SB Nation User Blog: Lincoln

Gary Pinkel thinks OU is undefeated

Lincoln — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:28:23 -0000

Gary Pinkel thinks OU is undefeated

Gary Pinkel's Monday press conference (12/1/08):

At 5:00 mark in video, Pinkel explains why Missouri is 9-3 and Oklahom is undefeated.

ALL charges against Benson dropped.

Lincoln — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 23:23:58 -0000

Statesman reports that BOTH of the grand juries (one dealing with the boating charge, the other with the driving charge) have found a lack of evidence against Cedric, leaving prosecutors with no choice to but to drop both cases.

For those not familiar with the legal process, this says a great deal about the weakness of the cases brought against Cedric (and perhaps speaks as much to how law enforcement handled the two incidents). A grand jury is a pre-trial stage. (Not to be confused with an actual jury that would sit during a trial and offer a final verdict.) It is often joked that a prosecutor could get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich of wrong doing...it is just that easy to show probable cause and move forward to a trial. In both instances involving Cedric, the prosecution failed to establish this otherwise basic step.

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/longhorns/entries/2008/09/25/benson_charges.html

This may open a few more doors for Cedric.

With regards to other Horns receiving some rare positive press, ESPN has added two more items to the Vince Young saga with a little less negative light.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?page=hotread2/merrill

and

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3608511

And of course that third Longhorn who baffles the press (Ricky Williams), rushed for just shy of 100 yards against the Patriots last week but was overshadowed by Ronnie Brown's break out.

Greg Davis: Keeps Job. Gets Raise.

Lincoln — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 00:22:45 -0000

From the Statesman:

"Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis will make $425,000 this coming season, the same salary as new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.

Davis’ raise is nearly $75,000 more than he made for 2007."

The article also notes the present salaries of other Texas coaches who received bumps in pay.

As for Davis, I believe the message is clear: Losing three games in a season--and the last six against OU/A&M/K-State--exceeds our highest expectations for you, and thus you deserve a 20% pay increase. Keep it up. But let's be clear...if you lose four games, you can only expect a 15% pay raise.

Texas 57, OU 39

Lincoln — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:45:59 -0000

In sad news that went unnoticed this past year, the OU community lost a friend as the Hartman Football Newsletter can no longer be found online. HFN held itself out to be "America's Leading Authority on Football" dating all the way back to the publication's inception in 1994. To be the leading authority of football is impressive stuff. But 1994? I'd understand maybe if someone who covers and writes about curling since 1994 claimed to be the leading authority, but football? That can't be right. Every year since BON's inception (circa 2005), I have reposted a few minor corrections that the HFN editor managed to overlook.

The cleverly titled "Anti-Texas Page" featured almost as much animosity towards homosexuality as items of low-end longhorn-bashing clipart and graphics. (It's a wonder that Calvin urinating on the 40 acres was nowhere to be found.) With all that said, I'll focus on the most glaring issue. Facts...a few wrong...a lot missing.
Aside from that, it's a very persuasive webpage. No doubt if my self-esteem wasn't as Texas sized as it is, I might feel a little insecure after reading about all the forgettable moments in UT football history.

Below is the full text from the "Anti-Texas Page." I have taken the time to supplement it a little. I could dig deeper and search for the low points of OU football history, but instead I will limit my commentary to the years and contests singled out by the Hartman Football Newsletter.

If HFN or any other Boomers are reading, just a reminder that people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

A History of the Achievements of Texas Longhorn Football:

1894. Texas begins playing football, beats the Austin YMCA, 6 - 0.

...That same year OU Played one game, losing at home in Norman 34-0 to Oklahoma City. The next year in 1895, OU doubled the length of its season, playing two games...both against Norman High School, winning 12-0 and 16-4. (Nice to see OU went for the two-point conversion both times. No doubt in response to the two safeties they gave up.) [To be fair, after reading a book about the history of the Southwest Conference and the early years, of football, touchdowns initially were only valued at 4 points.] OU celebrated its first of the 14 undefeated seasons the school now claims. AND, only 100 more years until the Hartman Football Newsletter is started and becomes the leading authority for football

1903. Texas begins its tradition of being scum by scheduling and then beating the School for the Deaf, 17 - 0.

...Texas also beat OU that year 40-10...TSD appeared to be a more worthy adversary (Texas owns OU series W:5, L:0, T:1)

1904. Texas loses to Chicago, 68 - 0.

...The next week UT returned home from Chicago to beat OU 40-10. (Texas owns OU series W:6, L:0, T:1)

1906. Texas loses to Vanderbilt, 45 - 0.

...Texas went 9-1 that year, so it looks like OU is still wearing the proverbial collar. (Texas owns OU series W:7, L:0, T:1) Oh, and the week before OU lost to Texas--in Oklahoma, OU lost to Kansas 20-4.

1913. Past is prologue. Texas loses to Notre Dame, 30 - 7

...Texas went 7-1 that year...so guess what that means. Oh, and OU beat its first three "opponents" by a combined score of 258-0. They scored 6 in their loss to Texas. (Texas owns OU series W:10, L:4, T:1)

1937 - 38. Texas loses ten straight games.

...Guess who Texas didn't lose to in 1937. (1938 - Texas owns OU series W:20, L:9, T:2)

1941. In the Baylor game star end Noble Doss drops an easy pass. It costs Texas the conference title and a trip to the Cotton Bowl. Doss begins the Texas tradition of CHOKING.

