Halfway point grades Part 1
by aaronlybrand on Oct 18, 2009 5:38 PM CDT
30 comments
With the regular season now officially at the half-way point I thought it a good time to hand out some meaningless grades for each position for the 'Horns.
Get ready to jump into oblivion.
Coaches:
Head Coach: A What more do you want from your head coach? We've won all the games. He's kept the player's heads on straight. The team as a whole has made good half-time adjustments, and like I said earlier, the Longhorns are undefeated.
Offensive Coordinator: B I find that most Longhorn fans despise Greg Davis for various reasons, but the fact remains that Texas continues to field one of the best offenses in the nation year in year out. I know there are those who feel that our talent should behoove us to score 183 points every single game, and the only reason we don't is the horrible play calling of Davis. The offense did not look good at the RRR, but I cannot put a whole lot of blame on Davis. The continued inconsistency of the offensive line has really hampered what our offense can do this year.
Defensive Coordinator: A+ This is the best coached Texas defense I have seen in my lifetime (started really following in 8th grade, 1995). The run defense has remained stout despite facing stronger running competition. The linebackers actually make tackles, and the DB's are still realizing their full potential. Pay Will Muschamp whatever he asks.
Positions:
Quarterbacks: B- Colt has not looked the same. I believe there are several factors at play here. 1. The offensive line continues to play like a group of guys who have never played together. 2. Because of the lack of protection Colt has been locking on to receivers more than I can remember since 2006. 3. We've been running this short route, no run game, quick passing attack for two and a half years now and defenses are starting to devise ways to defeat it. I believe that as the offensive line goes so goes Colt and the offense.
Running Backs: B Vondrell has been solid but continues to carry nagging injuries which has kept him from building on a solid opening couple of games. Newton looks really comfortable in our scheme, but hasn't been able to build on his good two game stretch because of a mild concussion. Fozzy Whittaker is our most explosive back, but is just getting going this season because of reoccurring knee injuries. Cody Johnson, the fall camp starter, has just gotten back into the mix because of an early injury that caused him to fall back behind the other four guys. Then there is DJ Monroe who has looked explosive against non-BCS competition, but hasn't been a meaningful part of the offense since week 2. Overall, just a bunch of oft injured backs who can't seem to get into any sort of rhythm. However, when there are holes to run through they look good. For Fozzy, he's been able to get to the corner even when there isn't a hole available. I think we can be successful with a mix of any of these guys IF the offensive line can get it together. (Are we seeing a recurring theme here?)
Wide Receivers: C+ It's hard for me to give the group as a whole a grade any higher than slightly above average. Shipley has been playing at an All-American level. Buckner has been a pleasant surprise at the flex TE position when they let him run a route other than a five yard hook. Marquise Goodwin had a great catch and run for the winning TD yesterday. And that's about it for the positives. This was supposed to be one of the strong points of our team, but as a group, they have not produced. Inconsistency, miscommunication, dropped passes, and sulking heads have plagued the other receivers who get playing time. I don't need to name names. Okay, maybe I'm being too negative on the other guys. Never mind, I thought about it, and I'm not.
Tight Ends: NA I'm not really going to give EBS a grade for his two safety valve catches against OU. He did catch the ball though. That's got to merit some sort of improvement.
Offensive Line: D We knew this group was not going to be full of consensus All-Americans, but it was thought that because of their experience, they would play as a good unit. Hix, Tanner, Huey, and Snow have not looked like experienced BCS conference linemen. A lot of people blame their failure on the zone blocking scheme. I am of the position that players need to be held responsible for what they do on the field. If these linemen cannot run the scheme properly, then we need to either lose the zone blocking scheme as a whole, or start recruiting some linemen who can block properly in it. The offensive line has not consistently controlled the line of scrimmage in any game save UTEP (I guess they did okay against ULM). This lack of control has caused the whole offense to stutter. The lack of time to throw has made Colt look human. The lack of holes in the run game has resulted in Greg Davis abandoning it for long stretches of the game. Frustrating. Thinking about this makes me want to take a break. I'll finish the defense later.
I've added a poll for you to vote for the most frustrating thing so far this season.
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Bizarre
Let me say, first, that I enjoyed reading your post. What I don’t get, however, is giving Greg Davis a ‘B’ given everything else you said. I think within everything else you wrote is more reason to give Davis a ‘D’ or ‘F’ as the proper source of so many of the offense’s problems this year.
