Texas Tech Spring Ball

[Firebird]

I hope the rest of the MWLF doesn't mind if I take a break and post some on my first football love, the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

I'm a little bit concerned about a couple of things up in Raiderland, and both of those things are lines.

1. The offense is currently working out with 7 scholarship lineman. A few of those are some good ones...I feel great about Louis Vasquez and Marlon Winn. But I can't help but be a bit nervous that there are only 7 bodies out there right now. I know that the Leach made OL a priority in this class, so here's hoping that a few freshmen can come in and fill some gaps. Lonnie Edwards appears to be the most likely candidate.

2. The D is practicing with only 2 defensive tackles now that Richard Jones is undergoing surgery. Again, they are just real thin on the line, and though some of them are proven, the depth scares me. On the plus side, McKinner Dixon is back around the campus, and apparently has been doing pretty well at Cisco JC. Here's hoping he gets it all together and re-enrolls in Jan. 08, the earliest possible.

3. Eric Morris from Shallowater is now the starting "H" reciever. I believe he was a walkon. We have some great young talent at that spot-- LA Reed and Michael Crabtree are both fantastic athletes, Todd Walker is too. But keep your eye on Morris. Tech has a long tradition of turning tough West Texas boys into good college players, and Morris is reminding me a bit of one of those-- some of ya'll will recall Frenship's Donnie Hart.

4. Ryan Rowland decided to give up football. Don't blame him, he is trying to get into medical school, and everyone knows that it's Graham Harrell right now, Taylor Potts in the future. What a change though, from six qbs to two. I'm glad we got rid of Derek Shaw though. I still don't know what the Pirate saw in Stefan Loucks from Arkansas, but I guess we will have to wait and see. I'm personally looking forward to the Potts era.

Slorch? Other Red Raiders? Your thoughts?

[MidLineOption73]

What are your thoughts on Amendola and how he has done in his carrer at Tech?

[Firebird]

What are your thoughts on Amendola and how he has done in his carrer at Tech?

You know, I kept waiting on Amendola to have that "breakout year". I think he's a good athlete, and an great option to have out there, but realistically, a bunch of Tech fans expected him to be Wes Welker Redux, and he just isn't.

I look for him to have a bigger season simply because the big guns of RoJo, Hicks, and Filani are all gone and he will be the most experienced reciever out there, but he won't be the number 1 guy. I look for Reed or Crabtree to step up and do that.

Amendola has done all you can ask, really. He came, started, and made good plays when asked to. Not all short white guys are Wes Welker.

[svhorns]

I wonder if Lance Fuller SV graduate of 04 will get some good playing time this year... hes a good kid who deserves to play some...

[slorch]

now the aggie wants to talk Red Raiders...:rolleyes:

1. Start Potts now, don't waste another season

2. O-line will be inexperienced, but more talented IMO.

3. Morris will do well, but he's so undersized!(at the end of all those quick posts and hitches, there's lots of hard collisions.

4. Feed Woods the ball- He's not as elusive as T.H. was, but he's damn good. he can be every bit the weapon TH was with the swing passes.

5. secondary!secondary!secondary!scares the heck out of me!

[Firebird]

The "Feud" between me and Red Raiders is entirely of Slorch's own making. I have nevr posted anything save my eternal, deepdown love of the Red Raiders.

[slorch]

The "Feud" between me and Red Raiders is entirely of Slorch's own making. I have nevr posted anything save my eternal, deepdown love of the Red Raiders.

aggy love


'nuff said

[Firebird]

I don't know what an "Aggy" is, but I'd wager that you would be hard pressed to find anyone on this board who follows Tech football closer than me/knows more about it than me. I was raised on Texas Tech football and you just can't kill it.

Why must you create emnity where none exists, Slorch?

[RocklandDragon]

Potts has gotten a little bigger...this is good though as his weight gain is muscle.

I'm glad that Potts didn't get lured away by Michigan.

