Two Weeks From Rice: Here’s An Appetizer

Sweep the leg.

Kick the ass.

How many Sunday players do we have on the OL? The team?

Will we win? Will Gilbert continue to mine the depths of the uncanny valley or will he finally assume human form?

Scipio,
Where do you see DJ Monroe fitting in? I haven’t read much about him in the practice reports this Fall. Special teams seems likely; will he be getting many snaps or just appear in specific packages?

I also wasn’t sure if I should laugh or cry about the Wood to TE proposal.

Good stuff. Just your gut feeling. From the coaching staff viewpoint, do you think we are further along, short of expectations or about where the coaches thought we would be at this point in camp?

I think the Horns will be surprisingly good at times this year but at the same time there will be times when the young-uns are going to make some real bone head mistakes. As long as they play their asses off and buy into their respective systems things will get much, much better in the coming years. Where do you watch the games in SF Scip?

I, too, am curious about coaches view.
I get the feeling that we are a bit further along than we might have expected at O-line, running back, linebackers (though we had high hopes here, anyway) and even tight end.
About where we expected: the rest of the defense
A little behind where we wanted to be: QB and receivers.

Stampy -
 
Impossible to answer meaningfully because talent is a function of opportunity, development, and scheme in addition to physical ability.
 
From the seniors, the league will be interested in Acho, Robinson, Randall.

Cody, Fozzy, Snow, Allen, Gideon could play themselves into late round or free agent interest with really strong senior campaigns, but some of those chances are slim and none.
 
Mad Clapper -
 
I have us at 8-4 right now with a standard deviation of +/- 2. 5-7 isn’t happening again.
 
Mano -
 
You haven’t read a lot about DJ because JS has agreed not to go in depth on certain formations. DJ has a role in our offense. But the emergence of Bergeron and Brown will constrict carries for all of the older backs.
 
BEW -
 
Further along. I think the new coaches were shocked at our S&C;, general air of complacency, player development, and baseline talent level at certain positions coming in, but now after the Spring they see a team living more up to its potential.
 
I think Brown is really happy with Diaz, Applewhite, Harsin and he deserves credit for making the changes he did.

10 sacks by the LBs sounds very low given Diaz schemes and the talent. I might take the over even at 15.

Calihorn -
 
No set place. Sometimes at a bar, sometimes at Sailor Ripleys, or at home if I want to focus.
 
lurker -
 
I think those are solid takes.

wethorn -
 
I hope you’re right. But sometimes the role of the blitzing LB is to create a flush for an easy DE clean-up.

Scip, thanks for the great articles lately, all of ya’ll continue to kill it.

I am interested in watching how Vacarro plays this year. It seems as though he will be key in both run support against power teams and coverage against the spread (stating the obvious, sorry). I am excited about finally employing a run game and having kick ass LBs.

One more: what happened to Paden Kelly? Is he having a problem picking up and executing the coaching or is it more interpersonal (effort/attitude)?

supposedly it is more attitude with Kelly

Any idea how early Edmond is going to contribute?

I think the key word in the whole article is PATIENCE. Thanks Scipio. I know when Broyles takes a catch in the flat for a TD or on a critical down our LT gives up a sack, I will be tempted to shout at the coaches. Hopefully the bit of perspective you injected into my mind today will spare my daughters’ ears.

“Any glimpse through the keyhole is fun.”

Erin Andrews begs to differ.

boj:

That might have been the most fun glimpse ever through a keyhole. Just not for her.

Of course instead of standard deviation you meant standard error for your forecast.

I see anything from 8-4 to 10-2 with 8-4 much more likely. I just watched the entire 2010 season again and we literally threw two games away in the trash. If the offense had merely been competent we go 9-3 perhaps even better. The defense really played well for long stretches last year. The Nebraska game might have been the most dominant of the Mack Brown era.

The Aggy game so could have been had. 3 plays determined the outcome of that game. With proper coaching I do not see Texas throwing away games like that this year. Less downside to your 8-4 forecast if I had to handicap…..

Everyone says Wood will leave but I’m not sure. If you are still developing as a QB why not stay a year. You will get the best coaching possible.

I think Mack is happy with Searles and Wylie also. A friend of mine who is a sports agent was impressed that we hired Wylie. The agent sends his clients to Wylie to prepare for the NFL.

