Who Will Lead Us to the Promised Land?
by SpiritOfTheFedora on Nov 8, 2010 11:21 AM CST
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Troy Aikman was drafted with the number one overall pick in the 1989 NFL Draft. New owner Jerry Jones had just committed an unconscionable act of which I will not speak but to which I owe my moniker on this site. The one positive that resulted from the act was the installation of one certain Norv Turner as offensive coordinator. Aikman came to a team with a suspect offensive line (he was sacked 29 times in 11 games his first year ) and no feature-type running back. His numbers that first year: 155-293 for 1749 yards good for 9 TD's and 18 INT's (that's a 1:2 TD to INT ratio, sound familiar?) and just shy of 6 yards per pass attempt. Terrible numbers from a young QB. What on earth were they thinking when they took this guy?
The following year the Cowboys drafted Emmit Smith from the University of Florida. During Aikman's second year an offensive line anchored by future Pro Bowl center Mark Stepnoski began to improve although Aikman was sacked 42 times during that second season. One of those sacks ended Aikman's season and with it the Cowboys' playoff run for that year.
The offensive line continued to develop and during the third year became a cohesive unit around a nucleus of Stepnoski, Eric Williams and Mark Tuinei. It was that year, 1991, that the team made its first playoff run in several years. Norv Turner was an instant hero and everyone knows, or at least knows about, the Super Bowl stories that followed.
Is this post about the Dallas Cowboys? Not really, it's more about illustrating what it took to turn a team with a new QB, a terrible offensive line, an outdated offensive scheme and no running game into an NFL powerhouse. Also to illustrate how a poor offensive line can make what turned out to be a pretty good young QB look very bad.
There are a number of other parallels here. Is there a new feature back due to arrive next year? A new core of offensive linemen led by perhaps Mason Walters? Is there a guy named Jeffcoat involved in this?
This will not be a quick or easy fix. Based on this year's events we could hope to compete for the Big 12 title next year but realistically we're probably two years away from making another NC run. The most likely QB for that run?
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Interseting
I love your since of history yet I see no similarities between the 89 Cowboys and the 2010 Longhorns…in 1989 the Cowboys were expected to be horrible…no so with this team…GG woes are both coaching and self inflicted…yes, the line is suspect but even Britt Mitchell does not stare down receivers….the horrors of this season are obvious to all ( even the coaching staff ) yet difficult to turn around in midseason…worse part is having to witness 3 more home games!!
I think realistically
most of us were expecting 3 losses this year, not horrible but we all knew the OL was going to be a problem along with Gilbert’s inexperience. Colt had similar growing pains.
"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 8, 2010 12:11 PM CST up reply actions
honestly, i was down on gilbert at the middle of the season, but now
its just bad all around
to be clear, i think we need a FAST, MOBILE qb in order to succeed in GD’s “system”
none of the qb’s above provide that in spades
my take: we should have plugged in russell shepherd at qb when we had the chance
"We'll be baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!"
by greenspointexas on Nov 8, 2010 12:05 PM CST reply actions
it won't be MB/GD
that lead us to the promised land. that’s for damn sure.
"I'm not playing favorites. All my favorites have graduated." - A. Lemons
I wasn't optimistic that we would get rid of GD until this last game
I haven’t given up on Gilbert at all, anyone else in his shoes would be performing the same or worse.
I think GD may be pressured to resign/retire at the end of this year. This season is so bad, and it needs a scapegoat. GD is the scapegoat that everyone will accept, as long as Mack ok’s it.
As far as personnel changes on the team. GG is pretty low down on my list. We need improvement in the RB, WR, and O-Line departments much more than we need a new QB.
+1
I was one of the few defending Greg Davis early in the season. At this point, there’s no way anyone can excuse this guy with a straight face. This has to be the most poorly coached offensive unit I’ve ever seen. There’s no hyperbole in that comment either. I cannot think of a team that’s done less with more.