:D

[farmerfan]

I don't know what an "Aggy" is, but I'd wager that you would be hard pressed to find anyone on this board who follows Tech football closer than me/knows more about it than me. I was raised on Texas Tech football and you just can't kill it.

Why must you create emnity where none exists, Slorch?

Firebird
Is Kobey Lewis still on campus and if he is where does he figure to project into the mix of things. That guy was a stud at Abilene and I dont think they gave him the rock enough during the Carroll game in 04.

What is wrong with following both A&M and Tech. It just so happens that A&M has an excellent grad program for what firebird is doing and there is nothign wrong with him defending his school when need be.
Some of the stuff that is said on this board makes me scratch my head at times. :rolleyes:

[farmerfan]

Harrell is yeras ahead of Potts right now.
Chances are that Potts would struggle more than Harrell did last year if he were to take over the reigns of QB this season.
Harrell will have a remarkable year and put up great numbers. I saw this kid for 3 years in HS and nothing leads me to think he wont have a stellar year this year.

[Firebird]

Firebird
Is Kobey Lewis still on campus and if he is where does he figure to project into the mix of things. That guy was a stud at Abilene and I dont think they gave him the rock enough during the Carroll game in 04.

What is wrong with following both A&M and Tech. It just so happens that A&M has an excellent grad program for what firebird is doing and there is nothign wrong with him defending his school when need be.
Some of the stuff that is said on this board makes me scratch my head at times. :rolleyes:

I even had my papers into Tech law, but I just really felt that God didn't want me in the law profession...I'm greatful for what A&M has done for me too...I love watching both the teams.

As far as Kobey, he is still on campus as far as I know, but I don't see him getting quite as much PT right now. Shannon Woods has got the number 1 sport sewed up right now, and from what I understand Baron Batch (another 3-5A kid from Midland) has really wowed the coaching staff. He might be the fastest player on the team.

I look for Lewis to get some touches, but I think that Woods and Batch are going to be the go to guys. Once woods leaves, I think you'll see a bit more of Lewis.

[Firebird]

Harrell is yeras ahead of Potts right now.
Chances are that Potts would struggle more than Harrell did last year if he were to take over the reigns of QB this season.
Harrell will have a remarkable year and put up great numbers. I saw this kid for 3 years in HS and nothing leads me to think he wont have a stellar year this year.

I like both the options, but reality dictates that Harrell gets the nod. I think might Potts be a bit more of a physical talent than Harrell though.

I don't get Slorch's Harrell hate. The main complaint is that he didn't execute his read well enough and that he made some bad choices under pressure...But those two areas are the same areas I would expect any first year soph. to struggle with. And he still put up much better numbers than Kingsbury his soph. year, and they were comparable with any other Tech QB since.

I think Tech's problems last year stemmed from a leadership and discipline problem, most of which was not Harrell's doing. The senior leadership really let me down. I look for Harrell to have a good year as long as the line gets together.

[farmerfan]

I even had my papers into Tech law, but I just really felt that God didn't want me in the law profession...I'm greatful for what A&M has done for me too...I love watching both the teams.

As far as Kobey, he is still on campus as far as I know, but I don't see him getting quite as much PT right now. Shannon Woods has got the number 1 sport sewed up right now, and from what I understand Baron Batch (another 3-5A kid from Midland) has really wowed the coaching staff. He might be the fastest player on the team.

I look for Lewis to get some touches, but I think that Woods and Batch are going to be the go to guys. Once woods leaves, I think you'll see a bit more of Lewis.

I had forgotten about Batch. He will be a stud for Tech that is for sure. I just hope to get to see Lewis carry and catch the ball some because I think that guy has some special talent and an ability to make things happen. He had a whale of a game against Carroll back in 04, the numbers wont jump out at ya but he had a major impact and seems to be a great kid.

[Firebird]

Lewis has done well in spring practices though. He will definetly see the field as a change of pace back for them.

[jtk1519]

Potts would pwn Harrell. Potts is smarter and cooler under pressure and he has one hell of an arm. That's probably the biggest knock on Harrell... he has a pretty weak arm. With Potts, the field expands and Tech has more to work with, but unless there are receivers that can create separation, that really doesn't matter. jtk will say this... whatever Tech is going to do over the next couple of years, their odds of winning games increases with Potts starting.

