HornSports Staff
HornSports.com
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The point on a brisket is typically the fattiest cut. Pitmasters often trim the point and select edges off a whole brisket and return them to the smoker.
Are burnt ends tough, chewy worthless cuts of meat, or are they a heavenly bites of smoky goodness? I suppose it depends on who you ask...
Rather than discard trimmings and fat, we chose to savor all the information that flows through the site. So, sit down and help yourself to some burnt ends.
***DO NOT FORWARD***
We’ll lead things off with some comments about Rick Barnes and this year’s basketball team made by a Longhorn letter winner that is a current season ticket holder. We started the conversation by asking what he thought of the growing number of Texas fans that want Barnes fired:
“Barnes has a pretty damn good track record as a basketball coach for him to all of a sudden get stupid.â€
HornSports: Do you mind expanding on that thought?
“I have a certain amount of sympathy for what coaches go through and have to put up with from ‘keyboard experts’ on the internet. Rick Barnes has a proven track record as a winning basketball coach - for goodness sakes, the man has 600 wins and people question his ability to coach? I guess he must have coached against 600 really dumb coaches to get 600 wins. I never question his ability to coach. What happened a couple of years ago is he had malcontents on the team that he thought he could turn around with his structure, and it didn’t work out.â€
HornSports: Okay, so if you’re correct in thinking that Barnes is being mistakenly vilified, should fans use the current three-game winning streak as proof that this team turned the corner on the season?
“I think the jury is still out whether the team has turned the corner. What is going to determine that is the tough stretch of games they have coming up. If they are able to hold their own and maybe split those I would categorize that feat as a sign of definite improvement. So, no, I don’t think the 3-game winning streak is an indication of them having turned a corner. I think they are playing better but turning the corner, to me, implies that they have everybody back on the floor and they are playing like the team they looked like when they played Kentucky.â€
HornSports: If the team hasn’t turned the corner on the season, and if Barnes is a good coach, then how do you explain 17-8 with a .500 record in conference play? All of those thoughts don’t go together…
“In my opinion, what has happened this year is Barnes hasn’t consistently had the team on the floor that he expected to have. Isaiah Taylor’s injury had a huge impact – it’s the third game of the year, and Texas loses him for 10 games or so? Then the more recent injuries...you had Felix’s concussion and Holmes’ injury. How much of the conference season have they had the team on the floor that everyone thought they were going to have coming into the season? Couple all the roster injury quirks with the fact that both Cam Ridley and Myles Turner have been disappointments so far this year overall. The result is a combination of under-performing and bad luck with injuries.â€
HornSports: Hold on…did you just say Myles Turner was a disappointment?
“Yes. From the perspective that fans thought they were getting a Kevin Durant-level player – someone that would come in a game and completely take it over. Turner is not that kind of player and that kind of contribution should never have been expected. Realistically, Ridley has been a disappointment too. For whatever reason, he hasn’t been the player he was last year. One of the most encouraging things in the recent wins is that Ridley has shown flashes of building off the form he showed last year.â€
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The NFL Combine starts on Friday, and five Longhorns will participate in hopes of elevating their draft stock – Malcolm Brown, Malcom Brown, Quandre Diggs, Jordan Hicks, and Cedric Reed. Leading up to the draft in May, HornSports will profile the Texas players with professional football aspirations, including providing analysis from pro scouts.
To whet your appetite, here are a few initial thoughts on the five Longhorns traveling to Indianapolis from an NFL scout that isn’t affiliated with any particular team:
Ranking UT Prospects (draft grade)
1. Malcom Brown (Late Day One)
Brown has the movement skills of a 3-technique and the girth of a nose tackle, which led to his versatility along the Texas defensive front. I really liked his quickness for a big guy, but am interested to see his 10-yard split in comparison to the rest of the defensive tackle class. He was far more productive working around blockers, as opposed to directly up the field. I was never blown away by his first step, but that could be a function of his role at Texas, as he would often play a two-gapping role. Scouts will also want to see how he measures from a height and arm length standpoint, in order to determine if he can be a plus fit for both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses (as a 5-technique).