...turned out just to be a scratchy throat as Texas tied Baylor 7-7 that game and beat OU 40-7. (Finished season ranked 4th, beating Oregon 71-7)

1951 - 57. Texas loses seven straight years to rival Oklahoma.

...The streak was 6 years, actually beginning in 1952 (unless OU's 9-7 loss in '51 was a moral victory). With those 6 losses, some how Texas still owns the series (W:29, L:19, T:2) thanks to Texas' 8-game win streak over OU from 1940-47. Texas started another 8-game win streak over OU the next year, as well.

1964. Rival Arkansas wins the National Championship.

...Actually, both AP and UPI crowned Alabama National Champion. But guess who beat #1 Alabama in the Orange Bowl. Hook'em 21-17. Texas went 10-1 that year, losing to the Razorbacks 14-13 who finished 10-0. Since Arkansas beat UT and UT beat #1 U of A, some football writers gave Arkansas the January title. Which is fine with most Texas fans since they know what happened the season before. That's when #1 ranked Oklahoma lost to its rival (#2) who went on to finish 11-0 and claim the undisputed title. (OU's loss to UT was the seventh in-a-row to Texas, as UT increased it's series lead to W:36, L:19, T:2)

1969. President Richard M. Nixon visits the Texas locker-room at half-time of the Arkansas game and declares the Longhorns to be national champions. Nixon later pleads, "I'm not a crook." and then resigns the Presidency in disgrace.

...AP and UPI also were not crooks and just happened to agree that the 11-0 Longhorns were the best in the land with wins over #2 Ark., #8 OU, & #9 Notre Dame.

1970. Undefeated Texas wins the Southwest Conference Title and finishes the regular season ranked #1. The Longhorns and star running back Woo Woo Worster then CHOKE in the Cotton Bowl and get beat by Notre Dame, 24 - 11.

...Can anyone tell me where I can find the 1970 National Championship trophy?

As a point of history, this Texas team was all-white. Texas was among the last NCAA football teams to integrate.

... And yet Texas managed a 41-9 win over OU (who were Co-Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl champions, tying the other team). (Texas owns series W:41, L:20, T:2)

1971. Texas loses to Arkansas 31 - 7, to Oklahoma 48 - 27, and then to Penn State 30 - 6 in the Cotton Bowl.

...And yet Texas Longhorns = Conference champions. Just because we have 800 program victories, doesn't mean we can win them all.

1973. Texas gets hammered by rival Oklahoma, 52 - 13.

...OU hired Barry Switzer that year. It was as if OU knew every play we were calling.

1974. Rival Oklahoma wins the national championship.

...OU for some reason decided not to play in a bowl game that year.

1975. Rival Oklahoma wins another national championship.

...He keeps saying "Rival." What kind of rivalry has a series record of 41-25-2?

1977. Undefeated Texas wins the Southwest Conference Title and finishes the regular season ranked #1. The Longhorns and star running back Earl Campbell then CHOKE in the Cotton Bowl and get beat by Notre Dame, 38 - 10. Notre Dame benches its starters for most of the second half.

...I'll take his word for it. I wasn't there. But since Notre Dame was a good enough program to snap OU's 47-game win streak, then I'll believe it.

1981. Texas "donates" a pair of cowboy boots to blue-chip recruit Marcus Dupree. Dupree then signs a letter of intent to play at Oklahoma.

After receiving a visit from alumnus Billy Sims urging him to go to OU (an NCAA violation)...Dupree played for the Sooners his freshman year in 1982 but transferred his sophomore season to Southern Miss and never played another down of college football. Dupree was such a bust, ABC Sports did a "Where are they now?" piece on him.

1982. Texas CHOKES and loses to North Carolina 26 - 10 in the Sun Bowl after going into the fourth quarter leading 10 - 3.

...OU lost to Arizona State 32-21, in a game that had fewer viewers than the parade that preceded it. The Sooners also took a lead in to the 4th quarter but were shut out the rest of the way. In what would be freshman RB Marcus Dupree's final college game (see above) Coach Switzer blamed the loss on Dupree for being overweight. The overweight freshman managed to set a Fiesta Bowl record with 239 yards rushing (in just three quarters prior to pulling a hamstring before the fourth). Despite the Sooner loss, Dupree was named the bowl MVP.

1983. Undefeated Texas wins the Southwest Conference Title and finishes the regular season ranked #1. The Longhorns then CHOKE in the Cotton Bowl, losing to Georgia 10 - 9.

...The way this guy writes history, he's making it look like Chris Simms was simply upholding our rich tradition of choking. We were ranked #2 and lost to #7 Georgia. For whatever reason, OU did not play in a bowl game.

1985. Rival Oklahoma wins another national championship.

...This was back when you did not need to go undefeated to win the Title. That's fortunate because the home loss in Norman to Miami 27-14 could have been a problem. At least OU did beat Texas and narrowed the deficit within the series (Texas leads W:46, L:28, T:4)

1986. Former Longhorn players allege the coaching staff encouraged them to scalp tickets. Head coach Fred Akers is fired.

...What, no mention of former-Sooner-turned-Longhorn Darrell K. Royal? Fine. By the way, Akers was the eleventh coach to leave Texas with a winning record against OU.

1987. Texas running back Edwin Simmons is arrested by Austin police. Simmons was found wandering around the campus area stoned on marijuana and completely naked.

...Is that why they call it the Drag? If Simmons makes the list of highlights, I expect to see Ron McKelvey (aka Ron Weaver) make the list for 1995. Thank goodness OU lost to Miami after going undefeated during the regular season, otherwise the Simmons note would likely be replaced with "Rival Oklahoma wins another national championship."