[Firebird]

Potts would pwn Harrell. Potts is smarter and cooler under pressure and he has one hell of an arm. That's probably the biggest knock on Harrell... he has a pretty weak arm. With Potts, the field expands and Tech has more to work with, but unless there are receivers that can create separation, that really doesn't matter. jtk will say this... whatever Tech is going to do over the next couple of years, their odds of winning games increases with Potts starting.


I love Potts. I think he probably made me more excited than anyone else Tech has signed recentely.

All I will say is that when it comes to selecting which Tech qb should be playing, I am more than willing to let the Pirate decide who should be running his offense...you know, the one that sets all sorts of NCAA records. I'm pretty sure he is more qualified than me to make that call.

Mr. Franchione, on the other hand.....

[RocklandDragon]

Tech has been recruiting great receivers and offensive linemen so whenever Potts starts, he'll have great production and numbers.

:D

[Firebird]

Tech has been recruiting great receivers and offensive linemen so whenever Potts starts, he'll have great production and numbers.

:D


I'm really excited about this year's o-line class, it really filled a need.

[slorch]

Firebird

What is wrong with following both A&M and Tech. It just so happens that A&M has an excellent grad program for what firebird is doing and there is nothign wrong with him defending his school when need be.
Some of the stuff that is said on this board makes me scratch my head at times. :rolleyes:


Nothing is wrong with it. Nothing is wrong with my giving him a hard time either. Let me put it this way, I have very dear family and friends that happen to be aggies. They receive copious amounts of smacktalk pretty much 24/7 from me. it doesn't mean I don't love them. it just makes them an easy mark at family get togethers.

did anybody on here grow up in the country where farmers/ old timers/ ect hung out at DQ or the grain elevator in town and if you weren't getting teased, it meant they either didn't know ya, or they didn't like ya?
That is how it is with me. IMO, it doesn't get any more Texan than "throwin the smack down" when you're defending your team/school/ town and then being there when somebody really needs help. We're talking football right? not about Firebird's G/ma or kids or race or religion, but his schools. They are a choice right? Stick to your guns on your choice. I don't understand the hypersensitivity. WOW!:eek:

[wide-e-wide]

[/B]


Nothing is wrong with it. Nothing is wrong with my giving him a hard time either. Let me put it this way, I have very dear family and friends that happen to be aggies. They receive copious amounts of smacktalk pretty much 24/7 from me. it doesn't mean I don't love them. it just makes them an easy mark at family get togethers.

did anybody on here grow up in the country where farmers/ old timers/ ect hung out at DQ or the grain elevator in town and if you weren't getting teased, it meant they either didn't know ya, or they didn't like ya?
That is how it is with me. IMO, it doesn't get any more Texan than "throwin the smack down" when you're defending your team/school/ town and then being there when somebody really needs help. We're talking football right? not about Firebird's G/ma or kids or race or religion, but his schools. They are a choice right? Stick to your guns on your choice. I don't understand the hypersensitivity. WOW!:eek:


what he said...
What a bunch of poonanis.

[MidLineOption73]

You know, I kept waiting on Amendola to have that "breakout year". I think he's a good athlete, and an great option to have out there, but realistically, a bunch of Tech fans expected him to be Wes Welker Redux, and he just isn't.

I look for him to have a bigger season simply because the big guns of RoJo, Hicks, and Filani are all gone and he will be the most experienced reciever out there, but he won't be the number 1 guy. I look for Reed or Crabtree to step up and do that.

Amendola has done all you can ask, really. He came, started, and made good plays when asked to. Not all short white guys are Wes Welker.



Thanks. I remember watching him his senior and expected a lot of things from him, just like you said. I am glad he turned out to be a good guy for the Radiers.

