Burnt Orange Nation article. The quarterback competition for the Texas Longhorns is heating up as the temperature creeps up into the 80s in Austin, as head coach Charlie Strong said Wednesday during a media availability that redshirt freshman Jerrod Heard has "closed the gap" on junior Tyrone Swoopes.
This is good news - feedback that many of us have been seeking from CS about Heard. But I suspect most of us don't really know how much to read into this or not read into this statement. So is the gap fully closed? Are Heard and Swoopes "even" now? Or is this just some positive coach speak based on some measurable improvement? Guess we will have a better idea after Saturday.
^^^^yep! Got set to record the game, will watch live and then 2-3 times again in slow-mo. Lot of areas to watch for improvement particularly QB and OL play.
It all depends on how wide the gap was in the first place and how far he's "closed" it. For example: Was the "gap" from Austin to Dallas and Heard has made it to Waco? Or just to Round Rock? Or was the gap a much shorter distance and Heard didn't have a long way to go? Again, we'll see Saturday.
I don't want to piss on anyones parade, but if I'm Strong, and the Spring Game is in a few days, I'm going to say that my #1 and #2 QBs are neck and neck. It makes the #1 feel the pressure, and it makes the #2 feel the opportunity at hand. Maybe #1 can't handle the pressure, or maybe, he does handle the pressure, and that is seen as a sign of maturity. Maybe #2 can't handle the weight of needing to make a great Spring Game showing, or maybe, he seizes the opportunity and tears it up. Any of these outcomes give the coaches valuable insight. If he said TS was miles ahead of JH and it wasn't even close, or vice versa, no one is motivated. Coach speak. JMHO.
Duck, I don't think your pissing on anyone's parade here. You make a great point and this is what many of us suspect. That this statement may be more coach speak than reality. There will be a large jury on Saturday to decide on Heard vs. Swoopes.
Wasn't so painful in his 5 wins, or really in 2 losses (UCLA and OU). With Ash's win in the opener, that is 6-2. That leaves Baylor, KSU, TCU, Ark, and BYU. Yes, those were painful, but 3 of those teams have top-notch defenses. Improvement in QB and OL gets you 9 wins. If Swoopes beats out Heard, he must be doing something right.
If Heard can't beat out a clueless Swoopes, it will be another multiple-loss season with little chance to win the Big 12. Keep Swoopes on the bench, unless he competes for another position.
