Texas Football 2018-2019

rguilmar

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Just a few days away from the season...

Will the Horns score enough points to win games? They roll into 2018 as a Big 12 anomaly, with a solid defense and a "who knows what to expect??" offense. Last year, the D was more than solid and returns most of the two deep. The first critical question has been answered with Sam Ehlinger being named the starter for game 1. Many more remain, like will he still be the starter in game 2, 3 and so on? Who will be the primary back

I've read a lot of the "Nobody respects us" headlines this year. Unfortunately, respect is earned on Saturdays not in recruiting class hype, so Texas really needs a strong 9 or 10 win season, which is doable.

The Longhorns start with off-season headline war winning Maryland. The Terps program is in totally disarray and anything short of a decisive W will leave fans asking questions. Then it's on to the mighty Golden Showers...er Hurricanes of Tulsa. In decades past, these would be penned in as wins, but recent seasons of mediocrity leave those pencilled in very, very lightly. The season really kicks off with USC's visit to Darrell K Royal followed a week later by TCU. A trip to Manhattan is the week after, followed by the Red River Rivalry. This early stretch will likely make or break the season. A brief reprieve with a visit from last year's off-season headline war winning Baylor Bears (who my wife calls "Boo"-lor after their own recent crisis of character) followed by a bye week. A trip to Stillwater is ahead, followed by a visit from West Virginia, then a winding down of the regular season with games against Texas Tech (A), Iowa State (H) and Kansas (A).

I look at 6 must wins (Maryland, Tulsa, Baylor, TT, ISU, KU) and 6 coin-flips. Of those coin flip games, 4 are at home and one is at a neutral site. Only one is a true road game, at Kansas State. The schedule more than anything seems to have Texas fans excited for the season.

If they could only score enough points...
 

canderson

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If the o-line is decent, I think 9 wins is certainly attainable. If they can’t, 7 max.

I’ll be at FedEx Saturday - my first Texas game since the greatest football game ever played.
 

LeftyTG

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I am happy to report that Pat Vahe is a Red Sox fan. He went out of his way to compliment my Sox hat when I saw him last week.

I might be blinded by my proximity to the program, but I am incredibly excited and optimistic for this season.

I have a lead on USC tickets that I'm really, really hoping comes through. Otherwise it'll be the WVU game and possibly TCU.
 

canderson

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I’m fucking livid.

Watching this team play is a punch to the junk. They’re the most undisciplined team I’ve ever seen and they have absolutely zero offensive identity or gameplan.

The defense is substantially worse because they lost their 3 best players. I get it, maybe they’ll improve as they get experience.

The offense should be better. They’re worse.

Everything is slow to develop, they don’t seem to have any knowledge or plays to get athletic playmakers the ball in an open field, the QB starts because of his ability to improvise and run AND YOU CALL TWO RUNNING PLAYS and eliminate any chance to improvise with screens to the flat to Kyle fucking Porter.

They are junk players with PFs and late hits. They extended 3 drives yesterday bevsyse P.F. calls and Maryland went on to score on every one of them.

They were unprepared to start an had no answer for true freshmen - Maryland ran its offense through him and Texas had no answer, they only got back in the game because Maryland’s coach seems like an idiot.

They got embarrassed by a team playing without a head coach and after months of drama bevayse they murdered a guy on the field.

Herman might not get canned this year but he will next. It’s Strong 2.0 except Herman is too egotistical to show and admit he’s in over his head.

They’re going to be 1-5 after OU. I don’t see them beating purple wizard, that guy can scheme still.

Texas is Iowa State. I should quit caring.
 

rguilmar

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I’m old and hungover, so I’m gonna watch tonight. But I’m not very excited about this. It’s not that USC is a great team. It’s just that Texas has looked awful this season. USC has one touchdown so far this season, and I’m expecting them to surpass that total in the first 15 minutes tonight. Sigh.
 

canderson

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Fire everyone. Including the players. Everything about Texas football sucks.

Let Lake Travis play at DKR, they’d be more competitive.
 

canderson

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USC quit. TCU won’t.

Joke aside after trailing 14-3 something flipped. We’ll never know but the offense plsycsllibg was night and day to whst it has been all season. They got to open it up more.

The DBs are badass. The safeties get best far too much and Roach appears lost 3/4 plays.

But it’s a big win and atmosphere was electric.
 
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Bosoxen

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But it’s a big win and atmosphere was electric.
It still remains to be seen whether or not the on field performance can be maintained but it is clear that the home field advantage is very real. There was a nice article in Sports Illustrated in which they talk about the massive difference between this year and years past.

Some highlights:
I used to call the Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium crowd the quietest 100,000 people in America. Texas games in recent years felt more like golf tournaments—and not the U.S. Open or the one in Phoenix that’s sponsored by the garbage company. The gameday atmosphere was stuck in the 1980s, and the fans seemed as bored by the presentation as they did by the lackluster play on the field. Plus, Longhorns fans seemed to have a stuffiness about them that rivals often mocked. They acted as if all the yelling those Aggies did in College Station was terribly gauche. “I think they held themselves to a different standard, which is not necessarily bad,” says former Texas A&M employee Martin of Texas fans. “But they never really embraced the fact that your home field advantage is your weapon. Use it.”
Inside the stadium, the change in vibe begins in the student section. Texas controversially displaced some season-ticket holders to create a contiguous student section, but officials considered this a critical element.
Texas has also tried to change the experience once the game begins. No longer will the Longhorns score a touchdown, fire their cannon and then pause to honor a big donor on the field. “The place wants to go nuts. But we say, ‘Hang on. Be quiet for a second while we present a game ball to the president of a company.’ It just sucks the air out of the stadium,” Martin says. “We need to keep the hype going.”...
“Let them keep partying all the way until the next snap,” Martin says.
This last bit is apparent even on television. After big plays on defense, the music is blaring on the PA right up until the opposing offense lines up for the snap. That eliminates the ebb and flow and allows the crowd to work itself into a lather.

The re-configuration of the student section also comes with the benefit of relegating the opposing team's band to setting up at the summit of Mt Everest:

 

LeftyTG

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It still remains to be seen whether or not the on field performance can be maintained but it is clear that the home field advantage is very real. There was a nice article in Sports Illustrated in which they talk about the massive difference between this year and years past.

Some highlights:



This last bit is apparent even on television. After big plays on defense, the music is blaring on the PA right up until the opposing offense lines up for the snap. That eliminates the ebb and flow and allows the crowd to work itself into a lather.

The re-configuration of the student section also comes with the benefit of relegating the opposing team's band to setting up at the summit of Mt Everest:

I've been to two of the three home games so far this season, and the difference could not be more noticeable. This year, for the first time since I've been here (moved in 2010), there is an actual game day atmosphere. The student section is soooooooooo much better, and the changes they've made with Bevo Blvd and Longhorn City Limits are great and really make it fun to get there early and mill around.
 

Bosoxen

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The band needs to slow The Eyes of Texas wayyyyyyy the hell down though.
Yeah, I noticed that. Thought I was having trouble with the tempo because I had too much to drink. Glad to know that wasn't the case!
 

canderson

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So that 4th quarter was pretty inexcusable buuuuuuut beating OU is always great.

How they lost to Maryland I’ll never understand,
 

Bosoxen

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Y'all need this in your lives.

Because it's 11:55 and... Screenshot_20181006-235509_Nova%20Launcher.jpgIMG_021811.jpg
 

WestMassExpat

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So, win tonight and we are in a good spot for the Big12 championship game. Will be nice to have a diversion to click away from the sox if things get Kinslered again.
 

rguilmar

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So, win tonight and we are in a good spot for the Big12 championship game. Will be nice to have a diversion to click away from the sox if things get Kinslered again.
Definitely a good spot to be in considering the first two and a half games of the season. OK St has owned Texas of late and Stillwater is a tough place to play. I like the Horns’ chances this time around, but I’m guessing this is not your average Big 12 game with the score pretty low.
 

Bosoxen

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Has anyone seen my defense? Cause it's been nonexistent for about 14 quarters.
 

