Here are the highlights of Texas offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s media availability on Wednesday:
- Beck said the offense needs to improve, and they are not playing consistent or mistake-free football. He said, “We’re our own enemy right now if you watch the game closely, when you evaluate it on film. It’s just too many mistakes. We just have to continue to keep working. It’s a young team in progress. It’s an ever-changing lineup, but that's the cards we’ve been dealt. We have to continue to keep climbing and working. I love the guys that play. We’re excited about the future and the things that a bunch of those young guys are doing. As a staff, as a coaching staff, we have to continue to try to do the best job, and continue to grind and work to give them the best chance to have success.”
- In addition, Beck said they are fighting for every yard on offense right now. However, Beck believes he has an offensive plan to help his team against Kansas.
- Beck on trying to move the pocket: “In theory, it’s not a bad idea. People try to do it. You notice how you don’t see a lot of people doing that in college football because you can’t expose your quarterback to scraping linebackers, and coverage can dictate it … That’s some of the stuff you see. Maybe when we’re going to throw the ball and its third-down, we’re seeing that coverage. You don’t really want to go into that because the quarterback may have time, but he’s going to throw the ball to a guy who’s covered based on the coverage. There's a lot of factors that go into game-planning because you want to attack a team. You want to say here’s where they are weak, let’s get to them. Then you say, ‘Okay, but how with our personnel? How do we do that? How do we attack a team?’ Sometimes you have to make that decision. You say to heck with it, we’re going to do it anyway, roll the dice, and hope we can do it, or you say no, no, no, we’re not going to do that. We can’t do that because we’re going to expose ourselves, or a weakness we have, and we’re not going to give our kids a better chance to win. Even though that’s a good play versus that defense, we can’t do that because we’re not going to be able to execute it based on maybe where we’re at at this time, or who we’re asking to do it at that time.”
- When asked about draw plays, Beck said they attempt it twice, losing 9-yards on the first attempt and minus-8 on the second.
- Beck said players are so eager to do well, sometimes they are trying too hard. He does not want players to press, but believes they are. However, he said players realize they are really young.
- Denzel Okafor is just a 'young pup,' according to Beck. However, Beck said, “He’s going to be a really, really good player. He’s gotten a lot better, and he’s improved, but you also have a senior in (Tristan) Nickelson. I think they’re splitting some time and they’re getting a chance to play a little bit.”
- When asked what more could be done on offense, Beck said they are trying to lay a foundation right now: “The offense that we’re going to run is going to be the offense. We don’t want to be a makeshift, gadget, here today, gone tomorrow, change next year again. These young men have gone through four offensive coordinators in four years, different offenses, different systems. We don’t want to do that. We’re overcoming injuries. We’re overcoming a lot of youngness. We’re overcoming just lack of our system and knowledge. Just different things that are going on right now, but that’s okay in terms of the big picture. The big picture is they’re getting a lot of experience. I look at a Cade Brewer, how well he’s played as a young freshman. Imagine him in two years. The experience that he has when he’s bigger and stronger, he’s blowing dudes off the ball and wrecking havoc. That’s exciting. Right now, is he the player he’s going to be two years from now? No, he’s not. You would hope not. From 18 to 22-years old, there’s going to be a change. It’s exciting to see all those guys. The Toneil Carter’s, the Sam’s (Ehlinger). Danny Young, look at him run the ball. How do you not get excited over that? Derek Kerstetter, the way he plays on offensive line. He’s been one of our most solid guys up front right now. There's a lot of bright things. Unfortunately, because of where we’re at in the youngness, it stings, and there is inconsistency.”
- In addition, Beck said the hardest part about this season has been dealing with injuries.
- Beck pointed out how Georgia coach Kirby Smart finished 8-5 in his first season, but the team is now No.1 in the country. Very few teams that are building are immediately successful, according to Beck. He said once players understand the importance of practice every week, winning will occur. Beck said the staff is committed to building this program the right way, and it is more about longevity and building for championships than trying to win eight or nine games right now.
