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Subject: Inside UT Football: September 21, 2000



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	Back to reality 
	 
	Sept. 21, 2000 
	 
	
	[IMAGE]Chip Brown, The Dallas Morning News' Texas writer, answers your 
questions about what went wrong against Stanford, Coach Mack Brown's response 
to the loss, the continuing quarterback controversy, UT players in the NFL 
and more. Inside UT Football appears every Thursday. 
	
	 
	E-mail questions to Chip: chipbrown@dallasnews.com 
	
	
	 
	Listen to Chip Brown talk about the Longhorns on
	dallasnews.com's Colleges site 
	
	
	
	CHIP SHOTS 
	 
	
	Every year since 1983, Texas has lost or tied a game in its first four games 
of the season. That means UT has had a blemish on its record each of the past 
17 years - usually before Texas-OU weekend.  
	
	 Orangebloods spend winter, spring and summer discussing the impact of new 
recruits, the prowess of future opponents and the talents of its returning 
starters. They spend money on season tickets, airplane tickets and alumni 
luncheon tickets. They dream big dreams, and then by October, the high hopes 
have usually come crashing down. 
	
	 Only three times since 1983 has Texas opened the season 3-0: 1984, 1985 and 
1994. Those starts were then immediately followed by either a tie (1984) or 
losses (1985 and 1994). In each of those seasons, Texas ended up with four 
losses.  
	
	 In UT's two best seasons since 1983, a 10-2 campaign in 1990 and a 10-2-1 
run in 1995, the Longhorns lost their second and third games of the season, 
respectively. Before Texas can dream about winning a national title, the 
Longhorns have to show they can make it into October without a loss. 
	
	 
	
	
	Longhorn Q & A 
	 Q: Judging from the Stanford game (as well as the last three games of last 
season) it looks like the trend of blitzing the Horns will continue. There is 
also no respect for our running game from any team that we face. I think the 
best way to end this strategy against us is to become the aggressor on 
offense and not sit back passively and react to what the defense is giving 
us.  
	
	In order for us to achieve this, I think it starts with us putting our best 
athletes on the field on offense. These guys may not be the most experienced 
players, but they will gain experience with playing time, and they have the 
ability to make a team pay for selling out with the blitz. It's time to start 
Roy Williams and B.J. Johnson at receiver (along with Montrell Flowers) and 
play a one-back offensive set. Our fullbacks are not a threat offensively and 
Hodges Mitchell is not an I-back who is adept at following the fullback 
through the hole. Hodges' strength is operating in space and making people 
miss in the open field. 
	
	I also think Chris Simms needs to get the bulk of the minutes at quarterback. 
Major Applewhite has all the intangibles in the world but Simms could (and 
probably does) possess all of the same skills. He just hasn't had the chance 
to display them. We desperately need to have all playmakers on the field if 
we are going to turn this thing around. If not, I could see this season 
slipping to 7-4 real quick. What are your thoughts, Chip? 
	 ?? The Jackson residence 
	
	 BROWN:  With any unexpected loss, the tendency is to throw everyone out - 
change coaches, players, even the bus driver. You do that and you are telling 
this team that you have absolutely no confidence in them. There can't be too 
much change at any one time. The big question is how the team responds to 
this Stanford loss emotionally. Something tells me if Texas can find some 
resolve and perform really well, you'll see some solid performances at all 
the positions where problems currently exist. In 1996, Texas was No. 6 and 
Notre Dame was No. 9. Texas had the game won in Austin and then lost. UT then 
lost three of its next four, which included games against Oklahoma State, 
Oklahoma and Colorado - all teams Texas is about to face after this week's 
opponent, Houston. 
	
	That was a different coach and different players. But the common thread was 
that Texas hit the top 10 and then choked. If Texas is hung over from its 
loss to Stanford, trouble could be on the horizon. If Texas can find resolve 
to show everyone that Stanford truly was a game in which everything that 
could go wrong did, then I think the Longhorns will bounce back and be a hard 
team to beat the rest of the way. Tuesday night Mack Brown said the Longhorns 
are not a very good football team right now. The challenge has been made to 
his team. If they come out and stink against Houston, every position will be 
scrutinized, every coach, even the bus driver. There will be enough fire 
being thrown in Austin to serve up grilled fajitas for the entire state. But 
changes will have to be made constructively and gradually. 
	?
	
