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GoldAppleCorps

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Everything posted by GoldAppleCorps

  1. I was a part time computer tech at The Logic Approach on South Lamar at the time, whilst continuing my labors as a CS student. I was listening on the radio, and got mad when they sent Phil out. No one could kick straight on into that fresh gale. Surely, letting James heave one to the endzone stood a better chance. Everything went dead silent once Phil kicked it. Then I heard, "It's goooooooooooooood!!!". I swear it took 5 seconds to register in my brain!
  2. I vote Zach Shackelford as the most important non-Sam player. I may even consider him for the most important player period. By "important", I'm giving a lot of weight to "not replaceable with our current roster". I believe this OL has a real chance at being special. I can articulate how different combinations of players would work, but they all revolve around a healthy, experienced C. Orlando's defense is a big guy causing a traffic jam at the point of attack, and a whole lot of other guys swarming. The swarming is specific. In our last two season openers, we've had some brand new players on the field having some, "Wait, was my job the curl or the flat?" moments. The constant suspensions and injuries for last season's opener thrust a lot of talented newbies on the field. Yes, Texas is replacing 8 "starters" on the defensive side. However, "starters" is only a label. There's a healthy rotation of players at every position who have seen game action and been part of this defense. We shouldn't be playing defenders who are still learning the playbook.
  3. You just cannot scheme around a bad OL. You still have to run plays and hope for the best, so you can try to limit the damage, but the OL is like an engine block. All the flashy, high powered toys just don't work at all if the block is bad. Texas fans can relate fully to the above description of the LSU OL. Suspect talent. Injuries to that talent. No continuity and constant replacements. Even when some talent is trained up, there's always a hole that the opposition targets ruthlessly. We spent many games hoping to get close enough for a FG at the end of a 19-17 game where the defense had gutted it out, but the offense wore a hole in the middle of the field. Texas is replacing several OL members. However, this is the first time that I can actually verbalize a real plan for rotations and combinations without including "he was pretty good last year in high school, so I think he'll be OK". Spring practice and summer workouts are there for a reason. It sounds like LSU had plenty to work on. Perhaps they found something. However, switching from power ISO with a bad line to quick strike with a bad line just means you're punting faster.
  4. Only guy on the roster whose girlfriend was faster than him.
  5. Orlando's D uses the defense's main (practically only) advantage to its maximum - the fact that they don't have to be set at the snap! OC's like to sit up high and read the defense. They radio down to the sideline, hand signals (or other bizarre placards) occur, the QB makes a check, and the play is run. Orlando likes to set his line up, then wait and have everybody run someplace else! The QB is left on his own to figure it out looking across the LOS at a bunch of facemasks. It's almost impossible to do on the fly! Now, imagine you're the Center, trying to set your protection or scheme. There's a large DT right in front of you (0-tech), or staggered just off your shoulder (1-tech). Outside of that, there's just a bunch of motion. Are those Safeties spun down to blitz? LB's? Is a DE at the 4i-tech? Why are 3 players over the same gap? Should we slide protect? Keep the RB in or swing? Bring the TE in tight? Ack! Everyone moved again! When everyone on the field, except the biggest and strongest, is capable of playing sideline to sideline, you can do this sort of stuff. It doesn't matter if they're playing against an OT. They just run around him, or occupy him so their buddy can flash by. It's the same concept as the spread offense, just on defense. The difference is, if the opponent gets it wrong, they get to hear "Texas Fight!" played. "Take the shortest route to the (ball). Arrive in ill humor." -Bobby Clarke (sort of)
  6. The Texas/UGA game was a classic, but wasn't played that way. UGA made a LOT of mistakes in the 1st quarter that forced them into a different game than they wanted. Be fair, though, Texas had a great deal to do with those "mistakes". They didn't occur in a vacuum. The final margin is indicative of the fact that Herman rightly still did not trust his offense. On this, he and I agree. He had a dangerous opponent that lacked the ability to score quickly on the ropes. He chose to ride the fortune earned in the 1st half through the 4th quarter by playing smart possession ball and not risk giving UGA easy points. It was the same strategy attempted against OU. The difference is that OU can (and did) score quickly. Texas caught a series of bad breaks and the Sooners capitalized on each one instantly (Sooner Magic isn't just a catch phrase). They certainly had the talent and firepower to do it. Fortunately for Texas, we got one last opportunity. Unlike the Sooner game, the UGA game was never in serious doubt.
