2020 Texas Offseason Thread: Herman's Hail Mary

[Hank Chinaski 6,310]

4 hours ago, Sejjr said:

Stop fucking worrying about out-scheming and out-mensa-ing teams and let our athletes play like they were born to play. And beat the fuck out of the weak teams on the schedule.

Let's get back to what it was like when we'd effortlessly hang 60 on Baylor and Kansas.

For all the shit we give Mack, I always kind of thought that his generally conservative nature as the Texas coach, while frustrating, was strategic in that he almost always had the talent advantage...that he could win most every game just by not fucking up. His teams could be boring sometimes (particularly the offensive gameplans), but they were almost always excellent on special teams and they very rarely beat themselves. This obviously didn't work against OU for a few years there, but it did against almost everyone else - he dominated A&M, Ok St, Baylor, Nebraska...pretty much everyone else in the conference.

My point isn't that it's OK to lose to OU 5 years in a row, but that playing smart, fundamentally-sound football and getting the details right goes a long way when you have a talented roster. Herman has recruited at a level that should enable him to do at least what pre-VY Mack was able to do at Texas. But his special teams have been horrid, his players make dumb mistakes, and he allowed his defense to completely come off the tracks.  You can't lose to 5-7 TCU. You can't lose to Iowa St.

[closetohumping 17,380]

15 minutes ago, Hank Chinaski said:

For all the shit we give Mack, I always kind of thought that his generally conservative nature as the Texas coach, while frustrating, was strategic in that he almost always had the talent advantage...that he could win most every game just by not fucking up. His teams could be boring sometimes (particularly the offensive gameplans), but they were almost always excellent on special teams and they very rarely beat themselves. This obviously didn't work against OU for a few years there, but it did against almost everyone else - he dominated A&M, Ok St, Baylor, Nebraska...pretty much everyone else in the conference.

My point isn't that it's OK to lose to OU 5 years in a row, but that playing smart, fundamentally-sound football and getting the details right goes a long way when you have a talented roster. Herman has recruited at a level that should enable him to do at least what pre-VY Mack was able to do at Texas. But his special teams have been horrid, his players make dumb mistakes, and he allowed his defense to completely come off the tracks.  You can't lose to 5-7 TCU. You can't lose to Iowa St.

Ironically the two teams at the end of your post led to Mack's demise.

[LTtxfan 48,927]

Lots to improve for 2020 Season.  Better special teams play, and a HELLUVA lot better 1st quarter starts to games... Damn The Longhorns were a bad 1st quarter Team in 2019!! 

 

Edited January 4, 2020 by LTtxfan

[Cajun 11,675]

7 hours ago, Hank Chinaski said:

For all the shit we give Mack, I always kind of thought that his generally conservative nature as the Texas coach, while frustrating, was strategic in that he almost always had the talent advantage...that he could win most every game just by not fucking up. His teams could be boring sometimes (particularly the offensive gameplans), but they were almost always excellent on special teams and they very rarely beat themselves. This obviously didn't work against OU for a few years there, but it did against almost everyone else - he dominated A&M, Ok St, Baylor, Nebraska...pretty much everyone else in the conference.

My point isn't that it's OK to lose to OU 5 years in a row, but that playing smart, fundamentally-sound football and getting the details right goes a long way when you have a talented roster. Herman has recruited at a level that should enable him to do at least what pre-VY Mack was able to do at Texas. But his special teams have been horrid, his players make dumb mistakes, and he allowed his defense to completely come off the tracks.  You can't lose to 5-7 TCU. You can't lose to Iowa St.

Problem with this is that playing that way becomes engrained in the team's DNA and a "default" setting leading to getting their asses handed to them when a rival comes in and takes it to Eleven, ala the gooners.

Team play it safe gets punched in the mouth and goes fetal.

Hence, 5 in a row.

"Weather the storm!"

Oooph

[Alien Octopus 499]

We lose in the CFP next year. I say we are two years away from having enough depth to grind with the other powers.

[Hank Chinaski 6,310]

1 hour ago, Cajun said:

Problem with this is that playing that way becomes engrained in the team's DNA and a "default" setting leading to getting their asses handed to them when a rival comes in and takes it to Eleven, ala the gooners.

Team play it safe gets punched in the mouth and goes fetal.

Hence, 5 in a row.

"Weather the storm!"

Oooph

Oh I agree, and I'm not advocating that he copy Mack's philosophies across the board...just commenting on the previous poster suggesting that he replace his seeming desire to outsmart everyone schematically with an emphasis on fundamentals. Everyone seems to agree that the defense will improve by simplifying the scheme and letting the athletes he's been recruiting play. Get special teams cleaned up too, and the team has a good chance to improve quickly. 

