Longhorns Update: The Monroe Conspiracy

I’ve not posted anything on Red October thus far because, well, I think the worst is yet to come - and with that in mind, why write two separate agonizing reports on losses to both OU and Nebraska? There is the possibility, strange as it may sound right now, that the Longhorns will pull the upset in Lincoln this weekend against the over-rated Children of the Corn. Over-rated, you say? They’ve beaten Western Kentucky, Idaho, Washington, KSU, and, oh yeah South Dakota State (by a stunning 17 – 3 margin) – so I wouldn’t exactly say they have been that impressive thus far. What this weekend may amount to is the Longhorns simply being worse than the degree to which Nebraska is over-rated!

But amongst all of the drama that surrounds this weekend’s game and the departure of Nebraska from the Big 12, perhaps there is even more drama behind the scenes. The question is this: where is DJ Monroe?

The answer to this question is beginning to look like it could be the basis for an Oliver Stone docu-drama. One has to wonder about it, given that he’s one of the most dynamic players that the Longhorns have, on a team that is in need of something dynamic. Maybe it’s a conspiracy? We all love a good conspiracy, especially Oliver Stone.

The party line right now – according to DJ and offensive coordinator Greg Davis – is that “he doesn’t know the playbook”. But I would suggest that perhaps there is more to this than we have been lead to believe.

So who is DJ Monroe? In 2009, Monroe was listed as a second-year running back/wide receiver. He had gained experience working with the scout team while red-shirting in 2008. Oh, and a little extra tidbit - he scored on his first-ever collegiate play with an 89-yard kickoff return and is the only player in school history to return two kickoffs for TDs in a career. He was the Offensive MVP of the Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star game. He also won the 2006 4A state championship in the 100 meters (10.45). The kid has got some skills offensively.

Now, let the excuses from the coaching staff rain down.

Monroe is 5’ 9” and 171 pounds. According to all the pundits, that may not be “big enough” to play tailback on a consistent, 30 carry-per-game offensive game plan. That is just one of the excuses we’re hearing these days. But tell me this – does that give him better physical credentials to play wide receiver? If there was ever a position in which height and speed were both important, that would be it.

He was moved to wide receiver – for the past two years. He has not caught a pass playing that position. So here’s the real deal from DJ himself: “I’d never really played receiver in high school. It was running back and quarterback and safety”.

Now, I can understand a coach moving an athlete to a different position to make better use of his skills within the context of the game plan. That makes sense to me. But with the 2010 running game in a complete state of disarray, it looks like the Horns have been needing a running back for, well, as long as Monroe has been at school.

Strangely enough, receivers need to know the playbook too. And with that in mind, they also need to know the responsibilities of every player on the field for all those plays. Monroe has been a Longhorn since 2008 – I think he probably knows plenty about the playbook.

Remember that this is the same player that stormed his way to a 48 yard first half against UCLA, and something similar against OU after a stunning 60 yard run from scrimmage. In both games, he was absent in the game plan in the second half. This is the same player that in 2009 had 110 yards on 20 carries at tailback. That is a 5.5 yards per carry average. And remember, no catches at the wide receiver position. All of this took place before his suspension.

What? Suspension? Call up Oliver Stone.

I am left to wonder how much Monroe is still paying for his indiscretions, namely a DWI in November 2009. He was suspended indefinitely. Was it a distraction? Sure. Was it a serious offense? Sure. But he was later re-instated (12/21/09) after the charges were dropped.

Here’s the befuddling issue: he has some solid numbers at tailback, has a history of playing the position, but you have him play wide receiver? Then, the coaching staff creates some buzz by putting him in at tailback – where you know he will be successful since he’s already displayed this – only to then have him show the world what he can do (see the first half action against UCLA and OU). Good stuff, right? So then the same coaching staff basically puts him in the Witness Protection Program (i.e. where’s DJ?) and plays him sporadically in the second half of both games - and lays blame on his “not knowing the playbook”.

Monroe has shown remarkable poise and control with the media. He has done an admirable job with answering questions about his playing time, questions that should be (honestly) answered by the coaches, especially Greg Davis. This young man needs to be given the opportunity to play – with regularity. He’s one of the few Longhorns that has injected some fire into this team this season.

Call it what you will, but there are just parts of this story that either a) just don’t make sense or b) display the absolute inability of the offensive coaching staff to get this figured out. Or both. Maybe Oliver Stone could sort it out for us Longhorn fans.

I’ll let you be the judge of that one. I suspect we’re about to have more evidence in just a few days in Lincoln.

Photo credit: speedye