ACC is officially closed - http://hamptonroads.com/2011/09/report-acc-accept-pitt-syracuse-uconn-rutgers-radar

And of course with that, so is the Big East.  So place your bets on PAC-12, Big 12, or Independence that is unless you think the SEC is still a desirable option. I think getting ready for some late-night TV watching (who didn't enjoying some 12:30am viewing of the Stanford/Arizona this morning?) of Longhorns athletic events is on tap...

PS Still throwing a few bucks in the plate today at church for the Big 12 somehow surviving w/ Texas staying...

First of all, here is the article - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/17/sports/ncaafootball/syracuse-and-pitt-in-talks-with-acc.html

Second, IF Pitt & Syracuse go to the ACC, I think that means the ACC extends an offer to Texas and to Missouri & the Big 12 finally dies after a long, painful year-long struggle.

Third, why?  The Geographical divisional split would look like this -

NORTH: Pitt, Syracuse, Missouri, Wake Forest, BC, Virginia Tech, Maryland, & UVA

SOUTH:  Texas, FSU, Clemson, Duke, NC, NC State, Miami, & GT

When doing the geographical splits (forget some 4-team pods as some have suggested), North Carolina and it's three schools are the issue as you can't really split them up.  Adding two northern schools would suggest the ACC (IF they want to go to 16 as well as invite Texas) would need to add another northern school. Mizzou is an attractive program academically & athletically and aren't too far from the majority of northern ACC schools (all things considered). Kansas could be an option, but I think Mizzou jumps at the ACC offer since the SEC appears to be content with 13 members for the time-being. 

Finally, the conference shuffle:

The PAC-12 would add OU & OSU and stop at 14 (sorry Tech!)

The Big East reeling from the loss of Syracuse & Pitt go after Texas Tech, KU, KSU, & Baylor w/ maybe ISU getting considered if they can find another school to pick from a lower conference to go to 14, but I think they hold at 12 & rename theirselves the Big East/North/South conference.

ACC gets national pub from being the first 16-team superconference & not looking too shabby on the academic & athletic fronts.

The SEC looks odd at 13 w/ no apparent 14th dance partner to choose from because I am sure the re-shaped ACC, Big East, & PAC-14 conferences will now include huge penalties for jumping ship in the future

Conference USA circles around any dead carcasses left to rot (ISU) and adds where they can

And travel agencies across the country rejoice while somewhere in a lonely office in Las Colinas admist taped up cardboard boxes stacked on top of each other, Dan Beebe weeps...

As always, in my ever so humble opinion....

As I have watched various bowl games over the past week and now today on New Year's, it struck me how strange it was to not be preparing for a Texas Longhorns bowl game watching party.  Since the 1997 season was the last time Texas was not in a bowl, I thought I would take us on a short trip as to what that year was like.  Some of it will ring bells, some of it will make you remember when, and some of it will make you go back to watching what's on TV:

The Saints fans back during the day went by the "Ain'ts" and hid their face from all to see with a grocery bag.  Clearly after 7 seasons of futility, Houston fans need a symbol they can turn to in times of need.  And since we don't want to copy the Saints in any way, shape or form outside of our mutual frustrations, I think we should not hide in the shadows of despair. I believe we the Texans fans should become the "X-ans" during these troubling times.  We should show McNair & the team our dissatisfaction by holding our arms up in the form of an X during home games and/or wearing team-colored shirts brandishing the word "TeXans". Unless a complete implosion occurs, it is unlikely that most fans will not continue to show up at Texans home games especially with season tickets paid for.  However, aside from the internet and sports talk radio, what else can we do to let them know we are tired of their inability to execute on a consistent basis especially with the quality of talent that exists on the present team (secondary excluded)?  This is a very rough idea, but I figure BRBers can come together with a consensus of what to do so I threw down the first gauntlet! 

"People need dramatic examples to shake them out of apathy and I can't do that as Bruce Wayne, as a man I'm flesh and blood I can be ignored I can be destroyed but as a symbol, as a symbol I can be incorruptible, I can be everlasting" -  BATMAN BEGINS

Just sayin'...

