SB Nation User Blog: Kool Hand

Colt McCoy for Best Actor

Kool Hand — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:24:20 -0000

Forgive me if this has already appeared on BON. I've been watching the second half of the RRS, and I saw something that I completely missed on Saturday. My father alerted me to one of the many fascinating features of the victory over OU.

It appears Colt McCoy and his receivers have been taking some improv classes. Or maybe they've been studying film on baseball coaches. With a three point lead in the fourth quarter, 1 and 10 at the Texas 36, 4:46 on the clock, Chris Ogbonnaya took what appeared to be a fairly standard handoff (possibly zone read?) to the right and hauled down the field for 62 yards. It was a great run, springboarded by fantastic blocking. Two linemen released and led the way, and the Sooner defenders were caught off guard, so to speak. It was a nice play all around, and it led to the final touchdown of the day.

Now, if you have DVR, watch this play again. Rewind to pre-snap and watch Colt McCoy. Before the snap, Colt stepped forward, looked to his left and seemed to adjust the play call. Colt got the attention of Shipley and made a twirling motion with his arm -- something along the lines of "spinning wheel" or "move it forward" or "let's keep it going". He motioned deliberately, as if he wanted someone other than Shipley to see. Shipley, upon receiving the signal, then turned to his left and made the same signal to Quan Cosby. This signaling from QB to WR to WR clearly caught the attention of at least three OU defenders.

I have concluded that this was an act of deception. It was an inside joke that carried a special message: "They have no clue what's about to hit them." Sure enough, some OU defenders flinched (perhaps suspecting a pass to the left), Texas executed, and #3 busted a big run. I'm not suggesting that Colt's hollow signal to the WRs was the direct cause of the success of the play, but it seemed to, at very least, create a moment of hesitation among some on the OU defense.

Maybe this kind of stuff happens a lot during the game, and I just miss it all because I'm not seasoned enough as a football viewer/critic. Aside from that, this moment of improvisation is yet another indication of Colt McCoy's comfort and sense of ownership within this offense. A QB who thinks his way through every play doesn't have time to perform mind tricks on opposing linemen. A QB for whom the offense is second nature can find the time to sprinkle that kind of creativity into a gameplan. It gave me one more reason to trust this QB and this offense. Stay tuned for more improv with Colt McCoy.

Hook 'em

I suck almost as much as Greg Davis

Kool Hand — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 03:57:31 -0000

They loosened up some time during the 2004 season and let VY do his thang. I thought this behavior signaled a shift in offensive coaching philosophy at UT. I was desperately wrong. Vince Young saved the Horns from their offensive coordinator, and it would take a one loss 2006 season to convince me otherwise. I believed that it was ultimately Greg Davis more liberal approach to play-calling that had changed the atmosphere in the Horns' huddle, but clearly it was the one of a kind presence of Vince that kept the offense running like it did in 2004 and 2005.

We just got our asses handed to us. Greg Davis, obviously, is only one of many guilty parties in this toppling. OSU shucked up UT royally. Smith, Ginn, Gonzalez, and Laurinaitus, to name a few, really handed it to the Horns. That's great for them. It didn't help that the Horns ran a fairly conservative, predictable offense. It also didn't help that Tarrell Brown was not on the field.

The dump passes suck. Colt can throw downfield, and Limas Sweed can catch, but Greg Davis believes neither of these. Sticking with the trusty veteran was a good plan until it starting sucking. Selvin, bless his soul, just isn't the playmaker that JC is. Young had some great runs, but it is evident that the coaches held JC back in this game. I suppose we can credit the "hot hand" way of doing things.

Where in the hell were our receivers? It seemed -- emphasis on "seemed" -- that over half of UT's passing plays were dumps into the flat. Is Shipley any good? If he is, than he was shortchanged tonight. Can "J-Mike" get open for big gains? Is it a good idea to run an option running play on 3rd and long when the game is still in reach (admittedly a long reach)? I'm sick of this crap. It's been one game since the beginning of the late 21-game streak, but I'm already sick. Images of boring, predictable, pussy game-calling are all too fresh in my head right now.

