Scoop27
12-22-2012, 01:48 PM
1. Find Your Quarterback
Above all else, the biggest challenge for Applewhite will be to figure out exactly what he's got at quarterback. If he believes David Ash is a player who can be a championship quarterback, then I'd expect him to invest every ounce of everything he has to helping Ash get there.
If Ash isn't the guy – and what does or doesn't happen in the Alamo Bowl could give us an indication of whether he is or not – then it's possible the quarterback job could be wide open in the spring. Keep in mind that changes to the offense are coming, and if Applewhite were to like Connor Brewer or Jalen Overstreet's chances to help the Longhorns win more then things could be tweaked to make that happen – or at least for a better transition.
While it looks like Ash is going to get every chance to succeed and be the guy, you'd have assume all of the quarterbacks on campus are starting with a clean slate with Applewhite now leading the meetings.
2. Find an Identity
One of the best things about Bryan Harsin's offense was that it didn't have an identity. In theory, the Longhorns could attack an opponent based on what the defense gave them.
However, there were times were that was a detriment as the Longhorns' didn't have a constant piece of the offense they could go to in order to get out of a jam. There was no real bread and butter of the scheme, and too many times after games that left many wondering why Daje Johnson, Marquise Goodwin, D.J. Monroe, Malcolm Brown or a bevy of other players didn't get the ball (especially after a loss).
That'll be something that Applewhite will look to establish this spring. Texas has to have something it can hang it's hat on next season.
It's just got to figure out what it is and hone it so it becomes a real strength.
3. Know Your Personnel
How do you figure out what your identity is as an offense? Figure out who needs to have the ball in their hands and get it to them.
Applewhite isn't stupid, and having been on the staff on the offensive side of the ball longer than anyone except Bruce Chambers, he was involved in the recruiting process of all of the Texas offensive weapons. He knows what these players are capable of and he'll know who needs to have the ball and in what scenarios those touches need to occur.
There's no way as a play-caller you can make everyone happy, but I think a lot of people will be happy with Applewhite as a play-caller if the guys who can win ball games for the Longhorns are involved in the plan.
4. Figure out Joe Bergeron's Role
There's been a lot of talk about tight end production and a lot of talk about how you distribute the touches evenly between the backs. In a way, Joe Bergeron seems like the kind of guy who can help solve both issues.
We didn't see him involved much at all in the passing game this season. When he was he was effective, and keep in mind that he was recruited as an H-back type of player. He's shown he can be a factor in the passing game, we just haven't seen enough of him there to get a feel for his ceiling.
It seems like a waste of a good skill set to pigeonhole him into being simply a short yardage and goal line runner. If you want to make sure all of the backs have their touches maximized and that you're not wasting downs with people on the field who aren't a threat to make a play, Bergeron seems like a guy who can be a problem solver.
5. Continue to Emphasize Line Development
One advantage Applewhite has that Harsin didn't is Stacy Searels is now entering his third year in the program. The depth along the offensive line needs to continue to come along as well as it has under Searels.
This spring there could actually be some competition for spot with Kennedy Estelle and Sedrick Flowers being among the young linemen in the program who should start pushing for reps. A steadily improving offensive line will make all of the aforementioned decisions easier for Applewhite.
Above all else, the biggest challenge for Applewhite will be to figure out exactly what he's got at quarterback. If he believes David Ash is a player who can be a championship quarterback, then I'd expect him to invest every ounce of everything he has to helping Ash get there.
If Ash isn't the guy – and what does or doesn't happen in the Alamo Bowl could give us an indication of whether he is or not – then it's possible the quarterback job could be wide open in the spring. Keep in mind that changes to the offense are coming, and if Applewhite were to like Connor Brewer or Jalen Overstreet's chances to help the Longhorns win more then things could be tweaked to make that happen – or at least for a better transition.
While it looks like Ash is going to get every chance to succeed and be the guy, you'd have assume all of the quarterbacks on campus are starting with a clean slate with Applewhite now leading the meetings.
2. Find an Identity
One of the best things about Bryan Harsin's offense was that it didn't have an identity. In theory, the Longhorns could attack an opponent based on what the defense gave them.
However, there were times were that was a detriment as the Longhorns' didn't have a constant piece of the offense they could go to in order to get out of a jam. There was no real bread and butter of the scheme, and too many times after games that left many wondering why Daje Johnson, Marquise Goodwin, D.J. Monroe, Malcolm Brown or a bevy of other players didn't get the ball (especially after a loss).
That'll be something that Applewhite will look to establish this spring. Texas has to have something it can hang it's hat on next season.
It's just got to figure out what it is and hone it so it becomes a real strength.
3. Know Your Personnel
How do you figure out what your identity is as an offense? Figure out who needs to have the ball in their hands and get it to them.
Applewhite isn't stupid, and having been on the staff on the offensive side of the ball longer than anyone except Bruce Chambers, he was involved in the recruiting process of all of the Texas offensive weapons. He knows what these players are capable of and he'll know who needs to have the ball and in what scenarios those touches need to occur.
There's no way as a play-caller you can make everyone happy, but I think a lot of people will be happy with Applewhite as a play-caller if the guys who can win ball games for the Longhorns are involved in the plan.
4. Figure out Joe Bergeron's Role
There's been a lot of talk about tight end production and a lot of talk about how you distribute the touches evenly between the backs. In a way, Joe Bergeron seems like the kind of guy who can help solve both issues.
We didn't see him involved much at all in the passing game this season. When he was he was effective, and keep in mind that he was recruited as an H-back type of player. He's shown he can be a factor in the passing game, we just haven't seen enough of him there to get a feel for his ceiling.
It seems like a waste of a good skill set to pigeonhole him into being simply a short yardage and goal line runner. If you want to make sure all of the backs have their touches maximized and that you're not wasting downs with people on the field who aren't a threat to make a play, Bergeron seems like a guy who can be a problem solver.
5. Continue to Emphasize Line Development
One advantage Applewhite has that Harsin didn't is Stacy Searels is now entering his third year in the program. The depth along the offensive line needs to continue to come along as well as it has under Searels.
This spring there could actually be some competition for spot with Kennedy Estelle and Sedrick Flowers being among the young linemen in the program who should start pushing for reps. A steadily improving offensive line will make all of the aforementioned decisions easier for Applewhite.