Morning Coffee Is Optimistic About Hoops Once More
by Peter Bean on Jan 19, 2009 7:56 AM CST
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Limas Sweed's big game debut. Steelers rookie Limas Sweed might have had a forgettable AFC Championship Game last night had his only YouTube moment been a bobble and drop of what would have been an easy 60 yard touchdown score. Sweed made a terrific slow-and-go move to burn his man and get open and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw a gem that hit Sweed's hands in stride. Longhorns fans were shocked to see him drop it; Steelers fans groaned "Not again..."
Limas has struggled with drops during his rookie year -- something he had no trouble with while at Texas. But though his drop could have totally derailed him mentally for the rest of the AFC title game, Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin pulled Sweed aside and had a few words with him. A few minutes later, Sweed was on screen for another YouTube moment, delivering one of the most punishing blocks you'll ever see. Sweed's drop starts the video; the big block is at the 1:30 mark:
Though Steelers fans have become exasperated with his drops of late, Sweed's doing a great job doing what Kevin Colbert drafted him to do -- get open down the field. The rookie jitters will pass, he'll still be open, and the catches will come. Sweed not only has a bright future as a pro, but I think Sunday night's game will prove a decisive turning point for his confidence. Mark it down: Sweed scores a Super Bowl TD.
Can we just ban 'classy' stories altogether? Dave Sittler of the Tulsa World thinks that Pete Carroll handled Mark Sanchez's decision to turn pro poorly (view the Carroll clip here) because he spoke candidly about the choice's pros and cons. A thumbs up and pat on the rump not only would have been more appropriate, Sittler argues, but would have made Carroll... wait for it... classy like Bob Stoops. (Not a typo.)
But after his antics at Sanchez's press conference, Carroll demonstrated he doesn't belong on the same field as Stoops when it comes to handling a player who decides to ignore his coach's advice and leave early for the NFL.
A day before Carroll tossed Sanchez under the bus, Stoops was beaming at an OU press conference when Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Sam Bradford announced he would play for the Sooners in 2009 instead of chasing the millions that await him when he turns pro.
Stoops beaming, huh? You don't say. Of course he was happy -- his selfish efforts to talk Bradford out of going pro had worked. The Big Game Choke Artist downplayed Bradford's NFL stock before the decision, and in talking to the press after it sounded very much like a guy trying to justify himself:
"People say, and this is an argument, 'Well, he won't have the same team around him,'" Stoops added. "Well, you don't think those guys watching tape know when you're driving a Cadillac and know when you're driving a BMW. They know what you're driving. It isn't like if he isn't protected quite as well next year, they're going to know that. I feel like we have a really good offensive line coming back. We have some decent experience coming back."
The bottom line is that Bradford probably didn't do what was best for himself; he did what was best for his coach and the Sooners football team. There's certainly nothing wrong with that, but if Bradford gets hurt or sees his stock fall this year, he won't be the first OU player to leave for the pros unhappy his coach was one-sided about the decision-making process a year before. Bob Stoops may say the right things to the press once the decision is made, but it's comical to suggest he's the class act behind the scenes, where he elevates his own interests above those of the players. Downplaying your quarterback's draft prospects before he makes a decision is as selfish and disloyal a move as one could make.
Not that Dave Sittler cares. He just wants Coach to smile and offer a thumbs up after the decision has been made. I'll give Stoops this much: he's browbeaten the local media into buying every bit of his BS.
Ahem. Mase was good before Saturday, you know. Rick Barnes made some important changes for Saturday's road win at Texas Tech, inserting Gary Johnson into the starting line up for Dexter Pittman while taking Justin Mason off point duties, using much more the surging Dogus Balbay instead. I love the move for a number of reasons and way back in November was arguing that this team couldn't/wouldn't hit its peak until Balbay was a 25-minute a game player.
What I don't like is the way Mason's efforts at point have been summarily dismissed. The Star-Telegram opened its Tech recap with, "Don’t blame Justin Mason for what has been a subpar season." If an 84-33 assist-to-turnover ratio is subpar, then Bob Stoops is a class act.
