Fine not flashy. Just fine. That's it.
Now Texas has to find the quarterback who can be just fine. The Longhorns started on that journey last week as spring practice began. It's highly unlikely the odyssey will be over by the time spring ball ends April 1. Instead this promises to be a long, strange trip.
Both McCoy and David Ash are ready to go.
""Nothing is being given to anyone,"" said McCoy, who started five games in 2011. ""We're competing. We're all working hard. We are putting it in the coaches' hands, and they are going to make the right decision.""
""Spring ball is all about competition,"" added Ash, who started six games last season, including the Holiday Bowl. ""Coach (Mack) Brown said all the spots are open.""
Brown also said he is tired of not having a key part of the offense hold up its end of the deal. He wants balance. He wants a quarterback who can manage a game, not manage to lose a game.
""We have really got to improve our passing game better this spring, and the emphasis will be on the passing game; running routes, getting better, quarterback throws to receivers, tight ends and backs,"" Brown said.
Brown's expectations are tempered. This, after all, is a coach who at points last season said great quarterback play was required to be a great team. But Brown pulled back from that statement later in the season as it became evident he didn't have a great quarterback.
So now he too just needs someone to steady the ship and avoid the Sirens' song of the lurking defensive back.
""We didn't lose a game last year when we had two turnovers or less,"" Brown pointed out.
McCoy had five on his own against Baylor. Ash had eight picks against four touchdowns. These are the leading candidates to run the Texas offense in 2012.
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