5 Takeaways from an embarrassing loss in Ames

[lakeman74]

Jerrod Heard had 364 yards passing and 163 yards rushing in one game this year. To me that is not a player devoid of talent. Player development is certainly an issue and so is coaching. These kids have the talent, it simply needs to be cultivated, groomed and put to good use. Right now nobody can thrive in the birdcage.

 

[Coot]

It seems like with this young a team, especially at starting QB and offensive system, you don't have the range of experience to easily fall back on for adjustments.  It seems obvious that ISU had a good scheme to stop what UT had going on.  At this point it seems like there weren't enough different packages that could easily have been put in at the limited half time to counter those defensive schemes.  I'll rack that up to young, inexperienced QB with limited package mastery.  That may be why Swoopes was able to come in and pass much better.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

Jerrod Heard had 364 yards passing and 163 yards rushing in one game this year. To me that is not a player devoid of talent. Player development is certainly an issue and so is coaching. These kids have the talent, it simply needs to be cultivated, groomed and put to good use. Right now nobody can thrive in the birdcage.

This is extremely puzzling to me. As lakeman74 said, Jerrod Heard is NOT devoid of talent. He HAS the talent to play QB. Yet....he has obviously regressed. Why is that? 

 

[TeamMayhall]

[Tweet = https://twitter.com/kbohls/status/661210772643581952]

 

[lakeman74]

 

[North Texas Golfer]

4. Is Jerrod Heard regressing?

The truth is the progression of a young quarterback is not linear. To treat is a such is a foolish exercise, but the passing game is non existent, and the dangers Heard once posed with his legs are no longer there. Teams are starting to figure out how to defend the Texas quarterback and Norvell has not been able to counter that ability. The offense is one dimensional and seems to operate in a box of about six plays the Longhorns are comfortable with running. With games looming against high powered offenses like Texas Tech and Baylor and a road trip to Morgantown it's tough to see those issues fixing themselves.

Teams are starting to figure out how to defend the Texas quarterback and Norvell has not been able to counter that ability. 

This is huge right here. Why can't Norvell, or any of the other offensive coaches, figure out how to counter that ability?

Heard has the ability and talent to play QB at this level. See the California game. And for those who respond that California's defense isn't very good I give you this. Since playing Texas, Cal has played Washington, Washington State, Utah, UCLA, and USC. And none of them scored as many points as Texas did. UCLA came close with 40 and Utah is next at 30. The other 3 teams couldn't even hit 30 points and those teams are not bums by any stretch of the imagination. 

 

[TeamMayhall]

[Tweet = https://twitter.com/kbohls/status/661249563320168448]

 

[drgilbert]

Sounds like Charlie is throwing the upper class men under the bus. Maybe they deserve it, but that is not how to build team unity. Strong should shoulder the blame and accept full responsibility. Then chew out their ass in private.

 

[texasdalton]

[Tweet = https://twitter.com/kbohls/status/661210772643581952]

Im use to the narrative from the players  of "We will win cause we are Texas" but things are pretty damn bad when the coaching staff has that attitude.

I hate to say it cause he is such a good role model but i think its too late for Coach Strong. He would have to change his approach, fire all of his staff and make unbelievable hires. I dont think he has that in him tho, and i dont think he will be given the chance to do that.

 

[Coal Harbour]

The QB position on a football team can single handily set a tone for an entire team and fanbase.  For example, A&M loses to Ole Miss and the defense was getting ripped for giving up 4.5 yards/carry on the ground.  One week later, Kyler Murray plays well at the QB position and all is well despite the defense giving up 6.0 yards/carry.  All ills are cured when your QB plays well and when he doesn't, you have the current state of the Longhorns football program where the entire team is being picked apart.  Guess that's why the QB position gets payed the big bucks at the next level.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

The QB position on a football team can single handily set a tone for an entire team and fanbase.  For example, A&M loses to Ole Miss and the defense was getting ripped for giving up 4.5 yards/carry on the ground.  One week later, Kyler Murray plays well at the QB position and all is well despite the defense giving up 6.0 yards/carry.  All ills are cured when your QB plays well and when he doesn't, you have the current state of the Longhorns football program where the entire team is being picked apart.  Guess that's why the QB position gets payed the big bucks at the next level.

As I said in post #25 above, I'm perplexed why Jerrod Heard has regressed. Watching Longhorn Extra with Ahmad Brooks and Dan Neil and one of them said that either he is not getting proper coaching or he is not responding to the coaching he is getting. 

 

[MikeV73]

Sounds like Charlie is throwing the upper class men under the bus. Maybe they deserve it, but that is not how to build team unity. Strong should shoulder the blame and accept full responsibility. Then chew out their ass in private.

Is leadership lacking within the coaching staff as well? Seems a bit hollow to make those statements after the team got throttled by the other players and the other COACHING staff. I thought Jinkens, Tank, and Duke were showing leadership but I'm not in the locker room or on the field.