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Ketch's 10 Thoughts From the Weekend

Ketchum

Resident Blockhead
Staff
May 29, 2001
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468,663
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With the completion of spring football behind us, you had to know that a complete audit of the program would be on the way.

In taking a look at each position and every player, the goal is to provide a full picture of what the team looks like across the board heading into August workouts when the majority of the incoming 2015 recruiting class arrives.

Make yourself a drink, prepare a meal or make your way to the throne, but just know that we’re going for a fairly long trip down Longhorn Football Road.

Buckle up.

Quarterbacks

What they’re working with: Tyrone Swoopes (Jr.) and Jerrod Heard (RsFr)

Battle for the starting job: I feel like this gets typed once per day, but I simply don’t view this team truly having a starting quarterback yet. The smart money has Swoopes making the start and as I first stated about six weeks ago, I’m not going to be shocked if both players are alternating every series until one eventually takes the damn thing,

The back-up plan: Regardless of the outcome with the starting job, this position’s depth is taking a big step forward simply by having two quarterbacks participate in open competition for the job. In terms of the back-up quarterback spot, the coaches feel like they’ll have someone that can come in and not set the offense back with his presence in the line-up. That’s called progress.

Help on the way: Yes, a third scholarship quarterback arrives in the fall, but barring an unspeakable disaster with Swoopes and Heard, Kai Locksley seems destined for a redshirt season full of watching, learning and working with the scout-team offense.

Uphill battles: With only two scholarship quarterbacks on campus, there’s not a buried soul to worry about heading into the summer.

Projected two deep in South Bend: (1st) Swoopes, (2nd) Heard

On a 10-point scale: 6.0

p.s. Say something about recruiting: The commitment of Matthew Merrick and the quest for a “second” quarterback in the 2016 class has me somewhat confused from a practicality standpoint. Unless Kai Locksley immediately fails in his transition to college quarterback and changes positions, I‘m not sure I know where the reps are going to come from with six scholarship quarterbacks for 2016 and five scholarship quarterbacks on the roster through the 2018 season (and that doesn’t even include anyone they’d take in the 2017-18 classes).

Running Backs

What they’re working with: Johnathan Gray (Sr.), D’Onte Foreman (So.) and Donald Catalon (RsFr)

Battle for the starting job: There is no battle, as Gray represents a huge piece of the 2015 foundation coming into the year. With Malcolm Brown gone and Gray more than 17 months clear of the achilles injury, Gray showed serious flashes of being a lead-weapon for the offense throughout the spring. The coaches know exactly what they have in Gray and they’ll continue to limit his wear and tear until the games begin.

The back-up plan: It’s pretty easy to envision the roles at this position like this: Gray as the 20-carries per game starter, Foreman as the short-yardage back and Catalon as the third-down, change of pace back. I don’t know if the coaches would be comfortable with Foreman or Catalon in a starting position, but both seem immediately useful in designated roles for this season.

Help on the way: The cavalry arrives this summer with the arrival of freshmen Kirk Johnson, Chris Warren and Tristian Houston.

Uphill battles: It remains to be seen what kind of impact the freshmen running backs might make upon their arrivals, but if there’s a true instant impact candidate among that group of three, the pressure is going to be on Foreman and Catalon to very quickly raise their levels of play or run the risk of getting passed over for reps for a younger player. The competition next spring should be fierce, as you’ll have five backs battling it out for Gray’s workload, and those numbers won’t even include the incoming 2016 prospects.

Projected two deep in South Bend: (1st) Gray (2nd) K. Johnson/Catalon

On a 10-point scale: 7.5

p.s. Say something about recruiting: The Longhorns have a little bit of everything going for them at running back once the 2015 freshmen arrive, but they lack a rocket ship that can put the pressure on a defense with his mere presence. That makes Beaumont Central’s Devwah Whaley one of the top three most important prospects in this class for the Longhorns.

Fullbacks

What they’re working with: Alex De La Torre (Sr.) and Dominic Cruciani (Sr.)

Battle for the starting job: De la Torre received as lot of playing time with the first-team offense in the spring game and was used in a variety of roles. He’s the guy going into the year.

The back-up plan: Cruciani is a walk-on that is technically the only other true fullback on the roster. If something happened to De La Torre, the team would probably use players from the H/back and tight end roles to help carry the pail.

Help on the way: Probably not. Of the incoming running backs from the 2015 class, Chris Warren has the size to play the position and perhaps he takes a snap or two there along the way, but he was recruited to run behind the fullback, not in front of the tailback.

Uphill battles: None. All hands are on deck.

Projected two deep in South Bend: (1st) De la Torre (2nd) Cruciani

On a 10-point scale: 5.5

Wide receivers

What they’re working with: Daje Johnson (Sr.), Marcus Johnson (Sr.), Jacorey Warrick (Jr.), Roderick Bernard (So.), Armanti Foreman (So.), Lorenzo Joe (So.), Dorian Leonard (So.), Jake Oliver (So.) and Garrett Gray (RsFr.)

