Football Articles
2009 Baylor Post Mortem
Posted by Scipio Tex on November 17th, 2009 under Football
If Fox Sports were writing this Post-Mortem, it would be a series of sentence fragments interspersed with random Fox graphics having only a tangential connection to the action at hand. Then I would replay the sentence previous while you’re ready for the next one. Then I would replay the sentence previous while you’re ready for the next one.
TOUCHDOWN TEXAS! (Flashes graphic of Mariano Rivera’s ERA in the 9th inning)
…you can join me midsentence, I’ll then trail off like your Grandpa when he tried to remember the hometown of one of his war buddies, and then I can throw up a picture of Jordan Lake while Cody Johnson takes another defender on a Nickel Cody Ride. It was funny/sad. The Fox producer in the truck had the sensory awareness of a tree sloth maimed in a forest fire.
When it’s 40-0 halftime at your opponent’s place (after they’d hung with Nebraska and whipped Missouri – chortle, chortle), you’re doing good things. Our defense was spectacular (again), the offense started fast and finally executed consistently in the running game, and our special teams were acceptable. Overall, this was a very satisfying win. If you’re someone that’s seriously upset because our scrubs gave up two mercy touchdowns, I need you to go read the Aggie boards for a while to learn about real misery.
Offense
Good stuff, good start. Our first seven drives went thusly:
UT 1st U20 15:00 Kickoff B00 11:18 * TOUCHDOWN 10-80 3:42
UT 1st U20 05:51 Interception U26 05:16 Punt 3-6 0:35
UT 1st B44 04:04 Downs B00 01:56 * TOUCHDOWN 6-44 2:08
UT 1st U15 00:20 Punt B45 10:44 Punt 9-40 4:36
UT 2nd U47 09:37 Punt B00 09:20 * TOUCHDOWN 2-53 0:17
UT 2nd B29 08:03 Punt B00 06:41 * TOUCHDOWN 5-29 1:22
UT 2nd B43 05:23 Punt B00 02:50 * TOUCHDOWN 6-43 2:33
Most crucially, we ran the ball well and it wasn’t a bunch of 4th quarter garbage yardage against a tired defense. Cody Johnson went 19 for 109 with a long run of 16 yards. Tre Newton went 7 for 80 with a long run of 45. When you take away a runner’s longest run and he still averages more than 5 yards a carry, you’re getting it done. We ran a lot of weakside zone and counter and we blocked them both correctly. Seriously. Like, competently. As if we had a scheme, a coach teaching that scheme, and an agreed upon plan if some pesky defender refuses to line up where he’s supposed to. Irrespective of the quality of the opponent, for the first time this year (UTEP was a blatant physical mismatch) our OL actually seemed to understand that passing angry defenders between each other is extremely difficult and that doing this while running laterally ends up a lot like the old TV clip of Lucille Ball working on a candy conveyor.
We simplified by telling our OL to get a hat on a guy, and rather than attempt to reach his playside shoulder, simply push him down the line, allow overpursuit, and trust that the back will make the appropriate cut-n-go. See Tre Newton’s TD run. Classic zone blocking where overpursuit and line slant games are punished. See the highlight clip (shows both Newton run and sweet Shipley pump fake):
Our false counter play has always been there for us (look at the 5:02 mark in the 2nd QTR if you’d like to see a textbook example of how it should be blocked), but we’re actually learning some timing (we don’t have a counter step – so you need to take a pause so that the backside pulls can get their seals) and we’ve taught the backs and OL to turn it outside when the playside DE pinches down instead of blindly thrashing into the pulling tackle’s back. Please look at the 3:35 mark 2nd QTR to see how to properly bounce the run outside when the playside DE pinches on the counter. Ulatoski sees it and it now becomes a sweep, but one where we have numbers and no one has set the edge. Advantage: offense. Cody gains an easy 8 yards and draws a facemask which, if it had not occurred, would have allowed an easy 10 yard TD.
One of they key factors in the blocking working better on this play – and why Cody Johnson has only four negative yards on the year – is that neither Cody or Tre is particularly fast but both like to get North-South as quickly as possible. The move that Tre threw on the Baylor safety on his 45 yard run was just wicked.
Anyone else notice how our running game working allowed for a clean jersey for Colt? And if your response to that is “Well, it’s Baylor” I suggest you rewatch last year’s Baylor game. Colt got pummeled. Running game – a QBs best friend.
