 "Photo: Stephen Durda")
The Longhorns have a new drill, and it's not the N.O.S punishment routine.
New Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp brought from Auburn an exercise defensive end Brian Orakpo called the "Longhorn Drill."
According to him, it's three offensive and defensive players "just going at it."
For Orakpo, three defensive lineman square off against three offensive lineman, and his job is to not let the offense advance 10 yards.
The "Longhorn Drill" is just one example of how Muschamp has impacted this year's spring practices, which culminate in the Orange-White game Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium at noon with TV coverage on FSN Southwest beginning at noon.
"This has been one of the most physical springs," Orakpo said. "There's hitting every day. Everything is full speed."
This is football, and Texas plans on letting everyone know it during the scrimmage, which includes 10-minute quarters and a 5-minute halftime, with physical play on both sides of the ball.
The Longhorns hope to showcase the fruits of their labor with a matchup of the Texas first team offenses and defenses, which Brown said he's calling North and South instead of the traditional Orange and White because of jersey-switching issues.
It's a break from tradition, but the players said they like the format change.
"That's how we've been doing it all spring. I don't think the first team has gone against the second team yet, it's been all one vs. ones. In turn, that's made us better," quarterback Colt McCoy said. "I think going one-on-one helps a lot. It gives us good looks. It's the best versus the best, so it brings out the best in everybody."
The scrimmage is a chance for coaches and players to get a glimpse of the team's questionable areas.
Though Brown lists many of those, running backs are high on the list after Jamaal Charles left early for the NFL Draft. The position became more uncertain after Texas hired former Longhorn quarterback Major Applewhite to coach running backs.
Texas has plenty of players available to take over the spot, but only three have been working at the tailback position this spring.
"Chris [Ogbonnaya], Fozzy
[Foswhitt Whittaker] and
Vondrell MaGee have been getting all the carries,"
McCoy said.
Then, of course, there is Texas' defense, which returns just four starters.
Muschamp, who is known for his intensity and firey YouTube clips, seems to have given the team and its coaches confidence with his coaching ability and presence at practice.
"What people don't see is how positive he is," Brown said. And, according to Orakpo, "Every day he comes at it with the same intensity."
It looks like Muschamp has left the Longhorns' defense ready to prove they aren't going to be the weak link this season.
"As of right now, I feel like everyone is hungry," Orakpo said. "I see that in everybody's eyes."
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