By RICHARD CROOME
Eagle Staff Writer

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The threat of inclement weather from Tropical Storm Edouard forced the Texas A&M football team inside the McFerrin Athletic Center on Tuesday for its second practice of the season, a nearly two-hour session in helmets and shorts on Tuesday.

"We probably should have gone outside. When I looked out of the meeting rooms, though, it looked [bad] so we said we're going inside, and instead of changing the schedule I just kept it the same," Sherman said. "We went to Plan B and did less individual and more teamwork by coming inside."

With more team drills, the Aggies ran a lot of 7-on-7 and 11-on-11.

Both sides had their moments. The defense had a couple of interceptions -- one by linebacker Johnathan Haynes and another by defensive back Johnathan Batson. Both were thrown by Tommy Dorman in the 7-on-7 situation.

New cornerback Jordan Pugh broke up a pass to Jamie McCoy and Batson came up and collided with tight end Harold Turnage on pass over the middle.

The offense had three big plays in the final minutes. Quarterback Stephen McGee connected with freshman Jeff Fuller near the sideline, quarterback Jerrod Johnson went deep to Howard Morrow and Dorman hit Billy Chavis. Chavis, a sophomore who is converting to tight end from the defensive side, had a few drops earlier in practice.

Freshman running back Cyrus Gray impressed late by taking a screen pass down the right sideline for a touchdown.

"As head coach, I'm happy about the offensive play, disappointed by the defensive play downfield," Sherman said. "One or two of those plays were sacks when they backed off the quarterback and gave him a chance to throw it downfield. "

McGee, who threw the screen pass, celebrated Gray's run near the sideline with some high fives and head butts with the offensive linemen.

"I don't think he needs to do the head-butting necessarily," Sherman said of his senior signal-caller. "He needs to have all the brain cells he can utilize, but I like his enthusiasm, competitiveness and his emotion."

Sherman also likes what he's seen from the running backs, all of whom appear to be making an impression.

"The tailbacks as a whole have impressed me running the ball," Sherman said. "They've worked real hard over the summer and I can't highlight one over the other, they've all had their moments, so I feel pretty good about all of them. It's a position we have a little bit of depth in."

Sherman added that Gray, a 185-pound speedster out of DeSoto, could be used in the slot receiver position to get him more touches.

Gray was also returning kickoffs Tuesday, along with defensive backs Danny Gorrer, Jordan Pugh and Arkeith Brown and tailback Michael Goodson.

NOTES -- A few number changes to report. Receiver E.J. Shankle switched from No. 10 to No. 2, tailback Bradley Stephens went from 29 to 20, converted receiver Chevar Bryson changed from 30 to 27 and quarterbacks Ryan Tannehill and Tommy Dorman switched from 19 to 17 and 2 to 13, respectively. ... Kyle Mangan, who played full-time at linebacker and part-time at fullback at Brenham, is now wearing white No. 18 and is getting a shot at fullback.

• Richard Croome's e-mail address is richard.croome@theeagle.com.

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