By ROBERT CESSNAVon Miller and Garrick Williams fell out of a canoe and into the pond Sunday night at the home of Texas A&M head coach Mike Sherman, who had the players over before fall camp begins Monday.
The other players, coaches and media had a field day at the expense of the soaked Miller and Williams. It was really funny, considering it's taken Sherman the better part of 20 months to get everyone on board with his program.
Sherman started preaching about having everyone on the boat as soon as he took the job. Yet last year during a 4-8 season it looked like some of the players wouldn't even go near the water, let alone get in the boat.
"Last year we had a couple of guys who had their own agenda," senior offensive lineman Lee Grimes said. "But, we've taken care of those guys and we've got the guys [Sherman] wants in there right now."
Sherman wasted no time showing the players who was the boss. Missing class or being late for practice just wasn't tolerated.
During one drill, a pair of fights drew his ire. He called out the soft players, making everyone run countless sprints. He encouraged those who just wanted to be average to transfer.
A few of them did.
"I think it was really just the fact that Coach Sherman was so adamant about getting that out of there," sophomore defensive back Trent Hunter said.
Hunter was one of 10 true freshman who played last year. They were talented, but it was obvious they did things the right way, Sherman's Way, which apparently wasn't the case for many of the upperclassmen.
"I think [a divided team] is one of the worst distractions you can have in a locker room," Hunter said. "Guys not getting along and not acting like a team. That's just one of the things you can't have as a football team."
Hunter grew into one of the team's leaders, but it's hard for freshmen to tell upperclassmen they aren't moving the program forward.
"It was rough, it was a rough ride," Hunter said. "You just tried to do the best to set this year's foundation."
That's something Hunter never had to deal with at Katy High School. The Tigers are one of the state's best programs because the team is bigger than any individual, no matter how talented a given player might be.
"I didn't really have to deal with [a divided locker room] until I got up here," Hunter said. "I'm glad we're done with that."
It was obvious Sunday night as some players shoot hoops, some tried their hand at rowing and others just sat with the coaches and chewed the fat.
"If you can't be friends and trust each other in the locker room, you are not going to be friends and trust each other on the field," Grimes said.
There sure seemed to be a lot of trust in the air Sunday night.
"We always talk about being a family," Sherman said. "During recruiting, one night we'll come out to my house with the recruits. We show them that part of what we're all about during recruiting. So if we didn't follow through it with our regular guys it didn't make a lot of sense.
"It's about family and being part of a family. Just coming down here and sharing a little bread and brotherhood with each other and trying to take one more step to get closer as a football team."
Senior defensive back Jordan Pugh said those growing pains hurt, but they were necessary.
"There were a lot of distractions that went on last year," Pugh said. "But the time and the way people grew, you got to know each other better [which] changed the whole perception of the team. And now we'll showcase that when the season comes."
First, though, Miller and Williams got back in the boat and got it to shore, where they sure took a ribbing.
*
NOTES -- Defensive back Coryell Judie, a junior college transfer from Fort Scott Community College (Kan.), and freshman offensive lineman Chris Henderson of Dallas Carter did not report Sunday. They haven't been cleared by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Sherman said he expects Judie to compete for a starting spot and possibly return punts. ... Sherman said the players have done everything he's asked this summer and will tell them how proud he is of that when they have their first official meeting Monday. "I've been hard on them this offseason, and I've challenged them this offseason, but I'm proud of where they are," he said. ... Several players had offseason surgeries, but Sherman expects everyone to be ready for Monday's 6:30 p.m. practice. ... Sherman said the first practice is the easiest one of the year. He's more concerned about next Monday. ... Senior walk-on Jeff Wood, who has one letter, will battle sophomore transfer Ken Wood (University of Montana) at punter. "I'm anxious to see where we're at," said Sherman, who couldn't work with them this summer as they try to replace Justin Brantley. ... Sherman said the team is further along at punt returner with incoming freshman defensive back Dustin Harris in the mix, while incoming freshman Ryan Swope will be tried at kickoff returns, joining sophomore Cyrus Gray. ... Senior wide receiver Howard Morrow (6-foot, 198 pounds) has lost about 15 pounds. "I'm looking forward to him playing faster than he played last year and to be more dependable and accountable," Sherman said. "I think he's been very accountable this offseason and he's been one of our leaders."... Sherman said three of the incoming offensive linemen, three of the four receivers, a couple defensive backs, both running backs and tight end Hutson Prioleau have to help immediately. ... A&M has added a walk-on quarterback in Winston Gamso, who transferred from Southern Methodist. "I think he's done a nice job," Sherman said. "The players identify with him well. He's a good athlete and I'm anxious to see him throw the football."
