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Arkansas is improving

Dick's level of comfort will be key, because if Petrino is to work the same magic as he did at Louisville -- where the Cardinals improved from 97th in total offense to fifth in his first season -- it will be squarely on Dick's shoulders.

Petrino may be a total swine (oh snap! I didn’t just type that) – but he is one heck of a coach. Even Joey Harrington had moments in Atlanta, while actually resembling a QB.

This Arkansas game will be an incredible test for a new Texas D Coordinator and a bunch of newbies in the secondary.

Casey Dick is slightly underrated as a QB. For all the talk of Matt Stafford and Tim Tebow, if I had to guess which SEC QB will post the best numbers next season my money would be on Casey Dick.

Should be quite a game and if Texas wins, a boost to their BCS potential. Arkansas will probably be in the SEC west mix.

Another shoe drops....

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I'm not gonna say it......

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We finally get to see Durant on national television tonight. I'll probably stay up to watch most of it. Why not? It's Thursday. Only one more day to go.

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Is this possible?

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It looks like it will be this Sunday's edition, but you may want to check. Usually on at 6:00, but will probably be running late with football games still on.

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I thought this was interesting, so I decided to share.

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I'm surprised noboby caught this

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3 things/changes I would implement before the start of the season.

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Summer league basketball begins today.

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News from the BIG 12

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What's on your mind as a Longhorn fan?

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These guys come as a surprise considering I thought they would play.

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His NFL career is done.

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So if Selvin Young gets cut he will probably have to choose Europe, the CFL or the recently popular Arena league if he wants to play.

It wouldn't be an easy pick.

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Does everyone remember that OU student suicide bomber who blew himself up outside of a Sooner game?

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Mandel does a great blog entry on a recent Nick Saban episode, for those interested. It also includes a bit about Major as the O-Coordinator.

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For those interested in following the Big Red Dealership-gate up in Norman here is the latest. It's getting juicy.

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I guess the April meeting is coming up for OU -- and they have already received some feedback.

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http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2808406

"Gonzaga coach Mark Few and Notre Dame's Mike Brey are expected to be candidates to replace Smith."

This has to make Aggie fans nervous. I wonder if Billy G took a guided tour before the opening rounds.

I know Rick has an out clause to go to Kentucky if they offer, but I doubt that happens.
If I had to guess their wish list in order:

1. Billy Donovan
   
2. Mark Few - he's just not leaving
   
3. Rick Barnes
   
4. Billy G

Well, it looks like I might get my wish after all. Kindle, among others, will get a shot at running the ball in spring practice.

"-- Sergio Kindle will start the spring at linebacker but will likely see some time at tailback in the closing weeks of spring drills"

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2007/02/22/mack_to_ play_musical_chairs_with_positions_this_spring.html

So here goes the fan speculation stuff, which is what we do on BON.

This says several things to me. First, they aren't completely won over or convinced McGee and Cobb can give valuable minutes as back-ups. Mack seems to be holding open auditions, which is interesting. Is McGee the next Albert Hardy? Maybe that is unfair with so little proof, but if McGee was really looking good in practice I doubt there would be talent calls for the position. Who knows? I hope he's good and provides a spell for JC.

Second, the staff is taking the approach of throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks. They seemed pretty determined to fix the running game even if it means every man on the roster trying out.

Third, it gives some insight in to the Chizik/Akina riff. Akina obviously sees some players at different positions. I doubt if Chizik was still around these changes would be happening.  

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/sports/16692158.htm

Thought this was interesting. I'm sure they are sweating bullets in Norman these days. If anything it is fun for Texas fans to watch them squirm and potentially lose recruits.

First it was only a walk-on, making it a third player. Now there could be more.

"Citing student privacy regulations, OU officials blacked out the names of all players identified in hundreds of pages of investigation documents that it released to The News. It also blacked out some information pertaining to the players.

But Hardison's name can be deciphered, along with the names of 14 other OU players, through close examination of some documents. The names include eight players on the 2006 roster."

http://web.dailycamera.com/audio/0207hawkins.mp3

What is up with freak show coaches having meltdowns? I guess in the age of instant media we get to see it all happen.
http://www.brendanloy.com/blog/images/johnlsmith-slapself.gif

It reminds me of something.
Did anyone see that episode of the Office when they hid the new guy's cell phone?
Holy Shiite that show is hilarious. I about blew a vessel when he punched a hole in the wall after not being able to find his phone as it kept ringing.

I've had some nasty coaches myself. One of my HS coaches I've since learned had a thing for younger boys and lost his job. Apparently he needed counseling for his anger AND pedophilia. Man, did that guy have one fire storm of a tude. He was one of those guys I hated to look at, much less have interaction with as coach/player. My heart would race sometimes when I knew he was going to say something to me. Once, I remember him throwing a towel at my head like a Clemens fast ball, after I dropped a pass that went threw my hands.

Anyway, I think I've filled enough space with this diary, so I could share that Hawkin's sound bite with the BON crowd.

...time to start my Friday!