Battle for the starting job: You can probably pencil in Marcus Johnson as a starter, but outside of him, I’m not sure that I’m comfortable declaring anyone else a sure-fire starter, especially when you consider the fact that the group’s inconsistencies is still its undoing. And Charlie Strong has every intention of throwing his four true freshmen receivers into the mix so that he can put together as explosive as a group as possible. Of the guys on campus, Foreman probably ranks as the player with the biggest game-breaking skills, but he hasn’t yet been able to keep the on-switch turned on.

The back-up plan: You better win a starting job if you’re a Texas receiver and already on campus because I believe the coaches are going to give those four freshmen a chance to push aside any older player that can’t start making a difference. Perhaps it won’t happen by mid-season, but I expect a couple of members from the 2015 recruiting class to crack the two-deep this season.

Help on the way: Once John Burt is done with one of the best track seasons you’ll find anywhere in the nation this season, he’ll arrive with eyes on immediate playing time and with his elite-level physical tools, I’m guessing he takes it. Honestly, it wouldn’t surprise to see Burt, Gilbert Johnson, Deandre McNeal and Ryan Newsome all come in and push some upperclassmen out of the way.

Uphill battles: Oliver and Gray are both young players in the program that haven’t yet carved out a niche for themselves at the top levels of the depth chart and that’s before the freshmen arrive.

Projected two deep in South Bend: (1st) M.Johnson/Warrick/Foreman (2nd) Burt/D. Johnson/Leonard

On a 10-point scale: 6.5

p.s. Say something about recruiting: What Devwah Whaley is at running back in this class, Sache’s Devin Duvernay is at wide receiver.

Tight Ends

What they’re working with: Blake Whiteley (RsSo.) and Andrew Beck (So.)

Battle for the starting job: Yeah, man, I’m not sure what to tell you other than this is a group that simply needs an injection of talent and that new tight ends Jeff Traylor has his work cut out for him. The problem with the current group is that none of the players involved have a special skill that can really elevate the position.

The back-up plan: Starting fullback Alex De la Torre will contribute as an end line blocker, but without a move from another position, this will be a position just trying to survive this season.

Help on the way: Maybe. If Devonaire Clarington qualifies, he might step right in and never look back as the starting tight end. That’s a sizeable “if” and we might not know the full answer until late in the summer.

Uphill battles: There aren’t enough bodies to worry that any on hand won’t be able to secure playing time.

Projected two deep in South Bend: (1st) Beck (2nd) Whiteley

On a 10-point scale: 5

p.s. Say something about recruiting: You can’t say that the Longhorns aren’t trying with the bevy of offers out on the table, but if Clarington fails to qualify, you can argue there is no more urgent need anywhere in the program.

Offensive tackles

What they’re working with: Marcus Hutchins (Sr.), Camrhon Hughes (Jr.), Darius James (So.), Tristan Nickelson (So.) and Connor Williams (Fr.)

Battle for the starting job: Given the way things ended this spring, you can see Williams putting himself into the starting job on the right side of the line and the team will just grow as he grows, but the left side remains a major question mark with Hutchins appearing to be favorite at this point. Unless Brandon Hodges emerges as a player they can move over from guard, what you see might very well be what you get.

The back-up plan: Nickelson will give the team some immediate depth, but it remains to be seen how Hughes or James fits into the equation.

Help on the way: Immediate help has already arrived in the form of Williams and Nickelson, but it might be asking too much for either Ronnie Major or Garrett Thomas to contribute right out of the gate.

Uphill battles: Based on the conversation going around the problem, James is climbing uphill in every respect.

Projected two deep in South Bend: (1st) Hutchins and Williams (2nd) Hodges and Nickleson

On a 10-point scale: 5.5

p.s. Say something about recruiting: This is a big year for JOe Wickline. The position needs some impact performers.

Offensive guards

What they’re working with: Sedrick Flowers (Sr.), Kent Perkins (Jr.), Brandon Hodges (Jr.), Terrell Cuney (RsFr.), Alex Anderson (RsFR.) and Elijah Rodriguez (RsFr.)

Battle for the starting job: Flowers and Perkins would appear to be slam-dunks as the starters inside.

The back-up plan: Hodges is the JUCO import that was originally projected to start at left tackle, but has spent most of his time inside and if he stays there, this group has a chance to have a solid third option. But the quality help beyond that isn’t as obvious. Cuney moved over from center to give the position more depth and could prove to be a guy that can swing back and forth between the two positions.

Help on the way: Freshman Patrick Vahe would be best-served with a redshirt, but if he’s one of the top four options, it wouldn’t be a shocker to see him emerge as true freshman performer.

Uphill battles: As we reported a few days ago, Anderson isn’t expected to return after not being able to crack the two-deep in his second-year, and the jury is still out on what exactly Rodriguez is going to become or be able to do.

Projected two deep in South Bend: (1st) Flowers and Perkins (2nd) Hodges and Cuney

On a 10-point scale: 6.5

Say something about recruiting: With the commitment of Chris Owens to Alabama, Joe Wickline has his work cut out for him in terms of bringing in an elite-level in-state option in 2016. I’m not sure anyone knows how this position unfolds.

Center

What they’re working with: Taylor Doyle (Sr.) and Jake Raulerson (So.)

