I wanted to highlight a little of what the QB position at Texas entails and how the existing framework on offense may lend itself to the most heralded position on the Texas depth chart, the backup QB! I'm here to argue that this time it's different. Texas' backup QB is freshman Jerrod Heard, two-time state champion and known burner out of the backfield. To get a little bit of a grasp for what Heard will need to have mastered to become the starter or overtake Swoopes, I've included some examples of the QB play Texas received this season. By no means is this an indictment of current Texas starting QB Tyrone Swoopes, but instead a perusing of the issues the position is faced with as well as how those issues relate to Heard. So, please allow me to play devil's advocate and incite the next intensely debated Texas QB kerfuffle.
The Texas offense is oriented around a mix of ball-control quick-game passing concepts as well as the zone and power run game. Texas wants to execute in a fashion to minimize negative plays and create advantageous 2nd and 3rd down and distance opportunities. To do this, it needs a steady stream of 4 to 6 yard gains on 1st down. So, let's take a look at some of the things we saw this season and discuss how some of the concepts within the Texas offense relate to a talent like Heard.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4293405
A simple "Snag" concept with QB sprint-out is the type of quick-game staple Texas should continue to see. It can also be run without the QB sprint-out or from under center. This is "quick-game: 101" and should be something both Swoopes and Heard can execute in their sleep. Above, the ball comes out a bit late, something that has remained an issue throughout the season for the young QB. I don't know how many concepts Watson installed and practiced throughout the season, but it'd be wise to keep them to a "minimum effective dose" for both QB's on the roster.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4293485
Slant-flat is another staple from Shawn Watson's quick-game arsenal. This is straight run-action pass all the way as the QB's read key is the flat defender. Also, slant-flat mimics the WR stems of the bubble screen. Again, very simple read-key and something Texas should consistently run given the talent at WR. It's my opinion that concepts similar to this were a Swoopes strength in 2014. Sometimes it seemed calls like this were too few and far between. Nevertheless, this is a basic read and should be something both QB's do well.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4293548
Above is a drop-back off of play-action, probably of the 7-step variety that is meant to attack the deep zone of the defense. The QB takes the sack on this play, but the ball is supposed to come out on the last step or the hitch step (depends). A QB must know if it's there (the route) or not, and then must execute a throw-away to prevent the sack. Here, that doesn't happen.
I was and continue to be critical of Watson and less-so the QB regarding these type of deep drop-backs. I personally don't like the idea of a young QB, slow in his reads and footwork, turning his back to a defense on a pass play like this. That doesn't mean the scheme is bad, just that Texas doesn't have a great OL or a highly qualified passer at this point. Nevertheless, it's also on the QB to throw the route or away and not take a sack. Moving on...
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4293689
The sprint-out "waggle" is a staple and will continue to be featured by Texas QB's under Shawn Watson. Notice Swoopes' late read and shoulders "squaring-up" late to the throw. The ball should be out just before the WR's break. Moving forward, the Texas QB's will need quicker recognition of the read and pattern as well as better body control.
I understand that these are just "snap shots" of Texas' QB play within the offense, but what is desired from the position is consistent execution of QB fundamentals. Read keys, recognition, eyes/footwork-to-progression, body control, and ball security are the orders of the day. Texas was sorely lacking in the aforementioned early on as well as throughout the season. Also, the OL failed miserably on many occasions to provide adequate protection. So, what we've seen is a QB very inconsistent in fundamentals AND an inconsistent OL in blocking and protection. It's bad enough when it's only one, but when it's both, there is very real potential for sacks and TFL madness.