"anyone else in his shoes would be performing the same or worse"
you are joking right? you really think thomas at oregon would have the horrible numbers GG has put up? GG has been AWFUL across the board. as you say its NOT all his fault but god damn lets try and be just a little bit objective and hold him accountable for the unbelievably stupid decisions he makes on a regular basis . . . o and the fact that he couldnt hit a wide receiver in stride if his life depended on it.
Yes, I think that Thomas at Oregon would have the horrible numbers that GG has.
With possibly the exception of better rushing stats if his tendency is to bail out of the pocket quicker.
I AM CONVNCED
that GD has pics of mack in ladies underwear or something to that nature
nothing else makes sense, unless mack is the biggest dumbass in the world…..
"We'll be baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!"
by greenspointexas on Nov 8, 2010 12:18 PM CST reply actions
He snookered UT out of $5 million a year.
Doesn’t sound like a dumbass to me. Can somebody post the pictures?
"I'm not playing favorites. All my favorites have graduated." - A. Lemons
by Paleface Horn on Nov 8, 2010 12:25 PM CST up reply actions
Almost every boneheaded remark seems to come from you
Do you have any idea how much money Mack has brought to The University of Texas?
You're gonna strongly agree with some of what I say, and you'll strongly disagree with some of what I say. Either way, I don't give a d@#n. I'm just here to talk sports.
It's not just about money.
Can’t you be polite?
"I'm not playing favorites. All my favorites have graduated." - A. Lemons
by Paleface Horn on Nov 8, 2010 4:08 PM CST up reply actions
Not to you
Not to someone who is happy when a Longhorn gets injured.
You're gonna strongly agree with some of what I say, and you'll strongly disagree with some of what I say. Either way, I don't give a d@#n. I'm just here to talk sports.
You exaggerate.
And you take things too literally and seriously.
"I'm not playing favorites. All my favorites have graduated." - A. Lemons
by Paleface Horn on Nov 8, 2010 5:27 PM CST up reply actions
You have also been impolite
to many other posters here as well.
"I'm not playing favorites. All my favorites have graduated." - A. Lemons
by Paleface Horn on Nov 8, 2010 5:54 PM CST up reply actions
No it's pretty much just a handful of folks
Folks that seem to have a problem with the fact that I have faith in our coaching staff. I choose to defend certain things while the majority of posters are in the opposite boat. That territory comes with enemies, apparently.
My stance is that no matter what people say needs to be done to fix things, or how impossible it may seem to fix them, there is ALWAYS an easy solution. Win. Just win baby. And this staff has proven that they can win. They’ve proven they can build a team with the pieces to win. Vince was not the team. Colt was not the team. If that’s what you think then I invite to you walk up to each and every player of those teams not named Vince or Colt and slap them right across the face.
Again, a straight forward view like that apparently comes with it’s enemies. You can agree with me or not, but I’m not going to be polite to people who are just as or more “impolite” to me than I am to them.
You're gonna strongly agree with some of what I say, and you'll strongly disagree with some of what I say. Either way, I don't give a d@#n. I'm just here to talk sports.
There's a big difference between
disagreeing with someone and being impolite to someone. Your argument incorrectly equates the two. Not everyone who disagrees with you is rude to you. I can understand being impolite to those who are rude. But I cannot understand being rude to someone just because they disagree with you.
"I'm not playing favorites. All my favorites have graduated." - A. Lemons
by Paleface Horn on Nov 8, 2010 7:13 PM CST up reply actions
Really can't cast
an honest, informed vote having not seen 3 of the 4. A “not Garrett Gilbert” option would have been nice. I am not 100% sure that it won’t be Garrett Gilbert, but I am 100% sure that if it is, we won’t be headed to any “promise land.” Anyone advocating the position that GG is in a bad system and has a bad coach and is therefore playing poorly is as delusional as Mack and Greg. Gilbert is not the victim of a bad offense, he is a contributor to it.