1988. Texas loses to Houston 66 - 15.

...We lost to a lot of teams that year with David McWilliams at the helm. Three of our five seasons under McWilliams were losing seasons. But guess what? He still managed to become our twelfth coach to leave with a winning record against OU.

1991. Texas loses to Miami in the Cotton Bowl 46-13.

...This is true. I was there. (Except we only scored 3 points--not 13--but that's 3 more than a certain other team who didn't go bowling that year.

1997. Texas loses to UCLA 66 - 3.

...Besides the obvious loss to Texas, OU loses to Northwestern 24-0. The Sooners finished with four wins, never winning two in-a-row.

1998. Head coach John Mackovic is fired.

...Luckily, head coach John Blake is retained. Oh, and Mackovic was our thirteenth coach to leave with a winning record against OU.

1999. Texas plays Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl after a long hiatus in their rivalry. The heavily favored Longhorns CHOKE and lose 27 - 6.

...I wish I could be more detailed on this response but the odds making websites don't indicate who was favored that same bowl season when OU lost to SEC power-house Ole Miss.

2000. Texas loses to rival Oklahoma 63-14.

...Everybody lost to Oklahoma, remember? That was the most recent year our rival won the national championship.

2003. Mack Brown brings Texas high school prep star RB Adrian Peterson to the Oklahoma game, then loses to the Sooners, 65 - 13. Peterson signs a letter of intent to play at OU.

...Peterson explains he wants to win a championship and Texas can't do that. (OU goes on to lose in the next two BCS title games, but gets to watch UT win the subsequent year.)

2004. Mack Brown receives a ten year contract extension after begging and crying his way into the Rose Bowl, pushing aside the Cal Bears by rigging the Coaches Poll. All of California learns to hate the Texas Longhorns

...Any man who has the power to "rig" the coaches poll deserves a ten-year contract. Oh, and Texas went on to become 2005 Rose Bowl Champions while Texas' Rival fell just 37 points shy of winning their little bowl as well.

2005. Latest Longhorn arrests: RB Ramonce Taylor and DB Cedric Griffin. Both are allowed to play in the Rose Bowl.

...I don't recall any arrests. This guy apparently depends too heavily on reports from InsideUSC.com. I do recall a Rose Bowl though (and a few players OU did not suspend during the season.)

2006. Knees down, Texas wins its first national championship in 36 years.

...It was actually a 35-year drought. I wonder why he had 36 on his mind. Perhaps because that is how many points OU lost by in the previous year's BCS title game against the same school Texas beat in 2006. (And for those of you keeping score, Texas owns series W:57, L:39, T:5)

April, the Month of Apologies...

Lincoln — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 19:41:24 -0000

Imus said it. Mike Nifong kind of said it. This has been the month of individuals making national appologies subsequent to being under scrutiny for their comments. Well, this also happens to be the month in which the NFL Draft will be taking place, so let's look at one more person who may want to appologize.

It was one year ago at this time that Vince Young was being placed under a microscope and his draft status debated by the masses. Columnist Jason Whitlock perhaps had the most to say in a rant published on ESPN.com's Page 2. Whitlock has since been informed by ESPN that his services are no longer needed (though without the hubub Imus' departure received). Looking back at the piece, perhaps it is time Whitlock said "I'm sorry."

Shortly after the column was written a year ago, I wrote ESPN with the following:

Has ESPN ever defined its goal regarding whether its priority is thoughtful journalism or simply entertainment? The network obviously is a source for both at times, but with out the clear line having been drawn, some of the networks employees appear impeded by an inner need to try to be amusing while purporting to be a journalist. I am writing to address ESPN.com in particular. I understand the value and gravity readers should assign anything found on "Page 2." This is where entertainment has been given the reigns, while the homepage is the public’s source for the professional product.

But when the home page has a large graphic up for multiple days that reads, "Shut up, Vince!" I question the decision making by the editor who (a) decided the message was appropriate whatsoever and (b) believed there to be any correlation between the headline and the story it linked to. This just appears to be sensationalism, pursuing shock value. I understand Page 2 wants to draw traffic, but at what price?

When exactly was Vince talking? Whitlock has highlighted some questionable choices/actions by Vince but rarely follows with a correct logical assessment. It is as if Whitlock wanted to make certain conclusions, had some analogies that tickled him, and was ultimately determined to write his story and gather facts along the way. Certainly, Whitlock will appreciate this next analogy. All he has are square pegs, and he’s trying to shove them in to round holes. Never once does he quote Vince or ellude to innapropriate comments, and yet Whitlock or an editor has decided to tell Vince to "Shut Up!" I don’t mind reading something from which I differ in opinion. But to make hateful comments and back them up with facts that do not correlate, just does not seem to add value to ESPN.

I have annotated the article throughout (in italics).

YOUNG NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME
By Jason Whitlock
Special to Page 2

You have to wonder whether Vince Young knows what job he's applying for, or if he even realizes that he is "applying" for a job.

The NFL doesn't recruit starting quarterbacks. It's not the Marines out looking for a few good men. When it comes to picking its quarterbacks, The League is Halle Berry on Oscar night. She can pick any designer she pleases, and the world's most renowned designers are just grateful for the opportunity to be considered.

