Spring Fling: A Snapshot of Texas Football 3-13-12 - Offense
by Scipio Tex on Mar 13, 2026 1:55 PM CDT
in Texas Longhorns and Other Football
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David Ash has grown. He understands the offense better and isn't paralyzed by stimulus overload. He's throwing the ball more naturally and letting it go a little. Last year he was trying to place the ball and it was extending his delivery and gumming up his mechanics. That's gone. He's the clear starter and any suggested competition for the job is completely manufactured. He's getting better at play action (hitting guys in stride with air under the ball) and is still solid running the zone read.
Case McCoy is the same player.
Brewer is a redshirt.
Jalen Overstreet is smart and physically mature so don't rule out Overstreet being listed as the #3 QB who gets some occasional work running option to get his feet wet. Might offer the coaches another option if Ash goes down and Case plays poorly. He won't be the short yardage Wildcat operator though. Won't know anything 'til Fall Camp.
David Ash's health is paramount.
WR
The people I talked to felt Davis had a pity party for himself last year when the Texas passing game struggled and he went into a downward spiral with it. Without depth, we had no ability to bench him. F8 games: 29 catches, 490 yards. L5 games: 16 catches, 119 yards. Didn't catch a ball against Cal. Davis has practiced well enough this Spring to win back the trust of teammates. Good attitude, catching everything, doing little things that show engagement.
Both Shipley and Davis can operate inside or outside and the coaches are moving them around. Shipley played late last year "at 75%."
The coaches like John Harris as a role player #3 or #4 WR. Think he'll catch tough balls and block hard. Obviously can throw, too.
Marquise Goodwin may have turned a corner in our last three against A&M, Baylor, Cal: 16 catches, 239 yards, 2 TDs - both long scores. Badly need someone who can punish CBs over the top when teams gang up on our run and shade our primary receiver. Coaches want him to be a deep threat and end around guy. Not sure how track will affect his preparation.
Miles O weighs 230 now and though he can still be split out, he's a 'tweener.
Depth is poor and at least one of the freshman WRs should play.
TE
Improved but not nearly good enough. McFarland has a big body and good hands, but he has the mentality of a split end in a 250 pounder. DJ Grant is reliable, but not a blocker and knee injuries have robbed him of his explosiveness. Darius Terrell has hands but he's an overgrown WR who wasn't explosive when he weighed 210. No difference makers here. Greg Daniels will be tried to see if he can offer anything. Their blocking is more about getting in someone's way than sealing the edge. Expect to see the TE block down and our OT pulling around - our TEs aren't going to beat a decent DE heads up.
Harsin coached TEs at Boise and isn't satisfied with their development.
RB
Bergeron is physically overwhelming at a rock solid 240 and the most feared of the RBs. Brown is healthy again and shows great vision and feet every day. Both guys have a knack for getting 2-3 yards when nothing is there. They can break long runs, but neither is a J Charles style home run threat. Hills is depth, whatever the practice chatter. Monroe has his role as a jet back, but carries aren't going be found in abundance with B&B around and Gray in the wings. Bergeron and Monroe will be 3rd down backs - each offering very different skills. Bergeron is strong in blitz pickup and a natural ball catcher. Trying to establish a credible deep threat so they can clear and then flip it to Monroe in the flat.
Carries should be pretty well distributed and I expect we won't have anyone carrying 29 times against Tech or 28 against KU. Gray will get a shot at running Wildcat. The RBs will have 35-40 carries per game and distribution should be dispersed across 3-4 guys, but Bergeron and Brown will have the bulk.
OL
Improved but will struggle when our D starts running stunts and doesn't go base. Searels is running a lot of different combinations and reading too much into that is folly. He wants his best five out there, but an injury at one position doesn't mean that the backup is automatically elevated. It may just mean a reshuffle.
Donald Hawkins is our LT, but he's more adequate than dominant. Still an improvement over what we had last year. Cochran continues to put on good weight while maintaining high energy level. Love his competitiveness and pride. Coaches want Kelley or Poehlmann to step up as a third tackle. Concerned that Hopkins may still be our 3rd best OT.
