Winter Workouts 2017

Discussion in 'On The Field' started by Godz40acres, Jan 17, 2017.

  1. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller


    The new UT Football year/era begins today with the start of Winter Workouts. Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Yancy McKnight, commences his reign of terror on The 40 Acres having followed The Hermanator from the University of Houston.

    McKnight is a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS), a certified strength and conditioning coach (SCCC), and a USA Weightlifting Level I certified coach.

    A native of Joplin, Mo., McKnight was a Division II All-American on the offensive line at Missouri Southern, earning his degree from the school in 2001. He was inducted into the Missouri Southern Athletics Hall of Fame in 2013. [TexasSports]

    [​IMG]

    This thread is dedicated to the memory of Chuck F'n Strong (2014 – 2016).
     
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    Last edited: Jan 17, 2017
  2. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Inside Texas has an article listing the 10 players on the current roster that they think our new coach will deem essential to his immediate success.

    -------

    There’s so many different players currently at UT that it’ll be interesting to see which ones Herman deems most worthy to use as the vanguard for his #TexasTakeover. If he were to draft 10 players from the current roster as the “these guys are essential to my plan,” here’s my stab at guessing which 10 he’d choose first.

    10). Edwin Freeman

    If Todd Orlando sticks with his base 4-0-4 (two 4i-technique DEs and a 0-tech nose) 3-4 defensive front, he’s going to need inside linebackers that can take advantage of being covered up and flow to the football or blitz from different directions with speed. Edwin Freeman is arguably a candidate one for that role and came on so strong at the end of 2016 that he ended up leading the inside linebackers in tackles for loss while adding three sacks and two interceptions to boot.

    If Orlando ends up adjusting his front to get Breckyn Hager and Malcolm Roach on the field together, he’ll need inside linebackers that can fit into different roles across the front and be as adept beating blocks as they are scraping to the edge with speed. Currently Freeman is the furthest along of the Texas LBs in these duties as well.

    Herman’s Houston defense made great use of inside LBs... that were both athletic and versatile. He’s going to find Freeman to be a delightfully athletic upgrade... who’s just starting to figure out how to play confident up in the box.

    9). DeShon Elliott

    There were times down the stretch in which Elliott flashed true brilliance at the safety position. Orlando’s defensive schemes will require that his secondary know what they’re doing in a few different coverages and will still require that the safety spots are stocked by guys that can quarterback the defense, but they’ll also simplify things a bit at a time when Elliott will be naturally starting to grasp the college game at a higher level as a third-year player.

    In particular, Orlando’s scheme at Houston always made great use of safeties that could cover ground and loved to hit, which is exactly who DeShon Elliott is as a player.

    In particular, the field safety needs to be able to credibly cover down on a slot receiver in order to unleash the field blitzes Orlando loves to send as well as cover ground and match vertical routes from deep alignments. Elliott is perfect for this role and is now in position to put it all together.

    8). Malcolm Roach

    This defense is designed to make the most of versatile, violent football players and Malcolm Roach is exactly that. His ability to serve as a credible coverage dropper will probably see him line up at outside linebacker. In fact, his ability to play in the box and grapple with OL combined with the heavy frequency in which Texas will face Air Raid teams may push Orlando to consider downsizing his 3-4 defense to a 2-4-5 nickel package that features Roach as more of a true DE/OLB hybrid.

    Either way, Roach’s versatility and the violence with which he plays the game will ensure that he figures prominently in Herman’s plans for fielding an aggressive defense.

    7). Jerrod Heard

    In 2015, Jerrod Heard ran the ball 111 times for 736 yards at 6.6 yards per carry and his ability to make hay on concepts like “QB counter” was the best feature of the offense. Unfortunately the QB position has some other requirements, like reading defenses and throwing the football, that caused some problems for Heard.

    In 2016, he moved to WR to help complete the Texas offense and present more vertical constraints to free up D’Onta Foreman to run wild.

    Herman’s offensive structure is less rigid in how it chooses to attack defenses and can easily incorporate a player that just needs to get the ball in his hands in space in simple ways. You can expect Heard to get involved on bubble screens, tunnel screens, quick passing concepts, the odd vertical route, and also sweeps. Herman is going to want to force opponents to regularly prove they can tackle Heard before he picks up positive yardage because most teams have not proven they’re up for it.

    6). Devin Duvernay

    Duvernay is probably the best prospect for [a shifty little speedster with good hands] that Texas has ever signed as he combines the “sudden in all directions” attributes of players like Ayers with good hands and long speed that put him in the highest percentile of NFL WRs.

