Swoopes

[java]

Hahaha... Well obviously. But I understand the need to state it.

So true.

 

[java]

For those who watched the Texas Bowl on TV, what happened with the fumble in the end zone? It wasn't a good handoff, but I could not see it clearly at the game

Hook 'em!

 

[Hiphopopotamos]

For those who watched the Texas Bowl on TV, what happened with the fumble in the end zone? It wasn't a good handoff, but I could not see it clearly at the game

Hook 'em!

Per the broadcast crew - Swoopes took a mis-step and it created enough distance between he and the RB that Swoopes couldn't reach far enough to place the ball in his gut.  RB had to reach out for ball and caused the fumble.  Generated a discussion on how important QB footwork is, even on running plays.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

It is funny how few understand the difference between scheme (x's and o's) and execution.

No offense looks good if it does not execute well.

What do you think of our offense's execution, Coach Strong?

"I'm all for it!"

 

[GBT]

Some offenses are easier to execute than others given the abilities of the kids running them. Knowing when to run a play also helps a play's success. Trick plays can help put the defense into a thinking mode allowing your base offense to be more affective. 

Gimmick offenses and the spread offense came about when innovative coaches without talented teams wanted to find an edge to allow them to be competitive against the more talented teams they were facing. 

From what I have seen it looks like we may be headed into a bizarro Mackovic world. A good defense; but an offense that prevents us from winning big games.

When Mac II was here we had a very good offense, but couldn't stop good teams with our defense even though we had really good talent on defense because our DCs sucked, or maybe we didn't conduct our practices properly. Not sure.....Mack had some bad DCs as well until he brought in Robinson, Chizik, and Muschamp. We all know about GDGD. Say what you will about him. He cost us the national title when he called the zone read with Colt and got him hurt, knowing full well Bama's only hope was stopping Colt McCoy ( putting him on the sideline ) as we had given no PT to our back ups all year other than handing off in the 4th qtr. Why put your QB in harms way ? I will always hate GDGD for that play; even though he did a good job with Vince and Colt.

I was up in the air on Watson given the talent he inherited until the Texas Bowl. Now I am pretty sure we are in trouble. What innovated coach goes into a bowl game with the talent or lack there of and runs not one single trick play ? NOTHING !! I was like.."You have got to be kidding me ???" Did you really under estimate an Arkansas team that held Bama to 14 points and Ole Miss and LSU to zero ?? With your OL and QB, you think you can go plain vanilla and move the ball ????

This guy is going to cost Charlie his job unless it was Charlie's idea to go into that game with that game plan. If it was the latter, then Charlie is in over his head and we are screwed.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

I was up in the air on Watson given the talent he inherited until the Texas Bowl. Now I am pretty sure we are in trouble. What innovated coach goes into a bowl game with the talent or lack there of and runs not one single trick play ? NOTHING !! I was like.."You have got to be kidding me ???" Did you really under estimate an Arkansas team that held Bama to 14 points and Ole Miss and LSU to zero ?? With your OL and QB, you think you can go plain vanilla and move the ball ????

This guy is going to cost Charlie his job unless it was Charlie's idea to go into that game with that game plan. If it was the latter, then Charlie is in over his head and we are screwed.

Exactly this

Where's the creativity? Where's the fun?

A good coach knows going in, given our O-Line's personnel and performance this season, that we don't match-up well against the Hogs. We've gotta take some shots! Yeah, I know, our O-Line is so bad we can't block for 4 counts so it limits our options.

No double-passes, no reverses to Armanti or Daje, no Wildcat option. No nothing. It's embarrassing.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

I've got serious reservations about Watson and his plans for our offense.

If I were in charge, I'd money-whip one of TCU's OCs - either Cumbie or Meacham - off that staff to run our O. Their offense improved significantly versus last year. Plus, it's a fun spread-based O that TXHSFB players actually want to play.

