Leave No Doubt Tour--2009. ULM Off. Preview

by kriess on Aug 29, 2009 12:27 PM CDT

No this is not about begging Gwen Stefani to abandon her band and stay solo. Didn't mean to get your hopes up there Wrangler86. ;)

As much as I like the slogan/motivational term to describe how we would like our season to be, (We Are Texas) I can't help but think in regards to last year's events, this year should be based on the idea of not leaving any doubt. By winning every game, we shall leave no doubt. We will take no prisoners and bitches will certainly be kicked. Now, I'm not going to go all Kellen Winslow on everybody and compare this season to war and DKR as our battlefield, however we do have a list of foes this year and we need to treat them as such. First up, we play host to University of Where the Hell Am I--Louisiana. (Monroe) Now I certainly don't expect to feel threatened when all 29 of ULM's fans make the trip down here, however I feel it is important to understand what we're up against as fans. We all know what OU and Tech are going to bring to the table, but can anyone tell me who the starting RB is for ULM? Yeah I couldn't either. Hope this helps ease some of the fear of not knowing who actually is leaving on a stretcher because Predator just knocked him into the set of Waterboy 2.

ULM Warhawks. 7 days until Kick-off. Know thy ~~victim~~ opponent!

via www.ulm.edu

History--ULM had a promising season back in 2007 when the notoriously knocked off Bama on the road 21-14, but 2008 was the exact opposite. In 2008, ULM lost a soul crushing game against Arky decided by 1 point, another 1 point game to FAU, and a 3 point loss to Middle Tennessee when ULM missed 3 separate field goals. Needless to say, the past 2 years, ULM production has been very inconsistent with little to no offensive identity. So lets take a look at what they’re going to try and bring to the table on September 5th.

Offense: Possible QB battle/Inconsistent Running Game/Bright future for the WR’s corps.

QB--Most people believe that Trey Revell will be named the starter but don’t be surprised to see SMU transfer Zach Rhodes see some playing time as well. Rhodes is in the mold of John Chiles in the sense that he isn’t as polished as a QB as Revell is, however his speed and play-making ability are too great to have him sit on the sidelines out of the action. Revell is more of the NFL-prototype QB mold at 6-5, 220 lbs, with a very live arm. He’s also quite mobile for his size, rushing for 156 yards last season in mop-up duty. Being mainly in a back-up role last year, it will be interesting to see how Revell handles himself as the main man behind center.

While I think that our secondary can certainly handle this, I believe that we will need to watch out for downfield strikes from Revell. ULM has nothing to lose in this game, so we know they will try their hardest to test out their offense against arguably the best Defense they will face this year. We also need to watch out for either QB’s legs as they can both fly. Rhodes is the quicker one, but Revell will be the one that will surprise you on a 15 yard scramble. Our DE’s must be ready to contain either signal-caller. The main weakness is the inaccuracy of Revell. He will force a lot of throws which in turn are going to result in many PBU’s and INT’s. Earl Thomas…two hands this time!

RB--The bright spot on the offense.

The star of the Warhawk offense is their RB Frank Goodin. Goodin is a 5-9, 200 lb speed demon and can be a homerun threat from anywhere on the field. Very strong for his size, he is not afraid to run between the tackles or take it to the edge and have a track meet with the secondary. He amassed 783 yards with 5 TD’s last year, while also catching 25 balls for 277 yards out of the backfield. He should be All-Sunbelt this year. Should. He won’t because we all know that if you have a great RB, it will do no good if you have poor protection. And neither will being on the DL due to durability issues (Looking at you Fozzy!) Also JUCO transfer Rodney Lovett could split carries with Goodin, as Lovett was a workhorse in the JUCO circuit last year.

The Wide Receiver Project.

Wide receiver is somewhat promising for this year, but its all based on if they can replace Zeek Zacharie at TE, and if they can keep Darrell McNeal on the team and out of the coach’s doghouse. Expect the top 3 WR’s to be McNeal, Anthony McCall, and JJ McCoy. Apparently, "Mc’s" are beloved in the swampland. A couple guys to look for on Special Teams are Tim "The Tool-Man" Taylor and Luther "Mc"Ambrose. Both are fast, one is unbelievably fast. Taylor was the Louisiana state high school high-jump champion, whereas Ambrose was the 100m Champion. Ambrose ran a 10.59 and beat out Joe McNight (seriously WTF is up with the Mc’s). Homeboy also was "clocked" running a 4.29 in the 40. Right. Regardless of the outlandish times, the kid did have 1300 yards and 20 TD’s as a senior in HS while only playing 6 games. Why didn’t we recruit him GoBR? I want a report on my desk by Monday!

via image.cdnl3.xosnetwork.com

ULM: offENsive OFFensive line.

LT: Ryan Dercher. Sr. 6-6, 290 lbs. Decent run blocking skills, Poor pass protection

LG: Doug Stroud. Jr. 6-6 330 lbs. Big guy, very althetic for his size.

C: Brett Thompson. Sr. 6-3 285 lbs. Undersized but has high football IQ.

RG: Justin Roberts: So. 6-5 285 lbs. Undersized and inexperienced, has big upside. Best for run blocking.

RT: Mitch Doyle: Sr. 6-4 265 lbs. Former TE, best for pass protection. Inexperienced at position.

ULM looks to have the pieces set for a run at the SunBelt conference title…for 2010. The pieces are there on offense but they need some time to marinade and become a cohesive working unit, instead of one trying to find an identity. I don’t expect more than 10 points scored on Texas’ defense come Saturday.

104th in the country in sacks allowed last year. (31)

via cache.virtualtourist.com (Special thanks to Sunday Morning QB)

Sergio is going to have himself a field day.

Check out my ULM Defensive Preview here.

All comments, FanPosts, and FanShots are the views of the reader-authors who create them.

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Comments

thanks, great read, most of the stuff was short and simple and not a novel which is what i like

by MJY6087 on Aug 29, 2009 12:37 PM CDT reply actions

No Prob and Thanks. nt

Get off your knees Greg, you're blowin' the game.

by kriess on Aug 29, 2009 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Great read

Great info. Thanks kriess!

--PB--

by Peter Bean on Aug 29, 2009 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions

nice work....

…gives me a basic idea of what we’re looking at.

by vy til i die on Aug 29, 2009 12:57 PM CDT reply actions

Nice work, kriess

Couple of things I would add after having done the opponent preview on them for The Eyes of Texas.

First thing, I like the slogan “Leave No Doubt,” as well. In the preview, my take was “Expect Perfection.” Kinda similar in that the Longhorns can’t afford to lose, but I guess “Leave No Doubt” fits too because in winning every game, Texas needs to leave no doubt.

You mention that Revell is the likely starter and he will replace Kinsmon Lancaster, a three-year starter there who was a dual threat and the second-leader rusher last year. You also mention Zacharie, an excellent tight end in a string of excellent tight ends at ULM — in my preview I called them the Sun Belt’s “Tight End U.” Replacing Zacharie will be Alvin Jordan, Jr. and Keavon Milton, who will both likely see time on the field together because ULM runs a two-tight end version of the spread, which should be interesting.

I’ll make sure that I get right to work on researching why Texas didn’t recruit Luther "Mc"Ambrose.

by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Aug 29, 2009 1:16 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks GoBR

Yeah Alvin is set to replace a beast (by SunBelt Standards) at TE, however I remain skeptical based on the fact that he is an ex-Special Team-er last season and has never caught a pass in a college game. (Sounds like our TE situation). He’s an athlete thats for sure. With a huge upside in that he lacks experience but can grow into the mold that their OC needs him to fill.

I think that if they can work Cordero Calvin into a Flex-type TE position, it would be more beneficial for ULM offesnive output. The kid is a JUCO transfer from Mississippi and he certainly has the frame for that position. At 6-4, 210 lbs, he has the ability and experience to stretch the field from the TE position and help replicate what Zeek did last year.

The only thing that scares me (and its more of a weak worry than actual fear) is how many options Levell has at his disposal. These aren’t your typical Tech-type surplus options, these are skinny, fast, lanky WR’s that can really make a secondary work downfield.