Vince Young doesn't get this. He thinks joining the NFL will be similar to joining the NCAA. He mistakenly believes he's holding all (or most of) the cards, and that come April's draft some lucky GM is going to feel like a lottery winner when Vince Young stands next to Paul Tagliabue and pulls on a Saints or Texans or Titans cap.

To be honest, Vince—like most top picks—does hold most of the cards. There is a reason why these draftees command pay checks with almost as many zeroes as appear on the same player’s NFL career stat list up to that point. In fact, the most recent player who came in and believed he had everything to prove and signed a performance-based contract was another Longhorn, Ricky Williams. And yet, Williams was criticized for not pursuing the guaranteed payday.

Vince Young is clueless. And I'm not talking about his score on the Wonderlic test. I'm talking about his understanding of what it takes to make it in the NFL as a quarterback.

Where may I get a copy of the autobiography of Vince Young (ghost written by Jason Whitlock), where Vince has laid out his "understanding of what it takes to make it in the NFL as a quarterback?"

Humility is the No. 1 ingredient.

The most prestigious and most difficult job in all of sports -- NFL quarterback -- is played at a high level by the men willing to humble themselves and prepare like each Sunday is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

This isn't the NBA, and Young isn't Shaquille O'Neal. You don't get the first half of the season to play your way into shape. It's not Major League Baseball, and Young isn't Roger Clemens. You don't get to stay at home with your family on certain road trips.

This is where most of Team Vince begins to realize little is going to be learned from this article. Perhaps among the most discussed happenings, preceding Texas’ most recent road to Pasadena was the offseason workouts and drills, organized and carried through by #10, as he posted a note to the team that if they expected to win this year, he expected them to devote their summer to hard work and a renewed commitment to the team. The Shaq and Clemens (another Longhorn) analogies are cute, but if you bubbled in either of those choices on the Wonderlic, let alone the SAT, you would be wrong. It is a little premature to knock Vince for skipping mini-camp or summer camp when he is not even on a team yet, and his devotion to offseason honing of skills and general hard work would also happen to suggest to the contrary. And when has Vince asked potential general managers if he could have road games or holidays off? How are these critical comments relevantly tailored to Young as opposed to Bush, Leinart, or anybody breathing whom Whitlock wishes to tear down?

This isn't the University of Texas, and Young is no longer able to rely on his superior athleticism and instincts to outduel his competitors.

No. But those attributes are what will set him appart from the rest.

Young's success in the NFL will hinge almost exclusively on his willingness to prepare. And that's exactly what Young's Wonderlic score and other curious decisions call into question -- his will to prepare and his level of humility.

Actually, no. The Wonderlic calls in to question Vince’s "book smarts," and I’m not here to defend his education over the past four years. There is a reason why the players drafted in April are putting their health on the line as opposed to sitting in a cushy chair as a CEO making similar money, if not more. Willingness to prepare for a standardized test and willingness to prepare through repetitions on a gridiron and evenings in a film room are two different things. Vince has proven his willingness (and self-motivation) in doing the latter.

The fact that Young had to take the Wonderlic twice in order to score a 16 is an indication to me that Young did not prepare for the test, particularly the first time. That speaks to Young's arrogance. So does his choice in representation and his decision to visit the president and the White House sans sports coat and tie.
Are you following me?

When you have a chance at being the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, securing a $25 million signing bonus and landing one of the 32 most important jobs in professional sports, you don't pick a family friend and local criminal defense attorney (Major Adams) to head up your campaign.
That's not keeping it real. It's foolish and arrogant. It raises questions about your decision-making and maturity.

You can question maturity and decision making, with Vince’s expressed disapointment at the Heisman ceremony, but again Whitlock goes in a different direction. Hiring a family friend may logically indicate something, but that something is not arrogance. Vince knows he will get paid and went with the antithesis to Drew Rosenhaus. He may have overlooked the other benefits a seasoned agent can provide a rookie with pre-draft advice, but again it’s Vince’s heart getting in the way, not arrognce.

Now, had Young wanted to give Major Adams a break, Young could've easily stipulated to any experienced potential agent that Adams work as co-counsel. A deal such as this would've provided Adams with a tremendous learning experience and protected Young's interest.
It would've given Team Vince, the loosely formed management posse representing Young, some much-needed professionalism. A seasoned agent might be able to explain to Young the difference between being an NFL quarterback and an NBA small forward.

Now Vince goes to being compared to an NBA small forward. What happened to his being the the NBA post player who wanted to rely on natural talent instead of hard work?

Small forwards travel with posses decked out in white T's, bling bling and agents in sweat suits. NFL quarterbacks don't.

"Posse," "keeping it real," and now "bling bling." Are we criticizing Vince for being too "black" now? Because that is one point that Whitlock has not explicitly made as an African-American himself.

When Young hit radio row at Super Bowl XL with posse and Major Adams in tow, that was the first time I sensed that Young might not grasp that the rules are different for QBs and DBs. When I learned that the leader of Young's posse (and the man calling the real shots for Team Vince) is a longtime friend and Houston nightclub owner who goes by the nickname "Black," that's when I told a friend to keep an eye on Young's draft stock.

Nevermind. There’s the black reference.

"It's gonna dip."

A starting NFL quarterback is the face of a billion-dollar corporation. He is one of the three or four highest-profile individuals in his city and perhaps in his state. His every move is cussed, discussed and analyzed by millions of people who don't have a clue about playing the position.

I thought Vince was the one who didn’t have a clue about playing the position.