But, we won't do that. We'll probably mis-use Heard's talent next year and he'll transfer to TCU or BU.

 

[Hiphopopotamos]

Exactly this

Where's the creativity? Where's the fun?

A good coach knows going in, given our O-Line's personnel and performance this season, that we don't match-up well against the Hogs. We've gotta take some shots! Yeah, I know, our O-Line is so bad we can't block for 4 counts so it limits our options.

No double-passes, no reverses to Armanti or Daje, no Wildcat option. No nothing. It's embarrassing.

The QB can barely get the play called and run before the play clock expires.  They had to pare the offense down to almost nothing just to make it so he could run it (sort of) and you think they had time to implement gadgets?   The OL couldn't block for a one count, let alone four, what kind of 'trick-plays' were you hoping to see?

Texas only chance was to play ball-control, win field position, and try to keep it a low scoring affair. 

 

[JimR]

Exactly this

Where's the creativity? Where's the fun?

A good coach knows going in, given our O-Line's personnel and performance this season, that we don't match-up well against the Hogs. We've gotta take some shots! Yeah, I know, our O-Line is so bad we can't block for 4 counts so it limits our options.

No double-passes, no reverses to Armanti or Daje, no Wildcat option. No nothing. It's embarrassing.

you must be kidding. this is not Playstation. 

 

[java]

Per the broadcast crew - Swoopes took a mis-step and it created enough distance between he and the RB that Swoopes couldn't reach far enough to place the ball in his gut. RB had to reach out for ball and caused the fumble. Generated a discussion on how important QB footwork is, even on running plays.

Well, crap! I suspected something like that. If he can't get one little step right on a handoff, why in the devil are we wasting bandwidth arguing about qb development and gameplan? Pointless.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

The QB can barely get the play called and run before the play clock expires.  They had to pare the offense down to almost nothing just to make it so he could run it (sort of) and you think they had time to implement gadgets?   The OL couldn't block for a one count, let alone four, what kind of 'trick-plays' were you hoping to see?

I'm sorry, but it's my opinion that you're exaggerating. But, if true every snap, this offensive staff did an even worse job than I imagined.

Texas only chance was to play ball-control, win field position, and try to keep it a low scoring affair. 

True, prior to kick-off this was my thought too. But, we needed to change things up once down 24-7 at halftime. 

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

you must be kidding. this is not Playstation. 

Not kidding.

At the very least, I'd rather see if Vinklarek brings anything to the table. It'd be better than watching Tyrone screw-up a hand off.

 

[utparothed]

For those who watched the Texas Bowl on TV, what happened with the fumble in the end zone? It wasn't a good handoff, but I could not see it clearly at the game

Hook 'em!

Our seats were in the pig end zone so I had a perfect view of the play.  Looked like Swoopes took a step in the wrong direction and then stretched out to try and hand off to Gray who was already a step ahead and a step away.  From where I sat it looked like Swoopes would have had plenty of running room if he'd just tucked the ball and headed up-field.

 

[Hiphopopotamos]

I'm sorry, but it's my opinion that you're exaggerating. But, if true every snap, this offensive staff did an even worse job than I imagined.

True, prior to kick-off this was my thought too. But, we needed to change things up once down 24-7 at halftime. 

Nothing is true 'every snap', but the Horns played one of the best defenses in FBS and got steam-rolled.  Swoopes has had issues all season getting the offense up to the line and run the play - this game was no different.  The OL was an abomination - injuries, dismissals, and suspension all but assured that the blockign was going to suck.

 

[GBT]

Did you not watch LSU vs ND ? LSU ran two trick plays  How much time does it take to put in a trick play or two? Hell when I was coaching youngsters half my offense was trick plays. Kids love it and it helps your base offense work. If little kids and high school kids can learn them along with their base offense college kids can. Texas had a month to prepare. No excuse for what Watson did or didn't do.