Battle for the starting job: Although I’m not sure he has as much upside as Raulerson, it seems like a foregone conclusion that Doyle will be the starter.

The back-up plan: Raulerson is the odds-on-favorite, unless he ends up being one of the five-best linemen and we end up seeing Wickline juggle some pieces around.

Help on the way: The help is Raulerson and the only question is when.

Uphill battles: With depth stretched thin inside, all hands are already on deck.

Projected two deep in South Bend: (1st) Doyle (2nd) Raulerson

On a 10-point scale: 6.0

Say something about recruiting: Dallas Skyline’s Clarence Henderson for 2016 center. I’m the president of this movement.

No. 2 – Moving along to the defensive side of the ball…

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Go ahead and stretch your legs if you need to… we’ll wait. Once you’re ready, it’s time to breakdown the defense.

Defensive tackles

What they’re working with: Desmond Jackson (Sr.), Hassan Ridgeway (Jr.), Paul Boyette (Jr.), Alex Norman (Jr.), Poona Ford (So.) and Chris Nelson (RsFr.)

Battle for the starting job: Ridgeway ranks as the best player on the defense coming into the season and one of the team’s few obvious All-Big 12 candidates. It remains to be seen what Tank Jackson still has left after a serious injury from a year ago, but if he’s close to 100-percent, the starters are set.

The back-up plan: Boyette and Ford would give the Longhorns two of the best reserve interior defensive linemen in the entire conference. Both would compete for starting jobs if they were playing at other Big 12 schools, which makes this almost certainly the team’s deepest position in terms of quality depth.

Help on the way: Du’Vonta Lampkin is an interesting wildcard in the picture because he is a talented player, but barring injuries to the guys in front of him, garnering snaps with the players on the two-deep will be a challenge, especially if Jackson returns to his normal spot in the line-up.

Uphill battles: Alex Norman could find himself as the No.5 guy at a position that will likely get by with four primary players, but he’s certainly in the mix, which is more than what we can say for Chris Nelson at this point. I’m not sure he really has a path towards 2015 playing time, which means this year might serve as another honorary redshirt campaign.

Projected two deep in South Bend: (1st) Ridgeway and Jackson (2nd) Boyette and Ford

On a 10-point scale: 7.5

Say something about recruiting: With only three linemen scheduled to be on the depth chart following the 2016 season (before attrition potentially occurs), the <I>need</I> to land at least a pair of impact-level players is critically important to the program.

Defensive ends

What they’re working with: Shiro Davis (Sr.), Caleb Bluiett (Jr.), Bryce Cottrell (Jr.), Quincy Vasser (Jr.), Naashon Hughes (So.) and Derick Roberson (RsFr.)

Battle for the starting job: The competition at defensive end is a little like the competition at wide receiver, as you have a bunch of guys playing for snaps, but I don’t know that anyone is playing at a level that would suggest their spot in the rotation couldn’t change by the time we get to August. Davis and Hughes exclusively worked with the first-team in the spring game, so those two represent the favorites going into camp.

The back-up plan: Bluiett and Cottrell are both going to play this year and have flashed playmaking skills. Also, he might not rank in the top four at the moment, but the JUCO import Vasser will be there for added depth as well.

Help on the way: I’m President of the Charles Omenihu Fan Club, but a redshirt would likely serve him very well.

Uphill battles: After essentially missing the entire spring, the ultra-talented Roberson has a lot of work to do when August practices begin if he wants to carve out a niche for himself in 2015.

Projected two deep in South Bend: (1st) Davis and Hughes (2nd) Cottrell and Bluiett

On a 10-point scale: 6.5

p.s. Say something about recruiting: With about a half-dozen potential impact prospects at the position in 2016, the Longhorns need to come away with at least a pair in this class.

Linebackers

What they’re working with: Peter Jinkens (Sr.), Dalton Santos (Sr.), Tim Cole (Jr.), Edwin Freeman (RsFr.) and Malik Jefferson (Fr.)

Battle for the starting job: This is another position where the competition in the fall for playing time should be very intense, but Jinkens and Cole are older players that the coaches seemingly have a lot of confidence in. On a defense that spends most of its time with two linebackers on the field, expect these two to begin with the pole positions and they’ll keep them until younger players rip the jobs away from them.

The back-up plan: Jefferson is already the best player in this group, but he’s still a freshman and it might take a little time before he emerges as one of the first players on the field. But he’s without question going to play a lot. When healthy, Santos is likely your middle linebacker when the team has three linebackers on the field. Meanwhile, Freeman is another young player that will be nipping at the heels of Jinkens and Cole for playing time all season long.

Help on the way: Along with Jefferson, Anthony Wheeler and Cecil Cherry are two incoming freshmen that I expect to compete for playing time as true freshmen. What this positions looks like by November could be quite different than the way it looks right now.

Uphill battles: There really aren’t any at this point with this position.

Projected two deep in South Bend: (1st) Jinkens, Cole and Santos (2nd) Jefferson, Freeman and Wheeler

On a 10-point scale: 7.0

p.s. Say something about recruiting: After the assault on numbers at the position in 2015, the 2016 linebacker class should be all about adding extreme quality and not much else. One way or another, Texas has to find a way to keep Manor’s Erick Fowler 15 minutes from his home.

