Mediocre
by Peter Bean on Nov 23, 2007 6:30 PM CST
in Football
109 comments
Dear Mack Brown,
Texas football is mediocre this year. It was Alamo Bowl mediocre last year.
Your defensive coordinator(s) just got slaughtered by a pedestrian Aggie offense.
Your offensive coordinator proved his critics right with another dud. Also against a pedestrian Aggie unit.
Losses to OU and A&M in the same season. Two in a row to the Aggies; six of eight to OU.
I said before the game that this was an important one. If you didn't believe me, just wait 'til you hear some of the things this fanbase is going to have to say about this loss. And about this season.
Frankly, the status quo rather sucks. Whether or not you get that 10th win your obsessed with.
Whatcha gonna do about it?
--PB--
(Also: Official A&M Postgame React post forthcoming in a bit. And, as a bonus, my first postgame react post of the hoops season as I just finished watching Texas beat New Mexico State over on Versus. Both posts up here in a bit tonight. AW is on the road back from College Station and will surely have some thoughts of his own on the football. Finally, for those who have just wanted to rant and set aside the heady talk? I don't blame ya. We've got a long offseason to think about things - you've got every right to be pissed off right now. --PB--)
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YOU'RE FIRED !!!
that's what i would be saying to Greg Davis right about now.
by Hooked4Life on Nov 23, 2007 6:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Greg Davis
GD certainly can be blamed for some things, like his obsessive "need" to be balanced even when the running game is eating up large chunks or his love for the bubble pass. However, he didn't fumble the ball, drop passes, miss crucial extra points, or throw interceptions, and he certainly had nothing to do with creating and sustaining one of the worst pass defenses in the country. If GD goes, he should be followed by every defensive coach on the team.
by OBdoc on Nov 24, 2007 9:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Defense the issue
in this game - again. The offense wasn't good, but we lost because we couldn't tackle and couldn't get them off the field. What was their percentage on 3rd down? If the offense was clicking, we would have had a chance, but with them sputtering, we needed the D to get stops when it counted and it couldn't - again.
by SaintBevo on Nov 23, 2007 6:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
You are so
'effing right PB. I was watching the replay of the aTm game from '98 and I remember how much hope I had at the time. On balance I think we have to say Mack's tenure has been disappoiting. Had VY not turned out to be freak that he is we'd be without that (really rather glorius MNC - let's not kid ourselves) and Mack's job would be in serious trouble. As is, barring a shitload of luck I am very dubious about the future.
As I wrote below this is particularly galling when we see what Mangino is doing with vastly inferior talent. (Long, painful sight).
by duras on Nov 23, 2007 6:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This is on both units
Offense couldn't stay on the field long enough to give the defense any rest, let alone get in the end zone. Defense couldn't get itself off the field. Poor performances all the way around until we were in an almost inescapable hole, just like most of the season.
by Horncasting on Nov 23, 2007 6:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
It's almost as if they expect...
...#10 to run out of the tunnel and save the day.
by DreadedOne on Nov 23, 2007 8:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Mack Brown
I would not say his tenure has been mediocre, but that's not an argument I want to get into. I say fire Akina - this game was inexcusable. I thought Greg Davis had a decent game - if the receivers weren't dropping so many passes and Colt didn't turn the ball over three times, we would have put up a ton of points.
by Texas Wahoo on Nov 23, 2007 6:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I agree...
I am very upset right now, but I saw too many dropped passes, and for those who are burning McCoy in effigy right now... well I predict the kid comes back next year and has a monster year behind a MUCH improved offensive line.
I am optimistic about this team and its youth for next season with the returning juniors (Charles, Cosby, etc.) We need to re-cultivate a deep threat as well. The offense was not that bad, they hung 30 on them and Kansas only hung 19 on them. Our defense just got outfoxed and outplayed by A&M's offense.
by HornsFan87 on Nov 23, 2007 6:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I just don't see it
I admire your optimism, but I just don't think Colt has what it takes mentally or physically to lead this team to anything better than the past two seasons. He just isn't composed enough, he has a noodle for an arm, and he usually doesn't make good decisions. Good guy. Lots of heart, fierce dedication, but quite frankly, that isn't enough qualify you for the starting QB of Texas.
by Texas Our Texas on Nov 23, 2007 7:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Offense actually hung 24 on them
and 7 of those were when they were handed the ball inside A&M's 10.
by Horncasting on Nov 23, 2007 7:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I cannot figure out
Why Greg Davis continually gets a pass. It's talent alone that puts up the numbers. Francionne was given a head coaching job at Alabama because they thought he was some wonder-coach. Don't you think it helped he had LT, the greatest running back currently in the NFL? It's time for Gregory to go and his calling of 2 yard routes when it's 3rd and 5, or the lack of a 15 yard pass plays unless we're down by 14 with 9 minutes left in the game, or screen passes when its 2nd and 8, or using your stud running back ineffectively for most of the year, or trimming down your play book because the offense doesn't "get it".
by anonyMoose on Nov 23, 2007 7:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Three Games Mattered Most This Year: KSU, OU, ATM
And we lost them all.
by mikey 4 on Nov 23, 2007 6:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
that says it ALL
by ut fan in ok on Nov 23, 2007 6:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
I was thinking the same thing.
Of all Mack Brown's flaws, and his flaws are beginning to outweigh his abilities, the worst has always been in the motivation department.
