The Young and the restless. The Vince Young soap opera continues. He reportedly told those around him on Monday before he went missing that he doesn't want to play football any more. It's all just too negative for him. With concerns over his mental state, his mother spoke with the media to make his case. Be nice to her baby boy. Cedric Golden isn't buying it all, calling for Young to grow up. Golden agrees with reports about Young having thin skin and not being able to admit mistakes. It's a tough profession that Vince is in. The bottom line is that he needs to step up or get out. Quitting shouldn't be a response to failure. Time to man up. Sure, he's in a fishbowl that magnifies his failures, but deal with it. Happens when you make millions of dollars from your profession. Rediscover the love and joy in playing the game. Wasn't that a big part of what led you to the top of the college football universe, Vincent?
What to do when Ike gets you down. With news that the Longhorns won't play on Saturday, Scipio Tex has you covered as you adjust your Saturday viewing schedule accordingly. In fact, he does it definitively. Can't ask for anything more than that. The two games I don't want to miss are KU at USF and, obviously, the USC-OSU tilt. Couple other games for which to note the outcomes: FAU at Michigan St. and Nevada at Missouri. Couple barometer games for perspective on the games those teams played against Texas and Texas Tech. Sad that Michigan and Notre Dame is so irrelevant. Well, maybe not sad, but I'm sure NBC isn't happy.
Cha-ching, with a Burnt Orange ring. For the third straight year, Texas is the leading brand name in collegiate merchandising sales. Vince Young's gift to Texas just keeps on giving, to the tune of $8.2 million in the last year, up from the previous year. Michigan and Florida finished in second and third, respectively. It's been interesting for me to notice how much burnt orange merchandise I see at sporting events on television. Places like Boston and Tampa, even when the game has no connection to UT sports at all. Rep for your U all 'round the country! Nothing warms the soul like seeing some burnt orange when you're far from Austin. 'Cept championships, that is.
Muscle-bound, slowed down. The assault on Mad Dog and his strength and conditioning program continues:
Jared Norton, Rashad Bobino and Brian Orakpo are great examples of all that's wrong with our S&C program. They've actually lost quickness and change of direction the longer they've been in the program. Care to see a contrast? Watch the Acho brothers, who can't lift shit yet, but are operators in space and have great quickness. Remember skinny ass Derrick Johnson? Do I need to show you the ‘91 Cotton Bowl? Football is not a fucking pie eating contest. I can't wait for Sam to bench 500 and lose 3/10ths off of his shuttle time in our quest to improve him. Orakpo will actually be a better pass rusher as the season progresses and he's not able to lift and begins to lose weight. In fact, I guarantee it. When people marvel that he can bench 515, my first thought is "Why does he bench 500+?" Those returns diminish very quickly after 425. They come at a cost in other areas. Go watch Orakpo film as a freshman - that kid had a first step. This Orakpo is a pure power rusher right now. If we want to play Muschamp defense, we need Muschamp players. And those players are greyhounds, not bulldogs.
Somewhat lost in the shuffle of all the talk about putting more speed on the field to combat spread offenses is exactly that. Sure, being able to play nickel and having a bevy of fast secondary players is part of it, but players along the defensive line need to be faster as well. Especially with more teams running big splits in their o-line. I agree with Scipio Tex here, that means less emphasis on weight lifting and closer attention paid to pure speed. I think it also means kids don't have to redshirt when they get to school just because they aren't strong enough. Speed is more important. Where's the benefit to turning fast defensive ends into stronger players with average speed?
Boom until the bell sounds. Will Muschamp's defense has a problem giving up yards. "What problem?" replies Muschamp. He's only worried about giving up points, as he should. And the only two touchdowns given up by the Longhorns came right before halftime. Muschamp isn't having it, no doubt using the same colorful language that he is famous for and supposedly trying to give up. The secondary gains experience as the game goes on, but the Longhorns haven't given up any second-half points, testament to Muschamp's ability to make adjustments. And for those adjustments to work. Take note, Gene Chizik.
Muck? Yeah, he doesn't suck. Far from it, in fact. A linebacker making 14 tackles for the Longhorns? Ridiculous, huh? That'll warm the heart of Longhorns fans. Muck's teammates in the secondary, as well. "You don't know how happy that makes me," says Ryan Palmer. You don't know how happy that makes me, Ryan. UTEP makes three of five games that Muckelroy has 10 or more tackles. As the Statesman notes (yay for good stats!), since Derrick Johnson left, linebackers only have 10 games of 10 or more tackles. Collectively. As in, besides recent performances by Muck, when added together, the total tackles by the linebackers have only reached double digits seven times. Since 2004. Pathetic.