It's impossible to exaggerate just how much more important the NFL is than every other sport in this country. Vince Young foolishly thinks that the Texas Longhorns and Mack Brown are more important than the Houston Texans and Gary Kubiak. Young thinks playing USC for the national championship was real pressure.

If Vince thought "that the Texas Longhorns and Mack Brown are more important than the Houston Texans and Gary Kubiak" then why did he pass up the chance to play in Austin one more year? I could have sworn Vince has made it clear to Houston that he wants to be a part of the Texans. Oh, and...NOTE TO NAÏVE SPORTS FANS: playing USC for the national championship was not "real" pressure. For an example of "real" pressure, observe a Page 2 writer facing a deadline and needing to tear down a 22-year-old to help pitch a book on sale.

Playing quarterback in the NFL is the equivalent of getting in the sack with Jenna Jameson. Oh, everybody wants to do it, but it can be an incredibly humbling and "short" experience.

This analogy single handedly sums up the standards and "maturity" Whitlock holds himself to as a journalist.

Just ask Ryan Leaf or countless other can't-miss prospects. Michael Vick is in the process of getting humbled. He was supposed to reinvent the position. I don't believe the position will ever be reinvented. The guys who have consistent success will always be the guys who prepare the hardest.

Michael Vick is not supposed to reinvent the position. That is the job of the Atlanta offensive coordinator. Vick still has the talent he has always had. He is not being humbled, his strengths are not being taken advantage of. And, yes, Vince faces the same possible mismanagement of his skills. A team who values him as a top pick are over-valuing him unless they actually plan on using the skills that they are "drooling" over.

Before any NFL owner gives Young a bunch of guaranteed dollars, the general manager better make sure Young is going to hit the film room and practice field just as hard as Peyton Manning, Donovan McNabb and Tom Brady. The GM also should make sure that the head coach and offensive coordinator -- not some let's-hit-the-strip-clubs posse member -- have the ear of the quarterback.

I believe I have addressed the film room and practice field earlier, but do these statements not equally apply to Leinart and Cutler? Nice to know the latter two white quarterbacks don’t have a some "let's-hit-the-strip-clubs posse member" in their ears.

Playing QB in The League is a different animal.

It's an honor. So far, Vince Young isn't treating it like an honor. He's treating it like it's his right, granted to him by an MVP performance in the Rose Bowl. You can be a fool and argue that Young proved all he needed to prove in Texas' upset of USC. Hmm. Didn't Redskins running back Tim Smith and Cowboys cornerback Larry Brown have big games on football's biggest stage and later prove to be frauds? And what don't people understand about the concept that NFL quarterbacks have to prove themselves week to week?

Tim Smith and Larry Brown weren’t national championship game MVPs were they? That would be incredible that they also went on to be NFL Super Bowl MVPs as well. But I believe that is what Whitlock was actually alluding to, with another disjointed analogy. Now he asserts that the NFL Super Bowl is not "real" pressure. What exactly is the next level after that? Note to Vince: Just because you are successful at the college level does not mean you will be successful as an NFL quarterback. And just because you are successful as an NFL quarterback and win the Super Bowl for whichever struggling franchise drafts you, and garner MVP honors, does not mean you will be a successful NFL quarterback. "Are you following me?" Finally, what does this statement allude to: "And what don't people understand about the concept that NFL quarterbacks have to prove themselves week to week?" Where was this discussed and concluded to the contrary by public (or Vince’s) opinion?

Right now Young is proving that he doesn't have the necessary intangibles to thrive as a starting QB. He carries himself like a wide receiver.

Vince has proved that, to the same extent Whitlock has proven his point. Before you tell us that no Hall of Fame quarterback listened to rap music, be quiet, Jason.

UT Making Room in the Rafters?

Lincoln — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 22:43:18 -0000

Ford, Campbell, Clemens, and Williams. All were Players-of-the-Year in their respective sports. Four years after retiring its first ever basketball jersey number, The University of Texas will find itself in a position next season to retire another.

Like football, men's basketball has numerous organizations at season's end awarding player-of-the-year trophies. In 2007, Kevin Durant made it a clean sweep, picking up the hardware from each of the six major associations. Durant became the first freshman to ever accomplish the accolade feat, but surprised few in Austin (or Suitland, MD) in doing so. After all, No. 35 set so many new standards that he somehow made the incredible appear to be nothing more than merely routine.

Just as Durant elevated Texas' name, it is likely Texas will return in kind...ascending up in to the rafters.

Durant's individual success on the 40 acres began less than a year after another Longhorn departed campus, following a career that captured the hearts of fans and lifted the football program to the pinnacle of the sport. The question now is who will have their number retired first? And can the University even consider withholding the honor altogether from one or both of the athletes?

Vince Young won the Maxwell but (for now) fell short of the Heisman. Of those honored, only Roger Clemens enjoyed POY honors coupled with a National Championship. When it comes to honoring individuals, the University's track record so far reflects a focus on individual accomplishments. Ricky stayed all four years and ran past Dorsett, but as an upperclassman his Horns fell shy of winning the Southern Division, let alone Big Twelve Conference or National Championship. T.J. in his two years at least led his team to a groundbreaking Final Four appearance, only to lose to the eventual champions.

Durant's success is hard to truly define. He dominated the stat columns, appeared to dominate the opposing five, and yet never quite dominated the game, unable to lift up his fellow (young) teammates and will them to victory. Is that enough? Is that more than enough? Again, the Texas standard appears to be guided by the national recognition as player of the year. We're inclined to believe No. 35 is a lock to sway high above the Erwin Center court.

