This why we love the Pirate

[slorch]

http://redraiders.com/stories/040707/foo_040707014.shtml

This is exactly what I wanted. IMO there are 2 watchouts-

1. Don't leverage Potts simply as motivation. Give him a realistic shot at unseating Harrell as the starter.

2. If #1 happens, Potts will have every reason to leave. You know as a player whether you earned the spot or not. He will know whther he ever had a real shot at earning the starting position.

I feel Leach is playing with fire to a certain degree, but it is still the spring. If Harrell's confidence is injured then GREAT!!!, I know I am probably in the minority, even with Tech fans, but i don't see this guy doing it on a consistent basis. I love it that Potts appears to be getting at least a chance to win the starting job.

If the Pirate is wanting to make Harrell walk the plank this week, it only confirms that he is looking for the best player to fill the position. harrell may very well work himself back into his job. I love the fact that there is some competition going on.

Guns up!

[Firebird]

http://redraiders.com/stories/040707/foo_040707014.shtml

This is exactly what I wanted. IMO there are 2 watchouts-

1. Don't leverage Potts simply as motivation. Give him a realistic shot at unseating Harrell as the starter.

2. If #1 happens, Potts will have every reason to leave. You know as a player whether you earned the spot or not. He will know whther he ever had a real shot at earning the starting position.

I feel Leach is playing with fire to a certain degree, but it is still the spring. If Harrell's confidence is injured then GREAT!!!, I know I am probably in the minority, even with Tech fans, but i don't see this guy doing it on a consistent basis. I love it that Potts appears to be getting at least a chance to win the starting job.

If the Pirate is wanting to make Harrell walk the plank this week, it only confirms that he is looking for the best player to fill the position. harrell may very well work himself back into his job. I love the fact that there is some competition going on.

Guns up!

I have no problem with this whatsoever. My argument for Harrell all along has been:

1. He was not as bad as it seemed, where he struggled was here I expected him to struggle
2. The Pirate said he was the man, so that means he's the man

If Leach really thinks that Potts is playing better, then by all means I want to see Potts starting. I think Harrell can do the job, but I place most of my confidence in Leach to play the best man. I think Leach has earned the benefit of the doubt-- if he says a QB is the best one for the job, then that QB really is the best one for the job.

[slorch]

I have no problem with this whatsoever. My argument for Harrell all along has been:

1. He was not as bad as it seemed, where he struggled was here I expected him to struggle
2. The Pirate said he was the man, so that means he's the man

If Leach really thinks that Potts is playing better, then by all means I want to see Potts starting. I think Harrell can do the job, but I place most of my confidence in Leach to play the best man. I think Leach has earned the benefit of the doubt-- if he says a QB is the best one for the job, then that QB really is the best one for the job.

i have never doubted Leach's judgment on QB until last season. he stayed with Harrell to a fault. He didn't neccessarily need to lose his starting job, but could have used the wake-up call a few times where leach just weathered out the storm, only to have the barn blow away.
Physically- i think Harrell can do it. i doubt his decision making and leadership.

[Firebird]

i have never doubted Leach's judgment on QB until last season. he stayed with Harrell to a fault. He didn't neccessarily need to lose his starting job, but could have used the wake-up call a few times where leach just weathered out the storm, only to have the barn blow away.
Physically- i think Harrell can do it. i doubt his decision making and leadership.


Leach has always been vocal about the futility of moving QBs around once the season is well underway...I think that, more than anything, was what led him to stick with GH.

Here's hoping both Potts and Harrell emerge from spring drills better qbs for the competion.

[Texasfrog]

Most of that is probably "smoke screen Coach talk" to try and keep players motivated and their mind on the game and getting better.

I think Harrell is a very solid QB and he'll be alright. But, like Firebird said, if Potts is and does out play Harrell then give the "starting keys" to Potts and lets see what he has.

But, If I was a betting man I would put my paycheck on Harrell.

[slorch]

Most of that is probably "smoke screen Coach talk" to try and keep players motivated and their mind on the game and getting better.

