Odds and Ends
First, I have to warn you guys about posting premium information from the pay websites. I know that you guys are just trying to update everyone, but I can get into some serious trouble for premium information being posted on DTN. If there's ever a question about whether or not it's premium, then side on the thought that it is and just don't post it. Eventually, the news will break, you just have to be patient.
Second, later this morning, I'm starting DTN's Best of Lubbock series. Here's how it works. I need for you guys to submit suggestions in the comments (I think the post is scheduled for 10:00 a.m.) and then on Friday, the suggestions that garnered the most comments, will go to a vote, probably 4 or 5 options. The purpose of all of this is to provide a guide to fans from opposing teams that decide to visit Lubbock for a game. This will be somewhat of a guide to help them find their way around the Hub City.
Texas Tech Football
Louis Vasquez Picked #78 By San Diego Chargers
Congrats to Louis Vasquez who was selected by the San Diego Chargers with the 78th pick in the NFL Draft. I have no idea how he's going to get accustomed to living in San Diego, but hopefully he'll make it. Todd Willis of the Corsicana Daily Sun talked with Vasquez, thought he'd go earlier, but is happy to be a Charger:
"I knew I’d probably go a little earlier," Vasquez said by telephone Sunday night. "I didn’t know they would be the team. They just called me and told me I was the newest San Diego Charger.""It’s a blessing to get to play at the next level," Vasquez said.
Make sure and check in on SB Nation Chargers blog, Bolts From The Blue.
Brandon Willilams Picked #120 by Dallas Cowboys
Congrats to Brandon Williams who was selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the 120th pick in the NFL Draft. Brandon gets to stay close to home and compete at outside linebacker, which I think will suit him best, but he's going to have to work on dropping back in coverage. It sounds as if Williams is excited to be a Cowboy:
"My whole family is Cowboys fans," Williams said. "It’s really all I knew growing up. For me to play for them, it’s been a lifelong dream."
And Williams former defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill loves what Williams will bring to the next level:
"Brandon has been nothing but a model student and player for us at Texas Tech," McNeill said. "I'm on the road recruiting right now looking for guys with the attributes he has on and off the field. What the Cowboys get is a great locker-room guy who is very team-oriented. He's a guy they'll love being around, because he's got a little prankster in him. We'd love to have Brandon back, but we wish him well."McNeill expects Williams to make a smooth transition from defensive end to outside linebacker. Tech used Williams as a stand-up player some last season.
"I think the transition will be easy for Brandon," McNeill said. "He's smart. He's athletic. He's a guy who can rush the passer. I don't think the transition learning-wise will be a problem, and athletically he's been tested against some of the best tackles, playing in the Big 12 and in practice at Tech."
Check out the SB Nation Cowboys blog, Blogging The Boys.
NFL Draft Odds and Ends
I didn't want to put all of these in a separate note, so I'm just lumping them all here: LAJ's Don Williams talks with former Red Raider Bobby Cavazos who was drafted #26 by the Green Bay Pakers in 1954; DT's Adam Coleman and LAJ's Williams wrap up the Red Raiders drafted; and DT's Landry Locker thinks that Michael Crabtree's #5 should be retired immediately. Personally, I think we need to give this some time, no need to rush.
King Captain of an Offensive Machine
Tulsa World's Bill Haisten writes about the offensive machine that is Texas Tech, and Captain Mike Leach's ability to keep the machine churning out yards and touchdowns, likes what QB Taylor Potts did this spring:
"Taylor has had a really good spring, comparable with (Harrell's) last three years," Leach said. "Our guys just need to get used to responding to him, where you know what to expect from somebody."
Texas Tech Baseball
| Date | Start Time | Texas Tech Starting Pitcher |
Missouri Starting Pitcher |
Result |
| 4/24/2009 | 6:30 p.m. | Brian Cloud (2-3, 5.97) | Kyle Gibson (6-3, 3.00) | 7-18 |
| 4/25/2009 | 2:00 p.m. | AJ Ramos (L, 4-4) | Ryan Clubb (W, 2-2) | 5-9 |
| 4/26/2009 | 1:00 p.m. | Nate Karns (L, 3-5) | Nick Tepesch (W, 4-4) | 2-15 |
Outfield:
LF - Michael Reed (Jr.); CF - Taylor Ashby (Jr.); RF - Garrett Totten (Fr.)
Infield:
3RD - Justin Berry (Fr.); SS - Joey Kenworthy (Jr.); 2ND - Willie Rueda (Sr.); 1ST - Chris Richburg (Sr.)
C - Jeremy Mayo (Fr.)
DH - Scott LeJeune (Fr.)
*Click on the score for boxscore. Texas Tech series preview (pdf).
Red Raiders Swept
Could not have been a worse outcome (recap). Not only could Nate Karns (1.0 IP; 3 H; 4 ER; 2 BB; 1 SO) only last an inning, but Texas Tech's best pitcher, Chad Bettis (4.1 IP; 11 H; 11 ER; 5 BB; 2 SO) just got shelled. This firmly puts Texas Tech into 8th place in the Big 12, but it's looking like it's going to come down to the last weekend against Oklahoma State, battling to get up to that 8th spot. There's a long break between the next conference opponent, May 8th against Kansas State, with a tuneup game against Dallas Baptist on May 6th.