This isn’t about Texas having “one of the best offenses in college football” but we’re just pouting because we’re not scoring 183 points a game. This is about Texas not having a good offense, period. For the myriad reasons I listed in the Postgame React piece, there seems to me no escaping Davis’ role in that fact.
You ain't hurt.
by Peter Bean on Oct 18, 2009 6:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I gave him a B
because overall the offense gets a B from me as I’ll continue to hold to my belief that more of the reasons for lack of success are because of player execution and position coaching.
But in reality it is just a letter. Everyone can feel free to give their own grades. It’s just my opinion.
by aaronlybrand on Oct 18, 2009 7:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm with PB
How does Davis rate a B when every facet of the offense rates at or below a B?
He is, ultimately, responsible for how those players execute as well as what plays get called. And I’m in the small (and shrinking) group that thinks GD does a pretty good job. But he hasn’t done a B-level job this season.
by edsp on Oct 18, 2009 8:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm giving him a B
based upon the scheme that he offers to Texas. It has allowed Texas to be year in and year out a good/great offensive football team. If the line play was better then I believe the grade on every other offensive position would improve. So therefore if the line could get to maybe a C+ then that would help the receivers play better, which would inturn help Colt to play better and visa versa. So I guess it’s a grade based a little on history and a little on the present and a little on future potential of this years offense. Last year we don’t win the RRR without this offense and it’s exceptional exectution. Our defense was young and did a good job but still gave up 35 points. Now, the opposite is true. Our defense won the game for us. Great! This is still a three phase team that must work together to reach our ultimate goal. Not every phase is going to work well each and every week. I think we’ve been spoiled a little bit from 2005 and 2008 offenses.
by aaronlybrand on Oct 18, 2009 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t get the Davis-hating. The guy runs the offense the way Mack asks him to run it. If you hate Davis for the conservative playcalling, you should hate Mack too. I sure don’t hate Mack.
The most frustrating thing to me by far is the offensive line. Colt’s getting so little time, even against inferior defensive fronts like CU’s.
by burntorangehorn on Oct 18, 2009 6:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't hate Greg Davis, though I am gratuitously displeased
It is not necessarily because of the play calling, or even because of the scheme. I am displeased with Greg Davis because I look at the offense, and ask if the players are being put in a position to achieve success as a unit.
If you ask that question about the current Texas defense, I don’t think the answer could be anything but yes. There isn’t a single question mark on defense that hasn’t been answered successfully, be it the absense of Scott and Norton, the huge questions surrounding the defensive tackles, or questions surrounding Blake Gideon. Players have been moved, schemes have been shifted, and the defense has thrived.
If you ask that question about the current Texas offense, I don’t see how you could say the players are put in a position where they can maximize themselves individually and as a unit. For examples, see the “square peg in a round hole phenomenon” that has plagued the offensive line for years vis a vis zone blocking, the “wild horn”, and any time Kirkendoll is called to block. The offense is rife with dependencies on individual players (i.e. Shipley) playing at near 100% to achieve competence against teams like Colorado.
From my perspective, the difference is closely analogous to two chefs. Will Muschamp takes an inventory of the kitchen before deciding what the night’s meal will include. See a conversion as a coordinator from a 4-3 to a consistent nickel base set after plans for a 4-2-5 were derailed. Conversely, Greg Davis decides that he will be serving steak tartare, despite the lack of beef, eggs, or oil and an audience of health inspectors with tender stomachs. Or slower, tendency drilled OU defensive players looking to jump short passing routes.
Also, as a side note I think you’re underestimating the amount of autonomy given to Davis after 13 years of being Mack Brown’s OC and over 20 years of association.
proud to swim home
by learned hand on Oct 18, 2009 7:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I really haven’t seen any evidence to indicate that Davis is doing anything other than exactly what Mack Brown wants. What is there?
by burntorangehorn on Oct 18, 2009 7:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nothing. I fully expect that Mack Brown desired to trail Colorado going into half time, require five OU turnovers to win by three points, and need a last second defensive gaff by Ohio State to win a BCS bowl under heavy pressure from the alumni.