Meanwhile, the argument for Young's #10 is that the Maxwell is a POY award (one which Williams paired with his Heisman in '98). In fact, Tommy Nobis joins the two as the only other Longhorn to win the award, and his #60 is often left unworn.

Young's #10 may similarly go unofficially off the market but perhaps his ability to take over a field of twenty-one other men and lead Texas to it's first BCS bowl and title will strengthen his case.

Momentarily ignoring the free pass seemingly acquired via receiving POY honors and debating which trophies count, does will future "dominance" in the NBA or NFL affect a latter decision to retire the numbers?

Poll

What will be the ultimate result?

Neither number will be retired

8 votes

Both #10 & #35 retired; Vince first, then Kevin

75 votes

Both #10 & #35 retired; Kevin first, then eventually Vince

14 votes

#10 retired but not #35 (regardless of pro career)

34 votes

#10 retired but not #35 (via success as pro)

8 votes

#35 retired but not #10 (regardless of pro career)

6 votes

#35 retired but not #10 (via success as pro)

0 votes

I'd like to give a qulified answer in the comments below

1 votes

146 votes | Poll has closed

OU's Glass House

Lincoln — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 19:09:00 -0000

Before actually moving on to the fact that Texas plays Baylor this week (and not OU again), I fear history continues to repeat itself every October when the delightful verbal exchange heats up with those slightly North of us who failed to be included on our friends and family calling plans. Last February, Peter posted a one-word story (six including the title) regarding certain anatomical envy. The post links to a webpage assembled by the Hartman Football Newsletter. HFN holds itself out to be "America's Leading Authority on Football" dating back all the way back to the publication's inception in 1994. To be the leading authority of football is impressive stuff. But 1994? I'd understand maybe if someone who covers and writes about curling since 1994 claimed to be the leading authority, but football? That can't be right.

Well it turns out that's not the only erroneous statement presented by this "journalist." The cleverly titled "Anti-Texas Page" features almost as much animosity towards homosexuality as items of low-end longhorn-bashing clipart and graphics. (It's a wonder that Calvin urinating on the 40 acres is nowhere to be found.) With all that said, I'll focus on the most glaring issue. Facts...a few wrong...a lot missing.

Aside from that, it's a very persuasive webpage. No doubt if my self esteem wasn't as Texas sized as it is, I might feel a little insecure after reading about all the forgettable moments in UT football history.

Below is the full text from the "Anti-Texas Page." That text is in italics while I have taken the time to supplement it a little. I could dig deeper and search for the low points of OU football history, but instead I will limit my commentary to the years and contests singled out by the Hartman Football Newsletter.

If HFN or any other Boomers are reading, just a reminder that People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

A History of the Achievements of Texas Longhorn Football:

1894: Texas begins playing football, beats the Austin YMCA, 6 - 0.

1903. Texas begins its tradition of being scum by scheduling and then beating the School for the Deaf, 17 - 0.

...Texas also beat OU that year 40-10...TSD appeared to be a more worthy adversary (Texas owns OU series W:5, L:0, T:1)

1904. Texas loses to Chicago, 68 - 0.

...The next week UT returned home from Chicago to beat OU 40-10. (Texas owns OU series W:6, L:0, T:1)

1906. Texas loses to Vanderbilt, 45 - 0.

1913. Past is prologue. Texas loses to Notre Dame, 30 - 7

1937 - 38. Texas loses ten straight games.

...Guess who Texas didn't lose to in 1937. (1938 - Texas owns OU series W:20, L:9, T:2)

1941. In the Baylor game star end Noble Doss drops an easy pass. It costs Texas the conference title and a trip to the Cotton Bowl. Doss begins the Texas tradition of CHOKING.

...turned out just to be a scratchy throat as Texas tied Baylor 7-7 that game and beat OU 40-7. (Finished season ranked 4th, beating Oregon 71-7)

1951 - 57. Texas loses seven straight years to rival Oklahoma.

...The streak was 6 years, actually beginning in 1952 (unless OU's 9-7 loss in '51 was a moral victory). With those 6 losses, some how Texas still owns the series (W:29, L:19, T:2) thanks to Texas' 8-game win streak over OU from 1940-47. Texas started another 8-game win streak over OU the next year, as well.

1964. Rival Arkansas wins the National Championship.

...AP and UPI also were not crooks and just happened to agree that the 11-0 Longhorns were the best in the land with wins over #2 Ark., #8 OU, & #9 Notre Dame.

...Can anyone tell me where I can find the 1970 National Championship trophy?

As a point of history, this Texas team was all-white. Texas was among the last NCAA football teams to integrate.

... And yet Texas managed a 41-9 win over OU (who were Co-Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl champions, tying the other team). (Texas owns series W:41, L:20, T:2)

1971. Texas loses to Arkansas 31 - 7, to Oklahoma 48 - 27, and then to Penn State 30 - 6 in the Cotton Bowl.

...And yet Texas Longhorns = Conference champions. Just because we have 800 program victories, doesn't mean we can win them all.

1973. Texas gets hammered by rival Oklahoma, 52 - 13.

...OU hired Barry Switzer that year. It was as if OU knew every play we were calling.

1974. Rival Oklahoma wins the national championship.

...OU for some reason decided not to play in a bowl game that year.

1975. Rival Oklahoma wins another national championship.

...He keeps saying "Rival." What kind of rivalry has a series record of 41-25-2?

...I'll take his word for it. I wasn't there. But since Notre Dame was a good enough program to snap OU's 47-game win streak, then I'll believe it.

