Leach voices support for Doege
Signs continue to point toward Texas Tech redshirt freshman Seth Doege making his first career start this week.
Tech coach Mike Leach praised him again Monday, much as he did after Saturday’s 52-30 loss to Texas A&M. He also suggested Taylor Potts, the Red Raiders’ starting quarterback in six out of eight games this season, is lacking confidence.
“I think it’s an issue,’’ Leach said on Monday’s Big 12 coaches teleconference. “I think confidence is probably the most important aspect that a quarterback has. No matter who you are, there are things you’ve got to fight through. On an individual level, he needs to ensure he’s confident. There’s no quarterback that’s going to be effective unless they are.’’
Doege entered Saturday’s game with Tech trailing 38-14 in the third quarter and led the team to two touchdowns in five series.
“I thought he looked really good,’’ Leach said during the team’s weekly Monday news conference. “I thought he played good. He didn’t try to make too much happen. He’s got a good arm, and he’s a sharp guy. Just read the material in front of you and don’t add to it and read between the lines. I thought he did a good job of that.’’
Texas Tech quarterback Seth Doege recovers from being knocked out of bounds just short of a first down Saturday night against Texas A&M at Jones AT&T Stadium. Texas A&M beat Texas Tech 52-30. (John A. Bowersmith/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal)
Seth Doege's performance Saturday in a 52-30 loss to Texas A&M gained many praises from head coach Mike Leach. Indications lead to Doege starting over Taylor Potts in place of the injured Steven Sheffield. (John A. Bowersmith/Avalanche-Journal)
Doege, who missed his junior season at Frenship with an injury to one knee and his senior season with an injury to the other, made his college debut late in a 66-14 victory over Kansas State on Oct. 10. On Saturday, he completed 18 of 25 passes for 146 yards.
Flanker Alex Torres said he wasn’t surprised by Doege’s performance because he “loves playing and has passion for the game.’’
“I wasn’t too surprised with the way he performed at all,’’ Torres said, “just because I’ve seen what he can do in practice. I have confidence in him.’’
Potts played for the first time since he got knocked out of a game Oct. 3 wiht a concussion. He threw a touchdown pass to Torres on the first drive, then led the Red Raiders to only one more score before he was replaced after nine series. He lost a fumble, threw two interceptions in A&M territory and left the field at halftime to chants of “No more Potts’’ from the home crowd.
Asked where Potts’ confidence level is, Leach said, “Only he knows that. We’ll have to figure that out, but confidence is a decision. A guy’s got to decide to be confident. If you decide you’re not, it’s fairly counterproductive. If you’re not successful and you have confidence, maybe you will be.’’
In the meantime, Leach rebuked players who suggested the team missed the enthusiasm of injured quarterback Steven Sheffield, who directed the Red Raiders to a three-game winning streak that ended with Saturday’s loss.
Sheffield, suffering from a broken foot, was on the sideline on crutches Saturday. On Monday, linebacker Bront Bird said “a level of confidence comes with Sticks (Sheffield),’’ and Torres said the offense felt his absence.
“Coach Leach pointed out to us in Sunday’s meeting there were times when Sheffield on the sideline was (more) excited about the game than some of us on the field, and he had no control of being able to make a play,’’ Torres said.
Asked later if the team misses Sheffield’s enthusiasm, Leach said, “Maybe, but that’s just an excuse. They can generate their own enthusiasm. We can issue party favors before the game or something like that. They need Sheffield for enthusiasm, and Sheffield does a great job of that, no question. But somebody else, they need to have their own damn enthusiasm.’’
Leach mentioned that players such as little-used safety Trent Nickerson and two freshmen who are redshirting — defensive tackle Pearlie Graves and quarterback Jacob Karam — suit up primarily for what they bring to the sideline.
“But those guys have great enthusiasm,’’ Leach said, “and the notion that we’re bringing underclassmen to generate enthusiasm and we have upperclassmen laying around here, that ought to tell you something. So any of those guys whining about enthusiasm can get off their (butt) and be more enthusiastic.’’
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Sounds like this isn’t just a quarterback issue…..
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Looks like a vote of confidence for Doege!
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they can say what they want but the last time I watched the game the quarterback isn’t on the defensive side of the ball! the defense laid an egg!
