Mentor: ‘50-50′ chance Crabtree stays at Tech
BY DON WILLIAMS l AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Mike Crabtree’s cousin and mentor said Wednesday the Texas Tech star still hasn’t decided whether to come back to school or leave early for the NFL draft. But it doesn’t help the Red Raiders’ interests, said David Wells, that Tech coach Mike Leach hasn’t signed the contract extension he was offered a month ago.
Many Tech followers assume they’ve seen the last of Crabtree. But Wells, who is Crabtree’s cousin and a Dallas bail bondsman, said Crabtree is “50-50” on whether to leave Tech.
“He loves the college life. He loves college. He loves his teammates,” Wells said. “He has a hard decision to make. He loses Graham (Harrell) as his quarterback. Leach hasn’t signed his deal. (Crabtree) is wanting to see that happen. There’s a lot of things to (consider). It’s a difficult decision. It’ll probably come down to the wire.”
Asked if Crabtree’s camp was worried about Leach leaving Tech, Wells said, “Not worried. Concerned.”
Asked if there were concerns even with Leach having two years left on his contract, Wells replied, “Yeah.”
But Leach said that need not be an issue. Tech officials and Leach’s agents have been in discussions since Dec. 5, when Tech offered Leach a five-year, $12.1-million deal.
“I think everybody’s concerned about it,” Leach said, “but they’re talking. Both sides are talking. I’m excited about the prospect of being at Tech, as I have been for the last nine years. I always have been. I don’t know how that would affect his situation. I’m going to be here next year anyway.”
Tech wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons said the contract was one of several topics covered in a 90-minute to two-hour meeting among Leach, Crabtree, Simmons and Lincoln Riley, Crabtree’s position coach last year. The meeting took place at the Cotton Bowl stadium immediately after last week’s game.
“Leach brought up the whole situation and explained to them, I’m going to be here. I want to be here. If that’s one of your concerns, let me put that to rest,’ ” Simmons said.
Simmons said Leach also shared with Crabtree “what he’s trying to accomplish, what his vision is for this program, how glad he is and sincere he is and how happy he is to be here.
“I thought it was very big of them to sit down and address it and talk about it,” added Simmons.
Wells, who Crabtree mentions from time to time in interviews, is a bail bondsman who gained a higher profile in the mid-1990s by serving as a bodyguard for Michael Irvin, the then-Dallas Cowboys’ wide receiver. A boxing trainer, Wells also worked with the young Crabtree on developing his skills through drills in the ring.
Crabtree has said by his close relationship with Wells and having worked concessions at Texas Stadium during his childhood, he got to know some famous players such as Irvin and Deion Sanders, who have taken him under their wing.
Asked how many people were involved in Crabtree’s decision, Wells said five. He named himself, Crabtree, Crabtree’s parents and Sanders. Sanders lives in Prosper, a small community north of Dallas and attended one of Tech’s pre-Cotton Bowl practices at Texas Stadium.
Wells disputed recent reports by the Dallas Observer and DallasBasketball.com that Crabtree plans to hire Anthony “Paco” Montoya as a professional personal assistant. Montoya once worked in the same capacity for Irvin.
“That is a false statement,” Wells said. “That is not true on any level.”
Simmons said he likes and respects Wells’ lifelong close relationship with Crabtree. Wells is a first cousin of Crabtree’s mother.
“David to me has been nothing but a positive light in that kid’s life,” Simmons said. “For someone to try to make him out to be (otherwise) is someone that doesn’t know David, nor do they know Michael. Michael is a very intelligent young man. He has a small circle of people that he confides in, which are people that he’s known since he was a baby – his mom, his dad, his cousin (Wells), his family.”
An underclassman can petition an NFL advisory board for an honest assessment of where he projects as a draft prospect and then has until Jan. 15 to declare for the draft.
Wells confirmed Crabtree is seeking medical evaluations for injuries he suffered this year – to his left foot in the seventh game of the season at Texas A&M and to his right ankle in the regular-season finale against Baylor. The latter might have been a factor in Crabtree catching only four passes for a career-low 30 yards in Friday’s season-ending loss to Mississippi.
Crabtree finished the season with 97 catches for 1,175 yards and 19 touchdowns.
“To be honest, Michael loves college life,” Wells said. “He thinks, what else could he do on the college level? Come back and be a three-time Biletnikoff Award winner? It’s no secret he submitted his name (to the advisory board), and they said he would be a first-round pick. It’s (a consideration) how much leverage he would lose after that.”
TEXAS TECH/Tech’s star receiver is 50-50′ on returning to college.
don.williams@lubbockonline.com 766-8734
jeff.walker@lubbockonline.com 766-8735
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Damn Leach I sure wish I could read your mind! What the hell would prevent you from signing??????????????????????
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After reading this article I’m not worried about our recruiting, “Concerned” would be the word.
I would have been concerned about the coach leaving as well, but him going looking every year is just as bad as leaving.
Hope Gerald Meyers is happy that he postponed the contract talks until after the last scheduled game.
That way the stadium was full for one more season.
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Leach doesn’t intend to sign the contract extension. He has two years left. He will coach next year under the old contract and hope the money goes up from Tech next year or a better job comes open.
Why should he sign? He will make almost as much money next year under his current contract as he would under the new one.
Tech can’t fire him for not signing a new contract.
I love the guy but that’s what you get when you hire a lawyer as your coach.
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I hope you come back Crabtree! Would love to see you in red and black one more season. Tech will still be good next year. Taylor Potts is going to be good and he could really use your leadership! Your NCAA records would be almost impossible to break if you return. The rest of the Big XII hopes they don’t have to face you again. WE WANT YOU BACK!!!
Guns Up!!!
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crabtree: i know wat everyone is saying about you and i know that it is true; you would be gone in the top half of the first round, you could be a starter as a rookie, and with the salary cap next year the difference in your paycheck could mean the difference between 9 mill and 13 mill. but consider this; never again will you have the opportunity to play college ball. something so many kids dream about but never get to do. in college its a sport – in the nfl its a job. in college there is no pressure just go have fun – in the nfl you have to play great every game so you have a job next year. after you retire from the sport you may wanna do as many former players do – invest there money into something. a college degree will help you out very much there. so i apeal to you even tho its your choice; stay with the red and black and after that go and make you money. wreck em tech
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WHATEVER!! Good luck and God bless! Tech will be fine and you will too!
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“that’s what you get when you hire a lawyer as your coach.”
-texascane-
I would rather have Mike Leach (the lawyer)as a coach any day as then to have the slithering,crying,excuse making,thinks he is entitled to everything MACK BROWN.What we got sir is an excellent coach who is beating OU AND TEXAS and they can’t stand it.TECH is here to stay and can be called a big BOY now.To even look at MACK BROWN makes me want to throw up.So guns up to the lawyer.
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Most people think Coach Leach is highly intelligent just because he has a Law degree. I am not one of those people. I have a niece and nephew that are both attorneys…both went to BYU….and they are just people. Above average intelligence, but just regular people. Leach isn’t any smarter….and sometimes shows how much of an idiot he can be just by his lack of ……….well, I am gonna let you fill in the blank with whatever you want!!!
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whatever, the selfish side of me wants crabtree to stay because he has been great for tech but the unselfish side says go pro you would be dumb not to, just look at the injurys you sustained this yr it could get worse or maybe not you just never know, go make your millions and make your family set for life, get your degree after you have made you money emmit smith did. As for you Leach haters get off you damn high horses, without him we are not where we are at right now. We need him back and need him to stay into retirement, anyone who doesn’t think so needs to look back at the days of spyke dykes, you know never winning bowls, having pictures taking of your players in a casino gambling instead of practicing for a bowl game(98 independence bowl), having a star player never go to class(byron hanspard), getting beat by north texas, dallas morning news articles saying we don’t belong on the field, sports illustrated saying we are ugly, recruiting and keeping players involved in crimes, having a low graduation rate, and just flat out being average all of the time. The list could go on and on so my point is shut your mouths and pray he stays !!!!!!
Hey Leach I love you and please STAY!!!!
GUNS UP AND WRECH EM TECH
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No, Leach doesn’t HAVE to sign a new contract.
And Tech doesn’t have to let the situation fester. They can buy-out his contract & get another coach who actually likes Lubbock & Tech & doesn’t talk about being here 9 years like it was a prison sentence – although working for Gerald Meyers that long must have seemed like one.
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Does not matter if Leach signs or not as he will continue to look outside of Tech regardless next year and the year after. Too bad Meyers did not have the gall to can him like BC did when their coach interviewed with the Jets.
The problem with all this uncertainty is recruiting. But, that will not go away even if he signs.
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Crabtree stays one more year then goes. TTU: count you blessings…if it ain’t broke don’t go trying to fix it.
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All I was trying to say was that, in Leach’s mind, what benefit is there to signing the extension? Myers screwed up by playing hardball early this year and now he has to pay for it.
I lived through JT King, Grant Teaff, Chuck Stobart, Steve Sloan, Jim Carlen, Rex Dockery (RIP), Jerry Moore, David McWilliams and yes, Spike Dykes. No way does Tech let this guy go. “He goes, I goes”.
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Texascane –
He is not very smart if he passes on an extention (even one he is not 100% happy with). It will hurt his program by way of recruiting and commitment from the current team. That in turn will hurt his prospects here and anywhere else he might think is a better opportunity.
He will sign an extension. There might be some negotiations and concessions on both sides, but he will sign.
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Leach is a great coach and leader on and off the field as evidenced by his on field record and graduation rate. I think he feels that the contract is no big deal since he still has two years and it will get worked out. As for Michael Crabtree I have all the confidence in the world that he will make the right choices. He is an exceptional young man and I’m proud he played for Tech. Both of them have given us a great many memories.
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Leach is a very unselfish person and I believe that any reason he has for not signing would concern 1) his family 2) his players 3) his staff or 4) better facilities or concerns that would allow the football program Texas Tech to get to a higher level and be more competitive with OU, UT, TAMU, and OSU in all areas. Theres no way that Leach is asking for more money for himself because if he had gone to a BCS Bowl any salary increase for him would be a no brainer. I think Leach is holding out for things that will make the program more BCS Competitive and a better commodity for everybody concerned, especially the fans. I think it is obvious that Crabtree loves Leach and Leach loves Crabtree and all of his players. Leach stuck with Shannon Woods and look at the year Shannon had. Hang in therer Crab, Please come back for another year. WE love you.
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The smart move by Crabtree is to head to the NFL. Tech looses 3 Offensive line starters and more importantly a three year starter at QB. Next year there will be some type of drop off in offensive production. Add to that the risk of injury (especially after this years injuries) and you have to think he is gone.
As to Leach and his contract, Leach (and his agents(can’t stand agents)) shot himself in the foot if he is trying to get more money. The last three games of the year Tech was out coached in every phase of the game. Leach went behind the Universities back and interviewed for jobs but found out he isn’t really that hot of a commodity out there. He was pathetic at managing the game against Ole Miss and I think it proves the point that while he is a great Offensive Coordinator he has learned very little (if anything at all) about being a Head Coach and managing the most basic aspects of a football game during his 9 year stint here at Tech.
Boston College just fired their coach for interviewing for a job without their blessing. Maybe it’s time Tech did play some hardball in the same manner as it wouldn’t be the end of the world should Leach leave. We need a HC, not a $2 million/year glorified Offensive Coordinator.
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Hope Crabtree stays. He will look back one day and regret not staying if he leaves. The “what If’s” will set in when he’s older.
Leach nees to make up his mind. Stay or go. Get off the fence. Be a Raider or get out.
Looks like Texas pay off more Refs to win a game. Fourth and didn’t make it but the refs gave it to them again. Welcome to our world Ohio State. Will it ever stop. It always happens every game. Makes me sick. The whiners couldn’t be Tech even paying off the refs.
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Dan get those Acadamy, Khols, Craker Barrel etc. to stop selling UT crap and upgrade their inventories with Red Raider merchandise. :-) That’s how they get the cash to pay the refs.
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No Kidding. You can’t buy any Tech caps or shirts. Its all TU, OU, and A&M. I wear my Tech cap and shirts everywhere.
Walmart even carries all TU crap.
TU and Mack Brown make me sick. If they were good sports and played with honor and good sportsmanship they wouldn’t be so bad. Mack Brown only cares about winning and whining. Look at their grad rate.
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Coach Leach…..it is high-time to either COMMIT or go sail your ship in other waters.
I was never more proud of a Texas Tech football TEAM than I was for the first ten games of this year. Not just because they won, but because the TEAM seemed to give it all down to the last second. Through great coaching, hustle, teamwork, and execution they stayed in every game successfully. Now as I reflect back on the season, it seems we actually had two football seasons. The first one was for 10 games and the second season lasted three games after the team lost confidence in the second Q of the OU game. I strongly believe the two seasons are reflective of coaching and leadership. I give Leach and staff credit for a very successful ten game season. In the last season apparently coach Leach was thinking more about his new contract and upcoming interviews than preparing his team for primetime? Not only did teamwork take a nosedive after the Oklahoma loss when, simultaneously, Leach’s annual “Interview Bowl” began, but ultimately the team was unprepared by the coaches in the embarrassing performance in the Cotton Bowl. While the coaching drama was unfolding and Leach was using the circumstances as a stepping stone, TT lost at least one four star and a three star recruit, and several others are re-considering their commitment to Tech. I have some old fashioned ideals and agree with Boston College when they say – we would rather find a new coach than keep a coach who views the school as simply a stepping stone.
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Leach isn’t going anywhere. Nobody wants him. He has a great deal here. Tech has a great deal with Leach, but the only way Tech will get to the level of the Big 2, he has to upgrade his defense. Ruffin has done a great job, but great defensive athletes do not want to play in this scheme. Mediocre teams from the SEC have so much more defensive speed than we do.
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Is that the scheme where you try to have several players try to arm tackle a runner at different times & grab air?
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First, FIRE MYERS!!!! Add BIG bonus for actually winning the conference title and BIGGER bonuses for BCS game appearance and Nat’l Champ.
Looked at the list of games sked’d for Jerry Jones’ Billion Dollar Stadium in Arlington – NO Texas Tech included. Jones & Jones flew out to Lubbock and made a pitch to Tech, and the bumpkins in our athletic department still can’t get anything done.
FIRE MYERS!!!! C’mon, Kent, get that done and let’s move forward!
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You dont have to worry about a SEC team wanting LOL
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HIM
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I think the folks/fans in Dallas has done seen plenty of Tech – more than they ever wanted.
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Just to clear up one statement above, the rookie salary / bonus cap that’s has been talked about in the NFL will NOT go into effect in 2010 as originally proposed. The league has officially announced that fact, probably because there is no replacement yet for Gene Upshaw in the players union. If that were a big consideration for Crab, it shouldn’t be any more.
Please come back Michael. College memories are the best you will ever have. If injury is a worry, it’s bound to be more likely in the pros.
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The defense looked pretty good earlier in the season, until the ou game. Not making excuses for them, but I believe a couple of the key players were injured during the 1st half of the cotton bowl.
Crabtree, please come back for another year!
Wreck ‘em Tech!
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Crabtree will be back, faster and stronger than ever. That’s good because the team will need him more than ever. And with gunslinger Potts behind center, it could mean more long fades into the endzone for Crabs. He’ll get more touchdowns, set more records, and win an unprecedented third Blitnekoff. With the salary cap not going into effect until 2010, and such poorly managed teams getting the top draft picks, there’s little incentive to go pro.
The lackluster performance of the team, as well as Crabs’ obviously hindering ankle(s), his stock has surely dropped. Before he wouldn’t have to make the combine but now, if he were to go, he has no choice. I say he stays, gets healthy, and has another record year. I personally look forward to it
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We loved watchin you play. So long Michael…
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It was great havin you. Welcome back for another record breaking year!
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Can we get off Gerald? Leach’s agent has always and will continue to throw Leach’s name out there for every major job that comes open (regardless of Leach’s contract at Tech), and 95 percent of the time the school with the opening has no interest in Leach, who viewed his defense as a necessary evil for his first eight years in Lubbock.
Love Leach for his unwillingness to crown OU or UT as champ before the season kicks off. He has never resigned to being No. 3 as his predecessor did. Mike has done more with less better than any coach in Tech history.
C’mon back Crab. Guns up!
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This has morphed into a different subject, but why should a college (or pro team) even discuss a new contract with someone who still has two years on their current contract? Hooray for the Boston College athletic director. You make an agreement, you live up to it!
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If he is injured for the NFL combine, and ,if he is not a forcasted top 10 pick, I would stay. I think he will let an agent, Deon Sanders etc.talk him into going though.
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FIrst thing I am a avid TT fan, was dreaming of TT pulling it off this year, but there will be success in future. Dan in Weatherford when you get past the 40 yd line by about 6″ to a foot, and the refs place in on the 40, how is that being given a first down, they lost a few inches on spot, not gained (after seeing it on replay) You must of watched Ohio States reaction and not the replay. Forward progress is a real thing in college football. Also Crabtree is making a horrible gamble with his future if he does not leave for NFL. One bad play in practice or game or carwreck and his millions of dollars are just a dream. Remember the saying “a bird in the hand”. If we are talking about just Crabtrees future, NFL now is the only decent choice. Get paid, and if you wash out or get injured, your bonus will still be more than the average american will make in a lifetime. If we are only worried about TT, then please stay Crabtree and make a very poor gamble on your future. The first round picks contracts have become way too lucrative to pass up on a chance of having another good year and not getting injured. Of Course This Is All Depending On Him Being Drafted In The First Round! GO TECH, and I thank we will be impressed with Taylor Potts as long as he gets decent protection.
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Guys, I hate to say this because I want him here as much as you do, but this kids a top 5 pick in the NFL. He’s out of here. Good luck Crab, now lets hit the recruiting trail!
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We are talking about Leach becuase the article is about Leach’s contract extension being a CONCERN to the exalted Crabmeister!
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“Mike has done more with less better than any coach in Tech history.” I don’t think so!
Spike was far more efficient with what was provided to him comparable to the other institutions.
Yes, Leach has gone farther, but he’s had A LOT more resources. So your statement needs to be re-written. Spike has done more with less, better than any coach in Tech history. Leach follows Spike and has taken Tech farther along with a little more resources.
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Spike didn’t just pick a year and announce beforehand that it was his last..
Wasn’t he unceremoniously ushered out by Myers?
Both ADs and coaches are sharks now adays. Fans need to be ready for any sort of outcome (recruits too).
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YOU ALL ARE CRY BABIES…. LEACH HAS 2 YRS LEFT. HE WILL BE HERE 2 MORE YRS.
NOBODY HERE WAS SCREAMING FOR SPIKE TO SIGN HIS CONTRACT AND TO KEEP HIM FOR 10 YRS. YOU ALL HAVE ENJOYED THE SUCCESS THE PAST 9 YRS AND NOW YOU ALL ARE SCARED THAT WE WILL GO BACK TO WHAT WE WERE BEFORE CAPT. LEACH. RELAX. LEACH WILL SIGN AND MYERS IS ON HIS WAY OUT…………….
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Congrats Tech for winning the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Year and the $100K scholarship donation, compliments of the Grahamster & the Crabster.
Now, FIRE MYERS!!!!! – before he wreaks any more havoc on Tech athletics!
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Probably the last scholarship donation from the BIG(?) three. Yes congrats to the two of them and Tech! Wreck’Em Tech!
Well back to the top, will he or not. Winning that award sends his stock up if he cares about that. I would like to see him get his degree first though. Selfish and big brother in me talking.
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Regarding FL and OU game…Leach see what you can do against OU if you have the 11th man RUN!
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I echo an earlier post on Mike Leach. Speaking only for myself, I think he is a good innovative Offensive Coach, but after 9 years I’m not convinced he is a good head coach. There are many other duties required of a head coach, like making sure the team has a competitive defense (no knock on the Tech players who I think are fantastic, but a defense is only as good as the Defensive Coach). As for Crabtree, I’m happy with whatever choice he makes since he has already contributed so much for the team. GO RAIDERS!
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For more than just a personal bias, I believe Crabtree should return to Tech next year. Though his accolades speak for themselves, his stock as an NFL player will probably go up with at least one more year. If you look at the past eight years. Tech recruiting classes have never looked better. Taylor Potts in my opinion will far supersede Harrell as a big time QB. Baron Batch as well as new recruit Eric Stephens will further the run respect. With these prospects in place it will limit the double coverage schemes most defense’ show and only accentuate Crab’s legendary status.
On a side note: Crabtree has shown amazing things in College but the NFL is totally different. His elusiveness is worth little on the NFL showcase. For him to succeed he will need big time hands which I think need just a little more time to develop.
Please don’t spout his stats at me. I know them by heart. No reciever since wes welker has had better hands and no one even questioned whether he should stay at Tech for his senior year. This seems to be way to media driven for my tastes.
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Coach Leach you have accomplished great things for not only TT football but the Institution, as well! One thing for certain the Institution is far greater than any of its associates. This is not ment to minimize what you have done, but to point out TT football will go on with unsurpassed success even without your services. That said, you have amassed a strong fan base, not for the many “wins”, but for your character and strong leadership qualities! It is certainly normal for a professional like yourself to seek maximum fullfilment in your occupation. For this reason, it does not bother me for you to look in every corner prior to signing the contract extension! Hopefully, you will soon determine that TT has all the football qualities and maximum motivations you need for the immidiate future. This is a determination made by all past and those presently associated with our great Red Raider Institution of higher education! Sign the Contract!!!
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Dallas Bail Bondsman David Wells was a good and very unexpected source for this story. I hope he’s right that Crabtree is “50-50” on whether to leave Tech, and isn’t just dragging this out for no reason.
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Свобода слова на блоге – это всегда хорошо! Главное, чтобы общественности было что автору сказать :)
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Аффтар жжот :) Простите за албанский, но другие эпитеты не пришли в голову :)
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Что-то у меня в Opera дизайн вашего сайта расползается…
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Скажите, а можно ли взять статьи с вашего блога? Со ссылкой на первоисточник разумеется. :)
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