SB Nation User Blog: RMHorn

Jamaal Charles - Net Plus or Negative?

RMHorn — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 17:47:38 -0000

I caught the following quote from Jamaal Charles in my local paper (Denver Post) today (12/1/09)about his fumble near the goal line last week that hurt the Chiefs:

"The Chiefs destroyed any remote chance of winning with four turnovers. The most momentum-changing was Jamaal Charles' fumble when the Chiefs were driving early and appeared poised to tie it 14-all.

"I was trying to fight for extra yards for the team," Charles said Monday. "In that situation, I should always have two hands, protect the ball. I hurt myself and I feel the pain. We just hurt ourselves. We gave them the game.""

His quote sounded way too familiar to Longhorn fans:

9/23/07 (Rice game):

On fumbling on the second play: I tried to do too much with the ball. All of a sudden, someone came behind me and knocked the ball out. I just tried to do too much. I was kind of down that I fumbled the ball on the second play of the game

On bouncing back: After the fumble, I started to focus and hold the ball in tight. I got my mind focused and told myself that I have to come back and concentrate..

10/6/07 (Oklahoma game):

On his fumble near the goal line: I just saw the end zone and tried to do too much. I tried to score and I thought I scored and the defender came around with his other arm on my left hand and knocked the ball out. I was holding the ball well, he was just a good tackler. I have to give credit to their defense.

I know there's more just like that from Jamaal, was his excuse every time he put the ball on the ground, just not enough time to scour the internet for the other game quotes.

With Jamaal's nasty habit of being responsible for inopportune turnovers I submit the following question to BON fans:

Is Jamaal's presence on an otherwise great, solid football team a net plus or a net negative? I couch the question that way because I do believe there is a difference between teams that have to make up for a lack of talent by taking chances to overcome their overall deficiencies and teams that have a solid surrounding cast who can match up with most anyone else.

And I tie that presumption to the Texas Longhorns being a team that consistently has a solid surrounding cast.

Full disclosure: I'm of the mindset that for great solid teams it comes down to not making mistakes moreso than quantity of "explosive" plays to beat other great solid teams. Being deep and having the talent will keep you in games, even just making first downs and playing field position. Capitalizing on the other guys mistakes is the difference maker, as is giving the other guy opportunities to capitalize on yours. Outclassed teams roll the dice to get results, sometimes winning big, other times crapping out.

And I, for one, wasn't saddened to see Jamaal go pro early even with the disappearance of a running game without him in the backfield last year (or even if he could have been eligible for this season). I envision him putting the pigskin on the ground at least once during the course of either season that would have cost a game here or there. So, I'm a "Net Negative".

What do you think?

Poll

Jamaal Charles: on field contributions, were they net positive for Longhorns or net negative

Net Positive

155 votes

Net Negative

11 votes

166 votes | Poll has closed

BCS Formula Question

RMHorn — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:48:55 -0000

Fortunately, Texas looks to be in a strong enough position this season that the BCS formula shouldn't impact them like last season. Win and let everything take care of itself.

But, last season the difference between NC teams was minuscule and the Longhorns ended up on the short end of the BCS formula. At the time I made the assertion that because both OU and UF scheduled lower division teams that don't count in the formula (Tenn-Chatt & Citadel respectively) they had an advantage over Texas. I believe this to be true in that UT's win over UTEP (the worst non-con opponent) ends up being a net negative for their strength of schedule, while OU and UF wins over non-division opponents were a net neutral.

This week we get to see two very closely ranked teams in the same conference play it out during the same weekend and I'll be curious to see how it works out. Alabama plays FCS Tenn-Chatt while Florida plays FBS FIU. Florida's rout of FIU should hurt their S-o-S, while Alabama's destruction of Tenn-Chatt should have no impact on their S-o-S. Yes, sure, there are other factors that may make it hard to tell, like how the teams they've already played did today. And, both Bama and the Gators will now share FIU as a common opponent, as well as Florida already laid waste to their FCS opponent to start their season.

But, I will be curious nonetheless about how much playing a terrible FBS team hurts the overall BCS formula rating, while playing any FCS team doesn't do anything. And I'll always wonder if last season could have turned out better for us if we had played a FCS team instead of UTEP. As long as the BCS formula has this quirk it may make sense to schedule one FCS team a season instead of the obligatory doormat FBS team.

