O and D line..

[Vol Horn 4 Life]

I mean, no one would come here if we promised to pay based on performance. And even if we could find a coach who would agree to that, they could still be just as shell-shocked.

I don't think the issue was letting our guard down, as Ark's lead built slowly in the first half. I think the issue was trench execution on both sides of the ball, and like I said, I don't think Flood can do much about that because it was a physicality/speed issue.

And while anyone will readily admit that Arkansas hates us, we've witnessed them flounder for at least a few years AND against Rice a week earlier. They just "turned it on," which a lot of our opponents seem to do against us regardless of who our coach is (except maybe Nebraska). I think they were prepped out for the Ark team that played the Owls. When it was apparent that it wasn't going to work out that way in the 2nd quarter, Card should have been pulled MUCH sooner, and the defensive front should have been given a lot more freedom to pressure.

I agree with pretty much everything you said. What I'm referring to is the coaching staff not being prepared to make timely adjustments to the offensive and defensive plans/schemes until it was too late.

For example on defense we refused to stack the box on a mostly one dimensional running team who has a QB known for being very inaccurate. We were basically telling them to run and we were hoping our d-line would handle things. Well, when they couldn't get it done, they needed help but the adjustment never came so the piggies gashed us over and over.

On offense it was clear from the get go that the plan was for Bijan to control the game on the ground. Over and over it didn't work. Where were the screen passes or our short tight end routes across the middle to force the DB's to come up a few yards to give our WR's a better chance of getting free.

That's just two, but there are many more. The staff came in dead set on winning the game one way until it was too late. So either they were unprepared, stubborn or brain dead.

 

[WorsterMan]

Where were the screen passes or our short tight end routes across the middle to force the DB's to come up a few yards to give our WR's a better chance of getting free.

This was a big adjustment I / most of us realized was needed early in the game. Card was under constant pressure, a bit rattled at times, inconsistent , sacked some, didn't have much time in the pocket for medium or long receiver routes to open up. He over threw a couple that could have been TD's if caught. Didn't help that Brewer dropped a pass he should have caught...

Coaches should have done what you suggested. Help Card out with quicker developing short routes, screens, passes to RB in the flat, etc. Give Card some confidence, take little pressure off, gain some momentum, get first downs, etc.

 

[JohnnyBravo]

Should we just not talk at all about things the team, coaches or players, can do better? Isn't that part of the point of a message board? Why do we need enforcers for this?

Isn't part of a message board being able to disagree with what another member posts? So Who is playing the part of the enforcer here?

 

[ProdigalHorn]

How the F do you let your guard down in the second game of the staff tenure against an old conference rival who absolutely hates you more than you care about them?

I honestly think that this staff - just likes ones before them - had convinced themselves they had better personnel. I don't know how else to explain trying to convert fourth and 2 in your own territory by lining up and running what looked like straight inside zone against a team that had been stuffing it all game long. It was like they were saying "OK, with a fourth down play, these guys are going to reach down and finally do what they should be doing," as opposed to realizing that they were outmatched.

I remember reading all week from "expert" message boards that Sark was going to scheme around this team's weaknesses. Much like Herman before him, it feels like Sark isn't convinced yet that our o-line is a weakness at all. Because that game plan was the kind you roll out if you're coaching Alabama against Arkansas. And it never changed.

 

[bystander]

it feels like Sark isn't convinced yet that our o-line is a weakness at all

That's called buying your own B U L L S H I T.

 

[AC]

I honestly think that this staff - just likes ones before them - had convinced themselves they had better personnel. I don't know how else to explain trying to convert fourth and 2 in your own territory by lining up and running what looked like straight inside zone against a team that had been stuffing it all game long. It was like they were saying "OK, with a fourth down play, these guys are going to reach down and finally do what they should be doing," as opposed to realizing that they were outmatched.

I remember reading all week from "expert" message boards that Sark was going to scheme around this team's weaknesses. Much like Herman before him, it feels like Sark isn't convinced yet that our o-line is a weakness at all. Because that game plan was the kind you roll out if you're coaching Alabama against Arkansas. And it never changed.

Perhaps they needed a QB that could escape pressure better and not be so rattled, as Wooster said. Casey moved the offense well and got us first downs. Gave the defense rest too. This team was completely different with Casey Thompson as QB. He should remain the starter. I don't think Card is ready to start yet. Just too young.
I believe Texas could have possibly won the Arkansas game had Casey started. QB makes a really big difference. Did Casey take a sack at all? I don't believe so. Card would pump fake and shuffle his feet, indecisive. Then get nailed. That put us in a hole on offense and defense. 6 of his 9 drives were 3 and out. He fumbled too. I like Hudson Card, but he was not ready for a road game in the SEC. Casey is.

 

[HalRex]

Personal opinion is that our Oline is not playing well together as a unit. Poor communication, not trusting their training, whatever - when five guys cannot block three it’s a coordination issue. Even an undersized set of guys, if playing as a cohesive unit, can handle three pretty much no matter what the size/talent differential. Let’s see what our all star oline coach can do to remedy the situation. I think our line, individually from a physical standpoint, is adequate handle all but the most elite dlines if they play in coordination with each other. It’s on the coaches to make that happen.

 

[SabreHorn]

Rex,

You make great points. How many times did we have 3 OL triple team the NG while a LB and DE were screaming in untouched. Did they not know their assignments? Did the Hogs give them a different look than they practiced against?

Clearly lots of confusion and/or great scheming by Odom. The latter we should have been able to make adjustments for.