Bosoxen

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They figured out Orlando and he clearly can’t make any adjustments.
It must be the second-year defensive coordinator curse. I heard a stat that going all the way back to Manny Diaz, Texas defensive coordinators have had some success in their first year and then fall apart in their second year. Now, to be fair to Orlando, it doesn't help to have a defense anchored by such noted knuckleheads as Kris Boyd and Brandon Jones. But that wasn't why West Virginia was able to run the ball at will.

If you'd told me prior to the season it would be the offense that would have to drag the team across the finish line, I'd have had you committed. And yet, here we are.
 

LeftyTG

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The tackling has fallen off a cliff. There's no excuse for that.

Beyond that though - the Texas D was down 4 starters by the second series of the game against the second best offense in the Big 12. To be sure, it wasn't a great performance, but not many teams would be able to weather losing 4 starters against WVU. The team is still building depth, and there is a particular talent deficit at LB and no pass rush. Combine that with a largely young secondary (especially when Davis went out), and, well things get rough.

The top 10 ranking was fool's gold. This program is still building up to that. I think Ehlinger has improved a ton - way more than I ever expected. I think the Herb Hand hire has been incredible and the OL has progressed a ton with reason for optimism going forward. The team competes and doesn't get blown out, which is more than can be said in the previous 7 or 8 years. I think program building is rarely linear, and there are plenty of reasons for optimism going forward.
 

canderson

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I’m fucking livid.

Watching this team play is a punch to the junk. They’re the most undisciplined team I’ve ever seen and they have absolutely zero offensive identity or gameplan.

The defense is substantially worse because they lost their 3 best players. I get it, maybe they’ll improve as they get experience.

The offense should be better. They’re worse.

Everything is slow to develop, they don’t seem to have any knowledge or plays to get athletic playmakers the ball in an open field, the QB starts because of his ability to improvise and run AND YOU CALL TWO RUNNING PLAYS and eliminate any chance to improvise with screens to the flat to Kyle fucking Porter.

They are junk players with PFs and late hits. They extended 3 drives yesterday bevsyse P.F. calls and Maryland went on to score on every one of them.

They were unprepared to start an had no answer for true freshmen - Maryland ran its offense through him and Texas had no answer, they only got back in the game because Maryland’s coach seems like an idiot.

They got embarrassed by a team playing without a head coach and after months of drama bevayse they murdered a guy on the field.

Herman might not get canned this year but he will next. It’s Strong 2.0 except Herman is too egotistical to show and admit he’s in over his head.

They’re going to be 1-5 after OU. I don’t see them beating purple wizard, that guy can scheme still.

Texas is Iowa State. I should quit caring.
lol

They’re playing for the Big 12 title. They’ve improved greatly, still flawed, but improving.
 

rguilmar

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lol

They’re playing for the Big 12 title. They’ve improved greatly, still flawed, but improving.
It’s pretty amazing. Like I said at the beginning of the season, I didn’t think 9 wins were out of the question. I definitely didn’t think it would look like this, with a loss to Maryland and a lackluster at best win over Tulsa. I still think it was more a function of the schedule than anything, but you can’t argue with results.

When they were paying their best, it looked like Texas accepted what they are, flaws and all. They just seemed to out-physical teams. Then they forgot how to tackle. One other thing that they’ll have to learn is how to finish off teams. Too often they build comfortable leads only to let teams back in, yesterday a prime example of that. It’s almost like the whole team says “holy shit, we have a nice lead- now wtf are we supposed to do?”

It’s been a roller coaster but fun year. RRR Part II followed by a nice bowl game. Probably as good as we could have hoped for.
 

LeftyTG

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The future is bright. The QB situation is nailed down with a top shelf starter - when is the last time Texas could say that? There's a lot of young talent on this team and recruiting continues to go well. The coaching staff is the real deal and the culture change is real (i say this from personal knowledge). I think next year they consolidate their gains and 2020 is the make a run at the whole thing season.
 

