Not Colt McCoy's Roommate, But Still...

by Peter Bean on Jul 31, 2009 10:10 AM CDT in Football Comment 25 comments

One of my favorite things about putting together the Eyes of Texas annual is the plethora of statistical nuggets I inevitably digest researching/editing the various articles. Wanting to emphasize the importance of replacing Quan Cosby, I decided to tally the team's top four pass catchers over the team's final four games:

Player	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
Cosby	34	432	12.7	6
Shipley	25	281	11.2	1
Collins	16	245	15.3	3
Kirkendoll	12	105	8.8	0

34 freaking catches in 4 games. That's almost as many as Tim Tebow would have had. Quan will be missed.

But he's not the only one who stands out in the chart; Brandon Collins does as well, which is why even before yesterday many of us were eyeballing the rising junior as a critical component to the Texas passing game this fall. Even so, Colt McCoy's comment about Collins ("Brandon Collins will be one of the most talented guys to come through Texas in a while at the wide receiver position. He's really picked it up.") at Big 12 Media Days was more important than typical teammate gushing. The chart above tells you all you need to know, but for the Sooners following along at home, a visual clue might help:

Quan Cosby may not have physical skills that make NFL scouts drool, but he had something for more important (to us): Colt McCoy's trust. Dependent as is Texas's option passing game on sure-handed receivers with exceptional rapport with the quarterback, McCoy's comment is an encouraging sign for the fall, where replacing Cosby will be less about outrageous talent and more about finding a guy with whom McCoy is 100% confident. Someone who, on that critical third down or last second play, Colt McCoy can lock eyes with on the line, not even needing to call an audible... Just a knowing glance that says it all: "Brandon, I think your tractor's sexy. (I'll hit you on a quick slant.)"

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Finally got my Eyes of Texas

Tore through it as soon as I got it. Now I’m slowly going back over it and savoring every article and statistical information. I’m curious if this is a labor of love or a financial opportunity. Either way, it is a damn fine read!

by TexasGarcia37 on Jul 31, 2009 10:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I had to drive

to Texas to buy mine….. It really sucks living in ok…… nothing good to read…

Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard. OU SUCKS!!

by LadyLonghorninOK on Aug 2, 2009 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good as Quan was . . .

. . . and that’s his first three seasons. In 2008, he was way better than good.

Despite his loss, I don’t see any dropoff at WR. If James Kirkendoll is the top guy off the bench, all’s well. And there’s Chiles and maybe one of the younger players, though how the fifth or sixth receiver gets enough PT to develop a bond with Colt is questionable.

by edsp on Jul 31, 2009 10:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Only problem is...

Its great to have that depth, but the majority of looks will go to the numbers 1 and 2 receivers. I hope Collins is ready to step up, but Quan’s contributions were definitely under appreciated. Theres no way Colt finishes with the percentage of completions as he did without Quan’s hands.

by BoddickerIsClutch on Jul 31, 2009 10:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Brandon Collins' strengths

are reading the defense on option routes and quickness off his move – that’s why he was the number 3 guy last year compared to Williams or Kirkendoll. Note also his yards per catch was higher than either Shipley or Cosby, which is probably the result of single coverage or LB under safety over coverage, which allowed to catch the ball in stride and keep running.

The real trust issue for the Horns will be Williams, who from recent comments by Muschamp and the decided lack of comments from McCoy still appears to be a project with respect to the mental aspect of the game.

by burnt in ny on Jul 31, 2009 11:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

He's running better routes,

I think the bigger question is whether he can consistently catch the ball — his occasional problems with drops kept him from playing much in the Fiesta Bowl.

by GhostofBigRoy on Jul 31, 2009 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the key in replacing Cosby in large part will be someone

who can pick up the YAC — watching those clips from the Fiesta Bowl, Cosby makes at least one player miss on nearly every play with his quick feet and short strides. Sound like anyone we know? I think Jordan Shipley will fill in exceptionally well in that respect, as well as in having Colt’s trust.

Watch out for Kirkendoll as well — he could really become a security blanket for Colt because of how consistent he is at being where he needs to be and running crisp routes. That being said, if the mental aspect of Collins’ game can begin to approximate his physical tools, he’s going to have an excellent finish to his Texas career. Basically, when it comes down to it, Texas is going to have an incredibly deep receiving corps this year that should be able, as a group, to replace Cosby’s production, as spectacular as it was.

Big ups, Quan, I’ll miss you, baby.

by GhostofBigRoy on Jul 31, 2009 12:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Fiesta Bowl

Collins and Kirkendoll impressed the hell out of me in the Fiesta Bowl against a good Ohio St. defense. If that was a sneak preview for this year, there will be no drop off from last year.

by TexasGarcia37 on Jul 31, 2009 12:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

a glimpse

of the future from the seven plays prior to Cosby’s winner in the Fiesta Bowl – a heavy dose of Collins
T 3-8 T37 McCoy, Colt pass complete to Collins, Brando for 13 yards to the 50
                   yardline, 1ST DOWN UT (Washington, D), PENALTY OHIOST offside
                   declined.
                   No huddle, shotgun
      T 1-10 T50 McCoy, Colt pass complete to Collins, Brando for 7 yards to the
                   OHIOST43, out-of-bounds (Washington, D).
                   No huddle, shotgun
      T 2-3 O43 McCoy, Colt pass incomplete to Collins, Brando.
                   No huddle, shotgun
      T 3-3 O43 McCoy, Colt pass incomplete to Shipley, Jordan (Rose, Rob).
                   No huddle, shotgun
      T 4-3 O43 McCoy, Colt pass complete to Kirkendoll, Jam for 3 yards to the
                   OHIOST40, 1ST DOWN UT (Chekwa, Chimdi).
                   Spot was reviewed and confirmed.
      T 1-10 O40 Timeout Ohio State, clock 00:38.
                   Shotgun
      T 1-10 O40 McCoy, Colt pass complete to Collins, Brando for 14 yards to the
                   OHIOST26, 1ST DOWN UT (Hines, Jermale).

