The Texas Defense is Mediocre

[El Torito]

Please re-read what you wrote there and think it through. Seven big plays don't just happen by accident or luck. Thats almost a seasons worth of big plays. Also, giving up 4.3 yards per play on the other 74 plays sucks because that includes incomplete passes that gain zero. They didn't play well the whole game.

I guess its an interesting mental exercise to parse out which running plays were more effective than others against OU, but by the 4th quarter, it didn't matter. The Sooners were running at will through, around, and over an exhausted Texas defense. Vol is right. The Texas defense got trucked in the trenches.

 

[BevoJoe]

We have transfers, former walk-ons, and former WRs starting in the trenches and at safety because the players Herman recruited can't beat them.

^^^^This right here says it all. Just because a new coach comes in doesn't automatically translate into the players there before the coaching change metamorphosing from mediocre into steller players. Depending on ability, a few may improve, but most probably show little change. What's the old saying about putting lipstick and makeup on a pig . . . it's still a pig. I believe most of what was left of Herman's players aren't going to change much. Some will, but most probably not.

 

[AC]

OL and DL must be high priorities in recruiting! I know....captain obvious. Hopefully, Sark can land some of these recruits. I don't follow recruiting until after the season. Just too busy.

 

[horninchicago]

^^^^This right here says it all. Just because a new coach comes in doesn't automatically translate into the players there before the coaching change metamorphosing from mediocre into steller players. Depending on ability, a few may improve, but most probably show little change. What's the old saying about putting lipstick and makeup on a pig . . . it's still a pig. I believe most of what was left of Herman's players aren't going to change much. Some will, but most probably not.

Why not? Can't great teachers in music, art, you name it, make a difference in bringing out potential? Otherwise, we are saying Sark is no better than Mensa Boy.

Either I was right Saturday and the team sucks, the coaches suck, or they all suck, if this is the case, or, they have a chance because the staff is better and can do something with this group.

 

[OrangeShogun]

The root of the problem is the 3 man front. All other woes stem from this.

 

[SabreHorn]

While I don’t like it, a three man front will work if there’s soMething behind it. Right now there is only open space.

 

[OrangeShogun]

While I don’t like it, a three man front will work if there’s soMething behind it. Right now there is only open space.

Exactly. I also question the ability to attract blue chip DL talent when running a 3 man front. Who wants to commit to a career of being a glorified blocking dummy?

 

[nashhorn]

Don’t forget the three man front worked pretty well for Arkie against us.

 

[SabreHorn]

Don’t forget the three man front worked pretty well for Arkie against us.

Yes, but Arkansas was playing against our OL and had LBs

 

[dukesteer]

Here’s something to think about, and why I put so much emphasis on the coaching and scheming, more than the talent.

Saturday night some of us watched — make that “we’re nauseated by” — a defense loaded with the best players in the country, mostly five stars with some four stars mixed in. The best of the best. That defense was dominated buy a second string quarterback who couldn’t do squat against the likes of Arkansas and Mississippi State.

Was Aggy inspired? I suppose. But if talent is the key, how the heck did a quarterback who had been completely inept for weeks drive that team from College Station down the field for the winning field goal late in the fourth quarter against a defense comprised of all stars?

So again to me, coaching is absolutely critical, as is scheming. I continue to believe that we have better than adequate talent, and actually decent talent. I just don’t think they’re being coached up, or being taught how to play the scheme that this coach is preaching. And that is troubling.

 

[ViperHorn]

While I don’t like it, a three man front will work if there’s soMething behind it. Right now there is only open space.

Corrrect. In fact, a 2-4-5 will also work as long as the 4 can cover (and have the sense to stay in their lanes and responsibilities). The advantage is rotating the spy responsibility among the 4 so the OL will not know who to cut-off.

 

[I_Dont_Exist]

Here’s something to think about, and why I put so much emphasis on the coaching and scheming, more than the talent.

Saturday night some of us watched — make that “we’re nauseated by” — a defense loaded with the best players in the country, mostly five stars with some four stars mixed in. The best of the best. That defense was dominated buy a second string quarterback who couldn’t do squat against the likes of Arkansas and Mississippi State.

Was Aggy inspired? I suppose. But if talent is the key, how the heck did a quarterback who had been completely inept for weeks drive that team from College Station down the field for the winning field goal late in the fourth quarter against a defense comprised of all stars?

So again to me, coaching is absolutely critical, as is scheming. I continue to believe that we have better than adequate talent, and actually decent talent. I just don’t think they’re being coached up, or being taught how to play the scheme that this coach is preaching. And that is troubling.

