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Had Enough

Certifiably Surly
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Posts posted by Had Enough

  1. If I ranked from worst to best:
    Edge, DT/ILB, S, DB
    Most our problems stem from the front, especially the edges, but the DTs have been both inconsistent and disappointing.
    We can't really even base out of the 2-4 because we don't have the Edges, and it's really seen very rare use once Jacoby went down.
    It's hard to grade positions behind them because they shouldn't be expected to meet a RB straight-lining upfield and tackle them in wide space.  Maybe in a phonebooth or on a cutback, but not supermanning a full speed runner a dozen times per game.  I don't think our safeties are incredible, but they are being made to look much worse.

    From my view, I plugged the safeties as the primary issue a few games ago primarily because there were several blitzes that PK had them in the right position and they botched them. Not only did they not make the play, but it often ended as a huge offensive play. And often very critical. But for me, it’s never been a lack of physical talent with those guys. I’d partly say confidence to play aggressive is one issue. In todays game expecting a safety to consistently win one on one battles with a RB with a two way go in the open field is a losing proposition. I mean we’d expect Bijan to win that everytime, right?

    But the last two games or so, it’s shifted somewhat because Schooler is playing damn hard.

    So my question is what changed for him? And how do we get others triggered in that same manner?
  2. Now exactly who is telling the players that BMDs want certain players to play? Coaches running around telling dudes that knowing it’ll piss em off?

    I don’t know shit about any of it, but it wouldn’t surprise me if the stories running around were in fact not true. Or maybe some were and some weren’t.

    What I feel certain about is that some dudes think they deserve more playing time.

    • Hook 'Em 2
  3. Like to see him on 1st and 2nd for a bit. It’s sad, but one big play out of a linebacker is memorable these days 

    Apparently he’s not on the depth chart this week, but I don’t think that matters. He looked awfully small to me. Best guess is that he’d play the same role this week. Pretty sure he was lined up next to Overshown in that package. He’d probably get swallowed up like our other guys but worth a shot anyway as a 3 down guy.
  4. I think this was a valid point vs OU, OSU, and even Baylor. The season is shot at this point. The coaches need to put their efforts into developing for next year. That doesn’t mean put out 22 freshmen, but they need to get some guys in the game and get at least 5-10 plays (redshirt eligibility allowing). I saw Mo Blackwell make a nice play vs Kansas on defense. I didn’t rewatch the game, so no idea how many snaps he got at LB, but I wouldn’t mind seeing more of him as an example 

    Pretty sure Blackwell came in on 3rd downs only. In anticipation of passes. It was several occasions.
  5. I think our DL would crush if playing in a traditional 4 DL system...  That part *is* coaching... but it's scheme, and we're not changing the scheme.  Our DL is not asked to be attackers and sackers (that whole stats thing) like they were recruited to be.  If you put our DL in at Baylor, they'd probably still not have a bunch of stats... but not because they're not good... but because Aranda likes to attack from wherever he can - usually with fast guys.  Same at Iowa State (see where I'm going here?).  The better defenses in the league are running 3  Dlinemen as disruptors and letting the LBs and Safeties do the work - hopefully unblocked from who knows where.
    If Caleb Williams were QB here, he would also get told not to take off running, but let the playmakers make the plays. Spencer Rattler was struggling with pressure given up by the ou line.  Caleb takes off.  That is not what Sark preaches at all.  I've seen Casey not take off when he had 20 yards of air in front of him... If he were playing in Herman's offense, those would be rushing TDs.
    If I'm making replacements, it's at OT.  Move Kerstetter back to RG. Move Christian Jones to backup RT. Bring in two new OTs that are big and can move...  Kerstetter isn't big and Christian Jones can't move...  Then I'd run the shit out of the ball and open up the RPO/PA game.  Since Kerstetter will be gone, we'll be ok with the guards we have.  We need some OTs that can execute Inside Zone and pass block when the defense does anything other than play straight ahead.
     
