Spring Practice Day 5

[Pumchavas28]

Things are really looking good....

The rust is off and the Texas A&M football team is starting to really get at it in spring drills, and Monday the Aggies kicked off their second week with full pads. A&M also got to use its new indoor practice field Monday for the first time in spring drills as the lightning and rain came down in Aggieland.

http://vmedia.rivals.com/uploads/893/424094.jpg
Associated Press
Sophomore running back Mike Goodson has picked up where he left off last season this spring.

Indoors you could really see that A&M is working at full speed as the hits are coming hard and the players are getting their game faces back. Monday, however, it was the defensive backfield that took the day with some great plays up and down the roster.

[Pumchavas28]

DB's looking really good....

Junior strong safety Alton Dixon (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=59029) made a fantastic interception during scrimmaging drills. Quarterback Stephen McGee (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=35690) rifled a pass 25 yards up the middle to a seemingly open Earvin Taylor (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=74375), but Dixon stepped in front of the pass an picked it. What made the play so special was that Dixon was a step behind Taylor, but running the same way as Taylor. He quickly changed his angle and made a play on the ball.

Redshirt freshman Kenny Brown (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=65136) also had an interception during scrimmaging drills when he picked off redshirt freshman Jerrod Johnson (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=64666). On a deep pass, Brown went up high in the air to pick off a pass that seemed to be well out of his reach. He returned it down the sideline for what would have been about a 20-yard return.

Junior cornerback Arkeith Brown (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=59020) continues to be the best defensive back on the field. Whomever he is covering just doesn't get open. His play so far has earned him the first team title. Not to be outdone, sophomore Jordan Peterson (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=59044) who has been worked with the second team due to Brown's rise is still playing strong. It's starting to look like Brown and Peterson will once against be locked into a battle for the starting spot.

[Pumchavas28]

QB's not being out done....

If there was any question of McGee's arm strength, it should definitely be put to rest after today's practice session. McGee was firing the ball to receivers in step for 20 and 30-yard gains. He also threw plenty of deep balls, including one that went over the outstretched hands of a defensive back to hit receiver Cody Beyer (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=62970) for a 45-yard touchdown.

Johnson is also showing his strength with the team's strongest arm. On one seven-yard out route to tight end Joey Thomas (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=35692), Johnson had to place the ball in the perfect spot and fire it to beat safety Devin Gregg (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=59034) who had perfect coverage on Thomas. Johnson threw the ball perfectly, and Thomas made the catch in the third-and-five situation for a first down.

[Pumchavas28]

Goodson could steal the show this year...

Sophomore running back Mike Goodson (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=64663) is also picking up where he left off last season. He is big time threat out of the backfield and on one swing pass he took off zig-zagging his way through defenders. He has an extra burst of speed that makes him look faster than anyone on the field. When it comes to A&M's running backs, there is a very solid group of rushers and then there is Goodson. He is in a league all his own.

One running back who had a very solid day was redshirt freshman Latreal Cooper (http://tamu.rivals.com/viewprospect.asp?Sport=1&pr_key=26492). Cooper had an ACL injury at Cuero that forced him to be used sparingly during his junior and senior seasons. He still has his knack for finding holes, however, and he showed that skill today as he would use an extra burst of speed to get through it. Cooper also has solid hands out of the backfield.

[Pumchavas28]

Big Hitters!!! :bow:

It's also interesting to watch the linemen now that they are in full pads. On defense defensive tackle Kellen Heard (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=51056) has really taken his game up a notch. Heard is a hassle for offensive linemen every time he takes a snap.

Redshirt freshman Lucas Patterson (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=64669) is catching on quickly at tackle and is performing well enough for some to think that he can have a solid impact this season. He will be one to keep a close eye for the remainder of the spring and through August training camp.

Defensive end Amos Gbunblee (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=36213) is a physical specimen, and is as fast as any defensive linemen on the roster. During scrimmaging drills he ran Johnson down from behind after rolling out and taking off down the sideline.

That these players are performing this well against a seasoned offensive line that looks as good as ever is even more of a testament to the impact they could have this season.

With the team in full pads, players are starting to hit and some are hitting bigger than others. Here is a list of those that can lay the wood:

Junior strong safety Alton Dixon (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=59029)
Senior linebacker Misi Tupe (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=64681)
Sophomore defensive tackle Kellen Heard (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=51056)
Junior strong safety Will Harris (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=64664)
Sophomore weak safety Jordan Pugh (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=64671)

[Pumchavas28]

I can't wait for the season to start!


COLLEGE STATION, Texas- The Texas A&M football team had an intense two-and-a-half hour workout in full pads Monday afternoon as spring practice commenced. The Aggies spent the first hour of practice on the grass practice fields before inclement weather forced them into the newly opened McFerrin Athletic Complex for the final hour-and-a-half.

“If there is one area in particular that I have been impressed with, it’s the development of our second offensive line,” Aggie head coach Dennis Franchione said after practice. “There is a lot of focus at every position as each of them can continue to get better.”

“We are through the first five practices of our 44 leading up to the first game next fall,” Franchione said. “It’s nice to be able to practice without the pressure of a game coming up. As a coaching staff we can experiment and challenge and watch our players without having to prepare specifically for a game. Every group has areas that they need to improve on so right now we are just focusing on getting as many reps as we can.”

The Aggies will practice again Tuesday and Thursday at 3:30 p.m. and will have a practice scrimmage Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. The annual Maroon and White game is scheduled for April 16 at 2 p.m. All spring practices are open to the public.

[Texags Refugee]

a pass 25 yards up the middle:wow::wow::wow::wow:


This is the best part of the whole thread!

[Pumchavas28]

:wow::wow::wow::wow:


This is the best part of the whole thread!


Agreed.....

I could care less if they can throw 70 yds down field... I want to hear/read about how accurate they are 20 to 40 yds down field...

[whitelightnin_23]

couple of things...

Isn't there a way Arkeith & Jordan can be on the field at the same time? I thought Peterson was a great shut down corner last year...

This is amazing...
Defensive end Amos Gbunblee (http://tamu.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp?Player=36213) is a physical specimen, and is as fast as any defensive linemen on the roster. During scrimmaging drills he ran Johnson down from behind after rolling out and taking off down the sideline.
I like the fact that we have great depth @ RB. Looks like we're pretty deep all the way around, w/ probably our biggest shallow spot @ LB.

[Pumchavas28]

couple of things...

Isn't there a way Arkeith & Jordan can be on the field at the same time?


Some (on here to include myself) have commented on JP possibly moving to one of the Safety spots... but none of the Coaches have mentioned any such move just yet....

Basically it will be Gorrer & Brown at CB...

[Superaggie79]

Petereson could play that Bryan Dawkins blitzing safety role pretty well I'd think.

[Pumchavas28]

Petereson could play that Bryan Dawkins blitzing safety role pretty well I'd think.

Agreed

[blackgloves]

Jordan at WHIP:cool:

[Burnetaggie99]

:gig: :rep:

[Mezentius]

I like the idea of Peterson at one of the two safety or whip positions though I think we're pretty set there.

What I really like best though is the competition.

[Curly06]

at least no one was fighting yesterday

[blackgloves]

Our defense is gonna be better this year than last. And our defense last year was decent/good. Im pretty excited. As everyone knows, defense is where you win games (and the trenches). It will be REALLY nice to have a better secondary than we did last year. Shutting down teams like tceh, t.u and Mizzu (pass heavy) teams would be great. This bunch might be able to pull that off

[Mezentius]

I really want to see Amos do well. He's been a trooper and moved back to TE last year costing himself PT.

I hope he lights it up.

[Burnetaggie99]

Only worry is depth at DT and our line wrecking havoc on a consistent basis. Also I like to us bring a little more heat this year with the Blitz.

[blackgloves]

I still think Peterson will get some playing time this season. As good as he is and the experience , he will see the field just not as a starter (from reading this article) But having two REALLY good CB's fighting it out for starter role is nice. Plenty of depth there..

[soreal]

Isn't there a way Arkeith & Jordan can be on the field at the same time? I thought Peterson was a great shut down corner last year...

Yes, start Arkeith and Jordan which is what I think should have been done last year. The whip is going to be taken by Gregg or Pugh, probably Pugh.

[Mezentius]

I see the DB's cycling a lot to keep fresh. Think about it...
Especially with all the crazy spread we see in the Big XII it has to be draining chasing dudes for 4 quarters.

[Pumchavas28]

Against ttu, bu, & Mizzou... all the CB's will be on the field the majority of the game anyways...

[Mezentius]

I just want to see the other team spitting teeth.

[TomballAg]

Goodson is a stud, give him the ball......