[stork642 4,498]

18 hours ago, Katfid54 said:

Ehlinger was v bad at that throw to Duvernay in 2018.  He was significantly better throwing the post to Eagles this year.

I’m less concerned with Sam’s arm strength and more concerned with the less experienced receivers running the correct routes.  

[stork642 4,498]

18 hours ago, Katfid54 said:

Ehlinger was v bad at that throw to Duvernay in 2018.  He was significantly better throwing the post to Eagles this year.

DP

Edited January 4, 2020 by stork642

[Laga4 1,270]

2 hours ago, LTtxfan said:

Lots to improve for 2020 Season.  Better special teams play, and a HELLUVA lot better 1st quarter starts to games... Damn The Longhorns were a bad 1st quarter Team in 2019!! 

 

Tom said he hadn't noticed that we were a team that starts slow. 

[Js1 85,055]

5 minutes ago, Laga4 said:

Tom said he hadn't noticed that we were a team that starts slow. 

Probably still trying to figure out who we were playing that week 

[Dbeasy 14,953]

Watching the playoff makes it obvious we still don’t have the talent to win it all. I’m hoping Herman’s growth as a coach combined with the new hires gets us to 10-2 next year. A top 2021 class with some freshmen that can contribute right away might be enough to get us to the top.

Or Herman sucks and none of that happens. We will know at the end of the 2020 season.

[mdleast 8,255]

Hope springs eternal. It seems most podcast discussions I’ve listened to over the past couple of seasons thought (even prior to this season) that we likely over-performed in 2018 (they were correct) and that, though there was a possibility we could compete for the conference and even be a dark horse playoff contender this season (was not correct), 2020 was the actually the realistic projection for a season to be “our” season. I think that is still not unrealistic. Also, my current goal is us just winning the conference. Considering we haven’t been able to do that for 10 seasons now, I’m not going to look further than that goal at this point.

 

Barring the injury bug we had last year, we bring back a lot including a senior Sam at QB, OU will be once again be breaking in a new QB (I hold out hope that one year they are gonna actually have some new QB growing pains) and I also hold out hope that Rhule leaves for the NFL and want to see what Baylor looks like once again without him at the helm. The Utah game at least shows us the potential (though wasted this season) that our players have so I remain cautiously optimistic.

 

Like i said: hope springs eternal. Ready for the spring game.

 

(Sorry this is not more “hot takey” like most on here prefer)

 

[stork642 4,498]

If Herman is truly successful at Texas I think when it is all said and done it will be because CDC was able to help guide him through those decisions that could have otherwise killed his career here.  I don’t think CDC is forcing specific actions but he is clearly keeping Tom focused in the right direction.   

Edited January 4, 2020 by stork642

[Longboard Horn 40,069]

12 hours ago, nunna yo bizness said:

WTF?  We're going to become meth heads and start fucking our sisters?

Oops meant to say that we will BEAT blowU. I was drunk when I typed that.

[Snake Diggity 4,614]

I expect us to go 10-4.  8 wins or less and Herman is certainly toast.  He can survive a 9 win season provided he wins his final 2.  10 wins or better and he’s safe.  A conference championship earns him an extension.

 

We are stacked on offense.  Talented experienced depth at QB, RB, and TE.  Talent and depth at WR (but the unit lacks experience).  Talent and experience at OL (but is sorely lacking in depth).  Provided they avoid injuries to the OL and QB the offense should be among the best in the country.

If the defense was as talented and experienced and as deep as the offense, a playoff appearance would be a reasonable expectation.  But there is enough talent on defense that 10+ wins is a totally reasonable expectation.  There’s talent and depth on the DL, but losing Roach hurts, and the unit will be relying on freshman to play right away. The secondary should be the best it’s been since 2005.  The LB core features the team’s highest ceiling player in Ossai, although questions abound otherwise. Provided they avoid injuries along the front 7 this team will be in every game.

 Special teams gets everybody back.

Doomsday scenario has Ehlinger getting concussed, Cosmi hurting his knee, and the unproven players on the front 7 not panning out; we lose to LSU and OU and the wheels come off, leading to 7-6 and Herman getting canned.

 

Best case has Ehlinger taking that final step and the offense’s main problem becoming how to get all the dynamic playmakers enough touches.  The secondary dominates and Coburn turns into a 1st round pick.  In that case a Big 12 championship and playoff appearance is in play.  Herman gets an extension and the momentum starts to feed itself.

Edited January 4, 2020 by Snake Diggity

[Cajun 11,675]

2 hours ago, Laga4 said:

Tom said he hadn't noticed that we were a team that starts slow. 