    So let me be clear... it's not that all the players are all terrible at football.  Can't be.  They got here. However, they are miscast / misfit for what our strategic plan is. 
    Yes, Chris Ash (or even I) could come in and make the DL look better tomorrow. Put a 46 loaded box out there and tell our DBs to play man and see who wins...  But that could be disastrous...  or run a 425 and tell the DL "Go forward" and tell the LBs to clean up (still a challenge) while the DBs keep everything in front of them... (this is what I would do, and it is *close* to what this current 335 looks like, but with actual DT/DE assignments focused on stopping the run and pressuring the pass.).  But that is not what we're going to run long-term, so we have to get a better fit of players for the scheme.  I understand why teams are not putting a lot of DL on the field... they're not fast/flexible enough to move around so will eventually get formationed into nothingness, AND they attract blockers when they aren't getting motioned into no-man's land.
    Same on offense...  We could put RoJo or Casey in at QB and run QB power or Outside Zone or stretch plays with a bootleg... Just run away from the weaknesses (bring back Jerrod Heard, then...) We're not going to do that, so this OL doesn't fit.
    If you want to see Hudson Card (or any good pocket passer) succeed, the OL has to change... a lot. (Probably not going to happen enough in one offseason, but we will improve.)

    I’m not down on our individual talent on the DL necessarily and would prefer a 4 down front but like you said we’re not changing scheme. What we’re doing is not working. That starts upfront. While the offense has its issues, the defense has been more of an issue. And we’ve been close enough we just need teammates to pick each other up when one fails.

    Offense or defense. These guys weren’t recruited for the current schemes and don’t necessarily fit it. But they’re the players we have so we have to figure out how to produce positive outcomes. And we’ve been so damn close 4 times and decently positioned at halftime on a 5th.

    I agree the QBs have been hesitant to take off at least in part due to what they’re asked to do. I think it caused the QBs to fight their instincts on occasion too. Sark has slowly backed off that a bit I think and learning that we aren’t Bama. Bijan being out may be helpful in that others will be forced to step up but also using all our dudes. Course, we can’t have all of Bijans backups out either. I’ve been wanting more TE, Roschon/Keilan/wildcat, jet sweep type usage all season. Part of that being quick hitting stuff to help both Oline and QB. The two throws to Brewer last week were an example. That RPO to Brewer for 15. That could have helped tremendously during all of our many 3 and outs.

    For this year and this team, we need to figure out how to win. My expectations for this Oline were never to be top notch. I had hoped for noticeable improvement. We aren’t getting that, but they were damn good at Rice and Tech for which many posters never gave credit. Then Okafor got hurt. We moved dudes around vs OU and proceeded to settle the lineup after that. They were absolutely serviceable after OU. Not perfect by any stretch, but BU, OSU, and ISU are very solid defenses. And really for about 3/4 of the OU game, they were solid.

    Like many of us punkasses on here, I’m a self proclaimed expert. So there. But actually I have watched many of the games more than once, slowed it down, and replayed it. I see the complete whiffs, the cluttered pockets, but I also see the times when we’ve got hat on hat from our front 5 but something else screws it up. Part of that to your point is that the ISUs and BUs and even OSU this year fly to ball so they’ll blow up stuff and make plays themselves. But also agree these aren’t the guys or types of guys for our future.

    This years a disappointment but I’m still in it to win it. 6-6 here we come.
    • Hook 'Em 1
  6. Look at it like this...  What QB in the big 12 would have this team winning 8 games instead of 4?
    What OL unit.
    If you were going to swap one  position with any team in the big 12, what position would it be?
    The teams that are winning aren't winning on QB play.  
    And I agree, QB stirs the drink... When the cup isn't getting smashed.
    We can talk QB... One has a bad thumb on his throwing hand... And the guy who started the season at QB can't beat out that bad thumb... Because that guy requires better OL play to be effective.
     

    If we trading out units, the Dline is the first one out. Three sacks in the last four games. One lost one yard. One lost two. That said I don’t blame it all on them.

    QBs. It’s hard to say. Actually impossible since they’re not here. But I can tell you Caleb Will has two game breaking TD runs when he was dead to rights. Free, unblocked defenders squared up in his face. I haven’t seen Spencer Sanders throw a critical pick in spite of all his flaws. But he can rely on his D.

    I’m not saying our QB play is terrible, but we miss very critical very takeable plays in each game. I’m not one to give up on Card yet and it was reasonable to give him an opportunity but that ultimately was a net negative.

    We simply lose as a team. One play it’s this guy or unit then the next it’s someone else. We were basically one play away in each game from winning. It could have come from anywhere. Somebody needs to make it.
  7. Ossai was a beast. 

