By ROBERT CESSNA
The Texas Tech-A&M football rivalry has spilled over into the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys drafting Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee.
"I'm happy for Stephen McGee," Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach told The Dallas Morning News. "The Dallas Cowboys like him more than his coaches at A&M did."
Huh?
What coaches? Former head coach Dennis Franchione and offensive coordinator Les Koenning, Jr.? Or current head coach Mike Sherman along with offensive coordinator Nolan Cromwell and quarterbacks coach Tom Rossley?
Or did Leach mean to insult both staffs?
You'd think someone who graduated from Pepperdine University School of Law would be a little more specific. Then again, Leach probably said exactly what he meant to. Leach had to be miffed that his record-setting quarterback, Graham Harrell, wasn't drafted. That's what his comments were really about.
Leach has been upset for some time that Harrell -- like all of the other quarterbacks he's had in Lubbock over the years -- hasn't received his due.
"I guess leading the nation in passing is not everything it's cracked up to be," Leach said last year at the Big 12 Media Days. "Those other folks -- they have something more important to emphasize."
Those other things are physical tools, which are apparently the reason 32 NFL teams passed on Harrell (6-foot-2, 223 pounds).
Many also believe Leach is the real star of Tech's wide-open offense, not the quarterbacks who have simply been his puppets.
So even though Harrell passed for 4,747 yards in the regular season with only seven interceptions for a 10-1 team last season, he wasn't invited to the Heisman Trophy award dinner.
"If Graham is not invited to the Heisman, they ought to quit giving out the award," Leach said at the time. "It is a shameless example of politics ruling over performance. The other guys are deserving, but he has earned a place alongside them."
Harrell was a distant fourth in the Heisman voting.
The Heisman is a great award, but it's just that. That disappointment was mild compared to this past weekend. Playing in the NFL is every player's dream.
Harrell had to watch 11 other quarterbacks get drafted over the weekend. It had to be extremely painful to see Dallas pick McGee. Harrell grew up a pass away from Texas Stadium as an all-stater at Ennis High School.
Leach cleverly gave his guy some props when asked about McGee.
Indirectly he asked why A&M didn't win more with a guy good enough to be drafted in the fourth round by the Dallas Cowboys while Leach worked with someone not good enough to be even drafted?
Tech was 45-18 in Harrell's five years, including a 26-14 Big 12 record. A&M was 32-29 in McGee's five years, including a 19-21 league record.
The Aggies' lackluster results certainly weren't McGee's fault, and Leach knows that. But ripping A&M's coaching staff -- past or present -- to make a point is wrong on so many fronts.
Franchione has been taken to task for making McGee run the option, and rightfully so. But Franchione believed the way he used McGee was the best way to win, and you can't fault the former coach for what he believed in.
Sherman fully expected McGee to flourish in his West Coast offense last season. Sherman also became just as big a believer in McGee's character and talent as Franchione had been. Sherman said at his season-ending informal get-together with the media that McGee would be drafted, probably as high as the third round. That was before McGee's stock shot up at the East-West Shrine Game practices and the NFL scouting combine.
Come to think about it, Leach is right. None of the A&M coaches liked McGee -- they loved him.
McGee and the Aggies could have the last laugh, though. McGee wearing a Dallas Cowboys uniform while standing at midfield inside Dallas' new stadium should be a pretty good recruiting poster.
*
Sherman didn't let Leach's comments slide, which will earn him big points with the Aggies.
"I don't understand Coach Leach's comments about Stephen McGee," Sherman told The Dallas Morning News. "He was named our starter until he got injured. I've always believed in Stephen's character and I've always believed in his talent, and I always will. I see him having an outstanding NFL career.
"Coach Leach is in no position to comment about my relationship with Stephen McGee."
McGee, not surprisingly, praised his Aggie coaches.
"I don't know where that comment came from or who it was directed at," McGee said. "But I am shocked because my time at A&M was very special to me. Obviously I got injured, and many people think that Coach Sherman benched me. That's just not true.
"If I had a son today and he was a college quarterback, I would send him to Coach Sherman or Coach Fran without any doubt, without any question, first and foremost.
"My time at A&M had some ups and downs, bumps and bruises. But I am so thankful for the time and proud to be an Aggie."
