TwelfthAG
07-20-2005, 11:07 AM
Backed into a corner and leaving it on the line (http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/auto/epaper/editions/wednesday/sports_24dd7f8e43cd91361020.html)
Austin-American Statesman
...
Last season's seven wins were three more than the Aggies managed in Franchione's first year, and a shocking overtime loss to Baylor and a down-to-the-wire loss to Oklahoma kept the Aggies from a nine-win season.
On the other hand, A&M prevailed over Colorado and Texas Tech in overtime, so the Aggies were dangerously close to getting only five victories and failing to qualify for a bowl game.
However, senior quarterback Reggie McNeal, who averaged 292.4 yards of total offense last season, gives A&M a Heisman-caliber presence and an optimistic attitude suggesting that the Aggies are not only closing in on the Longhorns and Sooners, but have caught up to them.
"We feel like we're equal," McNeal said. "We look at it like no one is better than us. That's what we're telling ourselves. That's in everybody's heart and mindset."
There are indeed areas in which the Aggies can match up with the Big 12's best.
Running back Courtney Lewis is healed from the nagging ankle injuries that plagued him last year and appears ready to regain the 1,000-yard form he showed two years ago.
The receivers are the fastest group this side of a 400-meter relay, and the defensive line could be among the Big 12's best.
However, A&M's offensive line was thoroughly whipped by high-caliber defenses, rendering the Aggies stagnant in losses to Texas and Tennessee. They rushed for fewer than 80 yards in each game.
Running against the Longhorns doesn't figure to get any easier this season.
"I think the issue we have targeted as coaches is running the football and doing well up front against the top 15 teams in the nation," Franchione said. "That's the next step we need to be able to do."
Franchione is encouraged because four starters return from last year's offensive line and three of this year's probable starters -- center Chris Yoder, guard Kirk Elder and tackle Corey Clark -- are coming off redshirt freshman years and are more experienced.
A lack of experience, though, is a cause for concern at cornerback.
The Aggies ranked 93rd nationally in pass defense a year ago and will likely start two cornerbacks -- sophomore Brock Newton and redshirt freshman Danny Gorrer -- who have never started before, though senior Ray Ray Jones and sophomore Marquis Carpenter also could play there.
Franchione said the Aggies' front four -- led by sophomore end Jason Jack and tackles Red Bryant and Johnny Jolly -- could help compensate for any inexperience in the secondary.
"I think the best thing that will help our corners is our defensive line -- the pressure from them," he said. "If we can get pressure on the quarterback with a four-man rush, which we are hopeful we can more, then that's going to let those corners be a lot better in coverage."
Which in turn could help the Aggies contend in the Big 12 South.
They certainly hope to be contenders. Six years of mediocrity isn't easy to accept.
Austin-American Statesman
...
Last season's seven wins were three more than the Aggies managed in Franchione's first year, and a shocking overtime loss to Baylor and a down-to-the-wire loss to Oklahoma kept the Aggies from a nine-win season.
On the other hand, A&M prevailed over Colorado and Texas Tech in overtime, so the Aggies were dangerously close to getting only five victories and failing to qualify for a bowl game.
However, senior quarterback Reggie McNeal, who averaged 292.4 yards of total offense last season, gives A&M a Heisman-caliber presence and an optimistic attitude suggesting that the Aggies are not only closing in on the Longhorns and Sooners, but have caught up to them.
"We feel like we're equal," McNeal said. "We look at it like no one is better than us. That's what we're telling ourselves. That's in everybody's heart and mindset."
There are indeed areas in which the Aggies can match up with the Big 12's best.
Running back Courtney Lewis is healed from the nagging ankle injuries that plagued him last year and appears ready to regain the 1,000-yard form he showed two years ago.
The receivers are the fastest group this side of a 400-meter relay, and the defensive line could be among the Big 12's best.
However, A&M's offensive line was thoroughly whipped by high-caliber defenses, rendering the Aggies stagnant in losses to Texas and Tennessee. They rushed for fewer than 80 yards in each game.
Running against the Longhorns doesn't figure to get any easier this season.
"I think the issue we have targeted as coaches is running the football and doing well up front against the top 15 teams in the nation," Franchione said. "That's the next step we need to be able to do."
Franchione is encouraged because four starters return from last year's offensive line and three of this year's probable starters -- center Chris Yoder, guard Kirk Elder and tackle Corey Clark -- are coming off redshirt freshman years and are more experienced.
A lack of experience, though, is a cause for concern at cornerback.
The Aggies ranked 93rd nationally in pass defense a year ago and will likely start two cornerbacks -- sophomore Brock Newton and redshirt freshman Danny Gorrer -- who have never started before, though senior Ray Ray Jones and sophomore Marquis Carpenter also could play there.
Franchione said the Aggies' front four -- led by sophomore end Jason Jack and tackles Red Bryant and Johnny Jolly -- could help compensate for any inexperience in the secondary.
"I think the best thing that will help our corners is our defensive line -- the pressure from them," he said. "If we can get pressure on the quarterback with a four-man rush, which we are hopeful we can more, then that's going to let those corners be a lot better in coverage."
Which in turn could help the Aggies contend in the Big 12 South.
They certainly hope to be contenders. Six years of mediocrity isn't easy to accept.