Go Texans! Putting it to the Browns! The Flacco dream is coming to an.

I also think it’s BS that they are putting tonight’s game on Peacock. Just wrong…especially to the fans.

Liverpool folks…

Login to view embedded media

... about as much as a Trump vs Biden November Ballot.

We couldn’t hang in another 5 seconds and let the jets complete their flyby?

For all the world to see

49ers - 34 Lions - 31

Kyle Shanahan (Texas 1999-2002)
Dan Campbell (Texas A&M 1995-1998)

Mind bottling coaching decisions.

Never doubt it…it will always ultimately come through.

Three weeks away. The 2024 season is nearly upon us!

A quick programming note - I will be posting a series of three posts starting on Monday that will provide an in depth breakdown of every Big 12 conference opponent, predictions, and more.



Today, media met with David Shaw, Porter Brown, Peyton Powell, and of course head coach David Pierce.






Notable Quotes:

LHP David Shaw:

• Q: How are you feeling?
  • A: I feel great. I was worried going in, but I got the least invasive version of Tommy john and it’s really only about a 7 month timetable to competition. Last couple of months, just slowly ramping up on the throwing side, but lots of rehab.
• Q: What’s the biggest hurdle for you?
  • A: Mentally I feel like I am there. I am ready. Physically, it is about consistency. There are days when it’s a little stiff, normal post op, you know, aches and pains.
• Q: What did you learn from Lucas Gordon and Lebarron Johnson last year?
  • A: I think the biggest thing that I’ve learned from those guys is that if you are able to control the pace of the game, then you’re at a huge advantage.
• Q: How big of a boost was it to the team to learn that guys like Lebanon and Tanner were coming back for another season?
  • A: I can’t explain it. I mean, honestly, he’s such a talent (Lebarron). I can’t explain how big of an advantage it is. It’s not just the physical aspect, but how he approaches the game.

3B Peyton Powell:

• Q: Last year we really didn’t know what you’re going to be. How are you approaching this year?
  • A: Last year helped me get better at the leadership aspect of the game and for this team. I’m more comfortable going into the season knowing what my role is going to be.
• Q: Why do you feel like it took so long for you to break out?
  • A: When I got here, I didn’t understand what the college work meant. I thought I was good coming out of high school, and then being introduced to the older guys, I remember it being a new world for me. I had an injury in 2021 and that set me back.
• Q: Why did you decide to come back for another season?
  • A: I want to win a natty. Last year was devastating. I also want to get my degree, to tell my momma that, but I want to win a natty, and that’s the only reason.
• Q: What was the feeling when y’all found out Lebanon Johnson was coming back?
  • Excited. I mean, I was ecstatic when I found out he was coming back. I didn’t know what I was going to do when July came for the Draft, but I had a good idea that I was going to come back And hoping some of my guys would as well. When I found out Lebanon was gonna come back to UT, it just screams success in the future.

LF Porter Brown:

• Q: With Eric Kennedy and Dylan Campbell moving on, how do you assess how you guys are able to play defensively in the outfield?
  • A: Everyone thinks that DC and EK leaving, it takes a big hit out of our outfield, but we have a lot of great guys. Gasparino was a good prospect out of high school, he’s a good player. We have a couple of transfers that came in like Seth (Werchan) and Casey (Cummings). Max (Belyeu) has taken another step in his game. Then there is Jared Thomas. So, the real problem this year is going to be who doesn’t play outfield. I think we will be in a good spot.
• Q: With EK gone, you have assumed the old man role in the outfield and on the team. How have you tried to help integrate everyone?
  • A: This year, especially with EK and DC gone, I have had to take a big role in leadership. I’m just a two year player in this program, but had to grow up and learn the standards of Texas Baseball super fast.
• Q: Will Gasparino was voted Pre-Season Freshman of the Year in the Big 12. What have you seen from him?
  • A: He’s a solid player, a ton of talent. Once we all get clicking together, you’ll see it on the field. Really good tools, you see a strong arm from the outfield, can run, and has good power.
• Q: You had double digit HRs last year, any personal goals for this year?
  • A: Absolutely. I want to be more consistent at the plate. I feel like last year, I was kind of streaky, a bit in and out. I want to find a good streak and hold that longer.
• Q: Why did you come back for another year?
  • A: I feel like last year, just losing on that terrible note at Stanford. That’s not how I wanted to end my college career. I have a nice environment in Austin with great fans. Why would I not come back And enjoy this year of college baseball?
• Q: Any young guy we should look out for?
  • A: Max Belyeu. He’s been way better. Tommy Farmer in the outfield for sure and Cole Selvig is a pitcher. Have good feelings about Cole.