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Much more than the defense laying the eggs. Almost everyone on the field for the Red Raiders laid eggs. Must have thought it was April….
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And Leach was the Easter Bunny! Leadership starts at the top COACH!
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horned frog, it’s been well over a month and you are still on this site. You’re the saddest excuse of a long horn fan I’ve ever seen. Get a life. I’m sure there are plenty of Ohio state or usc blogs that you can go live in past in.
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I feel really bad for Potts. He could have gone to a lot of schools but chose to wear the red and black. For that, I support him and every other Red Raider. If the fans want to call out specific players’ performances and name names, I can think of a few defensive players out of position and making pathetic dives at ankles. Start there, Potts doesn’t play defense.
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Hey Truth……..good point let’s support all our Red Raiders!! Sometimes we forget these are 20 Year old kids. Too bad our coach acts about 12!
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I’m with BillyJoeJimBob and the Truth. We scored 30 points. That should be enough for even a normal defense.
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Does he have a fat little girlfriend too?
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Nothing wrong with coach telling his players to blame no one or thing but their own individual self.
Posters here are for telling what’s wrong in general, but it all comes down to individual skills and performance.
All the new stadium seats, salaries, and hype don’t help until you become a better blocker & tackler. If you’
re good and getting better then it’s fun and emotional. But you’ve got to have the skills and deliver at game time.
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HMM leadership starts with the coach. While I do not disagree with this point I would like to point out that yes leadership starts with the coach, but yet its the players that must then turn that leadership into confidence. And what I have noticed from this team is there is not a guy you can point to and say that is the leader of this team. Thats a player issue not a coaching issue. You can’t coach leadership and confidence those come from the inside of a player.
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I don’t no how many teams there are in D-1 football, but I hope that Tech is never rated above last place. One place below last and we will not have to worry about reading our press clippings; I have seen this for too many years to count…………….
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My son’s girl friend is not fat………maybe a little chunky. Oh by the way, Coach Leach’s house was egged after the game last Saturday. They blamed it on Taylor because only two of the dozen eggs hit anything. :(
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Agreed this team is in dire need of leadership. This was an obvious problem after the Houston loss when our senior supposed leaders decided to criticize and point fingers instead of inspire and encourage their teammates to play hard. Unfortunately potts can’t provide that for some reason. Sheffield filled the hole and we consequently had great success. Now he goes down and the team is back where they were. Seniors need to nut up and show some effing leadership. Pathetic the team has to rely on the backup qb. Hope doege can fill the hole vs a tough ku. Gotta be frustrating as a coach to see this in your supposed leaders. Nut up and earn your scholarships
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Mrs Potts…….although humorous……..not a real good admission about your SON.
Now seriously……..Does anybody agree that Potts biggest problem appears to be reading and reacting to coverages? It seems to me he stands there studying what to do and as he becomes unceratin, he really starts to panic.
I think he has a lot of arm talent, but not sure how he can overcome the poor “in play” decision making.
But, if Coach Leach thinks he is our best opportunity to win…………….Let’s get behind him and pull him along.
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I hope leach is enjoying that big contract with no buyout!!!! I don’t see this guy being here much longer, because he is getting paid big to win big, and he is winning little.
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that’s bull ‘my opinion’.
Tech is 5 and 3, coming off of a Big 12 South Shared Championship………….it is not all bad.
Good grief………..you guys do not remember Jerry Moore do you? ALL of Spike’s years we were not rosy either.
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First of all I feel for Potts,my heart goes out to him, college football as all football is a very physical sport amd in the case of college football lots of money is involved,losing is not a option, Im not a doctor by any means but after taking the illegal and vicious hit in the Texas game he never seemed the same and getting hit again in the New Mexico game Im sure didnt help either, I dont know how well he was evaluated after these concussions, traumatic head injury is a serious condition, we are just now starting to understand about it through our boys coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan, not being able to think as fast or make quick decisions or for that matter concentrate are telltale signs, Coach Leach said we need to learn from things, please after the season is over the practice of leading with your helment should be seriously looked at by the big12 and really all of college football, its not allowed in pro football Leadership comes from within a person,pride also,confidence comes from within also and knowing what your abilitys are and heart., the loss to A.M . WAS A TEAM LOSS AND THAT SHOULD BE SHARED FROM THE COACHING STAFF ON DOWN, BUT WE NEED TO MOVE ON, GOOD LUCK, .
