Tech notes: Raiders throw down in practice
BY DON WILLIAMS l AVALANCHE-JOURNAL
Texas Tech running back Harrison Jeffers made himself a target for defensive teammates who accused him of hitting after the whistle during Wednesday’s spring practice.
That touched off what looked like a more serious than usual fight during the 11-on-11 team period. Defensive end Daniel Howard and linebacker Bront Bird went after Jeffers in retaliation, and the skirmish quickly turned into a pile of players.
Linebacker Sam Fehoko entered and swung a helmet, which caused wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons to chew out Fehoko and drive him back away from the fray. That led to defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill and Simmons jawing at one another with McNeill barking at Simmons to police his own players.
It was an odd sight for the two decade-long Tech assistants, and McNeill downplayed it.
“He’s standing up for his player; I’m standing up for my guys,’’ McNeill said. “Dennis is like my son. It was just heat of the moment. Me and Dennis love each other. I told him I apologize, and he apologized, so we’re good to go. No problem.’’
Tech’s defensive players weren’t so quick to forgive Jeffers. Defensive end McKinner Dixon angrily lashed out at Jeffers more than once during the team period. And a few plays after the melee, defensive lineman Brandon Sesay gave Jeffers another hit after he’d already been tackled.
Asked what Jeffers was doing to raise the defense’s hackles, Tech coach Mike Leach said, “Getting yards.’’
Leach watched the fracas without much reaction.
“We’re going to issue some consequences (for fighting) from here on,” he said later, “because I think it’s important to practice controlling your emotions. We’re going to make sure that we take advantage of the opportunity. But I do like the aggression. I think everybody’s heart’s in the right place. They’ve just got to do it during plays and avoid the between-plays stuff.”
Not pleased
The team’s corps of mostly young receivers has struggled during the first four workouts with dropped passes and not-sharp routes, which has been a source of irritation for Leach.
“We’re definitely going to roll some guys through and make some changes,’’ Leach said, “because right now as a receiving corps we’re not as tough as we need to be. Right now, I can’t think of any (receiver) I would put in the category of ‘tough.’ Not one.’’
Leach’s frustration with the group on Wednesday peaked about a half-dozen plays into a 7-on-7 passing period, when defensive backs were breaking up one pass after another.
Leach called time and made the offensive skill players do 40 up-downs before resuming the drill.
Strong impression
Sophomore cornerback Taylor Charbonnet could have had an excused absence from practice, because he’d undergone oral surgery the day before. Instead, he broke up three passes during 7-on-7.
He went through that period with no shoulder pads — standard for players who are injured and withheld from contact — then put on the pads and participated in 11-on-11.
“You can imagine having a wisdom tooth pulled at 2 o’clock yesterday, and less than 24 hours later he’s back on the field,’’ defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill said. “His name moves up in my mind. His respect level moves up in my mind. Then he comes out and makes plays, not just going through the motions. He was supposed to not even be out there.’’
Some extra snaps have been available at cornerback because starter Jamar Wall has missed all but one practice after an ankle surgery. Wall was in a protective boot on Monday, but wasn’t wearing it on Wednesday.
Offensive lineman hurt
Offensive tackle Brandon Carter was carted off the field after suffering an apparent knee injury about a dozen plays from the end of the workout.
Tech does not disclose information on the nature or severity of injuries.
Offensive lineman done
Offensive lineman Adrian Archie, who missed the 2008 season with a knee injury, has given up football, Leach said. Archie, who was at Wednesday’s workout, will be able to finish school on scholarship without counting against the program’s 85-scholarship limit, Leach said.
“Great guy,’’ Leach said. “The team all thinks a lot of him.’’
Clinic at hand
Tech’s coaching staff will put on its annual spring clinic Friday and Saturday. It’s open to visiting coaches and the public at a cost of $60, according to Tommy McVay, Tech director of football operations. More information is available at (806) 742-4260.
More from this category
- Stoops, Brown: Pac-16 would have been good, but Big 12 still strong
- Tuberville at “perfect place” with job at Tech, in Big 12
- Big 12 adjusts to Tech coaching change
- Red Raiders set fan day for Aug. 14
- Virginia linebacker restarts with Tech
- Victory at Manning camp just part of good summer for Tech’s Potts
- New look evident on Red Raiders’ football practice field
- Big 12 reprimands Tech coach Tuberville for critical comments
More from this author
- Stoops, Brown: Pac-16 would have been good, but Big 12 still strong
- Big 12 media day notes: Tech QBs a rare sight
- Tuberville at “perfect place” with job at Tech, in Big 12
- Big 12 adjusts to Tech coaching change
- Virginia linebacker restarts with Tech
Subscribe to this author
Temper temper, that’s why we lead in penalty yards! Leach better address this or come fall, we may be back to our ways. Intensity is good, temper not.
Report this comment
I kind of appreciate the players displaying their passion. During Spring is the time to do this, there is a learning opportunity in it. One that impacts the entire team as well as individuals who are working to land a bit of playing time.
Football is a physical sport with the physical being a part that makes a difference. Staying at it, learning to use it will lead to all being more physical and more in control.
On the surface of it all, it looks like they want to compete to win.
Report this comment
As I hear Jeffers just blew the defensive player up way after the whistle and it was a cheap shot in the back while the guy was standing there, he deserved getting his butt whipped. Remember this a team and cheap shots have a Zero tolerance unwritten rule, let alone the cheap shot was administered to one of your own players. I don’t think Jeffers would want to go heads up with Bird, Howard ,or Fehoko, or maybe he would. It really wouldn’t matter, he would still get his butt kicked. Practice is very intense because a starting job is on the line, maybe you should attend one and really get a good concept of what these kids go thru
Report this comment
No it’s not right and a cheap shot. So?There are many times in games and life that things are not fair. In games the last one who throw the punch is always penalized by the officials. Doesn’t matter who’s at fault or did a cheap shot, just have to be smart, walk away and channel the anger/temper on the field. Too many times we kill ourselves and end offensive drives beacuse of 15 yard penalties! And we give others sustaining scoring drives too. We need help in this manner coach! Again intensity is good, temper is not. Hope Leach wakes up to this fact…
Report this comment
According to leach’s statements “Jeffers was gaining yards” Maybe the defense should take their anger out on stopping the run. If you can’t stop Jeffers from gaining yards then OU will run all over us again. It sounds like Jeffers is going to be an outstanding addition to our offense.
Report this comment
Good! H I hope the defense GETS MAD and STAY’S MAD.Here is an open challenge…NO TD’S scored against the defense before the Texas game.That would be a good motivating factor going into Austin.Question?When will the Leach bashers quit their sniffiling and look at things in a positive way?I can name one…..that always comes up with a blah,blah,blah,…..But I won’t mention any names…..
Report this comment
NO,NO,NO!!!! Jeffers wasn’t gaining yards, he didn’t even have the ball, and he intentionally hit someone in the back after the play was over. Dirty play and highly unacceptable. If you are on a hockey team and someone hits your goalie the unwritten rule takes effect, if you are on a baseball team and someone takes a cheap shot at one of your teammates you better get off the bench and come to the aid if your teammate or you will be fined and smittened by your teammates, The Unwritten rule. In a game situation you have to control your emotions in football, at practice fights break out all the time, go to a practice. This a violent game, not too many people get hurt in a fight with gear on, it hurts your hand more to hit a helmet than to be hit with a helmet on. But you can bet it wakes you up. Just like in hockey they usually don’t break it up until someone gets the advantage, then they shake hands and carry on with practice, all hostilities settled. Respect is garnered and earned. If you are going to be a cheap shot artist you need your butt whipped end of story!!!!
Report this comment
I can think of another running back who was a great talent… even got drafted by Chicago. Then he took cheap shots and shot his mouth off every practice. Urlacher laid him out, and his line quit blocking for him.
Wasn’t his name Cedric Benson?
Report this comment
DD that’s all fine and dandy if you can tell the difference between practice and game time. I think a lot of OUR players can’t and in fact the way Leach runs things and trains the players in the “system” it’s like a game. Or so I’ve been told…
Also another negative to your statement is it is high probability of injury and that HURTS the TEAM! Again there is a difference between high intensity and stupid temper.
RaiderP, cat go your tongue? I do like Leach and wish him well, that’s why I am giving him my 2 cents. I just think Tech should have held their ground with his salary that’s all. Now go to work so you can up your donations to Tech!
Report this comment
Watchdog- these guys beat each other up on a daily basis, you will have flare- ups. That’s where the unwritten rule comes into effect. You do not allow the cheap-shot by policing yourselfs. Trust me it happens all the time and I would be willing to bet that Jeffers will think twice about delivering another late blow, because that is more likely to cause injury then the boxing match with helmets and pads on. As for the Leach situation: HE IS WORTH EVERY PENNY! If you noticed the bonus program is given when earned and only based on performance, not tenure. I for one am behind Mike all the way, just take a look at the graduation rate. Boys to men ring a bell?
Report this comment
RaiderP, cat go your tongue? ummmmmmmmmm
WHAT? Once again….lol I did not even have to say your name for people to know who I am talking about.
I don’t have to work to give my donation…can you say that?So that means I really pay for you to have a seat if you only give your cents….
And once again..blah blah blah….from Watchpup.113.I wonder If the 113 is the number os bashing comments you have said about Leach? And counting…..
Report this comment
Raider P your not giving till it hurts then. Better give some more!
Report this comment
I didn’t say you were talking about me that was you. I just asked if there is a cat in your house.
DD, if you get on coach’s bad side that should be encouragement enough not to do cheap shots, that is if your not already thinking like a team and want the best and team to succeed. Maybe they do need to run punishment laps….or a punching bag to control their emotions. Have sharpie handy so you can write name of player on it. Raider P will sacrifice and buy it for the team.
Report this comment
blah,blah,blah……..
“and in fact the way Leach runs things ”
blah,blah,blah,…..
“Hope Leach wakes up to this fact…”
blah,blah,blah,…..
” Leach better address this or come fall, we may be back to our ways.”
blah,blah,blah,…..
And you preach to us about “CHEAP SHOTS” When that is all you do when you downgrade Leach?
Why don’t you just put “CHEAP” in front of that watchdog113,114,115 and put on a TEXAS TEE SHIRT..because you sure sound like one.Moron…….
Report this comment
Should have fired Leach and hired Sonny.
Report this comment
Watchdog- they already go to a boxing coach for 2 hours every other night, they hit the bag and box each other so they can work on stamina and handspeed. It’s no wonder some of their boxing skills carry over to practice, after all boys will be boys and men will be men. I think they handled it and it’s over , lesson learned. By the way, football is 15 seconds of insanity after every snap,so you have to play with a ton of emotion and aggression. Hats off to the winner.
Report this comment
DD, that said (inherent with the sport) why does Tech lead the NCAA with penalty yards? Something different. Especially since this hasn’t been a one year flook, but been pretty consistent.
Report this comment
For those who are eternal optimist this is really a sore spot since Tech has the talent, and everything else to make it as a conference champion (and more) only to have too many momentary or in some cases consecutive penalty yards that kill offensive scoring drives/opportunities or give new life to the other team after the defense successfully stops the opponent’s drives. Stupid (mostly selfish) acts by those on the field. This really hurts those who want Tech to win. Also a sever cause of drinking too much. Just look at the stats over the years.
Report this comment
Are you kidding me, watchdog? 11-2 and I don’t think penalties had anything to do with the 2 losses, Do you? WE lost the games by not being aggressive enough. OU and OL’MISS were way more aggressive than us. I agree that sensless penalties are not good in most cases, but there is a reason why they put the officials on the field, and it is certainly not to look pretty in the stripes. You need to take a few dirty blows and see how well you take it, it’s just human nature to protect yourself and most football players don’t qualify for the Pansie Parade.
Report this comment
DD, I can’t recall this year that it was critical to the outcome of the game, only because our losses were so lopsided. It did affect momentum several times and that leads to the “what ifs”… having momentum shifts that are the result of stupid lapse of judgement is cause for a fan and a coach to seek counseling. Also this wasn’t a problem just last year, it’s been a continual problem. Less some years more others.
All I am saying is that Tech has more than their fair share. Yes, I know it’s part of the game and can be expected, but on all my post I have distinguished between intensity which is good and desirable and that of stupid momentary lapse of judgment regarding temper, which is bad. Key is to have intensity while at the same time minimize the other. That goal, I think, is made possible by making the team very aware what can happen and drilling them.
And Raider P I add Leach’s name because I don’t see him addressing them as two separate things (read his comments) so according to you, I guess I’ll be a t-siper now and change my count to 116. NOT! I’ll just continue to believe what I would do to make the Red Raiders better and speak my mind (of which Tech had a roll in educating and developing). Sorry if you don’t like it. Maybe aggie the land of the corps is for you (because they follow the word of the jumpsuits).
Report this comment
Raider P on the positive side of Leach, he woke up to the need of special teams and did a great job in trying to fix it this next year. Lets hope for the best. Does that take me down to 112? But that doesn’t relate to the subject of the thread….
Report this comment
No one is questioning your loyalty 112-116Watchdog.But your wishy washy ways.One comment your kudos to Leach and then you bash him.and you bash more than you praise.
The million dollar question here is, Are you the kid that nobody ever picked for their dodgeball team growing up?Because you are always in every conversation and has the odd man out opinion?Or lets just call you Fraiser!That could be a compliment or an insult…you pick!
It’s all good Watchpup…just get your butt to the spring game and lets see If we can see some smash mouth”GET MAD” attitudes on both sides of the ball.I hope the defense is one bad machine this year.After all this is not badmittin..is it?
Report this comment
Where ever the birdie falls…
“No one is questioning your loyalty” …yes you RaiderP have!
“One comment your kudos to Leach and then you bash him”…call’em as I see’em.
“Because you are always in every conversation and has the odd man out opinion?”…cause I am a watchdog and think outside the box. Someone has to be the leader. If there aren’t any followers, so be it. I’ll just be like Travis (W.B.).
Report this comment
Oh and BTW the “But your wishy washy ways.” is caused by the play of my Red Raiders. The have caused my drinking problem.
Report this comment
Sounds like this Jeffers’ mentor must be the freak that had two personal fouls called on him against Ole Miss! All he needs is the face paint and spiked haircut. Probably has a shank in his sock!!!
Report this comment
dam freddie u have alot stuff to say about jeffers …. without even knowing him… do u want ur ass kick
Report this comment