Technical Problems: Yesterday morning, all SB Nation sites were having some issues, namely the "z" function to scroll through comments that is oh-so-sweet (this is reason enough to join DTN). The SB Nation product team has a Twitter page if you're ever curious if the network is having some issues. Also, don't forget DTN's Texas Tech list where you can follow some good Tweeters.
Practice Report: The official site has head coach Tommy Tuberville talk about yesterday's practice, a look at the running backs, complete with some video of RB coach Chad Scott. Let's get to the non-transcript:
Chad Scott (RB Coach): A lot of versatility. Have guys that have speed and power. Eric Stephens has stood out the most, can do a lot of things. Has practiced every practice (only one of two players to do this). Aaron Crawford was injured, but he'll do a little bit (both TB and H-back). Ben McRoy is a small, but fast kid and they want to find places to get him the ball. Lot of situations where Batch and Stephens are both on the field together and lined up in different places.
Tommy Tuberville: Have turned the corner, more scout team work. Start to put in the game-plan for the first game. Every coach puts in a game-plan differently. By the time they get to Sunday, start to treat it like a game-week. Eric Stephens, Ben McRoy and Detron Lewis are the top three returners. Want McRoy to learn the offense, not just be a specialty player. McRoy is fearless. To fans that don't like the Potts decision "Get over it." WR Alexander Torres just stretched his back a bit, he'll be fine. Like trick plays, don't like to run them just to do so, but make a team stay at home. Thinks his team could be susceptible to trick plays because he wants all 11 running to the ball. When you have skill players, you want to use them, and they're fun.
There was some player, a backup middle linebacker, who Tuberville said that they were still pretty clueless. I couldn't hear the name, any help out there?
Notes, Notes and More Notes: LAJ's Don Williams has a notebook and Tuberville also talked about the defensive line:
"That’s one area we were concerned with in the spring," Tuberville said, "and then you get (Donald) Langley back out here and Chris Perry and (Lawrence) Rumph and you get Scott Smith on the team. You go from just trying to hang on to having an opportunity to be one of our better positions once they learn what they’re doing."
. . . and Tuberville has some advice for fans not happy with the decision of Potts over Sheffield (KAMC also has some video of Tubs):
"Get over it," Tuberville said. "We’ve got two good quarterbacks and a guy that had a very good spring. I don’t mind playing any of them. We’ve just got to get some consistency."
McRoy to Play: As noted above, Tuberville said that he expects that RB Ben McRoy to play this year, possibly at returner. LAJ's Don Williams writes about this true freshman from Florida and McRoy has this to say:
"I was real excited, but I know I’ve got to keep it up," he said. "I can’t just hear that news and then start dropping in effort. I’ve got to keep improving and learning. … I’m sure if I start going downhill, they’ll change their mind."
McRoy also chases jackrabbits, with help from WR Shawn Corker filiming:
So much after the jump, including a possible 2010 receiver commitment and Batch continues his walk through his senior season.
New 2010 Commit? Got an email this morning and then had to piece together the rest, but I think Texas Tech may have secured a commitment from Blinn College WR Darrin Moore. RRS.com has a story about a new commit, but obviously it's behind a paywall and I don't subscribe. Then I did my morning search and ran across a Scout article, again, behind a paywall, where the headline states that Moore committed to Texas Tech. I've refined the search a bit and am linking it here (hopefully you'll see the Scout link). The next part was pretty easy. Moore committed to Ole Miss in August (which is really late to commit), per the Clarion Ledger's David Brandt, who wrote on August 2nd that Moore had committed to the Rebels:
Ole Miss picked up some late help at receiver by signing junior college transfer Darrin Moore, according to both Rivals.com and Scout.com. Moore is 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds and signed with UTEP out of high school, where he redshirted in his only season before transferring to Blinn (Texas) CC, where he played with Auburn quarterback signee Cameron Newton last year.
Moore is 6-4/220, runs a 4.60 40-yard dash and here's the links to his Rivals, Scout and ESPN profiles. Moore caught 37 passes for 559 yards and 3 touchdowns last year for Blinn College. And because I love you all so much, here's some video of Moore (make sure and turn down the volume):
Batch's Update: Batch is also writing for the LAJ (same article can be found at MyWestTexas) chronicling his senior year. Go read the whole thing.
Miscellaneous: FWST's Dwain Price writes that Tuberville will offer more offensive balance and defensive emphasis . . . FSSW Keith Whitmire writes about the Potts vs. Sheffield decision . . . DMN's Chuck Carlton did a chat and had a number of Texas Tech questions. . .