 "Photo: Jon Eilts")
Texas A&M Head Coach Mike Sherman is running out of players, most notably at quarterback and on the offensive line. Sherman talked about the dearth of experience and piling injuries plaguing the Aggies on Monday at the weekly media conference.
Offensive linemen Lee Grimes, Robbie Frost, Michael Shumard, Travis Schneider; running back Mike Goodson; quarterbacks Stephen McGee and Jerrod Johnson; and kicker Richie Bean headlined Sherman's injury report. Sherman said Schneider, Frost and Bean are doubtful to play in Saturday's game. Johnson, McGee and Goodson needed to be reevaluated and Sherman said he would make a decision about them later in the week.
Goodson, who sprained his medial collateral ligament, was limping in practice and will probably not start against Iowa State. Cyrus Gray is likely to start.
McGee played one down in the first half and threw a touchdown pass, but Sherman said McGee was not 100 percent. He was not sure of the status of McGee or Johnson for Saturday's road game at Iowa State. Because third-stringer Ryan Tannehill has been taking so few repetitions at quarterback, Sherman was contemplating removing the red shirt from true freshman Tommy Dorman.
"I'm trying to hold that one back," Sherman said. "I've talked to [Dorman] and his parents about the fact he may have to play this year, based on his situation. It's quite a dilemma because if you take Tannehill and move him there, you lose your top quarterback and one of your top receivers. So now you're less of a team. It's quite a dilemma. I'm hoping that [McGee] will be available this week and make continued progress with that shoulder. If he's available we don't have a problem, but if he's not then we do have a problem."
Sherman said one of the team's goals will be returning the running game to the staple of the offense. A&M has run more passing plays than running plays in three consecutive games. At the beginning of 2008, the rushing attack was expected to be a strong suit of the team, but early deficits and injuries at running back and on the line have forced the Aggies into passing.
"We have to generate more yardage in the run game to be successful," Sherman said. "Dropping back as much as we are, we are susceptible to what happened in the second half, when guys just get worn down. That's a lot to ask of those guys."
Sherman said Grimes has been an inspiration to the rest of the team. He said the experience the young players are gaining and the willingness to play while injured are positive aspects of the 2-5 season record.
"Grimes could make a ton of money just volunteering his body to science," Sherman said. "He has had every injury possible. To his credit, I think he's one of the toughest players I've ever been around. He goes up there and battles and I have a lot of respect for what he brings to the table."
Sherman said he was not surprised with how the freshmen have performed.
"Coming out of spring ball, I thought we'd probably have to play some freshmen this year," he said. "So that wasn't a total surprise. I think the freshman that's the most surprising, the way he's adapted to things...I had confidence that [cornerback] Trent Hunter would fall into his ways and I thought [wide receiver Jeff] Fuller would be fine...our corners played very well in this ballgame, and [cornerback Terrence] Frederick being a true freshman, and probably the last guy we committed as a staff, him coming in here and playing very well. He's tackled well, he's covered well. He's played well."
Sherman said he will plan for everything against Iowa State, even the weather conditions. He was confident the players would be prepared but said he would even try lowering the air conditioning in the indoor practice facility to replicate the conditions the team might encounter.
Injury report: Lee Grimes Robbie Frost Michael Shumad Travis Schneider Mike Goodson Stephen McGee Jerrod Johnson Richie Bean
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