    Just as Herman will look to involve Heard in a few different ways, he’ll do the same with Duvernay who’s even shiftier and more explosive. Between these two, Armanti Foreman, and the lack of great TEs on the roster, Herman may choose to use more four-WR sets to get all of that speed on the field where it can burn opponents.

    5). Breckyn Hager

    Hager is a more obvious fit as an outside linebacker in Orlando’s 3-4 defense then Roach and probably won’t be a down linemen in that front save perhaps for third and long packages. Like Roach, Hager plays the game without restraint and with the sort of violent intentions that can allow a player with less than elite athleticism to punch well above his weight. He’s relentless in his pursuit of the football, and when he’s playing a rush-OLB position that allows him to hang out on the perimeter, he can be a wrecking ball on the edge or a guy who quickly finds his way to the football even when teams are running away from him.

    All that said, he’s a better athlete than he often gets credit for and a very credible pure, pass-rusher. Beyond his willingness to violent crash into blockers, Hager is also pretty capable of winning the edge and turning the corner on people in the pass-rush and he also became an absolute demon down against the run when he learned to aggressively play the zone-read without yielding a soft corner.

    4). Collin Johnson

    The nature of Herman’s “smashmouth spread” is that it creates multiple “running back” positions that regularly get the ball behind the line of scrimmage and then need to be able to turn upfield and gain yardage behind blockers. The outside WR position is generally used as a blocker in those instances, but he has an additional role that can make him foundational to the entire offense.

    At 6-foot-6, 212 with good hands, legit quickness, and a tremendous catch radius, Collin Johnson can’t really be cancelled out with man coverage. If Texas can develop the chemistry between him and the starting QB to have CJ run choice routes outside based on the coverage and alignment of the DB, particularly with concepts like the back shoulder fade, they can force double teams over Johnson that frees up everyone else to wreck shop in the middle of the field.

    3). Malik Jefferson

    In a contest of sheer quickness in the open field, Jefferson has few equals but creating a position where that’s his primary job description has been difficult.

    There are a number of places that Jefferson might end up in Orlando’s defense and hopefully he’ll master the package well enough to serve in a few different spots, but one area where he could be particularly dominant is as the field outside linebacker spot where Orlando used nickel DBs in Houston.

    In the base 3-4 set, this position needed to be able to get his eyes and potentially his hands on the slot, deny a quick pass, but then still be able to arrive to defend the edge against the run. To do this at a level that can thwart the best spread offenses requires a level of acceleration you don’t typically find in a linebacker, but Jefferson has it in spades. If you can regularly blitz Jefferson into opposing backfields without the OL realizing what’s happening you’re going to create some major messes.

    It’s also possible that Herman and Orlando finally get the hate flowing through Malik at such a level that he can embrace the dark side and rule the space between the tackles as a sith lord/inside-backer.

    2). Kris Boyd

    Kris Boyd could help [Texas] achieve the... important goal of locking down at least one Texas sideline against all of the potent, spread offenses in the Big 12. Herman is inheriting several cornerbacks with a lot of promise but Kris Boyd is the best athlete of the bunch and one with enough mental toughness to nail down a major role.

    He still has a ways to go as a corner in terms of technique but he was probably the best on the team playing cover-2 last year and that will be closer to the style that Texas will now employ with new DC, Orlando.

    There’s lots of players on the roster that Orlando will be able to use to get pressure on Big 12 QBs but Boyd could be the glue that allows the pressures and coverages to come together without the defense getting roasted outside with the passing game.

    1). Sam Ehlinger

    I’d say the most likely outcome for 2017 is that Shane Buechele holds down the starting job, but Sam Ehlinger is the ideal QB for Tom Herman’s offense and he’ll get the keys to the car at some point.

    The tone that Ehlinger seems poised to set for Texas is “we’re just as skilled as you but also willing to bash skulls until you quit.”

    Herman wants to threaten the middle of the field with a physical, downhill running game while still featuring the skill to burn teams by accurately throwing the ball to speed on the perimeter. The ultimate way to create this kind of stress is with a QB that’s big and tough enough to run between the tackles and skilled enough to throw outside, which is Ehlinger.

    With these ten players and their extensive remaining eligibility, Herman will look to finally execute the #TexasTakeover that Longhorn coaches have been promising for this whole, lost decade.
     