Coach David Pierce:

• Q: Why did you make the decision to assume the role of pitching coach?
  • A: "I think it adds another dimension to our offensive side. It allows us to add another offensive coach. When you have a guy like Chris Gordon, who's really good at the analytics, very good with day to day setup and prep, I couldn't do it without him. And, I just don't have the ability to get out of pitching, and so I think it can be combative at times, just because I am in the middle of it. I've done it for a long time, so I know what I want to see and what I expect."
• Q: What role do you envision for David Shaw?
  • A: "We label our guys right now as starters, middle relief, and one inning guys. I like Shaw because he has the ability to go long relief to back to back short as a closer. He's reliable and he's different. He's not going to wow you with big velo, but creates a lot of deception and pounds the zone."
• Q: How have you worked to define roles, knowing that has been an issue in the past?
  • A: "I've attacked it early on. When you look at our starters, what is the ultimate goal. It's got to be complete game, but realistically, you look at the starters giving you six innings, middle guys giving you two and back end guys giving you one. The quicker we can get the bullpen to know that I am not going to do anything until about the 7th, so now they can start doing mental prep, physically getting ready, and knowing they need to go get three outs. Right now, we have some guys where all we want them to do and focus on is get three outs.
• Q: Starters - LBJ is a known entity, Hurley has looked great this Fall, after a rough summer and mostly shut down this Fall, how has Tanner Witt looked?
  • A: "Outstanding. The rough summer was probably a good sign for him and us because it allowed him to take a deep breath. He and I have had a lot of conversations. I'm not pushing him to pitch in the fall until you're ready, and so he didn't pitch because he needed to get his body right, moving down hill, his arm path, and even his confidence as well. So building that confidence and he's in a really good spot right now. Still a tick below on his velo, but I like where he is."
• Q: How do you replace two talented and experienced outfielders in Kennedy and Campbell?
  • A: "You got Thomas, Gasparino, Farmer, Werchan, Cummings, and Belyeu. All those guys are very skilled. I feel really good with the competition. You have left hand and right handed hitters. Tommy Farmer has been a really pleasant surprise.
• Q: What have you seen from Duke transfer Luke Storm?
  • A: “He’s big and strong. So you immediately recognize the presence. Defensively, we put a lot of pressure on guys defensively, movement and taking care of the ball, and so I think he is a little behind there. I think he’s gonna really hit and he has great character as well.”
• Q: How are you feeling with your catching options?
  • A: I like both of our guys right now. I think both are good and offer different things. I just don’t want them to worry about hitting. I need them to be great behind the plate.
• Q: Any extra motivation in the final year of the Big 12?
  • A: Embrace the hate right? Honestly, it is what it is. We play to win a championship. It doesn’t matter if it’s the last year, first year. I do not even look at any of that and could care less. At the end of the day, if we have the opportunity to play for something, then that excites me.
• Q: Horns down set you off?
  • A: Not at all. I think it’s a compliment. We’re always on their mind.
• Q: What is your big mission or goal? Has the team set a mission yet?
  • A: Our mission is pretty clear, cut, and dried every single year. The destination is Omaha, Nebraska. And not to just get there, but position ourselves to have that opportunity. Process starts at the beginning. Want to play really well early, be able to build on your resume, get better, enjoy the game and play great late.
• Q: Are you going to coach 3B?
  • A: I don’t know yet.

Not sure that he was supposed to mention it, because it has not been formally announced, but Disch-Falk Field will have a new addition in the LF this season. The Yeti Yard is a ground level area where fans can purchase a ticket for $10 to enter, buy drinks and have a ground level experience. I think it will create a little excitement for the fans.



