The only good news today was that David Ash seems to be officially all cleared to play next year. The endless comments on this board like "he is done. thank you. move on" had made me believe that all of you knew something that I didn't know. Apparently not. We all knew nothing and the docs simply took time to clear him, I guess. Frankly, Ash is a pretty damn good QB. His being around for the next 2 years (God forbid any further concussion) is really good news. He should only flourish under a new OC, though I am quite unsure if he would have got anywhere with Major.
I'm not sure why anyone is excited that Ash is coming back. He may be better than Case, but he isn't good. He certainly doesn't inspire his team to win games.
Ash is our best hope of having a decent season next year. He has the size, the speed, and the arm to be a good college qb, he just hasn't put it together yet and he has trouble staying staying healthy.
Sorry, folks, but I really don't think David will be the answer either. It took him almost two full quarters to get the team moving against lowly New Mexico State. Didn't do much better against BYU, but I blame some of that on the coaches. IMHO...I think Jerrod Heard will be are best hope. I would not be afraid to start a true freshman with the talent the Horns have coming back. I have seen too many other teams start true freshmen and have success...so why not TEXAS!!!!
Agree on Ash being a promising option. This team really ran the ball well this year most of the time- imagine if there was ANY threat of a passing attack to go along with that? Ash provides that, along with the run/pass dual threat.
I think David is (potentially) a very good college QB. I hope he's fully recovered and I look forward to seeing him play again as soon as safety allows. I can see the argument that it might be wiser to build for the future by playing a younger QB next season. It could cost us a few wins but it could be the path to greater (long term) success. On the other hand, if we want to win 9+ games next season, Ash (if healthy) is our best option.
David is good ........but we need better than good at Texas where we should be able to get better than good
I think that some of us might be missing the point regarding Ash. Whether he can be great, competitive or serviceable may be less significant than the fact that a healthy Ash completely changes the dynamics of our QB position. With Ash healthy, Swoopes developing and Heard coming in, we would go from being vulnerable to, perhaps, solid if not loaded at the position. A healthy Ash could be a game changer and a HUGE blessing for our next coach.
If we had a qb with an arm to make credible downfield passes we beat Baylor and Oregon. I watched Ash v. Oregon State on LHN the other day and wanted to weep for his loss to us this season. Case is a gutty and enthusiastic kid but has a Division II arm.
Brown got his yards last night with the defense knowing that there was no threat over the top. Even if you think Ash is very average, that's all it would have taken to open things up. A few deep completions and the game would have looked a lot different. Also, I am always dubious of the "savior quarterback." There is always an underprepared freshman or a kid coming in who is going to change everything. It does happen sometimes, but it is the exception. A player with a big arm who has seen the speed of real games should be the one who has to get beat out of a job. And if someone can do it, amen.
Ash has had time to show what he can do---and it didn't cut it...perhaps he could be second or third string backup at Texas
There is reason for hope...much (!) next year on the O side of the ball. If Ash is healthy our options and depth increases dramatically. Think about this: QB: Ash - Experienced with a strong arm. Basically, if Ash is healthy and plays, we may have a junior that had the rare luxury of benefitting from his redshirt year in year three, not year one. Swoopes - Evolving. I see a considerable upside. We'll see but, the kid is big, very strong and he has a rifle arm. I really like his chances. Heard - Highly touted. Of course, we really don't know. But then again, no incoming QB is a sure thing, or a sure flop. With the right coaching, I am very optimistic. RB: (OMG!) Gray - Due for a breakout, dominating, Heisman-type year. No doubt Gray will come back in 2014 more driven than ever. Brown - Getting stronger every year. Talk about a one, two punch! Bergeron - The skill set is there. The kid shows flashes of brilliance. Overstreet Playmakers: Johnson* - The talent is unquestionable. Overstreet* * with contingencies Receivers: (Strong) Shipley - The sure thing. Sanders - Speed and hands. Johnson - Love this kid. He has the intangibles. OL: Here I need to reserve judgment but, on balance, I am very optimistic that we will not see a drop off. Does the OL make the QB, RBs and WRs better or is it the other way around? It's both. For that reason, 2014 could be a very good year. Not a bad roster to inherit...
I'm going to sound like a broken record here but I'm sure some of you can relate. Ash is a good person and QB however I think Heard is the one we need. If David does indeed come back then hopefully Heard can red-shirt and learn. Then Heard can take over as a red-shirt FR.
I hope Briles is hired, chooses Ash as the starter pre-season, declares him to be an awesome QB, and tells fans in a presser "Let me do the coaching, you do your job and just sit there and clap"
David Ash can be the answer. But it depends on who we bring in as coach. If Briles is our next coach then Ash will end up being very very good. Briles gets a new QB every year and they don't miss a beat. Ash needs a better offense where he can make things happen. Ash has the tools but a lack of confidence. Briles can give him the mental part of the game.
I think David can be the guy (just like Chance Mock could have, if we had a run game like we had now or the guy behind him wasn't VY), but after what we saw of Case as a full-time starter it is a bit unnerving that 4 or 5 times the past few years David was struggling and Case came in and played better.