Answer this hypothetical. You are a senior executive. You have an executive under you who delivers approximately 80% of what you believe could be delivered. There are somewhere between six and twelve people who you have identified could do the job better. Each of these potential hires brings a laundry list of unknowns. What is known is that, if hired, most of these will be actively using the position as a stepping stone to a higher position. You know that losing one of these will be more damaging than never having made a move in the first place. (for an example, see every recent defensive coordinator not named Akina)
Conversely, you could stick with the current executive. Current superior supplies of raw materials ensure that his 80% is enough to best all but a handful of your competitors at their best, and you only have one worrisome competitor that is in country. He is a close personal friend whom you have known for almost half of your life, and a known quantity who presents no problems other than rumblings amongst disorganized shareholders threatening a proxy fight which will amount to nothing. You have already planned for your retirement.
Do you make any move to replace or alienate the executive?
proud to swim home
by learned hand on Oct 18, 2009 7:51 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Answer this hypothetical
Who would you rather have to replace Greg Davis? Every fan base hates their OC after a bad output and loves them after a great win. After we beat Mizzou last year and scored 56 points, this offensive scheme was awesome. Now, it’s horrible. I’m interested in who everyone thinks would do a better job.
by aaronlybrand on Oct 18, 2009 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Excluding NFL pipe dreams
Gus Malzahn – Auburn has no business being bowl eligible, nor besting a monte kiffin defense. Widely imitated in an industry where that is truly the sincerest form of flattery.
Kevin Wilson – I hate OU, but they run a more balanced attack than UT and have a system that produced Sam Bradford and two 1k yard backs last year.
Mark Whipple – Credit him with much of Miami’s resurgence.
I would strongly consider Dana Holgorson, but need to see him without Case Keenum first.
Kurt Roper impresses me, but it’s early and the ceiling at Duke is low.
Head Coaches who I believe are better than Greg Davis at being offensive coordinators:
Chip Kelly – Runs a balanced offense and will give you a refund on your tickets if you hate it.
Paul Johnson – some people despise the triple option, I am not one of them. Georgia Tech wins games they have no business winning because of it.
Mike Leach – See above, insert air raid in place of triple option
Dan Mullen – Ran Meyer’s offense to perfection, Florida misses him (and Percy Harvin)
Rich Rod – Stands in rare air as one of the most innovative coaches of his generation.
Mark Mangino – See Mike Leach
Urban Meyer’s offense, even if he doesn’t call it.
David Cutcliffe – see above
Of course, there are some high school/FBS guys who are probably in the running but I don’t either form of football in any way shape or form. Getting an NFL guy like David Lee only slightly more likely than Barry Switzer turning in his championship rings because they actually can outbid us and offer more prestige.
It’s not that I think anyone could do a better job than Greg Davis – I simply don’t. But at Texas, where we’re used to envying no one, he is somewhat lacking. And that much moreso when Mack Brown is measured only against DKR, a man who bears a lot of credit for revolutionizing the way offense was played for decades.
proud to swim home
by learned hand on Oct 18, 2009 9:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
And as for some of the guys you’ve mentioned, have you not seen Paul Johnson and Mike Leach’s respective offenses completely shut down, far worse than anything we’ve seen since the 12-0 game?
by burntorangehorn on Oct 19, 2009 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nothing. I fully expect that Mack Brown desired to trail Colorado going into half time, require five OU turnovers to win by three points, and need a last second defensive gaff by Ohio State to win a BCS bowl under heavy pressure from the alumni.
This is pretty disingenuous, and I think you know that very well.
by burntorangehorn on Oct 19, 2009 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Check your sarcasm meter...nt
proud to swim home
by learned hand on Oct 19, 2009 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was aware you were being sarcastic, but what I thought was disingenuous was the commentary made with that sarcasm, which appeared to be that you think I’m trying to say that Greg Davis is given specifics like points, turnovers, etc. and is in complete control of all of that. The fact is that just because it hasn’t been clicking the past two games doesn’t mean that Davis isn’t delivering exactly the offensive approach that Mack Brown prefers. If you think Mack goes to Davis and says, hey, deliver me X number of points, I think you’re mistaken. I think he says to Davis that he wants to be some combination of certain levels of aggressiveness, any extra emphasis on one or more aspects of the offense as it’s been run, and what new things he wants to have ready to launch if/when the situation dictates. I also think he wants to minimize risk, and goes the conservative route. I think guys like Malzahn and Johnson are very much the opposite of that philosophy.
by burntorangehorn on Oct 19, 2009 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seems you're addressing a strawman
Or we’re talking past each other and are never going to reach a middle ground. Maybe both.
