We Have Issues: Texas Longhorns Week 9
by ElongatedHorn on Nov 1, 2010 9:36 PM CDT
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PrintLike most fans this upside down season, I've gone from shock (UCLA) to frustration (Oklahoma) to false hope (Nebraska) to anger (Iowa State) to an uneasy sadness (Baylor). I suppose the next step is hysteria.
Texas has lost three straight games at home to teams much less talented. So, what does that tell us? Winning and losing is about so much more than talent. It's how you use it - or perhaps more accurately with this team, how you misuse it. We thought we knew how valuable guys like Jordan Shipley, Quan Cosby and Earl Thomas were. Now we're really finding out.
The increased urgency was noticeable against Baylor, but we just weren't able to finish drives on offense. Yeah, that's where a good running game comes into play. That's the difference between touchdowns and five field goals. Baylor's two big plays wiped out the Texas field-goal fest. The catch-and-run touchdown pass took advantage of the Texas blitz. Blake Gideon couldn't cover the slant one-on-one (surprise, huh?). It happens. Jay Finley's 69-yard touchdown sprint against nothing but air was inexcusable.
Remember in Top Gun when Maverick and Goose flew through a jet wash, the engine stalled and their plane went into a flat spin? That's this team - flat-spinning and struggling to gain control, and sometimes shifting the controls just hoping the plane will respond to something.
With four wins, four losses and four games left, it's really pointless to talk about what might happen over the next month. What we need to see is a team that will progress and finish. Even if it turns your stomach, a lot of the same players will be back next season. After the jump, we'll try to pry some positives out of this nightmare.
Garrett Gilbert's Progress
I'm still confused and amused by all the fans ready to axe Gilbert. I think most people are just wanting someone to use as a punching bag. And he's the quarterback, so he takes it.
What I saw Saturday was a confident young leader. He made mistakes and had some bad throws, but guess what - it was his best game of the season. His receivers also dropped six passes, including one that would have been an early touchdown. But the most comforting thing I saw were downfield passes... and wouldn't you know, they actually worked! Turns out, when you call plays to the strength of your players, the offense is more efficient.
Gilbert has a long, long way to go, but I like what I see, considering the circumstances. His running was effective, and he looked pretty natural doing it. While that's a great thing to have in your back pocket, Gilbert running should not be a major aspect of this offense. He's a thrower.
Retooling the Running Game
You know those dolls that instantly collapse when you press a button at their base? That's Tre' Newton the instant he makes contact with an opposing player. He has great acceleration, but the guy cannot bust through tackles. The Tyler Rose must be wincing.
The offensive line has not improved since the Nebraska game. Fozzy Whittaker had no carries, but he completed a 26-yard pass. Humm...
Although we outgained Baylor on the ground, we're all hoping this thing is a Malcolm Brown arrival away from getting back to where it's supposed to be.
BROC (Big Receiver on Campus)
Gilbert was able to spread the ball around, with five receivers catching at least three balls. Marques Goodwin led with 71 yards, but he also had a key drop on a third down. No one really stepped up to be a go-to guy, but it was nice to see different guys get open down the field.
The tight ends are becoming less and less reliable, but unless Greg Davis is going to stretch the field, there's not a whole lot of use for tight ends between the 20s.
The D-Line Shuffle
The line did a great job of holding Baylor to just 109 yards rushing. Sixty-nine of those came off one long touchdown run. The very dangerous and talented Robert Griffin III had just 17 yards on 16 carries and was sacked three times.
Sam Acho has been the lone constant on this team. He had 10 tackles, including three for loss and a forced fumble. If everyone had his heart, this team would be undefeated (OK, maybe 7-1).
This group really kept Baylor in check. Penalties and the inconsistent offense keep putting the defense in bad spots. But that's no excuse for the defense. They laid down at times, but after eight games, the line has showed a lot of progress. They have proven to be the strongest unit on this entire team.
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searching for positives
Thanks for the write up but I’m still searching for the positives you mention. Do definitely agree that Gilbert had his best game. The lone positive in a dismal offense. Definitely don’t feel anything close to positive about Gideon….nothing new.
Gideon's been exposed...