Thoughts on what I saw from warmups, BP, and intrasquad play:

• There are numerous players that have made noticeable gains during the offseason. Porter Brown put on 10 lbs and looks jacked. Jared Thomas and Jalin Flores are both more filled out. Luke Harrison no longer looks like a young kid, he is well filled out. David Shaw is another guy that has definitely filled out his body.
• I think this year's team has a lot of depth up and down the lineup, with the ability to really hit the ball well.
• Defensively, there really aren't many gaps. The biggest question mark remains catcher.
  • Galvan did a good job receiving and blocking, but still do not love the transition of the ball from glove to hand as he goes through his pop to throw to 2nd base
  • Kimble did a solid job receiving, but didn't quite reach far enough on a couple, but looked really good throwing down to 1B and 2B
• Jalin Flores looks MUCH more confident and poised at the plate. He did a great job of looking for his pitch and not getting caught up in chasing
• Porter Brown is the old man of the group and he looks locked in at the plate
• Tommy Farmer is a name that has continued to pop up and for good reason. The guy looks the part physically and can really fly in the outfield. I am excited to watch his growth and development as he could end up being one of the best players from the freshman class.
• Will Gasparino is fully healthy from his foot injury that he had in the Fall and showed off the wheels in the outfield and base path. Gaspo has also worked hard on shortening up and tightening up his swing under the tutelage of Coach Caleb Longley
• There may be some swing and miss still in his game, but when freshman Nik Sanders gets a hold of a ball, he puts a charge into it
• Max Belyeu got the following sequence from LBJ
  • 93 FB, 93 FB, and 86 breaking ball. All three pitches were FILTHY and nearly unhittable.
  • That said, Max is definitely a guy that has improved his consistency and I liked what I saw from him at the plate
• Seth Werchan is the definition of a dirt bag. Kid loves baseball and does whatever it takes. If he gets on base, he will put pressure on opposing pitchers.
• Continue to like the upside from freshman Dee Kennedy at SS and at the plate. Kid has a really bright future
• Lastly, I was encouraged by what I saw from Tanner Witt on the mound today, but no one should show up to the opening series in February and expect to see Tanner Witt of old. His fastball velo is hovering around 90, though he did hit 92 at least once. His changeup and breaking ball look solid, with good shape, tunnel, and movement. His fastball still feels like he is throwing instead of pitching. Today was the first day of intersquad and the season is 3 weeks away, so plenty of time, but want to set expectations.
• Luke Harrison threw on Wednesday to a live batter for the first time since his injury and he proceeded to strike out the side.
  • Still some ways to go, but I was told Harrison looks the best he has ever looked and that the staff expects big things out of him this season. It may not be the first month, but he will play a big role.
• David Shaw pitching this season is a nice surprise. He did have tommy john after the Miami regional, but the Texas Rangers doc did what is called an "inner brace" which allows pitchers to cut down the timeline from 12-18 months to 6-7. Shaw feels great and is expected to play a big part out of the bullpen. He said mentally he is locked in and is now working on his consistency.
  • Here is a link to learn more about the inner brace method of tommy john - TJ - Inner Brace

Lastly, for those asking...yes, the RF video screen is not only fixed, but the graphics on both screens look MUCH better than they have previously.





Tanner Witt v. Will Gasparino
Login to view embedded media

LBJ throwing filth!
Login to view embedded media

Let's limit this to the U.S. for starters (excluding Las Vegas and Atlantic City). Later we can do international. I will list some obvious low hanging fruit, then y'all add some more. Let's make sure it is (1) actually historic, and not just where you lost your virginity or whatever; and (2) make sure it is a hotel, not a spa, hospital, dude ranch, air B&B, apartment complex, theatre, duplex or rental unit, etc. If you want to, say why it is historic and your favorite. Obviously, my list is a bit Texas centric. Note this list is not the nicest or most luxurious hotels. The Four Seasons or whoever may be a better hotel than those on this list. If it has Omni or Hilton or Mariott in the name, I downgraded it a lot. Instead, this list is historic. I know some Las Vegas hotels like the Bellagio may by now be deemed historic, but those are historic gambling dens, not solely historic for being hotels. I know there are some mansions and historic houses and castles that you can rent rooms in, but I am going for real hotels here. Also, these are just the ones I am personally familiar with. I am sure there are hundreds that could be added. Just a chance for you to name your favorite historic.