 

[DMAC]

The most worrisome statement I heard after the game came from Watson.  In regards to Swoopes he said "He just needs to learn and improve" (paraphrase).  Same crap we heard all year.  Honestly my perception on Swoopes hasnt changed all year but my frustration has increased with the OL has hit its limit.  Some of those guys dont deserve a scholarship.  This team is the worst team Ive seen in my lifetime.  I dont remember after a bowl feeling so hopeless on the future.

They better fix the OL before they insert Heard or Gentry.

edit:  I should have said worst offense and special teams ive seen in my lifetime.  The defense was very good at times this year. 

 

[bcherry168]

Cherry, 

Love your posts the vast majority of the time, but have to counter some of your comments here...

Major, Sims, Vince and Colt all played QB for Mack and were good quarterbacks ...he missed the last few years for sure....but those 4 are likely in the top 10 QB's in UT History....not sure what you mean makes a good QB, but all those had it....That basically accounts for 11-12 years of Mack's tenure...

Please note that I said "the last few years." I intended to exclude those first few years when he was more successful.

What makes a good quarterback? Physical ability, self confidence and intelligence are all necessary. Lack one of those attributes, and it is very hard to be a great quarterback.

I will further state that the scheme will often make the quarterback. Some fare better in one scheme than another. A good coach will scheme to his players' skills. I am not sure Swoopes had much of a chance because the scheme he was forced to play certainly didn't match what skills he has. I am afraid the same might be true of Heard. We will see if Watson is a good coach, or just a one trick pony.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

The QB can barely get the play called and run before the play clock expires.  They had to pare the offense down to almost nothing just to make it so he could run it (sort of) and you think they had time to implement gadgets?   The OL couldn't block for a one count, let alone four, what kind of 'trick-plays' were you hoping to see?

Texas only chance was to play ball-control, win field position, and try to keep it a low scoring affair. 

IMO, Texas had no chance against Arkansas to play ball-control and win field position. Our offense is simply not good enough to do that against any kind of good defense.

I think it would have been a good time for Texas to throw caution to the wind and throw the proverbial kitchen sink at them. Sorta like Boise State did against Oklahoma. That was the only way Texas had any chance of winning.

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

edit:  I should have said worst offense and special teams ive seen in my lifetime.  The defense was very good at times this year. 

This team is what it is - a marginal bowl team.

The defense was good, but it didn't force enough turnovers and wasn't really stout against good running teams; BYU, K-State, & Arky.

 

[GBT]

The most worrisome statement I heard after the game came from Watson.  In regards to Swoopes he said "He just needs to learn and improve" (paraphrase).  Same crap we heard all year.  Honestly my perception on Swoopes hasnt changed all year but my frustration has increased with the OL has hit its limit.  Some of those guys dont deserve a scholarship.  This team is the worst team Ive seen in my lifetime.  I dont remember after a bowl feeling so hopeless on the future.

They better fix the OL before they insert Heard or Gentry.

edit:  I should have said worst offense and special teams ive seen in my lifetime.  The defense was very good at times this year. 

A legend is Texas High School Football always said, " You take what you have and coach them up." Charlie and Watson didn't do that. High School coaches (with a few exceptions) don't get to recruit. They play with what they have. They adapt their offense and defense to the talent they have year to year. It works for them, and it works at any level. Sure its great if you can run the same scheme year after year without adjusting it, but its not a problem changing things a little and adding wrinkles to help the players win.

A good coach always puts his players in a position to win, then it is up to them to execute it. Seldom do you give them something you know they can't do. If you do, you abandoned it pretty fast when it isn't working. 

If you have trouble blocking you keep a back or TE in to help. if you have a RT who has trouble protecting you have the back protect to that side. Screens to that side to help slow down the rush. etc. etc. A quick passing game from the gun so the rush is really ineffective anyway. 

A question has to be raised...Is Watson really running the offense or is Charlie meddling like many of us assumed Mack meddled with GDGD and Major.?