Williams: If Potts not perfect, that’s par for new Tech quarterbacks
Cody Hodges had it easy. That opinion’s offered up without consulting Cody, who might recall differently. What I mean is, in his first four games as Texas Tech starting quarterback, Hodges eased into the job with assignments against Florida International, Sam Houston State, Indiana State and Kansas, all at home.
That was four years ago, and the most interesting plot line from Hodges’ first month was whether the Red Raiders, who had hung 80 points on Sam Houston State the week before, would break 100 against Indiana State. (They didn’t come close. Alas, they still won by a comfortable 56.)
In winning his first six starts — one with a last-minute touchdown pass to beat Nebraska in Lincoln — Hodges’ smooth beginning was the exception for Tech quarterbacks under Mike Leach.
The lineage is up to six now, and all except Hodges lost at least one September start in his first opportunity. Even B.J. Symons, who in games three and four of 2003 threw for 586 and 661 yards, breaking school and Big 12 records two weeks in a row, wasn’t spotless. For all the national attention that came Symons’ way at the time, the 586-yard performance came in a 49-21 loss at North Carolina State.
It’s tempting to say Taylor Potts’ first four games have been the most eventful. Each generated major discussion points. Week one: Problems with mechanics lead to three interceptions. Week two: He throws seven touchdown passes, something Graham Harrell never pulled off. Week three: He takes some serious shots — one possibly illegal — at Texas, but wins major points with teammates and fans for having the toughness to climb up off the ground and keep producing. Week four: Um, that whole quarterback sneak thing.
Every week, there’s something new to talk about with Taylor. In part, it’s because no other Tech quarterback this decade had to face two ranked teams so early as a starter.
“The biggest thing that I would say, I think in the last two games he’s played in two of the toughest situations of any quarterback that I’ve had,’’ Leach said after last week’s 29-28 loss at Houston. “This being his fourth game, he’s probably performed as good as anybody I’ve had.’’
Hyperbole? Not necessarily. This decade, more often than not, new Tech quarterbacks have made people squirm some in their first month on the job.
Kliff Kingsbury, the starter in Spike Dykes’ last game as Tech coach, won his first four for Leach, but the record didn’t reflect all the grumbling going on at the time. Kingsbury’s misfortune was to be the face of a newfangled offense that needed public-relations help in year one. Against North Texas in week three, Kingsbury threw only one touchdown, and a heroic defensive play was required for the Red Raiders to hold on for a 13-7 win.
To Tech fans, who had endured losses to North Texas in 1988 and 1999, it felt almost like another. Two games later at Texas A&M, Kingsbury took some of the worst punishment I’ve watched a Tech quarterback take.
Sonny Cumbie, the new guy in 2004, took the worst beatings in a different way, from a public opinion perspective. Being a former walk-on who outdueled touted recruit Robert Johnson for the job, Cumbie needed to be perfect to win widespread approval. He’s the Leach quarterback who fans were quickest to judge.
Cumbie got past September 2004, ultimately to have his career best performance in one of Tech’s most significant bowl wins. But not without suffering the indignity of a loss at New Mexico in his second start and, in his fourth, falling behind Kansas 30-5 in the first half. Those games created a cloud of doubt, even though Tech rallied to beat Kansas.
Like Kingsbury, Cumbie soldiered on — and well. The Holiday Bowl that season was a first for Tech, and the 8-4 record represented the program’s fewest losses in nine years.
Harrell had to get through a first month that saw him and the rest of the Tech offense throw in a 12-3 stinker of a loss at TCU. That was the second time in Leach’s first 79 games that the Red Raiders failed to score a touchdown and the coach, he was furious.
“Today I coached the worst offense in America,’’ Leach famously said, “which makes me the worst offensive coach in America.’’
Harrell went on to thrive — and not without even rockier moments that October.
As it turns out, each of Potts’ predecessors went on to vindicate themselves, usually after some difficult beginnings. Using their experiences as a barometer, Potts is about where you’d expect him to be.