Best depth on the team is found at guard. Sedrick Flowers is a player.
Consider this: we have 1 senior OL, 7 juniors. That imbalance makes you shake your head, but then consider that once you exclude JUCO band aid Donald Hawkins, we have 7 upperclassmen...providing 2 OL starters. The sins of our complacency fathers won't be washed away in one year.
A couple of guys have between now and the Spring game to assert their desire to be here. The OL should be improved and we should see far fewer mental errors.
Overall
The offense will be better as we'll see improved play at every position group, but whether better means a Top 50 offense or Top 25 depends on Ash coming into his own, consistent OL play, and our WRs playing at a high enough level to get the running game some breathing room. Obviously, injuries at QB and OT will kill us.
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First!!!
Yes, I know it’s immature, but I don’t care…
"...the greatest growth occurs when the greatest number of mistakes are made consistent with survival."
Dancoff's Law - Sydney Dancoff (Theoretical Physicist)
by steveholt! on Mar 13, 2026 2:05 PM CDT reply actions
Steve Holt is a bastard. He doesn’t even know who is father is!
by canuckhorn on Mar 13, 2026 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions
steveholt
Sydney Dancoff in other words. If you live through your mistakes you might make 30. If you make 30 you give thanks and figure you will last awhile.
by 55f100tx on Mar 13, 2026 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions
I love
adequate OL play. I haven’t seen it since…2009? This group could be the best group since 2006 and that wouldn’t be saying much.
by Nickel Rover on Mar 13, 2026 2:07 PM CDT reply actions
I just want
our OL to be better than Baylor’s first, then I’ll raise my expectations to “premier program level” OL play.
by Nickel Rover on Mar 13, 2026 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions
Ouch. They did help bring a Heisman to Waco though.
I feel nauseous.
by WreckerTex on Mar 13, 2026 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions
How many dudes
has Briles put in the NFL from Baylor? They haven’t been dominant but they’ve been more than adequate with a few exceptional pieces. Really frustrating.
At least we’ll have the satisfaction of murdering them next year when they don’t have a QB with demi-god pocket skills.
by Nickel Rover on Mar 13, 2026 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions
I didn't think the OL in 2009 was adequate
OU and Nebraska just beat the hell out of Colt . . . The performance against Nebraska cost Colt the Heisman. . . . Against everybody else, I thought Colt just got rid of the ball before the house of cards collapsed on him. Anyway, to me, there was a dropoff from 2008 to 2009.
by Cirque Du Salado on Mar 13, 2026 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Same OL
But one more year for Big 12 DCs to adjust to Texas as Texas Tech lite.
by Scipio Tex on Mar 13, 2026 7:34 PM CDT up reply actions
True, true
The OU games those 2 years would certainly reflect that. The 4 wides that surprised in 2008 didn’t fool anybody in 2009 . . . And in 2008, the Texas OL didn’t really dominate OU the 1st 3 quarters, they just kind of bought time. Except for Cody Johnson on the goal line or Ogbannaya’s long run, I can’t remember Texas OL having much of a push that game.It also helped when Reynolds went down.
So now you’ve talked me into questioning the line’s adequacy in 2008 . . . It certainly didn’t push Ohio State around in the Fiesta . . . For a former OC, Mack’s choice of OL coaches has been less than optimal.
by Cirque Du Salado on Mar 13, 2026 9:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Quan and Ogbannaya graduated. An NFL caliber QB throwing to two NFL quality receivers and an NFL quality third down back can do some work in the college ranks. Even then, our offense had started to slow towards the end of the year as DC’s learned our tendencies and saw that we weren’t going to innovate off of our initial success.
