OUInsider - Owen Field

lol, okay it's my first real relevant post so that doesn't mean anything!

1. Anyone watch Jason Garrett's new Cowboys sunday? Amazing what happens when you make changes! The same team that was flat and pathetic all year all of a sudden is playing with heart. It's like they are a completely different team.

Of course, not all changes are good, ie getting rid of Leach and hiring Tubby. But, you get my point. Believe it or not, our coaching staff does make changes, but not in all the areas that we need. I'm thinking specifically of the lack of heart and the poor OL run blocking over the last 6 or 7 years.

2. Landry has really improved this year! I'm one of his harshest critics when it comes to his ability to perform during any kind of a rush. But, he has gotten better. And I feel he can keep improving in certain areas. We've seen what he can do at home, so hopefully he'll get more comfortable on the road the more he plays. I don't see why he wouldn't.

Probably not next year, but his last year he should be more comfortable on the road. And no other QB would be ready to play by next year anyway, so really 2012 is the only one that matters in terms of QB controversy.

3. I wish Drew Allen could have gotten more of a chance, but if his performance at the Tech game is any indication, he has a ways to go. It's hard to judge him seeing as how he isn't getting the starting reps and that makes an enormous difference. However, one thing about Landry, he was ready to go when Sam went down! He always prepared like he was going to have to play.

It's possible Drew feels the need to try too hard, and that could be hurting him. Josh has said that about Drew in the past.

4. Can Landry learn to handle the pocket? Experts say you can't learn it. And for the most part I agree. I do think he can improve some, and he has to a small degree. If the OL can do their part, and KW keeps gameplanning to get the ball out of LJ's hands before anyone can get to him, then the small improvements he can make might be enough to win almost all the games.

However, against a good SEC defense I just don't think he has a chance. And that will most likely be what is needed to win a NC. Hopefully, we'll get to play a team like Oregon or Auburn who doesn't have much of a defense.

5. The thing that worries me the most is DT. I just don't see a lot of hope for next year. Noble should be healthy and a year older, so he might be able to be good enough to start. But other than that who would we have? Walker should be healthy, but is he really the answer? McGee and McFarland clearly are NOT! The only other players we'll have will be the true freshmen coming in. It'd be nice if we had a couple of Tommie Harris's that could start right away, but to date we've only had one DT be able to do that. So, that's very doubtful.

Without that, it won't matter how good the rest of the team is. We won't be winning #8! Unless some JUCO DT's come in, I'd say it'll be 2013 before we'll be able to compete. Possibly 2012 if there are NO injuries (how likely is that to happen?) and this new recruiting class we are building ends up being great!

I won't even get into kicking. :(