Taking Sides on the 2014 season

[Matt Cotcher]

Click HERE for this week's Taking Sides and join the debate about the upcoming season.

 

[texasdobbs]

I think it has no bearing.. new coaches, new attitude and new way of doing things. I think the talent there is good, but not great and is ready to bloom with Charlie.

 

[Juan]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

[bcherry168]

Look, Alabama had nobody drafted in 2008. We should be concerned, but we all know that a good year from either or both of the Malcolm Browns will get them drafted, and if our DT has a great year, as I expect, he could be a first round choice. Cedric Reed had a good shot as well if he has a good year. Perhaps some others.

Charlie Strong is going to bring out the best in these guys, and I am confident the program is on the right track.

 

[monarch]

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great topic this week gents.  easier to comprehend, as well as to espouse upon.

1.  sean - let us please not even think about utilizing the terms "conventional wisdom" upon this case.  i mean, please allow us a moment to really think about this.. for when it comes to conventional wisdom, one would think that upon the grand scheme of things..  that a powerhouse institution, such as the likes of the university of texas, should never, ever, find itself upon such a precarious situation in the first place!  that my great pal.. is the way to accurately accommodate the terms "conventional wisdom".. in lieu of this particular debate.

2.  matt - WINNER!  please pardon me my pal, but i simply love the fact that you are such a "wordsmith".  your articulation factor in writing, even upon a simple sports forum.. is quite impressive.  NOW, please allow for me to address just why i chose you this week's "taking sides" winner.   i find that sean was indeed quite adequate, upon his approach to highlighting the negative adversity of what all had ensued, upon the 2014 nfl draft.  any and all, that was relative as per the university of texas.. was undoubtedly earth shattering to all that adheres to longhorn nation!  to date, i personally, am still a bit sickened every time i think about it.  nonetheless gentlemen, may we please stop for a moment to recall that coach charlie strong, had four players drafted overall.. including three upon the first round.  charlie strong, just may be privately licking his chops, as to what happened upon those particular draft days.  (yes gents, i actually said this) (the good lord, does indeed move in mysterious ways)  coach strong, is now poised to grasp any negative aspects of the aforementioned draft..  and use it to successfully motivate his new football team!  upon this forthcoming season's gridiron matches.. we are probably poised to witness some things that we have never before witnessed upon these forty acres.  you know it, i know it and charlie's players know it.  charlie strong, is going to take the extravagant strength that is the UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS... and place it to the forefront. 

 

[echeese]

I predict...pain - Clubber Lang Sean Adams

The fact that the University of Texas had no players drafted in 2014 serves as a predictor for the 2014 season for a number of reasons.

Actually that makes no sense at all. . . . Seniors departing have nothing to do with what remains. . .

Though without a healthy Ash. . . .I see 2014 being much like 2014. . . .but I also see us having about 4-6 guys drafted next year. . . Reed Malcom Brown (maybe Squared) Diggs Espinosa   

 

[Lukus Alderman]

Yeah...I can't see how poor results from a draft indicate the future. If anything it tells us that we've still got good talent on the roster since what was lost wasn't worth picking up in the draft.

 

[streettopeschel]

is our talent level down? yes. i've thought it's been overrated for years now, despite rivals rankings. 

how much does it mean for 2014? TBD. if you believe coaching and player development matter (and i do), then i hopefully Strong and Co get the max out of what they have and continue to restock the shelve in 2015. 

 

[Shevis Irons]

Draft failure means only, as Lukas put it, that our top graduating talent wasn't good enough to be drafted. You could argue they were overrated to begin with, under developed, underrated for the draft, unlucky with injuries etc. You can't really argue any of the UT players were knocked down or out of the draft due to character issues unless lack of work ethic is considered. Some of that is on the player, some is on the former coaching staff for not holding players accountable.

What draft failure doesn't provide is a lens into the future. Just doesn't. Especially with a new coaching staff, new prospect evaluations, new player development, new player accountability and, well, new bodies on the field.

Time will tell but I know where I'd put my money in the long run.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Some well-reasoned thoughts, fellas....particularly the ones that agree with me!

 

[Topstarr]

I have been studying this UT Team for a few weeks and.............#LetsRide!!! all the way to the TOP