There are many reasons tossed around why the NFL is the most popular of the three major sports in the US. A common refrain is that unlike MLB or the NBA more teams in the NFL have a legitimate shot at winning a title.
With a hard salary cap, restricted free agency, and out of conference schedules that factor prior year results it would seem that no other league has done more to ensure the most competitive environment possible. The argument could be made that in the case of the NFL all these moves has ensured that more teams will truly be in position to compete for a title and not just a very few richer teams dominating teams with lesser resources as in the case of baseball for example.
We hear in time and time again that in baseball the “big-market” teams dominate and there is no doubt that baseball players receive the most player friendly contracts of any of the three major leagues. The sport has no true salary camp and when a 30′ish Albert Pujols gest a 10-year guaranteed contract valued at $254 M it dwarfs the guaranteed $62.5 M Aaron Rodgers will receive through his new contract with the Packers.
Doing a very quick review of the teams that have played in the major championships for each of the three sports since 2000 the numbers don’t actually reflect the waht the perception has been concerning the competition in football compared to baseball and then finally basketball.
In the 14 Super Bowls that have been played beginning in 2000 there have been 9 different champions, 4 teams have repeated as champion, and only one team has repeated three times. Sixteen of the NFL’s 32 teams have played in the game, 5 have played more than once in the Super Bowl, one has played in the game 3 times, and 1 has played in the Super Bowl give times.
The numbers don’t perfectly sync up as the 14th World Series won’t be played until next October, but when we compare the numbers from the 13 played to date we see a very similar trend with 9 different teams winning the Series, 4 teams repeating, and no team repeating more than twice.
Overall 14 of MLB’s 30 teams have played in the Series, 7 have played in the Series more than once, two have played in it three times, and one team has played in 4 World Series since 2000.
The only area where we see a few teams dominatiing a league’s championships is in the NBA where 8 of the League’s last 13 championships have been won by two teams (Lakers and Spurs) and things look going forward as if the Heat is about to have a run of championships. This makes perfect sense when compared to the other leagues because in the game of basketball if you have 2-3 truly elite players you can are in a better position to dominate the league as compared to the NFL or MLB.
The push and pull between NFL owners and players over the amount of guaranteed money is more a byproduct of economics and roster management as keeping the league competitive to every team. If you look at the performance since the implementation of the salary cap certain teams have been hurt by the cap and had to purge players, but the very best run organizations have found ways to deal with cap and the worst run organizations seem to stink regardless of schedules biased to them, high draft picks, and an abundance of money.
Recently we have seen a trend in the contracts of certain players where they have agreed to lesser potential payouts in exchange for larger amounts of guaranteed money. Players like Brady, Flacco, Romo, Rodgers, and Manning all agreed upon contracts with over $50.0 M in guaranteed money. Why is fairly simple as the NFL has become more and more of a passing league and if you dont’ have a quarterback who can effectively throw the football you just are not going to be a competitive team. Whether a team likes it or not they are forced between choosing to give a quarterback like Romo who has been ineffective in the play-offs, but has shown he can amass big yardage throwing the ball or run the risk of replacing him with a journey man or unproven draft picks.
One byproduct of giving more guaranteed money to certain players who a team deems vital to the success of the organization is that it makes long-term salary cap management more difficult, but consider the potential consequence of the recent contract signed by Darelle Revis. Reports are that Revis signed a contract with Tampa Bay that contained no guaranteed money. In effect, the only money Tampa is obligated to pay Revis is the money he is owed is for his current season. If for example, it becomes apparent this year that he can’t recovery from the knee injury and is a shadow of his former self it is my understanding they can cut him and incurr no future obligation against their cap.
I won’t claim to know all the terms in the Revis contract and won’t even claim to understand all the legal concepts of a contract negotiated to confirm to the standards and rules agreed to as part of a collective bargaining agreement. What I do recall however is a story about how the late Tex Schram would handle contract negotiations for the Cowboys. Schram would also negotiate with Cowboy quarterback Roger Staubach first for a very simple reason. Roger had never considered professional football to be his economic future and while he was playing he began selling homes for a well known realtor in Dallas. He was so successful that he soon was making more money in the off-season than playing football partly because negotiating without any representation he would agree on what he thought was a fair offer from the Cowboys and not what he needed to live on from the Cowboys.
After Schram got Roger to agree to a number smaller than almost all of his peers around the NFL would he negotiate with the other Cowboy players and he would also begin with that he just could not pay them more than Roger because Roger was the leader of the team. Result was that the Cowboys for years had one of the lower payrolls in the league until Roger was told by his teammates how Schram handled the team’s contracts.
My point? Consider that the Arizonia Cardinals have tossed out the idea to 3rd round pick Tyrann Mathieu that they will be offering him a contract with no guaranteed money. I would suspect that these comments are influenced by Mathieu’s recent problems at LSU, his missing his last year in school to enroll in drug rehab, and that no matter how good a player he was in college there is no guarantee that will translate to the NFL. From a business perspective the idea of guaranteed money makes perfect sense. A player with potential, but no proven track record of success and a history of substance problems when he didn’t have a large amount of money is now going to be given more money and more access than he ever has had in his life.
Mathieu’s representation however doesn’t agree and have pointed to the fact that it has been customary for third round picks in the NFL to have a portion of their contract guaranteed, but the key here is customary and nothing something promised or protected under the new NFL labor agreement. In short, there is no requirement for guaranteed money.
Hence, my referencing the story of Tex Schram’s negotiating contracts and the potential impact of the Revis’ contract. Consider this negotiating stance from Arizonia. When healthy Revis is not one of the five best cornerbacks in the NFL, not one of the five best defensive backs, but one of the top five defenders in the NFL. He is a defensive game changer in a league that is more and more dominated by quarterbacks. Revis at 90% of what he was prior to the injury is better than most corners in the NFL and this is all based upon what he has done IN THE LEAGUE and not college.
If Revis is willing to sign a long-term contract with no guaranteed money in it with Tampa why is it an unreasonable request when one considersTyran’s history with failing multiple drug tests in college and no proven track record of performance on an NFL field.
Maybe I am all wrong with this and maybe Revis’ contract will be just a blip, but it would seem to me that for NFL team’s that are required to guarantee more and more money to players they know they need on their roster to be competitive there is a very good chance there will be less and less guaranteed money offered to those players who are uncertainties.
If you were a fan of SNL during the early 90′s you might recall the character Stuart Smalley which was created and acted by comedian/satarist Al Franken. Smalley wasn’t a trained/licensed professional and instead would draw up his life experiences with interacting with various guests on his television show “Daily Affirmation with Stuart Smalley”.
My favorite episode had Michael Jordan stopping by Stuart’s show and posted below is the transcript of the dialouge between Jordan and Smalley:
Announcer: “Daily Affirmation with Stuart Smalley”. Stuart Smalley is a caring nurturer, a member of several 12-step programs, but not a licensed therapist.
[ open on Stuart giving himself a pep talk in his full-length mirror ]
Stuart Smalley: I’m going to do a terrific show today! And I’m gonna help people! Because I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me!
[ turns to camera ]
Hello, I’m Stuart Smalley! Well, I’m still receiving some negative reaction from my show on Pee Wee Herman, titled, “There But For The Grace Of God Go I”, and, I have to admit, it’s not my best show.. but that’s o-kay. I have to give myself permission to do a bad show every now and then. Okay.. for those of you who watch the show regularly, you know that I don’t have guests, I always do the show alone.. and that’s.. o-kay. But yesterday, my producer said, “Stuart, I can get you a guest that you would be insane not to have on the show.” So I decided to take a risk – in life, you have to take risks – and, today we have a guest.. [ reveal Michael Jordan sitting next to Stuart ] ..and his name is Michael J. – I’ll protect your anonymity. Michael is a basketball player for a professional basketball team. Well, that’s very good, Michael, you should be very proud of yourself.
Michael Jordan: Well, thank you, Stuart. I am.
Stuart Smalley: Well, good for you! Good for you! Um, Michael.. I know there must be a lot of pressure for you to play very well, and I can imagine that the night before a game, you must lie awake thinking, “I’m not good enough.. everybody’s better than me.. I’m not going to score any points.. I have no business playing this game..”
Michael Jordan: Well.. not really.
Stuart Smalley: Michael, denial ain’t just a river in Egypt.
Michael Jordan: Well.. I do sometimes get a little nervous before important basketball games.
Stuart Smalley: I thought so. And that’s.. o-kay. You’re not alone. Believe me, I know what it’s like.. laying there alone.. all those tapes rolling: “I’m a fraud.. tomorrow, I’m going to be exposed for what I am, a big imposter.. I just want to curl up and lay in bed all day and eat Fig Newtons.”
Michael Jordan: Well.. something like that.
Stuart Smalley: Right. Well, Michael, those negative thoughts are your critical inner thoughts saying those things to you, and I want you to replace those negative thoughts with someting positive – a daily affirmation.
Michael Jordan: Affirmation?
Stuart Smalley: Yes. Now, look in the mirror. Come on, don’t look at me. Only you can help you. [ Michael faces the mirror ] That’s it. Say, “Hello, Michael.”
Michael Jordan: [ trying to suppress his laughter ] “Hello, Michael.”
Stuart Smalley: “I don’t have to be a great basketball player..”
Stuart Smalley: “I don’t have to dribble the ball fast, or throw the ball into the basket..”
Michael Jordan: “I don’t have to dribble the ball fast, or throw the ball into the basket..”
Stuart Smalley: “Because all I have to do is be the best Michael I can be.”
Michael Jordan: “All I have to do is be the best Michael I can be.”
Stuart Smalley: “Because I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggonit, people like me!”
Michael Jordan: “Because I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggonit, people like me!”
Stuart Smalley: Now, don’t you feel better?
Michael Jordan: Well, I never really felt bad!
Stuart Smalley: Michael..
Michael Jordan: No, it’s true. Stuart, I guess pretty much of the time, I’m a very happy person. I mean, I’m a blessed person – God gave me the talent to play basketball, and I have been able to spread some of that talent, and some of that good feeling, towards everybody, to inspire other people, and help people achieve their dreams.
Stuart Smalley: [ glum ] I am just a fool.. I.. I don’t know what I’m doing.. they’re gonna cancel the show.. I’m gonna die homeless and penniless and twenty pounds overweight.. and no one will ever love me..
Michael Jordan: Stuart, that’s just not true. I think what you say on your show can be very helpful to people.
Stuart Smalley: You think so?
Michael Jordan: Yes! Definitely! I just don’t think it helps beating yourself up that way.
Stuart Smalley: You’re right. It’s just stinking thinking.
Michael Jordan: And, after all, this show is your dream. It’s a good dream! You deserve to have dreams come true! [ Stuart nods ] Feel better? Would you like a hug?
[ Stuart and Michael hug ]
Stuart Smalley: Thank you, Michael.
Michael Jordan: Thank you, Stuart!
Stuart Smalley: You know what? I think this is the best show I’ve ever done. And you know what? I deserve it! [ turns to his mirror ] Because I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me!
I understand that everyone can use a pat on the back from time to time and in the world of athletics some coaches prefer to use positive reinforcement over the negative. No problem with any of that, but I think yesterday Mack Brown confirmed he is the Stuart Smalley of Division I football by announcing via his twitter account that he had just presented to his team rings:
“Just gave guys their Bowl Champ rings. Told them It’s reward 4 winning Bowl game vs #13 Oregon St &momentum for 2013 pic.twitter.com/7WImdhR0jf
5:02 PM – 2 May 2013″
Yes, the program that has said no more mister nice guy, that has proudly proclaimed it is the alpha dog the other schools in the Big XII is giving a ring to each of its players for winning a mid-level bowl game and “momenturm for 2013″.
Now I could go to some type of joke about each player getting a smiley sticker on the back of their hand as they left the room or all gathered arm and arm reciting in unision Smalley’s signature “Because I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me! ” he is the first person however to mark a somewhat lesser victory with an excessive gesture. Heck, Napoleon had monuments built for victories before he ever started the campaign or fought the battle.
Then again one presided over a fading empire and …….
I have talked on here and elsewhere about the enjoyment I have found going to the State Track Meet in Austin as well as the Texas Relays. The venue is good, the track is especially fast at Mike Meyer Stadium after being recently resurfaced, the scenery in the stands is outstanding, and Austin is a great town to spend time.
It has also been a good way to catch a glimpse of some football signees and prospects in a different type of competitive environment. This year might be one of the better groups in quite some time not only in terms of number, but also profile of prospect. If you are near Austin or can get to Austin on May 10th and 11th and are follow football recruiting I highly recommend attending (if you can only make one night Friday the 10th and I will explain why.). Here is a link to the UIL site with informationas well as qualifiers:
5A – Trevorris Johnson is the 3rd leg of Alief Taylor’s 4 X100 which has the fifth fastest time and does have a shot at medaling.
Also running in that relay will be DeSoto and Dontre’ Wilson, Johnny Jefferson and Killeen Shoemaker, and Klein Oak with 2014 running back prospect Larenzo Stewart. Both Shoemaker and Oak’s relay teams are also running in the 4 x 200.
The 5A boy’s 100 will include Baylor signee Kyle Fulks, the above mentioned Stewart, and 2014 running back prospect Justin Stockton of Cibolo Steele (Steele and Stockton are also in the 4 x 200).
3A – isn’t quite as strong as in year’s past in terms of football talent on the track, but the boy’s 4 X 100 race between West Orange Stark, Mexia, and Celina is to note.
2A – Ty Slanina (TCU signee) is in four events, but it will be tough for him to medal in three of them. Ty has the 5th fastest 100M time, the 7th fastest 200M time, and East Bernard as the 8th fastest 4 X 400 meter relay time.
The gap to medal is the smallest in the 100M for Ty and it is also earlier in the meet than the other two. He is a great competitor, but it will be tough. The event to watch will be the 2A boy’s long jump where Slanina has the longest jump, but by less than 2″ over two jumpers from Rosebud Lott. If you have never been to Meyer Stadium the jumping pits are along the wall of the West stands and you can actually get fairly close to the event. It would be great for Ty for some Frogs in the area to support him in the event and the night.
4A – I didn’t forget 4A and wanted to save it for last. If you can only go one night or only want to watch one night on the flotrack site it is 4A which is Friday, May 10th, beginning at 6:00 PM central time.
Among those races of note include:
Boy’s 4 x100 relay with Beaumont Ozen and 2014 top defensive back prospect Tony Brown running a 41.12, Texarkana High running a 41.13, Dallas Lincoln with 2014 wide receiver prospect and TCU pledge Emanuel Porter going 41.13, and Fort Bend Ridge Point running 41.31. Remember though that the anchor for Ridge Point is quite possibly the nation’s top high school sprinter Cameron Burrell and it is possible you could get Burrell and Brown going head to head.
The 4 X 200 Boy’s Relays includes Texarkana, Dallas Lincoln with Porter, and Denton Guyer with top 2014 quarterback prospect Jerrod Heard.
Final race on Friday night will be the Boy’s 4 X 400 relay which will include Fort Worth Southwest and Baylor signee Robbie Rhodes and Summer Creek with 2014 quarterback prospect Aaron Sharp.
The two individual events worth watching are the Boy’s 100 and 200 meter races that night. Among the participants in the 100 M are Burrell, Texas signee Antwaun Davis of Bastrop, Brown of Ozen, TCU signee Ranthony Texada, and 2014 WR prospect KD Cannon of Mt. Pleasant.
In the 200 M are Sharp of Summer Creek, Rhodes of Southwest, KD Cannon, and Texas signee Montrel Meander.
As mentioned before I believe that Trevorris is going to surprise a number of people quite soon with what he will bring the TCU program in the Fall and in believing that I think I would be doing him a disservice if I gave CEL and Ty there own updates and not one for Trevorris’ recent track performance at the 2013 Region III 5-A Track Meet held in Humble.
Granted, Trevorris runs the third leg of the Alief Taylor 4X100 and the third leg of Taylor’s 4 x 200 so the results are quite the same as posting about the individual exploits of CEL in Mobile or Ty’s work at the District, Area, and Regional Meets for East Bernard. You don’t however run a leg on a sprint relay that came out fo the 5-A Regional Meet and qualified for the State Track Meet if you are slow.
The Taylor boy’s 4 x 100 posted a time of 41.20 finishing 2nd at the regional meet and will be running in Austin. Once the UIL site has the official list of State Qualifiers I will post the future Frogs who will be running in Austin.
I had mentioned in an early post that I was having trouble finding track times for TCU signee Ty Slanina. It is funny how in today’s world we simply believe everything we want information will be available when we want it via the internet.
Good things do come to those who wait as thanks to the Texas Track and Field Coaches Association website I found the following links to Ty’s performances at District, Area, and Region.
To date Ty has posted a best time in the 100 M of 10.72, a best in the 200 M of 22.18, and a best jump in the long jump of 23′ 5″. He is also the anchor leg for East Bernard’s 4 X 400 meter relay which took first in Region. That means Ty will be competing in four different events at the state track meet in a few weeks and has a chance to add to his medal count which might not be quite at Toya Jones level, but is representative of a damn good career and once again confirms TCU has signed a highly underrated athlete in Ty.
I realize the 200 M time and long jump are off what fellow Frog CEL has posted this year, but also remember that Ty has been splitting time between track and baseball for East Bernard. If you look at what I wrote about Ty in my thoughts on the Frogs recruiting this is a guy who was born to compete. As much as he was blessed with his Mom and Uncle’s foot speed he was blessed by the drive to be the best in everything he does and this is a kid who plays to win.
Just as CEL’s great performance in Mobile doesn’t guarantee a great football career Ty’s recent efforts on the track don’t either, but it does indicate to me these are two very explosive athletes who I think will be opening some eyes very soon in Fort Worth.
Two other quick track note. Frog linebacker Paul Whitmill’s high school track career ended as Bastrop plaed 5th in their region in the 4 X 100. Paul ran Bastrop’s third leg on a very, very good relay team. In fact, the finals at the regional meet might have been one of the strongest heats of the 4 X100 this year in Texas as every time in the regional finals broke 42 seconds and the difference between first and eight place was less than a second.
Finally, Frog pledge Emanuel Porter’s Dallas Lincoln 4 X100 and 4 X 200 relay teams will be running in Austin at the state meet. As I wrote in my thoughts on the Texas relays Porter is an impressive looking athlete and any Frog alum or fan that can go to the state meet should go to see Ty and Emnuel. I want to stress how raw Porter is as an athlete. If you have not seen some of Porter’s dunk videos I have included a couple of links, but the kind has incredible leaping ability.
So what does dunking have to do with Porter, track, or anything else? If you check the regional results for Dallas Lincoln’s region you will see that Porter qualified for Regionals in the high jump, but went out at 5′ 10″. I didn’t see the meet, but if I had to guess why he only did 5′ 10″ it would be that high jump is a very technical event and Porter was using raw ability as he is involved in multiple sports and Lincoln does not have the resources of more established programs like DeSoto, Cedar High, Flower Mound, or SLC.
My point is if and when the Frogs get Porter on campus in 2014 that this guy is going to be an absolute monster.
I realize that in posting this I am just feeding the idea that the merit of a recruit can be measured by things off the field as much as what happens when a player steps on the field, but it is hard to dispute that certain physical abilities do make a significant impact on the field. Two such abilities are speed and quickness.
At the risk of sounding like some wannabe expert and not some guy who finds talking about this enjoyable and a damn site cheaper than therapy there is a difference between the two. Quickness in my mind is that sudden burst off the line, out of a stand, or as a receiver comes out a break. It really isn’t seen in more than a few steps, but makes all the difference in the world. We aren’t talking something that is expressed by a forty time, but instead cone drills and the 20-yard shuttle run where the first few steps are critical.
Consider the NFL Combine performance numbers for Texas A&M running back Christine Micheal and Arkansas running back Knile Davis. Both players are similar size and both went through the Combine trials in the 40-yard dash, cone drill, shuttle run, vertical leap, and standing broad jump. If you used the barometer bantered about on most sports radio Davis is the faster of the two back posting a best forty time of 4.48 compared to Micheal’s 4.55. If however you look at every other metric Micheal appears to be the most explosive as he posted a better time in the cone drill ( 6.69 versus 6.96), in the shuttle run ( 4.02 versus 4.38), in the vertical jump (43” versus 33 ½”), and the broad jump ( 125” versus 122”). Do any of those numbers quantify that Micheal is the better running back prospect or that he will succeed in the NFL? No. Quite simply they are just more numbers that at times seem to cloud the process, but do seem to indicate that he is quicker, more initial explosiveness than Davis which can be the difference between getting through a hole and getting caught in that hole.
Straight out foot speed does have its place on the football field. You can find no better example than Josh Boyce’s catch and run to tie the WVU game last year when all seemed lost. Combine the two in a football player and you have the potential for a big play from the clichéd each time the player touches the ball.
On April 6th Cameron Echols Luper took to the track in the Mobile Challenge of Champions and posted personal bests in the long jump at 24’ 6 ½” and 21.07 in the 200 M. The mark in the long jump set a meet record held by an athlete you might have heard of before, Julio Jones. I haven’t had much look finding any additional track results for Luper this year (the same for Ranthony Texada who posted a 10.7 early in the year, but doesn’t appear to have run since) and hope all is well. It isn’t too farfetched to think based upon those numbers that he would have a legitimate chance of going under 21.0 in the 200 meter and threaten the 25 foot barrier in the long jump. Even if he falls short I do think it is safe to say that CEL has displayed that he will be bringing to the Frogs both exceptional quickness and speed and won’t be surprised if he makes a big impact next Fall.
Aside from the great individual performances Luper ran on Auburn High’s 4 x100 meter relay which ran a very good 41.82 for early in the year. Interesting to note is that Auburn lost to Edna Karr’s relay team (E.K. posted a time of 41.15) that features highly regarded 2014 recruit Devante’ “Speedy” Noil. It will take a great deal to get Noil out of New Orleans away from the SEC schools, but I am sure TCU could find a place on their roster for him and think he would make a great pairing with Luper in the future.