He’s also been asked to do things he’s just not good at, and that’s Mushchamp’s fault.
"Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."
- Yoda
by ElongatedHorn on Nov 1, 2010 10:35 PM CDT up reply actions
The only thing he was good at was being a solid compliment to the stud that was Earl Thomas was.
"Football's so important in Texas. On the West Coast, it's a social. On the East Coast, it's a culture. Here, it's a religion."
-- Major Applewhite
Hey
Dude knows how to coach on the field and menacingly usher ball carriers out of bounds. And damn does that boy know how ta taunt an opponent he tackled after a 15-yard gain!
couldnt agree with you more about GG...
…i am absolutely baffled too why so much shit is being put on him and that baby mccoy should be put in just to ‘shake things up a bit’.
gilbert has had his bad games in the year, but what is very amazing is that eventhough he has somewhat of a heartless and lifeless bunch around him, he has managed to show maturity in his character, dusted himself off and gotten better. i think its completely unfair for mack to publically say he needs to do more since he is doing a lot more than any starter would in the kind of offense that surrounds him.
i questioned GG after iowa state, and even myself in thinking i was so lost in his halo that i couldnt recognize his real abilities. but i have since IMO been proved wrong.
the kid has shown resilience, and that might make him as good as a QB as VY or colt. his progress and his will to keep improving will be key for him, since he obviously has the physical talents to be a top QB.
if people want to demand change, they should be asking for almost every other starter on the offense to be benched, except GG!
by vanterminatorhorn on Nov 1, 2010 10:17 PM CDT reply actions
I have been killing GG...
but I admit he was the least of our problems. That was his best game, i actually saw promise for the future. I hope that he builds upon it in the final 4 games.
Vince Young = Greatness
Finley almost broke that trap play at least 2 other times
I was at the game and waiting for them to break it. Disappointed that our guys couldn’t run him down.
And why wasn’t Gideon at least even with the deepest receiver? Would they really have eaten us alive if we didn’t have both safeties near the line?
Our receivers are hearing FOOTSTEPS
I agree that GG should not be saddled with the lion’s share of the blame for this year’s un-offensive offense. For all intents and purposes, GG is a red-shirt freshman. He’s shown real progress running the football and looks good most of the time when he throws the ball down field. He’s also beguin to square his shoulders and throw the ball with authority when he rolls out of the pocket, something that gave him problems at the start of the season. I was gladdened somewhat by our willingness to throw the ball down the field without waiting to fall behind a couple touchdowns first.
It’s not GG’s fault that his receiving corps has been decimated by injuries after the massive pummeling they took earlier this season from catching three yard passes on third and five. It’s not GG’s fault that all his receivers are now hearing footsteps when they’re open. GG didn’t call all those two-yard routes on third and four that got his receivers creamed ealier this season.
I agree our O line still needs a ton of work. In all likelihood, it won’t begin to improve until next Spring. Our running game is unlikely to improve absent radical changes in the way we block or try to block. That won’t happen without a radical change in offensive philosophy, which won’t happen absent a radical change in the way Mack thinks.
Our defense continues to play respectably most of the time but we still have one drive a quarter when we seem to lose focus on defense and allow an easy TD. I don’t have a clue how to correct this. Unfortunately, our coaches don’t seem to know either.
What we need is an aggressive mindset on offense- one that attacks opposing defenses at their weak points. After twelve and a half seasons of mostly timid offenses, I’m not holding my breath.
by Hornucopia on Nov 1, 2010 10:43 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I was just thinking about something?
How many off-field issues has this team had this year? Aside from an apparent classroom issue with DJ, what else has gone on? Anything?
This team is full of too many nice guys. I think that’s our problem.
3/19/2009 & 12/15/2009 - Games Where Dogus Balbay Made a Three-Pointer. Never Forget.
What would our record be right now if....
If we could get disciplined enough to not have drive killing penalties on both sides of the ball and get back the ball hawking fumble recovering D focus ?
These are both relatively easy fixes that dont require coaching or talent changes.
Yes we need an aggressive O with a lot of misdirection and posession receivers, and these will come in time, but a little discipline, focus and aggression could really turn things around.
How tough is this ?
