The shoulder pads went on, the temperatures soared, and the Texas A&M football team seemed to lose focus at times during Wednesday morning's practice at the Coolidge practice fields.
"When you put the pads on, guys are feeling their way through things, but it wasn't as good as I would have hoped it would be today," A&M head coach Mike Sherman said.
The passing game had too many throws off the target, then there were drops of those that were on the mark. Defensive coordinator Joe Kines asked for a few do-overs during the two-hour, 30-minute practice in temperatures that reached 99 degrees with lots of humidity.
"I didn't think [the intensity] picked up enough, necessarily," Sherman said. "I think it should have been better than it was today. The heat got to us a little bit, and the length of practice got to us little bit. But I think it could have been better."
There were stretches where the players showed intensity, including an inadvertent close-line tackle by senior wide receiver Howard Morrow on sophomore linebacker Ricky Cavanaugh, who made an interception.
Sophomore defensive tackle Tony Jerod-Eddie then slightly pushed Morrow, but that was it as several peacemakers, including junior defensive end/linebacker Von Miller, quickly diffused the situation.
Miller and the veterans had to run extended sprints last spring after a practice when two scuffles upset Sherman.
Miller, who has become one of the team's leaders, helped make sure any added practice-ending sprints Wednesday were for mental and physical mistakes, not fighting.
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Freshmen lead the way: Incoming freshman wide receiver Kenric McNeal had a one-handed catch over the middle for a touchdown, while wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu had several big-time catches from sophomore quarterback Ryan Tannehill with about four going for touchdowns during team action.
"I was excited about that," Sherman said. "But you have to catch the ball 100 percent of the time to be a receiver."
Most of the veteran receivers had drops. Even sophomore Jeff Fuller, who caught 50 passes last year with nine touchdowns, had a rare drop.
"You either catch the ball or don't, it's not a sometime thing," Sherman said.
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Teacher Tannehill: Tannehill is working mostly with the younger players, because of his knowledge of the offense, Sherman said.
Tannehill will get his chance to work with the older players soon, but Sherman joked that the younger guys are sure catching the ball for Tannehill, "So, he may be working the guys he's going to be playing with."
Tannehill, who didn't have any contact in spring while recovering from a torn labrum, seemed to have his best practice Wednesday.
"He's working with the second [and third] group, so sometimes those guys didn't do the right thing all the time," Sherman said. "Overall, I thought he did well."
That wasn't the case with starting quarterback Jerrod Johnson.
"I thought Jerrod needed to do better today," Sherman said. "I didn't think he had a great day."
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Keeping an eye on Ennis: Freshman Kirby Ennis (6-4, 265) played defensive end at Huntsville, but he's been moved to tackle, "where we desperately need a pass rusher inside," Sherman said.
A&M would like to develop an inside pass rusher who could prevent opponents from double-teaming Miller.
"I'm really looking forward to great things from Kirby," Sherman said.
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Blue Bell power: Redshirt freshman linebacker Kyle Mangan (6-2, 231) has gotten bigger and stronger. The former Brenham star has picked up where he left off in spring drills, joining Miller and senior safety Jordan Pugh as the defense's leaders, Sherman said.
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Et cetera: Sophomore defense tackle Eddie Brown (fever, congestion) missed his second straight workout. Redshirt offensive tackle Chris Lathrop, who has been moved to defense, saw more action with Brown out. ... Freshman Ryan Swope, expected to play wide receiver and return kickoffs, saw some action at running back. ... Offensive line coach Jim Turner praised freshman Patrick Lewis during sled drills. "Very coachable, very coachable, he listens," Turner said. ... Sherman and the players are calling Nwachukwu (6-0, 189), "Easy." ... Freshman defensive back Steven Terrell intercepted a pass from redshirt freshman transfer Winston Gamso. ... Jerod-Eddie knocked down a pass by Johnson, something he did with regularity in the spring. ... Kines emphasized quick steps during one seven-player drill, that led to several do-overs. "All these round steps aren't worth a darn," he said. ... Walk-on Gaston Lamascus (5-6, 172) was another freshman making a few catches with the younger players. Lamascus is easy to spot because No. 88 seems to engulf his whole jersey. Sherman said the Aggies discovered Lamascus while recruiting Brandal Jackson at Navasota and the program's glad to have both.
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Powerful conversation: Former A&M head coach R.C. Slocum and athletics director Bill Byrne talked while watching practice. Also among the approximate 15 fans were former Aggie All-American Jacob Green and former Bryan High football coach Marty Criswell.
A&M FOOTBALL
* Wednesday: Practice No. 3 in shorts, helmets and shoulder pads for about two and a half hours.
* Tentative upcoming practice sessions: 8:25 a.m. Thursday; 8:25 a.m. Friday (full pads); 8:25 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday
* Practice info: A&M students, faculty and staff will be admitted by showing their ID. Students and former students can also enter by showing their Aggie ring. Cell phones, cameras and recording devices are not permitted. No fans will be allowed at practices in the McFerrin Center.
* Season opener: Sept. 5 vs. New Mexico