Ketch's 10 Thoughts From The Weekend: (The problems on offense....)

[DKR-3rings]

Absolutely terrific read. Best analysis yet of the issues facing Texas. So knowing that Sark will stick with Ewers, the onus is now on him to gameplan around the team’s weaknesses. Since it’s clear that opponents now know how to defend a limited QB that will either cause sacks or holding penalties; how to protect a limited part of the field, go to it Sark. The buck stops with you.

I even wonder if the Manning's want Arch to play much yet... I think there is a lot happening that we don't know about behind the scenes. I think Quinn would rather sit to get healthy but he is playing injured to help this team make their goals. Which is why I think the fans need to be supportive of Quinn, it would be much easier and better for him to sit. This can't be helping the kid mentally or physically. I'm not sure what all reasons Arch isn't playing but I think there are reasons we don't know about?

 

[Ketchum]

Keith Whitley has an incredible catalog of songs. Thanks for bringing me down memory lane. When you say nothing at all was our wedding song. Just celebrated 25 years this month!

Congrats!

 

[Ketchum]

Whaaa. . . Buried the lede?

Not really.

 

[Ketchum]

What I find fascinating is what’s impacting the intermediate passing game. Quinn’s superpower as a qb has never been the short or deep passing game- it’s been the intermediate game, including difficult NFL-style intermediate throws. Those have largely disappeared. They’re a shadow of what they were last year. Why is that?

My concern coming into the season was the WRs. It’s still is. Having multiple, NFL-ready WRs in college is almost impossible to stop. It was very tough for defenses last year, especially with a healthy Sanders. With bond out, I contend defensive coordinators are not even remotely scared of our passing game in the way they were last year.

No doubt that's true.

 

[Ketchum]

@Ketchum Would Laremy Tunsil and Kenyon Green be an upgrade or a liability to the Texas Oline? 😏

huh?

 

[Debogail]

I even wonder if the Manning's want Arch to play much yet... I think there is a lot happening that we don't know about behind the scenes. I think Quinn would rather sit to get healthy but he is playing injured to help this team make their goals. Which is why I think the fans need to be supportive of Quinn, it would be much easier and better for him to sit. This can't be helping the kid mentally or physically. I'm not sure what all reasons Arch isn't playing but I think there are reasons we don't know about?

Perhaps. But does it matter? The decision has been made for whatever reasons. So knowing all the issues, Sark has a daunting task. But it is his. He will have to figure out how to work with the limitations that exist and that requires some game planning that doesn’t have the same results. Once a team sees what the offense presents, there have to be adjustments. That should always be the case. But in the current situation, the weaknesses require some creativity. I don’t envy Sark but it is what it is.

 

[Ketchum]

But apparently "Sarkisian's system" is something different than Sarkisian.

Sark's inclination to go with Ewers & to stick with Ewers speaks to something beyond the formal system. Sark's inclination as OC aligns with Ewers' proficiency in the short passing game. I'm sure Sark's system has lots of routes down the field which Arch is happy to take advantage of. But that's apparently not aligned with Sark's sense of what is best for the offense.

Not Sark's blind loyalty to Ewers, but instead Sark's own inclinations in terms of offensive approach is the decisive factor here. Not Quinn but Sark played it safe after the 4 minute (~?) mark of the 2nd quarter.

It wasn't Quinn that tightened up. It was Sark.

His best offenses.... the ones that got him the Texas job.... didn't operate like this.

 

[Ketchum]

Great Read.

@Ketchum , what the heck is up with Jerrick Gibson? I know he’s young but I feel like he can provide a spark. They already play Wingo a bunch.

The coaches have to be really down on him.

 

[Ketchum]

I did the same thing with my ex wife and that was 2 1/2 too many. There is a time to cut bait.

I feel you.

 

[Ketchum]

I think the receiving corps need to be given some slack due to the poor quarterback and line play. If you don’t throw the ball down the field and the passes are off when you do, how are they supposed to put up big numbers?

I wasn't blaming them.

 

[Ketchum]

Really? You're dumping on this year's receiver room?

I'm dumping on the ability to properly feature them.

 

[Ketchum]

TCU and ISU were both post injury, and both close/ugly wins.

Historical question..

This three game stretch has been the most difficult on paper (rivalry top 20 matchup, top 5 matchup then on the road for a top 25 matchup) since when?

