So sensitive. You look at the game, you ignore 1.5 yards per attempt more, the 75 more yards rushing by Howard, the higher QBR, and higher QB rating and come to the conclusion its basically the same. Of course, you do the typical fan nonsense and say take out this play and that play from the opposition and pretend that is a logical exercise.
I have said for months. It seems like Word and Shadeur are locked in the 1-2 spot and I expect a ton volatility in the next group. It only takes 1 team to change the rankings. Appears to be only 2 guys that will be 1st round selections. The next group is likely in the 3rd round, perhaps someone reaches in the 2nd. I know Zerlien was saying it is a bit unusual for QBs to go in the 2nd. Teams usually draft in the 1st with the player being deemed a start level player and then usual wait to the 3rd and after.
I have seen the Shough talk. He was definitely a big winner at the combine. He is just coming from the back of the pack. I dont think he has moved to that 3/4 spot yet, but we will see.
4. Quinn Ewers, Texas
The strongest parts of Ewers' outing in on-field drills on Saturday were his solid mechanics and impressive accuracy. The Texas product was hitting receivers on all levels of the field with nice ball placement the first half of his throws, and he was really able to show off his nice footwork and lower-body mechanics with no pass rush to worry about.
Ewers wasn't quite as strong as Dart was when he had to throw to his right side and on some of the deeper throws on "go" routes. The 2024 second-team All-SEC quarterback missed some easy throws on comeback routes to his right side and didn't show off much of the requisite anticipation on those routes. When it came time to throw deep, Ewers had some bad underthrows that took away from an otherwise solid performance.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/draft/2025/03/01/nfl-combine-2025-quarterback-rankings-draft/80969533007/
You are using the team record to try and deflect from the offensive performance. We are going to watch a lot of offensive Longhorns drafted and they finished 18th in FEI. That is not the ceiling. There is no way you can objectively say the talent on offense was 18th best in the country
Played some off-ball last year. Collins is the best pass rusher. He is going to be the Buck. It would be hard to start Moore and Collins on the EDGEs in the SEC. I see this as a way to increase the versatility with Moore and help his NFL prospects. I would not worry much about this. If it works out, awesome. If it does not, he is going to split reps with Collins in base downs and be on the field in pass rush situations.
Georgia is the only game; you did not want to throw Arch in and Sark threw him in. Texas was going to playoffs with any solid QB. That may sound crazy, but Texas won 1 game in the regular season where the defense gave up 20 or more.
It could be something as simple as Quinn looked better in practice. IMO the biggest issue for Texas the last 2 seasons has been an inconsistent offense. When the offense was clicking it was a thing of beauty. Quinn looked great. It also was prone to vomit inducing stretches. It was not uncommon to see both in the same game. Sark could have just been betting on Quinn and the offense dampening the volatility or nervous about putting someone with limited experience into that environment.
He has had some issues at OSU with Knowles. The story from OSU was Knowles and Johnson finally went to the mat over DL coaching/technique. Jim wanted it taught a different way. Jim ended up winning. The rest is history.
I just disagreed with the comp of Akina to Gary Patterson’s contributions joining the staff. I did not pontificate on the hire of Akina. Your opening paragraph seems like you agree. Not sure what triggered the second paragraph
Akina is not near the level of Gary in coordinating a defense or as a defensive mind. That has been proven in Akina's history, most recently in his brief DC job at Arizona. Arizona went from DFEI #24 under Nansen to #103 under Akina the following year. He is a great DB coach. He can coach technique with anyone in the profession. I trust him on the micro, not the macro level.
Texas had 3 coaches in the secondary last year. I don’t remember Hazelton ever hitting the road. This may make sense if you view it in that light. Sark had hired the second of 3 secondary coaches. The next one will have more recruiting chops. That is all I got
I meant interesting in the sense the Brown was considered this rising star, he got DC interviews, and then suddenly he was let go. Apparently, a lot of communication issues between the 2nd and 3rd levels. Db and LB coach were both fired.
'This Was Mike's Decision': Beat Writer Details Why DBs Coach Grady Brown Won't Return - Steelers Depot
Love Deshon, always a great interview
'Guys Can't Be Fucking Wide Open:' DeShon Elliott Blasts Steelers' Defense, Says 'Guys Weren't Doing Their Fricking Job' - Steelers Depot