0 recs | 32 comments
pay attention, Muschamp is on to something
Muschamp’s Auburn defenses gave up more rushing yards that Texas’s during the same span, yet they gave up less passing yards and substantially fewer points. In addtion, they had the major hallmark of the “bend but don’t break” philosophy — don’t give up big chunks of yardage. Muschamp isn’t trying to keep teams from racking up yards slowly — he’s in the business of keeping teams out of the endzone entirely. What that means is that he’s going to decide how HE wants YOU to operate, and force you to do it.
The further we move beyond ’05, the more we realize just how unbelieavably talented and deep that defense was. Aside from just under a cummulative 60 minutes span of football — the 1st half against Oklahoma State, and the 2nd half up until the 4th and 2 vs USC — that defense imposed its will on both passing and rushing offenses alike.
Most teams (including us) don’t have the good fortune we had in 2005 — defense inevitably have weaknesses. This is where Muschamp’s track record of scheming to take away what the offense wants to do comes in. While the true tests will come later this year, as long as the players continue to give maximum effort, Muschamp will keep us in the game — which is all we can ask for.
BMG - September 11, 2008
Did you read my chapter in the Eyes of Texas?
While it’s true that Muschamp’s defenses at Auburn and LSU varied in their abilities to stop the run vs. the pass but nevertheless always had good total defense and scoring defense numbers (supporting your theory of him scheming to take one thing away from an offense), if you look at his numbers compared to other SEC teams in those years, they’re nothing spectacular save for the 2003 LSU defense (the national championship team). Other SEC teams (which are subject to the “SEC offenses suck!” inflation (to the extent it exists) to the same degree as every other SEC team) are the proper comparison for determining the quality of those defenses, not Texas.
But you’re right that Muschamp has a history of taking over a defense and allowing more rushing yards the next year and fewer passing yards. Given Texas’ statistics in these categories last year, the same trend is almost assured.
billyzane - September 11, 2008
Its worth noting that the SEC, especially prior to Urban Meyer’s arrival, is much, much more run-heavy than either the Big 12 in general or (especially) the two teams we’ve played so far this season. Of course Auburn is going to give up more rushing yards and fewer passing yards – most of the teams they play average half as many pass attempts and twice as many run attempts as the teams Texas plays.
hodad - September 11, 2008
Agreed...
But why add this qulaifier:
If anything I think Meyer runs the ball more than his predecessors.
Not really the discussion at hand, but Im’ just being picky….
TheJeezus - September 11, 2008
Muschamps Scoring D
Pre Muschamp
2000 – LSU is ranked 32nd – 6th in the SEC
With Will
2001 – LSU is ranked 39th – 6th in the SEC
2002 – LSU is ranked 15th – 5th in the SEC
2003 – LSU is ranked 1st – 1st in the SEC
2004 – LSU is ranked 14th – 4th in the SEC
Pre Muschamp:
2004 – Auburn is ranked 1st – 1st in SEC
2005 – Auburn is ranked 6th – 3rd in SEC
With Will
2006 – Auburn is ranked 7th – 3rd in SEC
2007 – Auburn is ranked 6th – 1st in SEC
Pre Muschamp:
2006 – UT is ranked 26th – 3rd in Big 12
2007 – UT is ranked 45th – 4th in Big 12
With Will?
BoddickerIsClutch - September 11, 2008
just for the record, Muschamp was LB coach of the 2001 LSU team, not DC.
billyzane - September 11, 2008
That kills his outlier! ^nt^whills
BoddickerIsClutch - September 11, 2008
The Mad Dog
issue is certainly frustrating. We don’t need guys pulling VW’s out of the mud. We need them blowing past blocks, flying to the ball, recovering quckly from mistakes. The question is: will it ever change? I don’t see how it can as long as he is running the S&C program. He’s done fine at building strength and has improved at conditioning, but there’s no question the overall team speed suffers as a result of his methods. Sadly, I don’t think he’s going anywhere anytime soon.
God, the 1991 Cotton Bowl is a perfect case in point. We probably could have arm-wrestled those guys into the dirt, but they embarassed us at football.
zamm - September 11, 2008
I think we can add Aaron Harris to the list. A player that got too slow as he developed...
the1austin - September 11, 2008
which is probably what Mack wants...
Mack is all about execution, and stronger body keeps the players on the field.