Bosoxen

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Before we put this thread to bed, I have one question to pose to the group: did anyone else get a Vince Young at the Rose Bowl (Michigan edition) vibe last night from Ehlinger? And I mean prior to his way-too-on-the-nose "We're baaaaaaaaaack" statement. From the questions surrounding the player at the start of the season, to the improbability of winning that game (all excuses, I mean, caveats about Georgia aside), even down to the fact that the road to the championship goes through New Orleans next year, it all kind of struck a chord with me. Ehlinger's pronouncement and the confetti were merely icing on the cake.

It feels almost surreal to think that the future of the program is actually bright once again.
 

canderson

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Ehlinger is special. My first post in this thread is laughable but it actually shows how much progression he's had. Well and Kyle Porter finally saw the bench.

They really are going to miss Johnson and LJH (if LJH goes pro) that'll hurt but I believe Ingram can be a special running back and Texas clearly has become a physical team again (holy shit that's fun to type) so maybe the improved running game can offset that loss a bit.
 

BigSoxFan

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I'm bored with watching Bama vs. Clemson. Time for UT to deliver the goods next year. The stakes will be very high. No Grier. No Murray. Ehliger potential Heisman candidate. The time is now.
 

PaulinMyrBch

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I'm bored with watching Bama vs. Clemson. Time for UT to deliver the goods next year. The stakes will be very high. No Grier. No Murray. Ehliger potential Heisman candidate. The time is now.
I do watch the Big12 and Texas definitely got better as the season rolled along. In regards to the national championship, the "time" is most likely the season after Trevor Lawrence leaves. So 2021. Unless you're talking about its time to make the playoff. I don't see anyone stopping these teams next year. Tua's a JR, so he's got one more. Clemson has a ton of young talent. It's possible the next three national champions (18-20) are one of these two teams.
 
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Bosoxen

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Ehlinger is special. My first post in this thread is laughable but it actually shows how much progression he's had. Well and Kyle Porter finally saw the bench.

They really are going to miss Johnson and LJH (if LJH goes pro) that'll hurt but I believe Ingram can be a special running back and Texas clearly has become a physical team again (holy shit that's fun to type) so maybe the improved running game can offset that loss a bit.
Of the two big guys, I think the loss of Humphrey would hit the hardest. Johnson is clearly the better NFL prospect of the two but what LJ does to create matchup nightmares all over the field is damn near impossible to replace. That slot role can be utilized in different ways to great effect (that Jake Smith kid who just signed sure does sound an awful lot like Jordan Shipley) but you just can't replace LJ carrying 15 guys 10 yards downfield like he did on a handful of huge occasions throughout the season.

But like you said, a wiser, healthier Ehlinger/Ingram duo could boost the running game to another level. It's not like they don't have talent at receiver, though. They've been recruiting the shit out of WRs and they could have a legit TE next year too. The biggest question mark on offense might actually be the line, since they'll need to replace the LT and both guard positions.
 

BigSoxFan

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I do watch the Big12 and Texas definitely got better as the season rolled along. In regards to the national championship, the "time" is most likely the season after Trevor Lawrence leaves. So 2021. Unless you're talking about its time to make the playoff. I don't see anyone stopping these teams next year. Tua's a JR, so he's got one more. Clemson has a ton of young talent. It's possible the next three national champions (18-20) are one of these two teams.
Certainly possible but Clemson is losing 3 first round DL among other guys. That's a lot of talent to replace in an offseason. I think UT is one of the few schools that has a chance to match Clemson/Bama in pure talent given how good the state of TX is. Clemson/Bama will be favorites but I think UT has the upside to get there and beat them given their QB situation.
 

canderson

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Of the two big guys, I think the loss of Humphrey would hit the hardest. Johnson is clearly the better NFL prospect of the two but what LJ does to create matchup nightmares all over the field is damn near impossible to replace. That slot role can be utilized in different ways to great effect (that Jake Smith kid who just signed sure does sound an awful lot like Jordan Shipley) but you just can't replace LJ carrying 15 guys 10 yards downfield like he did on a handful of huge occasions throughout the season.

But like you said, a wiser, healthier Ehlinger/Ingram duo could boost the running game to another level. It's not like they don't have talent at receiver, though. They've been recruiting the shit out of WRs and they could have a legit TE next year too. The biggest question mark on offense might actually be the line, since they'll need to replace the LT and both guard positions.
I'm guessing Herb Hand gets another grad transfer like this year to bolster it.