Drake Hotel in Chicago, Illinois (newlyweds Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio would carve their iconic initials into the bar’s world famous wooden counter)

Driskell Hotel in Austin, TX (haunted)
Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, CA (filmed Some Like It Hot with Tony Curtis, Marilyn Monroe, and Jack Lemmon)

Hotel Galvez in Galveston, TX
Menger Hotel in San Antonio, TX
Waldorf-Astoria, NY (Bartenders at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City created the Rob Roy to celebrate the opening of Rob Roy the operetta. )

Stagecoach Inn, Salado, TX (Sam Houston, George Custer, and Jesse James stayed there)
the Hermitage Hotel, Nashville, TN
the Gage Hotel, Marathon, TX
Hotel Settles, Big Spring, TX
Hotel Texas, Fort Worth, TX (Jim Thompson worked as a bellboy at the Hotel Texas for two years during Prohibition)
the Adolphus Hotel, Dallas, TX
the Whitehall, Houston TX
the Marlin Hotel, Miami, FL
the Beverley Hills Hotel, Hollywood, CA
the Roosevelt Hotel, Los Angeles, CA
Chateau Marmont, Los Angeles, CA
Hotel Bel-Air, Los Angeles, CA
Beverley Wilshire, Los Angeles, CA
Millennium Biltmore, Los Angeles, CA
Palace Hotel, SF, CA
Ritz-Carlton, SF, CA
the St. Francis SF, CA
Hay-Adams, Washington, DC
Hamilton Hotel, Washington DC
the Mayflower Inn, Washington DC
Hotel Lombardy, Washington DC
Fairmont Olympic, Seattle WA
Lord Baltimore Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland
Old Santa Fe Inn, Santa Fe, NM
the Broadmoor, Colorado Springs CO
the Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
the Dewberry, Charleston SC
Francis Marion Hotel, Charleston SC
1886 Crescent Hotel, Eureka Springs, Ark
the Grand Hotel. Mackinac Island Michigan
Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Yellowstone Park, Wyoming
the Wort Hotel, Jackson, Wyoming
Brown Palace, Denver CO
General Morgan Inn, Greenville TN (The Thunderbolt of the Confederacy)
Capital Hotel, Little Rock, Arkansas
Hotel Bethlehem, Bethlehem, PA
the Edgewater, Madison, Wisconsin
Dunhill Hotel, Charlotte NC
Brown Hotel, Louisville Kentucky
Balfour Hotel, Miami, FL
The Plaza, NY, NY
Stanley Hotel. Estes Park, CO
French Lick Springs Hotel, French Lick, IN
Fountainebleau, Miami, FL
Hotel Chelsea, NY, NY
Algonquin Hotel, NY, NY
St Regis, NY, NY (The Bloody Mary invented here)
Carlyle, Madison Ave, NY, NY (site of JFK and Marilyn Monroe affairs)
Knickerbocker, NY, NY (claim is the Martini was invented here at John D. Rockefeller's request)
Lotte NY Palace, NY, NY
Liberty Hotel, Boston, Mass
Detroit Foundation Hotel, Detroit, Michigan
Biltmore, Coral Gables, FL
The Breakers, Palm beach, FL
Florida House Inn, FL
Gasparilla Inn, Boca Grande FL
Colony Hotel, Delrey Beach, FL
Jefferson Hotel, Richmond VA
Blackburn Inn, Staunton VA
Netherland Plaza, Cincinnati, OH
Golden Lamb Hotel, Lebanon, OH
Great Southern Hotel, Columbus, OH
the Arcade, Cleveland OH
Tudor Arms, Cleveland OH




P.S. I know the Watergate is famous, but not famous for being a hotel, nor is its historical significance because it is a hotel. Yes, various Trump Hotels are newly famous, but not long-time famous, nor historic.