I think Harrell is a very solid QB and he'll be alright. But, like Firebird said, if Potts is and does out play Harrell then give the "starting keys" to Potts and lets see what he has.

But, If I was a betting man I would put my paycheck on Harrell.

Leach's history definately lends itself to you being correct on your wager.

On the flip side, the man has that little bitty microscopic penchant for the unpredictable...:rolleyes:

seriously, he's so surgical in the execution of that offense, I understand his desire for continuity, but there's also times when a guy just isn't getting it done. Hopefully Harrell matures, and I would never discount a kid that has the ability he has. I just get frustrated because the reads are almost more important than the throws in this offense, and they were the source of many troubles last season.

anybody think Todd left because of Potts and not because of Harrell?
(just food for thought):D

[Firebird]

Leach's history definately lends itself to you being correct on your wager.

On the flip side, the man has that little bitty microscopic penchant for the unpredictable...:rolleyes:

seriously, he's so surgical in the execution of that offense, I understand his desire for continuity, but there's also times when a guy just isn't getting it done. Hopefully Harrell matures, and I would never discount a kid that has the ability he has. I just get frustrated because the reads are almost more important than the throws in this offense, and they were the source of many troubles last season.

anybody think Todd left because of Potts and not because of Harrell?
(just food for thought):D

Might very well be. I imagine that Todd recognized what they had in Potts and realized that he might very well have gotten shoved down to 3 on the depth chart after last season. I really do want to see Potts get some PT.

[RocklandDragon]

That's what I believe...Todd left because Harrell was confirmed the starter, but Potts was waiting in the wings. Michigan wasn't looking at Potts for nothing.

:D

[KT2000]

This is why I bow down to the Pirate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSPcMXWJjUg

[lonny23]

My guess is Harrell keeps his job, but I'm all for giving Potts a chance. I want Potts to QB the team if he keeps playing better. All year in 2006 Tech had a problem with guys relaxing too much.

[Mhs06]

The harder Harrell thinks hes got it, the better he is going to come out. I think he is going to come out next year, and not only keep his starting job, but dominate the competition.

Wreck'em.

[slorch]

This is why I bow down to the Pirate:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSPcMXWJjUg

"Winds a little problem. Lightning's the only thing that cancels anything":eek:

It's funnier every time I watch it.

[RocklandDragon]

I'm telling ya...someone's got to record some of his press conferences.

Leach likes to go off the deep end...

Gotta get more Mike Leach quotes!

:D :D :D

[lonny23]

I'm telling ya...someone's got to record some of his press conferences.

Leach likes to go off the deep end...

Gotta get more Mike Leach quotes!

:D :D :D
Last year he told Emily Jones to have a Happy Halftime during one of the games and you can never go wrong with "Sometimes a pirate beats a soldier!":p

I liked it when he started talking about it raining mud. I saw it do that over here last week.

[BlackandRed05]

Thats hilarious! " Dont be a coward. Stay out in it, still enjoy the day "

[AE 8008]

potts is the man:cool:

[CFlb38 08]

aarghh!!

[lonny23]

Here's why I love The Pirate. BTW, I also saw Geronimo's grave on Fort Sill and that nuke launcher they have on post, too.:cool: I might have to make a trip up to Lawton to watch the kid this year. Lawton Eisenhower plays the Wichita Falls schools sometimes.

Jordan Strebeck
RedRaiderSports.com Recruiting Analyst

Whoever made up the phrase, "Big things come in small packages," must have been familiar with Harrison Jeffers. Though the Lawton Eisenhower running back is only 5-foot-9, 207-pounds, he packs a mighty punch. Just ask any of the schools he faced last season or any of his track opponents from this season.

Though Jeffers will play football at the college level, that is not his only area of expertise, as he qualified for Oklahoma's state track meet with a time of 10.28-seconds in the open 100.

Jeffers' powerful combination of speed and strength, coupled with his excellent junior season have garnered him quite a lot of attention on the recruiting circuit, and it's only going to get crazier.

