Whither the Offense? A Review
I thought Big Roy did an excellent job last Friday of framing five big questions facing the Texas offense this season. However, since Texas proceeded to thump so handily Florida Atlantic, with Colt McCoy in his Saturday best, there's been a remarkable pacification of what had been a relatively freaked out fanbase, at least where the offense was concerned. While I count myself among the pleased with regards to Saturday's offensive showing, I keep coming back to the thought that almost all the same questions fueling the preseason panic have to be considered unresolved against Florida Atlantic.
Let's revisit each:
1. Will the offensive discover its identity before Colorado?
I think the best one could say is 'maybe,' pointing to Colt's phenomenal night as the cornerstone of a very efficient offense which gobbles up what the defense is giving them. Maybe. The truth is, Florida Atlantic was so badly outmatched that McCoy and his offensive line just did what they wanted to. That's indisputably a good thing, but what's the offense's identity against good defenses? I don't feel comfortable saying I know.
My esteemed whills gave it a shot in a comment earlier this evening, though:
Developing...With McGee in the 4.3 range and an inside runner, and Fozzy on the outside with comparable speed, I think we’re gonna see some long TDs. That’s just a hell of a threat in both places. And that doesn’t count the wide-outs.
I’m no longer worrying about having a game breaker now; we have several. I like consistent offense but we have some serious threats most everywhere. As we get more efficient – esp. with OL blocking – these will pan out quite well. We’re just discovering our goodies…
Is it possible the picture whills paints will come to be? Certainly. However, it's much more a prediction of what he thinks we can become than a statement of what we are. However pleased I may be with Saturday's showing, I think this particular question has to be considered as yet unresolved.
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Morning Orange Juice is on College Time
I'm sure all of you old dudes are at work by now, but this is when I finish walking the dog, so them's nuts. -HB
Not sure that this will be more than an occasional stealing of the show, as Peter has informed me that he's knee deep in slum-lords today, so don't get your panties all in a wad if I'm ruining your daily dialogue with Peter. He'll be back.
Quick, name our running backs. If you said Vondrell McGee or Fozzy bear, then you're right, but you're not all right. Chris Ogbonnaya (would you believe I have a tougher time with the 'h' in his first name than his entire last name?) gets interviewed over at the spin factory, but in a way that you'll like. You've got to love his attitude. He talks like the guy that goes to every practice, never complains, helps out his teammates anyway he can, and if on game day the coach goes with someone younger and faster, he'll be right there slapping on his chin strap and telling him to watch the blitz. Beyond that, though, Chris says he's slimmed down a bit this summer, which could help us out a tiny bit. Recall during the A&M game that we had a third and I believe 5 (don't quote me) on the goal line, Davis put in Chris O and the Aggies all yelled "PASS!" Colt made a quick handoff to Obi-Won and he force-pushed his way into the endzone. Having a slightly more explosive third down back introduces a neat little change-up to your arsenal. Let's hope that's what we get.
Colt McCoy doesn't get to hold the knife. While Tim Tebow is probably in the Philippines circumsizing newborns, Colt took a week in Iquitos, Peru on his own mission trip. McCoy told the AAS that he had rice for every meal and lost 10 pounds while teaching little Peruvian kids the "other football". Luckily for the kids, UCLA COACH Rick Neuheisel sent along a scouting crew, and has reportedly scheduled an official visit from a few of the kids, who picked off Colt countless times. The little Juan was excited, but reportedly muttered under his breath, "I'll have to remember to forward Colt some of my signing bonus." Greg Davis blamed the heat and the communication barrier between the Tuscola, TX native and his Peruvian receivers.
AJ Abrams scores a workout! AJ worked out with the Sacramento Kings Monday, along with everyone's other favorite shot-specialist, Drew Neitzel from Michigan State. I saw ol' baldy up close a few times at the Sweet Sixteen game in Houston after we trounced Stanford. He was the only Spartan who didn't slap my brother's outstretched hand either going or coming from the court, and even gave him a weird look, as if to say, "Me touch you?" Hate that guy. If he's there with Abrams, though, they may be looking for a sharpshooter. Oh, what's that? My left brain just reminded me that AJ will return to school.
Another NEZ update, brought to you by Wells Fargo. Here are some pictures of the north endzone at DKR and it's progress. Looking good so far. They're even putting up some Texas banners in select places. The chairs are cute now, but hopefully they'll realize they can seat more people on bleachers. I find it funny that part of the reason we were so excited about the NEZ is the noise potential, and they're trying to keep everyone comfortably seated with their eyes fixed on the Fargo commercial on the Godzillatron across the field. Flaming will be accepted in my email .
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Morning Coffee Is Human Again
I hope those watching charged the meal to the Underhills. After a day to travel and another to sleep I re-emerged (human again) to find Texas and Georgia fans immersed in a massive open thread for the NCAA Tennis Championship, all of which I missed; as a fan and player of the sport, I would have loved to catch some of the action. Unfortunately, the 'Horns were bested in the national finals despite picking up the early doubles point. Congratulations to the 'Dawgs for the NCAA championship, and to our 'Horns, for the fantastic run in Tulsa.
EDSBS LIVE hitting its offseason stride. With the tennis open thread in full force, I didn't dare bump the main event down, not even for a late EDSBS LIVE promo post. Nonetheless, Orson and I did indeed have our weekly show last night, a 90-minute chat about the early Top 25 polls and where they seem on/off the mark. Podcast of the show is available both via the radio player in the left sidebar of this page and on the EDSBS Live show page itself.
On a related note, tentatively mark your calendars for the 10th of June, boys and girls, when the inimitable Phillip Steele is scheduled to join EDSBS Live for the summer preview spectacular. Last year's chat with college football's walking encyclopedia was probably the show's most thoroughly entertaining; there's something truly joyous about listening to a man so wholly devoted to the great game of college football.
Phil Steele returns to EDSBS Live.
Lacke... Leeche... Leike.... Just watch. The Temple tailback with the funny name made his way to the FanShots, courtesy of WorstFan. But Lache Seastrunk, a prospect in the 2010 class, is front page material. (Use a bib.)
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