By ROBERT CESSNASpring practice No. 14: The Aggies practiced Tuesday morning inside the McFerrin Center for 70 minutes in helmets and shorts, then practiced 90 minutes in the afternoon outside in full pads. They were the team's first workouts since Saturday's Maroon & White Game.
Texas A&M will conclude spring drills Thursday, tentatively set to hold split practices at 6 a.m. and 4 p.m.
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Defense wins again: Sophomore linebacker Ricky Cavanaugh and junior defensive back Chris Caflisch combined to stop sophomore running back Cyrus Gray short of the goal line on the day's final scrimmage play to give the defense a 109-103 intrasquad victory, forcing the offensive players to run.
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Teaching time: A&M head coach Mike Sherman said he was pleased with the intensity of Tuesday's practices and the amount the team accomplished, which was one of the reasons he wanted workouts after the spring game.
"We were able to watch the whole tape from the game, which is 100 plays," Sherman said. "We were able to do that on Monday. This morning and this afternoon, definitely, we were able to get back to basics and kind of fix the things that needed to get fixed. I was very pleased with the response the guys had to the spring game. They went into it understanding we had a couple days left, so it wasn't like they were going to shut it down. They came ready to practice today."
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Growing depth: A&M was missing more than 20 players for the Maroon & White Game, but in their absence this spring, the Aggies might be cultivating depth -- something last year's team didn't have a lot of.
"A lot of younger guys got some reps that hopefully will bode well for them in the fall," Sherman said.
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More work for recovering Tannehill: Sophomore quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who threw after workouts last week, also threw some in early team drills Tuesday, taking his turn with the other quarterbacks.
"It was good to see him doing that," Sherman said. "He's been throwing the ball, but he threw a little more today. I'm anxious to find out from the trainers where he stands after today's practice. But that's always encouraging, because I think he's a good quarterback."
Tannehill also threw with the quarterbacks after practice with quarterbacks coach Tom Rossley watching.
Tannehill, who had a team-leading 55 catches for a team-best 844 yards receiving last season, is recovering from a torn labrum.
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Moss shining: Senior defensive end Matt Moss had a couple of sacks in Saturday's spring game and continued his fine play with several solid efforts Tuesday.
"He was kind of aligned with the seniors last year, and he doesn't have their shadow around any more," Sherman said. "He has a chance to do his own thing. I think he's trying to do that and trying to do things the right way."
The 6-foot-3, 253-pound Moss played 11 games last year after transferring from Gossmount Community College in El Cajon, Calif. He started one game and ended with 15 tackles for the season.
"He played well in the game on Saturday, and I think he continued that today, so that's good stuff," Sherman said. "But I'm not ready to anoint anybody just yet. He still has some improving to do."
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Doubling up on Miller: Von Miller, who is playing a hybrid position that resembles a pass-rushing outside linebacker in the 3-4, has thrived by beating offensive tackles, but he will be going against a few double teams in fall practice.
"We need to prepare him for that," Sherman said.
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Injured linebackers return: Senior Matt Featherston and junior Billy Chavis scrimmaged despite recent injuries.
Featherston (neck) was injured April 9 and missed the spring game.
It was the first spring scrimmage for Chavis, who played in only three games last year with three tackles.
"It helps us from a depth standpoint. We're really thin anyway," Sherman said. "When you get thinned out like that, it creates other injuries, because guys are doing double duties. So getting them back really helps in that area. It also gets them some reps before we close spring out."
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Evaluations upcoming: Each player will meet with Sherman after spring drills end for an evaluation.
"We talk about where they are on the depth chart and what they need to work on this summer," Sherman said. "What they did great. What they didn't do so well. Where they are academically. How accountable are they. So we kind of go through a gamut of things."
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Big ending: Sophomore defensive back Trent Hunter intercepted a pass from junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson on the morning's final 7-on-7 play. Johnson threw a long pass intended for sophomore Jeff Fuller, who caught two long touchdown passes from Johnson earlier in the morning session.
Sophomore wide receiver Lionel Smith also had a couple of long receptions in 7-on-7 drills.
Fuller added a jump-ball catch of a long pass from Johnson in the afternoon scrimmage.
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Et cetera: Sherman said the defense was able to line up properly Saturday without drawing a penalty or giving up a lot of huge plays, which wasn't the case in last year's spring game. "I thought we were cleaner on the defensive side of the ball," Sherman said. .. Florida State assistant coach Jody Allen watched both practices. Allen, who has been at FSU eight years, coaches defensive ends and special teams. He worked under A&M defensive coordinator Joe Kines. ... Former President George Bush watched 20 minutes of the afternoon practice. ... The players wore jerseys with no names, because their other jerseys were given to winning fans Saturday. ... Walk-on quarterback Jeff Wood and senior wide receiver Jeremy Brown combined for a 50-yard completion in scrimmage action. Brown also caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from redshirt freshman Tommy Dorman. ... Senior cornerback Marcus Gold intercepted a pass from Dorman during red-zone scrimmage work. ... The running backs had several strong runs during the afternoon scrimmage.
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Posted by: JimBob78 On: 4/28/2009
Comment Title: Can't Wait 'til Fall !!!
This time of year Hope Springs Eternal! --- It looks like Sherm & Staff have started the team in the right direction. Depth is still a problem because of recruiting failures in the past but when this staff's second class gets on campus the team will have more depth and it's make-up will offically "belong" to Sherman. --- If the team as a whole shows the improvement that the recievers and special teams showed last year the Ags will fight hard, be competitive, and will win at least 6 games. ---- While this is not an acceptable level it is an improvement and should be seen a further proof that better days are ahead. --- Fall workouts can't come soon enough! --- Gig 'em Aggies!!