2022

at No.11 Oklahoma State
at No.13 Kansas State
vs. No.4 TCU

 

[jessed50]

2022

at No.11 Oklahoma State
at No.13 Kansas State
vs. No.4 TCU

forgot about that stretch with how terrible okie state finished the year.

 

[Ketchum]

forgot about that stretch with how terrible okie state finished the year.

2024 OU is trying to match them.

 

[SeaEmEss]

It seems to be working for 7-1 aggy

Aggie situation is completely different. To think otherwise is foolishness. And how that works out for them is still up for debate.

 

[kwayne64]

I'm dumping on the ability to properly feature them.

I know you're never gonna admit you're wrong, but this year's receivers have more touchdowns per game, more yards per game and more yards per reception on a team that has scored more points per game which clearly means they are having a bigger impact as a group than last years receivers did. Can you elaborate on what you mean by properly featuring them?

 

[Archstradamus]

Really? You're dumping on this year's receiver room?

I think since they're spreading the ball around much more than last year, it somewhat obscures how good this year's receiver room really is. Just as a bit of a counter-point to the notion that this year's group is not nearly as good a last year's group, here are some facts:

• This year's receivers group has the same number of touchdowns (19) in 8 games as last year's group had in 14 games.
• As a group, this year's WR room is averaging 191.8 yards per game, compared to 180.5 for last year's group.
• There are 5 receivers in this year's group who are averaging more yards per reception than Worthy did last year.
• Bond and Moore already have as many TD's in 8 games (5 each) as last year's TD leader, Worthy had in 14.
• So far, Texas has not had to resort to using Defensive Tackles and Jumbo Tight Ends to throw touchdowns in the end-zone.
• We saw more WR drops early in the year from last year's group than we've seen so far with this year's group.

I think we have at least 2 guys on this year's group that will likely go in the 1st round of the draft at some point (Bond and Wingo). Worthy was the only first round WR from last year's team.


2024 Receiver Numbers
Wingo 19 for 328 / 17.3 ypr /2 TD
Cook 8 for 137 / 17.1 ypr / 2 TD
Bond 23 for 380 / 16.5 ypr / 5 TD
Moore 17 for 249 / 14.6 ypr / 5 TD
Golden 24 for 332 / 13.5 ypr / 4 TD
Bolden 12 for 108 / 9.0 ypr / 1 TD

2023 Receiver Numbers
Worthy 75 for 1014 / 13.5 ypr / 5 TD
Whittington 42 for 505 / 12.0 ypr / 1 TD
Mitchell 55 for 845 / 15.4 ypr / 11 TD
Cook 8 for 136 / 17.0 ypr / 0 TD
Neyor 1 for 14 / 14.0 ypr / 1 TD
Cain 1 for 13 / 13.0 ypr / 1 TD

^ this. This group catches the damn ball!!

 

[Ketchum]

I know you're never gonna admit you're wrong, but this year's receivers have more touchdowns per game, more yards per game and more yards per reception on a team that has scored more points per game which clearly means they are having a bigger impact as a group than last years receivers did. Can you elaborate on what you mean by properly featuring them?

I did in the column.

Maybe I',m not the one that can't admit when they are wrong.

 

[durty_nacho]

He's being patient, I'm told.

Does he want to start right now? Does his family want him to?

 

[Ketchum]

^ this. This group catches the damn ball!!

Quote the part where I dumped on them.

 

[Ketchum]

Does he want to start right now? Does his family want him to?

I mean... he would.

 

[Ketchum]

^ this. This group catches the damn ball!!

Drop Rate among targeted receivers for Texas is 5.1% (7 drops), ranking 36th in America, in 2023 that number was 3.6% (10 drops), ranking 9th in America.

 

[jessed50]

2024 OU is trying to match them.

😂

 

[Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer]

Man, Barcelona dog-walked Real Madrid 4-0 in the Bernabeau. It's a result that is so emphatic that I'm not fully sure how I should process it.

 

[rylo7956rylo]

Drop Rate among targeted receivers for Texas is 5.1% (7 drops), ranking 36th in America, in 2023 that number was 3.6% (10 drops), ranking 9th in America.

@Alex Dunlap @Ketchum We know Ewers is checking down alot but last they were replaying the game on the SEC network and I rewatched from about 5 minutes left in the third and was kinda of shocked to see most plays didnt have a a route more then 8 yards. May have been protecting the lead but that sure seems like poor play calling. Have you notices this? Also noticed when someone did run deep that was almost always the first read. Im sure other teams know this as well.