With the Texas Longhorns win today over Florida Atlantic, all that is left is the formidable task of beating Texas A&M to become bowl eligible.  Not only would a victory over the Aggies earn Texas rivalry bragging rights along with an extra game to finish over .500, but it also looks like it would put the Longhorns football team smack dab in the middle of New York City after Christmas.  We all know that Coach Brown hasn't met a camera he didn't like.  We also know that the big sports media outlets equally love him back.  No one can tell me that if Mack ends up getting the Texas Longhorns to the first ever Pinstripe Bowl at Yankees Stadium that he won't have higher seeds Baylor, Mizzou, & Texas A&M wishing they had lost a few more games instead of ending up in Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, or out West somewhere.  Granted those bowls have higher payouts and a lot more prestige than a start-up bowl like the Pinstripe but when Mack Brown hits NYC in December, I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't end up being named Grand Marshall for the big Christmas Day parade by the time he gets thru yucking it up.

Again, I am in no way condoning or excusing the poor season and failed expectations that the season has brung the University and it's fans.  I have hope that next year when little Shipley and Malcolm Brown hit Austin, the Longhorns will return to it's rightful place in the BCS ranks.  I also hope Greg Davis is out of Austin on the first thing smoking. Yet, I also know that the Texas Longhorns being in NYC come Christmas time could end up bringing more media exposure than any other non-BCS bowl game we could have went to plus Mack Brown puts the ultimate spin on this dismal season Big Apple-style.

However, it all has to start with beating Texas A&M this Thanksgiving!  Hook 'em!

I am a Garrett Gilbert fan and think he is the guy to be behind center for the future.  However, with the way the season is going, Mack Brown needs to bench him for the rest of the season before GG turns into David Carr.  Whether it's the Offensive Line or the Offensive Coordinator, what they have Gilbert doing isn't working this season.  He needs to be on the bench learning before he gets too shell-shocked and he is ruined.

Again, I am not a bandwagon, fair-weather fan.  The season is done in terms of finishing on a high-note.  We need to focus on next year. 

Okay guys, since our game isn't until Monday night, I thought today would a good day to see what fans & posters honestly think about our chances to make the playoffs by actually looking at our remaining schedule & picking how the Texans will do.  Personally, I believe Houston can go no worse than 10-6 to make the playoffs and no worse than 4-2 in our own division, which means we have to go 6-4 the rest of the way to have a realistic shot.  Again, those calculations are minimum levels of acceptability.

With that said, here are the 10 remaining games with my picks (of course barring major injuries) on the Texans' path to the playoffs:

1. Colts - L
2. Chargers - W
3. Jags - W
4. Jets - L
5. Titans - W
6. Eagles - L
7. Ravens - L
8. Titans - W
9. Broncos - W
10. Jags - W

The tricky part in all of this is do the Jets and/or Ravens finish with less than 6 losses? If not, then they would hold the tiebreakers over us (if I'm right on my picks).  I really think we have a great shot of beating either team so I am really going with the thought of Houston losing four games somewhere along the way & them being the more obvious choices vs. the Jets & Ravens being 100% losses. In the end, the reality is we will have to win our division vs settling for wildcard dreams. 

What do you think?

The Kansas City win was a huge step in the right direction.  The Texans coming out of the bye week 4-2 is huge in terms of playoffs chances.  Realistically, they can go 3-2 each of the last two months and still have a good shot at making it in.  Moreover, the Texans literally control their own destiny playing against other potential AFC wildcard teams San Diego, New York and Baltimore.  Moreover, the other two teams that have a shot at the playoffs are in our own division.  However, between the three teams in the AFC South tied for first, the Titans have the easier remaining road if only by a little.  It all starts with our division where we need to finish the AFC South divisional games with a winning record. Thus, a sweep of the Titans is most likely needed while a split with Indy doesn't kill us since their remaining 10 games are equally as daunting as ours.  Sweeping the Jags goes without question.

Hopefully, the Texans can pull a little trade deadline magic to get add some depth at positions we need and trade off at positions where we have quantity.  While some of this might not make sense, if you take an honest look at the Titans, Colts, Jets, and Ravens schedules matched up to ours, the Texans do have their own destiny in their hands.  What they do with it may be an entirely different matter...