While he's had good years and bad years regarding player-development, discipline, recruiting, etc., he has NEVER had a good year as a motivator.
by BrooklynHorn on Nov 23, 2007 6:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Colt McCoy
I think on offense I was least impressed with Colt. He played with a ton of heart and made some big plays late in the game. But overall, he seemed rattled and didn't protect the ball nearly well enough. Learn how to throw the ball away, especially when we're down 2 scores with less than 3 minutes left.
by Texas Wahoo on Nov 23, 2007 6:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
fran
did you see the fran interview. I was laughing my ass off. Fran is so gone, and he knows it. He never answers questions like that.
by carsondude on Nov 23, 2007 6:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Less with more
I hated Mack for the first few years but have slowly come to like him as a coach. Remember, if you fire the HC you have to replace him with someone who'll win as much as he did.
That said, this team has problems. BIG problems.
- Defensive Coordinator. You can say what you want about Chizik but he was mean-as-piss and he hated to lose. I have NEVER seen defensive backfield play like this before. It used to be that Texas Longhorn football featured DBs that could cover and tackle well.
2)Youth Be Served- I don't care how "big time" your program is. The best players should play. Tim Tebow played a lot as a freshman. For that matter, so did Colt (but only because we had nothing else in the cupboard). Kindle, Norton and Muckelroy should have been seeing far more minutes.
3)The Colt- I don't hate the kid. I like his moxie and his ability but he's clearly taken a big step backward this year. Is he the guy who started last year barely beating out Jevan Snead (who's probably laughing right now) or is he the kid that finished last season as a wunderkind?
4)Offensive Coordinator- Greg Davis, all I can say to you is one word: "Fullback". I don't care if you run the Hawaii spread or the wishbone. Make the offense fit the talent and call plays like your ass is on fire from the jalapeno special. Vanilla is okay as long as it's "Smash-the-other-guy-to-a-bloody-pulp-Vanilla".
DISGUST!
My cell phone is already ringing off the hook with people waiting to give me crap.
by DreadedOne on Nov 23, 2007 6:45 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Disgraceful to say the least !
Well Well ! Perhaps all your critics are right Mack. No Vince Young and the Texas coaching won't compete with the big boys. Can you deny it Mack, because I sure as hell can't anymore. Frankly, I would not be all that troubled to see your backside leaving Austin, AND TAKE YOUR COACHING STAFF WITH YOU!
Screw your ten win seasons. With the talent Texas brings in, and yes Mack it's Texas the youngsters dream of playing for - not you, our trophy case is a liitle light over the past 11 years, save 2005 of course. Moreover, with this little exposition today all that love from Mr. Scott, or Vince light in Pennsylvania just disappeared.
by jbob on Nov 23, 2007 6:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The loss to A&M doesn't bother me
nearly as much as knowing that absolutely nothing will change after this, and that we will have the exact same season next year and the year after, and every year until Mack hangs it up.
In a few days everyone will calm down, decide that Mack HAS, after all, won a lot of games as our coach, and plus he's a nice guy, so we shouldn't be too hasty - just like every other [non-VY] season.
We'll get all hyped up again next year, but none of our problems from this season will have been addressed, instead we'll get more of the same-ole stuff, and everyone will act COMPLETELY surprised (this part still stuns me every September) when our gameplans aren't what they should be and we aren't using our personnel properly - just like every other [non-VY] season.
By late November, some other key teams will have lost some key games, leaving us inexplicably in a position to do something big (BCS game, conference championship game, or just plain beating a hated rival). And then, in OUR key game, we'll come out of the gates unprepared and uninspired and the fanbase will lose it once again, wanting the house cleaned. Everyone will calm down again, realizing that Mack HAS, in fact, won a lot of games for us, and the cycle will repeat.
And repeat. And repeat.
by BrooklynHorn on Nov 23, 2007 6:52 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
It isn't quite right to say
that Mack never addresses problems. A few years ago our D sucked, and he went out and got Chizik, the hottest DC out there, away from a major Football school and coming off of an undefeated season. After Chizik left, I think he felt that he needed to reward Akina for years of good coaching. What he does with Akina now will be telling. He did not do a good job this year. Mack can be a lot slower to make staffing changes than we would like, but he has done them.
Greg Davis is a different story. I think Mack has too much history with him to ever jetison him. I think it more likely that GD steps down someday, if the heat gets unbearable.
by SaintBevo on Nov 23, 2007 7:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He got Chizik because he had to fill a vacancy
Mack had just lost his DC to another school's head coaching position. And if I remember correctly, Carl Reese "retired."
Mack has never fired anybody of any significance that I can remember.
by BrooklynHorn on Nov 23, 2007 7:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Never fired anyone
Didn't renew a contract once, but never canned anyone.
by Peter Bean on Nov 23, 2007 7:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Question:
Do you think Mack will just refuse to make personel changes, or do you think that even if he does make the changes, we will still have more of the same?
by Texas Our Texas on Nov 23, 2007 7:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
If you're asking about Chiles vs McCoy
there is nothing that tells me he won't stick with McCoy. I agree with the sentiment that is going around that Colt is gutsy and he's a great guy, but just doesn't have all the tools - dare I compare him to Stephen McGee? Before you laugh, McGee is has a 2-0 head-to-head vs Colt McCoy.
But the thing that sticks in my mind is that Colt has played 25 games; that's a full career for most QB's. Why are we to think that he'll improve - haven't we seen his ceiling already? If we haven't, where is this potential going to come from after two full seasons? He played well early last year, when nobody saw him coming, but in the time since he was declared the undisputed QB, he's played inconsistent on his better days, and he's been downright awful on his worst days.
