As we wrap up the first week of full pads, full speed practice I thought it would be a good time to give our surly readers something to digest over the weekend and going into next week.
In true 9.95er fashion, I'm going to make up all kinds of things and nothing, I mean nothing in this post is going to be worth a damn as far as insider information is concerned, but it's going to get your blood pumping and make you think you know a lot more than anyone actually does about what is going on in spring practice.
That being said, lets start here.
I mean wow is all I can say. Can Sark change his entire offense to just be punting on first down every time? I am pretty sure that after watching this video even when punting on first down that the team. Just kidding - in all seriousness did you see how fun they have made running sprints in practice?
D'Shawn Jamison is a grown ass man, and it looks like his teammates are loving what they are seeing. One common thread that we can see from the absolute control that LHN and Longhorn Social Media has put out is the level of physicality in practice is among the highest we've ever been able to witness. No "Country Club" atmosphere to be seen.
There is also a strange aura glowing around each of the players as they have media availability. It's a mix of excitement, nerves, trust and swagger that combine into something that gives us a glimpse into how the leaders are perceiving this coaching staff. There is a common theme in every one of the players and what they say, Faith. Something that is even stronger than trust is the foundation that is being laid out by the staff right now and the more we see the players trusting their teammates, their coaches and themselves the stronger that faith will become.
Other things and happenings, we have a sighting of Hudson Card's teeny tiny hands, slangin' what seem to be perfect spirals down field. We get glimpses of passes down field from snaps from inside the program like this one from Josh Moore's snapchat:
The defensive side of the ball is getting adjusted to it's new scheme, but what is really impressive is how freakish the athletes are and how quick they are to commit to changing their bodies or positions in order to win. Keondre Coburn is now on record talking about what his playing weight needs to be and his goal is to stay on the field for as many snaps as possible without being tired or having to rotate out. We have Tyler Owens shifting around trying out different positions. We have Jacoby Jones flying all over the practice squad stunting on people and most unexpected of all, fresh blood from the outside, Ray Thornton being the guy stepping up to fill in Ossai's role of BAMF.
There is a lot to be really excited about right now, the players know it, the fans know it, the athletic department knows it and most of all the coaches know it. I don't think Sark was expecting to have as deep and as talented of a team, I also don't think he knew how hard the key players and leaders were willing to work in order to starts.
As cheesy as it sounds, one thing that really resonated with me from the completely open and transparent conversation we had with Shark McCulloch was how serious Sam was all the time. I can't help but think that mentality permeated those that remained and the way every single player talks about Sam and the void he left from a leaders perspective, they talk about the new guys that are filling that void.
Speaking of voids that needed to be filled. Another exciting thing happening around the program this week has been the open invitation of some of the most successful Longhorns to step foot on the 40 acres to come back. Listen to what they have to say.
There has only been a handful of times that have been this exciting in the offseason to be a Longhorn fan, we have a lot to look forward to. Build the Burnt Orange Cathedral and may we have Faith in the Longhorns once again. I'm going to leave you with my mood right now, All Gas No Brakes.
Hook 'Em
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