Thursday Thoughts

by Beergut on Aug 26, 2010 10:13 PM CDT

I have a friend who works in the A&M athletic department who attended last Saturday's scrimmage, and his take was both reassuring and worrisome. He said the defense really stood out, and was dominant during the scrimmage, but there has been no improvement in special teams. I'm happy to hear we're looking better on defense, even with so many starters missing time because of minor injuries, but the special teams issue is really starting to nag at me. Practice reports from this week have indicated that the kicking game has looked better after a horrific effort on Saturday, but I'm still concerned. After the year we had last season on special teams, there is no excuse not to fix our problems in that area. I'm not saying we need a FG kicker who can hit every kick inside 70 yards, but being able to get punts off without them being blocked and being able to tackle the opposing returner before they make a significant gain are realistic expectations. If we can go through the whole season without our special teams costing us a game, that will be an improvement over last season.
I'm glad to hear that Jonathan Mathis is getting work inside at NG as well as seeing time at strongside DE. Mathis has been seeing time as the backup NG to Patterson in practice, and Patterson has also seen some time at DE. I think Mathis can be a force inside for us, and Patterson has had a terrific camp so far in the season. If we can get both of these guys going on the interior, it would go a long way to stuffing the inside running game.
Jerrod Johnson, Von Miller, and Terrence McCoy have all been voted team captains for the 2010 season by their teammates. While Miller and Johnson are kind of expected, it is nice to see McCoy earn a captainship. McCoy has worked hard to win the starting job from Uzoma Nwachukwu, and his teammates are recognizing that hard work.
Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael have both candidates for the Doak Walker Award, given to the nation's top running back. While I think the fact that they will basically split carries will keep either of them from having the outstanding statistics needed to wow the voters and win the award, it is nice the see that they are receiving recognition. Along with Von Miller's candidacy for the Butkus and Bednarik awards, Jerrod Johnson being a candidate for the Davey O'Brien Trophy and the Manning Award, and EZ Nwachukwu's candidacy for the Biletnikoff Award, we have some real star power on our roster, and people are beginning to take notice. When the Outland Trophy begins to recognize what terrific players Evan Eike and Patrick Lewis are, and the Thorpe Award adds Trent Hunter to their watch list, we'll be set.
Brandal Jackson is out with a knee injury right now. While we have terrific depth at the WR position, I really hope it isn't anything serious, because I want him on the field on September 4. Brandal Jackson and Kenric McNeal allow us to go to our second-string and see no drop off in talent on the field.
The team has their last practice of Fall Camp tomorrow at 6:35 AM at the McFerrin Center in a closed session. I am sure everyone is ready to finish on a high note, and begin getting ready for SFA next week.
Aggie volleyball and Aggie soccer both are hosting invitation tournaments this weekend, both starting tomorrow. With classes beginning Monday, I am sure the campus will be flooded with parents and students as the last of them move in this weekend. Hopefully, all of them will be able to make it out to some games and support both teams, because the ladies deserve it.

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Wait... Nwachukwu's in contention for the Biletnikoff...

… but Jeff Fuller isn’t? Fuller is the only WR in the Big XII who has even a remote chance of unseating Broyles as the best receiver in the conference.

by krkenney on Aug 27, 2010 2:35 AM CDT reply actions