SB Nation User Blog: realmccoy

Phil Steele Top 5 for 2009

realmccoy — Fri, 29 May 2009 15:34:18 -0000

Per the Herd on ESPN - here is Phil Steele's Top 5 for next year: (Mag out in prox one month)

Florida Gators
Your Texas Longhorns
USC
OU
Penn State

Other snippets:

Nebraska to win Big 12 North
Notre Dame, Rutgers, Illinois, Penn St, Cal in top surprise teams
Hates - Oregon

In addition, Cowherd picks Texas over OU. I cannot wait for the start of the season! Gators seem unbeatable this year - but if anyone can do it - its the Horns.

NCAA Leadership Needed

realmccoy — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:05:24 -0000

The recent allegations concerning direct cash payments to OJ Mayo and the academic fraud associated with Derrick Rose just turns my stomach. You would think that this would trigger a "sonic boom" size pop coming from the collective head of the NCAA coming out of their arse! But I do not hear anything coming from the stained institution. Here is some pointed advice:

Stop being used as a minor league system for the NBA and make them invest in their own developmental league system.
Make ethics their top priority, requiring each member to sign a code of ethics with clear understanding of the consequences.
Start issuing "death penalties" to coaches and athletic directors that violate their code of ethics. If Calipari is involved in this fraud case - life time ban. Floyd - life time ban. These guys cannot be allowed to pull down $3 million with if they have no ethical content in their makeup.
Start issuing fines and taking money from ADs and coaches' pockets. Stop the silliness of punishing a program while the perps prosper. Assuming Calipari is involved (not an allegation), would it not be ridiculous to allow him to collect on the richest contract in NCAA basketball history while Memphis is stripped of conference titles and denied scholarships?

So now comes the downside. We may be denied watching the talent of up to 50% of the "one year wonders" that improve the overall athleticism of NCAA basketball. Does this bother you? Would your interest be less? Or would March madness still have the same magical appeal it has today.

Poll

How would your passion for NCAA basketball be affected if the "one year wonders" were reduced due to stringent academic and ethical standards?

Would go down - athleticism elevates the game

5 votes

Stay the same - I root for the laundry (uniforms) anyway

18 votes

Go up - I would respect the sport more

10 votes

33 votes | Poll has closed

Note to Rick - Don't Panic Just Fix It

realmccoy — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 18:34:53 -0000

When I first saw this year's Longhorn's Basketball team - it physically reminded me of last year's Memphis team. Suffocating defense featuring some big bodies. The big question was would anyone emerge as a dynamic kind of point guard - and by now we all know that the answer is a resounding no. But rather than panic - lets remember that we still have a boat load of talent and get the ship righted. Here are my suggestions:

1. Bench Connor Atchley. For an entire game. Then bring him back in spots. We will go nowhere without him stroking a few threes - so this is a salvage job not abandonment.

2. Get Mason completely off the point and pray that Balbay improves. Inconsistent PG = frustrating team. Balbay is much more consistent with the ball distribution - so we will be more consisten. If he can learn to finish off a drive we will be good. If he develops a mid jumper - back in the sweet 16.

3. Put an offensive spark on the bench. Don't start both Abrams and GJ. Give props to the senior - and GJ becomes the 6th man - all the time.

4. Go smaller and quicker more often. Don't be afraid for DJ to be your biggest player on the court. Mason, AJ, DJ, Balbay, GJ may get you going if you amp up the D.

5. Stop wasting minutes by playing worhtless players. Dex is a nice change of pace. Ward too. Chapman is not. Hill not so much.

Poll

What 1 Move Would Make the most impact on turning the Horns around?

Bench and Salvage Op with Atchley

16 votes

Get Mason completely off point

15 votes

GJ to sixth man only

4 votes

Smaller quicker more often and more pressure

23 votes

Stop wasting minutes

9 votes

None of the above - we're phucked and NIT bound

13 votes

80 votes | Poll has closed

Dons Rose Colored Glasses

realmccoy — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:38:45 -0000

One disappointing aspect of the 2008 season is that all of the progress and performance seems buried under a dung pile of a broken ~~BCS~~ BS system. As a final dagger, the Horns are probably only team in history to drop in the polls after BCS bowl win. But the reality of 2008 is that it was a platform season that will give us a very real shot at the 09 BS MNC. The key take aways from 09 have nothing to do with polls/rankings:

1. We assembled a coaching staff that can compete on a national level. Prior to this year - Texas was not capable of a MNC without a VY like talent.