I didn’t think Colt was all that sharp and Baylor left some interceptions on the carpet. However, the passing game irritated me for one persistent reason: when a team lines up in three deep, I have no interest in testing it like some internet buffoon begging for deep balls, but that doesn’t mean your default solution has to be WR screens and three yard stops. When a team lines up their safeties that deep they allow huge swathes of space in the middle of the field and intermediate crossing routes are wide ass open if you run a couple of guys deep to occupy and then drag two across at different levels. This is why prevent defenses often give up yards after the catch when you hit someone on the run over the middle. Let’s hit our guys on the move and give them a shot at someone making an athletic play upfield.
Big props to Dan Buckner for two fantastic catches. The play call and execution on Jordan Shipley’s second TD were outstanding. Fake the screen block, pump fake, easy TD. I’ve actually come to accept that whenever I see Colt McCoy pump fake, there’s about a 80% chance of a TD ensuing. Our slavish adherence to certain tendencies makes us unstoppable when we break them.
I was also really pleased to see Cody Johnson catch the ball so well in the flat. He’s not going to break a 30 yarder, but big boy moves the chains and doesn’t allow defenses to gear their scheme to our personnel (i.e. Whitaker is in, must be a pass). Nice to have Tre Newton back, obviously. If he and Cody form our RB rotation going forward, that’s fine by me.
The Greg Smith volleyball set is now as predictable as Mack Brown knowing the name, hometown, and favorite hobbies of any person he has ever met. I think we need to let Karch Kiraly stick to blocking.
Defense
If you want to understand the standard with which we coach on that side of the ball, check out Chykie Brown’s CB blitz pasting of Nick Florence. Great play, right? We get a big sack, Florence is rattled, Baylor begins to recede into its familiar shell of failure and self-loathing. Not so fast. The camera cuts to Duane Akina and Akina is screaming at Chykie, “GET THE BALL! DAMN IT!” while demonstrating how Florence was cradling it and then chopping like a tomahawk. With respect to our safety, Muschamp has postgame comments to the effect that the safety was nice but that we had a touchdown if we’d covered the ball properly. He delivered this line in a voice tinged with regret usually reserved for fathers telling their kids that the family labrador has leukemia.
DB
Uh, Aaron Williams is back. After his clutch interception and a pass break up that was close to being another, Baylor avoided him like he was a Richard Dawkins essay. He also got physical on their screen game, which was nice to see. Chykie Brown played a good game for us – 8 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack. He was physical and actually ended up leading us in tackles. Chykie is prone to inconsistency so I’m always pleased when he turns in a full 60 minutes. Gideon was solid in run support and mixed it up on a couple of occasions. Earl Thomas had five tackles and a pass break-up but Baylor’s reluctance to test us downfield curtailed his playmaking. Curtis Brown was quiet except for one pass interference and when a CB is quiet, he’s generally whipping someone’s ass. I continue to be extremely impressed with Kenny Vaccaro and he’ll be a player for us if we can get him to stop beating up lawyers and anyone else that makes eye contact with him for more than a second a half.
Is it just me or does Ben Wells keep looking good out there?
I freaking love what I’ve seen of Marcus Davis. He’s got pop in his pads and he can run. We have a legitimate 3 deep at DB and it’s scary.
LB
I’ve got nothing but props for Dustin Earnest’s development. I’d written him off before the season and the guy has had a really solid year and he gave us a reasonable game filling in for Roderick Muckelroy. It also bodes well for next year that both he and Acho can play very credibly at MLB. Throw Norton in that mix with some freak freshmen and we’re good to go. Acho’s interception was something we hadn’t seen something from him and my guess is that we see more things from him each week that we didn’t know he could do. It’s fun to watch him play because you can see him adding a different tool to his belt every game. Keenan Robinson has also turned the corner and though Acho may be more impactful because of his natural explosiveness, Robinson is the more polished guy and he has quite a bit of upside himself. Is it any coincidence that Muschamp coaches this position into excellence when it has so long plagued us?
DL
Ho-hum. Complete dominance. Acho Ocho Uno gets 2 TFL and forces a fumble, Lamarr Houston turns in a MVP performance with 3 TFL and 2 sacks, Sergio is himself, and Eddie Jones suckers Nick Florence like a pro when he sees Baylor attempt their screen game for the fifteenth time and has the athleticism to finish the play for a 60 yard TD. There’s really not much to write here except to point out that we owned them in every concievable way. If you’re disappointed that we didn’t get 7-8 sacks by bringing the house, I’d ask that you appreciate that we’re always going to keep a mobile QB with speed WRs in the pocket and force them to make a throw into that secondary on timing and with accuracy, not give up a cheapy on a broken play scramble.
Special Teams
It was nice to see some specialness return to our special teams. We were somewhat uneven in kickoff coverage, but the Vaccaro punt block was first rate. Vaccaro, Cobb & Malcolm Williams are our special teams war daddies and I’m not sure what we’d do without them.
