After spending a week on vacation, I am ready to trade conversations about Captain Underpants for football.
This might be the first time in life that I totally removed myself from work. I packed my laptop, but did not open it once during my vacation. Honestly, it felt good to enjoy life and the family. If I missed any monumental threads over the past seven days, feel free to let me know. If not, I am sure it will be highlighted in the next newsletter.
I missed the opportunity to share my thoughts on a few Texas subjects, but let me make up for lost time right now.
Big 12 Media Days selections: This is our first indication as to who the leaders of this team are going to be. Texas tight end Andrew Beck, defensive end Breckyn Hager, defensive lineman Chris Nelson and offensive guard Patrick Vahe will make the short trip to Frisco and represent the Longhorns. This is the first Big 12 Media Days selection for each player.
The selection of Beck and Hager says a lot about how far each player has come during their time at Texas. Beck missed last year with a foot injury, while Hager started in only four games last season, mostly because it took coaches time to realize his was a better defensive lineman than linebacker.
However, Hager expressed how much unity there was in their locker room after the Texas Bowl victory to silence reports about disharmony behind closed doors. It is easy to see why Herman wants Hager to be a spokesperson this season.
Photo via HookEm.com
By the way, there is a good chance most of these players will be captains this season.
Last year, punter Michael Dickson, linebacker Naashon Hughes, safety P.J. Locke III and left tackle Connor Williams attended Big 12 Media Days. A few weeks later, Poona Ford, Hughes, Locke and Williams were named captains. I would not be surprised if each player attending this year’s event becomes a captain before the season.
A few omissions: TCU and West Virginia are bringing five players to Frisco, but Texas decided to stay with four this season. I was a little surprised that receiver Collin Johnson or defensive end Charles Omenihu did not receive an invitation to attend.
There have been two mock drafts that project Johnson to be a first-round pick next year, while there is an NFL draft buzz around Omenihu because of his height, weight and athletic ability. Their national status could have been a plus for the program.
For the record, when I have spoken to people associated with the program about Omenihu and Johnson, and I hear nothing but good things. I do not think their omission indicates anything negative about either player.
Honestly, at the end of the day, their success on the field will not be determined by how many reporters surround them for an event in mid-July.
The drought continues: Obviously, Same Ehlinger and Shane Buechele are still in a quarterback battle, meaning neither player was going to Frisco. Nevertheless, the last time a Texas sent a quarterback to Big 12 Media Days was in 2013 when David Ash attended.
West Virginia, Kansas State, TCU and Iowa State are sending quarterbacks to Frisco, but Texas is still trying to find a passer to lead this team.
Texas offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Tim Beck’s biggest job before the season is making sure one of the guys in his room is ready to at least be above average this year. Beck’s job is to end the mediocre play that has plagued that position for too many years.
Photo via Austin American-Statesman
Reporter for a day: What is the most important question you believe Herman needs to be asked next week? I want to know how long is Beck’s leash as a play-caller this season.
Still stuck on eight wins: During the last podcast I was on, I predicted an 8-4 record. A couple of guys went with nine wins, but I think a number that high requires believing this team is going to be better on offense without any evidence.
On paper, I like the additions of left tackle Calvin Anderson and running back Tre Watson Each player could potentially address areas of weakness on this year’s team. Four potential starting offensive lineman are upperclassmen (Zach Shackelford, Elijah Rodriguez, Vahe and Anderson). There is big-play potential with Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, Devin Duvernay, Jerrod Heard and Johnson.
However, until all play-calling issues are resolved and players live up to their potential, I cannot predict more than eight regular-season wins.
Speaking of the new additions: These tweets caught my attention while on vacation:
If I had one wish: With all sincerity, I wish Ketchum could catch a break.
He recently posted on Facebook that his grandfather passed away. He just lost his dog. He cannot catch a break with sick kids. Seriously, if anybody needs something good to happen in his or her life, it is Ketch.
Rental mistake: I really thought renting a GMC Yukon Denali would be a great idea for a large family. Two adults, two children with booster seats, a 9-year-old who does not need help, and an infant car seat. The Denali is a seven-seater, so great idea, right?
Yeah, where the hell is the storage space?
If you use the third row, there is not enough storage space for two suitcases, let alone a stroller, carry-on items, or anything extra. I did not know the Yukon only had 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row seat, which is less than the trunk space of a Chevrolet Malibu sedan. As a result, I had to stack a stroller on a one kid and stored the smaller items on the floor. Oh, when you put groceries back there, everything falls out as soon as the rear door opens.
It is a smooth ride, I loved the seats, a speedometer in the glass was cool, but it just seems like an impractical/overpriced vehicle for a large family. I guess renting a van is my only option in the future.