 

[Yahweh74]

Great read. Thanks for the insight. Appreciate the honesty.

Keith Whitley was gifted. He channeled the grief and emotion like few others. “Don’t Close Your Eyes” goes places that few songs ever go.

Been reading all the feeds, all the thoughts, emotions, opinions and rank ass speculations.

Hard not to conflate as the 4 subjects intermesh on so many levels. In no particular order:

Sark: it’s the TEAM. Do the right thing for the team, period. (Personally I want Arch. But that +$5 gets you a cup of coffee at Starbucks) So we trust you to do the right thing, but do it now and in spades.


O line. Man the f*** up. Quit holding. Flood needs to lose his shit, hold their hands, replace the right side, gut a pig in a dark room, whatever.

Quinn: (See the above) sorry, JK! Seriously, it’s his swag, gravitas, confidence, panache…. It’s gone and can he get it back? (I think no, but here’s another $5)

Errrrbody Else: it’s team goobers. Defense, go pitch a shutout or two. There is no reason on God’s green earth that you 11 can’t go stomp a mud hole in the next 4 opponents.

“LEAVE NO DOUBT”

 

[Baguette]

But apparently "Sarkisian's system" is something different than Sarkisian.

Sark's inclination to go with Ewers & to stick with Ewers speaks to something beyond the formal system. Sark's inclination as OC aligns with Ewers' proficiency in the short passing game. I'm sure Sark's system has lots of routes down the field which Arch is happy to take advantage of. But that's apparently not aligned with Sark's sense of what is best for the offense.

Not Sark's blind loyalty to Ewers, but instead Sark's own inclinations in terms of offensive approach is the decisive factor here. Not Quinn but Sark played it safe after the 4 minute (~?) mark of the 2nd quarter.

It wasn't Quinn that tightened up. It was Sark.

Thank you for some balance.
"Quinn's a bum. Arch is our savior" narrative is getting old, not to mention juvenile.

 

[trail403]

I don't think he wants to admin failure on a huge investment. He knows it would kill the kid n the Draft and he's loyal to him.

And there it is
Loyalty to one player over the team

 

[kwayne64]

Drop Rate among targeted receivers for Texas is 5.1% (7 drops), ranking 36th in America, in 2023 that number was 3.6% (10 drops), ranking 9th in America.

Does that drop rate exclude the drops by the running backs?

 

[kwayne64]

I did in the column.

Maybe I',m not the one that can't admit when they are wrong.

So you're blaming the receivers for the passing game issues over a 3 game stretch where the OL/TE/RB's have allowed 12 sacks and many more pressures and where Quinn Ewers is unable to throw the ball accurately more than 10 yards down the field? Arch Manning has still has a 200+ passer rating with those same receivers. By the way, our best receiver this year played injured against Georgia and was out against Vandy. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

[jefakin]

Elko made the difficult move that Sark can’t or won’t.

 

[Coelacanth]

Elko made the difficult move that Sark can’t or won’t.

Well, on three occasions now Elko has gone with a QB that the defense didn't primarily prepare for. It's worked out all three times. But I have a feeling that in the future defenses will be a little better prepared for both guys.

 

[siger]

After reading the aDot article and yours, I get the feeling Sark is in between a rock and a hard place. It would appear he is working around Ewers injury or deficiency to get him through the season and to the NFL. Some scouts have said they think Quinn needs another year of college play. It would be heart breaking to see Quinn have to go to the portal to get another year, because next year belongs to Manning. However, since Georgia, teams will be loading the box against us. This not only diminishes a weak run game and puts more pressure on the OL, but it takes away the dink and dunk passing game Sark has devised as Quinns work around, for what ever it is that's hindering his performance. If the game plan doesn't change by the time we resume play in 2wk, a morale problem may begin to creep into the team. Sinking play at the QB position affect the entire ship.

 

[MB-HORNS]

Elko made the difficult move that Sark can’t or won’t.

LOL... Elko started Reed and then went back to Weigman.... He now has gone back to Reed because Weigman was terrible..... Sark pulled Ewers and now has gone back to him. Ewers had a pretty decent game against Vandy... If Ewers plays terrible Sark will pull him again.... Get a grip....

 

[Boxley]

Bottom line, we are a zero threat team when it comes to the deep ball. That makes it too easy for opposing defenses. I have just about lost faith in Ewers. Not sure where he wrong. No way in hell he is getting drafted at this point.

We need Bond, Isiah Bond.