*
Leach didn't confine his remarks to the Aggie coaches.
Tech star wide receiver Michael Crabtree had been projected as a possible top five pick, but was taken 10th by San Francisco. Some say Crabtree dropped because of a bad-attitude label given to him by Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini.
"Crabtree as a receiver has been more successful than that guy has been as a coach," Leach told San Francisco reporters during a teleconference. "I think he took it upon himself to figure that in a few minutes he had all the expertise on the subject of Michael Crabtree that he needed. And so we'll see how those non-divas up there in Cleveland do this year."
Leach might want to change his tune. Harrell has agreed to attend the Cleveland Browns rookie minicamp this weekend, hoping to earn a free-agent contract.
It might not be wise for Harrell to tell Mangini "that's the way we did it at Tech under Coach Leach."
*
How good would Texas Tech have been if Leach had signed Lampasas' Keith Null in 2004 instead of Harrell?
Null is the record-setting quarterback from West Texas A&M who was drafted in the sixth round by St. Louis.
Null was 385-of-562 passing (68.5 percent) for 5,097 yards with 48 TDs and 15 interceptions for the 11-2 Buffaloes last season. He had a 167.54 passing efficiency.
Harrell was 406-of-568 passing (71.5 percent) for 4,747 yards with 41 TDs and seven interceptions. He had a passing efficiency of 163.04.
The 6-4, 220-pound Null is a late-bloomer. He redshirted in 2004 and threw only 84 passes in his next two years before rewriting the record books in the Lone Star Conference.
Competition in the LSC doesn't compare to the Big 12, but the NFL scouts like Null's physical attributes.
"He had a heck of a game in the Cactus Bowl [a Division II all-star game]," St. Louis general manager Billy Devaney said. "We try to measure him against better competition, and it's not the Senior Bowl but it's still pretty good draftable players."
Null didn't even make the state's Top 100 prospects by Rivals.com out of high school. McGee was rated 11th and Harrell 24th. The state's other top quarterbacks in 2004 were Grand Prairie's Rhett Bomar (No. 2), North Shore's Robbie Reid (No. 6), Brownwood's Kirby Freeman (No. 16), Calallen's Jordan Chambless (No. 70), Houston Washington's Joseph Fields (No. 73), Bay City's Scott Elliott (No. 80) and Arlington Grace Prep's David Ramirez (No. 86).
Null was the next-to-last quarterback taken in the draft, the 196th overall pick. Purdue's Curtis Painter was the 201st pick by Indianapolis. Bomar went in the fifth round to the New York Giants. Fresno State's Tom Brandstater, who played at Kyle Field a couple of years ago, went to the Denver Broncos in the fifth round.
*
Leach hasn't had a breakthrough quarterback at the next level at Tech.
Kliff Kingsbury is in charge of quality control at the University of Houston. B.J. Symons is with the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League and Sonny Cumbie was with the AFL's Los Angeles Avengers, a team that folded last week. And Cody Hodges is out of football.
Maybe the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal needs to call Sherman, a former NFL head coach and general manager, and ask him why Leach's quarterbacks can't make it at the next level.
*
A&M defensive end Michael Bennett, expected to be a late-round pick, was among six free agents signing with Seattle. Aggie cornerback Danny Gorrer, who wasn't expected to be drafted, signed with New Orleans.
Robert Cessna's e-mail address is robert.cessna@theeagle.com.
Notice about comments:
TheEagle.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. TheEagle.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not theeagle.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
(Requires free registration.)
Posted by: miller58 On: 5/1/2009
Comment Title: SEVEN CRITICAL NEED PLAYERS TOLD SHERMAN TO SHOVE HIS OFFERS IN JUST THE PAST THREE WEEKS!
My personal opinions:_____Turning down Sherman offers at critical need positions were:__ 2 DB's committingto ou and nebraska,__2 LB's committing to okie lite and lsu,__ a RB committing to michigan,__AN OG committing to 'bama and__a DE committing to tech!_____When we are suffering blow out loses, and Sherman's excuse makers are screaming bare cupboard, just remember that it was Sherman's crappy recruiting that created that bare cupboard!_____miller58
Posted by: x2 git-r-dun On: 5/1/2009
Comment Title: 5 September 2009
HONEYMOON OFFICIALLY OVER !!!