A few other Frog signees are participating in track for their high schools this Spring. Texada ran early in the year, but I haven’t seen him posted anywhere else nor high school and future TCU teammate Cydney Calvin. Frog 2014 pledge Nick Foster however did run for Centenniel’s 4 x 100 this year. Two future Frog linebackers ran on relays as Bastrop’s 4 x100 did advance out of district with Paul Whitmill running a leg, but Sammy Douglass’ Arlington High relay team didn’t get out of district.
Trevorris Johnson is a recruit I think is very overlooked and he ran on Alief Taylor’s 4 x100 and 4 x200 meter relays. Both squads ran very good times to win their district (41.2 in the 4 x 100 and 1:26.91 in the 4 x 200) and Johnson looked very impressive when I saw him at the Area meet. He can’t run with Luper, but he is a damn site bigger and I really think he is going to surprise some people next Fall.
Yes folks, average speed of 28 MPH at 9:30 in the morning.
A little over a week ago the family and I were in Austin as the youngest daughter was touring the UT campus and Son of Davey wanted to go watch the Texas Relays. We have always enjoyed visiting Austin and it is the favorite city my wife and I have lived in Texas.
A visit to Austin allows us to visit some favorite spots and recall some great times, but it also reminds us that no matter how nice the place is there are always problem and the biggest problem each and every time I am in Austin is the traffic. I can recall a few years back how a colleague that I would call upon in Austin for work would tell me how they couldn’t comprehend how I could drive in Houston traffic and that they were terrified how the last time they drove in Houston.
It is easy to understand how driving in Houston would confuse them after being exposed to the Austin roadways. Houston roads don’t go by five different names that indiscriminately switch on road signs giving you that sense you somehow missed a turn, Houston intersections allow drivers to turn right on red and obscurely identify the lane you are in as a left or right turn only lane, Houston roads don’t have rolling packs of hipsters on three speed bikes peddling and talking to each other while occupying a lane and a half on a major downtown road, and Houston roads do move at a pace faster than 30 miles an hour in the middle of the morning.
Don’t get me wrong, Houston has plenty of problems and one is traffic, but when you are the fourth largest city in the country and businesses are spread out over an area roughly the size of Rhode Island it is understandable that moving thousands of cars a day is going to be a problem. No different than any large city I have driven in be it Dallas, Seattle, Chicago, Philly, Miami, or Los Angeles.
Austin however is completely unique in that for a town that posts more educated people per capita than any other city in Texas I am continually dumbfounded about the continued ignorance in the area only having one major road without stop lights (IH 35), the continued lack of any tangible effective plan to fix the problem, and the belief that toll roads outside Austin city limits actually will help address the traffic problem.
The only thing that rivals Austin traffic however are the absence of parking in many areas of the city, the explosion of condominiums, and the willingness of Austinites to wait an unbelievable time for food that could be prepared at home.
I would catch hell from Austinites in the past above Houston’s lack of any zoning or planning inside Houston itself. Glad to see Austin has taken a different tact by controlling the number of multi-story condominiums in the downtown area north of the lake and along Riverside south of it. Nice to know you are making sure the neighborhoods can handle the increase number of residents. Nice development plan Austin. At least Houston was honest from the beginning about selling out to the developers.
Finally, the willingness to wait easily over an hour for food you could make at home. Son of Davey and I weren’t shocked when we saw a long line outside Franklin barbecue Friday as we were parking the car to go to the Relays. It didn’t shock me when people told me the wait was well over an hour though I can’t see myself waiting that long for a food that can be prepared damn well by a guy using a modified 45 galloon drum in his backyard along the ship channel in Houston. I realize that Franklin is the new apex of barbecue in Texas, but we aren’t talking sophisticate French cuisine and this is a food that a multitude of Texans will tell you that they can do just as well if not better on their own pits at home.
What stunned me however is when someone admitted that they once got in line at 8:00 in the morning to ensure they got food at Franklin. What is important to know is that means they waited three hours for barbecue. Now I like barbecue and at a time in my life planned drives for work so that I would go through certain towns in Texas around lunch or dinner so that I could eat at a highly rated barbecue place. I have even eaten at the Holy Trinity of Barbecue in Lockhart, but the only way I am waiting three hours for barbecue is if it cures cancer.
The wait at Franklin however was trumped later that evening as the Family and I sat on the steps of the clothing store next to Home Slice Pizza on South Congress and we saw the line across the street at Hopdoddy. Asking someone seated next to us I quickly found out that Hopdoddy basically sells burgers and that based upon the length of the line outside the wait was estimated at over an hour and a half. My Wife and I have lived in Austin, dined in many nice restaurants across the country, and are aware that you can’t always expect to walk to certain restaurants and get immediate service. Normally however, those restaurants involve techniques learned in a Michellin rated restaurant in Normandy, has a course in which an emulsion is made out of some reduction, and the wait staff proudly boast that the chef is going to use five different types of salt in preparing your meal tonight.
I can’t ever recall waiting longer than 20-30 for a burger because it is a freaking hamburger for goodness sake and don’t start telling me just as a local reference source did about how it is a glutten free bun, organic fries, and how special and variance of the meat choices. It is a hamburger and while I live in the city of carcinogens and fat people called Houston I can still find without much difficult ever ingredient offered at this hipster mecca of ordinary cuisine and yes, that includes the ground antelope. First, there are things called grocery stores and as hard as it is to believe between Whole Foods, Rice Epicurean, and HEB Central Market I think I have the buns, cheese, French fries, vegetables, and dressings covered for the meal. As far as meat I direct you to something known as a meat market or in this case THE MEAT MARKET known as Pete’s Fine Meats (
http:///www.petesfinemeats.net/ ). I am also certain in less than an hour and a half I could drive to one of the grocery stores mentioned above and Pete’s, make my purchases, get home, prepare the food (and yes, I can beat Hopdoddy’s grill with my cast iron skillet) and feed the family faster, cheaper, and on bar than wait in that line. It is a hamburger for goodness sake and for those who tell me I miss the experience of it all maybe I am too damn old, but where is the fun in standing in a line for well over an hour for something I could make at home while engaging my friends and family, my Wife has her wine, SOD and I have our beer, and we actually get to enjoy the experience.
Don’t get me wrong, the Wife and I loved our time in Austin, we love going back, SOD would love to live there after school, and our youngest is considering going to school in Austin. At the risk of channeling my inner John Kelso the Austin we came to love however is being pushed out by condos that seem to pop up over night and a group of people who actually find it not only enjoyable waiting for way too damn long for food they can make at home, but have a need to be seen waiting in such line in order to feel connected with the Austin social scene. Ambiance my ass. I liked it better when I was writing my name on a clipboard to eat breakfast at the Omletry and you didn’t go out and eat for food you could make at home.
I have always thought two of the most under appreciated sporting events held in Austin are the Texas Relays and the UIL High School Track Meet. Some might think the idea of watching a meet is incredibly dull and I understand each has their own tastes, but to me the value of the ticket, the location, the scene in the stands, and the level of competition on the track is almost peerless.
Mike Meyer Stadium might not carry the feel that once was there when the Relays and the State Meet were held in Memorial Stadium and you aren’t going to reproduce the feeling of having the size of the crowds that attended when they were held in the Stadium. Meyer does provide a chance to be close to the action and I have always found the viewing lines to be good.
Besides, being in Austin during the spring is a great time and the scene in the stands is as good as anywhere. Some might be a bit odd (such as the guy with the telephone handset strung over his shoulder attached to his cell phone), some might seem a bit out of place (the blonde wearing the designer jeans-Jimmy Choo shoes- designer top that looked great but not exactly the attire for sitting outside for 3-4 hours), but there are things for everyone’s eye in the stands.
In terms of the level of competition I will have to admit that I have always enjoyed watching track and field because it has a simplicity and purity to the competition between the athletes. It doesn’t get more basic yet pure than I can outrun you, jump you, throw (put) you. Yes, there still are outside variables that creep in from time to time, but it really is to me the cleanest form of athletic competition.
For those who don’t follow track the level of competition in the state of Texas is among the very best in the country across the events. When I sit down and think about all the great athletes and performances I have seen over the years I truly don’t think it is an idle boast to say over the years the Relays have been on par with any outdoor meet in the country. The best part is that it isn’t just athletes from Texas, but high schools from across the country. This year off the top of my head there were athletes from Illinois and Florida that competed and did so at an elite level.
When I think about the some of the athletes I have watched over the years it has been some of the greats from Texas’ high school ranks and this year we were treated to a men’s open 100 meters race that included former Olympians, had I believe four runners break 10 flat, and featured a winning time of 9.75. Granted the wind was over the legal limits for the times being deemed “legitimate”, but this wasn’t a thirty mile an hour tailwind and for all the meets I have been out I had never seen anyone break ten flat let alone four in one race.
The race was also a great barometer for just how incredible Usain Bolt’s record of 9.58 is when you think that even with the aid of the wind Doc Patton still did not get within a tenth of a second of bolt which is a big margin in that race.
Once again Pat Henry showed how he has built the Texas A&M track program into a power with a group of men’s sprinters that were far and away the fastest group at the meet. The Ags’ men were the dominant relay teams winning the University 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 and taking second in the 4 x 400. Henry’s men team are currently ranked #2 in the USTFA Division 1 rankings and his women’s team are ranked #1.
The I-20 Corridor of Dallas again flexed its muscle on the high school levels as Lancaster, and De Soto were among the dominant high school teams attending the meet. When you include the performance of the Cedar Hill teams I am not sure there is another area in the country that consistently produces the numbers of elite sprinters, relay teams, and middle distance athletes.
Top individual high school performer however was an athlete from the Houston area with Cameron Burrell showing one he is among the nation’s elite sprinters. Burrell dominated a strong field in the high school hundred posting the nation’s fastest time and was outstanding on his relay legs. He wasn’t however the most impressive high school athlete at the meet. That was Beaumont Ozen’s Tony Brown. Brown is considered one of the top defensive back prospects in the country this upcoming year and the junior proved he is just as dominant on the track. Tony dominated a strong field in the 110 HH by running at that time the nation’s fastest time and less than 30 minutes later taking fourth in the same 100M race won by Burrell. Brown broke 10.5 in that race and has a physique that can easily carry more weight as he gets older and spends more time in the weight room.
Two other athletes that caught my eye from the perspective of raw ability and frame were two 2014 football prospects. Arlington Martin junior Myles Garrett performed in the shot put and while his future isn’t in that size he showed the frame and raw ability that has him considered among the nation’s top defensive end prospects. The other was Dallas Lincoln and TCU commit Emanuel Porter. Porter ran on Lincoln’s relays and while not an elite sprinter he more than held his own showing very good speed for a bigger athlete and a raw frame that hasn’t even begun to fill out. This is a kid who is involved in multiple sports and doesn’t have the resources of some of the other higher regarded prospects in the 2014 class, but the upside on this kid is huge and I would not be surprised if we he more about him next fall.
I have attached some links of results from the meets, video footage, and photos for those who are interested. If you have ever attended I highly recommend it and don’t forget that the state meet will be held in Austin in a few weeks.
