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Post by AggieGroove on Mar 29, 2009 7:40:52 GMT -5
What happened? is this a secret?
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bluehaze
Official BDF member
Posts: 6,005
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Post by bluehaze on Mar 29, 2009 8:43:36 GMT -5
Rain can't dampen Aggies' spirits Sunday, March 29 By Jeff Mills GREENSBORO -- The sky was gray, the field green, the jerseys blue and gold. And for one day, at least, the outlook was rosy. With new head coach Alonzo Lee running the show from the sideline, N.C. A&T's Blue team defense eked out a 27-26 victory over its Gold team offense in the annual spring game Saturday at Aggie Stadium. Rising junior linebacker Brandon Jackson made eight tackles for the Blue, which came back from deficits of 14-0 and 17-10. Linnell Evans, another linebacker who redshirted as a freshman last season, made four of his six tackles in the backfield. Carlton Fears, who will be a senior in the fall, staked an early claim to the starting quarterback job, completing 17 of 28 passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns for the improved offense. But in this controlled scrimmage -- the offense scored points on touchdowns and field goals, while the defense earned points based on things like third-down stops and turnovers -- the final stat sheet didn't matter much. About 300 people, many huddled under umbrellas, turned out in a misting rain to watch a team of young players and a brand new coach working to wash away the grime of five straight losing seasons. "We're good and excited about what's going on because the guys are excited," Lee said. "They feel this new dawn that's about to happen."...... www.news-record.com/content/2009/03/29/article/rain_cant_dampen_aggies_spirits |
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Post by TOPPDOGG on Mar 29, 2009 9:58:15 GMT -5
Well I was very impressed with the quarterback play of Carlton Fears. Likewise, the secondary looked to be very vulnerable to the pass game. The wide receivers as well as the tight end seemed to do a decent job. Nigel Tomlin demonstrated his ability to break big runs.
Defensively, they started very slowly, but turned it on later during the scrimmage. I was encouraged overall by what I saw.
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DECKS
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2008 Poster of the Year
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Post by DECKS on Mar 29, 2009 13:04:43 GMT -5
How did the coaching staff look? Did they look organized? Were plays getting in on time?
I like the attitude of the coaching staff in having this game in spite of the weather.
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Post by pj on Mar 29, 2009 20:23:22 GMT -5
Groove, I cant tell you much. I got there a little late. I can say this,
>the D was poping
>>the running backs was bringing lumber too.
>We kicked some field goals for a change.
I saw the formation that, from the shotgun, one fakes a handoff to the running back and then passes...( option style)
> I cant tell much from a game like this, but I believe the days of 3 & out football are over. the D will be rested and ready. I forgot to look at the set to see if it was a 3/4 or a 4/3 but they were fast from sideline to sideline.
Decks I dont have those answers because the time was kept on the field and I did not notice a lot of that, but Coach Lee & the staff looks ready.
> the announcer noted who did what and when....ie the tackle was by " ...
> it was cold and misty.
> we did not look Big Big on the lines but Im not good judging something like that.
> I cant wait for the 1st game.
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Post by Bornthrilla on Mar 30, 2009 9:23:20 GMT -5
How did the OL look?
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Post by Bigboy on Mar 30, 2009 13:12:04 GMT -5
The OL did a desent job. They were opening good holes for "Night Train" and Q. Cosby to run and pick up good yards. They even gave the QB's time to throw the ball. From 1 to 10 I would give them about an 8.
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Post by Bornthrilla on Mar 30, 2009 13:29:13 GMT -5
AGGIES 'D' EDGES OUT THE OFFENSE
Miles scores two touchdowns
GREENSBORO, March 28, 2009 – The definition of three-and-out became a topic of conversation in determining who won the North Carolina A&T Blue vs. Gold Spring Football Game on Saturday.
As a part of the scoring system, the Aggies defense dressed in blue, received two points for forcing the offense off the field after three plays. On the last drive of the day, the Aggies defense did indeed stop the Gold offense from getting a first down after three plays. But the offense didn’t come off the field.
Instead, the Gold went for it on fourth down. Initially, the Aggies defense wasn’t awarded the two points for the three and out. But after further review, the defensive effort was considered a three-and-out, giving the Blue defense a 27-26 win over the Gold offense.
Winners and losers among the offense and defense wasn’t head coach Alonzo Lee’s major concern. He wanted to make sure techniques and strategies taught throughout the Aggies spring practice were being executed on Saturday.
Put senior quarterback Carlton Fears down as one of those players who executed what he learned in practice. Fears, who became the Aggies starter late in the 2008 season, looked confident in the Aggies spread offense. He was 17-for-28 for 158 yards and two touchdowns. Both of those touchdowns went to Atlanta native Wallace Miles who caught four passes for 32 yards.