The finale is the Friday from 5-7pm @ Coaches Sports Bar off of 290/Jones Rd in NW Houston.  If you can, I would love for you to come out to support me.  If not, tune into 97.5FM as it is in the Houston AND Beaumont area from 5-7pm. Thanks for all of your support this far!  If I win, I become part of the ESPN 97.5 Staff!

The link to listen to my audition and vote for me is:

http://espn975.com/Contests/RockTheMic/tabid/693/Default.aspx

The link for Coaches Sports Bar is:

http://www.coachesjv.com/Main/index.html

Wish me luck!

Hope to see some BRBers out there OR at the Cowboys Tailgate!

The finale is the Friday from 5-7pm @ Coaches Sports Bar off of 290/Jones Rd in NW Houston.  If you can, I would love for you to come out to support me.  If not, tune into 97.5FM as it is in the Houston AND Beaumont area from 5-7pm. Thanks for all of your support this far!  If I win, I become part of the ESPN 97.5 Staff!

The link to listen to my audition and vote for me is:

http://espn975.com/Contests/RockTheMic/tabid/693/Default.aspx

The link for Coaches Sports Bar is:

http://www.coachesjv.com/Main/index.html

Wish me luck! Hook 'em!

Not sure how appreciated everyone will feel with these new rules (no personal items or outside items allowed), however, it is still exciting to get a chance to meet the Texas Longhorns players. There will be an online lottery so no camping out early for tickets should be a plus. I hope to be out there again!  Here is the link with the details -

http://www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/080610aac.html

Hook 'em!

If any of my fellow TCBers wouldn't mind doing a copy & paste of the link below to check out my video audition tape for the Houston ESPN FM station 97.5's Rock The Mic Contest (and hopefully vote for me), I would greatly appreciate it!

http://975tkt.cellit.us/hosted/index.php?pn=product_detail&fn=c_product->view&product_id=55709

In typical "why me?" fashion, for some reason, they posted three of the same video clips of me which have two with no audio and one with choppy audio.  I uploaded the same clip onto You Tube and it works fine so I posted it on the same above linked page in case you want to hear the full package.

Thanks!

If any of my fellow BRBs wouldn't mind doing a copy & paste of the link below to check out my video audition tape for the Houston ESPN FM station 97.5's Rock The Mic Contest (and hopefully vote for me), I would greatly appreciate it!

http://975tkt.cellit.us/hosted/index.php?pn=product_detail&fn=c_product->view&product_id=55709

In typical "why me?" fashion, for some reason, they posted three of the same video clips of me which have two with no audio and one with choppy audio.  I uploaded the same clip onto You Tube and it works fine so I posted it on the same above linked page in case you want to hear the full package.

Thanks! 

If any of my fellow BONers wouldn't mind doing a copy & paste of the link below to check out my video audition tape for the Houston ESPN FM station 97.5's Rock The Mic Contest (and hopefully vote for me), I would greatly appreciate it!

http://975tkt.cellit.us/hosted/index.php?pn=product_detail&fn=c_product->view&product_id=55709

In typical "why me?" fashion, for some reason, they posted three of the same video clips of me which have two with no audio and one with choppy audio.  I uploaded the same clip onto You Tube and it works fine so I posted it on the same above linked page in case you want to hear the full package.

Thanks & Hook 'em!

- Here's an official announcement concerning CU - http://msn.foxsports.com/cfb/story/colorado-big-12-pac-10-061010

- I guess it's time to start watching the dominoes fall - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdtjF5tXFe4

- Here's what it all could look like - http://cfn.scout.com/2/974716.html

- Start buying your Big 12 memorabilia now while it lasts as I am sure we only have one or two years left!

Hook 'em!

Last year I poised the question which would take less - "The number of games it would take an individual Astros pitcher to win 10 games vs. the number of games before the Texans won ten games?".  Clearly the Astros won that one since the Texans finished 2009 with a 9-7 record.  Giving the Astros fancy for giving up runs so far this season, here goes this year's quandry -

"Do the Astros give up more runs by All-Star break than the Texans defense gives up points for all of 2010?'. 