	
	
	
	
	
	[IMAGE] 
	Chris Simms  
	
	Q: What's going on with the quarterbacks? 
	?? Mitch Golding 
	
	 BROWN:  As the QBs turn. This week, it appears Chris Simms will start 
because he was practicing with the first team on Tuesday. That has been the 
trend. Whoever practices with the first team gets the start. Anyway, we'll 
see how they respond after the Stanford game. Major Applewhite was erratic in 
his play, despite almost leading the Longhorns back from the dead to a 
miraculous victory. I'm sticking to my theory that the coaches want to see 
what Simms can do against Houston before picking one or the other  
	
	to get solo duty in the Oklahoma and Colorado games.  
	
	Granted, if one struggles along the way, the other will come in. But Mack 
Brown said they primarily went with Applewhite against Stanford because of 
his experience and the fact that it was the team's first game on the road. He 
said they still have all the faith in the world in Simms. It would seem to me 
that it takes away the incentive to really take control of the offense, light 
it up and get on a roll when you are alternating, but I'll continue to watch 
like everyone else.  
	
	I keep trying to remind myself that Brown did this twice at North Carolina 
with success. Of course, with those QBs (Oscar Davenport and Chris Keldorf), 
Brown had different styles and gained an advantage by forcing the defense to 
prepare for Davenport's scrambling and Keldorf's passing. With Simms and 
Applewhite you pretty much get the same style. With Keldorf and Davenport, 
you also had injuries dictate a few starts. 
	?
	
	
	 Q: Can you tell us what influenced Mack Brown's decision regarding the 
quarterbacks against Stanford? 
	?? Nels Marshall 
	
	 BROWN:  Here are Brown's exact words: "Experience. We were in a tight 
football game and Major (Applewhite) has been around a long time. I was proud 
- even with as poorly as we played offensively in the third quarter - that we 
didn't panic. I thought that in the fourth quarter the kids did a great job 
of coming back and giving us a chance to win. Sometimes youth doesn't look 
like it is trying because they're nervous. Instead, they are trying too hard 
and get uptight. Our team tried hard. As negative as people make Saturday 
night, it is one of those things that you have to grow from."  
	?
	
	
	 Q: I'm glad we have two great QBs. My question is, are the receivers having 
any problem adjusting to the different spin on the balls coming from a 
left-handed or right-handed QB? 
	?? Dave Stastny, Austin 
	
	 BROWN:  The receivers say the varying spins are not a factor when catching 
the ball. They do, however, say that Chris Simms' ball will come a little 
faster and a little harder than Major Applewhite's. 
	?
	
	
	 Q: The Longhorns are obviously going to play a lot of freshmen this year. 
What are the rules on redshirting a player after the season starts? I know 
that a player can apply for a redshirt for medical reasons, but can they also 
apply for more eligibility or take a redshirt after playing a small amount of 
time?  
	?? Chad Graham 
	
	 BROWN:  No. Once a freshman plays in a game, even for one play and he does 
not suffer a season-ending injury, the chance for a redshirt is out the 
window.  
	?
	
	
	
	
	
	
	[IMAGE] 
	Jermain Anderson  
	
	Q: Have the coaches given any consideration to moving Jermain Anderson back 
to linebacker? If I remember correctly, he played LB in high school at Texas 
City. He seems to still have good speed, but also a problem putting on the 
necessary weight to play defensive end. It just seems like he might be better 
suited for the outside linebacker rotation, especially considering the 
progress made by young defensive ends like Kalen Thornton, Cole Pittman and 
Adam Doiron.  
	 ?? Micah Hurt 
	
	
	
	 BROWN:  Coaches don't think Anderson has the speed to play linebacker. They 
are pleased with the depth at linebacker, as well. They like Anderson's 
instincts as a pass rusher. They are still working on his ability to stop the 
run. 
	?
	