This might be the first time in life that I totally removed myself from work. I packed my laptop, but did not open it once during my vacation. Honestly, it felt good to enjoy life and the family. If I missed any monumental threads over the past seven days, feel free to let me know. If not, I am sure it will be highlighted in the next newsletter.
I missed the opportunity to share my thoughts on a few Texas subjects, but let me make up for lost time right now.
Big 12 Media Days selections: This is our first indication as to who the leaders of this team are going to be. Texas tight end Andrew Beck, defensive end Breckyn Hager, defensive lineman Chris Nelson and offensive guard Patrick Vahe will make the short trip to Frisco and represent the Longhorns. This is the first Big 12 Media Days selection for each player.
The selection of Beck and Hager says a lot about how far each player has come during their time at Texas. Beck missed last year with a foot injury, while Hager started in only four games last season, mostly because it took coaches time to realize his was a better defensive lineman than linebacker.
However, Hager expressed how much unity there was in their locker room after the Texas Bowl victory to silence reports about disharmony behind closed doors. It is easy to see why Herman wants Hager to be a spokesperson this season.
Photo via HookEm.com
By the way, there is a good chance most of these players will be captains this season.
Last year, punter Michael Dickson, linebacker Naashon Hughes, safety P.J. Locke III and left tackle Connor Williams attended Big 12 Media Days. A few weeks later, Poona Ford, Hughes, Locke and Williams were named captains. I would not be surprised if each player attending this year’s event becomes a captain before the season.
A few omissions: TCU and West Virginia are bringing five players to Frisco, but Texas decided to stay with four this season. I was a little surprised that receiver Collin Johnson or defensive end Charles Omenihu did not receive an invitation to attend.
There have been two mock drafts that project Johnson to be a first-round pick next year, while there is an NFL draft buzz around Omenihu because of his height, weight and athletic ability. Their national status could have been a plus for the program.
For the record, when I have spoken to people associated with the program about Omenihu and Johnson, and I hear nothing but good things. I do not think their omission indicates anything negative about either player.
Honestly, at the end of the day, their success on the field will not be determined by how many reporters surround them for an event in mid-July.
The drought continues: Obviously, Same Ehlinger and Shane Buechele are still in a quarterback battle, meaning neither player was going to Frisco. Nevertheless, the last time a Texas sent a quarterback to Big 12 Media Days was in 2013 when David Ash attended.
West Virginia, Kansas State, TCU and Iowa State are sending quarterbacks to Frisco, but Texas is still trying to find a passer to lead this team.
Texas offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Tim Beck’s biggest job before the season is making sure one of the guys in his room is ready to at least be above average this year. Beck’s job is to end the mediocre play that has plagued that position for too many years.
Photo via Austin American-Statesman
Reporter for a day: What is the most important question you believe Herman needs to be asked next week? I want to know how long is Beck’s leash as a play-caller this season.
Still stuck on eight wins: During the last podcast I was on, I predicted an 8-4 record. A couple of guys went with nine wins, but I think a number that high requires believing this team is going to be better on offense without any evidence.
On paper, I like the additions of left tackle Calvin Anderson and running back Tre Watson Each player could potentially address areas of weakness on this year’s team. Four potential starting offensive lineman are upperclassmen (Zach Shackelford, Elijah Rodriguez, Vahe and Anderson). There is big-play potential with Lil’ Jordan Humphrey, Devin Duvernay, Jerrod Heard and Johnson.
However, until all play-calling issues are resolved and players live up to their potential, I cannot predict more than eight regular-season wins.
Speaking of the new additions: These tweets caught my attention while on vacation:
If I had one wish: With all sincerity, I wish Ketchum could catch a break.
He recently posted on Facebook that his grandfather passed away. He just lost his dog. He cannot catch a break with sick kids. Seriously, if anybody needs something good to happen in his or her life, it is Ketch.
Rental mistake: I really thought renting a GMC Yukon Denali would be a great idea for a large family. Two adults, two children with booster seats, a 9-year-old who does not need help, and an infant car seat. The Denali is a seven-seater, so great idea, right?
Yeah, where the hell is the storage space?
If you use the third row, there is not enough storage space for two suitcases, let alone a stroller, carry-on items, or anything extra. I did not know the Yukon only had 15.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row seat, which is less than the trunk space of a Chevrolet Malibu sedan. As a result, I had to stack a stroller on a one kid and stored the smaller items on the floor. Oh, when you put groceries back there, everything falls out as soon as the rear door opens.
It is a smooth ride, I loved the seats, a speedometer in the glass was cool, but it just seems like an impractical/overpriced vehicle for a large family. I guess renting a van is my only option in the future.
