Double-T Nation Daily Diatribe :: 03.03.10
by Seth C on Mar 3, 2010 6:40 AM CST
in Texas Tech News, Notes and Links
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Talkin' Championships . . . Sorta: LAJ's Don Williams talked with head coach Tommy Tuberville at yesterday's Lubbock RRC event. Here's the headline-grabbing quote where Tuberville talked about winning championship:
Tuberville told the luncheon crowd at the Memorial Civic Center that he didn’t come to Lubbock to win six or seven games a season.
"We know how to win championships," he said. "You can just imagine here the excitement when we do win … because we’re going to win a championship. We’re going to win maybe two, maybe three, maybe four. It just depends on what the good Lord wants us to have."
And to head the comments off at the pass, I'm sure that Leach never had intentions early in his career to win championships. I'm sure he was content with 7 or 8 win seasons and never once mentioned that the ultimate goal was to win a Big 12 Championship.
Tuberville also talked about the hotly debated walk to the stadium:
Tuberville wants to rev up the players’ pre-game arrival at the stadium. In recent years, Tech invited fans to greet players as they made the short walk from the Football Training Facility to Jones AT&T Stadium, though the idea didn’t really take off.
Tuberville envisions the players being dropped off a quarter-mile out and passing through the tailgaters or Raider Alley area west of the stadium.
"I’m not here to change a lot of things," he said. "I’m here to make it better. I’m here to help you. I’m here to help Texas Tech, and I’m here to win a championship."
In any event, I'm putting the over-under on comments in today's DTN DD at 65.
More on Second Commit Hocutt: LAJ's Don Williams had a short write-up on Hocutt and his high school head coach had this to say about Texas Tech's second commit Devon Hocutt:
"He’s very big, very athletic, an extremely strong player,’’ McBryde said.
Hocutt played inside linebacker in a 4-4 defense and fullback in a wing-T offense. Ellison coaches started him on both sides of the ball, though not at the same time.
McBryde said Hocutt played most of last season at linebacker, averaging six solo tackles per game, but moved to fullback for the last three games. In those three games, McBryde said Hocutt rushed for about 70 yards against Belton, about 110 yards against Killeen Shoemaker and 180 yards against College Station A&M Consolidated.
McBryde said Hocutt was brought up to the varsity for the last six or seven games of his freshman year. As a sophomore, he was named defensive newcomer of the year in the district. Those two seasons, he was a teammate of Daniel Cobb, who signed with Tech last February and redshirted in 2009.
Next season, Ellison coaches plan to use Hocutt at fullback.
Interesting.
I also found this article from Duck Territory (an Oregon website) from over a year and a half ago. He sounds like a good kid.
Miscellaneous Links: More notes from BON's Peter Bean from the NFL Combine . . . Dr. Saturday's Matt Hinton reminds us to beware of the 40 time (I think this applies to high school and college players) . . . EDSBS's Spencer Hall writes that you can't spell scam without Todd McShay . . . non-football related, FreeDarko with a pretty interesting story (no idea if it's true or not) about a chance meeting with Michael Jordan and being his friend (there's cursing and so be forewarned) . . .
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Well Seth, with your over/under dare....I gotta chime in....
Call me still skeptical. I am all for championsips, especially considering I have never witnessed one from the Jones in my 45 years of pulling for the Raiders. And here it comes…..BUT…..Coach Knight had championships on his resume before coming to Tech also. That said, I do think all D-1 coaches set their sights on the National Championship, perhaps not vocally in their first year. Tubs is in a unique situation in that he does have a very powerful offense coming back and with an agreed to improvement on defense, he very well could run the table. I wish him, us, the Raider Nation all the best.
The quote that bothers me is “It just depends on what the good Lord wants us to have.” I just hope he does not blame the Lord if we don’t get there. (begin firestorm of comments here)
Also is it me or does Tubs say, “I don’t want to change things” about as often as Mack Brown claps on the sidelines?
Rant over, carry on.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
Two non-related thoughts:
1 – With regard to…
“I’m not here to change a lot of things,” he said. “I’m here to make it better. I’m here to help you. I’m here to help Texas Tech, and I’m here to win a championship.”
I’m starting to wonder if HC TT reads DTN.
2 – About the fake 40 times. Didn’t Tech list Vincent Meeks as a 4.15 at one point? And didn’t he run like a 4.9 at the combine? Seems like we’re as guilty as anyone. The good news is that the bench press numbers from Ramirez and Reed were harder to fake. :)
That being said, I do believe we will see an upgrade on all three sides of the ball this year, as to championships, they will come.
Although I’ve been believing this since Dewitt Weaver was coach
At the risk of repeating myself...
I don’t think there’s any evidence to suggest that we’ll see an improvement on offense. HC TT’s track record with the spread doesn’t bode well.
Even if he does let Brown coach, we’ll run the ball 40% of the time which automatically means fewer plays per game and fewer yards per game.
I do think things are looking up for the defense and the ST.