Seems to be a lot of things Tom hasn't noticed.

Like that his DC was committing blatant malpractice on a weekly basis.

[texifornia 56,434]

 

 

[TreatyOak 16,147]

5 minutes ago, Cajun said:

Seems to be a lot of things Tom hasn't noticed.

[Katfid54 8,591]

2 hours ago, stork642 said:

I’m less concerned with Sam’s arm strength and more concerned with the less experienced receivers running the correct routes.  

...it's a post route.

[Burt Macklin 18,987]

5 hours ago, Snake Diggity said:

I expect us to go 10-4.  8 wins or less and Herman is certainly toast.  He can survive a 9 win season provided he wins his final 2.  10 wins or better and he’s safe.  A conference championship earns him an extension.

 

We are stacked on offense.  Talented experienced depth at QB, RB, and TE.  Talent and depth at WR (but the unit lacks experience).  Talent and experience at OL (but is sorely lacking in depth).  Provided they avoid injuries to the OL and QB the offense should be among the best in the country.

If the defense was as talented and experienced and as deep as the offense, a playoff appearance would be a reasonable expectation.  But there is enough talent on defense that 10+ wins is a totally reasonable expectation.  There’s talent and depth on the DL, but losing Roach hurts, and the unit will be relying on freshman to play right away. The secondary should be the best it’s been since 2005.  The LB core features the team’s highest ceiling player in Ossai, although questions abound otherwise. Provided they avoid injuries along the front 7 this team will be in every game.

 Special teams gets everybody back.

Doomsday scenario has Ehlinger getting concussed, Cosmi hurting his knee, and the unproven players on the front 7 not panning out; we lose to LSU and OU and the wheels come off, leading to 7-6 and Herman getting canned.

 

Best case has Ehlinger taking that final step and the offense’s main problem becoming how to get all the dynamic playmakers enough touches.  The secondary dominates and Coburn turns into a 1st round pick.  In that case a Big 12 championship and playoff appearance is in play.  Herman gets an extension and the momentum starts to feed itself.

Ossai is a DE, not a LB in this defense and we won’t be relying on TR FR at DL with Ossai, Coburn, Ojomo, Bimage, Sweat, Graham, Jones, and Warren all likely able to contribute. Some TR FR might play, but it’ll be because they beat out older guys. 

Linebacker will be a mess, unless one or both of Overshown and Foster can successfully spin down. I’d like to see both start offseason ball at LB. 

I also don’t think we’re that bad off on OL depth. We have 3 returning starters plus a senior Okafor and about 5 2nd or 3rd year guys who should be ready to play and fill the other starting spot plus provide depth. 

Edited January 4, 2020 by Burt Macklin

[HornsOverIthaca 2,333]

Hopefully we have fewer WR routes that look like they just stepped off Willie Nelson’s tour bus.

[HtownHorn 14,446]

Only 4 players left former the CS era.

Okafor - .9045

Brown - .8767

Imade - .8519

Duvernay - .8478

You have to think that Jaquess and Brockermeyer are keeping their scholarships, not sure about Hine. So that leaves us with 3 open scholarships without anymore attrition.

 

[TheMailBox357 213]

17 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

Only 4 players left former the CS era.

Okafor - .9045

Brown - .8767

Imade - .8519

Duvernay - .8478

You have to think that Jaquess and Brockermeyer are keeping their scholarships, not sure about Hine. So that leaves us with 3 open scholarships without anymore attrition.

 

That list is incomplete imo. All the players from 2017 transition recruiting class who originally committed to Charlies Strong's staff also count too.

[Elmer_Fudd 22,084]

58 minutes ago, HtownHorn said:

Only 4 players left former the CS era.

Okafor - .9045

Brown - .8767

Imade - .8519

Duvernay - .8478

You have to think that Jaquess and Brockermeyer are keeping their scholarships, not sure about Hine. So that leaves us with 3 open scholarships without anymore attrition.

 

Is little Duvernay going to stick around with Devin now gone?

[Redmen62 126]

Can't think of a better place to put this- When do RRS tickets go on sale through the university? Gonna make the trip down again from Canada for this year's game. 

[LTtxfan 48,927]

3 hours ago, HtownHorn said:

Only 4 players left former the CS era.

Okafor - .9045

Brown - .8767

Imade - .8519

Duvernay - .8478

You have to think that Jaquess and Brockermeyer are keeping their scholarships, not sure about Hine. So that leaves us with 3 open scholarships without anymore attrition.

 

 

2 hours ago, Elmer_Fudd said:

Is little Duvernay going to stick around with Devin now gone?

