I'm glad he's coming back, but I don't know if Young will be starting next season. There was an article in the AAS saying Mock is ahead right now, but we'll see how spring practice goes. I don't know how you could not start Young. I think Vince starts for one reason - QB controversy. If Mock starts in 2003, does well and becomes popular, Mack has to start him in 2004 also and there will be a clamor from people wanting to see Young by then (his 3rd year at UT). By starting Young now, Mack Brown can avoid all that. There's no overriding fan sentiment for starting Mock, so I think he may get screwed in the process.
What does this have to do with the thread. gr8-1, your statement is classless, it is played, move on.
Oh, on the thread. This is huge. I think many underestimate the difference a healthy Roy W. makes on the team. The other receivers are not bad, but Roy is single handendly able to make a whole offense and a QB a notch or two better with his presence.
At this point its Mock's job to lose without a doubt. Unless things change in spring practice, expect to see Vince on the bench to start the season. There would be much less of a controversy if they start Mock. 1) If Mock works out, Mack & Co are geniuses, and they move forward. 2) If Mock does not work out everyone will be calling for Vince, and he can come in and take over. 3) If Vince came in and did not work out, the fans would call for Mack's ass for putting in a guy who does not have the level of experience in the system as Mock. 4) If Vince did not work out and you bring in Mock, you have to think about how he would be mentally effected after being passed over for a guy who is a freshman after he has waited for the last 3 years. The risk reward for starting Vince is not good. If he does not work out and he is the opening day starter there is serious trouble.
1) If Mock works out, Mack & Co are geniuses, and they move forward. If Mock works out, then you have a re-run of the Major/Simms controversy in 2004. Do you start the less-talented senior who had a great year last year (Major / Mock), or the #1 recruit in the country that everyone has been wowed by and has been wanting to see for two years (Simms / Young)?
But you have a QB who has 2 more years of eledgibilty as opposed to just 1 in the Simms Applewhite case. That argument is made, but be honest, Major had his times, but he was no saint. That guy was at the helm for several games that resulted in a loss tosome pretty below average teams. That guy was no water-walker in my (and many other's) eyes. True, he won some big games, but he lost some as well. Between Simms & Major, Simms was the player that gave them the best chance to go all the way no matter what anyone says.
And you could extend that entire argument the other way. In fact, I'm sure the fans would be more angry if Mock didn't work out, and we lost trying to "play it safe" instead of going with one of the most talented players in years. I can't speak for the rest of the fans, but I would rather dare to be great and lose out (VY) than take the safe approach with the "experienced player" and not have the best talent on the field. Regardless of whether or not Mock starts, VY will start at some point in the next two years. And if Mock does pretty well, the first time Vincent makes the slightest mistake (or loses a game) half the fans will be screaming for Mock the way they screamed for Major. A lot of fans, especially younger ones, don't understand the growing pains that are necessary for a younger quarterback in his first year as a starter. VY would be given a little more patience by the fan base, imo, if we didn't know what Mock was capable of. Now, I don't think the fan base should be the determining factor. But, I think those same factors would affect the coaching staff. If we win our games (regardless of the reason-- offense, defense, whatever) it's hard to make a major shift like at quarterback. Remember, Simms wasn't "the guy" at UT until Major's injury at Tech. Vincent has superior talent, and I want him on the field. It's not like we're at risk of losing any of our first four non-conference games, so why not get him some experience? I think he could be ready to play after four games, and if not, Mock's still there. And I don't think the fans would be that upset if a true freshman didn't dominate the world.
But you have a QB who has 2 more years of eledgibilty as opposed to just 1 in the Simms Applewhite case. I don't think that really matters, though. The key is going to be that someone (Young) who is strongly hyped, very popular and full of potential is going to be sitting on the bench. You give Mock the opportunity to succeed and you create a situation where you have people supporting two separate quarterbacks. You start Young and you don't have to deal with that, because Mock doesn't have the pedigree, hype, fan popularity, or record of success to start a controversy. I'm not saying its the right choice, by any means, but Mack Brown is very thin-skinned and I can see him doing whatever it takes to avoid another controversy.
Mock has a much bigger fan base than you would expect. You go look at some of the Longhorn sites about this same topic and about 1.5-2 to 1 the fans mention the desire to have Mock out there next year. Let me preface everything with this, I was pro Simms, and to this day think it was the right decision. I am pro Vince as well, I am just saying what I am hearing along with what I think will be done. If it were up to me (and they grade out evenly in Spring ball), I would start Vince (just as I would have Simms) b/c he gives you an equal opportunity to win short term and theoreticaly long term could become even better. Then why do I think Mack will change his philosophy? Back when he made the Chris/Major decision, there was not as much at stake. They were not coming off of back to back top 10 finishes, and the expectations were high, but no where near what they will be next year. In that case, Mack will likely err on the side of caution and go with the guy with more experience. There is a good chance if they are even that the coaches will do something similar to what was done with Benson just at the QB position. They know one guy will be the man, but they will let him get some action before they turn the reigns over to him.