To comment on this column:
don.williams@lubbockonline.com l 766-8734
courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com l 766-8735
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if potts is to vidicate him self he needs to look EXTREMELY GOOD!!!!
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Pott’s will do fine. Offensive line – grow some and get after folks!! Worry more about protection and less about tattoos and face paint!!
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Good job Grant…but never let the OL forget to Blow Defenses off the ball for a Yard. Too. Pott’s is great.
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Good article that should jog some of the critics memories. Taylor is a big, strong armed young man who can make all the throws. A little more experience as a starter will make a great difference. He is a keeper!
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I like potts. We have to be fair, this young man is still a newbie. One can’t expect for him to get out there and act like he’s a vet! Get real folx! Give this kiddo a chance to settle into his own. Go taylor!! I’m rooting for ya babe!
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Texas Tech football will bounce back again, give it more time and will find our click and bang and we’ll be doing the same old stuff were used to seeing and watching. I think with this group as an advantage over other groups in the past to put into work with what they have with less really to challange tougher teams sooner than were sed too. I think Leach really know how to put together a team that will be set up for success for the future games and train these guys into perfection, i believe these are the growing pains early in the season which to me isnt all that bad early in the season, We’ve shown a really strong running attact which is something we the fans are not used to seeing so i think that will be used mostly in the upcomming months to our advantage, while the air is still another threat to be used.
Texas Tech football in 2009 may go unrecognized and unranked but Texas Tech Football will be a Force to be reckoned with in the 2010 season.
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It is 6:29 AM and the tceh dead ray duhs are still in last place in the Big 12 Conference! HOOK ‘EM HORNS!
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we used to not get much poster attention from UT fans.
at least we do now. they actually care and worry about the red raiders.
thank you steven (above) for following the fortunes of the fighting red raiders. they DESERVE your attention!!!
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…they have the tools, with better game management and play calling, Tech will do fine the remainder of the season.
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Yeah (steven), you forget that a couple of years ago Texas dropped two games to Kansas State and A&M, atleast TECH lost to teams that are good. Dont count the RAIDERS out! Just remember, TEXAS comes to our house next year with a new QB, and lets see how that turns out! HOOK THIS!!!
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Hey steven:
Talk to me at 6:29am on the 28th of November. Lets see where your TU Shorthorns at in the Big 12 standings. It tells me something that at 6:29 am you (a UT fan) is on a Tech blog????? Can’t get a significant other to snuggle up to. I guess thats why your in Austin. To hid amongst the weirdest of people.
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I have to laugh at the UT wannabees who post here. What Team UT people, has never had a losing season in the Big 12?
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Don,
Thanks for the history lesson. I came to Tech in ‘98 and I well remember the loss to North Texas in ‘99. I’ve loved the Leach era – the consistent 8 win seasons, the bowl games every year, the fact that we can take for granted being ranked by year’s end. I wish some of these Leach critics new a little more about how rough things were before he got here.
Mike
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To all Texas fans:
I, along with many other Tech fans, do not hate Texas. I like to beat Texas, but I also cheer for Texas in certain games. However, the so-called Texas fans on this website need to realize exactly who the University of Texas is. Their school (which is probably not a reality since none of them actually graduated from there) spends more money on its athletic department than any other university in the nation. Texas also “can recruit anyone it wants.” Texas recruits in the best state and gets the “cream of the crop.” Texas has a huge fan base. Texas is located in the over-hyped City of Austin. Texas has a huge, new stadium. Etc. AND YET, after all that, Texas is a mediocre team. In the last thirty years, Texas has won ONE (1) championship. It consistently gets beat by so-called lesser teams. The richest school in the nation cannot even win its own conference, let alone a national championship. It spends more money than anyone else (like the New York Yankees), but it does not have the wins to validate the money (unlike the Yankees). So all you Texas fans, bump your chest a little harder because the University of Texas is outstanding at being a sub-par football team. Texas is supposedly the best football team in Texas (which is the best football state in the nation), and they cannot win it all. So when any Texas fan tries to make fun of Tech, go ahead. We have less money, a smaller fan base, a smaller stadium, etc., but we still manage to beat Texas last year and hung with them this year. Tech is not perfect (and there is a lot more we need to do), but Texas fans should be humiliated at the lack of success the University of Texas football team has shown over the last thirty years. So on that note, Hook em’ Horns.
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Well stated Bob. They have the best team money can buy.
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You said it Mike, it has been absurd listening to people call for Leach’s firing after the Houston loss. I hate the loss as much as any fan ( I say fan b/c none of us hate it worse than the players or the coaches), but I’m not about to start slamming our new quarterback or head coach over the loss. I do take comfort in knowing the players and coaches are too smart to pay attention to all the hot air people like to spew on these message boards.
TTUFAN I liked your point about Texas dropping those games to k-state and a&m, and remember, it wasn’t just one season, but two seasons back to back. They lost to both those teams in ‘06 and ‘07 and both those teams were mediocre at best. Its funny how well texas fans remember the ‘05 team, for whom I supported against USC, but don’t seem to recall the following two years… lol.
Go Raiders!!
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I never thought I would hear another word spoken about our loss to North Texas in ‘99. That bugs me to this day. Leach is and has been great for Tech and Lubbock. He is the reason for all the stadium expansion projects. I wish all these people complaining about Leach, Potts, Carter, etc. would just shut up. If you don’t like Tech football, then don’t watch and quit talking about it! Cut Leach and the players some slack and lets go out and play football! Wreck ‘em!
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The posts on this site have degraded to the point of ESPN type BS. The back and forth of alledege Texas fans and the attention that Tech fans pay them back is out of control and needs some moderation.
Overall college football has gotten so NC focused that the real games and the real contest for divisions and conferences is starting to be overlooked. The reson for the non-conference schedule is to tune up for the games that do count. I see no better challange than playing quality competition that is capable of exposing weakness. Once exposed those things can be addressed.
The media powers of ABC/ESPN are forcing a national chase for a national champion. The reality is that conference play settles most of the arguments. There is still lots of important conference play for the Red Raiders of which I am looking forward to. The upcomming games against Nebraska, Kansas and OSU will say way more about this program than a late night game in the late summer heat and humidity in Houston.
BTW: Why cant Leach turn on the heat in that practice bubble, invest in some commercial grade humidifiers and condition the guys to play in that environment. We all know how beautiful (cool and dry) Lubbock is this time of year, and how challanging hot and humid conditions can be once your adjusted to Fall air.
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Bob
You make some good points about Texas, I would never want to be in the situation of that program. The expectations are so high that anything less that a NC is considered a failure, by the younger fans anyway. Your correct that they have 50x the recruiting and resource advantages. One you missed is the constant hosting of top level playoffs and championships (baseball, basketball, swimming, football) on their grounds. Any high quality Texas HS athelete gets to experience those facilities from the inside.
My favorite point to make to a Texas fan, hostile or friendly is that “We will always be able to take more away from them than they will ever be able to take away from us.” Thats one that cant be argued.
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Bob,
Great post. I have always said that it is not news when Texas wins. They have all the advantages you pointed out and should win every game they play. The news is always when they lose. That should never happen, yet it does.
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Red Raiders need to work harder and become more focused.
They read too many press clipplings … they need t prove something on the field and spend less time with face paint and bad haircuts.
I might pull for the Longhorns if they were not such arrogant snobs. I love to see the Teasippers lose … especially when we keep them out of the national title game.
With all the blue-chippers they have every year Texas should win a national title every three years, but they underachieve.
Oklahoma would be nothing without Texas schoolboys. Just a sad state and a sad situation to be from Oklahoma, where the football teams are bought and paid for. Oklahoma is just a trailer park suburb of Texas.
