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| | Sunday, September 3 Angry Aggies ready to show '99 was a fluke | |||||
| By Todd Cooper Special to ESPN.com Texas A&M Aggies 1999 record: 8-4 (5-3 Big 12) Coach: R.C. Slocum Returning starters: 14 (6 offense, 8 defense) Outlook After a disappointing 1999 season where the Aggies hoped to contend for a national title, but instead barely remained in the top 25, Texas A&M arrived this fall quiet and determined. "I think they have an axe to grind," Slocum said, upon his players' arrival to fall camp last week. They'll have to find a way to grind it out on the ground. The Aggies ran for just 52 yards at Texas Tech, 64 yards at Oklahoma and 2 yards at Nebraska last season. Ja'Mar Toombs, a 265-pound load at tailback, will move back to fullback this season. In his place, the Aggies hope for some game-breaking ability from sophomore Joe Weber or one of three blazing redshirt freshmen. The Aggies will have three choices when it comes to quarterback: Mark Farris, a 25-year-old sophomore, Vance Smith, a strong-armed sophomore, and Colby Freeman, a fleet-footed freshman. They'll line up behind three returning starters -- all of whom need to become better blockers, Slocum said. "This team has an obvious question mark at the quarterback position," Slocum said. "But I do feel good about the three guys. Any one of them will have the ability to lead us to a good season." On defense, the wrecking crew should return to workmanlike form, with the front seven returning. Seniors Ron Edwards, Ronald Flemons and Rocky Bernard -- all two-year starters -- return to the defensive line. Senior pass rushing specialists Jason Glenn and Roylin Bradley lead a group of lively linebackers. Between those two and Edwards, Flemons and Bernard up front, quarterbacks shouldn't have much time to pass. Or at least A&M hopes that's the case, with just one returning starter in the defensive backfield. Safety Michael Jameson, who last year had a team-high five interceptions (three for touchdowns), will have to lead a group of sophomores and freshmen. Keep an eye on ... Robert Ferguson, a 6-2, 220-pound wide receiver who runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds. It's a good season if ... The Aggies don't believe the hype that could come with a season-opening win at Notre Dame and continue to work hard. After all, it should be easy to remember what happened last time they thought they could win it all, right? Todd Cooper is a staff writer for the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald |
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