For all that Justin Mason isn't as a natural point, he was in my mind for Texas the non-conference MVP, stabilizing a terrible early-season situation when AJ Abrams was still handling on-ball duties. While I'll absolutely agree that Mason can and will offer more now that he can flow freely in an off-ball roll, to downplay what he did in emergency PG duties while Balbay came along is flat wrong and unfair.
Two roads diverged in Lubbock... Speaking of the point guard situation, Florida transfer Jai Lucas has arrived on campus and though his impact on competition that counts for the standings is still a year away, his presence in practice is already paying dividends.
"He's made practices better already,'' Barnes said, "just by being there with his energy."
Lucas' arrival will only help Dogus Balbay progress over the coming two months, without which Texas is doomed to suffer from too many bogged down possessions in the half court. By going smaller and quicker -- and getting a point guard on the floor who can break down a defense on the bounce -- Barnes is taking advantage of this team's exceptional athleticism. Both Gary Johnson and Damion James should blossom in the more wide open system, Justin Mason will be at maximum efficiency in an off-ball/do-it-all role, and Abrams & Atchley should find themselves with many more open looks beyond the arc.
If as I wrote on Saturday Texas was approaching a fork in the road, I think what we saw on Saturday suggests strongly Texas' first step was down the right path. I'm encouraged once again.
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Was watching the Sweed series
and almost made a fanpost about it. You forgot to mention that after he dropped the pass, he “injured” himself, thereby costing the Steelers their final timeout. Which would’ve come in helpful at the end due to Ben’s boneheaded dumpoff in the middle of the freaking field with 10 seconds left.
But that block was pudding pops sick.
That block was sick
But man the drop was much uglier. He must get over the jitters and fast if he’s got any future in the NFL. A good showing in the SB will help for the off-season, otherwise it’s an excruciatingly long time until the next game.
Why are we even looking at articles out of Tulsa? Clearly the writer uses his OU team poster the same way most 16 year olds use the SI swimsuit edition.
Blame dimecoverage
Her round ups are so thorough that we get pretty much the full range of articles related to Texas and the Big 12.
Indispensable stuff…
--PB--
Yeah you're right
Sorry dimecoverage, for doubting you for one minute.
Longhorns fans were shocked to see him drop it; Steelers fans groaned "Not again..."
I am confused. I remember Sweed dropping a ton of deep balls his final year before his season ending injury. Am I thinking of someone else?
Maybe after his wrist injury
He broke his wrist before his senior year and tried to play through it. But he went up and grabbed everything as a junior in ’06
--PB--
I remember his junior year and the colt-sweed connection. But his senior year this connection disappeared entirely. I can remember a couple dropped passed against K-State and Central Florida that would have helped to UT offense tremendously.
I guess it could have been all the wrist’s fault, but those dropped balls are burned into my brain.
Sweed put the hit on a sooner
You forgot to mention the guy on the receiving end of Sweed’s hit, Corey Ivy, is a sooner.
true!
I definitely noticed that. I hate Corey Ivy. Dirty mofo. Great block there by Sweed and he made another nice play to break up a would-be INT in the endzone later in the game.
by Michael Bean on Jan 19, 2009 12:34 PM CST up reply actions
that drop
breaks my heart. shouldve been an easy six.
by the other Andrew on Jan 19, 2009 10:24 AM CST reply actions
I don't hold Stoops accountable for Bradford
The system is constructed to where you get some nice unbiased feedback to help you in your decision making. I am sure he had ample feedback to make an informed decision. My hunch is the national championship game left a sour taste in his mouth and he did not want to end his career like that.
In a sense, his decision to stay made Colt’s decision to return a more costly decision. He could have come out in an incredibly weak QB class – and really maximized his NFL stock.
Anybody can act "classy" when they get what they want
Its easy being classy when you get every break imaginable this year. How he managed to convince Bradford and Gresham to stay is beyond me. If I was a coach, I would say to them that they should leave especially Gresham. Bradford I can understand a little bit, but Gresham would have been the first tight end taken without a doubt and is more than ready to be an NFL player. Its easy being classy when you get what you want Bob. He started convincing them to stay in the middle of the season baiscally. There were reports about them being first round picks and Bob was saying that those reports weren’t necessarily true.
