No Name Defense: LAJ's Don Williams writes that the defense is being led by players who were not well-known prior to the start of the season, but are on pace to break last year's sack mark of 34. Defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill believes that his unit is attacking opposing defenses:
"It’s guys finishing plays and us wanting to attack,’’ defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill said Tuesday. "We want to make sure we’re attacking on defense. I think that tells us (statistically) we are attacking. We have to keep that up.’’
McNeill also mentions that he is blitzing more this year as the players are more comfortable with the defense
"People probably don’t notice,’’ McNeill said, "but we do blitz more than we have, because they understand the package better and we’re getting better at fundamentals.’’
McNeill said he didn’t have any numbers to document the increased blitzing.
"I don’t really keep up with that. I just know I’m calling it,’’ he said. "Situation dictates that. Time of the game dictates that. And the guys are able to handle it better.’’
Summary on Leach Injury Policy: FWST's Dwain Price has a lengthy note about Leach's injury policy and that it's lazy reporting for reporters and an easy alibi for coaches to discuss injuries:
"We have a whole bunch of people that are going to go out there and practice and play and achieve things out there on the field. And so I am more than willing to talk about them.
"And those are the people that need to be discussed and recognized.''
EDSBS, Brandon Carter and Linkin Park: If you get the subject line, then you'll understand. Just go here.
Football Notebook: LAJ's Don Williams writes that there are 4 starters missing from practices, including C Shawn Byrnes, in a protective boot, FS Cody Daivs, also in a protective boot, DE Daniel Howard, hopefully only a stinger, and QB Taylor Potts, possible concussion. Williams mentions that the good news is that SS Franklin Mitchem should be ready to play . . . about 5,000 tickets remain for Saturday's game against Kansas St. and 10,000 tickets remain for the TAMU game . . .
Kansas St. Wildcat Links: Wichita Eagle's Kellis Robinett writes that head coach Bill Snyder has been unhappy with the KSU defense, stating that the Wildcats were soft against Iowa St.and is concerned about making tackles in open space . . . CJOnline's Austin Meek writes all-world defensive tackle/end Brandon Harold may return against Texas Tech and this is worrisome as he is an absolute force along the defensive line . . . the Mercury Manhattan writes that Snyder sill has yet to decide on a starting quarterback, and the battle is between Carson Coffman (apologies to KSU fans as I think I've called him Case a few times) and Grant Gregory . . .
Big 12 Links: Rock M Nation's Beyond the Box Score has this week's picks (hint, Texas Tech doesn't cover the spread, but just barely) . . .
Neglected Video: Sportstacular NewChannel 11's Pete Christy with a one-on-one with head coach Mike Leach -- after the jump.
Bob Knight Fieldhouse: Remember a few weeks ago when the Duncanville Stars Center was dropped by the Dallas Stars and was converted into a basketball and volleyball facility? To catch you up, Bob Knight has a small investment in the facility now and as a result, it gets named after him, the Bob Knight Fieldhouse. In any event, it opened yesterday and you'll see news stories where Knight took a jab at the NCAA:
The leader in Division I men’s basketball victories quickly answered anyway because it involved one of his favorite targets – the NCAA – and whether the governing body he has long loathed would be involved in his Dallas-area basketball and volleyball operation.
"If the N-C-double-A had anything to do with this," Knight said, "the roof would leak, there would be no locks on the doors and the court would only have one basket."
I guess that's a jab, but was expecting quite a bit more heat from the headline.
Brooks Wallace Memorial Classic: The baseball club has announced that the Brooks Wallace Memorial Classic will be an annual tournament held in Lubbock every year. Here's head coach Dan Spencer:
"This is an exciting opportunity for our program as we get to honor the memory of a really great person and baseball player in Brooks Wallace," said Spencer. "The College Baseball Foundation has made him a national figure in our sport in terms of the Wallace Award and we felt that it was time for our program to do something to honor his memory. Brooks was a Red Raider and we are very proud of that."
Trying to make the jump work, but failing miserably.