His latest blog discusses UT getting left behind in BIG 12 sports. Basically, he seems to think it's the beggining of the end for Texas.

Justice: "Now the football future seems more uncertain than ever. OU will almost certainly beat Texas next season. A&M will be going for two in a row over UT. Baylor and Texas Tech are going to be major players. Oklahoma State is catching up."

Read the entire context. Is this a joke or is he serious?
Justice sometimes does some tongue n' cheek bits that don't always come across well -- and maybe I'm just slow, but this seems like he is being straight.

I'm not saying A&M doesn't have a good b-ball team or that a win in football is a given, but what's up with the doomsday predictions?

http://blogs.chron.com/sportsjustice/archives/2007/01/has_am_passed_u.html

Before Charlie Weis could wake up and smell his sizzle pop early morning bacon with a side of butter, Urban Meyer outflanked the Notre Dame defense without even stepping on the field. They've taken their 7th recruit from another school. This time it's ND's prized DE, where they are extremely thin on the d-line.
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/?p=3088

Apparently Meyer loves the flip floppers, since he's already taken Brantley from Texas and a 5 star from USC. This makes 3 recruits from out of state, plus 4 others from random schools also poached by the Legend.

I think it's time the NCAA institutes an early signing period. Coaches are now forced to spend more time protecting commitments than actually sleeping and eating. One also has to wonder if Meyer and his staff aren't making enemies.
1 - 3 kids a season is pretty typical for most programs, but 7 is a little bold.

It looks like Gooch is decomitting.
I wonder what the story is.
Sure would be nice if Mack could take another program's recruits for a change.

Does Texas go after another O-lineman?

Who do they fill these lost commits with?

I don't realy follow recruiting all that much, but for those that do....

It seems like MacWhorter has lost two in a row.

If you haven't heard Saban is accepting the Alabama job.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_ylt=Anma5UIogByrrf8dTpT_Bxc5nYcB?slug=jc-sabanleaves010307&pro v=yhoo&type=lgns

The terms of the contract are $40 million (or more) for 10 years. He will be the highest paid coach, making NFL coaching money.

Is this a slippery slope leading college ADs and football programs to pay exchessive contracts to HCs?

Will this squeeze out mid-majors?

Is this the first step to the mega-conferences?

In 10 years will there be a place for Baylor, Vanderbilt, Rutgers, Northwestern etc?

Should players be upset about not getting a cut of the enourmous cash pot?

IMO -- and this is just a gut reaction, but I do not think this is good for college football, programs, players and even fans (thinking about ticket prices makes me light headed)

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2006/12/05/texas_to _face_arkansas_state_in_2007_opener.html

Arkie State
TCU
Central Flordia
Rice

Texas could make a run next year and would deserve the Auburn treatment in a 3 way tie.

.....aaand the hits just keep coming.

What next?
Does Ricky get a sex change?
Mad Dog becomes the D Coordinator?
Bevo gets captured and cooked by starchy white yell leaders from Aggie?

In 1996 when the Gators won an MNC they lost mid-season to FSU.

5 weeks later they played again in the Sugar Bowl and the Florida Gators smoked them like a backwoods redneck turkey 52 - 20.

Voters were giddy to see a rematch back then -- and I'm sure they've done it before.

Lets hope Texas can duplicate that story.

It will also be interesting to see if Gator fans will use the argument that OSU and Texas have played, if they get left out.

Stay tuned, because I have a feeling we are going to see the March of the Hypocrites if Texas moves in to #2.

I'm sure everyone has concerns about the 07 season in the secondary. Just some thoughts on that.
Gone:
Matt Melton

Lost to the NFL:
Griffin brothers
Brown
Ross
When healty, all are excellent cover corners, despite the stats.

So who will the replacements be?
The obvious:
Beasley (corner)-- can hopefully build on learning experiences. This is not a given he can earn a starting role (see Erick Jackson's career).

Joseph (safety)-- A stud waiting to step in and play. Clearly the shining star of the returners.

Ishie (safety)-- Kind of an unknown at this point, but I'm guessing he's in the mix. Just a hunch really.

Foster (corner)-- Has lots of room for improvement and is a bit undersized. He will provide some depth at the position.

Jackson (safety/corner) -- I like Jackson to play corner. He has PT at that spot and I think its a more natrual fit for him. They may need him at free safety though, w/ the departure of two seniors.

Palmer (corner)-- The most likely candidate to play opposite of Beasley. He has shown flashes (ok, one flash) latetly and if nobody else steps up, he's the man.

2007
Left CB - Palmer, Foster/Jackson/Chykie
Right CB - Beasley, Chykie
Strong Safety - Jackson, Henry
Free - Chief Joseph, Ishie

I think it is safe to say that at least one or two true freshman will be playing next year. I'm guessing Curtis Brown and possibly another incoming takes a spot.

They badly need Chykie and Beasly to take it up a notch.
It makes one wonder why Chykie is still redshirting. Is he not good enough to beat out Foster or Palmer?

Is Henry recovered from his HS injury?

Is it too late to convert one of the WRs?