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Here are a few immediate thoughts and reactions to Tom Herman's game-week press conference leading up to Texas' 2020 season opener versus UTEP:
- What would have been an incredibly odd sight to see just six months ago -- the opening PC of the season occurring remotely via Zoom -- almost seems normal by now.
- Anwar asked the first question from the cozy confines of his home office - now that I think of it, as big as a pain in the ass this pandemic has been, it's probably nice not to have to make the 45 minute drive down 183 to and from these availabilities from Cedar Park.
- Testing on Friday morning as well as Sunday and Wednesday. So three times weekly, I suppose, is the established method by UT. The more you hear Herman talk about safety protocols, the more you start to understand that players taking part in football this fall are among the best cared-for and most closely observed group of people on the planet as it relates to any possible threats of COVID.
- Brian Davis asked about the importance of a "legitimate season": Herman said that conferences need to be aligned in their goals - "do we want to win the game, or do we want to play the game?" Meaning, are teams going to put out a bunch of walk-ons if half the team gets sick? What does that do to the integrity of the season's competitive balance? Herman says that it doesn't matter the thoughts of the coaches as the rule stating that 53 able-bodied players must be available for competition to take place and that it's his job to adjust accordingly.
- Ced Golden asked if the season would have an asterisk. I say it will have the asterisk of being the most unique and among the most well-remembered and special seasons we've had. I can't agree more with Herman saying if an asterisk does exist, it should say next to it "this was really, really hard to accomplish."
- Tom Herman told Max Olson "you got the cheeseburger out of your mouth!" (?) That's an interesting little inside joke between the two. I'll have to ask Max about that. Maybe one of you guys knows what that's about.
- The 3s and the 4s have been staying after practice and getting extra work with the anticipation that those guys could be more likely to play this season should 1s and 2s miss time. Herman said this is a big deal for special teams, but to me, the most important aspect here is extra development time for the young OL deeper on the depth chart who Texas needs to take major leaps this season in order to avoid a dip in the level of talent the program has been used to basically since 2016 or so.
- Chip asked the 2 or 3 things Herman feels best about and 2 to 3 biggest concerns: Feels great about -- starting QB, veteran offensive linemen (3 guys that have a lot of snaps under their belt), and the depth on the interior of the defensive line. Concerns -- lost two leading receivers, depth and consistency at linebacker has been a topic all offseason, making it through the season safely and diligently. The most interesting takeaway there is Herman's confidence in the depth along the line's interior. He's clearly as excited as hell about Alfred Collins and T'Vondre Sweat. We as fans and analysts have not been talking about interior DL depth as a true feature of what could set this Texas team apart, but Herman does get to see the team much more often than we do.
- "We'll play games in a parking lot if we have to at this point." - Tom Herman. I believe it after seeing him bash his brain on his players helmets to get them pumped up before that Baylor game.
- "Jake Smith and Jordan Whittington have both had really, really good training camps." I'm on record with my prediction for Smith this year, but you love to hear that Whittington, as Herman said, specifically over the course of the last two weeks, has been coming along well. Welcome news. Sounds like he's healthy again. Conspicuously absent from his WR breakdown was Brennan Eagles. Just sayin.
- "Christian Jones is our 5th best offensive lineman right now." Well, there you have it. "I feel better today than I ever have about Denzel and (Jones) on the right side of the line." Write the starting OL down in pen at this point. I have a feeling fans will need to be patient with Jones but he could come out and really surprise me. I also anticipate we see Isaiah Hookfin at some point this season, though I'm not sure when and under what circumstances.
- Herman was asked about how his team was going to be able to vote. Herman said the team isn't quarantined. He also, correctly, said that you are at no more risk voting in person than you are going to the store. Although he hasn't told the team, the plan is to give them that Tuesday off. I understand the question, but hope we don't get inundated with these types of subjects all year. It will cause nightmares on the message boards.
- Herman, when asked about UTEP in the next question, said "AHH! Football! Thanks, Brett!" Sames.
- Whenever Herman has the opportunity to be human, he really comes across so much better and more likeable than he does when he's in CEO-mode answering questions. One reporter (Steve, I forget his last name) had his kid sneak into his zoom session and Herman asked him his name and wanted him to throw up a Hook'Em.
- Herman got asked about social messages on helmets and jerseys. Herman said that they'll have one unified message sewn into a patch that is agreed-upon by the team and leadership council even though they are technically allowed to each have their own message. He says he is unsure if the leadership council would want him to announce that message.
- Herman said the biggest noticeable difference you'll notice in the offense will be the tempo. That makes my stomach sink since I chart all the plays. More tempo = more plays. If this is a 90-play/game offense, it makes my life considerably harder in-season. As I listen to the PC, I begin to realize how little I know about how this team even looks. The UTEP game is going to be much more exciting for this reason than a normal season-opener cupcake. We get to see what this team actually LOOKS LIKE.
- Brian Davis asked about the Eyes of Texas. Herman said he doesn't know. There will be no band there.
- Injury updates: Dixon, Hookfin doubtful. Reese Moore needs a scope. Dele Adeoye will be back at practice tomorrow.
