Sherrod Harris - Wha' Happen'? - Burnt Orange Nation

Sherrod Harris - Wha' Happen'?

by LeftHandedTexan on Aug 30, 2009 11:52 AM CDT Comment 16 comments

For those of you following the program more closely that I've had the opportunity to this offseason, how has Sherrod Harris looked?

I'm not surprised I guess that Gilbert came in at #2 on the QB depth chart, but since he's been in the program now for a while and with JC going to receiver, thought this would be his chance to be the solid #2.

Is he having trouble running the offense? Gilbert just a superior athlete? Just wondering...seems to be a fine kid.

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Injuy

Sherrod had a nasty rib bruise (or some other chest injury) which prevented him from practicing a couple times and inhibited his performance. In that time, Gilbert was able to make the move to #2… so it’s almost a de facto depth chart change.

by TXinDC on Aug 30, 2009 12:04 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Unless Gilbert had gotten hurt

Coaches almost had to plug him into the No. 2 spot. He has more size, more arm, way more upside than Harris.

Gilbert needs practice reps, field time, as much work as possible with the top-rung talent if he’s to step in as next year’s starter. If Harris and Gilbert were dead even, you still gotta like the freshman at No. 2 since he figures to improve more in his first year in the program than Harris will in his fourth.

by edsp on Aug 30, 2009 12:50 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Gilbert

Same to those closely following SH – was he ever pegged as #2 since Gilbert came into the picture? I wouldn’t think it was an option.

Infield Elephant

by Infield Elephant on Aug 30, 2009 12:51 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't think so

I think they were always battling for #2, then Harris got hurt, leaving Gilbert as #2.

by mikey 4 on Aug 30, 2009 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Harris were healthy...

would he have been #2 and Gilbert red-shirt? I expected Gilbert would get reps in this year and pull off two full seasons before going pro, assuming all went as planned. I could be way off.

Infield Elephant

by Infield Elephant on Aug 30, 2009 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

On the concept of redshirting Gilbert . . .

I doubt that was in the plan. Maybe, had Chiles (or Harris) developed further than they did, that could have been considered. By last winter that was off the table. There are two other issues in play here:

1. By the time Gilbert got on campus, Mack and his recruiters had commitments from two highly regarded QBs for the 2010 class; holding Gilbert back would make him and two incoming QBs all freshmen at the same time next season. Playing Gilbert at once lets the ‘Horns have a senior QB in 2012 (Gilbert), 2013 (Connor Wood or Case McCoy, whoever doesn’t redshirt next season) and 2014 (whoever redshirts in 2010).

2. Gilbert is not Colt McCoy or Vince Young as he enters college football. He’s way more ready to play big-time ball than most other freshman QBs. Vince Young was a running QB with unrefined mechanics and limited knowledge of the spread passing game. Colt McCoy was less skilled athletically (thinner, weaker, not as fast) and he was coming out of small-school ball where the competition was weaker and the chance to get specialized coaching was limited. Gilbert comes out of a big-time program with more refined and specialized coaching. And he had a former NFL quaraterback sitting at his dinner table.

by edsp on Aug 30, 2009 4:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

That is very exciting for the next several years, at least from the QB perspective. Not to get too off topic, but should we feel the same about our backs situation with the new recruits?

Infield Elephant

by Infield Elephant on Aug 30, 2009 7:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

RBs: In a word, no.

There’s ALREADY talk about Whaley being a Melton-copy, in that his body as it matures more fully may be a better fit at a position other than RB; Traylor Shead is an unknown right now – pretty solid, but he comes from a 1A school which could make his performances misleading. Not much other big news about RBs.

That’s one man’s opinion only, however.

by TXinDC on Aug 31, 2009 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great points edsp...

Gilbert has the defintie edge in the 2 categories you posted and also taken into consideration that he not only came out of the better program, but did so convincingly. The kid lead his team to two big time state championships, set an alltime highschool record, and did all of this in a state where “football is a religion”. He has been on the big stage and delivered. The exciting part is he still has pimples.

