AggieYell Mailbag
Here’s this week’s AggieYell Mailbag, sponsored as always by Tipton Auto Group:
Q: Can our defense be significantly improved with an extra week?
If players haven’t figured it out by now, will three games of experience – learning from mistakes – plus a week to correct, make a significant leap in play? (Richard23)
A: It’s a good question and I’m not sure there’s a true “yes” or “no” response. In past years, like 2021 and 2012, where the defense improved even without the benefit of a bye week. Then, like last year, there wasn’t much change at all. Yesterday at the Houston A&M Club, coach Elko said this week’s practices were all about “basics”, so hopefully that’ll help. But, honestly, I think the reps they need are as much mental as physical — they keep screwing up the same things over and over; they’re not getting whipped at the line of scrimmage, they keep on taking bad angles, failing to cut off the edge and just messing up things they shouldn’t.
Q: Do we have any concern that the players will eat any of the “rat poison” during this week and the bye week?
A: I would certainly have that concern, because that is the most Aggie thing you can possibly do. I hope the coaches are on them like stink on you-know-what this week, because nothing has been accomplished yet.
Additionally, how can the coaches keep the players level-headed during this bye week when there’s so much hype around the program? (Umpocket)
Two words: November 2024.
Q: In light of our “big play” passing success so far this season, which receivers do you think we could possibly flip in recruiting? I know NIL is a factor, but our on the field production has to be turning some heads out there. (X-Ray Ag)
A: They’re still after Boobie Feaster and Tristen Keys, but I think the one they’re after hardest is Jace Mathews. I think NIL will be the issue that keeps them from seriously getting after Feaster and Keys, but with Mathews, you have a head-to-head opportunity to show him that, longer term, more money is to be made wearing maroon than orange. Right now, A&M is ranked sixth in the nation in yards per completion at 15.7. Auburn is 101st at 10.4. Remember how chicks dig the long ball? NFL teams dig the deep ball. If you can go get it, they want you.
Q: Fan base just went from wet blanket BAS to we are winning the championship. What is your gut feel how far this team can go? (Jamisko11)
A: I think they can be a playoff team, but that’s really contingent on the defense getting its act together. A&M can probably shoot it out with just about anybody, but your margin for error becomes so much less if you have to do it that way.
Q: Do you have any good stories about the funniest or weirdest road experiences you’ve ever had while covering A&M? (MC9008)
A: Not really, which is a bummer. I think the best one I have is from SEC Media Days in Atlanta several years ago. The A&M press corps all went out and had a few fine beverages at a couple of establishments, the last one being the bar at the Omni. Commissioner Sankey came in with some people and he came over to say hello to us. For some reason, I decided to put on my best Chief Inspector Clouseau voice and said, “Ah, Commissioner! How are you, how are madame and all the little commissioners?”
He didn’t talk to me for three years.
Q: How good is the OL playing right now ? Seems like they are providing a nice pocket but also don’t seem to be run blocking quite as well – who do you see rotating in that’s not a starter? (Anon1751420326)
A: All things considered, I think they’re doing pretty well. They’ve given up two sacks, Reed has only gone down once and they’re in the top 25 in total offense. I think they could run more if they needed to, but when you’re picking up yards in chunks through the passing game, that takes away from the run game somewhat.
As for non-starters, Koli Faaiu has played a lot at both center and guard, and Robbie Bourdon has gotten a fair amount of time as well. He played as a glorified tight end in the short yardage plays where Le’Veon Moss scored against Notre Dame.
Q: What do you think the situation is with the kicker. In the fall camp Elko said that the new kicker won by a longshot and yet somehow he lost his job in practice. Do you think he just all of a sudden quit making anything in practice? (Naytch)
A: Apparently Jared Zirkel is dealing with a groin injury, so he couldn’t kick last week. But I think after his performance at Notre Dame, Randy Bond is the placekicker again, which I’m fine with.
Q: 1. Any injuries from the ND game? Will we be healthy come week from Saturday? Anyone coming back that’s been out?
A: Scooby Williams and Bryce Anderson are the big injuries, and I don’t think we’ll see either for quite a while. They should have Deuce Fatheree back, though.
2. Who was Elko specifically yelling at on the bench? And btw, that was the oldest, saddest looking folding chair I’ve seen in a while. Looked like they got it out of Rudy’s maintenance room with his spare key.
The defense. All of it.
3. Was it Marcel who said that Boerkircher had the best hands on the team? And if so, had you heard anything like that before or have any context you can share? Interesting that HE was the TE picked to be on the field. (Tsip Despiser)
All summer, Elko and Collin Klein were saying he was a much better receiver than he was given credit for being. I think I actually said something to that effect in a practice report or Tidbits, but he really looked good when we saw him. And yes, it was Reed who said he had “arguably the best hands on the team.”
Q: You travel to plenty of away games. Do any stadiums physically equal A&M? Looks, ease of getting around, concessions, etc. (QuickDrawMcGraw77)
A: Physically, only AT&T Stadium rivals Kyle Field. In terms of looks overall, Notre Dame’s exterior is very pretty. The interior looks like an old football stadium should. Auburn has improved their place a lot in recent years, Alabama’s, I guess, would be the closest college stadium to Kyle. The Swamp is a pit. Ole Miss is meh. Mississippi State and South Carolina are absolutely terrible. Mizzou’s is small.
I can’t tell you about concessions because I never see them. My experience tends to be very different from those of fans. In terms of field accessibility, Kyle and AT&T are the easiest. Notre Dame’s was difficult. South Carolina’s security staff makes theirs a pain in the butt. At Mississippi State, you have to go all the way down to the end zone, basically outside of the stadium and then back in to get to the field. Florida’s is the worst, though. They won’t let you on the field until after the game (which defeats the purpose) and you have to wait scrunched up in a section that is at the bend of the end zone. So when we were there last year, we spent 15 minutes in standing water, beer cans and drunk, pissed off Gator fans.
