I felt the opposite, actually. I was skeptical of the hype regarding Simms, but I think he's looked very good the past couple of games. His receivers must have dropped 6-7 passes in that last game, add those, and he had a good %. Also, Greg Davis isn't playing to Simms' strength. Simms has a Herculean arm... these 5 yard dink passes don't take advantage of that. Simms did have a lock-down tendency, but his passes were on-target with plenty of speed. He also scrambled decently. I feel hopeful that he'll do well.
<B>Simms did have a lock-down tendency, but his passes were on-target with plenty of speed. </B> I disagree. It looked to me like he threw lots of passes behind his receivers. Some of the drops were also partially caused because he tried to bullet 5-yd passes in. It seems like he doesn't have the touch that Applewhite had.
I have to disagree. His passes were right on target. To me, I think our WR's have let the hype get to them. They don't seem to run sharp routes and they sure as hell haven't been holding onto the ball. Dropped passes can be underrated. They kill drives, break rhythm, and may sometimes force the QB to do too much. Things will get better guys.
gr8-1, I watched the tape of yesterday's game and I noticed that Simms throws are just awesome. Tight spirals and bullets that hit the receivers in stride. If Roy and Sloan dropped fewer passes yesterday, then everyone would have a better perception of Chris. As it stands, GD has not let Simms play his game. He's been quite bottled up. Wait for OU on 10/6, we will unleash the beast.... As far as Cedric goes, he'll only learn with playing time, which is why it's important to give him some carries every game. HE IS THE REAL DEAL. We've only seen flashes of what the guy can do. The guy is a menace. Runs very low to the ground with a low center of gravity. He can absorb the initial hit very well, unlike Victor Ike. Ike is more of a slasher and elusive runner who's difficult to tackle in the open field. Ivan Williams has a tendency to hit all the right holes and can run over people. We have a nice 3-man combo. With that being said, if our offense staggers this season I'll be calling for Greg Davis' head...
i think simms is the better qb than applewhite by far, he has more physical tools, he has shown me maturity the 1st two games, and a lot of his passes were dropped- i remember 2 for sure by bj and benson respectively as posted here there was a bunch more we went deep maybe once or twice the whole game, this should not be the case against good teams or like the rest of you i will call for davis's head as for the running back situation i still think benson is the eventual starter but for now i like the oakland raider idea williams being wheatley, benson-garner
Here's an idea...shotgun. Simms had no time all day long, so why not use the shotgun to give him more time? As far as saving the offense, I told the same thing to shanna Saturday, but I think it's really more wishful thinking than anything. For one thing, as shanna pointed out, why would you do that when you haven't gone undefeated in non-conference games in <B>18 YEARS!!!</B>? Also, I wouldn't want the first time I unleashed my great offense against our bitter rivals who beat us 63-14 last year. If that's what they're doing, I'm guessing at around 12:15 on October 6th, I'll once again be calling for Mack's head. Simms and the WR are both equally to blame as well. Simms is lucky that Williams and Flowers are still alive the way he's thrown some of those passes. And can someone explain to me how someone who stands 6'5'' can't freakin' throw it over the line? Jeez. That being said, there was some throws that were perfectly on target that the WRs definitely should've caught. However, I believe that those drops may be the result of them growing gator arms due to the fact that Simms is trying to kill them. I don't think at this point, any of the RBs have proven that they are better than the other. The reason Williams had so many yards was because he happened to be in when Greg Davis actually made a good call-a HB draw that gained 30 yards. I think that Ike or Benson could've both made that run. Benson shouldn't be in there until he knows how to block. The opposing team knows exactly what to expect when they see #32 coming off the sidelines. I was extremely excited about the win, the defense was awesome, as was the special teams (even though I think everyone is way too quick to forgive Vasher for something that my 3-year old neice knows not to do...what an idiot), but at this point, I think we'll be lucky to keep it close with OU.
A couple of notes. This is the first time the Horns have been 2-0 under Brown. They've won games they should have won, so far. Do you guys get annoyed by the pro Major fans? They're RUDE to Simms. They think he even hands off better, lol. On Major's first pass, some guy said "look at that touch" while Major missed his receiver by 5 yards. His next pass should have been picked off. Not should have been picked off like Chris' tipped passes, should have been picked off like it hit the UNC guy in the chest and he dropped it. When Chris throws his first int (he will), they're gonna want to hang him, whether it's his fault or not. Mack made his decision. Let's just cheer for the guys in orange, folks.
Were they booing Simms or the awesome playcalling by Greg Davis? My boycott of UT athletics continues. It's hard to watch the games on TV. Sometimes I find myself pulling for Texas to fall flat on its face. That's not good. We shall see on 10.6.01 My first game this season will be at Robertson in two weeks. I can't wait!
From the Statesman today: The Texas offense has sputtered for the past two weeks, despite the presence of quarterback Chris Simms, a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate, talented wideout Roy Williams and freshman tailback Cedric Benson. Plus, there are wide receivers B.J. Johnson and Sloan Thomas, powerful tailback Ivan Williams and tight ends Bo Scaife and Brock Edwards. Yet the Longhorns offense was only average in the first half of Saturday's 44-14 victory over North Carolina. Perhaps UT has so many playmakers on offense, the coaches have yet to figure out what to do with them. The UT coaches say their conservative, middle-of-the-road game plan is making the offense look less potent than in recent seasons. Offensive coordinator Greg Davis acknowledged that the UT game plan was basic in the first half, mostly because of Tar Heels defensive end Julius Peppers, who some believe will be the first player selected in next April's NFL draft. Peppers led the nation in sacks last year with 15, and he was coming off a game in which he registered three quarterback traps. The Longhorns didn't want to use their new five-wide receiver scheme as much on Saturday because there would be no running back to help double team Peppers. But offensive tackle Robbie Doane, with help from guard Tillman Holloway and fullback Matt Trissel, was able to keep Peppers frustrated enough to allow UT to work in five wide receivers late in the first half and early in the second half. That enabled the Longhorns to score 30 unanswered points. UT Coach Mack Brown said Sunday that he has forced the offense to remain conservative. "I thought it was better to go into the game conservatively, to not lose the game through turnovers or throwing the ball every down," Brown said. "One thing I've been really stressing is playing as a team. I don't care how many yards we get. When a head coach wins 44-14, he's pretty happy." UT gained 329 yards overall, a relatively low number for such an apparently powerful offense. Such a yardage total often would result in a loss for the Longhorns. In UT's three defeats last year, the Longhorns gained 343 yards against Stanford, 157 against Oklahoma and 299 against Oregon. The Longhorns probably will use a similar strategy in their next game, against Houston on Sept. 22. They won't need the high voltage as much as a stout defense and superb special teams to beat the Cougars. • The Longhorns enjoyed their highest ranking in 11 years for only a week. UT flip-flopped with Nebraska in the Associated Press media poll Sunday, falling from fourth to fifth. However, UT received four first-place votes. • Nathan Vasher's school-record eight punt returns for 153 yards Saturday broke the record owned by Johnnie Johnson, who had 133 to help UT blast Boston College 44-0 to open the 1977 season. Johnson, like Vasher, was a sophomore safety when he broke the record. Johnson gained 538 yards on punt returns that season, which remains the school record. Television commentators spoke of how UT's zone blitz produced defensive end Cory Redding's 22-yard interception return for a touchdown in the first quarter Saturday. Actually, it only looked like a zone blitz, according to defensive coordinator Carl Reese. Redding and fellow end Kalen Thornton acted more like linebackers on the play, dropping back into coverage. Meanwhile, linebackers Tyrone Jones and D.D. Lewis rushed North Carolina quarterback Ronald Curry, while the defensive backs on the play were in man-to-man coverage.
According to UNC, Texas is better than OU AUSTIN — To North Carolina, Oklahoma is hotter. Flatter. Redder. But better? "I'm not going there," said the North Carolina coach, John Bunting. "That's for the bookies." That's for the bookies, all right, as well as Bunting's players. Almost all of them had an opinion about what will happen when OU plays Texas next month. They have inside information that no one else in the country has, and they can't keep it to themselves. Having been smacked with a 2-by-4 in Norman in late August, the Tar Heels walked into a telephone pole in Austin on Saturday. So these guys know a few things, such as how fading bruises feel compared to fresh ones. No wonder that, when asked which top-five team impressed the most, the Tar Heels were quicker with an opinion than they were covering punts. Texas, they said, to a man. But there's a reason, also to a man. That anyone from the East Coast cares about Texas-OU is a sign of the rebirth of a rivalry. Mack Brown deserves a lot of credit for that. What happens in early October means more now, after all, since Brown finally started a season 2-0. He didn't even have to ask out of a Hawaii game to make it happen. Brown only needed New Mexico State to come to town, followed by North Carolina at the end of three, beautiful, sun-splashed road trips. North Carolina can compare Marriotts, too. Brown, then the North Carolina coach, scheduled himself the game. (Has any coach been more thorough?) And the setting perhaps meant everything. Had UT been at Stanford again, then September nightmares likely would have continued. Chris Simms led Texas to one first down in the first quarter (that on his 1-yard sneak for a TD), then watched as North Carolina hung around for a half. "We had them on the run," said Bunting, which says something about how North Carolina defines "on the run." Trailing Texas by six at halftime is the stuff of legends compared to the 31-7 edge that OU had on North Carolina — after the first quarter. But then came a Texas drive where all the blue-chip recruits fell into place, as well as another punt return. For North Carolina, a 41-27 loss in Norman turned into a 44-14 loss in Austin. The Red River dried up right in front of the Tar Heels. Texas and Oklahoma blended into one. But the Tar Heels say they saw a difference. Ryan Sims, the North Carolina defensive tackle, says he saw a lot of them. "I think Texas will beat Oklahoma," he said. "Texas' offensive line is better than Oklahoma's. Texas has better running backs, better receivers. Texas comes right at you." But what about last year when Oklahoma routed Texas? "That's another reason I'm picking Texas," said the Tar Heels' middle linebacker, Quincy Monk. "Those things turn around." The rest of the locker room saw it the same. The star North Carolina DB, Michael Waddell. Julius Peppers, the huge defensive end who didn't touch a Longhorn. And Ronald Curry, the quarterback. "Against OU," Curry said, "a lot of guys were open." Sincere, maybe. But with reasons. Some self-serving, some natural. And all of them go like this: North Carolina played better, played closer, and played Texas more recently. In their minds, they were spooked on the road in an August opener with a rookie coach. In their minds, they want to think Texas is better because that means they, too, are better. And there's even another reason: Talking in Texas to Texas sportswriters, why not play along with the crowd? Bunting's bookies won't be as subjective. They would say the Texas score means more to the Pittman family than it does to any odds in early October. Nate Hybl can hiccup now as Simms did, and later it might mean everything or nothing. So OU scores against North Carolina on a fumble, Texas on an interception. OU runs back a kickoff, Texas a punt. North Carolina watches from behind. Groans. Then holds up hands to weigh the beatings. Texas is better? What is clear today: The rivalry is.
I think Davis is the worst OC in the country. They were probably booing both. But, the pro-Major fans are almost cult-like. It's scary.
http://www.austin360.com/aas/sports/horns/game2/9bohls-hn.html Article about NFL scouts at UT. Good article except for the fact that one scout said Jammer and Mike Williams might slip into the second round.
<B>But, the pro-Major fans are almost cult-like. It's scary. </B> At least they don't stereotype other groups of fans Seriously, though -- all the fans want is UT to win. Pro-Major fans believe he's best man for the job. Same with pro-Simms fans. What Major fans are now is what Simms fans were last year. Look at it this way. Major led the best offense in Texas history, and developed the best passing attack in Texas history with receivers like Cavil, McGarity, and a bunch of no-name guys. He did it with Ricky and then again without. He showed an accurate arm, good intelligence, and has that veteran calmness. He showed a remarkable ability to make the throws when absolutely necessary. Simms has "potential", but he hasn't done it on the field consistently. I have no problem with us giving him the chance, but we *know* Applewhite could again create the best offense in Texas history with these receivers. Simms *might* be able to do that, but who knows ... that's why some people want Major.
I love Major to death, but if Mack thinks Chris is the man, so be it. I think right now Major may be a headier player, but one underrated aspect of Chris' game is his escapability. A couple times he deftly alluded the pass rush. Major would have been sacked on those plays, imo. I know Mack wouldn't publicly badmouth a player, but he was very complimentary of Chris' game. One quote he had went something like this: Last year, you guys complained when he threw interceptions. This year you guys are complaining about him throwing it away or dumping it off when noone is open.
Pro-Major fans look at Simms yds per game and shake their heads. They also think its unfair what has happened to the Senior QB. A good example is imagine if Ricky Williams was replaced his Senior year by a highly touted Freshman like Cedric Benson. Ricky has the numbers but Cedric has the potential. Major consistenly put up huge passing yds per game. Simms hasn't been able to do that. We keep hearing about Simms potential. Except for that quarter against A&M, we haven't really seen something that Major can't do. The media has unfortunately labeled him as a Heisman candidate. If Simms is a Heisman candidate then by the numbers Major should be a Heisman Trophy winner. I really think Simms should have been redshirted his freshman year. Why? Because I look at a guy like Eli Manning at Ole Miss. Manning is putting up big yardage, TD, completion, and attempts numbers. Manning sat for two years behind Romaro Miller. It doesn't hurt that his head coach is David Cutcliffe (former OC at Tennessee). Simms should have sat behind Major for two years then competed for the job this season. He would have been able to give us 3 good years. Instead, Brown used the failed 2 QB system which hurt Simms progress last season and wasted a year. This is Simms first shot to be # 1. We are 2-0 but need to keep improving week by week. Hopefully, Simms will have a break out game vs. Houston.
The vocal major fans around me are not like me or any Simms fan I know. During a tight game they booed the UT starting QB and chanted for the backup. I've only chanted for Simms when UT was ahead his freshman year- asign the starter has done a great job. Save the criticism for the bulletin boards and bars....game time, don't hurt the team. Simms will be better at the end of the season.
These are UT fans people. In 1997, I sat next to "fans" who were rooting for them to lose so that Mackovic would for sure get fired.
Another thing is that recruits are there. If I were a recruit sitting there, I'm not sure I would like to be booed, especially when it seems like it wasn't Simms fault. Heck, some fans booed when Major sat out a play to fix his pants. Forget the fact that Chance Mock was Cole's best friend. People blame Simms or Davis for all of the problem's team. I'm surprised they didnt' call for Simms' head when Vasher muffed that punt.
people were blaming simms for times when his o-line collapsed and he got rid of the ball, wtf?? simms didnt do bad-davis isnt letting him play to his ability, which i guarantee will and better change before oct 6th or else davisis seeya
