On Your Own Today / Tell Me About Your Kids
by Peter Bean on Nov 5, 2007 6:46 AM CST
in Texas Longhorns Football
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PrintIt's very unlikely I'm going to have any meaningful break in my day to write, so you're on your own to kick off the news week. As always, you're encouraged to post items of interest in the Diaries in the right sidebar.
If I'm as productive as I intend to be today, I'll settle in this evening for Monday Night Football and some writing, including a Top 25 draft ballot and the Big 12 roundup.
Update [2007-11-5 10:5:17 by HornsFan]: Shake gives a nice update on Jamaal Charles below. Let's use this thread for our player updates.
--PB--
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Dominating the 4th Quarter
In the past 2 games, my boy Jamaal has racked up 470 yards and 6 TDs, averaging 9.6 yards/carry.
But here is the stat you may not see somewhere else. The average length of those 6 electrifying TD runs is over 44 yards. Now that's explosive.
Watch out as the development of my boy's field vision & understanding of the game continue to catch up to the development of his legs.
Charles
Our only effective offense the past two games has been Jamaal finding a couple of holes in the 4th quarter and sprinting past everyone. It isn't some special scheme or play package that allows this to happen. It is, for lack of a better phrase, "Jamaal being Jamaal," and the O-line playing as a cohesive group occasionally.
One benefit (perhaps the only) of GD's seemingly one-track mind (We will run for 250 and pass for 250, DAMIT!!) is that he can become fixated on one aspect of the offense. The explosion in the running game (even "White Boy" McCoy had 100+ yards) combined with the ineffectiveness in our passing game (no pocket/Limas out/McCoy's inaccuracies) could and should lead him to his next fetish - RUNNING THE DAMN BALL!!! Running it early and running it often!
Start Chiles next week against Tech. It's at home. Regular Tech game atmosphere + a Chiles start = The big time home field advantage you and Mack feel has been lacking (20 point beat downs by K-State doesn't exactly inspire a lot of enthusiasm). Then for the first two or three series, depending on its effectiveness, RUN THE BALL DOWN THEIR TORTILLA-LOVING THROATS!!
Make them stop the run with Chiles, Charles and McGee running reads and options and some new junk that Davis probably has in the playbook but won't dare try. At least you will know what you can do with your three most explosive players on the field at the same time, getting touches on almost every play. If it doesn't work, fine. Put Colt in and go back to trying to stay within 2-3 touchdowns and hope that Charles can continue to run for 100 or 200 yards and multiple TDs in 15 minutes.
I realize that benching McCoy (especially after the emotion of that win and leadership, grit and stones he showed in getting it) is unlikely and could/probably would cause some sort of controversy. But after they sit down and watch the film, after watching last weeks, it just has to be obvious what has worked (and worked exceptionally well) and what hasn't.
Running (even with McCoy recently - imagine with Chiles) seems to be our only strength on offense right now. Create a hole every so often and have a crazy fast, explosive player (i.e. - Chiles, Charles, McGee) make a play.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I always thought that "playing to your strengths" was Coaching 101.
by Useful Idiot on Nov 5, 2007 9:54 AM CST up reply actions
Colt McCoy's Stats last game
Rushing:
16 Rushes for 127 gained yards, 21 lost yards, 106 net yards, 29 long, 6.6 average
Passing:
27 for 20, 3 int, 282 yards, 1 TD, 60 long, 3 sacks
But you want to bench for a QB who has not completed a single pass yet?
Lending a hand
Wells meant to say: 20 for 27....although 27 for 20 would be badass.
Hey! That's not fair!
John Chiles has completed a pass. A single pass.
All joking aside, what a shame that they burned his shirt for 9 pass attempts and 31 rush attempts in 5 games played. Even if they do start using him more for the remainder of the games, I'm not sure I'll feel like it was worth it.
Agreed
The only thing I can figure is that the coaching staff was talking up competition between Chiles and Harris but in reality they always knew he was going to be second string and they do not want to have to have Harris in there when the game is on the line, but that is just pure speculation.
So...