2009 was just GD resting on his gratuitous backside and showing yet again that his personnel evaluations and need to build upon successful concepts was only rivaled by his ability to self scout. Take away Colt and Shipley and you get….2010.
by Bobby_Batronic on Mar 14, 2026 9:09 AM CDT up reply actions
I am cheered by our recent OL recruiting
but the thought that we are still probably 3+ years away from having a really solid pair of tackles is pretty depressing.
It really shows that consistently recruiting adequate numbers on the OL is important, and much better than taking the periodic “class of beef”.
And good evaluation is important. Duh.
"If God dwells inside us like some people say, I sure hope He likes enchiladas, because that's what He's getting."
by RedmondLonghorn on Mar 13, 2026 2:13 PM CDT reply actions
In an article long ago
Scipio talked about “what if” we hired a Power-running game coordinator and projected a multi-year gap between the hiring and the succesful building of a program that could crank out system running backs.
We are actually on the fast track because of our ridiculous talent. Building the OL and running game we’ll have in 2012 would have taken most programs much longer.
by Nickel Rover on Mar 13, 2026 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions
2013
OL should be fairly well built and dominant. Still have all 3 RBs around. Still have all WRs plus new comers. Ash still around and probably even better. Plus, we have a REAL TE coming in…hopefully he can contribute asap.
2013 looks pretty damn good for our O.
by STLaw on Mar 13, 2026 6:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Do you think Hughes plays
before Doyle, Greenlea, Kelly, Poehlman, whatever other OT’s we have on the team?
by honna on Mar 13, 2026 2:14 PM CDT reply actions
Kelly and Poehlman will get some depth snaps throughout the season while Hughes and Estelle redshirt, but no way Hughes and Estelle don’t pass them up on the depth chart by the time Hawkins moves on and a new OT starter is needed.
by CMDR on Mar 13, 2026 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions
I 100% agree
really interested to see what comes of Greenlea
by STLaw on Mar 13, 2026 6:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Mack is the unquestioned leader in depth chart aerobatics.
So, I think he can pull this off.
by The General on Mar 14, 2026 12:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Good stuff, Scip
It seems there’s more and more excitement a-buildin’ around the prospects of a healthy, rocked-up and pissed off Bergeron.
Does Harsin’s well-founded disgust at the state of our TE ‘development’ portend anything for the future of our staff’s last remaining piece of dead wood?
by nobis60 on Mar 13, 2026 2:14 PM CDT reply actions
Good question.
TE and RB coach is where you squirrel away guys who are there to recruit or have some other value-add, but it just so happens that Harsin’s offense asks quite a bit of the TE position in terms of reads, adjustments and pre-snap changes.
So basically, we’ve now got an offense with a lot of subtle TE schematic involvement tied to a coach who was basically there to recruit DFW and offer a bone to high school coaches. Chambers can point to his overall recruiting success in DFW this year, I suppose.
I would think a little off-season seminar is all that’s needed, but I dunno.
by Scipio Tex on Mar 13, 2026 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions
I say let Major coach the TE’s and bring in a badass RB coach, whoever that might be. I wonder if Ricky Williams would make a good RB coach.
by BurntOrangeJuice on Mar 13, 2026 3:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Ricky coaching? That is the teacher that everyone wants!
by WreckerTex on Mar 13, 2026 4:00 PM CDT up reply actions
They'd have to drug test him on a weekly basis, of course.
And provide him with a staff psychologist.
by BurntOrangeJuice on Mar 13, 2026 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions
follow him in twitter
pretty interesting as far as his new life goes. he actually isn’t smoking anymore and is doing holistic healing exercises for athletes. pretty cool
by STLaw on Mar 13, 2026 6:32 PM CDT up reply actions
That's cool.
I didn’t mean to disparage Ricky. I love the guy. It’s hard to imagine him coaching with his social anxiety issues. I’m glad to hear that he is laying off the weed. I don’t have anything against the occasional joint, but when it becomes a lifestyle it tends to hinder productivity and leads to marxism.
by BurntOrangeJuice on Mar 13, 2026 7:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Somebody please check Tucker's house for a meth lab.