Get off your knees Greg, you're blowin' the game.

by kriess on Aug 29, 2009 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Texas doesn't recruit Louisiana really,

as far as I can tell, for the same reasons that the coaching staff doesn’t recruit the rest of the country either. I imagine they never really looked at Ambrose and, somewhat surprisingly, LSU didn’t really either, with Ole Miss standing as the best offer that Ambrose reported, as well as one from Memphis. He is extremely fast, as you mention, but he’s listed at under 5-9 and about 160 pounds. So he’s small, smaller than either DeSean Hales, Brock Fitzhenry or DJ Monroe, who are all pretty small. Texas is taking some players like Ambrose, they’re just taking them from the state of Texas. Ambrose isn’t Trindon Holliday tiny, but pretty close. He was a three-star recruit by both Rivals and Scout and is a quite nice-looking player from his highlights — the recruiting services may have underrated him a bit. All in all, a pretty nice find by ULM.

by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Aug 29, 2009 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree

Scout.com stated that he was their highest rated recruit in 2007, and his size is probably one of the reasons why he went to ULM instead of a Big 6 school. He also played in a very small school so his level of competition wasn’t as tested as DJ Monroe’s or DeSean Hales’.

Get off your knees Greg, you're blowin' the game.

by kriess on Aug 29, 2009 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Went to ULM's Stadium 3 weeks ago, not that bad... they have 2 national championships in Football

2 X what Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Baylor, UTEP, UNT, U of H, and Rice have combined!

by greenspointexas on Aug 29, 2009 1:46 PM CDT reply actions

What, no mention of their appearances in the "Charity Bowl" and the "Junior Sugar Bowl"?

ULM was national champion of D1AA football in 1935 and 1987, which isn’t quite the same.

proud to swim home

by learned hand on Aug 29, 2009 4:15 PM CDT up reply actions

correction

1987 was D1AA, the 1935 championship was before they even moved to NAIA. Or started playing Centenary’s varsity football team. No idea what kind of championship that would be.

proud to swim home

by learned hand on Aug 29, 2009 4:16 PM CDT up reply actions

ULM

Hasnt had a winning season in almost 30 years. Also…those NC’s I believe are not from Div. 1.

Get off your knees Greg, you're blowin' the game.

by kriess on Aug 29, 2009 1:54 PM CDT reply actions

Great stuff

This is what newspapers USED TO DO. There’s more here (w/o touching the defense yet) than any paper in the state will offer all week!!!!!!

by edsp on Aug 29, 2009 2:08 PM CDT reply actions

Leave No Doubt?

Forget about last year, seriously. If we ever want to lose the perception that Texas fans are whiny, we can’t use phrases that reek of “Memories of 2008”. We should be concentrating on THIS year, focusing on the opportunities ahead, not having to relive memories of getting screwed over every time they hear “Leave No Doubt”.

by SW1TCH on Aug 30, 2009 10:17 AM CDT reply actions

Welcome to the site

And thanks for your first post. Now if you will so kindly point out to where on the post it spoke of whining about the Big 12 tiebreaker and how Texas got robbed last year. Go ahead, I’ll wait.

The slogan is about leaving everything on the field and NOT whining. Its about winning, something Texas knows quite alot about. I agree with you, we need to let last year go. This post, and “Leaving No Doubt” is more of an agressive way of saying “We Are Texas”. When we play like “Texas” we will leave no doubt.

Get off your knees Greg, you're blowin' the game.

by kriess on Aug 30, 2009 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions

doubt

Thanks for this Kriess – great post. SW1TCH makes a valid point, but I like where you’re coming from. It puts ample pressure on the team to put last year behind us and take this season one game at a time (I hope you do this for Wyoming too). “We Are Texas” is good and all, but I want to see “bitches kicked” and indeed, treat foes as such, while remaining classy as Texas does well. That should rid us of the stigma of “whiners”. Thanks again.

Infield Elephant

by Infield Elephant on Aug 30, 2009 1:06 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks again

And to SW1TCH, I hope I didn’t piss you off with my last post. I just re-read it and it had a little too much sarcasm. I apologize. I just got back from Church and my adrenaline was flowing. ;) In all seriousness, welcome to this site and we all really do appreciate your input here.

To Infield Elephant: Yes I plan on doing another ULM but based on their defense. I don’t see why I can’t do one for Wyoming either. Thanks again.

