Five Thoughts Following The Win Over Kansas

[TexExSpur]

The staff also played Kansas like it was Kansas:The 22 (current) starters saw action plus:

Texas: 1E-Ehlinger, Sam, 1D-Dickson, Michae, 1-Burt, John, 3-Foreman, Armant, 4R-Rowland, Joshua, 6-Duvernay, Devin, 9-Johnson, Collin, 15-Brown, Chris, 17-Hemphill, Reggi, 21-Porter, Kyle, 24-Bonney, John, 27-Duvernay, Donov, 29-Thompson, Josh, 30-Carter, Toneil, 32-Roach, Malcolm, 35-Freeman, Edwin, 36-Boyd, Demarco, 38-Becker, Mitchel, 40-Hughes, Naashon, 42-Bimage, Marqez, 45-Wheeler, Anthon, 49-Graham, Ta'Quon, 53-Holbrook, Jak, 56-Shackelford, Za, 59-Smith, Kaleb, 69-Allsup, Austin, 71-Urquidez, J.P., 75-Nickelson, Tris, 80-Brewer, Cade, 84-Humphrey, Lil'J, 91-Chisholm, Jamar, 94-Wilbon, Gerald, 97-Nelson, Chris.

 

[83Dee]

Ok, maybe not the worst, but the worst in the Big 12 and almost the worst among Power 5. 

I was agreeing with you.... I don't think you were using hyperbole. 

 

[RickyFlair]

Our O-Line is awful no doubt but the scheme, more specifically the formations, are exasperating the issue.

Daniel mentioned "max protection" and how we still cant create a clean pocket. In my opinion lining up in max protection is the worst thing our coaches could do at the moment. Max protection is bringing 9 players "in the box" including the QB. I've notice us doing it several ways this year utilizing two TE's, two RB's, H-backs, ect... The problem is what the defense can do in that scenario. They can always bring one more than you can account for with 8 blockers, they can drop someone from the LOS to cover and blitz someone lined up in coverage, they can play man on the two receivers with a safety over both and get a coverage sack. It just allows the defense too much flexibility and when that happens the blockers get confused. Our line struggles to block when they know who they are assigned.

Even when we have three or four receivers a couple of them are 5 yards from last man on the LOS. That's another player to potentially pressure the QB.

We need to keep 5 lineman, the QB, and RB "in" and get the other 4 players as far away as possible. Make the defense cover sideline to sideline. In almost every team sport the defense wants to do two things, take away time and space. Limiting time makes people play faster than they prefer and usually that causes people to make mistakes. Limiting space restricts your options and allows defenders to dictate what you do or where you go. When we bunch up around the ball we are conceding both time and space.

Regardless of scheme the formation is the only tool an offense has to move the defense where you want it. If you want to run inside move the defense outside. If you want to run outside move the defense inside. If you want to limit QB pressure move people away from the QB.

I could understand if we had a good offensive line, TE's, and H Backs that could impose their will on defenders but we don't. We have an ass load of receivers and two good QB's. When we lineup sideline to sideline the defense has to cover 2,400 sqft every 5 yards. That's tough for 6 defenders and using less than 6 is a big play waiting to happen. We may not be able to block 5 with 6 but at least we can see if they can cover 4 with 6. They don't seem to have a problem covering two while our eight are blocking.

 

[DMAC]

I’ve said it before, but last year’s offensive scheme and D’Onta Foreman will make the group upfront look a lot better. 

Neither Kerstetter or Okafor should be playing tackle and ideally they probably are still in the incubator with redshirt years. Nicholson has never been very good and has been a liability in pass pro dating back to last year. McMillon came out of nowhere to overachieve and seems to have come back down to earth to what we thought he was. Shack has been injured for most of his time in Austin, but I still have hope since he’s still only a sophomore. In Vahe’s case it looks like he peaked early and hasn’t built upon his freshman year. His regression isn’t exclusive to this year as he struggled last year too. Run blocking was his strength and even that has become an issue for him. Been disappointing to say the least. 

Warehime isn’t off the hook completely because he’s responsible for his unit’s performance, but a lot of it is explainable to a degree at least for me. There hasn’t been any continuity for this group over the past  several years and that’s huge for an offensive line more than anything. 