2. We have laid out a road map that gives Texas solid leadership for years to come. (I still am a little skeptical that this will happen.)

3. Colt McCoy attained a legendary status based on leadership skills, commitment, and a passion to improve. I absollutely believe he will lead us to the Championship next year. His infectious leadership style will infect the Horns beyond his senior campaign.

4. 5 Straight bowl games with just a captivating final drive for that we will take to the grave.

5. A core of leaders and special players that completely erased the stain (and then some) of the Robert Joseph led thugs. Have you ever seen such a group of players represent the university like Colt, Quan, OB, Ship, RAK, Roy? To me that is much more critical than the BS system.

So to me, was 2008 disappointiing? Absoulutely not - it was a legendary year for the ages.

5 Key Moves For 2009 BCS Championship

realmccoy — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:28:01 -0000

1. Assuming Kindle returns, move Muck to the middle and start Keenan Robinson at the OLB. Immediately faster, with real pressure from both OLBs. Is it just me or do you think Keenan is immensley talented.

2. Make sure Deion Beasley is nowhere to be found in the defensive backfield. Experienced and bad is no way to go through your football life.

3. Integrate Malcolm Williams into the deep passing game. I just don't see how you can stop this group of WRs.

4. Use Cody Johnson as the 2nd back and develop a physical running game. Start the better of Vondrell and Fozzy. 3 and 1 and a half cannot be a passing down.

5. Bench Giddeon in favor of Christian Scott if possible. Thomas/Scott would instill fear into the hearts of WRs and give them immediate case of "alligator arms"

Stoops Rumored Headed for Broncos

realmccoy — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 02:45:59 -0000

ESPN reported that Stoops is a frontrunner in the Broncos head coaching job - and the MNC game vs. Florida may be his last BCS meltdown. Seems odd how you would fire a coach of the caliber of Shannahan and Stoops emerges as the replacement. Guess it would be great news to the Horns - and would give me reason to hate the Broncos.

To get my 75 words, I want to wish all of you the happiest of New Years in 09!

Depressive and Inane Mathematical Exercise

realmccoy — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 21:52:17 -0000

Somehow knowing in advance that Oklahoma would go to the Big XII title did not soften the blow of it becoming reality. All my - "it was a helluva year" cheer is now completely bankrupt. To get through my now clinical depression, I looked ahead to 2009 to see if there was a reason to put down the revolver.

Who will leave early/stay Assumption

Colt McCoy will return to Texas for 3 reasons. He wants a MNC, he wants a Big XII title, and he wants to be the first QB in history to win back to back Heismans.
Kindle will also return for 3 reasons. One, the NFL drafts LBs in the first round as often as Stoops showers. Only 2 or 3 total, and this year's Seniors will occupy those slots. Secondly, this year he had to share tape with Orakpo - not good. Come back under Will and dominate Sergio. Finally, I think Jamal Charles cost himself some long term coin - and that point will be made.
Shipley will win his medical redshirt appeal.

Who will transfer

The WR depth and DB depth is ridiculous, and the Horns will be hit somewhat here. 2 of Webber, Payne, Grant, Hales will transfer. Not sure that impacts us at all.
DB transfers will hurt a little more. We will lose at least one of Brewer, Wells, Monroe - and these guys may have higher upside than Gideon.

Now the Math

Offense (QB,RB,Rec,OL) and defense (DLint, DE, LB,DB) is each divided into 4 components.
Scores range from -2 significantly worst to +2 or significantly better than 2008. 8 points = 100% improvement for each unit.