2. Jordan Hicks (Early Day Three)
Hicks finally proved he could put together a healthy season and led Texas in tackles as a senior. His production level and ability to play the Mike or Will backer positions will intrigue NFL teams in the 4th round range. Having evaluated Hicks since his freshman season, I feel like he's lost a step athletically. If he can run a good 40 time and show off solid movement skills on zone drops, he could climb into the 3rd round.
3. Quandre Diggs (Early Day Three)
Diggs grades out in the same range as Jordan Hicks, but as a sub-package specialist. He performed very well at the Senior Bowl as a nickel cornerback, and will need to build on that positive momentum at the combine. Diggs' lack of size and length caps his draft stock, but he'll be a solid mid round option for teams looking for a #3 CB.
4. Malcolm Brown (Middle of Day Three)
5. Cedric Reed (Mid-Late Day Three)
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With the hiring of Brick Haley and Jeff Traylor completing the 2015 coaching staff, the next step is to ponder where the new coaches might make the biggest impact on the recruiting trail.
Let’s start with Traylor who has deep East Texas ties from his time at Gilmer. Texas already has Gilmer linebacker DeMarco Boyd on the hook for the 2016 class, and with his brother Kris set to enroll this summer, Boyd is a vocal Texas fan.
Traylor has ties all over the state, but will probably specialize in the fertile recruiting grounds of East Texas with DFW as a secondary market. Even though most of the names high on the state rankings are in the metroplex, the golden triangle, and greater Houston, it’s a given that East Texas kids will make their name at some point and emerge later in the process. Looking at the landscape as it currently exists, these are the prospects Traylor will pursue for Charlie Strong:
Brandon Jones – S – Nacogdoches
Ranked No. 2 on the HornSports Top 50, Jones is a legit five star player who can do a little bit of everything from the safety position. Jones has shown a lot of attention to Texas A&M early in the process, but is expected to visit Texas. Those in the know hint that Jones feels more favorably about the Longhorns than he is letting on.
Travon Fuller – CB – Athens
Fuller is an Aggie commit, and while he has shown no signs of wavering early on, Traylor could take a shot if the Horns decide to pursue him. Texas filled up on cornerback talent in 2015, and with a small class on the horizon they could choose to pass on Fuller.
Braylon Jones – DT – Tyler John Tyler
Texas will definitely be in the hunt for several defensive tackles, and Jones certainly will be a second tier candidate if a couple of other options fall through. At No. 48 on the HornSports Top 50, Jones currently holds offers from SFA, Air Force, and Navy but should see his stock skyrocket this spring.
Brick Haley is considered an elite recruiter based on his tenure in Baton Rouge. While at LSU, Haley mainly worked prospects in southeast Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi, so he figures as a natural fit for Texas in engaging talent in the Golden Triangle. Texas is also recruiting several current LSU offers that Haley was responsible for while in Baton Rouge:
Eric Monroe – S – Galena Park North Shore
Monroe has been pretty vocal on twitter about his favorites: LSU, Texas, and Texas A&M. The North Shore safety tends to show a little more aggie love, but recently has tweeted about the Longhorns and is good friends with Longhorn Basketball signee Kerwin Roach. Incredibly, Monroe ranks No. 6 on the Top 50 but is only ranked at the third best safety in the state.
Deontay Anderson – S – Manvel
Texas is attempting to build a stronger pipeline to Manvel, and Haley (along with the commitment of Reggie Hemphill) should put them in a strong position with the Mavericks. Anderson holds an offer from LSU, but was an early Longhorn offer last fall. Texas needs to ink one or both of the top safeties in the state.
Ed Oliver – DT – Westfield
With defensive tackle being a huge need position, it’s fortunate for the Longhorns that the two top tackles in the state really like LSU. Oliver has been locked on to Baton Rouge for some time now, and could follow Westfield teammate Toby Weathersby. If Haley is going to make an immediate impact in Austin, it will be with the two top prospects in the state who are familiar with Haley from his time at LSU (see K. Jones below).
Kendell Jones – DT – Killeen Shoemaker
We profiled Jones last week in Burnt Ends, and while the mountain sized tackle likes the Longhorns he is also attracted to LSU. Jones is probably an easier candidate to sway than Oliver, and Haley has a real chance to pitch Jones on the way he developed his linemen at LSU to get him into the fold.
