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So, we see that Cody has now been named as the FOURTH “starting” RB for the Longhorns for the tenth game of the season. Gee, there’s a shocker, huh?
Let’s recap how the season has progressed at this position thus far:
Vondrell McGee was the starting RB on opening day, and held that position through the game with Wyoming. He proceeded to rush for a nifty 70 yards and 4.7 average in game one against ULM, and followed that up with 61 yards against Wyoming.
But he had a problem in the Wyoming game – he was in for virtually all of the first half, during which Wyoming’s defense was fresh and did a good job of stuffing our run game. Tre’ Newton played much of the 2nd half, as Wyoming’s D got gassed, and – surprise! – was able to look very damn good playing against exhausted players.
The following week against Tech, a similar pattern emerged. Vondrell was not able to get anything going against a fresh Raider defense, and then suffered a minor injury. In comes Tre’ Newton, who looked better and better as the game went on, ultimately putting up 88 yards, most of it in the 2nd half as the Tech defense tired. Shocker.
The following Monday, the Texas coaches named Newton the starter for the UTEP game. Bad news for Tre’, as it turned out.
Tre’ thus had to get most of the first half carries against the Miners, again when their defense was fresh and thus dominating our mediocre offensive line in the run game. He ended up being basically pulled for the 2nd half, during which the ground game went berserk against an exhausted UTEP D, with Vondrell putting up a Longhorn season-high 102 yards for the game.
New starter for Colorado: Vondrell. We were all stunned, right? Wrong.
Again, the same pattern repeated itself. Vondrell was ineffective in the first half against a fresh CU defense. The RB by committee approach returns in the second half, and frankly didn’t improve things at all as Texas totaled a whopping 46 yards on 25 attempts for the game, the worst effort of the year in a season that has been almost uniformly awful for the Longhorn running game.
But Fozzy Whittaker, seeing his first action of the year, gained 12 yards on 1 impressive carry, and guess who becomes the starting RB for the OU game?
If you guessed Fozzy Whittaker, you’re far from alone, so don’t be too impressed with yourself.
Fozzy had an awesome game against OU – at least, it was awesome in the context of the performance of the running game in this particular season – whipping up 71 yards against a very good Sooner defense. So, holy cow, Texas actually had a guy starting at RB for two straight games when the ‘Horns traveled to Missouri the following week.
But even though Fozzy was the starter vs. the Tigers and managed a 4 yard average on mostly first-half carries, the RB by committee reared its head once again, and he was limited to 9 total carries, as Cody Johnson began to see his action increased. You can see what’s coming, can’t you?
Fozzy was again the starter against OSU - 3 straight weeks! – but again, saw his action decreased, as Johnson’s ramped up, and Colt became more involved in the running game. Fozzy, the starter, carried only 6 times, Johnson 9 and Colt 11. Fozzy’s days as the starter, playing against the fresh defense, were obviously numbered.
Last week against UCF, Fozzy again was the starter, and yet again saw his participation limited to the third most carries, behind Johnson and McCoy. Cody did a good job of getting the ball into the endzone with two long red zone runs, finishing with 44 total yards, 33 of them coming on the two TD runs.
On this season’s Texas team, that performance is plenty to earn a guy the starting RB job.
And so it was that yesterday, Cody Johnson was named the starting RB for this week’s game against Baylor.
Obviously, he is doomed. He will now have to take the most carries early in the game when the Baylor defense will be fresh and will almost certainly dominate our offensive line in the running game. He will probably see his YPC diminish as a result, and probably see himself yanked unfairly from the game just about the time the Baylor D begins to tire. Whichever back comes in to take his place and gets the most second half carries as the Baylor D becomes exhausted will likely put up better stats, and begin to regain favor with the Texas coaching staff.
Sad to say, Cody’s days as the starter are probably numbered. This appears to be the “system” the staff is using these days, such as it is.
Enjoy it while you can, big guy.
Hook ‘em!!!
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 26 minutes ago
Virginia Tech not getting in is a joke.
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 28 minutes ago
Baylor may be the best team in the South.
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 31 minutes ago
Wow, louisville as a 9 will give Duke all they want in the second round.
The TAMU vs. UTAH state battle of the aggies might be played in the 40’s.
Siena will beat Purdue. Bank it. They probably win their next game.
Nova as a one seed an overseed.
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 31 minutes ago
Wow, louisville as a 9 will give Duke all they want in the second round.
The TAMU vs. UTAH state battle of the aggies might be played in the 40’s.
Siena will beat Purdue. Bank it. They probably win their next game.
Nova as a two seed an overseed.
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 33 minutes ago
The South, Duke will lose to AK Pine Bluff, mark it down. I kid.
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 36 minutes ago
Don’t listen to Seth Davis, Texas is a shell and Wisconsin is over seeded as a four. Kentucky will run them out of he gym. Kentucky walks to elite 8 where WVU will have something for them.
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 38 minutes ago
It won’t matter because Marquette will beat New Mexico in the second round game.
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 38 minutes ago
West Virginia draws New Mexico as the 3. Kansas fans do triple face palm.
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 39 minutes ago
Kentucky gets screwed by drawing WVU. The good news is the Cats got a pretty good top of the bracket draw.
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 40 minutes ago
Texas gets a manageable first round game. UK will smoke us.
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post Texas Basketball is Dangerous 41 minutes ago
We’re live blogging the selection show over here if you’re interested.
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 45 minutes ago
The West is the weakest bracket. Perhaps the weakest I’ve seen in some time if Onuaku isn’t 100%
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 46 minutes ago
In the West, Syracuse has a walk to the sweet sixteen, but Butler can give them problems.
Syracuse gets KSU as their two so it looks like either Kentucky or Duke is stuck with WVU. Tough break. Pitt as a three is a joke. If I’m Self I’m really pissed now. KU
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HenryJames commented on the blog post As if we didn’t already like Traylon Shead enough… 49 minutes ago
What’s the background on this photo?
The AP captions reads
Cayuga’s Traylon Shead, a Texas recruit, flashes the ‘Hook ‘Em Horns’ sign to Gov. Rick Perry during the awards presentation after Cayuga beat Bronte 66-60 to win the Class A, Division 1 basketball championship. Perry went to Texas A&M.
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ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post NFL Draft: A Mockery 52 minutes ago
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 54 minutes ago
Georgetown as the 3 seed in the midwest make this a monster bracket.
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 55 minutes ago
Ohio State vs. Kansas should be championship game, not an elite 8 game.
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 55 minutes ago
Holy crap, KU got screwed by getting the toughest two seed. I’d be pissed if I was Self.
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Kevin Berger commented on the blog post NCAA Selection show open thread 56 minutes ago
Midwest 1 goes to Kansas, no surprise they deserve it. They’ll face Lehigh who happens to have a pretty athletic frontcourt for a 16.
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ghostofagroundgame commented on the blog post As if we didn’t already like Traylon Shead enough… 58 minutes ago
That is really great. An auspicious beginning.
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Kevin Berger wrote a new blog post: NCAA Selection show open thread 1 hour, 1 minute ago
Syracuse gets screwed by getting the fourth number one seed.
Midwest 1 goes to Kansas, no surprise they deserve it. They’ll face Lehigh who happens to have a pretty athletic frontcourt for a 16.
Kansas got a tough break drawing Maryland on the four line. There was talk the terps could be a 3.
Holy crap,
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Ripley,
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We’re as dangerous as a switchblade comb.
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The look on the face of the kid next to Shead is hilarious too.
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Scipio Tex commented on the blog post As if we didn’t already like Traylon Shead enough… 2 hours, 9 minutes ago
The greatest recruit in the history of Texas football, IMO.
Fried Rice said:
November 10th, 2009 at 4:39 pm
We just need to recruit better at this position, since obviously, no one has been able to step up yet.
