Tech football prepares to take field for spring practice
Several weeks after Tommy Tuberville’s hiring, word out of the Texas Tech football office was that the Red Raiders’ new head coach had worn a suit and tie to work every day.
Reminded of that when he showed up to do a clinic lecture in jeans and a pullover shirt, Tuberville explained: “This is football.’’
Finally, this week, Tuberville will be back to on-field football for the first time since 2008. At 3 p.m. Monday, he opens spring practice coaching his new team, one that went 9-4 and won a bowl game last season.
Though yet to oversee his first Tech practice, Tuberville started to put his stamp on the Red Raiders with February’s off-season workouts. He said he and new strength and conditioning coach Joe Walker — with whom he worked at Auburn — share a philosophy that football is played from the waist down.
“I really don’t know what (Tech players) did (in the past), but we’re working more on the lower body in the weight room,’’ he said. “They were more upper body. We’re doing a lot more agilities and flexibility stuff.’’
Tuberville wants to infuse the Red Raiders with speed as quickly as possible, especially on defense.
“You can’t play with guys that can’t run. On defense, you can’t,’’ he said.
This spring, Tuberville and new defensive coordinator James Willis plan to implement the 3-4 as the team’s base defense, reasoning that it’ll give the Red Raiders a better way to counter the Big 12 Conference’s spread passing offenses.
“I’ve been a 4-3 guy most of my life,’’ Tuberville said, “and I’ve coached both of them 50-50, but I really like the four-man front. But you have to be adaptable to the offenses that you play: People are going to more spread offenses.
“You’ve got to (use) more three-man front, because it allows you to have another speed guy on the field. One of those linebackers, instead of (being) a defensive end type, he’s a stand-up guy who can rush and he can cover passes.’’
From a personnel standpoint, the Red Raiders’ biggest rebuilding job is on the defensive line, where five of the six players who saw regular action last season completed their eligibility. Gone are defensive ends Brandon
Sharpe and Daniel Howard, who combined for 23 sacks, as well as tackles Ra’Jon Henley and Richard Jones, who were in the rotation from their freshman year on.
Now the defensive front consists of tackle Colby Whitlock and a cast of unproven players.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do, but I like our d-linemen,’’ Tuberville said. “We’ve got some good young guys that can move. But there’s a lot of difference between agility drills and putting pads on and making plays. Not that they can’t. I’m anxious to see what they can do.’’
Tuberville likes what he has in the secondary, which loses only cornerback Jamar Wall. Starting safeties Franklin Mitchem and Cody Davis return. So does cornerback LaRon Moore, and sub-package players such as Julius Howard, D.J. Johnson and Will Ford.
Even so, the new defensive staff will still spend spring making their own evaluations and answering some questions for themselves. Among them are whether the Red Raiders can play more man-to-man coverage or man with help behind it to run some zone blitzes. Tuberville would like to do both, but he’ll decide whether it suits his personnel.
“Bottom line, it depends on your corners — how much confidence they’ve got in themselves,’’ Tuberville said. “Can you put one out there on a guy like (Texas’ Jordan) Shipley and one over there on another guy and say, ‘Y’all got ’em. Everybody move in, and we’re going to play nine-man football?’’
The Red Raiders’ primary chores on offense are replacing the right side of the line — Marlon Winn, Brandon Carter and Shawn Byrnes were seniors — and settling the Taylor Potts-Steven Sheffield quarterback debate that waged for the last two-thirds of the 2009 season.
New offensive coordinator Neal Brown said he’s watched video of every pass play from last year and is impressed with both Potts and Sheffield.
Brown said he spent most of the time looking at the quarterbacks’ fundamentals “and not really judging them.’’
That’s what the next month is for.
“I’m giving both a clean slate — whoever does the best in the spring and through the summer,’’ Brown said. “I’m impressed with both of them. I think they’re both smart kids. I think they’re both good leaders. They’ve been really good leaders in our winter workouts.’’
Spring football
March practices: 22, 24, 26, 27, 29 and 31.
April practices: 1, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 14 and 16.
Practice times: 3 p.m. each day
Spring game: 1 p.m. April 17
Record in 2009: 9-4
Last game: beat Michigan State 41-31 in Alamo Bowl
Returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense, punter, kicker
Key losses: OT Marlon Winn, OG Brandon Carter, C Shawn Byrnes, SE Edward Britton, DE Daniel Howard, DE Brandon Sharpe, DT Ra’Jon Henley, DT Richard Jones, SLB Marlon Williams, CB Jamar Wall
To comment on this story:
don.williams@lubbockonline.com l 766-8734
courtney.linehan@lubbockonline.com l 766-8735
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
Someone tell me why in the hell Adam James is still on this team, after what he said in court last Saturday?
Report this comment
Sportalogical winter is over! Guns up from Fallie in Montgomery, Alabama!
Report this comment
Ona lighter note will miss these seniors, hope someone can replace Jamar Wall.
Report this comment
I think that next year we only have 17 scholarships. Well, one more when James cries his way out of town. Did they move.is dorm room to the shed? Even that’s too good for daddy’s boy.
Report this comment
It will be interesting to see who will win the Quaterback job. Wehad 3 of them start last year, and they did good. that will help this yearIm sure, curious to see how well Brown runs the offense?
Report this comment
we are doomed for a sub 500 season. why did we not at least look for a coach how have had some off. sucess against good teams
Report this comment
why did we not look for a coach with some offensive success. instead of this loser who could not even get a division 2 team to let him coach
Report this comment
Ken,
this negative whining is getting pretty old. Take it to the Aggie website.
Report this comment
Ken,
you’re really letting your ignorance show. Please enlighten us as to which D2 team Coach Tuberville interviewed with. Perhaps you have heard of Ronnie Brown or Cadillac Anderson or Jason Campbell? Three skill players Coach had drafted in the first two rounds in one year, more than Leach had in 10. Get a clue or shut up.
Report this comment
Darth, I agree with you…but you meant Cadillac Williams.
Report this comment
Why all the bickering? the man is entitled to his opinion, even if he does not have a clue? Why does Adam James remain on this team?
Report this comment
Hey Ken – have another beer with another shot! And grow up dude!
Adam James…. well he is just sort of a lil time bomb. Coach will let him self-destruct so there is no collateral damage to the RR public relations with C James and ESPN. He will either be happy sitting on bench as #13 of our 13 wide receivers or quit eventually. And, maybe coach is nice enough and fair enough guy he is just giving the kid a 2nd chance. Either way no more problems from him or coach TT will kick him off team!
Hey! Lets get this party started and find out who wants to play some footballlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll !!!
Report this comment
Flashlight, damn good answer, thanks. on Adam, they are not through using him.
Report this comment
Jimmy Johnson also beleived in speed on his defense,TT coached under him.
Report this comment
you forgot carlos rogers. auburn had 4 number one pics in the 2005 draft :-)
Report this comment
Get over the past.
Get behind this team.
Tech sure has some poor fans. Glad to see so many good fans at the basketball game today.
I’m anxious to see what happens this year!!
I’ll withhold judgment until then!
(I suggest you do the same.)
Report this comment
Can’t wait for football season!
Wreck ‘em Tech
Report this comment
One question not asked: what will our UNIFORMS look like? (nyuknyuknyuknyuknyuk-thought I’d be the first to bring up that topic!)
Seriously, if TT coached under the great Jimmy Johnson on defense, I think he will know what he’s doing. And defense was something that could always use improvement the last few years. I also think he’s smart enough not to junk the basic Leach offense that led the nation in passing and total offense in several of the last ten years. Anyway, we’ll get to watch the fun during spring practice starting Monday. Get the BBQ grills going for the spring game!
Report this comment
Tommy Tuber’s quote found on Double T Nation.
