March 22, 2011
The Texas A&M football opened its 15 days of spring practices with a pair of workouts inside the McFerrin Athletic Complex on Tuesday.
The Aggies are coming off a 9-4 season that saw them win a share of the Big 12 South Division title and earn a spot in the AT&T Cotton Bowl. The Aggies return 10 starters on the offensive side of the football and return eight starters on the defensive unit, and a total of 60 lettermen return from the 2010 squad.
Aggie head coach Mike Sherman, entering his fourth year as head coach, declined to name the players that need to step up in the spring, but cited the importance of playing well in the spring to earn playing time in the fall.
“Those guys know who they are; we don't have to put it in the paper,” Sherman said. “I've already talked to the guys about stepping up if they want a job in the spring. Before we get into the spring drills, I talk to every player about where they're at and what they need to do. They know what's at stake. If they want a spot in the two-deep, they are going to express themselves in spring ball. We give them 15 days to get it done, and if they can't get it done in 15 days they're not going to do it in preseason. That's when we bring the freshmen in and they get their chance at it.”
Sherman mentioned a few of the obvious position battles, but said he wants to see competition at every position.
“We're obviously looking for a starting center, a backup quarterback…I would like to think that any kid that comes in and outshines the guy in front of him is going to be the starter,” Sherman said. “I would hope there is competition at every position. Realistically, some guys are a little further ahead and there's a gap between them and the next guy. But I'd hope that we'd have competition at every position and every guy wants to be the starter.”
After the first day of spring drills, starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill talked to the Associated Press about the team's goal in 2011.
"The goal is to win every game," Tannehill said. "We have a great team coming back and we're just trying to get better every day. We have our goal set on a Big 12 championship and when we break it out every day we say: 'Big 12 champs' and we really mean it."
Tannehill's top target last season was Jeff Fuller, who had 72 receptions for 1,066 yards and 12 scores. Fuller flirted with leaving school early for the NFL, but decided to return for another season. Tannehill thinks he might have had a little something to do with that decision.
"I was trying to convince him every day, just send him a little text or something to try to get him to come back," Tannehill said. "I was really excited once he made his decision and he's a great playmaker to have on the field for us."
Fuller raved about Tannehill's work last season.
"Tannehill came in and led us in a great way and we came out with a few W's with him," Fuller said. "We just want to continue to get better and build on what we did last year."
NCAA rules allow for 15 spring practice dates and the Aggies will split most days into two workouts. The morning practices will be conducted inside the McFerrin Athletic Center and the afternoon workouts on the Coolidge practice fields. Due to limited space and the fire codes, the morning practices are closed to the public. The afternoon practices are open to 12th Man Foundation members, football lettermen, current and former students, as well as Texas A&M faculty and staff members. Guests will be asked to check in at the gates of the Coolidge practice fields. For fans safety, observers are requested to stay behind the marked areas of the facility. Practice days and times are subject to change and fans are encouraged to check with the Aggie football office (979-845-1241) or the media relations office (979-845-5725) for any changes. If bad weather forces the team to the indoor facility, the practice is closed to the general public. A reminder, no cameras, video cameras, cell phones or note pads are allowed. Visitors should park in either the University Center or West Campus parking garages to avoid parking citations issued by Transportation Services.
| Texas A&M Spring Football Practice Schedule | |||||
| Day | Date | Time | Event | Location | Open/Closed to Public |
| Tuesday | March 22 | 6:05-7:10am | Practice | McFerrin Indoor Facility | Closed |
| 4:00-5:20pm | Practice | Coolidge Grass Practice Fields | Open | ||
| Thursday | March 24 | 6:05-7:10am | Practice | McFerrin Indoor Facility | Closed |
| 4:00-5:20pm | Practice | Coolidge Grass Practice Fields | Open | ||
| Saturday | March 26 | 10:20am-12:30pm | Practice | Kyle Field | Open |
| Sunday | March 27 | 3:10-5:10pm | Practice | Kyle Field | Open |
| Tuesday | March 29 | 6:05-7:10am | Practice | McFerrin Indoor Facility | Closed |
| 4:00-5:20pm | Practice | Coolidge Grass Practice Fields | Open | ||
| Thursday | March 31 | 6:05-7:10am | Practice | McFerrin Indoor Facility | Closed |
| 4:00-5:20pm | Practice | Coolidge Grass Practice Fields | Open | ||
| Saturday | April 2 | 10:20am-12:30pm | Practice | Kyle Field | Open |
| Sunday | April 3 | 3:10-5:10pm | Practice | Kyle Field | Open |
| Tuesday | April 5 | 6:05-7:10am | Practice | McFerrin Indoor Facility | Closed |
| 4:00-5:20pm | Practice | Coolidge Grass Practice Fields | Open | ||
| Thursday | April 7 | 6:05-7:10am | Practice | McFerrin Indoor Facility | Closed |
| 4:00-5:20pm | Practice | Coolidge Grass Practice Fields | Open | ||
| Saturday | April 9 | 10:20am-12:30pm | Practice | Kyle Field | Open |
| Sunday | April 10 | 3:10-5:10pm | Practice | Kyle Field | Open |
| Tuesday | April 12 | 6:05-7:10am | Practice | McFerrin Indoor Facility | Closed |
| 4:00-5:20pm | Practice | Coolidge Grass Practice Fields | Open | ||
| Thursday | April 14 | 6:05-7:10am | Practice | McFerrin Indoor Facility | Closed |
| 4:00-5:20pm | Practice | Coolidge Grass Practice Fields | Open | ||
| Saturday | April 16 | 10:00am | Autograph Session | Gilliam Indoor Track | Open |
| 1:00pm | Maroon & White Game | Kyle Field | Open | ||