By ROBERT CESSNA
The offense and defense battled to an 85-85 tie in the intrasquad scoring system during scrimmage plays, but first-team defenders had the edge when they were on the field.
"I thought our defense did a nice job, particularly early, and they maintained their intensity throughout the practice," A&M head coach Mike Sherman said.
Pugh and Miller, making transitions to new positions, looked comfortable in the 90-minute practice, which was the seventh of 15 spring drills.
"Pugh really has done a nice job for us," Sherman said. "And Von Miller just every day quietly just goes about his business with no fanfare. He just goes out there [and competes]."
Miller was credited with a sack -- defenders aren't allowed to hit quarterbacks -- on the fourth play of scrimmage action to fuel the defense's quick start. The 214-pound junior is playing A&M's new hybrid "jack" position that combines linebacker and defensive end.
Miller added two more sacks and shared a sack with senior defensive lineman Matt Moss as the defense built a 35-21 lead.
"As I stand behind the offense, you can feel his presence there," Sherman said. "He's definitely made a difference in the comfort level of our quarterbacks. And I'm sure our left tackles weren't too excited when they saw him line up opposite them."
Sherman said Miller has had three straight solid practices.
"He's doing quality work" Sherman said.
So is the 191-pound Pugh, who is making the transition from cornerback. The energetic Pugh had three solo tackles and broke up three passes, smiling as he did it.
The defense had a 60-44 lead when Fuller set up a 2-yard touchdown run by sophomore Cyrus Gray. Fuller caught a 33-yard pass from junior Jerrod Johnson that drew cheers from the large crowd that included parents and relatives of 500 youth aged 8 through 13 that took part in the program's annual Aggie Football Youth Experience after the scrimmage.
The 6-foot-4 Fuller used his frame as a shield so 5-10 defensive back Terrence Frederick couldn't prevent the catch. Fuller added a short touchdown catch on a square-out route in front of Frederick and his last catch from Johnson led to a short touchdown grab by senior tight end Jamie McCoy, who also had several catches.
"I thought the offense came back at the end and made some plays when we got down to the strike zone or red zone, so that part was positive," Sherman said.
*
OL short in numbers: The first-team offense has many more players unable to scrimmage this spring than the first-team defense, especially on the offensive line. Senior offensive tackle Lee Grimes, senior center Kevin Matthews and junior Lucas Patterson are recovering from offseason surgeries. Redshirt freshman Chris Lathrop was hurt on the third day of practice and hasn't scrimmaged. Redshirt freshman Leroy Chavalier also has been held out of contact.
"We are down in numbers in the offensive line, [so] it's tough to protect the quarterback and create running lanes," Sherman said.
The Aggies also are leaning on redshirt freshman Cyrus Gray and sophomore Bradley Stephens to do the bulk of the running with the top two units and "they get worn down," Sherman said.
Senior running back Keondra Smith was expected to share the load, but he quit the team.
*
Up ahead: A&M will practice only Tuesday and Thursday this week because of Easter and is trying to gear up for the Maroon & White Game on April 18.
"We did it that way because after this grind -- where we had our offseason and then came into spring, this is kinda a little bit of a break," Sherman said. "I expect them to polish next week and be pretty sharp."
The offense will focus on teaching and execution because the players shouldn't be as fatigued, Sherman said.
*
Miller's time: Sherman said Miller has matured so much in a year in all aspects of his life.
"I mean, his locker is clean, which was a major thing last year," Sherman said. "His mother said she want to his apartment and that was clean. She was shocked, and called us. He's going to class, he's taking care of his business."
Sherman said some players get to the point where they are turned off by people constantly making demands, but Miller has absorbed what's expected and accomplished even more.
"I'm proud of him," Sherman said. "He still has a ways to go, but at this point, he's light years ahead in every aspect of his life as a player and student than he was last year."
*
Et cetera: A&M had another Junior Day on Saturday. The practice opened with approximately 15 recruits gathered around Sherman. ... Several former A&M players watched, including Heisman Trophy winner John David Crow and All-American defensive lineman Ray Childress. ... Redshirt freshman defensive back Blaine Cheatham suffered a leg injury and had to be carted from the field, but was sitting up and acknowledged the crowd. ... One of the day's best catches was a diving touchdown grab by sophomore wide receiver Taylor Randle on a throw from sophomore Kevin Westerman. ... Senior linebacker Anthony Lewis had one of the best hits, stopping Stephens at the goal line. ... The offense made up a 16-point deficit in the scrimmage's final 30 plays. "But I'd have to give it to the defense today, I thought they did better job consistently throughout the practice," Sherman said. ... A&M also kicked extra points and attempted a few field goals with sophomore Randy Bullock and redshirt freshman Scott Renkes handling the placements.
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Posted by: A READER On: 4/13/2009
Comment Title: re- jimbob ??????
Jimbob what the hell are you talking about. Mike is a linebacker. It works like this. Weak side LB is WILL (get it), Middle LB is MIKE, Strong side LB is SAM. If you have a fourth LB, like in 3-4, he is called JACK (dont ask why).
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/10/2009
Comment Title: RE: JimBob78
One more time. JimBob, the sole function of the 3 down in a 3-4 defense is to occupy the 5 O-linemen and plug up the running lanes so your linebackers can make plays. PERIOD. They don't leave the line and they don't play in space. It takes big boys to do this.
Posted by: JimBob78 On: 4/9/2009
Comment Title: But what about defending the spread offense?
Stars it seems that you want it both ways! No slow fat guys except a NT & Mike. Everyone else including the DEs have to be fast to cover. --- now you want 3 big bodies who won't be able to get out into the flats or fly to the ball carrier in the vertical lanes. ---- Whats up with that? -- That does not seem to be very fair. ---- Sherm & Kines make changes and your not happy. The team's performance will prove them right or wrong. So far Sherm's DL recruit of last year proved their worth. They need to improve this fall to make the next step. A Mike with LB instincts will help a whole lot with the run defense.
Posted by: On: 4/6/2009
Comment Title: miller58 is my beotch
IS miller 58 TELLING SECRETS AT A SLUMBER PARTY, GOING GAGA OVER IDIOTIC POSTING? My personal opinions:_____Let's get serious, miller58 must learn to always compare himself to the best in our chatroom, undeniably me, not to himself over the last 25 years of posting, Fran and miller58 sniff each other??? When I see these miller58 blog teenageposts, down to 1 of 12 in the current article, it makes me want to vomit, and is not improvement, as even any giggling teenage girl will tell you!_____miller58
Posted by: On: 4/6/2009
Comment Title:
SEE: www.mackbrown-texasfootball.com Click on: tracking the longhorns: 2009 orange and white scrimmage. ARE WE THERE YET MOM?
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/6/2009
Comment Title: LIKE TEENAGE GIGGLING GIRLS TELLING SECRETS AT A SLUMBER PARTY, GOING GAGA OVER SHERMAN'S RECRUITING?
My personal opinions:_____Let's get serious, Ags must learn to always compare A&M to the best in our division, undeniably tu and ou now, not to each other the last terrible 25 years under RC, Fran and Mike when we didn't even sniff playing in an mnc, let alone win it?_____When I see these Ag blog teenage giggling girls slumber party posts, comparing how our 1 four star out of 12 committed by Mike in this year's class is the gretest, as terrible as the only 5 difference makers in Mikes terrible last signing class were, or the only 7 difference makers in mikes previous terrible signing class, I want to puke!_____Let's do a quick real comparison of Mike Sherman's recruiting to tu's and ou's four and five star difference makers:_____ This year mac brown has 17 committed, and mike sherman has 1, that's Sherman doing only 6% of what tu is doing._____This year bob stoops has 4 committed, and that's Mike Sherman's 1, only doing only 25% of what ou is doing?_____Then in the last signing class Feb'09, mac brown had 14 difference makers, bob stoops had 11, and mike sherman had only 5._____ That's Sherman doing only 36% of what tu did and 45% of what ou did?_____Then in the previous signing class Feb'08, mac brown signed 12, bob stoops 15, and mike sherman signed only 7._____So mike sherman did only 58% of what tu did and only 45% of what ou did in that signing class?_____Giggling teenage girl like posts that mike Sherman is doing anything but terrible in recruiting, just are not true!_____Mike going from only 7 of 28 in his first signing class, down to 5 of 28 in his second signing class, and down to 1 of 12 in the current signing class, is not improvement, as even any giggling teenage girl will tell you!_____miller58
Posted by: On: 4/6/2009
Comment Title:
Luke Joekel is the real deal. It's just ashamed we had to burn 2 scholarships to get him. Other schools (ark,osu) passed on the situation.
Posted by: On: 4/6/2009
Comment Title: If the Aggies played themselves each week
THEY WOULD HAVE A CHANCE. TAMU just not Big 12 quality sports
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/6/2009
Comment Title: A&M DOES NOT HAVE JUST 7 PLAYERS QUALIFIED (SIZE, SPEED ,ATHLETICISM, MENTAL TOUGHNESS) TO PLAY EACH OF THE FRONT 7 POSITIONS IN A 3-4 DEFENSE?
My personal opinions:_____ WHY am I being told this?_____Sherman inherited 32 difference makers in Nov'07,__ evaluated and recinded scholarships to Brown(ole miss) and Janisch(rice),__ signed 28 players in Feb'08,__Then signed 3 transfers,__signed 28 more players in Feb'09;_____ all should be on Kyle this fall, and we just don't have even 7 players actually qualified in size, athleticism, speed, and mental toughness for a 3-4 front seven?_____What the hell were the coaches evaluating, when they signed these first 59 players; and what are they evaluating now, as we sign another 28 in the current class?_____That's over 87 players, and our coaches don't have just 7 that actually are a perfect fit for the front seven needs, even identified?_____That is absolute bs if true, and I've been assured it is true!_____On another front, I'm very impressed with 4* OT Luke Joekel 6-6 280. He looks like he could be one of the 66 to 80 four and five star difference makers that, along with the addition of a good coach that can replace 13 to 17 players every year, could have us competing for the Big 12 championship and mnc every year, just exactly like tu and ou do now every year?_____miller58
Posted by: On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: New Hire
Here's a great idea! Coach Sherman should hire Coach Gilspie as a conditioning coach. His job would be to work our team to the brink of quiting, like he did for Acie Law. How'd that turnout you ask? Hmm, built a basketball program for aggienation and helped Acie make the NBA. The team needs to be Paul Bear Bryant Tough. Work the everybody gonna get a trophy out them. I want these guys to be feared!! There fellow students should shake in there shoes when they get within 10 feet them on campus. Put a bell in the middle of the practice field and let them ring it if they want to quit. We are a Military school.
Posted by: On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title:
(get some original material. we heard that one several times before)
Posted by: Fran On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: Miller, it's OK to Let go....
I appreciate Miller58 and his friends sticking up for me everyday, but I feel its time you all let me move on. My heart can only take so much pain and the rollercoaster ride that I endured in Aggieland was about all I could handle. While we're sharing...The biggest hurt came from a local burger joint on Hwy 30 that had a plate named after me. It was called the "Fran-Coney." It was a delightful foot-long hot dog covered in chili, cheese, and jalapenos. Oh, so delicious! But alas, the seasons failed to live up to expectation and they turned on me too. I could handle the press, the blogs, the angry fans, but what that restaurant did hurt most of all. I went in after a couple of tough losses to KU and Mizzou and found that they had stricken my name from the menu and took away my weenie. It’s a hurt that will haunt me forever. I will never be able to enjoy a foot-long again, without shedding a tear for what might have been. So, with that, I ask you all please let me go. Please stop comparing the new regime to me, so I can ride off into my own personal sunset.
Posted by: On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title:
millers posts are easy to handle compared to the four or five juvenile responses you have to wade thru after each one.
Posted by: A Reader On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: speed
We may need more linebacker speed to cover third and fourth receivers but stars is right, we need beef to stop the run and hold the line of scrimmage and stopping the run is what it will be about this year. Teams ran against us more than passed last year and had lots of success. Expect the opponent to run even more this year with that front four we have.
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: SHERMAN HAS MORE DIFFERENCE MAKER PLAYER TALENT THAN 10 OF THE TEAMS ON OUR SCHEDULE PLUS AN OVER FULL CUPBOARD!