CloseToJumping said:
November 10th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
I know you’re just bullshitting, Fried Rice, but the word is that this is one of those instances where on field performance is affecting the decisions the recruits are making. Whereas, when a recruit talks about academics, we can be assured that they are full of shit, when they talk about offensive style and depth charts, they mean it. I don’t always buy that, but supposedly it is legit here.
Malcolm Brown, Hershel Sims, Aaron Green, and Marquez are all looking in different directions than Texas. That will be one big fucking whiff if that unfolds.
nordberg said:
November 10th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
I think we get Sims, and that big dude whose name escapes me right now.
Bob in Houston said:
November 10th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
I’m impressed that our OL is less tired in the second half than the other team’s DL.
There’s something to take out of this.
Levander Williams said:
November 10th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
The absurdity of this situation leaves me speechless. It’s as if Mack sees it as a challenge to win with this approach and prove his critics wrong.
CloseToJumping said:
November 10th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
nordberg–
You’re thinking of Bergeron? He’s a stud H-back type. Leonard from Rutgers, Schmitt from West Virginia type guy. Yeah, he’s a take.
I don’t hear a whole lot of hope on Sims, so maybe you get different data points than I do. Hope that is the case.
Minnesotahorn said:
November 10th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
It’s truly sadfunny to watch our coaching staff actually mimic the more moronic sections of our fanbase in their cluelessness about the ground game’s failings. Scipio from earlier this year:
“Fozzy will save our running game! He has elite quickness!
Cody will save our running game! He’s a big back!
Vondrell will save our running game! He’s well-rounded!
DJ Monroe will save our running game! He’s fast!
Tre Newton will save our running game! He runs north/south!”
I hope you read that in Greg Davis voice.
Gristle McThornbody said:
November 10th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
I believe it was Einstein who defined insanity as (paraphrasing here) doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results.
hopefulhorn said:
November 10th, 2009 at 6:16 pm
This is like a twisted SNL skit on the Alcoholic family. The dysfunctional, denial-ridden adults take turns scapegoating each kid to avoid acknowledging the Elephant in the Room (bad scheme). How long, O Lord?
texasengr said:
November 10th, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Maybe I’m crazy, but CJ seems to make the most sense as a starter.
He’s a beast. He runs over DB’s. Let him make the first 10 runs of the game and deliver some blows. He will wear out a defense quicker than any other back we’ve got.
I hope that even if his YPC dwindles, the coaches see the positive in letting him start.
So What You're Saying... said:
November 10th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
That Colt’s the starting running back?
nordberg said:
November 10th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Yeah, Bergeron, ctj. From what I’ve seen and heard he’s about as close to a lock as there is outside of Jaxon Shipley.
TXinDC said:
November 10th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
My favorite game to play when watching games now is counting how many times each tubby white guy on the line just completely falls forward on their face during a run play.
The Monroe sweep in the first quarter this last Saturday saw THREE of them fall down. I don’t think that’s been beat this season.
jinx said:
November 10th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
You should also count the number of times that the play ends and OL are standing around the play blocking no one. Just don’t make it a drinking game unless you don’t have to drive for the rest of the day.
CloseToJumping said:
November 10th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
We start 8 white guys on our offense. Somewhere, Darrel Royal approves. Bear Bryant is smiling. And I am panicking.
NY Horn said:
November 10th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
Do you guys feel there is a reason why our offensive line’s complexion tends to be “lighter” than many of our competitors or is this at random? I thought I remember someone on the internets mentioning a rumor (read rumor – not trying to make a character assassination here) that our o-line coach may have a penchant for preferring Chris Hall’s over Ciron Black’s.
