Burnt Ends (4-13)

[HornSports Staff]

The point on a brisket is typically the fattiest cut. Pitmasters often trim the point (and select edges) off a brisket and return those pieces to the smoker.

Are burnt ends tough, chewy worthless cuts of meat, or are they heavenly bites of smoky goodness? It depends on who you ask...

Rather than discard the trimmings and fat, we choose to savor all the information that flows through the site. So, sit down and help yourself to some burnt ends.

This is a free site, so anyone can read this report. If you share it with someone, please take time to attribute the information to HornSports.

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As part of our continuing coverage of Spring practice, we’ve been compiling notes and quotes from players and people that have been to several practices. Everybody tends to focus on something different during practice, which provides a variety of subjects and also makes each point insightful (since it comes from someone that took time to watch a specific player or position group).

All the quick hitters below are sourced from folks that can provide eye witness testament to the observations they shared with us. Note: this is a collection of various observations, not an attempt to review each part of the team.

• “The offense wins their share of battles. As far as I could tell, that’s not a comment on poor D; it just looked like the offense executed better on some plays.”

• Andrew Beck needs to work on his blocking. He looks great in passing drills and catches everything, but has to focus on getting stronger at the point of attack when he stays in to block.

• “Duke Catalon missed time but I was impressed by what I saw from D’Onta Foreman. I think Catalon has his work cut out for him to be #2. And from what I heard, the staff is high enough on the pair that the incoming backs are going to really need to work to crack the depth chart as every down guys.”

• Regarding the offensive line: “It's definitely improved over what it was before. The new guys that came in…they're definitely looking to play, and that depth changes the whole unit.”

• Follow-up on changes in the O-Line: “There were only six guys playing. That’s a huge disadvantage because when guys were exhausted, there was no choice but to keep playing.”

• Peter Jinkens, Tim Cole & Sed Flowers are the vocal leaders when the team is on the field.

• “This new offense is key for our quarterbacks. Last year's offense…I feel like they tried to make them something that they really weren't.”

• The competition aspect of practice is real…you get the job done or you get fired.

• Regarding OL transfer Brandon Hodges: “Joe Wickline has put him almost everywhere on the line. He's gone left tackle, left guard, right guard, right tackle. The only thing he hasn't played is center.”

​

• “The fast tempo offense has really helped open up a lot of the guy's true talents.”

• Leadership is really boosted by the return of Desmond Jackson. He’s a player that the whole defense looks up to.

• Regarding WR Dorian Leonard: “Every day he goes out there with an edge to him.” He projects as the physical wideout that has been missing for several years.

• “Coach Strong puts a player somewhere, but it's so he can see if that player can be effective in that position. There’s been a lot of experimenting this Spring.”

• The combination of having more bodies in the rotation (to keep players more rested), plus the new group of early enrollees resulted in some serious competition on the offensive line. There are a few individuals on the team that compete harder, but as an entire position group the OL has been most competitive.

• “Peter Jinkens is all about getting everyone excited, whether that’s in the huddle or on the sideline. He's really vocal and brings a ton of energy.”

• “I don’t think there’s any chance that a team plays UT and doesn’t get tired on defense.”

• “Connor Williams is going to be really good – maybe not in 2015, but before he’s done here [at Texas] for sure. He’s very competitive and has played hard throughout the Spring. There’s no doubt that he plays this year.”

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A lot has been written about the new offense that Texas will run this Fall – and there are some things that have been mentioned regularly: up-tempo; spread offense; opening things up for playmakers; designed quarterback runs; and increased competition for playing time.

One thing that is also getting talked about frequently is simplification. Compared to some of the buzz words above, simplifying the offense isn’t as engaging as talking about the benefits of spread/tempo offense. Nevertheless simplification is the thing that two coaches that attended practice came away talking about.

“Shawn [Watson] has stripped things down all the way to having the quarterback simply count players in the box and base their read off that number. Right now, run vs pass is nothing more than how many defenders are in the box.”

Both guys went on to explain that what type of rush or passing routes get run still stems from defensive formations and player positioning, but before then Tyrone Swoopes and Jerrod Heard are both being asked to do nothing more than a head count before the snap. Both also said that the simplification appears to be returning solid results.

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Over the last two decades, Texas produced unparalleled talent at the defensive back position.  This of course earned the Longhorns the name “DBU” as they are now known in wider cycles.  Though Duane Akina no longer presides over the secondary in Austin, the Texas staff is trying to keep that tradition alive.  Our spotlight of players in the HornSports Top 50 shines on Waco cornerback Eric Cuffee. 

Cuffee flew under the radar throughout his junior season, but recently saw his stock skyrocket as he garnered 36 offers including Texas, Alabama, Baylor, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Stanford, and TCU.  Cuffee competed at The Opening regional camp in Dallas where he performed well and earned an invitation to the finals in Oregon.  At the Dallas event, Cuffee matched up one-on-one with the elite receivers in attendance and showed lock down skills on the edge. 

Cuffee reports being open in his recruitment; however, after two visits to Austin this spring, it’s clear that the Longhorns are firmly in the picture. Some whisper that Texas might be a narrow leader at this point.

Cuffee has prototype size at 6’, 188 pounds, with a sturdy frame and long arms.  He’s smooth in his backpedal with the ability to flip his hips smoothly and run with receivers.  Cuffee mixes his skill up well, possessing the ability to play press, man, and zone coverages. 

With elite field awareness and top-end ball skills, Cuffee can play on the boundary or field side of coverage and has the ability to lock down the opposition’s top weapons.  Cuffee plays very tough and is a wrecking ball near the line of scrimmage when he’s forcing on the run or closing on short passes.

As a player who is just starting to have his recruitment take off, with the potential to really explode in the coming months, Cuffee’s star is one HornSports will track closely.  An update of the site’s 2016 recruiting rankings will be published next week. You can be sure Cuffee will be one of the prospects who sees his stock rise. 

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The annual Orange–White Scrimmage brings commits, targets and a host of talent to the 40 Acres to experience Texas football up-close and personally.  One particular recruit that will be in attendance does not possess an offer from the Longhorns yet, but is extremely familiar with the Texas program – Harker Heights’ Chris Hughes.  Hughes has been around the Texas program by way of his two older brothers, Camhron and Naashon, both of whom play for the Longhorns.

Hughes confirmed to HornSports that he will be in attendance on Saturday and told us if a Texas offer were to come, it would hold significant weight. Regardless, Hughes knows what he’s looking for in a school:

“I want to go to a place where I feel comfortable and appreciated.  If that is Texas, then that’s where I will go.”

With a recent offer from Texas Tech and a dynamic performance at the Opening in Dallas where he won OL MVP recognition, Hughes’ stock is soaring. The coaches from Oklahoma visited Hughes last season and the Sooners are still on the list of potential schools he would consider playing for should an offer come.

Hughes is being recruited by most schools as an offensive tackle but is a versatile athlete that has the ability to play defense as well (he plays DE, DT and occasionally LB for the Knights). On which side of the ball would he prefer to play on:

“I like defense better, but I’ll play offense to help my team.”

Hughes is still honing his offensive prowess and tells us he is working diligently to improve his two point stance.  When asked what his greatest strength as a tackle is: “My quickness and body control.”

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Texas pitcher and former Pearland Oilers hurler Blake Goins underwent surgery for Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) last week. We talked to the Goins family and were told Blake’s surgery went “wonderfully” but he is feeling residual soreness. 

His surgeon, Dr. Gregory Pearl, is a renowned vascular surgeon that has performed TOS surgery on a number of MLB pitchers. “He is excited to get back on the field,” his mom told us.

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We always enjoy talking to Texas signee Kai Locksley because most of the time he is all business.  Locksley, a 4-star quarterback from Baltimore, confirmed with us he will be at the Spring Game on Saturday.  With the continued quarterback chatter surrounding the Horns, it is safe to assume he will be eyeing the offense closely:

“Can’t wait to get on the field and do work.”

Locksley will make the trip without his dad Mike, who is busy helping prepare the Maryland football team for the upcoming season in his role as Offensive Coordinator for the Terrapins.

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Another future quarterback will be on the 40 on Saturday in addition to Kai Locksley.  2016 commitment Shane Beuchele confirmed to us that he will be visiting for the Spring Game.

We had an opportunity to catch up with Beuchele recently – look for an article on Tuesday.

With signal callers being excited to see the new offense, we reached out to Matt Merrick to see if he plans to be in attendance also. Merrick is definitely considering making the trip to Austin, but wasn’t sure yet if his schedule will allow him to be on campus. We’ll update you later this week.

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At this rate, we’ll close things with an update on quarterbacks who are on campus…

Over the weekend, it was reported that Jerrod Heard took snaps with the first team offense. The person that gave us this, “Coach Strong puts a player somewhere, but it's so he can see if that player can be effective in that position. There’s been a lot of experimenting this Spring.”

…went on to say that too much was made out of Heard’s first team snaps. Rather than being an indication of depth chart positioning, our source said that, to him, Heard’s move was so coaches could see him perform with that unit.

In order to have film to review this Summer and be productive in discussions of personnel positioning, the coaches are trying to get good looks of everyone in multiple lineup groupings. That isn’t as sexy as “Heard was running first team in practice”, but it’s reality.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

“Shawn [Watson] has stripped things down all the way to having the quarterback simply count players in the box and base their read off that number. Right now, run vs pass is nothing more than how many defenders are in the box.â€

Wow...teams that have the personnel to disguise alignments and coverage can still get an edge post-snap if this is all we're asking our QBs to do. Gets back to my disappointment with last season's offense. No adjustments, creativity, or improvisation. IMO, we didn't beat anybody we shouldn't have. 

But, maybe Swoopes or Heard will play more confidently if they're not over-thinking pre-snap. I hope so. Fingers crossed

 

[Godz40acres]

Wow...teams that have the personnel to disguise alignments and coverage can still get an edge post-snap if this is all we're asking our QBs to do. Gets back to my disappointment with last season's offense. No adjustments, creativity, or improvisation. IMO, we didn't beat anybody we shouldn't have. 

But, maybe Swoopes or Heard will play more confidently if they're not over-thinking pre-snap. I hope so. Fingers crossed

This is where Heard will/should excel - maybe not at first, but as he gets more in-game experience. It's been said that Denton cut their playbook back to one page and after that Heard won two titles. Yeah, this is a whole different level of football, but with the coaching he's receiving at this level, he should be able to handle more than one page.

 

[Randolph Duke]

Wow...teams that have the personnel to disguise alignments and coverage can still get an edge post-snap if this is all we're asking our QBs to do. Gets back to my disappointment with last season's offense. No adjustments, creativity, or improvisation. IMO, we didn't beat anybody we shouldn't have. 

But, maybe Swoopes or Heard will play more confidently if they're not over-thinking pre-snap. I hope so. Fingers crossed

The problem isn't Swoopes or Heard. The problem is Watson. Watson keeps expecting the players to develop to the point of being able to execute his chosen scheme. Texas needs someone who can scheme around the collective skills of the players. Like you said, No adjustments, creativity, or improvisation. 

Of all the reports we are hearing from spring practice, I haven't heard a single word about last year's abysmal special teams, about being utterly humiliated by Arkansas or about wanting any payback for the embarrassments other teams imposed last year. I liked Charlie Strong as a hire, but the team seems to be working under the impression that they just need to go through the motions and in 2016 it will all magically happen. "Still experimenting?!" When do they plan on implementing solutions?

The last team Shawn Watson coached put up 59 freaking yards against Arkansas. It is as if Shawn Watson has totally forgotten that after an entire year with the team that is all he was able to deliver. Where is the talk about accountability for the people collecting the fat paychecks instead of just the kids on scholarship? We are days away from the spring game and not a single word about any of the glaring weaknesses of last year being addressed?! Has the staff already accepted 2015 to be another losing season that they can try to blame on Mack Brown?!

 

[LinuxHorn]

Wow...teams that have the personnel to disguise alignments and coverage can still get an edge post-snap if this is all we're asking our QBs to do. Gets back to my disappointment with last season's offense. No adjustments, creativity, or improvisation. IMO, we didn't beat anybody we shouldn't have. 

But, maybe Swoopes or Heard will play more confidently if they're not over-thinking pre-snap. I hope so. Fingers crossed

JB, It was absolutely necessary to simplify the offense. This is especially true when it comes to Heard (via his high school coach). Last year we were handcuffed because there wasn't a true backup QB and you can't make big adjustments mid season and expect to get big results. Simplifying the offense allows the QB's we currently have to be creative and improvise with their natural athletic ability (Hello Vince Young). I'm not saying they are the next VY, but you saw what happened when Mack and Co allowed him to use his natural instincts and abilities. 

 

[LinuxHorn]

The problem isn't Swoopes or Heard. The problem is Watson. Watson keeps expecting the players to develop to the point of being able to execute his chosen scheme. Texas needs someone who can scheme around the collective skills of the players. Like you said, No adjustments, creativity, or improvisation. 

Of all the reports we are hearing from spring practice, I haven't heard a single word about last year's abysmal special teams, about being utterly humiliated by Arkansas or about wanting any payback for the embarrassments other teams imposed last year. I liked Charlie Strong as a hire, but the team seems to be working under the impression that they just need to go through the motions and in 2016 it will all magically happen. "Still experimenting?!" When do they plan on implementing solutions?

The last team Shawn Watson coached put up 59 freaking yards against Arkansas. It is as if Shawn Watson has totally forgotten that after an entire year with the team that is all he was able to deliver. Where is the talk about accountability for the people collecting the fat paychecks instead of just the kids on scholarship? We are days away from the spring game and not a single word about any of the glaring weaknesses of last year being addressed?! Has the staff already accepted 2015 to be another losing season that they can try to blame on Mack Brown?!

Randolph, have a coke and a smile. You can hate Watson all you want, but with that offense line VY wouldn't have done much of anything. I don't care what your scheme is, if the line can't block air then you won't get very far. They weren't matched well with Arkansas. The SEC knew that and that's why we got them instead of A&M. Look back to Colts 2007 year vs 2006 and 2008. There was a nice decline due to offensive line issues. 

Personally I think us Longhorn fans should stop comparing our offense to everybody else in terms of scheme. We should however worry about having the right players for the scheme we do have. When you look around the country, there are a lot of different schemes and they work because they have the right players in them. Again, it all starts with the big uglies up front. Last year was CS's decision to run the offense we ran. I think that was a mistake, but he manned up and changed it. At this point, that's all you can ask. 

 

[Juan]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011


— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

[Juan]

Steve can be reached on twitter here https://twitter.com/SWPatterson

here is the story http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/12688352/charlie-strong-kevin-sumlin-want-texas-longhorns-texas-aggies-rivalry-back

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Steve can be reached on twitter here https://twitter.com/SWPatterson

Patterson won't reschedule UT vs A&M unless the BMDs are pushing for it. Other than Red McCombs, I haven't read of any who are itching to play the aggies again. And he is probably just pandering to aggie car buyers with his "desire" to reschedule the game. 

Frankly, I'd play every meaningful SEC team non-conference before I'd schedule aggie again. Let me know when they've got Tech and Baylor lined up, too.

 

[Juan]

...... Other than Red McCombs, I haven't read of any who are itching to play the aggies again. And he is probably just pandering to aggie car buyers with his "desire" to reschedule the game. .

I admit that made me giggle

 

[Randolph Duke]

Randolph, have a coke and a smile. You can hate Watson all you want, but with that offense line VY wouldn't have done much of anything. I don't care what your scheme is, if the line can't block air then you won't get very far. They weren't matched well with Arkansas. The SEC knew that and that's why we got them instead of A&M. Look back to Colts 2007 year vs 2006 and 2008. There was a nice decline due to offensive line issues. 

Personally I think us Longhorn fans should stop comparing our offense to everybody else in terms of scheme. We should however worry about having the right players for the scheme we do have. When you look around the country, there are a lot of different schemes and they work because they have the right players in them. Again, it all starts with the big uglies up front. Last year was CS's decision to run the offense we ran. I think that was a mistake, but he manned up and changed it. At this point, that's all you can ask. 

On the day he was hired, a number of people knew Shawn Watson wouldn't be able to deliver as OC. He proved us right last year and nothing any of us are hearing from spring practices leads anyone to believe Watson has a glimmer of a hope how to improve things this coming season. Last year the Horns didn't even bother to try running back kickoffs or punts because it was useless to even expend the energy. Everything about this squad screams losing season and it is as if none of the staff cares. I'm just stunned. 

 

[killrjoe]

Regarding the quote on Hodges, does that mean that he's so talented that they can plug him in anywhere or are they trying to find a position that he's good at?

 

[LinuxHorn]

On the day he was hired, a number of people knew Shawn Watson wouldn't be able to deliver as OC. He proved us right last year and nothing any of us are hearing from spring practices leads anyone to believe Watson has a glimmer of a hope how to improve things this coming season. Last year the Horns didn't even bother to try running back kickoffs or punts because it was useless to even expend the energy. Everything about this squad screams losing season and it is as if none of the staff cares. I'm just stunned. 

I'm not sure where you got that from, but from what ALL the other sites (including this one) is reporting is that the QB's are getting much better in the new scheme. We don't even have our incoming 2015 class on campus yet (who are filled with possible studs). I know you hate Watson, but there are so many equations for success in a college football season, including luck. We knew this year would be a step back simply due to the talent drop off. It's no secret this team may not do well. Unfortunately its still a part of the transition. A new coach doesn't automatically = winning season. Especially when there wasn't a whole lot of talent to begin with. We are attempting to climb out the hole and I like the direction we are going. The wins will come. You can't blame everything on an OC. 

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Wow...teams that have the personnel to disguise alignments and coverage can still get an edge post-snap if this is all we're asking our QBs to do. Gets back to my disappointment with last season's offense. No adjustments, creativity, or improvisation. IMO, we didn't beat anybody we shouldn't have. 

But, maybe Swoopes or Heard will play more confidently if they're not over-thinking pre-snap. I hope so. Fingers crossed

1. If you read the entire piece, it talks about qb's reading things beyond a personnel count.

2. This is spring football. It's logical to assume they're building a base for the qb's - not giving them the only thing they will use in games.

 

[Randolph Duke]

I'm not sure where you got that from, but from what ALL the other sites (including this one) is reporting is that the QB's are getting much better in the new scheme. We don't even have our incoming 2015 class on campus yet (who are filled with possible studs). I know you hate Watson, but there are so many equations for success in a college football season, including luck. We knew this year would be a step back simply due to the talent drop off. It's no secret this team may not do well. Unfortunately its still a part of the transition. A new coach doesn't automatically = winning season. Especially when there wasn't a whole lot of talent to begin with. We are attempting to climb out the hole and I like the direction we are going. The wins will come. You can't blame everything on an OC. 

I can blame a brutally inept offense last year on the OC. No adjustments, no schemes, no creativity. Hell, they even struggled against Tech. For me, Watson's ineptitude last year was summed up on the 4th down play late in the game against UCLA when the offense didn't have its act together and Watson decided to keep that last time out in case it was needed during the press conference. In reality there were glaring coaching weaknesses last year that Watson got a pass for because a large number of the fans gave him a pass. How is Watson's job not on the line!? 59 freaking yards in a bowl game after having an entire season with the team! Only incredibly soft teams get utterly humiliated and simply shrug it off without a second thought.

Special teams last year were another humiliation where the team literally didn't even attempt to compete. I've seen chihuahuas with more fight than last year's kickoff return team and that was simply accepted as part of a Charlie Strong coached team. Only incredibly soft teams don't even try to compete and shrug it off without a second thought.

Based on most accounts, Swoopes is going to be the starting QB this season. Let's not kid ourselves. Swoopes may be a nice guy and he may try his damnedest, but he isn't a D1 quarterback. The defense this fall should be good. If the offense is any better than 75th in the country in total offense it will be remarkable. If Texas is any higher than 100th in both punt returns and kickoff returns, it will be equally remarkable. Shawn Watson isn't concerned about his job in the least, no one connected with the team seems to be bothered with the fact last season (and especially last year's bowl game) was utter crap and no one seems to have any fire lit under them. I got blasted around this time last year for predicting the team would go 6-6. As it stands now, if the team goes 6-6 this fall it would be a major accomplishment. 

The coaches seem too unconcerned with the glaring weaknesses in the team and everyone connected with the team seems acquiescent concerning the fact the team just isn't any good. I keep waiting for the reports of the aspects of the team that are showing marked improvement, but they just aren't there. I want to hear that Charlie Strong is comfortable with the way the defense is improving, that Jay Norvell thinks the receivers are coming around, that Shawn Watson is both coaching to keep his job and has a quarterback and that Wickline has an idea what his starting offensive line will look like. I want to hear Charlie Strong realizes special teams last year was a total coaching failure and someone on the staff has a glimmer of a clue how to coach special teams. Instead, we are at the end of spring practice all we have to look forward to is 2016 recruiting. So far, it is tough to get excited about how the team is developing and about what to expect this fall. I hate being pessimistic, but where is the improvement?

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

1. If you read the entire piece, it talks about qb's reading things beyond a personnel count.

2. This is spring football. It's logical to assume they're building a base for the qb's - not giving them the only thing they will use in games.

Is this what I missed?

Both guys went on to explain that what type of rush or passing routes get run still stems from defensive formations and player positioning, but before then Tyrone Swoopes and Jerrod Heard are both being asked to do nothing more than a head count before the snap. Both also said that the simplification appears to be returning solid results.

You really should leave the X's & O's to Coleman if you think that's enlightening 

 

[Juan]

 

[LinuxHorn]

I can blame a brutally inept offense last year on the OC. No adjustments, no schemes, no creativity. Hell, they even struggled against Tech. For me, Watson's ineptitude last year was summed up on the 4th down play late in the game against UCLA when the offense didn't have its act together and Watson decided to keep that last time out in case it was needed during the press conference. In reality there were glaring coaching weaknesses last year that Watson got a pass for because a large number of the fans gave him a pass. How is Watson's job not on the line!? 59 freaking yards in a bowl game after having an entire season with the team! Only incredibly soft teams get utterly humiliated and simply shrug it off without a second thought.

Special teams last year were another humiliation where the team literally didn't even attempt to compete. I've seen chihuahuas with more fight than last year's kickoff return team and that was simply accepted as part of a Charlie Strong coached team. Only incredibly soft teams don't even try to compete and shrug it off without a second thought.

Based on most accounts, Swoopes is going to be the starting QB this season. Let's not kid ourselves. Swoopes may be a nice guy and he may try his damnedest, but he isn't a D1 quarterback. The defense this fall should be good. If the offense is any better than 75th in the country in total offense it will be remarkable. If Texas is any higher than 100th in both punt returns and kickoff returns, it will be equally remarkable. Shawn Watson isn't concerned about his job in the least, no one connected with the team seems to be bothered with the fact last season (and especially last year's bowl game) was utter crap and no one seems to have any fire lit under them. I got blasted around this time last year for predicting the team would go 6-6. As it stands now, if the team goes 6-6 this fall it would be a major accomplishment. 

The coaches seem too unconcerned with the glaring weaknesses in the team and everyone connected with the team seems acquiescent concerning the fact the team just isn't any good. I keep waiting for the reports of the aspects of the team that are showing marked improvement, but they just aren't there. I want to hear that Charlie Strong is comfortable with the way the defense is improving, that Jay Norvell thinks the receivers are coming around, that Shawn Watson is both coaching to keep his job and has a quarterback and that Wickline has an idea what his starting offensive line will look like. I want to hear Charlie Strong realizes special teams last year was a total coaching failure and someone on the staff has a glimmer of a clue how to coach special teams. Instead, we are at the end of spring practice all we have to look forward to is 2016 recruiting. So far, it is tough to get excited about how the team is developing and about what to expect this fall. I hate being pessimistic, but where is the improvement?

All of this is pure conjecture and not based on any facts. How do you know what the coaches are concerned about? Trust me when I say the coaches know their strengths and weaknesses better than anyone else. Sure, Watson as well as other coaches made mistakes last year. No doubt about it. My only question is what would you have done differently? If you can't truly understand how tough last season was on offense in a variety of way, I don't know what else to tell you. You can put lipstick on a pig but its still a pig. You can say "get creative" and "scheme around this and that" but at the end of the day the players still have to execute. One missed block a fraction of a second after the snap will kill the entire play. It doesn't matter what was called. That happened quite a bit last season. 

I like other fans thinks it sucks that we haven't been good for so long. However, this was always a multi-year rebuild. ALWAYS. Even the great Saban and Briles had multi-year rebuilds. Rarely does a coach come in and kick butt immediately. If he does, it has more to do with the players on campus. Simply put, we just didn't have a whole lot of talent last year. CS may not be the coach to take us to the promise land but he was exactly the coach we needed right now. 

Reports are great for entertainment, but it doesn't matter honestly. During the last few years of the Mack era we had a bunch of nice reports and you see how that turned out. Don't mistake spring reports as gospel. There's a lot of work ahead. Again, CS doesn't even have his first recruiting class on campus. I don't get excited in the spring because you don't know what you have in the team as everyone is not there yet. Heck a lot are injured now. For now, I wouldn't look for any signs to ease you pessimism. It's just way too early. 

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Is this what I missed?

You really should leave the X's & O's to Coleman if you think that's enlightening 

Burnt Ends isn't an X&O piece, nor did I intend my comment to be detail on how the QB's adjust plays after counting personnel. My point was that the piece referenced mentioned that the QB's were reading defensive alignment & positioning after their initial count.