  7. The problem is that the X's and O's here are very relevant. Texas' defense doesn't line up and hit you. Only a couple of defenders have single roles. The DT will rarely drop into pass coverage. His role is to gum up the center point of attack. Everyone else, though, might do one of several things at any given moment. The calling card of a dominant Big 12 defense isn't size. It's speed. Texas, on defense, might have 10 guys crowding the LOS at any point pre-snap. After the snap, who knows where they'll be? A DE, LB, and S may have stood near a single gap. One, two, three, or zero players might attack that gap at the snap. The others may have strafed the line, covered other gaps, or dropped. Since every other gap is going to have the same questions, the OL has to figure it out in real-time. With a "run first" mentality, the offense frequently encounters unusual skill set defenders in unexpected places. It is inadvisable to pass in freelance mode against this defense. There's always someone who can sprint across the entire field faster than your pass can find the ground. Texas will attack the experienced LSU defense by spreading them out. Even with its emphasis on the run, the Texas offense is designed to create and exploit mismatches. UGA killed themselves by lining up and staying put. When that happens, every offensive player will recognize an audible and hot read. You'll see small shifts in the location of TEs (call them H-backs if you'd like), RBs and WRs to realign into stacks or inline power. If the defense doesn't counter, then the schematic advantage is with the offense. That's the theory. Texas is replacing nominal 8 starters. That sounds a lot worse than it is. "Starter" in this defense is an archaic term. Think of the Texas defense as one or two strong fat guys and a whole bunch of guys between 240 and 200 lbs. They're all just speedy, strong athletes who attack a space. When everyone's on the same page, that speed, strength, and range means Texas can supply primary and supporting players everywhere on the field simultaneously. However, if one or two don't get the rotation right, big gaps emerge. Texas hasn't had a world-class OL in a decade. With all the hoopla surrounding Sam last season, he was still papering over some less than ideal OL play. This season's OL has a chance to be dominant, however the only proof is when they're beaten on by an angry opponent. If they're the real deal, then Texas will be able to show off its high powered weaponry by mixing gigantic receivers with speedy slots and RBs. If they're still a "work in progress", then Texas will once again be limited to a close ground game with occasional timed passes in an attempt to drive back a pressing defense. Nothing is a foregone conclusion yet, offseason be cursed!
  8. Precisely! If you're talking about the massive OU punch on Jason White, the OU QB had the ball palmed in one hand, wagging it around like a loaf of bread. Derrick hooks his waist with one arm, then throws a right uppercut at the ball, obviously punching it free! A brilliant power move by a dominant LB! If Jason had secured the ball against his body high on his chest, Derrick would have only made a devastating hit to bring up 4th down - preserving the ability to punt. Instead, it set Texas up with a short field.
  9. High and tight! Under non-extreme circumstances, there is NO EXCUSE for not carrying a football properly with one hand over the end, pressed high against the chest and tight within the forearm. Any defender trying to tackle you will choose between securing your body at the waist or ripping at the ball - thus missing the tackle entirely. Upon threat of contact, the off hand goes over the top. If you feel the ball shift, go down immediately! We can always run the next play - provided we maintain possession on THIS play! Yes, there are circumstances. 4th and <whatever> where reaching the ball out to break the plane or gain the 1st down are critical. In that case, you risk it obviously. However, outside of those special circumstances, all players on both offense and defense should know how, train, and be expected to carry the ball properly and securely.
  10. I think the UGA comparison is apt. They're bigger and stronger than Texas. They have to be, because they were designed to compete with 'bama. If both teams stood still on the field and played 1970's NFL style ball, LSU would win by 2 TDs. Of course, that's not what's going to happen. Texas moves. A lot. On offense and defense. Watch the Sugar Bowl replay and see how often Georgia's defense lined up and just waited. You're basically giving Sam and Shack time to find your weakness (every defensive scheme has them). Success wasn't guaranteed because football plays are still won by players winning battles, but it allowed Texas to maximize its chance for success on any given play. Conversely, on defense, Texas never showed its true intention before the snap. If they did that, Big 12 offenses would shred them. A couple of large DL would drop anchor, an edge rusher would move around, and 8 other speedy guys would find some gaps to stand near. At the snap, or just before, everyone starts moving. Both the OL and QB will need to find their schemes in real time. I was afraid that UGA's OL was simply going to be able to dictate terms irrespective of Texas' schemes. Early miscues trashed that game plan (if it were ever there), and they couldn't adapt to Plan B against an inscrutable Texas defense. LSU was very one-dimensional last season, largely by necessity. They have hopes of adding a more dangerous passing game this season, so we'll see how that progresses. The Texas secondary is a tough school to learn in, though. It's the offseason, so anything's possible. Also, an OL doesn't play on paper. They only show their mettle when beaten on by a hostile defense. However, if Cosmi and Braun hold down the left side like I'm thinking, Sam could have Colt and Vince levels of time behind that line. When that happens, football becomes really easy for the rest of the team.
  11. This is a "F the offseason" article. No real reason to flag it in itself. Now, running by the student section or the Texas bench doing it should be flagged just from a game management perspective. "Throw it up, let 'em see it / So they can know how you G it / If they hatin', so be it!" -Bun B
  12. The US gave as good as they got in that game. They should have had at least 2 goals by HT. That's on a purely physical level. On a soccer level, their inability to counter the change in game strategy introduced at HT by Mexico is very concerning! With extra pieces, Mexico and the US could get arguably better. The concern, though, is that playing the CONCACAF Gold Cup final is a lot like playing the MAC Championship. It still doesn't mean you're ready for the big boys. The next USMNT game is in October against Cuba. 2022 qualifying is around the corner. I know it's difficult to work around club seasons in international windows, but I'd really like to see some more games scheduled against contenders. We're at the "learn by taking your lumps" stage. I'm still irritated that I can't find a left back that can be described better than "didn't do too bad".