Baylor thoughts
If you want to understand why I dislike the laziness of journalists, look no further than the fact that Jordan Lake will be on several postseason All-Big 12 teams and Phil Taylor will be mentioned too. Simple name recognition and hype. Coaches – who should know better – fall for it too. Taylor is a fat overhyped load who gives you five hard snaps a game. Lake has always been a good tackler shielded in two deep who doesn’t impact the game in any fashion and is a step too slow. He’s fine. No more, no less. I like Kendall Wright a lot. With Griffin gone, Finley went from a 1,000 yard rusher to a non-entity. There’s no doubt in my mind that Baylor – yes, that team we just destroyed – is a bowl team with simple addition of RGIII. The transformative power of the elite running college QB that can throw respectably on an offense is like nothing else in football.
Parting Thoughts
Kansas is the next victim and it’s going to be ugly. I’m enjoying the ride and still encouraged by the possibility that this team can still get better.
Share This
56 Responses
Leave a Reply
Related Articles
-
128
2009 Nebraska Post-Mortem: We Are The Champions
By Scipio Tex on December 7th, 2009 -
109
2009 Oklahoma Sooners Post-Mortem
By Scipio Tex on October 18th, 2009 -
29
Texas/Baylor Football Post-Mortem
By Scipio Tex on November 9th, 2008 -
27
Texas Hoops vs. Baylor: Post-Mortem
By Trips Right on March 7th, 2010 -
110
Texas Basketball vs. Baylor: Post Mortem
By Trips Right on January 30th, 2010
Activity
-
D W commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest Open thread 4 minutes ago
We lead the NCAA in ‘dunks against’
-
SizzleChest commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest Open thread 9 minutes ago
These guys just flat out don’t care. Except for Damo, but he’s not exactly lighting it up.
-
Trips Right commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest Open thread 11 minutes ago
We’re so bad on offense that it looks like Wake is playing zone. They’re not. In the 36th fucking game of the year. We still stand around waiting for someone to do something against one of the worst defenses in the tournament.
-
D W commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest Open thread 12 minutes ago
Yikes, we’re getting blown out by a 9 seed
-
Trips Right commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest Open thread 15 minutes ago
Everything we do is individual. We have nothing to fall back on in the way of sets or motion. For that, Barnes should be ashamed of his fucking self.
-
Trips Right commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest Open thread 17 minutes ago
Words can’t describe how bad Wake is. Miami dropped 85 on these fools and didn’t break a sweat.
-
D W commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest Open thread 18 minutes ago
5 points in 5 minutes?
-
RRR commented on the blog post March Madness Open thread 18 minutes ago
Big East 1-3. I’m satisfied with Day 1.
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
Trips Right commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest Open thread 26 minutes ago
quette blew a fifteen point second half lead
-
Trips Right commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest Open thread 27 minutes ago
Bradley doing a good job on Smith so far. Make that fucker shoot it.
-
Trips Right wrote a new blog post: Texas Hoops vs. Wake Forest Open thread 32 minutes ago
If we can stop Randolph Childress we have a chance.
-
RRR commented on the blog post March Madness Open thread 48 minutes ago
Good job, Ohio. Huskies making a great comeback!
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
Trips Right commented on the blog post March Madness open thread 56 minutes ago
Ha ha ha ha. MAC 9th seed knocks off GTown.
-
Trips Right commented on the blog post March Madness open thread 57 minutes ago
My Ohio state pick looks better.
-
RRR commented on the blog post March Madness Open thread 1 hour, 23 minutes ago
I love rooting against the Big East in the tournament. Georgetown in trouble and Marqette in a battle with the Huskies (Grr!). Need the ‘Horns to hold serve for the Big XII tonight.
Btw, my Red Raiders beat down Seton Hall, so this is theme with me, Big XII vs Big East.
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
Luke wrote a new blog post: Never a doubt 1 hour, 38 minutes ago
If I had a quarter for every time I heard the word “guard” used in a positive way today, I would be a rich man.
It’s one of the favorite clichés in March that good guards win games in the postseason, and there’s no secret that’s good news for Kansas St. Against North Texas, it quickly
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
Seeing Red wrote a new blog post: Farmer Ted Receives 2 1/2 Years 1 hour, 46 minutes ago
ESPN reports that he was sentenced as a result of the illicit videotapes taken of Dancing With The Stars Hottie and ESPN correspondent who wants to be taken seriously as a journalist dammit, Erin Andrews.
A quote from Ted not credited in the article: “This is total bullshit!! Have you SEEN her??”