Whad'ya think?

2009 Season Determines Team of the Decade

RMHorn — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:11:56 -0000

If the pressure of being in a National Championship hunt where the biggest challenge remaining is themselves isn't enough, the 2009 season will determine what school gets team of the decade bragging rights. By most any measure the Texas Longhorns belong in the middle of that conversation, along with Florida, Louisiana State, Southern California, Oklahoma and Ohio State. No other schools got anywhere near this elite level in the first decade of the 21st century.

The facts 2000-2009*:

Most Wins:

~~Boise St 108~~, Oklahoma 108, Texas 107, USC 101, Ohio St 100, LSU 98, Florida 97

Best Winning %:

~~Boise St 86.4~~, Texas 85.6, Oklahoma 82.44, USC 80.8, Ohio St 80.0, LSU 77.17, Florida 76.98

Most National Championships:

Florida 2, LSU 2, USC 1.5, Texas 1, Oklahoma 1, Ohio St 1, ~~Miami 1~~

Most National Championship Appearances:

Oklahoma 4, Ohio St 3, USC 2.5, Florida 2, LSU 2, Texas 1, ~~Miami 2~~, ~~Nebraska 1~~, ~~Florida St 1~~

If Florida wins out then no doubt about it with 3 NC's the Gators get T-O-D honors.

But if Texas wins out then we'll have three teams holding 2 NC's apiece, with the Longhorns holding the most overall wins and best overall winning percentage of them all.

Sure, both OU and tOSU will have been there more often (UT missed by a whisker in both 2004 and 2008). But when the T-O-D chatter starts in December as they hype builds for Pasadena our Texas Longhorns are probably playing the Florida Gators for the elite of elite honors: 2000-2009 Team of the Decade!

Tickets for Texas v. Wyoming Game

RMHorn — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:08:01 -0000

The Rocky Mountain Texas Exes are posting information for Longhorn fans who are looking for tickets to the game in Laramie this Saturday on our Facebook group page (click here). We're doing our best to screen out ticket brokers, but we're not selling them as an alumni chapter and make no guarantees on the exchange, it's not our official deal at all.

We're only helping our members and fans traveling to the area unload extra tickets and directing members and fans to a source as we learn of them. This is a tough ticket to get since the stadium only holds 31,000 and there's so much interest in the game.

You don't have to be a Facebook member to view this page, but only Facebook members can make wall posts to it. We're only putting seller info on there, not buyer. If you're not a FB member and want to list your tickets shoot me an email through my BON public profile.

This is the first set of Cowboys we'll dispose of this season, glad the Horns are coming to our area for the tune up!

Hook 'em}-

Meet Huston Street in Denver August 8th

RMHorn — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 17:53:04 -0000

If you're going to be in Denver on August 8th c'mon out with the Rocky Mountain Texas Exes (official alumni org) to meet Texas Longhorn (and Colorado Rockies) Huston Street at our Freshman Sendoff Picnic. The Picnic goes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (but Huston's only going to be with us from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. because of the game against the Chicago Cubs later in the day). It's going to be a great event, complete with Houston's BBQ ribs, Shiner Bock beer and Blue Bell ice cream for only $7 members/$10 non-members. Check out details on our chapter website by clicking here.

Where's 2008-2009 in the Rick Barnes Era?

RMHorn — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 16:54:34 -0000

In looking back at the just completed UT Men's BB season it obviously was a disappointing one in the Rick Barnes era. Only once before under his leadership have the Longhorns not been ranked in a final poll ('04-05). We won't know for sure if UT is ranked for a few more weeks, but I think it's safe to say the chances are slim.

Also, only one season ('98-99, RB's 1st at UT) had more losses (13), with only one other season tied at twelve ('01-02). And there have been only three seasons with fewer wins ('98-99, '01-02, '04-05).

NCAA tournament exits under RB:

1st round - '98-99, '00-01, '04-05
2nd round - '99-'00, '06-07, '08-09
Sweet Sixteen - '01-02, '03-04
Elite Eight -'05-06, '07-08
Final Four - '02-03

What makes this season the biggest downer for me is that the two of the three comparable seasons had an easy excuse to assign blame to:

'98-99 (19-13, 20th AP), was, well, Barnes' first year.
'04-05 (20-11, NR) UT lost Aldridge to season-ending injury and Tucker to poor grades.