Can't get enough of that cowbell !!!
by MeatchickenHorn on Nov 1, 2010 11:16 PM CDT reply actions
penalties
100 yards worth sure won’t help you. In the past, Texas hasn’t had this problem of killing themselves. Before this year, I don’t recall a game that they have had penalties of 100+ yards. They’ve done that almost every week except for the Nebraska game.
If after this season,
GD is still here but Muschamp is gone, I will never attend, watch, listen to, or read about another Longhorns football game until MB is gone. Because I AM a fan, of the Longhorns, but I will no longer be a fan of MB. There is a difference.
I know I’ve posted this in more than one place, but “I must be heard!”
"I'm not playing favorites. All my favorites have graduated." - A. Lemons
So...is this sarcasm?
…let me get this straight.
If things don’t go the way YOU think they should, you’re going to pull the covers up over your head and pout until things are back, in some way, to how YOU think they should be?
YOU ARE a Longhorn fan? How old are you?
And please explain why it is that you think “YOU must be heard”. I know the hundreds of thousands(if not millions) of other true Longhorn fans will be saddened by your not watching, reading or listening in the future.
If I’ve misunderstood your intent in this post then I apologize. If not, then I just have to say that, this is about as infantile a statement as I’ve ever heard.
GO 'HORNS GO!
CPF
by patriks10 on Nov 2, 2010 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
you won't be missed
"I'm not playing favorites. All my favorites have graduated." - A. Lemons
by Paleface Horn on Nov 2, 2010 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions
I'll have to check out Womancatcher.
"I'm not playing favorites. All my favorites have graduated." - A. Lemons
by Paleface Horn on Nov 3, 2010 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions
I read (past tense) Womancatcher.
He called for a house cleaning. I am calling for keeping Muschamp and getting rid of Davis. Is there anybody here who would not question Mack’s motives, sincerity or sanity if he allowed Muschamp to leave and kept GD? Honestly, how will you feel about this program next year if Davis is still calling bubble screens and ruining Malcolm Brown’s career and Muschamp is returning some other program to national championship status. I don’t think anybody knows yet whether Mack is in the process of crashing the program. The jury is still out. But if he does, are we supposed to say, “That’s okay, Mack, clap, clap, clap?” It’s time true fans let their voices be heard. Not all true fans blindly follow the castrated herd.
"I'm not playing favorites. All my favorites have graduated." - A. Lemons
by Paleface Horn on Nov 3, 2010 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions
re Malcolm Brown
How convinced are you that they will put Brown in there and keep him there and not continue to play musical chairs with the RB again next year?
"Only angry people win football games." --DKR
Mack has played freshman RBs before
…and honestly, I don’t think they will have another choice, unless Traylor Shead shows something. But it all might not matter if the O-line can’t get push.
"Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."
- Yoda
by ElongatedHorn on Nov 2, 2010 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm having visions again
This one is Shead lead blocking for Malcolm Brown behind Walters, Westerman, Flowers, Porter and Hopkins. Too bad Aaron Green and Brandon Williams went elsewhere but this could still be a great group given the proper direction.
"You've got to think lucky. If you fall into a mudhole, check your back pocket - you might have caught a fish" -- Darrell Royal
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Nov 2, 2010 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions
THERE ARE NO MORE WORRIES!
GD finally gets it! Things are going to be different from now on! cs
You've got to be kidding me.
That is where we have been able to hang. With Vince [Young] through Colt [McCoy], the two kind of extremes, we have been able to hang somewhere in the 50-50 run/pass. That is where we would continue to like to be – a team that could beat you either way.
Have we won any games in the past two years on an exceptional running performance?
Also
Why do we list a FB on the depth chart if no one on the staff knows what a FB is or does?
I am still not convinced Brown is going to stick with y’all and not head to Bama. Especially if y’all continue to lose games.
IMO Shipley (and to a lesser extent Cosby) covered up a lot of issues on your offense the past two years. Now that you do not have an all universe talent like Shipley out there, the offense is struggling to consistently move the ball and score. How many seniors on your OL are graduating? Two? Is Hopkins going to start now that Huey is likely done?
I like how you actually took the time to type out "y'all"
Now that’s dedication to being a hick! Well done, Aggie!