Erin later pointed out that
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
Boo Radley wrote a new blog post: First Round: Clemson Tigers 1 hour, 54 minutes ago
I have put the Nebraska debacle behind me as I was so pissed off by the effort, that the game did not even deserve a post mortem. Again, where have you gone Justin Safford? Who knew that losing Safford would seem to take so much out of this team. I guess when you only have
-
Farmer Ted commented on the blog post Chase Daniel makes The Economist 1 hour, 56 minutes ago
I find it impossible to hate Chase Daniel. I used to try really hard to hate the guy, mostly because he was shredding the Husker secondary. But he seems like a good dude (who just happened to have arguably the greatest job in the world for the past 9 months). There used to be talk
-
Seeing Red commented on the blog post Lucky 2 hours, 3 minutes ago
Fantastic write-up. I always thought Marlon ran harder than people gave him credit for. His freshman year, it seemed like time & again he was grabbed as soon as he got the pitch or the handoff but managed to turn 3-5 yard losses into one yard gains.
He never had the breakaway speed or top-notch elusiveness
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
skymonkeyhorn commented on the blog post March Madness Open thread 2 hours, 20 minutes ago
Barbee on the grill is like the sun gleaming on the Rio Bravo in the morning next to the taco stand by Riverside. ” I cry like a baby” when I heard about UTEP.
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
Kevin Berger commented on the blog post March Madness Open thread 2 hours, 30 minutes ago
Marquette is so fun to watch.
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
Kevin Berger commented on the blog post March Madness Open thread 2 hours, 33 minutes ago
I picked murray state so utep could beat them in the second round. Looked good at half.
Fuck tony barbee. Mainly because skymonkey loves him.
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
skymonkeyhorn commented on the blog post Final Four Prediction 2 hours, 34 minutes ago
“I Cry like baby” When I think of Texas.
“The Letter” from fuck chalk says FF.
RIP“The country roads take me home” WVU points to FF.
“The blues” of Dukies. FF
Plus the other #1 that Patron forgot. FFSHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
J Rog wrote a new blog post: A Magic Show in Orlando 2 hours, 38 minutes ago
As suspected a tough game in the second half of a back to back results in a loss for the Spurs. Might as well make it a law of physics.
The Spurs lost this one in spectacular fashion 110-84 in a game that honestly they barely showed up for. They looked tired and sluggish from the
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
skymonkeyhorn commented on the blog post March Madness Open thread 2 hours, 52 minutes ago
Fuck the Dance, and Kevin Berger is a Bitch !
Wait, who is who and there is also a guitar player right ?SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
Patrick Bateman commented on the blog post March Madness Open thread 3 hours, 28 minutes ago
UTEP going down in flames. If Texas loses tonight, then someone will need to make sure Trips isn’t face down in a ditch somewhere….
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
Seeing Red wrote a new blog post: How To Make Your Woman a Football Fan 4 hours, 2 minutes ago
Many thanks to Larry Burton over at Bleacher Report for providing advice on how to turn your sports-hating significant other into a college football nut.
Now, full disclosure – I’m philosophically opposed to such a thing (further disclosure & incredible shocker: I’m divorced). I do not want to bring a wife/girlfriend who doesn’t want to be
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
I.M. Hipp commented on the blog post Lucky 4 hours, 3 minutes ago
Pete is right about Marlon’s running style, Lucky needed to have the ball in space to be effective at all. I think he had a nice career overall though, keep in mind he did have those injury issues his senior year.
Good player who should have looked out for himself and left early.
SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: ””, url: ”” });
-
D W commented on the blog post March Madness open thread 5 hours, 35 minutes ago
Now Baylor talking trash to the #14 seed players. Seriously?
horn7 said:
November 17th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Acho Ocho Uno. Greatness!
Dave said:
November 17th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
FSN’s obsession with showing close ups infuriates me. The director cannot possibly be a football fan.
CrazyJoeDavola said:
November 17th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
I felt a little ripped off by the FSN broadcast Saturday. We didn’t get our Jim Knox Signature “Here I Am Hanging Out In The Fan Section” segment.
uthookem said:
November 17th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
“Kansas is the next victim and it’s going to be ugly. I’m enjoying the ride and still encouraged by the possibility that this team can still get better.”
We have yet to truly dominate a game in all facets. Is it possible that this 2009 Texas Longhorns football team is going to be mentioned as one of the greatest ever? I know that no one in any media outlet is picking up on it (as we are currently ranked #3 in the BCS), but I have a hard time believing that anyone in this decade could stay with us (2005 Texas, USC, 2001 Miami notwithstanding).
Just my simple (and a little Knob Creek-influenced) thoughts.
Hook ‘em!
whoopspat said:
November 17th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
“Is it just me or does Ben Wells keep looking good out there?”
