August 2016 - Texas Chalk Talk

Players who need to step up in training camps

August 9, 2016 Jennifer Fierro0 comment

College football training camps are in session, which means coaches will be developing talent and depth for a 12-game season with the aim of winning it all. But unless some positions for several Texas universities improve dramatically, a team’s long-term success will suffer. So let’s see who needs to step up during training camp to convey confidence to his teammates and coaches. Texas — It’s very tempting to say true freshman quarterback Shane Buechele and any of the five defensive tackles. But instead, we’re picking punter Michael Dickson and kicker…

College Featured Football NFL

These NFL draftees will be on team rosters to begin the 2016 season

August 7, 2016 Jennifer Fierro0 comment

The NFL begins its preseason schedule Aug. 7 by matching the Green Bay Packers against the Indianapolis Colts. Besides the superstar native Texans on the roster (such as Colts quarterback Andrew Luck from Houston Stratford), the contest will feature several players making their NFL debuts from the Lone Star State. And that got us thinking about the 2016 draft. The state of Texas led the way for the most former high school players drafted by the NFL in the spring with 32 in all. Of that number four were drafted…

Defensive questions Texas-based teams must answer in training camps

August 5, 2016 Jennifer Fierro0 comment

Questions abound for the Texas-based university football teams playing in Power 5 conferences on the defensive side of the ball. In short, the squads must address these concerns if they hope to contend for trophies. For some teams, it’s a matter of finding the right athlete for a position. For others it’s a matter of finding multiple bodies for a front. The good news is each coach believes he has the personnel to fill the need. Let’s examine the defensive questions. Texas — The biggest concern are the defensive tackles.…

Offensive questions for teams as they start training camps

August 4, 2016 Jennifer Fierro0 comment

NCAA football teams across the country are getting ready for the start of their fall training camps. Here in Texas, some might be preparing on practice fields, while others are in an air-conditioned bubble. Still, several teams have questions going into the season. We’ll start with the members of the Power 5 conferences beginning with their offenses. Texas — New offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert installed a faster-paced spread offense that utilizes four- and five-receiver sets. While head coach Charlie Strong didn’t name true freshman quarterback Shane Buechele the starter, he…