Cornerbacks

What they’re working with: Duke Thomas (Sr.), Sheroid Evans (Sr.), Bryson Echols (Jr.), Antwuan Davis (So.) and Jermaine Roberts (RsFr.)

Battle for the starting job: Thomas almost certainly has one of the starting jobs locked up, but the battle for the other job will continue to take place throughout August, as both Echols and Davis ran with the first-team defense in the spring and both showed flashes of being much-improved from a season ago. Those two will have their hands full in trying to hold off the heralded freshman class that will arrive this summer.

The back-up plan: Unless the freshmen come on extremely strong right away, the loser of the Echols/Davis has a chance to be the No.3 cornerback and if Evans could stay healthy, he’d be in the mix for a starting position.

Help on the way: Kris Boyd, Davante Davis and Holton Hill are on the way and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if any or all of those three climb the depth chart ladder very quickly.

Uphill battles: Roberts was in the thick of things until his injury this spring. Now you have to wonder what kind of situation he’ll be looking at once all of the kids have come in and moved ahead of him on the depth chart. It’s an unfortunate set of circumstances, but there’s no getting around the fact that Roberts will have to come back better than ever if he wants to climb back into the position he was in a few weeks ago.

Projected two deep in South Bend: (1st) Thomas and Echols (2nd) Davis and Hill

On a 10-point scale: 7.0

p.s. say something about recruiting: See linebacker. The position doesn’t need a ton of bodies, just a pair of prospects that can continue to lift the overall quality that exists. A class like a year ago would be just fine.

Safeties

What they’re working with: Adrian Colbert (Jr.), Kevin Vaccaro (Jr.), Dylan Haines (Jr.), Jason Hall (So.), Erik Huhn (So.) and John Bonney (RsFr.)

Battle for the starting job: For the moment the situation at safety feels fairly fortified, as Bonney will serve as the slot player in the team’s nickel defense, while Hall and Haines hold down the fort on the back end of the defense.

The back-up plan: Colbert has showed signed that he’s ready to take on a more important role on the defense than he has thus far in his career, so he’s probably one of the obvious answers in a backup role, but this area is one of the most unsettled areas on the team.

Help on the way: Yup, keep an eye on DeShon Elliott and P.J. Locke because their talent level is high and they could absolutely fill in the blanks on the two-deep, while also pushing the starters for playing time.

Uphill battles: Vaccaro is the team’s backup nickel player going into fall camp, but I don’t know if he’s talented enough to hold off the incoming freshmen. Meanwhile, I’m not sure where Huhn fits into things at all.

Projected two deep in South Bend: (1st) Hall, Haines and Bonney (2nd) Colbert, Elliott and Locke

On a 10-point scale: 7.0

p.s. Say something about recruiting: All that matters is landing one of the War Daddys that exists at the position in the in-state 2016 class. It doesn’t matter if Eric Monroe, Deontay Anderson or Brandon Jones, but Texas can’t go 0 for 3.

No. 3 – Steve Patterson’s elephant in the room...

Nobody is panicking yet inside the belly of the beast that is the Texas men’s athletic department, but one of the truly underrated storylines in the Longhorn football universe is the collapse of the season ticket numbers.

When you have a stadium that seats 100,000+ folks on game day, the numbers of butts that are scheduled to be seated somewhere inside the DKR walls matters, especially when you consider the trickle down economic impact.

One of the great accomplishments of the Mack Brown era had little to do with the product on the field and everything to do with a season-ticket base that climbed from under 40,000 upon Brown’s arrival in 1998 to an all-time high 84,500 for the 2010 season. Say whatever you want about the great Dubai UT spokesperson, but he was chiefly responsible for the doubling of season tickets over the course of a dozen years.

Of course, a lot has changed since 2010 in the Longhorn universe, but not even results on the field can match the collapse that has taken place off of it. Consider these data points that Orangebloods.com first reported on a little less than two years ago.

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While the drop from the all-time high number in 2010 to 76,300 in 2013 was alarming, the reality is that the numbers had only dropped by a couple of thousand each year for three straight years. I’m not sure anyone could have projected the car falling off the cliff completely, but that is pretty much what has happened in the last two years.

According to former Orangebloods.com staffer Chip Brown, the numbers dropped from 76,300 in 2013 to 57,000 in 2014 and have dropped down to 45,000 in 2015.

If you need a visual, either close your eyes and think of the Wall Street crash of 1929 or take a look at this next graphic…

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Over the weekend, I spoke to a handful of representatives within the Longhorn athletic department, with roles that ranged from low-man on the totem pole to mid-level guys to someone with high-level clout, and the message from all was virtually the same.

“Those numbers aren’t final, not even close,” one source said. “I would expect the final number for this season to much closer to last season than 45,000. But yeah, we’re taking on water and it is alarming. Everyone is on edge.”

One high-level source indicated that the season ticket situation wouldn’t be something that those at the very top of the food chain (Board of Regents) will take a strong look at until this summer.

