BlueCrew

Honestly the D-Line will be fine- barring injury. Especially with the guys coming in the fall. The new scheme helps them more than people realize. Instead of undersized and slow DB's blitzing from 20 yards back, there are bigger, stronger and more athletic linebackers doing the blitzing. I think the key this year is Nixon- he is a game changer if he can recover from his mission and contribute. Too bad he wasn't Vakapuna's companion, right?? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Being from Texas, my little brother was a QB that played against Nixon in highschool. He led a defense that was 5th in the state according to my brother, he was the best linebacker he faced.-And that's including Derrick Johnson who now plays with the Chiefs. I hear that he has worked very hard to get back in shape and that he's coming along nicely. I look forward to seeing him play. Honestly, even with just an "improved" defense, is their any reason we shouldn't win 9 games?

faithfullonghorn

BlueCrew

Honestly the D-Line will be fine- barring injury. Especially with the guys coming in the fall. The new scheme helps them more than people realize. Instead of undersized and slow DB's blitzing from 20 yards back, there are bigger, stronger and more athletic linebackers doing the blitzing. I think the key this year is Nixon- he is a game changer if he can recover from his mission and contribute. Too bad he wasn't Vakapuna's companion, right?? :lol: :lol: :lol:

Being from Texas, my little brother was a QB that played against Nixon in highschool. He led a defense that was 5th in the state according to my brother, he was the best linebacker he faced.-And that's including Derrick Johnson who now plays with the Chiefs. I hear that he has worked very hard to get back in shape and that he's coming along nicely. I look forward to seeing him play. Honestly, even with just an "improved" defense, is their any reason we shouldn't win 9 games?

Yes. Road games at BC, Arizona, TCU, Utah, and a back to back trip to Colorado to play AF and CSU. But I agree, barring injuries- 9 games shouldn't be out of the question.

Yes. Road games at BC, Arizona, TCU, Utah, and a back to back trip to Colorado to play AF and CSU. But I agree, barring injuries- 9 games shouldn't be out of the question.[/quote]

Wow! I forgot all the road games. I must say that I truly think that John Beck is something special. He has a quick release and one of the best arms in college football. It's easy to blame the quarterback for losses, but I believe this is the year where he can prove that he's not jus a good QB, but a clutch QB as well. I would like to see him excel. He's faced a lot of doubts and ridicule for close losses, but I actually think we sometimes don't realize how good he truly is. What do you think? Does he have the "champion" Detmer about him?

faithfullonghorn

Wow! I forgot all the road games. I must say that I truly think that John Beck is something special. He has a quick release and one of the best arms in college football. It's easy to blame the quarterback for losses, but I believe this is the year where he can prove that he's not jus a good QB, but a clutch QB as well. I would like to see him excel. He's faced a lot of doubts and ridicule for close losses, but I actually think we sometimes don't realize how good he truly is. What do you think? Does he have the "champion" Detmer about him?

I really don't think he does. I have never been a big fan of Beck. I have yet to see him take control in a huddle in crucial situations-(not entirely true, but close). It's always a laid back approach. Wipe the hands on the towel, lick the fingers, look around, wipe the hands, lick the fingers, look around, etc. I want to see him take control of the team and lead them to a win. Last years' New Mexico game is more of what I want to see out of Beck. He's a good player, but I'm not sure about him being a good leader.

I'll put it this way. If the game is on the line, I am not comfortable with the ball in his hands.

I really don't think he does. I have never been a big fan of Beck. I have yet to see him take control in a huddle in crucial situations-(not entirely true, but close). It's always a laid back approach. Wipe the hands on the towel, lick the fingers, look around, wipe the hands, lick the fingers, look around, etc. I want to see him take control of the team and lead them to a win. Last years' New Mexico game is more of what I want to see out of Beck. He's a good player, but I'm not sure about him being a good leader.[/quote]

Okay, then do you think this lack of leadership will greatly hinder our chances to win some big games next year? Because, honestly, I believe if he doesn't have that in him at BC, AZ, TCU or Utah, we could loose any of those games. I've heard a lot of people say that AZ should be an easy win. I disagree. I think they'll be better than people think. Ayoob, the qb for Cal last season, said in an interview that the most confusing defense he faced last season was AZ. I was surprised when I heard that from him since they ended up beating them convincingly.

faithfullonghorn

BlueCrew

If Tico's name was Bill Johnson or John Smith nobody would even be talking about him.

I could care less if the guy even had a name. Why don't we just call him..."the DB who made a tackle and broke up a pass!" I think that pretty much distinguishes him from the group.

It only distinguished him from all the other corners, in your opinion.
The basic problem here is that although Saturdays scrimmage was played in Lavelle Edwards stadium in front of 10,000 people, it was really no different than the several other scrimmages that were held during the Spring camp. It was not a game, but a glorified scrimmage, period.

In those other scrimmages, many other players had great hits,nice breakups, picks etc., etc. In fact one of the red shirt guys from last year had a killer hit on Curtis Brown on the 2 yard line that drove him back two yards. It was a great hit, in many ways, (goal line stand and vs a bigger player/ running back) better than Tico's hit Saturday, but since it didn't happen last Saturday, you didn't see it and therefore it doesn't exist to you.