August 24, 2001
The Texas A&M football team concluded its preseason drills with a two-hour situational scrimmage Friday morning at Kyle Field.
The workout was the final session for the Aggies before they begin game-week preparations on Sunday evening.
"Overall I've been pleased," A&M head coach R.C. Slocum said. "I think we have a good team attitude and now we need to just go and play."
There were no new injuries to report and sophomore placekicker Cody Scates returned to practice following his groin injury.
Among those missing the workout Friday were running back Derek Farmer (broken finger), wide receiver Mickey Jones (sprained MCL), offensive lineman Andre Brooks (hip flexor), defensive lineman Rocky Bernard (ankle sprain), tight end Fred Spiller (back), offensive tackle Michael Mahan (stomach virus) and running back Richard Whitaker (knee).
"We'll have almost all of those guys back," Slocum said. "They'll be o.k. Overall, I think our injury situation has been less severe than in the past. With the tight end position and the tailback position, having injuries all in one spot can make a difference."
Slocum said that many of the questions he had prior to two-a-days beginning have been answered.
"I had three big questions before we started that needed to be looked at," Slocum said. "Greg Porter coming back to play football was a positive. He came back in great shape and has made a difference. Having Rocky Bernard back out there and in shape was big and Michael de la Torre made it all the way through without a problem."
Following the scrimmage, Slocum asked former A&M defensive end and All-Pro Jacob Green to address the team. Green is the school's all-time single season quarterback sack leader with 20 in 1979. He played professionally for the Seattle Seahawks from 1980 to 1992.
Slocum then presented A&M head Yell Leader Sam Seidel of Brenham with a 12th Man jersey and asked Seidel to speak to the squad. Nearly a three decade old tradition, the head Yell Leader has attended meetings and practice sessions to help develop the camaraderie between the football team and the Yell Leader who will be directing the 12th Man on game day.
The Aggies will take Friday afternoon and Saturday off before beginning game preparations on Sunday.
A&M opens the season on September 1 against McNeese State at 6 p.m. at Kyle Field.