big Game (or Mike’s)
Keep loving that defense because Colt probably won’t make mistakes and neither offense shows the capability to score the points needed to beat you. Hell they may tie in the SEC Championship. First one to 10 wins. You are more than likely going to need to find a way to score more than 16, but not a hell of a lot more.
To Psaid, the first oskie on the sideline was pure luck and vertical leap, not scheme. Now the second one was unbelievable athleticism with the closing speed. Both on the player, not Will M.
Finally, I know it’s your job on this site to beat the shit out of Davis, but again, why is Colt running the ball so late in decided games?
beowulf said:
November 4th, 2009 at 4:31 am
Scip. I think we ran that Jumbo package twice against OSU. On 3rd and two on our first drive we ganed 2 1/2. Then from the one yard line on our fist TD the replay officials awarded Texas the TD when they saw the point of the ball eke over the line. I credit Cobbs and our 300 lb DT bulldozer as much as a manly OL for those 3 1/2 total yards.
Soonervino. When you said the hit to Potts was “helmet to helmet” I quit reading the rest of your comments and dismissed all your prior words.You have no credibility, just an agenda. He clearly hit the ball with his facemask and helmet. and it’s the reason Potts fumbled.
kafka said:
November 4th, 2009 at 4:58 am
On second thought, that sea cave reachable via elevator was north of San Simeon all right, a few hundred miles north on the southern Oregon coast.
pfc said:
November 4th, 2009 at 6:00 am
Good post. Thanks.
Seeing the first half when we didn’t get much of a pass rush it made you realize how impressive and important our pass rush has been. Second half defense just kicked it up like 10 notches.
It was awesome when Curtis made his interception to see Robinson the linebacker jet by him. This defense has some serious speed.
ransomstoddard said:
November 4th, 2009 at 6:20 am
To what do you attribute the disappearance of Monroe from our offense? Speedy, shifty guys who take care of the ball would seem to be a huge asset to a success-challenged offense.
TKO said:
November 4th, 2009 at 6:23 am
“The best defense I have ever seen was the 1983 Texas squad, and the best game I have ever seen a Texas defense play was their opener that year at Auburn…Texas won 20-7. (Bo) Jackson led all Auburn rushers with 35 yards.”
I was down on the sidelines for that game. Watched from about 8 yards away as Jerry Gray dislocated Bo Jackson’s shoulder with a horrific collision along the sidelines.
That ’83 defense was talented and genuinely savage. Yet, as much as I think of that crew, Texas has a chance to field a better one in two or three years. With the bunch that’s coming in, they should be borderline supernatural when they mature in Muschamp’s system. This is gonna be some fun, boys.
JP said:
November 4th, 2009 at 6:25 am
“That team had a defensive backfield of Jerry Gray, Mossy Cade, ”
Years ago when Wifey was knocked-up, knitting and nesting, she asked me if I liked the name “Cade” for our unborn son. I was immediately overcome with the burnt orange warm fuzzies.
To this day she still doesn’t know that our little boy is named after a UT defensive back…
uthookem said:
November 4th, 2009 at 7:51 am
I recall seeing Monroe in the game for a few snaps. The problem is, they have yet to be able to use him as a decoy, which would help. I’m sure we’re saving it for UF/UA.
nordberg said:
November 4th, 2009 at 8:15 am
We’re saving Monroe for the 2012 NC game his senior year.
p said:
November 4th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Soonervino-
What are you talking about?
We are discussing the OSU game, not the OU game. You are a few weeks late. Earl Thomas’ pick in the OSU game was all scheme. It was made to look like man with safety help over top. Muschamp knew that if OSU got that look, they would run off the nickel corner and safety, to clear for drag route underneath. In reality, ET was actually a robber, and peeled back down to the crossing route, leaving the safety one on one against the slot receiver.
kafka said:
November 4th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Ransom,
The problem for Monroe may be that he can’t play TB because of blocking issues. He can’t play WR because of route running and pass catching issues. This means that when he comes into the game in the slot, it is obvious that the jet sweep is soon to follow and the D does not need to worry much about Monroe as a WR.
