Spring Practice

Discussion in 'On The Field' started by NRHorn, Mar 11, 2019.

  1. dukesteer

    dukesteer 5,000+ Posts

    Better move it to the West Mall! (I love the anology!!!)
     
  2. Creek

    Creek 1,000+ Posts

    As I recall we only play 2 LB in our standard set.
     
  3. Chop

    Chop 10,000+ Posts

    Some of this gets into semantics and definitions. My intent is not to get into a pissing match over definitions and semantics (what a waste of time), but here's how I see it.

    I'd consider our 'Rover' a LB more than a DB. Also, against non-spread teams, especially those with a powerful running attack like LSU, we probably won't stick in a nickel too much, but rather run a 'true' 3-4 defense (unless that nickel back is Foster or Overshown and plays up closer to the line--like a LB). Maybe we're at a place with some hybrid OLB/DB position(s) that defy conventional definitions.

    So whatever definitions you apply, with only 3 DL, we need 3-4 guys close behind the defensive front who are fast enough to cover RBs and TEs and strong/tough enough to take on OL and tackle sure and hard. Historically, such players would generally be called 'linebackers.' But the world keeps on changing I suppose...
     
    Last edited: Apr 10, 2019
  4. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts



     
    • Like Like x 4
  5. Chop

    Chop 10,000+ Posts

    Sounds good all around!

    IMHO: Wilbon=tested, battle-hardened, pretty good, gets the job done; Coburn=young, not very experienced, but with a much higher ceiling/upside (future all-conference or even all-American with further development and barring injuries).
     
  6. Creek

    Creek 1,000+ Posts

    I think it's much easier to find a 2 or 3 gap LB, than a effective DB. I'm not worried about LB. I'm excited about playing LSU, as they are conventional, and simplistic, and we can get into the same scheme we did for Georgia.
    In the Big 12 we'll play a ton of what is called our Lightning Dime, which I believe is 2 LB's.
     
  7. Chop

    Chop 10,000+ Posts

    Yeah, we'll probably use a dime package a lot in the pass-happy Big 12 conference play--although the conference is changing and we're likely to face some more balanced attacks. If some of our bigger/stronger safeties (i.e. Foster and Overshown) play closer to the line and function a lot like linebackers, I couldn't care less what we call their positions.

    Your comments have merit, but I (for one) still worry about our LB depth ...
     
    • Like Like x 1
  8. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts

    Projected defense chart by the Daily Texan guy
    ILB looks pretty light now -- are spin down safeties the answer?
    click it once to make it more legible
    [​IMG]
     
    • Like Like x 1
  9. Chop

    Chop 10,000+ Posts

    That shows 3 "true" linebackers starting--Ossai, Adeoye, and McCulloch. Also B.J. Foster hits harder than any of them despite being the "Nickel Cornerback"; he could play a quasi-LB type role as needed.

    I like our starting LBs (Ossai, Adeoye, and McCulloch), but with Floyd out, according to this chart, our 2nd team LBs are Byron Vaughns, Cort Jaquess, and Caleb Johnson.

    Caleb Johnson = excellent JC player, can he transition to this level?
    Byron Vaughns = very good talent, but no game experience on this level.
    Cort Jaquess = ?????????????????? *

    So, count me as still concerned with our LB depth.



    *If this chart is accurate (big "if"), then if Cort Jaquess goes down, we might get to see another Brockermeyer on the field.
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2019
  10. Chop

    Chop 10,000+ Posts

    Considering the starters only (putting depth aside), Boyce is my biggest concern.
     
  11. Austin_Bill

    Austin_Bill 2,500+ Posts

    I am also concerned about Linebacker depth, it's probably the most concerning situation we have on the field. It's also the easiest group to mask.

    We have good depth on the dline with some very athletic guys up there. Bimage can spin down to the Mac spot if needed. We also have DeMarvion Overshown who is going to out grow safety and would be a monster B-LB or Rover.

    Breaking my cardinal rule, we also have Bru McCoy that can contribute plays.

    In all, yes depth is an issue, but I think we will be okay.

    As far as Corner goes, face it, we are going to have growing pains. It happens with all positions that are manned by young guys, but I don't worry about our DBs, we have two of the best secondary coaches in the game there to teach these young guys and bring out the best. Plus we have the best group of safeties in college football to erase mistakes the corners make.
     