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Leach has made a huge mistake by not supporting the QB position, i.e. Taylor. I was in support of Leach’s change in QB to Sheffield as he brings more options to the position than even Graham provided. In addition, Sheffield brought tempo, leadership and enthusiasm. Little did Leach know that Sheffield would get hurt after inserting him in place of Taylor. I am not defending Taylors play (good at times and bad at times). The interceptions last week were his fault. The fumble from a hit in the back was not. Taylors play has not been at par with Graham. But getting back to my point. Football is a team game and the team needs leadership from Leach at the QB position and he has failed the team this year. What if Doege gets hurt vs Kansas… Did I see him limping after taking a hit in the 4th Qtr. Who does Leach have to turn to. Why its Taylor? Bottom line, the team and fans have overplayed their hand in blaming Taylor for all their problems and Leach has undersupported his QB position by not supporting the position.
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I agree with your concern ‘foot’……………it is likely Potts plays again.
But, not sure what Coach Leach could have done different? The first time he pulled Potts, was in the New Mexico game when Potts was obviously hurt. The second time was the second half of the A & M game, and I am not sure it would have been a good thing to leave him in there and let the crowd get even more negatively vocal towards Potts.
Maybe, more support in the press?
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TTU is not 5-3. ND state doesn’t count. For that matter, neither does Rice or UNM. These two teams are the dregs of D1 football. TTU is 2-3 against “real teams.”
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So are we going to go thru everyone’s schedule and eliminate all of the so called ‘dregs’?
I have TTU at 5-3, just like i had them at 11-2 last year.
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Redbird, you are correct. Leach should have provided more support in the press for the QB whoever is starting, especially the original starter, Taylor. If he doesn’t publicly support the QB, why should the team or the fans? All the fans read is what is printed in the articles and the articles leave a reader to wonder if Leach supported Taylor at all at QB. Leach’s first mistake was not to respond to the 2 players who stated a couple of weeks ago to reporters that they supported Sheffield. What did we hear from Leach. Nothing. Respect for Taylor from the team and fans at that point was diminished significantly. Bottom line, the QB position suffered from Leach’s lack of leadership. Again, I am not denying Taylor has made his mistakes. He has. He has also made great plays and taken a beating from a line that is not as good as the line last year. Sheffield and Doege have been hit as well.
LEACH NEEDS TO PUBLICLY SUPPORT HIS QB CHOICE WHOEVER IT IS AND SAY ALL THE QB’S ARE CAPABLE OF WINNING GAMES FOR TTECH. UNFORTNATELY, IT MAY BE TOO LATE FOR TAYLOR AND THAT IS SAD FOR THE TTECH TEAM.
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‘foot’………I believe your points are good…….and well stated.
I guess I somehow see a Coach is giving his support to a player when he starts him.
Leach has never been one to tell the world how great one his players play.. Maybe that is a problem. Certainly, I think Taylor has suffrered from a lack of confidence, especially last Saturday.
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redbird, his feet are in stone. he’ll never do well behing this OL…
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anyone who still calls the hit against texas illegal is a moron and yes it was vicious but illegal no go watch it with an unbiased mind. oh wait most of you can because u have blinders on. also if you still think it is affecting him your still a moron because lets see wasnt reported to have a concussion. remember a certain florida qb come back to what win every game since his concussion and here it is “trip’s” to the hospital. potts was not superman b4 the texas hit and never will b.
everyone sheff and even this new kid would be way better than potts in every game if they were the starters keep potts on the sideline because he is deffinately not the qb for the job
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I think the biggest problem so far has been the idea that tech is supposed to win every game, because the fans and even the team got spoiled after last years success. personally i have played against Potts in football and he was definitely one of the best quarterbacks i had seen in some time. everyone is comparing his play to Harrell’s play of last year, but what people seem to forget is how Harrell played when he first got the starting job. this is a kid that hasn’t taken the starting position in over three years, there will be some growing pains, people just need to understand that and support the kid. with the lack of support shown towards him, especially during the a&m game would devastate any player. what our fans need to realize is that this IS A TEAM SPORT, so even though one player might seem to struggle they need to look at the bigger picture and see what the other players are also doing.
