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TEXAS QB TALK


LTtxfan

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14 hours ago, LTtxfan said:

Cowturd so wants to be right on his comparison of Ewers to Jay Cutler and Zach Wilson

Starts around 3:11 mark

I hope he's right...for 2024.  Also, Ewers was a freshman last year.  Surely no one progresses from their freshman year right?

Edited by Biff Tannen
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  • 2 weeks later...

#6    Maalik Murphy 

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Maalik Murphy season outlook

Injury after injury after injury kept Murphy limited for most of his first year on campus. When the quarterback room finally cleared up, he stepped into the backup role ahead of the Alamo Bowl and used the 15 available practices to put polish on a year-long process that saw a re-tooling of his throwing motion.

Murphy rode that momentum into the offseason, and he needed every bit of it when Arch Manning arrived in January. Quinn Ewers took hold of the starting spot during Texas’ spring drills leaving Murphy and Manning to duke it out for the backup role.

When the public was able to watch, Murphy put on a tremendous performance in the spring game. He showcased his arm strength and threw two touchdown-worthy passes in the Orange-White game, one caught by Johntay Cook and the other dropped by DeAndre Moore.

Murphy needed that strong step into the offseason because the most recent summer became the stage for a battle to be the backup with Manning. Murphy’s arm talent and improved processing has become apparent during the preseason, but so too has Manning’s pedigree and ability.

Murphy is in line to play behind Ewers this season for as long as he can hold off the uber-talented freshman. It’s something he’s capable of doing, but it will no doubt be a challenge.

Murphy did not see any game action last year as he rehabbed an ankle injury he suffered in his final game in high school. He was a member of the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll (spring 2023).

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Definition of Insanity... Where is Quinn's improvement

Quarterback      (Scipio Tex)

Ewers ran effectively and opportunistically for first downs and a touchdown and he looked good overall in the short to intermediate game. He was particularly slick on his RPO completions to Whittington, Worthy and Mitchell. On point reads, delivery and accuracy. We’ll need to see more of that. He finished 19 of 30 for 260 yards, 3 touchdown passes, 1 touchdown run (and two opportunistic first down scrambles) with no turnovers. Not a bad day at the office in isolation, but one also has to look at what was left on the field.

A lot was left on the field. The deep ball was totally inaccurate and it looked like last year. Sometimes it was poor mechanics (bad footwork, prolonged releases starting at the hip, throwing off of his back foot or hopping unnecessarily), sometimes it was putting unnecessary air on a ball that should go on a sharper line, sometimes it was just a bad ball to the worst spot (if a guy has two steps on the sideline and you can’t put it on him, err a little inside instead of throwing it out bounds – he’ll adjust and score). He missed a half dozen shots ranging in difficulty from easy to pretty hard. I’ll reiterate my opinion that Quinn’s ability to release accurately from different angles on intermediate throws without good mechanics is a curse on deep balls as they require consistency and replicability. Aim big, miss big.

We’re back to Sark’s conundrum. If the deep shots are there, but the QB can’t hit them, do you keep trying? That’s a lot to give up in an offense if you stop. Throwing 65 yard touchdowns is valuable. It’s also a lot of wasted downs and frustration that can leak into other areas when the QB fails. Or do you just keep focus on what Ewers can do, pick up the tempo to limit defensive adjustments and concentrate on distributing the ball to a talented wide receiver group in the short and intermediate game? Should Texas try different angles on deep balls? What can Ewers throw? I don’t know the answer, but most effective OC’s ultimately craft their offense to the thrower and then baby step expanding their games. Or they go get the thrower they want.

 

 

Final Thoughts

What you are willing to tolerate becomes the standard. Don’t talk about physicality if you don’t enforce it. Heading into Alabama and moving forward, right now Texas profiles as a spread and RPO based passing team that should play at a faster tempo to limit defensive adjustments, wear out defensive linemen with short drops and quick releases, and play more within the QB’s wheelhouse of the short to intermediate game. Playing the above style without some tempo destroys a good bit of the value proposition. I don’t have an easy answer on the Ewers deep ball conundrum and neither does Sark. Ultimately, some of these problems needed to be addressed in the offseason and weren't. But one game samples are always a lie. Texas won’t always play well. Playing really hard is not an option.

 

Edited by LTtxfan
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8 hours ago, lilMAC25 said:

He did well against Rice under blitz (but that is Rice). Gotta hope the pass catchers read the same hots as he does.

  It's all about matchups. Sometimes it's easier for offensive linemen to get their hands on big dudes. Rice is small and we struggled at times getting hands on smaller rushers. The most terrifying person to guard in basketball isn't the big man, its the really quick short guy that you can't keep in front of you. This issue will come up again and when it does how will we handle it? Even when VY was here we had games where we struggled up front. Quinn is going to have to stand in there and deliver. We will see how that goes moving forward. 

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AUSTIN, Texas — Thankfully, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian didn’t need to figure out whether Arch Manning or Maalik Murphy would be better suited to fill in for Quinn Ewers through his team’s first six games. Ewers made it through a productive first half of the regular season unscathed from an injury standpoint and the Longhorns playing fourth-quarter games with Alabama, Wyoming and Oklahoma left few opportunities for the backup quarterbacks to see live action.

Nevertheless, the life of a reserve signal-caller is preparing each week for a game knowing you’re one play away from being the guy with the understanding playing time is far from guaranteed. The preparation Manning and Murphy continue to go through is critical to the development of the former blue-chip recruits and with the Longhorns heading to Houston for a Big 12 bout at TDECU Stadium on Saturday (3 p.m., Fox) as 23.5-point favorites over the Cougars, an opportunity could pop up for one or both of Ewers’ understudies to get into the game.

While Sarkisian was responding to a question posed to him on Monday regarding the bye-week development of players further down the depth chart, he said Manning and Murphy have “grown systematically in a real sense and understanding of what we're doing.” Although Sarkisian praised Manning specifically, it’s clear the No. 1 overall prospect in the Top247 for 2023 and Murphy need to keep making strides toward the kind of consistency required to man the most important position on the field because they're not yet there.

“I mentioned a couple of weeks ago: I thought Arch probably had his best practice that he'd had since he'd been here,” Sarkisian said. “Again, there's a level of consistency in that play: How do you carry that practice to the next one and the next one and the next one? That's always a challenge at the quarterback position for us.”

Manning has yet to make his Texas (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) debut, but Murphy has logged 22 snaps over three appearances according to Pro Football Focus. The 6-foot-5-inch, 238-pound redshirt freshman and former 247Sports four-star recruit (No. 197 overall in the Top247 for 2022) has gone 3-for-6 through the air for 40 yards, a sample not big enough to judge Murphy’s ability to run the offense at a point in a game when the outcome isn’t a foregone conclusion.

As enticing as it is to think about how Manning’s pedigree and innate ability behind center or Murphy’s arm talent and unique set of skills might translate to the position on a full-time basis, Sarkisian and AJ Milwee remain focused on developing both quarterbacks before determining what either one might bring to the table over the long haul.

Murphy figures to get the first opportunity to step up and prove himself worthy of the job if the Longhorns find themselves needing to turn to a backup quarterback. Regardless, Sarkisian wants Murphy and Manning to maintain the approach they’ve shown to be as prepared as possible for the moment when they’re asked to take the field, whether that’s on Saturday against Houston (3-3, 1-2) or somewhere else down the line.

“There's been great intent in that room with those guys working hard and working with Coach Milwee to take their game to another level,” Sarkisian said. “There's going to come a time — knock on wood — when their number is gonna get called and we're going to need them to play a high level of football to win a ballgame.” 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

QB Virtual Reality System at LSU...

Daniel Jeremiah,Rich Eisen Show today: "There are NFL QBs that I was made aware of today, that are going to be making their way down to Baton Rouge to get their hands on this technology... in terms of beIng able to get reps even when you're not on the field"

 

Jayden Daniels Cracks NFL Draft Code with Virtual Reality Training      April 25, 2024

Quote

Just days before delivering one of his most outstanding performances, LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels experienced virtual reality training for the first time, diving into a digital version of Mississippi State’s stadium. This immersive preparatory method allowed him to practice LSU’s plays within a virtual environment he hadn’t physically stepped into yet. When it came time to play the actual game, Daniels impressed with a season-high completion rate of 88.2% (30 out of 34 passes) for 361 yards and two touchdowns, contributing to a crucial conference victory on the road.

Following the game, Daniels expressed the significant impact the virtual reality headset had on his preparation to LSU’s director of performance innovation, Jack Marucci, indicating a desire to further integrate the technology into his routine. This feedback was crucial for Cognilize, the German tech company behind the VR software, validating their six months of collaborative development with LSU.

Daniels’ progress throughout the season was remarkable, evolving from a quarterback wary of long passes to a Heisman Trophy winner and a top prospect in the NFL Draft. His improvement is attributed to a comprehensive offseason regimen, enhanced mechanics through personalized coaching, weight gain, early morning film study, a talented roster of teammates, and notably, the utilization of virtual reality technology.

By incorporating the VR headset into his weekly preparation, Daniels was able to increase his mental reps without physical strain, practicing against various defensive setups and increasing his processing speed. The realistic representations in the VR experience, captured through motion technology, allowed Daniels to immerse in the game scenarios fully, contributing significantly to his readiness and performance on the field.

The origin of this innovative tool traces back to Cognilize founders Verena Krakau and Christian Hartmann, who sought to create software that would accelerate decision-making processes for athletes, drawing from neuroscience and coaching experiences. Despite numerous challenges, including the pandemic, the team continued to adapt and improve the VR platform based on real-time feedback and the evolving needs of LSU’s football program.

As Daniels prepared for the NFL Draft, he and other players at LSU and beyond continued to benefit from this cutting-edge technology. The implementation of virtual reality in training has not only enhanced players’ ability to anticipate plays and adapt in real-time but also set a new standard in sports training technology, promising future advancements across various disciplines.

 

 

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On 4/20/2024 at 5:11 PM, LTtxfan said:

Trey Owens was ballin'... 

 

Texas Freshman QB Trey Owens Talks Learning From Quinn Ewers & Arch Manning 

3rd & Longhorn   May 23rd

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On 5/24/2024 at 7:51 AM, LTtxfan said:

Texas Freshman QB Trey Owens Talks Learning From Quinn Ewers & Arch Manning 

3rd & Longhorn   May 23rd

Just found this tweet...

15 Days until Texas Football !!! 🤘

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8 minutes ago, msucolt45 said:

When does Arch hit the field? Owens looked fine playing against Arch in the Spring game. Very entertaining for a Spring game. Hell, I might watch it again tomorrow.

Hook’em!!!

Gerry and Bobby both said they expect to see him 6-7 this season, and then next year (obviously). I do wonder if he'll stay until he's a senior like his family did, which will give Owens at least 2 years. 

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Guess Sark grew tired of handling Ewers "with kid gloves" after he played  like a QB with PTSD yesterday...

 

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AUSTIN, Texas — On Thursday, on the eve of a heavyweight clash between No. 1 Texas and No. 5 Georgia, Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian was asked what it would take for him to change quarterbacks mid-game from Quinn Ewers to Arch Manning. The coach quickly dismissed the question, saying, “I’m not even going to answer that. I don’t know what the question is.”

Two days later, we got an answer that is suddenly the new headline of Texas’ season.

Sarkisian pulled Ewers for Manning late in the first half of Saturday’s loss to the Bulldogs, trailing 20-0 in what became a 30-15 final score. Manning closed the first half with two drives. And while Sarkisian went back to Ewers to open the second half and Ewers played better as Texas made the final score respectable, the coach opened up a can of worms he was long desperate to avoid.

Georgia knocks off Texas to restake claim to SEC front-runner status

“Quinn’s our starting quarterback,” Sarkisian said after the game.

He can say that to the media and the fans, but there’s no putting this genie back in the bottle now. It’s a quarterback controversy, however you want to define it. It’s an unexpected wrench thrown into what was until Saturday a perfect season for Texas. Fans who already wanted Manning to play now know it’s possible he can come in when Ewers doesn’t play well.

Sarkisian has always been a staunch defender of Ewers from the moment he arrived on campus and to this point had handled the quarterback situation as well as humanly possible. He was well aware of what pulling Ewers for the highly touted Manning for non-injury reasons would mean for the attention on this team. But the door has been opened now, and it’ll stay there for the rest of the season.

It’s been almost impossible for Texas and Sarkisian to keep the Arch hype at bay because it’s everywhere. Walk around a Texas game this year and you see far more fans in Manning jerseys than Ewers. The No. 16 jerseys and shirts are prominently positioned in the team stores around the Darrel K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Fans at every game ask each other if they’ll see Peyton and Eli Manning’s nephew get into the game. Poor Ewers got a Dr. Pepper commercial but the entire premise was having a backup.

I wrote after Texas’ win at Michigan that Ewers deserved more respect and it was time to stop the Arch questions while Ewers was still in the burnt orange. It was Ewers who brought Texas back to prominence. But then Ewers injured his oblique, missed two games and hasn’t been the same in the two games back. He threw for 17 yards with two turnovers in the first half Saturday before getting benched.

When Manning entered the game Saturday facing a 20-0 deficit, the roar of the crowd was enormous.

“I felt Quinn was a little uneasy, and I felt like giving him a chance to step back and regroup,” Sarkisian said, explaining the change. “I didn’t know if we’d get a series or two with Arch, depending on how much time was remaining in the half, so we just told Quinn we’re going to go with Arch here, give you a chance to get in the locker room, regroup and then come back out in the second half, so that’s what we did.”

But Ewers told reporters after the game that he wasn’t told he would go back in the game until he was in the locker room at halftime.