Ben Wells is not a slouch. He deserved to get pigeonholed into the never contribute, never
impress category early on, but the potential to be a solid contributer has always been there. I asked a walk on in 2007 which freshman db was impressing him most and he told me Wells. Wells evidently was very quick at picking up schemes and technique. Don’t ask me why he exhibited exactly the opposite traits the next year…I’m sure someone here has an explanation for that.
He’s not going to be Earl Thomas, but I wouldn’t dismiss him as a Marcus Griffin never-been.
tdwalsh said:
November 17th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
I love how long after their own announcers point out Texas was starting up tempo, FSN still continues to miss plays b/c they’re trying to show graphics and long replays between.
FSN’s tv contracts need to include a clause forbidding no huddle during each team’s first two offensive drives of the game so they can cram all their crap in up front. “If you violate the preceding clause, none of your actual plays will be shown live during the broadcast and we may or may not show a replay.”
bigdukesix said:
November 17th, 2009 at 10:48 pm
I need you to go read the Aggie boards for a while to learn about real misery.
Actually from what I’ve been reading over at Tex Ags things are going really well. They have one of the best offenses in the country and the defense is coming around. Sherman is doing a hell of a job.
I know that no one in any media outlet is picking up on it (as we are currently ranked #3 in the BCS), but I have a hard time believing that anyone in this decade could stay with us (2005 Texas, USC, 2001 Miami notwithstanding).
Whoo boy. This reminds me of ESPN pondering 2005 USC’s place among the all-time greats before they even won a national championship. Not someone I’d be trying to emulate.
uthookem said:
November 17th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
bigdukesix…it means less if you omit the Knob Creek reference…
NY Horn said:
November 17th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
The score doesn’t really show it, but this was definitely one of the greatest offensive performances of the year. I think we averaged 6.6 yards/play when we were hanging around the 4’s in the previous few games. I’m not versed enough to know what they decided to do this week but as you said the running game looked much more competent than it has the entire year,
lurkerinthedark said:
November 18th, 2009 at 3:41 am
“the standard with which we coach on that side of the ball” (defense)
Our defensive coaches teach with the conviction and fervor of the preachers of a newfound religion, and our players have sold their souls to them and exhibit the fire and fanaticism of the recently converted. Opposing offenses are infidels and blasphemers.
“I call jihad on [insert name of opponent]! Derka derka!”
EyesOfTX said:
November 18th, 2009 at 6:26 am
The Kansas game is indeed going to be real ugly. The halftime lead may surpass the Baylor game. I saw we opened as just a 28 point favorite. That’s probably 20 points low. Easiest cover bet of the season.
Hook ‘em!!!
beowulf said:
November 18th, 2009 at 6:55 am
I also noticed the Akina displeasure with the Chykie sack that didn’t result in a fumble because Brown didn’t go for the ball. Nice.
Great write up per usual and superb observations.
Acho Uno Ocho and Acho Ocho Uno! Love it. Love our defense. We’re going to win a NC this year and more later because of it.
spider said:
November 18th, 2009 at 8:13 am
I felt a little ripped off by the FSN broadcast Saturday.
Ack. The Raycom for Algernon crew.
The only thing I want to listen to them do is die in a fire.
TaylorTRoom said:
November 18th, 2009 at 8:26 am
Cody Johnson isn’t the fastest guy, but he seems to get turned upfield after a catch quicker than others. Footwork?
Baylor had 97 yards through 3 quarters, and 146 yard in the 4th.
spider said:
November 18th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Cody Johnson isn’t the fastest guy, but he seems to get turned upfield after a catch quicker than others. Footwork?
Bacon.
LongHornedFrog said:
November 18th, 2009 at 8:41 am
Great analysis as usual. The FSN-inspired intro was near coffee-through-the-nose funny. I continued reading wracked by the fear that you would smother the second half of your coverage quoting Dan Beebe ad nauseum.
I’m sure all have their own level of frustration with the broadcast, but those of us in the Longhorn diaspora without satellite get the additional joy of another cable company’s burned sloth inserting commercials on top of Fox’s ill-timed ads.
FSNSW+ComcastSportsNet+Verizon FIOS = “Why the f* is it second down?”
ghostofagroundgame said:
November 18th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Scip —
“Baylor avoided him like he was a Richard Dawkins essay” might be your best line EVER.
jc25 said:
November 18th, 2009 at 9:00 am
The only thing I can think of when I hear Richard Dawkins is him having sweet monkey love with Mrs. Garrison.
I can’t decide whether I like “Acho Ocho Uno” or “Dos Achos” better as my fantasy team name next year.
Dumeril Seven said:
November 18th, 2009 at 9:29 am
Right on. From the analysis, to the commentary, to the writing, Right @#$ing On.
