Texas Football 2010: My Guys

Kheeston-went to my highschool, the last guy that played Div 1 from my high school was 20 years ago, plus we have one DT step up evey year, it’s his turn.
Christian-he may kill someone with a hit.
Chiles-I hope for a Quan like emergence.
Barrett-as you say SOMEONE has to survive.
Tre’-I know he broke out last year, but I expect another big leap.

For the record, I’m super-bullish on Garrett Gilbert. I didn’t give him a spot on my list, but mainly that’s because so much ink is devoted to him — here and elsewhere — already. But yeah: I’m excited. He’ll take his lumps, but I expect him to wow us in ways no passing quarterback at Texas ever has.

but my sense is that Paden Kelley, who opened with the ones last Thursday, would get the first crack at left tackle if Hix doesn’t work out. My thought is that they would try Walters at right tackle first, but I think Walters could definitely eventually end up on the left side.

Vaccaro looked good in coverage at the second open practice and was notably physical with the receivers — going to have to be careful about drawing some flags for that. Better than expected though and he is going to have a chance to play some in the big nickel package that never got off the ground last year when Scott became academically ineligible.

I believe the “if” in if the Mythical Fozzy Creature stays healthy deserves to be bolded or italicized or something.

Here’s my five:

Kheeston Randall — Next great DT at Texas, going to be a beast inside.
Barrett Matthews — Flat-out mean as a blocker. Only question mark is if he can catch the ball consistently.
Marquise Goodwin — Mindmeld 2.0? Roommate jokes? I think all of that will apply with Gilbert and Goodwin.
Emmanuel Acho — Nothing to add really. Seems kinda lame but that kid has monster season written all over him.
Eddie Jones — Finally healthy and ready to live up to that five-star potential. It’s his last season and he is going to hungry with a capital H.

The last one was tough because I’m a big fan of Kenny Vaccaro and his ability to sink his hips and explode through people and he’s apparently bringing 215 pounds of hurt this year. Wow.

Fine list, although you couldn’t go wrong with 8-12 others.

1. Malcolm Williams – expect to see him stretching the field this year.
2. DJ Monroe – a lot to prove with a lot of speed to prove with.
3. C Scott – Like billb above. I can’t wait for collisions with balls bouncing on the turf.
4. Cody Johnson – 8 yards and a cloud of dust.
5. Acho Uno Ocho – He’s the man!

Looking across the roster it can be tough to pick out who’s gonna shine this year and who you may be reluctant to elect as a “My Guy.” However I believe based on the last two years I think there are some locks that are easy to elect.

1) Tre’ Newton – I think in an I-Form offensive set, with an O-line commited to running the football, Newton is poised for a 1000 yard season, if not extremely close.
2) Aaron Williams – Given he’s already drawing praise from NFL scouts, this is another easy pick. However, given his knowledge of the defense and the fact that Muschamp likes to use him in some blitz schemes I think we’re gonna see him solidify himself as the vocal leader of the secondary. No offense to Gideon, but Williams is flat out scary as a defender.
3) Christian Scott – Earl Thomas was known as a great defender who could cover like a corner and make up ground like a safety, but he was never seen as an “enforcer.” For that matter, Texas has never really had a safety who “scared” recievers. Being in a Muschamp defense for three years, Scott has the opportunity to hurt people. I’m not hoping someone gets seriously injured, but recievers are going to question running across the middle. Muschamp will use him as an “on-field missile.”
4) Emmanuel Acho – The other Acho has always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. But his playing time has been erratic because Muschamp likes to switch to a 4-2-5 and Emmanuel would be on the sideline, with Keenan and Muck on the field. Now that he is solidified with Keenan as the two mainstays at ‘backer, I think you’re going to see him blitz a lot and also have some quality interceptions being his ability to drop into pass coverage. He’s always good for strips and recoveries, but now we get to see him used all over the field.
5) Garret Gilbert – I don’t think its fair to have a “My Guys” post without the most important position on the field. GG’s transition into starter is exciting for all Longhorn fans. Other than some freshan mistakes in the championship game, when he settled down and made the right reads he was effective. I think going against Muschamp’s D in practice will help him tremendously. Also, the O-line’s ability to run block will open up the Play-Action Pass for GG and take some pressure off him to make every play like Colt seemed to have to the last 3 years.

Let me know what you guys think. I think these are logical choices. I think this team has the opportunity the be more balance, on both sides of the ball, than last year. Hook ’Em Horns and OU Sucks!