The third comparable season, '01-02 (22-12, 18th Coaches) Texas made the Sweet Sixteen to redeem an off regular season. Of course you could say that three more seasons had premature tournament endings that could qualify as disappointing seasons ('99-'00, '00-01, '06-07) if that's a part of the equation.

But, all in all, the just-completed season will go down as one of the least impressive bodies of work for a Rick Barnes coached Texas team. Other squads faced high attrition from prior years but they found a way to be better than this team was.

It's not my intention to be overly critical of Rick Barnes in this post. In fact, the poor seasons cited here are relative to the higher expectations of UT hoops this coach has created for the program. All but five to eight programs in the nation would pay dearly for the outcomes we've had since he took over.

It is my intention to raise expectations of '09-10. With the talent coming in and RB's history of success much greater than this past season I'm down right giddy about it. Barnes will have every opportunity to teach and coach the players who are teachable and coachable, and with the addition of great recruits and a solid transfer Coach can't help but improve the team chemistry and proper positioning/lineups of players.

PS - I know I had issues with some BON fans during the season, accusing many of being "homers" for not acknowledging the deficiencies until late in the season. My apologies for rubbing you the wrong way. I am so excited about the prospects for UT sports these next thirteen months, though and look forward to continuing to read, learn and share thoughts along the way. The baseball team is capable of great things this season, I'm chomping at the bit for August and football season to rectify last year's atrocious wrongs inflicted on them, and the men's and women's hoops will both be primed for deep runs.

'Til Gabriel blows his horn!

I Really Hate OU

RMHorn — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:56:11 -0000

I know we're supposed to be pulling for Big 12 pride and if all the teams in the conference do well it helps in good exposure and recognition of the quality of hoops we have in the middle of the country. I think the Kansas State coach got it right when he gripped about it in the conference tourney.

But if OU were the only Big 12 team that lost in the 2nd round I really wouldn't care, in fact, I'd cheer that outcome.

From their WVP (Whiner Valuable Player) Griffin's year long pouts about OU not being respected - even when they were ranked number 2, to their cries about their WVP getting hurt by a supposedly cheap shot by Dexter that no video ever showed - even though Pittman gets cheap shotted in the same game and all season long and he never cries about it, OU really, really sucks and I hope they stink it up in each and every game they ever play in any sport EVER!!!

What Rick Barnes Needs to Do

RMHorn — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:58:44 -0000

This team SHOULD be in the NCAA tournament, but they’ve not played like an NCAA tournament team since conference play started. And if they play the next month like they’ve played the last two months they WON’T be in the NCAA tournament, even though they have more than enough talent and the early season record to be there. Therein lies the rub: an under-performing team, out of character for RB (at least as far as the regular season goes).

RB should:

- Sit Atchley instead of trying to be Counselor Troi to him. He won’t be back next year and he’s not contributing to this season, so let him ride the pine and let Chapman and Hill compete for the time. Give them both a set of criteria they’ll be evaluated on and whoever is better starts, the other plays off the bench.

- Dogus is in the Dog(ho)us(e). He’s young, he’s wholly unfamiliar with US-style hoops. He may have future potential, but until he decides to follow his coach’s instructions to the letter he rides the pine. He’s not good enough to freelance, especially when his teammates aren’t on the same page and he ends up turning the ball over recklessly, multiple times each and every game. He’s a fast dribbler and passes the bb around faster than most, but he’s inattentive and a horrible shooter. Since he’s young RB may be able to develop him into something better. But he’s earned nothing yet, certainly not a starter role, the other young guys should get as much, if not more time on the court to develop, learn and earn the roll.

- Abrams has the most combined talent and experience on the team this season. But for the team “shooter’ to have a 37% season average, 33% in conference is inexcusable. I know coaches always say you need to let shooters shoot through slumps. But when does a slump become a player’s season par? Whether or not teams are doubling him and in his face AJ has not been on the mark all season long, with few exceptions. Expectations of Conner were raised last year when he had a handful of breakout games; but nobody confused him for a shooter. AJ has had as many "breakout” games this season as Conner did last; but he’s still considered the shooter? AJ had NBA fantasies at the end of last year and broke up the team chemistry when he and his daddy wanted their egos stroked by prematurely testing the NBA. If he thinks defenses in the NBA will be easier to overcome than what he’s facing right now he really is delusional. NBA talent is able to fight through what the other guys throw at you. If I’m RB I tell AJ "look, it may seem like a raw deal that other teams are able to double you up and defend you almost to the exclusion of the rest of the team, but if you really want to play in the bigs you’ve got to elevate your game that much more – ‘cause in the NBA the other guys are all bigger than you, all just as fast, all of ’em know how to play defense better than anything you’re facing today. Your future is in your hands, either you find a way to get it done and prove to the scouts you’ve got it; or you go play in the European leagues; or you sell life insurance. In the meantime I don’t leave him in 40 minutes, Ward gets in for at least 7 minutes that AJ’s not.

