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The 2010 season hasn’t exactly gone as everyone hoped. Okay, that’s probably a huge understatement.
Texas fans knew this would be a rebuilding year while breaking in a new quarterback and finding a replacement for the most productive wide receiver in the history of the program. They didn’t expect this. It’s not just that Texas has lost games, it’s the shocking way they’ve done so without any semblance of an offense and a sieve of defense.
Depending on what happens in 2011, this can either go down as a season where the Longhorns regrouped and reloaded or it could be the end of an era. These five players will determine which way it goes:
Garrett Gilbert
Or maybe it’s Case McCoy or Connor Wood or David Ash. Or the ghost of Vince Young. Whoever it is, the quarterback play in 2010 has been terrible and you can’t win games when you’re turning the ball over as much as the Horns are this season. Not all of this falls directly on Gilbert. His supporting cast has dropped touchdown passes, struggles to run the football, and frequently makes defensive ends you’ve never heard of look like All-Americans. The 2011 season (and rest of 2010) hinges on a quarterback stepping up and making plays and making the players around him better.
Mike Davis
There have been glimpses. One of the biggest things missing from this team is a playmaker and wide receiver Mike Davis has shown that he might be that guy. He’s a favorite target of Gilbert and can make big plays after the catch. He has to continue to get better at the consistency of his hands and his route running, but if he turns the corner this offseason he could be the guy who turns an inconsistent offense into a dominant one.
Mason Walters and Garrett Gilbert are critical to a 2011 rebound. (Image: Inside Texas)
Mason Walters/Christian Westerman
It’s been a while (2005?) since Texas fans were satisfied with the team’s offensive line play and this season it has hit rock bottom. Next year will feature at least three new starters on the line but that may be a good thing. Redshirt freshman Mason Walters has started every game this season and the results have been mixed, but he and current high school senior Christian Westerman may be your starting tackles next year and if they can give the quarterback a consistently comfortable pocket the suddenly Sonic Flavor Touchdowns are a little easier to come by. The entire line needs a makeover into a tougher, more aggressive unit and it starts with these two guys.
Aaron Williams
Williams has played great this season but not as great as some were expecting. The Thorpe Award candidate is a lockdown corner and a surefire first round NFL draft pick if he decides to leave but if he returns he immediately makes the Texas defense national title caliber. A return for his senior season isn’t as far fetched as it sounds, with the looming NFL labor issues more top draft picks will come back to school for another year than expected.
Jackson Jeffcoat
True freshman defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat didn’t play against Iowa State due to injury and his presence was definitely missed. He’s not an every down player (yet) but he’s already a dangerous pass rusher and guys that can go get the quarterback make everyone around them better. If Jeffcoat can stay healthy and progresses as hoped he should be a double digit sack guy for the rest of his career.
Texas fans will be watching. Who is going to step up and right this ship?
Log on to flavortouchdown.com to enter for a chance to win the Sonic Flavor Touchdown Sweepstakes. You could win a prize package and a VIP football trip for 6 to the bowl game of your choice. Hopefully the Longhorns win at least two more games this season and make it to one of them.
reply to #1
Steven
November 1st, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Does it matter what the players do if Greg Davis is still their coach?
reply to #2
Tony
November 1st, 2010 at 4:48 pm
I see some things out of Gilbert but I’m not sure. Are his performances due to his line and the lack of talent around him? Or is he a right handed Chris Simms?
reply to #3
sooner fan
November 1st, 2010 at 10:17 pm
I am glad to see where Texas is this year. They are getting dominated by everyone and i hope they keep simms as their qb i mean gilbert.
reply to #4
BFLY
November 2nd, 2010 at 11:40 am
sooner fan, it comes in waves. last year ou didn’t look so hot and now it’s ut’s turn to tank a little. don’t be naive to think texas won’t be back. by the way, it’s 9:39 am and ou still sucks!!!!
reply to #5
jean Schultz
November 2nd, 2010 at 10:33 pm
Texas is doing great. Ha Ho, he. They think everything in texas is bigger
and better. It is better at losing, losing, losing. Go ahead and head up
the big what ever now, Get those little puppies in shape, whield the whip. You got what you deserve.
reply to #6
83 Longhorn
November 6th, 2010 at 11:28 pm
Now that K State has taken care of UT where do we go from here? The blame should not lie squarely on Greg Davis’s shoulders. Let’s spread the blame a little offense, defense, special teams, QB. I say take out gilbert and try someone else. Gilbert’s not in Lake Travis 4A ball anymore. His throws are often wobbly, inaccurate and I’m concerned about his eyesight – he can’t tell the difference between a defensive player and his own player.
None of the players seem to know how to tackle – They make lame dives at the other teams most times missing them entirely. I’m not seeing any low hits or wrapping up of the opponent. I’ve seen better tackles in middle school players!
I’m all for benching the starters for the back ups and seeing what they can do. It couldn’t be any worse than it is now.
Last wek Davis appeared to be afraid of getting hit, thus the dropping of the ball so often. The week before that Kirkendoll ran scared from the defense causing the crowd to yell “NO, run the other way.” It seems we have amnesia as to how to play football!