5 Questions UT Fans Want Charlie Strong to Answer

[Darrell McPhaul]

Why is the defense tired in Q3 after the halftime break?

The other excuses are certainly viable to a degree, but it looked to me like we were out-coached at halftime in many games this year.  

Or they coached above their heads in the first half and the lack of talent we have caught up with us in the second half?

Again, these coaches were dealing with a very short deck and I don't me to sound like I'm making excuses for them.

But, when I started to get some very good "insight" from folks that are close to the program, I understood how ignorant I was from a fans perspective.  

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Or they coached above their heads in the first half and the lack of talent we have caught up with us in the second half?

Again, these coaches were dealing with a very short deck and I don't me to sound like I'm making excuses for them.

But, when I started to get some very good "insight" from folks that are close to the program, I understood how ignorant I was from a fans perspective.  

A lack of talent at Texas?

O-Line is the only position group I'd agree with you on that statement.  Chalk me up as another "ignorant fan" until you can name an inside source or two.  I've got eyes, been around the game my formative years, and know bad football when I see it.

To review, we only scored five times in Q3 in 12 games for an average of 1.92 points for that period.  An offensive staff at Texas should find a way to improvise and adjust with the talent on hand.  For whatever reason we didn't find a way to overcome what defenses were throwing at us.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

The play I would call would be to have 4 WR to go down 50yds and meet in the middle of the field and have right tackle ( yes I know ) go down 20 yds and the qb throw a 20 yder to the right tackle.....Touchdown (fast right tackle)

Ineligible receiver downfield 

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Careful JB, speaking from experience the "Swoopes there it is" fanboys shall bring the wrath.

I like Swoopes, too, as a back-up or potential TE

 

[Darrell McPhaul]

Football games are won & lost on the Oline so, not having a formidable OL would limit if not cripple most teams.

Here is what contribute the lack of talent at Texas:

Top WR in Sanders & Top Playmaker in Daje arguably the top 2 talents on offense.

Gray coming off a major injury.

Lost our biggest best ground & pound back in Bergeron

3 OL that have never played in a college football game and one of those (Hutchins transferred over from the DL.

The two OL that had played before this season had a combined two starts.

Suspensions of the top 2 OT's.  Estelle & Harrison

Lost starting Center that called out the OL alignments.

Starting Swoopes who would have been our 3rd string QB behind Ash & Brewer.

We were simply decimated this year.

 

[streettopeschel]

yes...a lack of talent. other than john harris, which offensive player would have started for a top team? 

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Football games are won & lost on the lol so, not having a formidable OL would limit if not cripple most teams.

Here is what contribute the lack of talent at Texas:

Top WR in Sanders & Top Playmaker in Daje arguably the top 2 talents on offense.

Gray coming off a major injury.

Lost our biggest best ground & pound back in Bergeron

3 OL that have never played in a college football game and one of those (Hutchins transferred over from the DL.

The two OL that had played before this season had a combined two starts.

Suspensions of the top 2 OT's.  Estelle & Harrison

Lost starting Center that called out the OL alignments.

Starting Swoopes who would have been our 3rd string QB behind Ash & Brewer.

We were simply decimated this year.

Yes, I understand all that and Coach Strong and staff will get a pass for overcoming these challenges.  I just don't think we should not ask tough questions concerning the state of our program.  For me, it's not the six losses so much, as it's the way we lost to good teams; BYU, K-State, and TCU.

I'm venting a little bit, too, but I'd really like to hear Coach Strong's take on our Q3 shortcomings.

 

[CCausey11]

Definite lack of talent.  Only 6 OL left after injuries and program ejections.  Only 1 scholarship quarterback that is honestly a backup.  Tight ends with questionable hands and being used as pretty much blockers only given the OL situation and a running back still recovering from Achilles surgery.  No, we do not have much talent on that side of the ball right now.  Harris, and Shipley for sure, Daje as he has finally come back in but he as a non factor 80% of the season.  This is the reality.  It is embarrassing that we are at this point, but that's the deal. We need 2 more recruiting classes to be able to talk about we have talent because we are Texas.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

yes...a lack of talent. other than john harris, which offensive player would have started for a top team? 

Shipley, Brown, Gray, and possibly Swaim

 

[CCausey11]

Yes, I understand all that and Coach Strong and staff will get a pass for overcoming these challenges.  I just don't think we should not ask tough questions concerning the state of our program.  For me, it's not the six losses so much, as it's the way we lost to good teams; BYU, K-State, and TCU.

I'm venting a little bit, too, but I'd really like to hear Coach Strong's take on our Q3 shortcomings.

Agreed, questions need to be asked.  I am hopeful after hearing what Darrell posted about the offensive philosophy in his lunch thread.  My biggest concern was Watson flexible.  The sad reality is that I think Shawn Watson is a 1 legged man in a butt kicking contest right now.  Only time will tell if he is the right man.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Agreed, questions need to be asked.  I am hopeful after hearing what Darrell posted about the offensive philosophy in his lunch thread.  My biggest concern was Watson flexible.  The sad reality is that I think Shawn Watson is a 1 legged man in a butt kicking contest right now.  Only time will tell if he is the right man.