On a basic level, yes I do believe that Davis himself has a minimum point threshold for the game, particularly with this defense. You may have heard on the Florida game that Charlie Strong operates under the philosphy that the defense should try to allow no more than 16 points per game, and if they do that, it’s the offenses fault if they don’t win. The offense knows their responsibilities at the same time – score at least 17 points.
From a 30,000 foot overview, if Davis doesn’t have any measurables he is held accountable for other than the indirect W-L, that may be part of his problem. I don’t think he is in complete control of attaining those measurables, the players must execute, but you wanted evidence that he wasn’t doing “exactly what Mack Brown wants.” My reply was sarcastic, but nonetheless, if you grant that Davis has any sort of measurable targets and believe that he is regularly attaining them against true competition you’re more of an idealist than I.
I do agree that Mack Brown and Greg Davis operate under a more conservative approach because they can afford to. Mack Brown is in some ways the fun version of Frank Beamer. UT under Brown has reliably had one of the best special teams units in the nation and one of the better defenses. The offense often can get by with merely not screwing up given the relative talent advantage over UT’s schedule. 2007 is the only year I can remember where the offense was ever put in a position where it regularly had to cover for the defense.
My issue, and the issue of many Davis detractors judging from the series of tubes, is that trouble ensues when a Greg Davis offense hits a defense with talent equal to his offense, or a defense which has been so thoroughly drilled on tendencies that they can compensate. Coordinators are given their chances to shine against good competition, and many times the offensive unit has come up short relative to the defense (with the defense having a revolving door at the coordinator spot).
As to your other point, guys like Johnson, Malzahn, and Leach are the opposite at least in part because they have to be. Other than Dwyer, I’m not sure there’s a single player on any of those teams who could start at UT at the moment. The fact they win, or at least are regularly competitive, with teams who have significant talent advantages is what I find impressive. That said, I probably find Leach the least impressive of the above group of coaches turned coordinators.
proud to swim home
by learned hand on Oct 19, 2009 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well said!!
“From my perspective, the difference is closely analogous to two chefs. Will Muschamp takes an inventory of the kitchen before deciding what the night’s meal will include. See a conversion as a coordinator from a 4-3 to a consistent nickel base set after plans for a 4-2-5 were derailed. Conversely, Greg Davis decides that he will be serving steak tartare, despite the lack of beef, eggs, or oil and an audience of health inspectors with tender stomachs. Or slower, tendency drilled OU defensive players looking to jump short passing routes.”
"Football's so important in Texas. On the West Coast, it's a social. On the East Coast, it's a culture. Here, it's a religion."
-- Major Applewhite
by Sunkist on Oct 18, 2009 7:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Muschamp
runs a nickel defense most of the time to defense the teams we play against. It doesn’t really have much to do with the personnel. Did you know that Texas faces the second most passes per game at 40 per contest so far this season. OU is known as having a good run game, but they do so from the spread, so therefore Muschamp defends from the nickel.
Davis has a bunch of quick receivers who are asked to run short routes. That seems to fit to me. For those who say we need to throw the ball down the field more, that takes time to develop. Colt was seeing penetration as soon as he got the snap from shotgun all throughout the first half. As the line played better in the second half, the offense started to run. Penalties and turnovers continued to thwart most of the good things that happened.
by aaronlybrand on Oct 18, 2009 7:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
actually it does...
…what he was getting at, was, rather than putting the defense in a 4-2-5, as desired b/c it can stop both the pass and run w/o substitution, we have to run the nickel. This is b/c the key ingredient, Christian Scott, was/is ineligible.
by vy til i die on Oct 18, 2009 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just think
that Muschamp runs the best defense to defeat what he thinks the offense is trying to do next. On Saturday I saw us running 3-4 defense on several plays. Did we do that because our linebackers are sooooo awesome? No, we did it because Muschamp felt that was the best alignment to confuse and defeat the next OU play. Muschamp always has to remember the strengths and weaknesses of each of his groupings, but with this defense, I believe he has a lot of confidence in each position, which allows him to call defenses based on what the offense is doing. Brent Venables is continually roasted by OU fans for continuing to leave 3 linebackers on the field at all times, even when what the opposing offense is trying to do should constitute a change to more DB’s on the field.
by aaronlybrand on Oct 18, 2009 8:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Three things
1. We’re in agreement that Muschamp adjust to what the offense will do next, within the confines of personnel.
2. That same ability to adjust to what the opposition is likely to do is the primary complaint about Greg Davis, whose offense is becoming increasingly predictable because it is predicated on strengths which no longer exist – as you note in your grades.