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  3. Run Pincher

    Run Pincher 2,500+ Posts

    Devin should do great, but Eric Metcalf may take exception to the above. Also, a true freshman at #1 before he has ever played a down of college FB? No one can overhype a player like the Texas fanbase. He may be the next VY, he may be the next GG, but why do these writers have to put so much pressure on a true freshman before they ever play a down?

    Hopefully TH and co will put an end to the ridiculous number of busts we've had the last 6 years, but I's still like to see an underhype, overachieve approach.
     
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  4. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Probably need to tap the brakes a little on Ehlinger. He end his last two HS seasons hurt (and lost considerable time in 2016 with an injury). If he sees the field in 2017, Texas will be staring 5-7 in the face again as Freshman QB's in the Big XII do not have a very good Conference record.

    Elliott and Boyd need to learn how to play with their emotions in check. Hopefully Herman and Co. can figure out Jefferson and help him learn how to play the position correctly.
     
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  5. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

     
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  6. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    Tom Herman held a lunch [yesterday] for the current players and their families. Here are a few notes on what we’ve heard about the meeting…

    Coach Herman made it clear that everyone has a clean slate. But that also means that everyone who may have been starters under coach Strong would have to earn their spots back. A source told me Herman actually mentioned guys like Buechele, Jefferson, and Williams to emphasize that no one has a starting spot right now. Everyone is on a level playing field.

    I was told coach Herman said that a few weeks into winter workouts, they will divide people into three groups based on their performance. Source said players in the lowest group will receive an additional 18 hours of study hall on top of their current work load. Source said the lowest group is called, “Crimson.”

    Source also said that coach Herman emphasized grades and how they are a reflection of the overall work ethic of a player. “Grades matter. If your grades are higher then you are more likely to get it on the football field. It also shows us that you work hard.”

    More on the grades. I’m told coach Herman said that one of the reasons the current team only won five games last season is because the average team gpa was simply not high enough.

    Source also said coach Herman told the players his door is always open but never if they want to discuss playing time.

    [TFB]
     
  7. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    WOW!
     
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  8. Galvestonhorn

    Galvestonhorn 250+ Posts

    He totally knows what he's doing.

    You won't see his teams lining up wrong, making dumb butt offsides and delay of game after a time out penalties, returning kick offs 8 yards deep in the end zone, running hurry up when you should kill the clock etc etc etc etc etc etc .

    He will cut the logo off shirts till they earn it, lock them out of locker rooms for bullsheet effort, make them work out in their own clothes and so on.

    And they will wind up running thru a brick wall for him and believe 100% in his system.
     
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  9. Statalyzer

    Statalyzer 10,000+ Posts

    Interesting.

    A: I think my results on field and in practice have earned me more time than I'm getting, what am doing wrong / what I can do better?
    B: Get out.

    :idk:
     
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  10. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Stat, I had the same thought. All I can think of is each player will be told (i.e. no discussion other than results on the field and classroom) where he is failing as compared to his teammates.

    If the player is doing what he is asked to do in a superior manner and does not earn additional playing time he should have the right to ask why, and what he can do to improve his chances.
     
  11. HornSwoggler

    HornSwoggler Horn Fan

    During a recent presser, TH indicated that his door was open when the guys needed him but also that he was the "CEO" of the program and he expected the position coaches to handle most of the player issues. He said he needs to keep some separation because he has to be the hammer at times if situations call for that.
     
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  12. Galvestonhorn

    Galvestonhorn 250+ Posts

    Yes TH is too strict and not sensitive enough to these young men's feelings.

    Now I'm starting to think we hired the wrong man.
     
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  13. Driver 8

    Driver 8 Amor Fati

    Whatever Herman's teams look like I don't think the word soft will ever be used to describe them
     
  14. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts

     
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  15. Detective Shilala

    Detective Shilala 2,500+ Posts

    I like this. Charlie had waaaaay too much of an open door. Shoot even Mack , who we all like to think of as a big teddy bear to his players, had separation. And I bet you the players knew that if they called on Mack at his office it had better be important. Or if they were called to Mack's office, they better have their nose clean or else.
    Charlie could be giving an interview and get interrupted about ping pong scores. Not sure how that open door policy squared with being tough. Seemed like Charlie was tough in year one, on Mack's players, but after that he totally softened his stance.
    Who was going to be the stick when the carrot didn't do its job?
     
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  16. mars

    mars 100+ Posts

    Yancy McKnight is white?
     
