echeese
Premium Members
- Joined
- Nov 22, 2013
- Messages
- 2,474
Otherwise known as Malik Jefferson announces his presence with AUTHORITY.
Only unlike Nuke. . . . MJ does exactly that. Lined up with the 1's from the start and was the star of the day including making a nice tackle on the very 1st play. Capped by an excellent hustle play forcing a fumble that Edwin Freemen turned into a TD. Very nice afternoon for the HS senior.
Now keep in mind that the Spring game is generally a zero sum game, the better the O looks the worse the D looks and vice versa but we did get an interesting look at TEXAS' new O and some individuals.
Individual players that really stood out to me, MJ. . .Nathan Hughes. . . Harsin Ridgeway. . . D'onte Foreman . .Edwin Freeman. . .Bryce Echols. . .Bryce Cottrell . .. Quincy Vasser. . . John Bonney. . .Nick Rose
Lots of walk ons playing and that tells me the young guns arriving this fall will have a serious opportunity to crack the 2 deep. CFS and crew lost 6 starters on D though MJ seems to have one of those spots spoken for. You will notice only one offensive player listed above so CFS seems to have some options to replace lost defensive starters. Coach Watson is still looking for some guys to "seize the day".
As a general rule, the WRs seem to botch more plays than they made. Swoopes would have had a much better day had players simply caught the ball or in the case of A Foremen, had he known where he was, he catches and easy TD but instead he steps out of bounds first. Young WRs have to be licking their chops. Marcus Johnson was out with a minor injury but nobody did anything to take his spot.
But to me the biggest story was the effectiveness of the new O. They lined up in shotgun 100% of the time that I saw. . .when they weren't running tempo ...they were going to the line and checking plays which seemed to wear out the D. Both 1st and 2nd units had good opening drives ending in TDs. And they seemed to be effective in wearing out the D. Keeping in mind that the game is largely unscripted/gameplanned, and more a series of random plays, I thought we passed far more than we would vs an opponent with a similar D. Which is fine, we need to work on passing more than running.
As mention, Donte Foreman had the best day of any of the RBs though Gray didn't get many snaps. . . .he bounced a great play wide left but then from the 7, BADLY misreads the blockers and runs right into MJ. . . .forget Armad Brooks' comments, he follows his blocker he at least gets back to the LOS. The only bad play I recall from Foreman
Jerrod Heard's 2nd series had him sharing the backfield with Gaston Davis. . . really curious about that. . .I'd have sent DF with one QB and Catalon with the other. And for a couple reasons, give Heard a better weapon and help Catalon get some separation from the incoming freshmen. Duke's best run was called back for a holding call. There were some timely penalties. Heard's top WR target was Ty Templin. . .but he had nice plays to Joe and Foreman as well as some nice TE dumps.
Both QBs had their moments. . .honestly Swoopes was screwed at times by WRs failing to catch balls they should have and had those catches happened, he'd have had a much better day. But there was plenty of Swoopes version 2014. ..passes not quite in teh right place, late reads etc.
Heard brings a much more explosive factor with his running and his ability to extend plays with his legs. He had some great plays including a 20+ yarder to Daje Johnson on a post where he looked off the S nicely. . . .but later he would get caught staring down WRs as well. So while Heard was handicapped playing with the 2s (not sure I saw him with the 1s) and really the 3s. . .Swoopes was handicapped by guys not making plays for him when he put the ball where it was needed.
One great contrast was in 2 different series, each QB had the same WR screen play. Swoopes pass was high and did not let the WR turn upfield, Heard was on the money and Joe was able to juke the DB for a 10 yard game. Small but important difference.
QB
OK, just one spring game but Heard showed flashes of why he is special and as mentioned, this playing with the 2s and the walkons. Swoopes had a decent day, his WRs didn't help him much but he was high or late or behind on passes at times. Which is not to say he didn't have some beautiful passes as well but again, inconsistent. Best pass (well the best pass that was caught) might have been a sideline touch pass to Jacoby Warrick which he dropped in nicely.
Heard showed he could move in the pocket and brings an explosiveness with is legs. His pass looking of the S and hitting Daje on a post/seam route was really nice and he had a better day overall. Today I just see Swoopes as peaked out. . . sorry MHO.. . .while Heard you can see the upside. I suspect had you reversed roles, Swoopes with the 2s/walkons and Heard with the 1s, we aren't even having this discussion.
RB
Warren and Johnson are licking their chops. . . .think Gray will be fine and Foreman is the #2 going into fall but there is PT to be had
OL
Overall I thought Wick's guys fared pretty well for the most part. . .certainly not dominate though our front 7 is going to be salty. Rolling out as starters were Hutchins Flowers Doyle Perkins and High school Senior Conner Williams. Vasser beat Williams badly at one point but overall, the HS Senior had a good day. Swoopes generally had time to throw though not always. The group played better than what we saw last year and the spread attack with quicker throws, roll outs and waggles for the QBs should help.
