Paul Thompson. UGH
OU named converted wide receiver Paul Thompson their starting quarterback today.
Thompson was terrible at quarterback last year, and perhaps worse as a wide receiver for a very average Sooner squad.
I'm planning on getting back out on my solo backpacking trips this fall. It used to be a dilemma when to schedule those things, to avoid missing good Sooner games. Having Paul Thompson as QB sort of makes scheduling the backpacking a hell of a lot easier now!
Pencil in UT as your favorite in the South, now. Don't be surprised if Texas Tech winds up in the two spot this year. Mike Leach never has a quarterback problem, and he may have some other players.
UPDATE: Ya know what? I'm going to imitate Richard Justice and backtrack from the harshness of the post above. Looking back on it, I think it's probably an overreaction to the Paul Thompson decision. He was not good last year, but he looked decent at times as the backup before last year. He's a fifth-year senior. He has some talented receivers and ADRIAN FRIGGIN' PETERSON to get the ball to. He has Kevin Wilson running the offense, instead of that dang Chuck Long.
Is that appreciably worse than the Texas QB situation? No. On further thought, I don't think so.
I do think the race in the Big 12 South is wide open now. And I'm still planning on returning to my solo backpacking this fall. That is all.
UPDATE (08-04-2006): Longtime Austin American-Statesman columnist and homer Kirk Bohls wrote this yesterday:
The dismissals could wreck OU's chances of atoning for last year's disappointing 8-4 record, because Stoops no longer has an experienced, cocksure quarterback. That was the one position where the Sooners had a clear edge over the rival Longhorns.
The ONE position? Has Bohls not heard of a guy named Adrian Peterson?
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 08/03/06 16:52 | Big 12 Football | Technorati
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I wonder who wrote this:
[i]01 February 2005
Mack Coming Up Short On Top Talent
Tomorrow is signing day for college football, and it's nice to see Mack Brown coming up just a little short once again.
Last year, he lost stud recruits Adrian Peterson and Rhett Bomar to Oklahoma.
This year, he apparently will lose the top defensive player in Texas, DeMarcus Granger, to Oklahoma. Granger should give my Sooners a needed boost on the defensive line, which was the Sooners' biggest weakness after Dusty Dvoracek's suspension (Dvoracek has been reinstated and should also provide a boost).
He will also lose the top player overall (on one list) in Texas to the rival Aggies.
Mack's chances at winning a national championship were much better back when he could still reel in #1 recruiting classes and true difference makers. The Big 12 South should be even more interesting now that A&M is right back in the recruiting mix, and Mack's classes have slipped a bit.[/i]
Posted by Gary C Wall Boulevard @ 17:20 on 08/03/06
*shrug*
It doesn't matter how good they are if you can't keep 'em in your program.
I don't think Paul Thompson is the answer, but I don't know that there IS an answer.
Posted by Kevin @ 17:23 on 08/03/06
I guess Nebraska will have to play Texas in the BigXII title game on 12/2.
Mark my words, Kevin: This will be a year in which it will be the South that has the 3+ losses team going to the title game.
Posted by Brad S @ 18:37 on 08/03/06
Brad: This is Callahan's BIG year. If he's ever going to do it (and you know I have my doubts), it's all falling into place...
Posted by Kevin @ 08:24 on 08/04/06
Everybody says UT's the favorite now, but I don't get it. There's no QB that's ever even taken a live snap. Ramonce Taylor was even dumber than Rhett Bomar, getting caught with a backpack full of dope. Kevin, I'll take your QB situation over ours. I went to the spring game, and I wasn't all that impressed with either guy. Serviceable is the best word that comes to mind. Sure hope I'm wrong.
Posted by another precinct chair @ 09:43 on 08/04/06
Yeah, but who is going to be able to score on the UT defense? The defense is looking to be a monster unit, with solid veterans at most positions being pushed by talented freshman. Selving Young and Jamaal Charles will have to provide the offense, with an occasional shot downfield to keep the DB's awake.
Posted by el_longhorn @ 11:13 on 08/04/06
I think OU's defense will be stout as well.
If Mike Leach can figure out a way to score on ONE of 'em, his team looks to be in the mix.
Posted by Kevin @ 11:16 on 08/04/06
Tech is my early season favorite to win the South, now that OU has come back to the pack.
UT's defense?? You're basing your "monster" prediction on Spring practice and a camp against an offense that's depleted at best.
To quote an old friend of mine: "Spring ball don't mean shit."
If Tech's defense continues to improve, then look out.
I'm planning on doing my UT season predictions right after OU.
Posted by Sedosi @ 11:34 on 08/04/06
Update: I just saw the USA Today/Coaches Poll, and I want some of what those guys are smoking. They have UT ranked #2 (with 11 first place votes!) in the country behind Ohio State. That's absolutely insane. OU is ranked #5. That seems maybe a little bit high, but at least somewhat in line with reality. Sheesh.
Posted by another precinct chair @ 12:14 on 08/04/06
Here's how credible the coaches poll is:
Duke, (yes THAT Duke) received a vote.
IMO going into this season there IS no real number ONE team that you look at and say: "Wow, there's not going to be any stopping those guys."
I agree with the Ohio State #1 pick however because they will probably have the best offense, and football has become an offensive game of late but still....
It's not crazy for UT to start the season at #2 however, they are the defending champs. I don't think they are the best team in their conference, but they are the champs until beaten.
Posted by Sedosi @ 14:09 on 08/04/06
I'm okay with Texas where they are. They have a lot of talent coming back, arguably more than Oklahoma did last year, when it started with a lofty ranking based on the prior year's performance.
Posted by Kevin @ 14:11 on 08/04/06
OK, if you say so. It still seems high to me, and so do y'all, at this point. ;) At any rate, we'll all know a lot more about whether or not this UT team is any good after the September 9 game with Ohio State.
Posted by another precinct chair @ 14:51 on 08/04/06
Yeah, likewise, we'll know much more about Oklahoma after that roadtrip to Oregon.
Posted by Kevin @ 18:49 on 08/04/06
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