Perhaps you didn't see TallMike's stats...
which boiled down that “40% run” statistic. Essentially it will amount to less than one more running play per possession. I agree that there is zero proof as to whether the offense will be “as good” much less improved. However, this 40% run stat you keep mentioning is equally worthless in making this assesment.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
Got no Link....
TallMike, you out there? Can you linky that run down you did on the 40% run stat?
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
I did the numbers all my myself on my own clackulator
the stats are available on the TTU Official website and I think a location called statwharehouse or something.
The numbers go basically like this. In a 75 play game for the offense (the average at TTU for each of the last two years) going from 33% to 40% (33% is the average runs per game last two seasons, 40% is the projected by the new OC) is 25 to 30, 5 more plays per game. Given that there are always more than five offensive possession per game…actually to have 75 plays, that is probably 8 to 10+ possessions per game. I forget the numbers for average score the past two years, something like 40 points I think…that is 5+ possessions on average.
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
I don't mind running more
But I do wonder if the 8 yards per carry we have seen on the ground wasn’t the result of the expectation of a pass every down combined with the wide splits in the o-line? If the splits get shrunk in half (which is the latest word from Coach Brown) will our effectiveness running the ball diminish?
Please stop ending every controversial comment with 'Just saying'. Drives me batty. Thank you.
The splits will remain...
but if people offer us balanced fronts instead of pass defensive fronts… will our ypc stay high?
I think that’s the question to ask.
He said they would be 1/2 as wide as last year
I’ll search the site but it was a quote wihin the last 3 weeks here on DTN.
Please stop ending every controversial comment with 'Just saying'. Drives me batty. Thank you.
It was in the Lubbock A-J
http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/022110/spo_565688111.shtml
He said he will split the difference between the splits used at Trow (3 feet) and the ones at Tech (4 feet):
• In the Leach era, announcers and opposing coaches made frequent reference to the offensive line’s wide splits. Brown said the usual line splits at Troy were about 3 feet, the ones Tech has used at about 4 feet. Now he guesses they’ll be somewhere in between.
“We’re going to be as wide as we can and still be able to run the zone,‘’ he said, referring to the Raiders’ bread-and-butter rushing play.
Please stop ending every controversial comment with 'Just saying'. Drives me batty. Thank you.
So if he is being literal....
I’m reading him as saying 3.5ft. Not the same as “cutting them in half”. Essentially, ours were bigger than Troys last year, and will be bigger again this year. Not that it matters, Troy had more offense than we did in 2009. Maybe the splits should be 3 feet. Or maybe we should leave everything the exact same just because.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
Then give me an F for reading comprehension
It’s been a few weeks since I read it and the parts that stayed with me were “splits” and “half”.
Please stop ending every controversial comment with 'Just saying'. Drives me batty. Thank you.
I was sharp shooting....
I’m working from home today, and bored to death. Sorry for being knit picky.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
Does an enlarged avatar
make you have to pee more often?
"Well, outside of Lubbock, expectations aren't very high. But it's okay, we play in Lubbock a lot this season"
-Mike Leach
by San Antonio Red Raider on Mar 3, 2010 4:32 PM CST up reply actions
A down and dirty look at run verses pass plays
Stats from ESPN
Year total pass Run Run%
plays atts atts of total plays
2009 1018 699 319 31.35%
2008 979 662 317 32.38%
2007 1009 763 246 24.38%
2006 875 655 220 25.41%
2005 896 588 308 34.38%
2004 944 651 293 31.03%
average 953 py 283 py 29.7%
13 game avg 73.3pg 51.2pg 21.8pg 29.7%
To reach 40% run plays in an average 73 play game there would need to be 29.2 runs or 7.4 more runs per game. With 8 possessions per game we would need to run less that 1 more time per possession to get to 40%
Troy
2009 973 529 444 45.63%
I see something positive in those numbers
04 (Holiday Bowl) 05 (Cotton Bowl) 08 (Cotton Bowl) and 09 were the years with the highest % of running plays and Tech had 37 wins.
So, if I extrapolate the data further, this is what we can expect:
Rushing the ball 40% of the time in 2010 will lead to 13 wins and a Big 12 championship. No need to argue any further!
I still like Mike Leach though.
"Well, outside of Lubbock, expectations aren't very high. But it's okay, we play in Lubbock a lot this season"
-Mike Leach
by San Antonio Red Raider on Mar 3, 2010 1:56 PM CST up reply actions
Awesome data, way to play like a champion.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
How many of those reported runs were actually sacks and how many were qb sneaks?
Does that change the calculations?
not sure
but I know in 2008 we only gave up a handful of sacks all year and Harrell didn’t sneak much. 2009 the sacks story was quite a bit different…
"Well, outside of Lubbock, expectations aren't very high. But it's okay, we play in Lubbock a lot this season"
-Mike Leach
by San Antonio Red Raider on Mar 3, 2010 2:42 PM CST up reply actions
40% of the time...
means we’ll run the ball a whole 5 more times per game than we did last year….
and only pass 45 instead of 50 times a game…get over it.
by TheScarletandTheBlack on Mar 3, 2010 10:48 AM CST up reply actions
And those 5 more runs...
shorten the game and lessen the number of yards we’ll put up.