Redshirt freshman Torrian Warren also benefited from Fears’ solid play. He caught four passes for 51 yards, including a 30-yard reception from Fears. Tight end Brett Fisher caught three passes for 37 yards. On the ground, junior Nigel Tomlin led the way with 43 yards and touchdown on seven carries. Quintin Cosby added 35 yards on eight carries. Kicker Eric Houston hit two field goals for the offense.
“I think things went well,” said Lee. “Our offense started out fast. I was really pleased with that. On the opposite side I wasn’t as pleased because I felt we started out slow before we started clicking. I think overall we are continuing to climb.”
On the offense’s first possession of the game, it had the ball placed on its own 20-yard line. The offense’s 11-play drive included a Cosby 26-yard run. The drive ended with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Fears to Miles. The offense followed up that drive with another 80-yard scoring drive that was capped off with a 28-yard touchdown run by Tomlin.
The defense, which was playing with just 24 players, began to settle in. The defense scored 11 straight points by forcing two straight three-and-outs (2 points), two straight third down stops (1 point) and a Gold turnover gave the defense three more points.
N.C. A&T’s defensive charge was led by linebacker Brandon Jackson’s eight tackles. Fellow linebacker Linnell Evans had six tackles, including three tackles for loss and a half sack. Tyre Glasper had six tackles and a sack, and Jeremy Graham added six stops.
Houston gave the offense three points with a field goal, but the defense kept the pressure on as defensive end Tyre Glasper stopped (quarterbacks were not allowed to be tackled) Herb Miller in the end zone for a 17-13 Gold lead. Another Houston field goal and a 3-yard touchdown pass from Fears to Miles appeared to put the game away for the Gold.
Yet, the defense closed out the scrimmage strong. The Aggies defense held the offense to just 12 yards over the final two drives of the day, including the three-and-out that helped them win the Spring Game. Although on the fourth down, the Gold offense did convert.
“The guys are really bonding,’’ said Lee. “We knew coming in that one of the things we had to work on is attitude and making sure this team bonds. We had to work on gaining that winning edge. We are winning those individual battles by people getting in the weight room, getting to practice on time and attending class. All of those things are great indicators that we are on our way to doing some good things.”
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Post by Bornthrilla on Mar 30, 2009 19:33:35 GMT -5
8 is a pretty good grade for this offensive line. Maybe these guys are all serious about making up for the debacle that was last season.
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Post by AggieGroove on Mar 30, 2009 20:10:22 GMT -5
The OL did a desent job. They were opening good holes for "Night Train" and Q. Cosby to run and pick up good yards. They even gave the QB's time to throw the ball. From 1 to 10 I would give them about an 8. Only time will tell with this group....last year this time we also thought they would improve!  Sad to say, that was not the case...I ain't believing until I see it myself!  |
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Post by Aggie One on Mar 30, 2009 20:28:09 GMT -5
Some kids did not play in spring because the staff wanted them in their books so they would be ready in then fall even though they worked out in drills. I think it was refreshing to see a not only the local kids Lee signed at the game a but a lot of the out of state kids up here with their parents in tow.
From the video tape that I did see ( unable to see it in person because of family commitments) I can comment on a few things that caught my eye.
On Offense:
1. This new West Coast/Gulf Coast/East coast offense has a lot more imagination than I had expected.
2. Morand seems to have found a least one incumbent QB who understands and can run this offense correctly in Fears.
3. The younger kids in the offensive line seemed improved in their drive blocking with the running a game and a lot more more comfortable in what Chennis Berry is doing with them.
I really like the improvement of Jason Valmont and Encoh Cohen has matured dramatically. Pass blocking remains a question mark. They have got to work on their pass blocking this summer but they aren't terrible anymore.
4. Nigel Tomlin, if he can stay healthy, can be a strong 1,000 yard power back. The three incoming freshmen at running back will help big time in Kennedy, Raper, and Payne...we need that kind of speed take it completley to the house when the holes do open up.
5. Wallace Miles and Torrian Warren have all but won their starting spots at wide out outright but the return of Brett Fisher as a legit pass catching TE with some speed and hands will go along way in moving the chains, something we soley have missed the last three years.
6. Eric Houston is now a consistent scoring threat with his foot and with the Cali kid due in this fall, we should score points regular from the 40 yard line on in.
On Defense:
1. At LB what we lack in size we more than make up for in speed. Lee is having to adjust his scheme in the 4-3 a bit because our LBs aren't real big people but are very fast to the ball and play far more physical than their stature would indictate... a lot like Del State.
