I don't think he was given serious coaching until late in the season. And even then it was many times being coached while at the helm of the scout team. He went to practice every day knowing he'd never play no matter what. And top that off with playing with guys who are at HS level.
Swoopes demanded a lot of time from Watson and other O staff this season. Everything hinged on him. Not so any more.
I think he gets a fair shot this spring. And if they move more to a spread, that's right up Heard's alley.
Sure would like to get Kai in this class for insurance.
Well, the poster, GBT, led me to believe that he thinks it was the complexity of Watson's offense that was the problem - not Heard himself. That was the question I was asking of him.
Of course my reply to that assertion is if it was sauce for the goose than it had to be sauce for the gander as well. If it was too complex for Heard why would no one think the same complexity would not apply to Swoopes as well?
As to whether Heard got to try out for the starting position last year, I believe he did. At least if we are to believe Strongs promise, when he was hired, that every position was open, regardless of a players classification.
But I know Heard got a chance because I was told he did - and with the 1's and 2's as well. So it was not all just walk on's.
Now here is what I believe the reality of the QB situation is - and this would apply even IF we would have gotten Murray. For sure it applies should we get Locksley.
It's hard to win games with true freshmen playing QB. It just is - much less championships. Everyone was deluding themselves if they thought Kyler Murray would automatically get the starting position at QB. Sure he is a special player. So was Heard and Gilbert and Vince Young. But none played as a true freshman - they were all RS freshmen. And that is the way it should be.
Who knows how good Swoopes could have been or could be? He was thrown into the crucible of fire with one of the worst OL's in the storied history of UT. He was programmed to fail. Heard would have as well. So would have Peyton Manning.
It's actually a blessing for Heard that he did NOT play last year. His self confidence didn't take the crushing that Swoopes did.
So, this year, we have two QB's - one with a major self confidence issue and one that has had a year to mature - but is still just a RS freshman.. The good news is, our OL can't be as bad as last years because there is no way for it to go but up. In addition, we have some very talented receivers - ready to blossom out.
And the other good news is, we at least, have a couple of college QB's on campus and I think both will be much better than last year. They, also, have no way to go but up.