D7
CzarCW said:
November 18th, 2009 at 10:31 am
“Baylor avoided him like he was a Richard Dawkins essay”
Holy crap that’s funny.
Art Vandelay said:
November 18th, 2009 at 11:02 am
I haven’t seen any mention of how Baylor played like a bunch of thugs. I was at the game and it was laughable. If it wasn’t chop blocking it was personal fouls for taunting when they were down 30 points.
The entire experience at Floyd Casey was sophomoric. To the students running on the field prior to the game, to the stadium itself, to the traffic management, players, coaches, etc….. How are they in the same conference with us again? I would have been more entertained in the 2nd half if they put the 6’9” basketball chick and 4×400 relay team in the game.
Scipio Tex said:
November 18th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Crazy Joe -
Nothing will ever top when the KState fans had him elevated on a couch, began to bounce him, and flipped him over onto his back. Nice one, Knoxie.
uthookem-
Crack cocaine is bad for you, sir.
whoops-
Ben is a really good example of how one powerful snapshot – specifically a Baylor WR pantsing him last year – can jaundice our perspective. A player shows his quality over time.
bigduke-
There are unquestionably some insane Aggies who think all is well and that this all plays into Sherman’s grand plan, but most of us them are deeply depressed.
Nyhorn -
I can’t disagree. I liked what the offense did in the first half. More crucially, how they did it.
Sailor Ripley said:
November 18th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Scipio Tex said:
November 18th, 2009 at 11:35 am
lurker -
Muschamp should issue a fatwa on Todd Reesing. You know in many Islamic cultures, Reesing would be a favored catamite of the local pasha.
Taylor -
Cody has sweet feet. He also understands that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line – through the defender in front of him. Works for me.
LonghornFrog-
Why only nearly coffee through the nose funny? What can I do to get coffee to actually scald your nose and send you to a minor emergency center and get Barking Carnival its first lawsuit of note?
As for our commish – you’re going to laugh at this, but it’s true: Beebe enraged me so much that I literally could not write about it. The idea that this tool is running our conference tells me all I need to know about why the Big 12 is ultimately doomed.
ghost -
Glad someone caught that. I was hopin’.
Art -
Regarding Baylor playing like thugs against Texas, they’ve done this shit for years. They know they can’t win, so they figure they’ll show how hard they are by punching guys in piles while they’re down 40. The same stuff they used to pull on Ricky Williams ankle to cheapshotting Simms. It’s a time-honored tradition with those pussies. If you really want to see what Baylor truly is about, go to a Baylor basketball game in Waco sometime. Talk about a community with a collective small dick complex. The only reasonable revenge is to do what I did in college: pick up their closet whore girls longing for non-private school boy male companionship and visit depravities upon them.
As for the sophomoric shit, this conference is replete with it. Try taking in a K-State game.
Here’s the deal – if your PA announcer and fans have some pre-rehearsed routine to celebrate a 1st down, you’re not ready for prime time. I’m looking at you Oklahoma State and Mizzou.
spider said:
November 18th, 2009 at 11:46 am
The only reasonable revenge is to do what I did in college: pick up their closet whore girls longing for non-private school boy male companionship and visit depravities upon them.
Whoa, I’d forgotten all about Liberty Lunch.
The best vengeful depravities are at least semi-public.
Scipio Tex said:
November 18th, 2009 at 11:57 am
That Jim Knox clip never fails to make me laugh out loud.
Confused and Dazed said:
November 18th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
I never quite understood what the call was at the goal line on the pass to Malcolm on second down that their DB broke up. Nitty and Shitty in the booth kept going on about it being an unsportsmanlike conduct call on baylor, and we didn’t get to actually see what the ref called because of their repetitive replays and bullshitting. I would have thought that, if it was unsportsmanlike conduct, we would have had an automatic first down, but the ref signaled and said third down.
Can anyone who was listening to Craig Way explain what actually happened?
NateHeupel said:
November 18th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Scip:
The Richard Dawkins essay line was very well done.
With Robert Griffin III on the sideline, there is no reason for Baylor to score anything but garbage TD’s on you. I do admire the way UT’s defensive coaches refuse to settle for good execution. Either get it right, or piss off. Muschamp probably has a cat-of-nine-tails waiting on Chykie Brown for that one.
Whatever idiot thinks this UT team is among the all-time best is kidding themselves. This is a fairly one-dimensional team on offense that gets held to less than by 2000 OU, 2001 Miami, and 2004 USC. God is simply making up for 2008 by laying a red-carpet highway to Pasadena for you. The fact that OU put up 13 points on you is an utter and abject failure by Muschamp. OU proved that in Lincoln.