2. Trey Glasper and Jarrell Herring are developing into those kinds of fifth year seniors who could really dominate if they step it up to the next level.
3. Our starting D-line can play with anyone in the MEAC but we are going to have to depend a ton on this recruiting class for depth, ( i.e. - the Dudley kids- Neal and Hall, and Dawkins at the tackles... not the type of thing you necessarily want to depend on as a defensive minded coach.... On the ends, we'll be fine.
4. The secondary is going to have to learn how to play real man coverage because we are going to have to blitz a lot. Again the speed kids coming in will have to provide depth. Our safties are ready. I really believe that Nick Clements has the tools an be an All-American if he comes to work every play.
5. I like what we are now doing with inside stunts... Haven't seen that since Lee left the last time.
6. The intangibles - The kids believe in this staff and the confidence fator is way up and they listen to Lee, something they did not do under Lee Fobbs... that's worth a minimum of 2 more wins in '09.
Now we wait on summer school, D-1 transfers dropping down after their spring practices conclude this month, and those JUCO signings during those three vital weeks in late April and early May.
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Post by Bornthrilla on May 7, 2009 11:50:59 GMT -5
www.ncataggies.com/Football/2009%20articles/Coach%20Lee%20Q&A%20springpractice.htmLEE DISCUSSES SPRING PRACTICE, GAMENorth Carolina A&T head football coach Alonzo Lee sat down with ncataggies.com to discuss Saturday's Spring Game and the Aggies weeks of spring practice. What are your thoughts on the game today? “I think things went well. Our offense started out fast. I was really pleased with that. On the opposite side I wasn’t as pleased because I felt we started out slow before we started clicking. I think overall we are continuing to climb. Technique wise we’re doing a better job every day. You can see the difference in our quarterback. He threw the ball well and did some good things handling our offense. The defensive line is coming along, so it was good overall competition out there today.” What have been your impressions of spring practice thus far? “The guys are really bonding. We knew coming in that one of the things we had to work on is attitude and making sure this team bonds. We had to work on gaining that winning edge. We are winning those individual battles by people getting in the weight room, getting to practice on time and attending class. All of those things are great indicators that we are on our way to doing some good things.” Have you seen an attitude change with this team after some rough seasons over last few years? “All I do is look toward the future. People have to remind me we only won three games. I’m not even concerned with that. My biggest concern is taking these young men from this point and taking them to greatness. I’m a scripture man. The scripture says, ‘The last shall finish first and the first shall finish last.’ I’m a confident believer we’ve got a chance to finish first if we do all the things we need to do.” How have you compensated for not having the numbers you would like to have for a spring practice or game? “We are right at 56 guys. That is down from where we want to be. We only had like 24 guys on defense today. But you had guys today who gutted it out, which attributes to the offseason program. Coach (Cedric) Walthaw is doing a great job with that 6 a.m., workout. I know our guys are in shape because some of them had to go every down. We just geared practice around that and did the proper things to try and keep guys healthy. We did enough hitting to be crisp, but we tried to be smart also.” Talk about how well your quarterback and receivers played today. “They have started to click here in the last week or so. Early on it was just all about technique work in getting the quarterback’s rhythm right. Our coaches are doing a great job of just teaching technique. When we see the things that we teach come out in a team effort, then we know we are on the right path and doing the right things.” How important will it be to have a veteran defense? “We still have to get a little better. I know you mentioned Andre Thornton and he is a very good player, but probably the best linebacker out there right now is (Brandon) Jackson. Jackson has really set some things on fire out there. We are really pleased with our defensive line and that starting four. We’ve got a couple of backups who have come in and played well. If we continue to build on those guys we’ll be solid.” Where do you feel like this team needs to before you play Winston-Salem State? “In the next five months we have to build and get our depth situation improved. I think our incoming players will be very important. We tried to recruit guys who can come in and be good players for us this year. Depth will be a big key for us. I think we have a great nucleus of guys right here who are coming along. In the next few weeks we are just going to work on our strength and making sure we are getting to class and getting eligible.”
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Post by Bornthrilla on May 21, 2009 14:24:47 GMT -5
Aggie One, any word on how many players are on the bubble academically right now?
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Post by Aggie One on May 21, 2009 17:18:29 GMT -5
My source said five (no one major) last time I talked to him but that they should be okay after the first session of summer school . We aren't nearly as bad off as we have been the past five years.
Lee is a taking no excuses for guys failing or coming up with incompletes and weeded out a lot of his problems prior to spring ball, thus only 56 roster guys at the break. His freshmen have all made the grade with the admissions office and some will be working out this summer especially the six local kids, the kickers, and the QBs.
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