But Mack WILL NOT sit a two year starter at QB. I'll eat my hat if he does. If he couldn't go with obvious superiority in his line-backing unit, why would he hand the keys to the offense to an inexperienced young guy? Not gonna happen.
by BrooklynHorn on Nov 23, 2007 7:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the response
Colt was part of my question, but I was really asking about coaching staff changes. Any thoughts on that one?
by Texas Our Texas on Nov 23, 2007 7:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually...
I think if he does make some changes with his staff, we'll see some different gameplans. All we have to go on is what we've seen from defensive coordinators (because he's had only one offensive coordinator), but in each of those cases, we did see Mack Brown field considerably different defensive philosophies.
However, I suspect that Mack is more prone to let the DC do his own thing than he would be to let the OC do his own thing.
In either case, I think Mack's general conservativism will still permeate this team. That, I believe, will never change. And it may be the biggest factor in losing games like this one.
by BrooklynHorn on Nov 23, 2007 7:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Intersting
I agree. I like to think that if Mack will actually make the staff changes, things will improve. I just don't know if he has it in him to fire people.
by Texas Our Texas on Nov 23, 2007 7:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
didn't
he bench a starter when he sat Applewhite in favor of Simms?
by SaintBevo on Nov 23, 2007 7:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
and who knows, maybe his current stubbornness is a product of that experience. But it certainly won't happen again.
Maybe HornChamps knows whether or not he ever benched an experienced starter when he was at North Carolina.
by BrooklynHorn on Nov 23, 2007 7:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I am really disinclined to look on the
bright side but ... you know ... more experience at o-line, some playmakers in the secondary and LB - maybe - as so forth. Of course OU will be loaded also but we might, we some luck, stumble into a - OMG - 11 win season, BCS Bowl, maybe Big 12 Championship.
by duras on Nov 23, 2007 7:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Disturbing to say the least
I always fancied Colt as Major Applewhite with wheels. I'm sorry to have made that comparison now because The Major was probably the smartest freshman QB I have ever seen. It's probably not fair to Colt either.
Obviously, the big question now is "which Colt is the real one"? The one from 2006 or 2007.
I am very concerned about all of the hits Colt has taken. I wonder if he's having lingering post-concussive effects. He should never have been allowed to play in the second half against KSU. That doctor should lose his license.
by DreadedOne on Nov 23, 2007 7:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My impression of Colt...
is that he has NO CONFIDENCE in his O-line to protect him. Tonight I noticed more than a few times that he would start to scramble when there was still a pocket around him. And once he started scrambling, the shit would fall apart. Not that I blame him for his lack of confidence, after getting knocked around, hurried, sacked, and forced to scramble all season. It's been so fuckin' frustrating to watch all year, especially after losing our upperclassmen. I just hope that this trial by fire will give us improved play from the O-line. Does all this affect his ability to call plays, make passes, and read defenses? I think it does. He looked so good last year, but that was helped tremendously by the number of NFL-quality linemen we had last year. This year, the injuries and inexperience of the younger guys is showing, and I think that that is "helping" his regression.
by LonghornWSO on Nov 23, 2007 7:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, yes, very good observation
I agree. At times he was really running for his life. When Tony Hills is the anchor of your offensive line,...you got troubles.
The other thing about this OL is the fact that it always seemed to me that the 2006 OL was a group that wouldn't let people take cheap shots on The Colt. This OL just stands there looking like they're just happy to be there. Gone are the inspirational leaders like Studdard.
by DreadedOne on Nov 23, 2007 7:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
1993
It's also hard to believe that Mack could still win 10 games this year for the 7th season in a row and only have one conference title to show for it.
by 54b on Nov 23, 2007 7:06 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Not so hard when you consider...
...that he benched the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year for Chris Simms. I still think there was a conspiracy and that Phil was giving head to Mack on the side. If Major had started that Big XII Championship against Colorado...we'd have been playing in the BCS Championship.
In the years post-Simms...it would seem to me that the whole "Texas Experience" for the Simms family was a negative one and it serves them right. Overrated from the start, this kid uncommitted when Clausen committed to Tennessee. Personally, I can't stand fickle people who can't honor their commitments.
Anyhoo....I digress.
by DreadedOne on Nov 23, 2007 7:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Fire 'Em All!!!!
That's right...fire every f'n one of 'em...and if Mack doesn't want to do it, then fire his ass too!!! No excuses for today - NONE!!! Time to start over...and that means a team that does not include guys named Davis, Akina and, quite frankly, McCoy.
by Screw O.U. on Nov 23, 2007 7:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Lack of playmaking on D
It has taken yet another disappointing loss, to an inferior opponent, for me to stop lurking and join BON. I realize that defense is somewhat different from offense in that there is no focal point for playmaking. Having said that though, who are our consistent playmakers on D. This entire year we haven’t had someone step up and consistently make plays. What’s sad is that the biggest plays of the year that I can remember are Foster's picks and subsequent returns.
What happened to our DJ's and big men up front just swallowing guys when they got to the line? You never hear of opposing O-coordinators worried about a particular defensive player of ours. Having said that though, even if we had the playmakers, the scheme would still hinder them. How many aTm receivers caught passes without a white jersey even being in the screen?
by aarontexas01 on Nov 23, 2007 7:14 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Mack Brown and the Texas Longhorns
might have won 9 games this season and might even make it ten after we play in the Mediocre Bowl again this year.