Your argument against getting Chiles more playing time is that he hasn't played much?
And I am not so naive as to think that Chiles can play 4 quarters of error free football at this stage of his career. And no one would argue agianst Colt being the better passer by far, just as few would claim that Chiles wouldn't have had just as much success if not more on the ground than McCoy did on Saturday.
I guess the worst Chiles could do is throw a pick 6 on his first attempt (McCoy v. OSU) or make a bad pitch that goes for a 90 some yard TD the other way (McCoy v. KSU) in a 20pt home rout. Hell, if we are talking stats, I think Colt has had more 3 INT games than 3 TD games.
I am not bashing McCoy here. I am just saying that if running works for us (which it clearly does) and McCoy is making costly rookie-type mistakes himself, how could it hurt to give Chiles more reps? Letting him start and go a series or two would really get the crowd behind the team and hopefully establish the run in the first 15 minutes instead of the last 15.
In my dream scenario, either it works brilliantly and we march down the field, gashing Tech for 8-10 yards a pop or it blows up terribly and we go back to whatever the hell type offense GD has been running the past 10 games with Colt.
by Useful Idiot on Nov 5, 2007 12:20 PM CST up reply actions
I like how...
The better a game McCoy has rushing, the more everyone calls for him to be benched. Can we just accept that McCoy is good rushing the football? Leach doesn't have his head up his ass, and he will force Chiles to beat him through the air if we put him in. Think a fast Stephen McGee, with less throwing experience. No wants. TTU will beat us the same as the Aggies if we run Chiles all day. We must be able to throw, but I don't want to see McCoy throwing too much until we move the chains on the ground a good two or three times.
Also, think about this. If McCoy was 20 for 27, that means one miss was the drop by Quan, one was the INT that Nate had knocked out of his hands, one was stolen from Shipley, one was dropped by Shipley on the last drive, one was the pick 6 (which was him trying to throw over the linebacker who was blitzing because we ran the same play we did against NU to start the game), and I don't remember the other two, does grounding count? Basically, Colt threw one really bad pass, and one pretty bad one. Then he ran for 127 positive yards. That's ~400 yards of total offense that you want to bench because GD calls the same plays all the time and Chiles ran really well against Rice, and pretty well against ISU and Baylor. Oh, and that 25 yard handoff to Charles against 'Braska. Our coaches need to call a few aggressive plays before we're down 20 points, that's what we need to do.
I agree with everything you are saying
Colt should play this Saturday; this game is too important to use as a test for Chiles.
But the greater issue here is the coaching staff's baffling refusal to get Chiles more meaningful snaps earlier this season. They've had plenty of opportunities to do so. If they had, they might actually have a choice to make this Saturday, but as it stands, they have no choice.
Definitely
Needs some more snaps, no doubt about it. They should put him in and pass, though. That would give him the best chance, as well as some useful experience, as they won't be sitting and waiting for it on 3rd and 14. PA shotgun handoff and then throw it to Finley, then zone read, alternate ad infinitum. Do this at least one series a game, unless we are behind by more than a TD, in which case, use him in an inventive way with Colt in the game for a few snaps.
No
My argument is against benching a QB who has been a proven leader and winner for an unknown.
I agree that Chiles is as capable as McCoy at throwing a pick 6 on his first play, I just don't think he is ready to follow that up by throwing 20 for 26 for 282 yards, and that includes 2 interceptions that were not his fault.
That being said I am in agreement that Chiles should be getting more reps and am disappointed that he has not been. I just don't think that benching a guy for the first series who is finally stepping up and being a leader is the right message to send. Rotating him out there in the second or third series would probably be a good idea. Or even subbing him in during any series try and catch the opposing D off guard would work as well.
Simplification
Colt:
Decent to good passing
pretty fly for a white guy rushing
Chiles:
Doesn't know how to let go of the ball (see option running and passing)
Good runner but utterly predictable.