Find Your Perfect Franchise at MyPerfectFranchise.Net
Orangebloods Owned! Contact Andy Luedecke (aka @widespread panic) anytime at:
aluedecke@myperfectfranchise.net
(404) 973-9901
www.myperfectfranchise.net
Here are a few immediate thoughts and reactions to Tom Herman's game-week press conference leading up to Texas' 2020 season opener versus UTEP:
- What would have been an incredibly odd sight to see just six months ago -- the opening PC of the season occurring remotely via Zoom -- almost seems normal by now.
- Anwar asked the first question from the cozy confines of his home office - now that I think of it, as big as a pain in the ass this pandemic has been, it's probably nice not to have to make the 45 minute drive down 183 to and from these availabilities from Cedar Park.
- Testing on Friday morning as well as Sunday and Wednesday. So three times weekly, I suppose, is the established method by UT. The more you hear Herman talk about safety protocols, the more you start to understand that players taking part in football this fall are among the best cared-for and most closely observed group of people on the planet as it relates to any possible threats of COVID.
- Brian Davis asked about the importance of a "legitimate season": Herman said that conferences need to be aligned in their goals - "do we want to win the game, or do we want to play the game?" Meaning, are teams going to put out a bunch of walk-ons if half the team gets sick? What does that do to the integrity of the season's competitive balance? Herman says that it doesn't matter the thoughts of the coaches as the rule stating that 53 able-bodied players must be available for competition to take place and that it's his job to adjust accordingly.
- Ced Golden asked if the season would have an asterisk. I say it will have the asterisk of being the most unique and among the most well-remembered and special seasons we've had. I can't agree more with Herman saying if an asterisk does exist, it should say next to it "this was really, really hard to accomplish."
- Tom Herman told Max Olson "you got the cheeseburger out of your mouth!" (?) That's an interesting little inside joke between the two. I'll have to ask Max about that. Maybe one of you guys knows what that's about.
- The 3s and the 4s have been staying after practice and getting extra work with the anticipation that those guys could be more likely to play this season should 1s and 2s miss time. Herman said this is a big deal for special teams, but to me, the most important aspect here is extra development time for the young OL deeper on the depth chart who Texas needs to take major leaps this season in order to avoid a dip in the level of talent the program has been used to basically since 2016 or so.
- Chip asked the 2 or 3 things Herman feels best about and 2 to 3 biggest concerns: Feels great about -- starting QB, veteran offensive linemen (3 guys that have a lot of snaps under their belt), and the depth on the interior of the defensive line. Concerns -- lost two leading receivers, depth and consistency at linebacker has been a topic all offseason, making it through the season safely and diligently. The most interesting takeaway there is Herman's confidence in the depth along the line's interior. He's clearly as excited as hell about Alfred Collins and T'Vondre Sweat. We as fans and analysts have not been talking about interior DL depth as a true feature of what could set this Texas team apart, but Herman does get to see the team much more often than we do.
- "We'll play games in a parking lot if we have to at this point." - Tom Herman. I believe it after seeing him bash his brain on his players helmets to get them pumped up before that Baylor game.
- "Jake Smith and Jordan Whittington have both had really, really good training camps." I'm on record with my prediction for Smith this year, but you love to hear that Whittington, as Herman said, specifically over the course of the last two weeks, has been coming along well. Welcome news. Sounds like he's healthy again. Conspicuously absent from his WR breakdown was Brennan Eagles. Just sayin.
- "Christian Jones is our 5th best offensive lineman right now." Well, there you have it. "I feel better today than I ever have about Denzel and (Jones) on the right side of the line." Write the starting OL down in pen at this point. I have a feeling fans will need to be patient with Jones but he could come out and really surprise me. I also anticipate we see Isaiah Hookfin at some point this season, though I'm not sure when and under what circumstances.
- Herman was asked about how his team was going to be able to vote. Herman said the team isn't quarantined. He also, correctly, said that you are at no more risk voting in person than you are going to the store. Although he hasn't told the team, the plan is to give them that Tuesday off. I understand the question, but hope we don't get inundated with these types of subjects all year. It will cause nightmares on the message boards.
- Herman, when asked about UTEP in the next question, said "AHH! Football! Thanks, Brett!" Sames.
- Whenever Herman has the opportunity to be human, he really comes across so much better and more likeable than he does when he's in CEO-mode answering questions. One reporter (Steve, I forget his last name) had his kid sneak into his zoom session and Herman asked him his name and wanted him to throw up a Hook'Em.
- Herman got asked about social messages on helmets and jerseys. Herman said that they'll have one unified message sewn into a patch that is agreed-upon by the team and leadership council even though they are technically allowed to each have their own message. He says he is unsure if the leadership council would want him to announce that message.
- Herman said the biggest noticeable difference you'll notice in the offense will be the tempo. That makes my stomach sink since I chart all the plays. More tempo = more plays. If this is a 90-play/game offense, it makes my life considerably harder in-season. As I listen to the PC, I begin to realize how little I know about how this team even looks. The UTEP game is going to be much more exciting for this reason than a normal season-opener cupcake. We get to see what this team actually LOOKS LIKE.
- Brian Davis asked about the Eyes of Texas. Herman said he doesn't know. There will be no band there.
- Injury updates: Dixon, Hookfin doubtful. Reese Moore needs a scope. Dele Adeoye will be back at practice tomorrow.