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Texas hit was illegal.
The helmet was used as a weapon.
Doesn’t matter if he hit his butt instead of his head. The helmet can’t be used as a weapon — (Texas & OU coach illegal spearing because they get away with it—BUT it doesn’t make it legal just cause they get away with it).
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Mrs Potts is his Mother and she will protect him no matter what, and so should we. He was recruited as a Blue Chip everything and no doubt can play the game. NONE of us, even as Leach has said, only Potts can regain his confidence. This is a head game for him.
But, think about the following…..every QB for Leach has been very, very successful. Can any of us who sit from afar understand the steps that he must follow…nothing but NCAA records. The guys that follow Potts are now fulfilling a different kind of expectation….But Potts needs our support just like the other Red Raiders on the Team. Let us not be so pathetic as to blame one person for the A&M loss.
This, indeed, was a team loss…..Defense on Saturday was not the same as it was a week ago. Offense was not the same, either. Did the Coaching Staff do the job we expect from them? I do not know. None of us know….we are not on the practice field, in the offices or on the sidelines. From the Coaches to the Players, they all need our support, they do not need to hear our criticism!!!!
This is a new weekend, another game…by the way, the Raiders are Student Athletes who are now 5-3 and to date, only one game away from being 6-2. Let’s do our part and help them become 6-3, 7-3, 8-3….and another bowl win…..Guns UP!!!!!!
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Any team should be able to win if they score 30 points. It was a defensive failure plain and simple. They didn’t show up to play. Potts was cheered when he lead the team to 14 points then everyone started to whine because they saw our team getting pummeled by A&M. If you boo’d Potts, you’re a moron. He didn’t lose the game. I’m writing Ruffin for a refund for my tickets because he coaches the D and they didn’t show up.
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I’m with Plano Raider on this one. it surprising to me that people can blame the quarterback for apparently giving up 52 points. last time i checked the quarterback was on the sideline every time a&m put points on the board. it was a complete team collapse. defense didn’t show up to play which happens to be the typical tech defense, show up one game don’t show up the next, tech receiver’s dropping balls which astounds me cause they were recruited because of their hands, offensive line not sustaining blocks, quarterbacks holding the ball to long trying to make too much happen, and coaching staff not showing up to call plays. this falls on the TEAM not an individual player.
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I’ve said it before……D-E-F-E-N-S-E!!! Read Mack Brown’s comments in Zuvie’s blog. It makes sense to me.
We should not and cannot blame Taylor Potts for this year’s failings…what a shameful bunch of idiots at the
A & M game for their chants against him!!
It’s a sad time for Red Raiderland right now….all this bickering over coaches, quarterbacks, o linesmen……
makes me sick!!
WHY NOT JUST STAND UP AND HOLLER “LET’S GO RAIDERS!” INSTEAD?
Graduated in 1958, been a Raider for a lot longer than most of you have been alive; and, right now I am
not very proud of my “schoolmates”!
Beat Kansas..Go Tech!
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1. i am sick to hear about our fans cheering “no more potts”… that is 100% classless.
2. i have been a fan since billy joe was the quarterback. i have seen all kinds … good ones and horrible ones. without a doubt — one thing i can say is EVERY ONE OF THEM HAS GIVEN THEIR ALL FOR OUR TEAM. even zebbie. the people that are turning on potts ARE NOT IN ANY WAY TRUE TECH FANS (or sports fans for that matter). don’t get me wrong, i was mad as hell about the loss against houston, bummed about texas and pretty much horrified about losing to a pathetic aggie team. but i will never stoop to calling out one guy and humiliating him. athletes care deeply about playing their best. they are their own worst critics.
3. taylor potts has class. i watched him on the sidelines sincerely cheering for “sticks” as he was watching his personal dreams die. despite taylor’s recent lack of confidence on the field… TAYLOR POTTS HAS CLASS AND CARES ABOUT TEXAS TECH! i don’t know many people that could have a ton of confidence knowing they are just a bad play away from being hung out to dry from the fans and the coaches!!!!
4. mike leach has made TWO lethal decisions this year … the first, NOT KICKING THE FIELD GOAL ON 4TH DOWN AGAINST HOUSTON! and VERBALLY KICKING TAYLOR POTTS TO THE CURB!
taylor, if you read this – hang in there! the people crucifying you have probably never even broken a sweat much less been part of a REAL TEAM.
