Charlie Strong relieves Shawn Watson of play-calling duties

[DMAC]

Some talk out there that Hager will get a look this week at MLB, with Malik moving to SLB in the nickel

I like this move as I mentioned earlier.  Gives Malik more opportunities to make more plays in the backfield.  I love Hager's intensity and bloodlines.  This gets them both on the field at the same time.  

 

[GBT]

It had to be done. 

I suspect that it will be vanilla this week against Rice but if Texas expects to beat Cal, they are going to have to fine some way to score.

If you think Malik Zaire tore up the Longhorns, wait till you meet Jared Goff. I expect that kid to go pro after this season. He is a stud. 

If this be true we should see a change in DC the next week, should we not ?

 

[DMAC]

And a defensive guys may actually get some rest on the sideline instead of being right back out there after a 3 and out.

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

[DMAC]

If this be true we should see a change in DC the next week, should we not ?

We lost Hicks, Big Malcom, Quandre, etc off last years defense.  Besides how do you expect a defense to play 40 minutes every game?  We have a slew of new guys, sometimes your best defense is a good offense.  Right now ill settle for average offense. I am ok with Bedford, the defense carried the team last year.  

I believe the Norvell change will give hope to the defense.  It has to be difficult for defensive players to keep giving 100% every play knowing your offense sucks ass and cant even get a first down. 

 

[Coal Harbour]

This is why I wanted to see what Wickline's OL can do with a different OC.

So, if the failures of Wickline or tied in to the play calling of Watson, then maybe his success at OSU should be credited somewhat to the OC in Stillwater.  I don't care what kind of scheme Wickline coaches, it doesn't effect pass blocking, which this group is horrible at and is a continuation of last season.  Great players make great coaches and Wickline isn't a particular great recruiter which makes him limited.  OSU put up incredible statistics in his time there and UT may be able to do the same thing once a QB arrives that can lead this offense.  When that QB arrives, my guess is that a number of OL coaches in the country would also have success on the 40.

 

[GBT]

If you don't want your defense playing 40 minutes, then don't run a hurry up offense. If you don't want the defense playing 40 minutes STOP a team on third down !! Most of our defensive woes have been we can't get off the field because we seldom three and out anybody. I know all about "the best defense is a good offense" When I coached I made sure I used up nearly every second of a play clock before the ball was snapped..."If they ain't got the ball, they can't score." But when your defense IS out on the field, they have to STOP somebody....and we DON'T stop good teams. Even bad teams pick up first downs left and right on Bedford's D.

 

[DMAC]

GBT

Notre Dame is hardly considered a bad team.  Arkansas was playing their best football at the time of the bowl game.  Both of those teams had very good OL's.   I am not trying to make excuses even though it sounds like it.  Our defense gave up way too much vs both teams, we lost key players from last year. More importantly I believe our defense had lost all faith in the offense.  We all did. I think our defense will be fine.  Now if we are giving up 38 PPG and our offense is scoring giving the defense more than 3 minute break then there is reason to worry.

 

[Hiphopopotamos]

Our last three games have been against TCU, Arkansas, and Notre Dame.  Not a directional school to be found.  This team isn't very talented.  The results weren't pleasant, but they also weren't terribly surprising.

The defense isn't going to be 'good' because they don't have the talent or experience to play to that level yet - no matter how good the coaching.  What they are is competent, and what they do is compete.

The same can not be said for the offense.

 

[Juan]

Can someone tell me what is going on with Wickline? I really thought he was the answer we had been looking for improved OL play.  I know that CS will turn this team around. MB who would never make the changes that was required CS will not stand by and let Texas play like theway they have been the last 3 games. Y'all have a blessed week

some clue is provided in that IT article posted a few posts above your question.  check it out

Wickline wants to run zone schemes and little else, his understanding of how to attack a defense is limited to spread-style “count the numbers and react accordingly.â€

 
Meanwhile, Watson’s control over the offense meant that Texas’ inexperienced OL last year was using up valuable practice reps learning pin & pull, trap, lead G, and power blocking schemes rather than using that invaluable time on mastering Wickline’s exceptionally detailed zone techniques.

 

[Juan]

I like this move as I mentioned earlier.  Gives Malik more opportunities to make more plays in the backfield.  I love Hager's intensity and bloodlines.  This gets them both on the field at the same time.  

The current trend is to put super athletic guys, like Malik, in the middle.

But Hager is not on the field as long as he's there.  I guess that's a "good problem" to have?

We were destined to see more LBs on field against Rice in any event.  Big opportunity for Hager this week.

 

[Texas2K]

There have been some rumblings that the offense Texas has been using in practice wasn't the offense that Watson called in the Notre Dame game. If that is the case, I can see where Strong may have been misled and why he is acting now.

Assuming this is true, and I suspect it is, it explains a couple of things. First, Charlie has received a lot of criticism for not knowing what was going on on offense. If what he was seeing in practice was what he wanted and then what he saw in the game was totally different, Watson just went rogue on him, or maybe reverted to old habits under pressure. Either way, it clears Charlie of negligence, at least somewhat. By the time it became clear to him that Watson had totally abandoned the game plan it might have been too late to do anything about it. Until yesterday.

I was also under the impression that a new offense was created during the offseason and that it was a collaborative effort among the offensive staff. If that's the case, spread scheme plays would already be in the playbook and there wouldn't be a "new offense" to learn under Norvell. The team might have been running those plays in practice last week. If true, what we'll see is just different plays from the playbook being called during the game, hopefully according to a strategy that would keep the opposition on their heels and take advantage of our players' skills. 

Please correct me if I'm wrong about the new offense, but I think Norvell and Traylor were brought in to help design it specifically because of their familiarity with spread concepts. The two of them together might be able to cook up a pretty decent game plan featuring spread concepts by using what's already in the playbook.

 

[DMAC]

The current trend is to put super athletic guys, like Malik, in the middle.

But Hager is not on the field as long as he's there.  I guess that's a "good problem" to have?

We were destined to see more LBs on field against Rice in any event.  Big opportunity for Hager this week.

I hope they both kick some ass vs Rice.  I was smiling watching Hager put that hit on the back and then front up and jaw jack that Offensive Lineman.  Kid has heart and pride.  Much like Kris Boyd on Special Teams.  MJ is a beast.  Anxious to see them both on the field at the same time.  These freshman are renewing my hope in the future, I want see more of them play now.  

I noticed Hill listed last on the depth chart.  The scouting report was huge on him.  Whats going on?  Also is Elliot hurt?

 

[Hiphopopotamos]

I hope they both kick some ass vs Rice.  I was smiling watching Hager put that hit on the back and then front up and jaw jack that Offensive Lineman.  Kid has heart and pride.  Much like Kris Boyd on Special Teams.  MJ is a beast.  Anxious to see them both on the field at the same time.  These freshman are renewing my hope in the future, I want see more of them play now.  

Watching Game Rewind you could see Charlie Strong's face light up and get excited when he spoke about Hager.  Mentioned that he's exactly the type of player you want on your team.  Leaves it all out on the field and uses every ounce of energy he has whether in practice or the game.  They have to settle him down in practice sometimes.

Charlie said that Hager had a nose/radar for the ball and is always in the play.  Talked about Hagers Dad and how much being at Texas and doing well means to the kid, and how much pride he takes in wearing the jersey.  Charlie really likes this kid - so I wouldn't be surprised if we see much more of Hager over the next couple of weeks.

Charlie said he called Hager over after the big play and asked him what he was thinking - Hager said that the 'guy said something to me and i can't just let that go'.  Charlie said he was fine with it.

 

[primal defense]

The current trend is to put super athletic guys, like Malik, in the middle.

But Hager is not on the field as long as he's there.  I guess that's a "good problem" to have?

We were destined to see more LBs on field against Rice in any event.  Big opportunity for Hager this week.

Also, a big opportunity for Cecil Cherry, Oh wait, never mind.

 

[tejasrulz]

Some classic Jay Norvell on the sideline here

I'm on a conference call so I just watched without sound but from what I saw, the Cinn player hit the sooner late. If that is what he was yelling at the ref for, that shows the players he has their backs.

 

[primal defense]

I had read that CS gave Watson a pass because of the OL problems last year. I didn't see how Watson could stay the OC after the ND game since this was on a level of Manny Diaz's BYU game.

When two QBs are in competition and the OC cries about one of them that's a strong sign that the OC has a favorite. Unfortunately, Watson believed he could turn Swoopes into another Bridgewater and he believed wrong.

Last year I read where he didn't have Heard take backup snaps for the Texas Bowl which made no sense to me. Also, I read reports that Heard didn't work hard after he was told he would redshirt. Maybe Heard was in Watson's doghouse.

 

[Hiphopopotamos]

I'm on a conference call so I just watched without sound but from what I saw, the Cinn player hit the sooner late. If that is what he was yelling at the ref for, that shows the players he has their backs.

Watch the Cinci player as he gets up - he stands up and sort of chest bumps Norvell out of the way.  Norvell screams at the ref that the kid 'hit me first'.  Unfortunately he also throws an f-bomb in there and thats what got him the flag.

 

[Hiphopopotamos]

I had read that CS gave Watson a pass because of the OL problems last year. I didn't see how Watson could stay the OC after the ND game since this was on a level of Manny Diaz's BYU game.

When two QBs are in competition and the OC cries about one of them that's a strong sign that the OC has a favorite. Unfortunately, Watson believed he could turn Swoopes into another Bridgewater and he believed wrong.

Last year I read where he didn't have Heard take backup snaps for the Texas Bowl which made no sense to me. Also, I read reports that Heard didn't work hard after he was told he would redshirt. Maybe Heard was in Watson's doghouse.

They weren't going to burn Heards redshirt just so he could play some snaps in the bowl game.

 

[primal defense]

They weren't going to burn Heards redshirt just so he could play some snaps in the bowl game.

I agree, but the bowl game was a chance for Heard to get more practice since any other OC would see that Heard would be needed next year.

 

[UTK66]

Lulz...and Wickline is on the hook himself. No support or love from Patterson.

Maybe we should pass the hat?

Yes, Wickline is on the hook for that himself. Texas and the Texas AD wasn't mentioned int he lawsuit so they can't get involved is my understanding. OSU filed the suit against Wickline solely, or at least that's my understanding of it.