Get off your knees Greg, you're blowin' the game.

by kriess on Aug 30, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks for the welcome

I’ve actually been reading BON religiously for the past couple years, but only joined last September. Haven’t posted until now, but felt like putting my .02 in. I meant to post on here after spring break, I went skiing in Tahoe and remember reading one of you guys was also there.

From a fans perspective, I just felt like the phrase was an obvious reference to last year, but maybe I was reaching. If there was an article about Texas football posted online sometime this summer, I’ve probably read it, and I’m just sick of the talk about the tie breaker and the Tech game.

From player/coaches point of view, it’s their job to get the kids to move on. I guess if the coaches can get the kids to buy into whatever phrase they come up with, I’m all for it. After all, I’m not the one on the field so my opinion really means jack.

On a secondary note, does any other team you know of do these slogans for the season? How long has Mack been doing this?

by SW1TCH on Aug 30, 2009 2:01 PM CDT reply actions

I hear ya

I got sick of the talk somewhere around Jan 8th last year. I think Mack has been doing this since 2005, but I could be off.

Get off your knees Greg, you're blowin' the game.

by kriess on Aug 30, 2009 3:58 PM CDT up reply actions

It will be good practice...

Their supposed strengths are areas we need to be tested in live situations vs. practice: TEs over the middle, WRs running deep routes, mobile QB with a good arm, and a decent secondary. Again, the good teams in the Big 12 have similar pieces albeit much better than ULM. Having plays used against us that try and exploit any areas we lack experience at in September is what will make us better in October and beyond.

I think one of the CBs is the current active leader in career INTs in Div. 1 football. I don’t know about ULM being Tight End U, but I would say they have cranked out a couple of punters and a couple of secondary guys into the NFL over the past 5 or so years.

Clearly, they will play us “close” the first quarter and then lack of depth & talent will take over and it will be long-gone over by 3rd quarter. I just hope we use this game as an opportunity like the NFL uses preseason to throw all our players we have questions about in against the equivalent of the 2nd team squads of bigger Div 1 programs. We don’t need to have many questions or “ORs” on our depth charts when we finish with Colorado.

by Robertpz on Aug 30, 2009 7:10 PM CDT reply actions

While I thorougly enjoyed the preview

“Just a girl” was running through my head the entire time I read it. I don’t know whether that’s a downside of the slogan or just previously suppressed nostalgia for Jr. High.

proud to swim home

by learned hand on Aug 31, 2009 7:06 AM CDT reply actions

Gotta Love the BON

This is the first place I go now for the nitty gritty on what’s going on. Thanks kriess for all the work on this article. Very informative.

You guys do a great job at welcoming newbies, keeping topics relevant, and classing up the blogsphere. As a new recruit would say “it just feels like home”.

GoBR, PB, & bloggers do so much more than inform, delight, and excite. You deliver!

Kudos to all!

by orangetower on Aug 31, 2009 7:45 AM CDT reply actions

i agree

Another thank you for keeping it classy, from a new recruit.

Infield Elephant

by Infield Elephant on Aug 31, 2009 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions

I hate you both, go away

;-)

"From the waist down, Earl Campbell has the biggest legs I have ever seen on a running back." -John Madden

by run Bevo run on Aug 31, 2009 9:45 AM CDT up reply actions

There you go...just like family!

by orangetower on Aug 31, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions

Classic exchange

This thread owns. Welcome, one and all.

You ain't hurt.

by Peter Bean on Sep 3, 2009 1:48 AM CDT up reply actions

Kreiss, Thanks for the shout out

I read the other posts and like “Leave no Doubt”. Whether Stefani takes the cue or not, I know it is the only way the Longhorns have a chance since the weak schedule is going to be discussed ad nauseum later this year.

As to ULM, I’m just glad to see that Jay Leno has found employment as their mascot since leaving the Tonight Show.

by Wrangler86 on Aug 31, 2009 12:22 PM CDT reply actions

I'm glad someone else found the connection

I was going to post that but I talked myself out of it. LOL

(“I” before “E”, except after “C”)
Thanks

Get off your knees Greg, you're blowin' the game.

by kriess on Aug 31, 2009 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions

I was just had my dictionsay out looking up the word "their" because I was sure that it was spelled correctly

Heck, I’m usually typing so fast between work projects that I’m lucky to even get the right “their” vs. “there” but I know how much you guys enjoy proper grammar and spelling. Nothing like a bad type to ruin a whitty retort.