What a moron. That is all

AZ Soph Tacario Davis CB entered the transfer portal last week with a "do not contact" designation.
6 3 185#
Davis had 15 PDs in 2023. Davis was the highest rated PAC 12 CB per PFF with a 82.6 grade.
Will have 2 years of eligibility remaining.

Read Texas could be a landing spot. Since Jabbar is going to the Ducks, this now seems like a possibility.

How many killer penalties have they had today? My god

Is there a lunch bunch that meets in the Dallas area. I just moved from Round Rock and am. Used to going to meet with fellow longhorns once a week in Austin every Wednesday. Would like to connect with fellow longhorns here. I live in Fate. Thanks for any info you might have. HOOK EM.

Lamar is a regular season dominator. But a choker in the postseason. And the OC should be fired. The whole team melted down and deserves all the ridicule.

Let's make them good this week!

Today, they got beat by a team of guys that all play at the local YMCA.

There is a human tendency to accept personal blame for suffering. People often would rather feel guilty than helpless.
~~~~~~~~Elaine Pagels

We have some dear friends. They routinely have two dogs; little guys, pampered. A few years ago, they came home from church one Sunday to find that one of the little dogs could not stand. Turns out she'd had a stroke. Vet put her on some meds that improved her condition, but in a few weeks, our friends had to give up the fight and let the little dog go. The dog was 17 1/2 years old, but to this day, the wife insists that the dog had the stroke because it had once fallen running on the kitchen floor. Never mind that the fall was 5-6 years earlier, and the dog showed no ill effects from it. The wife wanted to be blamed.

In his book How Good Do We Have to Be?, Harold Kushner describes this blame thing as an illusion that some people create: that they can control events if they just do everything right. We can make people love us, we can prevent our aging parents from dying, we can keep our dog from having a stroke....If only I had...

I think he's restating the Serenity Prayer, "accept the things I cannot change." If we're just intent on being blamed for something, then be patient; an opportunity to accept real blame will show up soon enough. Knock yourself out. But a better choice might be to wander over to 2 Corinthians 5:21, and realize that when we immerse ourselves in self-condemnation, we do so at the expense of diminishing the forgiveness and salvation we're promised.

Today I'll pray that we take joy in accepting responsibility, but find even greater joy in trusting God's promises.

Blessings and peace my friends.
NT
Dedicated to Allen Jones, who finished the Serenity Prayer by gaining the wisdom to know the difference between the things he could change and the things he could not.

The remaining games on the MBB schedule include 8 games against the teams with winning conference records and 3 games against teams with losing conference records. Does Terry survive 6-12 conference mark?

Anyone have tickets for tmw's game? Hook 'Em!!! DM or text 512-665-0598. Thanks.

Coach is pissed at players after last nights debacle against OU. He needs to look in the mirror. It’s the first time I can say coach was thoroughly schooled by an opposing coach. Baylor exposed a Harmonless Texas defense. The OU coach watched the Baylor tape. OU Baylored Texas last night with a barrage of layups and threes. Texas never adjusted to anything OU did last night, and it’s been done to Texas before. Several observations of the team right now:
Some teams Texas can’t beat using nothing but a one-in-one defense. They were abused last night and never adapted.
Shay Holle’s career game was for nought. She was the star last night. Her best game ever.
Madison Booker has ever passed to Shay in a game, in my memory. Certainly she never passed to her last night, ever.
Shay was open all night in the corner for the three, and never got the ball. In fact a state as trailed all night, the team never shot a three down the stretch when they really needed to.
Coach never changed a thing, The offense was just charge to the basket and try to score over a smaller team. Baylor was fabulous defending the rim and out rebounded the much taller Longhorns. Every OU advantage could have been countered by adjustments during the game but Vic is stubborn and wouldn’t do change his game plan.
Taylor Jones just couldn’t control the ball last night. She was curiously terrible with the ball.
This loss was totally on coach Vic.

Shaping up to be a good one.

KC blew a big chance to take control of the game by not just going with the QB sneak on 4th and a foot.

Can someone explain, or decipher, these two posts over on the Inside the 40 Acres board by @Yinzer Horn?

Other than he started drinking a little early on Friday night? I mean, it's not like he's a football savant. Or any other kind of savant

Cut and paste to follow in next two posts.

@duqu