All I’m saying is that there’s no way we put up more yards next year than we did this year… UNLESS… the defense improves dramatically and they get off the field faster… which may very well happen.
Last I checked...
Troy outgained us last year while running the ball more.
You can say blah blah blah Sun Belt defenses blah but it’s not like the Big 12 is a defensive power house either.
by TheScarletandTheBlack on Mar 3, 2010 11:53 AM CST up reply actions
I'm saying
that most people use the excuse “oh well Brown’s offense did what it did against Sun belt defenses” to discredit him, and that’s just stupid.
In the Sun Belt he was using Sun Belt athletes to run his offense against Sun Belt defenses. In the Big 12, he’ll be using Big 12 athletes against Big 12 defenses.
The point is it’s stupid and shallow minded to think that because where Brown was at before he can’t have success running that same offense in the Big 12.
by TheScarletandTheBlack on Mar 3, 2010 2:44 PM CST up reply actions
+2
I wish that would not be brougt up anymore.
"I find I'm so excited. I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitment only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope." Red-Shawshank Redemption
You can have 400 Yards a game and not one TD.
It’s called converting in the red zone, and we needed to do it more last season.
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
or score from outside the redzone.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
Right.
It’s been a while since that happened.
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
I don't blame the coach for that
Except indirectly as the coach chose the starting QB. If Potts starts this year our scoring problems will continue.
Please stop ending every controversial comment with 'Just saying'. Drives me batty. Thank you.
With Tubs and Willis
We won’t have to score offensively to win.
by TheScarletandTheBlack on Mar 3, 2010 12:22 PM CST up reply actions
But it's so damn fun.
Seriously, am I a sadist for getting joy out of other people’s discomfort?
Example #1 Stomping the S*** outta ranked teams and not even caring?
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
If by other's discomfort...
you mean you laughed when McCoy got knocked out of the BCS title game….then I’m a sadist too.
by TheScarletandTheBlack on Mar 3, 2010 12:27 PM CST up reply actions
+1
I have a hard time seeing the average Tech student getting jacked up to watch a 13-7 win.
Football geeks love defense, but the average Joe wants to see points scored in bunches.
I wanna see points...
but destroying the QB on a draw/option would be nicer….
Also, at the end of the day, a 13-7 win is still a W instead of a 47-56 loss.
by TheScarletandTheBlack on Mar 3, 2010 2:47 PM CST up reply actions
Your both right...
isn’t the goal to marry an SEC defense to our high-octane offense? So what we really want to see is 45-0………in the first half.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
What we want
Is to beat ut and OK and OSU with more regularity than we have in the last 10 years. What we want is to go to the Big 12 Chamionship and win. We are now breaking even against OU and that is all we have done. I don’t care if we go 12-0 and win every game by a score of 13-7. I just want to go 12-0. I do like 35-7 against tu though. I was there we we did 26-3. It is winning the Big 12 not the score that counts.
"I find I'm so excited. I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitment only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope." Red-Shawshank Redemption
If we do not, the tall fella is not going to be as happy.
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
"Touchdown Red Raiders!"
Has a nice ring to it. Keep ’em coming Coach Brown.
Please stop ending every controversial comment with 'Just saying'. Drives me batty. Thank you.
That is right !
Par for our offense is two td’s per quarter…
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
I like the determination
I think every coach wants to win championships and fill up that trophy case. Tubs is making no bones about it, he clearly wants to win and win big here. Go big or go home. And that Hocutt kid is built like a freaking horse! Dont see many 260 lbs athletes all that often.
We gon rock it to the wheels fall off
I like the positive attitude
I just don’t want to get into choosing sides between coaches. It wasn’t there fault. We have who we have and the South Plains Drifter will make his own mark on our program his own way. Hopefully, he does what says he wants to do and takes us to the next level. I like to hear someone talk about winning at this time after seeing that debacle on TV last night called a Basketball game. P. S. I do think he could stop saying “I’m not here to change things”. Just coach us to a Big 12 Championship. Wreck Em!!!!
"I find I'm so excited. I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitment only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope." Red-Shawshank Redemption
By the Seth
The Over/Under will be seen as a challenge. I take the over.
"I find I'm so excited. I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitment only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope." Red-Shawshank Redemption
Did anybody else watch the combine?
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
I tried to, but ...
It was a little like watching grass grow. If you watched, KWash, did Carter or Wall ever show up? I can’t find any information regarding their performance there?
"Fearless champions ever be; Stand on heights of victory"
by Let's Go Tech! on Mar 3, 2010 8:45 AM CST up reply actions
Carter is getting some bad press....
around the combine for possibly having “character issues”. The same is being said of Dez Bryant.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
I didn't watch the combine at all.
Didn’t even think about it. I watched it last year hoping to see Harrell and some others get after it. I’ll see if I can find some information.
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
Really?
Carter didn’t hit the weight room like Vaszquez and Reed.
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
There is a difference between the gym and the fridge.
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
Carter's bench just plain sucked
Considering he’s done pretty much nothing but pass block, you would think his numbers would be better.