I’m really relieved to hear that Ash is still developing. Hope he continues to fulfill his potential through August. And beyond.
Not surprised to hear that Case has reached his ceiling, but I like the mention of Overstreet’s potential role. That would make a lot of sense to use him to provide a different look and protect Brewer’s redshirt.
And I really can’t wait to see the RB corps blow up some people. Glad we can rotate quality backs to hopefully keep them from getting chewed up like last year.
by WreckerTex on Mar 13, 2026 2:18 PM CDT reply actions
I'm not surprised freshman RBs got hurt
Their bodies aren’t ready for major football. It was just stupid and pointless the way we did it.
by Scipio Tex on Mar 13, 2026 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Still can't believe how Applewhite/Harsin/Mack distributed carries
Push one freshman RB to 30 carries until he is injured.
Push second freshman RB to 30 carries until he is injured.
Cannot fathom what was going through their minds.
by CMDR on Mar 13, 2026 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
What makes you think it will change
One of the things they often said is that if a RB has a hot hand then they would run that guy more. Not only that, but if you have one injury then we have to now split 40 carries between two backs and if you have what we had last year, two RBs nicked up and one RB with an ACL Tear, what do you do then? Hopefully they will be a little more durable this time, but the very notion that we should be running 40+ carries is asinine.
If this is a situation where we are beating KU or TT by 30 points, should these three be really playing? Why would be want these two to have more than 20 carries if we are already winning. Bring in Hills and Monroe.
Greg Davis... Gone!
by Crimson Fog on Mar 13, 2026 4:47 PM CDT up reply actions
More developed O with a better QB
That alone will decrease carries. Plus, add another RB in the mix and you decrease carries automatically.
The staff saw what happened last season and know they can’t afford that again.
by STLaw on Mar 13, 2026 6:34 PM CDT up reply actions
72 plays a game, on average
Seriously doubt we throw it more than 30+.
by Scipio Tex on Mar 13, 2026 6:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Tru dat!
I expect we won’t have anyone carrying 29 times against Tech or 28 against KU.
-Lesson learned … I can haz hope?
AKA: dasmithjones
by Your "Friend" in the State Capital on Mar 13, 2026 11:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Thinking about a punishing ground attack . . .
Dare we hope for a sight like the third quarter of the 99 Cotton Bowl where half of Mississippi State’s secondary was applying ice packs to their necks? . . . Don’t want anybody to get hurt . . .but if they ache a little . . . well, that would be OK.
by Cirque Du Salado on Mar 13, 2026 7:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Good stuff again
I’m surprised that Harsin, coming from Boise’s-TE reliant offense, took a look at our TE corps and decided against trying flip a TE in 2011 (say, Jace Amaro), or demand a TE in 2012 (say, Dominic Ramacher). I know RSJ and Smythe have the makings of a top-notch haul in 2013, but if we consider that it’ll probably take at least a year to get their feet under them, that’s both the 2012 and 2013 seasons where tight end will be a major question mark. And that’s coming off a few years of questionableosity to boot.
On running back, it sounds like everyone is ready to anoint Joe Bergeron as better than Malcolm Brown, and Johnathan Gray as the all-world answer. Will be really interesting to see who ends up as the best of the three by next year’s end.
http://aseaofblue.com | https://www.barkingcarnival.com | @JC_Hoops
by jc25 on Mar 13, 2026 2:31 PM CDT reply actions
Read up on Jace Amaro.
Looks like our refusal to recruit him makes a lot of sense now. Ramacher isn’t really an immediate impact guy. We made our pick at TE before Harsin really even settled in, right?
by Scipio Tex on Mar 13, 2026 2:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Our transformation to an SEC team is almost complete
But hey, bama and lsu played for the title with pretty gross O’s.
We won’t be all the way there this year, but I still think incremental gains over the last 2 years will make it fun to watch our O this year. D will again be pure joy.
by Texastough on Mar 13, 2026 2:40 PM CDT reply actions
I'd rather Texas not transform into an SEC team
This is not a program that should be satisfied with shoddy quarterbacking.
