Debating QB depth on the 40 Acres

[Matt Cotcher]

Give THIS a read, and let us know what you think about the depth chart.

 

[Lukus Alderman]

Great debate.

I'm still absolutely dumbfounded as to why Swoopes' redshirt was burned last year.

In my opinion, I think that the most ideal situation is to redshirt Swoopes and see how he works out as QB over the course of the season. Maybe he can even cross train at other positions.

But regardless if he redshirts or not, it would be best to have Wittek on the sidelines due to Ash's injury history. If we are without Wittek and Ash goes down, we are stuck with a position that has had maybe a full quarter of playing experience at the most important position on the field.

We need Wittek.

 

[Bear19]

Agree we need Wittek.

Would love to redshirt both swoops and heard.

But if either of them clearly gives us a better chance to win this year then you play him.

 

[killrjoe]

What did he do at SC? He doesn't have enough experience to hang high hopes on him. I agree that it would be nice to have him but I don't think we NEED him.

 

[streettopeschel]

anybody who has written Swoopes off after seeing a few garbage time plays as a true FR is foolish. What if we had seen VY or Colt as true FR? We have no idea how they would have looked but i bet it wasn't great.  Hell VY struggled plenty even as a RS FR.

if we can get wittek, get him. RS heard, let Wittek, Ash and even Swoopes compete and may the best man win. And while we all hope Ash can play at a high level and last a full season, there's plenty of room to doubt it.

 

[doc longhorn]

Matt, I couldn't agree with you more.  I have been battling on several sites about Swoopes.  So much so, that posters are sick of hearing about it.

My biggest gripe was how many fans argue against him - even after viewing this very clip.  It's like they refuse to believe their own eyes and prefer to let someone else do their thinking for them.  If someone says "He'll never be a QB" they fall into this mantra, lockstep, even though they have nothing to support their position other than he did poorly his senior HS year - never mind he was injured. .  I swear there are some that really, really hope Swoopes fails - just so they can say "I told you so".

None of us know how the kid will turn out, but the potential is there for him to not only be a good QB, but a great one.

And what about Wittek?  What has he done, in his two years at USC, that makes one go wow?  He has actually thrown more interceptions than TD's.  Did you see anyone at USC shed tears when he said he was transferring?  Besides, as of this date, he is not EVEN a Longhorn.

What about Heard?  Has history taught us nothing?  Do we actually believe this teenage kid, no matter how polished he was in HS, is going to make the transition to D-1 big time college football, without any experience, and be a hero?  Is that fair to him?  Hell, is that fair to UT?

How did Ash do as a true freshman thrown into the lions pit?  That being said, what were the expectations of Swoopes, another true freshman?

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Great debate.

I'm still absolutely dumbfounded as to why Swoopes' redshirt was burned last year.

In my opinion, I think that the most ideal situation is to redshirt Swoopes and see how he works out as QB over the course of the season. Maybe he can even cross train at other positions.

But regardless if he redshirts or not, it would be best to have Wittek on the sidelines due to Ash's injury history. If we are without Wittek and Ash goes down, we are stuck with a position that has had maybe a full quarter of playing experience at the most important position on the field.

We need Wittek.

It was burned because Mack is just God-awful with QB's and roster management.  The Simms-Applewhite debacle still pisses me off when I think about it.

The move was also born of necessity and desperation because we lacked any quality depth once Ash went down.  Who else did we have if Case got injured?  Overstreet? *smh*

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

My biggest gripe was how many fans argue against him - even after viewing this very clip.  It's like they refuse to believe their own eyes and prefer to let someone else do their thinking for them.  If someone says "He'll never be a QB" they fall into this mantra, lockstep, even though they have nothing to support their position other than he did poorly his senior HS year - never mind he was injured. .  I swear there are some that really, really hope Swoopes fails - just so they can say "I told you so".

I know this is Captain Obvious, but I think Swoopes looks an awful lot like a young VY in this clip.  Just sayin'.  I hope the Spring Game is full contact (except for Ash) and we get to see him work against the #1 defense again.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

Regardless of whether Wittek comes, I don't think redshirting Swoopes is realistic. It sounds greedy.

1. It creates a smallish logjam at QB between Swoopes & Heard. In 2015 you'd have TS with 3 seasons and JH with 4. Assuming this staff recruits at QB consistently, then having that kind of depth at the top of the chart may make a JW Ketchum, Jarrett Stidham, etc pause?

2. Seems like the staff should be prepared to play 3 quarterbacks this Fall. With Ash's health concerns, being adequately prepared makes "starting" at No. 2 on the depth chart somewhat logical from a coaching standpoint. Following that logic, Swoopes is better off without the redshirt and the intent that he'll play.

3. If you're really trying to engage a young talent, then the time is "now", not "practice for a year".

 

[doc longhorn]

It was burned because Mack is just God-awful with QB's and roster management.  The Simms-Applewhite debacle still pisses me off when I think about it.

The move was also born of necessity and desperation because we lacked any quality depth once Ash went down.  Who else did we have if Case got injured?  Overstreet? *smh*

In defense of Mack (did I really say that?) it was my understanding that it was Applewhite that threw Swoopes in the game.  I heard Mack nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw Swoopes out there and, if you watched the game, there was a very heated discussion between Major and Mack - right after Swoopes went in.  I don't know if it was about that, but.......just saying.  Of course the bottom line is Mack is the HC and, pre-game, should have said under no circumstances did he want Swoopes playing.

 

[JimR]

It was burned because Mack is just God-awful with QB's and roster management.  The Simms-Applewhite debacle still pisses me off when I think about it.

The move was also born of necessity and desperation because we lacked any quality depth once Ash went down.  Who else did we have if Case got injured?  Overstreet? *smh*

the team sent an emissary to MB to tell him they were Simms' team, not Major's. he was a prick then and likely remains so to this day.

 

[Bear19]

JimR

Not sure if it is Simms or Major you are calling a prick. Which one?

 

[doc longhorn]

JimR

Not sure if it is Simms or Major you are calling a prick. Which one?

LOL!

 

[java]

Matt, thank you for starting a thread in non-premium mode.  I really enjoy hornsports, but I am at the mercy of free Longhorn content, unless I get better news than expected next week.  What can I say, blame our greedy Uncle!

I agree with you.  We do need separation.  If Swoopes is taking some snaps at tight end, good for him.  It would be a terrific insurance policy for him, in the event scouts at the next level see that as his natural position.

Hook 'em!

 

[3xhorndad]

anybody who has written Swoopes off after seeing a few garbage time plays as a true FR is foolish. What if we had seen VY or Colt as true FR? We have no idea how they would have looked but i bet it wasn't great.  Hell VY struggled plenty even as a RS FR.

if we can get wittek, get him. RS heard, let Wittek, Ash and even Swoopes compete and may the best man win. And while we all hope Ash can play at a high level and last a full season, there's plenty of room to doubt it.

Great Debate guys.....look for more in the future...

Got to go with Street.....Hammer meet head of the nail.......Good call

 

[monarch]

matt, you are indeed a pro!  again, welcome aboard.

 

[bcherry168]

But they performed better for Major. The whole thing was kind of strange.

 

[echeese]

It's more than watching a few clips. . .the fact is, Swoopes was unable to dominate even at a 2 A level. .. .plenty of other information, maybe I'm wrong but this looks like John Chiles Part Duex . .there is little doubt in my mind that Heard turns Swoopes into a full time TE and it would be wise to shirt Swoopes (if we land Max W) in 2014 so he can start working on the new position.

But they performed better for Major. The whole thing was kind of strange.

Not to go down this tired path with a friend but that is some serious revisionist history. . .this debate has run it's course .. . we should let it die....neither won a title, both had a shot. . . .

 

[doc longhorn]

It's more than watching a few clips. . .the fact is, Swoopes was unable to dominate even at a 2 A level. .. .plenty of other information, maybe I'm wrong but this looks like John Chiles Part Duex . .there is little doubt in my mind that Heard turns Swoopes into a full time TE and it would be wise to shirt Swoopes (if we land Max W) in 2014 so he can start working on the new position.

Not to go down this tired path with a friend but that is some serious revisionist history. . .this debate has run it's course .. . we should let it die....neither won a title, both had a shot. . . .

Yes, e-cheese, this is exactly what I have been talking about.  He is being condemned because of his senior year in HS.  If ANYONE had done just a little research, they would have discovered he DID dominate his junior year.  He was injured most of his senior year with a hammy.  Besides, if we are going to judge all of UT's football heroes by their HS playing time, we are going to have a few less heroes - right?

The only TRUE evidence we have for him is the very college little playing time he had - including the spring game.  If one would rather discard that remarkable evidence and would prefer to languish on his HS days, then they are simply parroting others that know even less than they do.

But, you are right, their minds will not be changed and the whole debate has now come down to egos.  Here's hoping Strong is the coach we think he is and gives Swoopes his due - instead of trying to fit him into a round hole.