HornSports Staff
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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.
***DO NOT FORWARD***
Spring practice is less than two weeks old and one of the major storylines so far is injuries. In case you’ve missed the news, cornerback depth has taken a major blow with both Sheroid Evans, and Jermaine Roberts out for the remainder of Spring.
Although Evans’ was a non-contact injury, word we got on his knee doesn’t sound good. Nothing confirmed yet but the last team source we spoke to told us, “I’m not very hopeful. I’m guessing surgery will be needed.â€
The prognosis on Roberts seems better. Roberts will still miss the rest of Spring drills, but it doesn’t sound like the injury is as serious as Evans’, “They helped him off the field on Saturday, but he was upright and moving. That’s a good sign – judging from past experience, they wouldn’t let him do that if they were worried it would cause more damage.â€
The other major injury reported is another defender – MLB Dalton Santos. When the injury happened on Friday, reports weren’t good. With some testing done, folks are backing off their original prognoses.
In fact, the gap between original and current reports was so wide, we checked in with a family member to make sure we had the best information available. Here’s what we were told:
“He will be ready and 100% for fall ball!â€
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In a practice update on the defense, we told you that the coaching staff seems to be favoring a nickel defense for 2015. That was with Sheroid Evans as a starting cornerback and Dalton Santos as the starter middle ‘backer. Toss in Jermaine Roberts, who was competing for the job at nickel, and injuries are slowing the development of the nickel formation.
In 2014, Mykkele Thompson’s ability to cover and support the run gave the Horns the flexibility needed to stay in a nickel look throughout a majority of games. With two CB’s out for the rest of Spring, there are only three corners (John Bonney; Antwaun Davis; Bryson Echols) and three safeties (Adrian Colbert; Erik Huhn; Kevin Vaccaro) left to compete for the first-string spot at corner and the open spot at nickel back.
Echols has the inside track at CB opposite Duke Thomas, courtesy of his consistency. Wideouts get open on Echols, but he stays in close enough contact that the play ends as soon as the ball is caught, and he’s not giving up big plays.
That whittles the list down to five players competing for the starting nickel spot. That same group also needs to fill the second team at all five positions. In other words, the coaches need the 2015 signees to arrive yesterday, and they need to be ready to contribute immediately.
With depth an issue, we checked in with someone at practices and asked for his thoughts on the five players on campus and competing. His first reaction on each of them:
Bonney: “Too small. He’s working hard in the weight room, but I’m not sure he’s ready for Big 12 receivers or quality support stopping the run.â€
Davis: “If I had to pick from these five, Antwaun would be my choice. If he gets more consistent, he’ll be a factor in Fall camp.â€
Colbert: “It’s all or nothing with Adrian. He excels or gets burnt, and there’s no in between.â€
Huhn: “I like him. He’s right there with Davis. He just needs more reps.â€
Vaccaro: “Kevin is very strong in run support and a physical presence after a receiver catches it. His coverage skills need work. I see him as a backup at safety before a nickel.â€
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That same source from practices also made a comment suggesting that the incoming linebacker class is expected to be good enough that they’re capable of providing quality depth. If the season began today, Tim Cole is starting, while Edwin Freeman, Malik Jefferson and the incoming recruits are the only second team options on the roster – in other words, that injection of youth on the depth chart, like at DB (above), is a necessity.
And as for Tim Cole stepping in at Mike for Dalton Santos, our friend is cautiously optimistic:
“Tim is still a bit slow out there. I expect that to change a lot in the next 10 days as he gets more comfortable. Considering the huge improvements that [steve] Edmond made last year, it’s not a stretch that Santos might have a tough time knocking Cole out of the starting lineup. Either way, I’m bullish on middle linebacker.â€
He also posited that Freeman could find his way onto the field if the depth in the secondary becomes an issue.
“Look at it this way – if the coaches think 4 linebackers is a better grouping than 5 defensive backs, then that is what you’ll see. Freeman is so athletic that he might be better in tight end coverage down the seam than a safety. If Freeman looks steady in coverage, the concept isn’t as far-fetched as it sounds. Remember, these coaches are all about putting the 11 best players on the field, more than they’re married to a particular formation.â€
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With the constant evolution of offenses in football, the tight end position is one that has changed over time. It has gone from an extra blocker who could do a little work catching the ball, to a more athletic position used to exploit mismatches on the field. The state of Texas has seen a drop in tight end talent over the last decade or so.
Much of the dip in the number of athletes at tight end can be attributed to the proliferation of the spread offense within Texas high schools and the use of the new-mold TE athlete at defensive end. However, the top end talent might be headed for a bit of an upswing, and our spotlight on the 2016 HornSports Top 50 focuses on Kaden Smith who is leading the renaissance.
The Flower Mound Marcus product stands out in a crowd with his 6’5, 233 pound frame. He claims seventeen offers from the likes of Texas, Texas A&M, Alabama, Stanford, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Georgia, LSU, and Clemson. Smith has a top three of Alabama, Stanford, and Texas with the Crimson Tide and the Cardinal out in front. Smith has family ties to Alabama, and as an athlete who also excels in the classroom, he is drawn to the academic prowess of Stanford.
Smith attended The Opening Regionals in Dallas where he competed with the receivers. Smith not only held his own, he won MVP honors and an invitation to the Opening finals. He also competed in the Rivals Camp Series where he again took home MVP honors for receivers.
Despite his size, Smith is a very smooth athlete who plays with great body control. He doesn’t labor or waste any motion, and understands how to use his body to shield off defenders or defeat them in the air. Smith shows a plus understanding of the game as he finds soft spots in zones to get open. He is a natural hands catcher, but is still capable of making circus style plays. Smith shows no fear to compete in heavy traffic, and uses his strong hands when attacking a ball in the air.
Smith’s frame has the ability to put on more weight (he will probably play near 250 pounds in college), which should help him more with the blocking required of the position. His well-rounded skills allow him to be utilized as a traditional in line tight end, an H-back, or lined up in the slot to take advantage of mismatches against smaller defensive backs. Smith looks to be one of the safest bets in the state for success at the next level.
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On Monday, we had an opportunity to talk face-to-face with one of the more well-known donors (one whose name is visible on campus buildings) about the ongoing quarterback situation on the 40 Acres. When asked who gets the nod to start against the Irish in South Bend, he had this to say:
“By all accounts it appears to be Swoopes. He [swoopes] is getting the majority of the rep’s in practice. Heard hasn’t had an opportunity to prove himself.â€
He brought up the fact that while Swoopes is the starter and played QB at 2A Whitewright High School, "Heard won two state titles - at a 4A school.â€
Just when we thought we had a pulse on his quarterback preference, he dropped this on us:
“The kid from Maryland really seems to be well put together. He’s going to come in and push the other guys.“
(Editorial note: That isn’t the first time we’ve heard this sort of talk about Kai Locksley from people in high places at UT.)
While the donor admitted that he focuses much more on the football program at Texas than the basketball program, we did talk a little bit about new hoops coach Shaka Smart.
“He seems very confident. He’s different from Charlie Strong. When I first talked to Charlie he seemed a little unsure of himself. Patterson called me from the airport the day he [smart] was hired.â€
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We heard a fun story from last year, right after Charlie Strong was hired. One of Strong’s first trips as Head Coach (along with an unnamed assistant) was to travel to Denton to meet Jerrod Heard and solidify his commitment. On the way they stopped by Denton Guyer to meet with the O.C. and Head Coach John Walsh.
The coaches shot the breeze a bit to get acquainted and during that time, Strong asked about the kind of person Heard is. Of course, Walsh had nothing but good reports on his quarterback – well spoken, kind, hard-worker, loves the game, loves his family, etc.
At that point, Coach Strong's unnamed assistant asked about Heard's on-field ability and ‘football IQ’.
Coach Walsh smiled and said, "Kid's an athlete who can throw the ball."
Coach Strong encouraged Walsh to elaborate. According to our source, here is how Walsh responded:
"Well, when Jerrod was our main weapon for 2 years, we based our game plan around him. Back in 2012-2013 we won state, and this was our first week’s game plan for Cedar Hill (shows Strong a four-page game plan of offensive plays)...we lost that game, Coach.
Next week against Colleyville we went with this game plan (pulls out two and half pages of offensive plays)...we lost that game too, Coach.
Then we went with this for the remainder of his career (shows Strong one page of offensive plays). Those plays along with Jerrod's athleticism? That's how we won two state championships in a row, Coach."
Holding the one-page game plan Strong responded, "I like your style, Coach."
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