Devwah Whaley – RB – Beaumont Central
Whaley doesn’t hold an LSU offer, but the Bayou Bengals have always been big in the golden triangle. Whaley seems to be the guy the Texas staff is targeting as their lone runner in this class, and if Haley is assigned that area he will need to working his magic on Whaley. Another thing in the Longhorns’ favor is the signing day flip of Central DB PJ Locke. Locke and Whaley are very close, and though Whaley has shown some liking for Texas A&M, things should get interesting as junior days heat up.
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We talked with a guy that played DI football on a team that faced LSU while he was in school. He had nothing but positive things to say about Charlie Strong hiring Brick Haley:
“Texas made a great hire with Haley. Objectively LSU has consistently had one of the top defensive lines in all of college football since Haley has been there. Barkevious Mingo, Sam Montgomery, Michael Brockers, Ego Furgeson, etc... all amazing players under Haley.â€
As far as playing against Haley’s defensive linemen…
“Both times we played LSU their D-Line was the considerable strength of their team. They always used their hands very well and were ferocious pass rushers.â€
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There’s no denying the advantages of being an early enrollee for a football recruit. Not only do Spring enrollees have the opportunity to participate in Spring practices and voluntary workouts over the Summer, they also get a head start on college-level strength training and conditioning.
But some recruits would rather go to prom than spend an extra semester under Pat Moorer’s watchful eye. And, actually, we caught up with several signees in the 2015 class that won’t be on campus until Summer and based on those conversations, there aren’t many players taking the semester off to rest up for the next level:
- "I’m doing a lot of running & staying off weights a little bit - just trying to get leaner and fasterâ€
- “I run and workout every day.â€
- “I’m working with my trainers on speed, strength and positioning.â€
That’s three different players commenting on their focus for the next few months. The coaches have spent a lot of time talking about wanting to have practices be a more competitive environment and this signing class seems to have taken that to heart. By all accounts, they’ll arrive in Austin ready for the challenge.
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Continuing our profiles from the recently released HornSports Top 50, we bring you one of the newest Texas offers – Tren’Davian Dickson. Dickson is No. 11 in the ranking, which is an indicator of the strength of the top end talent level in Texas next season. Dickson was committed to Baylor, but opened things up a few weeks ago.
The 6’2, 175-pound receiver has serious big play ability and it was on display during the state title game when Navasota defeated Argyle to win the 4A state championship. Dickson dominated the game finishing with 12 catches, 177 yards, and 4 touchdowns. Those touchdowns gave him 39 total on the season – a national record.
Dickson will remind some of a leaner Dez Bryant, with a great ability to get open along with exceptional body control. After the catch he is exhilarating in the open field as his quickness and acceleration allow him to turn short plays into long ones. Dickson has excellent aerial ability and is a natural pass catcher.
Every bit the prospect DaMarkus Lodge was last season, Dickson should see his stock continue to skyrocket. Baylor will remain a factor, but Navasota’s playmaker also holds offers from TCU, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M. Texas will eventually be in the mix, but Dickson wants to see the new offense in action to determine if it fits his skills.
For 2016 wideouts, Texas already holds pledges from Collin Johnson and Reggie Hemphill, but will wait for Dickson because he is a rare talent. With limited numbers expect Texas to only take one more receiver at most – a spot that will come down to Dickson or Devin Duvernay.
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News & Notes…
- Keenan Murphy (No. 46 on the HornSports Top 50) is already sizing up his recruitment. A coach at Crosby High School told us that, although it early in the process, Murphy might be destined for Lubbock and Texas Tech. According to his coach, Tech is Murphy’s best in-state offer – TCU has indicated they aren’t interested, and Texas A&M is showing the most interest after Tech.
- One of the schools consistently mentioned as a potential landing spot for Connor Brewer as he leaves Tucson and the University of Arizona is UTSA. We checked in with someone at UTSA on the speculation and, although there’s been talk of Brewer, the word we got was “nothing substantial yet.â€
- When we checked in with 2015 signees, Kai Locksley made it a point to tell us that he’s been working quite a bit with his Dad, Mike. As University of Maryland’s Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks coach, having Mike Locksley work with his son may be even more effective than having Kai enroll early due to the one-on-one nature of the tutelage. At Maryland, Mike coached quarterback C.J. Brown, helping him be the first Maryland signal-caller to throw for over 2,000 yards and rush for over 500 yards in a single-season.