  17. X Misn Tx

    X Misn Tx 2,500+ Posts

    I think this as a complaint receives a "get out"
    If this is the actual question, I do not think it receive a "get out"

    there's a difference imo. i've hired people at a pay rate and have them ask for more within 6 months. i don't like it. we just agreed on your rate. get out.

    i've had people come in and ask me what they need to do to get to a certain pay rate, and i'm all for that convo. come on in and i'll give you a vision for what i see is a great employee in your role and what you need to do to get there.
     
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  18. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts

     
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  19. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

     
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  20. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

     
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  21. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    These 2016ers are taking part in their first Winter Workouts having redshirted last season. (I could be wrong about OL Tope Imade and/or DL Chris Daniels, but I'm too lazy to do the research.)

    WR Davion Curtis
    WR Reggie Hemphill

    TE Peyton Aucoin

    OL Patrick Hudson
    OL Tope Imade
    OL JP Urquidez

    DL Chris Daniels
    DL Andrew Fitzgerald
    DL Marcell Southall

    LB Demarco Boyd

    DB Chris Brown
    DB Eric Cuffee
    DB Donovan Duvernay

    Below are the guys who I think will contribute the most this year (based upon pure guessing):
    • TE Peyton Aucoin
    • OL Patrick Hudson
    • DL Chris Daniels
    • DL Andrew Fitzgerald
     
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  22. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    It has come to light that JR WR John Burt will not run track in 2017, and will instead focus on off-season football training. This doesn’t come as a huge surprise as it is an expected move and I was told by someone during the 2016 season that “he’s got to make a decision” on if it’ll be track or football, as it was clear to most at Texas that doing both wasn’t helping him excel much at either sport.

    I don’t think the clean slate helps anyone more on the offensive side of the ball than Burt, so it will be interesting to see how he performs during winter conditioning and spring practice.
    [TFB]
     
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  23. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    While his track work probably produced a better athlete, I am not surprised with the new staff, and the fact that his scholarship counts towards the football limit and not the track limit. Hopefully someone on Herman's staff will teach him how to catch the ball. If he cannot figure that out this will probably be his last season at Texas.
     
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  24. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts

    Alignment
    And purpose
    And alignment
    And fire

     
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  25. Godz40acres

    Godz40acres Happy Feller

    The Sunday Pulpit: Tom Herman should pursue a graduate transfer quarterback

    Texas football coach Tom Herman can learn an important lesson from Charlie Strong.

    When Strong arrived in Austin, he inherited quarterbacks David Ash, Tyrone Swoopes and Jerrod Heard, an incoming freshman. Ash had two starts in 2013 before sustaining a concussion against BYU. He returned two weeks later, left with a head injury against Kansas State, and wasn’t cleared to play throughout most of the 2014 preseason. Ash proceeded to sustain another concussion (cute word for brain injury) in the season opener, and never played football again. Swoopes played so poorly during the spring game of Strong’s first year, the coach considered moving him to tight end. That move never occurred, but Swoopes was incredibly inconsistent throughout his first season as a starter. Meanwhile, Heard was a freshman and not in the mix for playing time.

    If the previous staff pursued a graduate transfer, somebody who could give the coaches above-average production while their young quarterbacks could sit back and learn, there is a chance Strong’s tenure could have gone differently. A veteran quarterback could have been the difference between six wins and possibly eight in 2014. At the very least, an experienced quarterback would have compiled more than 57 passing yards against Arkansas in that embarrassing Texas Bowl loss. The lack of consistent quarterback production was a huge detriment in Strong’s first year, and some might argue it was never adequately addressed through his tenure.

    That is why it is so important for Herman to obtain a graduate transfer quarterback this year.

    Sure, graduate transfers sometimes provide teams and fan bases with a false sense of hope. Former Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson emerged into a star as a graduate transfer. Meanwhile, some quarterbacks searching for playing time at other programs eventually held clipboards - again - in a different uniform. For the most part, if a quarterback is not playing, coaches usually have a good reason. If a school is stacked at the quarterback position, then it makes sense to leave, and that is how other programs benefit from a graduate transfer.

    When Herman looks at his current roster, he should be apprehensive. Not only should Herman be concerned about having only three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster this season, he should be nervous about each passer. If anybody believes Herman has inherited a quarterback room without any question marks, they are not taking an objective look at that position.

    Let us start with Shane Buechele.

