40 Acres Sports

Russell Erxleben is one of Mel Kiper’s worst draft evaluations. Former Texas kicker went 11th overall but struggled in the NFL. (*ESPN Insider)

Bobby Reid: Mike Gundy’s rant “basically ended my life”. As has been my impression from the very beginning, Gundy seems like a complete scum bag.

Muschamp brings intensity, impressive resume to Texas’ defense. Good article on the Longhorns new defensive coordinator.

Freshman quarterback [tag]GJ Kinne[/tag] has announced his intention to transfer from the University of Texas. The young man from Gilmer redshirted in his only season and would have like been the fourth string quarterback for the Longhorns in 2008. From the official release:

“I chose the best school at what was the end of a very successful, but difficult high school career,” Kinne said. “I have definitely become a better quarterback with the help of one of the most knowledgeable offensive coaches in college football, Greg Davis. However, the quarterback position is unique in terms of playing time, and I have to find a program that best fits my skills.”

“Quarterbacks transfer in college football. That’s life for this position. I’ve made great memories, great friends and have been blessed with experiences most can only watch. So the answer is, ‘No,’ I have no regrets. I’m looking forward to what the future holds for me. I wish nothing but great things for The University of Texas. I appreciate all that Coach Brown and The University have done for me.”

There has been no official news of where he’ll be transferring but rumors are that Louisiana Tech is a possible option. GJ has a cannon for an arm (as displayed on a long bomb during the spring game) and likely could be an excellent quarterback if given the chance. Stuck behind three other young players I don’t blame him for seeking out a better opportunity for himself. I wish him the best wherever he ends up.

Longhorns participate in Leadership Luncheon. Vince Young, Mike Griffin, Kyle Russell, & others discuss the importance of effective organizations & leadership skills.

High school sophomore Chris Martin is one of the top prospects for 2010 out of California. He’s already got offers from top programs such as Cal, Colorado, and Stanford and is being recruited by all the national powers. He doesn’t have a favorite in the recruiting process yet, but he sure knows where he doesn’t want to go to school…

Education is another factor weighing heavily on Martin’s opinion of colleges.

“Academic prestige is the first thing I’m looking for in a school,” said Martin. “I’m not sure on a major, but I think I’d like to go into marketing.

“I do know I wouldn’t pick a school like Texas A&M because I want to go somewhere that has had a line of successful people who have majored in the field I’m interested in.”

Apparently Martin just isn’t interested in Ag Leadership as a career.

I’m not sure where that quote came from or why a kid from California even brings up the Aggies, but it sure is funny. I guess it’s a step in the right direction for A&M though that a national recruit has actually heard of the school. I guess that 35 point loss to Cal in the Holiday Bowl paid off after all.

Maybe the Longhorns should start recruiting Martin, he’s mine kind of kid.

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Defense dominates in Longhorns’ orange-white football scrimmage. I hope it was a case of good defense and not just bad offense.

Battle to replace RB Charles highlights Texas’ spring practice. I thought Fozzy Whittaker looked great going against the other twos.

The last scrimmage/practice of the spring is about to get underway on Fox Sports Southwest. The Orange-White Game is most fans’ first look at a lot of players and it’s always interesting to see who is playing where. We won’t see much (if any) new scheme or plays, but it’s football and gosh darnit I like it. The most important thing in this type of event is always that nobody gets seriously injured.

I’ll be posting my live thoughts and opinions below.

First Quarter

Nice to see we tackled more this spring, much more so that we did more full contact drills than in a scrimmage like this.

Here’s the spring roster off the official site. Definitely going to be needed today.

[tag]Tray Allen[/tag] gets the start today at left tackle with [tag]Adam Ulatoski[/tag] out.

I thought [tag]Brandon Collins[/tag] had dropped that pass but on the replay cornerback [tag]Deon Beasley[/tag] made a nice diving play to break it up. Collins probably needs to use his body better though to prevent the defender from being able to do that so easily.

I don’t know about that interference penalty on Beasley. [tag]Colt McCoy[/tag] threw a nice pass but put it over [tag]Quan Cosby[/tag]’s wrong shoulder. He had the position and Colt should have been able to put it in a more catchable position.

Not a good job on the [tag]Jordan Shipley[/tag] reverse by [tag]Henry Melton[/tag]. As the backside defensive end his responsibilities are RCC (reverse, counter, or cutback) and while he held his spot for a moment he started to pursue too quickly. Not a good job by the corner/safety over there either, the moment they saw Shipley going back the other way they should have been screaming at the top of their lungs.

[tag]Ishie Oduegwu[/tag] is in street clothes on the sideline, I didn’t realize he was hurt. I assume that’s why true freshman [tag]Blake Gideon[/tag] got the start at safety for Team Tradition. Okay that’s the last time I’ll mention these lame team names.

[tag]John Chiles[/tag] and [tag]Fozzy Whittaker[/tag] screwed up the hand-off on their first play of the day. Zone read and Chiles tried to change his mind and keep it but they put in on the turf.

On his first pass attempt Chiles makes a decent throw to Collins but he looked like he was tripled covered. The pocket was still holding so I think John could have waited another tick, bought himself some time, and looked for a more open receiver.

Nice run by [tag]Vondrell McGee[/tag] ended with him delivering a blow to [tag]Earl Thomas[/tag]. Good play though by Thomas to hold on despite the big hit and make the tackle.

I hope we’re not planning on playing freshman kicker [tag]Justin Tucker[/tag]. We’ve already got [tag]Ryan Bailey[/tag] and [tag]Hunter Lawrence[/tag] and I want one of them to win the kicking job this year so we can afford to redshirt Tucker.

[tag]Russell Carter[/tag] sure looks like a football player. Big old sucker. Nice play by him bringing down Whitaker.

(more …)

• 2008 Texas Football Orange-White Game takes on a new format
• XM satellite radio to carry 2008 Texas Football Orange-White Game
• Aunty E to perform as part of 2008 Spring Jamboree

2008 Texas Football Spring Jamboree
Presented by Time Warner Cable
Date: Saturday, March 29
Admission to all events: Free

Spring Jamboree FanFest

When: 10 a.m.
Where: Lot 70 (Parking lot south of Mike A. Myers Stadium)
Activities: Carnival games, inflatables and more
Note: The first 3,000 fans get a free mini-football courtesy of Time Warner Cable.

Aunty E Concert

When: 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Where: Lot 70 (Parking lot south of Mike A. Myers Stadium)
Note: There will also be an autograph session with Aunty E starting at 11:30 a.m. in the same location.

Orange-White Game
When: Noon; gates open 11 a.m.

Where: Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
Television: National live coverage on FCS Central (Fox College Sports); Live coverage on Fox Sports Net Southwest (Bill Land, pxp; Ahmad Brooks, analyst; Rod Babers, sideline reporter; John Rhadigan, sideline reporter)
Radio: 1300 AM “The Zone” (Craig Way, pxp; Keith Moreland, analyst; Roger Wallace, sideline reporter)
Internet Radio: Available live via www.am1300thezone.com

Satellite Radio: XM Channel 241

Parking: There is no reserved parking for the Spring Jamboree.

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