Now that Goodwin is available, you have a guy who is faster than DJ and an is an excellent WR and the D has no idea when the jet sweep is coming.
For DJ to play a lot, he either has to be able to pass block reliably or become a viable WR. The first option might be the best option since we saw how long it took for Malcolm to start at WR.
Dutchie said:
November 4th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Aaron was dancing as he walked into class on Monday. I hope that means he’ll have the pads on Saturday.
nordberg said:
November 4th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Then fucking move Monroe back to corner then, if he can’t play at RB or WR.
Scipio Tex said:
November 4th, 2009 at 11:57 am
p -
Good to be back. And you’re correct on the Thomas interception. The Thomas play was the perfect blending of a great call and a great player. Someone who can’t see that Thomas was running a called scheme isn’t watching real carefully.
As for the Monroe discussion, he can’t really pass protect and he’s not a true WR. If you put him in it’s pretty clear that we’re running a package and the defense can respond accordingly. DJ needs to spend some time in the offseason working on his hands or gaining the weight necessary to play CB.
Gene Claude said:
November 4th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
(in spooky voice) Ovverrrlooook the Noooorrrrth Chaaaaamp at yoooouuuurrrr perrrriiillll.
Hah. Or, suit Scip and Eyes up. Either way.
Frank said:
November 4th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I remember Big Game Bob.
Homesick Alien said:
November 4th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Scip-
What are your thoughts on the atm game?
I have to admit, that game scares the witch poo out of me.
atm knocking us out of a national championship would put smiles on those cornpone, bass-ackwards goofball faces for the rest of, well, ever.
We will get their fiercest, fiercest effort. That game will be their national championship game. We had better be ready.
RF said:
November 4th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
TKO - the ‘83 game was at Auburn; pretty sure Jerry Gray ran down Bo and dislocated his shoulder in Austin, which would have been ‘84. I don’t remember a horrific collision so much as both guys running at top speed and Jackson landing full weight on his shoulder while Gray landed full weight on him, so that Jackson couldn’t really roll as he fell.
“Aaron was dancing as he walked into class on Monday. I hope that means he’ll have the pads on Saturday.” According to Matt Millen, that’s a sure sign he is ready to play. Of course Kendall “dancing in warmups” Hunter came in for exactly 1 play that I noticed on Saturday, but I’m sure there must be some other reason he wasn’t in for 20+ snaps; Matt Millen was an NFL GM after all…
Scipio Tex said:
November 4th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Homesick:
It’s our toughest remaining game for certain. Block Von Miller and we score at least 28. Do you like A&M putting 30 on our D?
nordberg said:
November 4th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
We do weird stuff on offense, man. It wouldn’t surprise me if we left Miller completely unblocked half the game.
jonestopten said:
November 4th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
On the 1983 defense, we are missing two starters:
1. Ed Williams at defensive end-fast as hell and led the team in sacks with ten. Srr50 mentioned Eric Holle, the other end, who had an astounding 42 QB pressures on the year. They may have been the most underrated pair of ends ever to play at UT at the same time.
2. Craig Curry at SS-there is a single play that defines Curry’s career and that is a damn shame. He was an outstanding player for the Longhorns and deserves better.
homesickalien said:
November 4th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Saturday night saw the return of much of our Leave-A-Man-Unblocked Offense. I have to say, I prefer our Don’t-Blatantly-Leave-Any-Rushing-Defenders-Unblocked Offense.
I will cross my fingers in the hopes that we’re saving a Keep-Von-Miller-Blocked package for the atm game.
Trips Right said:
November 4th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Welcome back, Mr. Carter.
Great piece.
Since I’m late to the party and most of the thoroughbred and quarterhorse topics have been beaten to a pulp already, I’ll add but one tidbit that hasn’t been mentioned on the thread.
