“This is as good of a staff as I’ve been on in 30 years of coaching, and that includes my time in the NFL,” said Sherman, who coached for three teams in the NFL in 11 seasons. “I think it’s a great quality staff. The chemistry of the staff is phenomenal. I think we have the right youth and age combination on the staff. Some guys have more energy than other guys on the field, and some guys have other strengths on or off the field. Some guys are quiet teachers, some guys are loud teachers. Everybody can’t be the same. It’d be pretty boring if it was all Mike Shermans out there. The fact that we have some guys with different types of personalities makes practice better for the players.”
A day after outside linebackers coach Nick Toth’s appraisal of the trio of true freshman OLBs, Sherman was asked about freshmen Brandon Alexander, Tyrell Taylor and Shaun Ward getting a lot of reps in practice.
“I’m a believer that you push the reps with those young guys, particularly until that first scrimmage, then we’ve got to solidify things,” Sherman said. “We can see who falls out and who can help us. They can all run, and they all have talent. It’s just a matter of sorting out who can assimilate all the information and apply it to the football field in front of 90,000 people. We’re pushing the envelope with those guys. When you’re recruit them, you talk to them about coming in and playing so we’re giving them every opportunity to grab hold of that position.”
Sophomore offensive tackle Jake Matthews offered an interesting perspective of all the OLBs since he goes against them every day in practice.
“They’re all looking really good right now,” Matthews said. “A lot of long, quick guys that can rush the edge, and get up the field quick and make plays on the quarterback. It’s really good competition (between the OL and the OLBs), and it’s really helping me get better.”
Matthews was asked about the competition on the offensive front. A&M returns four of five starters on the line, and have a host of young players battling for playing time.
“We’ve got great competition all the time,” Matthews said. “We’ve always got guys fighting to get up to the next spot so the guys in front are having to work harder to keep their spot. That makes it better for everyone, and we’re all improving together.”
The lone new face in the current starting five on the offensive line is 6-foot-7 sophomore Shep Klinke, who came out of the spring as the starter at right guard when incumbent Patrick Lewis shifted to center.
“I can’t afford to look over my shoulder, but I know they’re back there,” Klinke said of the players looking to push him out the starting five. “They’re really playing well and getting better every day. There’s a lot of competition going on.”
Klinke traveled with the Aggies and saw limited action in 2010, but has worked hard to improve his technique and earn the early nod at starting right guard.
“I’m working on being more ‘heavy-footed’ – not taking so many steps, and taking more powerful steps,” Klinke said. “In the pass game, I’m trying to get where my weight isn’t back, because being as tall as I am, I’m more likely to get bull-rushed. I’m working on my hands, which are my biggest asset. Playing guard, having long arms really helps out a lot. Those three things are the biggest things I’m working on.”
Sherman also said that cornerback/punt returner Dustin Harris will add wide receiver to his résumé this fall.
“He’s a talented young man, and it gives us more depth,” Sherman said. “He’s very fast, and he’s very capable of playing on either side of the ball. He will definitely play some wide receiver for us this year.
PRACTICE GUIDELINES
· PRACTICES TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
· Practices inside the McFerrin Indoor facility are closed to the public due to fire codes.
· Practices are open to players’ families, lettermen, current students, former students, faculty and staff with TAMU ID and 12th Man Foundation members.
· No cameras, cell phones or note pads allowed.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
SATURDAY, Aug. 20
6:35 – 8:30 pm - Practice #15 (Kyle Field)
SUNDAY, Aug. 21
Possible day off from practices.
MONDAY, Aug. 22
7:30 – 9:45 am - Practice #16
TUESDAY, Aug. 23
7:30 – 9:45 am - Practice #17
4 – 5:15 pm - Practice #18 (McFerrin Indoor Facility)
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 24
4:05 pm - Practice #19—NO MEDIA ALLOWED
“Countdown to Kickoff Dinner”
THURSDAY, Aug. 25
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #20
FRIDAY, Aug. 26
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #21
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