My title isn’t intended to poke fun at any of the young men who have decided to attend TCU and play for the Frogs nor the idea those who follow college football recruiting. Simply, it is a poor play of words on one of Coach Patterson’s favorite terms when he is asked to talk about his recruiting classes.
Despite the continued growth in websites, recruiting services, blogs, and the explosion of social media it seems that each year we see players who emerge on the college level that were somewhat unnoticed by all the experts except for the staff (or staffs) that sought them. Each year attempts are made to evaluate which classes are the “best” as if each of these players is merely pieces in a puzzle of ingredients to be handed over to great chef.
I do agree that each and every year there are a group of young men who would for the most part have success wherever they would choose to attend and whatever offensive or defensive system they were recruited to fit. Not exactly the most profound thought on my part as I can recall Jim Wacker years ago stating in his first press conference at TCU saying simply that they wanted to recruit players who were big, fast, strong, and smart, but the problem was so did everyone else in the county.
The world of college football has changed since then, but that basic concept holds true. Each year there are that special group of players who everyone would want and success does depend upon to a degree the ability to land those players, but what truly separates programs in terms of recruiting to me is how you find that next group of players. Those who fit into your system perfectly, those who have those distinct skills and abilities you value, and those young men who have the other traits that allow them to buy completely into your program. In my mind it is those abilities that truly distinguish good recruiting staffs from great staffs and is among the areas that don’t get factored very well by the services in their rankings and even their work.
A good example is Derrick Kindred. Kindred at SA Wagner played running back, safety, and linebacker. He wasn’t highly regarded, heck I am not sure if most services, bloggers, and TCU followers even knew who the guy was until Ed Pope switched to A&M and TCU beat out ISU and UH for his signature. Fast forward 8-9 months later and we find this lightly regarded recruit is not only starting at WVU, but he turns in a big performance with 10 tackles (9 solo) and 2 pass break-ups. Do I know if the staff knew when they signed him that Derrick would be able to deliver that type of performance in that environment with everything going on in the program as quickly as Derrick did that day in Morgantown? No. What I do believe is they saw specific physical abilities and other traits that indicated to them that Derrick could be successful in the TCU 4-2-5 and that is one of the big keys for this staff building the program to a competitive level in the Big 12.
How then, do I believe should classes be evaluated if all recruits don’t fit the same way in a distinct scheme? First, does the class address any specific short –term needs? The best example is that when Stansly Maponga made the decision to leave TCU for the 2013 NFL draft the idea of landing at least one defensive end prospect went from building depth in the program to an immediate need. Perfect situation is that you can address a short-term need with a prospect (or prospects) that also build for the long-term, but I also think that filling a short-term need (i.e. signing Mike Tuaua) can be done so effectively and not address the long-term. Second is do the players you sign have the overall general abilities to develop into your system long-term with the added potential benefit of being able to contribute early (i.e. Kindred).
Don’t get me wrong, I would love for TCU each and every year to sign a recruiting class that is far and away better than every other class in the conference, but that is an accurate picture of the competitive world of college football. That doesn’t mean however that TCU can’t bring in great talent and I will always put more faith in a staff that is out turning over rocks late in the high school season and find a potential shut down corner in Cydney Calvin who switched to defense the middle of his senior year than multiple websites and bloggers who overemphasize summer camp drills and film clips.
Starting with the offense I think it was fairly easy to identify the short term needs of the program (better quarterback play, improved offensive line play, and re-stock the running back position). It is important to note that not all short term needs are met through recruiting. TCU got the best possible realistic option when it was announced that Casey had completed his re-hab and would be coming back to the program. Furthermore the situation in the offensive line could be addressed with the return of James Dunbar, Bobby Thompson, and Michael Thompson and Aaron Green is a great prospect at running back. Finally when you add in transfer receivers Ju’ Juan Storey and Josh Doctson, Deante’ Gray’s move back to wide receiver, and Stephen Bryant returning from the knee to those six players the TCU offense projects to be significantly better than it was last year.
That was a great start, but TCU still needed to address short term needs in the offensive line and at least one running back. Long term they need to bring in another quarterback prospect, more athletic depth along the offensive line, depth at running back, and younger players to start grooming at wide receiver (Time flies people and don’t forget that Carter, White, and Porter all will be juniors next season.).
Considering the short and long term needs I think TCU did a great job at their skill positions and I think people will be surprised in the offensive line sooner than expected by many. Here are profiles of the players TCU projects to the offensive side of the ball in their 2013 class:
ZAC ALLEN (6’3” 185 lb.) – quarterback prospect from Temple, Texas. Allen was a late pledge to TCU switching from Syracuse literally days before TCU students returned for the spring semester. This might be part of the reason he got lost from the attention as it seemed one day he was committing and the next enrolling in school.
Don’t view him as a prospect signed to fill a roster spot as he has a great deal of upside. TCU has trended towards mobile quarterbacks and while some regard him as a drop back passer he has run under 4.6 in the forty and over 1,800 yards during his high school career. His career passing numbers are over 4,500 yards with 39 scoring tosses and Allen showed enough in Dallas last summer to earn an invite to the Elite 11 Camp.
He needs to get physically strong (Hudl shows his him with a 225 bp/ 340 sq/ 245 pc) as he has a wiry build, but remember that just two years ago he was playing quarterback as a sophomore at around 155. There are the same questions you will see about any high school spread quarterback. Can he make reads, arm strength etc. but I do think Allen is a good quarterback prospect with an accurate arm and plus mobility.
TREVORRIS JOHNSON (6’ 210 lb.) – running back prospect from Alief Taylor High School in Houston. Last year many people were surprised by the play of true freshman running back B.J. Catalon. Maybe it was because Catalon played at an HISD school, maybe it was because prior to his senior year BJ didn’t post big numbers like other high school backs, and maybe he did make the combine circuit so many recruiting services use to verify the value of a prospect. If you looked at his numbers and watched the video you could see he was a legit prospect. Meet this year’s version of the prospect that posted big numbers, faced good competition, and for some reason really hasn’t gotten the attention.
Trevorris is a physical back with a down hill running style that projects to fill a need in the TCU backfield for a bigger running back. If you watch the video you can see that once he makes a decision he hits hard utilizing a strong lower body and above average body shift. Hudl shows his bench at 305 and a 405 sq to compliment a sub 4.5 forty time. Johnson is not the home run threat that Catalon was at Westside and isn’t comparable to Aaron Green or a healthy Waymon James. He projects to be a physical running prospect to compliment those smaller backs and he looks to have a frame that can carry 220-230 lbs as he matures, but long runs against Aldine Eisenhower and Houston Lamar show he has plus quickness in the open field.
So why no more attention? Consider that prior to his senior year he had ~700 career rushing yards and 7 scores. His senior year he posted over 2,100 yards/ 19 touchdowns/ 7.8 ypc for a team that he was basically the offense. The rest of Alief Taylor’s offensive skill players TOTALED less than 1,500 yards combined and 16 touchdowns. Bottom line is that opponents went into games knowing if they stopped Trevorris they stood a good chance to beat Taylor and they faced some very good defenses last year.
I have heard and read some comments about his struggles in the Katy, Eisenhower, and Hightower games. Johnson was held down in each of those games aside from a long run against Ike. If you look at each video you will see that there just wasn’t much running room and some great runs for no game. Additionally, each of those games was unique and in the case of Katy more than a few very good backs struggled against them. Patrick Carr was on a much more talented The Woodlands offense and struggled, same for Jamaal James of Cinco Ranch, and Keith Ford only hit Katy for a 77 yard scoring run (he did little else when the game mattered) when the Tigers were up 56-0 in the third quarter.
The biggest selling point to me on Johnson though is the 176 he posted against Lamar on 28 carries. Lamar’s defense was playing as well as any group in the state by the end of the year and basically carried that team into the 5A finals against Allen. Watch the video of that game and you will see Johnson didn’t back down against a defense that came after him the entire game.
Bottom line is that in my mind Trevorris Johnson might end up being the biggest immediate impact player on the TCU offense in 2013.
KYLE HICKS (5’ 10” 190 lb.) –running back prospect from Arlington Martin. Hicks is the highest rated of the Frogs recruits in 2013 and was a UT pledge who switched to the Frogs late citing a desire to play close to home and connection with former high school teammate Devonte Fields. A friend who is a UT alum joking says that Hicks is the player to be named later in the Daje’ Johnson trade. I don’t believe that Hicks’ decision to switch is a sign that recruits view the UT and TCU programs on the same plane, but I do believe it was and is a positive sign for other prospects in the Metroplex especially that a highly regarded prospect with standing offers with other large programs opted to stay at home.
When you watch video on Hicks you see a back with plus quickness, vision, and balance. He is a very patient running who anticipates and sets up blocks very well. It is very easy to see why Gary Patterson in his press conference on signing day used the cliché of “thunder and lighting” when describing the differing styles of Kyle and Trevorris.
A three-year letterman for a very good Martin program Hicks was used in a variety of roles on offense (primarily a back he was also used as their quarterback in the wildcat formation, in the passing game, and also has returned kicks) his last two years he totaled over 3,900 yards in total offense and 57 touchdowns. Noted performances include 113 yards rushing as a junior in Martin’s play-off victory over favored Trinity, over 100 total yards against DeSoto (including a great touch down run you can find on Hudl), and 200+ yards against Skyline and Arlington High.
The biggest question about Hicks has nothing to do with his ability as he definitely has plus ability in almost every area as a back except for physical size. Unfortunately his sophomore year and senior year were shortened by injury (foot as a sophomore and a knee as a senior) and that does raise the durability question. I would anticipate with TCU projecting Green, Catalon, and Johnson for next fall and quite possibly a well James that Hicks would be able to sit the year to ensure his recovery. Once well I think TCU has shown that they do a good job of spreading the load among their backs and I do think that in a year the combination of Green, Catalon, Johnson, and Hicks will provide a very formidable backfield for opposing defenses.
TY SLANINA (6’ 182 lb.) – wide receiver prospect from East Bernard High School. The easy thing of Ty is to focus on his speed. He has been clocked under 4.4 at multiple college camps, run 23.20 in the 200M as a sophomore, 15.96 in the 110H, and 42.08 in the 300H. Some track athletes don’t always translate their speed on the track to success on the football field (i.e. Refugio’s Toya Jones for example), but in Ty’s case the explosive quickness combined with plus vision and agility helped him produce some big numbers in East Bernard’s option offense. Over three years he ran for over 3,100 yards, averaged 11.0 ypc, ran for 55 touchdowns, and ran for a touchdown every 5th carry. Among Ty’s 64 career scoring plays in three years at East Bernard 18 were over fifty yards, 7 were over seventy yards, and AVERAGED over 35.0 yards per scoring play.
This is a guy whose career was a continual string of big plays and it is very easy to see him being a big-play guy for TCU playing the inside receiver position. If you watch the highlights on Hudl you can see the great acceleration in a run against Altair Rice where Ty outruns two defenders who have the angle on him. I reference this specific play because the biggest knock on him is the level of competition he faced at 2A. Watch the play and note how far ahead they are of Ty when he breaks clear of the line and Ty shows the plus acceleration needed to score untouched by either defender.