Sorry Kriess….now I see my mistake

by Wrangler86 on Aug 31, 2009 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions

WHO SAYS TEXAS does not have the Athletes that OKLAHOMA does??????

According to Scout.com from 2002 until 2010 here is a look at the recruiting battle between Oklahoma University and Texas University. If UT or OU are not listed then they did not have a TOP 15 recruit at that position, this is for ALL major colleges. Rank is after the UT/OU for that position.

YEAR QB RB OL WR/TE DL LB DB
2010 UT-4 NONE UT-11 UT-2 UT-2 UT-10 UT-9
             OU-9 OU-1 OU-3 OU-12 OU-14 OU-1 OU-8
2009 UT-8 UT-8 UT-11 NONE UT-2 UT-10 UT-14
             NONE NONE NONE NONE OU-12 OU-1 OU-8
2008 NONE NONE UT-13 UT-10 NONE UT-13 UT-4
             NONE OU-6 NONE OU-15 OU-6 NONE NONE
2007 NONE NONE UT-1 UT-2 UT-9 NONE UT-1
             NONE NONE NONE NONE NONE NONE OU-10
2006 UT-1 UT-15 UT-11 UT-4 UT-4 UT-6 UT-6
              OU-12 OU-5 OU-2 OU-11 NONE NONE OU-13
2005 NONE UT-7 NONE NONE UT-2 NONE NONE
             NONE NONE OU-9 OU-3 OU-2 OU-3 OU-4
2004 NONE NONE NONE UT-3 UT-8 NONE UT-4
              OU-5 OU-5 OU-13 OU-14 NONE NONE NONE
2003 NONE NONE NONE UT-10 NONE UT-11 UT-2
              OU-15 OU-7 OU-13 NONE OU-6 OU-4 OU-9
2002 UT-3 UT-6 UT-13 UT-10 UT-1 UT-11 UT-5
              NONE NONE OU-5 OU-7 NONE OU-7 OU-1

NONE
TEXAS 5 4 3 2 2 3 1=20 OKLA. 4 3 3 3 3 3 3=19

AVG, RANK
TEXAS 4th 9th 10th 6th 4th 5th AVG. 6th
OKLA. 10th 4th 6th 10th 3rd 8th AVG. 6th

by BIG12FOOTBALL on Aug 31, 2009 4:53 PM CDT reply actions

?

This is not Nam, Donny, this is Burnt Orange Nation. There are rules. Please stay on topic and step away from the caps lock.

proud to swim home

by learned hand on Aug 31, 2009 4:59 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Sonny

not Donny

Get off your knees Greg, you're blowin' the game.

by kriess on Aug 31, 2009 5:20 PM CDT up reply actions

actually, smokey...I need to watch it again

proud to swim home

by learned hand on Aug 31, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Welcome to BON

First time poster eh?
Couldn’t tell.
Its The University of Texas, not Texas University.
Thanks.

Get off your knees Greg, you're blowin' the game.

by kriess on Aug 31, 2009 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions

But it is University of Oklahoma

So why it isn’t UO, I cannot tell you.

Is there a secret code in those numbers that I’m missing?

by Wrangler86 on Aug 31, 2009 8:26 PM CDT up reply actions

In a previous thread

it was said that it was an old Big 8 thing. CU, NU, KU, OU, and MU. Not sure if that is it or not.

by Wells on Sep 1, 2009 8:05 AM CDT up reply actions

I do not know the answer to your question.

I have no idea who says Texas doesn’t have the athletes that Oklahoma does. If I had to guess, I’d say absolutely no one says that.

But then that would make all that work you just did completely useless. And to think, you spent all that time screwing up the formatting to be completely illegible and searching for the most perfectly inappropriate and off-topic place to put that illegible information. And it was all for naught. This is a sad revelation indeed.

by billyzane on Aug 31, 2009 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions