March 02, 2001
The Texas A&M football team will begin spring drills on Monday, March 5. Workout begins at 4:30 p.m. on the grass practice fields located just south of Kyle Field. Spring practices are open to the general public.
Since there are no stands at the practice fields, fans must stay behind a yellow line surrounding the practice fields for safety reasons.
"I'm anxious to get started," Aggie Head Coach R.C. Slocum said. "We've had good off-season workouts and I'm encouraged by the players attitude in the weight room."
"We've got some new coaches on the staff and I am looking forward to seeing them work with the other coaches and players," Slocum added. "This is also an exciting time for some of the young players who may have not played as much last year. They have an opportunity to step forward and we are looking for those players who will assume a leadership role with this team."
A total of 49 lettermen return from last season's Independence Bowl squad. The Aggies finished the 2000 season with a 7-5 overall mark and a 5-3 record in Big 12 play.
Led by quarterback Mark Farris and pre-season All-America candidate Seth McKinney at center, seven starters return on the offensive side of the football. Inside linebacker Brian Gamble, the leading tackler on the Wrecking Crew, is among five defensive starters returning. Another welcomed addition is defensive end Rocky Bernard, who started the 1998-99 seasons before injuring a knee and missing the 2000 season.
The Aggies will miss Robert Ferguson, the Big 12's leading receiver in 2000, as well as fullback Ja'Mar Toombs, tight end RoDerrick Broughton and offensive guard Chris Valletta on offense. On defense, the Aggies will have to replace three of four linebackers as outside linebackers Jason Glenn and Roylin Bradley and inside linebacker Cornelius Anthony try to make the NFL rosters. Ron Edwards, the Wrecking Crew's anchor on the defensive line, and defensive end Ronald Flemons will be missed as well as free safety Michael Jameson. The Aggies also have to replace placekicker Terence Kitchens.
The Aggies will work Monday through Thursday, Mar. 5-8, with each day's practice beginning at 4:30 p.m. The squad will take a week off for spring break and then resume practice on Tuesday, Mar. 20. Other scheduled workout dates are Mar. 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, 39, 31 and then April 3 and 4 with the spring coming to a close on Friday, April 6.