“I’m going to have to spend more time on the offensive side of the ball, giving my input…………………
This scares the ^&%*&$% out of me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He won’t stay with the pass happy scheme long. The limited run game will drive him crazy and to the point he tweaks it dead….like he did at Auburn. Then we’ll have to recruit o-lineman, TEs and RBs agaianst OU, UT LSU, etc. and we lose big time. The man just can’t help himself.
Report this comment
Old habits, you are correct, Tommy Tuberville is not Mike Leach. Get over it.
Report this comment
Leach never thought of any of this, cause he was real dumb, I guess.
“More recently, Myers spent about $4,500 on a ticket for himself and 18 others to the NCAA Final Four
basketball tournament this spring”
Report this comment
People, look at mens basketball, womens basketball, mens baseball, all at the bottom. NIT, wow what a big deal, T tech can not handle sucess, If I am wrong about Tommy T., then I will admit it, But if i am right, then we will see at the end of next football season. I hope i am wrong. But so far all I see is a lot of smoke from Tommy t.
Report this comment
James Gang out in force today. Which screen name are you, Craig?
Report this comment
They will need speed on defense if he is only gonna have a 3 man front, and then a deep pass route from a dangerous receiver will open up the slants or the option. Tommy is easy to beat. Who cares about what he did in the past. This is the future. 2 more months for gerald to go, if he stays i go, if he goes thousands stay.
Report this comment
I see pop warner tryouts are beginning at tech.
Report this comment
Adam James is STILL on the team because Coach Leach give him a scholarship. Give the kid a chance. He just might have a productive year.
Tech football is in very good hands with Tommy T. He understands you have to play football on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
Report this comment
The whole article mentions who’s gone, but never mentions the possible replacements names.
Don Williams, this was an article where we could start learning names, & you muffed it.
Poor writing, but if Myers & Hance like you then don’t worry about your job.
Report this comment
And now we shall observe the truth. The offense that won games will disappear beginning now. Did anybody notice that Kent Hance and Craig James are partners in a wind farm venture?
Report this comment
Under Wear, you’re right about something. Somebody is dumb.
Report this comment
Last thought: Leach left behind a team destined to win 11 to 13 in 2010. Any fewer wins is another disaster (feather) in the cap of Hance, Myers, Sowell, Scovell, White, and the rest.
Report this comment
Hope all the people blocking James step aside & let someone reset his clock!
Report this comment
TT equals Spike Dykes. Get ready for 6-6 seasons. For Tech to compete with the big boys with 2nd tier recruits they had to run a wierd Leach type system. Good luck in the independence bowl. Been a season ticket holder most of the years since early 70′s. No more!
Report this comment
jASON THE CORPORATE JET, READ ADAMS TESTIMONY OF WHAT HE SAID IN COURT.NOBODY AND IMEAN NOBODY THAT SAID WHAT HE DID WOULD STILL BE ON A FOOTBALL TEAM ON ANY TEAM, ANYWHERE, TO DEFEND HIM AND HIS DAD IS SIMPLY,,,, INSANE, ARE YOU INSANE, YOU MUST BE TO DEFEND HIM OR HIS DAD.
Report this comment
True Tech fans, I hope you realize that there are some regulars on your blog that are not really Tech fans at all. They are here because secretly Tommy scares the hell out of them. Be happy with what you have, because better days are coming for Tech football. Don’t believe this defeatist crap that you can’t compete with the “big boys” like Texas and Oklahoma and shouldn’t even try. If somebody tells you that, it’s most likely just a UT fan or some other that can’t hide their inbred smug arrogance. No offense to you honest UT fans, and to you posers, you are right to be afraid. Be very afraid.
Report this comment
Leach had a winning record every year he was here, fact.
Leach is the winningest coach in Techs history,surpassed Spike last year.
Leachs teams were in the top every year in offense, passing yards, total offense, fact.
Leachs Quaterbacks, Graham Harrell broke the record in touchdown thrown total passing yards, fact.Leachs Quaterbacks using the offensive system he devised were in topevery year he was here in total offense, passing yards. Texas Techs recievers were in the top of the country in receiving yards, every year, he was here, fact.
Crabtree won the Bilentekoff award twice,
Leachs teams went to a bowl game every year for 10 straight years. fact.
Leach started 3 different quaterbacks last year and still won 9 games, fact.
Leach is gone, fact
Leach will not be forgotten., fact.
Leach has been thrown under the bus byfans and the local media, fact.
Leachs coaching staff was dismantled.,fact.
Adam James is stillon the team, fact.
Report this comment
This isnt about Tuberville, bringing Leach back, whining over Leach or not for Tuberviie, it is about right and wrong.
Report this comment
Fact – Tech is starting spring practice with a better coach than they had last year.
Report this comment
Thx 9falls,
Many of the Leachie whiners have left; except for Ken ;-) I think it will be a good year. I paid for my season tickets.
Tech Alum
Report this comment
AND ADAM IS STILL ON THE TEAM, FACT.
Report this comment
Adam is my HERO AND TUBERVILLE!!!
Report this comment
wrong, peejay!!!!
Report this comment
Let me correct that Adam James is still on Tubervilles team, fact.
Report this comment
Insanity rules in Lubbock, Texas when people will justify a player with Adams history and courtroom admissons play on this team.
Report this comment
@Jason55 aka Spaeth Communications:
No way we are starting off with a better coach this year than last. 7-5 is the best you can expect this year. 6-6 likely.
Oh, believe it that Adam James will be given a chance. Craig James gave Tubbyville a chance to get back into coaching by orchestrating Leach’s firing. He will have to return the favor by showcasing Adam James as much as he can. Too bad Adam James won’t have the skills to be the go to guy. He will hurt his tailbone; jam a finger; and be on the sidelines with a skull cap or his hat turned backwards.
Not looking forward to Tech football anymore. Not drinking the “Everything will be fine Kool-aid.” Just wait and see.
Report this comment
henceforth, Tech plays SMU, a game scheduled after Leach was fired and now moved to Sunday by Espn for a larger audience.. fact, again.
Report this comment
Will Adam play in the game, any bets?
Report this comment
Sorry but Leach got Leach fired…… Craig didn’t make that decision.
Tech will put a good team on the field this year. Tommy is the complete coach. Adam James wont be showcased by Turberville. If he gets any playing time at all it will be because he earned it.
Report this comment
hopefully in the end it will allwork out.
Report this comment
This is a question for Jason the Jet—I’m not sure what Adam’s testimony was at the deposition but if he admitted to giving false information to the media which was distributed by Spaeth Communications, would you still want him on the team?
Also, my understanding is that the James are very unpopular with SMU fans. Do you think it is wise to have Adam play in what will surely be a volatile situation as the TTU vs SMU game? Would that be fair to anyone?
Report this comment
watch adam james start.
Report this comment
i was not a big leach fan sorry to tell you. My question is why did we hire this guy. If he was so good why did he go without a job for so long. another fyi the teams of his that did so good was with players that someone else recruited. the Off coordinator is a joke scored big against sub 500 teams against winning teams he lost the game. How is this better for us
Report this comment
Some folks use Leach bashing as an excuse for their 55 IQ. They link everything to Leach because they don’t have much of anything relevant to say.
TT is a good defensive coach and is very organized. He loves the run and did well with the run in the SEC. He is intrigued with the spread because he likes speed on the field, but he hasn’t had success with the spread.
Many will tell you it was due to him not having a spread QB, which is hogwash. Kliff Kingbury was a QB with below average ability, but successful in the spread. The difference is coaching.
I serve in the US Armed Forces with an officer who is an Auburn Alumni. He is very well connected within that community because of his donor status. We’ve had long discussions on this topic. Coach Franklin will be the first to tell you that the spread had no chance at Auburn because TT and other coaches could not and did not want to give up enough of the SEC style run right at you run game. TT continually tried to tweak, add wrinkles and insisted on a 50/50 balanced offense. That philosophy doesn’t work for Tech’s system.
Without a niche, Tech will not consistently compete on the recruiting front w/ the OUs, UTs, LSUs, etc. etc. It is a fact. What was the big concern with this crop of recruits when TT came on board. Will he continue to throw the ball and run the “air raid”? If he had said we will pass less and incorparte more running game to achieve a more balanced offense, we wouldn’t have several of our top recruits from this year’s class. It was our niche that brought them.
Can Tech sustain a 5-7, 6-6, 7-5 program without a niche? Yes. I’d like to see better. If TT can keep his run game hands in his pockets and allow Neil Brown, Matt Moore and Sonny Cumbie to run and coach the offense; we’ll be oaky. Otherwise, I hope Houston resurrects the Bluebonnet Bowl. We’ll need it.
Report this comment
From what I have seen so far it would not surprise me to see Adam starting, this game with Smu was scheduled not long after Leach was fired, coincidence, dont think so , they know this game with SMU,wi;; generate a lot of publicity, a coach that has taken over for Leach, a story that is still in the major newspapers when there are developments on it, A PLAYER THAT THAT PLAYS ON THE TEAM THAT WAS HEAVILY INVOLVED. This game has been bumped up too Sunday so it will draw more media attention and will be a big draw for Tech and espn, will Adam start or play, he should not even be on the team , but is, Iwould gather to say he will be there that Sunday, in uniform ,why, because they still need him.
Report this comment
Neal Brown worked with Leach at Kentucky and has had great success at other schools implementing a similar offense. I’m not sure why you think he’s going to fail when he was taught the same system we’ve been watching the past 10 years.
Tubs didn’t coach for a year. I’m sure whatever rust accumulated will be worked out during spring practice.
Report this comment
AT least they wont have that meanold Leach, he hightailed it too THE KEYS, the players have a new coach and they have Adam,they dont have the coach they wanted, Ruff, BUT THATS OK, meanwhile that mean ol Leach is not getting a job, he was never any good anyways, we forget about people that did a lot for Tech thats the Lubbock way AND tECH, CANT WAIT TOOO CHEER FOR aDAM WHILE lEACHS NAME AND REPUTATIONIS RUINED, THATS COOL , ITS FUNNY, RIGHT, aDAM ,THAT IS COOOLLL!!!!
Report this comment
brown will fail for the fact hes never been successful thats a fact. you can work for a good coach that does not mean you will be a good coach his record stands for it self he lost almost every game played against 500% teams and could barley score 20 points against teams with a winning record. Thats why he wont do any good.
Report this comment
RR Fan – This is a question for Jason the Jet—I’m not sure what Adam’s testimony was at the deposition but if he admitted to giving false information to the media which was distributed by Spaeth Communications, would you still want him on the team?
Also, my understanding is that the James are very unpopular with SMU fans. Do you think it is wise to have Adam play in what will surely be a volatile situation as the TTU vs SMU game? Would that be fair to anyone?
RR Fan, exactly what did Adam say that would be considered “false information?” I don’t know of any.
SMU fans don’t care one way or the other. Craig played there a long time ago…… and was cleared of any wrong doings which led to the SMU death sentence.
There is zero chance of volatility in playing SMU. The current SMU squad could care less about Adam James. Adam should play …or not play … based on his performance on the practice field. Adam is not a factor in this game.
Report this comment
After an opening day loss to SMU, many of you TT fans will begin question the wisdom of the decisions of our administration.
Maybe ESPN will hire sissy boys father back for one game to do the color, wouldn’t that be fun!
Report this comment
only if we played 8 teams with losing records we could hope to have a record like troy
Report this comment
SMU has a very good coach, June Jones, they are very capable of winning the game. Since this is televised by ESPN, maybe Craig can be the color announcer, wouldnt that be a hoot !!!!
Report this comment
STILL have to wonder if Adam scores a TD, will the fans cheer for him?
Report this comment
Very well stated above on your post, Old habits.
Report this comment
we will lose smu game by 35 points
Report this comment
Interesting Jason—some have said Adam gave testimony that indicates the video furnished to Spaeth Communications was misleading as to time and date. It has been said he allowed them (Spaeth) to manipulate this and other information knowing it didn’t represent the facts. If this is true, should he still be on the team?
With respects to Craig and SMU—my understanding is that the NCAA didn’t “clear” him but used the information he provided to them about the boosters who paid money to players which resulted in the SMU “death penalty”. Since you know Mr. James, you probably know more but this is my understanding.
Report this comment
Adam still being on the team after his testimony about Spaeth communications to me speaks volumes
Frenship not releasing those records after they released another students to the press right before that speakss volumes too.
Report this comment
Craig James sold out, or “flipped” and ratted out others involved in the scandal that led to SMU getting the death penalty. In doing so, he was exhonorated of any wrong doing. Similar to a plea bargain. Thats what guys like Craig do. And hes going to be a politician…Surprise!…Best of luck to the raiders this season, sincerely. They have the guys in place to make it a fun year. Unless TTU administration screwed up royally..again, Tubberville will hopefully take them to a pretty nice bowl..Wreck em!!
Report this comment
you all are barely starting spring training, we are done. plus, already recruited ALL the blue chip talent in Texas for 2011. better hurry up tommy tub, the aggies and bears will lap you.
Report this comment
RR Fan – Interesting Jason—some have said Adam gave testimony that indicates the video furnished to Spaeth Communications was misleading as to time and date. It has been said he allowed them (Spaeth) to manipulate this and other information knowing it didn’t represent the facts. If this is true, should he still be on the team?
With respects to Craig and SMU—my understanding is that the NCAA didn’t “clear” him but used the information he provided to them about the boosters who paid money to players which resulted in the SMU “death penalty”. Since you know Mr. James, you probably know more but this is my understanding.
RR Fan, if what Adam said was blatantly untrue then he should be placed on some sort of probation……. or dismissed completely from the team……. From what I know I really don’t think this is the case.
As for Craig….. While many players on the SMU squad received “payments” Craig was not in this group. Craig has been demonized here …… but he is not a demon. He’s not perfect… but not a demon at all.
And as a side note…. I doubt ‘t there are any major colleges who doesn’t have a significant number of players on the take… That’s just the way it works in the real world. Two of the biggest “cheating” colleges are right here in Texas….. Tech is not in that group.
Report this comment
Wow!…… Craig James didn’t sell out to anyone. He wasn’t on the take at SMU.
Report this comment
Ever notice when you Question Adam or Hance or Craig or Tuberville or defend Leach allof a sudden the people like Jason and others just happen to pop up?
Report this comment
Thanks for the come back Jason. If what you say is true about a large number of players being on the “take”, then I’m really disappointed. I like to think people are more honest than that.
Report this comment
I guess the local press is not telling the truth about the testimony by Adam James and what he said about hiring Spaeth communications and having them munipulate it of the you tube of him in the electrical closet that he was told not to go to?
Report this comment
Spring football is almost here. I just get chills, chills I’m tellin’ ya’! Bring it on, now! Woo Hoo!
Report this comment
Jason…maybe youre right, maybe Pete Rose never bet, maybe Clinton never cigarred that intern, Im sure Craig James is a fine upstanding Baptist Republican whos interest is only to serve others. I wasnt there, I was a student at TTU. Craig and I are the same age actually. No, I didnt keep any of the articles from S.I. or even the AJ from the hearings that led to the death penalty. I remember that there were some VIPs including a former governor who were implicated. And actually back in that day, TTU football pretty much sucked so I mainly got as stoned as I could before going to Jones Stadium and mostly lived for Sunday afternoons (you may not remember but back in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and early 90s Dallas had an NFL team). So hang in there cowboy, maybe youre right. Maybe ol Craigger is the Ward Cleaver (ideal father) of the new millenium, and Lil’ Adam is Wally (all american wholesome son) and has never been in a drinking establishment. Maybe OJ Simpson is really a good guy who is persecuted because ….well you fill in the blank.
RR72…good one. The local press not accurately reporting the truth? Nooooooooo. Not here in McDougalville. The local press here are heavy hitters who report only the facts, even if someone important is implicated. Good example..a few years ago a local young man died from a drug overdose near an exclusive South Lubbock golf course. Every kid around that age that went to Coronado, Frenship, Monterey, or Cooper back then could tell you who was there and who gave the kid the drug. Didnt the local media report that?
Report this comment
Why aren’t they practicing every day? What do they do on the skipped days?
Report this comment
What has happened to the “red neck” cowboys at Tech. This James kid goes out to parties, bars, etc. He’s to arrogant to stay low. When I was at Tech, his ass would have been kicked so bad his daddy would have a head ache.
Report this comment
I got an idea, why not take the money completely out of football and see how many people would play it just because they love the game?
Report this comment
Wow!……… I never said Craig was perfect. I said he is not the demon many make him out to be. If you really get to know him, you would find him to be a decent individual.
As for Adam, well lets just say he’s quite possibly an underachiever. And he may frequent a few bars and parties….. Many of us did that in college. It’s really not a crime.
Report this comment
RR72: jason55 is a paid poster – by the Team Hance/Myers crowd.
You know that from how he monitors these boards.
Report this comment
how can i become a paid poster? My girlfriend says i have a knack for making people furious.
Report this comment
Malcom,
The NCAA has rules about how much you can practice during the spring and summers. You are only allow so many hours a week.
That’s what got Mich in trouble last year.
Bernie,
You just want to get paid for something.
Report this comment
you got me there, BR. I would like to eat this week.
Report this comment
bernie,
That is a good idea about playing for fun. Hmmm, isn’t that what college football was meant to be?
Report this comment
maybe in high school its for fun but if you make it to play college ball, then you realistically have a shot of going pro if you work hard enough at it and i believe that the league minimum is around 300,000 annually. sure is incentive to want to go pro. thats more than what 1st year doctors make. furthermore, there are players that dont finish school and still make millions in the NFL. Michael Crabtree comes to mind. and no im not envious because just like jason55, i have my own jet.
Report this comment
Bernie,
Kids going early to the pro’s affects the grad rate. When people say, “look at Tech’s high grad rate for football players”, that’s not a good thing. There is a reason why UT, LSU, AU, USC, Ohio, UF have low grad rates.
The kids leave early for the pro’s.
Report this comment
BR,
It says a lot for the coaching though. How would you like to have to coach 10 successful seasons with bowl games and not have many players good enough to to into the Pro’s?
Report this comment
nice to have a decent adult discussion without all the name calling and bullying thats been going on here with both sides getting testy. Thanks guys. Would suck if those guys that went early into the NFL suffered a career-ending injury and had no education to fall back on. on the other side of the coin, would also suck if a really good player decided to stay in school and had a career-ending injury his senior season in college. BR, i know you are a big man inside so to prove it please start calling Mike Leach by his proper name, it would command more respect from fellow bloggers here. peace out.
Report this comment
Bernie, welll said. we can disagree without the animosity.
Report this comment
good lord, the Aggie trolls, aka Team Leeches, are out in force. And they’re getting even more stupid, who’d have thought that was possible.
Report this comment
Please know facts when you spout your BS. Leach was an unknown when he came to Tech, so don’t bad mouth Brown. Leach leaves a team with zero returners on defensive line and no superstars on offense so don’t talk about him leaving a gauranteed 11-13 win season. Leach had one year to get it all done in the 2008 season and failed. As for grad rates the current rules exclude players that go to pros as long as they leave in good standing academically.
We have a good coach with a good rep coming in. This is better than we have ever had. Get excited, watch and learn. Go TECH!
Report this comment
I will have to retract that statement, I guess.
Report this comment
2BITS, 4BITS, 6BITS , A DOLLAR FOR THE SEATS, ALL FOR ADAM AND ESPN AND TT STAND UP AND HOLLAR!!!!!
Report this comment
Bleeding Red,
What a bone head statement. Show me the numbers. Prove your point. My guess is you can’t do so.
Report this comment
Actions speak louder than perceptions and smoke screens. They also indicate the real person behind the facade. CJ lacks integrity and is a liar. AJ is a chip off the old block. I, for one, do not need to meet someone to know them when their actions are for all to see. Guess I need to meet Charles Manson to see if he is really a good guy behind an evil facade! CM’s actions spoke for him as have CJ’s. He’s a sorry individual and has a track record to prove it.
Report this comment
im going to try to be as optimistic as possible with the new change but i don’t get the new o coordinator saying he was really just looking at fundamentals!! it’s about results not fundamentals!! sec quarterbacks that throw the ball 10 times a game have fundamentals so it really does look like tubbs might be blowing smoke about keeping the air raid!!
Report this comment
Norm,
Your right we should have hired Mc Neil. I have asked this before and will again. Who else would you guys have hired if not Tommy. Just so I don’t hear we shouldn’t have fired Leech, let’s say he was killed in a car accident, shot to the moon, not in play for the question.
Give me a name that would come to Tech.
Report this comment
Just to clear something up mike had been looking for another coaching job for the last 6 years. Starting with the Gator, he tried to get it before Meyers left Utah. UCLA before Rick, the list goes on and on. He wanted out of Tech Years ago. No one wanted him. THAT SHOULD SAY SOMETHING ABOUT HIM.
Report this comment
BR,
You said something the other day that I thought had some good wit to it. The question came up about Tuberville being involved prior to the job actually coming open. You responded something like this “well if he was involved, it at least shows he was interested in the job and wanted it”—that was good. Corrupt but good. Tuberville is going to do just fine. The problem will be keeping him here.
Report this comment
its not the fact that tubberville is the coach its what he said when he was trying to suck up to everyone that knew leach got screwed and did he or did he not say that he was going to keep the air raid and keep the ball flying like it has been here??? bleeding red you might be a loyal fan ( i question how smart u are about sports sometimes) but obviously truth and integrity arent your strong suits !! When tubberville goes 9-4 next year with a team that should have went 11-2 at the worst and goes back to the sec i def. want your input on this loyal and great coach you are so happy to have!! P:S i dont see any auburn fans crying about him leaving!! and as far as coaches went for the job there were plenty of coaches out there on there way up we could have taken !!
Report this comment
Why is Adam still on the team???????????????
Report this comment
RR72 – Why is Adam still on the team???????????????
Because Coach Leach himself offered Adam James a full scholarship. That doesn’t change simply because the coach got himself fired.
Adam is not the athlete that his father was…… but he’s not the worse player on this squad. Given a chance he will make some positive contributions to TT football.
Report this comment
@ Jason, you just said a mouthfull, thank you.
Report this comment
There are times when it is refreshing to see how people think and entertaining, always get a good laugh or two.
Report this comment
Tech should have hired Ruff and kept the staff.
Report this comment
Always wondered that too, the AJ backed him, the players backed him, would have continuity on the staff, if the defense was the problem, could have hired a defensive coordinator, wouldnt have lost some good recruits, Kadron Boone for one. dont understand their thinking other than they wanted Tuberville all along.
Report this comment
Is it football yet??
I can’t wait to see Adam James crash and burn. Hopefully, Tubs will let him transfer out. don’t need any bad apples on the team.
Report this comment
Where can I find information about Adam James’ deposition? I like to read things for myself. I wish Tech the best and the players a good season. I wish Leach was still with us because he brought excitement to the game with his unpredictability in his play calling. He also developed players probably better than most coaches can or do. I don’t know much about Tuberville- if he keeps his word and keeps the air attack and we win, then I can get behind him. I’m in wait and see mode right now.
Report this comment