Art Vandelay said:
November 18th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Confused and Dazed,
If we are talking about the same play it was on a third down and the call was a dead ball personal foul for taunting. The DB stood over the receiver and signaled incomplete pass and growled like a bear. :-)
The penalty was marked half the distance to the goal which is why it was marked at the 4 yard line. Not sure why it wasn’t an automatic first down, but maybe since it was a dead ball foul it isn’t an automatic first down?
Somebody can chime in with the rule.
Art Vandelay said:
November 18th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
or maybe it was on second down. Regardless… the call was for taunting after the play was over.
Horncasting said:
November 18th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Craig Way said that that type of penalty (whatever it was) is not an automatic first down in college football.
Horncasting said:
November 18th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
“Ben is a really good example of how one powerful snapshot – specifically a Baylor WR pantsing him last year – can jaundice our perspective.”
To be completely honest, the perspective of Wells by UT fans was first shaped by:
1. His arrest with Gatewood on drug charges
2. Reports out of practice that he did not have a high football IQ and was not fluid in coverage.
3. Being passed on the depth chart by two true (and white) freshman and two redshirt freshman.
They play in the Baylor game just made us all sit back and nod our heads knowlingly. Good to see some glimpses that maybe we’ll all be wrong after all.
Scipio Tex said:
November 18th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Yes, I’m wrong but NOW I’M GOING TO YELL LOUDLY.
spider said:
November 18th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
This is a fairly one-dimensional team on offense that was…
… changed completely after the OU game, yes.
Do try to pay attention.
Confused and Dazed said:
November 18th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Yeah, that’s what the FSN guys kept saying, but I had no confidence they had a clue what the flag was really for. The part I don’t understand is why we weren’t awarded a first down. I am certain the ref first said second down, and then, after talking to Briles, came back and said third down. You matybe right about the dead ball thing.
bigdukesix said:
November 18th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
There are unquestionably some insane Aggies who think all is well and that this all plays into Sherman’s grand plan, but most of us them are deeply depressed.
The depressed ones aren’t true Aggies according to Panhandle Slim.
Macanudo said:
November 18th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
“I was also really pleased to see Cody Johnson catch the ball so well in the flat. He’s not going to break a 30 yarder, but big boy moves the chains and doesn’t allow defenses to gear their scheme to our personnel (i.e. Whitaker is in, must be a pass).”
Besides an OC who is competent in scheming, the pass game to our RBs was the thing most missing from offense this season. We really miss Chris Ogbonnaya in that respect. He was money for us last year. Now, if Cody can provide that out for Colt, the offense gets better even if they are being coached by a slightly retarded coach.
hopefulhorn said:
November 18th, 2009 at 7:11 pm
The offensive changes since the OU game are coming along nicely. Read several post-game accounts of how the offense practiced the same 3-4 running plays all week against every conceivable look they could see on Saturday. Consequently, the line looked a lot more decisive and aggressive in blocking those plays. Add Cody’s bullish quickness and Tre’s slash and dash and there it is–a decent running game. Now, if we could just see more of Malcolm Williams and less of John Chiles….
This is turning into a terrific ride that is playing out mostly under the national media radar. Perfect. I think we are playing better than anyone out there all around and Herbstreit seems to be one of the few talking heads out there taking notice.
Scipio Tex said:
November 18th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Macanudo –
That’s a real point. If a defense can ignore your HB out in the flat, they can shade your WR routes all the more. Flipping it out there when it’s there keeps them honest and Chris O feasted on it to the tune of 500+ yards last year.
hopeful -
These were actually our bread and butter plays that we’ve been running all year – so no changes really. As you write, we just executed them at a level you’d expect around Game 2. In any event, I’ll take it and hope to see it repeated.
I definitely hope the SEC champion thinks they are heading out there for a coronation.
kafka said:
November 19th, 2009 at 6:31 am
Idiotic comment about “the Greg Smith volleyball set”. First it wasn’t a volley ball set. A volley ball set is where you don’t catch the ball but instead pop it up (like a volley ball set) so that it is easily intercepted. That pass that went through Smith’s hands appeared to have been barely touched because it stayed in a spiral and on the same course. That is extremely unusual and may be the result of Smith pulling back a bit at the last instant . In any event, it was not a volleyball set.
Smith has caught the ball well this season and will continue to be the target of passes.
kafka said:
November 19th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Other than that (i.e. Greg Smith volley ball set paragraph), great post.
kafka said:
November 19th, 2009 at 6:55 am
Somebody posted that the coaches practised fewer running plays last week but that each play was practised vs as thorough a set of possible defensive looks as possible. Fewer plays but better execution seems like a good idea.
HenryJames said:
November 19th, 2009 at 7:10 am
kafka,
Wow.
ghostofagroundgame said:
November 19th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Kafka,
I’m throwing mental fruit at you in disgust.
nordberg said:
November 19th, 2009 at 8:08 am
I don’t have the exact data in front of me, but I’m pretty sure Smith has dropped about half of the balls that have hit him in the hands. Maybe a little less, maybe a little more.
kafka said:
November 19th, 2009 at 8:47 am
I’ve watched Greg Smith pretty carefully the last several games because I suspected that he was being treated unfairly. A while back Scipio claimed that Greg was a poor blocker. Actually Greg has been blocking well and even recently got the Boss Hawg award for best blocker on the OL.
Greg has been catching the ball well in the games I reviewed until the Baylor game. Greg Smith has good hands.
I will make the correction that the ball that went through Greg’s hands Saturday was not a spiral either before or after Greg touched it.
On the other pass that Greg did not catch, the real problem was that he could not give up on YAC to go down and catch the pass. This is because he did not go deep enough on his route and needed YAC to get the first down. The primary problem was a mental error and a low throw to a big guy not his hands.
nordberg said:
November 19th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Greg Smith has six catches on the season. Off the top of my head, I can think of four drops.
If he has good hands, he’s certainly not showing it in the games.
Jungle Girl said:
November 19th, 2009 at 9:12 am
“The Fox producer in the truck had the sensory awareness of a tree sloth maimed in a forest fire.” You should frame that real fancy and put it in your living room.
I had even better luck – listening to the oompa loompa local radio commentators analyze unsportsmanlike conduct while speeding down I-35 from Dallas post-kickoff, trying to make it to the game before it was a blowout. I was too late. It was a blowout before I reached the Waxahachie “Hard to say, Easy to stay” billboard.
Kenneth Ivory said:
November 19th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Saw Knoxie riding on the Sooner Schooner, or whatever they call their horse drawn mobile home, with those white jeans wearing pop gun shooters as they scream “WE’RE NUMBER 1″ after scoring their 42nd point on the aggies before halftime.
Art Vandelay said:
November 19th, 2009 at 9:34 am
Karch Kafka Kiraly
HenryJames said:
November 19th, 2009 at 9:38 am
Knox’s face is pulled tighter than RoboCop’s.
hopefulhorn said:
November 19th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Knoxie the perpetually surprised.
Sorry, kafka, but EBS’ “Karch Kiraly” gloss is well earned.
Y Sanchez said:
November 19th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
I must disagree with the comment that looking at the aggy board to experience real misery.
I go there every day and am delighted to the point of giddiness at the misery and denial that is so prevalent there.
But of course that is just me….
Helen Keller said:
November 19th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
kafka – you’re right, Greg Smith is an almost perfect mixture of Russ Francis and Kellen Winslow.
Also, practise makes perfect…
kafka said:
November 19th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Nordberg:
Even if you are correct, this means Greg had caught 6 passes and dropped two passes before the Baylor game. So through 9 games he was catching 75% of the passes thrown his way. Not exactly the basis for no longer passing to Greg, especially when you consider that a couple of those catches were vs OU (i.e. he was clutch in the only tough game).
BTW, besides the two drops in the Baylor game, when did Greg drop the other two passes?
Obviously it is difficult to maintain a high % of catching passes when so few passes are thrown your way.
Catches vary in difficulty. One drop in the Baylor was on a quite difficult pass for a big guy (i.e. a pass below the knees to a large TE who is running). The only way to catch the ball was to go to the ground, making it impossible to get a first down on that 3rd down play. Few 6′5″ 260 lbs TEs are going to catch that low ball on the run without going to the ground. The real mistake that Greg made on the play was not getting deep enough on his route. That play tells you little about Greg’s hands and more about his inexperience at running routes.
On the ball that went through his hands, it may have been a very tough catch. I’m not even sure who was the intended target (i.e. Kirk or Greg). If Kirk was the intended target, the ball was probably too hot to catch at such short range. The fact that such a short pass was so incredibly wobbly didn’t make it easier to catch. It is hard to catch a fast, very wobbly pass at very close range. Wobbly is a problem on a very short fast pass because there is so little time to properly position your hands.
It was idiotic for Scipio to suggest that we stop throwing the ball to Greg Smith for the remainder of the season. It is grossly unfair to say that Greg has a problem with volley ball setting passes when he hasn’t volley ball setted one pass this season.
Scipio has also written about what a bad blocker Greg Smith is. This is false. Greg would not have recently received a Boss Hawg award if he was blocking poorly. Greg is frequently assigned the task of blocking a DE by himself (and has done a good job). How many TEs can block a DE by themselves (how many OCs even try it?)? It is no accident that the OL has been blocking much better since Greg Smith started playing more.
nordberg said:
November 20th, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Jesus.