Dear PB/HB/GOBR, Et al..., PT2

by Longhorny on Feb 16, 2009 6:10 PM CST Comment 20 comments

Let's talk some O.

O-line.

Sigh. What is the deal here??? We lose Dockery. But our line play was less than impressive last year. Alot of our run game problems start here. Colt was on his back alot as well. We have a five star coming in Mason Wolters. Huey and Snow were getting acclaim at the beginning of last season. An ijury prone Ulatoski returns this year. Tanner and Hix also coming back. We need vast improvement here.

I think we are good, except McCoy would occaisionally regress. He still had a few fumbles. Expect to see Colt taking more snaps under center and more downfield bombs. Back Up...................................................................................................................

............................... John Chiles should be penciled in, but if Gilbert gets PT that will leave 2 years for McCoy 2.0 or other. It is very speculative right now, especially since Case is stil in HS and -other- is undetermined. I like Sherrod Harris alot, but it is not looking good for him.

Call me crazy but I think we are lookin good here. The Foz should be our no.1 but McGee could just as easily be that if he can learn to pick up the blitz. I thought our backs did well when they could get past the first level. The line had real problems last year and the backs were not mature enough. We lose the big play capability of Ogbannaya. I did say big play, and it is earned. In reserve we have Hills, Newton with Whaley coming in. CJ still bringing the house, he had no probs breaking through, but his top end speed was lacking. If he can shed some pounds like the staff wants he might improve there. One more thing, I noticed the Foz motioned to wideout in the two minute drill, so his hands are probably decent. I expect to be better here.

I think Collins/Kirkendoll can be our possesion reciever. Shipley, nuff said. Malcolm Williams' time has come. Excited to see him this year. Buckner was not real impressive last year but size can give him confidence, he or Grant may switch to TE. Also we have Webber, Payne, Hales and Monroe in the wings. I expect some transfers and/or Monroe may switch to defense. Look for more downfield passing to help our run game.

I am not holding my breath for Irby, its a shame too. Marshall should be back and we have Mathews and Graham coming in. This is a real immediate need. Big questions remain here.

G Davis

I thought he did well last year. While we were not one dimensional, we struggled when the defense brought their safeties up. We have some legit deep threats this year which should back the defenses off. Expect less spread this year and more running. Overall I think we are better, but I expect Cosby will be missed on some 3rd/4th downs. If we can control the clock better it will help our defense tremendously.

Longhorny

Poll

Biggest concern on O this year?

O Line

21 votes

TE

24 votes

RB

19 votes

WR

1 votes

QB

1 votes

66 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Don't hold your breath on Dan Buckner switching to tight end.

-rBr-

by run Bevo run on Feb 16, 2009 7:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

OL: Colt was on his back at times. But not out of proportion to the amount of times we threw the ball. We often had an empty backfield with nobody for blitz pickup. Look for less of a soft East-West run to set up the pass approach.

QB: Ragging on Colt. My god man, what are your standards. Don’t give up on Harris as Chiles may have had his turn. Gilbert may be too good to keep off the field.
I am no Jackie Sherrill fan, but he coached Marino at Pitt. He has compared Gilbert to Marino.

RB: Fozzy gets the nod. CJ as his backup with Newton taking over Ogbannaya’s third down role. With Whaley coming in, McGee could be the odd man out.

WR: Williams, Collins and Kirkendoll will be solid. Shipley can dominate any game. Buckner has the talent but will have to have a good Spring. He could provide a very nice suprise. Hales and Monroe are just flat out fast. They should at least be special teams material. Look for Payne and Webber to be playing FCS ball in 2009.

TE: Marshall and Harris get the first look. There was talk of Grant being moved. He could play a slot position similar to what Shipley did last season. Both freshmen could see the field.

by 71grad on Feb 16, 2009 7:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Who is raggin on McCoy???

But he did have a few fumbles and a couple pick 6. Thats the truth. I’m just sayin. I am expecting transfers at WR.
In big games Colt was on his back. OL needs to step it up.

by Longhorny on Feb 16, 2009 7:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I expect that maybe one of them will

by Longhorny on Feb 16, 2009 7:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

*meant for RBR

by Longhorny on Feb 16, 2009 7:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

GoBR says

“Maybe ”http://www.burntorangenation.com/2009/1/7/710831/us-army-all-american-bowl#11229535" >this helps."

-rBr-

by run Bevo run on Feb 16, 2009 7:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This Sorry!

-rBr-

by run Bevo run on Feb 16, 2009 7:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm worried about RB way more than the O-line

since the O-line has another year of experience.

This year we can’t rely on the veteran experience and leadership of Chris Ogbonnaya. It’s up to Fozzy, McGee, and Cody Johnson to carry the load, along with Colt of course.

by goingforthecorner on Feb 16, 2009 7:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Exactly the same

but totally different. I think the backs will be better one year later. The line too, but more the backs.

by Longhorny on Feb 16, 2009 7:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Scheme

It seems to me that the real problem is the scheme. We never let out O-Line just straight up block and never let our running backs square up and run downhill. It’s too easy to string out our running game.