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/25/2009
Comment Title: RE; Seeing Stars
My personal opinions:_____Stars, it just seems that we still, since November 2007, have absolutely no direction or organization?_____I don't even have a clue who Sherman will draft this afternoon?_____Do you?_____miller58
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/25/2009
Comment Title: RE: miller58
Until recent "changes" made this impossible, a likely front would have been Davis (320), Heard (345) both of which have the mass and strength to handle the double, and Patterson (297). Others in the mix would be Jerrod-Eddie and Brown. Von Miller and Moss (if quick enough) on the outside. Pick up 2 MLB's from the rest and let Hunter run the secondary. Seems more solid than what is being run now but I don't have near the info needed. Seems too easy. Must be a reason we didn't do it other than the obvious situation of not having some of those names available. (I still like 4-2-5 which I think we will be in one day like the rest of the teams who believe that the spread is here a while longer).
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/25/2009
Comment Title: RE;Seeing Stars
My personal opinions:_____Thanks for the info!._____I believe 4*red shirt fish Rod Davis is listed arond 320#'s._____Don't know if he has the temperment and toughness to command a double team, and stop the run as required by a 3-4_____Most everyone else seems too small for nose tackle, and also the 280# DT/DE types, even if they have the toughness and temperment?_____We will have 59 players on campus this fall that Sherman has signed,_____It is hard for me to understand, why we don't have a two deep for the 3-4 yet?_____I can't even identify a 3-4 two deep in the third class with 16 commits already there, or in Sherman's fourth signing class in the multiple offers alrady out?_____Seem's strange, unless this is just more Aggie Spin Machine bs story, to placate the masses because it is a popular thing to get their mind off more blow out losses comming?_____Thanks again._____miller58
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/25/2009
Comment Title: RE: miller58 (from earlier discussion)
The 3-4 defense we are going to have on the field this fall has some basic requirements we discussed earlier. Here is same info from different source. Mock Draft: San Francisco 49ers are expected to take B.J. Raji, NT (Boston College) with 10th selection in first round because, "they want to switch to a 3-4 defense and at 6'1", 323 pounds Raji is an ideal Nose Tackle".
Posted by: On: 4/24/2009
Comment Title: Not a Longhorn
Look gang, I graduated from The University and although I have one child who strayed to A&M, I still love to beat your butts. But don't blame Miller58 on us he is obviously too stupid to be a graduate of The University, he probably got kicked out of A&M.
Posted by: Sniffy from Snook ums On: 4/24/2009
Comment Title: "Pinocchio will demote you to claning the greasetrap"
What exactly is "claning" the greasetrap? Is this putting a white sheet over them and burning a cross in greasetrap. Oh, you must mean "cleaning." Sorry but that Aggie education you are getting, or have, got in the way of me understanding what you were really talking about. I better go now, back to "claning" my greasetraps and waiting for the next installment of How Sherman and the AGGIES Cannot Compete. I believe it starts in August. lol.
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/24/2009
Comment Title: HOW BAD IS MIKE SHERMAN RECRUITING?
My personal opinions:_____In the past two+ weeks, Mike Sherman has lost offers to a DB committing to ou, to a DB committing to nebraska, to a LB committing to okie lite, to a LB committing to lsu, to a RB committing to michigan, to an OG committing to alabama and finally to a DE committing to tech?_____miller58
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/23/2009
Comment Title:
I__am___a___big___loser.
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/23/2009
Comment Title: Sniffy and Pinocchio
What a pair. Prepping for the late shift and warming up the grease. Except Sniffy has OD'd on sausage again. Don't overdo the fries or Pinocchio will demote you to claning the greasetrap.
Posted by: Miller.58 On: 4/23/2009
Comment Title: We need more stars
I think if we can get Brittney Spears and Tom Cruise, and Angelina Jolie to come to the games we can win. They are 5 star level stars. I hear Sherman is only going to have people like Matt Leblanc, Fantasia, and Tobey McGuire! THose are level 3 stars!! YOu can't win with those level stars in the crowd. My prediction we win 2 games next year. Texas has Matthew McConaughey in the crowd! Until we get that level of star Sherman is not a good coach.
Posted by: Sniffy from Snook ums On: 4/23/2009
Comment Title: Leave Miller alone
I am not an Aggie either and Miller is right you Ags are in for a long, loosing, butt-kicking season. YOu better go a watch the womens programs. They are the only thing you will enjoy.
Posted by: Pusgut On: 4/23/2009
Comment Title: Nostrodamus58
Your predictions make astrology look respectable.
Posted by: miller99 On: 4/23/2009
Comment Title: MY OFFENSE PRACTICING AGAINST MY DEFENSE COACHED BY MY COACHING STAFF?
My personal opinions:_____?_____Just hoping miller58 gets banned before this fall!_____miller99
Posted by: On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title:
Ignore Miller58 - he's not an Ag
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title: WE????
Hey Pinocchio58, who is "we" you are referring to ? Do you have a mouse in your pocket ? It's certainly not abot the Ags, because you are not one. Ding ding, the fries are ready !!! Loser.
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/22/2009
Comment Title: MY #99 OFFENSE PRACTICING AGAINST MY #109 DEFENSE COACHED BY MY #120 COACHING STAFF?
My personal opinions:_____?_____Just losing more games than we win this fall!_____miller58
CU fans not excited about A&M; Remember that bad CU team in 2000? McFerrin thoughts
