"I think you have to do it the way you think is best. You evaluate the landscape and move forward from there."

Mix and Match

Sherman outlines gameplan for season

By: Travis Yoesting

Posted: 7/23/08

In less than 40 days the Sherman era kicks off against Arkansas State. However, many questions lingered about the Texas A&M football team as members of the squad traveled to Kansas City for Big 12 Media Day.

Full-size fullbacks, quarterbacks quibbles and a lacking offensive line highlighted the list of topics Head Coach Mike Sherman discussed at the Big 12 Media Day press conference Monday.

Offense was a primary focus of discourse Monday as Sherman attempts to revamp the offense, starting with an inexperienced offensive line.

"Whether you're running an option-style offense or a pro-style offense, you still have to be good in the offensive line," Sherman said at the press conference. "We lost some good players off of last year's squad."

Sherman said his style of offense starts with the offensive line, but he has a capable backfield to move the football down the field as well.

Despite an undetermined starting quarterback, Sherman quickly said there was no quarterback controversy.

"I don't think you have a controversy when you feel like you have good talent at that position," Sherman said. "If we didn't have talent at that position, yeah, there would be controversy."

Stephen McGee is competing with sophomore Jerrod Johnson for the starting quarterback job, but freshman Tommy Dorman and red-shirt freshman Ryan Tannehill figure into the equation as well.

"Jerrod and Stephen are competing on a daily basis," Sherman said. "It's very healthy. But it's very competitive.

"I have confidence that we're going to have a very good quarterback when we start the season. I think he'll play at a higher level because of the competition."

Whoever earns the starting job will be joined in the backfield by a strong core of running backs.

"The tailback is very skilled; the tailback position is a very competitive and skilled position," Sherman said of a group of running backs, including junior Mike Goodson and sophomore Cornell Tarrant, pictured here.

One name not on the list was Jorvorskie Lane, who is moving from running back to fullback.

Sherman said he told Lane the first time the two met that he would be moved to fullback. Lane, Sherman said, was not entirely happy, but did not necessarily shy away from the prospect.

"He gives us a double threat as a runner and also as a receiver," Sherman said of moving Lane to fullback. "He's had some pretty devastating blocks in the spring time."

Sherman said weight was an issue with Lane, but he was hopeful Lane would reach a target of less than 270 pounds by the start of the season.

While Lane was trying to lose weight, former wide receiver - and before that, former quarterback - Jamie McCoy has bulked up, adding 10 to 15 pounds in preparation for his move to tight end.

"Moving Jamie McCoy to tight end from receiver has helped us with the loss of Martellus Bennett," Sherman said. "McCoy is a good route runner."

He said the tight end position was an area of concern for him as tight ends are critical in his offense.

With all the upheaval happening with the offense, defensive coordinator Joe Kines, 64, is proving age doesn't matter on the other side of the ball.

"Well, we don't hold age against people," Sherman said of hiring Kines. "And the older I get, the less I do that."

Sherman said Kines' age and experience is a huge plus for the team because he's seen everything and knows how to respond to different offenses.

"This is a guy that thinks about football when he goes to bed and thinks about it when he wakes up," Sherman said. "When you combine that with the passion he brings to the table, it's just a great mix for us and he fits in very well."

Sherman convinced Kines to come out of retirement, but used his past relationship with offensive coordinator Nolan Cromwell to pry him from the Seattle Seahawks.

"Nolan and I worked in Green Bay when we were both assistants and I went to Seattle with him and Mike Holmgren," Sherman said. "I think this is a great opportunity for us but as well for him. He's excited about being a part of college football."

Sherman was asked Monday whether he sought advice from other college coaches who had coached in the NFL.

Sherman said he spoke with Gene Stallings - former Aggie football coach, as well as a national champion coach at Alabama - and has had dealings with Bill Callahan - formerly of Nebraska - through A&M associate athletic director of football Tim Cassidy.

However, Sherman said he is mostly relying on his own instincts and is finding his own path to success at Texas A&M.

"I think you have to do it the way you think is best," Sherman said. "You evaluate the landscape and move forward from there."