I went back and watched every play on offense. I completely agree with the observations about the absurd paradox on Hubes' long balls being nice and the short stuff being really bad. How does that happen? Seems Chuck Knoblockish to me.
I don't think Hubes is a "good" runner at all. I think he made some opportunistic decisions (which is good). I am no Bear Bryant, but I personally don't expect to see those kinds of opportunities available when we play Big 12 games (KU notwithstanding). I also agree that he will be injured early and often with that upright running style.
I wasn't convinced by a single thing in our running game. Did not like it. Those were non-power 5 yards yesterday. I fully expect us to struggle massively running the ball in the Big 12. This is probably why we throw deep so much, merely to open up the running game a little bit.
Burton is infuriating. Cody Cooks Can Catch. Davis and Heath are encouraging.
Not too many people talking about how we have burned Delton's redshirt. I see that as huge. I know we can still red shirt him in a later year (Beasley), but with Hubes' absurd collision style of running and our inability to move the ball in short yardage situations any other way, Delton is going to get a chance to play this year. Once he does, I pray he puts a choke hold on this thing (until Bill and Dana spaghetti brain him).
1. Re: short/long throws. It is actually a bit more typical than you think and he seems at least as competent a thrower as sophomore Ell or Junior yr Klein. I am encouraged thus far. They both struggled with zipping accurate balls out on bubble screens/slants/hitches and overthrew or bounced throws. But they both developed in to very effective passers within the system that did more than keep D's offense, they hurt other teams with big pocket throws on 3rd down and play-action deep. IT IS EARLY!!
2. Go back and look at film of Klein, or hell go back and look at film of Jonathan Beasley running. You will see slow/plodding/"lucky" runs. It is patience reading the blocks and a good understanding of how to cut back against overpursuit. There will absolutely be times when he gets hit for a 3-5 yard loss or is stuffed at the hole. As long as he isn't fumbling a la Waters, it won't be that bad and you will appreciate all the yards he does get. The 3rd down scrambles for 1st downs are absolutely crushing for defenses and particularly with our TOP offensive scheme they will pay big dividends beyond even beyond the immediate gains. I am not simply relying on watching Hubes this year, but also how well he looked in garbage time last year against UT and TCU who both have solid D's with solid athletes. He was fantastic. I am encouraged by QB run game.
3. The RB by committee thus far has not been effective. I think Warmack and Silmon are clearly showing more than Jones, but a lot of his specialty has been taken over by Dimel. I agree that the RZ use of Dimel has been annoying, but it has been stubbornly effective and he is as good as Gronk in the system already, he is a player. I think our pop passing game is still a threat and I hope to see some more wrinkles off of it in conference season. Again, it is early, but there are legit concerns here that teams will be able to stop the running game with only 7 or 8 in the box.
4. The WR is concerning. Heath is ok, but is always going to have a lot of limitations given his size/speed/hands. He has been helpful so far. Cody Cook seems to be our best possession guy/willing and able to go over the middle. Burton, and I am not trying to be too mean here, is a slightly better catching Terrell Miller without any of the blocking ability. Feel free to call that
Preslumptuous . Davis has been ok thus far. A lack of explosiveness/YAC/deep threats is my biggest concern.
5. The Defense is legit. I am concerned by the lack of big plays, turnovers, and QB pressure but Geary and Britz seem very capable against the run and Bryant, Davis, McDaniel and Burns are all playmakers, losing Barnett has hurt, but so far so good.
6. Special Teams unclear. Not sure what we will get out of this yet. How long is McCrane out? Leg injuries for kickers, even if it is the plant foot are NOT good. KO returns have been pretty good thus far, but both punt units have been poor. I am very concerned if we get in to a bad way with our kicking game as we need that margin in our favor to get past 7 wins.