I love Walters. Texas interior apprenticeship to get guys on the field and then moving them to tackle has worked in the past. My concern is that the coaches like Walters at guard or center (beyond me) and they keep him inside.
I like Vaccaro. Kenny seems to be having a good fall. I like another big, physical DB out there in nickel.
Acho18 is a stud. I think he will continue to wreck havoc and bring the ruckus. Thanks Curb Your Enthusiasm’s LeRoy.
Marquis Goodwin reminds me a lot of Quan with more speed. Goodness, I hope he become Quan with more speed. We’re going to need something automatic on 3 and 5.
And then there was Fozzy. I have been let down too many times by Fozzy. I think even hopefully optimistic sentiments will result in some kind of sprain. Kid is made of glass. I hope he can stay healthy, Fozzy is our fastest back that coaches will actually play. Jeremy Hills lack of touches is appalling as it is mysterious. Possible night putting with the Dean’s daughter infractions?

My guys with brief explanations :
1) Cody Johnson
Every report I’ve read has Cody as the best back in Fall Camp. Would have had the job in Spring 2009 and the Fall 2009 if he was healthy and in shape. Over the off season he reduced his body fat 4-5 %. Sounds like he’s healthy, in shape and motivated this year. 10 games like the Baylor game last year, yes please.
2) Keenan Robinson
Dude is a freaky athletic. After impaling a few Arkie offenders in his freshman season, I thought he should have been a starter. Keenan has really come into his own. Great game against Bama. Should only improve this year.
3) Barrett Matthews
A bit short to be a tight end, but able to break a 5.5 in the 40 unlike EBS. All kidding aside, EBS is worthless except for blocking. Matthews can stretch the field. An Aaron Hernandez like impact this year wins Texas a game. I love North Shore kids, make the pipeline proud Barrett.
4) Malcolm Williams
Needs some “Little Giants” Stick ‘Em on his gloves. Too many drops last year, but how many guys have a TO like body in college? I’ll answer that for you, Julio Jones and AJ Green. I hope Malcolm put its together this year and makes the easy catches and the impossible ones. It took Limas some years on the 40 to figure it out. Hopefully, Malcolm puts it all together this year. GG’s better deep ball makes me hopeful. Malcolm is not built to catch bubble screens.
5) Paden Kelley
Not one of my breakout guys because he starred at LT. Breakout player because he’s had the best fall camp of any tackle and Britt Mitchell isn’t that good. If Mitchell couldn’t break into the starting line up last year, it makes you think he’s the starter at RT by default and because he’s a senior. I would hope Paden is our RT post UCLA game. Hopefully, Walters will be the other book end at LT. Replacing 2 seniors with redhsirt freshman will never happen in the Mack Brown/ Greg Davis era though. One can always dream. Regardless, Paden will get a lot of snaps and be a good contributor.

If Texas can figure it out at OL , RB and DT we are looking at a possibly undefeated team. Freaky athletes all over the field. Notice most of my breakout guys are on offense. Defense has already proven itself.

If he emerges, watch out.

For as good as the Horns have been on special teams, it seems we can pull some dude off the street and he’ll block a punt. But how many games have been won the past few years by Longhorn kickers? For that reason, here’s my Five Guys, in no particular order:

1) Justin Tucker — For reasons mentioned above.

2) Eddie Jones — Because he has the frame, the motor, and the motivation. And because it’s his year.

3) David Snow — This is his offensive line now. If the turnaround of the run game is to happen, it has to start up front and in the middle. I hope he gets ornery this year.

4) Kheeston Randall (and whoever lines up next to him) — The converse to #3. If teams can run between the tackles on us, it’s going to be a long season. Do you think offensive coordinators in this league want to pass against this secondary? I think not.

5) Blake Gideon — Because when he graduates, no one will have started more games at safety in Texas history. Because he never comes off the field. Because he’s the captain of what could be the most talented secondary we’ve seen on the 40 Acres. Because he’s the Jordan Shipley of the defense (and not just because of his skin tone). And because when people look back at Blake’s career, the missed pick in Lubbock will be overshadowed by his leadership, intelligence, and clutch play, and we will say that he began to become one of the great Longhorns of the Mack Brown era in his junior year.

1. Chiles – Has to be #1. Heres to hoping you pull through. The positive reports this off season sound a lot like the reports that we were getting last season, which led to just more disappointment.

2. Fozzy – Just no one tackle him, and I think he will be fine. Hoping he emerges like Daft Punk would want him to, Harder Better Faster Stronger.

3. Howell – Expectations were high coming in, this is a good year to catch up to them, we will need it.

4. Williams – Oh man does he look like a man amongst smaller men out there. Get it all together and watch us fly. Please.

5. Jones – I think its fair that with enough PT Jones can be elite. But injuries and the youngins could prove a problem this year. Hopefully he stays healthy enough and hungry enough to stay on the field.