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that was not mrs potts, she wouldn’t say that about his girlfriend or her son….i know his girlfriend personally and she is a beautiful girl. leach needs to get anothe adjective or better yet leave friends and family out of his conferences. he should just say the fans had them overconfident and end it with that. his cute little remarks are wearing me out!
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One word describes that Tech performance on Saturday, “PATHETIC!”
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In the famous words of Zach Thomas: “This always happens to Tech!”
In one word, already repeated above, DEFENSE!
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Alabama would love to have 30 points in a game. They scored 22, 20 and 12 in the last 3 games. Their QB McElroy, who Potts played against and who initially committed to Tech, completed 44 out of 84 passes (52% completion), 0TD’s, 2 Interceptions in the last 3 games. I didn’t hear Alabama fans chanting NO MORE MCELROY!!! The difference is Alabama won the last 3 games with defense.
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After hearing the crowd chat “No More Potts” it was hard to keep cheering for my new found team.
This is a young man who choose Tech over many other colleges and universities. Didn’t hear anyone
say no more Carter after a sack or loss of yardage on a running play. The QB is the spotlight postion,
and the bad comes with the good. He started the season after a spring and fall of earning that spot
according to the Head Raider Himself. We can be disappointed and cry in our milk, but the game against
A&M is over and it is time to get ready for the Jayhawks. I hope Mr. Potts has a chance to get out there
on the field and show that he can be a leader of the Red Raiders for the rest of the season, and next
year.
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The truth is that too many Tech “fans” are just too rowdy.
It started innocently enough when the seats started being pried off in the student end zone. Then it was goalposts.
Apparently these rich metroplex rowdies all drive monster pick-ups, have monster dogs, throw monster beer parties, and so guess what????….. at football games they act like little monsters.
I’m not proud they chose Tech. I bet their folks back home are glad they’re gone.
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We should be supporting our players and not helping to tear them down… I hope potts snaps out of his funk and is a contributor to this team…. The more competition there is on this team, the better the TEAM gets!!!!… It is dumb to tear down a kid and turn on your team like this!!!…. And Secondly!!!!!!! why does everyone keep acknowledging the trolls on this site… JUST IGNORE THEM!!!! the admin needs to just start deleting hook’em horns comments!!!… This is supposed to be about Tech football and their SUPPORTERS!!!
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GUNS UP RED RAIDERS!!!! BEAT KANSAS!!!!!!
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Looks like I should wipe my rear with Kent Hance’s contract.
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Pootypie,
Too rowdy? Tech fans being rowdy is what makes Jones Stadium one the toughest atmospheres to play in, which is amazing considering we are about half the size of other tough stadiums. Texas Tech, whether you like it or not, is a party school. It is not, as many refer to it as, “Harvard on the Plains”. I chose Tech because it was a rowdy environment in which to claim that I was learning. Yes, my truck is big unlike your Mazda 626, and yes I went to MANY “monster beer parties”, and yes I was loud and drunk at the game.. Do you know why it was loud and “rowdy”? Because it was a fu&%ing college football game!!!! Stop sulking in the fact that you went to college and wasted your time, and go enjoy the “rowdy” football game.
Regards,
Rowdy McBeerParty
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I hope the O line shows up for the Kansas game. Last week I do not think that they could have blocked performed well against a high school defense.
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I guess that’s what Tech football is all about.— being rowdy.
I hope that is what the Tech administrators want for fans at their games.
It’s not an atmosphere for anyone over 25 (or under 12) & sober.
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I believe Potts can regain his confidence back. He is a good guy. Let’s support our team to win the rest of the games.
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cl turner said:
TTU is not 5-3. ND state doesn’t count. For that matter, neither does Rice or UNM. These two teams are the dregs of D1 football. TTU is 2-3 against “real teams.”
***
Wrong again..Houston Doesn’t count either. So using your logic TTU is 2-2.
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Who said a&m count’s that just a scrimage. Tech is 2 and 1.
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I’ve heard that there is a fine line between “genious” and ‘idiot”, and I believe that to be true if you listen to Leach’s post-game press conference after the Saturday debacle. He was not coherent, used phrases that didn’t make any sense at all, and it was actually very embarrassing. That being said, I do hope that Tech fans will get behind the Raiders…… and for goodness sake stop maligning Potts. He wasn’t the only reason for that loss, for sure!
