Ex-Longhorn Pat Culpepper shared his observations of the Spring Game: 1. The Longhorns spread offense certainly speeds up their play and the sideline signals were much faster and without hesitation. 2. QB Coach Shawn Watson needs to stay on the sidelines during games to keep his QB’s focused and communicate with his co-offensive coordinator Joe Wickline. 3. Jerrod Heard will give Texas the best chance to win with its change in offense. He is quick and scored on a run against the 1st team Texas defense. He has a strong enough arm and is a proven winner with confidence. Swoopes will be a good backup. 4. Wide Receivers Dorian Leonard, a redshirt freshman from Longview and Lorenzo Joe from Abilene will be good ones next season. 5. The Longhorn offensive line might still be a year away but they are already better than the group that played in 2014. Tackles need a little help. 6. Vance Bedford and the defensive staff are on track to have another fast and aggressive Texas defense. 7. Perhaps true freshman Malik Jefferson might not know all the defensive college secrets yet, but he can make plays in a hurry. 8. Johnathan Grey has a chance to have an outstanding year if Heard is the quarterback because of the threat of Heard pulling out the football. The key is the leadership among the Longhorn players this summer and what better motivation than playing Notre Dame on NBC Primetime at night in the season’s first game. Hook’Em, Pat
I didn't see the game, and I've not had time to catch it on LHN, but if Pat Culpepper says it, I'll believe it.
I respect what he is saying, but I just do not see this point. I thought they were communicating with the headphones. What visual aids needs to be communicated between the two coaches in person? Wickline just can call or suggest what play{s} would work in the running or pass blocking game. If Watson loses the up-top view of the passing game, i.e., the coverage schemes and how well the QB is picking out his receivers, I doubt seriously whether he can see the play deficiencies and coverage weaknesses necessary to call what pass plays might work. Someone in the press box would have to communicate that down to Watson if he is on the sideline. I can see how Watson could better focus and motivate the playing QB. But it seems like the game QB is always on the headphones all the time and talking to someone who is telling the QB what he sees from above. That needs to be Watson. Leave it up to Charlie to give the QB the right kick in the pants if he needs to be visually motivated. To me, Watson needs to see how the QB is performing from the top view in order to communicate the right things to the playing QB.
I have admired Pat Culpepper since he was tough as nails playing linebacker in the 1960's. Good points noted.
I always like reading his thoughts. He's never been one to pump sunshine while at the same time not just being negative. Kinda calls it like it is.