The work Hand did with the O-line is probably the reason we're having this discussion. That line absolutely mauled Georgia last night.
 

Bosoxen

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I'm guessing Herb Hand gets another grad transfer like this year to bolster it.

The work Hand did with the O-line is probably the reason we're having this discussion. That line absolutely mauled Georgia last night.
He'll definitely earn his paycheck if next year's O-line even comes close to resembling this year's. And it'll need to if they want to have any chance of taking the next step.
 

LeftyTG

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I just got back from New Orleans, and I'm exhausted in the best way possible.

I know I've mentioned it a few times, but I'll say it again - my wife works for UT athletics and travels with/is on the sideline with the team. She got to bring me and the kids to the bowl game, so I got to ride the team charter and stay at the team hotel. We got in to NOLA on 12/27 and just returned a few hours ago.

What an amazing experience! There are many things about this week I will never forget, but near the top of the list was the after party celebration at the hotel. Most of the staff was there, and I got to shake the hands of Herman, Orlando, Meekins, Mehringer, and Naivar and express my appreciation. Del Conte too. My wife snagged a hat and a shirt on the field, which was cool.

I'm really happy for the seniors. There are some really great guys in that group, and these guys really got the program back on track.

FWIW, I really think Collin Johnson is coming back (based on a few different things). I also wouldn't be surprised if LJ comes back as well.

If you pull up the Texas thread from however many years ago, I was singing the praises of Ehlinger back when he was still in high school at Westlake. He's a great leader and competitor and is already a very good college QB with much more room to grow, and two years to get there.

I think next year is about winning the conference and hopefully making a run at the playoff. Land Zachary Evans, and 2020 is the national championship year.
 

PaulinMyrBch

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Certainly possible but Clemson is losing 3 first round DL among other guys. That's a lot of talent to replace in an offseason. I think UT is one of the few schools that has a chance to match Clemson/Bama in pure talent given how good the state of TX is. Clemson/Bama will be favorites but I think UT has the upside to get there and beat them given their QB situation.
They do a real good job developing DL. They've got freshman Xavier Thomas ready to go at DE, he's #3 and will get significant snaps in the title game. Another 5* DE in the 18 class was redshirted. The interior replacements won't be able to match Wilkins/Dexter, but they've got talent and size ready to go. I just think for the next few years with the RB and WR talent paired with Lawrence will make them really tough to beat. Lawrence is just scratching the surface of how good he is. Won't surprise me to see him go off Monday night.

But I agree things are trending up at Texas and its good to see. Makes it real tough to get through the conference. As long as Texas or OU finishes with only one loss, they are going to be problems for anyone they play in the final 4. I'm a WVU grad and even a few years ago when we beat Texas with Charlie Strong, I'd watch the game, see all the size and talent for Texas and think "how the hell are we beating these guys??". So now that they have things figured out, its gonna be tough to beat them. No Texas hate here, college football is better when Texas is in the middle of it.
 

canderson

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They do a real good job developing DL. They've got freshman Xavier Thomas ready to go at DE, he's #3 and will get significant snaps in the title game. Another 5* DE in the 18 class was redshirted. The interior replacements won't be able to match Wilkins/Dexter, but they've got talent and size ready to go. I just think for the next few years with the RB and WR talent paired with Lawrence will make them really tough to beat. Lawrence is just scratching the surface of how good he is. Won't surprise me to see him go off Monday night.

But I agree things are trending up at Texas and its good to see. Makes it real tough to get through the conference. As long as Texas or OU finishes with only one loss, they are going to be problems for anyone they play in the final 4. I'm a WVU grad and even a few years ago when we beat Texas with Charlie Strong, I'd watch the game, see all the size and talent for Texas and think "how the hell are we beating these guys??". So now that they have things figured out, its gonna be tough to beat them. No Texas hate here, college football is better when Texas is in the middle of it.
Never speak that name in this thread again.
 

