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closetojumping

Burnt Ends
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Posts posted by closetojumping

  1. 13 minutes ago, Machinator said:

    I think there's been some hype, but it's been tuned out more around these parts due to battered fan syndrome.

    The experience thing is awesome, as long the old guys give us play ranging from Poona Ford to Jason Hall caliber and not Naashon Hughes to (shudders) Tristan Nickelson caliber. The good news is that our veteran starters, for the most part, are actually good. A few reservations: I question PJ Locke's upside at the nickel; I hope Josh Thompson can win that spot. I'm not convinced Wheeler is a true three-down LB in the Big 12, and I'm very curious to see how the first half of the Maryland game shakes out at LB with him on the sideline. Big guys with foot injury history, like Andrew Beck, concern me, and I'm not sure how high his physical upside is (he should bring competence to that position, though). I don't believe that Okafor is a plus offensive tackle, should one of our starters go down and he's the next man up. I'm totally in "see it before I believe it" mode when it comes to Shack and getting his snaps right, consistently. Rowland did nothing to inspire me as a kicker last year, and I'm not sure how ready Dicker will be a true freshman.

     Now, the positives: I'm usually hesistant about starting true freshman safeties, but I think Sterns is special. Our outside corner two-deep should be as good as it gets in the conference, and I'm cautiously optimistic that Davante Davis will rediscover his freshman-year form. Roach is poised to be truly weaponized in this defense. Gary is a stud. Our DEs are going to terrorize the conference. If we don't overthink the rotations, the starting WRs (all juniors) should make the QBs' jobs a lot easier, and I'm truly pumped for LJH in the slot. I'm not sure if Anderson will be truly good or just serviceable, but I'm sure glad we have him. No true freshman in the OL two-deep (unless Angilau makes a charge by the end of the season) is gruntling.

    You are too grounded for my taste. I read this post and wanted to throw myself from the nearest high rise. 

  2. 14 minutes ago, taybo20 said:

    I was sick from that game and alcohol had nothing to do with it

    I puked in the parking lot after the 2001 Big 12 Title Game. I was stone cold sober. That's never happened before or since. Just absolute despair as a fan boiling into nausea.

    Then some gigantic Colorado broad getting into her minivan with her tiny, skinny husband and two fat kids made the mistake of screaming "hahahaha Texas sucks!" at us as we were walking by their vehicle. She made for the perfect outlet at the perfect time. I assume her husband is still trying to comfort her over the vitriol that sailed out of my mouth into her fat ears. I like to think I've grown a great deal since then.

    • Like 5
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  3.  

    It's looking more and more like Texas is going to start 18 upperclassmen in its 22 starter lineup. On top of that, there are some upperclassmen who can play backing them up. McCullough, Bonney, Watson, Burt, Heard, Buechele, and Wilbon are guys in the two deep with significant starter and/or playing minutes heading into this season. 

    For the first time since 2009, we cannot call Texas "young", and that's a good thing. I also recognize that there simply isn't much hype around this team either. In many of our fantasies heading into a season after the PTSD of 2010-2017, this is what we dreamed of, yet there's remarkably little discussion about these benefits ... anywhere, really. It's interesting to witness, and on some subconscious level, I understand it too. 

    • Like 7
  4. 13 minutes ago, satyanash said:

    E.J. Holland: Texas keeping tabs on four-star Tech DL commit Steven Parker

     

      Hide contents

    It didn’t take Steven Parker long to make a decision. The four-star defensive end out of South Oak Cliff gave Texas Tech a verbal commitment in May of 2017, just a day after the Red Raiders put an offer on the table. So where does his verbal pledge stand now? “I’m still going to Tech right now,” Parker said. “That’s still a big commitment for me. That’s my hometown school. I really like Coach (Emett) Jones. I just like Tech overall.”

    Parker is originally from West Texas, and Texas Tech assistant Emett Jones was the former head coach at South Oak Cliff, so there are plenty of connections to the program. But if there is one school that can make an impact in Parker's process, it’s Texas. UT defensive line coach Oscar Giles evaluated Parker, who attended the Longhorns’ satellite camp earlier this summer, and has remained in contact with him. “I talk to Texas a little bit off and on,” Parker said. “I’ve had some conversations with Coach Giles. He just said to keep working an getting better, and we’ll see where it goes from there.”

    If Texas does extend an offer, Parker said he would take a closer look at the program. “It would be really nice to get a Texas offer,” Parker said. “I went to that satellite camp to get one. I would be interested in Texas if they did offer.” Parker does not have any official visits set at this time. At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Parker is ranked as the No. 26 weak-side defensive end in the country and No. 40 overall prospect in the state, per 247Sports Composite.

     

    No coach can get put into the Friend Zone more quickly and comfortably than Oscar Giles. Good lord. I bet he gets a lot of Christmas cards.