BUT- Who did we actually play that is a SIGNIFICANT WIN?
The only team we played all season that is ranked now is Oklahoma and we didn't win that game.
I'd love to see Texas play one season in the SEC.
Which of these teams do you feel we would have beat this year?
Arkansas ?
Florida ?
LSU ?
Georgia ?
Auburn ?
South Carolina ?
Mississippi State?
Kentucky ?
Alabama ?
Tennessee ?
BE HONEST. HOW MANY OF THESE GAMES COULD WE WIN?
by 512 on Nov 23, 2007 7:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
If we were unranked...
we could beat LSU or anyone else ranked in the top 5.
by LonghornWSO on Nov 23, 2007 7:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
that's a pretty good question
I have a hard time envisioning this team beating a decent squad. It boggles the mind that the University of Texas could field such an atrocious defense.
by Old Tex29 on Nov 23, 2007 7:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
REPHRASE THE QUESTION.
How many games WOULD we win?
by 512 on Nov 23, 2007 7:19 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Coaching
One of the knocks on Fran was he had given up being a gambler and become too conservative. How on earth do you not plan for him to let it all hang out in what is either his last game if he loses (100% chance) or his last game even if he wins (95% chance)? How could we enter this game expecting a vanilla offense, and why couldn't we adjust? The blame for the loss belongs on the shoulders of Akina, not Davis.
by Longhorn in Canada on Nov 23, 2007 7:20 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I don't see how anyone could say otherwise
Texas just gave up over 500 yards of offense to Texas A&M. That should be cause for serious soul-searching from a lot of folks.
by Old Tex29 on Nov 23, 2007 7:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
otherwise
To say that our defense failed us is an understatement, but if you feel that our offense is acceptable, then you clearly haven't been watching the games. Change needs to be made on both sides of the ball, from the coaching staff down through the players on the field. Maybe instead of criticizing people and telling them not to post during the game, you yourself should have been paying attention to what was happening.
by Texas Our Texas on Nov 23, 2007 7:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
More of the same
We were surprised that they came out passing. We could not stop a simple option play. We made a lot of bad decisions.
Our coaching is mediocre. We had more talent than everyone on our schedule besides OU (probably even) and we lost 3 this year only playing to our potential in a handful of quarters over the course of the entire year. That tells me, the coaches are either not aware that just because you win doesn't mean you're playing up to your potential or they are aware of this fact, but unable to do anything about it. Either way, I don't care. We need staff changes.
by cdp183 on Nov 23, 2007 7:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Something needs to change
I'm really getting tired of losing games we should win. Especially to OU and A&M! I love Mack Brown for bringing a title to Texas, but something has to change. This team constantly comes out and gets in a deep hole and constantly has to claw its way out. There's something wrong here, this is a disgrace.
by ibuprofen on Nov 23, 2007 7:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Correction
Mack Brown did not bring a title to UT. Vince Young did. All Mack did was finally decide to get out of the way.
by Caradoc on Nov 23, 2007 9:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My letter would read:
Dear Mack Brown,
Texas football was difficult to watch this year. In fact, Tums sent me some shares because of Saturdays this season.
Your defensive coordinator just got his ass handed to him, yet again. Troubling is the amount it's happened in a Longhorn's victory.
Special teams has been the jewels in your crown, also lackluster this year.
Your offensive coordinator continues to survive not succeed on the talent you work so hard to recruit.
Speaking of success, another year goes by without a Big XII title.
We will give you a pass on not getting the young guys onto the field enough. We will enjoy (hopefully) another 10 win season. But frankly, the status quo rather sucks.
If you don't want to start with a fresh staff next year, here is your severance check and we will see you at the naming ceremony for DKR's parking lot in your honor.
by anonyMoose on Nov 23, 2007 7:26 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I hate to lose to the Aggies
Texas was out-coached by a bunch of seniors. Did you see that the game was dedicated to the Aggie seniors? Fran can't coach, but these Aggie players are savvy and know how to play! Just like we turned the offense over to Vince, the Aggie seniors took control.
The game was lost when we didn't sack McGee and let the game get away from us on the first series. So what do we do now? Davis & McCoy didn't get enough snaps to show Davis' inadequacies. Akina?? Our defense sucks!! Mack hires these old buddies, and where do they take us? We have the money to hire the best offensive and defensive coordinators in the country. Mack needs to see the hand-writing on the wall. Ship up or shape out.
I don't think we have a very good record with the Aggies.
by ccrunch on Nov 23, 2007 7:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I couldn't agree with these posts any more!
Seriously..... I am absolutely stunned at how terrible this team looks. I stopped being a Colt fan last year during the A&M game and despite his few decent plays per game, he has consistenly put them in the FRANTIC 4 quarter come backs all year by his subpar play in quarters 1-3.
There's no silver bullet answer..... because the team has so many flaws. But I know for sure that unless we want 2 more years instead of just 1... .they'd better go out and find themselves a big time QB recruit.
I've had to turn off my cell phone due to the outrageous number of A&M fans I know either calling or texting me about how great of a game we played.
F'ing brutal. Go away Mack.....and take your lame duck assistants with you!
by Mudcat06 on Nov 23, 2007 7:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Record setting days
One more rant - If the opposing quarterback has to have a record setting day, shouldn't it be for most interceptions or fewest yards per attempt, instead of most yards ever? How in the hell do you let McGee set a personal best for yards in a game?