1981. Texas "donates" a pair of cowboy boots to blue-chip recruit Marcus Dupree. Dupree then signs a letter of intent to play at Oklahoma.

1982. Texas CHOKES and loses to North Carolina 26 - 10 in the Sun Bowl after going into the fourth quarter leading 10 - 3.

1983. Undefeated Texas wins the Southwest Conference Title and finishes the regular season ranked #1. The Longhorns then CHOKE in the Cotton Bowl, losing to Georgia 10 - 9.

1985. Rival Oklahoma wins another national championship.

1986. Former Longhorn players allege the coaching staff encouraged them to scalp tickets. Head coach Fred Akers is fired.

...What, no mention of former-Sooner-turned-Longhorn Darrell K. Royal? Fine. By the way, Akers was the eleventh coach to leave Texas with a winning record against OU.

1987. Texas running back Edwin Simmons is arrested by Austin police. Simmons was found wandering around the campus area stoned on marijuana and completely naked.

1988. Texas loses to Houston 66 - 15.

1991. Texas loses to Miami in the Cotton Bowl 46-13.

...This is true. I was there. (Except we only scored 3 points--not 13--but that's 3 more than a certain other team who didn't go bowling that year.

1997. Texas loses to UCLA 66 - 3.

...Besides the obvious loss to Texas, OU loses to Northwestern 24-0. The Sooners finished with four wins, never winning two in-a-row.

1998. Head coach John Mackovic is fired.

...Luckily, head coach John Blake is retained. Oh, and Mackovic was our thirteenth coach to leave with a winning record against OU.

1999. Texas plays Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl after a long hiatus in their rivalry. The heavily favored Longhorns CHOKE and lose 27 - 6.

...I wish I could be more detailed on this response but the odds making websites don't indicate who was favored that same bowl season when OU lost to SEC power-house Ole Miss.

2000. Texas loses to rival Oklahoma 63-14.

...Everybody lost to Oklahoma, remember? That was the most recent year our rival won the national championship.

2003. Mack Brown brings Texas high school prep star RB Adrian Peterson to the Oklahoma game, then loses to the Sooners, 65 - 13. Peterson signs a letter of intent to play at OU.

...Peterson explains he wants to win a championship and Texas can't do that. (OU goes on to lose in the next two BCS title games, but gets to watch UT win the subsequent year.)

...Any man who has the power to "rig" the coaches poll deserves a ten-year contract. See my diary on whining: HERE. Oh, and Texas went on to become 2005 Rose Bowl Champions while Texas' Rival fell just 37 points shy of winning their little bowl as well.

2005. Latest Longhorn arrests: RB Ramonce Taylor and DB Cedric Griffin. Both are allowed to play in the Rose Bowl.

...I don't recall any arrests. This guy apparently depends too heavily on reports from InsideUSC.com. I do recall a Rose Bowl though (and a few players OU did not suspend during the season.)

2006. Knees down, Texas wins its first national championship in 36 years.

The NCAA reports the Texas football graduation rate is 40% - among the lowest in Division 1-A football.

...Among the lowest, perhaps. But the lowest? Nope. Oklahoma's 33% gives Texas a bit of a cushion. Don't know about you, but 40-33 seems a bit more impressive than 41-38.

PJ & Daniel's eligibility and Draft issues

Lincoln — Tue, 25 Apr 2006 04:44:10 -0000

A reminder to those unfamiliar with the eligibility issues. If either Gibson or Tucker gets drafted lower than hoped for, YES they may return to college (assuming they are sans agents) to finish their eligibility (for Gibson 1 or 2 more years), and try to improve their skills...

BUT, once they exhaust their eligibility or choose to go to the NBA, their draft rights are owned by the NBA team that took them this year (i.e. they do not re-enter the draft to see if they can go higher.) Their initial salary would likely still reflect their second round status.

For PJ and Daniel the two best scenarios are (1) get drafted high, or (2) don't get drafted at all. PJ is probably making the right choice, as he is about as desirable as he can be to the NBA as reigning Big XII POY. Only a breakout year as a perimeter shooter next season could likely give him a boost. And Barnes, with the incoming young talents, is not likely to use next season as time to develop PJ in a new role for the NBA. While PJ is a Longhorn, it is Barnes' job to win now and PJ in the post is far more productive to the team as a whole.

For Daniel, with two year's of eligibility left, you wonder more about a choice to test the waters. First of all, you may only do this once. Daniel cannot enter his name, get a feel, return for his junior year, and then enter his name again next spring/summer and then return to Texas. You only are given one free pass by the NCAA. Right now all we hear from the NBA is how teams are looking at Daniel as a point guard. One major reason is his size, being too small likely to play the two or the three in the NBA. Daniel's family (father) has said what we have yet to hear from Daniel. #1 hopes to have another shot at point gurd for UT. This appears unlikely with AJ and perhaps an incoming freshman battling for the spot. Daniel has had his chance, but all too often failed to penetrate in to the paint, where a true PG can then (1) score, (2) draw contact, or (3) draw double coverage, create open shots, and pass the ball out. If Daniel returns, he likely (like PJ) resumes the role he finished the season with (as the shooting guard). Again, Barnes and UT are not a rebuilding team. You can win at this level with freshmen and sophomores. As the result Gibson would be played where the team needs him (SG) not where the NBA needs him.