Little Duvernay may be graduating??

Below link updated roster in early Oct 2019...

 

[texifornia 56,434]

Hot damn!

 

[texifornia 56,434]

 

[Tex Long 4,326]

1 hour ago, texifornia said:

My guess for the OL next season:
LT: Sam Cosmi (25 starts)
LG: Junior Angilau (11 starts)
OC: Derek Kerstetter (25 starts)
RG: Denzel Okafor (5 starts)
RT: Christian Jones (0 starts)

0? 5? So... no QB Power to the right?

[nunna yo bizness 1,687]

3 hours ago, Tex Long said:

0? 5? So... no QB Power to the right?

You have a problem with QB power to the left?

[NeverMarryAStripper 21,780]

On 1/3/2020 at 8:54 PM, Newy25 said:

Oklahoma will be breaking transferring in a new Heisman QB and Baylor loses a fuck ton of players next year  just fucking sucks. If we do not win the conference next year with a senior Ehlinger Herman needs to be fired. If it does not happen next year it will never happen for Herman. 

I think that's what you meant to say

Edited January 6, 2020 by NeverMarryAStripper

[texifornia 56,434]

The DBs still seem tight

 

[Burt Macklin 18,987]

2 minutes ago, texifornia said:

The DBs still seem tight

 

What ARE you talking about, Tex?? They said one false move and the group will break up! Sounds like they’re all going to transfer!!

/Surly Olds reading Twitter 

[TheMailBox357 213]

Aggy mod is saying the same thing @maninblack & @closetojumping has been saying:

 

 

[closetojumping 62,131]

11 minutes ago, TheMailBox357 said:

Aggy mod is saying the same thing @maninblack & @closetojumping has been saying:

 

 

Images aren’t showing on my phone. What’s being said?

[Hiphopopotamos 20,865]

11 minutes ago, closetojumping said:

Images aren’t showing on my phone. What’s being said?

They’re the screenshots from the recruiting board - Tarp saying that 9 wins would save his job but that no one expects him to get that. 

[Sock Drawer 214]

On 1/3/2020 at 2:20 PM, Hiphopopotamos said:

I expect a top 10 offense.

I expect a top 40 defense.

I expect Bijan to rush for 1000 yards.

I expect double-digit sacks from Joseph Ossai.

I expect a Conference Title.

 

Lord knows we've got the talent.

[SydneyCarton 47,809]

2 minutes ago, Hiphopopotamos said:

They’re the screenshots from the recruiting board - Tarp saying that 9 wins would save his job but that no one expects him to get that. 

It’s more than that. The initial context of the posts on that thread was that no one would work for Herman because they think he’s done. It was in response to Elijah Robinson turning down herman, allegedly, if i remember correctly. 

[HenryJames 65,868]

 

[Rhinotx 499]

7 minutes ago, HenryJames said:

 

He should have said I'm baaaaaack......because I don't want to go in the 4th round.

Edited January 7, 2020 by Rhinotx

[gecko 1,104]

There's still wheels on the bus!  Yeah, baby!

Walden is LonghornBob?

[Walden Ponderer 12,639]

7 minutes ago, gecko said:

Walden is LonghornBob?

"I'll kick yore ass for sayin' mumble-stumble-bum, asdfafwe;l fafa and see if I don't, you yellow such-and-such!"

(Hell, I can't sound as ridiculous as him even if I try real hard.)

[maninblack 7,974]

2 hours ago, HenryJames said:

 

Was that necessary?

[texifornia 56,434]

11 minutes ago, maninblack said:

Was that necessary?

Eh, most of our rising senior starters did it last year. Pretty common thing.

Edited January 7, 2020 by texifornia

[CTC2 2,729]

30 minutes ago, maninblack said:

Was that necessary?

It is next years "Were Back"

[BERT 4,345]

1 hour ago, maninblack said:

Was that necessary?

Necessary? Is it necessary that I drink my own urine? But I do it anyway, cause it’s sterile.... and I like the way it taste 

[Mason Ramsey 3,371]

aaaaand just like that we need a new offseason thread

[Tex Long 4,326]

16 hours ago, nunna yo bizness said:

You have a problem with QB power to the left?

Only if we run it more than 75% of the time when the formation tells are showing it?

[jinx 2,635]

7 minutes ago, Tex Long said:

Only if we run it more than 75% of the time when the formation tells are showing it?

Thought Mensa said we don't worry unless it is 90%. 

[Tex Long 4,326]

4 minutes ago, jinx said:

Thought Mensa said we don't worry unless it is 90%. 

He did, and included 75% as a ratio he didn't mind showing. How'd that work out?