“I think we’ll know more by June,” the source said.

The official word seems to be wait-and-see, while the university scrambles over the next two months to limit the damage of the dropoff from 2014 to 2015, especially after a drop of more than 20,000 a year ago.

What no one seems to want to discuss at this point is the idea that not only is this current situation a crisis, but a crisis that hasn’t hit its low-point. When prodded to answer what kind of impact a 7-5 type season on the field might mean to the results in 2016, one source that deals directly with this situation really didn’t have an answer.

“Not something I want to think about,” the source replied. “Not at all.”

No. 4 – Buy or Sell…

Buy or sell: Will Daje save his career at UT by having a breakout performance this year or next?

(Sell) The D.J. Monroe situation over the course of four seasons and Johnson’s last three years should have taught us something. The best hope at this point in my mind is that Johnson has a few games where he makes a big play or two (kind of like the OU game from a few years ago), but I wouldn’t expect anything on the regular at this point.

Buy or sell: The combo of Gray and Foreman or Duke (pick one) will be more productive than the Gray/Brown combo last year.

(Buy) This answer has nothing to do with whoever backs up Gray and everything to do with the fact that I’m very high on Gray going into this season. I’m expecting the biggest year by a UT running back since 2007, although that’s not very high praise. Let me put it like this, if he stays healthy, Gray will be a first-team All-Big 12 player in 2015.

Buy or Sell: Our Defensive Backfield will be better this year compared to last year by the end of the season?

(Sell) Unless the freshmen come in and wreck shop, the answer is a strong no.

Buy or Sell: Our WR that finishes the season with most receptions and TD's will be a true freshman?

(Sell) I’m back to buying my Armanti Foreman stock after the spring game. He’s the only guy on the roster that you can throw a quick hitch to and he’ll put the fear into the defense. Charlie always talks about wanting and needing a receiver like that… well… he’s there and just needs to grow up and develop.

Buy or Sell: Malik will start by game two?

(Sell) I’ve got week three in my office pool.

Buy or sell: 1) Devonaire Clarington qualifies for the fall season
2) Malik Jefferson better collegiate career than Derrick Johnson
3) the entire toilet seat should be put down after every use. Both lids not just the middle one with the hole.
4) Texas finds itself a new baseball coach for next year.
5) brush teeth before coffee or shower in the morning.


(Sell, sell, buy, sell and buy) I think Garrido comes back for one more year.

Buy or sell: Marcus Hutchins is starting at LT because he is a quality player, not because we have no one else at the position?

(Sell)
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No. 5 – T-minus five days...

The news that Isaiah Taylor would return for his junior season on Friday put a jolt of energy into next season’s squad, especially when you look beyond the basics, such as the fact that he led the team in scoring (13.PPG) and assists (4.6 ppg) a season ago.

How about the fact that he led the team in total steals (65) and ranked third in free throw attempts, despite missing 10 games.

Taylor is the engine that has a chance to make next year’s team go in Shaka Smart’s debut season in burnt orange and about the only thing that might upstage this piece of critical news is the decision that rising Class of 2015 prospect Tevin Mack is scheduled to make on May 1st… his birthday.

Perhaps not all signs, but a lot of signs are pointing towards Mack becoming a Longhorn this week and it’s not hard to envision him sliding right into the starting line-up the moment he steps on campus.

If you haven’t had a chance to take a peek at the 6-6, 200-pound wing, take a look at these highlights from a 43-point game he at the beginning of his senior season.



No. 6 – “You see, what we're actually trying to do here is, we're trying to get a feel for how people spend their day at work... so, if you would, would you walk us through a typical day, for you?”

Be better.

It’s a motto that can be used in almost area of life, but it’s definitely an eternal quest to constantly raise the bar and establish new highs in terms of content and overall quality as the No.1 Longhorns subscription site on the planet. Over the course of the last month or so, one of the things I’ve been constantly working on is areas of improvement for the website.

Over the weekend, I sought out the help of our subscriber base to help ensure that we were on the same page in terms of areas where site improvement needs to be made and almost 1,000 of you participated. All told, there weren’t really any surprises, as the collective voice of the Orangebloods community mirrored the thoughts of the Orangebloods staff.

While I don’t want to really get into the numbers, here’s what was apparent…

You guys want us to improve our coverage of basketball.
Although our marks for quality, originality and overall content was strong, you want us to be better day-in and day-out in football.
Tweaks to what we’re doing with video need to be made.

Although I’m not quite ready to unveil all of our plans (some of which probably won’t unfold until later this summer), my commitment to our subscribers is that we will take huge strides will all three of these areas before the year is out.

In the meantime, I’m going to create a few more surveys for the subscriber base that specifically address the areas we’re looking to improve because I think the feedback from you guys is critically important to our quest.

In the coming weeks, we’ll have some announcements to make and you’ll start to notice a shift in the way we approach a number of areas. Stay tuned.

No. 7 – Eternal Randomness of the Spotty Sports Mind …

… Can any fight between two fighters that have combined for one knockout win in their last 17 combined fights really be called a Super Fight? Don’t fall into the trap of believing the hype on Mayweather/Pacquiao… this won’t be the best fight of 2015… neither fighter is near their prime… it won’t be worth the money you spend on it.

… Before anyone purchases the fight, just remember that when you buy this pay-per-view, you’re directly giving money to a guy with five domestic abuse CONVICTIONS on his rap sheet. FIVE TIMES. Yes, the man is one of the best fighters of his generation, but he’s also a constant woman beater that makes a habit of dodging responsibility for his actions, while constantly aiming to make the public believe the women he beats are liars, despite FIVE CONVICTIONS that say otherwise.

… I’m 50-50 on whether I think Mayweather/Pacquiao will be more entertaining than the semi-interesting heavyweight title fight between Wladimir Klitschko and Bryant Jennings. Pacquiao can’t knock out Mayweather and he sure as hell can’t outbox him. I’ve got it 117-111 for the woman-beater.

… Speaking of pay-per-views, sorry Dana White, but that mess you charged $50 for went unseen in my household and I found a way to survive. You’re going to need to put more on a card than Mighty Mouse and Rampage if you want my money and attention, and that comes from someone that loves to watch Mighty Mouse.

… Call me crazy, but I’m taking the Clippers over the Spurs in seven. This should be a 3-1 series in favor of the Clippers headed back to L.A. for a game-five closeout.

… Dear Dwight Howard, you have my attention. Don’t stop now.

… If you’re Lamarcus Aldridge and you can leave Portland after this season, you do it right?

… Apparently, my Sixers want Ohio State D’Angelo Russell in the Draft, which means they probably won’t get him. Does anyone else worry that he’s Evan Turner Part II?

… Greg Hardy better get used to being called a woman-beater because that thing ain’t going away for a while… woman-beater.

… I watched zero EPL action over the weekend. Thanks for sucking the life out of the season, Liverpool. Just kidding. Kind of.

No. 8 –Rockin' robin (tweet, tweetily dee) ...

Here’s a look at a few tweets that stood out on my timeline this weekend.

Best



So perfect.



She’s baaaaaaaack.

Worst



Oh, Marcus...

No. 9 – Game of Thrones: Live-Blogging Episode Three


******* WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD ***********

******* WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD ***********

******* WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD ***********

******* LAST CHANCE TO TURN AWAY ***********

1. The Karate Kid IV:

2. "Did I hurt you?" Tommen Baratheon asks his new bride, the Queen Margaery.

Son, she's got a few things she's going to teach you. Soon.

3. Queen Margaery had Tommen whipped ater 5 seconds. "Mother" doesn't stand a chance.

4. Cersei surely won't stand for getting punked like that. What in the world is she going to do? When does she start drinking in the morning, anyways?

5. Sansa and Ramsey. NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I did not see that coming until about 5 seconds before it did. I really don't even know how to react to this development.

6. We should all have an Onion Knight on our side.

7. R.I.P Needle. Oh wait, she couldn't do it. Needle lives!

8. Memo to the Night's Watch: Do not turn down a Jon Snow order moving forward. Just trust me on this one.

9. Come on, let's find a brothel. That's the Tyrian we love.

10. OH MY GOD! IT'S JORAH'S MUSIC!

******* END OF SPOILERS ***********

******* END OF SPOILERS ***********

******* END OF SPOILERS ***********

No. 10 – The List: Kenny Rogers (Listen Via Spotify)

Don’t ask me why, but a few weeks ago I heard back-to-back Kenny Rogers songs on Sirius radio and instantly decided that I <I>had</I> to do a Kenny Rogers week. After all, he’s only one of the top-selling artists of any music genre of all-time.

After a week of listening to almost every non-greatest hits album he ever produced, I learned Rogers’ trick… through the years… if you will. Most of his albums weren’t all that great, but I swear he’d have sure-fire No.1/all-time classic on that bad boy and it would kind of save the entire day. Basically, if you’ve got one of the songs of the year in almost every year for a decade-plus, what the hell can anyone say about your albums?

Ok, let’s move on with the list.

Last five songs out: Love The World Away, Water and Bridges, You Are So Beautiful, You Decorated My Life and Someone Somewhere Tonight

10. Sweet Music Man

One of my favorite songs off of one of his best albums, Daytime Friends

9. Don’t Fall in Love With a Dreamer

Any power ballad duet with Kim Carnes is going to make my Top 10.

8. Lucille

In 1986, Rogers cut a song called You’re My Love, written by Prince under the pseudonym "Joey Coco" and with El DeBarge on background vocals. That has nothing to do with this song, but I thought everyone should know that.

7. Through The Years

I’m acknowledging right now that I might have this song too low on the list, but it’s more of a personal preference than anything else.

6. She Believes In Me

I believe in another lifetime, Rogers and Lionel Richie were soulmates.

5. We’ve Got Tonight

Damn, this man can sing a duet better than any singer that ever lived.

4. Love Will Turn You Around

Six Pack is one of my favorite movies of all-time and Brewster Baker is one of my old school alias’ on OB from back in the day.



3. Islands in the Stream

Kenny and Dolly partnering up with one of the greatest duets of all-time.

2. Lady

Kenny just doesn’t get any better than he is in this classic.