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'"
― Isaac Asimov
by burntorangehorn on Mar 19, 2026 7:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh boy.
Really disheartening to read about the TE and OL aspects of the offense. With all the talent in Texas, we should never have this many misses at the OL position. Harsin should sit down with TEs and show them the last Super Bowl. TE is the new vogue position in football so why would you not want to bust your ass to be one of the best.
Oh, my bad.
My bad?!
Your bad don't work in my world! -Ray Lewis
by TexasGarcia37 on Mar 13, 2026 2:57 PM CDT reply actions
It's not an effort issue.
It’s a talent issue.
by Scipio Tex on Mar 13, 2026 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions
save that video
for Ricky Searels if he wants to stay at receiver.
by Nickel Rover on Mar 13, 2026 3:19 PM CDT up reply actions
a pox on you!
and don’t give Texags a rumor to start. “Texas coaches become baby daddies to get recruits!”
by Nickel Rover on Mar 13, 2026 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Brewer is a redshirt.
Praise Jesus!
RE: Mike Davis
Good attitude, catching everything, doing little things that show engagement.
Hallelujah!
Carries should be pretty well distributed and I expect we won’t have anyone carrying 29 times against Tech or 28 against KU
Thank ya, Jesus!
Obviously, injuries at QB and OT will kill us.
Lord, have mercy!
by BurntOrangeJuice on Mar 13, 2026 3:23 PM CDT reply actions
Shit, crossthrough should have been a blockquote.
by BurntOrangeJuice on Mar 13, 2026 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks, Scip
Informative and well communicated, as always.
I’m a bit depressed by the O-line eval — was hoping for more positive report. But talent is what it is . . .
Even with that, I can’t envision any position on offense that won’t be improved over what we started in 2011. Even if we have to play a second QB, we should be better equipped to function than we did last fall.
Scipio: 10-2 overly optimistic?
by edsp on Mar 13, 2026 4:08 PM CDT reply actions
If we're relatively injury free
I don’t think it’s unrealistic at all. I expect to start 4-0.
by Scipio Tex on Mar 13, 2026 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Why wouldnt you give Bergeron a shot at wildcat?
Him hitting the hole at speed would bring tears to a linebacker. Not to mention if he is going to be a 3rd down back if will give the D something else to think about as far as personnel goes.
by 55f100tx on Mar 13, 2026 4:19 PM CDT reply actions
He could end up there.
But there’s a ball-handling, shiftiness element too. And they want Gray involved early.
by Scipio Tex on Mar 13, 2026 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions
Mentioned it on the defense/ST post,
but do you think they would even entertain the thought of trying Gray as a kick returner?
by BurntOrangeJuice on Mar 13, 2026 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions
I think they try him at kick returner
But I feel that Daje will take that away very quickly. The speed there is just unreal.
Greg Davis... Gone!
by Crimson Fog on Mar 13, 2026 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions
What excites me about Gray in kick return (and everywhere else) is his elite vision.
Plus he was clocked at sub 4.4 on our turf over the summer. Gray is pretty damn fast himself.
by BurntOrangeJuice on Mar 13, 2026 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions
what doesn't excite me is if he gets injured
why risk it when we have Goodwin, Monroe, Daje?
by STLaw on Mar 13, 2026 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed.