I'd take Colt 10 times out of 10 for winning a game as compared to the (STILL YOUNG) Chiles. Experience matters and so does winning
2 things
- I agree with everyone saying McCoy needs to be the starter and primary go to guy against Tech. Especially if their offense gets moving, we have to be able to pass some to keep up. We'll run to, but passing has to be a major part of it. Plus I can't imagine leading your team to the largest 4th quarter comeback in Texas history warrants a benching.
- That said, I'm DYING to see a few snaps with Chiles at QB with and Charles/McGee both in the backfield. Dear. Lord. Defensive nightmare.
j-
by sterling on Nov 6, 2007 6:49 PM CST up reply actions
Youre Exactly
right, he dominated the 4TH quarter... Heres my take.
The UT players have always said that in film,Jamaal is about one second away on every run from breaking off a big one, and being the greatest back of all time.
Heres the thing... Almost all these yards he has been getting have been coming off large runs, sometimes late in the game, which may equal into great stats, but it is completely misleading in the discussion of whether or not he is THE MAN in the Texas backfield...
LSU uses two running backs, a super speedster who gets it done in and outside of the tackles, and a power back with burst that can be productive on EVERY carry, not just the ones that go for 70 yards because of a defensive break down...
Idk, I just want to, for one game, run some old I formation with Jamaal, and I bet he would be incredibly dismal... And then try it out with another running back, not named, and I bet he would be much more productive.
I am as big a fan of 25 as the next guy, but we need to realize what his stats this season are really saying.
PM
by FormerLSBUser on Nov 5, 2007 11:17 AM CST up reply actions
I understand what you are saying.
But a running back who is always one miss or hole away from a touchdown has excellent merit as an offensive threat as well.
Miscues happen all the time on defenses, especially at the college level. If you have a player that can turn one mistake into 6 points, thats very valuable.
And Jamaal may not get 4 every touch, but as long as he keeps hitting the homeruns, theres absolutely every reason to have him on the field.
by BoddickerIsClutch on Nov 5, 2007 2:48 PM CST up reply actions
Justin Moore
punted 4 times for an average 47 yards, had a long of 53 and put one inside the 10.
He got juked on the return of his first punt but it was called back for an illegal block, netting it out at 68 yards. He compensated for that near-miss on his next punt with a solo tackle after an 11 yard return. I haven't re-watched these but why is he the one tackling on two successive punts?
Imagine the pride when I saw my boy on AAS Sunday!
Ship!!!
Answer: go down by 21 at the beginning of the 4th quarter, pull it within 7 with 4 minutes to go, and catch a 60 yard bomb that leaves the ball at the 1 and sets up the game-tying score.
Jordan Shipley had two catches for 70 yards total, which is a pedestrian game for him considering his potential, but his clutch catch in the 4th showed every Texas fan that his previous 2 season opening injuries were "kind of a big deal." Consider that catch the pin that kept the already shifted momentum on Texas' side well through 00:00.
He caught the ball at the 26
Those next 25 yards were incredibly valuable in this win. The finish sure looked like Quan's catch against Baylor last year, where his strength and momentum carried the defender into the EZ.
This combo of long runs to open up the deep pass is what I was hoping far earlier in the year; it makes the Texas offense a deadly predator when they can stretch the field wide and go long.
And such long passes are Shipley's forte. Let's throw some more to him.
Bailey
My kid is a "moneyball."
by Bdub on Nov 5, 2007 12:23 PM CST reply actions
my kid
had a so-so game. some bad stuff, some promising stuff.
even with his missed tackles, he was no worse than the rest of the defense (in the first 3 quarters, at least).
4 tackles total. mark my words: Ishie will be a star of the Texas defense by his senior year.
NORTON... Smasched?
My boy went out with a shoulder injury. He didn't do very much in the game before that, either. Hopefully his seniors' tendencies to disappear are not rubbing off on him. Hopefully he's back for TTU and makes up for his early exit from this game with a series of plays so good, the coaches take him out of the game.