1. The Gambler

Has to be, right? HAS to be.

Archives List

Blues/Jazz: Eva Cassidy (Listen via Spotify ), John Coltrane (Listen via Spotify ), Janis Joplin (Listen via Spotify ), Norah Jones (Listen via Spotify), Leadbelly (Listen via Spotify), Amos Lee (Listen via Spotify),Toni Price (Listen via Spotify) and Stevie Ray Vaughan ( Listen via Spotify )

Classical: Johann Sebastian Bach ( Listen via Spotify) and Beethoven ( Listen via Spotify)

Country: Gary Allen (Listen via Spotify), Brooks and Dunn (Listen via Spotify), Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash(Listen via Spotify), Merle Haggard (Listen via Spotify), George Jones (Listen via Spotify), Robert Earl Keen (Listen via Spotify), Natalie Maines (Listen via Spotify), John Michael Montgomery (Listen via Spotify), Willie Nelson (Listen via Spotify), Reba (Listen via Spotify ), Gary Stewart (Listen Via Spotify ), George Strait (Keith Whitley (Listen via Spotify), Hank Williams Sr. ( Listen via Spotify). ) and Dwight Yoakam ( Listen via Spotify )

Electronic: Daft Punk (Listen Via Spotify)

Funk: Chuck Brown, James Brown (Listen Via Spotify) , Kool and the Gang and Prince (Listen Via Spotify (Part I), Listen Via Spotify (Part II - After Hours)) and Red Hot Chili Peppers (Listen Via Spotify (Part I)

Metal: Metallica and Pantera (Listen Via Spotify)

Pop: Hall and Oates (Listen via Spotify), George Michael (Listen via Spotify), Billy Ocean ( Listen via Spotify ), Rihanna (Frank Sinatra ( Listen via Spotify )

Punk: The Clash (Listen via Spotify) and The Ramones (Listen via Spotify)

Random: Best of 2013 (Listen via Spotify), Best of 2014 (Listen via Spotify), Cartoon themes, One-hit Wonders from the 1990's (Listen via Spotify), TV Themes and 2-Pac (Listen via Spotify), 8-Ball and MJG, Beastie Boys (Listen via Spotify), Biggie Smalls (Listen via Spotify), Drake (Listen via Spotify), Eminem (Listen to Spotify), Ice Cube (Listen via Spotify), Jay-Z(Listen via Spotify), Kool Moe Dee (Listen to Spotify), Kendrick Lamar (Listen via Spotify), NWA (Listen to Spotify), Outkast (Listen via Spotify), RUN-DMC (Listen via Spotify), Scarface (Listen via Spotify), Snoop Dogg Listen via Spotify , A Tribe Called Quest (Listen via Spotify), UGK (Listen via Spotify), Kanye West (Listen via Spotify) and Wu-Tang Clan (Listen via Spotify)

R&B: Aliyah, Aretha (Listen via Spotify), Boyz II Men (Listen via Spotify), Ray Charles (Listen via Spotify),Sam Cooke (Listen via Spotify), Al Green (Listen via Spotify), Chaka Kahn (listen Via Spotify), Whitney Houston (Janet Jackson (Listen via Spotify),Jodeci (Listen via Spotify), Mo-Town (Listen via Spotify), R. Kelly (Listen via Spotify), Gerald Levert (Listen via Spotify), Otis Redding (Listen via Spotify), Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson (Listen via Spotify), Jackie Wilson (Listen via Spotify) and Bill Withers (Listen via Spotify)

Reggae: Bob Marley (Listen via Spotify)

Rock: AC/DC, Listen via Spotify), Arcade Fire (Listen via Spotify), Arctic Monkeys (Listen via Spotify), Beach Boys (Listen via Spotify), The Beatles, Bon Jovi (Listen via Spotify), David Bowie (Listen via Spotify), Jeff Buckley (Listen via Spotify), The Cars (Listen via Spotify), CCR (Listen via Spotify), Eric Clapton (Listen via Spotify), Dave Matthews Band (Listen via Spotify), Gary Clark Jr. (Listen via Spotify),Listen via Spotify), The Eagles, Joe Ely (Listen to Spotify), Genesis (Listen via Spotify), Guns N' RosesListen via Spotify), Heart (Listen via Spotify), Jimi Hendrix (Listen via Spotify), Billy Joel (Listen via Spotify), Elton John (Listen Via Spotify), Journey(Listen Via Spotify), Led Zeppelin, Little Feat(Listen Via Spotify), Stevie Nicks (Listen Via Spotify), Nirvana (Listen via Spotify), Roy Orbison (Listen via Spotify), Pearl Jam (Listen via Spotify), Tom Petty (Listen via Spotify), Pink Floyd, Elvis Pressley (Listen via Spotify), Queen (Listen via Spotify), Reckless Kelly (Listen via Spotify), Lou Reed ( Listen via Spotify ),The Rolling Stones (Listen via Spotify), Bob Seger, Bruce Springsteen (Listen via Spotify), The Strokes(Listen via Spotify), U2 (Listen via Spotify), Van Halen ( Listen via Spotify ), Velvet Underground ( Listen via Spotify ), Jack White ( Listen via Spotify ) and ZZ Top ( Listen via Spotify )
 
A lot of people are starting to get confident about Brandon Jones to Texas. What do you think about that Ketch? Do you agree?
 
