Areas for improvement

by tim11ut on Dec 6, 2009 3:56 PM CST

After last nights game versus Nebraska, it is pretty obvious our team has some needs for improvement in the month before the big game. I was just wondering what yall thought we needed to work on? Here are a few things that stuck out to me most just to get this started:

1. O-Line's pass protection: Yes some of the sacks were coverage sacks and some were because of either Colt holding it too long or stepping out of the pocket, but there is never an excuse for allowing 9 sacks... even if half of them are to the best defensive player in the nation.

2. Wide Recievers not named Shipley: Colt needs his other receivers to get more open and to not drop any easy passes. Teams are able to key in on shutting down Shipley, and since Alabama isn't Kansas or A&M, Kirkendoll and Malcolm and Co. need to show they can be productive and reliable versus a top tier defense.

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Good question

First, the announcers made the comment that the Neb defenders looked like they knew the routes before the receivers ran them. That suggests we are too predictable or they were stealing our defensive signals. I think we have to somehow develop a running game, even if it is McCoy. As I pointed out before, McCoy is running less this year and when he does run he slides down as soon as he sees a defender. This may decrease his chance of injury but also greatly decreases the chance of a big run from his either breaking a tackle or making the guy miss. And it seemed like McCoy was in the shot-gun 95% of the time last night. Perhaps another formation would better promote the running game. I recall at least once the announcer noted Neb has 7 defensive backs in the game. When that happens you have to be able to run the ball. Several times Texas would gain 4 or 5 on first down running the ball, then throw an incomplete pass on second down, thus bringing up a 3rd and long. Instead if they had run again on second and even gained only 2 or 3, 3rd would have been much more manageable.

"Only angry people win football games." --DKR

by OBdoc on Dec 6, 2009 5:10 PM CST reply actions

OL has been an issue

It’s really questionable how well those guys are going to hold up against Cody. The good news is that Cody doesn’t have half the motor or penetration ability that Suh has. He’s an excellent line-controlling tackle, but he’s not the type to rack up 4.5 sacks ridiculous numbers of TFLs. The bad news is that ‘Bama has some other very good defensive players as well, while Nebraska’s aren’t quite on that level.

I’m really hoping Houston can lead a defense that shuts down ‘Bama, because I really don’t think they’re going to move the ball through the air at all. McElroy is one of the weakest BCS team quarterbacks out there, and putting things on his shoulders would put UT in a defensive struggle at worst, and a blowout at best.

by burntorangehorn on Dec 6, 2009 6:41 PM CST reply actions

Tackling is going to be the most important thing for Texas on defense

Can’t afford to let Ingram bounce off our defenders all night.

3/19/2009 - Dogus Balbay Made a Three-Pointer. Never Forget.

by burrito on Dec 6, 2009 8:07 PM CST reply actions

I have a problem with the criticism of the O Line

The main reason is that they are not getting any help from the play calling. When you are passing the ball nearly 80% of the time like we have been then the defense does not need to worry about playing the run. There is no doubt that Suh was just flat out dominant but he was surely helped by the fact that we didn’t try to keep the defense honest by running the ball. This is not to say they don’t shoulder any blame, as the poster said they gave up 9 sacks. However, when Greg Davis sets them up to fail based off of lousy play calling then I won’t let them be sacrificial lambs.

"I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field."
-Walter Payton

by CoachEtch on Dec 6, 2009 10:03 PM CST reply actions