WR
Marcus Johnson was missed. No WR truly shined. Will not shock me to see Burt and Johnson in the 2 deep in the fall. Nor will it shock me to see 2-3 of our current WRs transfer. . . sorry but Templin is clearly ahead of several guys. Just is what it is.
TE
Mixed bag. .neither Beck not Whatley seemed to separate from each other. Both had nice plays but Whatley badly whiffed on a Vasser rush and would have gotten Swoopes killed in a real game. Beck made some nice short catches but also fumbled. If Clarington can qualify, look for him to push for 2015 PT.
DL
Ridgeway is a beast in the middle. If Tank can return (Jackson). . our starters will be strong. Have to say Hughes playing the Fox (DL or LB?) had a very nice day, he's stepped up his game. Bryce Cottrell had a nice day as well. Vasser was able to get pressure at times. Feel very good about the DL
LB
Freeman and MJ opened as starters and they are athletic. Cherry and Wheeler are not even here yet though if we run mostly nickle. .I can see a shirt for one or both of them as Peter Jinkins and Tim Cole did not play poorly by any means.
DB
Bryson Echols is making a push . .John Bonney not far behind him. Are they talented enough? We shall see.
You have Jason Hall taking up one spot, Dylan Haines likely another. Who are the 2 CBs after Duke Thomas? and then you have the 2nd teamers. There is PT to be hand in the secondary at TEXAS in 2015.
Nick Rose had a very nice day, 4-5. He did boink one from 42 but hit 2 from 50+. Didn't catch the punter but he was not impressive.
Oh lordy I hate this time of the year. . . .1 week from now the NFL draft will be over (ok, 8 days. . you get the point) .. .Spring game is in the books. . . .no real football for 4+ months. . . .
In summation.
Pros:
New offense clearly gives the athletes a better chance to shine. love the roll outs and waggles. OL was better. Front 7 is SALTY. Malik Jefferson has the talent to finish his career wearing #60 and could be a Top 3 LB at TEXAS. D'onte Foreman seems to have locked up the #2 RB spot. Both QBs are better Nick Rose appears to be very solid
Cons:
OL was not dominate and remains a work in progress. Neither QB seized the job. Secondary remains thin and without a star. No WR seized a starting spot based on this effort. No TE seized a spot.
Only unlike Nuke. . . . MJ does exactly that. Lined up with the 1's from the start and was the star of the day including making a nice tackle on the very 1st play. Capped by an excellent hustle play forcing a fumble that Edwin Freemen turned into a TD. Very nice afternoon for the HS senior.
Now keep in mind that the Spring game is generally a zero sum game, the better the O looks the worse the D looks and vice versa but we did get an interesting look at TEXAS' new O and some individuals.
Individual players that really stood out to me, MJ. . .Nathan Hughes. . . Harsin Ridgeway. . . D'onte Foreman . .Edwin Freeman. . .Bryce Echols. . .Bryce Cottrell . .. Quincy Vasser. . . John Bonney. . .Nick Rose
Lots of walk ons playing and that tells me the young guns arriving this fall will have a serious opportunity to crack the 2 deep. CFS and crew lost 6 starters on D though MJ seems to have one of those spots spoken for. You will notice only one offensive player listed above so CFS seems to have some options to replace lost defensive starters. Coach Watson is still looking for some guys to "seize the day".
As a general rule, the WRs seem to botch more plays than they made. Swoopes would have had a much better day had players simply caught the ball or in the case of A Foremen, had he known where he was, he catches and easy TD but instead he steps out of bounds first. Young WRs have to be licking their chops. Marcus Johnson was out with a minor injury but nobody did anything to take his spot.
But to me the biggest story was the effectiveness of the new O. They lined up in shotgun 100% of the time that I saw. . .when they weren't running tempo ...they were going to the line and checking plays which seemed to wear out the D. Both 1st and 2nd units had good opening drives ending in TDs. And they seemed to be effective in wearing out the D. Keeping in mind that the game is largely unscripted/gameplanned, and more a series of random plays, I thought we passed far more than we would vs an opponent with a similar D. Which is fine, we need to work on passing more than running.
As mention, Donte Foreman had the best day of any of the RBs though Gray didn't get many snaps. . . .he bounced a great play wide left but then from the 7, BADLY misreads the blockers and runs right into MJ. . . .forget Armad Brooks' comments, he follows his blocker he at least gets back to the LOS. The only bad play I recall from Foreman
Jerrod Heard's 2nd series had him sharing the backfield with Gaston Davis. . . really curious about that. . .I'd have sent DF with one QB and Catalon with the other. And for a couple reasons, give Heard a better weapon and help Catalon get some separation from the incoming freshmen. Duke's best run was called back for a holding call. There were some timely penalties. Heard's top WR target was Ty Templin. . .but he had nice plays to Joe and Foreman as well as some nice TE dumps.