Bosoxen

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Was just coming here to post that. Now let's bring back LJ and really tear shit up in the Big 12 this year!
 

LeftyTG

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I'm more worried about losing Brandon Jones. I think he has been incredibly underrated and was an important part of the defense this year. He was hurt late in the Maryland game on a dirty horsecollar tackle out of bounds when he was returning a punt, and was hobbled most of the year with a high ankle sprain. He reinjured it before the WV game and the defense went through its roughest stretch while he was out. Jones and Stearns have very complimentary skill sets. Jones is a top level NFL caliber athlete and I think he'll put in an eye opening season next year if he returns and stays healthy.

Adding Smith and Whittington to the receiving corps is going to really open up the offense. They didn't have any home run hitters this year. They were forced to bring Jamison over from defense, and he wasn't really reliable enough to get regular snaps despite being the only real jitterbug speed threat on the team (duverney has great straight line speed but has issues adjusting to the ball and bringing in long throws - room for development going into his last season). Check out Whittington's performance in the state championship game if you haven't already. He's going to be a monster in the slot.
 

Bosoxen

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I'm more worried about losing Brandon Jones. I think he has been incredibly underrated and was an important part of the defense this year. He was hurt late in the Maryland game on a dirty horsecollar tackle out of bounds when he was returning a punt, and was hobbled most of the year with a high ankle sprain. He reinjured it before the WV game and the defense went through its roughest stretch while he was out. Jones and Stearns have very complimentary skill sets. Jones is a top level NFL caliber athlete and I think he'll put in an eye opening season next year if he returns and stays healthy.
Yeah, let's not do that. Jones moving on would result in the loss of 4/5 of the nickel secondary. That would definitely hurt and make for a rough transition; which is not necessarily what you want with only one game to square things away before having to play LSU.
 

LeftyTG

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Yeah, let's not do that. Jones moving on would result in the loss of 4/5 of the nickel secondary. That would definitely hurt and make for a rough transition; which is not necessarily what you want with only one game to square things away before having to play LSU.
not to mention that Cook will have to miss the first half of the La Tech season opener because of that dubious targeting call late in the game.
 

Bosoxen

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Well, so much for that pipe dream. Humphrey is gone.

 

LeftyTG

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I'm probably in the minority, but if forced to pick between Jones and Humphrey coming back, I want Jones. Very happy to see this!
 

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I'm probably in the minority, but if forced to pick between Jones and Humphrey coming back, I want Jones. Very happy to see this!
I'm with you on that. Jones is far more important to the 2019 team than Humphrey is. Not to say LJ wouldn't be a huge help but they'd be in some deep shit without Jones. This is VERY welcomed news, indeed!
 

rguilmar

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I'm with you on that. Jones is far more important to the 2019 team than Humphrey is. Not to say LJ wouldn't be a huge help but they'd be in some deep shit without Jones. This is VERY welcomed news, indeed!
I totally agree with both of you. LJ is great but a position of relative depth. Jones was more important in setting the tone this year, and the drop off would be huge.
 

LeftyTG

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I think Jones had the highest NFL grade of any of the potential early departures (all he disclosed is that he was really pleased with the draft feedback). I bet he would be a top 4 rounder. He really really wants to be a captain next year, and I think he was influenced by the experience of Omenihu, who could have left last year and now says the decision to stay was the best decision of his life. Had Jones stayed healthy all year, I think his breakout would have been more apparent and his draft position would be higher. He was really snake bit this year (I had even forgotten about the nasty concussion he got in the KU game until my wife reminded me). I bet he's thinking he can crush it next year - a la Omenihu - and improve his stock while getting to enjoy his senior year.
 

Bosoxen

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I wonder if the decision was made easier by good insurance feedback based on his draft grade. If he projected as a top 4 round pick - which I think likely - then it's possible he could have taken out an insurance policy on any potential injuries in 2019 which could hurt his draft stock for 2020. Plus, as Lefty alludes to, his injuries in 2018 were of the freak variety, meaning he won't get the dreaded "injury prone" label.

Best-case scenario, he has a breakout year and becomes a first round pick. Not a bad bet (he's certainly capable), if you can hedge.