    • Like 1
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  5. 12 minutes ago, Ricky Butler said:

    Do you feel like Herman gets the current landscape better than Brown and Strong? I see a lot of good organizational signs, but I totally agree with these staff criticisms. I just think for a young coach, they are totally forgivable mistakes in part because they can be fixed so easily. If Herman doesn't fix them next offseason, I'll have a bigger beef. But some on the board read your info and think responding like Veruca Salt is some sort of insightful analysis. So in that spirit, I think Herman should correct all his mistakes and maximize ever inch of the program because I have high standards.

    Multiple data points from various conversations have me believing that Herman is well aware of where things sit. The Maryland game was a splash of ice cold water with a butterfly effect. Mehringer and Warehime supposedly looked around and found no interest in the offseason. I am not a journalist and I cannot verify that with statements from witnesses. But that's the scuttlebutt out there. Those two didn't do that because they were leveraging big performances. They were asked. That didn't pan out, which is an obvious indictment to anyone looking, including Herman. Herman then took steps to mitigate both of their impacts on the program while still being employed. 

    Herman did exactly what Charlie Strong did walking through the doors at Belmont - he underestimated the size and scope of his task and the organization he'd be leading. Unlike Strong, Herman has a strong administrative side to him coupled with deep insecurities about being perceived as a junior-level fool, so he can, in part, organize his way out of the fuck up and likely has his hair on fire to do so. If he's aware of the dead weight on staff, and I think he is, then he knows he HAS to upgrade to meet the requirements of this job. If Texas wins this year, I don't think it will be carnage on the staff via terminations. I think it will wind up being a case of those guys getting hired at Directional U for perceived promotions.

    This isn't UH. Herman was at UT and Ohio State before, sure, but there is a difference when it comes to being the guy in the chair. Until you have had the buck stop with you with a $100million+ org and a public spotlight on said org, it's hard to truly appreciate what it all means. It is a lonely fucking place, even when people are honestly around you to help (shit, it's lonely on some level being the guy at tiny orgs even when things are going well.) When some of those people around you aren't really there to help, or they're incapable of helping because you've peter principled them, you have to cut ties in some form or you risk losing it all and bringing everyone down with you.

    Some guys cut out weakness ruthlessly, and other guys try to find soft landings. You can look at Saban and Meyer as two different guys when it comes to this, and sometimes the sad ramifications for acting like the latter and letting loyalty go too far. I'm on the side of "fire Urban, he lied and covered up for a wifebeater, fuck them both", but I do get the sentiment behind his ill-fated actions. I think Herman is more like Meyer here, as evidenced by behaviors with his bros so far, but he's capable of developing into the former if he feels like he's getting torched on this here. 

    • Like 4
  6. 8 minutes ago, ousux said:
    14 minutes ago, closetojumping said:
    Dude, you don't like Tito's? I'm sad to say I've drank plenty of vodka from all over the world, and Tito's is about as good as it gets. This isn't brown water, where the gap is massive between okay and greatness. For vodka, there's rot gut and then whatever smoothness you can find without a hangover up to $40/handle. If you're spending more than that you're lighting it on fire and less than $20 is guaranteeing pain. Tito's sits firmly in the "fine, smooth, limited pain in some moderation" arena, which should work for any of us.
    What thread were we on again?

    Tito's is good and the really cheap stuff will do you wrong outside of moderation, (and who does that on gameday?) but you can find vodka that does the job without biting you in the ass for $20-25 bottle. The expensive designer shit is a waste of money imo..

    You're probably right, but as a rule, I don't bargain shop on booze. I'm old enough that I don't have to that any more, and in my 40's with 5 kids and being a fan of UT sports over the past few years, I need my booze to be right. I'll end my part of the semi-thread derail now. 

    • Like 1
  7. 12 minutes ago, UncleBuck said:

    Well number 1, I'm not defending his recruiting, so that doesn't apply to me. I think he's an above average developer of talent.

     

    Number 2, you also believe he's an above average developer of talent

     

    Number 3, name me who that excellent recruiter + DL coach is, and let's hope they get him.

     

    Until then, I'll be angry at Giles' recruiting, but happy with his coaching. Not gunna call for his canning just yet.

    There's some other stuff I'm writing right now as several thread starters so I am not really bored enough for a big Giles get down right now, but I do want to point out that you're playing with the false choice premise. We don't have to accept mediocre recruiting for decent development or vice versa. Frankly, what should have already happened is they brought in a rainmaking DT coach, and there are plenty out there and many emerge young in this vein for CFB staffs, and Giles should be coaching DEs, evaluating recruiting targets, and supervising the DL overall while the DT coach works the recruits.