I didn’t find a problem with Pete Carroll’s criticizing Sanchez’s decision. Even though it wasn’t because he thought Sanchez was making a big mistake (being the second quarterback taken). Pete is sick of going to Rose Bowl’s and playing weak Big Eleven teams and wants to get back to the ship. He was at least being honest with him.
SHOW ME YOUR LIGHTNING BOLT!!!!!!!!!!
Sweed isn't that good
If the Ravens had a decent QB, Sweed would have been up there as one of the biggest goats in NFL history.One bone jarring block doesn’t make up for an inexcusable drop in the AFC title game. I don’t think he will catch a TD pass in the Super Bowl. The Cardinals are the better team. They have a complete offense and a defense good enough to slow down the Steelers. All the have to do is make the Roethelsiberger (SP?) stay in the pocket and they will be fine. Warner and Co. will be able to move up and down the field with easy.
SHOW ME YOUR LIGHTNING BOLT!!!!!!!!!!
You're not going to convince anyone on this blog
That Sweed isn’t good. Your evidence amounting to a single play notwithstanding.
What exactly has he done this season?
In eleven games this season he has had 6 receptions for 64 yards with a long of 17 and no TD’s. He was good in college, I won’t deny that, but in the NFL he hasn’t really shown anything except big drops in big games. Its the same with VY. You guys refuse to believe that somebody is not good enough at the next level. Its always excuses. He is either hurt, offensive coordinator sucks, not enough weapons, bad coach, etc. Man up and make plays.
SHOW ME YOUR LIGHTNING BOLT!!!!!!!!!!
by PrimeTime2012 on Jan 19, 2009 2:49 PM CST up reply actions
Easy there, fella.
That happens with any college football fan base. Don’t be delusional and think it’s only those arrogant “tea sips” who make excuses for players they love. You are on a longhorn sports blog, of course we’re all going to be entirely too optimistic for the guys we love to succeed! Plus, Limas is just a rook. NFL is tough, to write him off now would be a little hasty. Had a bad first year, but could get better next year. We’ll all have to wait and see…
"Like I said, I'm going to bleed orange until the day I die." -V.Y.
A few things, PrimeTime...
Not only did Sweed have a nice block, he had other, more important plays in this game. First of all, he prevented an interception when Big Ben threw a terrible pass to him in the endzone. Had he not done that, the Steelers would not have kicked the FG and gained a two score advantage… and would have lost their lead on the next Baltimore score. You think the Ravens are throwing the ball around with their rookie QB with a 1 point lead? Nope… but down two, they had to, which led to Flacco throwing a gift to Polamalu who returned it for the touchdown. Game. You tell me that wasn’t a big time play.
Secondly, Sweed also caught a big third and long pass to keep the drive alive for Pittsburgh, who was backed up in their own end zone. The punter would eventually screw this up with a shank, but had their punter did his job, Sweed’s reception would have reversed field and forced Flacco to travel the length of the football field.
Sweed’s drop was horrible. However, he’s only a rookie, and what should be encouraging to Steelers fans is this:
1. His route was perfect on the drop. The catches will come when he learns to focus more.
2. He did not get down on himself and sulk like other wide receivers when he did. He stepped up to make plays and attempt to make up for his gaffe.
Will Sweed be some sort of star in this league? Who knows. I do know that Terrell Owens was positively awful in one playoff game against the Packers early in his career, dropping ball after ball (although catching the gamewinner). He went on to have a pretty good career. I’m not saying Sweed will be Owens (hopefully he won’t be in the talking department, at least), but to call somebody a bust off of one bad drop as a rookie is absolutely ridiculous.
Furthermore, learn your NFL history. There are MUCH bigger gaffes than a rookie receiver dropping a TD pass at halftime when his team still has the lead.
by TheElusiveShadow on Jan 19, 2009 11:56 PM CST up reply actions
In a game like that no.
