John Chiles at the Last Chance Saloon
by Wescott Eberts (GoBR) on Aug 12, 2010 1:00 PM CDT
in Texas Longhorns Football
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PrintWord is that he's only having a water, thank you. Lots of carbs in beer, you know? Makes you fat.
And fat is exactly what the former high school star became while playing quarterback his first two seasons at Texas. Doughy. Soft. Greg Davis pegged the number the other day at around 220 pounds, but Scipio Tex calls it 235 or more. Last season, Chiles dropped a bit of weight in preparation for playing the receiver position, but the acceleration and top-end speed that defined his game as a prepster never materialized.
His body language was poor on the field, he admitted that he was thinking too much, never established a rapport with Colt McCoy, and notably quit on a clear-out route in the national championship game when Garrett Gilbert surprised him by actually looking in his direction on the play.
It's now or never for Chiles after three-year career characterized by unsuccessful attempts by the coaching staff to put him in a position to succeed. His package with the second-team unit in 2007 rarely produced any big plays and was scrapped. Nothing more needs to be said for the Q Package. Or the WildHorn. Blech.
So, now or never. And there are good signs, a buzz around his play.
And no, that's not the shots of Maker's Mark they have on special here at the LC. I swear.
In the national championship game, Gilbert showed some confidence, albeit misplaced, by making that throw down the sideline to Chiles, a throw that McCoy probably never made during his career, an important one in such a route concept because it keeps the safety honest and stretched toward the sidelilne to open up the seam.
In open practice in the spring, Gilbert hit him down the seam with a ball that was less than perfect in 7-on-7 drills and Chiles was unable to come down with the catch in traffic. Instead of looking somewhere else on the following play -- and DeSean Hales was open -- Gilbert went right back to Chiles, as if to say, "Hey man, keep working and I'll get you the ball." And Chiles rewarded his quarterback's confidence.
He even threw some crunching blocks on the edge to spring his running backs.
Throughout the summer, reports consistently mentioned Chiles as making strides with his play, as emerging as the leader that his body language last season clearly indicated he was not.
Now down under 210 pounds and after a summer of working with renowned Texas women's track and field coach Bev Kearney, Chiles is faster after working on techniques to improve his speed.
He's confident and more natural at the receiver position with his extra experience.
It's now or never and a svelte John Chiles appears ready to seize the moment.
It's time.
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Were they being kind?
are were the comments of the ilk of “You don’t sweat much for a fat girl.”
by TCB Orange Dino on Aug 12, 2010 1:07 PM CDT reply actions
I love his attitude adjustment
Per DC he worked with the Track coaches to improve his speed. That is a step in the right direction. I was NOT a fan after he quit on that route, but I am giving him a second chance and am already a re-claimed fan since he put in time with the Track guys. I’ll buy that man a water-put it on my tab.
I should have said women's track coach Bev Kearny--not track guys
Didn’t mean to be sexist. I bet she knows her stuff and helped him a bunch.
If you're buying the it better be
It's a Horns' world. Even Aggies play hoops with a burnt orange ball.
Good write up GOBR. I do hope John is putting it all together
If I learned anything from Chris O, it’s don’t give up on a Texas kid until he graduates. I hope John Chiles has a similar story of redemption.
Chiles definitely has the body type to go over the middle and become the dependable, possession receiver that Texas so desperately needs.
GG will definitely have some weapons at the WR position. If only we could pair GG with an elite back. Tre had some flashes last year. The Sand Aggie and Aggie games come to mind. Prove me wrong Fozzy. Cody will get you that yard, that touchdown, will he get you 30 carries, 180 yards and 3 tds? Time will tell. Honestly, I hope Cobbs runs away with the RB job. We need new blood. Come on down Brown and Gray.
Good luck John. I hope you have a breakout year and get straight paid in April 2011.