    Herman didn't do that though. He didn't do that because he couldn't pawn Mehringer and Warehime off onto anyone else's staff, which he attempted, so he kept them and firmed up his offensive woes by adding Hand. He chose what he perceived to be the least of the evils - keep the staff in tact, help the offense, and deal with weakness at DL recruiting. Frankly, they've decided that they can help on the DL late in the cycle and with late developers that non-Giles staff members can bear hug into signatures. It worked last year. Let's see if it happens again. It fucking sucks missing on top guys though, and that's trending not only for 2019 but 2020 as well. 

    • Like 3
  8. 21 minutes ago, BigHorn'13 said:

    I'm all about Texas spirits but c'mon man. 

    If we go through that stretch with only 1 win and then Herman makes a change, 3 and out will likely happen. 

    Dude, you don't like Tito's? I'm sad to say I've drank plenty of vodka from all over the world, and Tito's is about as good as it gets. This isn't brown water, where the gap is massive between okay and greatness. For vodka, there's rot gut and then whatever smoothness you can find without a hangover up to $40/handle. If you're spending more than that you're lighting it on fire and less than $20 is guaranteeing pain. Tito's sits firmly in the "fine, smooth, limited pain in some moderation" arena, which should work for any of us.

    What thread were we on again?

    • Like 7
  9. 17 minutes ago, satyanash said:

    Florida is in a similar position to us - a lot of their posters are saying the same 'Win and our recruiting struggles go away' line. Like for us, it's also an oversimplification, and Mullen will likely have to make some tough decisions re: his staff.

    I don't think Florida and Texas are in very similar spots at the moment. Mullen hasn't had his first season at Florida and they love him there, yet his recruiting is lagging. He's got a weak recruiting staff irrespective of on-field performance. He'll also recruit to his liking and that won't always mash up with the rankings, so the rankings can be deceptive when following a coach like that.

    Herman has some lights out recruiters on his staff to go with his 2-3 duds. He had a bizarre headscratcher of a first season. Mullen's lot in the rankings may not change and we don't know yet if that will matter. Herman's got a good crew of evaluators, a mixed bag of developers, and a mixed bag of recruiters. It's unclear what in the fuck is in store for Texas looking forward, 9 wins or not. That said, there is no excuse for Texas not finishing every year with at least a top 10 recruiting class and top 5 finishes should be the expectation. Transition classes excluded, especially with the new early signing period.

    One huge mitigation for mediocre coaching is exceptional recruiting, and that should never falter at Texas. Mehringer would be irrelevant if we were landing every WR target we wanted. That isn't happening, and it matters. Getting beat on top targets in the trenches is a dangerous game that requires nearly flawless second level evaluations and excellent development. OU is stockpiling in the trenches. Being weak there on the recruiting front adds wild beta to the future against them, and frankly, it's unnecessary. 

    • Like 3
  10. 8 minutes ago, UncleBuck said:

    For LSU to finish outside of the top 15 in ANY recruiting ranking poll last year isn't "only" on O's goofy ass. Five seasons of finishing tied for third or lower in your conference, I don't care if it's the SEC or not, isn't going to help anyone. 

    Wrong. LSU is in a hyper-competitive footprint under attack from all sides. There is no faith in Orgeron from the HS coaching ranks and alums are not going to support a lame duck, especially in a broke ass place like Louisiana. He's struggling to recruit top 5 classes because he's not supported and he was a bad hire. A supported HC at LSU gets damn near everybody they want in Louisiana and winning is secondary. For example, Miles was supported by the HS coaches all the way out the door. Orgeron is going to end up burning that place to the ground before they can afford his buyout. 

    You're arguing that "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing" in the one arena in which that isn't necessarily true. Some programs can recruit well with a competent staff no matter what the recent history of that place is - USC, Notre Dame, Texas, etc., and some amazing recruiting staffs can recruit lights out at a dry well of CFB - see Miami under Schnellenberger and Johnson, FSU under early days of Bowden, Oregon under Kelly or Cristobal (yes, there's cheating at these places too, but that's not the primary driver for any of their successes). Some schools cheat their asses off and defy their lot in the landscape and they get busted and sent to the back of the line - see Ole Miss, Baylor (Rape Factory), SMU (Pony Express), North Carolina (Butch Davis football). None of these programs have won first and then crushed it in recruiting. They've gone hand in hand. 

    • Like 3
  11. 16 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

    The OC is Herman, Beck is fine at QB. If you think Samples can handle the WR job, give it to him, move Meekins back to TE and go hire a 2nd DL coach.

    Texas can do better than Samples at WR coach. Better than Mehringer is not the bar. 

    • Like 4
  12. 9 minutes ago, Butch Had Not said:

    I don't think too much about replacements until after the season because that's when they normally happen but do position coaches get fired during the season other than for controversial reasons? 

    Obviously unless he’s Zach Smith, he will be here through the season. 