OSU’s RB they had there (can’t remember the name) did the same on bench as Carter.
by TheScarletandTheBlack on Mar 3, 2010 10:52 AM CST up reply actions
Coach Tuberville continues to do what he said he would do, market TTU and solicit help from the Lubbock community and fans.
LOL ! He is certainly loading the wagon and is working from the perspective that he expects to be able to pull it as it loads.
It caught my eye that Don Williams reported that TTU tried to do something like the walk but did not get it going. So bringing it to TTU is not a Coach Tuberville notion, promoting it, perhaps even something that he has been asked to do rather than something he has initiated per se. I find it encouraging to see him link his comments to the stated goals of the University.
Hocutt is an interesting story. I read where TTU has been looking at him for a couple of years…that makes him a follow-up for the current staff, something which I again find encouraging because it implies that recruiting at TTU has been good and will continue to be good, two staffs looked at Hocutt and both wanted him, it also implies some continuity in some of the work initiated by the prior staff, implying that they valued that work and are leveraging it to TTU’s advantage. I hope we can hold him…the reason he gave for the commit has created doubts although I like the perspective.
I wonder what Matt Hinton really thinks about 40 times, LOL:
there’s certainly no reason to believe these tedious, minute differences among elite athletes translate to any significant difference on the field.
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
I saw this too...
It caught my eye that Don Williams reported that TTU tried to do something like the walk but did not get it going. So bringing it to TTU is not a Coach Tuberville notion, promoting it, perhaps even something that he has been asked to do rather than something he has initiated per se. I find it encouraging to see him link his comments to the stated goals of the University.
And it does make me feel a little better about the walk… just a little.
Here we go...
I could be wrong (and several will point it out if so) but it seems as if Catfish enjoys taking digs at Leach. I’m all for talking about winning championships, I think it builds excitement. I like hearing him say he wants to win. I don’t mind the “walk”. It could be a neat thing for the fans. I’m looking forward to a more robust rushing game. But many Leachers don’t enjoy quotes like this:
Tuberville told the luncheon crowd at the Memorial Civic Center that he didn’t come to Lubbock to win six or seven games a season.
Mike would pass 75-80 times per game. Mike got too caught up in the stats sometimes.
I’m not changing anything, just making it better.
There are several more examples just don’t have time to dig.
Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but would prefer to hear only about the future. It kinda reminds me of the guy living in the White House. Stop telling me it was all Bush’s fault and just get something done to make things better.
"Well, outside of Lubbock, expectations aren't very high. But it's okay, we play in Lubbock a lot this season"
-Mike Leach
by San Antonio Red Raider on Mar 3, 2010 7:54 AM CST reply actions
+1000
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
by blackbeard on Mar 3, 2010 7:58 AM CST via mobile up reply actions
And here we go....
LOL. In all seriousness, I think it is a bit of both. The first and last comments you highlighted I think are harmless, and your looking too deep. The second comment, where he mentions Mike by name is unneccesary, and coach needs to drop all Leach refrences other than saying thank you.
I agree Tubs needs to focus his talks on the future of Tech football, but I also believe sooner or later your going to have to stop reading every soundbite for an oppertunity to defend Leach’s honor.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
I really think you read way too much into the comments. Leach normally won around 8 games, so even if it was a dig, it wasn’t a good one. I think Leach is the furthest thing from Tuberville’s mind.
I conceded as much....no reason to mention leach by name.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
I hope you're right (about Leach being the furthest thing from his mind)
but remember, perception is reality and I’m probably not the only one who is reading into his comments. I just think he would have an easier time with the entire fan base if he said “There is a very solid foundation here and we are here to build on that”
Leach didn’t win a championship but he did have the most successful 10 year run in school history. No coach at Tech was ever as successful. None of them. Winningest coach in school history. Now I know pointing that out classifies me as romanticizing the past, but it’s a fact. I would just like TT to acknowledge that. We are fortunate to have him as coach, but he is fortunate to have been able to walk into this situation where he doesn’t have to spend years rebuilding a destroyed program.
I want him to win a championship in 2010.
"Well, outside of Lubbock, expectations aren't very high. But it's okay, we play in Lubbock a lot this season"
-Mike Leach
by San Antonio Red Raider on Mar 3, 2010 9:26 AM CST up reply actions
In the end, is he wrong? I think a LOT of people agree that Leach was hung up on numbers. I think part of this is him positioning himself as a completely different guy than Leach and his philosophy. He’s trying to focus only on wins and getting championships. I am not convinced Leach cared as much about championships as he did about being thought of as an offensive savant.
That said, I didn’t connect that second quote for some reason. Probably doesn’t need to be said even if he feels that way. Not a big deal. It’s March.
Is there any evidence that Captain Leach did not care about championships?
Other than the fact that he did not get a National Championship, which by my count only 1 or 2 are given each year (except for ut which always claims to have won). That being the case I think you must have to say that Stoops, the bawlcoach, Richrod, et.al didn’t care either for any given year.
Leach stated on a number of occasions that the goal of each play called was to score. One can only summize that scoring leads to winning and winning to championships. I therefore have to believe he cared.
Good news is this is a blog where everyone’s opinion counts.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
No, of course I don’t have evidence. Just my opinion…which needs no basis. I don’t think Leach is consumed with winning like others. I don’t say that is negative, either. I think he and Steve Spurrier, though, were among the few coaches who didn’t obsess and keep ungodly office hours.
It’s just nice, to me, to have a different voice (some would say more reasonable) leading the program. I like the outspoken nature of his desires. I just have to dig deep into my memory bank to recall the number of times I heard Leach mention a desire to win it all. Again, it’s not right or wrong what Leach did/didn’t do. It’s just nice to have a different perspective and attitude from the HC after 10 years of predictable unpredictableness.
I can live with that.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
I remember Leach talking about winning championships
immediately after he was hired.
He was in pretty much the same situation as Tuberville is, except he was an unproven HC (ex OC) following a very beloved and quick tongued Spike Dykes. Leach was not liked by the Raider Nation as a group for a couple of years…at least to my memory and experience.
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
I am not so sure that Leach was so hung up on numbers
as much as that is what he had to show as accomplishment…if you can not show the number of champships to show accomplishment, then you show what you have.
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
Depends on what the meaning of the word "Is" is. Or "Championship"
Texas Tech football were co-champions of the Big 12 South in 2008. They were co-champions of the SWC in 1994 and 1976. Let me know if I missed any older ones (except Border Conference. I hope we won that conference a few times).
Please stop ending every controversial comment with 'Just saying'. Drives me batty. Thank you.
SanTone, I see your points, and the words.
I really doubt that Tuberville spends much time thinking about Leach…I do believe he is working to establish an identity without upsetting people…even if he actually accomplishes the opposite.
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
I can translate this.
I think, and I hate to judge before all the facts are in, that what coach is trying to say is that he’s here to win championships.
You have to read between the lines for this stuff, fellas.
GOD?
I have never seen any red letters in the Bible were he shows any interest in football.
I just put the Qur’an on my Kindle I will let you know if it shows up.
If God does like sports my bet would be Professional Bull Riding and Moto GP.
Who is John Galt?
Moto GP and Formula 1
God himself created. Stay on the Gas until you see God or Jesus and then consider the brakes for a turn.
Man I miss Colin Edwards….
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
For a second there I thought Hocutt did play on both sides of the ball at the same time. Luckily his coaches assured us that he cannot be in two places at once. Othewise Tech fans would have had to deal with confusing 12th man scenarios for the next few years.
Quote from above “Hocutt played inside linebacker in a 4-4 defense and fullback in a wing-T offense. Ellison coaches started him on both sides of the ball, though not at the same time.”
Think Fridge
Granted he’s not a NT like the Fridge or Mt. Cody, but on goal line packages, I would love to see him play some fullback.
But I think the best thing would be to use him like Demarcus Ware with his size and speed (although he might not be tall enough, maybe he can grow about 3 more inches in this next year).
by TheScarletandTheBlack on Mar 3, 2010 11:03 AM CST up reply actions
I'm the 16th comment
Though I have no hot sports opinions today, so does this comment count on the over/under?
Give 'Em Hell Tech!!!!!
by Plano Jeff on Mar 3, 2010 8:40 AM CST via mobile reply actions
No comment
Does a “No comment” count as a comment? Seems like it shouldn’t by definition.
Please stop ending every controversial comment with 'Just saying'. Drives me batty. Thank you.
let me comment on that.....
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
Winning Championships
That is the goal we ran short of and I think what Tuberville is trying to convey is we will get their eventually. Mike built the program that gave us the reputation of being a program on the cusp of breaking through. Tuberville wants sold out stadiums which we need in Lubbock at all home games. A&M and UT do this routinely. We need the locals in Lubbock to come fill seats as well as alumni and students. Selling Texas Tech will pay offf in dividends and Tuberville knows this. Don’t get to wrapped up in the “God” comment as many of us use the term “God willing” on daily basis such as myself.
Personally I enjoy Tuberville’s enthusiasm and look forward to those championships.
"You've got to find your inner pirate" - Mike Leach
Sold Out Jones Stadium
I don’t think it’s a fair comparison to look at the stadium crowds in Austin and College Station & compare them to Lubbock. As a Dallas resident & season ticket holder I can tell you that it’s no easy feat making it to all the Tech home games when it’s either two 6 hour drives in a weekend or a $300 Southwest Airlines round trip for each home game. Tech must rely primarily on the 600,000 combined populations of Midland/Odessa, Amarillo and Lubbock for their home crowd. So 1 in every 10 humans living in driving distance need to attend Tech games to sell out the stadium. Austin and College station are within 3 hours drive from 10 million plus people in Dallas/Ft Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio. They need more like 1 in 100 to fill their stadiums.
Please stop ending every controversial comment with 'Just saying'. Drives me batty. Thank you.
and they can get their game gear at any
nearby walmart
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
Don't knock it
I picked up a Texas Tech tailgate tent and side walls, a Tech cooler, napkins, cups, plates, streamers, years worth of tailgate swag at the Wal-Mart in Tyler, TX of all places a couple years ago. It was the 1st and last time the Tyler Wal-Mart carried anything other than UT stuff.
Please stop ending every controversial comment with 'Just saying'. Drives me batty. Thank you.
That's ridiculous....
They rarely even have Tech t-shirts at the Walmarts in Lubbock! Much less the rest of that gear. It’s time for a changing of the guard with this UT nonsense. Just hope we are there to look down at them.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
Anytime I see Tech gear at HEB or Academy in San Antonio
I buy it because it’s a rare find. Even if it doesn’t fit. It’s the principle of the matter to me.
"Well, outside of Lubbock, expectations aren't very high. But it's okay, we play in Lubbock a lot this season"
-Mike Leach
by San Antonio Red Raider on Mar 3, 2010 12:27 PM CST up reply actions
+100
"I find I'm so excited. I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitment only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope." Red-Shawshank Redemption
I'm really hoping...
that the local area around Lubbock gets more involved. Like yourself I’m also from DFW area and have season tickets. I can’t say I’m at all home games but I typically sell of give my 4 seats away if I’m not going. I do agree that Austin and College Station are much closer to larger cities which makes it much easier to pull people in but I would also state that there is no reason we can’t get to their level with all of people in west texas including alumni and fans. It comes down to winning football games and when tech makes a BCS bowl things will more than likely change. Lastly, I gave up flying a long time ago and saved big time. 5.5 hours driving is a whipping I must agree.
"You've got to find your inner pirate" - Mike Leach
#22 of 65+...
Touchdown Jesus is a prophet…of coarse he is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I admit, it's a minor quibble...
But this is the one point that stuck out at me, here’s a Tuberville quote v. a Leach quote:
(all emphasis, mine)
TT: “I’m not here to change a lot of things,” he said. “I’m here to make it better. I’m here to help YOU. I’m here to help Texas Tech, and I’m here to win a championship.”
ML: "Nevertheless, you get my point. When you get up in the morning you need to take off running and that’s what WE’re going to do at Texas Tech, and that’s why I’m excited to be a part of this program, so WE can outrun all the antelopes and lions there are in this country and go on from there."
My only concern is if Tuberville is sounding like a hired gun this early, is he already going to be looking for the chance to bolt? Don’t get me wrong, I was/am excited to have TT as our Head Coach and I hope he does great things for this program, I’m just a little concerned if he’s talking like a hired gun rather than a legacy building HC.
It's funny how both quotes are about the same topic
but both are so completely different. This is a great illustration of the difference between the two coaches. Both want the same thing, but the difference in how they talk about it is hilarious.
Tuberville is Hemingway and Leach is Hunter S. Thompson.
"Well, outside of Lubbock, expectations aren't very high. But it's okay, we play in Lubbock a lot this season"
-Mike Leach
by San Antonio Red Raider on Mar 3, 2010 9:53 AM CST up reply actions
Will Rogers
If there is anyone to compare Leach to when it comes to making amusing and off-handed remarks, it would have to be the late, great Will Rogers. Either way, both are winners. One thing Tommy has going for him starting out that is a big plus is that he has served as a head coach and enjoyed success. Leach was starting from scratch as far as being a head coach is concerned. That Leach achieved what he did while learning on the fly is a testament to his abilities. Because Tommy has already been through that maze, we can expect him to have success much more quickly. Also, he can build on the base left by Leach, including the team, program recognition and talent level. He may not achieve what he wants, what we want, in his first year, but it won’t take more than a couple or three years to do so.
TTpilk Psalm 117:
1 ¶ O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.
2 For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD.
Having never actually heard a catfish talk, this is all new to me....
The quotes above may be what I have difficulty with. Tubs seems to say “I” alot where Captain used the collective “we” more. Maybe its the common man in me, maybe I am more biased than I want to admit, but using “we” makes me feel part of the process, whereas “I” makes me feel talked down to.
Now I’m going to wander off, mumbling to myself and make a jock strp cocktail. Go Fish.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
Really?
I thought Tubs made it pretty clear “this is not MY team, this is the letterman’s team, this is the alumnus’s team, this is the school’s team, etc.” Jeez you guys are giving this guy a hard time. if I didn’t know better I’d think Spike just got fired. Sure hope this coach wins right away,otherwise I forsee a lynching.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
I used to take a similar perspective as an engineer
working in a maintenance organization. I always presented myself to the fine, brilliant minded mechanics that I worked with as being more wanting to help them and let them get the credit for the success than myself…I take that as Tuberville’s perspective. (By the way, the mechanics loved it when I was on a job because we respected each other, knew each other’r role…I couldn’t do it without them, and if I was there, it was already apparent they needed me…or someone smarter than me.)
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
Obviously less turn over is good if we can help it,,,,,,,,,,
but on the other hand, if Tubs wins the Big 12 championship, and to a BCS game, then gets hired away to a better program, are you going to disappointed? If you hire upwardly mobile employees, eventually they keep moving up. This is why Kelly is no longer at Cincy, Miles is no longer at O$U, RichRod is no longer at WV, etc…..If you prove you are a winner, you get promoted. That’s life. We either play the game, or hire someone like Ruff who would not be a probable championship caliber coach, but who would stay as long as we let him. The only way to avoid said game, is to become one of the Big Boys, and thus a final destination for top coaching talent (see OK, UT).
IMO, we are better off being a stepping stone for coaching elite, than a grave yard for coaching mediocrity. At least until we elevate the program to the necessary level.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
by TTUMAR on Mar 3, 2010 10:15 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
TTUMAR, I'll agree with you on this point.
W’eve done mediocrity (and may be doing it in basketball now) and it is no fun. Upwardly mobile is a good thing. I am not worried about Tubs even being a one and done…..as long as he gets the ONE.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
We have a basketball team?
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
Am I an alcoholic if.......
I’ve considered driving from Lubbock to Midland just to attend the DTN Board Meeting?
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
Its the same way I feel about golf............
If I go drinking for 4 hours I am considered an alcoholic. BUT if I play golf and drink for 4 hours I am a sportsman.
consider yourself a sportsman. (it will work if you say it fast)
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
You should most certainly drive down here.
Bring RdrPwr with you.
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
first round is on me.
the other twelve………………not so much
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
We're stopping at 12?
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
He means 12.....
before he bangs the gavel to begin the meeting.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
exactly.............
gavel? well after the first 12 I will want to band something.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
bang, but
it could be band………..at my age.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
THAT's what will garner the alcoholic label...
it is all about the company you keep, not to where you drive…
Unless it is to drink….
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
And leaves the program in good shape !
The opposite is what has happened to the bb team(s).
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
Well said TTUMAR
The goal must be to become a Coaching final destination. Crushing Sooners and Longhorns like beer cans. Spreading chaos and mayhem in our wake. Causing Bears and Cowboys to pee their pants. Make Aggies wish they were in conference USA.
"do routine things routinely"
Curious to know when the comments by Leach were made.
It could make a big difference. If I’m the new guy in any program, it would seem wise to avoid acting if I’ve earned the “We”, so to speak. If I’ve run the program for a couple of years – then I feel the “We”. I am a solid part of the "WE’. New guys haven’t earned the “We” and probably feel more comfortable selling what they want to bring to the table. So they feel the “I”.
I don’t think it is a fair comparison unless the quote from Leach was before he had actually coached at Tech yet.
Agree, Dunka -
Looking at the statements from any other angle is mostly “splitting hairs” and not real relevant.
"Fearless champions ever be; Stand on heights of victory"
by Let's Go Tech! on Mar 3, 2010 11:37 AM CST up reply actions
Winning
1. At the D1 level, every coach who is competent wants to win every game they play and win a championship every year.
2. What set Leach apart was his unique approach to achieving successful results. Talking about pirates, antelopes and lions was his left-brained (or is it right-brained) way of inspiring himself, his players, and the fanbase toward success.
3. What sets Tuberville apart is his track record. It also is a source of inspiration.
4. There is nothing wrong with either approach. As the previous poster indicated, they seek the same result. It’s all good.
by Oklahoma Red Raider on Mar 3, 2010 9:57 AM CST reply actions
It's Charts & Graphs Wednesday!
Sorry Oklahoma RR. In reference to #3- do you mean this track record as a source of inspiration?
"Well, outside of Lubbock, expectations aren't very high. But it's okay, we play in Lubbock a lot this season"
-Mike Leach
by San Antonio Red Raider on Mar 3, 2010 12:30 PM CST up reply actions
YES!
it’s like Christmas every day around here.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
replying here because I'm too tired to scroll down...
Will have to work on the chart for you, but it boils down to this:
Since co-championships don’t count, Catfish Jesus leads with 2 division championships and 1 SEC championship in a 14 year HC career.
He had a co-division title with a 7-5 record in 2001. Poor ol’ Captain Air Raid can’t even sniff that kind of superiority.
"Well, outside of Lubbock, expectations aren't very high. But it's okay, we play in Lubbock a lot this season"
-Mike Leach
by San Antonio Red Raider on Mar 3, 2010 12:51 PM CST up reply actions
That's all I'm sayin....
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
And as usual.....
I disagree entirely with that chart. As stated elsewhere, although winning percentage is useful….it is not nearly as valuable as championships, and winning when it counts. In the spirit of Charts & Graphs Wednesday, I respectfully request a bar chart comparing the number of championships won between Catfish and Captain.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
I add:
If tubs wins 80% of his games, but rarely beats UT or OK, and never wins a championship, are we satisfied? IMO, no…it’s time for more. Winning percentage simply does not tell the story.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
if we win it all........
will basketball be the only thing we get to bitch about?
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
Not if they start wearing ties.
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
TTUMAR............
always one step ahead.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
of course giving the basketball team ties
would be like letting them run with scissors…………..someone is gonna get hurt.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
Agreed
Last night game (okay maybe the last 2 weeks) was so disappointing that it’s hard for me to even get interestedabout basketball at this point.
by TheScarletandTheBlack on Mar 3, 2010 1:39 PM CST up reply actions
Uh....
how’d this pot get here…totally not where I hit the reply button…I think..
by TheScarletandTheBlack on Mar 3, 2010 1:40 PM CST up reply actions
post**
the bad spelling bug bites again
by TheScarletandTheBlack on Mar 3, 2010 1:41 PM CST up reply actions
BUT
what’s a championship?