Before anyone bashes the question, if a good baseball team averages giving up 4 runs a game over 81 games that would be 324.  A pro football defense gives up 20 points a game over 16 would be 320.  I think it's a fair comparison and a little sad to think about depending on which team you think has a better chance! :)

With Oswalt's agent revealing to the Astros that Roy is ready to move on, we should take a page or two out of  Stephen King's "Children of the Corn" and just move anyone over the age of 30 out of town as well. Clearly, the Roy move makes sense.  Short of having his jersey torn as he runs across the field, Oswalt is the Astros' version of Earl Campbell.  We have taken him deep into games win or lose since he arrived in 2001.  He probably has two solid years left in him before his arm falls off like Ron White's tire coming out of a Sears.  And given the Astros current state of play, we're 2-3 years away from being competitive unless major shakeups occur, which are doubtful given Uncle Drayton.  So trade him now while there is an opportunity.

And don't even mention Lance as untouchable.  The Astros broke the Houston curse of it's pro teams trading HOFers away by keeping Biggio for his entire career.  And if Jeff doesn't pop up in any report in the next few years, then he actually has an outside shot at the HOF too!  In fact, I say if we trade Lance, we can move Carlos to first which might actually help us as much as Lance's trade value by speeding up the OF.  If a team calls, everyone over 30 is available and anyone under has to have a great trade offer.  Beyond Roy, is there a player on our team currently that is over 30 and producing consistently besides maybe Sampson. We can create an exemption for a few 30 players to stay, but everyone else can go for the right offer.  

I kid about the "over 30"riff, but seriously, this team is dead in the water.  The sad part is what do we trade for if/when offers start to come in?  Clearly two of the OF positions seem set, we have a catcher in waiting in Round Rock, a couple of IF and pitching positions seem to be filled, but right now the team just isn't producing consistently anywhere other than Lindstrom and Bourn.  Hopefully, we can get some players that can maybe pump some life back into the team and make it fun again.  Until then, I guess we suck it up and start working on 2012.  That is unless the world ends, but that's a John Cusack posting for an entirely different day.

Peace!

Let's say Nebraska and Mizzou leave.

Big 12 North lines up nicely -

Colorado

Kansas

Kansas State

Iowa State

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State

Big 12 South

Texas

Baylor

Texas Tech

Texas A&M

First of all, the Big 12 Championship has a nice look to it AND no more griping about whether OU or Texas are the best team coming out of the Big 12.

Next, we need is to find a couple of teams to plug into the South that might have some pop to them.  We might have to look at one big school in terms of national competition and one school in terms of a media market.  Or heck, we just add four schools and do a little bit of both.

Top Tier could be BYU, TCU or Utah 

2nd Tier - New Mexico, Tulsa, Louisville, or Tulane - might not make sense, but from a media market perspective adding one of them might not be bad.

Realistically, Conference USA and the Mountain West would be prime pickin's if you could add the right ones. East/West or North/South, in the end, I know it is all about the TV dollars, but it seems like the Super Conferences are trollin' for additions with Mizzou and Rutgers. The Big 12 adding BYU, TCU, Louisville, and/or Memphis doesn't sound too bad in terms of the level of competition that we would lose with Mizzou and Nebraska leaving. 

I know I am rambling a bit, but I am just a little stunned that Texas can't be the centerpiece vs. the trimmings.  I know there are others on here that will have better insight than me, but I thought I would throw in my two cents.

Hook 'em!

I was just curious to know what the final thoughts are on the BRB Nation meeting up, hanging out, or at least waving at each other in passing at the Texans' draft party this Thursday night? I am getting out there with my buddies around 5:30pm to beat the traffic and get in the VIP line.  I know it is a totally different set-up and area in Reliant Stadium than in years past in case some of ya'll don't know.

Hope to put some faces to names! 

Everybody is mocking everybody it seems as we get closer to NFL draft day.  I think everyone is of consensus that the Texans needs in the first three rounds are (no certain order) RB, Secondary, and Line.  Take a minute and look at mock drafts to gauge your choices, but realistically select your 1st round, 2nd round, and 3rd round choices for the Texans (again must be viable selections not pipe dreams for each round).  Let's see who does better given the opportunity to be Texans' GM for a day...err...two days - AND NO TRADING DOWN OR UP!

This is with Earl Thomas out of the mix -

1st Round - Kyle Wilson CB

2nd Round - Jared Veldheer OT

3rd Round - Toby Gerhart RB

Use the remaining rounds to add depth for other concerns or depth.  I think we hold off on big DL changes for one more year and use the 1st three rounds to set up three key positions for a few years.

First of all, I for one like that CBS is showing these fights on regular TV.  MMA is definitely a better product that boxing & by having events like this on regular TV or UFC on Spike, it gives them a chance to reach out to disenchanted boxing fans or curious onlookers.  Heck, even Dana is trying to push for MMA as an Olympic event!  The only downside to MMA in terms of watching is that more often than boxing, it is either over in the first round or it goes the distance, which sometimes can make watching by the casual fan more painful that the fight itself.  Either way, more fights on TV is great!

Next, lest we push the panic button, every sport has had one of these freak occurances in the the recent past. Detroit Pistons,  High School sports, every other Miami Hurricane football season...Hell, did anyone see the NCAA squash fiasco on ESPN highlights last month?  SQUASH?? 

Third, UFC people who hate Strikeforce probably still hate Strikeforce regardless of the post-fight.  People who like Strikeforce for some variety probably still like it.  The newcomers are the ones probably most affected by what happened.  While more veteran viewers probably sensed a set-up, someone curious to know about MMA now probably equates it to cage thugery.  What happened last night was unexcusable.  While I agree with some posters that the smell of conspiracy is definitely in the air for Strikeforce to hype a potential fight or add fire to a potential future UFC fighter, it should have been saved for a PPV or a Showtime fight not on public TV.  At least there, some would argue they got more bang for their buck.  Whoever got in the fight should be suspended and whatever Strikeforce official who let Mayhem in the cage should be suspended too!

Finally, I really hope Strikeforce is able to pull through all of this chaos from this weekend.  Competition whether on-par or sub-par to the main attraction is good for any kind of business.  Being able to see guys leave one company, go to another & improve, and then stay or leave to go back to the first is beneficial for everybody.  Just ask Jake Shields in a few weeks if Strikeforce helped him make more money....

After watching the 2010 Orange-White Spring Game this past Sunday, I think Texas might be the college program that sees the biggest change after replacing a quarterback legend this upcoming college football season.  The Longhorn WRs have to be salivating at the thought of all the middle-to-deep routes with Gilbert taking over as quarterback.  While I am the biggest Colt fan in terms of his four-year career at Texas, these guys couldn't be more different and yet could be equally successful (except for total wins).  Although Gilbert has a cannon of an arm, the glaring need for a consistent running game will be even greater this year as GG lacks the running ability of Colt.  Whaley showed some glimpses for running down hill w/ TreFoz doing more of the slash n dash.  Perhaps Gilbert's ability to stretch the field will cause defenses to back off the line some to allow for better running opportunities?  Clearly, having healthy TEs for the first time in two years will also help with that part of the game too.   I don't know, but after 6 years of Vince/Colt behind center, the passing talents of Gilbert under center has me feeling good about the 2010 season.  Not National Championship good, but defending the Big 12 title good.  I mean let's give Gilbert a small break.  One could become slightly jaded after their first college football game as a true freshman is a BCS Title affair....

First of all, nobody is mentioning anything about the State Legislature stepping in to interfere with any of these discussions should this start to look like a done deal vs. some posturing.  Ann Richards forced Baylor's way into the Big 12 by threatening legal action back in the mid-90s.  You can't tell me that the colleges in Texas wouldn't be hurt by this move IF Texas were the only school involved in this move, which would then call legislators to want to be involved.  I don't think the Big 10 would be interested in taking Texas AND another Big 12 school if they are shooting for just being a 12 team pool since they have 11.  If they want to go Super 14, then that might be another story as three teams from Texas would allow for some flexibility for all parties.  If not, the Longhorns would have no incentive to play in-state rivalries on a continual basis with the Big 10 conference schedule and the strength of conference schedule.  Ultimately, if the courts don't help, then there is money provided solely to UT as well as a few others that the Legislature can tie up IF it got to the point where Texas wanted to press on despite legal threats.  This would be similar to Congress always threatening MLB with removing their anti-trust exemption.