	
	 Q: My husband wanted me to write and request that you put the Longhorn 
football schedule in your letter each week. My husband, Mark, is a diehard 
Texan who was transferred to Oklahoma in 1972. Through thick and thin, he has 
remained a loyal Longhorn fan and taken a lot of harassment from the Sooner 
fans. Of course, he does his fair share (and probably more) of bragging about 
the Longhorns.  
	?? Barbara and Mark Harper 
	
	 BROWN:  As far as the schedule, UT's remaining games are: 
	
	Sept. 23 (home) vs. Houston at 6 p.m. on Fox
	Sept. 30 (home) vs. Oklahoma State at 11 a.m. on ABC
	Oct. 7 (in Dallas) vs. Oklahoma, TBA
	Oct. 14 at Colorado, TBA
	Oct. 21 (home) vs. Missouri, TBA
	Oct. 28 (home) vs. Baylor, TBA
	Nov. 4 at Texas Tech, TBA
	Nov. 11 at Kansas, TBA
	Nov. 24 (home) vs. Texas A?at 2:30 p.m. on ABC 
	Since you all have access to the Internet, log onto UT's sports Web site 
(texassports.com) and learn what radio stations broadcast the game in your 
area. And you can read The Dallas Morning News online every day at 
dallasnews.com. 
	?
	
	
	 Q: This may take some research but I was wondering if you could tell me the 
number of UT players in the NFL and the status of some recent grads (i.e. 
how's Cedric Woodard, Aaron Humphrey, Kwame Cavil). Thanks. 
	
	 BROWN:  The Big 12 office just released a list of former Texas players in 
the NFL. However, it includes some players who have been released. For 
example, Aaron Humphrey was released after a free-agent tryout with Tampa 
Bay. Chris Smith was released after a free-agent tryout with Washington and 
Dallas. Jay Humphrey also was released after one year with the Minnesota 
Vikings. Kwame Cavil made the Buffalo Bills after going undrafted. Anyway, 
here is the list as provided by the Big 12:
	
	TEXAS (21)
	Ben Adams, OL, Miami
	Taje Allen, DB, St. Louis
	Tony Brackens, DE, Jacksonville
	Blake Brockermeyer, OG, Chicago
	Ricky Brown, RB, Cincinnati
	Chris Carter, DB, New England
	Kwame Cavil, WR, Buffalo
	Phil Dawson, KS, Cleveland
	Shane Dronett, DL, Atlanta
	Priest Holmes, RB, Baltimore
	Aaron Humphrey, DE, Tampa Bay
	Jay Humphrey, OL, Minnesota
	Derek Lewis, TE, St. Louis
	Wane McGarity, WR, Dallas
	Eric Metcalf, WR, Carolina
	Dan Neil, OL, Denver
	Roger Roesler, OL, Cincinnati
	Chris Smith, TE, Dallas
	Winfred Tubbs, LB, San Francisco
	Bryant Westbrook, DB, Detroit
	Ricky Williams, RB, New Orleans
	Cedric Woodard, DL, Baltimore 
	?
	
	
	
	
	
	
	[IMAGE] 
	Hodges Mitchell  
	
	Q: Don't know whether you can address any or all of these questions in your 
column, but I've seen some unflattering trends in Mack Brown's program and 
wanted your feedback. Mack Brown is a great recruiter, no argument there. 
However, can he motivate? It seems like he can't get the team "up" sometimes 
and can't adjust the team's mood during a game. 
	
	About offensive coordinator Greg Davis, I don't know who is responsible for 
the offensive line but since it is an offensive group, in more ways than one, 
I put it under him. With guys the size that UT has, shouldn't even Hodges 
Mitchell be able to run? Who tagged Leonard Davis as a pro? Why does Davis 
love Mitchell? Sure, he gained 1,300-plus yards last year, but how many of 
those yards were "move 
	
	 the chains" type of runs that allowed UT to hold the ball on the ground and 
protect a lead? I thought it was going to be running back by committee but 
all we have seen is the coaches continuing the same mistake - abandoning the 
run and using the wrong back for the wrong situations. 
	
	Mitchell can run to the outside, but he cannot run through the defensive 
tackles. And even if he does get holes, he still will never break through the 
linebackers for a TD. Why not put Ivan Williams or Kenny Hayter back there 
with Mitchell and go with a two-back, three-wide offense? You don't lose a 
receiver as Hodges is a nice, smart receiver.
	
	Other ramblings: Is Quentin Jammer really a corner? He got beat MANY time 
against Stanford. I loved his hitting when he played safety but his injury 
may have forever changed his game if he can't play safety and can't keep up 
with opponent's wideouts.
	
	How is the defensive end position shaping up? The defensive tackles were all 
over the field against Stanford, but the DEs didn't make much noise. What is 
up with the blocked punts? UT should be really, really embarrassed. Does 
Stockton take too long? Is he too close to the line? Can the line block? Can 
anyone at UT block?
	
	Does Brown ride the officials who are missing holding calls? Several times 
the camera caught clear holds by Stanford's line. Why on earth would you run 
up the middle, on your own goal line against two of the best DTs you'll play 
against? 
	?? Andrew Bowen 
	
	 BROWN:  I think your feelings are shared by many Texas fans who are 
incredibly pained, shocked, disappointed, angered and hurt by last Saturday's 
events. But in talking to Mack Brown on Tuesday, he said it's fair to beat 
the team up for not being able to run the ball. But he said to jump on any 
other part of the team is to rip young, inexperienced kids who are still 
learning what it takes to compete as a top-ranked team. 
	
	To be fair to Brown, he did say repeatedly that his team was overrated and 
needed time to grow into some key positions - receiver, defensive end, 
fullback and some positions on the offensive line and at corner. It probably 
isn't fair to question whether Mack Brown can motivate because his teams did 
beat Nebraska twice, Oklahoma twice and Texas A?once. If a trend develops, 
and Texas falls apart the rest of the season, there will be a fair question 
about whether Brown did a good enough job of keeping his team's head screwed 
on straight. But it's typical after losses to want to shred every part of the 
team. 
	
	Brown said before the season that as soon as something went wrong, the 
quarterback situation would be blamed. And he was right. The QBs are still 
working hard, and look for Simms to start this week against Houston. There's 
no question that the O-line is struggling, but so are the backs and so are 
the receivers. Brown said only two of the five sacks were the fault of the 
line. He said the other three were caused by miscommunication between 
Applewhite and the receivers, causing Applewhite to hold the ball too long. 
	
	Mitchell was standing too deep in the backfield against Stanford, so it was 
taking him too long to get to the holes. The coaches were not happy about 
that. They were yelling at him to move up. He should only be 6 1/2 yards 
deep. But he was sometimes at 9 yards. Mitchell also struggled with some 
blitz pickup, which is uncharacteristic of him. So look for Victor Ike, 
Hayter and possibly Williams to get a little time against Houston. 
	
	Coaches are still high on Jammer. Again, he hasn't played corner much in 
games after moving from safety. But coaches are not thinking of moving him. 
The defensive end position is a big concern with defensive coordinator Carl 
Reese. He is willing to rifle through his whole pile until he finds a couple 
who can really play. Cory Redding was better than usual against Stanford. But 
that position still needs a lot of work. The blocked punt occurred because 
one player, who blocked perfectly on 11 other punts Saturday night, failed to 
block a player coming right up the middle, which guarantees doom. That player 
has been chewed out every which way.
	
	As far as the penalties, there were several questionable calls. But Brown, 
who did a lot of yelling at officials during the Stanford game, couldn't say 
anything about it after the game because he would be fined. Texas can still 
have a good season, and perhaps having these problem areas pointed out so 
early will help in that direction. We'll see if Texas takes this loss 
constructively or destructively. 
	?
	
	
	 Q: Last year at times I saw blazing speed and ability from Cory Redding. I 
know he was considered by many to be the best high school defensive player in 
the country in 1998. I've waited all off-season to see him explode against 
teams this year. I haven't seen it yet. Maybe this week against Stanford. My 
question is, why was he moved from his high school position of linebacker 
where he was dominant into the defensive end role where he seems undersized 
and average? Is Texas that low on defensive line talent? It seems our 
recruiting has been great. Please help me understand. Hook 'em Horns! 
	?? Ernie McAnally 
	
	 BROWN:  Redding told me recently that linebacker is still his first love. 
But he said coaches came to him last year and said he could get on the field 
right away as a defensive end. Coaches also feel that his body (6-5, 260) is 
perfect for the DE position. He's tall, athletic, fast and has long arms. In 
time, coaches feel Redding will develop into an All-America player. But there 
is no question that he has struggled against the run. He made some big plays 
against Stanford, recording six tackles, three of them for losses and 
blocking an extra point attempt. He is just a sophomore. Over this season and 
the next two years, he should only get better. 
	?
	
	 Q: I was watching the regional telecast of the TCU game today and the 
announcers  stated that TCU had anted up $90,000 for the Heisman campaign for 
LaDainian Tomlinson. How much did UT spend on its campaign for Ricky 
Williams' run for the Heisman? 
	
