1-It's difficult to really make significant judgements when so many players were out with injuries (a bunch of key players). Even players like Gray were used cautiously.
2-The best players on the field were Jefferson, Echols, De La Torre, and Cottrell. Texas would be wise to use more of De La Torre, kid is a hell of a blocker.
3-I actually thought a lot of the young guys would get time in the secondary, which still may be the case. But I'm actually starting to like what we have in the secondary. Echols, Thomas, Roberts, Bonney, Haines and Hall in the seconardy isn't bad at all. Echols impressed me in the spring game. We have more talent in the secondary than I thought.
4-It was rumored that Texas would take a look at the Ohio State offense. This was definitely true. We had a lot of pre snap movement from TEs/FBs/WRs similar to what Ohio State did in the national championship game.
5-Most improved player on the roster IMO is Swoopes. Swoopes isn't going to be a Heisman winner or anything, but I actually expect him to be decent next year. I like Heard's legs but right now Swoopes is way ahead in the passing game/decision making.
6-WRs dropped too many passes (granted our best WR wasn't playing). I expect some of the Freshman to get time at WR. I like Joe and Foreman at WR, but I'm not overly impressed with anyone else.
7-Field goal kicking looks drastically improved.
8-It won't surprise me a bit if D'Onta Foreman becomes the back getting the majority of touches at the end of the season.
9-Offensive line wasn't great but certainly improved. Minimized the false start penalties and guys at least in the right position the majority of the time. I think the spread will help minimize the talent deficiencies we have on the offensive line.
10-I expect Swoopes to be the starter at ND but Heard to be used in certain packages. I think people tend to forget that Heard is only a RS Freshman (we saw that with his play in the spring game).
11-Daje doesn't need to return punts. I would put Warrick back there. I see why Daje has been running with the second team WRs. Like I've said, I don't think Daje is a WR. He's an undersized RB. I don't think Daje will see many snaps regardless because he's turnover prone, something Strong won't tolerate. I wouldn't mind seeing Daje on kickoff returns but not on punt returns.
12- I though Edwin Freeman looked good.
13-I still don't think there's enough talent on the roster quite yet to challenge for a Big 12 title. Strong made significant strides with the last recruiting class in terms of talent. I expect a 7-5 finish this year and that would be progress. Stockpiling talent should be the biggest priority right now. Strong has pretty much said he's not big on this roster yet, and I really don't disagree. Talent deficiencies in certain areas that take time to fix in recruiting.
2-The best players on the field were Jefferson, Echols, De La Torre, and Cottrell. Texas would be wise to use more of De La Torre, kid is a hell of a blocker.
3-I actually thought a lot of the young guys would get time in the secondary, which still may be the case. But I'm actually starting to like what we have in the secondary. Echols, Thomas, Roberts, Bonney, Haines and Hall in the seconardy isn't bad at all. Echols impressed me in the spring game. We have more talent in the secondary than I thought.
4-It was rumored that Texas would take a look at the Ohio State offense. This was definitely true. We had a lot of pre snap movement from TEs/FBs/WRs similar to what Ohio State did in the national championship game.
5-Most improved player on the roster IMO is Swoopes. Swoopes isn't going to be a Heisman winner or anything, but I actually expect him to be decent next year. I like Heard's legs but right now Swoopes is way ahead in the passing game/decision making.
6-WRs dropped too many passes (granted our best WR wasn't playing). I expect some of the Freshman to get time at WR. I like Joe and Foreman at WR, but I'm not overly impressed with anyone else.
7-Field goal kicking looks drastically improved.
8-It won't surprise me a bit if D'Onta Foreman becomes the back getting the majority of touches at the end of the season.
9-Offensive line wasn't great but certainly improved. Minimized the false start penalties and guys at least in the right position the majority of the time. I think the spread will help minimize the talent deficiencies we have on the offensive line.
10-I expect Swoopes to be the starter at ND but Heard to be used in certain packages. I think people tend to forget that Heard is only a RS Freshman (we saw that with his play in the spring game).
11-Daje doesn't need to return punts. I would put Warrick back there. I see why Daje has been running with the second team WRs. Like I've said, I don't think Daje is a WR. He's an undersized RB. I don't think Daje will see many snaps regardless because he's turnover prone, something Strong won't tolerate. I wouldn't mind seeing Daje on kickoff returns but not on punt returns.
12- I though Edwin Freeman looked good.
13-I still don't think there's enough talent on the roster quite yet to challenge for a Big 12 title. Strong made significant strides with the last recruiting class in terms of talent. I expect a 7-5 finish this year and that would be progress. Stockpiling talent should be the biggest priority right now. Strong has pretty much said he's not big on this roster yet, and I really don't disagree. Talent deficiencies in certain areas that take time to fix in recruiting.