Scipio,
In regards to the Sunday players in our bunch I agree with you on the first 3. I’ll even meet you in the middle on 4of the 5 possibilities. However, I can’t follow the Gideon logic from a pure physical ability standpoint. This is NOT a Gideon bash, that’s been covered long before, simply stating that the NFL is so far more advanced than the NCAA is all aspects. Gideon wouldn’t make it, but he very well could make a fine coach. IMO.

Scandal -
 
I generally agree, but I merely stated that Gideon could get a free agent look. I don’t think that’s crazy talk.
 
jerryw -
 
Wylie isn’t Todd Wright in terms of knowledge but he shows up to work, forces accountability, introduces toughness and attitude, values cardio and motor, and that’s a huge improvement over prior S&C.; Texas gets really good athletes. Even average S&C; will create massive development.
 
Newy -
 
You win my respect for suffering through last year again. I did it Spring and hit Delete on my DVR. It felt good.
 
Monahorns -
 
Thanks, man. I want our fans to be outraged about the correct things, not because they’re being crybabies in general. This staff is doing good stuff right now. They need our support. Not blind support. Informed support.
 
Sploop -
 
He’s a big-time run stopper. He may have some situational value against run-heavy teams. First look – UCLA.
 
Mano -
 
I don’t know.
 
lilpenny -

I feel about Vaccaro as a junior the way I felt about Orakpo before his senior year. All of the stars were aligned, we’ve seen glimpses, but now he has to put it all together on the field and dominate.
 
We need it. Because without a reliable thumper and coverage guy at safety, our schemes aren’t going to create the havoc they might otherwise.

Predicted score? I’ll go with 41-13.

Great read. I chuckled loudly at the fat guys get frisky in cold weather comment. I’m not sure why.

I could also sense a quiet confidence come through in your sources’ voice. I share that feeling, fwiw.

As for Bergeron’s versatility, for video proof look at the 16 second mark of the scrimmage video. Dude’s taking a f’n zone read for twenty against the first team defense. Ash at the trigger. I see the future.

http://www.texassports.com/allaccess/?media=258196

With the problems we have with DT, I would think that they would want Hicks in there instead of Robinson.

“Expect a steady rotation of Howell, Jackson, Dorsey, Daniels at #2 DT and spelling Randall. We’re going to try to get it done with waves of bodies playing with maximum effort.”

You would think at least one of the above could get the job done at #2 DT. if not, that would be a horrendous hit rate at the position. Granted Jackson is young, but as Mack says the others have been here long enough. It’s time to produce.

What is the good word on Cobbs? I know thew kid making strides in coverage and has super talent, but how long till he finally puts it together to be more of an every down type player?

- Scipio

Question on the OL: is Espinosa starting at center a done deal?

The reason I ask isn’t because I question his ability, but because I thought that Snow had locked down the position and had been taking the lion’s share of snaps with the ones at center since spring. The first I heard of Espinosa getting significant snaps with the ones was at last Thursday’s scrimmage, and I was certain then that Searels was simply building redundancy along the OL to offset depth issues.

I remember watching the tOSU game in Columbus and being amazed about their LB play. In my years of watching Texas, I can’t remember a time when we’ve had multiple LB’s on the field that can really impact a game. Apologies to Killebrew who seemed to have the impact of several players by himself (just not necessarily in the right way).

Will be interesting to see if these guys can force opponents to change their offensive game.

I recently re-watched the 2010 Nebraska game too, and I have to respectfully disagree that we looked great (or whatever Newey said above). We looked like complete crap for nearly the entire game; I am still shocked that we won, and I attribute it to NU’s dismal 0-fer record against us in the regular season fucking with them mentally.

Now, last year, as I watched it live, and having nothing to compare our performance to other than the crappy performances we’d already given, I was pretty pleased with the NU performance. Hell, I agreed with Phil Steel(e?) that we “wouldn’t lose another game all year.”

I will grant that the defense showed up for most of the NU game (although they tried mightily to give it away in the second half), but the offense was just terrible. The coaching was terrible. No way that was a great performance.

You said exactly what I have been thinking. The QB depth chart will have GG # 1 followed by “and/or” for number 2

oh, good grief. they aren’t going to say ‘and/or’. i was kidding about running two qbs.

Can we beat Rice by 50 points?

yeh – I think it means the and/or will be for the #2 QB’s.

TKO,

Espinosa starting at center seems to be pretty solid. Thats what’s allowing us to get Hopkins and Walters looks out to tackle with Snow’s ability to play guard as well as center. It also gives us more cross training and depth options to get the next best 5 on the field when we experience an oline injury.

The WR drops are a cause for concern. Not sure what is going on because I don’t remember Mike Davis having issues with them last year and Shipley and Miles O. are supposed to have great hands.

Thanks, Scott. Watching Searels cross-training so much along the OL has made me much less concerned about depth, especially at tackle.

I have been on 8 wins since they hired all the new guys. Throwing that much $ at some new blood ought to be worth three wins. Baylor was there to be won last year. Hell, even OU tried to give us the game in the fourth quarter. But, the more I read, the more I lean back towards 7. First game is in two weeks and we don’t have a QB. History suggests the young DBs will be toast during this campaign. Still just throwing bodies at DT. Twisted ankle away from misery on the OL.
I think this year will be much more fun to watch than last year (or 1991, the year I most associate 2010 with), but wins will be hard to come by. 7 wins is starting to look about right.

ok, horncasting, explain how it could be ‘and’.

Yeh – I think the depth chart will say:

1. Gilbert
2. McCoy or Ash

I don’t know how an “and” would fit in there. I think I mistook your question.

That’s a hell of an appetizer. I felt like I just ate a whole Blooming Onion by myself.

Paden has had a strange career at Texas. I hope he straightens up, and if he doesn’t play, at least takes advantage of the new and improved S & C program.

If it’s 8 -4 who are the 4 ? A&M;, OU , osu and who ?

Dick – Fire up fadinglasvegas for football season!

Jesus -
 
Loved that vid of Bergeron. We also see a little of what makes John Harris interesting. Hard to tackle.
 
Football Fan -
 
I agree on Howell. Dorsey, Daniels and Jackson are still getting it together.
 
laxtonto -
 
I think Cobbs competes for a starting job next year. He should be rolling at 225 by then.
 
TKO -
 
Right now, Espinosa is our starting center. Searels is pretty committed to best 5 on the field.
 
converse -
 
If you gave me a choice between dominating defensive units, I’d take DBs or DL over LB, but great linebacker play is one of the most enjoyable things you can watch in football. I think this unit will excel particularly against the passing game.
 
Flash -
 
Ask me Sept 2.
 
Horncasting -
 
The game is a lot faster at the college level. They have more to think about and they’re not used to having a comparable athlete draped on them.

Aggie Lurking -
 
Predicting a record doesn’t require figuring out the exact losses or wins. Marginal probabilities, dude.
 
I won’t concede any game on our schedule right now. The problem is that I can only find three that seem to be sure wins.

I DON’T CARE WHEATHER THEY WIN 1 GAME OR ALL GAMES AS LONG AS I DON’T
HAVE TO WATCH A GD OFFENSE EVER AGAIN. LONG TIME READER FIRST TIME POSTER.SORRY FOR YELLING.

i’m cool.

Just want to tell you guys how much I appreciate the info given here. I have been watching Texas play football since the late 50’s and have lived and died with them so many times I never know what to expect from year to year. So here we go again.
Hook em

Any chance Wylie is talking with Todd Wright and will incorporate more innovative training as he goes on?

A Dude-

I was specifically talking about the defense. Taylor Martinez was a Heisman contender coming into that game. We completely shut their offense down in grand fashion.

The offense was abysmal as usual in Lincoln last year.

I think Cody Johnson gets drafted unless he suffers a major injury

“I think Cody Johnson gets drafted unless he suffers a major injury”

Could be, if he has a really good year as a lead blocker and catches a few out of backfield. Ahmard Hall was the most talented FB we’ve had here, has started 5 years in the league, and he was not drafted, if I recall. Too lazy to look it up. I think teams are loath to spend a draft choices on FB’s because their careers tend to be short and that body type is not that uncommon.

Is Paden’s demotion related to his turdness or skill/strength?

If Stacy’s OL doesn’t perform, he’s experienced enough not to expect any sympathy.

What is the story with Paden? You mention that he has been demoted but don’t say why. It has been reported that he has a bad attitude. Does Paden have an attitude problem? OL is a very team oriented position because the OL guys work so closely together. It seems like they would get together to help Paden improve his attitude (maybe something like the team building exercise with bars of soap in socks in “Full Metal Jacket”). Paden played LT at LTHS with Gilbert. You would think that, just out of loyalty to his HS teammate, his current OL teammates, to his horn teammates, and because he is on scholarship, he would feel obligated to make all necessary attitudinal corrections asap. There is an extreme need for Paden on the OL this year and to get less than the best out of Paden because of a bad attitude reflects poorly on both Paden and Searels.

