The Texas A&M Aggies have a new coach, a new coaching staff, a new spirit, a new attitude, and only 11 returning starters.
Some services say they have 12 starters. However, that was before junior place kicker Symanski decided to transfer.
First of all, the Aggies have what is the makings of a quarterback controversy brewing. There is a possiblity of a fullback-tailback controversy, too.
QB Steven McGee has started for two years. He is close to setting the rushing record -- for a quarterback! However, first-year head coach Mike Sherman runs the west coast offense. Not much chance to run in Sherman's offense -- unless it's for one's life!
Sherman made it clear last week that the QB position is open and will be decided during summer drills.
Jorvorskie Lane, who ran at tailback the past two years, has been moved to fullback and told to lose some 40 pounds ... or more. No one knows how fat ... er uh ... beefy Lane really is. Sherman confirmed to AP sportswriters, it has been "a few days" since Lane weighed the 265 pounds as the roster annouces. Others speculate that Lane's weight tops 300 pounds.
To top Lane's move to FB, he did not show up for the annual spring Maroon and White game. It would have been his debut at that position. There was no announcement why Lane failed to show.
Sherman told the same AP writers that he has had some discussions with Lane to convince him that the move was the best for him. If speculation were to be allowed to run rampant (which it is), could it be that Lane is unhappy? Lane was told when he was recruited by the previous coach, that he (Lane) would be a tailback. Sherman threw him a bone, saying that FB's in his scheme receive a lot of passes.
The Aggie kicker has transferred. The announcement was sudden but not a big surprise. He simply never lived up to his hype. The Aggies could have sorely used some field goals last year. Sherman will have to shore up the kicking game.
With all those issues yet to be cleared up, Sherman and the Aggies will be facing a killer schedule. First, they meet a weak Miami team at Kyle Field. Last year, it was glaringly clear that the Hurricanes had a vastly faster team than the Aggies. The 'Canes racked up 30 points before the Aggies got on the board.
Then the Aggies face Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas Tech. These are all teams with BCS potential. Barring a miracle, the Aggies may lose at least five games.
Sherman needs to find some speed especially in the defensive backfield. One news service predicted the Aggies' D-backs will be torched by the Big 12 quarterbacks, some are mentioned as Heisman prospects. Bad time to have a weak defensive back field -- indeed!
It's not expected to be an especially happy debut for Sherman.
LINKS
Damaris Lewis
Chelsey Buhler
Did You See That?
Manny Being Manny
Comments (5) Add A Comment
At least Sherman isn't Fran. I expect the Miami game to be a completely different story this year--at home, no stubborn insistence on the zone read, and a defensive scheme that actually attacks the ball, instead of a bend but don't break philosophy. I'm looking forward to a coach that will actually use his QB as a passer (imagine that). The improvement from Fran is immeasureable, I'm looking forward to a good year.
Trav23
Alamo, TX
Total Comments (69)
Trav23,
I'm with you. However, while we have been sitting still the Big 12 has grown enormously. Better is not good enough now days. We've got to get super! Gorgantuan! We better get 'er done fast, too!
InkDemon
Plano , TX
Total Comments (111)
Poor Sherman has no idea what he has gotten himself into. A&M has such a losing program, but they think they are better than they are. That would be hard for any coach, but especially any coach at A&M which will always underachieve. The Twelth Man could actually suit up and play every down and it wouldn't help. It's just the way it is. I give Sherman three years tops before the Aggies throw him on the scrap heap and hire ANOTHER assistant coach from nowhere...
ridelights
Total Comments (17)
Just curious ridelights, what do you mean by "ANOTHER assistant coach from nowhere"? You mean punkass Fran, previous head coach at Alabama? Or Sherman, previous head coach for Green Bay and o-coordinator for Houston? The Aggies are in for a rough ride for a while, but that's what happens when rebuilding. College football is cylical, OU and UT won't always be on top. And while Tech has all this hype surrounding them, they haven't won an upper level bowl game since I was born. A&M will get its chances and Sherman is better than Fran, that's for sure.
BringBackRC
Charlotte , NC
Total Comments (1)
Hi BringBackRC: .... I couldn't agree more! College football is cyclical. OU seems to ride high for a while and then go crashing down in the flames of scandal. Who knows what is lurking behind the closed doors at Norman.
If Shermie can't get a pipeline started to the NFL and win some big games including bowls along the way, then perhaps the Aggies can get something going.
However, other schools have emerged in the Big 12. Kansas and Mizzou have cashed in by picking up those athletes that Texas U., OU, and A&M have ditched because their commitments were filled by juniors. No one has thought about the seniors who have great years and go on to other schools. Can you spell Reesing?
InkDemon
Plano , TX
Total Comments (111)
Comment
Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.