Issue date: 7/23/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Battalion Admin "I think you have to do it the way you think is best. You evaluate the landscape and move forward from there." [Click to enlarge]

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.

Continued...

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