  12. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts

    [​IMG]
     
    • Like Like x 7
  13. dukesteer

    dukesteer 5,000+ Posts

    It might be the angle but the size difference is striking.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  14. Dionysus

    Dionysus Idoit Admin

    Sam has really bulked up
     
  15. Omniscient.one

    Omniscient.one 500+ Posts

    The only game Boyce MAY start would be the opener, i.e. he’ll get exposed real quick, even by LaTech. He must be a “practice all-star” as we used to call it; plays amazing in practice and then wilts under the real game pressure.

    Lord save us if either Boyce or Thompson see substantial PT. I’d almost rather play with 10 on the field.

    **If either player is reading this:

     
  16. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts

    Offense chart from Daily Texan

    [​IMG]
     
  17. moondog_LFZ

    moondog_LFZ 5,000+ Posts

    Why would a fall enrollee be penciled in as starter at left guard?
     
  18. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts

    Would be a shocker if he isnt the Game 1 starter
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
  19. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts

    Some TFB commentary on a few of the less talked about players

    LB Marcus Tillman – Tillman was one of the lower rated recruits in the class and comes to UT from Orlando, Florida without much fanfare. Tillman isn’t tall, but his entire body looks like a muscle and is one of the fastest LBs on the roster as a converted High School Safety. I expect to see #13 a lot on Special Teams this season, but it will be very interesting to see what he looks like going against the first-team offense.

    RB Kirk Johnson – Longhorn fans have not seen Kirk Johnson carry a football since the 2015 season. The play that sticks in everyone’s mind was his 32-yard burst against Texas Tech where he showed a gear and acceleration that has been sorely lacking in the Texas backfield for quite some time. Johnson appeared in 10 games last season, all on Special Teams. Johnson, by all accounts, is a quality individual and every person involved with the program is rooting for a triumphant return. He has been a full participant (before a minor injury last week) and made some splash plays this spring. There is tempered optimism that this can be the season that he finally makes it back full-time. I can’t wait to see him in action on Saturday.

    DE/LB Byron Vaughns – Vaughns is still a pup and everyone knew that his development and learning curve would be steep with him coming from Fort Worth ISD. If the official school roster is to be believed, Vaughns is up to 240 lbs. That is an exciting development considering that he was athletic enough to run near sub-50 seconds in the 400m dash in high school. All of the tools are there, I’m excited to see how he is progressing this weekend as #50 gets some reps against the first-team offense.

    DE Jacoby Jones – Jones was one of the top-rated JUCO Defensive Linemen in the nation for 2019 class that was a late flip from Oklahoma to Texas. Because they are on borrowed time, JUCO players don’t choose schools where they don’t feel like they can make an immediate impact. Jones has drawn praise this spring as a guy that will for sure be in the rotation when the fall season arrives. Texas hit a home-run with Gary Johnson two years ago from the JUCO ranks, if they can hit on Jones this year, it could provide a big boost to the defense. Jones will get a ton of action of Saturday and I’m going to be watching him closely.

    Open Post | Weekend, April 12th - 14th - The Football Brainiacs - UT Edition
     
  20. Sangre Naranjada

    Sangre Naranjada 10,000+ Posts

    Prudhomme should starts.
     
  21. Chop

    Chop 10,000+ Posts

    Because he was easily the best OL at Georgia Tech last year and will likely easily be our best OL this year.
     
  22. Chop

    Chop 10,000+ Posts

    I'd put either Angilau or Imade over to RG to either start or be the first back up. I don't want to be too hard on any of our guys, but I don't see how Urquidez stays ahead of either Angilau or Imade.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  23. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts

    My hope was Okafor who is supposed to be a better OG than RT
    But we need another RT to step up first
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  24. Chop

    Chop 10,000+ Posts

    Nice underhanded dig at the Fort Worth ISD there. Made me chuckle.
     
  25. Chop

    Chop 10,000+ Posts

    Yeah. Meanwhile, if we're still relying on Urquidez, we're not where we want to be...
     
  26. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts

    If we are, its probably not a good sign
    And in recent years past, he might have been the guy.
    But not anymore. We have nice depth now, and its well on its way to getting even better the next couple years.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  27. Sangre Naranjada

    Sangre Naranjada 10,000+ Posts

    My humble and mostly unschooled opinion is that Urquidez is "nice depth" to have. As Joe noted, maybe not so nice if he's the bell cow of your O line.
     
  28. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts


     
    • Like Like x 2
  29. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    • Hot Hot x 1
  30. Austin_Bill

    Austin_Bill 2,500+ Posts

    He is a guy that is supposed to still be in high school...

    Imagine what he is going to look like in another 3 years. Enjoy him while it lasts, he isn't going to be around past his junior year.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2

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