SB Nation User Blog: the usual suspects

Horns tribute to #44 Cole Pittman

the usual suspects — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 03:01:37 -0000

Horns tribute to #44 Cole Pittman

Following the squirrel's lead

the usual suspects — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 19:23:19 -0000

As noted in the diary by eddiethealbinosquirrel (What kind of fan are you?) I was thinking along the same lines as it relates to professional sports.

Thus, a poll of my own to find out how you decide to cheer for the professional team(s) you do. Obviously the reasons may vary depending upon the sport, so we'll stick to football for now, as I believe it's the most widely followed.

Poll

How did you decide to follow the NFL team you call your own?

Rivals (cheer for the team that hates the team you do)

1 votes

Regional (follow the closest team within a few hundred miles)

14 votes

Players (cheer for certain players, to hell with the teams)

51 votes

Some other reason not listed

15 votes

Uniforms (dig the unis and thus, the team)

3 votes

Style of Play (love the schemes and sets used)

2 votes

Hometown Heroes (live or lived in the city or very close by)

80 votes

Coaches (following the leader of the team)

1 votes

167 votes | Poll has closed

Congratulations to Josh Davis

the usual suspects — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:13:26 -0000

Former Longhorn standout and 5-time Olympic medalist, Josh Davis is set to be enshrined in the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame this Friday.

Olympian Josh Davis to Enter SA Sports HOF

I know it's only the SA Sports HOF, but for those who don't know Josh, he truly is an outstanding guy. He was (and still is) a leader by example, but has a real passion for people and the sport of swimming.

Josh and I were more acquaintances than friends (we played little league together and went to the same high school) but he always remembered me and would stop to say hi whenever I saw him on campus.

I know there's talk on this board about reserving scholarships for A Ross and Sanya Richards kids (if they ever have any), but Josh and his wife (former lady longhorn volleyball player Shantel Cornelius) have 5 kids of their own that should be earmarked for their choices of sports at UT.

Congratulations, Josh. You deserve it.

"Special" Teams

the usual suspects — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 01:56:51 -0000

While there has been a lot of talk on this site (and in the media in general) about our problems and where they are coming from, I have not seen mention of one that has been bothering me for awhile.

What is going on with our special teams? While our return teams have been okay, I'm not sure they're anything special given the kick-off spot change and the speed/ability of our return men (Quan's gonna break at least one, I know it).

Beyond that, our coverage teams seem to be horrible as witnessed in the K-State disaster and the on-side kick debacle. We can't seem to find any consistency in our punting game - unless you consider us to be consistently bad - to the point of changing punters mid-season. Also, haven't we been tops (or very near) in blocking kicks over the last 10 years? Have we blocked a kick or punt yet this year? Obviously we're missing some guys named Robison and Griffin in that regard, but still.

All these problems are there despite bringing in a coach with NFL level special teams experience. So what gives? Am I missing something or have our special teams meltdowns, combined with our apparent lack of development at LB made the hiring of MacDuff as one of the worst hiring decisions our CEO has made?

I was really wanting to like the guy and had high hopes after hearing about his attitude and the idea of re-kindling some of that desert swarm thing. But at this rate, I'm ready to see who our next Co-Def Co is going to be.

Dodds as Big 12 Commish?

the usual suspects — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 01:39:08 -0000

Just saw the teaser on rivals that Weiberg stepped down from his post to join Big Ten. One of early mentions to replace him is Deloss Dodds. What is the chance of this happening? If so, what does that mean to Texas athletics?

I know a lot of people that don't necessarily think that highly of Dodds, but I say the man responsible for bringing in Mack, Barnes and Augie is worth something.

Huh?

the usual suspects — Fri, 06 Apr 2007 02:28:55 -0000

http://collegefootball.rivals.com/vi...

Rivals has out their power rankings for spring football by position. I'm not exactly sure who came up with the list or how they arrived at it, but uh, what the?

For QBs, our very own Colt McCoy checks in at #7. Seems fair considering the company he shares on the list.

Our own Jermichael Finley cracks the list of TEs at #8. Again, probably okay, though the upside will clearly put him higher when all is said and done.

