INSIDE SLANT
Yes, there is a way to turn Texas quarterback Colt McCoy into a mere mortal.
Fortunately for the Longhorns, no defensive coordinator can incorporate the solution into a game plan.
Gale force winds disrupted McCoy's razor-sharp accuracy in the Texas spring game. A 77-percent passer last season when the Longhorns went 12-1 with a victory in the Fiesta Bowl, McCoy only completed 11-of-24 passes against his teammates for 95 yards.
"Obviously, it wasn't a quarterback-friendly day,'' said Texas coach Mack Brown.
Actually, it was a day ruined among the 15 practices the NCAA allows teams during spring drills. Brown probably would have conducted practice inside to avoid the unruly conditions if the spring game weren't scheduled as an attraction drawing 44,000 fans.
McCoy still managed to show his value, completing a 24-yard strike on a fourth-and-17 during the final drive of the third quarter. The big gain bothered Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who also grumbled about the lack of big plays his defense managed despite interception returns of 34 and 35 yards.
If anything, the results of the spring game pointed again to the Longhorns' luxuries. While other Big 12 teams attempted to regroup in the spring, Texas looked to fine-tune with a veteran squad. The Longhorns will undoubtedly contend again in the South Division and loom as the likely preseason favorite after a three-way tiebreaker kept them out of the Big 12 championship game last season following a 7-1 league finish.
Among the new wrinkles Texas introduced during the spring was an I-formation, something it had mostly abandoned since going to the shotgun in 2003. Each of the offensive touchdowns scored in the spring game were out of the I.
NOTES, QUOTES
--Texas athletic director DeLoss Dodds divulged that the 2008 season was one of the most profitable for the program. The Longhorns factored expenses of $17 million, while generating revenues between $80 to $85 million based on initial estimates. The profit still didn't prevent Texas from selling squares of sod for $20 after starting to rip out the natural turf at Royal Memorial Stadium in preparation for the installation of FieldTurf.
--Offensive coordinator Greg Davis was given a nine-percent increase in pay during the offseason, while the majority of the Texas assistants received raises ranging from 3-4 percent. Earlier, Texas announced defensive coordinator Will Muschamp would receive a bump to $900,000 after he was named the head coach in waiting. Head coach Mack Brown received a $100,000 raise as specified in the contract he signed in August 2007, bringing his annual salary to $3.01 million.
SPRING MOVERS:
DE Sergio Kindle -- Pinpointing a position for Kindle is difficult. Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp moved around the valuable senior, who has played as a rush linebacker in the past and now must assume the role of the Longhorns' top pass rusher following the loss of All-American Brian Orakpo.
TB Vondrell McGee -- Texas would like to identify a primary tailback after rotating various rushers last season. McGee was the only scholarship back to participate in each spring practice.
DT Ben Alexander -- Participated with the first string during spring drills, though the Texas staff remains concerned about the defensive interior while looking for a clear-cut answer alongside DT Lamarr Houston.
WR John Chiles -- Moved from quarterback during spring practice and is in the mix for a starting spot at an outside position. He will be featured mostly on shorter routes.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm very concerned about the depth (of the defensive interior). We're one injury away from a tough time in there. ... Right now we're playing with what we've got. And we need to be more consistent up front and play better up front." -- Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
2009 OUTLOOK: Sure, Texas has some concerns entering the 2009 season. Losing a star defender as decorated as Brian Orakpo puts pressure on others to step up and replicate the Longhorns' fierce pass rush. But with QB Colt McCoy returning for his senior season, Texas is in good hands. This is a program on a roll under Mack Brown, one that had secured 20 commitments before spring practice concluded. Texas has an abundance of riches, and Brown knows how to manage them. It will contend, both in the Big 12 and nationally, again in 2009.
SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Throughout the 2008 season, McCoy was an uncanny passer, completing 76.7 percent of his attempts to set an NCAA record. That will be tough to duplicate, particularly after losing one of his primary targets, Quan Cosby. WR Jordan Shipley does return, however, and WR James Kirkendoll is ready to break out. Developing an imposing threat at running back is the biggest challenge, and would take pressure off McCoy to beat teams with his legs, as well as his arm.
SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: Texas has some holes to fill, particularly at defensive end following the loss of Orakpo. Two starting linebackers and a cornerback also departed, but the Longhorns field several players who could emerge as standouts, including DE Sergio Kindle, LB Jared Norton, S Earl Thomas and the team's top tackler last season, LB Roddrick Muckelroy.
SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: After using the rugby-style punt last season, the Texas staff asked P Justin Tucker to try booting the ball left-footed to prevent blocks and still kick away from dangerous return men. Texas led the Big 12 with a 39.6-yard net average last season. Other phases of special teams could use a boost, particularly the punt-return unit, which managed just an 8.2-yard average in 2008.
ROSTER REPORT:
--Two starters who participated in the spring game underwent arthroscopic surgeries to deal with lingering injuries. Both LB Jared Norton and S Blake Gideon underwent shoulder surgery.
--Another participant in the spring game who then underwent surgery was QB Sherrod Harris. The backup had his knee scoped. Norton, Gideon and Harris are all expected to be ready when preseason workouts begin Aug. 8.
--DE Sergio Kindle missed the spring game after the Texas staff opted to rest its starter. That allowed more reps for LB Alex Okafor, a freshman who enrolled in the spring so he could participate in drills.
--TB Cody Johnson missed the final week of spring practice with a pulled hamstring.
Previous Report: 04/27/2009
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