This is a rant, with no real direction, but I'm sad, pissed off, drunk and in need of release. Does this open the door for Jevan? Who knows. One of the reasons the offense looked so awful was because the spread option, as UT runs it, depends on a QB that can create with his legs. I love the guy, but he doesn't create a threatening image on the ground. Snead can do more with his feet. And after all, we need a QB who can overcome his offensive coordinator. Snead has more natural athletic ability. Colt did well with what he was told, but I believe Snead deserves a game-time chance to prove himself.

Ted Ginn scored one touchdown, and it was a decent play. It reminded me of so many Billy Pittman and Ramonce plays from last year. That said, the greatest effect Ginn had on this game was his distracting presence. He opened things up for the running game, and for his colleague across the field, number 11, Anthony Gonzales. Lucky for Gonzales and Ginn, on any given play, only one of them had to deal with a starting corner. The other was left with a talented but not as good Palmer or Foster. Tarell Brown opened up OSU's passing game more than my UT homer ass anticipated.

I won't say what if, though. We had our asses handed to us. Brown, I believe would've helped to keep the game closer, but UT was beat no matter what personnel showed up. It's impossible to overcome a stellar offense with a great leader. The task becomes even greater when big Greg Davis, or "GD" as I've come to know him, plans his offense around the assumption that the Horns D will hold the opponent to 7 or fewer points.

We're all disappointed right now. I'm sick.

He Just Pulled a Bomar

Kool Hand — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 20:04:47 -0000

OU quarterback Rhett Bomar was cited for under aged drinking and he should be applauded for this.

I would also like to congratulate the OU coaches for maintaining an atmosphere of respect and accountability in Norman.

If there's one thing OU is known for, it's that the football team is a collective class act, top to bottom. When a player screws up, we can count on Bob Stoops to rectify the situation. He has too much respect for his colleagues, the University of Oklahoma, and the game to let this one slide.

Keep up the good work, OU. Here is the link..

Playing it safe, with Ramonce Taylor

Kool Hand — Sat, 04 Mar 2006 23:32:40 -0000

Maybe he's been celebrating that National Championship a little too hard. Maybe he's lost focus since VY went pro. For whatever reason, Ramonce Taylor, apparently, hasn't lived up to his coaches' expectations regarding his academic responsibilities. He has been relieved of spring ball duties in order to focus on his school work. From the Dallas Morning News:

"I felt like he needed to focus on his academic work," Brown said. "He can now go work with (football academic adviser) Brian Davis and his staff. We want him to have full focus on that, and we want him to understand it's important for us that he do his work."

This is a bit disconcerting if you figure that RT will play a pivotal role in the 2006 offense. It's too bad that he can't spend spring learning the rhythms and styles of the two QBs. On the other hand, if this prevents a PJ Tucker, I can't really complain. Here's the link to the full article, which isn't much of an article:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/topstories/stories/030506dnspouttaylor.85dd 9593.html

Denton, TX Rose Bowl Viewing

Kool Hand — Wed, 14 Dec 2005 19:33:13 -0000

This is addressed to everyone, but mainly at TR, since he lives in little d. I heard through the grapevine that a Texas fan has rented out one of the theaters at Movie Tavern on University for a Rose Bowl viewing. I think it's something like 5 bucks to get in, and, obviously, no USC gear.

Another thing, TR, where do you kick it usually? We may have met at some point at a bar and made small talk about Texas, etc.

peace.

Wilbon Points VY Toward an Early Draft

Kool Hand — Mon, 21 Nov 2005 23:38:11 -0000

Michael Wilbon, columnist for the Washington Post published a piece last Saturday in which he advocated the position that Vince Young should declare for the NFL Draft after this season. I enjoyed the read, as it was filled with glowing, almost homeristic, evaluations of our beloved Texas Two-Stepper.

On the Heisman race, Wilbon writes:

With 22 touchdown passes this season, Young is reasonably close to Heisman Trophy incumbent Matt Leinart as a passer. After rushing for 267 yards and two touchdowns against Oklahoma State a few weeks ago, one can conclude that Young might even be in Bush's class as a runner. Bush can't pass like Young. Leinart can't move like Young. And oh, by the way, Young's Texas Longhorns are undefeated and ranked No. 2.

The orangeblood in me denies the arguments in favor of an early draft for VY, for another year of this would tickle me with delight. That said, VY has already shown coaches, critics, and scouts that he is for real. Why risk a 5th year injury?

The full text can be found here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/18/AR2005111802849.html

What do y'all think?