Groundhogday said:
November 10th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
The same problems that have plagued Brown/Davis at Texas are the same exact problems that plagued them at UNC. Texas ran the ball well with VY and and Ricky when they couldn’t uncoach sound offensive line fundamentals. Does anyone remember how Benson struggled before VY took over?
scagnetti said:
November 10th, 2009 at 9:14 pm
the elephant in the room just took a dump
Horncasting said:
November 10th, 2009 at 9:20 pm
I’m really surprised that Aaron Green continues to be as highly ranked as he is. IMO he is living off 2 ridiculously good games from his sophmore year. Aside from those games his performances, against San Antonio competition no less, have not really looked the part of a national, must have RB recruit.
I’ve seen him play in person 3 times, and while he certainly looked good, he really didn’t strike me as any better than a number of other RB’s San Antonio has produced recently. In fact I’d put him on about par with Reagan’s Marcus Wright (who ended up at Georgia Tech). He’s fast and he runs really well through wide open holes and around the corner.
The SA area coaches I’ve talked to don’t think he is anywhere near the player Malcolm Brown is.
Horncasting said:
November 10th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Chris Hall was a backup plan offer after Ciron Black chose LSU.
We’ve recruited plenty of black OL recently, but have had bad luck with them flunking out (Webb, Watts), not panning out (McGaskey) or taking a long time to develop (Allen).
Ashcroft is redshirting this year and Hopkins is coming in next year.
CloseToJumping said:
November 10th, 2009 at 9:35 pm
Horncasting–
There is no real reason for us to be thinking much on Green. I have heard everything is above board and the dude just wants to leave.
In regard to OLs, my expectation is that things change after this season. I’ve typed on it before, so I’ll simply type here that I think things change after the year.
NY Horn said:
November 10th, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Malcolm Brown would be real nice, especially if we move more under center with GG.
NY Horn said:
November 10th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
I think the use of Allen this year is an interesting issue in itself. He seems like in the chances he has had he has performed decently but really hasn’t had the opportunity to make a huge impact with how sparingly and erratically he is used.
bigdukesix said:
November 10th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
We start 8 white guys on our offense. Somewhere, Darrel Royal approves. Bear Bryant is smiling. And I am panicking.
You give racists a bad name.
dasmithjones said:
November 11th, 2009 at 6:09 am
He also said “We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.”
I guess we need better athletes if we intend on staying the course with our running scheme. Honestly, they are about to wear me out with their running “game”.
Kosciuszko said:
November 11th, 2009 at 10:57 am
It’s just a lot easier for Davis/Brown to field questions each week on who will start than on why the running game sucks so bad. Kinda like how us older guys talk a little louder when we feel an unavoidable, unsilent, fart coming on.
I’ll eat my words if Cody gets 20 or more carries this game in a productive manner.
Beavis said:
November 11th, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Our running game sucks more than anything has ever sucked before…
UT_BKC said:
November 11th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
It was either here or BON where someone looked at all of CJ’s runs, and only 2 of them netted negative yards (i think, or maybe only 2 of them went for non positive yards, something like that). After this past game when he got more carries in our regular offense in the first half (non goal line), I think he at least doubled his number of negative yard carries.
I bet he doubles it again this week.
The General said:
November 11th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Look on the bright side, at least he isn’t penciled in at tight end.
Sailor Ripley said:
November 11th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
BYU said:
November 12th, 2009 at 1:09 am
nothing wrong with white guys on your offense!!!
realmccoy said:
November 12th, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Can’t Buck Burnette just say that he is sorry?
Mysterious Package said:
November 12th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
The layup questions at the press conference’s are a joke. Statesman doesn’t know what to ask, just happy to be invited
dedfischer said:
November 13th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Texas and OU are going to fuck around long enough on the OL to let the Aggies get good again.
magnusbleuveigner said:
November 14th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
“I’ll eat my words if Cody gets 20 or more carries this game in a productive manner.”
nom nom nom nom nom.
Ernie said:
November 14th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Good job eating your words. I just hope that the coaches keep going to him because he is best at what we need. We need consistent, non-negative runs, with a little blocking and basic dump-off catching. We don’t need super game breaking speed. We’ll get up and down the field passing it.