[slorch]

I think Harrell has the arm to be great. he makes the throws. his passes were noticably better than Hodges in 2005. The difference is decision making and poise. I know everyone will say, " well how'd they beat aggy or Minnesota if he can't come through in the clutch?"
TCU
Mizzou-the first quarter alone almost cost my TV its life
Colorado
2nd half of UT and OU

These are all games that contain plenty of supporting eveidence to my point. If it was just a sophomore thing, then I will admit as much- that i was wrong and too hard on him, but we can never have this season back.

Like I've said before, if he comes around, I win also( I will admit it if I am wrong) with the Raiders doing well.

[lonny23]

I hope the rest of the MWLF doesn't mind if I take a break and post some on my first football love, the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

I'm a little bit concerned about a couple of things up in Raiderland, and both of those things are lines.

1. The offense is currently working out with 7 scholarship lineman. A few of those are some good ones...I feel great about Louis Vasquez and Marlon Winn. But I can't help but be a bit nervous that there are only 7 bodies out there right now. I know that the Leach made OL a priority in this class, so here's hoping that a few freshmen can come in and fill some gaps. Lonnie Edwards appears to be the most likely candidate.

2. The D is practicing with only 2 defensive tackles now that Richard Jones is undergoing surgery. Again, they are just real thin on the line, and though some of them are proven, the depth scares me. On the plus side, McKinner Dixon is back around the campus, and apparently has been doing pretty well at Cisco JC. Here's hoping he gets it all together and re-enrolls in Jan. 08, the earliest possible.

3. Eric Morris from Shallowater is now the starting "H" reciever. I believe he was a walkon. We have some great young talent at that spot-- LA Reed and Michael Crabtree are both fantastic athletes, Todd Walker is too. But keep your eye on Morris. Tech has a long tradition of turning tough West Texas boys into good college players, and Morris is reminding me a bit of one of those-- some of ya'll will recall Frenship's Donnie Hart.

4. Ryan Rowland decided to give up football. Don't blame him, he is trying to get into medical school, and everyone knows that it's Graham Harrell right now, Taylor Potts in the future. What a change though, from six qbs to two. I'm glad we got rid of Derek Shaw though. I still don't know what the Pirate saw in Stefan Loucks from Arkansas, but I guess we will have to wait and see. I'm personally looking forward to the Potts era.

Slorch? Other Red Raiders? Your thoughts?I'm with you on the lines. I was happy they signed O Linemen, but those boys are going to have to come through. We don't have a lot to go on in the front 7 on defense.

Why does Dixon have to wait until Jan 08? Can't he be eligible in the Fall if he has enough credits?

I'm with you on Morris and the receivers in general. The guys that left had talent, but I'd rather have hard-nosed guys like Amendola out there over the prima donnas.

I haven't kep track on Loucks recently, but he had phenomenal sophomore and junior years in high school. I think they lost in the title game last year. The boy sure was accurate in the highlight tape I saw.

[lonny23]

I like both the options, but reality dictates that Harrell gets the nod. I think might Potts be a bit more of a physical talent than Harrell though.

I don't get Slorch's Harrell hate. The main complaint is that he didn't execute his read well enough and that he made some bad choices under pressure...But those two areas are the same areas I would expect any first year soph. to struggle with. And he still put up much better numbers than Kingsbury his soph. year, and they were comparable with any other Tech QB since.

I think Tech's problems last year stemmed from a leadership and discipline problem, most of which was not Harrell's doing. The senior leadership really let me down. I look for Harrell to have a good year as long as the line gets together.
Right on about the leadership. There were senior players on both sides of the ball that had subpar years and when you add in the circus antics, it just got worse.