His biggest shortcoming is between the ears and that can’t be fixed. Maybe it can be improved enough to achieve a decent amount of success at a smaller program, say Tulsa, where there is less pressure and scrutiny. But not at Texas. It’s too big of a job for him.
do not agree with this,
Vince Young wasn’t the brightest star in the sky, athletically he vas very gifted and also had a better cast of players around him. The Coach basically told him to go make plays, with GG, the coaches are trying to be more mental instead of letting his talent take precedent. Major just needs to tell him to make plays and give him some free reign, play some sand lot football.
GG
If Gilbert was going to do it, we would have seen improvement by now. 5 int’s and the offense hasn’t shown any improvement. Case McCoy might be able to do better if he can throw the ball better. I would Save Connor Wood for next year and Case can bee a solid backup with his time for the rest of this year.
Greg Davis Might Be A Success....
if VY were to come back and use his last year of elgibility.
He needs to go.IMHO players on offense are turning to Major for answers.
Mack must do something to turn this around.I thought he could.
There must be something drastically wrong.Our players are better than KSU,Baylor and Iowa St. so it must be the coaches fault that we are losing.My best guess as to what is wrong is that Muschamp has probably called out Greg Davis ala the Buddy Ryan vs Kevin Gilbride melt down.
by TCB Orange Dino on Nov 8, 2010 12:58 PM CST reply actions
Major has proven what?
You're gonna strongly agree with some of what I say, and you'll strongly disagree with some of what I say. Either way, I don't give a d@#n. I'm just here to talk sports.
How about a write in vote?
What could have been…
“GJ Kinne directed the Tulsa Golden Hurricane to their third straight win, with 371 yards and four touchdowns on 26-for-39 passing in a 64-27 rout of Rice.”
2422 yards, 20 TD’s, 6 INT’s
Still a Blaine Irby fan
2012 We play Nebraska for the National Championship
It is written.
You're gonna strongly agree with some of what I say, and you'll strongly disagree with some of what I say. Either way, I don't give a d@#n. I'm just here to talk sports.
I asked and, Football God says,
Yes. Longhorn will continue to graze in the farmers’ Corn.
All is equal. Football God said Longhorn gets to break the hearts of Corn in the title game. Longhorn then gets to break the hearts of Corn one last time in Lincoln. At this point Football God says it was unequal in the universe, so Football God gave Corn a better season than Longhorn. Grass in Austin much drier than that of the Corn fields in Lincoln, where the Corn is growing tall. Now all is even, says Football God. And in 2012, as the cold and drying, Burnt Orange sunset mocks the Corn, Longhorn shall once again openly graze the farmers’ Corn once more before the withering stalks die into the winter night
You're gonna strongly agree with some of what I say, and you'll strongly disagree with some of what I say. Either way, I don't give a d@#n. I'm just here to talk sports.
God, that's beautiful...
…I feel so encouraged. I need HOPE for the future, gimme good news, thanks.
Hello Texas, sure is good to see you again...
by DaytrippingLonghorn on Nov 8, 2010 8:52 PM CST up reply actions
According to Mayan god
the world, including football, will end before that game gets to be played in the cornfields. So who do we believe in? Football God? Mayan God? GD that THINKS he is a god?
On my signal,,,Unleash Hell,,,and Fire Greg Davis,,please?
of course
I post something lighthearted and you have to bring up GD
You're gonna strongly agree with some of what I say, and you'll strongly disagree with some of what I say. Either way, I don't give a d@#n. I'm just here to talk sports.
My apologies
Truly. I will light candles to all of the above if we can pull it off in 2012.
On my signal,,,Unleash Hell,,,and Fire Greg Davis,,please?
You mentioned Jeffcoat...
…I’ve been wondering about him. Has he been playing much the last few games? Was his stupid, drive-sustaining penalty against ou? I’ve already forgotton, forgive me, it’s been a long year, I’ve slept and drank quite a few Heinekens since then to help ease the pain…
Hello Texas, sure is good to see you again...
by DaytrippingLonghorn on Nov 8, 2010 8:47 PM CST reply actions
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