You can't keep it secret!

by edsp on Aug 26, 2011 11:53 AM CDT

Gotta share this. Seems particularly pertinent after Mack Brown’s (more complete than usual) blackout of Thursday night’s scrimmage.

Summer 1968. Emory Bellard was installing the wishbone option attack after three 6-4 seasons in which the Longhorns ran mostly an I-formation, one-back offense. Darrell Royal wanted to utilize the three good running backs in the program, and UT’s defensive coaches had spent months planning for Houston’s veer option since we were to play the Cougars in our opener. (Read more after the jump.)

Normally, Royal kept practice pretty loose, let reasonably-credentialed personnel watch just about anything. He didn’t mind what we wrote or broadcast. In August ’68, though, Royal was much tighter with security. His sports publicity folks asked reporters not to publicize anything about specific formations or plays. Royal being Royal – you had to see him up close to know the fire he could breathe when provoked – that worked pretty well.

Except that the practice field at the time was open, and was located directly below one of UT’s larger dorms. Thus . . . my brother, who lived on the fifth floor, could diagram for me any formations and plays. He even asked me about something I wasn’t supposed to tell anyone about. A Houston-based reporter who had talked to UH sources asked Royal a question and, not getting a good answer, diagrammed on a blackboard what Texas was about to employ and even name the key players.

So much for secrecy.

Mack, drop the damn iron curtain. Tear down that wall. This is sports. It’s part of what our culture calls leisure and entertainment. It ain’t the war plan to take out Bin Laden.

That is all. Hook ‘em.

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The opposite can be argues using the same rhetoric

It’s part of what our culture calls leisure and entertainment. It ain’t the war plan to take out Bin Laden.

So don’t worry about what he is installing. Go worry about Aggie to SEC.

And if the sonofabitches are gone, then it is goodbye. Good enough. nt-whills

by run Bevo run on Aug 26, 2011 12:37 PM CDT reply actions

I disagree entirely

Yes, it’s fun, but it’s a lot more fun when the Longhorns win. The chances of that happening are better when the Longhorns are able to maintain some degree of the element of surprise, so I’m all for it. While I’m not the most devoted follower of the fantake twins (BC and RC), I am really appreciative of the seriousness with which JS takes his approach to reporting on practices and scrimmages.

QB Garrett Gilbert was the Beavis & Butthead episode of the 2010 college football season. Even when things were going well there was always one bad decision that meant he wasn’t going to score.
http://cfn.scout.com/2/1070636.html

by burntorangehorn on Aug 26, 2011 1:50 PM CDT reply actions

This

As a fan, I’d think one would prioritize any and all initiatives put in the place for the purpose of winning over one’s sense of being entitled to information. Think about it as waiting until Christmas morning to unwrap your presents. Isn’t it much more exciting when it’s a surprise than when you’ve peaked in the secret Christmas hiding place and found your presents two weeks early?

I for one like surprises, especially when it means we beat OU and Aggy in a year when both a heavily favored to win.

"The only sport that should be cried over is tee ball."
- don't remember who said it, but I like it.

by HookTech on Aug 28, 2011 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions