Good stuff!

Quote:Join Head Football Coach David Bailiff, Athletic Director Joe Karlgaard and members of the Rice Athletics staff as they kick off the 2014 football season with the annual Coach's Caravan.

The defending Conference USA Champions welcome all Rice University alumni, friends and fans to join them for food, drink and fun.

Click on your city to register to attend.

San Antonio
https://online.alumni.rice.edu/default.a...entID=1962
Wednesday, July 16, 2014 – 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Boiler House
312 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78215
$20 per person
Generously hosted by David Darr '81

Austin
https://online.alumni.rice.edu/default.a...entID=1963
Thursday, July 17, 2014 – 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Z-Tejas
1110 W 6th Street
Austin, TX 78703
$20 per person
Generously hosted by Jay Lamy '95

Dallas
https://online.alumni.rice.edu/default.a...entID=1964
Wednesday, July 23, 2014 – 6:30–8:30 p.m.
El Fenix
1601 McKinney Ave.
Dallas, TX 75202
$20 per person

Houston
https://online.alumni.rice.edu/default.a...entID=1965
Wednesday, July 30, 2014 – 6:30–8:30 p.m.
St. Arnold's Brewery
2000 Lyons Ave.
Houston, TX 77020
$20 per person

*Please note that Dr. Kargaard will be unable to attend the Houston Caravan.

Time to start signing up!

Debbie and I are signed up for the Austin stop.

*bump* as a reminder in case any have anything to report back.

I was kind of hoping someone here might have been in attendance to give the rest of us a run-down...

(07-17-2014 04:41 PM)mrbig Wrote:  I was kind of hoping someone here might have been in attendance to give the rest of us a run-down...

Just got back from the Austin caravan stop. I'd say (all told) 50 to 60 people attended. A dozen or so came early and left before the presentations. I thought the Z-Tejas (6th Street Z-Tejas) private dining room was a good venue.

Agree. There was a good crowd and a lot of enthusiasm.

Just returned from Austin event.

Takeaways…

JK did a nice job highlighting the vision pillars. He is very close to publicly announcing good news on HRS. Wants to make sure I's are dotted and T's are crossed given no room for additional false starts but his optimism on situation was apparent.

JK focused on segmentation of 'the Rice fan' (not necessarily an alum) and how to use that insight to market to them and put more butts-in-seats and design unique gameday experience around them. Made point that in order to improve recruiting, recruits need to see those butts on Saturdays in seats. A focus area for him.

JK extremely complementary of Leebron and Bobby Tudor. Mentioned new turf, new end-zone tarps, new asst. coaching deals, etc. as all getting done w/out having to raise $$.

JK/DB very good relationship. Apparent they support each other.

Both very excited about Rhodes. JK called-out all sports winning C-USA championships this past year and vaguely referenced other sports should do same (context was MBB) as they all should be in top-25 as a goal.

DB most of time talking about similar themes we have all heard before of getting Rice, graduating kids, expect to have name on building later in life, etc. But always good to hear it as it resonates in person and makes you proud to be affiliated w/ Rice and he is the coach. His 'aw shucks' way of delivering it is strong.

Did say he thinks 2014 team has more overall talent than 2013 team. Concerned about schedule and the 7 road games and how they practice around that.

Some time spent on concussions, prevention, etc. and what Rice, C-USA, and NCAA are doing.

Not much meat on X's and O's… What I did get…new kicker is graduate transfer from LSU (did kickoff duty there) completing his masters at Rice, excitement about DJ and many underestimating his experience, excitement about Walter twins (maybe in slot and not redshirting?) and how elusive they are, excitement about OL (more than I expected), depth at LB is a strength, recognizes thin and small up-front on DL. Called out Taylor, Covington, and Callahan as guys who will get NFL looks. Also called out Hamilton who redshirted last year. Said that redshirting was him right decision as he is the 'big back' this year w/ Ross gone and Dillard and others will all get carriers.

Also mentioned Michael Warren as a dark horse at CB to help w/ secondary shuffling.

Good night, good enthusiasm.

(07-17-2014 09:48 PM)owl40 Wrote:  Just returned from Austin event.

Takeaways…

Great report -- thanks!

(07-17-2014 10:08 PM)georgewebb Wrote:  

(07-17-2014 09:48 PM)owl40 Wrote:  Just returned from Austin event.

Takeaways…

Great report -- thanks!

+1. Many thanks, Owl40.

Thanks for the notes, 40. Especially interesting tidbit on the transfer kicker from LSU.

(07-17-2014 09:48 PM)owl40 Wrote:  Did say he thinks 2014 team has more overall talent than 2013 team.

Thanks for the report.

I believe the quote above is the key one. It doesn't necessarily mean we will win more games, but it sets an expectation of competing in the west.

If we really believe recruiting is steadily improving, then this statement can be true even when we graduate all-quarter-century type players such as Gaines and Boswell.

I've done quite a bit of thinking and mental analysis re: the schedule...

This is the way I look at it...

Notre Dame is a long trip, but it's the first game and we have the Monday off after for Labor Day.

Texas A&M is coming off a bye week.. Should be no issue in terms of fatigue or travel. Kyle Field should be rocking given that it is a night game (Not that it's docile for day games, but...)

The ODU-USM-Hawaii stretch seems like a "normal" stretch of the season where we really can get into a groove.

Then, we have the Army game on Columbus Day weekend which means two day recess on the back end... Academic pressures won't be bad, granted it is getting close to Midterms.

We then play UNT coming off a bye... Great timing going into what should be a critical game for CUSA West.

The following week we play FIU in Miami, which will kind of suck but it is FIU after all.

We then have UTSA, @Marshall, and UTEP on short rest... Definitely the toughest stretch of the schedule IMO.

I view the LA Tech game as a bit of a trap.. Who wants to be in Ruston on the Saturday after Thanksgiving... Not looking forward to it.

Anyways, I just kind of cobbled these thoughts together and none of it is overly scientific... My $.02... Thanks Owl40 for the report.

(07-17-2014 09:48 PM)owl40 Wrote:  Just returned from Austin event.

Takeaways…

JK did a nice job highlighting the vision pillars. He is very close to publicly announcing good news on HRS. Wants to make sure I's are dotted and T's are crossed given no room for additional false starts but his optimism on situation was apparent.

JK focused on segmentation of 'the Rice fan' (not necessarily an alum) and how to use that insight to market to them and put more butts-in-seats and design unique gameday experience around them. Made point that in order to improve recruiting, recruits need to see those butts on Saturdays in seats. A focus area for him.

JK extremely complementary of Leebron and Bobby Tudor. Mentioned new turf, new end-zone tarps, new asst. coaching deals, etc. as all getting done w/out having to raise $$.

JK/DB very good relationship. Apparent they support each other.

Both very excited about Rhodes. JK called-out all sports winning C-USA championships this past year and vaguely referenced other sports should do same (context was MBB) as they all should be in top-25 as a goal.

DB most of time talking about similar themes we have all heard before of getting Rice, graduating kids, expect to have name on building later in life, etc. But always good to hear it as it resonates in person and makes you proud to be affiliated w/ Rice and he is the coach. His 'aw shucks' way of delivering it is strong.

Did say he thinks 2014 team has more overall talent than 2013 team. Concerned about schedule and the 7 road games and how they practice around that.

Some time spent on concussions, prevention, etc. and what Rice, C-USA, and NCAA are doing.

Not much meat on X's and O's… What I did get…new kicker is graduate transfer from LSU (did kickoff duty there) completing his masters at Rice, excitement about DJ and many underestimating his experience, excitement about Walter twins (maybe in slot and not redshirting?) and how elusive they are, excitement about OL (more than I expected), depth at LB is a strength, recognizes thin and small up-front on DL. Called out Taylor, Covington, and Callahan as guys who will get NFL looks. Also called out Hamilton who redshirted last year. Said that redshirting was him right decision as he is the 'big back' this year w/ Ross gone and Dillard and others will all get carriers.

Also mentioned Michael Warren as a dark horse at CB to help w/ secondary shuffling.

Good night, good enthusiasm.

Thanks for this.

Thanks for the report. More encouraging news.

(07-17-2014 09:48 PM)owl40 Wrote:  Just returned from Austin event.

....

Both very excited about Rhodes. JK called-out all sports winning C-USA championships this past year and vaguely referenced other sports should do same (context was MBB) as they all should be in top-25 as a goal.

....

Not much meat on X's and O's… What I did get…new kicker is graduate transfer from LSU (did kickoff duty there) completing his masters at Rice, excitement about DJ and many underestimating his experience, excitement about Walter twins (maybe in slot and not redshirting?) and how elusive they are, excitement about OL (more than I expected), depth at LB is a strength, recognizes thin and small up-front on DL. Called out Taylor, Covington, and Callahan as guys who will get NFL looks. Also called out Hamilton who redshirted last year. Said that redshirting was him right decision as he is the 'big back' this year w/ Ross gone and Dillard and others will all get carriers.

