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“Now we’ve got to shut up and do it.”
That was a quote and more or less the theme of Mack Brown’s introductory 2013 press conference last week. And while he said a lot of the same things he usually spouts at such gatherings, his confidence in this squad is obvious. Returning the most starters (19) in all of Division 1 football will do that.
On Monday, football season officially began. And unlike in the past, the first three practices were open to the public.
Of course, the UT athletic department controlled all information, forbidding reports from live tweets or updates. But their was plenty of news circulating shortly after the first session. Notably, the introduction of the Zone-Read formation starring Tyrone Swoopes and Jalen Overstreet. Considering they were both dual-threat Texas high school quarterbacks, the idea of this offense intrigues me.
Overstreet, the ultra-athletic redshirt freshman from Tatum, Tx, was moved to running back/wide receiver this summer to better utilize his skill set, and because of the logjam at the position and emergence of Swoopes.
Swoopes is the true freshman from Whitewright, Tx, who has made an impression on the coaching staff since enrolling in Austin in January. His size (6-foot-5, 245 lbs.), leadership qualities, and quick grasp of the offense prompted former signal-caller Connor Brewer to transfer to Arizona last month.
So the idea of the two working in tandem in a backfield is exciting, innovative, and downright scary.
Other notes from the first few days; the depth of the offensive line. 124 career starts between the elder statesman, plus a 2013 class that Brown says could be the best they’ve ever had. Incoming freshman Kent Perkins, Darius James, Rami Hammad, and Jake Raulerson could all see the rotation at some point this season. A position that has been such a down point for the program over the last six years is now a strength.
The legendary leader and 2005 National Championship quarterback, Vince Young was signed by the Green Bay Packers on Monday. After a tremendous showing at UT’s Pro Day in April, and the hard work with offensive-coordinator Major Applewhite this summer has paid off. Maybe Green Bay coach, Mike McCarthy was watching the 2006 Rose Bowl replay on ESPNU on Sunday night. Maybe.
Vince running into the arms of Hook ‘Em will never not make me full of insane glee.
— edsbs (@edsbs) August 5, 2013
He will compete with former Texas Tech gunslinger Graham Harrell and BJ Coleman for the 2nd and 3rd spot on the QB depth chart. There is a lot of people pulling for the guy that brought the BCS crystal ball back to Austin.
(Photo courtesy of Vince Young’s Twitter account)
The Texas basketball program garnered a commit this week in St. Louis, Missouri small forward, Jordan Barnett. The 4-star prospect became the first pledge of the 2014 class. Barnett holds offers from Butler, Florida, Kansas State, and Michigan among others.
It should be a little unnerving that UT didn’t have a single player for the ’14 group until last week. Usually in hoops, the classes are built months nay years before you see them actually produce at said school. Barnes lagging behind in the recruiting game is nothing new of over the last few years. But this is the same guy who brought in TJ Ford, Kevin Durant, and LaMarcus Aldridge, and built formidable classes that led to unprecedented success. The lack of winning or even competitiveness in the basketball program can be attributed to many things. And the ineptitude of Barnes’ recent recruiting is a major reason.
Quote of the week: “ “If one of these guys coming in is better than the starters, we will replace them, without question. And they know that. We’ve told them that.” - Mack Brown, talking about the depth along the offensive line
Tweet of the week: “
Direct Message to @JManziel2: I don’t know what’s worse, that you asked for only $7,500, or that you’d use it to buy rims. Get it together.
— Fake Dan Beebe (@DanBeebe) August 6, 2013
