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ANYTHING SPRING FOOTBALL!!



S Dylan Haines

On how it feels to be back and how his spring break went: It was good. My spring break probably wasn't as exciting as some of the other kids. I had a Spanish final on Wednesday and the GRE on Friday, so I was kind of hanging around Austin, just stayed and relaxed. But it's good to be back after the break. We had a week of 'spring ball' and then we left, so we felt like we got things going and then kind of took a step back. Now we're back out here again, and it feels like it's just a new 'spring ball'. Feels good to be back. Everyone was fresh today. We had a lot of energy. Obviously some mental mistakes. We're just getting started, but it feels good to be back.

On if the Texas offense is keeping the defense 'on their toes': Yeah, absolutely. I think the first day they ran 70 plays in 10 minutes so I think they're definitely going 'up tempo'. Faster than I've seen anyone play, that I've played against or practiced against. I think that's good for them if they can keep that tempo up throughout the year. I think that's going to keep defenses 'on their toes' and it just makes us better. If we were to see a team that comes out and goes no-huddle on the ball it's just going to help us.

On how the defense gets lined up in time when an offense plays up tempo: Sometimes you don't and that's just part of it. Something they've been stressing is when you're tired - because sometimes we go in sets of four or five plays, those fourth and fifth plays you're tired - so that's just when you have to focus on fundamentals, technique, stuff like that. That's when, if you're breaking down in those last few plays, you're getting tired, those are the things you have to work on. Because when you play teams in the Big 12, if you're tired out there the offenses are looking to attack you and they're looking to throw a lot on the field. So that's the thing that we're prepared to see.

On the progress he's seen with S DeShon Elliott: He's coming along great. That's a guy that missed camp last year basically because he had that 'toe thing'. He's made tremendous strides in the film room, in the classroom as we'd say, learning the game. He's taking it to the field. He's doing everything that he needs to be doing to get on the field. You have to honor that and you have to be proud of him for that. There's a lot of guys. P.J. Locke's a name that you're going to hear a lot this year. He's, right now, taking the nickel position and he's trying to make that his position and he's trying to start in that position. That's going to be great for him. He's doing a lot as well in the classroom to learn that, and he knows he has big shoes to fill after Quandre [Diggs] was here two years ago. He's just looking to be the best player he can be and you have to honor him for that.

On what he means when he mentions his teammates' 'making strides' in the classroom: The mental side of the game, I would say, is somewhere around 80%. So if you're the greatest athlete that doesn't necessarily mean that you can play. We play a complicated defense and I think that's good, because if you know what to do, you can anticipate things coming. That's something that I take a lot of pride in my game, is just being able to anticipate things. If you know it's coming it's a lot easier to defend it. They've been in the film room studying those things, and like I said, PJ is nickel, he played safety last year, so he has a whole new position to learn. It's new techniques, new alignments, it's new everything. You would expect a first year guy learning a new position like that to be behind, but he's not at all.

On the new offense: Obviously we have a new offensive coordinator and a new O-line coach so we expected to see some different things. It wasn't going to be the same kind of spring, seeing the same stuff we saw last year. And I think the tempo helps us. And if anything, it just helps us get lined up, get prepared, and if a team is to come out there in the season and not go as fast as them, I think that's just going to make us better because we're just going to be so used to seeing such a fast tempo team. We're going to have more time to work on our alignment, to read things out, to look at formation distribution - all these things. The fact that they're making us get better, I think that's going to help us. As far as not being able to get lined up, that's going to happen. They're switching out players on offense and we just go five plays at a time. But it helps us with just running to the ball and getting back, getting lined up, working on fundamentals.



RB D'Onta Foreman

On if the offense is aiming at a fast pace: Yes sir, definitely. With the up tempo offense that we have, we're trying to get the most plays that we can, make sure it's efficient, and that everyone's doing what they're supposed to do. Make sure we get the call to the line and make sure everything's efficient.

On if everyone is keeping up: Coming back from spring break, people were kind of worn out, getting tired, but that's part of it. We just have to keep working everyday making sure what we're doing is efficient and make sure everyone's getting the calls in and make sure that everyone's doing what they're supposed to do.

On how often the defense is able to get lined up in time: Honestly, I don't even know. I'm so worried about getting the play to the line and making my reads that I don't even see if they're lined up or not. It's that fast.

On how different the offense is from what they did last year: It's a lot different. The play calling is a lot faster. The signals are a lot faster. The signals are shorter so it makes everything a lot faster. We talk about it everyday. I know that I've talked to the line, the quarterbacks, and the rest of the running backs to make sure that we have what we need to make sure that everything in the interior goes the way it's supposed to go.

On if the offense sees the signal and just 'goes': Yeah, we just see it and make sure the line gets the call, and we go.

Is this 'spring ball' different since his role on the team has changed: Definitely, I'm just trying to be a leader out there. I'm the oldest guy in the room right now so that was different from last year. But I'm just trying to talk to everybody, make sure everybody's on the same page and make sure that I do what I'm supposed to do. I have to go out there and set the tempo and that's what I try to do everyday. Just set the tempo and try to get people on my page and try to get people as up-tempo as I am.

On if this is still going to be a 'power' running team despite the change in tempo: Oh definitely, we have to be. In our group, the running backs, we talk about being the ones that get everything going. We have to have that mentality. When we go on the field we have to pass block well. We have to run the ball well. We have to make sure we get the calls into who we need to get the calls into. I feel like everything starts with us, honestly.



RB Chris Warren

On coming back to workouts following spring break: I think the offense is in a really good spot because we know our plays, we know what we're supposed to do, and we know our tempo that we want to go at. So I think we're in a good spot right now.

On how a physical 1-2 punch at running back fits into a high-speed offense: I think it brings a different dynamic to the tempo offense. In having a bigger back in an up-tempo offense, if you decide to run the ball two or three times in a row, going that fast, over time, that's probably going to drain [the defense] a lot faster than normal depending on how that game will go. I just feel like it would give us more opportunities to make bigger plays and greatly intensify the play action.

On getting used to the new dynamic: You can tell the defense wasn't used to it and we weren't used to it at first. But now we're all kind of getting in the same groove. But up-tempo is up-tempo. You can still see it coming and you can still not stop it, but it's possible. But I think our defense is doing a good job of getting up to the new tempo and so are we.

On last season motivating him to putting on extra weight: I hadn't lifted before coming into college, so it was really my only time actually lifting. I've never really had an offseason either. I've always done a different sport. Coming into this offseason, I just wanted to make sure that I could stay healthy and make sure that I could also bring myself up to being able – consistently -be there to play. But that's pretty much it really.

On Coach Strong's comments about the running back room being the best room in the facility: I feel like we do our fair share of work. I know our DBs are very good and our receivers have some playmakers in there. Our quarterbacks are great and I know our o-line is coming together very well. I know our d-line is consistently pretty good. So I think that we all do our respective work. (Note, Warren said he hit 255 pounds in the middle of offseason lifting, but dropped to 245 pounds after spring football began.)



http://texassports.com/news/2016/3/22/football-tracking-the-longhorns-player-availability.aspx

 
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In the interim, I'm told that Texas is looking to sign a grad transfer at QB (and possibly add a scholarship PK).
Click to expand...


Vernon Adams Jr and Hubenak, and others two years ago.  Jerrod Evans and Ferguson last year.  

Juco QB's signed = 0.

 
The 2nd rated pro style QB is running third at Georgia which is the same as Buechele.

Kirby Smart likes Jacob Eason's 'arm talent,' still says there's a 'learning curve'

Head coach Kirby Smart has at least seen glimpses as to why freshman quarterback Jacob Eason was coveted by nearly every major program in the nation.

In the first few spring practices, Eason has been able to show off the live arm he possesses, which wowed coaches on the camp circuit. Smart benefited by being hired by the school Eason committed to early and reaped the benefits by getting him to reaffirm that pledge.

Now that Eason is on campus and participating in spring practice, Smart said the physical traits have been impressive.

"I like his arm talent. We knew he was blessed with great arm talent," Smart said. "Jacob is a kid who can make a lot of throws out there, he can make some big-time throws with his arm."

Of course, with any freshman, there is a lot to learn when making the leap from high school football to the college level. At least in front of reporters, Eason has been the third quarterback to rotate in, with Greyson Lambert and Brice Ramsey running ahead of him.

Smart said he hasn’t put too much on Eason’s plate just yet, considering he has only a little more than one week of spring practice under his belt. 

"He’s still going through a learning curve," Smart said. "He’s still getting in and out of the huddle, annunciating all the words to the call. Leadership in a huddle is very important. He’s improved in that area over a three day period."

The quarterback competition likely won’t be settled in the spring. Early on, Georgia has been in installation mode as it prepares its players for the grind that will come in August, when preseason practice opens. That's when the competition at quarterback figures to heat up.

Smart has previously stated that he doesn’t want to place any pressure on Eason as it pertains to competing for the starting job. He reiterated that stance Tuesday.

"It’s a step by step process with this kid, where we’re not trying to take three steps before we take one step," Smart said. "The most important thing for us to take one step forward. He’s done that each day. He’s improved. He has to continue to do that for 15 complete practices."

Read more here: http://www.macon.com/sports/college/university-of-georgia/bulldogs-beat/uga-football/article67500357.html#storylink=cpy

 
http://texas.thefootballbrainiacs.com/2016/03/open-post-wednesday-march-23rd/

Texas is back at it during spring practice after they had the week off for Spring break, I gathered quite a few notes regarding yesterdays practice…

– Quarterbacks: I was told SR Tyrone Swoopes took the 1st team reps, RS SO Jerrod Heard took reps with the 2nd team, and true FR Shane Buechele took the 3rd team reps again on Tuesday. Even though he took the 3rd team reps I was told Buechele was the best looking QB on Tuesday.

My source said “Buechele had a nice day. He’s accurate and has a really quick release and gets the ball out faster than the other QB’sâ€. A main concern with Buechele is if his body is developed enough to take the beating that comes with playing QB at times, my source did add though, â€œif he learns the offense he could be the guy.â€

I was told Jerrod Heard is still holding on to the ball too long in the pocket. And I know some want to know why RS FR QB Kai Locksley isn’t receiving any team reps after most heard good things about him in the off-season. My source was straightforward and said, “He just doesn’t throw a very good ball at all right now, he looks the part though.†Obviously when you’re getting information about practice, you’re receiving someone else’s opinion but for whatever reason, right now, Locksley isn’t receiving team reps. – (Andrew)

– Starters in the Trenches: On the offensive line it seems like Matt Mattox has found his starting five for the spring. The 1st teamers yet again were SO Connor Williams at LT, RS JR Brandon Hodges at LG, True FR Zach Shackelford at C, SO Patrick Vahe at RG, and SR Kent Perkins at RT.

I was told Williams didn’t participate in drills after some non-contact stuff in the beginning of practice due to a leg injury but it doesn’t sound like anything too serious.

On the defensive line I was told that RS JR Naashon Hughes was at FOX, SR Paul Boyette and JR Poona Ford were at DT, and SO Charles Omenihu at SDE ran with the first team. It seems clear now that Omenihu is really going to challenge Bryce Cottrell at SDE, those 2 will be a nice pass-rushing combo at that position. – (Andrew)

Wide Receivers:  I was told the 3 starting WR’s yesterday were SO John Burt and JR Armanti Foreman on the outside and JR Lorenzo Joe in the slot. Though I was told that since the tempo was so fast the top WRs were rotating in and out quite a bit. So, obviously things are moving very fast in practice.

Collin Johnson continues to impress, even just with his stature. A source I spoke to said about Johnson, â€œCollin Johnson, Lord. That guy is hugeâ€. It’ll be interesting to see what Johnson will look like after he has a full offseason under his belt. – (Andrew)

– Young DBs continue to Impress: To no surprise, SO Holton Hill and Davante Davis are the 2 starting CB’s, and I was told Davis is having a fantastic spring and continues to look like the real deal.

SO PJ Locke seems to have locked down the starting spot at Nickel and isn’t letting it go. I was told he had another good day and had a nice INT during 7-on-7.

JR Jason Hall is still taking 1st-team reps over SO DeShon Elliott at safety and I was told both had solid days on Tuesday. That will be a battle watch in the spring and summer. – (Andrew)

– Grayson Reed: Wanted to add a follow up note on yesterday’s note about Cy-Creek (TX) OL Grayson Reed yesterday. Reed recently visited Texas A&M and I caught up with Reed last night to see how the visit went. He told me he had a great time and even noted that Texas A&M may have taken a slight lead over Texas after the visit. However, he named Texas his leader right after a visit to Austin so I suspect part of it is just the post visit high. But it does appear this will be a battle between Texas and Texas A&M.

He plans to visit Oklahoma on Saturday and plans to visit Texas for a practice later this spring. He told me he plans to announce a top list this. Texas has a bit of a fight on their hands but with his ties to Texas, I like their chances â€“ (Andrew)

– UPDATE (3:34 pm): Texas CB target, Kobe Boyce tells me that he will graduate this upcoming December and plans on enrolling early at whatever institution he commits to. Boyce has not yet been offered by Texas but recently took a visit to Austin and is in regular communication with the Texas coaches.

 
MBHORNSFAN said:
http://texas.thefootballbrainiacs.com/2016/03/open-post-wednesday-march-23rd/

Texas is back at it during spring practice after they had the week off for Spring break, I gathered quite a few notes regarding yesterdays practice…

– Quarterbacks: I was told SR Tyrone Swoopes took the 1st team reps, RS SO Jerrod Heard took reps with the 2nd team, and true FR Shane Buechele took the 3rd team reps again on Tuesday. Even though he took the 3rd team reps I was told Buechele was the best looking QB on Tuesday.

My source said “Buechele had a nice day. He’s accurate and has a really quick release and gets the ball out faster than the other QB’sâ€. A main concern with Buechele is if his body is developed enough to take the beating that comes with playing QB at times, my source did add though, â€œif he learns the offense he could be the guy.â€

I was told Jerrod Heard is still holding on to the ball too long in the pocket. And I know some want to know why RS FR QB Kai Locksley isn’t receiving any team reps after most heard good things about him in the off-season. My source was straightforward and said, “He just doesn’t throw a very good ball at all right now, he looks the part though.†Obviously when you’re getting information about practice, you’re receiving someone else’s opinion but for whatever reason, right now, Locksley isn’t receiving team reps. – (Andrew)
Click to expand...
Most of the reports are showing that Buechele is the long term answer for UT at QB. The big question is how much he can help this year.

 
TeamMayhall said:
This is an interesting quote from Higs, sounds like he questioning Gilbert's coaching

"They are running plays every 10-12 seconds..that is not realistic...its very simple.....in practice currently...if the WR runs a 40 yard fly route and the ball is incomplete OR caught guess what happens? The WR walks right off the field, 40 yards away the ball is moved five yards UP regardless of the play---the DB has to sprint all the way back down the field to get lined up.....while a new fresh WR gets lined up....they can't run the offense like that in a live game with an umpire..it can't happen...if the WR runs a deep route THEN must come all the way back to the LOS they can't run a play in 10-12 seconds its not possible and IF he runs off the field and another WR runs on the field l ike they are doing guess what happens? the umpire stands over the ball and allows the D to sub in players...either way they are not running plays in games that fast....either way, next saturday they will have live scrimmage with umpire etc and we will see how it goes.....and no, you will never see me say coaching off film the following day is a good idea, not in my opinion...I believe Texas over paid for this hire based off credentials absolutely...just look around at what OC's are making that are proven at this level. Riley made 500K last year..."

Higs, J. (2016)

http://www.scout.com/college/texas/forums/2441-horns-house/14630955-football-things-to-come?page=2
Click to expand...
This Higs fella is a character, it's all about reps Coach Higs!  We talking about practice man.... Que up the Iverson youtube video.

 
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