"I don't know. You'll have to ask Greg (Davis). He calls the plays." - Mack Brown
by iamjackburton on Nov 2, 2010 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions
It hurts a lot to have this team called quitters
In my mind the Horns never quit.
We have been outcoached.Many players have been out played.I don’t have any explanation for this team.
If any of us were the coach we would find out what’s wrong and fix it.Chambers your WRs can’t catch a cold.Why?McWhorter your line can’t open a hole.Why?Major your backs can’t make yardage on third downs.Why?GD your play calling sucks.Why?Kicking and retun team errors galore.Why?The D giving up too many explosive plays.Why?
Has Cleve Bryant created a cancer that is eating away at this team?That’s the only real change that has happened.
The problem with most of us is that we believe that the bleeding can be stopped.We saw what we did to the Huskers only to see a far inferior team like Iowa St. come into our home and we are outplayed and outcoached.
If Mack can’t get this thing turned around then it would seem that we have no future hope for this team and those to come to be successful.
We should all hold up four fingers to mean that these coaches have four more games to get the job done and if they don’t there will be one finger remaining erect to send them a farewell message.
I stopped reading after you wrote this: "His running was effective, and he looked pretty natural doing it."
You really looked at GG running, all this year, and thought it was “natural”? Have you actually SEEN a QB run before? Sheesh.
"I don't know. You'll have to ask Greg (Davis). He calls the plays." - Mack Brown
I've seen a whole lot worse
He is decent at keeping the run alive and keeping his eyes down field. Most QBs run 4 yards and fall down. He’s no Vince or Vick, and that’s why I said GG running should not be a regular part of the offense, but he’s effective enough. He’s a decent athlete who can run if needed.
"Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try."
- Yoda
by ElongatedHorn on Nov 2, 2010 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Nothing New!!!!
I know some of you will accuse me of not being a true Longhorn fan, for what I am about to say, but nothing can be furter from the truth. I have been a fan since 1961. Year in & year out, I have lived & died with our teams ups & downs.I really am surprised that I actualy don’t bleed burnt orange when I have a cut. Enough of that , what I came hear to say is that while Mac& his staff are top notch recruiters, & have been during his entire days at UT, he has never IMHO, been a great on the field coach. I know many will point to his great record, but in every season UT has had at least one game that we have either been out coached or that it appeared we were not ready for our opponent. What I am refering to, is loses or near loses to inferior opponents, such as your Baylors, Iowa St.& Ucla’s. In the last 10 seasons there has been at least one of these examples in every season. In some years we have had a VY, or Colt, Shipley,Cosby, or Ricky to overcome these coaching mistakes. To any one who disagrees with my opinion, name one game during this time that you heard any one say " The coaching staff really pulled that one out." It always comes down to 2 or 3 individual players, rising up with a great play or game to pull it out of the fire.Again I’m not talking about teams that are on our level. I’m describing upsets, or near upsets to lesser opponents. When you recruit in the top 5 year in & year out, There is no excuse. This year we have been caught with a bare cupboard of the kind of players who can take it up a notch, or inspire someone else to. I am not saying Mac should go, or anyone else. That is still up for debate. It seems that we just don’t have that player on the roster this year. Maybe next year someone will have developed, or come on board. I think it was only a matter of time before this shortcoming was exposed. I’m bothered by people who point out Mac’s record as defense. We won with exceptional talent. VY won us a MNC inspite of poor coaching. Remember their attempts to make VY a pocket passer, they almost ruined him. What hurts the most now is watching players who don’t have a clue what their assignment is. Sorta looks like PEEWEE football." Everyone just chase the guy with the ball". One more thought, “so & so looks good in practice” Well good grief, look at who he might be practicing against. Could be why receivers get wide open on certain plays in practice?" Or that running play looks good in practice." Maybe because in practice our safties or Lbackers are not where they should be. Just venting. Till things get better, as always HOOK’EM
Muschamp on borrowed time?
After Will’s mini-meltdown with reporters, does anyone else feel it’s only a matter of time before he pulls a Mike Leach and is shown the door?
by osarpmaster on Nov 2, 2010 6:18 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
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