I made the same point when I brought up the idea in the defense/ST post. It’s tantalizing to think of what he could do with his vision, but scary as hell to think of all the high speed collisions it would bring upon him.
by BurntOrangeJuice on Mar 13, 2026 7:35 PM CDT up reply actions
I know Gray is the real deal
I never got to see him play in high school but his stats and reports on him are great. I have seen Joe up close. Living near Forney i went to see him play a couple of times in Mesquite. I knew he would be better than advertised. I will be making a trip to see Swoopes play this fall. Not to long a drive from here. Thanks for your reports and insight.
by 55f100tx on Mar 13, 2026 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions
I am not really sure that is the right spot for Bergeron
I feel that the inside zone and the outside zone that Harsin likes to run out of the I is more a slow developing play with a pulling guard that need to finish a block. Bergeron is the kind of patient player who will wait for the play to develop and then hit the cut back lane hard. We saw them try Brown (who is a similar player) try wild cat after fozzy went down. It was not nearly as successful. Bergeron’s (and Brown’)s frame just does not support the wild cat. We need a smaller back with a lot of shiftness and an initial burst, with a much smaller profile. Daje and JG stand out in that respect.
Greg Davis... Gone!
by Crimson Fog on Mar 13, 2026 4:53 PM CDT up reply actions
imho Bergeron hits the hole much faster than Brown.
Shifting around doe’s not get you the yardage in the WC.
by 55f100tx on Mar 13, 2026 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions
With the Wildcat
You can leverage two speed concepts or you can leverage a speed and a power concepts. There’s no reason why Brown or Berg couldn’t be successful in the set, it’s not limited to one type of skillset as the cat back.. The advantage of putting Jonathan there is that it allows him to focus on that role initially and really develop his reads in the set (which is what made Fozzy awesome there last year even more than his physical attributes).
by LonghornScott on Mar 13, 2026 5:41 PM CDT up reply actions
Fozzy
was finding holes that were tending to develop which weren’t even the designed holes for the Power runs. He was devastating. I think Gray could be as good, maybe better. I wonder if Gray has = or > breakaway speed.
by Nickel Rover on Mar 13, 2026 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks Guys but I have more questions than answers now
When Fozzy went down, we saw Harsin try it with Brown and it did not work as well. I am guessing limited reps had something to do with it. But with a Speed and Power Concept, the problem I see is the defense loading up the box knowing that the run is coming. This would be true with both Fozzy and Brown. However, slow developing plays are a little more difficult when linebackers know what is coming. Am I wrong about this.
Nickel, to your response, I agree, I remember seeing some of LHS’s videos where Fozzy was hitting holes not originally meant for the play and still making things happen. Would that not be a lot more difficult with a speed and power play. I was just replaying the wild fozz play against Tech and its still inside zone. I see that. But Fozzy hits the hole much faster than the defense can close it. I am not sure how a player like Berg could do so that quickly.
Greg Davis... Gone!
by Crimson Fog on Mar 13, 2026 6:09 PM CDT up reply actions
The defense should load the box
Because a run is coming. But our QB is the ballcarrier. That means the defense can only operate at +1 to our blockers. Not the +2 you see in a conventional set. It makes a big difference, particularly if you run away from the extra man.
by Scipio Tex on Mar 13, 2026 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions
I was thinking
Fozzy found cutback lanes on Power runs, not even zone-blocking which is intended to create creases at any given point in the line.
Anyways, consider that the Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams wildcat utilized Ricky as the sweepback and the stress of having to fill the alley against Williams opened things up for Ronnie Brown. As long as the 2 backs are good the dual-threat nature makes the play very dangerous. It needn’t really matter that they even match a particular skillset.
I think Brown/Berg’s difficulties had to do with their ailments and inexperience. There’s no reason that they should have problems running Power or I Zone after receiving a snap and faking a handoff when run those plays perfectly well from the I Formation.
by Nickel Rover on Mar 13, 2026 6:41 PM CDT up reply actions
It was Power, you are right
I just rewatched the TT game, where Fozzy had multiple wild cat plays. It was Power where Fozzy was hitting the holes with incredible speed. The reason I made the arguments that I made was because, once he hit the hole that he was shooting for, LBs and CBs trying the stop him were taking bad angles on him. They were just too late to get to him. He was generally past the DL, within a heartbeat and had gained about 3-4 yards before a LB even made contact.