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Posted by: Pablo On: 8/19/2009
Comment Title: He's on record for 4 wins, pretty sure
Must have been another blog I was thinking that he referenced us going 1-11.. still.. 4 WINS??
Posted by: Pablo On: 8/11/2009
Comment Title: Sister, referring to an earlier post by Mr. Miller58
I'll dig it up, unless they zapped it...
Posted by: Pablo On: 8/11/2009
Comment Title: The Lobos suck
Can't wait to unleash Von Miller on them!!!!
Posted by: Sister On: 8/11/2009
Comment Title: New Mexico Lobos
I was just on their official athletic site reading their training camp reports. Even for a very low ranking team they seem to have a lot of organization and to be further along than we are with references to their first team and second team and the split practices. Just type in New Mexico Lobos and go to the Official Athletic Site. Had we not had an interception return for a touchdown they would have beat us last year. They rushed on us for 216 yards on 38 carries for 5.7 per rush while we had 92 on 39 for 2.4. They passed on us for 154 yards while we had 144. They had four turnovers while we had 1. We better get focused.
Posted by: Sister On: 8/11/2009
Comment Title: re-pablo
You are the only poster I have heard talk of 1-11 because you read it somewhere. Nobody is saying 1-11 but not very many will go with 6-5 either.
Posted by: Pablo On: 8/11/2009
Comment Title: We are not going to go 1-11, Miller
I'm willing to wager a bubble gum (of your choice) on that one, buddy!
Posted by: 12Aggie On: 8/11/2009
Comment Title: re: Halley's Comet
Great post Comet....it's nice to see someone who post true facts without "spin". It is easy to see that Sherman is doing a great job recruiting and bringing in great talent. Having to come in to the mess that Fran left and doing so well speaks volumes. Keep up the great work Sherman and Staff!!!! Soon we will be hoisting that Big 12 title trophy.
Posted by: miller58 On: 8/11/2009
Comment Title: POOR A&M COACHING AND EVEN WORSE RECRUITING?
My personal opinions:_____Fact is A&M coaches are recruiting only 43% of the speed , athleticism and size that tu is recruiting?_____7 vs 16 difference makers, is why we are in last place and ranked # 84 in the nation, there are only 67 bcs teams?_____miller58
Posted by: Halley's Comet On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: Current coaching team is turning the program around - fast
1. Google the AP top 20 from last year or just follow this link (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/polls/ap/;)______________________ 2. Look at the average recruiting rankings over the past 2 years for the AP top 20 from last year at www.rivals.com (go to each team and look up their prior 2 year classes)________________ 3. Do some simple math and note that Sherman has out-recruited 13 of the top 20 from last year (even with Fran's prior challenges).______________ 4. Go to www.rivals.com and look at the 2010 recruiting rankings where you will see that A&M / Sherman has the No. 7 Class for 2010 __________________With a little effort it is easy to see the current coaching team is turning the program around - fast.____________ Gig' em Aggies!
Posted by: On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title:
Very Straaaaaaaaange.
Posted by: On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: TO POTENTIAL RECRUITS
A very simple request to potential recruits and their families who might be reading this: FORGET ABOUT THE POSTER NAMED MILLER58. He is clearly not an Aggie, but instead a troll from somewhere else. His logic is incomprehensible, and his drivel is getting old. REAL OLD. The fact it, Texas A&M football is "righting the ship" more in the past 18 months than it has in the past 8-10 years. YOU are the ones meeting with Mike Sherman. I invite you to make up your minds based on that... not on someone anonymous poster who calls himself Miller58. My name is Cotton Clark, Class of '79 Moses Hall RAB!!! (And I approve of this message. ;) )
Posted by: Sister On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title:
And you should put your name on your posts if you truly believe in the thoughts you submit.
Posted by: On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: Miller58 Follow up
And finally, we all know these are your "Personal Opinions:". What else could they be, expert fact? Please, improve for the reputation of A&M if nothing else.
Posted by: On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: Miller58______go back to school!
Learn to post in complete sentences. You should be at least 51 if 58 is your birthday. I think the school system was still competent then. Also, what is up with the ______?? How about just a "." and a space to end your incomplete thoughts?
Posted by: On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: Matthews
Sherman will have him playing cornerback before his junior year.
Posted by: On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: Recruiting Rankings
Texas #1, LSU #2, Oklahoma #3 and they are all doing it with players from the state of Texas.
Posted by: jbgmapa On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: No difference makers from tu???????
Guess you haven't heard about Matthews, although I doubt you will even acknowledge it.
Posted by: miller58 On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: RE : A&M compared to the reat of the world?
My personal opinions:_____Great post, EXACTLY!_____miller58
Posted by: 12Aggie On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: waiting for Miller
Well???
Posted by: On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title:
Another definition of clueless is to continue comparing atm to atm. Fran to sherman to slocum to sherrill to bryant to sherrill to slucum to sherm to franchione to ..........WAKE UP !!! Remove your little minds from your little worlds and compare atm to the rest of the nation and you may begin to make progress.
Posted by: 12Aggie On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: Fran?
Miller58 are you saying that Fran made the Big12 tremble? I hope you are not serious...his recruiting wasn't even close to be good. Sherman is doing a way better job recruiting than Fran ever did. I hope that is not who you consider to be the next level kind of coach...if so, well then you are truly clueless.
Posted by: miller58 On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: MIKE SHERMAN AND MCKINNEY CANOEING AT SHERMAN'S HOUSE INSTEAD OF RECRUITING?
My personal opinions:__________?__________miller58
Posted by: Gettin Reel On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title:
That is what I was thinking. How many other teams are having their tea parties reported on as if that is what this is all about this time of year. It is nice that everyone likes each other but not a requirement. You can start a very long list of very successful teams that have players who cant stand one another. These 2 or 3 here, those 2 or 3 there. Go ahead and assemble a very diversified group of 125 people from all over the state and tell me evryone is holding hands singing kum-bah-yah. Not on football teams, not in the workplace, not in the real world. How about posting the current 2-deep roster like the rest of the nation has done and getting on with the business of how we will win more than 4 games this year instead of renting canoes. I'll bet this article has already made some recruiting bulletin boards. While we talk to you about championships, playing time, and developing you for the next level this is what they do in college station.
Posted by: On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title:
Hey Miller your pants are on fire!!!
Posted by: miller58 On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: HOW COACH SHERMAN DESTROYED THE HOUSE FRAN BUILT
My personal opinions:_____It is becoming clearer and clearer that Sherman will be the doom of A&M football! While he is having a tea party the real coaches in the Big 12 are out recruiting 4*/5* difference makers! Has Sherman brought in difference makers? No. Has he taken recruites from tu? No.____A&M had a coach that made the Big 12 tremble but a corrupt Byrne and McKinney framed him and used him as an excuse and fired him. It is not too late to rectify this!____Sherman will not be the coach by the okie lite game so he might as well leave now!____miller58
Posted by: Blondie On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: Good for a laugh
Aw, Miller, nobody takes you seriously. You are, however, always good for a laugh.
Posted by: miller58 On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: RE: Poster
My personal opinions:_____I feel that it is necessary for my voice to be heard!_____I am so tired of all the lies and spin coming out of McKinney and Bill Byrne's office, that I feel I must spread the unknown and most of the time, the hidden truth about Sherman's terrible recruiting and coaching._____I will never publicly name who I beleive should be head coach due to the criticizm?_____People want to hear my voice, that's why I speak!_____miller58
Posted by: On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title:
Miller, Keep your __________Personal opinions_______ to yourself.
Posted by: miller58 On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: HOW MANY HUNDREDS OF TOP RECRUITS BY NOW JUST TOLD SHERMAN "NO!" TO HIS OFFER SINCE 2007 BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GET THAT FAMLY FEELING?
My personal opinions:_____Do you think media people have to spin Sherman, or not get access to do their job?______Do you think player people have to spin Sherman, or not get access to playing time?_____miller58
Posted by: miller58 On: 8/10/2009
Comment Title: MIKE SHERMAN LOSING DIFFERENCE MAKERS TO DRUG SMUGGLERS
My personal opinions:____Aren't worth squat?____miller58