The Scoring - Offense is +4

QB is zero - as how does Colt improve on virtual perfection.
Rec is +2 due to Irby return and Malcolm Williams maturity. We will for sure be asking Limas Who? With an outside shot at Roy who. Collins, Kirk, Buckner will give us an explosiveness beyond even this year's group.
OL is +1 and to me this is more of a reflection of how disappointing the OL was this year. 3rd and a yard and a half cannot be a passing down at the University of Texas. In addition, Colt took a beating against some mediocre teams. It just looks as if this group has not been taught how to hold as well as other Big XII teams.
RB is +1 basically just because we know Vondrell and Fozzy better and won't have as much experimenting. They will be designed in during the off season.

The Scoring - Defense is +1

DT and Interior is at -2. Roy Miller is just a disruptive beast. The cupboard is bare behind him in terms of beastiness.
DE is at -1. Orakpo is another beast that cannot be replaced. Acho and Jones are very solid - but if they have the speed they do not have the strength and vice versa.
LB is at +2 Look for Sergio to be next year's Rey Maluaga. The real key is that Muschamp moves a slightly beefed up Muck to the middle and gets Keenan Robinson on the field with Kindle.
DB is at +2 Earl Thomas will be on All American list next year. Williams and Browns make Beasley pick splinters out of his rear. Scott hits everything in sight and this will rival the 2005 team as the best secondary in UT history.

Overall Inane Conclusion

The Horns will be 30% better than this year.
Sooners lose entire OL
Big XII title and MNC appearance virtually guaranteed.
I still don't feel better

Poll

How Many "points" better will the Horns be in 2009?

They will be worse. Colt and Kindle bolt.

0 votes

0 to +4

6 votes

More than +4 but less than +8

10 votes

+8 or more

4 votes

Who cares pass the revolver

15 votes

35 votes | Poll has closed

Pick Your Scenario

realmccoy — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 03:48:46 -0000

Lets be honest, in the big picture, it is grim. An Oklahoma win next week will push them by our belowved Horns. So we are left to grasp at straws. Which one of these scenarios do you think is most likely to happen:

1. Easiest to Understand - Baylor Beats Texas Tech. Horns go to the Big XII championship and the additional Mizzou win gives us the computer strength to go to Miami.

2. Okie State Beats OU, Texas Tech goes to Big XII title in tie breaker and proceeds to lose against Mizzou. Horns Go despite the lack of a Big XII title.

3. One of Florida/Alabama loses to Florida State/Auburn and the loser then wins the SEC championship.

4. Horns, TT, and Oklahoma win and Texas holds its computer lead over Oklahoma to go to Big XII championship.

Poll

Of the following scenarios - which one is most likely to help the Horns get to Miami?

1. Baylor Upsets Tech in Lubbock

34 votes

2. TT goes to Big XII title game and loses to Mizzou

21 votes

3. Florida/Bama Lose Next Week

15 votes

Texas, TT,OK all win and Texas holds BCS computer edge

31 votes

101 votes | Poll has closed

More Media Support from Talking Heads

realmccoy — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:09:04 -0000

The total is now 2 outspoken ESPN talking heads that are firmly in Texas' corner on the BCS rankings. Earlier Colin Cowherd jumped on the Horns bandwagon and now this from Mel Kiper on this morning's Mike and Mike:

1. Basically, everyone of the Big 12 Powerhouses have held serve on home field with the exception of Missouri who lost to Okie Lite. (Is Mizzou a Big 12 Power or just the best team from the North Division?)

2. What distinguished Texas is that they beat Oklahoma on a neutral field by double digit points. No other team can make this claim.

3. If Oklahoma goes ahead of Texas, it is taking a giant step backwards from the results on the field. The game in Dallas was the key, and all else is just a beauty contest.

Keep talking Mel.

Colin Heard Backs Horns - Voice of Reason

realmccoy — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:11:44 -0000

I am in SoCal this week and I picked up the morning edition of in the Herd. It is the hour or so before he goes national with ESPN.

Colin, who is more football savvy than most talking heads said that if Texas, TT, and Oklahoma end up in a 3 way tie - the Horns are the logical, and deserved higher ranked BCS team. His logic on the round robin of games played by the Big 3:

Texas Tech would have defended its home field - and lost on the road.
Oklahoma would have defended its home field and lost at a neutral site.
Texas would have beat the Sooners by 10 on a neutral site - and come within one second of beating the Red Raiders on the road.

Makes sense - keep promoting the Horns Colin!