To say that I'm excited about practice and news reports about how guys are playing is an understatement. Hopefully everyone made it back safely from the John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan concert last night, but let's get to the news.
LAJ's Don Williams' feature story (with also a bit of video of yesterday's practice) this morning is on the general public's lowered expectations for the Red Raiders is serving as motivation for the entire team. Here's QB Taylor Potts:
"We do have a lot to prove,’’ new quarterback Taylor Potts acknowledged. "A lot of people are saying that we’re not going to be very good; we lost too many good players; we lost certain key players that we can’t replace.
"But I don’t think that’s the case, and I don’t think anybody else out here thinks that’s the case. Everybody has a sense of urgency, and everybody’s really positive and thinks we can do this thing.’’
And there are expectations of improvement for players like WR Jacoby Franks:
"I just have to do what I’ve been doing my whole life — that’s catching the ball and getting upfield,’’ he said. "Of course, he was great. He was a good guy. But I feel like I can make plays, too — probably not as much as Crab, but I still have faith in myself that I can make plays also.’’
And CB Jamar Wall is ready to take on those who don't think the Red Raiders will be a formidable opponent this year:
"Let them expect what they want,’’ senior cornerback Jamar Wall said, "but I know we’re going to have a great team. Young guys, but I have much faith in them, because they’ve been working their butt off the whole summer. I think we’re going to be just as good or maybe even better than last year.’’
LAJ's Don Williams also files his Red Raiders Football Notebook has a number of notes (obviously, otherwise it wouldn't be a notebook): Freshman DB D.J. Johnson is learning a new position, cornerback . . . K Donnie Carona and freshman walk-on P Ryan Erxleben will compete for punter . . . K Matt Williams and JUCO walk-on K Brad Hicks will compete at kicker . . . S Andre McCorkle will move back to RB (he was originally a RB transfer from Texas State and moved to S during the spring) . . . CB Jamar Wall and RB Aaron Crawfod both practiced for the first time since last season as both were injured during the spring . . .
The Broadcast Booth's Brian Jensen with an interesting look at how he gets ready for the season as the voice of the Red Raiders.
Neglected Audio and Video: KAMC has a number of videos from yesterday, including a practice report, LG Brandon Carter trying out for the kicker spot (unsuccessfully) and Mike Leach on Crabtree (nothing to speak of) . . . Fox34 with Brandon Carter checking in at #3 of most important Red Raiders . . .
Scouting the Enemy: FWST's Mike Jones with an inspiring story about OU receiver Corey Wilson, who was injured in a car accident, hopes to walk again at the end of the 2009 season . . . Tilting at Windmills previews the Baylor defense . . . The Wichita Eagle's Paul Sullentrop writes that Kansas St. coach Bill snyder will pick his QB by Sept. 5th, and is down to Carson Coffman and JUCO Gregory Grant . . .
Alumni: FWST's Jeff Caplan with a feature article on DE Brandon Williams, who is adjusting to life in the NFL and with the Dallas Cowboys . . .The San Francisco Chronicle on OL Louis Vasquez is fighting off injury in the hopes of starting . . . Eagles Insider on WR Danny Amendola impressive camp with Philadelphia . . .