by burnt in ny on Jul 31, 2009 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

PB, you did a SUPERB job with this years annual! im tempted to send it to you for an autograph...or perhaps i might bump into you at a game this season to get it!

keep up the great work!

If You See Kay, Oh You

by texfan23 on Jul 31, 2009 1:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Watching that Cosby reel from tOSU game

It makes me think about how unbelievable that last touchdown pass was. tOSU missed a tackle there that they should have made, what an extraordinary drive to win that game.

Almost looks like that DB was winded while he was trying to take Cosby down, and just came up a little short.

by notsofst on Jul 31, 2009 2:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Plethora

Love the Amigos reference. You, sir, are in-famous.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on Jul 31, 2009 3:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Quick Question PB

Great job on “Eyes” – when discussing LBs did you mean Emmanuel Acho or is Sam Acho being looked as both a DE and LB?

by realmccoy on Jul 31, 2009 3:39 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Emmanuel

--PB--

by Peter Bean on Jul 31, 2009 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

First downs

It is unbelievable of how many first downs each one of Quan’s catches were in that game, that dude was a flat out baller.

by eloy82 on Jul 31, 2009 3:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

IMHO

I think Greg will want to keep Shipley in the slot position so those on the outside that Cosby made will be Mal Williams. Can you imagine if MW makes one guy miss in the open field? What we did see that at T Tech. I think right now the coaches have all tall WR’s taged as outside only. I really hope to see Williams gets a change to really shine because I think he can be just as good as some of the other tall WRs in the Big12.

by geoforchrist on Jul 31, 2009 4:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I see Davis moving Shipley around some

just as he did with Cosby in that game to create favorable match-ups. Maybe some wide-receiver screens for Williams as a flanker.

by GhostofBigRoy on Jul 31, 2009 4:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

as further evidence of the advantage of moving receivers around

the final Fiesta Bowl TD was set up by the fact that Quan was lined up outside on the previous 9 no huddle plays, with Shipley on the opposite side drawing double coverage. Collins and Kirkendoll were in the slot, switching sides from play to play. All 3 of Collins’ catches came when he just ran to gaps between the linebackers in the zone. On the final play, GD switches Cosby to the slot, which I’m sure threw the tOSU coverage into a little confusion and for sure matched Cosby up on the safety rather than the corner. Couple that with Cosby and McCoy spotting the blitz and changing the route – - sweetness!

GD might not be as poor a tactician as many would like to think.

by burnt in ny on Aug 1, 2009 5:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

GD is a good coordinator

There are just some situations and/or games that make me scratch my head. Or bang my head against a wall. Of course, much of that you have to blame on Mack too.

by TheElusiveShadow on Aug 3, 2009 10:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely

It’s really going to be fun to watch Williams on screens or quick slants to set up the pump & go. He seems to be an awesome talent, just hope the whole package comes together for him. Poor DB’s?

Any news on TE? Does Whaley have the make-up for a possible H-Back or Pass catching TE? Looks like he’s putting on some weight. Would we even consider him there in passing situations? Seems to be a glaring opportunity for someone to step up.

by orangetower on Aug 1, 2009 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had he was actually losing some weight, down from the 245-250lbs. he carried a few months ago. Does that conflict with something you’ve read?

by burntorangehorn on Aug 1, 2009 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What a great example Quan was

To Collins. To Kirkendoll. To all the young receivers.

Watching that video, two things stand out:
(1) He’s always, always, always stretching for that extra inch on every single play.
(2) He never, never, never shows anyone up on the field. He just drops the ball and gets back to work.

Well, there were three things: how much I’m going to miss him this season. You could always count on him to come up big when the team needed it the most. We don’t lose to Tech if he’s in there 100% the entire game. I firmly believe that.

Aside from the glamour-boy QBs who get all the love and attention, Quan’s my favorite Texas player of the last 10 years.

Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.
- Thomas Jones

by beast in bama on Jul 31, 2009 5:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

How similar is

what we are saying about replacing Cosby, to what we were saying last year about replacing Sweed? Seems like every year we have a “Best Reciever” and when he is gone someone else has to step up.

I agree, I think it will probably be Collins, with Shipley in the same role as last year, and with Kirkendoll, and Williams right behind.

"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese

P.S. 45-35

by SwimTexas on Jul 31, 2009 5:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

2 or 3?

If it’s just two receivers, then are we playing two backs? I think more likely we will start Shipley and a rotation of two other ends.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on Aug 1, 2009 7:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what a nice problem for mack and gd

Let me see – which one of my stud receivers will step up to replace the Quan? We could go with Malcolm the physical freak or those glue finger fast kids Collins and Kirk. Or maybe a role for Sales would work.

by realmccoy on Aug 1, 2009 5:44 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs