Reply With Quote
Can't say that I am too surprised. Johnson looked like he lost a step as the game went on. When he couldn't score on that opening drive I was shocked.
AUSTIN, Texas -- Texas took only one game to make a change at running back.
Tre' Newton will get the start for the No. 5 Longhorns this week against Wyoming after scoring three touchdowns in Texas' 34-17 season-opening win at Rice. Newton led the Longhorns with 61 yards on the ground.
Cody Johnson, who had earned the starting job after an impressive training camp, ran for 59 yards against Rice but was ineffective in key short-yardage situations
Coach Mack Brown said Johnson sprained an ankle at the end of an 18-yard run on the second play of the game but didn't tell the coaches because he didn't want to come out.
Johnson told him, "I've worked too hard to be the starter and I don't want to lose it," Brown said. "It was swollen after the game and that's the first time he told us. ... We got on him about not letting us know."
Johnson didn't have an obvious limp on the field and played in the fourth quarter. By then, Texas had shifted most of the running duties to Newton and Fozzy Whittaker, but Brown said Johnson twice put himself back in the game, including the last play.
Johnson is now listed third behind Whittaker, although the depth chart indicates either one could be the top backup to Newton.
Brown said he wasn't sure whether he'd have replaced Johnson if he hadn't been hurt.
"It would be hard to tell. We were all hard on him for missing cuts. I appreciate he tried to play," Brown said.
Tailback is a higher-profile position than it has been in the last few seasons when the Longhorns based the offense around the passing of Colt McCoy. Brown has said he wants more balance in the offense and Texas ran the ball 46 times against Rice.
Newton, the son of former Dallas Cowboys lineman Nate Newton, didn't know he'd been named the starter until he was handed a depth chart while talking to a group of reporters. Newton started five games last season.
"We as a running back group we don't put too much thought into that," Newton said. "You can't go into a week thinking about that. You just have to be ready to go out there when your name is called."
Brown seemed to have settled down in the two days after the game. On Saturday, he wasn't happy with a running game that couldn't get a touchdown after getting inside the 4-yard-line on the first drive, his defense that dropped two interceptions for easy touchdowns and special teams that muffed a punt return and missed two field goals.
"As much as we've talked about toughness, I left the field mad," Brown said. "[But] the objective is to win [the first game] and see what we can see. I'd rather be a team that gets better every week."
Offensive coordinator Greg Davis said he thought Texas lacked intensity in an opening game against a 30-point underdog. After Johnson ripped the 18-yard run on Texas' second play, Davis said he expected to see excitement on the sideline and got polite applause instead.
"I thought it was a tennis match," Davis said. "That frustrated me."
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=5540148
Can't say that I am too surprised. Johnson looked like he lost a step as the game went on. When he couldn't score on that opening drive I was shocked.
Good...Newton is the diamond in the rough out of these guys, imo. And we needed a starter...enough of this running back by committee crap.
there problems reach much further than that.
Newton is as well. How a great school like Texas has to go 3+ years with horrible ass running backs is ridiculous. Also when's the last time Texas had a real tight end? Why are they not recruiting these positions???
RE: Tre Newton- He's not a fantastic player by any means, but he's not . He's a serviceable, smart runner and deserves to be the starter. I'd also like to see true freshman, Traylon Shead, get some time as well. Keep Cody Johnson in your goaline packages. He's not an every down back.Newton is as well. How a great school like Texas has to go 3+ years with horrible ass running backs is ridiculous. Also when's the last time Texas had a real tight end? Why are they not recruiting these positions???
RE: Tight Ends- Texas has plenty of decent tight ends, but they're all hurt. Take Blaine Irby...could've ended up being one of the all-time greats if it weren't for his knee injury. Barrett Matthews is young and inexperienced, but I expect him to do well if they ever make him an option.
RE: Recruiting- Texas is recruiting those positions well and you'll be happy to know that the 2011 class is most likely the best Mack Brown has ever had (including the best running back in the nation and one of the best tight ends). They've made terrible RB decisions since Jamaal Charles has left, though. Chris Whaley over Christine Michael is one that stands out most.
The biggest issue for Texas is finding their offensive iden y. You're changing from a wildly successful spread offense that's taken you to two national championshps in the past five years, to a more smash-mouth pro-style offense. The only problem is you don't have any super-talented RBs and you're forcing a very gifted QB, Garrett Gilbert, under center when he's played in the spread his entire life. He's the all-time Texas high school passing leader for crying out loud...let him do what he does! It reminds me of when Vince Young got to campus and the staff wanted him to play a certain way, but it hindered his natural ability to make plays. It will be interesting to see how long Texas sticks with this scheme. Granted it's only been one game, but the offense just looks uncomfortable.
Last edited by TFloss32; 09-07-2010 at 11:36 AM.
The question is not whether Gilbert can play--he's proven that already. The rub comes if "doing what he does" isn't good enough to win in the Big 12 right now. I agree--it will be very interesting to see how long the horns stick with their current scheme.
brown can't wait for that kid from cibolo steele to graduate, that's for sure.
Gotta start somewhere
IMHO fozzy was your best rb 2 years ago...
The Texas recruiting at OL and RB has been atrociously managed. They deserve kicks in the nutsack for the piss poor recruiting management and selections.
However TE is the result of like four to five injuries to every TE on the depth chart.
Curse of JerMichael Finley.
lol i ran into that aaron williams at 711 downtown today
cool dude
Who the cares when whatever you're doing gets you at least 10 wins EVERY season? When you're last 2 QBs have been some of the all time great college QBs, you tend to forget about developing a run game.Newton is as well. How a great school like Texas has to go 3+ years with horrible ass running backs is ridiculous. Also when's the last time Texas had a real tight end? Why are they not recruiting these positions???
Dude deserved it.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