Thank you for the infobits! Getting me ready to make it through another Monday. I think our QB, our WRs, and our DBs are a fun and young group. I would like to take QB out of there, but for the rest of them, it’s going to be fun this year and growing to some big things the next 3 years. I am thinking that Harsin schemes to avoid his TEs having to man up the DE as much as possible, at least before their head is spinning. That, with some special packages thrown in, will give us a lot of fun skill position play.

The Oline is going to be metric tons better than last year, and this staring 5 has a lot of road grader potential. Yes, chip blocks and some Bergeron and Fozzy will be needed on 3rd. If anybody gets hurt, Ashcroft comes in (for as long as he can) and the line will rotate accordingly. I can live with that. Considering Kelly this year is better as our 4/5 guy than one starter and close to the other last year, I’m OK.

I would hope that Bible can get in there for 8 plays a game, because I think he is the only other legitimate run stopping option we have up front. He’s talent level is just above what Dorsey/Howell can bring. Add in Daniels not being ready yet and Desmond being a pass rusher and we could use 80% of a redshirt Bible in there.

I hope we switch Hicks to MLB only versus UCLA and power run teams. I really like Phillips and Diggs and Byndom for their help in the run game. I hope they will be as technically sound in their tackling as I think they will be physical.

kafka, i’m wondering if his attitude was ok before searles shuffled the deck, knocking him out of a starting position.

ballmot, you’ll like this tweet from bible:

I’m going to work my @$$ off so that I’ll never miss another open-field tfl, tonight I’m in search of #redemption

http://twitter.com/#!/T_Bibes94

I know this sounds crazy… But what if we jumped into a 4-4-3 look against UCLA and play Edmond instead of the safety opposit of Gideon—- I mean it would help our run D and it’s not like our LBs don’t have the range to cover a craptastic passing game like UCLA.. Just a thought…

Guys, I don’t know the deal with Paden Kelley. Could just be that Searles had a longer look at his OL talent.
 
Luke -
 
UCLA can run a lot of their stuff out of three wide looks as well as The Pistol. Probably not our best strategery.

Stop blaming Searels for Kelly’s inadequacies. Searels values maulers over finesse guys. If Paden puts in the necessary work in the weight room, he’ll eventually play.

Nevin Shapiro ? Very nice handle!

I’ve always viewed LB’s like relievers. In certain cases, like a Rivera or Hoffman, they are truly special, but often, fans get overexcited about players with a much higher replacability than other positions. The truth is, it’s easier to find a guy with a mid nineties heater and a good splitter, than it is to find a truly superlative starter.

LB’s are the same way: solid players who can get the job done are much more plentiful at this position than at DE or CB.

Kelley has maturity issues.

And even if we did decide to pull a safety off the field, why on earth would it be Vacarro or Phillips?

Welcome Nevin

Hey, he’s in a Federal prison. Why wouldn’t he have the time and technology to post on BC.

Any good market tips, Nevin?

I’ll have to agree to disagree with anyone that thought the team played well v. Nebraska last season. “We” got lucky, and the fact that Nebraska choked played no small part in that. However, I was good with them getting one more loss against Texas as a parting gift. I can only hope additional voids in Bo Pelini’s mind were blown while his bugged out eyes went over that game film.

On Gideon as a possible UFA, keep in mind James Kirkendoll was picked up by the Titans. I could draft him for my fantasy team if I wanted.

It would be awesome if Dom Espinosa could lock down the center spot for the next four years. another recruiting special: IIRC, dude had to self-recruit and at one point the staff bandied about the idea of a grayshirt.

I am officially getting optimistic. While the defense will likely take some lumps given the youth of the DBs, I don’t think it can be over-stated how much the defense will benefit from a serviceable running game and special teams that can a) actually catch the punt/kick, and b) run with said ball after catching it. Those two factors alone should help us chew some clock and keep the D off of the field, and not continually give them an absurdly short field to defend.

I don’t know that Mike Davis had a “problem” last year with drops, but he wasn’t particularly notable for great hands, either. I remember a very bad drop at a very crucial moment late vs Baylor. IIRC.

gideon doesn’t have a snowballs chance in hell of even being a free agent. he will be lucky to hold off phillips by the end of the year. i would rather roll out phillips and vaccaro on day one than to watch another abortion by gideon like ucla last year…

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