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Day 1 to Day 2 improvement: The Aggies returned to spring workouts Thursday in helmets and shorts after taking a day off.

"[Tuesday] looked like the first day of spring ball," first-year Texas A&M head football coach Mike Sherman said. "It had all the signs of that with the ball being on the ground, with the center-quarterback exchange and the interceptions. As we anticipated, [Thursday] was much better, and as long as we keep getting better, we'll get where we need to get."

No, it's not baseball: The Aggie offense looked best in 7-on-7 drills when the ball was moved between the opponent's 32- and 18-yard lines, which is what Sherman calls the "strike zone."

A&M scored on three straight plays over one stretch. Quarterback Jerrod Johnson completed a TD pass to freshman Jeff Fuller in the corner of the end zone. Johnson then connected with Cody Beyer at the post for a second straight touchdown. Quarterback Stephen McGee then hit Randle Jackson on a curl route, and Jackson turned up field and scored.

"I like to practice in the strike zone and the red zone for part of that 7 vs. 7," Sherman said. "It's good to practice in that part of the field because it's where you make your money. We made some moves. We finished plays. We got the ball into the end zone where it needed to be."

Give and take: With the line of scrimmage near midfield, Johnson hit Roger Holland on a fly route down the sideline for a touchdown. But the defense had its moments, including when linebacker Garrick Williams stayed at home on a fake and sacked Johnson on a rollout.

Quote of the Day: "Where is your landmark, son?" -- defensive coordinator Joe Kines to one of the backup linebackers, who lost his way during an early drill.

Quote of the Day II: "Your feet are way too happy!" -- offensive line coach Jim Turner to guard Lee Grimes, who apparently was picking his feet up too high in one-on-one blocking drills.

Quick with their feet: Defensive ends Cyril Obiozor and Amos Gbunblee got to the quarterback with regularity in one-on-one blocking drills, often having success with their inside moves.

Listen for the horn: Sherman sets up a unique situation for each practice. On Tuesday, he had the Aggies working on field goals with 18 seconds left and no timeouts. On Thursday, Sherman had the offense try to draw the defense offside on fourth-and-1 just inside the opponent's territory.

Sherman calls the daily scenario the "double-horn situation", and he lets the team know what it will be each morning before practice.

"They've got to remember [the situation] all day, know who is supposed to be out there and be able to function," Sherman said. "It's usually inserted into practice where we blow the double horn, and they have to go do it."

On Thursday, the defense didn't fall for the hard count, which Johnson barked out.

"Our defense did a good job," Sherman said. "They knew what we were doing, so obviously they kept their water and held back."

Faces in the crowd: Bryan High football coach Bob Bellard and former Viking coach Marty Criswell attended Thursday's practice along with former A&M center Cody Wallace and fullback Chris Alexander. Wallace and Alexander started for A&M last season.

Up next: The Aggies will practice in helmets and shoulder pads at 3:10 p.m. Friday and full pads for the first time this spring at 11:10 a.m. Saturday.

-- RICHARD CROOME

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