Very high praise about former Longhorn [tag]Ricky Williams[/tag] from a Miami Dolphins’ source in a Pro Football Weekly story. It appears that Ricky will not only begin the season as the team’s number one running back but that “he’s clearly the best player on the team.”
Check out the story below:
Don’t read much into the comments by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen on “Monday Night Countdown†that the Dolphins could be looking to trade RB Ronnie Brown. The way we hear it, it was purely speculation, and coach Tony Sparano was adamant at his Aug. 20 press conference that he will not do such a thing. Even if they were unhappy with Brown, whose preseason numbers have certainly been uninspiring in his first action since tearing his ACL in Week Seven last season, his trade value couldn’t be any lower than it is right now.
However, what we do hear is that the roles of Brown and Ricky Williams have changed, at least temporarily. Initially, it was believed that Williams was going to be the complement to Brown as soon as Brown was fully healthy. Now, it appears that Brown will play the role of reliever to Williams, regardless of his knee health. The coaches have been so thoroughly impressed with Williams – one team source called him “clearly the best player on the team” – that only slippage on his part will revert the RB hierarchy to Brown being on top. Williams is set to become a free agent after the season, so expect the club to lock him up before he hits the market if he continues performing in such a fashion.
(via)
Position Rating: C-
Starter: Blaine Irby
Reserves: Peter Ullman, Ian Harris, Greg Smith
Tight end was a position of concern headed into fall practice and Josh Marshall’s injury only makes things worse. When [tag]Jermichael Finley[/tag] bolted early for the NFL it left the Longhorns without any proven pass catching threat at the position.
The top returning receiver and most important tight end this season is sophomore [tag]Blaine Irby[/tag]. Last season as a true freshman Irby caught only two passes for 29 yards but Texas fans should be expecting better total numbers by week one this year. With no proven third wide receiver, quarterback Colt McCoy will need Irby to step up to provide him another option or the offense will struggle against better defenses.
Behind Irby the Longhorns have veteran blocker [tag]Peter Ullman[/tag]. Ullman is expected to be the team’s second tight end in two tight end sets. He may accidentally find himself open and catch an important touchdown pass but mainly will be relied on as a sixth blocker on the line.
There’s not much behind the top two with Marshall out. [tag]Greg Smith[/tag] was moved back to tight end last week but as a current/former tackle you know what to expect out of him. Redshirt freshman [tag]Ian Harris[/tag] will be the first guy off the bench if the team needs a TE who can stretch the field a little. He’s 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds so he’s got prototypical size to play the position and block as well as catch the football. I don’t think you can expect much out of him this year but he’s a player to look out for in 2009.
Not much production from the starting slot and little depth make tight end one of the biggest holes going into the 2008 season. If Irby doesn’t show flashes of being the next David Thomas you’ll likely see a lot of four wide receiver and two back formations than in recent years.
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Posted August 21st, 2008 by Brian
Filed under: Basketball, Recruiting
The academic progress of top 2008 basketball recruit J’Covan Brown was always a concern but it is now official. Brown won’t be enrolling at the University of Texas this fall and still has work to do to hopefully be ready for the spring semester. Brown and Varez Ward were the only two signees in the 2008 class so this leaves a big hole if he can’t get in.
From the Fort Worth Star-Telegram:
Texas basketball coach Rick Barnes said Thursday that recruit J’Covan Brown could possibly join the program for the spring semester after it was announced that Brown failed to qualify academically.
“He could still make it,” Barnes said.
Brown, a star combo guard from Port Arthur Memorial, reiterated his vow to play at Texas.
“I will work as hard as I can to make sure that I am able to earn a spot at the University of Texas as soon as possible,” Brown said in a statement.
Posted August 21st, 2008 by Brian
Filed under: Football, Quick Hits
Florida Atlantic coach Howard Schellenberger talks mess against the Horns. Says the team isn’t tough.
Posted August 21st, 2008 by Brian
Filed under: Football, Quick Hits
Horns need receiver to step up behind Cosby and Shipley. Malcolm Williams could be a stud.
Posted August 21st, 2008 by Brian
Filed under: Football, Quick Hits
Sergio Kindle determined to fulfill lofty recruiting promise. “The quarterback is going to be my prey. I’m the predator.”
Even after a rough sophomore season, Texas quarterback [tag]Colt McCoy[/tag] is getting a little preseason love from the national media. USA Today has McCoy as their number one sleeper QB poised for a possible Heisman Trophy run. Not entirely out of left field, after all McCoy was a legit Heisman contender before his injury in 2006. Anytime Jimmy Clausen makes a list like this you know the guys making it are reaching for some true sleepers.
Read their thoughts on why McCoy has a shot at the Heisman below:
This guy was on everybody’s list after his freshman season in 2006. Now he seems to have fallen out of favor after Texas had a subpar (by their standards) year and McCoy threw 18 interceptions. He also threw for 22 TDs and 3,303 yards. He’s not a Vince Young threat as a runner but he did rush for 492 yards and 4 TDs last year. If the Longhorns are a national contender than this guy is going to get some votes. Playing in the Big 12 will certainly have him in the spotlight.
Maybe my ColtForHeisman.com site will experience a rebirth now. Sweet.
Posted August 20th, 2008 by Brian
Filed under: Football, Quick Hits
NCAA bans horse-collar tackle from college football. Also attempts to shorten games even more, thus allowing time for more commercials.
Posted August 20th, 2008 by Brian
Filed under: Quick Hits
Deadspin previews #14 Texas Tech and takes shot at Aggies: I **** you not that most Aggie fans think A&M has a top 15, if not top 10 program.
Posted August 20th, 2008 by Brian
Filed under: Football, Quick Hits
CFN previews the Big 12 and picks all the games. They predict Texas losses to CU, OU, Texas Tech, and Kansas.
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