Thoughts On Sip Scrimmage

DVR'd the sips scrimmage and watched it last night. Reminded me a little of watching the Ags scrimmage under Slocum. Lots of running the ball, and lots of getting stuffed at the LOS. If I was going to use one word to describe it, it would probably be underwhelmed. Considering I do not remember the last time I was overly impressed with what I saw at the tu spring game, this should really be of no concern for the sips.

Garrett Gilbert does indeed look like the real deal. I knew would have strong QB play because Greg Davis made Chance Mock look serviceable. Gilbert has a stronger arm than McCoy did. He looks accurate and had a very nice game. I do not think he was ever blitzed and never had to throw under duress. It will be interesting in the fall to see how he handles pressure. He did not do very well against Bama, but I do not see Bama on the schedule this year. 

Looks like the sips are still searching for a dominant RB. Chris Whaley is big and fast, but he is not going to make anyone miss out there. I predict he will have at least one one-hundred yard game. I just do not think he is the answer at the position. Fozzy Whitaker got injured again, the sky is blue and water is wet. Tre Newton looked about as solid as he always looks. Newton will need a dominant OL to look great. Do not think he has that right now. He did absolutely leave some LB in the dust on a route out of the backfield that went for a TD.

The guy who jumped out at me besides Gilbert was TE Barrett Matthews. He looks like a definite player. Had a very nice move that left two DBs in the dust. Would expect a move like that from a WR or RB, not a TE. I imagine that tu will use the TE more this season as they move away from the spread in an attempt to take some of the pressure of Gilbert. This si a good sign for Matthews as he should have a big year. That is assuming that the curse on tu TEs has been lifted and they can make it through the off season healthy.

Desean Hales had some nice plays. Did not appear as explosive as I thought he would be, but maybe that is b/c the tu defense is just that fast. They will need him or someone to step up now that Shipley is gone.

Kenny Vaccaro jumped out at me on defense. He lit up a guy on one play. The safety spot for the sips does seem to be pretty deep. Defense stuffed the run pretty well. Hard to tell if that is because it is a good defense or poor OL. I know the Acho brothers are pretty damn good. Also know that Keenan Robinson can play. No one really jumped off the screen at me on defense but I know it is talented so if I were a sip, I would not worry much about it. I did not think the CBs looked especially good, but then you end up with the question of whether it was great play by the WRs or poor play by the guy covering them. Hard to know right now.

If I were a sip, I would be excited about Gilbert and Matthews but still concerned about the running game. if Whaley ever learns to make anyone miss, he could be an All American. Do not know if that is going to happen though.