Posted by: Sour Grapes On: 4/30/2009
Comment Title:
Leach needs to use that little toilet paper that he puts plays on to wipe his mouth because that is where most of the $*#@ comes out! Guess he is all upset that a REAL college didnt want him in the offseason and now he has to hang his head and return to Tech. Tech players are very rare in the NFL. Good luck getting any good recruits after this to play QB there. Tech = no shot at NFL.
Posted by: On: 4/30/2009
Comment Title:
Tech football is 10 fold better than A&M so why try to compare. We are a program that should be in a league with Sam, Stephen F and maybe UTA or North Texas. Leach can say what he wants because A&M can do nothing to shut him or anyone else that laughs at the biggest A&M joke of all- football.
Posted by: ralph On: 4/30/2009
Comment Title: Aggie, Class of '52
You are really on top of Big 12 football-----who is Jim Leach? Everyone else refers to "Mike" Leach.
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/29/2009
Comment Title: RE: miller58
Thanks miller, that one just went right by me.
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/29/2009
Comment Title: RE:Seeing Stars
My personal opinions:_____Stars, Frost was a medical that has left the team!_____miller58
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/29/2009
Comment Title:
I'm all-in on the Hunter/Miller idea. Later "sideways".
Posted by: On: 4/29/2009
Comment Title: Bottom Line
Tech program is head and shoulders above ours and perhaps we should consider our source of anger; could it be envy?
Posted by: drlgsideways On: 4/29/2009
Comment Title: Our Needs Are Many
I don't disagree that our defense needs some major improvement. We need more Trent Hunters, Von Millers....the guys with wheels and smarts. But the Offensive line should be a very impactful and quicker fix. Have a good day.
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/29/2009
Comment Title:
What happened to Robbie Frost the 300 pound back-up at left tackle from last year. He should be a senior this year but is not on roster. Anybody know ???
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/29/2009
Comment Title:
I don't think I'll convert your thinking but here is one more point then I'm out on this subject (for now). It's what you do with the ball on offense (score) that makes the difference in the end. Our scoring offense ranked #64 in the nation last year at 25.0 points per game. Had we scored 40 we would have been #8 with only one more win. Of the 64 teams only two had worse records than us. Those two were also the owners of defenses that ranked #112 and #95 in the nation. I expect the offense to be better this year but I expect the defense to be no better. By the time this defense finally gets fixed, fuller will be catching passes in dallas.
Posted by: drlgsideways On: 4/29/2009
Comment Title: Does This Sound Familiar?
Opponent takes the opening drive and gouges out an 8 - 12 play drive averaging 5 - 7 yards per play. A&M gets the ball runs, three maybe four plays and then punts. Opponent drives again consuming clock using 8 - 12 plays. A&M's second possesion is 4 to 6 plays and another punt. A&M's defense is back on the field facing a potent multiple threat high octane Big 12 South offense. Yes you need a great defense BUT you need an offense to keep the defense off the field, give the defense some rest, build some momentum. You don't have a prayer of winning if your offense can't score. Period. You are not going to hold these offenses to less than three or four touchdowns very often (if at all). Some consideration (and blame) for the big numbers our defenders gave up in 2008 need to be credited to our offense's inability to stay on the field and be productive. And yes the O Line is supposed to be Sherman's expertise. Given the number of young offensive linemen on campus we should see a big improvement. If not then the coaching position needs to be re-evaluated.
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/29/2009
Comment Title: How Many
Just how many points you think the offense should put up for the defense. As has been pointed out, we could have scored 40 a game last year and we would have been 5-7. We were usually done at halftime with no second half adjustments. This program is more challenged by coaching ability than player talent. Not that these are necessarily bad coaches but they are out of their league because the game changes from saturday to sunday. The game is different today from college to pro with the new offenses established over the last six years. Pro ball has not committed 100% to that scheme yet and therefore our coaches have entered a new world both on how to run it and how to stop it. This is evidenced by the shifting of HEALTHY personnel from position to position and from one side of the ball to the other during the year and between seasons. Either you are NOT the player evaluator we think you are or you are still trying to figure out today's college game. Show us ONE team somewhere running this new defense with these player types across the front. If you could stop somebody once in a while the offense would have more possessions and subsequently score more points. You compare last year's offense numbers to defense numbers and then go ahead and tell me we need the most improvement on the O-line. End of story.