    Your post above was pretty spot on except we’re going to win another game damn it.

    Your reference to Ossai inspired me to stat search. And we were awful at rushing the passer last year.

    17 sacks last year in almost 400 attempts. Five were Ossai, two were Graham. This year 16 sacks in a little over 300 attempts. Three in the last four games. But the good part of that 1 sack in each of the last two games resulting in a loss of 1 yard and 2 yards. We weren’t any good last year, and we lost our top two sack getters (Graham and Ojomo were tied).

    I’m thinking maybe there should be open tryouts on campus to see if we can find a pass rusher.
  8. Sacks don't happen when a QB throws the ball into the dirt or gets hit on the arm or scrambles for 1 yard.
    I don't have stats...  I do have plenty of views of our guys doing Ole moves or kickstepping to block air... or double teaming a guy who stands straight up while another guy twists around at full speed...  You can call that an eye test.  I watch football with eyes (usually my own)...  We are serviceable in Outside Zone when the defense doesn't blow it up.  Our IZ game is whack and the left side of the OL isn't good in pass pro.  No stats needed.
    Head Coach has said what we need (OL), and I bet he has stats and eyes.
    Bijan has also been bad in pass pro... he will have to get better at it next season if he wants a consensus 1st round grade.



    Sacks do happen when a QB doesn’t get rid of the ball. Don’t know who or where that shit is quantified. Probably the same place as having the arm hit or throwing into the ground because the rush got there. Truthfully we aren’t self sacking too much, but it has happened. And all that happens for other teams too.

    Our QBs have not scrambled for shit. They’ve passed on opportunities to break the pocket and run for good yardage. Actually the pocket has been broken in several cases. Rarely do they escape the pocket and avoid dead to rights sacks.

    The complete free releases are inexcusable, but those are once maybe twice per game. We do get some inexplicable stuff, but we also get some damn good stuff. I don’t give a shit how fast Worthy is but you can’t run 25 yards down field and across the field without some good pass pro. He did at least 3, if not 4, times versus OU, which is probably our crappiest game of pass blocking. We’ve had half decades versus OU in which we couldn’t have done that that many times.

    At some point, there needs to be consideration for what is a reasonable expectation given the circumstances and given what other teams are able to accomplish as a comparison. These mofos are in a new scheme, 3 different offenses in 3 years, they’ve changed positions in many cases since last year, they lost a key member mid-season, and yeah no shit they aren’t the most talented.

    You’ve talked about complimentary football. Our offensive issues arise because our play calling, game planning and execution across all positions is not always complimentary. The two strip sacks versus KU were poor jobs by the tackles, but the QBs were secondarily responsible for ball security. The two picks were on the QB. Our dudes compliment each other by taking turns either flat out screwing up or simply not making a play.

    They are serviceable and have done well enough to put us in position to win most all games. But I got you, you have your opinion.
  9. I was never off the piece train. He won me over in 2017 and ‘18. I can tell something was up 2019. He hadn’t had a losing record ever as a head coach. He then brought in 3 straight elite recruiting classes while actually developing players. Our 2021 team got better throughout the year snd we saw the result. And yeah. Almost making it to the supers then winning the conference and going to Omaha in 2018 will buy you some good will. Has sark come close to that? Have any of our players improved? Are we learning how to win? 
     


    I couldn’t recall whether you were a Pierce guy or not. I know there were some questioning whether he could handle the job this past year. I think we would’ve finished the Covid year Strong but didn’t get that chance.

    I was merely attempting to offer hope. That’s what I choose to have now. There are several reasons for that.
    • Hook 'Em 1
  10. Seriously, if I was in sarks position, I would’ve resigned Sunday. There’s absolutely no way I would be able to stand on the sideline. I failed the team and the fan base. Charlie Strong is looking like an upgrade over me. Fuck this. I’ll wait for UCLA or cal or whatever to open up

    I know you’re a baseball dude. Year 2 Pierce was 27-27 at one of the Top 3 all time baseball programs. Were you on the Pierce train to start last year? Are you now? Prospects are looking pretty good I’d say.

    Our baseball program is better than our football program.