Did the aggies make a coaching I missed? How did the same coaches get so brilliant in a 2 week period? Why didn't they apply the same brilliance to Arkansas and Mississippi State?

 

[I_Dont_Exist]

Oh and thank the lord for Greg Davis without whom Vince and Colt would have failed miserably.

 

[Run Pincher]

I'm still not buying wait til coach K get's his own players argument either. The stars are listed below. We have players that some 50+ schools wanted, yet for some reason they don't fit the scheme at Texas. That smells like excuses and BS to me.

Secondary:
BJ Foster Sr 5*
D'shawn Jamison Sr 4*
Anthony Cook Sr 4*
Chris Adimora Jr 4*
Josh Thompson Sr 4*
Ishmael Ibraheem Fr 4*
Kitan Crawford So 4*

Defensive Line:
Keondre Coburn Jr 4*
Alfred Collins So 4*
Vernon Broughton RFr 4*
Myron Warren So 4*
Moro Ojomo Jr 3*
T'vondre sweat Jr 3*

Edge:
Ben Davis Sr 5*
Jacoby Jones Sr 4*
Prince Dorbah RFr 4*
DJ Harris Fr 4*
Ray Thornton Sr 4*
Jordan Thomas Fr 4*
Ovie Oghoufo Jr 3*
Barryn Sorrell Fr 3*

LB:
Demarvion Overshown Sr 4*
David Gbenda So 4*
Terrence Cooks So 4*
Aodele Adeoye Jr 4*
Luke Brockermeyer Jr 3*
Jaylin Ford So 3*

 

[dukesteer]

Did the aggies make a coaching I missed? How did the same coaches get so brilliant in a 2 week period? Why didn't they apply the same brilliance to Arkansas and Mississippi State?

Saban was outcoached. It happens. Alabama looked mediocre in all aspects. Let me add that Alabama is a shell of its 2020 team, at least so far.

 

[wadster]

Where Sark let the D down was getting too conservative last drive of the 1st half and the 3rd quarter. The D has issues, but Sark knows that. One way to solve that with an 18pt lead is to hold onto the ball and get some 1st downs. OU made changes to shore up the interior and we quit exposing that on the edges. Just ran BR into the interior too many 1st and 2nd downs. No WR sweeps, no passing on 1st down. All gas, no brakes means exactly that. I hope Sark learned from this mistake. It was a big one and should not happen again. If you lose, go down swinging.

 

[Hillcityhorn]

I'm still not buying wait til coach K get's his own players argument either. The stars are listed below. We have players that some 50+ schools wanted, yet for some reason they don't fit the scheme at Texas. That smells like excuses and BS to me.

Secondary:
BJ Foster Sr 5*
D'shawn Jamison Sr 4*
Anthony Cook Sr 4*
Chris Adimora Jr 4*
Josh Thompson Sr 4*
Ishmael Ibraheem Fr 4*
Kitan Crawford So 4*

Defensive Line:
Keondre Coburn Jr 4*
Alfred Collins So 4*
Vernon Broughton RFr 4*
Myron Warren So 4*
Moro Ojomo Jr 3*
T'vondre sweat Jr 3*

Edge:
Ben Davis Sr 5*
Jacoby Jones Sr 4*
Prince Dorbah RFr 4*
DJ Harris Fr 4*
Ray Thornton Sr 4*
Jordan Thomas Fr 4*
Ovie Oghoufo Jr 3*
Barryn Sorrell Fr 3*

LB:
Demarvion Overshown Sr 4*
David Gbenda So 4*
Terrence Cooks So 4*
Aodele Adeoye Jr 4*
Luke Brockermeyer Jr 3*
Jaylin Ford So 3*

BJ Foster 5* LOL. Besides making a hit here & now, when does he look like a 5 star safety?!?!? Sorry, couldn't help but see this since it's at the very top of your list and couldn't read anymore of the list that was enough for me....

 

[Hillcityhorn]

Where Sark let the D down was getting too conservative last drive of the 1st half and the 3rd quarter. The D has issues, but Sark knows that. One way to solve that with an 18pt lead is to hold onto the ball and get some 1st downs. OU made changes to shore up the interior and we quit exposing that on the edges. Just ran BR into the interior too many 1st and 2nd downs. No WR sweeps, no passing on 1st down. All gas, no brakes means exactly that. I hope Sark learned from this mistake. It was a big one and should not happen again. If you lose, go down swinging.