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What’s up guys? Can’t talk too much, but I am really discouraged how are team is doing this year. Hate to say it, but Coach is one-dimensional. And, we just aren’t the team we were last year. Oh well, it is what it is. Sorry fans…
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WAY too early to say how the team is compared to last year.
Only a real pessimist would say it’s not up to par.
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The coach ignore the fact that the team keeps making stupid penalties. Everyone is focused so much on Taylor Potts, but let’s face it… stupid penalties just keep stopping good drives and put him in precarious situations by eliminating big gains. When it’s often third and long instead of third and one it’s hard to stay alive and keep drives going. And as they say, recurring penalties are the byproduct of poor coaching. Getting up early on Sundays and running laps have a way of making a point to repeat offenders, so they’ll quit making the same stupid mistakes over and over again.
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I think we (myself included) need to get off both Leach and Potts. There have been times I have refered to Leach as a genius for going for it on fourth and one late in the game. I wasn’t happy Saturday, but you can bet I was when it worked. As for Potts, he’s inexperienced, but he is good. He will only improve and this team will also, as long as they stay relatively healthy. This is no time to think all is lost. I bet a one loss team from the Big 12 South ends up in the Big 12 championship game. We all saw Texas, and they ARE beatable. I’d say all of Tech’s games from here out are at least winable, and they will be favored in most. You never know.
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Good article, thanks Don for reminding us. Perspective is a good thing to keep current.
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It will be good to be back at Texas Tech this weekend and I know our Football team will hopefully shut down New Mexico. I am glad to see a running game and my very best to Coach Leach and is Football Team. We still have a lot of Football left and I know they that they will do there best. Guns Up Red Raiders Doris Bradley
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He’s the poorest excuse for a quarterback we’ve had at Tech. He simply refuses to “step into” his throws and continues to throw off his back foot while backpedaling…. Even when he’s not pressured. There are a lot of junior high quarterbacks who have better form and better results. Sorry to be so negative… I’m a huge fan, but really disappointed in Potts thusfar.. Wreck ‘Em!!
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As your program grows and gets better, you expect better recruits to Not have to go through the steep learning curve. To compare Potts to Cummbie, and Cody early in their careers suggest that he was an equivalent recruit. If true, then we really aren’t upgrading talent.
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I am thrilled we are calling the Long Horns ” Short Horns” Steven will have to eat his words and his mascot “chicken fried short horn” next year in Lubbock. I was hoping I could take credit for starting the term “short horn” on these message boards. Maybe not! I think Taylor Potss is doing ok. I’d like to see him move around a bit to find open receivers. I think Tech has a star in the making with Harrison Jeffers! I hope we start using him a lot! He is a weapon!
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Just win. Who cares about all this other QB mumbo jumbo. Looking good doesn’t win games. Winning games earns respect, not how you look. I don’t care if we win the rest of our games by only 1 point each. Winning by 1 is always better than “looking good” in a 10 pt loss to texas…just win.
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Tech is in trouble this year! O-line is not as solid as in years past and Potts is the most mechanically unsound quarterback in recent memory. The kid is tough as nails, but makes poor decisions and poor throws. Just watch his footwork or lack thereof and his movement in the pocket is non-existent. Like I said, he is tough and I hope it works out, but I would like to see who is next in line sooner rather than later.
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Lets just face it. ML lost the game last week. TP did not play his best. But ML lost the game not TP. Until ML quits making these same coaching gaffs that he has been doing for 10 yrs despite our increase in talent. It will cost us games. ML deserves alot of credit for getting us to this point. Now it is his job to quit doing those same mistakes. As the definition of insanity. “Keep doing the same thing and expecting different results”. Well you would think after 10 yrs ML would learn some of those old things just aren’t and won’t work and he’d stop it. And for the supposed geunius he would be more creative. I and many others are waiting to see it. He now has the talent to execute it with basic and good fundamental football, not uncalled for tricks. Go TECH GUNS UP!!!
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