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Plain and simple:
-30 points of offense should win a game.
-Defense giving up 52 points will never win a game.
-Potts is not our best GAME TIME quarterback…he may be good in practice, and have a good arm, but his head gets in the way during games.
-It is never a bad idea to pull a player and insert a player who performs better.
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Best player should be on the field at all times.
And if a player is injured or sick….he is not the best player at that moment. If he is your recruiting stinks.
So what is it coach?
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Pooty Pie,
I would recommend that you not sit so close to the student sections if it upsets you so much. I would also recommend that you try going to a college football game in Baton Rouge, LA, to a Louisiana State University home game. As proud as I am of the rowdiness of Tech fans, LSU brings it to an entirely different level. Their fans drink so much that they are able to drink out of Bud Light cans that honor their school colors of purple and gold. I guess it is a way for the good people @ Anheuser Busch to pay homage to the patronage of the great citizens of Southern Louisiana. Upon return from LSU, you will be proud to sit your nine year old daughter next to a Texas Tech fan/student. When Miller brewing manufactures a scarlett and black Lite can that adorns a Texas Tech logo, then we might have something to worry about. On the other hand, I will just buy more Lite beer for my “monster beer party”.
Regards,
Rowdy McBeerParty
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I could careless whom is is QB, the o-line better show up. Otherwise we are going to have to do what techgal recommended during the gametime chat—hold QB try outs during a halftime basketball game. Our QB’s are obviously taking hits that are hurting them bad, yes I know suck it up right! He is there to make plays and he got booed. The o-line didn’t get booed when the QB’s got sacked or the running backs take a loss on the run. Who booed the defense for allowing 50+ points? Who booed the defense for allowing 400+yards?
Wow, you hear that? No boos just a bunch of crickets chirping!
Defense, wow! Wow, really? I mean really? Ruffin, get your foot in their a$$ and stop the running game, please!
Wreck Em Tech beat KU!
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Another failed year for Tech football. Last year was the only year that I can remember Tech beating every team that they were supposed to beat. That’s the story of the football program for the last decade. They play really well against good teams and then lose to a team that they are supposed to beat by 22 points! Thanks again for another disappointing year Tech. I’m tired of average.
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TECH FANS!!! Really? The amount of moaning and finger pointing look just like the team this year. Remember we lost A LOT of players this year. I’m not talking about Harrell, Crab and Woods either. There are D backs, O linemen, D linemen that make or break a team. There is a lot of inexperience out there who need to pick up blocks, wrap up the tackle etc. These guys have been schooled this year- meaning they are learning as they go. With that being said. The enthusiasm and confidence is a way for teams lacking talent and/or experience to overcome a better team. This starts with ALL the coaches and then it comes down to the players listening to what they are told- which was Leach’s point- and then policing themselves. That is why the Coaches decided to make the captain’s positions a weekly vote- to instill leadership in the players. Leach has done a great job in his tenure and now we have some growing pains. For those of you hoping we’re never ranked because of Leach’s remarks or the comment above about how you wouldn’t allow your kid to consider Tech- grow up. Adversity happens, champions overcome, other don’t. We’ve overcome at times and failed at others with the A&M game being the biggest failure in recent memory. BUT… We failed because we expect Leach and company to do better than Tech’s past. How many times did we watch Spike leave us with the L against bad N Texas teams? How many times have we seen Tech get ranked only to lose to a lessor opponent the next week? Those days have all but gone away, with this years leaving us looking a lot like the past. I only hope they can put it together and continue to improve overall through the years, and that starts with us fans standing proud behind our teams and taking the losses like a champion- gracefully. Congrats aggies, but don’t get used to it. WRECK EM!!
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@ Bar…
Remember who we are. We are a team who overachieved for the last decade when you consider the level of talent we have compared to the top of our division. We have 5 maybe 6 players in the NFL right now while UT and OU put that many in the league EVERY YEAR!!! The recruiting is getting better… The play is getting better… The national respect has been there when WE EARN IT… Besides this loss to A&M how many other times has Leach lost to scrubs? Spike lost at least once a year to the New Mexico’s, KU’s (when they were bad), NORTH TEXAS, etc. relax.
@Scott Tech Fan For Life
Houston doesn’t count? Have you watched a single game they played besides ours? We lost that game to a guy that would be on the short list for the Heisman if he played at a bigger school- Case Keenum. UH is every bit as good as TCU this year- they just can’t get the pub from the talking heads because they haven’t done it consistently in recent years- like TCU, Boise, Utah, etc. Watch the games man. “real teams”? You include K St as a “real team”? Why because they play in a BCS conference? Watch the games.
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So, I guess you should be called Rowdy McLiteBeerParty. Not too impressive.
Guns Up! Go, Tech! Win out the rest of the season!
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Let me preface this by saying I completely agree that it is wrong to hang the A&M game on Potts and that the chanting was distasteful.
However, let me play Devil’s Advocate and toss an idea out there. As soon as it became clear he would be the starter Potts started engaging in some serious self promotion. Then, with the interceptions in the North Dakota game and later with his play prior to the injury against New Mexico he establishes a counter-narrative to the one everyone would prefer where he is slow to react, makes some bad decisions and forces some passes. Then he is out for several weeks and when his big opportunity comes against our hated rival and he should be more motivated than ever… he reinforces the bad storyline instead of the good one. I think the trend across those three games rather than blaming him for the one game is the cause of the Potts bashing.
In other words — Potts bashing, bad. Potts disenchantment, justified. I agree with the commenter who said Leach should have locked up the players who talked about their QB preference to the media. I think he was indisputably right to go with Sheffield, but as a coaching staff they should have stuck harder to the “gametime decision” policy.
Ultimately while the players are amateurs and young and I admire Gundy’s ranting a little, the quarterback is naturally going to be constantly evaluated more than the rest of the team in terms of leadership and decision making. This is totally legitimate. NCAA football is not MLB baseball where three regular season games really don’t matter that much in the big picture. Every game has a large impact on the whole season and it’s appropriate to scrutinize the QB in areas where they have an impact. The defense in the A&M game isn’t one of those areas, but given the self-promotion and the trend I mentioned, the only reason I care about Potts’ self-esteem is its impact on his performance.
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Tech Grad. 1978. Have endured a lot of Tech football over 31 years, and it has been a real adventure with a lot of joy included watching the Leach program come together. There is no more exciting college football anywhere. That is why we are on TV more than a lot of other programs. Of course there are going to be problems and issues as we grow. Who ever
thought we could be ranked 2nd in the nation? I lettered in high school and at Tech and understand the complexities of both putting together a program, game plans and then EXECUTING those plans. It is NOT just a cliche to say football is a TEAM sport because each of the 3 elements (offense, defense, special teams) must function at a high success rate or the TEAM success can be in jeopardy. The oddity of that is that each member of those teams are taught to perform certain tasks, and not to deviate from those tasks, but to play within the system and themselves. We continually hear coaches say: play within yourself, don’t try to do more than you are capable. When this happens you have each element functioning as ONE UNIT.
There has been a lot of blame passed around this week, and deservedly so. There were breakdowns on many levels in the A&M game, offense and defense primarily. I read many of the comments above, and they illustrate NOT how simple the matter is, but how complex it is. Many (NOT ALL) of the comments have elements of truth, a few were rediculous written by ignorant and illiterate people who never played sports at a high level. Allow me to make a few observations along with those made above:
1. I had never seen Steven Sheffield play until he came in when Taylor Potts was injured. First, I saw how the crowd reacted to him when he ran on the field-very telling. Immediately, I noticed how the TEAM reacted to him BEFORE he ever ran a play. IT WAS ELECTRIC!!! That told me a couple of things-primarily that there had been underlying issues at that position. Then as he began to run the offense, it was “clicking” the way it was DESIGNED (by Coach Leach) to click. I immediately went back to how Graham Harrel ran that offense. That explained why both the home crowd and the TEAM reacted the way they did when “Sheff” came in. Taylor Potts is a terrific QB, but he should be operating in a different offensive system. The Tech system is fast paced, quick decisions and quick reactions. I believe Taylor would function best where he can set up in the pocket and use that wonderful arm he is gifted with. NOT EVERY GOOD QB WOULD FUNCTION WELL IN THE TECH SYSTEM. I don’t know that Tim Tebow would be at his best here. It takes a specific physical, mental and emotional makeup to excel in the offensive environment. Graham had it and I believe Sheffield does, although the physical may be a quesiton. Taylor has the physical, but the mental may be a question, and the emotional is suffering.
2. We have all suffered as the defense has struggled for years. I must admit my frustration over the last few years especially as we had a “high-powered” offense (No. 1 in the nation at times) putting up hugh point totals, and the defense couldn’t make it hold up (i.e. UT and Okla St. 3 seasons ago). I believe Ruffin McNeill has made improvements, but we are not there yet. In the past, the offense would cover for the lack of defense, but that is NOT now the case. It was painfully obvious to me after the 1st quarter of the A&M game that the defense had (1) taken A&M too lightly-lack of preparation and respect; I can only guess they put too much on how bad Tech beat Kan. St. and how bad Kan. St. beat A&M along with all the great things the experts were saying about Tech’s defense and how they had improved and ranked nationally. *THIS SHOWS A LACK OF CHARACTER!! You NEVER take anything for granted. They got where they WERE, by hard work and dedication, but nothing is given. A&M is a team with talent, but was suffering their own identity crisis with lack of confidence UNTIL Tech restored if for them. One of the first lessons I learned in sports was what it takes to win. You must be dedicated to pay the price, learn the lessons, execute those lessons, never take anything or one for granted, and drive nails in the other teams coffin. Don’t hesitate to bury your opponent on the field, it is their job to stop you. If they don’t, you must make THEM pay the price. Our offense basically has learned those lessons, but the defense is too busy feeling “good” about themselves and not busy enough paying the price, being dedicated and burying the opponent. Lack of character. *yes these are strong words, but the truth does hurt. All the talk in the world by the defense won’t change it, only their actions on the field will!!
3. I have great respect for Coach Leach, and love the system he has brought. For the most part, I like the 4th down gambles because it flies in the face of textbook football philosophy. I have greatly enjoyed the exciting football over the last few years, and get to watch alot of it on TV because it is exciting. My question is why he chose Taylor over Steven at QB at the beginning of the season? It is clear Steven is a better fit for this system. I don’t blame Taylor, because we all are what we are. Also, I do not agree with Coach Leach about the confidence factor. You don’t just “choose” to be confident. It is much more complicated than that. We have all seen the best athletes in the world from all sports suffer from lack of confidence (baseball, football, golf, etc.) You start with an idea, but if you have breakdowns physical, mental or emotional and you fail to perform, you WILL not be confident. YOu must then began to re-build what you do so that you can HAVE success and then confidence. Taylor is suffering, probably because of injury, as well as setbacks on the field. He is a good athlete, but this will test his character.
Tech’s character will be further tested as we face Kansas, Okla. State, and Oklahoma. No time for press clippings, reveling in past success…..it’s kill or be killed!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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If Potts hadn’t been hurt, we probably wouldn’t be having this discussion. Leach would have stuck with him like he did with Harrell who threw away several games before he got rolling. But it did happen, and Sheffield looked great against subpar teams, including Nebraska who lost to Iowa State. Then underperforming players came out publicly for Sheffield. It’s just been a mess. You can tell more about a man’s character in times of adversity than when everything comes easy. Well, the Red Raiders have an opportunity to show what they are made of. I’m rooting for them to succeed, with whichever QB they have.
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Be more positive about TECh xx! The football will bounce back, Pat Knights crew will improve. The baseball team will contend this year and look at what coach Kitley has done with Red Raider track!!!!!!!!!! They have an outstanding team of athletes!
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Leach had to be drunk during the A&M game. I think the whole team was on crack!
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I attended Tech during the “Help Jerrys Kids” era of Tech Football and believe me, It is much better now than back then. If it has the TT on it we should support it. All those bandwagon persons should stick with what they do best. Not thinking, and therefore NOT Talking.
Those who put down Tech are just plain Tech haters or haven’t been arounf long enough to appreciate the other side of a bad team (Losing). Thiose who have been around a losing Tech team and continues to support and defend them are the REAL deal.
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Yeah we’ll get em next year.
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I graduated from Tech during the Moore Excitement years. I earned the right to be negative about Tech football. Win a national title I might consider changing. Untill then, “Negative”!!!!!!!!!
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