I think the Peter Principle is working here. Akina is a great defensive backs coach who finally got promoted beyond his abilities. Now he will be a bad defensive coordinator for the rest of his career.
by Longhorn in Canada on Nov 23, 2007 7:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
im gonna pass up on some intellectual speak...
and just say that im sick of this mediocre filth. greg davis sucks. duane akina sucks as a def coord, he needs to go back to coaching def backs like before. larry mcduff or wutev is pretty much useless too. mack ABSOLUTELY SUCKS as a motivator, the team looked downright lifeless at certain points this season, and that is inexcusable. for every good play colt makes, he makes about 3 stupidass ones and im sick of that too. with this coaching staff, i dont see how anyone could be optimistic about next season.
by killebrew40 on Nov 23, 2007 7:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Yup
No need to be intellectual right now. This just sucks.
I won't blame anyone who wants to just vent. It's deserved.
by Peter Bean on Nov 23, 2007 7:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Nothing
A painful loss like this can be less painful if you learn something from it. I have absolutely no confidence the Texas coaches will learn any more from this than they did from last year's losses to KS and A&M or this year's losses to KS and OU and near losses to just about everyone else. Mack Brown will publically take the blame without having a clue as to why his team lost to an grossly inferior A&M team for the second year in a row, as they did to an inferior KS team. Being out-coached by Bob Stoops is one thing; being outcoached by coaches with .500 records who are being fired is something else. Mack need to apologize to every Longhorn fan, figure out what is broke, and fix it. Earlier this year I believe that Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle reported that a number of NFL scouts have stated that Mack Brown gets less from his talent than anyone. Is there any doubt about that now? Soon that fact will start hurting recruting, Mack's fote, and it is depressing to think what Mack and company will do with a recruiting class that is not in the Top Ten.
by OBdoc on Nov 23, 2007 7:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Mack would look great...
in the maize and blue of Michigan.
by mesohorny on Nov 23, 2007 7:40 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
You know that might actually happen.
by RemiMagnus on Nov 23, 2007 8:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
The bulletin.
Thirty minutes after leading Texas A&M to a 38-30 victory over Texas, Dennis Franchione stepped down as coach of the Aggies after five seasons.
Texas A&M said that an agreement had been reached between the school and Franchione regarding the end of his contract. But the university would not release details, saying that it needs to be ratified by the A&M System Board of Regents.
by whills on Nov 23, 2007 7:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
When all is said and done
he was 2-3 against Texas, and with far less to work with than Mack had at 3-2.
by BrooklynHorn on Nov 23, 2007 7:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
So shall we....
just ride this horse until he retires, or shall we go after a Spurrier, or a Rodriguez, . If i'm Deloss I am on the phone on Monday, while we are still recognized as a contendor, and a recruit magnet. I just cant stomach 1 Big 12 title and 1 NC with the talent Texas pulls!
Hell, even call Jimmy Johnson! I am quite certain that 5,6 million a year will make anyone sit up and take notice !
by jbob on Nov 23, 2007 7:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I vote for Jimmy Johnson
The worst he can do is say no.
by Texas Our Texas on Nov 23, 2007 7:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I hear Singletary
would go somewhere to win a MNC
by anonyMoose on Nov 23, 2007 7:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Mack is not going anywhere
I hope that it's gut check time. I wish he would hire some hell-fire and brimstone kick arse aggressive coordinators. He could then "get out of the way" as the earlier poster stated rather adroitly.
by WinstonPeril on Nov 24, 2007 11:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
new coaches
mack,
real die-hard longhorn fans deserve better. we should see all new assistant coaches on the sideline when we take the field against florida atlantic august 30th. fire them all. let them go to mississippi state. they are paid way too well for today's performance and you know it. if not , go to michigan and win 10 wins a year.
by ut1ou2 on Nov 23, 2007 7:49 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Texas A&M is beating tOSU by 30
in Madison Square Garden right now. This rivalry may be taking a turn on all fronts.
by BrooklynHorn on Nov 23, 2007 7:53 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Texas 102, NMexico St. 87
Abrams 31, DJ 25
by whills on Nov 23, 2007 7:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Speaking of B-Ball
God I wish the NBA wouldn't take people with less than 4 years of college.
by duras on Nov 23, 2007 8:07 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sick of this
The buzz I got from drinking the 06 championship has officially worn off, and I AM WAYYYY SOBER. Texas does less with their talent than Britney Spears, and thats saying something. I'll be a Horns fan through and through for the rest of my life, regardless of whatever happens, but this football team has some of the worst coaches on it PERIOD. PERIOD.
by bendj on Nov 23, 2007 8:07 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Frustrating
I don't know what else to say. Its not necessarily the losing so much as how we're losing and how we respond to it. After OU this year I actually could taking something good away from it in that we played pretty well. Not the case with KSU and A&M this year and last. And someone please tell me why it takes us being down 14 or 21 in the 4th for both the offensive and defensive game plan to get aggressive. We didn't get near McGee all game, but in the 4th when we were desperate we got aggressive and had 3 or 4 sacks in like 8 plays. And probably the most disappointing thing is how lifeless our team plays every game. They show no intensity or swagger of any kind.
After the Michigan Rose Bowl in 04 a friend of mine said it was all smoke and mirrors and nothing to build on cause all it was, was VY improvising and winning the game himself. Well, he was right but off by about a year. As soon as VY left our team has fallen apart. I didn't want to believe it but he's right. Even this year when our offense was "clicking" it was nothing but Colt making something out of broken plays.