To clarify the NBA Draft rules further. A team who drafts a player owns the exclusive signing rights to that player until one year after the player's eligibility would have expired (assuming four years of college). If PJ and/or Daniel were drafted and then returned to UT, completed their eligibility and sat out one year, they could then enter their names back in to the draft. By that time, however, it is hard to imagine the now older and rustier players' stock would be on the rise.

On another side note, you may have noticed all the names you hear with Aldridge, Morrison, etc. for the top pick are those of college players. No mention of an up and coming high school sensation like LeBron or Garnett. That is because the NBA last summer raised the Draft eligibility requirements to age 19 during this calendar year, and--for US entrants--one year removed from (after) high school graduation. This will both help the pay day for the draft-entering collegiate amateurs and deepen the talent even further at the NCAA level.

If I have misstated anything let me know. With all this in mind, you can understand why both PJ and Daniel may believe this is his best shot to test the draft without making a commitment either way. And it is obvious the Barnes has enough talent coming in with the current six commitments to prevent BON and its readers from panicking in the reporting and rumors over losing players to the draft. The addition of one of these other freshmen, as number seven, would simply be icing on the cake.

Update [2006-4-25 0:54:38 by Lincoln]:Appololgies to Andrew for some of the overlapping on my part in the evaluation of Daniel. I just noticed his story entitled "Daniel Gibson's Dilema" on the main page. Andrew has done a good job of even further focusing on Daniel's "dilema" including notes on guaranteed money and the NBDL.

Responsible Reporting

Lincoln — Sun, 18 Dec 2005 07:33:12 -0000

Sometimes the best reporting is no reporting.

All Things Longhorn was perhaps as appropriate a name for this blog as any prior to its facelift and well-received transition to the SB Nation. For people who no longer walk the 40 Acres but desire to keep a finger on the pulse of the campus and its athletics, Burnt Orange Nation has proven to be a remarkable outlet and source of information. Similarly, for anyone simply seeking to cheer on the 'Horns or, to the contrary, engage Burnt Orange fans in some healthy trash-talking and beating of the chests, this site has proven to be an open forum with few filters imposed by the site's authors.

But now they are being criticized by some for what they aren't saying.

The authors are handling the current "scandal" appropriately. Very few know for a fact what occurred on the two occasions in question. Responsible reporting involves education, not mere speculation. All too often we see self-proclaimed "journalists" report mere hearsay in hopes to bask in glory if the story in fact proves to bear some semblance of truth. Such publishing of information for self-benefit has a price, almost always in turn at the expense of others.

BON has never held itself out to be UT's Entertainment Tonight or the National Enquirer, drawing in its audience with promises of the latest possible gossip. Instead the site has proven to be a source for the accumulation of research and discussion. For those who have yet to take notice, BON has gained a significant readership over the past year, from which there can be many benefits. But BON is no doubt acutely aware that a large audience can also have its consequences, especially if one is to engage in irresponsible reporting.

Right now, two Texas student-athletes (Cedric and Ramonce) have been identified by their attorney as being involved in an investigation by the Austin Police Department and District Attorney, pertaining to events that were purported to have taken place on December 10th, following the Longhorn's end-of-season banquet. There is a reason why no arrests have been made. The purpose of the investigation is to gather facts, and there is a reason why certain blogs reporting to know the "inside scoop" are not a part of this fact-finding process. (see: FACT-finding)

Like BON, InsideUSC.com has its merits and knows its audience. But be cautious when reading about "sources familiar with the investigation" if those sources are not named nor an explanation given as to why such sources must remain anonymous. This is certainly the case when the publication or website appears more than happy to otherwise name-drop other sources when given the opportunity in hopes of gaining credibility. If these sources are "familiar with the investigation," why have they not distinguished the altercation on December 10th from the reported assault on September 4 and detailed what happened or at least what the specific accusations (physical contact and a demand for five dollars) are? Why have these exclusive sources failed to mention that neither of the students whose pictures you have posted are being investigated currently for the aggravated assault involving a semi-automatic handgun?...certainly the more egregious of the two accusations.

An excerpt from the Austin paper is imbedded in the story reported by InsideUSC. The final line of which reads: "Due to the fact that these cases are still being investigated, APD cannot provide additional information." Well, isn't that why we have come to your site? You have sources close to the investigation! So please, tell us what happened. Stop teasing us. Enlighten us. Don't make us wait for others to report the facts, and heaven forbid we hear others report the facts before you can hear them report the facts and then make it your own exclusive. You should be able to beat them to the punch. After all, you don't just have one source, you have sources.

The BON authors have appropriately avoided what could amount to irresponsible and defamatory behavior during an uncertain investigation process. The two confirmed students are among several investigated for two separate and unrelated incidents. Remember, simply because they are in the spotlight as athletes, accusations of criminal activity and widespread rumors of such are not a realistic price they should expect to pay.

Some readers have claimed distaste for BON's posting of photos taken of Matt Leinart, comparing BON's actions to those of InsideUSC. While numerous sites included accusations of groping and Leinart subsequently being slapped, no such "facts" nor "sources familiar with the groping" were reported by BON. Additionally, the photos were posted with disclaimers of "gossip" and "can't verify."

There is a reason why BON has not rushed stories regarding these criminal incidents on to its front page. For the same reason, BON does not hold itself out to be "InsideUT."

If you want to criticize our authors, ask why they have failed to correct InsideUSC's assertion that Cedric Griffin returned a punt for a score against A&M. After all, sources familiar with the game know it was a blocked punt scooped up and taken in. (And that's about the only Texas scoop.)

Sometimes the best reporting is no reporting.