Patient...for now (The state of the program by Marian Hinton)

[HornSports Staff]

Marian Hinton says Texas fans are PATIENT...FOR NOW

For the first time in what seems like several years, the Texas Longhorns received some positive press this week after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell flew to Austin to meet with head coach Charlie Strong. They discussed the values the Texas coach has implemented on the Forty Acres. Most members of the media have expressed great respect and admiration for Strong’s efforts.

However—as unfair as it is—those efforts will be rendered meaningless by rabid fans if Strong doesn’t earn some big wins this season, and those could be difficult for the Longhorns to come by with their upcoming schedule.

For Texas fans, the next couple of weeks will either offer a shred of hope for the future or be incredibly detrimental to their mental health; most members of the Burnt Orange nation are terrified of the latter.

Despite coming home with a 23-0 win over the lowly Kansas Jayhawks, most Longhorn fans don’t appear to have much faith in the team, which isn’t a good thing considering the Baylor Bears and the Oklahoma Sooners are standing in the shadows awaiting their turn to kick the Longhorns while they’re down.
 

While the defense did pitch a shut-out over the Jayhawks, something that isn’t easy to do regardless of the team you play, the KU offense is nowhere near the caliber of the Bears and Sooners. The defense will face their biggest test of the season this weekend in trying to slow down the top scoring team in the country. While the defense has indeed shown flashes of greatness—they lead the nation in defensive efficiency and take-aways—they were proven to be vulnerable against the BYU Cougars earlier in the season, and no doubt the Bears will be ready to pounce.
On the other side of the ball, after a promising performance against the UCLA Bruins in which the Horns nearly pulled off the upset, the Texas offense seemed to take a step backward against the Jayhawks. Swoopes, though solid in Lawrence, missed on several down-field passes and the running backs couldn’t even muster four yards per carry against the less-than-stellar Kansas defense. The offensive line remains a glaring problem for the Longhorns, and that’s something that may not be fixed this season.

Offensively, Texas has not shown the ability to put the amount of points on the board that are required to hang with the likes of the Bears, the Sooners, and many of the other high-scoring Big 12 teams for that matter.

Nevertheless, all hope is not lost. Swoopes has shown a lot of promise, and if he can start hitting down-field passes and running with purpose, the offense could really open up. The only problem is that, as crazy as it sounds, the Baylor defense isn’t the joke they used to be; it will be difficult for Texas to score, but certainly not impossible.

Sure, the next few weeks have most Texas fans scared of what might happen. Most are simply praying that the team they love so much just doesn’t get embarrassed.

Most rational fans seem patient for now, and they understand that rebuilding takes time. But how long will their patience last? Will fans’ faith in Charlie Strong diminish or will it grow stronger over the next few weeks? Can he survive consecutive blowout losses? Will fans “accept” close losses that offer some optimism looking forward?

Yes, the fan base that once (not so long ago) made fun of other teams for taking pride in moral victories is hoping for that very thing.

It’s hard to believe, but Texas is “that” team right now.

There’s no doubt that it’s a scary time to be member of the Longhorn Nation, and the next few weeks could be very, very painful. Or they could give fans a reason to hope. Whatever happens, fans will learn a lot about this team moving forward. 

 

[drgilbert]

I am not looking for moral victories, I am looking for progress. We need to continue to show improvement on both sides of the ball. We also need to make better halftime adjustments maybe to some a moral victory is synonymous with progress for me they are two different things.

 

[Marian Hinton]

No one LIKEs moral victories. 

I just wonder, if we end up with a single-digit loss to BU and OU, would fans have some hope? Would they consider it progress?

I honestly don't know. 

I know if we are blown out both games people will start calling for Strong's head, fair or not. 

 

[Bear19]

Marian

Forgive me having to ask but are you hooked76 on another board?

 

[Marian Hinton]

Bear, yes I am. How'd you know

 

[Bear19]

I thought I remembered you from renegades.

In fact you invited me to join along with a couple of others. Glad you are here.

 

[Marian Hinton]

Thanks, Bear. I was actually Hooked76 on here too, until I started writing. 

 

[echeese]

I am not looking for moral victories, I am looking for progress. We need to continue to show improvement on both sides of the ball. We also need to make better halftime adjustments maybe to some a moral victory is synonymous with progress for me they are two different things.

This is the point that was missed. . . .progress is reality. . .not a moral victory

We aren't aggies bragging about winning at half time. . . .

As for the "rabid fans". . . .CFS will get every day of his 5 years barring a Michigan type flop. . . . 

Didn't realize you were hooked76. . . . would have never made that connection. . . 

 

[Marian Hinton]

Again, no one here would brag about a moral victory. The question is, would playing these games to close losses (some might call it a moral victory) be considered progress?

I am NEVER happy with a loss, but if we kept each team to within a TD, I would feel very hopeful about the future. Doesn't mean I'm happy with the loss, rather optimistic about the fiture. 

Don't get caught up in the semantics of "moral victory." 

 

[streettopeschel]

No one LIKEs moral victories. 

I just wonder, if we end up with a single-digit loss to BU and OU, would fans have some hope? Would they consider it progress?  Yes, some would. Me probably.

I honestly don't know. 

I know if we are blown out both games people will start calling for Strong's head, fair or not.  No doubt. the 'we needed a splash hire'  and the 'i never liked the hire all along' crowd will be chomping.

regarding progress, if they play hard for 60-minutes and don't play scared or lose compusure but still lose because we're just outgunned talent-wise, i'll call that progress.

i think bu and ou are just better than us this year. doesn't mean we can't give them a street fight.