[lonny23]

[/B]


Nothing is wrong with it. Nothing is wrong with my giving him a hard time either. Let me put it this way, I have very dear family and friends that happen to be aggies. They receive copious amounts of smacktalk pretty much 24/7 from me. it doesn't mean I don't love them. it just makes them an easy mark at family get togethers.

did anybody on here grow up in the country where farmers/ old timers/ ect hung out at DQ or the grain elevator in town and if you weren't getting teased, it meant they either didn't know ya, or they didn't like ya?
That is how it is with me. IMO, it doesn't get any more Texan than "throwin the smack down" when you're defending your team/school/ town and then being there when somebody really needs help. We're talking football right? not about Firebird's G/ma or kids or race or religion, but his schools. They are a choice right? Stick to your guns on your choice. I don't understand the hypersensitivity. WOW!:eek:
I see where you're coming from. I could never do what Firebird is doing right now, though!:D I'd go to Sul Ross, Tarleton, or Midwestern State before I'd go to A&M or UT.

[lonny23]

I think Harrell has the arm to be great. he makes the throws. his passes were noticably better than Hodges in 2005. The difference is decision making and poise. I know everyone will say, " well how'd they beat aggy or Minnesota if he can't come through in the clutch?"
TCU
Mizzou-the first quarter alone almost cost my TV its life
Colorado
2nd half of UT and OU

These are all games that contain plenty of supporting eveidence to my point. If it was just a sophomore thing, then I will admit as much- that i was wrong and too hard on him, but we can never have this season back.

Like I've said before, if he comes around, I win also( I will admit it if I am wrong) with the Raiders doing well.
Something else that happened in those games is that Tech didn't have a decent running game and all the pressure was on Harrell and the receivers. As upset as I got with Harrell last year, at least some of the blame should fall on the OL for not blocking for Woods and/or Leach for not running the ball:

DATE OPP RESULT ATT YDS AVG LNG TD REC YDS AVG LNG TD FUM LST

9/2 Southern Methodist W 35-3 15 104 6.9 23 0 6 32 5.3 9 0 0 0

9/9 @UTEP W 38-35 12 83 6.9 23 1 5 26 5.2 10 0 0 0

9/16 @TCU L 12-3 10 52 5.2 14 0 5 38 7.6 33 0 0 0

9/23 Southeastern Louisiana W 62-0 8 57 7.1 18 2 2 6 3.0 3 0 0 0

9/30 @Texas A&M W 31-27 10 35 3.5 11 0 7 70 10.0 20 0 0 0

10/7 Missouri L 38-21 12 95 7.9 22 0 11 71 6.5 21 0 0 0

10/14 @Colorado L 30-6 10 38 3.8 13 0 7 78 11.1 54 0 0 0

10/21 @Iowa State W 42-26 15 93 6.2 20 0 6 76 12.7 32 1 0 0

10/28 Texas L 35-31 8 11 1.4 5 0 5 51 10.2 18 1 0 0

11/4 Baylor W 55-21 10 125 12.5 51 3 8 48 6.0 17 0 0 0

11/11 @Oklahoma L 34-24 8 40 5.0 17 0 5 34 6.8 12 0 0 0

11/18 Oklahoma State W 30-24 15 84 5.6 51 1 5 23 4.6 12 0 0 0

INSIGHT BOWL AT TEMPE AZ @Minnesota W 44-41 19 109 5.7 20 3 3 19 6.3 13 0 0 0

[wide-e-wide]

Something else that happened in those games is that Tech didn't have a decent running game

Tceh recruits running backs? When did that start?

[slorch]

Tceh recruits running backs? When did that start?

call em what ya want, but Taurean Henderson and shannon Woods have been great in Leach's offense.

There's some more young uns coming up too.

RB has not been part of the problem(knocking on wood)

[lonny23]

Tceh recruits running backs? When did that start?
Tech's problem is not having a O-Line that blocks the D-Line and LB's from OU and UT.

[Firebird]

call em what ya want, but Taurean Henderson and shannon Woods have been great in Leach's offense.

There's some more young uns coming up too.

RB has not been part of the problem(knocking on wood)

Barron Batch and Kobey Lewis are both gonna be impact players.


I really want to see Batch get more touches, I think he can be real special.

[slorch]

Barron Batch and Kobey Lewis are both gonna be impact players.


I really want to see Batch get more touches, I think he can be real special.

you know he's rehabbing an ankle right?

[Firebird]

Yeah...I'm still thinking he'll be good to go for fall drills.