Double-T Nation Daily Diatribe :: 11.03.09


Refresh: You'll notice that the SB Nation network has a new look. Consider it a refresh from a visual standpoint. I think there are still some kinks to work out and if you run across any, you'd be doing myself and the network a favor by sending an email to support@sbnation.com.
Working for the Man: I cannot remember where I ran across this story, most likely The Dagger, but this is an incredibly interesting article from Mid-Majority's Kyle Whelliston about his journey writing about mid-major basketball schools independently, then working for ESPN and is eventually let go for budget reasons. An interesting read for sure and an interesting take on working for the WWL.

Sheffield Out Longer: LAJ's Don Williams is reporting that QB Steven Sheffield will be out at least 4 to 6 weeks after ankle surgery 2 weeks ago. Thus, it appears that Sheffield will be out, at a minimum, 2 more weeks. Here's a mysterious unnamed source:
A source who initially confirmed Sheffield would be out at least two to three weeks said that time frame "was probably unrealistic.’’
Another said, "The four weeks will probably be pushing it, but hopefully he can get there.’’
Just in case you've been under a rock since the Kansas game, here's a quick recap of the current quarterback situation from the Captain himself:
Leach said Doege is "ahead of schedule,’’ but he wasn’t happy with the pace the offense had with the redshirt freshman running it in the first half. Doege and the offensive line struggled with Kansas’ pass rush, taking five sacks in the first two quarters.
With Potts in for the second half, the Jayhawks had no sacks and Leach said Potts "did a really good job commanding the unit.’’
"The biggest thing is we’re just waiting for that one guy to realize how easy it really is to play quarterback,’’ Leach said, "because you’ve got 10 other people helping you out on any given play. Once that happens and we’re able to go out there with great tempo, then we’re going to be in great shape.’’
If there was ever a time to get behind a couple of players, that time might be right now.
Football Notebook: FWST's Dwain Price has a notebook from yesterday with DC Ruffin McNeill on the bye week and additional notes:
"We haven’t had that break like we normally have in the early part of the season," Ruffin McNeill said. "[Catching up on] academics is first, and this also gives our coaches a chance to get on the road recruiting.
"And the third thing is it gives our guys a chance to step away from [football] a little bit."
Car Wash Revisited: Although I would have thought that Mike Leach's visit to the ESPN studios would be all over the place and I found 2 videos, the chat transcript and that's about it. I would have thought the radio segments would be posted as well, but whatever. I won't point out all of the highlights from the ESPN chat, but I did find it interesting that the offense that Leach enjoys watching the most at this time is the New Orleans Saints. I should also point out FWST's Dwain Price blog post from yesterday where he has the transcript of most of the video below.
Big 12 Links: Rock M Nation's Bill C. looks at the Big 12 North in 2010 . . . LAJ's Adam Zuvanich with some Big 12 thoughts . . . the Daily Camera's Kyle Ringo with some interesting information on the Big 12 reconsidering some changes to how teams are scheduled:
Under the current scheduling system, Colorado faces Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State this year, completing a two-year cycle of playing those teams home and away. It won`t face those opponents in the regular season again until 2012 because it begins a new two-year home-and-away cycle with Oklahoma, Baylor and Texas Tech next year. The proposed change would be for teams never to go more than one year without facing each other in the regular season. Colorado would play Texas, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State this year and then play the other three South Division foes next season. In the third year, the Buffs would play Texas, Texas A&M and OSU again but at the opposite site from this season.
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Comments
I am behind whichever QB that suits up next week. However, I haven’t seen a solid argument for Potts or against Doege.
1) Potts gets credit for the running game- It sounds like some folks are writing that Doege is physically unable to hand the ball to a RB. Do we seriously think that Potts invented the handoff? There was either a change in the gameplan or Potts saw some running success that Doege never saw. The only thing we have to go on is the comment from Batch that Potts checked into some running plays. Perhaps that’s a comfort/maturity thing and Doege simply isn’t at a place where he can make those adjustments. I think the more likely scenario is that Doege never saw a reason to go with the running game (no success) and that Leach never asked him to execute more running plays.
2) Doege’s fumbles are his fault, but Potts fumbles are because of the O-line – I feel like our post-win high has allowed us to forget all of the times that the ball was put on the ground by a QB in previous games. Could it be that a strong running game and the return of Carter limited the potential for Potts to fumble? Why does it have to be that a freshman QB with an injured o-line and no running game is somehow fumble prone?
3) Can either QB pass against Big 12 defense – Doege threw like a redshirt freshman, but I’d be comfortable putting him behind a healthy o-line with Baron Batch. I have liked Potts at times, but I really think that the H2H hit from Sergio Kindle may have ended his football career. He might finally be okay, but I didn’t see any throws in the second half that made me think he is 100%.
4) Potts vs. Doege on sacks – Point #1 and #2 should give you a hint on how I feel about this new unsackable Potts. I know that no one said he was “unsackable” but I get the feeling like everyone thinks that Doege was sacked because of some personal shortcoming. Once again, a lack of a healthy o-line or running game are more likely.
Let me repeat myself- I’m for whichever QB Leach picks. My point is that Doege should be as much a candidate to start as Potts. Don’t slight the kid (Doege) for some second half adjustments that worked on someone else’s watch.
by Quatroux on Nov 3, 2009 9:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think it's toss up...
between these 2 guys. Both have shown potential and Leach probably chooses Potts based on experience in a hostile environment such as OSU. You might see split time again if one lacks the performance. I agree Doege threw like a redshirt freshman but that’s okay and he’ll get more time to improve his game. If I were Leach I would have to go with Potts in the OSU game based on experience and his showing signs of improvement against Kansas last week.
by Raider1992 on Nov 3, 2009 10:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I had a commentary written
about the qb’s when I ran into the dreaded “we have a problem” message from the web-site, lost it all.
Potts gets credit for the running game because his reads led to that success, Byrnes gets a share of that credit because he made the line calls in support. That did not happen with Doege at the helm. It may have been Doege did not see it, it may have been the o-line calls, it may not have been there while he was at qb. Kansas was working the right hand side of the offense to take advantage of Carter’s injury, we all saw his limited mobility…they left the other side weak.
One significant thing is that Doege (any qb) cannot run the Air Raid based on ‘no success’ from the running game. He, like the HC, has to believe that there will be opportunities to run the football, the bad guys are surely going to be defending pass againt the Air Raid. The qb’s charge is to see those opportunities, when they occur. The problem is that there is a lot of sophistication in a process that on one hand has a good team playing good well-camoflaged defense while the offense is trying to make calls/checks based on the moment and get it communicated and executed.
All the fumbles are to a large degree the ‘fault’ of the qb. Each is supposed to take care of our football. Either they did not feel the pressure and tuck it away or tried to get too much and failed to minimize loses in a bad circumstance…they are all trying too hard to do too much.
Whether it is Doege and Potts or later, Sheffield and Potts, Taylor Potts is a key player. Not one of those guys is unsackable, all have had their share, what may be most significant is the yards lost per sack.
by TallMike on Nov 3, 2009 10:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Doege = Day-hee
At least according to Coach Leach’s pronounciation over on Fox 34’s video report.
by TallMike on Nov 3, 2009 9:58 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Mike Leach's Scouting Report On How To Beat Texas
“Well, the first thing is to recruit as well as Texas” LOL ! He has a point ! And perhaps just made a confession…
by TallMike on Nov 3, 2009 10:02 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I got that error too
I think you can’t comment on the thread if you’ve played an embedded video i nthe same session. Anyway, I’m all for a field of 64. I wish Leach could make it happen.
by Quatroux on Nov 3, 2009 10:44 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
I think the
problem that TallMike was having was that the SBN crew was probably making changes (literally) as he was hitting post and he lost what he typed. The tech guys at SBN were responding to some glitches in the new refreshness of SBN.
Go Raiders . . .
Double-T Nation
by Seth C on Nov 3, 2009 8:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I kind of like the way they may tinker with the scheduling. I don’t really dislike what they do now, but the new scheduling idea would be kind of cool. Make for interesting games every year…I mean, it’s tough too get excited about a two-year run against an Iowa State or KSU.
by Tech92 on Nov 3, 2009 3:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I read ALL of that Mid Majority blog about Espin. I even read links to links. That was great material to read and great insight to how Bristol works.
by Plano Jeff on Nov 3, 2009 8:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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