 

[echeese]

Again, no one here would brag about a moral victory. The question is, would playing these games to close losses (some might call it a moral victory) be considered progress?

I am NEVER happy with a loss, but if we kept each team to within a TD, I would feel very hopeful about the future. Doesn't mean I'm happy with the loss, rather optimistic about the fiture. 

Don't get caught up in the semantics of "moral victory." 

Couple of things. . . . .you are the one who made "moral victories" the issue.   

"Don't get caught up in semantics?". . . . ..Marian, you made a comment that you understood the game because you've bought season tickets for 20 years. . . .if you "understood" TEXAS. . . you would know that using the term  "moral victories" is most often taking a shot at the Aggies .. . . there is nothing "semantic" about it .. . . but if you don't like the "semantics" of "moral victories" .. . don't make it the term "moral victories" the centerpiece of your story. . ..and don't get mad at others for pointing it out. . . . .

2nd, playing to "close losses" may or may not represent "progress".  ..progress is whether the team is growing, whether it is buying into a concept. . . 

3rd, now by setting the standard of "only losing by a TD" means we should be "optimistic" about the future. . you have in fact created the "moral victory" standard. . .

Let me give you an example. . . .2003. . . .OU game. . .we are getting blown out. . . . .by your standard. . . .nothing to look forward to. . . but I saw a 4th quarter where every Horn was still playing hard. . . .no one quit .. . . .

This year I want to see the offense grow. . . I want to see Swoopes as a better QB at the end of the year than begining.. .and by that I mean much better.

I'm going to offer you a piece of constructive criticism which I have little doubt will be ignored. . . as a poster you were insightful. . .as an author you are trying to hard to "create a story" and are far too sensitive when what you said. . .it's always what you meant.    It's your job as an author to get your message across clearly. . . .it's not my job as a reader to try to understand what you mean as opposed to what you type. . .if there is a problem with "semantics". . .the burden falls on you to make it clear. . . . .

Relax, think like the poster who we wanted to read. . . .

 

[Marian Hinton]

Echeese, 

Of course I know that "moral victories" are what we used to make fun of the aggies for. That's what I said in the article. Who did you think "other teams" are that I was talking about?

Additionally, you may not want to admit it, but we are NOT in the place we are used to being. Close losses, while they suck, would at least allow us to see that we CAN compete with the better teams right now. That is a good thing. Some call it moral victories, some do not, but it means the same thing. That's what I mean by don't get caught up in semantics. 

You are living in the early 2000s right now it seems. This program isn't competitive with the top teams in the program, and if we can find a way to hang with them, then that is progress. 

And I am not angry with anyone. I simply said, don't harp on the word b/c different people have different definitions of the term. For me? It means we're showing some promise. For you, it clearly doesn't. 

You have no clue what I do and do not ignore, nor am I new to writing. I have written for several sites for several years, so I am quite used to things being picked apart at times. I am not "creating a story." You are ignoring reality. 

I am sorry you disagree, but our program right now is not competitive with the top teams. Therefore, we have to find silver lining where we can. I did not create the "moral victory standard;" that was created by our program the last several years. 

 

[texasdobbs]

If you asking if I would like to be beat by less than 7 and not by 20 plus .... then the answer is no, I don't want to lose at all. However I would prefer not to be handed a blow out loss either.... I'm hoping for Strong to get an upset signature win these next two weeks .....

 

[Marian Hinton]

And speaking to your specific points:

"2nd, playing to "close losses" may or may not represent "progress".  ..progress is whether the team is growing, whether it is buying into a concept. . . "

You don't think playing two top ten teams well would show progress and the buying into a concept? Why wouldn't you?

3rd, now by setting the standard of "only losing by a TD" means we should be "optimistic" about the future. . you have in fact created the "moral victory" standard. . .

Sadly, again, this standard was created by the current state of our program. Not me. 

Let me give you an example. . . .2003. . . .OU game. . .we are getting blown out. . . . .by your standard. . . .nothing to look forward to. . . but I saw a 4th quarter where every Horn was still playing hard. . . .no one quit .. . . .

Not sure what you are saying here, other than must you consider that a moral victory or have at least set your own standard of the term.

This year I want to see the offense grow. . . I want to see Swoopes as a better QB at the end of the year than begining.. .and by that I mean much better.

Playing top ten teams well and scoring points would be an indicator of those things. 

 

[Marian Hinton]

If you asking if I would like to be beat by less than 7 and not by 20 plus .... then the answer is no, I don't want to lose at all. However I would prefer not to be handed a blow out loss either.... I'm hoping for Strong to get an upset signature win these next two weeks .....

That's exactly my point. No one wants to lose at all, but a 7 point loss would give fans much more hope for the future than a blowout. To me, that seems obvious.

And yes, we are all hoping for an upset or two. 

 

[Marian Hinton]

regarding progress, if they play hard for 60-minutes and don't play scared or lose compusure but still lose because we're just outgunned talent-wise, i'll call that progress.

i think bu and ou are just better than us this year. doesn't mean we can't give them a street fight.

This is exactly my point. I don't think anyone would disagree. 

 

[streettopeschel]

This is exactly my point. I don't think anyone would disagree. 

i can think of one guy on this board. keep calm...he'll be here shortly. 

 

[echeese]

Echeese, 

You have no clue what I do and do not ignore, nor am I new to writing. I have written for several sites for several years, so I am quite used to things being picked apart at times. I am not "creating a story." You are ignoring reality. 

:lol:

Not sure you could have made my point better. . . .

 

[streettopeschel]

i'll say this cheese...you're the first person i've ever seen reference the '03 ou game in a positive manner.

i'm a glass-half-full guy, but that game sent me to the wax beer cups pretty damn fast.