Frank Okam holds the #10 spot on the DL. While this time last year I would have had him higher, I'm pleasantly surprised to see him get a little love here.

That's it. That's the Longhorn represenation on the lists. Notice any voids? Limas, how do you feel about that? JC, now that you're the man, what about you? They even have coaches listed (Off, Def and Head) with no mention of Mack Brown (didn't he finally win the "big one"?) or love him or hate him, Greg Davis (wasn't he the Asst Coach of the Year two years ago?).

So, just what am I missing? Anyone with insight into this nonsense?

Didn't see that coming

the usual suspects — Fri, 08 Dec 2006 01:38:46 -0000

Aaron Ross just won the Jim Thorpe award for nation's top defensive back. While he was simply brilliant when he was on his game and certainly the strength of our secondary this year, I thought for sure he was victimized at least a half dozen times too many to bring home the trophy.

Regardless, congrats Aaron for being the second (and second straight) Longhorn to win the Thorpe. Maybe I've been too hard on Mr. Akina and his secondary...

Chizik vs Akina

the usual suspects — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 03:45:32 -0000

Somebody help me out. Obviously our D got trashed last night in a bad way. So just who is to blame?

I agree with the sentiment stated by a few on this site that I don't want to blame the players (they are only kids), despite them being the one's on the field making the plays (or not, as the case may be).

So which D-Coordinator should take the responsibility? What is their actual role in game prep, package calling, etc.

I struggle with this issue and I have since the MNC when our D got shredded in the second half. While I love Chizik and don't think we would've won said championship without his coaching, I'm really concerned about our "progress" as a defensive unit. And his linebacker unit, while adequate, doesn't seem to be spectacular.

The secondary has been a major concern this year as they have been scorched time and again. Was our talent that much better last year? While Huff was clearly top-notch, I obviously under-valued Cedric Griffin as a cover corner. Was the group playing above their heads in a year that was meant to be? Or has something else changed - perhaps a defensive philosophy that I'm unaware? And if so, which coach shoulders that responsibility?

Not to say that I want Greg Robinson and Dick Tomey back, but I loved the fact that Robinson's defense seemed to play hard until the whistle blew. I think he even had some drills where he did not blow the whistle until at least 3 or 4 players got to the ball carrier. I just don't see that kind of determination out of this year's squad.

So, just who is to blame on the defensive side of the ball? And what can be done about it? Do we need yet another change to the coaching staff on that side of the ball?

My gut says I hope that Akina takes off for greener pastures and is replaced by one Jerry Gray. Working at least one year with Chizik to refine the players and develop some continuity. But am I jumping to a wrong conclusion? I just don't know.

Poll

Which coach is Most to Blame for our Defensive Struggles this year?

Gene Chizik

10 votes

Duane Akina

22 votes

Mack Brown

5 votes

37 votes | Poll has closed

USC Got Robbed in MNC

the usual suspects — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 19:17:38 -0000

According to an article on Yahoo! Sports, instant replay should have overturned two calls in the national title game:

http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=jo-replay111006&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

Since when did Matt Leinart start writing for Yahoo! Sports?

While I admit there are issues with the replay system and errors are sometimes made, I can't stand the thought of USC alums still trying to paint a picture that they were the better team.

Looking too far ahead?

the usual suspects — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 03:33:17 -0000

Assuming we can find some quality in the O-Lineman that will replace the 3 starters we'll lose after this year, I look for JC to be simply unbelievable next year.

While I was concerned about some of the comments I had read (can JC really be a full-time, featured back, etc) I've had a change of heart on this. He has been playing and learning without having to take the full-time pounding of many great running backs at this stage in their college careers (Cedric Benson, Adrian Peterson, etc.). If anything, I see a Ricky Williams-type junior year for JC - not in style, but in breakout year numbers. Ricky was mostly a fullback his freshman year and then split a lot of time with Shon Mitchell and Priest Holmes. Finally as a junior, he was the man. The results.... 1,893 yards on 279 carries, 25 total TDs. And that was for a 4-7 team in "Lack-a-dick's" final year. With the surrounding cast coming back, JC should go off!!!

In the meantime, I'll ease up on my preference to see more JC right now.