Next, not only would the other Texas schools be affected by losing games, but Texas would basically be giving an open invitation to the Borg by allowing Big 10 schools to have 4-6 games a year inside the state of Texas to play AND recruit more freely.  Open up the borders and led the raiding begin.  There would probably be Div III schools in Texas upset over this. Again, another reason for them to ring the phones of the legislators in their district.

Third, we all know football is king, but the travel expenses for all of the other programs would be enormous.  You don't think Augie is scratching his head on how baseball travel is going to work? Let's not talk about the other sports because it's even worse.  Back to football, anyone who is thinking Michigan State or Indiana in the snow in November would be an easy game for Texas, you have to be kidding.  Travelling in the winter thru the Big 10 territory from Texas would be a nightmare.

Finally, if you argue that Texas gets all of this extra TV revenue (maybe $10 million more over what they presently make with the Big 12), what exactly is the net gain after all aspects of travel, etc. are figured in?  Is it worth it to draw the ire of the State Legislators (even if you win, what about any and all court costs involved), diminish rivalry games like TAMU and OU, and blow any political capital for just a few extra million bucks?  I just don't see this being a huge win for the UT program if we go this alone.

I know that everyone is talking about all of these conference doomsday scenarios that make Colt's fluke injury in the BCS championship look like a dream.  My optimistic self thinks ultimately Texas is using these talks to maybe shake some things up within the Big 12 in terms of haggling for more money and/or more influence with TV network deals.  Because if Texas is the only school for about three states before they hit their closest conference appointment, then maybe we are just as self-involved and selfish as everyone tries and portrays us.  There is something bigger than cutting & running vs. making a stand and building around being the centerpiece vs. being someone's new plaything. Maybe I am just naive...

Hook 'em...

To not draft in the first round at all?  I think we all agree that there are a few names that really stand out if they were available at the 20th pick.  Then there appear to be some names that everyone says "well they might be a little high at this selection, but they are the best available".  Then of course there are even more names that we are "if they are available by the 2nd round, they're a steal!".  I think with that in mind, the Texans should consider trading down to the end of the first or upper 2nd round (with an additional 3rd or 4th round pick) if one of the three or so big board names aren't there by our turn in the 1st.  The reality is also that it is all contingent on finding someone interested, however, you can't tell me guys at the bottom of the first/top of the second don't have specific guys targeted.

Clearly, the Texans are on the edge of something big.  Power runner and secondary are the big keys to this draft along with some defensive/offensive line depth.  Having some extra picks to be able to fill those spots especially in a draft where it looks like more quality exists more in rounds 2-4.  Two other positions that most would assume are strengths also need to be in the back of war room minds in Houston: WR and LB.  Walters is winding down his contract & Andre Davis is year-to-year so our apparent depth at that position could become shallow fast.  Moreover, I still think we should keep our minds open in the second round if a LB happens to fall into that round especially if we have additional picks.  It goes without saying that Cushing had a great year as a rookie.  However, you would have to blind not to also see that some of the injuries that plagued him in college are already starting to creep up in his first NFL year.  In addition, you have Ryans waiting for someone to show him the money when his contract is up which of course will be ultimately affected by this whole CBA mess.  Thus, having some quality depth and/or someone in the wings going into next season isn't totally unreasonable at LB. 

So unlike previous years where we tried plugging holes or tearing down the whole wall via the draft, this year could be the year where more picks makes more sense to be selective.  Some of this will be made a little easier via free agency.  Yet, the draft is where our fortunes could be made. Of course, that is if there is a willing market, you're targeted players aren't there, and if you have the stones to weather the PR storm of trading down or out of the 1st round.

Let me start by sayin that I know hardly anyone will agree with me so I am prepared to stand alone on my thoughts (not the first time).