	 BROWN:  Texas didn't spend that much money at all. They produced a few 
postcards, a video and a CD-ROM screen saver to send out to the national 
media detailing Ricky's accomplishments. But those costs totaled less than 
$10,000, according to UT officials. 
	?
	
	
	 Q: Did any of the freshman who did not play in the Louisiana-Lafayette game 
play in the Stanford game? I am watching to see which ones might be 
redshirts.  
	?? Mike Smith, Houston 
	
	 BROWN:  According to the participation chart provided at the Stanford-Texas 
game, Austin Sendlein was the only freshman to play against the Cardinal who 
did not play against Louisiana-Lafayette. In addition to Sendlein, here are 
the other freshmen who have played so far: WRs Roy Williams, B.J. Johnson and 
Sloan Thomas; TE Brock Edwards; DE Kalen Thornton; CB Nathan Vasher; FS 
Phillip Geiggar; and DT Stevie Lee. 
	?
	
	
	 Q: Is it true that in Mack Brown's four or five head coaching stops, his 
teams have yet to win a single conference championship? Since UT has lost 
four out of its last five games, wouldn't a loss to Houston this week 
officially end Mack Brown's honeymoon with the alumni, notwithstanding his 
abundant PR program? With Brown about to land his third national Top 5 
recruiting class, I believe fans are going to expect more gridiron victories 
to go with those recruiting victories.  
	?? T. Hough 
	
	 BROWN:  It's true that Brown has yet to win a conference championship in 
stints at Appalachian State, Tulane, North Carolina and now Texas. At 
Appalachian State, Tulane and UNC, he was taking over absolutely dead 
programs. He took Tulane to a bowl, and he had Florida State to deal with in 
the Atlantic Coast Conference while at UNC. But he took UNC to six bowl games 
in his 10 years at UNC and won four of them. 
	
	A loss to Houston would certainly intensify the frustration of Texas 
faithful. But I think anyone who would be looking to put Brown on the hot 
seat or rip him if Texas lost to Houston would be overlooking the job he has 
done beating Nebraska (twice), Oklahoma (twice) and Texas A?(once) in his 
first two seasons here. He has also turned Texas back into a destination 
school for top recruits and brought the UT community back together. In 
addition to all that, he has done more good for UT out of the limelight than 
probably most Texas fans realize. 
	
	Brown is now in the same spotlight as Bobby Bowden, John Cooper, Lloyd Carr, 
Steve Spurrier and Phil Fulmer. Any unexpected losses are unforgivable in the 
eyes of fans. It may take some time for Brown and his team to adjust to that. 
UNC fans were pretty ho-hum about everything the Tar Heels did in football, 
even when they won big. Brown wanted to win at a school with huge 
expectations. He'll have to adjust now that it appears Texas will be starting 
out the next few seasons in the Top 10. 
	?
	
	
	 Q: Is Lee Jackson out for the Houston game? 
	?? Marty Bonner 
	
	 BROWN:  Jackson is out for the Houston game with a hamstring pull suffered 
against Stanford. He may also miss the Oklahoma State game. Mack Brown said 
this is a bad week to be without Jackson because Houston can throw the ball 
really well. 
	?
	
	
	 Q: Is Ricky Williams' jersey being retired at the Oklahoma State game Sept. 
30? 
	?? Mark Wilson 
	
	 BROWN:  Yes. Williams' No. 34 will be retired at that game. Williams has 
said he will be there because the New Orleans Saints are off that weekend. 
Host Communications has also just finished a video biography on Williams that 
will be available soon. 
	?
	
	
	 Q: What did Mack Brown say about the expectations surrounding his team after 
the loss to Stanford? 
	?? Virginia Blair 
	
	 BROWN:  Again, here are Mack's words: "I said during the pre-season that we 
were overrated. I didn't see any reason with the youth, the way we finished 
last year and the inexperience across the board that we should have been a 
Top 5 football team. One of the great things about Texas is that you receive 
a tremendous amount of attention and publicity, but in some cases people want 
to push you too fast to get to the top. I think that we were in that position 
and expectations got out of hand. I knew that we would have a difficult game 
at Stanford and that it would be a tough game to win. I also didn't think 
that we deserved to be ranked fifth in the country. Our current rank within 
the Top 15 is much more fitting for where we are today."  
	
	
	
	
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