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Texas Tech Wednesday Morning Notes - It's Not The System Edition

By Seth C

Double-T Nation News:

Lots of news this morning. Good times.

Texas Tech Football:

Let's start this morning with an interview by Chris Steuber from TheRanchReport.com of Texas Tech's very own, Michael Crabtree. So many good answers from Mr. Crabtree, here's just a few:

CS: What went into your decision to go to Texas Tech?

Crabtree: They throw the ball, and I wanted to be a receiver. They say that this system only has system players. It doesn't matter what the system is, if you're a football player, you can ball.

Snip

CS: Last year, as a freshman, you had 134 receptions for 1,962 yards and 22 touchdowns; that's video game-like numbers. How much are those numbers based on the system you're in compared to the talent you have?

Crabtree: I think it's just based on hard work. It's not the system. As a football player, you just go out and play, and that's what I did.

Snip

CS: How would you describe your game? Is there a player or players you pattern your game after?

Crabtree: I'd say I'm like Jerry Rice with a little T.O., mix a little Chad Johnson in there, and top it off with a bit of Randy Moss. That's my game.

CS: Now that's what I call a wide receiver.

Crabtree: No doubt. I'm trying to do what they do and more. I'm trying to put a little running back into my game too. I'm trying to get more physical, more strength; that way I would be harder to tackle. I have a lot of stuff coming out, you'll see.

The LAJ's Don Williams features new Texas Tech commit, Navarro JC free safety Ryan Clark. DTN detailed a little about Clark yesterday. Interestingly, Clark originally committed to Missouri coming out of high school, but was unable to meet eligibility requirements, which is why he ended up at Navarro. Williams notes that Clark is intending to graduate from Navarro in December and will be in Lubbock in January. It was cornerbacks coach Brian Mitchell that helped recruit Clark:

"I liked what was coming out of his mouth," Clark said. "I knew I was going to have a chance to play my first year. It's a passing team, too, so I'll get a lot of work covering receivers."

The Red Raiders get a mention in the Sporting News' Matt Hays' Inside Dish:

Texas Tech coach Mike Leach complained about a lack of focus for his offense this spring, but he could have his best defense since he arrived in Lubbock in 2000. Eight starters return from last year's unit that was embarrassed early in the season, then steadily improved after Leach fired Lyle Setencich in late September and replaced him with Ruffin McNeill. Tech's front four is strong -- DE Brandon Williams will be the best edge rusher in the Big 12 -- and could get more help when Brandon Sesay, rated among the nation's best junior college ends, arrives in the fall. . . .

That's a bold statement about Williams, who I thought might lose his starting job this fall if Sesay, Marshall and Dixon all play well.

And how many times has a national sports writer typed the words, "Tech's front four is strong . . . "? I'm guessing not often. Giddy, giddy, giddy.

Danny Amendola is still making waves after this weekend's performance at the Dallas Cowboys rookie mini-camp (hat-tip to DTN reader TTpilk645). Here's Dallas Cowboys wide receivers coach Ray Sherman on Amendola:

"I just can't wait to see him go against the veteran guys and just watch him work," Cowboys wide receivers coach Ray Sherman said after just the first day of practice.

DMN's Kevin Sherrington thinks that Amendola should make Wes Welker a beneficiary in his Will and flatly believes that had Welker not had the success he's had in New England that Amendola wouldn't have had so much as a chance to prove himself in the NFL:

If Welker hadn't proved himself, Amendola wouldn't have gotten the chance here. Can he be another Welker? He certainly has the pedigree and the quarterback. Leach tells us that Amendola isn't as quick as Welker, but he's faster.

Bottom line: If Jason Garrett takes advantage of Amendola's special set of skills, he could give the Cowboys a different dimension at receiver.

I don't necessarily agree with the premise, but I do agree with the conclusion. I do tend to believe that Welker's success helped Amendola, but the NFL and football in general is still about catching the ball, running precise routes, and reacting to the defense. At some point, I don't think NFL teams can ignore the production taking place at Texas Tech.

Fox34 has a couple of new clips, starting with Chris Level on the special teams and Joel Filani signs with the Seattle Seahawks. Congrats to Filani, I hope he catches on and sticks with the Seahawks.

Texas Tech Baseball:

Date Texas Tech (21-25) Dallas Baptist (30-15) Result
Wed. 05/07/08 @ 6:30 p.m. Russ Fornea (3-3, 5.40) Jarred Stafford (1-0, 3.60) Boxscore

Baseball is back after taking a short break for finals. The Red Raiders are in the Metroplex for the night and will take on Dallas Baptist. LAJ's George Watson previews the game. Perhaps the most interesting note in Watson's article is this tidbit:

Texas Tech has cut its roster to 27 players for the final two weeks of the season. Pitchers AJ Ramos, who had successful ulnar collateral ligament repair surgery last week, and Miles Morgan, who is still battling back from shoulder surgery last spring, are not listed on the roster. Neither are infielders Logan Brown and A.J. Schugel or pitchers Brennan Stewart and Jordan Stern . . .

That's interesting. I understand Ramos and Morgan, but not the others. Have they just given up or did the staff give up?

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