Notes
by Peter Bean on Aug 9, 2007 3:10 PM CDT
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PrintJust two quick notes this afternoon as real life moving crap gets in the way. Full updates this evening and tomorrow.
Now this is something you don't see every day: a player apologizing for his unit's performance the previous year. So it is with Robert Killebrew, who addressed fans' concerns about the play in 2006 from the Texas linebackers:
On the one hand, the accountability is refreshing. Contrast that with, say, Michael Griffin's snippiness with fans and the media in the first half of last season, when he chastised folks in the stands who "don't know what they're talking about" for criticizing the defense's performance.
On the other hand, I'm not sure effort was the big problem last season. It's not so much that fans thought the unit wasn't trying so much as it thought the players were struggling. Rashaad Bobino was trying to shed blocks, though he often failed. Scott Derry tried to keep up in pass coverage, though he was a half step slow. And Robert Killebrew tried to be a playmaker, though he was too often out of position.
No, the issue isn't effort - it's execution. I can applaud a player for his effort (and will thumbs up Killebrew for emphasizing accountability), but once the game begins, we need both effort and execution.
The John Chiles question is heating up, as expected. Does he win the #2 job as McCoy's backup? Or does he get on the field as a wide receiver?
I will say this: if I'm Sherrod Harris and Chiles gets the #2 job, I have to think about transferring. It makes me wonder, too, whether the coaches have considered this. Passing on Harris for the backup job would probably prompt him to think his chances at playing time are too slim to stick with the program. Maybe not, but it's worth thinking about.
--PB--
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Chiles/Harris?
I don't understand why this is even a question. Let me put it in perspective.
If McCoy were gone, would you rather have Chiles at QB, and Harris contributing minimally (if at all)? Or Harris at QB and Chiles contributing everywhere as a versatile athlete? You have to put yourself in a position to have all of your best athletes and playmakers on the field at once.
In my mind, Harris is the only sensible choice right now.
Where do you put Chiles, then?
I like the idea of Chiles "contributing everywhere as a versatile athlete," but really, where do you put him? He's fit for WR or QB, and we don't need him at WR.
I like the idea of Harris as #2 and Chiles redshirting. Chiles has a great attitude and has said over and over that he'll redshirt if necessary to have a shot at QB. If he's still game, he should sit out a year.
Sherrod Harris
PB brings up a great point, BTW. Will there be a transfer among the QBs?
I've heard Kinne looks pretty sharp, too.
I'm thinking Harris #2, Kinne #3 and Chiles to flanker.
What I haven't heard
regarding this whole "maybe Chiles can play WR" idea is whether Chiles is so good an athlete that he'd be better as a true frosh than our five returning we-already-know-they're-good WRs.
Forgive my potential football-illiteracy here, but I don't think you can line up more than five receivers on any given play. And with Jamaal and Jermichael as also-proven commodities, is it wise to burn Chiles' redshirt just so he can play asap?
I say get Chiles to understand the concept of "team", as in "doing what's good for the". Unless of course he's better than Limas right now. In which case I say don't give him a choice about the switch.
I'm agreeing on the fact
that we have some really great WR's as well as TE's.
The question I have is this, who could run the Zone Read better Chiles or Harris? There could be some games or game situations where the I formation just ain't cutting it. I really think Chiles has an advantage over Harris if the Z-Read was being utilized. I really don't know much about their pass effectiveness though. I say whoever does NOT get the 2nd QB position, transfers. Just my .02 worth.........
It seems like we are..
....worrying about the wrong things.
If he redshirts..he'll be great next year, and we'll still be great this year.
If he doesn't redshirt we use Sherrod as a #2, unless the situation calls for an incredibly dynamic runner in the zone read, in which case we can bring in Chiles...and the rest of the time use Chiles as a flanker, h-back, running back, Reggib Bush, Percy Harvin, all purpose, ultra back.
Either way we win......next topic.
All this is predicated on the assumption
that ever few years Texas will change their offensive philosophy. Z-Read,I Formation???????????
Depending on what a given university runs can and will determine who wants to go to that university.
During the "Wishbone" years, the only receivers UT got were 2nd generation players or Receivers that just wanted to go to UT. We really had a hard time recruiting for the WR position.
Did Chiles come to Texas to be a wideout, or to be, in his eyes, the 2nd coming of Jesus, sorry, I meant VY. I think it was to be like VY.............
If close, redshirt Chiles ...
Everything I seemed to read about Chiles coming out of high school was that he was a natural athlete but needed to improve his passing skills. Harris has had a year to improve, become engrained in the team, learn the schemes, etc. If it's at all close, Harris should be the #2 (he's supposedly pretty athletic himself after all), redshirt Chiles and have Kinne be the #3. That's a pretty stout 1, 2, 3 at QB, still gives you some versatility if you have to play two quarterbacks at any point in the season and gives Chiles a year to grow and retain all of his eligibility.
Looking ahead, if Chiles were to become the #2 QB this year or next (i.e. beats out Harris), does Harris have any potential to shift positions or would he be forced to transfer?
I surprised Kinne passed on Baylor. Unless there are injuries, no one seems to think he'll get past #3 on the depth chart unless others transfer and/or leave school early. Then again, USC seems to have about 18 QB's on roster that could be the #1 at other programs.
by CyHorn770 on Aug 9, 2007 4:57 PM CDT reply actions
I've never seen anyone address...
... the concept of Harris shifting to another position. From everything I've heard, he's an incredibly bright and incredibly athletic young man. Doesn't that sound ideal for a defender? Is he quick enough to be effective in pass coverage? Is he athletic enough to disrupt a pass route? I'd say yes on both counts. But has hever played any position other than QB?
by patienthornsfan on Aug 10, 2007 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions
We're Texas - Crime Stoppers
by BearMeat @ Burnt Orange Nation on Aug 9, 2007 5:48 PM CDT reply actions
Redshirting Chiles
This doesn't even make sense. Maybe I'm overrating him, but what are you accomplishing in "saving a year" for Chiles by redshirting him, when in reality, he probably won't be playing ball at UT for 4 years anyway?
by goingforthecorner on Aug 10, 2007 12:51 AM CDT reply actions
speaking of doesn't make sense
you know that VY redshirted right? and that he didn't play ball for UT for 4 years, right? are you saying it's only a matter of time before he beats out McCoy for the starting position, so why not get on with it? what are you saying?
by littlevisigoth on Aug 10, 2007 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions
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