Spring 2022 practice reports

The obvious question is when?? Blalock, Scott, Neil, Davis, none were all world their freshman year.

 

I think we have a chance to be very good in 2023 and perhaps dominant in 24. I just hope we’re improved this year. I think we should be.

 

Fall 2022: year 2 of Sark era.

He got the #5 ranked class for 2022, IIRC. He made very positive coaching & consulting adds off season.
Second spring & fall camp for the players in the system - will be much familiar for players. The coaches already have a pretty good idea what most players, except the incoming freshmen, can do, etc. All very positive.

Come fall, I just cannot imagine a scenario losing 6 in a row, losing to KU, and finishing 5-7.... again.

 

Our football program sucks. Look at the other sports:

• Indoor Track: #1 men, #2 women
• Outdoor Track: Likely #1 for men and women
• Swimming: #2 men and women
• W bball: ranked #6, playing today for Final 4
• M bball: won NCAA tournament game (finally!)
• W volleyball: Elite 8 finish
• Golf and tennis: both men and women teams are ranked, some highly
• Softball and baseball: both teams ranked
• Women Soccer: made the NCAA tournament

Our football program is behind women soccer (!), which previously was the embarrassment of the athletic department.

 

Okay, Captain Obvious.
I would say our football program HAS sucked.
We get a new shot at not sucking every spring and on into the next season.
While I have learned to temper my expectations, I am feeling good about the direction of the program.
I like everything about Sark except his win/loss record so far.
He gets a pass for year one in my book.
But this season MUST be better than the last.
I would like to see at least 8 wins. Maybe I could live with 7 but it would be disappointing.
Now 2023 should be back on track for Conference Championship style football. (unless we are in the SEC perhaps and maybe even then)
Sark can obviously recruit.
We will find out if he can coach over the next couple of years.

 

The football program is the embarrassment of the athletics department. Let that sink in. If women soccer can turn it around, maybe Sark can too (halfway joking).

 

Don’t forget our Quidditch team! A powerhouse every year and National Champs 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2019 bay-bee!!!

 

And women rowing. Defending national champs.

 

Our program sucks until our record proves it no longer does. With that said, I agree with the remainder of your post.

 

Don't think TE plays a big role in Sark's philosophy except to block.

 

I think you're mistaken.

Cade Brewer says tight ends 'do it all' in Steve Sarkisian's offense

 

Handler is VERY mistaken.

 

Maybe but Brewer's 184 yards receiving and Wiley's 67 yards and transfer says "Hello".... He values blocking TE's more than a receiving threat TE, if Sanders can't be consistent on blocking, he's not going to be out there catching passes.

Billingsley had 287 yards in 2020 with Bama on 18 catches to lead Tight ends for Sarks' last year. (1.4 catches per game)

 

Went back to check how Sark has used TE's.

2009: Kavario Middleton - 26-257-3
2010: no full time TE with more than 4 catches
2011: ASJ - 41-538-6 (!!!)
2012: ASJ - 69-852-7 (!!!)
2013: ASJ - 36-450-8 (injured part of the season)
2014: Randall Telfer - 21-197-2 (but very WR heavy with Agholor and JuJu)
2015: He got fired 5 games in but no TE had more than 15 catches for the whole season.
2017 NFL: Austin Hooper 49-526-3 (and Toilolo was a good blocker)
2018 NFL: Austin Hooper 71-660-4 (Pro Bowl)
2019: Forristall, Tennison, and Billingsley combine for 20-204-5
2020: Forristall and Billingsley combine for 41-540-4 (much better with Mac Jones than Tua)

So, I'd put it on par with basically any other coach who had ASJ. I don't think he necessarily excelled at using the position, but he never really needed to with some of the other talent that he had on those teams. Especially RB at UW and WR at USC.

It's a tad concerning that he went from semi-decent production in his first year at UW to nonexistent TE production in 2010. And while I think Billingsley and Sanders are good... they're not ASJ or Austin Hooper.

I do, however, like that Bama went from rarely using TEs (like us in 2021) to having them play a bigger role with a pocket passer at QB. And that was with a Heisman winning WR and a bunch of other speedsters.

 

You forgot to mention quite a few players exiting who were steeped in the ..seemingly... toxic culture that had taken root. I believe there is a very good chance for new and better leaders/voices to emerge and this factor, when combined with those things you noted, will provide measurable improvement and probable stabilizing of program.
Those seeking or expecting us to quickly jump to some sort of dominate position do not fully understand the state of the program. It is my hope we can A) Set high and lofty goals and get buy in B) Stop regressing and stabilize
C) Alter the culture and narratives around the program for the better D) Establish a real, tough-minded, blue collar, true football mentality and culture E) win more games including not losing to schools we shouldnt and more consistently beating a "tough" opponent and F) then grow from there to sights set in "A".

 

Excellent point.

 

And this is just the sort of thing that rears it's head in key moments in key games.
When the going gets tough, disunity will be exposed. See last couple years...

 

HornFans reminds me of marriage.
I make one off hand remark regarding a movie or restaurant that that is contradicted by a large volume of Googled facts.

 

^^^
Ya know, the jury is out on the future success of Sark at UT.

But IMHO his press conferences are very football analytical, insightful and informative, for all of us that are interested.

Plus there is no arrogance, condescension or obnoxiousness in responding to questions.... a refreshing change from the last guy.

 

Given the interest that recruits are paying to us, I think the jury will be making a decision soon at least regarding recruiting.

 

Yep.
No matter how stupid the question he answers in detail.
I've yet to see him talk down to anyone.
Now, if that win/loss record can just get heavier on the win side.

 

Wed. Dallas Morning News article - Chuck Carlton: "Transfer WR Impresses". Follow up to presser.

Sark sees big things for Isiaiah Neyor - Wyoming transfer (Arlington Lamar product). Caught 44 passes while averaging nearly 20 yards per catch and 12 TD's in 2021.

He is 6-3, 218 lbs. - Sark stated he is a big physical guy and has benefited from the off-season conditioning program. "He's probably got a little more speed than I gave him credit for when we got him. He's a competitive guy and a fast learner. Very impressed with him."

Also in the article:

QB Maalik Murphy has shed his walking boot but is not "expected back anytime soon."

OL: 1 freshman OL is enrolled and participating in spring drills. Sark is excited that 6 OL will join in summer workouts and eventually fall camp. "When you have depth up front and can build up-on it, that's when you start to give yourself a chance."

 

When Mr Naylor takes his speed & vertical to All American status and high draft pick, the loyal members of HornFans need to host a "Thank You Party" for a poster of this site.

 

Thanks for remembering Sabre, but you don't need to do that.

 

Was the identity of this poster the secret you were going to share at the Feb. tailgate?

 

No, if he wants it revealed, he will be the one to do it. I was impressed that Sark was in the kid's home in a matter of a couple of days (2 IIRC) from receiving the phone call about him

 

Its nice of Sark not to be arrogant but its hard to be anything affable when you suck at your job. And he sucked at his job, objectively, in every measurable way, last year. Except for recruiting. If Herman was smarter he would have been nicer, but then we might still be stuck with him.

I hope Sark figures some things out but I refuse to get hyped up over any practice reports.

Yours,
Contrary Mary

 

I didn't know practice reports were meant to hype us up. I thought they were just a daily connection to the team that helps pass the time until next Fall.

 

Who was the injured player they asked about?
Ah I see the answer was Maalick