Now when I see Bergeron, in that same play, I see him hitting the hole a milisecond later, and I am guessing that he would be able to truck a few guys before he goes down. But those CBs and LBs would be taking better angle on him since they now know where he is headed. I am sure we can expect a LHS video pretty soon on how such a play would work in Power…
Greg Davis... Gone!
by Crimson Fog on Mar 13, 2026 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions
What made Fozzy deadly
was his ability to read the linebackers and cut the power back if the defense fast flowed to the intended hole. He made the defense always wrong.
Our power o is basically just inside zone away from the hole with the puller picking up the vacated defender. So if the defense over commits to the power play there’s often a cutback available and this was especially true with the speed sweep attacking the backside of the power play.
Nothing would need to change about that. I would say that Bergeron’s most obvious area for improvement last season is patience and setting up his blockers better (which often go hand in hand). There were several games where Berg was too quick to attack an outside lane and that didn’t help his blockers get leverage and took away the big play opportunity. A lot of young backs struggle with that because they are so used to being the most athletic guy on the field and being about to create lanes just with their own agility. So the comments about him looking so good this Spring and specifically about him being more patient are huge.
by LonghornScott on Mar 13, 2026 9:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Looking forward to your next post.
by BurntOrangeJuice on Mar 14, 2026 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions
What's the word on Greenlea?
any movement or news on him? Seems like after his injury, he kind of just disappeared. Sucks because he had a nasty OL type attitude.
I’ll hold my O comments until after the spring game…too many ifs still right now. Just glad that real progress is being made.
Great write-up as usual Scip. Thanks for everything you do sir!
by STLaw on Mar 13, 2026 6:40 PM CDT reply actions
QB Health
Given that it’s paramount, how is Ash looking strength-wise? Has he put on much muscle? He’s going to take some licks running the ball.
by canuckhorn on Mar 13, 2026 8:36 PM CDT reply actions
Just How Much Muscle Was he Supposed to Add in 60 Days?
This isn’t Shaggybevo.
by Bobby_Batronic on Mar 14, 2026 9:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Ash
He came in well built as a Freshman. He stepped on campus on day with the kind of build that took Colt two years on campus to achieve. In my opinion, the priorities with Ash are getting timing down with receivers, reading defenses/getting out of bad plays, getting comfortable with his reads, accuracy on the deep balls, and making great decisions with ball.
by BurntOrangeJuice on Mar 14, 2026 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions
injuries at QB and OT will kill us
Not too early to start the incantations and sacrifices.
No ex-virgins need apply.
by lurkerinthedark on Mar 13, 2026 10:30 PM CDT reply actions
Dude !!
Did you have to use a photo with Tucker in the background? Don’t be such a bitch Paul!
AKA: dasmithjones
by Your "Friend" in the State Capital on Mar 13, 2026 11:42 PM CDT reply actions
The OL
We knew going in they were the weak link, along with the TE’s. They still have a chance to get a lot better and I’m not really surprised that they haven’t made a big leap. They’ve got about two weeks of practice separating them from a very average performance in the Holiday Bowl and a guy (Hawkins) who while he is physically more mature, is brand new to this level of football and new to the scheme. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.
So I’m going to cross my fingers and hope that by the end of Spring, we start to see bigger improvement. The TE’s are what worry me the most. We’ve got some talent on the OL and apparently a coaching upgrade. I don’t think we have either at the TE position.
Chambers coached RB’s before and managed not to screw up Ced, Selvin and Romance because they were damned good, like the bunch we have now with JG coming. In our scheme, it’s probably the position that requires the least coaching. Maybe moving him back there and having Harsin coach TE’s is the answer with Major coaching the QB’s. I didn’t realize he coached TE’s at Boise. Was that while he was OC or before?
I just have a feeling Mack won’t let Chambers go because of the potential recruiting impact. Not sayin’ it’s the right decision…just sayin’.
by boorad on Mar 14, 2026 12:57 AM CDT reply actions
To Scipio & All of BC
“Case McCoy is the same player.”
