By ROBERT CESSNA
The Texas A&M football team is getting better because of competition which is best exemplified at running back with Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael.
Gray started five more games than Michael last season, but Michael had seven more carries. Michael rushed for almost 100 more yards, while Gray had 13 more receptions. Michael had a school-record 97-yard touchdown run, while Gray had a 99-yard kickoff return.
"I can't say enough about Cyrus or Michael, they are both exceptional," A&M head football coach Mike Sherman said. "I like the way those two guys play off each other and engage each other and cheer for each other. It's unique to have two tailbacks of their talent level to be unselfish, and they're unselfish in regards to their reps and the other guy. It's fun to watch those guys. It's what A&M is all about."
Gray and Michael helped the Aggies resurrect their running game last season. Michael had 166 carries for 844 yards (5.1 average) with 10 touchdowns and was named the Big 12 offensive freshman of the year by the coaches. Gray added 757 yards on 159 carries (5.8) with five scores.
They helped A&M average 184.2 yards per game, which was 30th in the country. It was one of the biggest improvements in the nation as the Aggies were 114th in the country averaging 88.5 ypg in Sherman's first season.
Gray, who was ranked the state's 11th best prospect coming out of DeSoto, was one of the bright spots in that 4-8 season. He rushed for 363 yards on 75 carries and was almost as busy on kickoff returns with 49 for 1,169 yards.
Gray blossomed last year while answering the challenge brought by the 215-pound Michael, who was the state's No. 5 recruit.
"They feed off each other," said running backs coach Randy Jordan. "It's almost like a Larry Bird and Michael Jordan-type deal. One is always trying to out do the other."
Both players gave the crowd something to cheer about at Saturday's scrimmage.
Gray had a great kickoff return, flashing his 198-pound body through an opening, breaking free from containment. A few minutes later, Michael left a defender tackling air after a nifty spin move.
"They're a great combination because they complement each other so well," Sherman said.
Jordan loves the big-play capability they bring to the West Coast offense. Gray had 21 plays last season of 20 or more yards to lead the team. Michael was third with 11.
Those numbers could rise now that they've had some experience.
"Cyrus is a little bit more of the slasher, but he can pound it in there when he has to," Jordan said. "You got Thunder Cat back there, No. 33. He's got a little bit of everything. He runs with a lot of power and he has tremendous balance."
They've had solid fall camps, even with Gray missing a couple practices with a tight hamstring. Both are honing their games.
"With C-Mike, it's getting too quick with his reads," said Jordan, who spent nine years in the NFL. "I'm always telling him to be patient in terms of letting the blocks develop. He's got enough nitro in the tank to save a little bit to get to the hole. Sometimes, he doesn't read it and wants to freelance a little bit. [But] he's getting better.
"As for Cyrus, the biggest thing with him is just staying healthy. He has a tendency to get a little banged up. But overall, he's a really good back. He can pass protect. He can catch the ball. I just think the biggest thing for him is running between the tackles. I think his game on the perimeter has come leaps and bounds."
Gray also has tremendous leadership skills.
"I've always been a leader," said the former high school quarterback. "But, I've become better, because I have a lot of guys to work with. I'm the veteran, they look up to me. I have to show them on and off the field and also in the classroom."
Gray and Michael benefited last year from a veteran offensive line that graduated three starters. Gray said the newcomers haven't missed a beat because they've been receptive to teaching from the coaches and the veteran players.
The mild mannered Gray has more than earned the players' respect, Sherman said.
"I think Cyrus Gray is as valuable to this team as Randy Jordan in that Cyrus Gray does things the right way all the time and demands it from everyone else," Sherman said. "I think he's a great role model for the younger guys."
Gray smiles when asked if tutoring talented players like Michael is a good idea since he might lose his job.
"That's the whole point of life," Gray said. "That's the whole point of competition. You need that to make you better and make them better."
Sherman said running backs typically want the ball, and he believes that's the case with Gray and Michael, but each always roots for the other no matter what.
"That's kinda a unique and fun to watch," he said.
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 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.
Aggiesports.com is proud to offer our users enhanced commenting features. You can now build user-to-user connections, follow friends’ recent posts, add an avatar that fits your personality and more. If you have posted here before you’ll need to sign up again, and if you’ve never posted start now by signing up! If you've already registered for the new comments on www.theeagle.com then just use your Eagle username to log in and start commenting.