August 24, 2004
The Texas A&M football had a slightly abbreviated practice in shorts and shoulder pads on the grass practice fields Tuesday morning.
" We reduced practice from 19 to 16 periods this morning," said Aggie head coach Dennis Franchione. "It is that time of year when we are trying to maintain a delicate balance between working hard and getting too drained."
The Aggie gridders focused on down and distance situations, especially first and third down circumstances.
"We are trying to get as game ready as possible," commented Franchione. "We are certainly farther along, at this point, than we were last year."
According to Franchione, the team is developing as a unit and starting to construct an identity.
"We are closer to having a team than ever before and it is evident because of the accountability among the group. To gain an identity, this team will need to have success on the field. I want them to be mentally tough and I like what I've seen in the practices thus far. We have yet to play a team in a different colored helmet, but that is only nine days away."
Texas A&M will continue its fall workouts with a single practice Wednesday morning.