Let's talk football!

[HornSports Staff]

Less than 50 days until the opener against UNT. One week to go until Big 12 Media Days. The "Under the Lights" camp starts on Friday and prospects galore will be on campus.

It's a big week in Longhorn-land.

What storyline are you most interested in hearing about during media days?

And if you're not ready for football, do not watch this....

 

[streettopeschel]

Less than 50 days until the opener against UNT. One week to go until Big 12 Media Days. The "Under the Lights" camp starts on Friday and prospects galore will be on campus.

It's a big week in Longhorn-land.

What storyline are you most interested in hearing about during media days?

And if you're not ready for football, do not watch this....

Actually, for me, it begins and ends at the QB position. How's Ash doing? 100% by opening day? Who's #2? Swoopes? Heard? Any chance Heard actually starts this year?

 

[drgilbert]

Will the under the lights camp be open to public and if so how many HS posters are going?

 

[doc longhorn]

Am I the only one that believes Heard should RS this year - no matter how good he is?

Have we learned nothing from our own history (Gilbert & Ash) - much less national historical evidence of playing true freshmen?  (RS freshmen do not count - they are really not freshmen at all)

Please do not trot out the FEW freshmen successes without displaying the humongous amount of failures.  This is just silly as we have kids who can play QB - whether you like them or not.

 

[java]

I am excited about this season, in fact, I am torn between 'can't wait for it to get here', and 'it will get here in due time'.  I want the coaches to have the time they need with the players, JG and David Ash to have the time they need to heal, Poona Ford to have more time for S&C, and Wickline to have more time with the O-line.

Charlie Strong is the right hire at the right time for Texas.  He has the experience, the energy, the integrity, and the attitude.  The BMDs had better get behind him, now, or they will end up looking like fools.  There is an old expression that most, if not all, of you know, 'The bigger they are, the harder they fall!'.  Mack falls into this category, as well.  

I do not think we will hear these phrases from Coach Strong, 'we have to take what they give us' and 'we must withstand the surge'.  Does anyone think that was the mentality behind the 4th down stop in the National Championship game against USC that gave Vince the chance to score?  Does anyone think that was ever Vince's mentality?  I don't.

Football players are tough, if they aren't, they do not belong at Texas.  They can handle the truth.  The truth will vary from game to game.  It appeared that, with Mack as the head coach, Texas rarely had a cohesive game plan.  It was baffling and frustrating.   Why didn't the offensive and defensive coordinators work together?  Did it require too much effort from Mack?  Did he want to control all adjustments during the game?  If so, he wasn't very good at making those adjustments.  In my opinion, Coach Strong will change that.  When egos are checked at the door, the results are amazing.

Thank goodness we have an adult running the program.  Talent doesn't replace hard work, but if you combine the two, the possibilities are endless.

I am so excited, and future is so bright, I gotta' wear shades!

Hook 'em!

 

[java]

Am I the only one that believes Heard should RS this year - no matter how good he is?

Have we learned nothing from our own history (Gilbert & Ash) - much less national historical evidence of playing true freshmen?  (RS freshmen do not count - they are really not freshmen at all)

Please do not trot out the FEW freshmen successes without displaying the humongous amount of failures.  This is just silly as we have kids who can play QB - whether you like them or not.

doc,

I'm torn on this issue.

One of the main reasons that I believe freshman should redshirt is physical maturity differential.  Physically, an 18 year old does not have the strength or durability of a 22 year old.  I believe they need a year in a college S&C program for their physical well-being to prevent injury.  Even the best high school program cannot prepare an 18 year old for the rigors of the college game.

I realize that Heard is a superior talent, but putting our best interests aside, I believe that it is in his best interest to redshirt.

 

[echeese]

Am I the only one that believes Heard should RS this year - no matter how good he is?

Have we learned nothing from our own history (Gilbert & Ash) - much less national historical evidence of playing true freshmen?  (RS freshmen do not count - they are really not freshmen at all)

Add Simms & Swoopes to that mix .. . . 

Having said that, I fear we see Mr Heard this year.. ..would love to be wrong but don't see if from the Cheap Seats. . . 

Could care less about media days. . .I'm ready for the talk to be over and to see this team on the field.

After QB, OL scares me the most then our back 7 . .. 

We could finish 8-4 again and still be a better football team. . . .though I think we are 10-2/9-3. . . .Cotton Bowl invite

 

[streettopeschel]

Am I the only one that believes Heard should RS this year - no matter how good he is?

Have we learned nothing from our own history (Gilbert & Ash) - much less national historical evidence of playing true freshmen?  (RS freshmen do not count - they are really not freshmen at all)

Please do not trot out the FEW freshmen successes without displaying the humongous amount of failures.  This is just silly as we have kids who can play QB - whether you like them or not.

ideally, yes. but if Ash can't go or gets hurt again and if Swoopes isn't good enough, what are you going to do ?

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Will the under the lights camp be open to public and if so how many HS posters are going?

This is a UT camp, not a Nike or Under Armor event. It's closed to the public, as are any school's.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Add Simms & Swoopes to that mix .. . . 

Having said that, I fear we see Mr Heard this year.. ..would love to be wrong but don't see if from the Cheap Seats. . . 

Could care less about media days. . .I'm ready for the talk to be over and to see this team on the field.

After QB, OL scares me the most then our back 7 . .. 

We could finish 8-4 again and still be a better football team. . . .though I think we are 10-2/9-3. . . .Cotton Bowl invite

Who are your three losses to?

 

[SFlonghorngirl]

Tight End - Who will start? What's up with Jake Oliver? Always thought he could transition into a hybrid TE like Zach Ertz and Colby Fleener.