I’ll take:

1. Garrett Gilbert – he’s the real deal, but inexplicably will receive less press than Matt Barkley.
2. CoJo – I’ve been rooting for him to start for years, but he looks ripped this year. I expect to see some damage.
3. Goodwin – the most natural athletic talent I’ve ever seen
4. The Achos – To me, they count as one person and are incredibly intelligent players. Their smarts will translate to on-field domination. If I have to pick one, I’ll take Emmanuel, the dark horse in the race.
5.

Gideon

1. Gilbert – No surprise here. He’s a stud.
2. C. Scott – Will lay some heavy wood on anyone in his path.
3. Jones/Okafor – Both will shine this year. Finally E. Jones has his chance by being healthy for spring & fall!
4. Goodwin – The kid is special. He will break out big time.
5. Chiles – I believe.

• MASON WALTERS

– After being injured for so long I think this is the year we finally get to see him bring the pain. First and foremost, he’s hungry to see the field. Second, he’s had time to learn the system. Third, his job as an OL just got easier with a modified scheme that (theoretically) emphasizes at least some more straight-ahead power blocking instead of such heavy lateral movement in the spread where leverage is difficult to attain. Fourth, outside of his own pride and ambition, he has the additional motivation of helping the line revive the running game and keep Gilbert upright. I know it sounds cheesy, but it counts.


• DAVID SNOW
– OK, maybe this is more wishful thinking, but he’s finally starting after getting good experience the last two years. As with Walters, I think the new scheme, pride, Gilbert all play to his strengths and motivate him. He’s also a pretty smart kid.

• CALVIN HOWELL
– He’s healthy. He’s a beast. He’s coached by Boom. Need I say more?

• MARQUISE GOOWDIN
– McCoy to Shipley just became Gilbert to Goodwin.

• CODY JOHNSON
– While I don’t think he’s the most freakishly athletic back on the 40 Acres, I think he benefits by familiarity, the intent of moving more under center, and by slimming down. He seems able/willing to block, which I think sees him even used in the spread, even though he’s not really fast enough to make it work the way we want. In short, he sees the field the most of any back, and thus has the most opportunity.

Not the least bit imaginative, but…

    Garrett
    Marquise
    Malcolm (?! fingers crossed)
    Tre
    Cody

I think the offense absolutely explodes (in a good way) this year, putting fear into our opponents on par with that from our defense. I expect the entire D to go Boom with atomic force

One of my favorite pieces of the year: My Guys; is something thats always fun to look back on previous years and see who hit the nail on the head or who jinxed us by selecting 5 TE’s as their picks. Assholes!

My picks this year will be:

1.) Blake Gideon: I’ve always been a fan of Blake, and I’ll be the first one upset when he’s replaced by Vaccaro if he keeps taking poor angles to the tailback like last year. His hips have become much more fluid and it showed in his 6 picks last season. This is a guy I’m counting on the be the rock, the base, and the glue that holds everything together this season.

2.) Chykie Brown: Once again, I’m taking a long shot, but he’s the weak link in our secondary for the passing game. He’s brilliant one moment, then the next he’s thinking about the tail on 6th he’s pulling after the game as someone double moves him back to reality. His talent level is off the charts, but he needs to fix something between his ears this season, as its his last chance to shine.

3.) Calvin Howell: I loved Calvin as soon as I saw his cheesy grin on TV after he made a smooth remark in regards to Jamarkus McFarland. Priceless. This is his year to step up as a primary body up front next to Kheeston. We need to light a candle for his health, and we can expect big things from the kid.

4.) Connor Wood: Two weeks ago, this wouldnt have made sense, but alas, Sherrod made the decision for me. Connor is likely to be our 2nd String QB for the season, and we need to get this kid some reps. We need Connor to be able to jump into a situation and have complete control of his offense at all times. I expect great things from him, but lets get him started ASAP.

5.) John Chiles: Ok, go ahead and show me on the JC bandwagon. Apparently he cut weight, worked with ladies track and field coach and increased his speed, and is now a man. Good for him. He’s turning heads in practice and its about damn time. I want to see crisp route running and an increased will to be better. I think JC knows this is last shot, so he’s going all out, and we can expect great things from him.

1 CoJo-I hope I see him lower the boom on some DB’s.with the weight loss ,this guy is going to tear it up.

2 Goodwin, 2 words, fast and vision

3 E. Jones, with his motor I think its time.

4 GG Lots of weapons for him to play with

5 D.J. Monroe, lots of TD’s and short fields

I really think this guy is going to get some quality minutes.

1. Timmons
2. Hills
3. Hales
4. Grant
5. Okafor