August 10, 2004
The Texas A&M football team returned to the grass practice fields on Tuesday for a workout in shorts and helmets which lasted more than two and a half hours.
"We've had two pretty pleasing workouts," Aggie head coach Dennis Franchione said. "These have been a little longer, but we are not working out twice a day."
The NCAA mandates the first five days must be single workouts before having two workouts a day, and then a team can't hold two workouts a day on consecutive days.
"I think it's a good schedule," Coach Fran said.
When asked about his longest two-a-day schedule, Coach Fran responded he had worked a team 14 days with two workouts each day.
Coach Fran mentioned the play and leadership of senior wide receiver Terrence Murphy from Tyler.
"I would like to have 100 Terrence Murphys," Coach Fran said. "He takes care of his business in every situation, both on and off of the field. He is a pleasure to be around and is a good person. He is very driven and has high goals, and takes a lot of pride in his work. He is a good leader."
Coach Fran mentioned wanting to get three or four tailbacks ready for the season. He mentioned the two freshmen running backs, Samson Taylor from The Woodlands and Jay Lucas, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, as having speed and athleticism.
"We will also dual-train Keith Joseph and Chris Alexander for depth," Coach Fran said.
The Aggies will continue to work once a day and the schedule has changed to accommodate the final exam schedule for summer school.