Lots of 6 & 7 on your players rankings. Seems to align with the potential win total predictions for this season.
 
Poignant stuff on PBF. On a sidenote, does anyone know of a venue in Austin showing the fight?
 
A lot of people are starting to get confident about Brandon Jones to Texas. What do you think about that Ketch? Do you agree?
He seems to move away from his original projection a little more and more with each Passing day. Certainly better now than a few months ago. Gotta keep grinding.
 
Kenny Rogers and no "Coward of the County?" What the f*ck? That's his greatest song.
It's not even the best song on the album it's on. Would have been 16-20 for me.
 
One thing I disagree with you on the player rankings... and one question.

First, Naashon Hughes has absolutely locked up one of the spots at DE. No one is taking that Fox position from him, unless it's an incoming LBer. Or Unless they want Malik to play it so that they can keep him on the field most of the time. Naashon is going to be great for us this season. I just hope we can get the other side fixed.

And secondly, if we all know Malik is already possibly the best PLAYER on the defensive side of the ball... is it really showing the recruits that Strong plays the best players if a guy like Malik is not starting from day one? That would be a great sell to recruits. "Look, if you come in here and prove to me that you're better than what we have, I WILL start you from day one."

Kids love that stuff.
 
I may be wrong but I think the new scheme combines the Fullback and Tight end position into a multi purpose position including HBack. There were no 12 personnel formations run during the spring game, only 11 personnel.

De La Torre started with ones and and some other reporters including Olson at Espn have him displacing incumbent Beck as the projected starter in this apparently new TE hybrid position for now. This change may be mostly due to the shortage of numbers at the position.

Whether or not this concept carries over to next year or not remains to be seen as there are a number of TE offers out for 2016 including that to "big ass blocker" Aucoin ...
 
One thing I disagree with you on the player rankings... and one question.

First, Naashon Hughes has absolutely locked up one of the spots at DE. No one is taking that Fox position from him, unless it's an incoming LBer. Or Unless they want Malik to play it so that they can keep him on the field most of the time. Naashon is going to be great for us this season. I just hope we can get the other side fixed.

And secondly, if we all know Malik is already possibly the best PLAYER on the defensive side of the ball... is it really showing the recruits that Strong plays the best players if a guy like Malik is not starting from day one? That would be a great sell to recruits. "Look, if you come in here and prove to me that you're better than what we have, I WILL start you from day one."

Kids love that stuff.
a. You're probably right about Hughes as the starter, but Strong is a big fan of Bluiett and they'll sgare a lot of playing time, like a season ago.

b. Charlie likes his starters at linebacker and both are coming off really good spring sessions. He'll start the season with the older guys unless Malik blows the doors down in August.
 
It's not even the best song on the album it's on. Would have been 16-20 for me.

Ketch : It's not even the best song on the album it's on. Would have been 16-20 for me.

CS : His wife is raped, and he locks the rapists in a bar and proceeds to take them out one by one. That's just about the definition of a classic country song.



This is like the end of Fight Club. Hate to see this kind of internal struggle going on inside one man.
 
I may be wrong but I think the new scheme combines the Fullback and Tight end position into a multi purpose position including HBack. There were no 12 personnel formations run during the spring game, only 11 personnel.

De La Torre started with ones and and some other reporters including Olson at Espn have him displacing incumbent Beck as the projected starter in this apparently new TE hybrid position for now. This change may be mostly due to the shortage of numbers at the position.

Whether or not this concept carries over to next year or not remains to be seen as there are a number of TE offers out for 2016 including that to "big ass blocker" Aucoin ...
I wrote about De La Torre taking snaps at tight end as an end-line blocker last weekend. It didn't go well. Texas doesn;t really have a right end.
 
Is Tevin Mack being recruited as a shooting guard or small forward? Seems to be versatile, but never saw him with his back to the basket, so I'm assuming guard?

Marcus Vick says the dumbest things ever.

I am holding out hope Pacquiao wins
 
Considering the UT athletic department folks are concerned about ticket renewals at 7-5, I can only imagine what 5-7 would bring. Vegas O/U for UT this season is probably going to be 6-5. Key to the season is beating ND in the first game (doable), because that Cal contest in the third week is a nightmare waiting to happen.

Excellent for Shaka Smart to get back Taylor. Weirdly, I see him as a better NBA player than college player, and think he'd probably be OK if he jumped. But he's not a first rounder now, so that's a big risk. Not sure he'll ever be a first rounder, though. However, I do see a future NBA player.

I agree on Gray, he could be really good next season. Of all the faults of the OC, he seemed to understand that you have to utilize Gray on the edge. Hopefully Gray is recovered and even better out there this fall.
 
Very little coverage of the one ongoing sport, with a huge anvil hanging over the coach.
 
His wife is raped, and he locks the rapists in a bar and proceeds to take them out one by one. That's just about the definition of a classic country song.
Gotta love a good country rape song...
 
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