My hope is that we brought in Wickline to incorporate OSU's spread principles into our offense.

We've seen that the zone read can be part of our offense - but not a very effective one with Swoopes at the controls, however.  He either doesn't have "permission" to keep the ball very often or doesn't know how to read his keys.  

 

[CCausey11]

My hope is that we brought in Wickline incorporate OSU's spread principles into our offense.

We've seen that the zone read can be part of our offense - but not a very effective one with Swoopes at the controls, however.  He either doesn't have "permission" to keep the ball very often or doesn't know how to read his keys.  

Honestly I think it could be both.  We have 2 walk-on's behind him so keeping him healthy is critical.  But in watching you do have to wonder whether he can make an accurate read as well.

 

[tejasrulz]

Multiple things.  Lack of leadership on Offense, tired defense, crappy special teams, poor clock management (UCLA especially), poor choices on personnel, Gray run on 4th and 2 instead of Brown the better inside runner.

Sorry but Gray had that 1st down if not for a terrible spot by the zebra. 

 

[streettopeschel]

Shipley, Brown, Gray, and possibly Swaim

agree to disagree i guess. i don't see it.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

Football games are won & lost on the Oline so, not having a formidable OL would limit if not cripple most teams.

Here is what contribute the lack of talent at Texas:

Top WR in Sanders & Top Playmaker in Daje arguably the top 2 talents on offense.

Gray coming off a major injury.

Lost our biggest best ground & pound back in Bergeron

3 OL that have never played in a college football game and one of those (Hutchins transferred over from the DL.

The two OL that had played before this season had a combined two starts.

Suspensions of the top 2 OT's.  Estelle & Harrison

Lost starting Center that called out the OL alignments.

Starting Swoopes who would have been our 3rd string QB behind Ash & Brewer.

We were simply decimated this year.

This. The lack of talent on the offensive side of the ball is absolutely mind-boggling. You would be hard pressed to find more than one player, two at the most, on offense who would start for TCU, Baylor, or even Kansas State. It's that bad.

 

[DMAC]

Sorry but Gray had that 1st down if not for a terrible spot by the zebra. 

I agree Tejas.  The refs screwed him on that spot, we all saw it.  Im just saying Brown is the better power runner and should be the back on 4th and short, so we dont have to rely on a spot.  It wasnt until the Tech game when Gray started having more success, that spot I believe was in KState (I think).  There is little doubt between the 2 backs which is the better power runner.

 

[DMAC]

Obvious short coming of the coaches imo, is the lack of use of our explosive players.  While they seem to be playing Foreman more in the last few games and he started last game due to inury to Ship.  Daje has been scarce.  Marcus Johnson has been unproductive all year.  Move a playmaker to that spot.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Obvious short coming of the coaches imo, is the lack of use of our explosive players.  While they seem to be playing Foreman more in the last few games and he started last game due to inury to Ship.  Daje has been scarce.  Marcus Johnson has been unproductive all year.  Move a playmaker to that spot.

With Swoopes big arm, I don't understand why we didn't throw deep more often.

Yeah, I know, the OL couldn't hold their blocks long enough for deep pass plays to develop. I don't buy it. We rarely threatened deep, so it's not surprising that all 11 defenders are within 10 yards of the LOS.

 

[DMAC]

With Swoopes big arm, I don't understand why we didn't throw deep more often.

Yeah, I know, the OL couldn't hold their blocks long enough for deep pass plays to develop. I don't buy it. We rarely threatened deep, so it's not surprising that all 11 defenders are within 10 yards of the LOS.

Well I have seen Swoopes throw some perfect passes only to throw a really bad ball the next.  Harris and Shipley bailed him out on some deep passes with some "turn around jump ball" catches.  I agree sometimes it appeared Watson was very conservative, but without a consistent QB its hard to say how much faith he has in the deep ball.  

I dont know we are all guessing, take the Iowa State game were Swoopes had those 2 great passes at the end of the game to Ship and Harris.  Dr Jeckly and Mr Hyde.

I was also hoping Wickline was going to bring the Spread to Texas.  I wonder if some of these issues are the result of a dual OC environment.

 

[Sejjr]

Obvious short coming of the coaches imo, is the lack of use of our explosive players.  While they seem to be playing Foreman more in the last few games and he started last game due to inury to Ship.  Daje has been scarce.  Marcus Johnson has been unproductive all year.  Move a playmaker to that spot.

Who would you move into that spot? We have an abundance of playmakers sitting on the sidelines? Fact is, this team desperately needs game changing talent on offense. We don't have it now. 

And for the record, I don't buy any of the Heard BS about not being ready or moving to another position. Heard is still a can't miss prospect in my mind until I see otherwise on the field.