I always thought Mad Dog did a good job with Texas players, but I think the majority of the problems lies within his method on S&C of DE’s and LB’s. College football no longer requires super strong/athletic DE’s, instead they need fast, hybrid type DE/LB in 3-4 Defense of NFL. (i.e. Florida’s DE’s and LSU’s DE’s in past 2 national championship games).
I can’t recall the last time a Texas LB or DE got drafted to play DE/LB hybrid spot
But I don’t think Mad Dog’s methods has affected DB’s or the performances of DT’s
hookemkp - September 11, 2008
Well, to explain a bit
on the 2005 defense — they were SUPERLATIVE in the secondary, good to very good up front and average at linebacker. But major factors in the defense’s success were (1) lots of rest while the offense scored; (2) good field position when they went on defense because of the offense’s ball movement; (3) positive momentum generated by the ever-mounting points total run up by the offense.
In other words, an overwhelming offense (50 points a game) made the defense’s job a lot easier. And that defense had two MAJOR moments: digging in repeatedly to hold Ohio State to six FG tries when TDs would have made the comeback impossible, and fourth-and-two near midfield against USC.
edsp - September 11, 2008
3rd down against USC
listened to the entire radio broadcast of that game this summer while on a long car ride. According to Craig way, Aaron Ross is the one that put his helmet on the ball and caused the White fumble that made the next down 4th and 2 instead of 4th and less than 1. For some reason I had never realized that.
If that is correct, that was 2 times during this career he caused a fumble at the end of a game that directly led to UT pulling out a win. The other of course being causing the fumble against Nebraska in 06 after they had picked up the first down yardage.
Horncasting - September 11, 2008
True on Ross and White . . .
Believe he fumbled but Trojans recovered. Another key play was second down and short, when the SC fullback muffed a short pass (slightly underthrown) that might have resulted in a first down.
edsp - September 11, 2008
Correct on Ross causing fumble
it popped directly into WR Steve Smith’s hands, miraculously, but it cost USC about a yard and a half. It was LenDale’s first fumble of the year, I think.
and edsp, that blown screen pass from Leinart to the FB was the most important play of the game that no one talks about, though i’m pretty sure it was Leinart’s fault for throwing it short more than the FB’s fault. If that’s complete, they may get a first down on that play or at least have 3rd and short instead of 3rd and 6 or whatever it was.
billyzane - September 11, 2008
UT Merchandise....far from home
While in Guam last year for an engineering project, there where more Longhorn decals on cars in the Navy parking lot than Support Your Troops stickers. Walking around “town” or in the villages wearing my gameday shirt, I got more “Hook’em Horns” thrown my way than in Dallas. We are everywhere.
TEXAS_FIGHT07 - September 11, 2008
VY speaks...finally Link provided.
Of interest is Vince speaking for himself, at long last. I’ve heard some real ominous things recently regarding Vince’s status in locker rooms across the NFL. So I wonder if too much damage has already been done… Then again, if he can get his head on straight and go back to winning, me thinks people will forget about this whole ugly mess. Here’s the link:
“Now I am OK”
4th and 5 - September 11, 2008
Ran into some Horns (and some Aggies, actually) in tiny Woodstock, Vermont this past summer.
andy_wooster - September 11, 2008
first post-student perspective
Hey guys, I’ve been reading this blog for awhile now – just thought I’d throw in some of my own observations.
Obviously this whole Ike non-sense completely sucks, but as fas as I’ve seen, most students aren’t really too upset by it. I think everyone understands that the game wasn’t cancelled due to unsafe playing conditions, but rather that the game would just be inappropriate given the circumstances.
As for Vince Young, I’ve actually gotten some mixed reviews…
The Man-up Young Approach – Believe it or not, most of the students here weren’t here during the Amazing ‘05 season. Moreover, I hate to say it, but some UT students simply don’t appreciate the God of a man that was ( and hopefully will continue to be) Vince Young. So these poor people are being a little hostile towards VY, citing the relatively failure free years of his latter college football career and thinking that he might not be able to cut the mustard
The VY or Die Approach – This is probably still the more common view. Most of the students I’ve talked to are either a) completely confident in VY’s ability to rebound or b) simply deny the existence of any problem whatsoever.
liveUT - September 11, 2008
i think i'm the latter...nt whills
vy til i die - September 11, 2008
Ike
It strikes me that the game was canceled, in part, to keep the City from being overwhelmed by the influx of evacuees. The big game fills the streets hotels and puts an extra burden on city services. Add 50,000 evacuees and you have chaos.