- Beck said the offense needs to improve, and they are not playing consistent or mistake-free football. He said, “We’re our own enemy right now if you watch the game closely, when you evaluate it on film. It’s just too many mistakes. We just have to continue to keep working. It’s a young team in progress. It’s an ever-changing lineup, but that's the cards we’ve been dealt. We have to continue to keep climbing and working. I love the guys that play. We’re excited about the future and the things that a bunch of those young guys are doing. As a staff, as a coaching staff, we have to continue to try to do the best job, and continue to grind and work to give them the best chance to have success.”
- In addition, Beck said they are fighting for every yard on offense right now. However, Beck believes he has an offensive plan to help his team against Kansas.
- Beck on trying to move the pocket: “In theory, it’s not a bad idea. People try to do it. You notice how you don’t see a lot of people doing that in college football because you can’t expose your quarterback to scraping linebackers, and coverage can dictate it … That’s some of the stuff you see. Maybe when we’re going to throw the ball and its third-down, we’re seeing that coverage. You don’t really want to go into that because the quarterback may have time, but he’s going to throw the ball to a guy who’s covered based on the coverage. There's a lot of factors that go into game-planning because you want to attack a team. You want to say here’s where they are weak, let’s get to them. Then you say, ‘Okay, but how with our personnel? How do we do that? How do we attack a team?’ Sometimes you have to make that decision. You say to heck with it, we’re going to do it anyway, roll the dice, and hope we can do it, or you say no, no, no, we’re not going to do that. We can’t do that because we’re going to expose ourselves, or a weakness we have, and we’re not going to give our kids a better chance to win. Even though that’s a good play versus that defense, we can’t do that because we’re not going to be able to execute it based on maybe where we’re at at this time, or who we’re asking to do it at that time.”
- When asked about draw plays, Beck said they attempt it twice, losing 9-yards on the first attempt and minus-8 on the second.
- Beck said players are so eager to do well, sometimes they are trying too hard. He does not want players to press, but believes they are. However, he said players realize they are really young.
- Denzel Okafor is just a 'young pup,' according to Beck. However, Beck said, “He’s going to be a really, really good player. He’s gotten a lot better, and he’s improved, but you also have a senior in (Tristan) Nickelson. I think they’re splitting some time and they’re getting a chance to play a little bit.”
- When asked what more could be done on offense, Beck said they are trying to lay a foundation right now: “The offense that we’re going to run is going to be the offense. We don’t want to be a makeshift, gadget, here today, gone tomorrow, change next year again. These young men have gone through four offensive coordinators in four years, different offenses, different systems. We don’t want to do that. We’re overcoming injuries. We’re overcoming a lot of youngness. We’re overcoming just lack of our system and knowledge. Just different things that are going on right now, but that’s okay in terms of the big picture. The big picture is they’re getting a lot of experience. I look at a Cade Brewer, how well he’s played as a young freshman. Imagine him in two years. The experience that he has when he’s bigger and stronger, he’s blowing dudes off the ball and wrecking havoc. That’s exciting. Right now, is he the player he’s going to be two years from now? No, he’s not. You would hope not. From 18 to 22-years old, there’s going to be a change. It’s exciting to see all those guys. The Toneil Carter’s, the Sam’s (Ehlinger). Danny Young, look at him run the ball. How do you not get excited over that? Derek Kerstetter, the way he plays on offensive line. He’s been one of our most solid guys up front right now. There's a lot of bright things. Unfortunately, because of where we’re at in the youngness, it stings, and there is inconsistency.”
- In addition, Beck said the hardest part about this season has been dealing with injuries.
- Beck pointed out how Georgia coach Kirby Smart finished 8-5 in his first season, but the team is now No.1 in the country. Very few teams that are building are immediately successful, according to Beck. He said once players understand the importance of practice every week, winning will occur. Beck said the staff is committed to building this program the right way, and it is more about longevity and building for championships than trying to win eight or nine games right now.
