Some Thoughts On Phil Steele's Preseason All Big 12 Team

But with respect to Texas players relative to each other, definitely agree that Brown as a first teamer with Bergeron nowhere to be found is pretty bizarre. I guess Bergeron wasn’t VHT enough (remind me to write a Phil Steele parody article once I’ve got the new issue in front of me as a refresher on the rest of his trademark linguistic oddities).

You’re probably correct that Hopkins finishes the season with better tape at G than Walters, but I think that relative ranking is more forgiveable since Hopkins is making a position switch.

I’d be willing to bet that Byndom makes the post-season first team as the league’s far-and-away best DE tandem and other Fire Zone goodness should serve him up plenty of flutterballs with which to re-enact his Pick Six magic from last year’s Aggie game.

I imagine Hicks’ play will be worthy of a second-team selection, but given our mix at LB I bet he ends up in more of a consistent coverage role while Cobbs and Edmond get more opportunities to cover themselves in blitz-happy glory. If Hicks turns in more games like he did against BYU last year, though, he’ll be hard to ignore - it seemed like there were three of him in that game.

I wonder if Dez Jackson doesn’t end up higher on the post-season list than Dorsey - I think his quickness may stand him in better stead to make highlight-friendly sacks and plays in the backfield. It wouldn’t surprise me if all our five DTs play between 250-450 snaps, so while no one dude may really get the chance to stat-jack they should all have opportunities to shine.

In the macro sense, I am jazzed about getting year 2 of the HarsinWhite offense up to speed in a league with weak-to-average DL’s - hopefully our penchant for constraint plays, motion, misdirection and multifarious mind-fuckery will keep the league’s LB talent reacting a half-step slow. It’s also nice not to have our Island of Misfit TE’s put us at much of a disadvantage relative to our leaguemates - what a lame crop of TE’s in the Big XII this year.

The arguments made about the lack of opportunity for stat loading made above are the reason I read these player rankings with bemused indifference. I’d rather have a team of third or fourth team all conference players all across the board than a couple of first teamers and a bunch of other guys who don’t crack the list. I’d rather see a thoughtful and researched all big 12 done by team units rather than players.

Also, the placement of the left hand of the dude tackling Joe B in the photo could be cause for devising a new penalty akin to the horse collar tackle. I’m open to suggestion for what to call the proposed penalty in my letter to the officiating office.

Are you guilty of the same sin as Steele by projecting what Hopkins will look like at OG, or is your opinion based on actually seeing him at OG?

Regarding Baylor’s offense being good if Florence is solid, I’ll have to see it to believe it. My mind is still stuck thinking of the old Baylor, and they just lost the best player in the country.

Great article. Always appreciate your insight into these types of lists.

What would 4th team all-conference numbers look like? Davis has shown he’s good for 40-50 catches and a handful of TDs.

Anyone who knows a Baylor OL lineman is changing positions and will have success is a true fan and expert of the Big XII. Guaranteed Steele never heard of the guy or seen him play a down.

Why no Dalton Santos at MLB? Didn’t you read what a bad ass he is? I’m hoping he’s not Brian Bosworth 2.0

is definitely the best FB in the conference, but these All-conference teams tend to focus on ball carriers.

Talent level at DT is "weak"? Man, that’s putting it nicely. McFarland being a 1st team DT anywhere is just disheartening. I’d LOVE to see him earn it this year, but I think it’s more likely that he gets displaced by redshirt frosh Jordan Phillips.

It’s amazing. Has to be the worst DT year in conference history. Phillips sounds like the Sooners answer to our Brandon Moore. Can disrupt a few plays a game and then his effectiveness declines. The lack of good interior DL makes me feel good about the potential of our running game if we can throw the ball decently.

Yeah, I’d thought Colvin was your safety now. Is it now Lynn and Hurst at CB?

Regarding LJ, I thought 4 of his last 5 games were pretty poor. I just like Geno’s poise.