 

[primal defense]

Am I the only one that believes Heard should RS this year - no matter how good he is?

Have we learned nothing from our own history (Gilbert & Ash) - much less national historical evidence of playing true freshmen?  (RS freshmen do not count - they are really not freshmen at all)

Please do not trot out the FEW freshmen successes without displaying the humongous amount of failures.  This is just silly as we have kids who can play QB - whether you like them or not.

Sorry I'm going to bring up one freshmen success even though you said please. Teddy Bridgewater was a success as a true freshman under Charlie Strong and Shawn Watson. If they can get the same production from Heard, then play him. Most good college quarterbacks are not sticking around for five years anyway. 

If Heard is a great college QB, which I believe he will be, then statistically he will not be here for a fifth year even if we redshirt him. Manziel, Bridgewater, and Luck, are all going pro after three or four years. I hope Ash is healthy and plays well, but if Heard is our best or second best QB at the start of the season I hope they give him meaningful snaps as much as possible. If he's our best QB during the season then the future is now.

Teddy Bridgewater as a true freshman:

2011: Named BIG EAST Rookie of the Year after throwing for 2,129 yards and 14 scores... completed 64.5 percent of his throws and tossed 12 interceptions... threw for over 200 yards in four games, including a career-high 274 yards in the Belk Bowl loss to NC State... threw a touchdown pass in nine games... was selected a CBSSports.com Freshman All-American, a Sporting News Freshman All-American and a Fox SportsNext 2011 Freshman All-American... stepped in for an injured Will Stein against Kentucky and started every game since... owns school record for passing yards by a freshman after surpassing Chris Redman at USF... first true freshman to see action at quarterback since Brian Brohm in 2004... first true freshman to start at quarterback since Stu Stram in 1976... completed 24-of-43 passes and threw interceptions against NC State... threw three touchdowns in win at USF... went 21-for-27 for 246 yards in win at West Virginia... connected on a 44-yard strike to high school teammate Michaelee Harris on second play from scrimmage in win over Syracuse and found DeVante Parker on a 42-yard touchdown strike two plays later... earned first win as a starter versus Rutgers... notched first-career rushing touchdown in loss to Marshall... came in for injured Will Stein at Kentucky and threw two touchdowns in win... made collegiate debut in second quarter of win over Murray State.

 

[echeese]

Who are your three losses to?

UCLA, one of (but not both) OU & Baylor and one of KSU/OSU. . . .

I do not like the way our schedule sets up. . .unlike last year. . .virtually no bye weeks and the grind wears teams down .. . 

 

[echeese]

Tight End - Who will start? What's up with Jake Oliver? Always thought he could transition into a hybrid TE like Zach Ertz and Colby Fleener.

I had a chance to have dinner with some of the OB crew in DFW (Not Texas Good, Tex Pimp, notbeawolf etc) recently. . . come to find out, one of the guys at the table (we were in the bar) was a players' Dad and I didn't realize, a neighbor. . . 

That is very much the plan for Jake. . . said he was the best pure pass catcher on the team. . .rivaled Ship.    Offense will be different from UL. . .we won't be going much 2 TE 1 WR sets.   But a hybrid like Jake would be a good weapon

If we have a QB. . .our WRs are going to be very good. . .Look for Marcus Johnson to take the next step. . . .

Players have  good deal of respect for Heard . .. . .now no question Ash is the man IF he's healthy but he is introverted and not a great leader (this isn't news). . . great guy but he's not Colt or Vince. . . .Still. . ..by far best QB on the team. . .

Said don't be shocked if true freshman Anderson is in the 2 deep and that the light seems to be coming on for Darius James. . .Sadly. . not so much for Desmond Harrison. . . .$1,000,000 body with a 10 cent head .. . 

Unlike our knee jerk fans, Dad likes Watson and thinks he's going to do well . .. .

 

[HornEsch]

The ONLY thing I know is that it is going to be a very interesting season, more than any in a long time.

 

[SFlonghorngirl]

I had a chance to have dinner with some of the OB crew in DFW (Not Texas Good, Tex Pimp, notbeawolf etc) recently. . . come to find out, one of the guys at the table (we were in the bar) was a players' Dad and I didn't realize, a neighbor. . . 

That is very much the plan for Jake. . . said he was the best pure pass catcher on the team. . .rivaled Ship.    Offense will be different from UL. . .we won't be going much 2 TE 1 WR sets.   But a hybrid like Jake would be a good weapon

If we have a QB. . .our WRs are going to be very good. . .Look for Marcus Johnson to take the next step. . . .

Players have  good deal of respect for Heard . .. . .now no question Ash is the man IF he's healthy but he is introverted and not a great leader (this isn't news). . . great guy but he's not Colt or Vince. . . .Still. . ..by far best QB on the team. . .

Said don't be shocked if true freshman Anderson is in the 2 deep and that the light seems to be coming on for Darius James. . .Sadly. . not so much for Desmond Harrison. . . .$1,000,000 body with a 10 cent head .. . 

Unlike our knee jerk fans, Dad likes Watson and thinks he's going to do well . .. .

Good stuff echeese!  Did the Dad indicate what type of offense would be implemented?  Maybe similar to Florida State's, which was similar to Greg Davis' offense...

 

[echeese]

Good stuff echeese!  Did the Dad indicate what type of offense would be implemented?  Maybe similar to Florida State's, which was similar to Greg Davis' offense...

Run 1st, lots of sprint outs and waggles, likely will look much like FSU from last year without the great QB play.

GD ran 3 pretty distinct offenses here but if any, will look most like the Major/Simms' Os . . .

 

[SFlonghorngirl]

I'm sure this was posted earlier, but are we running at 4-3 or 3-4 defense?