I was very optimistic about all the great young talent coming back for next year, but I'm starting to think it doesn't matter how talented you are if your schemes are build on nothing.
I don't know what it is, but something HAS to change...
by mattyj on Nov 23, 2007 8:09 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
It is the gross
inability to make the most of the talent and the "quality" of the losses AND wins. Realistically, one MNC in 10 years is pretty good, even for Texas, and barring another VY-like freak or a shitload of luck we can't reasonably expect one. One Big 12 title in 10 years is certainly much less than we can expect - 3 or 4 certainly seems reasonable.
What we have do have a right to expect is consistency in developing and deploying talent. Doing so should result in dependable execution which allows us to win and regularly dominate inferiour teams and compete with our peers or superiors. By my count we've done that for about 17 of 48 quarters so far this year.
Appalling
by duras on Nov 23, 2007 8:25 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Recruiting backlash
Another reason to make major changes (no pun intended) in the coaching staff. The best high school players want to go where they have a chance to play right away. See the success that USC has had under Pete Carroll. Since we now decide who plays based on how many years they have paid their dues, rather than by who might best help us win, we are sure to lose out on the best players. So, the greatest strength Mack brought to Texas, his recruiting prowess, is now in danger of disappearing. Way to go Mack!
by Longhorn in Canada on Nov 23, 2007 8:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Not playing the better, younger players hurts
but so does losing 3 consecutive rivalry games.
Hmmm. How far back do 16 year-olds remember? As far as they're concerned, they can't remember the last time the horns beat A&M.
by BrooklynHorn on Nov 23, 2007 8:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Sad but true
The hit to our ability to recruit is by far the worst part of this, actually, these loses.
by Texas Our Texas on Nov 23, 2007 8:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Recruiting
Maybe this type of season will force Mack and whoever his staff is to go back and actually work at recruiting players the way they did when they landed the VY class.
by Horncasting on Nov 23, 2007 9:11 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Recruiting
Not too long ago, a highly recruited running back by the name of Adrian Peterson, who until getting injured actually was making the Minnesota Vikings look good, explained his decision to play for the land thieves instead of for us. He said he wanted to be able to play for a national title. While it turned out that Texas won a title during his career and OU didn't, the perception was accurate at the time. Unfortunately for us, we have pissed away our recruiting advantage that we gained from winning the MNC. Now we will get recruits that are willing to win most of their games, but not those that want to grab the brass ring. Nobody will ever turn down Bob Stoops because they don't think his teams will compete for the highest prize. Sad.
by Longhorn in Canada on Nov 23, 2007 8:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Take heart
We will still get the criminals who want to party their way though college.
by Caradoc on Nov 23, 2007 9:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Just sick
Of all the things that brings me the most distress is that we are going to be having this same damn discussion/venting next year. This is just me guessing but chances that Davis is OC next year--99%, chances the Akina is DC next year 75% (or higher). Is it just me, or did you have the same feeling last year at this time that you are having right now?
My question to Mack AND Davis AND Akina is, for the love of all that's Holy, how could you not have had your/our kids ready for this game--with all that was at stake? There was a REAL LEGIT chance we play in a BCS game this year IF WE WIN THIS GAME. WIN=BCS, LOSE=#&@*# Bowl--and we come out and deliver that piece of garbage.
I love Texas and I'm proud to be a Longhorn fan, but it is days like today that are painful--not because of our loss but because of what we are staring down the barrel of with our coordinators for the next one...or two...or three...oh man, I'm feel like I'm gonna throw up.
by EyesOTexas on Nov 23, 2007 8:24 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Mac Brown, nice guy but he's over his head
First, I like Mac and I think he is a very good coach at a certain level...but not the coach for UT. He's always been a great recruiter (although picking out the best football players in Texas has made his job easier...he's good at what he does, and he has the track record to prove it. However, he does not seem to raise his players beyond their raw talent...I'm talking about motivation...I have never seen one of his teams "hungry" to win. Intead, it seems dependent on the individual's motivation, for most of the UT players, that occurs in the 4th quarter. Texas should be running over its opponents with the talent they have, and they rarely do...the same can be said for the U. Michigan, which seems like a mirror to this program. We need a mean, son-of-a-bitch for this program if we are going to get over the hump and win the "big games." Mac is a nice guy who can recruit and is a good coach, but Texas needs and deserves better than that...and Mac and his staff are not it.
by hokielonghorn on Nov 23, 2007 8:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
If I may...
I don't particularly like Mack. He is a walking cliche and never says anything but platitudes and pablum. He has ingratiated himself with the powers that be by projecting the sort of image they want for the public face of the program.
But is he a good coach? His choice of staff sucks. He does not seem to play a part in shaping either the offense or defense. His motivational technique seems to be to clap like a seal and then blow his top. He does not put the right players on the field. His sideline decisions are mainly when to throw the replay flag and when to call for two point conversions and onside kicks and he seem to get these more wrong than right. While they are here, his players develop their bodies but not their skills. They play stupid football.
The behavior of his players on and off the field is a disgrace.
So what, I wonder, does he do to warrant his reputation as a great recruiter? Does any of this sound appealing to a prospective player?
by Caradoc on Nov 23, 2007 9:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I... umm. Damnit.