As we move forward I'd like to change the framing of this discussion a bit. How might soon to be redshirt freshman QB Jerrod Heard "fit" into the Texas offense given what we've seen? To answer that question, let's examine a bit more from the Texas offense. Some will be similar to the above, but I'll provide more of how I see Heard impacting some similar concepts and schemes. Let's take a look.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4277033
Here is a 2-TE twins set, Swoopes displays good "scramble timing" on this play. Whether his job is to step up in the pocket, then scramble or scramble right to scan the backside of the play is not known, but it's easy to see how a more athletic and much faster QB can further challenge a defense in off-schedule situations.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4277065
Here is a concept I like very much. It's a split-zone sprint-out concept. I can't be certain if a read is on here, but it looks like there is one on the usual suspect, the DE. This places him in a very disadvantageous position, there are two to his one, winning. Now, imagine having an speedster like Heard. Now you have two very dangerous players on their feet in the open field, good luck!
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4277174
Now this, a similar concept to the one above, but from under center and the backside WR is coming across formation. Notice how "lumbering" Swoopes is executing these concepts, he needs to improve his footwork and body control. Heard is likely to possess the needed quick feet and elite body-control to execute this concept a "click" or two faster, leading to more consistent accuracy and bigger 1st-down gains. Of course the jury will be out regarding Heard's recognition and ability to make accurate throws on time. That is, right before the receivers break-off their routes, a much needed improvement in the Texas passing game.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4277134
Now, here is Lead Draw. Let's imagine a scenario where the RB properly executes his 2nd-level block and instead of Swoopes on the draw play, it's Heard.., Touchdown Texas!!! Well, at the very least the play is transformed into an "explosive" gainer.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4277198
Where I suspect Heard, like Swoopes, needs to improve, is in tying footwork to the timing of a play. This also aids in accuracy by not "hurrying" throws. Notice the late read of the flat and corner route pattern, but also the sloppy footwork. It's bad enough having one thing go wrong, but two puts the concept in further jeopardy. This is also an area where Shawn Watson doesn't cut corners with regards to QB development. Since we are not a near 100% shotgun-spread offense, the QB is tasked with executing a greater number of drop-backs that all require footwork and timing in relation to the concepts. Nevertheless, from what I see, the Texas offense is QB-friendly, but as of now, may not have a suitable passing talent at the position. Whether that remains the case is what has many Texas fans both anxious and eager about the future.
Lastly, the run game is the most obvious area Heard will be able to impact the game. I don't need to belabor this idea, but suffice to say, there were schemes that left many Texas fans scratching their heads. The two that stand out the most, zone-read and the option.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4294147
I think it's safe to say Heard does not get "walked down" on a play like this. Given that Heard's high school offense centered around many read concepts similar to the one above, it's fair to say he will acclimate to the read-based run game quicker than Swoopes has this season.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4294273
Above is everyone's favorite 2014 most-dreaded play, the option. Again, I don't need to belabor the point here. Heard provides a much needed legitimate run threat in many of Texas' base schemes in both the run and pass game. Defenses will be forced to play the Texas backfield very honest and downright fear packages like the two above.
Then of course remains the ubiquitous zone-read.
http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4294308
Above you see how the defensive front has expanded, thus opening a bigger running lane for the RB. Once an offense begins having success on the perimeter, the inside run game is often granted bigger running lanes, this goes both ways. Heard will provide the type of threat that forces the backside edge defender being read to expand, thus completely granting the "hat-on-hat" blocking the read-option seeks to achieve.
This coaching staff was both unlucky and lucky this season. Ash's injury and Swoopes' serviceability enabled them to protect Jerrod Heard from needing to play as a true freshman while also spending time developing Swoopes. Whether he remains the starter or becomes the back up, the QB depth chart is sure to be a strength due to the time afforded by Swoopes' 2014 campaign. A couple of welcome changes to the 2015 edition of the Texas offense are an upgrade in talent and experience on the OL and also added quickness and explosiveness to the RB position. We shall see what the future holds for this heralded position, but all fans can ask for is much needed improvement is what was seen in Swoopes and what was unseen in Heard. I hope you enjoyed and as always, feel free to take the red marker to the post. Hook'em!
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