“(Coaches said) they’re going to give Arch a shot and just give me time to settle down,” Ewers said.

Manning briefly gave Texas a spark. The ball came out of his hand with more quickness and zip than Ewers. He completed three of six passes, scrambled for a 21-yard gain and his mobility was clearly an asset. But he took a bad sack for an 11-yard loss, then took another sack and fumbled the ball away, leading to a Georgia field goal and a 23-0 halftime lead.

It was a reminder that the hyped Manning still has some growing to do on the field, like when he threw two interceptions and completed barely half of his passes against Louisiana-Monroe, before playing much better against Mississippi State.

Ewers started the second half and quickly drove Texas down for a touchdown, putting a jolt in the crowd. When a bizarrely overturned pass interference interception put Texas on the doorstop, Ewers threw a second touchdown pass and pulled the Longhorns within one score at 23-15.

UGA's Smart on overturned pass interference call: 'They tried to rob us'

“I felt (the change) was effective, and Quinn came out and played a much better second half and played well in the third quarter,” Sarkisian said.

“I just settled down and wasn’t trying to make the play and just kept playing,” Ewers said.

He played better, but not well enough to lead a comeback and put the benching out of our minds. He finished 25-for-43 passing for 211 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception.

Ewers has typically played well in Texas’ biggest games, like twice against Alabama, the Big 12 championship against Oklahoma State, the playoff game against Washington and the trip to Michigan earlier this year. Post-injury, he struggled early against Oklahoma last week and was as bad as he’s ever looked in the first half against Georgia.

Asked if the oblique injury was still bothering him, Ewers said he feels it a little bit but it might just be a mental hurdle.

“But that’s just how injuries go,” he said.

Sarkisian can say he just wanted to settle Ewers down, but he wouldn’t have made a change if he didn’t think Manning gave them a shot to come back. Texas’ defense played well, allowing just 283 total yards and 4.0 yards per play. If Texas could just get something going on offense and stop turning the ball over in bad spots, they’d have had a chance to win the game and stay undefeated. That’s why he took the risk of the QB change. It didn’t work.

It’s a loss that completely opens up the SEC race again. No SEC team is undefeated entering November for the first time since 2007. Only Texas A&M and LSU are undefeated in conference play and they play each other next week.

College Football Playoff 2024 projections: Oregon, Miami, Georgia on top of bracket

Texas is still good enough to win a national championship. Sarkisian knows that. Maybe in the end, the brief benching is the motivation for Ewers to fix things on the field and take the Longhorns to the top. Asked if he was ready to get more Arch questions moving forward, Ewers scoffed and chuckled and said, “I don’t know.”

Every Texas game moving forward will open with the possibility Manning could come in if Ewers doesn’t play well. For a year and a half, Sarkisian had expertly avoided that. Now he’s opened it. In a season with sky-high expectations on a program that always has eyes on it, an unexpected giant question mark has just appeared. 

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Bobby Burton posting this today on OTF -- his patience is wearing thin with Ewers.

Bobby

There’s a lot to digest from last night.

- We could spend all day dissecting what went wrong in pass protection for the Horns.

- The Longhorn offensive line was clearly overwhelmed way too often.

- Yet Quinn Ewers did his teammates no favors.

In the face of a legit pass rush, Ewers folded as easily as a piece of paper in a book.

- He repeatedly bailed backwards instead of stepping into the pocket.

In doing so, Ewers gave the Georgia pass rushers an even larger target. Georgia could use the wide pass rush and therefore make the Texas OTs protect more space.

The Georgia DL did NOT need more space to operate. That space also gave Georgia edges an easier two-way go.

- Ewers is also not recognizing hot reads quickly or getting the ball out with the right amount of urgency. Last night, he too often tried to quarterback like it was a game of 7-on-7, not tackle football.

It’s a problem we saw against Oklahoma, too. An unwillingness to step into throws is an unwillingness to be hit. Football is a contact sport.

- In sum, Ewers’ overall lack of pocket presence and inconsistent footwork gave the Texas offense very little chance of success, especially in the face of a highly effective pass rush.

Texas needed Ewers to step up. He didn’t.

Ewers is perilously close to losing his starting job if performances like these in the face of adversity continue.

He turned the ball over three times last night. It easily could have been five or six.

- Things are never as good or as bad as they seem.

The Texas offense can rebound. But Ewers needs to become a quarterback, not just an operator that requires a clean pocket to succeed.

This will not be his last poor performance or the last loss for the Horns, otherwise.

 

Offensive Line Gets Whooped | Time to Bench Quinn? | Georgia def. Texas, 30-15 | Rapid Reactions

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