Q: Should we expect to see improvement on Marcel deep balls or do you think he is what he is? (LonestarAg05)
A: What’s up with everyone thinking deep balls are easy? They’re not run very often for a reason — they’re low percentage plays. He’s already improved quite a bit, and it’s just going to take more reps and familiarity with his receivers to take another step.
Q: Follow up on running game. You notice any drop off in performance with Bourdon in the game for run and pass blocking? (Rooster77)
A: Honestly, no. Which is a big positive for next year.
Q: I believe our new coach (Hemphill) is the safeties coach? Why are we having such problems with the safeties on tackling and coverage assignments? (GCJC)
A: I can only think it’s a mental thing. They’ve been drilled on it repeatedly and if they’re not getting it by now, either the coaches are coaching it wrong or they just aren’t grasping it.
Q: I thought Malachi Fields was impressive for ND. He used his size and strength well to gain advantage for them. Which of our WR fills a similar role, or is there one? I was thinking Niblack maybe or another TE, but not sure if we have a WR like that. Don’t get me wrong, I’m plenty happy with KC, Craver, Bussey and the gang. Thank you. (Kneuse)
A: They don’t have a wideout like that. Jerome Myles could have been it, but he’s gone for this year. Fields is an inch taller and about 10 pounds lighter than Niblack, but that’s about as close a comparison as there is on this team right now. A&M’s receivers will beat you with speed and athleticism; Fields has height, speed and athleticism. If Notre Dame doesn’t have them, A&M wins in a blowout. He was that important.
Q: Who will be the MVP of bye week? (Richard23)
A: The training staff.
Q: On a personal note, I know things have been tough the last month (always in my family’s prayers) but how’s Cody doing? It’s gotta be tough at her age so I hope she’s good. (BVOSUX)
A: She had a few rough moments right after my mom passed, but otherwise she’s handled it incredibly well. I think the gravity of what’s happened will truly sink in if and when she goes to my parents’ house and they’re not there.
Q: How about injury status for other SEC teams. Anything stand out as potentially having a significant impact for them or helping A&M out? (DriverD)
A: Right now, I think the status of LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina is the big story on the SEC injury front. He sustained a concussion last weekend and is listed as questionable for this weekend. Starting corner Judge Collier is listed as doubtful for the Missouri game as well.
For Auburn, starting corner Jay Crawford is listed as doubtful for the Oklahoma game. Stud wideout Erik Singleton is listed as questionable, but I expect he’ll play.
Texas is missing their top two running backs, CJ Baxter (hamstring) and Quintrevion Wisner (leg), but both will probably be back for SEC play next week. Center Cole Hutson and corner Kobe Black both were hurt against UTEP and are deemed “questionable” by coach Steve Sarkisian. I don’t see a reason for them to play against Sam Houston.
Florida’s disaster of a season has extended to injuries, with preseason All-SEC DT Caleb Banks injuring his foot badly enough his season is over. Freshman Dallas Wilson has been hurt and hasn’t played yet. JACK LJ McCray broke his foot, had surgery and will be out a while.
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier is dealing with a torso injury, but shouldn’t miss time.
Mississippi State RT Blake Steen is out for the year with a leg injury. True freshman Albert Reese has replaced him. Projected starting cornerback Jett Jefferson (foot) has yet to play this year.
Q: How do you see the skillset of Marcel of being able to use the soft touch pass that is needed for screens or glorified shuffle passes in the small spaces behind the lines? I was worried he would have too much excitement from the scenario: typical RPO type QB’s unloading the ball with bullets in small spaces, often allowing for a deflection to interception. I forget what quarter it was (not first, maybe second?) but I saw what looked to be a rare screen pass for A&M, and it looked really good with a relatively soft touch (we got a 1st down). I feel like this has been a missing tool in our toolbelt for quite a while. I remember Leland McElroy and Greg Hill going crazy on those plays, but my impression of the past 10-15 years is that we don’t use it enough, at least not effectively.
A: Any worries I had about touch went away with the touchdown pass to Nate Boerkircher. I think he knows what he’s doing. Maybe he could take a little mustard off those quick outs, but they want Concepcion, Craver or Bussey with the ball ASAP.
I think that might be the sneaky key to Reed getting the upgrade to round 3 to rounds 1-2 in the draft. What do you think? Also I would like to see a little more rainbow in his intermediate to long throws, like with Tannehill, too many of those can be batted down at the line. Edit to add, the zip into the middle of the field has been great with Reed this year, but I’m not sold yet on the comeback route to the sidelines at the 12 to 25 yard distance. (Mjfrog93)
I would say it’s way too early to judge his draft status. He needs to gain some weight in order to relieve concerns that he could be broken in half like Robert Griffin III was.
Q: Our defense didn’t give up the blocked punt, why do they get charged with that in the average scoring data? (Austin 3006)
A: For whatever reason, punts are considered defensive plays, probably because they involved a change of possession. It sucks, but that’s how it works.
Q: Reed seems to go into a series or two per game, where he throws poorly and misses easy completions, killing drives and keeping our opponents in the game. This is a separate issue from his problem with consistency on deep passes.
Is this an issue that the coaches are addressing? Is it even a real issue, or am I making a mountain out of a molehill? (Rick77)
A: I think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill. Could he be more consistent? Yes. As Elko said the other night, there were certainly throws Reed would have liked to have had back. But he’s made a quantum leap in his performance already this year, and I think additional consistency comes with additional snaps.
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