My personal opinions:_____Sherman can just look at film of the last two tu games prior to his hire, and learn how to beat them as well._____CAN YOU SAY 11 WINS GUARANTEED?_____And the cupboard is over filled for this fall_____Sherman inherited 32 signed four and five star difference makers in November'07._____Then Sherman evaluated players, and even pulled scholarship offers fron Brown(ole miss) and Janisch(rice)._____Sherman evaluated and then signed 28 players in Feb '08, making a total of 60!_____Sherman hand picked a 4* O-lineman from lsu, also transfers from smu and north texas, thats a total of 63._____ Sherman hand picked another 28 players and signed them in Feb'09._____Thats a total of 89 players(85 fill an ncaa squad with players for every position 2 and 3 deep)._____Obviously with almost all these SHERMAN hand picked players on the field this fall, Sherman or any other good college coach, hand picked and signed at least 14 of these players for a great two deep front 7 , didn't he??????????_____Then sherman is in the process of signing another 28 players in the current class, that's a total of 121._____We have to be loaded with Sherman hand picked players in an over filled cupboard, 3 or 4 deep at every position, and if Sherman just looks at the filn, on how a good college coach beat tu twice in a row, at least 11 WINS ARE GUARANTEED by Sherman this fall?_____miller58
Posted by: On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: STUDENT BODY
If you consider yourself a Aggie Football Fan and are a student at A&M, there is only 1 acceptable reason not to attend Tuesday's practice and that is a scheduled class. WAKE UP BULK OF tHE 12th MAN!!!! Support the team!! The student body is sitting down. WAKE UP!!!
Posted by: Tampa Ag On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: Fran's Ghost Still Haunts
Fran did leave the cupboard bare on both lines. And he liked big slow dudes on defense. About the only starters on last year's back 7 that could've started on an RC defense were Von Miller and Trent Hunter. Ricky Cavanaugh, Malcolm Johnson, and one of those LBs out of Louisiana should immediately add speed to the LB corp because I think all three have the opportunity to see lots of action this fall. Good grief, Eddie Brown and Tony Jerod-Eddie were throw into the starting lineup last year as true freshmen just to get more speed on the DL. I think both Sherm and DC Kines are going to give anyone who plays defense a shot at getting on the field if they run fast. DL, LB, DB, it doesn't matter. That gives any true freshman a shot at playing, which might make 2009 a tough year but will help down the road in 2010 and 2011. We'll see. Good Sherm. Gig 'em Aggies!!
Posted by: Moore Hall Truckers, We're All Night ..... you know the rest On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: Re: Speed
Seeing Stars and Flowbee58 are on the mark. The defensive side of the ball just needs more overall speed. Some of those LBs and DBs arriving this summer should help. Per one scouting report: the one characteristic they all share is they run to the ball very well. On the other hand, it's tough relying on true freshmen (and redshirt freshmen, for that matter) but getting a few of them some playing time in 2009 will pay dividends down the road. I'm just praying for a .500 season or 7-5 record in 2009.
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: Theory
BC49, You might be right. But I have a theory. It must have been a Former Student of this great University that invented the flowbee. But more than likely he is among the T-shirt alumni.
Posted by: BigC49 On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: Ignore Them
Miller58 doesn't exist...doesn't everyone realize he is a grad ( I guess he graduated) from that school over in Austin. He is doing a good job of needling you
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: RE: 58
Our secondary MAY be ok til we start sneaking safety's up to support a somewhat challenged run defense and get burned by the deep ball. We could probably use some more millers and hunters but those types are sometimes hard to ID with any ranking system. Those types have real heart. While I know exactly how tall you are, how big you are, how fast you are, your gpa, and something about your character to this point in life, it becomes difficult to measure heart until it hits the field in ncaa division 1 football.
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: Seeing Stars_Rational
SS, Nice to have an insightful and thoughtful post addressing Ags' shortcomings, or possible shortcomings. Rather than a the same old delusional rant. My own slant follows yours somewhat. We need to shore up the OL and DL, and add some speed at LB. Three more Von Miller types would do nicely. Dominique Patterson could fit that mold. Now we should look at Corey Nelson and Shaun Lewis. Skill positions and secondary appear to be a strength at this point. Nice post.
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title:
Without having seen the defense on the field, some of the issues that come to the front are: (1) we list only 10 defensive linemen (including DE's and DT's not LB's). From the 10, we remove patterson (moved to O-line), dorsey (injured entering spring drills), freeney (looks like he needs surgery to continue and program may not pay due to circumstances). That leaves 7. With perfect matches we cannot fill a 2-deep four man front in a 4-3. So we consider 3-4. We don't have enough big body types to handle a 5 man O-line or the depth so it looks like we are playing half the front in 4-3 and the other half in 3-4 through necessity rather than design. For comparison, tu has 16 listed on spring roster for the front and ou has 13. (2) our weight across the front we currently use is 270, 256, 265, 214. Quite a drop from last year when we faced for example a tu front five that went 302, 305, 300, 315, 320. What do we do against an offense that lines up like that at midfield with 3 wide receivers and then runs the ball between the tackles. In addition we have players filling spots in the secondary that they did not play last year. We may look ok against ouselves but what about the rest of the conference. Those of you who have attended practice have a much better feel for all of this but some circles feel that if we play .500 ball with this unit it will be an overachievement at the very least. (3) the '09 class has not significantly addressed this defensive manpower shortfall and the '10 class has yet to contribute. This year should prove exciting, one way or the other.
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: Miller58 Daily Regimen
Miller58's daily regimen: 1. Get up and post the same old trash on the Eagle. Too lazy to pick a new template for his thoughts. 2. Spends majority of the day re-reading flowbee instructions. 3. Gets bitter and posts more trash on the Eagle. 4. Retires to bed bitter wondering if he can post something new tomorrow, but decides its too hard to overcome his flowbee deficiency and he'll just do that again. 5. See 1. Way to go Sherm and staff. Now land Matthews, Lewis, Nelson and Hurd and we're on the right track firmly.
Posted by: Pablo On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: Both.. AND
Miller harps on our non-ranked commits as "others", I think he is just looking to see us recruit like UT, LSU, OU.. pure speculation on my part. He has a point when it comes to counting up the number of stars, we can't ignore that.. HOWEVER.. I am really glad to see us make character as big a deal as talent..even if it means taking a chance on a kid that is not ranked on someone's Fab 55. Until this program wins big and churns out quality NFL prospects (which is a point everyone ignores) we will be fighting for the few "blue chips" that fall off the table of UT, OU and LSU.
Posted by: oljock99 On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: Miller...rivals rankings aren't updated yet
FYI...I'll bit my tongue on further comment on you insentient whining.
Posted by: On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title:
Hey miller, get a new line or something else to bark about. Your points have been heard, several times! Time will tell if you are correct. Until then, either find something else or shut up! Now, I went to practice yesterday and saw a different team. OL is still small and will probably not be good, but the team is coming together. We have play makers on both sides, just our lines are terrible. What was fran thinking. I guess Fran liked the short, fat, out of shape lineman because that is what is there and that is the reason they are all hurt. Even though they were "hurt" they still moved around with a grandure of laziness! I think sherm is looking for the richmond webb build in the future instead of the 6 foot 3oo llb build fran wanted. Hey Sherm, thanks for opening up the practice to us, since your boss wants to charge an arm and leg for games, this is the only time I can take my kids to see Aggie Football.
Posted by: Yesirreebob On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: Miller58 is a one-thought idiot, and that thought is flawed
Just look at the programs around America who play great ball, are highly ranked and go to front-line bowls without leading the universe with players ranked fifty stars. Like, duhhhh, Texas Tech. Fran ruined us. His multi-starred, do-nothing jocks and terrible system, plus his terrific PR machine, embarrassed TAMU. No further proof needed that idiot58's one thought is to be ignored.
Posted by: On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: miller58
you REALLY need to get a life...
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/5/2009
Comment Title: SHERMAN UP UP TO 12 COMMITS; DOWN TO NO 5 STARS, ONE 4 STAR, 11 "OTHERS"?
My personal opinions:_____Sunday, the four and five star difference makers committed in the Big 12 south are:_____(1) mac brown first with 17_____(2) bob stoops has 4 committd_____(3) mike leach has 1_____(4) mike gundy has 1_____(5) mike sherman has 1_____(6) art briles has 0_____While Sherman's 11 "others" are not ranked 4 or 5 star, they each count points in recruiting rankings, and may falsely inflate a team's standings higher because of their shear numbers!_____Other teams may hold off committing players not ranked 4 or 5 star, because of their perceived lessor speed, size or athleticism, this early in order to have room to later commit the more speedy, bigger and more athletic players ranked up at 4 and 5 star?_____"Some excuse makers may not like to look at rankings by the faster, bigger and more athletic 4 and 5 star difference makers, as it enables even the most novice football fan to quickly evaluate recruiting, and takes away the excuses of the excuse makers"._____miller58
CU fans not excited about A&M; Remember that bad CU team in 2000? McFerrin thoughts
