Posted August 14th, 2011 by Brian
Filed under: Baseball, Basketball, Feature, Football
Andy Katz thinks pretty much every other recent conference move made sense, except of course the Aggies moving to the SEC. Some quotes from Katz:
This move specifically is done because Texas A&M didn’t like the way Texas was getting favored status from the Big 12.
And…
They didn’t like being treated as the second child.
The best one comes from the other host though…
A&M has been in the shadow of Texas for quite some while now.
Too bad for the Aggies. Instead of being little brother to Texas and Oklahoma whipping boy, they’ll now be fighting Mississipi State for fifth place in the SEC West. Aggie fans somehow think they’ll be better in SEC. They couldn’t consistently beat Texas Tech and Baylor but think they can hang with Bama and LSU.
Very cool video of an advertising company projecting video and effects onto the side of the Tower for upcoming Longhorn Network promos. The use of the black color to give the illusion that the Tower is really being morphed and rotated. A nice Rubik’s Cube effect. Watch some handheld video:
Update: Here’s the eventual “What Starts Here…” commercial that features some of this footage:
This post is supported by Sonic. Log on to flavortouchdown.com to enter for a chance to win the Sonic Flavor Touchdown Sweepstakes.
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.
From the Beaumont Enterprise:
Reggie Garrett before Friday's game. (photo courtesy Beaumont Enterprise)
West Orange-Stark football player Reggie Garrett died Friday after he collapsed on the sideline during a high school football game at Dan R. Hooks Stadium.
Garrett appeared unresponsive as medics carted him off the field following his collapse midway through the second quarter. Medics loaded Garrett into an ambulance and the game continued to its conclusion, a 27-6 victory for WO-S against Jasper.
Garrett was pronounced dead at Memorial Hermann Baptist-Orange at 9:30 p.m. Friday night, according to hospital spokeswoman Mary Poole.
Tragic news of a young man taken way too soon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his teammates.
Posted August 29th, 2010 by Brian
Filed under: Football, Recruiting
Texas commit Malcolm Brown and Cibolo Steele made their season debut last night in a nationally televised game on ESPN. Steele struggled early and was overall a little overmatched up front by San Antonio Madison but Brown definitely showed why he is one of the top running backs in the country.
He had to fight hard for nearly yard and some of his 5 yard runs showed more about his elite power and vision than his longer ones. Brown finished the night with 179 total yards and 2 touchdowns, most of which coming on the amazing 88-yard touchdown run below:
You can find full video highlights here which include some great stuff from Texas target Aaron Green and another angle of Brown’s run.
Mack Brown will crush you at Jenga, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Connect 4, and more.
Another year, another great ESPN College Gameday commercial with Mack Brown being hilarious. Almost all ESPN and Gameday commercials are great and have quoteable lines, in this one it’s “Jenga, Texas style baby!” from Mack. Last year’s “We don’t freestyle Texas Fight” was even better. Alabama coach Nick Saban isn’t quite as comfortable as Brown but he does deliver a good line and it’s good to see him trying to have a little fun.
Posted August 21st, 2010 by Brian
Filed under: Basketball, Feature
It’s not official yet but all sources are reporting that injured guard Varez Ward is leaving the Texas basketball program. The sophomore from Montgomery, Alabama only played 3 games last season before tearing his quadriceps in pregame warmups. If he transfer to another Division I school he would have to sit out one season but his injury may force him to miss time this season anyways.
This news is not surprising if you follow him on Twitter (@vward50) as he’s been hinting at needing to move on since the middle of last basketball season. Orangebloods is reporting that he wants to be closer to home due to some family health issues.
Rumors are that he’s headed to Auburn, but I’m not sure if even he knows where he is headed as according to him “need a drink… i need to get in somebody school asap.” To me that tweet means that if he is headed to Auburn he may still be waiting for the academics to be sorted out.
Good luck to Varez. I hope he gets healthy and gets it done in both the classroom and on the court wherever he ends up.
Posted August 18th, 2010 by Brian
Filed under: Feature, Football, Recruiting
Hell. Yes.
The state’s top player and maybe the program’s most important recruit of the last 5 years has committed to the Longhorns. Cibolo Steele running back Malcolm Brown officially committed to Texas today, causing many Texas fans to step back from the ledge. Once considered a near Texas “lock”, the longer Brown’s recruitment dragged on the more panicked fans became that he might end up choosing Alabama.
Watch Brown’s junior highlight video below to see what they hype is about:
Great early coverage of Texas football moving on from Colt McCoy to new quarterback Garrett Gilbert from ESPN. Read Ivan Maisel’s excellent article on Gilbert with quotes from Texas coach Mack Brown, McCoy, and current teammates, and then be sure watch the video of on the story.
Finally some of the draft experts are seeing what Texas fans (and anyone who watched Texas games) already knew: defensive tackle Lamarr Houston is one of the defensive lineman in the country. After his incredible season, his performance in the Senior Bowl and in last week’s NFL scouting combine has him on everyone’s list of NFL Draft fast risers. Check out what NFL.com’s Bucky Brooks said:
LaMarr Houston, DT, Texas: Houston continued to build on the momentum generated from his solid showing at the Senior Bowl. The mammoth defender impressed scouts with his exceptional display of speed, power and athleticism while going through drills. Although Houston’s performance may not be enough to catapult him into the first round, it has made the former Longhorn one of the coveted sleepers in this draft.
Be sure to also check out these video highlights and interview with Houston from the combine.
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