  13. 7 minutes ago, Snacks said:
    On 8/5/2018 at 4:42 PM, closetojumping said:
     
    I honestly laughed out loud reading this optimism from you guys and the $9.95ers regarding Kirk Johnson. That dude is made of glass. He’ll be down with a mysterious injury that sidelines him for the season within the next 2 weeks. 

    This is how I felt about Jordan Shipley.

    Fuck it. I'll take similar outcomes, I just don't expect it. I also felt this way about Shipley, Scaife, and Fozzy.

    • Like 1
  14. 2 hours ago, Ghost of Shag said:

    CTJ definitely said we were getting Tufono.  Not sure what changed.  

    A prediction around here lately means nothing.  Nobody has a clue.  

    I got caught up in the enthusiasm as much as you guys. I didn't ask around. I'll caveat the next time with "IMO" or something so it's not confusing. Recruiting is fluid and all, and I'm a fan capable of getting caught up in excitement the same as you guys. Bamboozled by 247 crystal balls, or should I say, the CBsGotMeLit, if you will. HFS. 

    • Like 2
  15. 1 hour ago, texifornia said:

    For the one guy who seemed to be pre-panicking about Green

     

    "Quiet confidence" can be passed on to a third party that doesn't witness it so they can then quietly and confidently pass it on to fourth parties, I guess. What the fuck?

    "In hushed tones, behind closed doors, there are whispers that down the road, maybe Jalen Green could get drafted too. Do not say this at normal decibel levels, but make sure it is assertively but softly spoken to the $9.95ers. We need to get this kind of info, quietly, out to the masses. " 

    • Like 4
  16. 13 minutes ago, Sejjr said:

    How the fuck would Nalin or any 9.95er know this at this time? 

    Hahahahahaha. You cannot be serious?

    Nahlin has been making shit up and stating it as fact for a good long while, at this point. It's so obvious that all of the $9.95ers are disconnected from access to the program that it's almost painful, if not hilarious. At least Nahlin talks to recruits. Same for the TFB guys. Orangebloods is pure trash with laughably bad recruiting and team coverage, and Holland is in the tank with street agents at 247 and his dumbass doesn't understand it. These guys have nothing coming to them from the staff or extensions of the staff on anything, and may that please  last.

    • Like 5
  17. 30 minutes ago, Johnny Sack said:

    I refuse to believe he reported it given he was suspended unless there is paper trail from the time of the report.

    I'm interested in seeing whether or not Florida responds at all to the premise that he did everything right with Smith in 2009. They look bad right now, and they've got reason to cover anything for Meyer. If they come out with their own view that he was basically covering up for his boy during the UF period for Meyer, the shithole gets deeper to climb out of for Team Urban.

  18. 44 minutes ago, campcrunk said:

    To be fair, Giles doesn't appear to be pushing for anyone.

    This one got me. Hahahahaha. 

    I offered my thoughts on Carter and what's happening in posts a few pages back and they stand. That said, the level of dark comedy Giles unintentionally brings to the recruiting side of things is off the charts. He's almost like a performance artist.

    • Like 1
  19. 1 hour ago, TwiceHorn said:

    Or you could read everything Lewis or Kurt Eichenwald has written concerning business, Barbarians at the Gate, Smartest Guys in the Room, etc.  Business drama and even comedy can be done without grotesque inaccuracy for the sake of drama.  I am willing to suspend reality, but I find it somewhat irksome that it is set in what pretends to be a realistic milieu and then throws realism out the window.  It doesn't ruin the show for me, it's just irritating.

    Yeah, I've read them all and refer to them often in my thinking or experiences. James Stewart as well, since you're in to that stuff. My point stands - the show is awesome even with the inaccuracies. My wife and I discussed the boardroom scene after that episode and sighed about it for 2 minutes and then moved on. It's just not that big of a deal in the grand scheme about whether the show is enjoyable or not and most folks wouldn't know one or another anyway. 

  20. 8 hours ago, TwiceHorn said:

    Even so, as EP and occasional director, if he knew his subject matter very well, one might think he would have forced a rewrite on the boardroom scene, for example.

    Meh. You’re not the only one who’s been in similar settings. It doesn’t bother me.  The show is awesome. If I wanted a technically sound rendering of board room and business drama, I’d go read an investigative write up by The Economist or the latest transcripts from a GE quarterly call. You should get over it and stop harping on it, or stop watching the show. 

    • Like 1
  21. 1 hour ago, Newy25 said:

    Uh, do what? I will take the other side of “he has no chance to start a game this year.” 

     

    Rex Kramer mixes a combination of utter ignorance about the sport of football, condescension without reason, and a total lack of self-awareness. There’s no value in taking anything he posts seriously. I mean, he’s very serious, but he’s also clueless. Not worth the bullet. 

    • Like 5
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