Don't count at all on Strong moving to an up tempo spread with the zone read. Won't happen
Not so fast… my friend.
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Quote from JUCO WR Dominique Reed, per conversation with Suchomel, regarding the Texas offense moving forward.
"He (Jay Norvell) said they've decided to spread the ball out. I'm a receiver, so of course I love to hear that"
per HornEsch on "Kyler Murray & Demarkus Lodge visit UT" thread
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It seems one simply needs to understand people… and what motivates them… specifically Charlie Strong.
Charlie Strong is a survivor… and Charlie absolutely
DOES NOT LIKE TO LOOSE… and
will do what it takes to not loose. He will always remember how it felt walking off the field in Houston with 59 yards of total offense… 59 f’ing yards!
Sure, Charlie chose to stay with Watson when he came to Texas… ala "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." But, if 59 yards "ain't broke," what is? It all comes down to QB play… and what QBs you have to play.
As
this Inside Texas article states:
“There’s also the question of whether the team should be relying primarily on the QB in 2015 for explosive plays when names like Johnathan Gray, Donald Catalon, Daje Johnson, and Roderick Bernard are on the roster.
It would make sense for Texas to use its QB’s legs combined with screen/quick game pass options from spread alignments so that UT’s fast, skill players can carry the water for the Texas offense.
If they follow that approach, Watson and the staff will have to teach the QBs to become option facilitators rather than using the drop back passing game to attack defenses.â€
The article goes on to state:
“Charlie Strong originally intended to run an Urban Meyer-style spread option attack at Louisville and brought aboard Shawn Watson for his experience teaching quarterbacks to run option reads along with West Coast passing.
When his first OC faltered, he installed Watson and they took off running a pro-style attack with Teddy Bridgewater. This was so successful, particularly when combined with Strong’s brilliant and physical Cardinal defense, that it launched Charlie into the big seat in Texas.
Now, he’ll have to figure out how to get his non pro-style QBs in gear, possibly by switching back to more of an option approach.â€
Let's repeat… "When his first OC faltered, he installed Watson…" So, Charlie
WILL change OCs… and offense styles when something is not working.
Considering this list of current skill players, along with potential recruits who can "carry the water for the Texas offense.":
Current skill players
QB: Heard, Swoopes
RB: Gray, Catalon, D’Onta Foreman
WR: Daje Johnson, Marcus Johnson, Armanti Foreman, Roderick Bernard, Lorenzo Joe, Jacorey Warrick
2015 potential skill recruits
QB: Gentry, Murray, Locksley, Merrick
RB: Kirk Johnson, Tristian Houston, Nick Brossette, Soso Jamabo, Chris Warren
WR: DeAndre McNeal, Gilbert Johnson, John Burt, Ryan Newsome, Damarkus Lodge, Carlos Strickland, Dominique Reed
TE: Devonaire Clarington
The idea of getting some, or all of these guys in space, combined with a Charlie Strong defense is very compelling.
One of the biggest differences between Charlie Strong and Mack Brown, in addition to Charlie being a real Xs & Os coach, is how they handle defeat, IMO.
This is why I am very bullish on this recruiting class… and Longhorn Football moving forward.
Mack chose to go into a shell for 4 years… until forced out. (I recognize he was not always that way.)
Charlie’s thoughts on loosing… and his approach to recruiting and willingness to make changes… including players, coaches, coaching responsibilities and styles? Well let’s just say… after 6-7 and
59 f’ing yards of total offense… I believe Colonel Frank Slade (retired) succinctly expresses what Charlie Strong told his staff…