That said, I also think the problem is probably a bit overstated. Collectively, our running game put together some decent efforts, and though hardly overpowering, was good enough to keep defenses honest.

by jw4425 on Feb 16, 2009 10:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I am more concerned about the dynamics of the running game

that the RBs we have. Spring football will tell us whether this progresses or not. I actually do look for Colt under center more; with a group of experienced RBs, obviously we need to be more facile in the running game. Of course, that’s been said a million times in the last two years. I tag this as one of the premier problems on offense – we’re not up to OU standards and we need to be.

The kicking game seems solid, so much so we seem to take it for granted.

One thing new will be the return game. Shipley may take over Quan’s role. I worry about the wear-and-tear on our most experienced receiver so, except for critical situations, I would like to see some others to step up.

Aaron Williams is one obvious choice; so is Monroe if he’s still here – both have great speed. But y’all may have some more to suggest.

by whills on Feb 16, 2009 7:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

two backs

we need to do the two back system i think

by KingMack on Feb 16, 2009 9:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Just got home

From long weekend in Austin. Will weigh in on the conversation in the next day or two. Good thoughts from all so far. Thanks for the threads.

--PB--

by Peter Bean on Feb 16, 2009 11:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Better all around

The offense should be better all around with another year under it’s belt, particularly the offensive line. The O-line as you point out is key to all of this. While pass blocking was mostly adequate, vastly improved from the ‘07 season, run blocking was mostly poor. It’ll be interesting to see what Fozzy can do as the starting RB. Not sure if he’s an every down back, but we’ll see. I expect a running back by committee approach at UT for the foreseeable future, particularly if we land Seastruck with Whaley, oh boy!….but I digress. McGee will get his touches (he was pretty good off the bench) as well as the rest of the group with Whaley getting some PT. Btw, I thought Mack Brown mentioned using Whaley in the “I” formation during signing day. Gilbert, I really expect to see him redshirted regardless of how talented he is especially if he’s not on campus for the spring. It takes time to learn the playbook. Still hoping to see Harris beat out Chiles, but regardless of which one backs up Colt, I hope they bring it and show us they can win a game if need be. As for TE, I hope Irby gets back by August, but I also thought Grant or Monroe were going to move to TE. WR, need to find another clutch receiver for 3rd down possessions and move the chains. Otherwise we really need to stretch the field with size and speed, and sounds like we have both on the roster. Can’t wait for August to get here.

The pride and winning tradition of The University of Texas will not be entrusted to the weak or the timid.

Hook'em

by longhorns1 on Feb 17, 2009 3:48 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Here's my problem

with the concept that the O-line will be better in ’09 — why?

Because four starters are back? Lotsa teams get 10 starters back on a unit and they’re still 4-8. The problem with the offensive line is there’s no Justin Blalock, no David Studdard, no (sorry, gotta do it) Duke Robinson. Experience is fine; give me TALENT. NFL talent. Who on the currrent O-line has a chance to be a first-day draftee?

I love Chris Hall’s attitude and hustle and knowledge. I admire Adam Ulatosky’s perseverance through a long list of ailments. But the NFL doesn’t especially want them, and I don’t think they can be proficient enough to permit slow-developing pass routes or much rushing game improvement.

by edsp on Feb 17, 2009 11:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

by Longhorny on Feb 17, 2009 12:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1

Voted O-line. Really worried here.

Seeking Sooner blood and Red Raider poo piles in 2009. Wildcat nuggets in 2010.

by Ultra Horn on Feb 18, 2009 12:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

perhaps I'm an optimist...

… but I believe that continuity along an offensive line is considered an advantage at both the college and pro levels. We’re only losing 1 O-lineman who played considerable minutes last year. Combine that fact with the improvement we saw last year as compared to the previous year and I think there is the definite possibility of at least a small amount of improvement in the group. Now, any one individual in that group (especially the older guys, I think our better O-line talent resides in our younger players) may not necessarily have developed the ability to manhandle each and every opponent they face, but as a group, if they can progress a bit more within our scheme (combined with perhaps a bit more variety in our offensive sets) I think we will be very happy with the result. The combination of a little improvement in our O-line, a little improvement in our backs, a little improvement in our ability to throw deep (read Malcolm Williams’ increased playing time), and a little improvement in the variety of offensive formations will add up to be perhaps a bit more than just a little improvement in the overall performance of the offense. The bread and butter will definitely still be the short to intermediate passing game, so those other areas are all essentially secondary focus points of opposing defenses as well. Well, maybe not, but I at least have myself convinced of it. Regardless, we are still essentially riding McCoy’s arm and Muschamp’s defense.

by hungry on Feb 18, 2009 9:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Is it me

or does DeSean Hales have the speed and athletecism to be the longhorns next best thing. With the ball in his hands he has the potential do make big plays like Percy Harvin in my opinion. Im excited to see this guy on the field and dont understand why he is being so overlooked. Is there something i dont know about this guy?

by THEHPZ on Feb 17, 2009 10:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs