Tech notebook: Key receiver out in cold
BY DON WILLIAMS l AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Britton out in cold
Edward Britton, Texas Tech’s most experienced split end, was demoted before spring practice and further raised the ire of Tech coach Mike Leach this week. After Friday’s practice in 30-degree weather and a few snow flurries, Britton was sent to study classwork on the double-T at midfield of Jones AT&T Stadium.
He sat at a desk, in street clothes and a heavy coat with the hood pulled up.
“Ed didn’t like showing up and studying at places I felt like he needed to and like the academic people asked him to, so he can go study out there on the 50-yard line,” Leach said. “We’ll take baby steps, and if he does good studying out there, we’ll decide if we’re going to actually let him practice.”
Asked if Britton was on thin ice, Leach said, “I’d say that’s accurate. All guys that don’t study are on thin ice, as far as I’m concerned.”
Leach said Britton was to remain out in the cold, studying for at least an hour and a half after his teammates had gone in for the day.
“If somehow he fails to do that, then that’ll be the last we ever hear of Easy Ed,” Leach said.
On Wednesday, Britton took part in the first spring workout and was in the rotation at split end, although wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons listed him behind untested sophomore Rashad Hawk on the depth chart.
Britton caught 35 passes for 577 yards and six touchdowns last season and had 48 catches for 631 yards and four TDs the year before.
Harrell jersey goes to DT
Record-setting quarterback Graham Harrell would never guess who’ll wear the uniform No. 6 that he had throughout his Tech career. Next season, No. 6 will be worn by Colby Whitlock, the Red Raiders’ 6-foot-2, 285-pound defensive tackle.
Which begs the question: Do they make a No. 6 jersey in his size?
“They had to special order it,” Whitlock said. “I asked (head equipment manager) Zane (Perry) and them if they’ve ever had a DT wear a single digit. They said no.”
Tech career sacks leader Aaron Hunt wore No. 9, but he was a defensive end.
Whitlock said he hasn’t seen Harrell since he claimed the jersey number of the two-time 5,000-yard passer.
“He couldn’t have any better-looking guy take it over for him,” said Whitlock, who was the leading tackler among Tech’s defensive linemen last season.
Coping with the cold
Maybe no Tech player felt more out of place during Friday’s winter storm than sophomore linebacker Sam Fehoko, who grew up Hawaii. Fehoko had seen snow during his time in Lubbock, but Friday’s practice was his first time to practice with flurries falling.
“I told one of my teammates, Tyrone Sonier, that I was going to call my mom after practice and tell her that it’s snowing here and I’m practicing in snow and she’s going to trip out,” Fehoko said. “It’s really different practicing in this snow.”
The light snow had been pushed to the perimeter of Jones AT&T Stadium before practice began. With it piled up, a few players took the liberty of lobbing snowballs back and forth during lulls in the workout.
Earlier in the day, when he saw his car covered with snow, Fehoko realized he was short on supplies.
“We don’t have ice scrapers in Hawaii because it never snows, so I wouldn’t think to buy an ice scraper,” he said. “I guess now I’ve got to go and get one. I haven’t had an ice scraper. I’ve got to wait for my defog heat up.”
The National Weather Service forecast for Lubbock calls for high temperatures of 54 degrees Saturday and 75 degrees Sunday.
The Raiders don’t have any spring drills scheduled for either day, but it’s not Tech coach Mike Leach’s nature to reschedule just because of a little bad weather.
“Coach Leach, he don’t care,” redshirt freshman receiver Cornelius Douglas said. “He don’t care if it’s sleeting, snowing, hailing, raining – he’s going to make us go out there.”
Compiled by Don Williams
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It’s nice to see a coach wanting the best for his players. Think Bobby or Mack would be seen doing this?
I doubt it.
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I bet Ed was sure cold sitting still at that desk on the 50. At least the other players were staying warm running around…
Tough coach.
I support that 100%
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I’m thinking about Sam Fehoko. In my mind the kid deserves a lot of credit for being a long way from home and adjusting to everything.
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I sure hope Ed Britton gets it together. He is one of the most valuable receivers on the team and many are counting on him for his ability and experience.
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Coach setting an example with Britton, for the rest of the team. I bet this got their attention.
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Britton better be glad Lubbock did not have the weather that we got here in Amarillo: 40 mph winds, 9 inches of snow, 21 degree high, not counting the wind chill….
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Even Ed’s father backs coach Leach’s approach. He knows the importance of a college education, and I’m betting Ed Jr. is starting to understand that importance as well. My guess is that he is going to show that he is a quick learner and things will get back to normal soon. He is a real asset for this team, but he, as well as any other player, must take care of the classroom stuff first. Thanks to the Cap’n for his “Tough Love” approach. I am sure everyone on the team will make education in the classroom more important to their future than ever before.
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My coach once said to me “When I stop caring thats when you should be worried”. This is why I trusted Mike and Bless his Soul(Coach Brown) to look after my then teanage son. Because that is what I would have done. Hear Hear!! Nothing but the best. As a parent you support the coaches and encourage your child. This will be a great memory for the ages, and a learning tool for years to come. Way to go big brother Dennis! LOVE PEACE AND HAPPINESS… Lets keep cleaning the arsenal. #27
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FINALLY!!! Besides the fact that the monopoly of NCAA on sports, which has taken them from being a nice athletic outlet for STUDENTS to a multi-billion dollar industry, it does give lip-service to student athletes making their grades. I am very proud that Texas Tech football actually has a coach who knows that college sports should be the means to an end—and the end is not to turn pro after a year or two in college. The end is to have a great education that equips a student athlete to compete in the real world of being a contributing citizen who earns a living from his acquired knowledge and studies.
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P.S. Ed Britton is a very talented player who is going to do even greater things this Fall, so it’s a good thing that Leach has gotten his attention early. No one is ever ‘too cool for school” and once you think that…you are on the slippery slow to academic suspension. Keep up the work ethic that makes you a great player, Ed, in the library and it will also carry on to the field.
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Ed Britton will tough it out and be a leader for next year’s team. His improvement at WR after spending his entire career previously at RB is going to pay off big time in 2009 and on draft day in 2010. Britton’s speed and ability will shine in 2009, when I expect Tech to have the best overall class of receivers in its history. Tech will be better than people expect and it will translate in their record. Guns up!
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ed hit the books in the libray and in the classroom , alot warmer than the middle of the football field. save the field for catching TD passes.
GOOD LUCK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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That was great to read – especially the response from his Dad.
Great message for the whole team..
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this is why I love Texas Tech
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Big ego coming down crashing…I am from El Paso…Not all that sparkles is gold…There is trouble in Denmark…
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Missery Loves company. And I am a Loner always have been and always will be. If you need a hand mine is extended all it takes is for you to reach out and take it, if you are without simply ask or show need and it will be offered. We all have need some are material and others are spiritual Iam no different. When all is said and done, all that matters is what have you done for others and for mankind, this is the only ticket that matters. Raider Nation as One… getcha getcha guns UP #27
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Studyhall at the 50 yard line should get a point across. Another vote of confidence for Leach.
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