DMN: "Mock is Texas' man ... for now" (interesting info)

Junior expects to be pushed at quarterback by Young, Nordgren

02/25/2003 By RANA L. CASH / The Dallas Morning News


AUSTIN – For an entire season, Texas quarterback Vince Young pretended to be an imposing figure under center. He was on the scout team, running around like Seneca Wallace of Iowa State and Ell Roberson of Kansas State.

Young no longer has to pretend. He's 15 pounds heavier, at least an inch taller and is faster than when he came to Texas as the nation's top quarterback recruit out of Houston Madison. And he has his eye firmly set on making his mark for the Longhorns.

Texas opened its spring football season Monday, and the focus was squarely on the quarterback position left open by the departure of Chris Simms. Junior Chance Mock, the team's only quarterback with game experience, is the leading man. Young is on his trail, followed by sophomore Matt Nordgren, who has improved his arm strength in off-season workouts.

For the first time since coming to UT, Young spoke publicly about his transition from high school phenom to college quarterback.

"I'm adjusting to it," said Young, who is 6-6, 220 pounds. "I'm watching and learning from Chance, from [Major] Applewhite, and learning from Coach. I need more reps, and then I'll be real comfortable. I'm getting the speed down and the chemistry."

His speed, as well as Mock's, will be highlighted with different twists in the offense next fall, coach Mack Brown said. Both quarterbacks are elusive enough to escape the pocket under pressure, and both afford Texas the option to call more draw plays.

"Every year we look to tweak what we're doing with the ability of the players," Brown said. "The quarterbacks are more mobile. That's obvious. We're looking at things that will help our offense, so the option is being tossed around."

Young passed for 2,545 yards and 35 touchdowns as a senior, with four interceptions. He also ran for 1,274 yards and 24 touchdowns on 116 carries that season.

His skills were used strictly on the scout team last year after Young elected to redshirt.

"It was real hard," Young said. "I wanted to redshirt, but I also wanted to play. I took the redshirt and learned and got ahead in my classes. I was just trying to get a feel for the game. It was hard not playing sometimes because I wanted to compete and be out there with the team."

The time served him well.

"He's settling down," Brown said. "A quarterback early here has a tendency to try to make all the plays that they did in high school, because that's what they did. And at this level, especially the young ones, they've got good teammates around them, so they don't have to try to make every play. Settling down and playing in the system is the most important thing."

Mock, who has only six career completions, is supremely relaxed in this situation. His objective, he said, is to gain the confidence of his teammates. Although he knows there will be a battle with Young, Mock doesn't see trouble brewing. All three quarterbacks took equal snaps Monday, but those will be divvied up 50-40-and 10 percent "when things get separated better," Brown said.

"The thing I've learned is you play the one that's going to help you win the games and not really worry about what people say," Brown said. "I thought all three guys looked good today. Nobody ever mentions Matt Nordgren, but he threw the ball well today."

Said Mock: "Will there be competition? Yes. The thing we're trying to avoid is a controversy, and I don't think we have one."

That doesn't mean Young isn't ready to make a push.

"Backup is fine, but I'm really fighting for the job," he said. "The best man will win. We'll all bring something different to the table, and whoever wins the job, we're going to be backing each other up."

TEXAS SPRING OUTLOOK

2002 record: 11-2, 6-2 Big 12

Bowl: Defeated LSU, 35-20, in Cotton Bowl

Starters returning: 8 offense, 8 defense, 1 specialist

Key losses: QB Chris Simms, DE Cory Redding, OL Derrick Dockery, OL Robbie Doane, CB Rod Babers, LB Lee Jackson

Spring practice: Feb. 24-March 29, ending with game March 29 at Royal-Memorial Stadium

Spring objectives: Chance Mock takes over at quarterback but has little game experience. The priority will be preparing him for game situations. ... QB Vince Young has to become acclimated with the offense. ... Young offensive linemen will be called upon to start this season. The right side of the line, in particular, is unproven. ... With DE Cory Redding gone, someone has to replace him. The leading candidate, Bryan Pickryl, will miss spring workouts after having shoulder surgery.

 

How about him bein 15 lbs heavier, 1" taller than when he was a senior who was running a 4.4/40, and he stated he is faster . This could be fun.

 

That is awesome. I do not get the USA Today, but my briother called me this morning and said a picture of Young & Mock is on the cover of the Sports section.

 

If it does not happen next year, and Mack does not fire GD, then Mack should be fired.

I would never want Mack fired, but if he does not get rid of GD then and only then it would be acceptable. Mack is loyal to a fault at times, but I do not see Mack letting it happen.

Post season this year, he has addressed that he will make changes if the team does not improve. I know first hand for a fact that he has received pressure from some big boosters, and he knows what's at stake.

 

Mac McWhorter was there last year, so its not like he doesn't have some familiarity of the personnel. Nunez was on the hot seat before this past season that is why McWhorter was brought in.

Nunez went from being O-line coach to only being responsible for guards & centers and McWhorter was in charge of tackles & TE.