Posted by: Ags On: 4/29/2009
Comment Title: Payback is a ______
Good for 'em. Harrell is douche. Has no respect for his opponent. And Crabtree...the lastname speaks for itself. And he is like the Maria Sharapova of College Football and the next T. Owens. Yup...2 drama queens. Good for them.
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/29/2009
Comment Title: A&M WILL HAVE A DOMINATING AND POWERFUL OFFENSIVE LINE THIS FALL!
My personal opinions:_____A&M will have 23 offensive linemen on campus this fall.______That's almost twice as many as ou will have on campus this fall._____A&M's two deep will have mulyiple experienced starters for every position._____A majority will have had 2 Sherman spring trainings, 2 summer camps, and 2 fall camps behind them._____There will be 4 four star linemen on campus, the fifth and best told Sherman to shove it, decommitted to Baylor, and will be starting at Baylor?_____I know everything Sherman touches seems to turn to crap, but this will be the straw that broke the camel's back, if Sherman can't even remember how to coach a college offensive line?_____Even any possible support from any former washed up football player or A&M employee will be gone, along with Sherman, if he screws this one up?_____miller58
Posted by: JimBob78 On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Drilgsideways you are absolutely right!!!
The cure for a suspect defense is a dominating O-line. --- This story repeats itself every year! --- The lack of a serviceable o-line is why teams run a spread type offense in hopes of being able to score enough to stay in a game. --- Our offensive line will dictate how well our season goes. Injuries stunted the development of the o-line this spring. The coordination between line mates, the complimenting of strengths and weaknesses, the O-line is so important as you go from HS to college and college to pros. I hope Sherm and Turner can work some magic in the Fall because our season hinges on LT and Patterson is currently our best last hope until the 2010 boys show up!!
Posted by: Pablo On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Pat White & Freeman
IMO: I think Pat White won't be playing QB for the 'Fins too much, just on gimmick plays.. QB Freeman has size and numbers to warrant a 1st RD pick (this was a shallow field of QBs I understand).
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Well explain the logic of
Pat White (WVA) as a round 2 pick and Josh Freeman (KSTATE) in round 1 over Harrell being drafted at all.
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: RE: drlgsideways (sleep on it)
I would not be convinced that was anything more than, just as you say, desperation that could have got a senior, fragile QB in a lot of trouble because I will bet that play had not received a lot of reps in west coast practice. Moving on, I for one will not accept the O-line excuse this year. I will give you last year but we will have MORE than enough healthy talent on Sept 5th. That dog won't hunt ESPECIALLY with the O-line expertise of sherman. I still don't believe the offense is that bad. It's defense and the only way I see sherman getting another year is if this is kines last one. The strength/conditioning program needs an overhaul as well.
Posted by: drlgsideways On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Ask Chase Daniels
About the NFL's value system vs college stats. Good night.
Posted by: drlgsideways On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Tech's 4 Star QB
If he has a great arm and the other qualities the NFL covets then he will get drafted even if he only throws for a fraction of the yardage Harrell achieved. Plus this kid signed before the latest NFL draft. But it should not discourage him if he has the gun.
Posted by: drlgsideways On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Stars
The play I am talking about was a designed run with the zone read option. Faked to the fullback, kept the ball and got killed due to the penetration by the D Line which was a very common problem all season long. Also, when you trot Stephen McGee onto the field, you have automatically established your QB as a running threat. I was very, very disgusted when I saw them run that play. It was an act of desperation and put an injured senior in his last game in a situation that likely could have gotten him hurt. Penetration is a killer especially when you are running option or zone read. That O line gave up huge sacks and pressure all year long. Even with a very good passing threat and some fast RBs A&M COULD NOT run the ball. End of Story. As I said during and at the end of the season the biggest need and the quickest route to big improvement in this team is the offensive line. And don't go throwing around the numbers of how many points we gave up versus the how many points we scored and the average differential and the percent improvement required to outscore the opponents. Our defensive unit was suspect. They were on the field TOO long because we could not RUN the ball and sustain drives. And the passing attack was greatly hampered by constant pressure and sacks on a very BIG, ATHLETIC, MOBILE, GIFTED, YOUNG QB that was running for his life!
Posted by: drlgsideways On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Miller58
How can Leach make the comment "that the Dallas Cowboy coaches liked McGee better than his (ie A&M's coaches)? That would require Sherman or Francione or someone on either of those staffs to have confided that to Leach. That did not happen. It was a smart a$$ comment from a frustrated, petty little man. The only thing you can say with certainty is the Cowboys liked McGee better than Harrell as did all of the supposed draft experts and evaluation personnel. I am not surprised you and I ended up on opposite sides of this issue. I take comfort in it actually! And anyone slamming McGee's NFL potential (this comment is not directed towards you) is pretty naive. The NFL evaluates physical and mental qualifications. Huge stats in college from an average arm is NOT going to carry much weight on NFL draft days. The proof is there time after time. Just ask any former Tech QB or many, many other QB's.
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: RE: drlgsideways
(Always respect your comments, just don't always agree). FIRST: That junk A&M ran at the end of the tu game was NOT zone read. They didn't have the personnel in or coaching to run it. It was dumped in Nov '08 and McGee still knows more about it than any coach on this team and that's another reason it wasn't run; coaches had no experience with it. Zone read establishes the QB as a back and a legitimate run threat making the defense account for him. It also spreads the offense across the field and is easier on O-linemen because they don't have to hold blocks as long. If you play the receivers man coverage you will be playing man on four of them. Not talking about busted plays or QB's flushed out due to coverage. I am talking about DESIGNED QB running plays. If the QB is not a run threat it is simply shotgun offense with a scrambling QB which is what you saw. Both spread and west coast throw the ball within 15 yards of the line of scrimmage. West coast is not formations or plays. It is philosophy. Short, quick routes. Throw first, run second. Requires a QB to be very accurate with the short route, a quick decision maker, and a quick study of defensive alignments, 65-80% of plays are passes. Receivers do not have to have the 40 speed (jerry rice) and can have long careers as well (jerry rice again). So west coast or spread, the premium is on the short, accurate throw. Some pro teams favor the deep route arm strength but it is declining. Johnny Unitas, famous deep ball arm strength, would have been on the bench in spread or west coast with his wobbling, less than accurate short game. Vick (before the trouble) was on the verge of running the spread option in pro ball. Some pro teams experiment with it now using a back in the "wildcat" formation. Watch what they wind up doing with crabtree. The pros have found it somewhat neutralizes the defense in blitz situations if they must account for the QB taking off with the ball. These are not "quirky" offenses. They have been around a long time and continue to evolve and "spread' through college and high schools across the nation. Players love to play the scheme and it has become a great recruiting tool from florida to baylor, to oregon, south fla, kansas, hawaii, virginia, kentucky, missouri, west virginia, houston, and countless others. SECOND: leach may want out of lubbock but I can now guarantee one road closure he should avoid.
Posted by: Not a Tech fan On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Typical Tech
Why would anyone be even slightly surprised at a low-class comment coming from Tech? The fans take pride in being low class, why wouldn't the coach play to that. Tech had a great season and Harrell had a fantastic year, but the NFL scouts must not have been too impressed. They are there to win, and they obviously didn't think he could win at the next level.
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: LEACH DIDN'T TAKE A SHOT AT A&M OR STEPHEN AT ALL, ONLY SHERMAN"S COACHING!
My personal opinions:_____Leach just told the exact truth about Sherman'scoaching, which I agree with 100%.._____Go back and read it, yourself, if you're interested in the truth!_____Some of these posts have it completely out of context!_____And by the way, Leach already has a top ranked four star quarterback committed for this year, so he has no recruiting quarterback worries._____A&M has 3 quarterbacks which inflates our ranking falsely high due to the quantity, but not even one of our quarterbacks is ranked a four star!_____And Leaches coaching has been kicking us with lower ranked players, and as long as Sherman is coach, that is expected to continue!_____miller58
Posted by: drlgsidways On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: People, people, people
I stand by my statement and evaluation: Leach wants the hell out of Lubbock. How many jobs over the last three or four years has he expressed interest in? Plenty, yet he is stuck there on the High Plains, the Rodney Dangerfield of coaches. He has been successful and has not gotten any respect because he and his system are both seen as quirky (entertaining but quirky). What do you think Harrell not getting drafted does to Leach's chances of recruiting a BIG time 5 star elite QB prospect? Pretty much torpedoes it. McGee getting drafted and the NFL "careers" of the big number Tech QB's (that had good arms but not guns) is proof of that. The kids should look at programs that will prepare them for the NFL. And I don't think Leach is earning any points with the NFL talent scouts and personnel people either. That is not good for his players or potential players. And finally, Stars, running zone read behind the 2008 A&M O line would have been a DISASTER! End of story. They tried it late in the Texas game with McGee and it resulted in McGee getting killed and a fumbled pitch.