- Dexter should play much more. And he should be allowed to foul out. If he gets into foul trouble early RB should leave him in. If he fouls out so be it. He needs to learn how to play without fouling so much, yet still be effective and not unnecessarily avoid contact. Let him get his 5th playing ball, not waste away on the bench with 4. He’s gotta learn and what better way than learning under the pressure of a real game with real foul out consequences. Pittman seems like a real good kid who wants to please his coach and teammates as much as he wants to feel good about his own effort. Let him fall off that bicycle and get some cuts and bruises. He’ll get the hang of it.

- Gary Johnson is an animal when he wants to be. I’ve watched him dominate the middle and his eyes glow red when he gets in a groove. If there’s a tonic RB can brew that brings out the Mr. Hyde in him for 25 minutes then he needs to be a’brewin. An angry Gary is a good Gary as far as I’ve seen. RB has to be Patches and Gary has to be Gordon (Dodgeball).

- Mason & James. Both these guys have regressed without a true team leader. In the absence of a leader on the floor RB has to fill that void with his own leadership. M&J have the talent to provide quality minutes in their respective rolls. But if RB has defined clearly what those rolls are it’s not obvious. RB needs to narrow down what he expects of them, but then expect they’ll perform those duties flawlessly. They’re trying to do too much, and not succeeding at doing anything well. They need focus and more definition.

- Ward has a ton of potential. The season is such that Texas can afford to develop him for next season now. The team is not going anywhere this year, and losing to OSU on Tuesday or CU on Saturday will send them to the NIT, regardless. It’s time to get Ward the playing time and experience he’ll need to be an impact player next year when the posse arrives. He can be a young leader to next year’s freshmen and incoming transfer IF more is expected of him this year. Sure, he’ll make his share of mistakes, but as long as he is learning from them, and not making the same mistakes over and over (like Balbay continues to) he should get more and more playing time – even let him get a big taste of the conference tournament so he learns what stepping it up to the next level looks like.

- Chapman & Hill. Let ‘em compete for Conner’s minutes.

- Smith. Still a great unknown to me. Does he have anything? If not it must be nice to ride the bench and get four years of free school with no expectation of contributing anything in return. When UT was a weak program we had plenty of these guys littering the bench. As RB has succeeded he’s had fewer and fewer of these guys with splinters and bruises in their asses. If RB is asking himself what he’s paid for in reserving a spot for Smith he needs to find out. If he’s got game he needs to play like it when he’s in. If he approaches his minutes like they’re only junk minutes he’s filling then we’ll get more of the same. If he believes coach expects more maybe he’ll give more. RB should leave it crystal clear that he expects more. Otherwise, Harrison gets a four-year degree paid for just by being a junk minute cleanup guy. Every team has one like him, heck, that’s what we all thought Conner was until last season surprised us (but this season he’s back to form). Does Smith have a spurt in him to help?

What UT's Players Should Do

RMHorn — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:16:30 -0000

First of all, this football team needs to man up, focus all the energy and anger they have into practice and the weight room. They need to come out on January 5th and just destroy tOSU from the opening gun until the closing gun. It should be downright ugly and embarrassing for tOSU what happens in the desert. Nothing personal Tressel, since he and Mack are buds, but it's just what needs to happen.

Then, immediately after the game when the players and coaches are interviewed they need to permanently and forever cast doubt on whoever wins in Miami by asserting that the best team in the country won in Glendale. They need to loudly and proudly declare that everyone on the squad, every fan, most of Texas and a huge part of America knows that UT is better than OU and that whoever wins in Miami will forever have an asterisk next to their title. And they need to explicitly say that the voters who hosed UT can kiss their collective asses.