Words fail me. If you excuse me, I'm going to go burn something in the middle of the desert.
by bamfor on Nov 23, 2007 8:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
One last sentiment while i gather kindling
Do we really want to fire Mack? Or just the coordinators and assisstants? I know all of you are anger and frustrated and so am I, but you have to compose yourselves. Take a walk, go see No Country For Old Men, something to take your minds off of this loss then come back tommorrow try to forget this entire affair.
by bamfor on Nov 23, 2007 8:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'm sure this is what they're hoping for
I am sure that Dodds, Brown, Akina, and Davis are hoping this is exactly what happens--that we just forget about it and focus on something else--it's the ol' sleight of hand trick. "Hey look over here at this hand" while the guy's other hand is in your pocket lifing your wallet.
I don't want Mack gone BUT if he cannot get rid of Akina--and Davis for that matter, it might be time to cut the line. I just want some damn changes--I really do.
by EyesOTexas on Nov 23, 2007 8:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I don't want Mack's head (yet)
We've had better defensive coordinators, so we know replacing those could be an improvement.
However, we've never had anyone but Davis under Brown. I'd like to see what someone new could bring to the table before deciding Mack needs to go.
by chief on Nov 23, 2007 8:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Conflicted
Well, No County for Old Men won't so much clear your mind as tie it in knots, but it will certainly get your mind off of the catastrophe in college station. It is a damn good movie though.
I don't know what I think is best for this program. I love Mack. He is a good guy, a hell of a recruiter, and a very effective and positive face for this program. He is also the winningest coach in college football over the past 10 years, but we've only got 1 MNC and 1 CC to show for it. I would think/hope that getting a new sub-Mack coaching staff would fix the problems, but obviously that isn't a certainty. One thing I do know for certain is that if Mack isn't willing to actually man up and make those staff changes, then he needs to go as well.
by Texas Our Texas on Nov 23, 2007 9:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
For me
its not the lack of rings, it's the irritation of not showing up in the most significant games (in which we were 0-3 this year).
If you look at Mack's career as a statistical resume, he's doing great - head and shoulders above most of his peers. But if you've lived through the context behind those numbers, he's downright disappointing.
I can imagine being content with a coach that has won only one conference championship in ten years, really I can. Its just that, in that scenario, Texas would be playing its heart out each game and leaving everything on the field, and if we lost, it would be because the breaks didn't go our way, or because we occasionally encountered a superior team.
But that hasn't been the case with Mack Brown. All of our big losses feel the same - Mack didn't get the team emotionally prepared, gameplan feels like the coordinators spent all week eating cereal and playing video games, Mack's conservative stubbornness handcuffs the players' natural motivations, etc.
When you think about our big games: OU, A&M, Arkansas, Conference Championships, Bowl Games, and strong OOC opponents, it seems that we lose more of those than we win. A&M alone might push our win total higher, but even at .500 it would be a sad effort because in most of those games (A&M, Arkansas, and non-BCS bowl games) we've had a decided talent advantage.
My point is that I could live with a coach that doesn't win rings every year, but if he prepped our team so that when we play a rival or a big game, our boys burst from out the tunnel like they were fired from a shot gun, then [win or lose] I would be proud.
Numbers are not enough, nor should they be. There are different kinds of 10-3 coaches, and Mack just isn't my kind.
by BrooklynHorn on Nov 23, 2007 9:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
What I would like to see...
is a little cockiness from Colt. He had it in high school, I saw it first hand his freshman year as a DB playing against him. He threw a 60 yard bomb on us and ran by making sure everyone knew it...He needs to quit playing this, "I'm just a good ole country boy from Jim Ned High School", role and start playing the, "I AM THE QB FOR ONE OF THE GREATEST PROGRAMS IN THE HISTORY OF FOOTBALL", role. I think he could be the QB for us in the right system, but not as long as Greg "I love making my offensive players look inferior" Davis is our OC.
As I was watching the Green Bay/Detroit game yesterday, I thought, "How cool would it be to have a Mike Martz type OC at Texas..."
What do ya'll think?
by kirk1005 on Nov 23, 2007 9:12 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
thanksgiving
i'm thankful that the basketball team has a chance to make this weekend much much better with another win in the legends classic tourney.
by clra2 on Nov 23, 2007 9:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
You know, we've been treading on thin ice
all year long. The wins have been less than satisfying, coming on improbable comebacks or opponent's largesse (e.g., Okie State) and the losses have been disgusting, stupid and completely uncalled for. I'm not in favor of tossing Mack, but clearly Akina and probably Davis are misfit and have no place at the U of T. There's got to be some serious soul-searching; other teams are rising, the schedule toughens, and we're marginalized by the likes of agric. I'm sick.
by Horntod on Nov 23, 2007 9:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
07
I have one moment that will sum up my feelings about this season...
I just got married in September. Before this year my wife had NEVER watched a football game, so naturally I wanted to try and make her a 'Horn fan. So after watching a couple games with her and kind of explaining the game a little she started to understand a little, and we sat down to watch the Nebraska game together. Somewhere in the first half we got the ball and broke the huddle and walked to the line. Colt takes the snap, drops back and as the play is breaking down my wife, who was watching her 3rd or 4th game EVER, says, "Why does it always look like a big mess?" That my friends is what I will always remember when I think of this season.
Someone please give me a reason to think positively about next season. Please....
by mattyj on Nov 23, 2007 9:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'm in pretty much the same boat
I have a girlfriend who is from overseas, and this is also her first football season. I badly wanted to give her good associations with Texas football, but every week we watch a boring, uninspired game with no enthusiasm and very little excitement. Then afterward, we watch the SEC game of the week, which invariably turns out to be a hell-raising, high-octane, triple-overtime affair with bodies flying all over the field and the crowd seemingly high on angel-dust...during which she always looks at me like "why don't you cheer for one of these schools?"