Makes sense for the most part but I disagree a bit about Foreman.  Foreman was a great back but he had some daylight to run.  Compared to now its terrible.  I doubt most backs could run for Foreman yardage in this system with this line.  

The OL play has regressed over the season.  That is very rare with 3-4 players being upper classmen.  We had the same players out there vs KState and Iowa State and it was NOT this bad. 

Outside of Okafor (when he actually plays) and Kerstetter this group is not inexpereinced Shack, Vahe, and McMillon are experienced.

The part I have hard time with how does an OL not improve but actually regress with the same players over 5 weeks.  

When you cant protect the QB in Max Protect vs KANSAS that is proof enough.

 

[tejasrulz]

I have 2 questions, maybe someone here knows the answers.

1) Why didn't Heard play? Were they saving him for QB in case Shane got hurt?

2) How many total minutes were spent reviewing plays? There were a couple that seemed obvious but they were reviewed anyway.

 

[Daniel Seahorn]

Makes sense for the most part but I disagree a bit about Foreman.  Foreman was a great back but he had some daylight to run.  Compared to now its terrible.  I doubt most backs could run for Foreman yardage in this system with this line.  

The OL play has regressed over the season.  That is very rare with 3-4 players being upper classmen.  We had the same players out there vs KState and Iowa State and it was NOT this bad. 

Outside of Okafor (when he actually plays) and Kerstetter this group is not inexpereinced Shack, Vahe, and McMillon are experienced.

The part I have hard time with how does an OL not improve but actually regress with the same players over 5 weeks.  

When you cant protect the QB in Max Protect vs KANSAS that is proof enough.

A good/great back will always make an offensive line right at the end of the day. Did he have some big holes to run thru? Sure. But go back and count number of times that wasn’t necessarily the case or when he had to make guys miss behind the LOS. 

I’m not disputing the the regression or the lack of progression at all. Shack is still an underclassmen and has dealt with a several injuries in both years. We can still pull the youth card there to a degree for him. 

 

[Daniel Seahorn]

I have 2 questions, maybe someone here knows the answers.

1) Why didn't Heard play? Were they saving him for QB in case Shane got hurt?

2) How many total minutes were spent reviewing plays? There were a couple that seemed obvious but they were reviewed anyway.

Heard has always been the emergency QB like Herman said at the beginning of the year. I truly believe they don’t want to play him there unless they absolutely have to. Take that how you will. 

I’m not sure on the second question, but like you said they spent way too much time reviewing plays that looked obvious live. 

 

[Adferrum]

Saw an article over on 247 with the PFF grades for our team. Actually both Kerstetter and McMillon were ranked in the top 10 with a high 70 for Kerstetter and a mid-80 grade for McMillon. Both together allowed 1 QB pressure (by Kerstetter) on 76 total pass pro snaps (38 each).

Although Kerstetter was overmatched at times during the season, the right side isn't our biggest problem. Bringing Conner back will do a great deal to solidify our left side again and IMO will also make Vahe look better again. 

Thus, we would only be left with our problems in the middle. 

 

[DMAC]

A good/great back will always make an offensive line right at the end of the day. Did he have some big holes to run thru? Sure. But go back and count number of times that wasn’t necessarily the case or when he had to make guys miss behind the LOS. 

I’m not disputing the the regression or the lack of progression at all. Shack is still an underclassmen and has dealt with a several injuries in both years. We can still pull the youth card there to a degree for him. 

Believe me I am a Donte fan.  I was always bitching when J Gray got the start over Foreman.  Donte was quick, fast, and a human bowling ball with his weight.  There were times he had nothing there but always managed to get positive yards.  I remember throwing a fit when they put Gray in for a 4th down vs KState and we failed to convert because actually took Donte out for that play.   Made no sense at all.

You are right about Shack but he played most of the year last year.  He has bad ankles and that has been his question with him.  He has a tough attitude but sometimes I wonder if the ankles are the problem still when trying to push or hold leverage.

 

[doc longhorn]

If I had a son that was a talented QB, there would be no way I would let him play at UT.  That would be tantamount to sending him to war with the chance he will be killed.

