Burnt Ends (1-5)

[Coleman Feeley]

But here is some more reality that most will not like.

Today, the starting QB job is Swoopes to lose - we should all understand this.  That means Heard or any other QB is going to have to outperform him to take the job.  That is going to be a tall order, even with probable prejudice by some coaches against him.

BOOM!

Nail-on-the-head. When the Longhorns enter spring practice Swoopes will be the number 1 QB. Now that's not to say that the fans AND coaches won't remember the last time Swoopes played in a game (not good), but the "young bloods" will have to SHOW coach that they will play better. That their abilities are more valuable than Swoopes' experience.

With that said I think Coach Strong really does like Tyrone. I think he sees a great potential and would like to see him reach that potential.... However!

I'm a huge Jerrod Heard fan. If you don't believe me go back in the archives and dig up "The Longhorn Heard"

 

[Coal Harbour]

The QB position at UT is a reflection of the state of the program and recruiting.  We all are pleased with the recruiting efforts by this staff but don't fool yourself either.  This class will provide much needed depth but at the moment lacks potential impact players.  Malik Jefferson is the only commit ranked #1 in the state at his position as UT didn't secure the #1 QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, DB in the state at this moment.  Not being critical, the team finished at 6-7 and the verbals received will help as special teams alone were terrible.

The QB's fit into the same category.  Swoopes junior year at Whitewright through 11 games read like this:  110-209, 1,394, 15-7 (52%) while rushing for 2,267 yds on 170 carries for 29 td's.  Notice the 52%?  Pretty consistent with what we saw this past season.

Heard senior season at Guyer (16): 146-231, 2,148, 22-6 (63%) while rushing for 2,172 yds on 251 carries for 28td's.  More impressive than Swoopes overall and played vs. better talent, but certainly not prolific and numbers don't suggest pushing the ball vertically was a focus.

Zach Gentry stats I only have thru (10):  150-246, 2,231, 21-5 (61%), rushing for 904 yds and 19td's.  Certainly has size but will only be a freshman.

Kai Locksley threw according to my research 11 td's combined in his junior and senior season.

In summary, something tells me that the next QB at UT to win a conference title simply isn't listed here.  Going to be tough to be patient, but next year needs to be about finding out what some of these young men can do and building a core of depth before more impact players arrive.  Right now, all positions open for improvement.  Hook em!

 

[North Texas Golfer]

The QB position at UT is a reflection of the state of the program and recruiting.  We all are pleased with the recruiting efforts by this staff but don't fool yourself either.  This class will provide much needed depth but at the moment lacks potential impact players.  Malik Jefferson is the only commit ranked #1 in the state at his position as UT didn't secure the #1 QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, DL, DB in the state at this moment.  Not being critical, the team finished at 6-7 and the verbals received will help as special teams alone were terrible.

The QB's fit into the same category.  Swoopes junior year at Whitewright through 11 games read like this:  110-209, 1,394, 15-7 (52%) while rushing for 2,267 yds on 170 carries for 29 td's.  Notice the 52%?  Pretty consistent with what we saw this past season.

Heard senior season at Guyer (16): 146-231, 2,148, 22-6 (63%) while rushing for 2,172 yds on 251 carries for 28td's.  More impressive than Swoopes overall and played vs. better talent, but certainly not prolific and numbers don't suggest pushing the ball vertically was a focus.

Zach Gentry stats I only have thru (10):  150-246, 2,231, 21-5 (61%), rushing for 904 yds and 19td's.  Certainly has size but will only be a freshman.

Kai Locksley threw according to my research 11 td's combined in his junior and senior season.

In summary, something tells me that the next QB at UT to win a conference title simply isn't listed here.  Going to be tough to be patient, but next year needs to be about finding out what some of these young men can do and building a core of depth before more impact players arrive.  Right now, all positions open for improvement.  Hook em!

Curious as to what constitutes "pushing the ball vertically".

Heard averaged 14.7 yards per completion.

Bryce Petty this year averaged 14.2 yards per completion.

 

[tinman]

If the coaching staff isnt BS' ing and there really is an open competition at the QB position then there is no #1 QB right now. I fully expect and believe the starter will be JH on NBC next season......sw-oops will be the backup.

 

[doc longhorn]

If the coaching staff isnt BS' ing and there really is an open competition at the QB position then there is no #1 QB right now. I fully expect and believe the starter will be JH on NBC next season......sw-oops will be the backup.

Do you think the staff was BS'ing when they said Heard wasn't ready last year?

I'm not calling you out, but it just always amazes me when I hear someone say Heard will be the starter next year when they have zero information that leads them to believe that.

Why couldn't Merrick be the starter?  Or Gentry?  Or, hell, even Swoopes - the returning starter?

 

[North Texas Golfer]

Do you think the staff was BS'ing when they said Heard wasn't ready last year?

I'm not calling you out, but it just always amazes me when I hear someone say Heard will be the starter next year when they have zero information that leads them to believe that.

Why couldn't Merrick be the starter?  Or Gentry?  Or, hell, even Swoopes - the returning starter?

Why are you so amazed that people say they think Heard will be a starter next year? They are merely expressing an opinion which is what we all are doing on this thread, yourself included.

For someone to say that Heard will the starter next year is no amazing than you saying that you already know that he will never cut it even though he has yet to play a game.

 

[streettopeschel]

Do you think the staff was BS'ing when they said Heard wasn't ready last year?

I'm not calling you out, but it just always amazes me when I hear someone say Heard will be the starter next year when they have zero information that leads them to believe that.

Why couldn't Merrick be the starter? Or Gentry? Or, hell, even Swoopes - the returning starter?

not being ready last year has no bearing on whether heard will be ready next year. You seem to struggle with the concept of true FR making progress from year one to years two and beyond because you've repeated this theme numerous times.

 

[doc longhorn]

not being ready last year has no bearing on whether heard will be ready next year. You seem to struggle with the concept of true FR making progress from year one to years two and beyond because you've repeated this theme numerous times.

Please copy and paste where I have struggled with the concept of a freshman not making progress from year one to years two and beyond.  Very simply, I believe you are mistaken making this comment.

I simply said, tell me what has he done that justifies you anointing him as the starter next year?  What college exploit of his has convinced you of this?  What have you and everyone else seen or heard that convinces you he is capable of being the starter this year?

I coupled these questions by pointing out the only data that I know of is his inability, last year, to surpass Swoopes and the coaches saying he was not ready to play.  I even discounted using the data that I have heard - that is he was not ready because he was godawful in practices.  Because that is not public info and the only corroborating data I know of is what a competing blog has said in their "Humidor". 

Now, had you said that you believed that Tyrone Swoopes is so bad that even an unknown like Heard could beat him out - well, I could certainly understand that position.  Because, regarding Heard, that is really all you have.  Unless you are convinced that Heard will improve and Swoopes won't.

Don't be irritated at me for simply stating the obvious - numerous times. 

 

[Coal Harbour]

Curious as to what constitutes "pushing the ball vertically".

Heard averaged 14.7 yards per completion.

Bryce Petty this year averaged 14.2 yards per completion.

I shouldn't have cited "numbers", it was more what I saw when watching Heard in high school.  I'm guessing given your call sign you were able to watch him quite a bit as well and what I saw was a player so dangerous with his legs that it opened up the passing game which would be an improvement for the Horns offense based on the disaster we witnessed this past season.

What I didn't see was timing "down the field" throws.  Probably not fair to compare Kyler Murray with Heard but Murray has a throw first mentality and when not open, destroys opposition with his legs.  Thats not to say Allen doesn't call designed runs for Kyler, but at a lesser rate than Coach Walsh called for Heard at Guyer.  I'm not hear to trash Heard, I like the kid and look forward to watching him under center in South Bend, but based on reports we are getting, it sounds similar to the same kid I saw in high school and wonder if you can get away with being a run first passer.  Only time will tell I suppose.

 

[doc longhorn]

Why are you so amazed that people say they think Heard will be a starter next year? They are merely expressing an opinion which is what we all are doing on this thread, yourself included.

For someone to say that Heard will the starter next year is no amazing than you saying that you already know that he will never cut it even though he has yet to play a game.

Alright, I will ask you.  Why do you think he will be the starter next year?  What is your basis for arriving at this conclusion?

 Also, I said I trusted the coaches opinion when they said he is wasn't ready.  There is nothing in any of my comments, or the coaches, that stated he would NEVER be ready or that he would NEVER cut it.  Why would anyone ever think this? You are just putting words into my mouth.

 

[tinman]

Doc my basis is what I saw from TS this season and what is on campus now and arriving this spring nothing else. In my opinion JH has more upside based on athletic ability on tape from HS. The open competition will decide who starts next season.  I am just not the type to speculate on who may or may not be coming to campus in the future . Maybe Coach Strong will bring someone in that will change the game I dont know. I think we all want the same end result on offense a QB and O- line that can move the chains and score more points. Right? 

 

[Sirhornsalot]

I think Heard will at least be better than Swoopes. I mean, even if Swoopes starts to "get it" and whatnot, he still runs like a wounded antelope (when and if he makes the correct read).

I'll say this, I think all of our QBs will be better next year simply because our OL will be much better next year.

 

[doc longhorn]

I think Heard will at least be better than Swoopes. I mean, even if Swoopes starts to "get it" and whatnot, he still runs like a wounded antelope (when and if he makes the correct read).

I'll say this, I think all of our QBs will be better next year simply because our OL will be much better next year.

Most sense I have read.  And I agree with you.  I don't see Swoopes recovering from the disaster of playing way to early for him.  That kid should have red shirted and stayed on the bench until his Jr. year, at least.

He was thrown into the crucible of fire too early and I think it ruined him.  I pray it didn't because I fear we are going to need him, but the outlook is not good.

Heard, on the other hand, has simply got to step up his game and he has to come out this year with the mind set he is going to be the starter.  But he needs to understand it isn't going to be given to him - he has to work like hell for it.

And he has to be supported.  It is CRITICAL that our OL improves drastically.  They have to start performing like they are UT scholarship players - the best in the state.  They can no longer play like are going to SMU or Sam Houston.  Our receivers have got to deliver as well and our RB's have got to start running like they belong on a UT football team.

Otherwise, our young Jerrod Heard will be crushed and ruined like Swoopes.

Our defense will be salty and maybe the best in the conference.  But they need help and they need our offense to start looking like a University of Texas offense and to quit playing like shit.

 

[doc longhorn]

Doc my basis is what I saw from TS this season and what is on campus now and arriving this spring nothing else. In my opinion JH has more upside based on athletic ability on tape from HS. The open competition will decide who starts next season.  I am just not the type to speculate on who may or may not be coming to campus in the future . Maybe Coach Strong will bring someone in that will change the game I dont know. I think we all want the same end result on offense a QB and O- line that can move the chains and score more points. Right? 

Now this makes sense.  Your basis is Heard's high school play and you simply don't believe he can be worse than Swoopes.  That's a fair assessment and assumed on what your own eyeballs saw.

I think most on here believe the same as you.

 

[doc longhorn]

I think Heard will at least be better than Swoopes. I mean, even if Swoopes starts to "get it" and whatnot, he still runs like a wounded antelope (when and if he makes the correct read).

I'll say this, I think all of our QBs will be better next year simply because our OL will be much better next year.

When talking about Heard, here is a quote from a mod of TOS who has an inside from someone on the practice field::

"Inaccurate, forces throws, doesn't see the field, misses open guys.  He has shown he can run, however"

Now this is an evaluation from last year, when he was a true freshman, so the expectation is that he has improved.  But it pretty much agrees with the info I heard about him as well.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

When talking about Heard, here is a quote from a mod of TOS who has an inside from someone on the practice field::

"Inaccurate, forces throws, doesn't see the field, misses open guys.  He has shown he can run, however"

Now this is an evaluation from last year, when he was a true freshman, so the expectation is that he has improved.  But it pretty much agrees with the info I heard about him as well.

"Inaccurate, forces throws, doesn't see the field, misses open guys. He has shown he can run, however"

Not surprising considering that he was working with the scout team and going against the first team defense.

As long as it didn't destroy his confidence, he should be better as a result.

 

[doc longhorn]

"Inaccurate, forces throws, doesn't see the field, misses open guys. He has shown he can run, however"

Not surprising considering that he was working with the scout team and going against the first team defense.

As long as it didn't destroy his confidence, he should be better as a result.

LOL, be careful or you will be called a Heard apologist like I was called a Swoopes apologist.

It can be argued that Swoopes played with a scout team going against every opponents 1st team defenses - as well as our own. 

 

[North Texas Golfer]

LOL, be careful or you will be called a Heard apologist like I was called a Swoopes apologist.

It can be argued that Swoopes played with a scout team going against every opponents 1st team defenses - as well as our own. 

Hey, got to give credit to Sirhornsalot. He talked about this very thing in post #23 on this thread.

This is, the fact that Heard had to run the scout team with a lot of walk-ons versus our #1 defense. Really don't know that it would have been realistic to expect him to have a lot of success doing that as true freshman. That's pretty tall order.

So now the question is how well did Heard get coached up during that time, both physically and mentally.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

So now the question is how well did Heard get coached up during that time, both physically and mentally.

From what I understand, very little. Toward the end of the season, Watson gave him some attention but mostly yelling and criticism which was aimed to get his attention.

I had heard that Heard was not playing with enthusiasm to that point, but most attribute that to going into every practice knowing you're not going to play on Saturday no matter what.

Then the bowl practices came about and it was expected that Heard would finally get some meaningful snaps. Didn't happen.

I had begun wondering if there wasn't some type of rift between Watson and Heard, or maybe Watson just had it in for Heard. But, now the issue has been brought to light in front of Charlie so I don't think it will continue, if that is what it was about.

 

[doc longhorn]

From what I understand, very little. Toward the end of the season, Watson gave him some attention but mostly yelling and criticism which was aimed to get his attention.

I had heard that Heard was not playing with enthusiasm to that point, but most attribute that to going into every practice knowing you're not going to play on Saturday no matter what.

Then the bowl practices came about and it was expected that Heard would finally get some meaningful snaps. Didn't happen.

I had begun wondering if there wasn't some type of rift between Watson and Heard, or maybe Watson just had it in for Heard. But, now the issue has been brought to light in front of Charlie so I don't think it will continue, if that is what it was about.

Watson had the unenviable task of trying to prepare Swoopes.  The entire coaching staff was terrified about what would happen if Swoopes went down.  They were even desperate enough to work a backup for that eventuality - doing so to save Heards red shirt and because Heard was practicing even worse than a walk on. 

I don't think anyone realizes how perilous our QB situation was.  That's another reason Swoopes played.  He was a big, strong kid that was less likely to get hurt   And everyone has to admit that he did that admirably.  He was never taken out of a game - NOT ONE TIME!

It was also a huge reason for the plays that were called.  Every time Swoopes ran with the ball there was a collective gasp by the coaches.

So the bottom line is there was, understandably, very little time available for Watson to work with Heard.