Posted by: On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: maybe
You guy's ever think that maybe just maybe with us trying to improve our recruiting. Some aggie may have had a nice conversation with Jerry Jones about drafting Stephen because the numbers do not add up.
Posted by: jlag95 On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: LEACH ISN'T A PLAYER!!!
He makes more money so that gives him the right to be classless? Dumbest statement ever. It's as simple as this - Leach could have defended his players and made his point, just like countless other coaches have done before - without mentioning Stephen McGee, A&M, or our coaches. The Cowboys weren't the only team that DIDN'T draft Harrell. A player acting without class (players from ALL schools have done this) in the heat of battle is entirely different than a coach responding to a question in the off season after having 24 hours to consider the subject.
Posted by: On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Cessna, there you go again....
Simply acting like the "Rightwing Bush...ite" that you obviously are! You do a 'detestable' job of putting down a world class football coach, Jim Leach, along with his star quarterback, Graham Harrell, just one of his many over the past years of very successful coaching. And yes, I'm an Ag Class of '52, I just happen to be ONE who believes in giving credit where it's earned!
Posted by: Pablo On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: You know what they say about peoiple in glass houses
Hey anonymous... get over it, I am, I'm sure McGee is also.
Posted by: hbo On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Can You Spell Hypocrite........
Posted by: On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Things you get remembered for.
Keep going back. Jerry LeVias, 1966-1968. Remember what you did when he visited on game day. CLASS huh. Get down off the cross, somebody may need the wood.
Posted by: On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title:
Yep, that class train runs both ways too. What about the corps cadet drawing his sabre on the opposing teams cheerleader or is that going back too far.
Posted by: On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title:
Right Pablo. If you are old enough to be the QB at a major university you are old enough to know about CLASS and how to demonstrate it. Seems like the larger your bank balance the more you are willing to speak your mind. We are also running all over the place with this comment. let's wait til leach tells us what he meant and you can be sure he will be asked over the next few days.
Posted by: Pablo On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: I get it.. McGee..
Didn't agree with either.. but he was like 20 years old at the time? How old is Leach? He should know better.. Bet McGee grows up faster than Leach, LOL!
Posted by: Pablo On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Exactly
I remember a piece on Barry Sanders and how he never spiked the ball, just handed it over to the ref.. that is class, in my book. Doesn't mean you can't fist pump or raise your hands (ala Brett Farve) but getting personal.. no place for that, I don't think, on the field. Maybe I'm old? or just Old School?
Posted by: On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Re- pablo
Next time you want a player to jump up after a hit and get in another players face you need to think about the "home run trot" you refer to and the word CLASS.
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title:
Well put Sniffy! You can get the coaching. How long did it take to get Sherrill out of Pitt. Four days? Current staff is relearning the college game and some feel at ther age they don't have the years left to do it. The success of the program shouldn't have to wait on the wheels of the politics. Sherman is just as much connected to A&M as he is to Stamford HS, Worcester Academy, Pitt, Holy Cross, Tulane, Central Conn, UCLA, the Packers, Seahawks, and Texans.
Posted by: CinterL On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Class is needed for respect
I agree that leach is a good coach. However to makeing comments like this are not needed. Then again I really don't expect much from him. For example trying to score in the last 4 seconds of a game they were winning by 21 just to run up the score. VERY CLASSY!!!
Posted by: Pablo On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Class.. that's the word!
Leach had a chance to show some.. maybe next time.