  13. I guess there's no arguing with that dazzling insight and acumen. Thank you for sharing your wit and wisdom.
  14. I suppose hoping a FA signing gets hurt in training camp makes me a bad fan?
  15. With any type of finishing, the US goes to break up 2 or 3 to 0. After that, Mexico is forced to play a panic game. Instead, we saw the difference between soccer experiences. Berhalter put out a great starting 11. They moved the ball fluidly through their game plan. Chances were created. A befuddled Mexican midfield and back line just sort of stood around while players raced in on them. The chances they created were halfhearted lobs that the taller Americans easily deflected. At halftime, Tata reorganized his troops. He had them get tighter and play vertically down the middle. What happened then was all too familiar. The Americans accepted those terms and did not know how to cohesively deviate from their original thought. Tactically, Altidore or Arriola could have drifted more inside and let Pulisic head outside. With the additional ball handlers wider, Mexico would have been forced to at least honor that spacing and detract from the tight center. Instead, they stayed with the original plan. Mexico spent most of the 2nd half compacting the US near their penalty area. Eventually, one went in. Without changing players, the Mexicans knew how to alter their game. Their original plan was beaten, so they changed it. They can do this because experience helps them feel the flow of the game. Unlike American Football where we stop and explain the next move, soccer is played a lot like chess. You're both attacking and defending at the same time. There's too many options and not enough time to think through them all, so the best players learn to read the dynamic. At the club level, familiarity with your teammates helps promote this feeling within the group - which is why national teams are weird. You don't get enough time practicing with your national teammates to artificially create that cohesiveness. You have to learn that. Players can only learn by playing big games for big teams. The US is getting there, but right now doesn't have enough players with enough big game experience to sense the game. As a result, you get players running diagonal for diagonal passes and vertical for horizontal passes. By themselves, both options were understandable, but together, they equal turnover. With 8 or so passes needed for a legitimate scoring effort, the odds greatly favor turnovers over scoring chances. The US found a lot of workable pieces in this tournament. The result against Mexico was disappointing, but useful. Michael Bradley is getting too old for the job, but unfortunately he's not holding up the line of stellar defensive midfielders right now. He's the QB of the team. Some mistakes are his sins. Some are those of others. Now about left back....
  16. I remember when he converted the 4th and 16 against Kansas (how we got to that point is irrelevant to my purposes here). As he started to run, I was yelling, "Idiot! It's 4th down! Just throw it somewhere!". As he glided out of bounds, I just knew we'd lost the game, because he'd only run 8 of the 16 needed. It took me several seconds to realize that yes, he had indeed covered all 16 yards, plus a few more, with those long casual strides. No matter how fast the defender was, Vince was just a step faster. He'd just roll out of arm (or any other type) tackles. Just about every defensive player in the Big 12 "almost" tackled Vince Young that season.
  17. Daryl "Razor" Reaugh. The Dallas Stars all-time color commentator is my favorite. You'll need a thesaurus to listen. He enjoys employing difficult words, but knows how to turn a phrase.
  18. I tried to mention Phil Pozderac, but after three straight holding penalties and a false start, I had to drop him. My mother was one of Gary Hogeboom's biggest supporters - mostly because of his Scandinavian roots.
  19. I can tell you that the "American Cornhole League" isn't what I thought it would be.
  20. If there's a game on ESPN, then I'll watch it. If I want to experience the uninformed ravings of a group of blithering idiots, I'll read them here. When I'm folding laundry and want to have the TV on, there's an OTA network called "BUZZER" that shows really old game show (like from the 70's) reruns. It's strangely transfixing, but not so much as to be distracting when I'm matching socks.
  21. The offense has to get its guys on the field first. The defense then sends out the players that they think can best deal with that offensive grouping. What you have to avoid is a player that only does one thing. When that player or group comes on the field, you can't be telling the defensive coaches, "We're going to run THIS play.". Just like playing poker, the defense is reading everything they can. Is the tackle's foot behind him too far? Is he tipping off a pass? Is the H-back so eager to block that he's rocked forward? In addition to ensuring solid fundamentals like hand (!) placement, maintaining power through the ground by ALWAYS having your feet set as your base, and working as a unit to account for and pass off defenders as necessary, Hand is working to ensure power tosses look exactly like the deep strikes before the snap. Of course, an OL coach likes nothing more than extending a hand engraved invitation to the opposing DC saying, "Dear Esteemed Colleague: We're running power over your left side. You are cordially invited to try and stop it!", and then just bashing the ball home!
  22. Are those his total stats at Texas, or just from Q4 Nebraska 2007?
  23. https://images.complex.com/complex/image/upload/c_limit,w_680/fl_lossy,pg_1,q_auto/zslgmp0efoljtjodsdq2.jpg
  24. It was cooler looking than all the ones he usually sees at the football bloggers meetups.
  25. I think if you're on an opening day roster for 5 seasons in the NFL, you earn your pension. Not sure if practice rosters are included on that plan. The point is, it's been a great way for him to earn coin. He's forever the best player in the AAF, and he'll be able to recognize his grandkids in 30 years.
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