Sherrod seems to be agreat guy. I really wish all the best for him. The injury was unfortunate, but I believe the winner in him will carry on.

The best of the best will be on the field. I like our QB position. Colt came in and had some huge shoes to fill. A MNC this year should more than fill the order while Garrett’s feet are still growing. Great fun to look forward to.

by orangetower on Aug 31, 2009 7:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the updates!

by LeftHandedTexan on Aug 30, 2009 1:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I think it makes sense to give Gilbert the 2nd QB reps, but if (and I’m knocking on wood here) Colt McCoy were to need to come out of a game, I would strongly hope that the coaches would not put Gilbert into the game. I believe the program experience Harris brings would give UT the best chance of winning games.

by burntorangehorn on Aug 31, 2009 12:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I hear that wood being knocked hard, and I agree that Harris has the experience edge. However, while this could be a bit wishful, I would not be surprised if Gilbert tore it up right away. I think we may have two stud QBs in our pocket, ready to go. I may be giving Gilbert too much credit, but compare him to Barkley at USC – true freshman, starting this year. I could see GG stepping into a role right away, if needed. He is that good.

Infield Elephant

by Infield Elephant on Sep 1, 2009 10:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure he’s plenty good, but putting Barkley or Gilbert on the spot as true freshmen would be a mistake, and I think Carroll’s making it, while UT has the luxury of not having to do the same. Matt Stafford was the all-world prospect at QB, and while he turned out to be at least decent, he made all the mistakes one could make as a true frosh in a difficult position.

When guys arrive in CFB, it’s often easy to equate their high rankings to an immediate ability to contribute at a high level, but it’s very rarely a realistic equation. With the surrounding talent this team has this season, I’d rather let Sherrod Harris go Tee Martin than have Gilbert go Stafford.

by burntorangehorn on Sep 1, 2009 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Weight of it All

I don’t see the equation between Gilbert and Stafford at all. Remember Garrett grew up around the NFL early and has a pretty good barometer at home to bounce things off of. Stafford took all the weight of the seasons expectaions and went hundreds of miles from home, while Gilbert mops up, stays in the same county, and doesn’t even have to change his area code. Heck, I bet mom still does some of the laundry?

The challenge with Harris is in timing. Receivers appear to be waiting on the ball after they come out of their breaks on routes. He throws a nice ball, but doesn’t appear to have the the snap on outs or curls that Colt & Garrett has. Could be because of the rib thing, which would hurt like crazy throwing a football.

by orangetower on Sep 2, 2009 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stafford took all the weight of the seasons expectaions and went hundreds of miles from home, while Gilbert mops up, stays in the same county, and doesn’t even have to change his area code.

You seem to think that I’m arguing that Harris should get the backup snaps. I’m not. I’m saying Harris, not Gilbert, should be the guy to step in if, and I’m knocking on wood again, something were to happen to Colt. In case you did miss it:

I think it makes sense to give Gilbert the 2nd QB reps, but if (and I’m knocking on wood here) Colt McCoy were to need to come out of a game, I would strongly hope that the coaches would not put Gilbert into the game. I believe the program experience Harris brings would give UT the best chance of winning games.

So why did you think I was arguing that Gilbert shouldn’t get mop-up duty?

by burntorangehorn on Sep 2, 2009 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Turns Out

It looks like a Barkley/Stafford comparison might be be more in context. Nevertheless I think Gilbert’s talent level more than outweighs Harris’ experience.

We now have a hindsight glimpse of how comfortable Garrett looked running the offense. Granted that ULM isn’t the ultimate litmus level we’d like to hang a hat on, but even so I truly see Garrett as the legitimate back-up if Colt goes down. We haven’t seen Harris in a legitimate test either and I’m glad we have him, but all things considered, Gilbert is still my choice.

by orangetower on Sep 7, 2009 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs