Longhorns and the T-Z Position

[beevomav]

Stolen from three different articles on the Internet:

One of the biggest playmakers and the most dangerous home run threat on the Longhorns’ offense is senior running back, D.J. Monroe. Despite his unbelievable career all-purpose yards average of 12.8 ypp, Texas fans have been left wondering why he hasn’t received more carries over the course of his career.

This year, with freshmen Johnathan Gray, who was recently named the Gatorade National Player of the Year, and Daje Johnson joining Monroe as similar type role players, Harsin and Mack Brown are hoping to change all of that.

Heading into the fall, the Longhorns are hoping to use a hybrid-type position in their offense, or the hybrid T-Z position (the T is for the tailback position; the Z is for the wide receiver position).

What Texas is working on is a way of adding a hybrid-type position on the field for all the hybrid players that it has on the roster -- D.J. Monroe, Daje Johnson and even Johnathan Gray on occasion. The “T†part of the equation is tailback. The “Z†part is wide receiver.

“That means they'll line up in the backfield some, and you'll shift and motion them to a Z position,†Brown said. “We have to figure out what all that means.

Those explosive plays are crucial to Texas. The Longhorns, a team that struggled to score last season and were eighth in the Big 12 in that category, had 61 scores. Fifty-nine of those scores came as a direct result of an explosive play -- runs of 10 or more yards, passes of 20 or more -- or at the end of a drive in which Texas had an explosive play.

What it could mean is that Texas has more versatility and Harsin a few more options when it comes to opening up the playbook in the fall.

 

[Coach_B]

Outside my criticism of how they have handled the QB position, the way they have handled Monroe is my next biggest issue I have with the Texas coaching staff. This kid is an explosive playmaker and when he touches the ball big things happen, but too many times the Texas coaching staff makes this kid disappear. I don't honestly think they know how to use him properly.

We shall see.

 

[beevomav]

Outside my criticism of how they have handled the QB position, the way they have handled Monroe is my next biggest issue I have with the Texas coaching staff. This kid is an explosive playmaker and when he touches the ball big things happen, but too many times the Texas coaching staff makes this kid disappear. I don't honestly think they know how to use him properly.
We shall see.

I have been reading about this new T-Z position and in several posts they mentioned the problem with Monroe is he doesn't have very good hands. The other problem is Texas was not very good on offense against the good teams.

Now part of that was every RB got hurt and it all changed when Fozzie went down. He was the Wild Horn and just so suited for that role. Monroe is a talent but very inconsistent.

Seems the coaching staff is working hard to get those play makers on the field as much as possible and both Mack and Bryan seem to think it will be easier this season due the growth as a player by David Ash.

 

[UTK66]

I have been reading about this new T-Z position and in several posts they mentioned the problem with Monroe is he doesn't have very good hands. The other problem is Texas was not very good on offense against the good teams.
Now part of that was every RB got hurt and it all changed when Fozzie went down. He was the Wild Horn and just so suited for that role. Monroe is a talent but very inconsistent.

Seems the coaching staff is working hard to get those play makers on the field as much as possible and both Mack and Bryan seem to think it will be easier this season due the growth as a player by David Ash.

Read the same thing about DJ's hands. Hard to trust him in the passing game (where he could be very dangerous) if he can't be counted on to catch the ball consistently.

 

[beevomav]

I read they have been working with him on his concentration. Hope it works because he is one explosive dude.

 

[Coach_B]

There are so many things they can do with him its crazy. They just need to do it.

As far as his hands, they should do what Tech did with Crabtree to improve his hands; get his ass on the tennis courts and shoot tennis balls at him.

 

[beevomav]

There are so many things they can do with him its crazy. They just need to do it.
As far as his hands, they should do what Tech did with Crabtree to improve his hands; get his ass on the tennis courts and shoot tennis balls at him.

That's why they are working on this new position and how to incorporate it into their offensive scheme. Monroe is a tween-er, not quite a RB and not quite a WR.

 

[Coach_B]

You are exactly right, what he is, is a playmaker.