Muckster
I'll save the statistical analysis of Muck's performance as it was near the top of most columns regarding this week's game. Although leading the team in tackles has its merits, we still have room to improve in making some of those tackles nearer the line of scrimmage. That would be preferable than chasing the play 10 yards down the field for the hit. 1 TFL this week, and played with a bit more confidence in the 2nd half.
by Horns4Ever on Nov 5, 2007 2:31 PM CST reply actions
Um... Fumble?!?!
Your boy is probably one of the first LB's to actually strip a ball this year! Congratulations! I am incredibly excited by the idea of Muck and Kindle starting next year, with Norton switching in for Bobino (who will start, we all know this).
mi nino
Drew had 3 tackles, but sprained his knee and will miss the Tech game, which is a shame because his speed will be missed.
Anyone know Sergio's status for this weekend?
Re:
My boy Dallas left early with what appears to be a knee injury. As noted in the diaries, Mr. Griffin is done for the season. Best case is probably a knee sprain, which would put his timetable of recovery for about 6 weeks. Worst case is the dreaded torn ACL.
In either case, Dallas is going on the bigger and better things as he finishes up the MBA. I wish him luck on his academic progress.
I'll continue to analyze the line throughout the remainder of the year, which looked pretty good on Saturday. I'm no expert, but they didn't look too bad the entire game. The pass protection was decent, and I thought the run blocking looked pretty good. There were holes at times in which McGee/Charles just looked like they ran the wrong way. Overall, solid effort.
The two biggest mental mistakes actually came from (1) Tony Hills on the PF, and (2) Ced Dockery on the false start on the last drive. Surprising.
Update
Griffin tore the anterior cruciate ligament Saturday in the first half of Texas' 38-35 win over Oklahoma State, coach Mack Brown said Monday.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/s...
If Chris Hall does a decent job at center this year, I'm guessing that Buck is SOL next spring. We've got Huey or Tanner "ready" to take over at the guard spot, so I'm thinking this is a Chris Hall audition for the center spot.
McCoy report pending
but I had to throw this out there: OSU QB take the Matt Leinart approach:
"We thought we were the better team coming in, and we still feel that way," Oklahoma State quarterback Zac Robinson said. "You've got to give them a lot of credit, though. They made plays there at the end."
Sergio my son..
didn't play against OK state. Would have definitely made a difference on all those screens and passes to D. Savage.
Onward with Texas Tech!
Deon Beasly
Great. Outstanding. Scary. I can't believe how much potential he is flashing pretty much every play he's in the game. Not being a major analyst of defensive players, I can't tell you how well he covers certain plays in the nickel defense off of the i slot(etc...) but he makes the plays. My favorite play of the game for him was when he jumped way up above the receiver and batted it down over the receivers head Aaron Ross style.
Bobino
MLB #44
Rashaad had 7 tackles, 6 of them solo. His second half performance was a 180 degree turnaround from that of the first. I saw number 44 fly to the ball on every play he was in on. He seemed to play faster and lighter in the second half.
by burntorangenance on Nov 5, 2007 4:27 PM CST reply actions
Jermichael Finley
its a little late but i've had a busy day. well jermichael finley led all texas recievers with 6 catches for 79 yards and a td. it was an outstanding day for him even though texas' passing attack faultered. i'm still wondering why he's not getting 100 yards a game.
AMEN
Jermichael Finley is a beast, and has a potential to do some very bad things to the opposing team's secondary. He's definitely the new version of a prototypical tight end, big as hell but incredibly fast (Kellen Winslow, Antonio Gates, etc..). I hope hes into playing for four full years.
by SuperBentley on Nov 5, 2007 10:27 PM CST up reply actions
kind of a one of everything day for my boy...
Roy Miller had only one tackle that I saw... but it was a really nice play, firing through the line really quickly and stopping the runner in the backfield.
Then, on a good hustle play all the way to the sideline, he recovered a fumble, which unfortunately, was whistled dead, and as we learned several long minutes later: "unreviewable".
He also joined both the starting DTs with an offsides penalty... What was up with that, btw??? I don't think I've ever seen the guys lined up right over the ball jump so often. Was the center doing something funky with the ball???
by agent orange on Nov 5, 2007 7:18 PM CST reply actions
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