"There hadn't been too much new stuff going on," commented the probable four-star prospect. "Then I actually got an offer from Kansas State about two weeks ago, which was nice. I like what they're doing up there are everything. They have been sending me a lot of handwritten letters and they came down to my school to see me, so that was cool to finally see that offer."

The senior-to-be went on to explain that the reason for his excitement actually stems from his commitment to Texas Tech.

"I definitely think it's a plus," he explained. "It's good for the school I committed to (Texas Tech) to see how much attention I'm getting even after my commit. Hopefully it helps them see that they got a good one."

While Kansas State is his newest offer, the consensus is that it is far from his last.

"We start spring practice this week," he commented. "Oklahoma and Oklahoma State were here this week to see how I was doing and my coach said that a bunch of schools called and said they were going to come watch me. Actually, Coach Leach and Coach Littrell came to see me and it was hilarious. They watched me practice and we talked some football and then Coach Leach started saying how they were going to go see the grave of Geronimo, like the Indian dude, on their way home. I thought that was pretty funny."

So with all the attention he's receiving, is the Rivals 250 To Watch member still solid in his commitment to Tech?

"I'm still solid to Tech," he stated firmly. "I'm glad about the K-State offer and everything too, but I've told the coaches I'm committed and I am. My coach tells all the schools that I'm a Tech guy and they just keep calling."

Jeffers said his sense of commitment is partially due to his good experience at this year's Red and Black game.

"I had a good time at the spring game," he said. "It made me feel way more committed because I saw the family atmosphere down there and all that. I noticed that everyone really like everyone and that's what I want."

[slorch]

Pirate=Viking=Indian Chief= Weatherman

[lonny23]

Pirate=Viking=Indian Chief= Weatherman
Slorch,

I was wrong. I'm putting "Man with headset and a wry sense of humor" at #1 on my list of Big 12 South coaches instead of #2. Geronimo put me over the top!:D

I think being a little on the crazy side helps you relate to people more times than not. Not taking things too serious at all times and not taking yourself too seriously puts other people at ease around you. I'd rather play for Leach than the corporate stiff suit and tie gang at larger universities. The guy is just a fun guy to be around and he puts people at ease.

[lonny23]

The Pirate strikes again!:D

Armen Williams
RedRaiderSports.com Associate Editor

Last Thursday, Stephenville safety Cody Davis could not say enough positive things after visiting Lubbock for the second time during his recruiting process. Monday night, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound defensive back knew that the time had come.

Davis' 36-inch vertical is one of the many factors that have impressed Tech coaches.
"I met up with my head coach and we talked it over," said Davis. "After the visit and after I looked through Texas Tech I really liked what I saw and I decided to verbally commit to Texas Tech and be a Red Raider."

Along with Stephenville athletic director and head coach Chad Morris, Davis began spreading the news.

"First off, I called Coach Mainord and told him that I wanted to be a Red Raider and he was all fired up and we talked a little bit and he gave me Coach Leach's number. I called Coach Leach and he's out in New Mexico looking at lights that are supposedly UFO's. After I told him that I was a Red Raider, he said it made his day, and I think they're all excited."

Red Raider fans should be excited as well now that Davis has chosen Tech over six other offers.

"I've been thinking a lot about it and I've had the final decision on my mind and have been going through to see if that was the final decision and if I could see myself there. It met all my standards and what I was looking for and I felt at home there."

Now that the stud safety does not have to worry about finding a future school any longer, what's Davis going to focus on now?

"Just start summer workouts and get better. I might go out to Tech a few times and go out to the one day camp. I am going to talk to the coaches more and just get to know the program better."

Picking up their 7th commitment of the 2007 class was the perfect way for the Tech coaching staff and fan base to wrap up their Memorial Day holiday weekend.

"As of right now I'm 100% committed and I really think that it's the best school for me and everything fits."

[slorch]

OK, 20 more to go...:D

Did you say UFO?:eek: :confused: :cool: