The Texas Aggies wrapped up the 17th day of the 2011 Fall Camp early Friday morning, ending preseason preparation and entering their first game week of the season against SMU.
The Aggies opened up camp with many questions surrounding the inside linebacker core, the depth at the nose guard position, and the quality of special teams. Some of those questions were answered during the three week period, while others will have to wait to be answered when the lights come on at Kyle and the season is kicked off.
Let's go position by position to give you a preview of where the Aggies stand:
Quarterback
Behind Ryan, things remain a little more cloudy. At the end of camp, Coach Sherman was not committed to naming a backup quarterback and told the media they would be informed of a decision on Sunday. Anybody that has watched the quarterback situation at A&M in the past knows that is very unlike Coach Sherman to wait this long to make a decision on his signal callers, of course those previous decisions involved starters. Sherman usually makes up his mind 10 days into camp. No matter who is labeled #2 behind Tannehill (either Showers, Joeckel, or Manziel) I expect both of the redshirt freshman Showers and Joeckel to see playing time this fall when that situation presents itself. Showers came into fall with the slight edge with his arm, while Joeckel started to make a strong push in the middle of camp with his accuracy. Both young players have pros and cons to their game. The main thing is both young gun slingers have a full season to learn how to become a starting quarterback from Ryan Tannehill. They have also been given a front row seat on how to lead a team not only when the coaches are watching, but in the summer when that responsibility to lead voluntary summer workouts falls on them. I'm convinced that next spring and fall when the competition for the starting quarterback becomes wide open, it will be the young player that holds the leadership intangibles that will earn the starting nod. However, don't forget about Johnny Manziel, who I expect to redshirt this season. He brings flash to the football field and continued the "Johnny Football Show" this fall. If QB Coach Tom Rossley can continue to work with him on fundamentals such as mechanics and footwork, he could be very productive in Sherman's West Coast offense. After all, both coaches have worked with Brett Favre before.
Running Backs
Texas A&M enters the 2011 season with arguably the best two running backs in the Big XII on their roster. Cyrus Gray is coming off a string of seven straight 100+ yard rushing games to close out the 2010 season and Christine Michael returns from a broken leg. Both future NFL running backs were sidelined at some point for an extended period of time during camp -- Gray at the beginning resting a hamstring injury and Michael who was sick last weekend. However, both backs will be at full strength heading into the SMU game. To observers, Gray appears quicker than ever and his late season success hasn't stopped his drive from becoming the best football player and best person that he can be. Michael has bulked up to over 220 pounds, and running backs coach Randy Jordan was quoted as saying he wouldn't want to tackle the ball carrier. This 1-2 punch of thunder and lightening, behind the best offensive line A&M has seen in a decade, could be as successful and as effective as the 2009 combination of Alabama running backs Trent Richardson and Heisman winner Mark Ingram. They will be a great complement to each other, and the most important feature of the duo? They are the biggest fan of the other when they aren't getting the ball.
An important question will be how do you use both backs effectively? Do you split the carriers evenly? Who do you use in not only different locations on the field but at different points in the ball game? There are several key points to remember when answering this question. First is that coach Randy Jordan has been and will continue to be the one that will make the determination of which back is in the ball game. Another is that Christine Michael is still recovering and coming off a leg injury. And finally, not only is Cyrus Gray the better pass catcher of the two, but he is also the better pass blocker in the backfield. We expect that Cyrus should see a slight majority of the carriers early in the season. However, as both the season and game wears on, Michael will at least split the carriers. When the Aggie offense is going no-huddle and switching between multiple formations and play types, it is Gray who is the do-it-all ball carrier: running the zone with his ability to decelerate and cut on a dime, line up as a wide receiver and catch a pass in the flat or over the middle as a 5th receiver, and then block and release on a third down. Where Christine Michael will be most effective for this offense is in short yardage situations under 5 yards to power through the middle, inside each 20 yard line, and in the late 3rd to 4th quarters against a gassed defense that has already played 80+ snaps against the Aggies. The most important point to remember is this offense wants to average 90-100 snaps a game with a 1:1 ratio between passing and running plays, meaning there will be plenty of carriers to go around for both.
Behind the two backs lies the battle for the third running back between Ben Malena and Mister Jones. Coach Sherman announced at the conclusion of camp on Friday that Malena had won the job because he was able to keep the ball off the ground more. However, Jones has also made an impression to be a factor in the rushing game. He has shown the ability to turn a play that wasn't developing from a short yardage gain or loss into a thirty yard sprint against the defense. That kind of ability will get you increased touches in practice and late game situations were substitutes are being used. For this running back, at least he is proving to the coaching staff and fans he can at least play the position effectively and shouldn't be sent off to practice with Coach Nguyen yet. As for Malena, I think he is best in a shotgun formation, running draws and zone reads with the quarterback. He is starting to show flashes of his electric self when he played ball at Cedar Hill, and will have to show he is capable of doing the little things -- catching the ball out of the backfield, chipping ends on pass plays -- before extended snaps and carries. He will get a few touches a game, but most of this work, along with Jones, will most likely be on special teams.
Two of the biggest surprises at the position has come from freshman. Little known back Will Randolph has amazed some with his speed and quickness, possessing some of the same characteristics as Cyrus Gray, enabling him to make quick cutbacks to be effective in this zone running scheme. And maybe the most unexpected is freshman Howard Mathews getting extended looks as a short yardage running back, especially in goalline situations. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Mathews get touches early in those situations and score a couple of touchdowns. Coach Sherman has proved with his playing of young freshman before that if you can help the team in any capacity, then you'll play. Mathews has shown the coaching staff he deserves more than just an experimental look.
Wide Receiver
Texas A&M returns all of its pass catchers from 2010 except for Terrance McCoy. Most importantly, senior Jeff Fuller returns after flirting with the idea to join the NFL and being drafted with Von Miller. While Fuller most likely isn't the most electric WR in the Big XII (that designation falls to either Oklahoma's Ryan Broyles or Oklahoma State's Justin Blackmon), he may be the most effective at what he is asked to do. That is using his size in one on one matchups to snatch the ball from out of the air over a helpless corner either in the endzone or down the sideline for a big gain, and also block for the running game. This season, the coaching staff will most likely expand Jeff's role in this offense, lining him up in different positions such as the slot and bring him over the middle more to sit in a zone or beat a saftey or lineback one on one. Defenses in the Big XII definitely know who Jeff Fuller is by now and will scheme to take the offense's #1 pass catcher out of the game and limit his production from large chunks to small, minimal gains. The best thing about A&M's offense is they can use their no-huddle and multiple formation attack to hide Jeff at times in the game. Even though the defense will scheme all week to slow him down, moving him around on the field in different formations can confuse a defense and with the quickness at which the ball is snapped, defenders may not even be able to react to where he is positioned.
What could help Fuller out even more is a strong season from Uzoma Nwachukwu, returning to his freshman break-out form. EZ was slowed down most of last year by an ankle injury, but is completely healthy with more motivation entering in 2011. What I love about Nwachukwu is that he has learned to be a professional and doesn't take any snap for granted now. There is no more stars in his eyes. During the spring, I remember a play I was watching on the sidelines as EZ was running a deep post route. Terrence Frederick was covering him man on man, and Ryan overthrew the ball and there was literally no chance he was going to be able to catch the ball near the sideline. However, you could literally hear Nwachukwu exhaling strongly to try to accelerate and run all out full speed to make an attempt to catch the ball. He accelerated to the point where he became separated from Frederick. The ball hit the ground incomplete with EZ still needing a couple of yards to catch it. Frustrated with himself, he jogged back to the huddle after just going all out for the next play. He wasn't going to catch that ball and could have easily slowed up and let it fall next to the sideline and walked back for the next one; but EZ went all out anyway to run his route, separate from the defender, and at least give him a chance to make the play. I'm not sure if the sophomore Uzoma Nwachukwu does that. That is the kind of professionalism and determination EZ is bringing with him now to improve himself everyday. He is once again motivated to be the best WR in the Big XII, and if his mind continues to be right he could be. Don't let his size fool you -- when the ball is in the air it's hard to beat him for the catch.
This fall three other wide receivers came onto the scene and will be fighting for depth and playing time behind the regulars. The talented Nate Askew, who was the talk of the summer workouts, carried over his performance into the fall and is working like a future star that will have the opportunity and ability to replace Jeff Fuller. Another tall receiver option is true freshman Mike Evans. Mike only played one season of football for Galveston Ball, spending most of his time on the court, not the field. But you couldn't tell that watching practice. Evans is a true competitor and shines when the pressure is on, making his biggest plays during the Aggies three scrimmages. While he doesn't have straight speed, the skills he used as a basketball guard has transitioned onto the field which allows him to gain separation and play a little smaller than his frame. Finally Malcolm Kennedy is showing flashes and is one of the fastest at the position. Coming from a 1A high school program, his talent and athleticism was off the charts but actually getting fundamentals and technique down -- the small things -- has slowed him down but is finally coming around. One more season and spring and he could become a real highlight maker. He'll make contributions on special teams this fall.
Three other receivers make up the core of the position. We haven't heard much about leading pass catcher Ryan Swope, and you don't expect to because he handles his business and you know he will get 7-10 touches per game. Last year the bubble screen became a big part of the offense, using it as an extension of the running game. I would expect the Aggies to again become creative this year adding new wrinkles that involve Ryan being more of a running back than wide receiver. Maybe some fly sweeps when Ryan comes in motion into the backfield from the slot, a few designed double screen plays and maybe even a receiver option play here and there. Ryan is the type of player you can definitely be creative with and expand your playbook. Kenric McNeal was a receiver that made progress towards the end of the season and you could see him become more involved in the passing game as a true option. His athleticism and quickness gives him a unique skill set to become a pass catching option out of the slot, or from time to time beating a corner down the field. Brandal Jackson is also another pass catcher who may not possess the flash as the others, but every now and then you have a day like Friday where he really stands out.
Finally, a new development in the passing game is corner Dustin Harris getting the opportunity to play the position. In this talented and deep position you wouldn't expect the need for Dustin to come over and take some snaps, but the fact is that Dustin may be one of the fastest players on the team. If there is one thing this receiving group is missing is a guy with pure speed to take the top off the defense at times to open up the running game and underneath routes. That kind of guy could have really been used in games against Nebraska and LSU. You don't have to teach Dustin the playbook, just ask him to run down the field and beat the corner or safety that is covering him. He can do that. And if he can get a 40+ yard catch, now the safeties have to move a couple of yards back to cover deep and the corners have to play off the line, allowing a Swope underneath or Nwachukwu to come off freely in his route. That opens up the whole offense. It's the missing link to this passing game.
Tight Ends and Fullbacks
You will see three other players at the position seeing the field at Kyle. Tommy Dorman works hard every day and makes the most of his opportunities. Andrew Wolridge has moved back again to the position from the defensive line and is lining up at fullback during short yardage and goalline situations. Maybe the most surprising player at the fullback position is ILB JUCO transfer Steven Jenkins. Jenkins has been used as a fullback during short yardage and goalline formations to punch the ball into the endzone with Howard Mathews behind him. Steven is a quick cat and wants to put somebody on their butt, and that is exactly what is needed at the position. Just asking him to lineup and hit somebody is what he does best; he deserves to be on the field to do that job. It's another example of the coaching staff putting their best 11 on the field, no matter where they came from or what level their experience is.
For the Aggie offense to take the next step in 2011, it's this group of players that is going to have to respond and play strong. At times early in 2010, not having anybody to block on the edge greatly reduced the effectiveness of the running game. However, with athletic tackles Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews now manning and in control of those positions, the position does become less of a factor. But an offense is only as strong as their weakest link, and when you are asked to play multiple roles in succession in a drive, its hard to sub guys to fill a specific role in and out and snap the ball at top speed. It's going to take guys like Michael Lamothe, Hutson Prioleau and most importantly Nehemiah Hicks to become complete and reliable players for the offense to truly click without limitations.
Offensive Line
If there is one position that gets the "most stable" award during the preseason, it's Coach Turner's offensive line. It was the first offseason where no major questions surrounded who would play tackle, who would snap the ball, and just how much depth there was. Maybe the only question, and something I was really interested in watching, was whether Patrick Lewis could continue to play the center position at a high level. It became very clear that he could. Also, Shep Klinke was a surprise to some to be the starting right guard leaving spring camp. But during the fall, he was sound at the position and never faltered. The biggest vote of confidence received by the group in my opinion was the fact that both Coach Turner and Coach Sherman never elected to tinker with the lineup. Not even for one day. Usually there is a couple of days or practices in fall camp where a Jerome Harrison is inserted to give him a chance to run with the first team or maybe a Patrick Lewis is given a day off to simulate an injury and players are moved around, such as Brian Thomas then playing center to see if that lineup could work in an in-game situation. Not even that occurred. That to me speaks volumes on several levels. Not only is the first group solid including the interior of the line in Thomas-Lewis-Klinke, but their backups are also solid to the point where no shifting along the line would occur. It would just be a simple plug and chug.
The group up front will be the best group A&M has seen in the trenches in a decade. Both Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews finally stabilize the tackle position, a place where Sherman couldn't find a (healthy) body in his first two years. And both are learning and growing exponentially. Luke Joeckel has become an all-conference player in just a year and Jake Mathews was quoted as saying he finally "got" how to play the position in last year's Texas game in Austin. With learning how to play the position down, they are allowed to get bigger and more explosive in the weight room with Coach Kennedy and fine tune their technique. With improved performance on the edge, it opens up the running game to attack all gaps, it allows more unique plays such as roll-outs, deeper play action routes, and more lanes on zone plays. It also allows more options in the passing game as tight ends don't have to be kept in as a 6th blocker. Running backs can enter into the flat quicker without having to chip the ends and possibly be taken out of the play. It's a big development in not having to hinder an offense and open up options, and more people to cover for a defense.
What makes this group so special is not only the starters, but the quality of players behind him. Before this season, there was always the fear among A&M fans that if a starter went down, there would be nobody to replace him. That is not so this season. Cedric Ogbuehi at tackle is the type of talented redshirt freshman that could start for a few teams in the Big XII. He would most likely be inserted at either left or right tackle if the need arises. Jarvis Harrison at guard is just oozing with talent. The 330 pound guard probably lacks a quickness or burst off the line at this stage of his career that keeps him for claiming a starter position. But he certainly doesn't lack athleticism at his size once he gets off the line and working with Coach Kennedy in the offseason he can acquire that trait to make him a complete player. Evan Eike is a 5th year senior at the position and along with Brian Thomas may be one of the hardest workers in the group. With his previous experience as a starter, there would be no fear to slide him into one of the guard positions. Along with Eike, Danny Baker is another senior who has worked with Turner and Sherman during the offensive line overhaul and knows the ends and outs of the position. He could play either right tackle, guard, or center if Patrick Lewis comes out for a short period as freshman center Ben Compton redshirts. That means the group goes at least nine deep with players able to play multiple positions. Last year at this time you only had 4 quality starters. That is a tremendous jump with young freshman Ben Compton and Joseph Cheek just entering the fold.
Kicking and Returning
Special teams have always been of interest during Sherman's three year tenure, and this year looks to be no different. However, there seems to be some stabilizing at certain aspects, for instance kick returner. For instance Coryell Judie became a household Aggie name for his kick returns against Oklahoma and Baylor. Kenric McNeal also eased some heart attacks catching the ball at punt returner. Those groups became a weapon instead of a liability for the Aggies in 2010. Even though both returners are back in 2011, that doesn't mean improvements and changes can't be made. With Judie's shoulder concerns, a new name has emerged at kick returner in the electric Steven Campbell. Campbell is such a dynamic player he might find a nice home at the position, but only if he continues to have excellent health and doesn't take him away from the defensive secondary. Also, there is always Ryan Swope, Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael to catch a ball every now and then to see if they can create anything. Another possibility is Nate Askew getting a chance with Kenric at punt returner, but he would have to be well prepared and coach Toth be confident in him to take on that role.At kicker, Randy Bullock is completely healthy, which he wasn't at the beginning of 2010. He has probably had his strongest camp in an A&M uniform. However, the problem with the kicking game isn't on the leg of Bullock, but instead on the protection and snapping/holding. It is up to deep snapper Ben Bredthauer to get the ball back to the holder, and with Ryan Tannehill the full-time QB, a new holder has to also emerge. The Aggies have to also protect the ends better as several field goals were blocked in practice off the edge.
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Part 2 of our Wrap-up Report and Season Preview will feature the defense and coverage teams. Also, be on the lookout for our Game Week Preview of SMU Mustangs, as well as our Around the League look at the Big XII in Week 1 of the College Football season that is just days away from kickoff.