However, I think the Texans should consider LenDale White as a FA pick-up in the offseason as our physical down-hill RB.  Mostly because of apathy, he has been underutilized with the Titans.  However, given the gluttony of RBs over the years during his tenure (Travis Henry, Chris Brown, & Chris Johnson), it would seem biding his time until free agency was probably more front-and-center than trying to fight for playing time.  He has good speed, a barely abused physical body (except for tequila), and would be highly motivated to show his talent in the AFC South where has has lingered for the past few years.  I think in terms of past FA RBs we have acquired (Ahman Green & Chris Brown), at 25, he is like a new car compared to their level when arriving in Houston.  Of course, this is all assuming that he likes coming to a playoff contender with Houston and does it for reasonable money, which I think he would after riding the bench this past season.

Of course, I also think free agency might solve some other issues as well in terms of line depth and maybe some secondary help.  Yet, to take away a definite concern at RB and bring in a power runner in LenDale in to bolster the dashing abilities of Steve Slaton as well as a potential darkhorse in Foster, would allow us to focus the draft on the depth and talent needed in other areas to make sure the Texans survive the schedule from hell in 2010.

If not, I like Dwyer or Gerhart in the 2nd or 3rd rounds if available.  We can't stay status quo in 2010 in the backfield or it will be more disappointment in 2010. That I think we all agree on...

I know the football season is over and it's time to move on.  However, I thought I would pass along that Colt and Jordan (did you know that they wer...nevermind) will be at the TriStar Show Jan 23rd signing autographs at the George R. Brown.  You can go to tristarproductions.com for more info.  Some might be into paying for autographs; some may not.  Just thought I would pass along the information to fellow BONers.

And yes I will be there...as a fan and as a volunteer!

Hook 'em!

The Longhorns played their hearts out last night.  People can say what they want about Gilbert not being ready, but unless you're a 3rd year or 4th year bench warmer, it is hard to expect GG to work miracles playing in as few games as he did as a freshman this year.  Plus the offense was set up to run thru Colt not just a system quarterback (i.e. Texas Tech).  The defense kept us in the game even while Greg Davis was trying to figure out plays for Gilbert while going thru a flurry of 3-and-outs.  Win or lose, Colt deserved to see how things would have played out to put the final touches on his career.  For all that he has done as a player and as one of the best Texas Longhorns players ever, he doesn't deserve a "what-if" to be hanging around his neck.

Enough about the past, let's move forward.  Clearly we need to find a power back to off-set our trio of scat-backs that we have appear to have fascination with.  I had hoped Cody was that guy, but it appears that the coaching staff have no confidence in him other than short yardage situations.  I still may be vindicated down the road as UT managed to under-utilize Priest Holmes during his stay at UT.  However, whether it is Whitley or a new recruit, we need to have a between the tackles runner.  As far as WRs and TEs, we get all of the TEs back that were injured and all of the WRs except Shipley for next season.  While Shipley is a huge loss, the speedy WRs we have should compliment Gilbert's arm once Greg figures out how to use him.  GG will be the QB to go medium and deep vs. McCoy going short and medium.  Thus, I hope the passing game opens up more maybe next year.  I know this might be a bad comparison, but taking a page out of the Texans play book and being a pass first team might not be such a bad thing until the running game comes around?  Defense, we lose key players here and there, but return the bulk of our secondary and enough pieces on the rest of our defense to stay in most games.  Again, we might take a step back, but we still have bullets in the gun.

The recruiting class looks solid and there were enough dropped balls last night by our current WRs to prove why Mack is looking at so many HS seniors this year.  Looking at next year's schedules, barring injury (pun intended), UCLA, OU, Nebraska, and TAMU will be the big games.  I might go so far that this might be the most challenging season for Mack Brown and his coaching staff in the past decade.  If Davis or some other OC can figure out how to get Gilbert's arm to be a weapon, I think we have a shot at a double-digit winning season.  If not, I still have some bad flashbacks of Chris Simms and the "what might have beens" with his million-dollar arm...

Hook 'em!

