C. Johnson hurt
by Longhorns84 on Mar 26, 2009 3:08 PM CDT
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PrintCody Johnson pulled his hamstring during spring practice. I was looking forward to seeing his progress at the spring game, but hopefully Texas can build more depth at the RB position. Fozzy and Johnson are now out, so Newton, Hills, and McGee are the RB's to watch.
Spring practices this year were suppose to find a RB and TE, and the two that were suppose to take the jobs are now hurt. The good news is that they both got atleast a week of practice in. I'm not too worried about the RB position because I think the coaches know what Cody Johnson brings to the table. Whaley is coming too! The TE is a BIG question mark still.
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OB texts
are a Godsend.
Garrett Gilbert: 2014 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
I don’t think Cody was one of the guys UT wanted to “find.” That horse is out of the barn. But I don’t think the plan would ever be to give the kid 20-25 carries per game like Charles his senior year or guys like Ricky, Mitchell, or Benson before him. If UT’s going to find a featured back, I think they have to get Newton, Whaley, or Hills in there, and keep Cody as the Zack Crockett “sledgehammer.”
by burntorangehorn on Mar 26, 2009 3:34 PM CDT reply actions
I'm not too worried...
we have a log jam at RB and TE and now we get to find out what the others can do. This is the time to get injured rather than during the season.
Fozzy was ok for spring,
then he got hurt AGAIN.
you forgot vondrell mcgee, or is he also hurt?
by Displaced Longhorn on Mar 26, 2009 5:43 PM CDT reply actions
No one likes him anymore...
… despite him being the best returning back, IMO. At least he’d be the best back if we could block anyone. Since our “running game” consists of making two guys miss to get back to the line, however, I’m still pro-Fozzy.
I did forget McGee
I like McGee, but the O-line hasn’t helped him. I don’t think he’s the best at pass blocking either.
Last time C. Johnson was injured
The rumor was he let himself go and put on a bunch of bad weight. Hopefully the playing time he got last year and looking forward to this year will keep him focused.
What about Desean Hales?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_IyP_on4zk
This is some pretty good game tape of Hale’s High School career. He seems to have versatility comparable to Reggie Bush.
Hales
I can’t see him blocking LB’s on pass plays, and I think the Texas coaches require the RB’s to be able to pass block in order to play.
I don’t think I really ever saw Ramonce do that either, and he ended up contributing a lot. I think Hales could be a fantastic part-timer in the backfield, as long as the offensive success does not hinge on Hales pancake blocks.
by burntorangehorn on Mar 27, 2009 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions
I like him at receiver
and running reverses. He’s so small, he probably more valuable catching balls than dodging people in the backfield.
Newton and Hills...
I wouldn’t count either of these 2 guys out. Both seem perfect for our philosphy and system.
It’s a big cliche to compare every smallish scatback with good moves to Reggie Bush, so I’ll state the role I actually envision Hales playing for UT: Dexter McCluster.
That guy, when healthy, absolutely tore up teams both as a receiver and running back. I think Hales could do that. He’s every bit as versatile. While he, like McCluster, might never have 1,000yds. rushing or receiving, I could definitely see him with 800-600 or something like that. If he really turns out to be a monster, then we might find ourselves comparing him to Sproles instead of McCluster, though.
by burntorangehorn on Mar 27, 2009 9:23 AM CDT reply actions
Thats a really good comparison
He went berzerk on Tech’s “improved” defense in their bowl game rout. I think that Hales deserves a chance to show his speed, and I certainly hope his ability to pass block isn’t the thing that keeps him off the field. I think we have other backs that can perform that task. Then again, I haven’t heard anything about his development this Spring, so there could be some other issues holding him back.
Garrett Gilbert: 2014 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
read somewhere that he was getting looks
but that he was having difficulty adjusting to running inside routes. Hopefully, he also gets a shot at returning punts.
by Emmett Fitzhume on Mar 27, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions
show the speed
on returns..then move him to RB.
by Longhorns84 on Mar 27, 2009 11:37 PM CDT up reply actions
I think that is fair
given the current logjam at RB. Let the cream rise.
Garrett Gilbert: 2014 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
yes sproles is a better comparison
solid all purpose back with speed
Hales is listed as a wide reciever now.
"Stats are for losers, I like winning games"
". . .switzer is a cracked out bitch . . ."-osu poster
Disagree on RB Status
I really believe that the biggest issue on the offensive side of the ball is a lack of true stud in the backfield. The lack of a stud home run hitter puts Colt at risk and encourages GD to use a dink and dunk approach to supplement the running game. TE doesn’t worry me a bit – as it can be compensated easily through packages and schemes. But having this running back by committee that features backs that are either inconsistent or hurt really worry me.
what about blocking
the RB is only half the equation, the O-line is part of the problem. An average RB can look great behind an great O-line.
Besides, Fozzy, Vondrell, Jeremy Hills, whaley are all 4* recruits, they’re not scrubs
Old NFL Adage
You are better off with a great RB and an average OL than an average RB and great OL. I have no idea if that is 100% true – but I do agree in general principle. I do not want to imply those guys are scrubs – but I think the only one that may qualify as a home-run threat is Fozzy – and in my opinion he just can’t help the club in the tub. I really question his ability to stay healthy. Hope I am 100% wrong about our RBs.
You have your NFL adage reversed
Please reference any team that hired Alex Gibbs to coach O-line.
proud to swim home
by learned hand on Mar 27, 2009 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions
The exact opposite.
See Shields, William; Retirement of and Affect on Running Game.
Also see Neal, Lorezno.
by BoddickerIsClutch on Mar 27, 2009 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions
or better yet...
..the Vikings the year before AP. Chester Taylor ran wild behind that o-line. The years in Baltimore…not so much
and of course…Denver w/ Shanahan’s later years.
by vy til i die on Mar 27, 2009 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Don’t forget Roaf.
But I think Priest Holmes would’ve done a much better job with KC’s line than Johnson did. Johnson was just a punk-ass one-trick pony.
by burntorangehorn on Mar 27, 2009 6:50 PM CDT up reply actions
You know, there’s definitely a chicken v. egg argument to be made here. A RB with great patience and vision can make an average line look terrific. An OL with great push, pull, and timing can make an average RB look awesome.
But this is effin’ Texas. There’s no reason not to have BOTH.
by burntorangehorn on Mar 27, 2009 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions
well
if anything its essentially easier for this coaching staff to find a better RB b/c improving the blocking significantly is never gonna happen.
zone blocking
should never fail if you have good/ smart OL………
by Longhorns84 on Mar 27, 2009 11:39 PM CDT up reply actions
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