Sergio’s decision to pull up and not detonate Robinson on Curtis’ pick six might have been the most unselfish, smart, and certainly unheralded play of the game. If he lights up Zac on the free run, he’s likely called for a PF and the Cowboys are in business to cut the game to one score. He didn’t, and presto, Texas is up 17.
Ironically, in last year’s ballgame, an OSU defender cost the Pokes points by roughing McCoy on a pick. Texas scored the next play and the rest, as they say, is history.
Great play by Kindle.
Scipio Tex said:
November 4th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Trips, great point. Absolutely the kind of heady play I’ve come to expect from this group.
parlin said:
November 4th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
Also amazing about Sergio’s play is the agility it demanded once he decided not to level Robinson.
If you watch it again, he not only pulls up, but is able to hold up both hands in the universal gesture for “I come in peace: I don’t really want to hurt this gentleman.” He essentially made throwing a flag impossible. Doing all of that at full speed, and in the heat of the moment, is remarkable.
Neurobiologists will attest that texting while driving calls upon a different part of the brain.
anonymous said:
November 4th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
With regard to Monroe, I don’t think either the blocking issues or route running issues should make it utterly impossible for him to play on a down other than one in which he is running the ball. We run empty sets at times, so he can’t be any worse than no blocker at all. And there’s no serious harm in having him try, and perhaps fail, to run routes at times. He shouldn’t be doing either of those things too often, but there is no reason he has to come in for only one or two plays a game and, for certain, be handed the ball on those plays.
kafka said:
November 4th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
I looked at Earl’s pick again a few times and it appears that Earl was not actually looking at the OSU QB when Earl made his break off the slot WR to cover Anyiam. Earl was looking at Anyiam. It appears that what actually triggered Earl’s break was not Zack’s arm motion but was Ayiam breaking across the middle. If Zack hits Anyiam right after the cut, there would be no interception. It appears that rather than Earl baiting Zack with precise timing, it was more a case of fortunate timing (and, of course, well disguised coverage). During Zack’s pre snap read, it looked like Earl might be blitzing. One deception after another after another.
Earl was doubling Anyiam but the coverage was disguised. If Anyiam goes long, then I guess Earl would have stayed on the slot WR and the play side safety would have doubled Anyiam instead of taking over coverage of the slot WR. The horns were rushing 5 guys so presumably they figured Zack would have to throw his pass quickly (i.e. no time for long routes).
kafka said:
November 4th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
Mack said this today about DJ:
“We’d like to get D.J. in the game more. Marquise [Goodwin] can do the things D.J. can do and he can run all the routes, so it has taken some of his snaps away, but we’d still like to get him the ball more.”
kafka said:
November 4th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
Scipio:
“Someone who can’t see that Thomas was running a called scheme isn’t watching real carefully.”
Don’t the players (both offense and defense) run a called scheme on every play? I guess maybe there are exceptions when the opponent is running a hurry up offense and the DC does not have time to get his call into the team but that must be rare.
Scipio Tex said:
November 4th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
kafka -
Earl had a robber call. It was a 3 on 2 combo coverage and Earl pretends to have the inside receiver (he even pretends to break his hips and run with him) and then makes his break on Anyiam. Most guys can’t get there or disguise it as convincingly. But it’s a called play.
Contrast that with Curtis Brown’s interception where he’s simply playing straight man and he makes an amazing athletic play. Yeah, Curtis is playing a scheme there, but the scheme is Cover That Guy.
What Earl did is something that we choreographed.
vibe said:
November 4th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
why did we quit on the 11 personnel? we had some success with it. we had adjusted our lineup. i was shocked. i thought this was “our identity going forward”—-wtf? i am totally amazed by that decision.
ideas, scip? like you said: maybe we are saving something for baylor.
p said:
November 5th, 2009 at 12:41 am
Kafka-
As Scip posted above, it was a robber call.
Look closer at the pre-snap alignment. Earl is over top of the slot receiver, maintaining inside leverage(forcing him to the outside. We show this defense all the time. The nickel corner will take away the under on any route that goes over the middle, and the safety has over the top, effectively bracketing the receiver. In this defense we usually leave Curtis on an island. Since most college QBs can’t throw the deep out consistently, it’s a great scheme to protect the middle of the field.
Opposing OCs aren’t idiots though. They understand how to attack this defense. The vulnerability of it is obvious. If you run off the safety and nickel corner, by going deep with the slot receiver, you can free up a sizable chunk of real estate for your outside receiver to work in. A quick move to the inside, and you can pick up an easy reception.
The problem is, Muschamp is no dummy either. He self scouts well, and realizes this. You can tell the team has been drilled about this. The route that Curtis picked off was exactly that.
The Thomas pick was a NFL quality robber scheme……………just beautiful!
Muschamp lined up in the above scheme, knowing full well when OSU saw the alignment they would check into a play to the X receiver. Earl Thomas just simply handed the slot receiver off to Gideon, as the receiver tried to run deep, and peeled back to jump the X receiver’s route.
I would hate to be the QB looking at Muschamp’s scheme after 1 month to prepare.
TKO said:
November 5th, 2009 at 4:51 am
RF:
I think you’re right about the ‘83/’84 games. In looking back at Srr50’s post, he was clearly referring to the game in Auburn.
That said, the game in which Gray dislocated Jackson’s shoulder was without a doubt in Austin, and from where I was standing, it sounded like a rifle shot when Gray popped him.
Scipio Tex said:
November 5th, 2009 at 9:08 am
vibe -
Greg Davis said that he wanted to surprise OSU and Bill Young since we’d shown so much 11 personnel against Missouri. I’m not sure why surprising someone with something that hasn’t worked is a good thing, but that’s his explanation. Maybe we roll out the Veer against UCF.
nordberg said:
November 5th, 2009 at 9:23 am
Greg sure likes surprises. Colt and our offense took a beating against a terrible Colorado team because we wanted to surprise OU. Surprise, OU! here’s 16 points.
kafka said:
November 5th, 2009 at 10:33 am
P:
I didn’t say it was not a robber coverage. My first point is that Earl did not look at the QB’s throwing motion to time his break to Anyiam (as both you and I thought previously) but instead keyed off Anyiam’s break.
My second point is that I think Earl would have continued his coverage of the slot WR had Anyiam not broke to the middle.
Third point is that Muschamp was going to double Anyiam on that play whether he cut to the middle or went long. In the latter case the safety on the right side would have doubled Anyiam instead of covering the slot WR.
What do you think?
kafka said:
November 5th, 2009 at 10:59 am
Scipio:
My question regarded your statement:
“Someone who can’t see that Thomas was running a called scheme isn’t watching real carefully.”
Yeah, defenders run a called scheme every play. Obviously it was a called scheme but you did not addres the specifics of the called scheme, your statement was relatively content free.
“Earl had a robber call. It was a 3 on 2 combo coverage and Earl pretends to have the inside receiver (he even pretends to break his hips and run with him) and then makes his break on Anyiam.”
No disagreement that there was 3 on 2 combo coverage (in fact I had already posted my version of how I thought the 3 on 2 coverage worked). You are not addressing some of the key questions: what was the key for Earl to break back to Anyiam? I say it was Anyiam’s cut to the middle. What do you think it was? What does Earl do if Anyiam does not break to the middle? Do you think the plan was for the horns to leave Anyiam in single coverage deep?
p said:
November 5th, 2009 at 11:02 am
Kafka -
These coverages are fluid. There are multiple calls in a single coverage scheme, that are carried out if the offense responds to the coverage a certain way.
For instance, on the Blake Gideon pick, we morph into a three deep, with Gideon Curtis, and Brewster each taking a third. It looks as though Curtis is motioning to Acho to cover the flat man, which he doesn’t, and could have been disastrous. Robinson is expecting two deep, and when they send two receivers deep, he is waiting for Gideon to take the first one, so he can throw to the one coming behind him into that zone.
It is the same thing we ran to get Malcolm Williams open deep. We vacated the zone, by running Ship through it, then threw behind him to Williams one-on-one.
The difference is, we adjust to what the offense is trying to do mid-play. We morphed into a three deep, allowing Gideon to back track, and undercut the route. All Gideon had to do is sell it by turning his hips, and giving Robinson that key to throw.
Last year we were just learning how to do things. This year Muschamp has these guys pulling off NFL coverage schemes. These are the kind of coverages you see on Sundays, not Saturdays. They have learned how to disguise them, and sell them. If we had Muschamp in 04/05, we would have blown USC out by 30. Back then we relied on sheer athleticism. Now we have the wicked coverage schemes to go along with our athleticism.
p said:
November 5th, 2009 at 11:12 am
To Blake Gideon, and all of Barking Carnival-
I have been hard on number 21, Blake Gideon since last season, and I want to apologize in front of everyone.
Sure he lacks range, and the general natural ability of the rest of our secondary. Can he run from the hash to the sideline before a pass can get there? No! However, if there is anything within 10 yards of him, he will make a play. Basically, he is Marcus Griffin with good instincts.
He has played better this year, for the most part. He will never be Earl Thomas, but kudos to him for stepping his game up!
kafka said:
November 5th, 2009 at 11:19 am
P;
Great stuff. I know you played DB in HS (safety,right?) and have excellent knowledge of secondary stuff.
But…you did not really answer my specific questions. Could you answer my questions, please?
The questions are:
Earl did not look at the QB’s throwing motion to time his break to Anyiam (as both you and I thought previously) but instead keyed off Anyiam’s break to the middle, rght?
Earl would have continued his coverage of the slot WR had Anyiam not broke to the middle., right?
Muschamp was going to double Anyiam on that play whether he cut to the middle or went long, right? In the latter case the safety on the right side would have doubled Anyiam instead of covering the slot WR, right?
Basically, I’m asking you what wouild have happened if Anyiam does not break to the middle? I can’t see Earl not covering either the slot WR or Anyiam. Since he can’t cover Anyiam if Anyiam does not break over the middle, the logical thing would be for Earl to continue to cover the slot WR. This, of course, leaves the safety free to double Anyiam (the most dangerous OSU WR).
p said:
November 5th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
kafka-
without being in the huddle, I am gonna assume the key for the robber call was if they saw Anyiam break into a crossing route. So yes, he prob would have continued covering the slot receiver.
homesickalien said:
November 5th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
P said: “I would hate to be the QB looking at Muschamp’s scheme after 1 month to prepare.”
And a baby-arm offense to work with in the first place.
homesickalien said:
November 5th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
nordberg said: “Greg sure likes surprises. Colt and our offense took a beating against a terrible Colorado team because we wanted to surprise OU. Surprise, OU! here’s 16 points.”
It’s Greg’s Dick-In-A-Box Package. Kwanzaa!
Trips Right said:
November 5th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
On the Thomas pick, this was the third time, by my count, that the pokes ran the slant underneath the clearing slot receiver. The two times before OSU picked up good yardage on an easy pitch and catch. The third time we robbed the route with Thomas which looked to be done pre-snap since ET breaks on the ball before the outside receiver made his cut.
The important thing to note is that the nickel robber look is on film and it will help our corners defend the quick slant with twins to one side going forward because opposing QB’s will have to hold the ball a count or two more until we disclose what coverage we’re in. It’ll also help our pass rush.
p said:
November 5th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Trips-
You are absolutely right. That’s what makes Muschamp such a great DC. He makes adjustments quickly, which means his guys were already coached about the problem, and waiting for it to show up.
He is the most prepared coach I have seen at Texas.