Hook ’em 2009.
by billfromlaketravis on Aug 12, 2010 1:45 PM CDT reply actions
The Last Chance Saloon sounds like a great place to drink some <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CBIQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.burntorangenation.com%2F2006%2F10%2F3%2F21339%2F2621&ei=00NkTPLICcKB8gbil9nSCg&usg=AFQjCNGjnUDFuli_LSv8CfL2pkzRj9_TKQ" >OU Sucks beer.
Huh...link fail. Try again.
The Last Chance Saloon sounds like a great place to drink some OU Sucks beer.
yall just dont get it do u? some football players are just busts, plain and simple
and john chiles is an excellent example of that. he will be the worst starting wide out texas has had in 8 years or so… easily
good luck to him, but i am sure as hell not getting any hopes up at all
"We'll be baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack!"
by greenspointexas on Aug 12, 2010 2:47 PM CDT reply actions
We just don't get it
Please enlighten us more with your wisdom. Tip – offer your opinion, don’t dis anyone else’s.
"A lot of people look for the easy way to do anything, in swimming there is no easy way." - Eddie Reese
I am saddened by this development
I have yet to find your blog whereby you enlighten us commoners. Do point me in the direction of such wisdom. I wait your response with bated breath
by GoHorns on Aug 12, 2010 4:39 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Absolute Skepticism
I’ll believe an improved Chiles AND Williams AND Kirkendoll when I see it rather than hear it.
Not exactly comforting.
I came away from open practice a fan of williams. Gave some kid his sleeves after practice.
And then continued to stay after everyone else had left working on his route running and catching.
I cant say he is going to be great but its good to see him putting in the extra effort to put it all together.
I wouldn't call him svelte exactly.
Yes, less “chubby,” but the dude doesn’t look like a wide receiver to me. He’s thick—legs like tree trunks, just a big, muscular guy. I’m rooting for him and hope this is his year, but he didn’t seem particularly quick at yesterday’s practice. I’m very interested to hear reports after tonight’s practice in full pads.
I must say I agree with the above post that expecting all three of those guys to suddenly “break out” is a huge stretch. I think a more likely scenario is that one or two of them improves, and a couple of young guys push for playing time.
Watching him yesterday, I was not impressed.
He dropped easy balls, didn’t seem to hustle, and just looked plain slow in comparison to literally everyone else. The only one who came even close to looking as bad was Kirkendoll, so unless they’re both just bad in practices and great in games, I’m looking for them to not step up this season and force our younger guys to step up.
TEXAS FIGHT
I love Maker's Mark....nt
"I want to be remembered as the guy who gave his all whenever he was on the field."
-Walter Payton
John looked better today
He made a nice catch on a deep slant. He also made a very nice throw from basically the pocket on a trick play that initially looked like a reverse. I’d really like to see him get used like that probably a good two or three times a game.
TEXAS FIGHT
Chiles
Was easily the most impressive player at open practice today. And this is from a Chiles-hater and cynic. Ain’t to whomever talked about him being chubby earlier, you obviously haven’t seen him lately. He’s in phenomenal shape.
by GoHornsGo90 on Aug 12, 2010 10:51 PM CDT up reply actions
chubby
I said he was LESS chubby—I was just referencing the original post that said he was fat last year. I agree that he’s in phenomenal shape. For a tight end,or a strong safety, maybe. :)
by crocodile235 on Aug 13, 2010 10:09 AM CDT up reply actions
Wow
Just noticed I typed “ain’t” instead of “and.” That makes absolutely no sense.
He was fat last year, but he’s not any more. He even got rid of those child-bearing hips he had. Believe me, I can hold a grudge against a football player and be pretty ruthless when making fun of them. But John’s already earned my respect back. Not saying he’s the second coming of Roy Williams, just that I think he’s going to catch the most balls on the team of anybody this year.
eh Marquise looks even better and he's a better known quantity.
He looked amazing everytime. I like that Chiles and be used to throw stuff too. That play just stunned the defense for an easy first down.
TEXAS FIGHT
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