Baby Steps - the State of the Program (by: Marian Hinton)

[HornSports Staff]

Marian Hinton's look at where Texas football is, as a program - BABY STEPS

 

[BruiseLee]

Good article!  One thing not mentioned is the need for improved linebacker play to stop the run.  Stopping the run needs to be one of if not top priorities for our defense.

 

[Marian Hinton]

Good point. They looked bad last two games.

 

[Jedi Day]

Great movie!

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Good article!  One thing not mentioned is the need for improved linebacker play to stop the run.  Stopping the run needs to be one of if not top priorities for our defense.

With the announcement that Tank will miss the rest of the season, Edmond is going to have to increase his level of play.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Alright folks - after reading this article, what is the biggest factor limiting this team?

- Coaching

- Swoopes

- OL

- Defensive inconsistency

- Injuries/suspensions/dismissals

- Poor tackling

- Overall talent on the roster

Or is it something else?

 

[Marian Hinton]

Alright folks - after reading this article, what is the biggest factor limiting this team?

- Coaching

- Swoopes

- OL

- Defensive inconsistency

- Injuries/suspensions/dismissals

- Poor tackling

- Overall talent on the roster

Or is it something else?

That's a hard list to pick from. I don't think it's coaching. Yet. 

I KNOW it's not Swoopes. 

I think I'd have to say OL and lack of explosiveness on offense, which is directly impacted by the suspensions. 

 

[streettopeschel]

Alright folks - after reading this article, what is the biggest factor limiting this team?

- Coaching

- Swoopes

- OL

- Defensive inconsistency

- Injuries/suspensions/dismissals

- Poor tackling

- Overall talent on the roster

Or is it something else?

overall talent and lack of development from previous regime.

i have this debate with 'Rivals-star' guy all the time. 'Look at our average stars' they say. what was the average of all the guys NOT drafted last year? either they weren't that good, they weren't well developed or both.

that doesn't correct itself in one year.                   edit....oh, and nice writeup Marian.

 

[Chitownhorn]

overall talent and lack of development from previous regime.

i have this debate with 'Rivals-star' guy all the time. 'Look at our average stars' they say. what was the average of all the guys NOT drafted last year? either they weren't that good, they weren't well developed or both.

that doesn't correct itself in one year.                   edit....oh, and nice writeup Marian.

Have to agree with you STP. The OL is a prime example of what happens when you combine an overall lack of talent and development.

I believe that the development of the next two recruiting classes, '15 & '16, will be the key indicator as to whether or not this coaching staff has what it takes to make Texas a consistent top 10 program.  

 

[Aaron Carrara]

Alright folks - after reading this article, what is the biggest factor limiting this team?

- Coaching

- Swoopes

- OL

- Defensive inconsistency

- Injuries/suspensions/dismissals

- Poor tackling

- Overall talent on the roster

Or is it something else?

Take away Swoopes and the talent and I think it is a combination of what's left.  If Daje makes it back in the lineup, I think this team loosens it up on offense and scores more.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Thoughtful responses so far.

If I was only picking one, it would be OL....but you can't comment on the OL without talking injury/suspension?

 

[Lukus Alderman]

I would say OL. I think our defense is good, even if the secondary is inexperienced. The offense has nice talent at RB and WR. QB is young but also talented.

The thing that holds our skill position players back is the lack of experience on the OLine.

 

[PeteA422]

Alright folks - after reading this article, what is the biggest factor limiting this team?

- Coaching

- Swoopes

- OL

- Defensive inconsistency

- Injuries/suspensions/dismissals

- Poor tackling

- Overall talent on the roster

Or is it something else?

Depth and youth - I think everything can be wrapped up in these two factors.  We have a lot of young guys, learning a new system along with veterans.  I know I have said I have thought we are horrible after the half and look like we just are not making the right adjustments.  But after looking at it, I think that has more to do with the fact that we have a team that is probably still learning a new system.  You can't expect someone who is still trying to grasp the basics of a new system to be able to make a small adjustment at the half.  More than likely, that small adjustment is something that takes an intimate knowledge of the scheme and system to be able to accomplish, especially when it comes to line play (offensive and defensive line).  And when it comes to line play, if one person isn't able to grasp the adjustment, it can be disastrous for the entire line.

I think the coaches are doing the best they can, and putting in game plans they think can best help the kids succeed.  I also think they are tirelessly working to teach these young men the system and coach them along.  But it is a process.  We have seen improvement, especially from BYU to UCLA.  I expect we will continue to see improvement throughout the year, and as the guys begin to have the system down, you will see things just start to click with them.  I expect at some point, with some of these guys, the light bulb will just come on and they will start to understand.  Then they will start to help their teammates until it just clicks with everyone.  Add that with the new culture change, and I think we will end the season with a very good team and next year we will be even further along.

 

[Marian Hinton]

 But after looking at it, I think that has more to do with the fact that we have a team that is probably still learning a new system.  You can't expect someone who is still trying to grasp the basics of a new system to be able to make a small adjustment at the half.  More than likely, that small adjustment is something that takes an intimate knowledge of the scheme and system to be able to accomplish, especially when it comes to line play (offensive and defensive line).  And when it comes to line play, if one person isn't able to grasp the adjustment, it can be disastrous for the entire line.

I think the coaches are doing the best they can, and putting in game plans they think can best help the kids succeed.  I also think they are tirelessly working to teach these young men the system and coach them along.  But it is a process.  We have seen improvement, especially from BYU to UCLA.  I expect we will continue to see improvement throughout the year, and as the guys begin to have the system down, you will see things just start to click with them.  I expect at some point, with some of these guys, the light bulb will just come on and they will start to understand.  Then they will start to help their teammates until it just clicks with everyone.  Add that with the new culture change, and I think we will end the season with a very good team and next year we will be even further along.

I, too, was concerned by lack of in-game adjustments, but you make a very good point about it being a new system. 

I do, however, feel that the adjustments made post-BYU were promising. It's the in-game that has me worried, but I agree that we need to give it some time. 

 

[doc longhorn]

Good point. They looked bad last two games.

In my opinion and including Hicks, our LB's are mediocre, at best.  None will ever play in the league.  These coaches have these guys playing above their level and that is STILL not all that good.  They are the Achilles heel of our defense.

Excellent write up, Marion.

 

[doc longhorn]

Alright folks - after reading this article, what is the biggest factor limiting this team?

- Coaching

- Swoopes

- OL

- Defensive inconsistency

- Injuries/suspensions/dismissals

- Poor tackling

- Overall talent on the roster

Or is it something else?

OL and it's not even close.  The injuries/suspensions/dismissals are the contributing factors.

I think you could have, also, added receivers to your list

 

[JimsTexas]

I am willing to take baby steps along with the program that I care so deeply for. I am 67 years old and it want be the first time I have taken baby steps before. I really feel that once our coaching staff finally turns the football program around we will be in good shape for sometime. We don't need to turn into a bunch of cry babies like OB some of those posters feed on getting the real Longhorns posters stirred up. I do live in a Burnt Orange house and I have been living in that house since 1957. My friends y'all have a great weekend

 

[GBT]

State of program ???? Perine from Pflugerville , TX is playing RB for OU....Enough said.

Its going to take a while to fix this.

 

[streettopeschel]

State of program ???? Perine from Pflugerville , TX is playing RB for OU....Enough said.

Its going to take a while to fix this.

yeah, until we keep all Texas kids from going to ou we're screwed.