I hate this coaching staff.
by BrooklynHorn on Nov 23, 2007 10:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
thanks mack
for another meaningless season. can't wait for his cliche laden win some lose some stupid press conference. of course he wont be pressed by any local reporters on anything so he'll skate like always after another bedwetting of epic proportions. a&m is fucking horrible this year and we had to claw and scratch to make the score close. fuck that. fuck him. we're not supposed to be school b in this state or in this conference...way to go, loser.
by mattw on Nov 23, 2007 9:59 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'll say it again,
this guarantees that ou will lose Saturday just to top off this season. Mack lost me when he defended coach Fran during his press conference. I don't expect him to bash anyone but doesn't he know how disingenuous he is to people. Coach Fran sold MEDICAL information about his players. How can he support that? Remember, it's all about the kids’ health.
The real question is, would YOU play for Texas and this staff?
by thanos on Nov 23, 2007 10:38 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
No chance to jump OU?
Just wondering, is there any chance we still "jump" over them (or fall less I should say) than OU?
Which is worse? Losing a close game to your rival on the road or at home? If OU loses, it's a home game, and it would be to an OSU team we just recently beat on the road.
Probably won't help us, but I think making a small comeback and making it a game at the end kind of gave us a chance to not totally plummet in the rankings.
If OSU absolutely demolishes OU tomorrow, then honestly, we might be in the Big 12 championship game, as hilarious as that sounds.
Don't know if it's actually possible, but Murray is out, and English is out which affects their D by a lot. If Bradford gets hit in the head, that might be a KO. OSU has an explosive offense...
Other than Florida, the best ranked 3 loss teams start around #17 and higher.
Just throwing it out there... flame away.
by goingforthecorner on Nov 23, 2007 11:21 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
The only scenario I can see
is if OU loses really bad (as you said), if Bradford and Murray turn out to be out for the season (this will weigh in the minds of pollsters) and if there are more crazy upsets tomorrow, after which our loss is largely forgotten.
If all of those things happen, then yes, I can see Texas ending the season ranked slightly ahead of OU.
by BrooklynHorn on Nov 23, 2007 11:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Do you really want
to face either MO or KS and their pass game. Stephen effin McGee just threw for 400 yards. Not a typo!
In addition, Mack doesn't deserve the bail out......
by thanos on Nov 23, 2007 11:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
ABSOLUTELY!
Is a Big XII championship THE goal or not!?
We are all hating on Mack, but if this wild scenario happens and we end up upsetting KU/Mizzou, he deserves love of this magnitude.
by goingforthecorner on Nov 24, 2007 2:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
FUuuuuCKKCKCkckck kcK!
Why is it every time I spend any money on a game we go lose? OU and A&M, both disappointing failures.
My two cents:
I have come to terms with Greg Davis. He has his lumps, but honestly, the receivers had a horrible game. If Finley, Ogbonnaya, and Pittman catch some more of those passes, the drives stay alive and we score more, and hence win the game, by law of averages. Colt's INT was a poor throw, but Shipley did absolutely zip to try and save the INT. I can think of at least 5 drops, and I mean at least. Colt bolts from the pocket too soon, and today it cost us one fumble, but the reason he runs is because of the open/shut pocket, as evidenced by the other fumble. From my experience at the game, I would definitely have to agree with Mack that the team was fired up, excited, pumped, whatever, and really fought like hell to win this game, possibly to the point that they made stupid mistakes like dropping passes.
That said, what effort they did give was completely misdirected. No one on defense has a clue. The LBs and DBs haven't the faintest idea how to play pass coverage, and the front seven consistently blew contain on McGee, even when they had a perfect sack opportunity. The conclusion we are all forced to reach is that they were not taught how to play defense. They can't do it. No more griping about young/old LBs, because the young ones don't know how to play coverage either. However they're taught to cover passes is a load of crap. The Akina/MacDuff experiment is a failure, fire them.
FIRE THEM.
FIRE THEM.
FIRE THEM.
One more stop in that game and we have a chance to win: couldn't do it. We have no speed on defense anymore, not even with the young guys. Every time Goodson got the ball, he just ran a sweep to the outside, and we were lucky to catch him after 6 yards. We made Stephen McGee look like a 2nd day draft pick. Our LB's and safeties bounced off Lane like they'd never had to tackle anyone heavier than them before.
If Mack doesn't hire a new DC, then I'm calling for his head as well.
by Horn Brain on Nov 24, 2007 1:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Is it just me...
or has it seemed all season long that when we blitz, the only thing we accomplish is getting more of our defense tied up at the line, leaving the opponents' receivers/tight ends open? How effective has the blitzing truly been? I remember watching the KSU game, and Josh Freeman was VERY rarely rushed, forced out of the pocket, or sacked (and even then, those came near the end of the game). Exactly-the-fuckin'-same yesterday. I've got an idea. When we put, I mean waste, 7 players in the box, don't give their receivers 6 or 7 fucking yards of cushion. Because guess what? When the QB sees blitz, he's gonna pass it off on a quick route. I mean, holy fucking shit, if I can see that, then WHY THE FUCK can't Akina see that?
by LonghornWSO on Nov 24, 2007 2:27 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
solid point
when rushing four against a 5 lineman, a TE and a RB. One man blitzing up the middle doesn't have a chance in hell of getting through unblocked
by Crash on Nov 24, 2007 9:19 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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