    I’m not happy, but it’s unlikely we move on.
  11. 200.gif

    This thread and maybe others includes some stats that reflect this Oline is serviceable.

    What you got that says it’s not?

    Top 4 backs each average more than 5.8 yards per carry. All but Bijan are greater than 6. Cedric Benson never averaged more than 5.6 and was twice less than 5 just for reference. Last year Najee Harris at 5.8 and 5.9 the year before. Adrian Petersons career high was 5.7 as a freshman. Breece hall is at 5.4.

    The great K Walker III has double the negative yards that Bijan does and more than our entire non- QB roster. Can’t say that Bijan is breaking infinitely more tackles than Walker. So what gives?

    On the sack side, they’ve had about 3 terrible drives in the OU game and the Pig game. Some complete whiffs too often. The OU game was some dumb shuffling of the parts. At least two sacks in the OSU game were due to RB play. Pass blocking was solid versus OSU, BU and KU. Rice and Tech were good. Parts of OU was damn good.

    They aren’t All American but sure as shit are serviceable.

    Now other than peoples eye tests I am interested in some legit numbers that say otherwise. I know there’s one that Bijan has a low number of yards before first contact. And how much of that was Baylor with their aggressive approach to stopping the run.
  12. I can’t disagree with this more. I deleted a rant, but it’s just not worth it. Neither will be coaching for Texas next year 

    TCUs defense is ranked lower in yards per game and gives up 1 more yard per play than ours. They gave up 52 to OU compared to our 55. They prepared for the QB. Players were recruited for that system. Players are not new to the scheme. Patterson recruited all of them.

    I don’t believe Patterson will coach at Texas next year either nor should he. I wouldn’t be surprised if PK is back. Wouldn’t surprise me if he’s not either. I completely understand the desire for him to go too.

    Patterson and PK both have good track records. But both have had terrible years.

    There is some legitimacy to continuity in spite of results (and relying on coaching history). There is some reasonable arguments for lack of scheme talent and poor cohesion amongst defensive coaches. Those favor PK over Patterson based on the latest years results. Patterson knows the Big 12 and has done it longer. His scheme probably fits better. Speculation but I suspect Patterson fuse has gotten shorter and that his age plays a factor. He’s probably a little tired and needs some time off.

    You can disagree and that’s fine. We’re all ticked and tired of it. But there’s some reason in my comment.

    Ultimately I just want it fixed enough to win games in the short then worry about domination as a longer term goal.
  13.  

    Interesting. Also interesting there are not any comments about this.

    Some more interesting stats. We have 385 rushing attempts. Our opponents have 392 attempts.

    We both have 193 yards lost. We have 16 sacks for negative 88 yards. Our opponents have 25 sacks for negative 155.

    Card has lost 48. Casey 99. Bijan 29. Roschon 1 on 50 carries. Keilan -3. Brooks -1. Watson and Team -1 each.

    Net out the sacks and our run game has lost 38 yards. Well that’s cause Bijan right? Unless you consider our next 3 guys have 98 Carries and 5 yards lost.

    With respect to the sack aspect, other teams have been getting far better results from their QBs avoiding sacks. That’s because we have very few escapes. We don’t get much pressure, but our opponents are making us miss on occasion when we do.

    On a per rush basis Bijan is right at Najee Harris in his last two years of 5.9 and 5.8. Bijan is 5.8.
    • Hook 'Em 1

  14. Lots of 3rd and shorts, where it was LOL, we did not have the numbers in the box to stop it. It was a miracle we stopped that BS quick snap 4th down conversion.

    Guess I don’t follow you.

    3rd and short (1-3yards) - 5 plays. This does not include the 4th down run.
    3rd and medium (4-9 yards). - 11 plays
    3rd and long (10+ yards) - 1 play. Last drive when trying to run clock. They ran on 3rd to run clock.

    Converted 11-17. One designed run out of those attempts. We didn’t have numbers to stop the sneak. I get that. But the original point of a big lineup was inconsequential on the money down cause they didn’t run it. No matter what lineup we had didn’t put much pressure on the QB. But maybe that was the case and I didn’t notice.

    It is odd they didn’t run it even on short yardage downs. Not getting them in long yardage situations hurt.

    Not a huge deal. I like numbers so I’ll look a little deeper when things are brought up.
  15.  