 

[java]

I think the Staff did several things, Daniel. I think they ‘Road-tested’ a few players who had been injured. He mentioned Carter had had bursitis. I think they ran him just enough to see if it would flare up. I think Cuney played quite a bit (may be wrong on that), so took Shack out for a spin. Gave Sam enough reps to see how he would feel.  See where this is going?  I may be very wrong, but I think Herman was carefully testing the water with players who have been injured. 

May be wrong, but that’s the way it appeared to me, and the psychology behind coaching decisions fascinates me. I believe Tom was playing Chess against Kansas  critics be damned

we will see. 

 

[North Texas Golfer]

I think the Staff did several things, Daniel. I think they ‘Road-tested’ a few players who had been injured. He mentioned Carter had had bursitis. I think they ran him just enough to see if it would flare up. I think Cuney played quite a bit (may be wrong on that), so took Shack out for a spin. Gave Sam enough reps to see how he would feel.  See where this is going?  I may be very wrong, but I think Herman was carefully testing the water with players who have been injured. 

May be wrong, but that’s the way it appeared to me, and the psychology behind coaching decisions fascinates me. I believe Tom was playing Chess against Kansas  critics be damned

we will see. 

Interesting thoughts and quite plausible. 

I'll add my 2 cents worth. Herman and his coaching staff are smarter than the "internet armchair experts" give him, and them, credit for. 

 

[RickyFlair]

A good/great back will always make an offensive line right at the end of the day. Did he have some big holes to run thru? Sure. But go back and count number of times that wasn’t necessarily the case or when he had to make guys miss behind the LOS. 

I’m not disputing the the regression or the lack of progression at all. Shack is still an underclassmen and has dealt with a several injuries in both years. We can still pull the youth card there to a degree for him. 

I've never seen a great back with a bad offensive line. 

Ive seen several good backs look great with a good offensive line. 

A great offensive line can make any back good. Look at Bama. 

 

[Daniel Seahorn]

I've never seen a great back with a bad offensive line. 

Ive seen several good backs look great with a good offensive line. 

A great offensive line can make any back good. Look at Bama. 

Barry Sanders didn’t have a great one. 

 

[DMAC]

Interesting thoughts and quite plausible. 

I'll add my 2 cents worth. Herman and his coaching staff are smarter than the "internet armchair experts" give him, and them, credit for. 

While this is undoubtable.  I can think of a few things which contradict that.

Freshmen back plays vs San Jose State and do very well.  Porter and Warren are ineffective for the next 4 games.  Fans start crying for freshmen only to be disappointed week after week.  Herman continuously says we have to get them more involved but nothing they are pretty much MIA until game 8-9.

Lil J in wildcat.  Tried it week 1-2 and was successful.  Never to be seen again until week 9.

Hager MIA in favor of Hughes most of the year until game 7?

Yea I know its petty stuff but the fans are not dumb.  Some of these things are obvious yet remain a mystery why it has taken 9 games for the staff to see it.

 

[DMAC]

Barry Sanders didn’t have a great one. 

Yea but how many backs are Barry Sanders.   He made everyone look foolish.  Hall of Fame stuff

 

[Daniel Seahorn]

Yea but how many backs are Barry Sanders.   He made everyone look foolish.  Hall of Fame stuff

He said he’d never see a great back with a bad line and I named one that quickly came to mind. It was criminal that Detroit didn’t put better pieces around him. 

 

[RickyFlair]

He said he’d never see a great back with a bad line and I named one that quickly came to mind. It was criminal that Detroit didn’t put better pieces around him. 

Lomas Brown and Kevin Glover were multiple year all pro selections. Detroit had an average line.

 

[DBut82]

Barry Sanders didn’t have a great one. 

Dilly Dilly!!!

 

[North Texas Golfer]

While this is undoubtable.  I can think of a few things which contradict that.

Freshmen back plays vs San Jose State and do very well.  Porter and Warren are ineffective for the next 4 games.  Fans start crying for freshmen only to be disappointed week after week.  Herman continuously says we have to get them more involved but nothing they are pretty much MIA until game 8-9.

Lil J in wildcat.  Tried it week 1-2 and was successful.  Never to be seen again until week 9.

Hager MIA in favor of Hughes most of the year until game 7?

Yea I know its petty stuff but the fans are not dumb.  Some of these things are obvious yet remain a mystery why it has taken 9 games for the staff to see it.

I will admit that I have had this exact thought many times this year.