3. Given A and B, how are we on different sides of this issue?
proud to swim home
by learned hand on Oct 18, 2009 9:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not really sure that we are
I think generally speaking that the offense dictates what is going to happen schematically and it is up to the defense to adjust not the other way around. An offense has to go with its strength. If Texas Tech is going up against a great pass defense team like Texas do they go I formation and change what they do because of said defense? No, I think because of all the time it takes in practice to create offensive continuity the offense is stuck within its system for the most part. That’s why you’ll see Alabama try to run in power formations and you’ll see TTech spread the field no matter who they face. It’s not lack of creativity, it’s just doing what you’ve rehearsed hundreds of times in practice. Look what happens when you try to get too cute with not enough rehearsal time. You get the wildhorn.
by aaronlybrand on Oct 19, 2009 6:55 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Colt
Somebody’s gotta say it. Colt is playing like shit.
by hunghorn on Oct 18, 2009 9:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Mack said it best.
We’re 6-0, 3-0 in Conference and we’re not even close to as good as we can be.
I suspect the 2 major reasons are not as simple as the witch hunt suggests.
1. O-line inconsistancy, especially the middle 3.
2. Personnel shifts.
1. The middle of the )-line needs to get it done, period. The Tackles are holding their own and usually only get beat when they are forced to pick up an inside threat. We aren’t really seeing Colt get blown up by speed rushes coming around the ends, if we look back it’s the surge up the middle that is more consistantly the threat.
2. Personnel- This, in my estimation has to be the biggest factor of all. The RB position has changed 4 times in 6 games. The wide receiver personnel has morphed from last year outside of Shipley. Collins is out, Kirk is changed positions, and Williams is riding the pine. Childs is a 1st year receiver and I really have to wonder if we’re not just appeasing someone here versus playing Williams more consistantly. Childs is great on the screens, but I don’t see him getting any seperation unless there’s a blown coverage. Even his slants are tightly covered. Williams is a big play threat on any down. What is the deal? There’s got to be a story here regarding Williams.
Whatever the case, my point is the lack of rythym has everything to do with constantly changing the band members. The offense seems to be out of timing and confused. the time of experimenting is done. Get the play makers on the field who will be playing together and build a unit.
by orangetower on Oct 19, 2009 12:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Wow...that was fast
I just clicked over to Fanshots and found this compliments of NotsoFast
Watch out now….we are about to ROLL!
by orangetower on Oct 19, 2009 12:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
The most frustrating for me has to be:
1- Sergio Kindle
2- Malcolm Williams
3- Entire Offense…including McCoy, OL and Receivers.
by Hippie Killer on Oct 19, 2009 1:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I guess I'm comparing him to Orakpo...
I was thinking he’d have a shit ton of sacks by now.
by Hippie Killer on Oct 20, 2009 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rak is a beast
He also seemed stronger on the right side where Sergio looks better coming off the left in view of rt handed QB’s…unless your Taylor Potts.
Scheme seems a bit different this year as well. Sergio gets alot of action dropping down to the line and blasting rb’s or qb’s stepping up in the pocket. He will be lethal as a pro, but differently still than Rak.
by orangetower on Oct 20, 2009 3:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
So...
are we just using Kindle differently than Orakpo?
by Hippie Killer on Oct 20, 2009 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think so...
I really don’t remember a lot of reels last year that had Rak covering pass receivers. I’ve seen Sergio in at least one every game this year, one of them on the blown coverage in the CU game, one against ULM in the endzone, etc…
I think Sergio is the more overall athletic Buck, and Rak was the more atypical power/speed rush DE kind of guy. The thing I think they have in common is a top 10 draft pick.
by orangetower on Oct 21, 2009 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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