Among the many issues facing the 2011 Texas Longhorns including a depleted wide receiving corps, an inexperienced offensive line, a young secondary, and the dependency on incoming freshmen to produce, one looms larger than the rest.
Who will take the first snap of 2011 against the Rice Owls on September 3rd?
After struggling mightily during the frustrating 5-7 season in 2010, incumbent starter Garrett Gilbert is on a short, tight leash. Common wisdom around the Forty Acres is that Gilbert will be the prohibitive starter in 2011, but will not be given the same leniency he saw in 2010.
No one with influence on the Texas program will voluntarily endure struggles at quarterback for another season—it just won’t happen.
For Garrett Gilbert, it’s all about confidence, and that confidence will come from his offensive line’s ability to protect and give him time to throw with his feet firmly planted in the pocket. Gilbert struggles the most when he has to throw on the run, or off-balance, when protection breaks down.
While he has adequate enough athletic ability to make plays on his feet when it is necessary, he’s no Vince Young.
If the offensive line is not able to protect Gilbert as needed, and more balls are tipped at the line of scrimmage or knocked down (leading to interceptions) the junior’s already shaky confidence could be irreparably damaged. Ultimately, the first few games of the 2011 schedule against Rice at home, against UCLA in Los Angeles, and against a rugged BYU team in Austin, will tell the tale of who takes the majority of snaps for the Longhorns this season.
It’s likely sophomore Case McCoy will see some action behind center as well during these non-conference games. How McCoy performs will add to the already complex quarterback equation.
If McCoy can show the same poise, arm strength, and precision that helped him to the best performance of the four quarterbacks during April’s Orange and White Spring Game, then he could easily nip at Gilbert’s heels.
We could even see some of freshman David Ash, who reportedly has impressive arm strength and poise for someone yet to take a college snap.
In short, the quarterback position is Garrett Gilbert’s to lose—for now.
Gilbert’s destiny is in his hands, but in the same respect, Mack Brown and his staff can no longer afford to coddle him or his fragile self-confidence. If he struggles early, he’ll be replaced, and the Longhorns will move on.
It’s the Texas way after all. There’s just too much at stake.
Kris Hughes is a Turfburner contributor on the Texas Longhorns, and runs a site devoted to Texas Longhorns sports, Bevo’s Corner.