Working at FOX today at the airport, we obviously have the first round of bowl games on.  The ESPN2 halftime piece was on Nick Saban and his coaching abilities & his influence on his players.  It's nice to see how winning has turned around the perception of Nick Saban.  This is the same guy who lied to everyone while with the Dolphins about his desire to stay only to bolt a few weeks later for the Alabama job.  This is the same guy who, after losing to my wife's alma mater ULM, equated the defeat to Pearl Harbor and 9/11.  A few years ago, you couldn't find someone to say something nice about him.  Overall, he has put together only 5 double digit winning seasons in his 14 seasons as a college head coach.  With LSU I can understand getting a little extra love considering their limited history of success.  However, he took over Alabama, home of Bear Bryant and Forrest Gump.  They sweat excellence with the long-standing history and untold hundreds of National titles they may or may not have won.  It's not like he took a Ford Pinto and drove it to the title game; he inherited a Cadillac.

On the other side, you have Mack Brown.  Not only has he strung together 12 double-digit winning seasons in his 22 years of coaching and is undefeated in the three BCS games he has coached.  He took over at Texas that had enjoyed two double-digit winning seasons in the 90s and one in the 80s.  He has since cranked out 9 straight double-digit winning seasons with the Longhorns.  He took a legendary program that had lost it's luster in the last 25 years of the 20th Century and brought them back to relevance.  He seems to make the right personnel decisions at the right times and is surrounded by people who buy into his system. 

While I agree that it will be an epic battle come next Thursday night, all of the signs are pointing to the wrong coach when it comes to predicting the outcome.  Mack has coached this program thru games that go in every direction, but sideways.  In the big ones, he finds a way (or a player) to win.  Colt, the defense, and every other member of the team are a reflection of Coach Brown.  So Saban can be Saban, but Mack's the person everyone should be talking about and worried about if you're a 'Bama fan. 

Hook 'em!

It started a month ago with players complaining about Coach Mangino saying hurtful things to them at KU.  Then Adam James, son of Craig "Pony Express of Death Sentences" James, at Tech can't stand the spotlight..err..the sunlight & decides to say something right before their bowl game?  Now former Aggies are crying?  Since nobody actually really cares about Terrence Murphy these days except a few former Yell leaders who remember the good 'ol days, it is nice to see he is trying to make himself revelant again by jumping on the media whore bandwagon by bashing the always-bashable Coach Fran.  By the way, is it just me or would it be a toss-up between Coach Fran or President Bush as to who gets more blame put on them for current problems?  What's next?  Sam Bradford's going to be #16 in the Tiger Woods’ Flava of Love?  When Texas Tech, Kansas, and TAMU are actually top tier programs again, then they can whine about working too hard.  That'd be like Texans' fans complaining about a win? As it stands right now, all of them had one flash in the pan this decade AND now the players feel entitled to take a stand? It takes a lot of blood and sweat to build a winning program.  If it's too tough for them, then go play intramurals brotha!

Hook 'em!

Going into 2000, Texas was still trying to find it's identity after becoming basically a perennial second-tier Top 20 team in the 90s. Going out, if we win against Alabama next week, this decade will be the standard by which all future generations of Longhorns teams will be measured in terms of wins and performance as we are a Top 10 top-tier school again.  While the titles have been few in the first ten years of the new millenium (OU also enjoyed equal success in the same decade), no one can say that the attitude and expectations haven't changed on the 40 acres.  Since 2000, we have had no season with less than 10 wins after only hitting that mark twice in the 90s and in the 80s.  The victories in the 2004 Rose Bowl, the 2005 Rose Bowl, & 2008 Fiesta Bowl as well as the heart-breaking loss in 2008 vs. Texas Tech are considered some of the best college football games in the past ten years.  We won a National Title in 2005 with the potential for another one just a week away.  We witnessed some of the greatest Longhorns' quarterbacks to lead the team in Applewhite, Young, and McCoy.  We saw some of the greatest receivers in Williams, Sweed, Cosby, and Shipley.  Defensively, we had Orakpo, Okam, Thomas, DJ, Ross, Vasher, Griffin, and Huff just to name a few.  In mentioning McCoy, we have enjoyed the ride of watching the best four years of any quarterback to ever play Div. I football.  Furthermore, by the time the dust settles, I also believe we will have witnessed the best Longhorns football player to ever don the Burnt Orange uniform in Colt McCoy.  Anyway, as the New Year approaches, I just wanted to share one fan's perspective on just how special the past ten years have been following the Texas Longhorns football program...

Hook 'em!