    Last season, Buechele finished with 2,958 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions as a true freshman. According to UT, Buechele is the first Texas quarterback since Colt McCoy in 2009 to have at least 2,500 passing yards and 20 touchdowns in a season, the first player since Bobby Layne in 1944 to start his first career game as a true freshman at quarterback for Texas (only player in school history to start each of his first two games), and is tied for second-fastest to reach 2,000 passing yards in a season in UT history. We also know Buechele is a gym rat. Buechele's work ethic is the main reason why he started last season.

    Nevertheless, former offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert did a great job of protecting Buechele this season. Gilbert did not ask Buechele to read the entire field, but they worked sidelines in the passing game. Buechele threw five interceptions in the last three games. In addition, Buechele’s small frame took a lot of hard hits down the stretch. There is no telling if Buechele can physically hold up during the 2017 season, or what kind of quarterback he could be if asked to do more in Herman’s offense.

    Nobody really knows what Matthew Merrick brings to the table. When Merrick was initially signed, he was supposed to be a gray-shirt, and no one in the building expected him to receive playing time. Merrick continued to grind and played well enough to surpass Kai Locksley last year, while allowing Heard to switch positions. Considering Herman probably evaluated Merrick when he coached at Houston, it might be hard for him to factor into the quarterback competition this year.

    The majority of people who follow recruiting believe incoming freshman Sam Ehlinger is the real deal. Ehlinger, a former Westlake standout, finished with 7,375 passing yards, 89 passing touchdowns and 126 total touchdowns during his tenure. As a junior in 2015, Ehlinger led Westlake to the 6A D2 State Championship game, losing to Galena Park North Shore.

    However, Ehlinger has been plagued with injuries as a high school quarterback. Ehlinger reportedly broke his wrist, had surgery for a torn meniscus, and broke his thumb. Ehlinger may have a lot of talent, but his injury history should concern Herman and his staff.

    Considering Herman is not expected to sign another incoming freshman quarterback, a graduate transfer is the best way to solidify that room.

    Right now, there is not a lot of buzz surrounding graduate transfers. The market will heat up in April, and that is when Herman should answer every call he receives.

    Here are a few quarterbacks worth considering:

    - Houston quarterback Kyle Allen is the obvious graduate transfer candidate. Alex Dunlap previously reported Allen could follow Herman to Texas. Allen threw for 3,532 yards and 33 touchdowns over two seasons with Texas A&M from 2014-15 before transferring to Houston. Herman knows Allen better than any other transfer candidate.

    UH QB Kyle Allen on pace for graduate transfer, HS coaching source says. Many are already assuming he follows Herman. Will have 2 years left.

    - Former Notre Dame quarterback Malik Zaire is the most popular name on the market right now. According to several published reports, Zaire will delay his commitment decision until mid-April, with Wisconsin and North Carolina as the front-runners. Zaire has played in 17 college games, completing 59.2 percent of his passes for 816 yards and six touchdowns with zero interceptions (a passer efficiency ranking of 149.3).

    - Michigan quarterback Shane Morris is another option. Morris, a backup this season, announced he would transfer a few days ago. Morris is a very good athlete, but it is fair to question his arm. A one-time five-star quarterback prospect, Morris was one of the first players to commit to former Michigan coach Brady Hoke - making his pledge as a high school sophomore in 2011. For his career, Morris has gone 47 of 92 for 434 yards and five interceptions. He has rushed 18 times for 87 yards.

    If Herman is unable to obtain a graduate transfer, it makes sense for him to kick the tires on Jerrod Heard and see if he can be a viable option. However, I still believe Heard is better utilized as a receiver than at quarterback.
    [Per another poster]
     
  26. Joe Fan

    Joe Fan 10,000+ Posts

    Chip confirmed that Heard has been moved back to QB for the Spring

     
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  27. ViperHorn

    ViperHorn 10,000+ Posts

    Unless he learned to pass while playing WR, it is a waste of time and not best use of the team's time and resources. Also, not that it matters, but it is definitely not the best for Heard.
     
  28. Dionysus

    Dionysus Idoit Admin

    Maybe with some good coaching Heard can still be effective at QB. He certainly presents a running threat for the defense to account for.
     
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  29. Galvestonhorn

    Galvestonhorn 250+ Posts

    See Greg Ward @ UH
     
  30. LonghornMD

    LonghornMD 100+ Posts

    Have we not learned not to trust anything coming from the mouth or pen of Chip Brown? That guy's brand of "journalism" is pure speculation at its finest. He is more interested in getting internet clicks than actually being accurate with his reports. Chip may end up being right about Jerrod, but it'll be by luck or "guesstimation". We must have more credible sources than Chip Brown.
     

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