If Ash goes down, we are SOL. Other teams are keenly aware of that and will be headhunting Ash – just as they did against Colt, whose career was dotted with hits that were intended to remove him from the game. A serious injury to Ash could jeopardize the entire 2012 season.
Knowing that Case is our only experienced backup if Ash is injured (God forbid), has there been any focus on getting Case accelerated QB coaching / development / S & C / shrink counseling, etc. to elevate his game. I recognize that Case has poor mechanics, no pocket presence, weak arm, and overall — a limited ceiling. But, from all appearances, it seems that Case’s development has been stagnant for a year. Are the staff and Case doing nothing to improve upon all these areas of weakness?
by Rio Lobo on Mar 14, 2026 9:12 AM CDT reply actions
I'm no Case fan,
but keep in mind that Case has a well known history of playing much better in games than in practice, Baylor game notwithstanding. I’m concerned about Ash staying healthy, as well, but I think the doom and gloom being forecast in the event Ash goes down is being overstated.
by BurntOrangeJuice on Mar 14, 2026 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
This is college football
If Ash goes down, we are SOL. Other teams are keenly aware of that and will be headhunting Ash
Almost every team that relies on the QB is SOL if their starter goes down. The great, experienced backup QB is a myth. I don’t think he’ll be headhunted anymore than every other QB out there
by Horncasting on Mar 14, 2026 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Indeed, it is college football.
Horncasting:
The great, experienced backup QB is a myth.
There’s no question about that statement.
However, the focal point of my post was this:
But, from all appearances, it seems that Case’s development has been stagnant for a year. Are the staff and Case doing nothing to improve upon all these areas of weakness?
by Rio Lobo on Mar 14, 2026 2:01 PM CDT reply actions
What would you like them to do exactly?
Engage in gene splicing?
by Scipio Tex on Mar 14, 2026 2:57 PM CDT up reply actions
I would infuse him with bits of panther.
Like the Isle of Dr Moreau.
by Scipio Tex on Mar 14, 2026 4:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I guess in that case he’d become our de facto Wildcat QB.
by BurntOrangeJuice on Mar 14, 2026 4:23 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I would cross him with DaBryan Blanton
He would have took that A&M scramble to the house.
by 55f100tx on Mar 14, 2026 9:31 PM CDT up reply actions
New idea for a post:
The impact of “human centipede” surgical procedures on scholarship limits, roster sizes, and entities like Applesin and McAsh.
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'"
― Isaac Asimov
by burntorangehorn on Mar 19, 2026 8:01 AM CDT up reply actions
For Example:
J. Shuttlesworth confirmed that Ash (from approx. mid-January to mid-February 2012) was working with a QB coach, though he couldn’t confirm the name . I have seen no further information on this and don’t know if that QB coach was arranged by the program staff or Ash. I have heard no such reports concerning Case, which is curious because it should be clear to Case (as it is to everyone else) that he needs to strengthen his skills and conditioning — whether he arranges this himself or privately.
My apologies. I wrongly assumed that the BC website was intended for the sharing of information and ideas. I will pursue these questions elsewhere.
by Rio Lobo on Mar 15, 2026 5:55 AM CDT up reply actions
Brad McCoy is his QB coach
And Case’s baseline ability is nearly zero. It’s not a coaching issue.
by Scipio Tex on Mar 15, 2026 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
The program isn't allowed to arrange for the QB coach
At least not in terms of compensation or things like that, as it’d violate a number of NCAA rules, including coach-player contact restrictions during that timeframe, coaching staff size limitations, and others. Providing a phone number for Ash to call so he or his kin can pay market price for it? That might be permissible.
"Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'"
― Isaac Asimov
by burntorangehorn on Mar 19, 2026 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions
Patience is a virtue
Texas is headed in the right direction, but thngs like a dominant line can’t be created overnight or more practiccally just a season. Things look good heading to 2013, but I can see a rough game or two in 2012 if Texas struggles in the passing game or Ash gets hurt.
by davey o'brien on Mar 14, 2026 9:37 PM CDT reply actions
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