Technically, we were Gator Bowl champs in ’08. Should that count?
by TheScarletandTheBlack on Mar 3, 2010 12:43 PM CST up reply actions
lets just all get ribbons like they do in little league soccer.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
My point
Leach sharred the South…and that’s about it. A chart of championships would be drastically different than the current most popular chart.
by TheScarletandTheBlack on Mar 3, 2010 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
Ok, updated the chart to be more fair to the Catfish superiority
Only outright championships are listed.
"Well, outside of Lubbock, expectations aren't very high. But it's okay, we play in Lubbock a lot this season"
-Mike Leach
by San Antonio Red Raider on Mar 3, 2010 1:03 PM CST up reply actions
Gotta love the purple ribbon...
"We have a running game at Tech......sometimes we throw short passes." -Mike Leach
I got trophies while playing soccer......
Because I was terrible.
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
you should melt those down and have a Catfish cast.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
I agree
I liked Leach but wasn’t satisfied becuase we lost to ut 8 out 10 years Leach was here, and never went to the Big 12 Championship game, much less won it. If Tubervilles record after five years, is better than Leach’s 10 year percentage record but no Big 12 championship games played and/or won, TT is Not a success, but not a failure. If we win a Big 12 Championship or two then we have a success. If we miss going to any Bowl games and don’t go to the Big 12 Championship game we have a dismal failure.
"I find I'm so excited. I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitment only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope." Red-Shawshank Redemption
A little Combine jargon....
NFL.com is doing a bang up job getting the info out……
Once again, the Pro Day will be better for everybody.
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
The overs
they win, in a landslide.
by TheScarletandTheBlack on Mar 3, 2010 12:41 PM CST reply actions
yep, never, ever challenge the Double T Nation.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
Never, as I just made this 100 comments!
Giggidy!
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
perhaps, but
did you seehe posts on the last basketball game? just like the team…….horrible showing.
"There's going to be ups and downs but you have to enjoy the battle." Mike Leach
I must raise my hand in shame. I’m fairly sure I’ve made two comments in three years on basketball…not interested in the sport. At all.
Unless the state of the union is going on
" I crammed 4 years of Tech into 5"- me
by oldschoolraider on Mar 3, 2010 1:23 PM CST up reply actions
I am currently too sad to make comment about men's bb...I can't see an end to it.
Sometimes a river boat can out run a pirate ship.
In all honesty,
I was going to watch / listen to the game, but then I found something else better to do.
I stole a P.A. System from a company and decided to broadcast. I taped a microphone to my a** and ran up and down a flight of stairs 38 times just to see what it sounded like.
The end result was much better than trying to live thru another basketball game.
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
You betcha!
It’s going to be epic.
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
My first comment on all this.....
suprisingly, I am not too upset with TT’s comments….even the direct mention of Mike. I do have a saying echoing through my cabeza……..
Don’t let you mockingbird mouth overload your hummingbird ass. We expected hyperbole and random musings from Mike, but Coach might want to play it down the middle a bit.
I just heard that the walk is goinig to be ‘made our own’…..it will be clothing optional.
" I crammed 4 years of Tech into 5"- me
If so.......
I’m already going on record as to how cold it is…..I’m just saying.
" I crammed 4 years of Tech into 5"- me
by oldschoolraider on Mar 3, 2010 1:08 PM CST up reply actions
Thoughts of Will Ferrell......
" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...
PK loves Tubs
Agree or disagree with the approach, Tubs is creating lots of buzz around the program and getting Tech Football out in front of folks.Meanwhile, the Men’s basketball program is languishing in a $60+ million facility . One program is looking for a Big 12 Title and a BCS bid and the other is hoping to get nod to the NIT.
Interesting contrast.
"In any event, I'm putting the over-under on comments in today's DTN DD at 65"
It’s a good thing Seth isn’t a bookie ;)
Tubs(Coach Neal) can win if he focuses on Red Zone offensive improvements
The statistic which leaps at me is the conversion of Red Zone chances to points. Pretty sure we missed 8-10 oportunites to score in the red zone in 2009 and 3 plus FG misses from beyond 40 yards. If this sounds familar its because it is. A couple of years ago the Raiders had a lot of trouble converting 3rd downs. Through out the 06 season G. Harrell first year as a starter there were 9 or 10 critcal 3rd downs versus ou, ut and Mizzou which flopped. That seems to have been solved. So if I could pick a pressure point to zero in on it would be Red Zone conversions. That statistic – that Tall Mike threw out – of scoring 2 x times on the average per quarter is intriguing. I think Tubs will be a success if he can continue the scoring pace and deliver 2 more stops on defense per game specifically 3 and outs. Keep the Raider trend of less than 4 punts a game and convert darn near 100% of the Red Zone opportunities. Thoughts?
"do routine things routinely"
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