Also mentioned Michael Warren as a dark horse at CB to help w/ secondary shuffling.

Good night, good enthusiasm.

Awesome stuff! Thanks Owl40!
It is so refreshing seeing Dr. K emphasize that Rice should have a Top 25 mentality in every sport.

And here is an article related to the LSU kicker.
James Hairston Transfers

I am pretty concerned about our defense. I don't know how we are going to hold up at DE with the guys we have there. Bauer was arguably as valuable to the defense last year as Gaines. Add in the loss of Mouchantaf and we are thin, small, and inexperienced on the D-line. Covington is an All-American, but he's going to be dealing with double teams on most plays. I feel okay about the defensive backs- we have plenty of experience back there, if not a ton of speed. I am cautiously optimistic about the linebackers- there does not appear to be a superstar there but we have several good athletic guys. A weak defensive line makes it much tougher on everyone else though and I am afraid will cause issues for us all year.

Offensively we should be fine if we have decent QB play.

(07-18-2014 11:23 AM)Middle Ages Wrote:  I am pretty concerned about our defense. I don't know how we are going to hold up at DE with the guys we have there. Bauer was arguably as valuable to the defense last year as Gaines. Add in the loss of Mouchantaf and we are thin, small, and inexperienced on the D-line. Covington is an All-American, but he's going to be dealing with double teams on most plays. I feel okay about the defensive backs- we have plenty of experience back there, if not a ton of speed. I am cautiously optimistic about the linebackers- there does not appear to be a superstar there but we have several good athletic guys. A weak defensive line makes it much tougher on everyone else though and I am afraid will cause issues for us all year.

Offensively we should be fine if we have decent QB play.

I share your concerns about the Defensive Ends. I think Derek Brown and Grant Peterson have a ton of potential, they are just lacking size. Of course I say noting that size isn't always a factor, especially if you have speed. Look at the defensive end for Oklahoma. He basically won the Sugar Bowl for his team against Alabama. And with Covington getting double teams, we should have a fearsome pass rush. Quality and experienced depth is where we may be lacking. Furthermore, it may be an omission/error, but the 2014 CUSA media guide does not have Brian Womac listed (or Justin Carter for that matter). Though strangely enough, it has Anthony Canady.

As for the interior, keep one person in mind regarding the Defensive interior: Ross Winship and all 6-4 290lbs of him.

Losing Mooch hurts, but remember he got hurt during the 8th game of the season against UTEP and Winship played admirably in relief down the stretch including in the 13th (CUSA championship) and 14th game (Liberty Bowl). The 2014 CUSA media guide indicates that Trey Martin has been moved back to Defensive Line, so there is some needed depth there.

(07-18-2014 11:23 AM)Middle Ages Wrote:  I am pretty concerned about our defense. I don't know how we are going to hold up at DE with the guys we have there. Bauer was arguably as valuable to the defense last year as Gaines. Add in the loss of Mouchantaf and we are thin, small, and inexperienced on the D-line. Covington is an All-American, but he's going to be dealing with double teams on most plays. * * * A weak defensive line makes it much tougher on everyone else though and I am afraid will cause issues for us all year.

Offensively we should be fine if we have decent QB play.

Agreed. A big piece of the puzzle is whether Bob Winship's grandson will step up and exceed/succeed. I have faith in him. He's a gamer. And if you know Bob, you know #99 comes from the deepest end of the gene pool. I predict a breakout year for him, if health holds out.

I was curious was there any mention from Dr K about the stadium reconstruction time table.











I am pretty concerned about our defense. I don't know how we are going to hold up at DE with the guys we have there. Bauer was arguably as valuable to the defense last year as Gaines. Add in the loss of Mouchantaf and we are thin, small, and inexperienced on the D-line. Covington is an All-American, but he's going to be dealing with double teams on most plays. * * * A weak defensive line makes it much tougher on everyone else though and I am afraid will cause issues for us all year.

Offensively we should be fine if we have decent QB play.
[/quote]

Agreed. A big piece of the puzzle is whether Bob Winship's grandson will step up and exceed/succeed. I have faith in him. He's a gamer. And if you know Bob, you know #99 comes from the deepest end of the gene pool. I predict a breakout year for him, if health holds out.
[/quote]