23 September 2010

Warmachine Plastic Battle Box

I picked up the new Menoth Plastic Battle Box yesterday. It is, funny enough, exactly what I expected. Plastic Crusader, which is the same bits we've seen before. Plastic Revenger and Repenter use the same main chassis (the same as the Vigilant) with different arms and head. This leads me to think they will do a kit with all 3 of the classic light jacks the same way they did with the heavy jacks. The plastic Kreoss was slick, and he assembled like a thin Bastion - very simple model to put together.

I took the opportunity to magnetize the Crusader chassis since it is now my 4th of the plastic heavy jacks. This will give me the flexibility to have a second Crusader, Templar or Vanquisher as well as a body that I can attach the Scourge of Heresy upgrade bits to.

All in all, I was impressed with how well the packaging came off and in general how easy the models are to put together. Privateer has done a great job with their plastic kits and now that they can get them out with regularity, we might see even more. I can't wait to see what they come up with.

20 September 2010

The Battle of Lubbock

As I Tweeted during the game... thank god I don't have hair, or I'd have pulled it all out. That was painful to watch. Seeing the offense run around like the Key Stone Cops, doing everything they could to hand the game to Tech reminded me of the halcyon days of yore watching the Oilers.

Gilbert looked fine, but the receives need to, I don't know put glue on their gloves or something. Three Interceptions off of tipped/dropped balls? ARGH

Never mind the new-fangled "Running Game"... You started a drive in the 3rd Quarter to drive down the field and take over the game, figuring out WAY too late that you could destroy the gassed Tech Defense with Cody Johnson. Why did it take that long to figure it out? The guy is a beast and runs down hill. If you want to take the air out of the ball and lock down the game, it is his job. I know this is an dead horse round these parts... but does Greg Davis really feel like he has to out think himself that much?

Now... The Defense. HOLY CRAP. Coach Mother F'in BOOM. They were all over the field... fast, steady and explosive. Jackson Jeffcoat is the real deal. Watching him mature for the next 3 years will be a treat. They are stingy, fast, and full of all kinds of hate. They know the games will usually lie on their shoulders this year, and I think they relish it. Seeing those two interceptions warmed the cockles, considering the history of the field for those two guys.

So what are we left with? Texas has an offense that wouldn't scare a crossing guard and a defense that will win games all on it's own. This is going to be a season of hair pulling and nail biting. As a season ticket holder... it means good games. I'm a defensive hawk anyway.

On another note... just an idea... but I heard something Bill Walsh once said last week that has stuck with me: "Coaches who depend on Athleticism to win games will at best be 500. Random offense may be fun and entertaining, and occasionally effective, but it isn't consistent or dependable." Watching Texas play offense, I'm reminded of this constantly. They like to put "athletes in space." Sure that can work. I'd rather have a schemed play that gives the athlete a chance to excel instead of depend on them to make the play function.

So, bring on UCLA. The last time I had the... pleasure.... *shudder*... of watching them in Austin was the biggest home loss in Texas history and the game that ushered in Macovick's downfall.

While I don't think we will see anything like that again, I'm still counting it as a blessing that I keep my head shaved... Hook 'em... BTHOOUCLA

17 September 2010

Tech

Wow I'm late updating this thing...

So tomorrow is the Tech Game. I cannot put into words how much Lubbock irritates me. I think I dislike being around their fans more than OU and A&M... and that is saying something. I have no idea what we are going to see tomorrow as far as on the field. Texas might roll right over Tech, finally showing every bit of the promise they've only hinted at so far. Or they could get destroyed in the one place where Mack doesn't always win.

Either way, I expect to piss off my neighbors screaming at the TV while watching it.

Learning Menoth goes well. I start the painting process this week. I'm making a point to focus on a caster to learn them. Right now, the focus is Harbinger, and I need to play more games. Looking forward to Wednesday for that...

For now... Go Horns, BTHOT