Interesting stat

[huskernumerouno]

i have said it in the past that the atm game could be a stumbling block for us. We will need to bring our A game for this one as they will be pumped.

[AgMarauder04]

You're absolutely right about McNeil and McGee.

 

McGee a True Leader

 

"Richard Oliver: A&M has true leader in McGee

 

Web Posted: 08/20/2006 12:22 AM CDT

 

 

San Antonio Express-News

 

As the second half of last November's showdown against Texas bled away, along with Texas A&M's hopes for an upset, several Aggies in the stands behind the team's bench at Kyle Field noticed injured quarterback Reggie McNeal whooping it up.

And not in the school's traditional, good-bull kind of way.

 

 

advertisement

 

 

 

McNeal, chipper as a yell leader, joked with teammates and chatted on his cell phone as the clock wound down on an eventual 40-29 loss to A&M's bitter rival. The moment, as much as any during a miserable 2005 campaign, symbolized something significant.

 

It was time for a change.

 

The evidence of it played out on and off the field against the eventual national champions. As the record-setting star counted down his final moments on the team in a No. 1 jersey and jeans, adding up his mobile minutes, his replacement was showcasing a gift that McNeal never seemed to fully possess.

 

Leadership.

 

Welcome to Stephen McGee's sideline. If you're looking for giggles, you're in the wrong place.

 

It's serious business these days in Aggieland, and there's reason for it. Underachievement has become as familiar a part of the landscape as thumbs, and the A&M populace has treated the development in stark contrast to McNeal's joviality.

 

That shrill barking you're hearing is not coming from Reveille.

 

The school and its alumni have funneled millions of dollars into the football infrastructure and personnel, including a new indoor practice facility and healthy salary for head coach Dennis Franchione, and most feel a return on the investment is knocking on overdue.

 

Enter McGee, a blue-collar worker who has won over teammates and fans with a fondness for treating adversity with a stiff back and lowered helmet. His tenacity, honed at Class 3A Burnet, has earned him comparisons to former Aggies quarterbacks Randy McCown and Bucky Richardson, celebrated as much for being firebrands as footballers on the field.

 

In their worlds, arm strength and savvy are nice enough, but nothing works better on occasion than a heaping dose of ornery.

 

McNeal, a second-day draft pick in April of the Cincinnati Bengals, always has operated in a different gear, preferring to lead with his actions instead of his words. A player who could chew up turf with thoroughbred ease often declined to chew out a teammate when needed.

 

"I'm humble, cool, quiet, just try to stay cool with everybody," he told the Cincinnati Enquirer recently. "I don't want any animosity with anybody."

 

Indeed, welcome to McNeal's new sideline. He's now a wide receiver.

 

As for animosity, A&M is coming off a 5-6 season and is 16-19 in three years under Franchione. It has become College Stagnation, and history dictates that some of the hungry fandom there is eyeing the head coach like Bevo at a barbecue.

 

Yet, the Aggies are positioned nicely for a rebound, thanks to a non-conference schedule that ranks right up there with warm cookies and milk, a reconstructed defense and a sophomore quarterback who toured campus last year in a black Chevy SUV that sported a bumper sticker for the school on one side and, fittingly, one for the Texas Trophy Hunters Association on the other.

 

Unlike McNeal, who floundered last season in A&M's restructured offense, McGee appears to understand the subtleties required of the option attack. He also understands so much more than the playbook.

 

At the A&M spring game two years ago, the small-school quarterback, only weeks removed from an early high school graduation, introduced himself by taking an explosive hit from linebacker Keelan Jackson, then vaulting back to his feet to yap in the senior's face.

 

At the recent Big 12 football meetings, Franchione recalled another collision in a recent practice, when McGee lowered a shoulder and bulldozed into defensive leader Justin Warren, 40 pounds heavier. The confrontation sparked a brief scrum on the field, and left the quarterback grinning.

 

"We need a little fire," McGee said later, "and a little heart."

 

It was time for a change. "

[admo]

Bucky Richardson.... damn. He was all everything at ATM, that dude was tough. I wonder how he's doing these days? Maybe I'll go to Home Depot and ask him.

(J/K)

 

McGee is similiar to Taylor with his presence & leadership. He just needs more playing experience. Those three pre-season games before the Tech game (Louisiana Cajin City College, Rice Reform and Secondary School of Art, and Southwestern Bell Texas) should help.

 

Gig ' em brotha!

 

GBR!!

[AgMarauder04]

We play West Point in San Antonio as well.

 

But yeah, hopefully McGee will be up to Big XII Standards by then. He needs some game experience before he can get any better.

[ttheKid1*18]

I think they will be much better than last year, and could be a threat in the south with all the parity.

[AgMarauder04]

I seriously think that it could be very possible for A&M and NEbraska to be playing TWICE this year. If that's the case. I'd be happy with a split. Y'all can win the game at Kyle

[CENTEXHUSKER]

As long as A&M gets through Tech, they should be in great shape going into the last three games. But just as we have USC, Texas, and A&M...you have three tough games with OK(time will tell on their strength), NU and Texas. It will be hard for either team to come up with 3 W's, not impossible but tough.

 

All the TV honks say it is Texas and Oklahoma's conference, but they just go with the concensus :hmmm because they dont have a sack to actually go with an underdog.

 

It should be a fun season

[AgMarauder04]

They're morons. They don't have the nads to make a prediction that ISN'T OU or Texas

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

I seriously think that it could be very possible for A&M and NEbraska to be playing TWICE this year. If that's the case. I'd be happy with a split. Y'all can win the game at Kyle

Naw...We believe in Ladies First so you guys can win at Kyle and we'll be gentlemenly enough to win the second in KC

[ttheKid1*18]

I seriously think that it could be very possible for A&M and NEbraska to be playing TWICE this year.  If that's the case.  I'd be happy with a split.  Y'all can win the game at Kyle

Naw...We believe in Ladies First so you guys can win at Kyle and we'll be gentlemenly enough to win the second in KC

If it's going to go down with a win and the loss, I go with the second one.

[Runnin' Redneck]

AgM, being the nice guy that I am, the BIG RED kool-aid is on me after the BIG RED demolishes your maroon - my guess is I will pour the first glass after the 1st quarter.

[kc_husker]

Its funny that when ever NU is on the road its a "blank" out

day.

A&M= maroon out

Missery= black out they also tried "get the red out"

Shows how bad everyone wants to beat Nebr.

[ttheKid1*18]

Its funny that when ever NU is on the road its a "blank" out

day.

A&M= maroon out

Missery= black out they also tried "get the red out"

Shows how bad everyone wants to beat Nebr.

Even when we were down, it made the teams day to beat us.

[AgMarauder04]

Y'all were #2 in the nation when we beat y'all. That's DOWN?