Caradoc - September 11, 2008
sorry guys
Looks like when it got published the links didn’t show up in the first section about Vince. Got those back in there.
About Vincent, I think there is a middle ground. IT does a podcast every week that I like to listen to and they discuss the situation with Vince for the last fifteen minutes or so. I was at UT for all of Vince Young’s career and I don’t think Texas fans are generally homers, or at least the ones that I know. But with Vince it’s different. If ever a Texas fan wears a homer hat, it’s with Vince Young. That’s not to demean any of his extraordinary accomplishments. I still get goosebumps when I see video of the Rose Bowl or Vince standing in the confetti. I don’t think of myself as extreme is saying that this is a defining point in Vince’s career. He had the skills to be one of the best college quarterbacks ever. Is he going to make those skills translate? I think Ross Lucksinger finds the middle ground well in his discussion on the podcast and I would certainly align myself with that centrist view
Wescott Eberts (GoBR) - September 12, 2008
Crazy
People copmplain about Greg Davis and Mack Brown, now people are complaining about Mad Dog?! Some of the people on here remind me of a crazy wife that insists they love their husband, but complain and b*t*h about everything they do. Where is the love and support folks?!
Longhorns84 - September 12, 2008
i think..
..people see the obvious development that can be attributed to the basketball strength and conditioning coach Todd Wright (ie Pittman). When the player development is obvious like in the basketball team, they wonder why some football players aren’t getting quicker and developing as football players
vy til i die - September 12, 2008
Yeah, but they can dunk a VW. nt
whills - September 12, 2008
I, for one
Am completely behind everything Mad Dog does, has done, and will do in the future. At all points in time I think any and all of his actions or policies have been, are, and will be in the best interest of this team and University.
(The last thing on Earth I want is Mad Dog coming after me for criticizing him. The rest of you enjoy sleeping with one eye open, jerking awake in a cold sweat to every howl you hear off in the distance…)
BoddickerIsClutch - September 12, 2008
On the VY situation
Vince should have behaved more appropriately on the sideline, but the media has totally blown this out of proportion. No thanks to his mother, who unwisely opened her mouth and started saying stuff that even she wasn’t sure about. Everyone made it sound like he left to go do something stupid like kill himself or rob somebody, which freaked everyone out. He was at a friend’s place eating chicken wings and watching football. Indeed, a bad sign.
He didn’t do himself any favors by acting the way he did, but it was pretty ridiculous how far people took this.
TheElusiveShadow - September 12, 2008
Haters
Don’t forget that there are a lot of people who are hoping for Young to fail. These are the guys who crowned USC as the ‘best team ever’ and who blasted the Titans for drafting him. Not many NFL players (outside NY, of course) have to go through crap like that.
Also, unless I missed something in highschool, this is the first time VY has had to sit due to injury. He may feel his body has betrayed him and has lost his sense of invulnerability — good causes for some soul searching.
Caradoc - September 12, 2008
Root Causes of VY Behavior Critical
VY has certainly put himself under the magnifying glass and there will be only more pressure to come. I am praying that VY has surrounded with people that care about the person more than the football player, and judging his relationship with Mack – it looks as if he has.
If the root cause of this situation is frustration, immaturity, then certainly some of the “Golden-like” comments are valid. But there can also be some very serious root causes that manifest in similiar symptoms that require specialized care.
realmccoy - September 12, 2008
Mad Dog is the Rudy Jaramillo of Austin
No matter what he does, his legend is bigger (albeit not literally) than he is…so he’s not going anywhere until he decides to retire.
TheJeezus - September 12, 2008
Keeping it Real on Muschamp
I like Will, but giving him credit for half time adjustments against the level of competition is absolutely absurd. Believe your eyes:
1. UT pass defense looks even worse than last year.
2. If these problems do not get corrected, Mizzou and OU will drop 40 + on us. And that is after we adjust to the 31 points in the first half.
Now I trust Muschamp to get the most out of that talent – but they are green – and it shows.
realmccoy - September 12, 2008
I disagree with everything you said
Except the last sentence.
They are green and improving, they dont look worse than last year, I doubt either Mizzou or OU will score 31 in a half on us, even if they played us tomorrow, and why is it absurd to notice a stark improvement after halftime adjustments, irregardless of opponent?
BoddickerIsClutch - September 12, 2008
Absurd?
Why? Both times the adjustments made sense and both times they worked. Looking strictly at the adjustments and performances in the second half you really couldn’t ask for more.
Horncasting - September 12, 2008
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