Excellent points, thus can't be overstated, we just needed 2 or 3 1st downs on couple of drives! Also, wasting a 3rd down play at the end of 3rd qtr...

 

[HalRex]

BJ Foster 5* LOL. Besides making a hit here & now, when does he look like a 5 star safety?!?!? Sorry, couldn't help but see this since it's at the very top of your list and couldn't read anymore of the list that was enough for me....

I don’t know, he’s third on the team in tackles (behind Overshown and Brock) and leads the team in interceptions.

 

[Hillcityhorn]

I don’t know, he’s third on the team in tackles (behind Overshown and Brock) and leads the team in interceptions.

Good for him, too bad he was busy jogging around behind the LOS on the Caleb Williams long TD run on 4th and 1 last week. He might be a 5* , but it's not rated on effort. Again for the 400th time, when I think of 4 and 5* safeties, I see a Michael Griffin or Michael Huff.

 

[HalRex]

Good for him, too bad he was busy jogging around behind the LOS on the Caleb Williams long TD run on 4th and 1 last week. He might be a 5* , but it's not rated on effort. Again for the 400th time, when I think of 4 and 5* safeties, I see a Michael Griffin or Michael Huff.

This may be hard to believe, but both Griff and Huff made mistakes and missed tackles during their time as Horns. They made good plays too though - just like Foster. I don’t think anyone will disagree that Foster comes up short when compared to those two, but that’s a very high standard....

 

[ProdigalHorn]

Ben Davis - 5 Star, #1 ILB of class
Jacoby Jones - 4 Star
Keondre Coburn - 4 Star
Collins - High 4 Star
Josh Thompson - 4 Star
Jerrin Thompson - 4 Star
Foster - 4 Star
Cook - 4 Star
Jamison - 4 Star
Overshown - 4 Star

But when you look at that list, more than half are d-backs - including Overshown who was spun down to play LB. (As I recall). Collins is a sophomore and flashing good stuff but the light hasn't come on yet. So that leaves Jones and Coburn - and as someone pointed out, even a four-star is still a 60-percent proposition or so.

There just aren't a lot of guys on that list to fill out a complete roster. Lots of holes up front and in the middle.

Right now it just feels like we're trying to play a defense that works really well with great-to-elite front three, LBs that can cover in space and play assignment football, and at least one edge that is a great pass rusher. Right now we have two linebackers who can do one but not the other of their required skills, edge rushers that either don't have a knack for consistency or aren't getting enough help from the down 3, and a down 3 that don't scare anyone enough to occupy multiple blockers.

I just think it's going to take a couple of classes before we can really say whether K's scheme works.

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

There just aren't a lot of guys on that list to fill out a complete roster. Lots of holes up front and in the middle.

Not to mention the dearth of quality back-ups.

 

[Hillcityhorn]

This may be hard to believe, but both Griff and Huff made mistakes and missed tackles during their time as Horns. They made good plays too though - just like Foster. I don’t think anyone will disagree that Foster comes up short when compared to those two, but that’s a very high standard....

When you're a "can't miss 5 * talent" that BJ Foster supposedly is, what other standard should we compare him to??? Besides he quit the team TWICE! Did Griffin or Huff do that??
The thread is about defensive mediocrity! So that's our problem, when have you seen Foster or anyone else for that matter, make a game changing play in Texas' favor on defense!?!? That's the problem, it's not about the recruiting of 4 and 5 stars, it's the effort from them and the player being developed by coaches. Now granted, we've had so many coaching changes etc, but not sure if we have guys bleeding burnt orange like Huff / Griffin. Yes, they did miss tackles, but I never saw any lack of effort or "lolly-gagging" around like Foster.

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

You have an amazingly serious hard on for BJ, don't you?

 

[Hillcityhorn]

You have an amazingly serious hard on for BJ, don't you?

Yup, I'm tired of piss poor effort and it's continually rewarded with playing time, he's not the only one, but why care? The players on this team seem to dgaf. Hell, since 2010 it's a collection of mediocrity.

 

[Ajo Macho]

Pretty sure Huff was a 3-star.

 

[ViperHorn]

Doesn't matter who is playing when you allow multiple hundreds of yards on the ground.

 

[OrangeShogun]

You have an amazingly serious hard on for BJ, don't you?

Hard on for BJ? What's the problem?

 

[ProdigalHorn]

You have an amazingly serious hard on for BJ, don't you?

I'm a little embarrassed that I see what you did there...