College Football 2011: 8 Keys to Spring Practice for the Texas Longhorns
As the Texas Longhorns return to practice following this week's spring break, the real work begins.
With the installation of new schemes on both sides of the ball, an open quarterback competition, an unproven offensive line, a suspect secondary and a lack of depth on the defensive line, there are more questions than answers at this point in Austin.
First-class collegiate football programs find a way to bounce back after tough seasons. The 2010 season was one of Texas' toughest, and the team's dedication and work ethic prior to the annual Orange/White scrimmage on April 3rd will be a strong indicator of how the 2011 Longhorns will perform.
Let's take a look at eight keys to spring practice for the 2011 Texas squad.
8. Emergence of a Vocal Defensive Leader
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Sometimes leading by example just isn't enough.
For the Texas Longhorns to succeed in 2011 on the defensive side of the ball under new coordinator Manny Diaz, a vocal defensive leader must emerge.
In 2010, the Longhorns defense was missing the edge which separates a good defense from a great defense.
Sure, there were moments of brilliance by NFL-caliber players like Sam Acho, Curtis Brown and Aaron Williams, but as a whole the defensive unit was just too vanilla.
Texas must find a leader on defense who sets the tone, who will get in the face of a teammate when necessary but also gives praise when it is warranted.
These types of vocal leaders are essential to the development of a team's identity and swagger.
There are several candidates who could fill this role for Texas, including Blake Gideon, Kheeston Randall, Keenan Robinson and Emmanuel Acho.
Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz will be vocal and set the tone for the coaching staff. There is no doubt there.
For Texas to succeed, this passion must carry over onto the gridiron with a vocal defensive leader.
7. Good Athletes Becoming Great Wide Receivers
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The Texas wide receiving corps is full of good athletes.
For the Longhorns offense to be successful in 2011, these good athletes must transform into great receivers.
With the hiring of wide receivers coach Darrell Wyatt, who has a reputation of taking good players and helping them become world-class route runners, Mack Brown has obviously noticed that this transformation needs to take place.
Not only does technique need to improve, the dropped balls and poorly run routes must become a thing of the past.
If any combination of Mike Davis, Marquise Goodwin, Darius White, DeSean Hales and Jaxon Shipley can reach their potential individually and as a receiving unit, the new Texas quarterback (whoever it may be) will have multiple options to choose from, opening up the field for more creativity in Bryan Harsin's new offense.
Learning technique as a receiver requires consistency and willingness to work.
If Darrell Wyatt can instill these qualities in his receivers, the Texas offense could again flourish in 2011.
6. Minimizing External Distractions
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The eyes of ESPN and its new 24-hour network, the Longhorn Network, are firmly planted on the Forty Acres.
ESPN is in the process of seeking office space in the university's communications building on Dean Keeton Avenue, a few blocks from the Texas practice facility, for its 100-plus employees who will be devoted to the new network as it launches this fall.
Make no mistake, when ESPN wants all-access, ESPN gets all-access.
Mack Brown's decision to close practices to the public for the first time in his tenure was calculated carefully and influenced not only by the presence of ESPN, but also the need for minimal distractions.
With the installation of new schemes on both sides of the ball, teaching moments will be a commonality.
For these teaching moments to make a mark, spring practices should be closed, allowing players and coaches to focus (and make mistakes without a camera in their faces).
It's the right decision for this season.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
5. Maturity of an Inexperienced Offensive Line
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The 2010 Texas Longhorns offensive line struggled to give Garrett Gilbert the protection needed for the young quarterback to succeed.
The majority of the 15 interceptions thrown by Gilbert were deflected at the line of scrimmage, batted into the air and caught with ease by opposing defensive players.
Veteran offensive linemen David Snow and Tray Allen will be expected to set the tone for the younger Longhorns including Paden Kelley, Mason Walters, Trey Hopkins and Thomas Ashcraft.
Texas must control the line of scrimmage as a unit for the offense to perform effectively and with poise.
If Garrett Gilbert—or whoever wins the Texas quarterback job—again has to constantly elude defensive pressure in the backfield and throw under duress, the defense could be on the field for longer periods of time than necessary.
Without time consuming and efficient drives from the Texas offense, the Longhorns will be in for another frustrating season.
These types of drives begin and end with a mature and confident offensive line.
4. Development of Chemistry among the New Coaches
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Most programs would be concerned in a situation similar to that Texas experienced with its coaching turnover following the 2010 season.
To Mack Brown and the Texas administration, the new faces among the coaching ranks are a welcome change and injection of energy that was desperately needed.
The most veteran of the assistant coaches, Major Applewhite, will play a key role in ensuring the new coaching staff develops a chemistry which will be essential as they work to implement entirely new offensive and defensive strategies.
Molding coaches from different conferences, different philosophies and different age groups is no easy task, but Mack Brown should be up to the challenge.
If the new coaching staff can develop chemistry, this same chemistry should be reflected in the Longhorn players they work with this spring.
3. Determining Ways to Keep Everyone Engaged and Involved
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One of the best athletes on the Texas football roster is one that very few people are likely familiar with, Cayuga's Traylon Shead.
Shead is the second-leading rusher in the history of high school football in the state of Texas, only trailing the legendary "Sugarland Express," Kenneth Hall.
Shead has barely seen the light of day in terms of playing time since arriving at Texas and he is just one example of the numerous talented athletes on the team that are watching from the sidelines.
It is the responsibility of the entire coaching staff—but more specifically, Mack Brown—to assure that talented athletes like Shead, Chris Whaley and DeMarco Cobbs make some plays in 2011.
Otherwise, what is the point of recruiting talented athletes who do not have a defined role?
That is especially true if they depart, like in the case of Tre Newton, when their impression of the playing time they would receive does not equal reality.
2. Identifying Potential X-Factors
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Every successful college football team, especially those that make a run at the postseason, have x-factor players who emerge from the crowd to make unexpected contributions.
It will be essential for Texas to identify players who could make this type of bonus impact on the field this fall and get them involved in spring practice as quickly as possible.
New arrivals (including linebacker Tevin Jackson) and Longhorn veterans like tight end Blaine Irby and defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat will all be expected to make contributions this spring and going into the 2011 season.
If another player can step up and take control of his own destiny, make the most of opportunities, and impress the Texas coaching staff, the 2011 x-factor could be someone no one is currently considering.
This is part of the coaching staff's responsibility this spring: identify guys who could make an impact and put them in the right positions to do so.
1. Quarterback, Quarterback, Quarterback
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It's aggravating to keep pressing the same point, but regardless of what else happens in spring practice, the right quarterback for the job must be identified and given the reins of the Texas offense.
Nominally, it's Garrett Gilbert's job to lose, but Connor Wood, Case McCoy and, most notably, David Ash are going to give him solid competition over the next few weeks leading up to the Orange/White game on April 3rd.
Bryan Harsin and Major Applewhite will ultimately choose the signal caller they think best fits their new offensive system and play-calling.
Whoever this quarterback is will have the eyes of Austin, the University of Texas and the state as a whole planted firmly on his back.
Whether or not this quarterback can rise to the occasion will determine Texas' success in 2011, plain and simple.
Everything else is secondary.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
