By ROBERT CESSNAThe shoulder pads went on, the temperatures soared, and the Texas A&M football team seemed to lose focus at times during Wednesday morning's practice at the Coolidge practice fields.
"When you put the pads on, guys are feeling their way through things, but it wasn't as good as I would have hoped it would be today," A&M head coach Mike Sherman said.
The passing game had too many throws off the target, then there were drops of those that were on the mark. Defensive coordinator Joe Kines asked for a few do-overs during the two-hour, 30-minute practice in temperatures that reached 99 degrees with lots of humidity.
"I didn't think [the intensity] picked up enough, necessarily," Sherman said. "I think it should have been better than it was today. The heat got to us a little bit, and the length of practice got to us little bit. But I think it could have been better."
There were stretches where the players showed intensity, including an inadvertent close-line tackle by senior wide receiver Howard Morrow on sophomore linebacker Ricky Cavanaugh, who made an interception.
Sophomore defensive tackle Tony Jerod-Eddie then slightly pushed Morrow, but that was it as several peacemakers, including junior defensive end/linebacker Von Miller, quickly diffused the situation.
Miller and the veterans had to run extended sprints last spring after a practice when two scuffles upset Sherman.
Miller, who has become one of the team's leaders, helped make sure any added practice-ending sprints Wednesday were for mental and physical mistakes, not fighting.
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Freshmen lead the way: Incoming freshman wide receiver Kenric McNeal had a one-handed catch over the middle for a touchdown, while wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu had several big-time catches from sophomore quarterback Ryan Tannehill with about four going for touchdowns during team action.
"I was excited about that," Sherman said. "But you have to catch the ball 100 percent of the time to be a receiver."
Most of the veteran receivers had drops. Even sophomore Jeff Fuller, who caught 50 passes last year with nine touchdowns, had a rare drop.
"You either catch the ball or don't, it's not a sometime thing," Sherman said.
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Teacher Tannehill: Tannehill is working mostly with the younger players, because of his knowledge of the offense, Sherman said.
Tannehill will get his chance to work with the older players soon, but Sherman joked that the younger guys are sure catching the ball for Tannehill, "So, he may be working the guys he's going to be playing with."
Tannehill, who didn't have any contact in spring while recovering from a torn labrum, seemed to have his best practice Wednesday.
"He's working with the second [and third] group, so sometimes those guys didn't do the right thing all the time," Sherman said. "Overall, I thought he did well."
That wasn't the case with starting quarterback Jerrod Johnson.
"I thought Jerrod needed to do better today," Sherman said. "I didn't think he had a great day."
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Keeping an eye on Ennis: Freshman Kirby Ennis (6-4, 265) played defensive end at Huntsville, but he's been moved to tackle, "where we desperately need a pass rusher inside," Sherman said.
A&M would like to develop an inside pass rusher who could prevent opponents from double-teaming Miller.
"I'm really looking forward to great things from Kirby," Sherman said.
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Blue Bell power: Redshirt freshman linebacker Kyle Mangan (6-2, 231) has gotten bigger and stronger. The former Brenham star has picked up where he left off in spring drills, joining Miller and senior safety Jordan Pugh as the defense's leaders, Sherman said.
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Et cetera: Sophomore defense tackle Eddie Brown (fever, congestion) missed his second straight workout. Redshirt offensive tackle Chris Lathrop, who has been moved to defense, saw more action with Brown out. ... Freshman Ryan Swope, expected to play wide receiver and return kickoffs, saw some action at running back. ... Offensive line coach Jim Turner praised freshman Patrick Lewis during sled drills. "Very coachable, very coachable, he listens," Turner said. ... Sherman and the players are calling Nwachukwu (6-0, 189), "Easy." ... Freshman defensive back Steven Terrell intercepted a pass from redshirt freshman transfer Winston Gamso. ... Jerod-Eddie knocked down a pass by Johnson, something he did with regularity in the spring. ... Kines emphasized quick steps during one seven-player drill, that led to several do-overs. "All these round steps aren't worth a darn," he said. ... Walk-on Gaston Lamascus (5-6, 172) was another freshman making a few catches with the younger players. Lamascus is easy to spot because No. 88 seems to engulf his whole jersey. Sherman said the Aggies discovered Lamascus while recruiting Brandal Jackson at Navasota and the program's glad to have both.
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Powerful conversation: Former A&M head coach R.C. Slocum and athletics director Bill Byrne talked while watching practice. Also among the approximate 15 fans were former Aggie All-American Jacob Green and former Bryan High football coach Marty Criswell.
A&M FOOTBALL
* Wednesday: Practice No. 3 in shorts, helmets and shoulder pads for about two and a half hours.
* Tentative upcoming practice sessions: 8:25 a.m. Thursday; 8:25 a.m. Friday (full pads); 8:25 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday
* Practice info: A&M students, faculty and staff will be admitted by showing their ID. Students and former students can also enter by showing their Aggie ring. Cell phones, cameras and recording devices are not permitted. No fans will be allowed at practices in the McFerrin Center.
* Season opener: Sept. 5 vs. New Mexico
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Posted by: aggie97-younger and more sane than miller58 On: 8/14/2009
Comment Title: miller58 is off his meds
I haven't checked A&M stories in a while, but this guy has been going for more than a year about how Sherman is so horrible. I think this is Fanchione, or some phsyco off his meds.
Posted by: Halley's Comet On: 8/14/2009
Comment Title: A&M is ranked No. 7 in the nation
A&M is ranked # 7 and Okie lite #29 at www.rivals.com. So who's losing recruits to whom? Do your homework.
Posted by: On: 8/14/2009
Comment Title: The nurse is looking for you again Miller
Miller, its time for your medication and the nurse is looking for you again.
Posted by: Billl Knotts'51 On: 8/13/2009
Comment Title: miller58
with reference to Sherman losing his 26th Difference Maker : how can you lose something you never had?
Posted by: On: 8/13/2009
Comment Title: dee68
Hey miller, did it ever occur to you that your non-stop ranting might effect recruiting? Is that your purpose??? I think so - you protestest to much. With a 7 yr contract, Coach Sherman ain't going anywhere!!!
Posted by: MillersMom On: 8/13/2009
Comment Title: Dear Lord
____Why has this curse been laid upon my bosum?____If not him, then remove me to my better calling and reward.____Amen
Posted by: millier58 On: 8/13/2009
Comment Title: MIKE SHERMAN LOSES HIS 26th DIFFERENCE MAKER TO OKIE LITE?
My personal opinions:____Big time linebacker and HUGE need player Shaun Lewis chose to play at Okie Lite for a MAN, and he's 40 (scout.com)!____miller58
Posted by: miller58 On: 8/13/2009
Comment Title: LISTENING TO THE AGGIE SPIN MACHINE HAS LOST BIG FOR A&M THE LAST 15 YEARS!
MY personal opinions:_____Keeping losing coaches has resulted in:_____(1) A&M losing more than 4 out of every 10 games against other big 12 tems since the big 12's inception?_____(2) A&M being unranked in the final poll for 10 of the last 13 years?_____(3) A&M not being ranked in the final poll in the top 10 since 1994?_____Do you want this record of losing coaching for the next 15 years?_____Simply get a coach that can average recruiting 14 difference makers "now" every year, like mac and stoops do, or be a loser for the next 15 years, too?_____miller58
Posted by: On: 8/13/2009
Comment Title: dee68
miller is a nut & should be ignored - I figure he tried the Corp & we ran him off (thus the hate). He believes Fran had us on track to challenge for a MNC. He states Coach Sherman has recruited poorly & his 4TH CLASS is a failure. He twists statictics to suit his bias - then he cuts & paste time & time & time again. Most of us only want to help A&M succeed - miller wants to tear EVERYTHING about A&M down. If you don't agree, he labels you, & I quote, "stupid". Miller has been banned everywhere else & should be ignore. He's a nutcase, that's why others refer to nurses & meds
Posted by: On: 8/13/2009
Comment Title: The nurse is looking for you again Miller
The nurse is looking for you again Miller, it's time to take your medication.
Posted by: Halley's Comet On: 8/13/2009
Comment Title: Miller comes out of the closet
For those who missed his t.u. confession it is posted on the "An Open Book" article page and is as follow: "Posted by: miller58 On: 8/13/2009 Comment Title: MARK SHERMAN AND MIKE TURGEON SPINNING THE WHEELS OF THE AGGIE SPIN MACHING? My personal opinions:__Mark Sherman is only recruiting at 56% of what Mack Brown is?___The Aggie Spin Machine stop 4* difference maker Coryell Judie from enrolling?_________The best team and place in the world?____The University of Texas.__miller58" Good luck with your horns miller!
Posted by: miller58 On: 8/13/2009
Comment Title: IMMEDIATELY IDENTIFYING LOSING COACHES BY THEIR THEIR DIFFERENCE MAKER RECRUITING AND CORRECTING IT?
My personal opiions:_____FACT: Every 2 coaches participating in the mnc this decade had signed from 62 up to 80 4*/5* difference makers, 13 to 16 per year, on their squad!_____A losing coach has only 7 difference makers in the first class,____ a losing coach has only 5 in his second class,_____ a losing coach has only 7 in his third unfinished class,_____ a losing coach has none in his fourth unfinished class, and ranked #84 and in last place._____A winning coach like Rich Rodriguez signed 14 his first full year and wii do it again this year._____A winning coach like Charlie Weis signed 12, then 13, then 19, then 10 and ranked in the top 25 pre-season this year!_____A winning coach like Butch davis signed 27 difference makers and is ranked in the pre-season top 25!_____A winning Coach like Nick Saban signed 22 his first full year and then 18 his second full year and ranked in the pre-season top 10!_____Intelligent football people let a coach continue if he recruits well, because worse case is you have a full difference maker squad and easily go out and get Bob Stoops, or Jim tressel or Urban meyers and the win an mnc in the first or second year with the last coaches loaded squad?____Otherwise multiple first year coaches are fired every year, one after only 6 games in his first year last year?_____Let's get up to the 21st century, Ags?_____miller58