Both QBs had their moments. . .honestly Swoopes was screwed at times by WRs failing to catch balls they should have and had those catches happened, he'd have had a much better day. But there was plenty of Swoopes version 2014. ..passes not quite in teh right place, late reads etc.
Heard brings a much more explosive factor with his running and his ability to extend plays with his legs. He had some great plays including a 20+ yarder to Daje Johnson on a post where he looked off the S nicely. . . .but later he would get caught staring down WRs as well. So while Heard was handicapped playing with the 2s (not sure I saw him with the 1s) and really the 3s. . .Swoopes was handicapped by guys not making plays for him when he put the ball where it was needed.
One great contrast was in 2 different series, each QB had the same WR screen play. Swoopes pass was high and did not let the WR turn upfield, Heard was on the money and Joe was able to juke the DB for a 10 yard game. Small but important difference.
QB
OK, just one spring game but Heard showed flashes of why he is special and as mentioned, this playing with the 2s and the walkons. Swoopes had a decent day, his WRs didn't help him much but he was high or late or behind on passes at times. Which is not to say he didn't have some beautiful passes as well but again, inconsistent. Best pass (well the best pass that was caught) might have been a sideline touch pass to Jacoby Warrick which he dropped in nicely.
Heard showed he could move in the pocket and brings an explosiveness with is legs. His pass looking of the S and hitting Daje on a post/seam route was really nice and he had a better day overall. Today I just see Swoopes as peaked out. . . sorry MHO.. . .while Heard you can see the upside. I suspect had you reversed roles, Swoopes with the 2s/walkons and Heard with the 1s, we aren't even having this discussion.
RB
Warren and Johnson are licking their chops. . . .think Gray will be fine and Foreman is the #2 going into fall but there is PT to be had
OL
Overall I thought Wick's guys fared pretty well for the most part. . .certainly not dominate though our front 7 is going to be salty. Rolling out as starters were Hutchins Flowers Doyle Perkins and High school Senior Conner Williams. Vasser beat Williams badly at one point but overall, the HS Senior had a good day. Swoopes generally had time to throw though not always. The group played better than what we saw last year and the spread attack with quicker throws, roll outs and waggles for the QBs should help.
WR
Marcus Johnson was missed. No WR truly shined. Will not shock me to see Burt and Johnson in the 2 deep in the fall. Nor will it shock me to see 2-3 of our current WRs transfer. . . sorry but Templin is clearly ahead of several guys. Just is what it is.
TE
Mixed bag. .neither Beck not Whatley seemed to separate from each other. Both had nice plays but Whatley badly whiffed on a Vasser rush and would have gotten Swoopes killed in a real game. Beck made some nice short catches but also fumbled. If Clarington can qualify, look for him to push for 2015 PT.
DL
Ridgeway is a beast in the middle. If Tank can return (Jackson). . our starters will be strong. Have to say Hughes playing the Fox (DL or LB?) had a very nice day, he's stepped up his game. Bryce Cottrell had a nice day as well. Vasser was able to get pressure at times. Feel very good about the DL
LB
Freeman and MJ opened as starters and they are athletic. Cherry and Wheeler are not even here yet though if we run mostly nickle. .I can see a shirt for one or both of them as Peter Jinkins and Tim Cole did not play poorly by any means.
DB
Bryson Echols is making a push . .John Bonney not far behind him. Are they talented enough? We shall see.
You have Jason Hall taking up one spot, Dylan Haines likely another. Who are the 2 CBs after Duke Thomas? and then you have the 2nd teamers. There is PT to be hand in the secondary at TEXAS in 2015.
Nick Rose had a very nice day, 4-5. He did boink one from 42 but hit 2 from 50+. Didn't catch the punter but he was not impressive.
Oh lordy I hate this time of the year. . . .1 week from now the NFL draft will be over (ok, 8 days. . you get the point) .. .Spring game is in the books. . . .no real football for 4+ months. . . .
In summation.
Pros:
New offense clearly gives the athletes a better chance to shine. love the roll outs and waggles. OL was better. Front 7 is SALTY. Malik Jefferson has the talent to finish his career wearing #60 and could be a Top 3 LB at TEXAS. D'onte Foreman seems to have locked up the #2 RB spot. Both QBs are better Nick Rose appears to be very solid
Cons:
OL was not dominate and remains a work in progress. Neither QB seized the job. Secondary remains thin and without a star. No WR seized a starting spot based on this effort. No TE seized a spot.