All of your points are valid and I agree for the most part, but if they lost that game by a touchdown or less he would have been a goat and a big one. He catches that the Steelers put the game away. The biggest gaffes that I can remember is Jackie Smith dropping a lay up for the Cowboys in the Superbowl. Scott Norwood and wide right in the Superbowl. Neil O’Donell throwing a pick six to the ’Boys in the Superbowl and the Patriots choking last year. If you can enlighten me on some more please do.
SHOW ME YOUR LIGHTNING BOLT!!!!!!!!!!
by PrimeTime2012 on Jan 20, 2009 1:53 AM CST up reply actions
Tony Romo's bobble?
Eddie George’s fumble? Earnest Byner’s fumble? Allowing the freaking Music City Miracle? The referee calling a very questionable pass interference call for Lynn Swann? Patrick Crayton, a veteran receiver, dropping a huge third down pass in the fourth quarter and also giving up on a route in the endzone against the Giants last year? Donavon McNabb having four turnovers in the Super Bowl including acting tired on the last drive, wasting precious clock time? Seriously, you can reel off bigger screw-ups done by veteran players that were done in more clutch moments of the game than what Sweed did. I’m not excusing his drop; I’m merely pointing out that it is far, far from one of the biggest mistakes in NFL history. Besides, it’s not like it’s Sweed’s fault that Big Ben goofed by throwing the ball over the middle of the field to prevent even a field goal.
by TheElusiveShadow on Jan 20, 2009 2:03 AM CST up reply actions
are you serious?
cmon man sweed is a rookie. He barely even played during the regular season and you expect him to put up numbers. He played a lot in the afc championship because ward got hurt. Just wait a year and you will be eating your words…..I promise you.
It is well documented that
I am not a Sweed fan. His drops are just more of the same. I hopehe proves me wrong.
Silly Sweed Line
Sweed’s doing a great job doing what Kevin Colbert drafted him to do — get open down the field.
Nobody drafts a wide receiver because they can “get open”….they get paid to CATCH THE BALL. You get precious few opportunities at this level and Sweed just blew one.
Second silliest Sweed line is “The catches will come when he learns to focus more.” For pete’s sake this is the NFL! If he doesn’t know how to focus by now, it’s too late.
If you look at the video of the play, Sweed’s eyes are looking off in the distance instead of the ball that is hitting his hands….something expected in middle school; not in the NFL. One botched catch does not a career make, but he better figure it out fast. A few more and he’ll be looking for new career.
Oh come now
Do you watch the NFL? It’s a common mistake even for pro receivers. There’s no excuse, but it happens. Terrell Owens, anyone? He made a big mistake as a rookie. Unless you REALLY think Sweed is going to continue dropping balls when he’s that wide open, he will be fine.
Again, watch more football. It’s an inexcusable mistake, but the best make it. I even saw Jerry Rice do that a handful of times. It even happens in basketball too when players look to go before the ball hits them in the hands and it bounces off out of bounds. Seriously, buddy, you have to do more than to point out that middle schoolers make that mistake. Middle schoolers also can’t do double moves like that to get open, catch that ball Sweed did later in the game, and lay a block like that.
by TheElusiveShadow on Jan 20, 2009 9:30 PM CST up reply actions
Seems people are forgetting
Sweed dropped a few passes for us at UT. He was great in some games, but he was drop prone his freshman year for sure. He was considered a disappointment because he never lived up to Roy Williams, the guy he strived to be and even wore his jersey #. All we’re seeing here in the NFL is repetition of his college problems.
by goingforthecorner on Jan 20, 2009 12:15 PM CST reply actions
Revisionist history
Sweed was a monster in 2006. 12 TDs (Tied RW’s record, btw) and he was basically good for at least one double move 40+ yard TD per game. Wrist injury (that required surgery to correct) kept him from being a factor in 2007. I can’t believe that people choose to blame him for his wrist injury. Some dude even called him out as a blocker. It was Sweed’s block that freed VY for the 80 yd TD against Okie State, and you just saw above what he’s doing blocking in the NFL. The guy plays hard, he’s a rookie, and he’ll get it.
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