    TCUs defense is shittier than ours. Their players and systems have been in place. Now maybe Patterson been gone for a few weeks, but his influence remains. And they weren’t exactly performing up to standards while he was there.


    At a high level, PK makes as much sense to retain him as bringing on Patterson. You know one year does not a trend make. I’m not saying retain PK. I am saying Patterson is as questionable for several reasons. Age, unknown want to at this point, recent success.
  16. Their QB made the easy plays we presented to him. He wasn't good, we just never really made him uncomfortable or challenged him to make plays downfield.
    Other teams regularly challenge Casey to make plays downfield with success, we played soft coverage and gave up easy short completions. That doesn't account for the front getting pushed around by Kansas though. Bad fucking marriage and the players don't wanna play in it.

    He was good. We can shit on our own team but give credit where credits due.

    Remember that 3rd down throw to Worthy us down 7 in the 4th? The one we didn’t connect on and the drive ended. You still gotta convert the easy ones.
  17. No. This is unacceptable. He was never in duress and we didn’t scheme against the option and screen game Kansas was running. We allowed him to over-perform because the defense was out of position and failing to put any fucking effort into the game. There’s only about 2 people on that side of the ball that give a shit. 

    What you are saying may be true, but he was damn good. That doesn’t mean he will ever be again.

    He had timely runs. Completed 70% which included a drop on a very nice downfield throw. The 3rd down thrown to convert on their final TD in regulation was a very good play.

    In regulation the only had 1 drive with no 3rd down conversions. That same drive only had runs. Every other drive required the QB to make a play or two. In spite of our inadequacies, he did.


  18. Our problems start on the line as they are too light in running situations. Seeing Jett Bush or Ovie paired opposite a smallish Ray Thornton meant that they have no chance. What am I missing?

    Jett Bush and Ovie are pass rush specialists and should only play in obvious passing situations. Which was about 6 plays in the god forsaken game.




    We are small, but that wasn’t really the issue in this game. They had 17 3rd downs. We only had 11. They converted 11, us 7. That’s not to say our run D was good. But we lost because we couldn’t stop 3rd down. And the passing game.

    Every 3rd down they had was an attempted pass except the Qb sneak. First one of the game was a QB scramble. Some were 3rd and short; some were 3rd and long. We stopped them because they didn’t complete it on 3rd. (Not sure in overtime as the game play by play was not showing)

    Their QB was damn good and was the difference in the game.
  19. I agree with this and Dylan Haines may have been the worst player I have seen play for the Horns in the last 35 years.  That is what blows my mind.  We have a guy starting in the secondary that is so much worse than the worst player this team has fielded in the last 35 years.  My question for those of you that know the whole roster of this team.  Are there better players behind Schooler that should be playing but PK won’t let them?  Same question for Brock.  The reason we get gashed by the run is because I haven’t seen a D lineman on this team get off a block all year and Brock gets washed out by anyone close to him that comes to block him.  Not saying I am a fan of PK as I really don’t know that much about him but I don’t see scheme issues like I did with Orlando or Diaz.  We are not blitzing a safety 20 yards off the line of scrimmage or shit like that.  I see our players in position to fill a hole and they are not physically capable of doing it and making the tackle.  I see guys missing tackles because they aren’t fast and strong enough to get the right angle or bring the guy down.    
    I guess I am one of the few on this board that is willing to give Sark and PK a pass right now BUT if Brock is starting next year then they should fire all of them after the first loss.  That shows me the coaches aren’t capable of brining in any talent if we still have guys like that starting.  

    Do you realize your mental limitations?

    Haines isn’t the worst player of the last 35 years. Probably not even close.

    And Schooler is probably significantly more talented than Haines. Has played snaps on both sides of the ball at two major colleges. You can’t pull that off without some talent. His brother is a legit LB at two major colleges, which might lead one to believe there’s some talent in the family.

    Production or the lack thereof is totally different than lack of talent. He didn’t play DB last year. He’s in a new scheme. He has double digit tackles in the last two games. He didn’t get the majority of snaps in either Arkansas or OU. He’s playing faster but who knows why.

    And on two point conversion who knows whether that’s his responsibility. What I can tell you there’s one other player that didn’t do Jack and could have made the play and another was somewhat slow to react then may have chosen poorly.
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