While some are claiming that UT should just get over it and it benefits the Big XII if OU wins, possibly benefiting Texas since they beat OU, I will be praying for Florida to destroy those dirt burglars (also Australian slang for...rump rangers). There's no way in heaven or on earth that Stoops and Co. should hoist another trophy of any kind over their heads this season. It's a fraud and miscarriage of justice what happened to UT.

I know some Tech fans are claiming they should be in the hunt, too. They had a great season, their best season ever. But while they knocked off Texas in the last second of a game and at home, their strength of schedule was pathetic, far worse than UT's or OU's. I mean, c'mon TWO Div 2 teams? And getting thumped by 40 points by a team UT defeated by double digits? Beating UT was a nice win for you TT, it messed up the Horns season. But it doesn't make you an equal in this debate. The only reason the head-to-head matters for UT/OU is because everything else, from SoS to the road/home/neutral site is tied between the squads. UT/TT head-to-head doesn't matter because the disparity between the rest of the body of work hugely favors UT.

But, just to be consistent and so we don't have to listen to anymore taunts about "whining" from OU or TT, this bowl season I've abandoned my support for all teams Big XII. OU and TT both need to lose their bowl games to shut them up and let the world know that UT is the best team in the Big XII. I don't care if this season the SEC would get bragging rights by beating both OU and TT.

After the Big XII telling UT two years in a row that all tiebreakers go to OU (last season in a potential tie the conference told UT they were going to ignore rules 3 & 4 that would have given the title to UT and go straight to rule 5 to benefit OU) I have no loyalty to the conference any more. The coaches in the Big XII have dissed UT and MB repeatedly in the voting for team rank and COTY. If our fellow teams in our conference want to treat UT like a pariah then why should UT give a flying fuck about them?

So, in order of January cheers:

Go Ole Miss, win one for your former team Jevan!

Go Texas, punk those Buckeyes like they're OU!

Go Gators, expose the Big XII "Champion" as the pretenders they are and make Bradford cry like the little girl she is!

Then I'll be content to wait for October, 2009, when MB & Co. get to bury the thieves - AGAIN!

UT Fans Going to Boulder - Official Events

RMHorn — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:16:07 -0000

Texas vs Colorado in Boulder Events - October 3rd & 4th

The Rocky Mountain Texas Exes has many events planned for UT alumni in Boulder on Friday night, October 3rd and Saturday pregame events on October 4th.

We'll be at the Foundry near Pearl Street in Boulder (map) for Friday night (7pm-10pm) fun with local and visiting Texas fans. And they'll have "beer pong" for UT fans to play CU fans. Contact Jim for more information.

The RMTE Party Bus Saturday at 2:15pm: from downtown Denver at the Giggling Grizzly (map) in LoDo. Tickets are $30, price includes beer on board. And for an additional $10 you can get a commemorative UT v. CU Party Bus RMTE T-shirt. Space is limited to first 75 paid. To make your reservation and pay by credit card please go to the RMTE Chapter Website Calendar and click the October 4 "UT v. CU Party Bus from Denver to Boulder". Bus & Beer Rules are displayed and at the bottom of the page that opens is the registration area. Save the hassle of finding and paying for parking around Folsom field in Boulder, and enjoy a few beers with fellow Longhorns without worrying about the drive from Denver.

Once in Boulder we are co-hosting Saturday's Pregame Tailgate Party from 2pm - 4:45pm with the University of Texas Ex-Students Association at the Outdoor Pavilion behind the Millennium Harvest House (map) in Boulder, from 2pm - 4:45pm. For $15 (members) or $20 (non-members) advance sales or $30 walk-up you'll get hot dogs, burgers, bbq pork, veggie burgers and sides, Mack Brown's pregame video announcement on a big screen TV, a silent auction (items include: UT v. Missouri game package (game tickets and lodging at UT Executive Education Hotel suite from 10/18/08 -10/20/08, airfare not included), a Shiner Calloway Golf Bag and Longhorn memorabilia), raffles and camaraderie with hundreds and hundreds of burnt-orange clad Longhorn fans. We MAY even be visited by the Longhorn band and cheerleaders to rally us. And this game is for bragging rights with our Buffalo fan co-workers and friends over the next year. Click here to pre-register for Longhorn Tailgate .

Beat CU - Hook'em Horns!