Posted by: Sniffy On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: You may not like it
but I have to agree with Leach to a point. The bottom line in any college program is to WIN!! No ifs, ands, or buts about it the goal is to win and the last few seasons you cannot say that A&M has done a bunch of winning. In fact, we look sick out there on the field. It is said that most Aggies will take anything. A sorry coach, high ticket prices, and loosing seasons and still state that everything is okay with the program. Well, I am sorry to say but it is not. One thing is true. Leach has won more games with "inferior" talent than we have with "supposed" great talent. I wish that more of you would get tired of just being happy being an Aggie, and get more upset that we are simply not putting loosing teams out on the field!
Posted by: Pablo On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: not the point.. sportmanship is
Ever cranked a HR outta the park? What is the "right" way to run the bases? Tongue wagging pointing at the pitcher even when your team hasn't won the big one? Or in Leach's case.. falls flat on its face at the end of the season. That's the point. McGee didn't have the college career he wanted, even he admits it.. but for Leach to pile on, just makes him look bitter in my book. Think he is a pretty darn good coach, but his personality is something else, I guess. Must work for Lubbock though?
Posted by: hbo On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: rE; kgb
Not the reason the 18 yo football athlete attends college. People development is an honorable intention to promote but way off the mark with regard to the athelete's agenda and university's bankroll.
Posted by: On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: No offense just the facts
Leach stated the obvious. I am an Ag but you got to love what Leach has done with a lot less raw talent than many schools, including ours. Sorry to disagree with so many of you but Tech is a lot more fun to watch than what we see at Kyle.
Posted by: kgb On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: point of college football
college = people development, college football = people development. If we win some games, great. If we win lots of games, great fun. Any other way to look at it is.....odd. IMHO.
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title:
Help me out. This may be off base but leach may have been talking about risking mcgee's draft status and health with the shift in offense . Take a look. In '05 mcgee backed up mcneal. In '06 mcgee starts all 13 games (zone read/spread option), 9-4 record, beats tu, breaks A&M single-season completion record with 62% completions, 12 TD's, only 2 interceptions. In '07 mcgee appears on cover of texas football magazine, named to maxwell award watch list (won by tebow using same offense), and passes for 2311 yards, rushes for 899. In '08 he is put in a new, west coast offense with a suspect offensive line when the spread would have taken pressure off the front five. We now lose the opener and he gets hurt behind that line in the second game of the year (torn labrum). We put him back in the very next game against army where he quickly re-aggravates the shoulder and he is done. Lot's of good teams are in this offense today. The common thread in a lot of posts seems to be that mcgee was hurt using franchiones offense when in fact it seems sherman's offense is where he suffered. Maybe this is where leach is coming from, not that his comments are requested or appreciated. Am I wrong on this take concerning mcgee? Your insight is appreciated.
Posted by: Aggieboi On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Leach's comment
I am hoping that Harrell falls flat on his face in Cleveland, and they laugh him out of town. I didnt like Tech High before now I hate them even more
Posted by: NOT Miller58 On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Miller58 Self-owned
No Aggie would ever side with the tech coach in an issue like this. Miller58?is no Ag. Move along folks.
Posted by: Pablo On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Losing respect for Leach
Kinda of expect those type of comments from Red Raider Nation, DMN News, talk show, ect.. but not a fellow Big 12 Coach. Sounds bitter that he hasn't produced enough NFL talent, maybe things will change with WR Crabtree?
Posted by: On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title:
Expect to take the shots when you are not respected by your peers or public whether busnessman, boss, entertainer, u.s. president, or college football coach. Some of the same type remarks have been on espn over the last year.
Posted by: milerr58 On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: ___________Leach holds his own jock
_______14/15 difference makers rabble rabble.__long underscore between sentences___The only key to victory!_____I am a sip sock who gets his jollies off posting about the aggies._______Time for dungeons and dragons_____miller58
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: _______________GREAT POST kgb!
My personal opinions:____kgb, you hit the nail on the head with very few words!_____miller58
Posted by: millerr58 On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: I'm millerr58, and I have no life
My personal opinions_____I have no life_____I got my butt banned from TexAgs.com_____I salivate at my keyboard every morning, waiting for an article about Aggie Football to be posted so I can comment on it with my insane ramblings_____now repeat after me_____"It puts the lotion in the basket"_____Say it! Say it!_____"It puts the lotion in the basket!"_____Give me my little dog!!_____Say it!_____millerr58
Posted by: eiland02 On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: shut up!!!
Miller....shut up! you are a disgrace, even to the Eagle!
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: MIKE SHERMAN STILL CAN'T EVEN CARRY THE JOCK OF ANY OF THE 119 COLLEGE HEAD COACHES!
My personal opinions:_____Mike Sherman, a refugee from a Greenbay firing, has led us down to A #99 Sagarin ranking, down to a Big 12 south last place, has proven he can't recruit even in now his fourth signing class in progress, and is a joke at coaching team discipline and at player evaluation!_____If Mike Leach had taken even the smallest shot at Stephen or A&M, I'd be po'd._____What Sherman's fuddy duddy old excuse makers don't want to truthfully admit, Leach simply took a truthful coaching shot at our fuddy duddy old joke of a college head coach for not playing Stephen, and all those other proven players that would have given us a better chance to win!_____Sherman simply screwed our proven seniors and others out of their earned senior year!_____ Our national ranked "dead last" coach simply got called out by another for screwing Aggie fans while coaching poorly._____Every time a coach like Gundy or Leach rant, to protect their players, they end up the next season giving A&M a blow out loss!_____With our own pitiful cpaching, expect a good proven coach like Mike Leach to soundly kick Sherman's butt on the field this year._____ Leach has a four star ranked quarterback committed now, and as usual, Sherman has 3 quarterbacks committed that are not ranked four or five star!_____But the quantity of quarterbacks will falsely inflate our recruiting ranking higher above Leach's!_____And Mike Leach and tech will still be kicking our rears with his one four star quarterback five years from now!____Just like tech has been doing to A&M's crappy non-mnc coaching every year since "93 in lubbock?_____miller58
Posted by: Cotton On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Purpose of a HC
kgb, I disagree with your notion of "player development - isn't that the point of college football?" How about point is for coaches to win games? Development is a subset of that, sure, but the name of the game is winning, pure and simple. I have to admit that Leach has made me chuckle from time to time, especially with his pirate fantasy and all, but this comment about McGee and the Aggies is just sour grapes. The west Texas media will shield him locally for this, but I suspect (hope) that the regional and national media take him to task for the comment in the upcoming season. His comments are totally uncalled for. Then again, Mike Leach could be the ultimate gamesman: stirring the pot early so as to keep the Aggies off-balance come fall. Hmmmm....
Posted by: kgb On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: I guess I'm a little slow
I don't see what the fuss is about. I took Leach's comments as pointing out that McGee looked like he was used as "cannon fodder" by having been put in the position to have to run so often, and having to take the hits that hurt his shoulder. If our coaches had been more focused on developing McGee into what he might become (isn't that the point of college football?) he might be more ready to play at the next level.
Posted by: Matt '93 On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: leach is an idiot!
Everytime he opens his mouth, he adds more evidence to support my opinion of him. It should be a pretty easy transition for McGee from playing football in God's Country to playing for America's Team. Congrats to Stephen McGee & Michael Goodson.
Posted by: drlgsidways On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Classless Leach
Leach is obviously very frustrated. It has been apparent for years he wants to get the hell out of Lubbock, Texas! But nobody gives him or his QB's credit or his system credit. After a pretty remarkable 10-1 season his program has still not been validated as a legitimate big time program. The dismantling by OU really contributed to that. A respectable showing would have helped TT's cause for consideration as a program that has arrived. Instead, on a highly publicized national stage, Leach and Tech, were humiliated and embarrassed. And Leach was a major contributor. So after years of building the program and momentum it went up in a big mushroom cloud. It is ridiculous for Leach to slam Stephen McGee and A&M or anybody because Graham Harrell was not drafted or because no Tech QB has succeeded in the NFL. For a smart guy he just said some really stupid things. He needs to display a little more maturity and control. Too bad Brent Musberger is not a NFL team owner! Then maybe a Tech QB would get a shot. Leach should keep his mouth shut and show some class for a change. He can't just let his body of work speak for itself. Too bad.
CU fans not excited about A&M; Remember that bad CU team in 2000? McFerrin thoughts