Best part of this kid though isn’t the great speed, balance, or instincts. Ty is a tremendous competitor from a line of competitors. His maternal grandfather is a Texas high school football coaching legend, uncle was a great high school athlete, mother was an even better high school and college athlete, and father played college football. This is a kid who has been taught to not only play the game the right way, but to win. He has won multiple medals at the state track meet and was part of a state championship football team this year at East Bernard. You want every recruit to pan out on the field, but the very best of the recruits are those who have a positive impact on your program off it as well. Ty is that type of recruit.
The biggest knocks on Ty are his frame, level of competition, and the position change. Remember that Ty is a three sport athlete in high school (football, track & field, and baseball) so he has never gone through a truly focused off-season program. He plans to try playing football and baseball at TCU which Patterson and his staff have experience with sharing the athlete. He will never be a big receiver, but I do think he will get stronger and be able to handle the physical demands of the position.
In regards to the conversion to wide receiver this is another area the staff has had very good success with during their time in Fort Worth. The two most recent examples and quite possibly the best are Jeremy Kerley and Brandon Carter. Ty and fellow 2013 recruit/ receiver prospect Cameron Echols-Luper show many of the same traits as those players and I will not be surprised if one of them makes an impact in 2013 even with the Frogs depth at receiver.
CAMERON ECHOLS-LUPER (6’ 190 lb.) wide receiver prospect from Auburn High School in Auburn, Alabama. In many ways CEL is a mirror image of Ty Slanina. CEL has that same explosive speed being time consistently under 4.4 in the 40 along with electronic times of 10.65 in the 100M, 21.24 in the 200M, and long jumped just under 24’.
He played predominantly quarterback in high school he amassed over 4,300 total yards and 51 touchdowns playing in Alabama largest classification. Watching the video of CEL you can see the plus quickness combine with great agility, vision, and balance. Much like Slanina, the people I talked to about CEL raved as much or more about the strength of his character traits and leadership as they did his speed and explosiveness with the ball. One difference between the two is CEL does appear to have a bit bigger and stronger frame. Hudl shows best of 285 in the bench press and best squat of 380.
TCU has recruited multiple players from outside the state of Texas during Patterson’s tenure and I think these kids get oft overlooked and underrated. CEL was an Ag commit who opted to look elsewhere and was contacted by multiple other Big 12 schools before deciding on TCU. The biggest questions on him like Ty are not the physical ability as the move over to the receiver position.
JERMAINE ANTOINE (5’11” 190 lb.) – wide receiver prospect from Loreauville High School in Loreauville, Louisiana. Some recruits arrive with resumes that contain eye popping stats and/or physically impressive numbers and others on paper just don’t see to be as impressive.
I don’t think it is an insult to Jermaine to say that on paper he doesn’t look as impressive as his 2013 recruit/receiver prospect peers Ty Slanina and Cameron Echols-Luper. It is also important for me to point out that earlier in this article I referenced the recruit of Derrick Kindred last year and if you compared Derrick on paper to fellow 2012 recruit/ safety prospect Jordan Moore the difference between the two on two would be just as vast. Point being that some guys are just ball players plain and simple. It doesn’t mean that they don’t have physical tools because the only way Kindred could come up with 10 open field tackles against the WVU last year was if he could run just a bit as well as a few other things.
I can’t find a forty time for Antoine anywhere, no confirmed track times, and the numbers for his senior year in high school are a somewhat pedestrian 1,200+ total yards and 17 touchdowns. Watch the video of him however and you see a kid who continually makes plays on both sides of the ball. Offensively Jermaine shows great balance, plus acceleration, very good vision and anticipation, and a very strong lower body. Defensively we see good anticipation and a willingness to contact.
As pointed out with CEL, I think many don’t know much about Jermaine because they don’t know high school football in Louisiana and questions about academics kept his offers down. I know some are bothered by his only true offer at the end being from North Texas, but if you watch the video and look at the staff’s track record I think this is a guy with potential. He starts at receiver, but I would not be surprised if there is move to the backfield or the defensive side of the ball.
CHARLIE REID (6’5” 225 lb.) – tight end prospect from All Saints Episcopal School in Ft. Worth Texas. On paper Charlie looks to be everything TCU has been looking for in a tight end. He shows great speed posting not only a sub 4.6 forty, but an 11.4 100M, a 23.7 200M and a 55.7 400M. to compliment (according to Hudl) a 335 best on the bench press and a 475 squat.
His numbers in high school indicate production shouldn’t be a concern as he caught 119 balls during his high school career, totaled 2,431 yards, averaged over 20 yards a catch in his career, and had 27 scoring catches. Charlie’s senior numbers alone (50 catches – 1,229 yards – 24.6 yards per catch – 17 scoring catches) dwarf the career numbers of fellow 2013 signee and tight end prospect Bryson Burnett.
The biggest questions surrounding Reid are first the level of competition he faced in high school playing in the Southwest Preparatory Conference and one of the two teams they played last year that wasn’t a private/prep school was Carter Riverside which is a historically bad FWISD program, but Brownwood is a very solid program and they beat them handily. I think one big thing to remember is it really doesn’t matter if Gordon Wood or Bob Shipley were on that Brownwood sideline. Instead, that the level of competition faced by All Saints was not that much different than many of the kids playing 3A ball and lower around the state and that he played at a very high level. There will be an adjustment period, but will it take any long than Slanina, Burnett, Denzell Johnson, or even Trevorris Johnson who play at the 5A level.
The second question and the bigger one to me is that in many of Reid’s highlights you see him split out into a slot. We don’t really know what the future of the TCU will be with Fuentes leaving for Memphis last season, the loss of Casey, the porous offensive line, and the erratic play of Boykin. There has been talk about the desire to utilize the tight end position in a manner similar to the Patriots which involves multiple TE’s, multiple alignments, and Reid’s physical abilities would seem ideal for him lining up in the back-field as an H-back, as a wing, in the slot, and a traditional alignment. In some of those situations he will have to contend with having a defensive player lined up over him and his ability to release from the line and get into the route while facing a defender who is better athletically in all phases than what he saw in high school is an unknown. I truly believe this is the biggest challenge a new prospect faces when making the jump from high school to college regardless of the high classification. Off the top of my head I truly don’t recall that many linebackers, defensive ends, or safeties that are comparable to what the offensive player will face in college on a weekly basis and the ability to make that adjustment is critical.
Tight end is a position that TCU has not gotten much production in recent years, big things were expected of Stephen Bryant who was lost to a knee and now much show he is ready to contribute, and the leading receiver in terms of career catches at the position is Griffin Gilbert with 2 catches for 11 yards. That means there is a great chance for Reid to see the time early if he can make the jump to the college level. The physical ability is there, but that isn’t the hard part of the equation.
BRYSON BURNETT (6’ 5” – 225 lb.) –tight end prospect from Springtown High School in Springtown, Texas. Unlike his tight end contemporary Reid; Burnett doesn’t bring big production numbers from high school. In fact, I am not sure if Bryson had 25 career catches at tight end and a good number of the video you can find on him is playing on the defensive side of the ball for the Porcupines.
Remember though that of any position on the offensive side of the ball that seems to be hard to project based upon high school numbers it is tight end. Burnett is a great athlete with a long frame that looks thinner than his peer Reid though they both are listed at similar weights. Playing for a 3A high school he played both sides of the ball which is something he most likely wouldn’t have done had he played for a larger school and in his video footage you see very good quickness and flexibility for his size.
That shouldn’t come as a surprise as Bryson not only has run in 4.6’s in the forty, Hudl shows a 4.12 shuttle, and he has posted track times of 15.44 in the 110HH’s along with 40.2 in the 300 IMH’s. The hurdle times are interesting because those are faster than wide receiver recruit Ty Slanina has posted at the same distances.
A multi-sport athlete at Springtown you can tell he has great lower body strength and explosion through his hips as Hudl shows a squat of 515, a power clean of 330 (impressive when you consider that is almost 150% of his body weight), and a 32” vertical leap. Combine the physical ability with great intelligence on and off the field I truly believe Burnett is one of those players who TCU has had great success in the past with finding, give time to physically develop, and make an impact compared to higher rated peers.
Bryson did graduate early and is going through spring practice. It will be very interesting to see how he physically matures in the next few months and how fast he adjusts to college level competition. Unlike Reid, Burnett normally lined up as a traditional tight end, but we don’t know how effective he can be in the passing game. You can find some footage on him from 7-on-7, but there is a big difference in flag-football (I realize how physical it can get, but it isn’t the same.) and full pads. As stated above, TCU really doesn’t have a great number of known’s at the tight end position with Bryant returning from knee surgery, Gilbert still being more of a big receiver and h-black that a traditional tight end, and Ballard-Merka-Murphy have not really shown yet they are up to the needs of the position.
Burnett will get a chance, but also don’t be surprised if you see him flip over to the defensive side of the ball. I have heard him compared to the Schobels in terms of physical ability and playing style.
EASON FROMAYAN (6’5” 285 lb) – offensive tackle prospect from Milton High School in Alpharetta, Georgia might be the least known of the four offensive line prospects signed by TCU in 2013, but don’t be surprised if he ends up in the rotation at offensive tackle. TCU has recruited a large number of kids from outside the state of Texas while Patterson has been head coach and I do believe this is one reason why their talent is oft under rated by people inside the state of Texas. Texas is such a big state that I have never bought into anyone being able to accurately gauge all the talent in a given class let alone be able to accurately compare that talent with players from outside the state.
He was All-State at the largest classification in Georgia last year and was a Cincinnati commit that flipped to TCU. His father was a 4-year letterman in basketball at TCU and you can see Eason has plus agility and footwork in his video. In terms of physical measurables Hudl shows a 5.12 forty, 29” vertical, 365 bench, and a 470 pound squat.
Watching his footage Eason combines a long frame with good footwork and the ability to get to the second level on running plays. He needs to get more consistent in his initial punch off the line and is a little stiff, but you don’t find many high school offensive linemen who are truly polished in all areas because they rarely get challenged by the time of player they will see in college. Fromayan did face good competition in high school and with his being able to go through spring in 2013 and build on his physical conditioning I would not be shocked if he ended up being the fourth offensive tackle for TCU in their rotation in 2013.
PATRICK MORRIS (6’ 3” 290 lb.) – offensive line prospect from Guyer High School in Denton, Texas. Morris played for one of the most successful programs in the state of Texas and faced some of the best competition in the Metroplex area in early season and the state going into the play-offs.
He primarily played offensive tackle for the Wildcats, but projects to slide inside which fits his body build and strengths as a player. Key word here is strength as Morris has posted numbers of 350 in the bench, 560 in the squat, and a 385 power clean. Those last two numbers reflect the great lower body strength Morris has and you can see it watching him on video. He is very physical at the point of attack with a wide, compact build and good feet he keeps up under himself when run blocking.
Biggest weakness looks to be lateral agility, but if he slides down inside that should be minimized and there is talk that the Frogs might look at him as a possible center prospect. TCU is thin at proven talent at the guard and center position and Morris will be given every chance to show he can contribute as part of their interior line. The biggest challenge though is proving he can handle college level interior defensive linemen. These are guys who are going to be larger, stronger, and in some cases quicker than what he faced in high school. Morris is a player who has been able to physically dominate most of the defensive linemen he has faced in his career, but that will change the moment he steps onto the TCU campus. If he can hold his own in fall camp against the Frog d-tackles he will be able to contribute, but that isn’t a given. Joey Hunt found out last year just how big that jump can be when he struggled being able to hold up at the point of attack against KU and ISU early in the conference schedule. Perfect world would be Morris follows the same model TCU has used in the past for their offensive line which would be a red-shirt year and then Morris work his way into the starting line-up, but unless someone steps up inside I wouldn’t be shocked to see Morris garner playing time early to see if he will be ready to help come conference play.
JOSEPH NOTEBOOM (6’5” 260 lb.) – offensive line prospect from Plano High School appears to be the most athletic of the four offensive linemen signed in 2013, but projects to be the least likely to help in 2013 based upon his weighing only 260. It is possible he could gain weight before August, but after seeing him at the OU last fall he looked more like a TE or DE than a OT (especially in the legs).
That doesn’t mean there isn’t a great deal to like with Noteboom and it begins with plus feet and quickness for an offensive line prospect with a long frame. If you watch his video you can see how he is able to quickly turn his body to shield defenders and get to the second level on running plays. No surprise based upon the 4.8 forty he is reported to have run, but he will need to gain some weight and get stronger (reported 315 bench and 400 squat. In comparison 160 lb. cornerback prospect Ranthony Texada has a posted squat of 370).
TCU needs to have athletic tackles to handle the pass rushers they will face in the Big 12 and I think that Noteboom has the upside to be a very athletic offensive tackle. The reality is there are very few high school kids who have all the traits you want in terms of size, strength, agility, balance, and feet. It is very difficult to take a big player who doesn’t have the last three and compensate on the edge which is why I would rather the Frogs opt for someone like Noteboom who has those last three, a frame to gain weight, and the work ethic to get stronger than the other. Big key here will be time and patience.
LLOYD TUNSTILL (6’4” 330 lb.) – offensive line prospect from College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita, California. Patterson and his staff have not been afraid to action if they felt there was a hole in their team that needed to be filled quickly. Perfect examples are signing Jason Verrett two years ago out of Santa Rosa JC to address a hole at cornerback on the 2012 team and last year signing PJ Dawson out of Trinity Valley JC after the Frog linebacker position got wiped out due to injuries and stupidity. Yes, Dawson did not come close to make the same impact as Verrett, heck it can be argued that Dawson barely made an impact at all on the 2012 team. I liked the move because they did something about a need on the roster and they acted instead of trying to force the same solution.
Patterson has commented that TCU must get stronger in their interior offensive line and when you look at the Frog roster what we see inside for them is one known in Tausch, hope that Michael Thompson is healthy and has lost weight, a senior who has yet to continually contribute in Woolridge, and four younger players in Childs, Foltz, Hunt, and Naff who will be given every chance to show they deserve time in the spring and the fall camps. All of that means if you are truly honest that TCU has one player they know what they can expect and several if’s which isn’t always bad, but you need to have a contingency plan and it is even better if that plan is good enough to push for starter’s minutes and force those if’s to step up if they want time next fall.
Tunstill is exactly that contingency plan. He is a very physical player with good size and strength who should be able to push for a starting position inside for the Frogs. As with Morris you will find Tunstill playing tackle in most of the video available on him. What you will see is a guy who isn’t the most agile, gets beat at times by quicker players, and needs to deliver more than an initial punch at times. You will also see a big, physical frame combined with a nasty streak in a player. Unfortunately, Lloyd wasn’t an early enrollee and gone through spring practice. He could use the time to refine technique and he does need to lose some weight to improve his agility and quickness.
With his being a JUCO with two years to play two Tunstill needs to come to Ft. Worth in shape so that he can contribute early and often next year. It would be great if his presence motivated some of the younger players to up their level of play, but it would be a big disappointment if Lloyd isn’t at least part of the Frogs interior line rotation.
Defensively TCU came into the 2012 with a number of questions and many people skeptical that the Frogs could have the same type of success in the offensive minded Big 12 as they had under Patterson in CUSA and then MWC. Despite having an offensive that struggled all season with trouble in its offensive line, the loss of Casey Pachall one game into conference play, an inexperienced quarterback in Boykin, the loss of Ed Wesley prior to the season, Wayman James early in the year, and Tucker hurt much of the year TCU put together a very impressive first season in its new conference.
The Frogs finished among the top three schools in 8 of the 10 team defensive categories for the total season 6 of the 10 for conference play. The only category they finished in the bottom half was red zone defense for both season and conference play. What makes these results even more impressive besides the problems on the offensive side of the ball is that TCU had no real depth at cornerback (a critical position in the Frogs defense), played an undersized walk on much of the season at linebacker, and played two upperclassmen in their defensive line. Among those players in the TCU defensive front were three true freshmen (Fields, Lathan, and McFarland), red-shirt freshman Davion Pearson, and three sophomores (Hunter, Johnson, and Lewis).
Coming out of 2012 the only real short-term needs the Frogs appeared to have was depth at cornerback (something that could be addressed by transfer David Jenkins who Patterson and Jennings are very high on and hopefully a contribution from a healthy Travoskey Garrett) and help at linebacker in terms of replacing senior Kenny Cain and depth at the position. That changed a bit however when junior Stansley Maponga opted to enter the NFL draft opening up a need a defensive end. Regardless of the reason(s) why Maponga left or if it was a smart move the only reality that matters for this team in 2013 is that they have a big hole to fill opposite DeVonte’ Fields.
The Frogs added quality depth at cornerback, but it remains to be seen if they did find immediate help at linebacker and defensive end. Long term I like the prospects TCU signed at linebacker, but there are legitimate questions if the three are physically ready to play in the Big 12 at linebacker. The Frogs got caught by surprise on Maponga and I think Patterson and his staff lost critical time they could have used to address the need had they had some forewarning. They did sign a JUCO defensive end that looks like he will be able to provide at least quality depth, but I am not sure is the ultimate answer at this position for the Frogs. That could come from either McFarland or Anderson, but I am also intrigued by the potential of Bryson Henderson. He shows great quickness off the ball, plus flexibility and agility for a big man, and shows a knack for slipping blockers. Henderson doesn’t project long term as a defensive end, but I do think he might be a short term solution at the position and an overlooked gem in the defensive line.
Biggest question for him actually is the test score which takes me to the long-term view of the defensive recruiting class. If you look at the Frogs roster they are loaded on the defensive side of the ball with young players. This class projects to fill the long-term needs of the back seven and could help in the interior defensive line with Henderson and late signee Tevin Lawson. Both Henderson and Lawson have academic questions which sets up a hit big/ miss big scenario for the Frogs. If they can get both kids on campus I think TCU will be in great shape for the future, but if they struggle look for the Frogs to end up looking for multiple defensive tackles in 2014 to pair with the defensive end prospects they need to sign in the 2014 class.
In might sound crazy with all that happened inside the program in the spring of 2012 and the subsequent season, but the Frogs dodged some bullets at key positions during the season. We will find out very, very quickly if they were able to address short term needs at linebacker and defensive end and the key the long-term will be Henderson and Lawson being and staying on campus next fall. Here are profiles of the players TCU projects to the defensive side of the ball in their 2013 class:
Mike Tuaua (6’ 3” 260lb.) – defensive end prospect from Santa Rosa Junior College in Rohnhert Park, California with the bonus of having three years of eligibility at TCU. He broke his leg early in his time at Santa Rosa missing that season due to the injury. Tuaua was an unknown to many on signing day, but TCU had been in contact with him prior and Patterson has a very strong relationship with his JUCO coach. It is also the same JUCO that provided TCU with cornerback Jason Verrett.
You can’t find a great deal of video on Tuaua and there isn’t much available on things such as speed and lifts. What I did find is that he went 37’+ in the shot as a freshman to place third in the junior varsity division of the 2008 North Bay League Championships held at his school, Rancho Cotate. Not really sure what happened next in his high school track career or why he didn’t play basketball beyond his junior season when he is listed on the Rancho Cotate varsity roster. Attached are some highlights from his high school season in 2010 when he was a tight end/ defensive end for a very good team. There are some very positive things written about his play against Cardinal Newman and he received accolades for his senior play. I couldn’t find much more beyond that as I couldn’t find him listed in the Rivals or Scout database for California in 2010-11.
What does matter though is that during his one full season in a good California Junior College League he was very productive posting over sixteen tackles for a loss and eight sacks. TCU wants defensive linemen who can get up field and you can see watching the video Mike is a player who is pushing up field every play as hard as he possibly can go. With the long hair, square build, and playing style he does have look about him of being the stereotypical football player with Polynesian roots.
Unfortunately Tuaua won’t be on campus in the spring, but based upon comments you find about him there aren’t concerns about the type of physical condition he will report to camp. His work ethic and discipline are things you read about time and time again. The bigger opportunity missed isn’t just his as the Frog offensive tackles could use the work against a hard charging defensive end. Mike might be the least known of the TCU defensive recruits, but don’t be surprised if he makes the biggest impact early on as he appears to have the strength and physical style to play opposite Fields in 2013. I can’t tell you why bigger programs didn’t pursue Tuaua in 2011 and why he seemed to fly under the radar in 2013. One though that does have some credence based upon the comments made by his JC Coach is that Mike could have opted to come back to Santa Rosa last year if he wanted because of the broken leg during his first year at the school.
If the linked article is correct it was the contact by his coach, a former player for Patterson who tipped TCU off to a defensive end who was available and overlooked that he felt could step in and help the Frogs in 2013. Patterson has a reputation for loyalty among his former players and his staff. You don’t get that unless you do as you say and mean what you say which is Gary and I don’t think Mike was offered as a favor to a former player. That player wouldn’t have brought him to Gary’s attention if he wasn’t positive that “Big Mike” was a Patterson type of guy who could help right now and as far as I am concerned I will take the opinion of one of Gary’s former players over a “recruiting guru”.
BRYSON HENDERSON (6’ 4” 245 lb.) –defensive line prospect from Summit High School in Mansfield Texas. Last year TCU signed a defensive line class with highly regarded prospect Devonte Fields, old/ de linebacker Prospect James McFarland, and a late commit from a very raw defensive line prospect with a great frame in Terrell Lathan. As the 2012 season played out Fields was even better than projected as he became a dominant defensive lineman by mid-season, McFarland flashed great potential and have some believing he will give the Frogs another great pass rusher off the edge, but the guy who truly surprised many with his play was Lathan. When David Johnson went down with a knee Terrell not only filled the spot in the Frogs interior defensive line rotation, but he flashed potential that he might be much more than a rotation player. With some time in the weight room and improved technique it is very easy to project Lathan as a dominant defensive tackle for the Frogs.
When I watched the video of Bryson Henderson I immediately thought of Lathan with even more upside potential. The reason why I say that is Henderson has that same huge frame. When you see him reach for a ball carrier his arms just seem to reach out forever, but the difference is that Henderson shows plus agility, very good flexibility, and a knack for slipping blockers that is something you don’t teach a player. Watch the video and you see him naturally find around and force his way between blockers. Patterson wants defensive linemen who can get up field and create havoc and you can see that on play after play of Henderson’s footage.
You can also see a great deal of natural strength that belies a 245 lb. frame. Bryson extends that inside elbow to hold off blockers while pushing up field and my favorite clip is when he craters a pulling guard from Everman with that same move. It is not the type of strength you see built from time in the weight room, but the type of strength that if you have makes you damn near impossible to handle solo by an offensive lineman.
I haven’t heard anything that would indicate I am on to something, but I am just curious with the agility and the quickness (only measurable I could find for Henderson is a listing of a 4.8 forty time) if he could possibly play some snaps as a strong side defensive end for the Frogs. Unfortunately, none of that might come to pass if he doesn’t get his test score. Henderson doubled signed and while close he has yet to get the number. As pointed out before I think if he gets on campus he has the potential to become a monster for the Frogs in the defensive line, but none of the matters if can get the score.
TEVIN LAWSON ( 6’ 4” 285 lb.) – defensive tackle prospect from Denham Springs High School in Denham Springs, Louisiana. A good friend of mine commented that the first time he saw Chucky Hunter on video his first thought was here was a stereotypical SEC defensive tackle. Hunter had a wide build, looked a bit soft, and at the snap just created all kinds of havoc with plus quickness and agility that just didn’t seem to match his body.
When I first saw video of Lawson that was my thoughts first went as I remembered a young Michael Brockers playing in Houston. Neither will ever be that sculpted body or the first person you want off the bus if you are headed to the Venice Beach of the Big XII known as Austin. Massive frame, long arms, and a good burst that gives them a better first ten yards than any of the last thirty which is perfect for a defensive tackle who can hold the interior against the run and collapse the interior pocket flushing the quarterback to the faster players off the edge.
Some have asked about Lawson possibly playing offensive tackle and he did play that position most of his senior season, but he was recruited by TCU to start at defensive tackle and that was the same as LSU. As mentioned above, when you watch his footage at defensive tackles you see a plus burst combined with long arms that allowed him to close on ball carriers. It is important to remember that with Lawson we are talking more tools than polish right now as Denham Springs is not a school that has poured the resources into its football program like Katy, SLC, Allen, or Denton Guyer.
Much like his defensive line recruit peer Henderson, Lawson needs work and will benefit from time in the weight room, but with his size and quickness it would not be a complete surprise that he push for minutes in 2013 and allow the Frogs to red-shirt someone like Jon Lewis. It could get interesting next fall if for the opener TCU had on the field at the same time two defensive tackles who wanted to go to TCU, got spurned, and ended up with the Frogs.
SAMMY DOUGLAS (6’3” 195 lb.) – linebacker prospect from Arlington High School in Arlington, Texas. Several years back TCU had a linebacker from Dallas SOC who I am not sure could bench his weight when he got to campus, had a better burst in the first twenty yards than forty, but Gary Spahn’s game was not about how much he could live or the time on a watch. He had unbelievable instincts, could pursue through trash somehow without getting caught up, and would just make play after play after play.
Watching footage about Douglas and reading about him I get the same feeling about Sammy. He isn’t going to grab your attention with his physical measurables (Hudl shows a 265 bench, 305 squat, 240 power clean, and 27.5” vertical), but when you watch his footage you see Sammy continually making tackles.
Don’t get me wrong. Douglas has athletic ability and has run on multiple relays in track for Arlington High. Just as I don’t think Tevin Lawson will ever have that Greek god body I am not sure Sammy is the first guy you want off the bus either. He is however a damn good linebacker prospect that Patterson can keep from saying good things about and once again we are reminded that you want guys who are football players who make great plays and not just someone who is a great looking football player.
Douglas has a rangy frame with long arms that when combined when a plus burst allowed him to close down high school ball carriers. He will need to get stronger as if you watch the Kyle Hicks video you will see Sammy struggle at times physically at the point of attack versus high school offensive linemen. How big will that problem be in college? Many of the offenses in the Big XII are spread oriented , but the Frog linebackers do have to take on offensive linemen as well as the backs and receivers you are going to be asked to tackle or bigger and stronger than what you faced in high school.
With the depth problems at linebacker it isn’t farfetched to believe that Sammy sees time next fall. Truth be told TCU needs at least one of the young linebackers to make an impact in 2013 and if Sammy has a good spring and summer I think he can provide some quality depth.
DAC SHAW (6’2” 200lb.) – linebacker prospect from Mineola High School in Mineola, Texas. Shaw is comparable to Douglas in having a long frame with plus balance, quickness, and agility. He looks a bit thicker to me than Sammy, but that also might be because of the difference in the players Dac is facing on video playing for 2A Mineola versus the players Douglas faced at 5A Arlington High.
It doesn’t mean that Shaw isn’t a legitimate prospect or that he can’t play right away, but that sometimes you have to be careful watching the video and you see defensive lineman fall off Shaw as he runs the football. You can see good natural strength in Shaw and he closes on the ball carrier quickly. I couldn’t mind much on Shaw’s measurables and do know he was a multiple sport athlete at Mineola which most likely means he hasn’t spent as much time in the weight room as he will starting this summer.
I have talked to some people who are very high on Dac’s potential, but I really can’t make any type of guess as to whether or not he will be able to make a contribution in 2013.
PAUL WHITMILL (5’11” 200 lb.) – linebacker prospect from Bastrop High School in Bastrop, Texas. Paul was highly regarded as a sophomore and junior, but slipped a bit n the recruiting rankings and the biggest reason I can find is he just didn’t grow very much since his sophomore year. I am not disagreeing with the idea of factoring in things such as frame and growth potential (especially when you consider the other two linebackers who TCU signed in this class), but I want to point out that you really can’t find too many people who will tell you that Paul stopped making the types of plays he did the two years prior.
Whitmill has a very solid build with a great burst of quickness and is a physical defender. It you watch his video footage you will see him playing out in coverage on multiple plays which opens up the thought that while Paul might not have the perfect size to play linebacker he physically doesn’t look that different from Derrick Kindred did playing multiple positions at SA Waggoner.
TCU was very vulnerable last year with their linebackers in pass coverage which led to them running a 4-1-6 in a few games. The Frogs didn’t sign a bigger linebacker and I am not sure if they really found a bigger linebacker in the JUCO ranks that they felt they could bring to campus and help them immediately. I think it is very interesting with the offenses in the Big XII that Patterson has talked about moving a player like Anderson from linebacker to safety in an attempt to get faster at the position instead of bigger.
Consider that he specifically said he wanted to get bigger in the defensive line and I can’t claim any true incite behind the purple curtain, but I am curious if Patterson is comfortable signing multiple safety/linebacker prospects that have similar size and skills to give him the speed and flexibility to face the Big XII offenses. If you look at players such as the three linebackers and safety prospects such as George Baltimore and Denzel Johnson there are very common physical traits and abilities in all five prospects.
Following that line of thinking I think Whitmill is a great example of a prospect who isn’t as highly regarded by some schools who don’t run the 4-2-5 and more importantly don’t have Gary’s eye for finding those kids who seem to not quite fit in one position, but have the speed and physical nature needed to excel in the Frogs system. If you watch the footage you can see Whitmill’s ability to tackle in the open field and his physical style which is complimented by above average quickness. As with Douglass, Paul has run on Bastrop’s 4 x 100, 4 x 200, and 4 x 400 meter relays the past two seasons.
GEORGE BALTIMORE (6’ 205 lb.) – safety prospect from Mansfield High School in Mansfield, Texas. Baltimore is a thick, powerfully built safety prospect who fits into the description I just described above about Paul Whitmill. In fact, the two remind me a bit of each other.
George played a traditional safety at Mansfield and showed good instincts to compliment plus quickness and a willingness to be physical. I talked with a few people who think he is a bit stiff in coverage, but I think he can handle any of the three safety positions for the Frogs. He posted a best time of 11.25 in the 100 M as a sophomore and has consistently run in the range of 4.55 -4.6. this means he runs well enough and a reported vertical of 33” shows good explosion through the hips combined with a best of 265 on the bench according to HUDL.
The thought by many is that Baltimore will first see time at free safety, but as mentioned before I would not be surprised to see him end up playing closer to the line of scrimmage.
DENZEL JOHNSON (6’2” 205 lb.) – safety/athlete prospect from Gainesville High School in Gainesville, Texas. Johnson is a prospect who didn’t gather much attention until late in the process, but if you read around on a few blogs his name did start to pop up the middle of his senior season and one blogger compared him to current Frog Sam Carter.
So why the low profile? There was a time when D-1 prospects were common at Gainesville as they were one of the strongest 3A programs in the state. Time passes and when you have turnover at the head coaching position word doesn’t always circulate the way it should for some prospects. Don’t confuse however the lack of recognition for a lack of athletic ability. Johnson has a long frame with great balance and agility. HUDL posts best of 4.5 in the forty, a 37” vertical, 290 bench press, and a 400 pound squat.
What you need to remember on those last two numbers is that Denzel is a four sport athlete for Gainesville having started three years of varsity football, three years of varsity basketball, and four years of varsity baseball. Not a great deal of down time which also means he hasn’t spent a great deal of time in the weight room like he will for the Frogs. Johnson is a raw prospect on the football field and his name has been tossed around for multiple possible positions in his future. The thought is that he will start on defense at safety and things will take their course from there.
The best part of Johnson though might not be his athletic ability. Talking to people in the area he is a leader and a competitor. One person pointed out that he has started since a freshman for Gainesville playing baseball in a district in which they are on the short end of the stick when it comes to resources and players. Hasn’t mattered to him as he comes to compete regardless of the mismatch with stronger district teams (i.e. Argyle) and that says a great deal to me about Johnson.
STEVE WESLEY (6’ 175 lb.) – cornerback prospect from Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas. Wesley was an early pledge for the Frogs and played for an established program in Bowie, but it is tough to find much about him.
What I could find is that most sites had him listed at 4.6 or under in the forty, there is no video footage on YouTube or HUDL, and I really could not find much in terms of individual track times (He was listed on Bowie’s 4 x 100 and 4 x 200 relay teams). Look around and didn’t find much combine information so what does any of this mean?
Not really much when you consider that Clay Jennings has earned himself a very solid reputation in finding talent and that if he and Patterson felt Steve deserved an offer that is good enough for me. True, that doesn’t score very high on the services rating scales, but once again Wesley might be a kid who doesn’t fit in all systems, but TCU thinks he will excel in their scheme. I have heard comparison’s in body build to Greg McCoy with the same quick burst. No real way to know if he has McCoy’s top end speed, but also consider that in the Frogs scheme if you have a very physical corner, with plus feet and quickness they can be very, very effective moving inside to the weak safety position. Elisha Olabode? I realize is sounds like an easy out to say I will put more faith in Patterson and his staff than the recruiting sites, but it also is a pretty solid decision based upon their track record of knowing the skills and traits they must have to make a position work in their scheme.
RANTHONY TEXADA (5’ 10” 160 lb.) – cornerback prospect from Centennial High School in Frisco, Texas. Texada might be closer to 5’9” than 5’ 10” but that is the only thing that separates him from being considered an elite cornerback prospect. He shows great burst on the ball, plus instincts, footwork, and hips.
Granted he did struggle against Tyler John Tyler’s Fred Ross in the play-offs last year I think Texada is a great prospect when you consider the offenses TCU is facing in the Big XII and the challenge faced in chasing many of the smaller faster receivers. He didn’t back down from Ross and while he will never be a big corner he has the build to get stronger combined with great natural speed ( 4.33 in the 40M, 10.5 in the 100M, and 22.94 in 200M) .
Jennings for some reason hasn’t got the credit he deserves for his job with the Frog corners, but I can’t wait to see how he develops Texada. Ranthony has great natural confidence, is smart, great instincts, is a play maker with the ball in his hands, and the type of burst you can’t teach. I would not be shocked if Texada pushed for the fourth cornerback spot in 2013.
CYDNEY CALVIN (6’ 1” 175 lb.) – cornerback prospect from Centennial High School in Frisco, Texas. Some have earmarked Denzel Johnson as the sleeper of this class, but the guy to me who flew under the radar and could be this years Derrick Kindred is Cydney Calvin.
No slight to Denzel as I love the potential I bring to the Frogs, but Calvin is a guy who you won’t find anyone writing about for a very good reason. Up until the middle of his senior season he was a good high school receiver who was moved to cornerback to try to solidify the position opposite the above mentioned Ranthony Texada. Roughly two months later he has Jennings and Patterson in his home offering him a scholarship to play the boundary corner position for the Frogs.
For those not convinced with the belief that Patterson and Jennings know what they are looking for in defensive backs also consider that Calvin is 6’1” with the wingspan that matches a 6’3” body, has run under 4.5 in the forty, run a 4.01 shuttle, and has a 34” vertical leap. So, long body with long arms, very good feet, and plus speed.
So why nothing earlier? I can’t tell you why the coaches at Centennial weren’t playing him at cornerback, but what I know is at the end of the year he was starting opposite Texada for a team that made a deep run in the play-offs. Yes, he is raw, but you can see the instincts in finding the football in the video and as I said before I have great faith in Jennings ability to take that frame, agility, quickness, and instincts and mold him into a great corner just as Clay has done before for the Frogs.
Last year in Texas we saw the end of a Thanksgiving tradition as long back as I can remember as Texas and A&M played their last game as members of the Big XII conference. There really isn’t much reason to go into the why’s of the things that have not taken place nor place blame. Seems to me the best thing to do is not focus on the past, but move forward.
Progress doesn’t always bring the changes we want or like and in some cases doesn’t even keep us at the status quo. What it does do however is force us to adapt and change with the new environment and if college football fans have become acutely aware of anything over the past 5-10 years is that change is happen at a rapid pace whether we what it or like it.
As a TCU alum and in the spirit of the season I am thankful the Frogs have indeed landed in what seems to be for the moment a viable BCS conference. Granted all that could change in the time it takes a couple of television network executives to have a cup of coffee, but I would call any TCU alum or fan a damn fool if they truly believe the Frogs are not better off in the Big XII at this time facing the changing future of college football that had the school stayed in the MWC or made the jump to the Big East.
The season hasn’t gone the way many had hoped and I can’t imagine any one had thought, but if anything TCU has shown there is more depth to their program than many thought and find themselves in a position with two games to go to end up with a winning season. Small catch is that they are in the second game of the three game gauntlet that has them closing with KSU, Texas, and then OU.
Unfortunately, many Texas alums and fans don’t approach the game tomorrow with the same interest and zeal as they had when playing the Ags no matter how much they loudly avow for all to hear they are glad to be rid of A&M. In all honesty, the only real rival TCU has had that I can truly recall is SMU and it has been over sixty years since that game really mattered outside Tarrant and Dallas counties (It could be argued that for many in those counties it didn’t matter much either.). Additionally, our conference hopping through the WAC, CUSA, and the MWC on our way to the Big XII really hasn’t allowed for any new rivalries to truly form. A point can be made that while in the MWC TCU did have some very spirited games with Utah and BYU along with the three games with Boise, but there is no way to spin that any of those series of games truly became something that equaled a true heated rivalry or at least any type of tradition.
Those are things that can’t be forced and I fully understand there is no way UT –TCU can captivate the State of Texas the way the Horns and the Ags did for all those years and I don’t have visions of this being a heated rivalry. What I can see happening is that it being a competitive series and that is good with me. Unfortunately, we can be the marquee team like say ND that some Horn fans felt would be more appropriate for Texas to play on Thanksgiving and many of those are the very same people who love to throw around the infamous cockroach quote by Darrell Royal.
“They are like a cockroach. It isn’t what he eats or totes off but what he falls into and messes up.”
— After the No. 1-ranked Longhorns were upset 6-0 by TCU in 1961
What I have always found interesting about those UT alums and fans is that they know the quote, but don’t know the context. DKR came to UT in 1957 and in his first five seasons only one team had a winning record against him, Abe Martin’s TCU teams. The Frogs were 3-2 against the Horns and in 1960 Texas had to hang on to beat TCU 3-2. TCU won conference titles in 1958 and 1959 so it wasn’t as if the Frog teams that beat UT were bad ball clubs. I can’t tell you if Martin and Royal didn’t get along, respected each other, or if it was just a matter of DKR being frustrated over struggling with the Frogs in those first five years that prompted him to say what he did, but it would be safe to say that it is the most memorable quote about the series between the two schools.
It is interesting to me that both Martin and Royal until recently were considered the best coaches who have ever roamed the sidelines for both schools and now that the two schools prepare to begin the series again the coaches for each school would be considered the new standard bearers for their respective programs. Both have lifted the schools to a level of success that hasn’t been seen in decades and both have been the lynchpins in significant growth and development of facilities, revenues, and exposure of the schools. Finally, both schools come into this game at the end of seasons that haven’t gone exactly to plan. Texas finds itself in position to finish the year in a stronger position in terms of ranking, but both programs want to use the end of the season and the bowl game as a spring board into bigger things next year.
Texas is favored and seems to have addressed some of the demons that plagued the team earlier this season. TCU unfortunately hasn’t been able to remedy its problems on offense and coming into this game it appears things would be set for a Texas win, but it isn’t farfetched to believe the Frogs can hold their own tomorrow night. Many have already expressed a believe that there just isn’t any way for the Frogs to score enough to keep up with the Texas offense, but the blueprint was provided by Stanford in their win over Oregon last week.
The Cardinal are not a very good offensive team this year. The only times they have scored over 27 points in a game are when they played the #99, #100, and #120 ranked scoring defenses in the country. On paper there was no way possible a Stanford team that averaged 28 points a game could go into Autzen stadium and beat a UO team that averaged 51 a game and coming into the game last week had not scored fewer than 42 points in any game to that point in the season. So what happened? Stanford dominated the line of scrimmage, limited their mistakes and they made the big plays when needed to pull out an improbable victory.
Granted, the TCU offense is not the Stanford offense, the Texas defense has more talent than the UO defense, and the TCU defense struggled in the one game it played against a team as balanced offensively as Texas (i.e. Oklahoma State.). So is it blind Frog pride that has me thinking TCU can pull this game out? No, because I have seen Patterson ready his teams in these types of situations in the past, Texas is not invincible; maybe the spirit of the 1961 cockroaches will inhabit that field again.
Just like the Cardinal it will be up to the TCU defense to set the tone in this game. I truly believe the group is really unknown to many as I continue to read how Texas will be able to wear down the Frogs front. That might happen, but if that is the case it will be youth and not size in the front. Pierson, Hunter, and Lewis are all over 290 and Latham is bigger than the 265 they list him. Additionally, the return of Maponga has been critical for the Frogs front as was seen in the game in Stillwater. The only big key for TCU is the emergence of Marcus Mallet. Joel Hasley had started to become a folk hero to some, but there is no way he is the same size as Cain and Mallet and we saw Mallet making his presence felt against KSU. The question will be does youth use the energy of this game being on national television to elevate their play or do they get overwhelmed.
If the Frogs can slow the Texas running game they have a chance, but they also must deal with an issue that has plagued them all year and it has been a staple of the Horns big offensive days. TCU has hurt numerous times this year on first and second downs especially in play action and David Ash has been his most effective throwing early in the downs.
Consider that Gary Patterson has said multiple times that aside of comparing points scored versus points allowed the numbers he looks at the most are the Frogs offense 3rd down conversion percentage versus the percentage converted by opposing offenses. This year (minus the stats for the Grambling game) opposing offenses have converted only 28% of the time on third down which is a solid number. Looking at those numbers you would have to think the defense has been winning on first down to set up difficult third down situations for the opposing offenses, but that hasn’t been the case. TCU has allowed opposing offenses to average over 4 yards a rush which is over a yard more than the average rush the Frogs have allowed opposing offenses for the season. That isn’t what worries me going into the Texas game. The concern is that if the Frogs can’t control the line of scrimmage against the Texas offense they will start bringing up their safeties which has been effective, but exposes the Frog corners (especially White) and the young safety Hackett. Opposing offenses have averaged over 15.0 yards per completion on first down against the Frogs with multiple passes of 40+ yards.
TCU can not allow those big plays to Texas and it will be interesting to see if Patterson stays back even if the Frogs struggle against the run or if they attack and risk getting beat by the Horn receivers deep as we have seen happen to more than one Texas opponent this year. Patterson has said that in the Big XII the key is for a defense to change touchdown drives into field goals. It was Tech did to TCU and what TCU did to WVU in Morgantown. How do you do that though? The simplest answer is the Frog defensive front play their best game of the year and disrupt the Texas running game, but are they ready to take over a game?
Offensively TCU must find some consistency in the running game. They had some success against KSU until Boykin got hurt and Tucker is the healthiest he has been all season. If it was a time for the big back for Tyler to fulfill the potential he brought to campus this would be the game. TCU must have a credible presence in the running game to keep Boykin from having to win the game. If they can’t do this than it could become a very long night as I don’t really want to think about the Frog tackles trying to pass block the athletes Texas can bring off the edge defensively.
There is one other thing that sticks in the back of my mind and it is a trend Patterson has had on the road in big games and that is to go deep early. He did it at Utah and we saw it at Boise. Boykin is not the precision passer TCU had with Casey and I don’t see him being able to carry the team by going 40 out of 50 against the Texas defense. I can see however TCU taking early shots deep and the track record has not always been the receiver you would expect. It was Boyce at Utah and he did catch one against Boise, but that was Carter’s breakout game and the guy I think could do it tomorrow would be LaDarius Brown. He is still raw as a route runner, but you can’t teach 6’4” and 220, runs well, and as he showed against Tech can go up for the ball over smaller defensive backs.
The bottom line is that no matter how we want to sound smart when we play this what if games prior that it still comes down to the same basics. Which ever team controls the line of scrimmage, eliminates mistakes, and isn’t afraid to win will come out ahead tomorrow night. Just like Abe and DKR preached to their teams over fifty years ago.
