At this point, I'm sure most have heard of Aggie football player Miles Washington suffering a serious neck injury during Saturday's Aggie spring football practice.
Here are two recent stories written in the LCSN regarding Washington's health:
For an initial report, click here.
For a follow story that appeared in Sunday's online edition and Monday's newspaper, which indicates Washington likely suffered a cervical fracture, click here.
It's obviously a sensitive story and we're all hoping and praying for Miles' full recovery. We'll keep you up to date on his condition as we learn more.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Thursday, April 11, 2013
TEDDY AND BROOK SHOW: Aggie softball in first place, baseball looking to make WAC run
Las Cruces Sun-News sports duo also talks high school sports, tries to predict wins for Aggie football in 2013:
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Observations from Week 1 of Aggie spring football practices
(VIDEO: NMSU head coach Doug Martin talks about spring practices thus far following Saturday's session)
Some early outtakes from New Mexico State spring football drills:
• The Aggies are going to be well coached on the offensive side of the ball in 2013.
This should have been the assumption to begin with, as Doug Martin returned originally as offensive coordinator, and then eventually named head coach.
But Martin has done himself well by hiring an experienced coordinator, Gregg Brandon, to run the Aggie attack.
Last year the Aggies tried to be something they weren't capable of — a drop-back, pocket-passing team with a between-the-tackles rushing attack. What we all found out was they didn't have the horsepower to pull off such a gameplan.
Brandon, on the other hand, will try to accentuate what his personnel does well, while attempting to shield its weaknesses.
The Aggies have opened the playbook during the first week of spring practices. In place is the zone-read, the quarterback-option run game, and pistol formation. Bootlegs and rollouts are part of the team's attack. This gets the quarterback on the move, and can help an offensive line in pass protection.
Last year's bowl prognostications by some (which didn't come from this blog, mind you) were far too ambitious. Still, the team's 1-11 campaign was brutally disappointing. But I'll also stand by this: With a capable offensive attack, the Aggies would have won four or five games last season.
Reaching such numbers in 2013 will be daunting while playing an independent schedule. But I do see the team topping last year's win total, specifically because they'll have a competent offensive plan in place.
• Defensively, the Aggies have some talent to work with.
We'll start on the defensive line, where two rare players take the field for a New Mexico State team: Defensive linemen Matt Ramondo and Willie Mobley.
Both are BCS-level talents — Ramondo, a former Mayfield Trojan in his high school days, was a redshirt at Michigan State two years ago before transferring to NMSU; Mobley began his college career at Ohio State, would eventually transfer to Arizona, and is now with the Aggies as a fifth-year senior.
Both have looked impressive this spring, with Martin calling them team leaders, saying specifically of Ramondo “(he's) one of the best leaders we have on the football team. He loves being back here. You can tell he's playing with a lot of passion. He's physically gifted. He's going to be a presence in there for us.”
For those wondering, Ramondo will start at the nose guard position in the 3-4 defense, the most important position on the line, and reserved for the unit's top player. Defensive coordinator David Elson said his team won't play a two-gap system — where the nose guard would have to read the center and decide to either go right or left upon the snap. But Ramondo will still have to command a double team inside, and get upfield as much as possible.
• Trashaun Nixon will be playing outside linebacker for the Aggie defense (another key position in the 3-4, reserved for a dynamic player). Nixon is best suited when blitzing, and said last week that he'd rush the passer more in 2013.
Playing off that, Elson said, “I can assure you that we'll be a more blitz-oriented team than we have been in the past.”
• The team will need to develop a number of linebackers if they want to run a 3-4 front.
Kalei Auelua and Stephen Meredith are essentially playing outside linebacker/defensive end — the boundary linebacker position, according to Elson. Nixon is on the opposite outside — the field linebacker — while inside are senior Bryan Bonilla and Melrose, NM native Clint Barnard. Oñate graduate and former New Mexico Lobo Zach Daugherty will also be in the mix inside, as will sophomore Robert Wagner.
The Aggies also had four high school players in their 2013 signing class who will join the team this fall at the linebacker position.
• The Aggie secondary returns experience and has brought in some talent in recent years.
Returning contributors at cornerback are Darien Johnson and Cameron Fuller, and the safety duo of Davis Cazares and George Callender has potential.
One thing the unit could very well miss this year is DeWayne Walker, who can flat-out coach a defensive backfield. Frankly, the position group has been the team's strength in recent years.
• The last time NMSU gave up less than 400 yards of total offense per game was in 2002 — which, not coincidentally, was the last time the Aggies had a winning season. Again, such a goal would be extreme while playing an independent schedule, but against teams the Aggies should compete with (UTEP, UNM, Idaho for example), it's a good statistic to keep an eye on.
Some holes worth monitoring
• Depth at running back: Germi Morrison returns to the Aggie backfield, but he is the only proven running back on the field for 2013 spring practices.
Two junior college transfers from a season ago — Akeelie Mustafa (who seldom played with the Aggies) and Tiger Powell (who had a tough running style) — aren't back with the program this year.
That makes depth behind Morrison extremely thin.
Yolandus Pratt, a senior from Hudson Valley Community College, has shown some ability during spring drills, and could be utilized as a short-yardage and goal-line back.
Behind that are two local high school products in Brandon Betancourt and Xavier Hall. Betancourt has a nice burst when getting to the second level, but hasn't established himself full-time in the college game. In past years, Betancourt has had to improve on his strength and in pass blocking.
Hall was a grayshirt last year who is participating in spring practices for the first time as a collegiate player.
• Right offensive tackle: Last year the Aggies started the season with Dada Richards here and eventually moved over Andrew Kersten to fill the position.
Kersten was a natural guard, however, and has since graduated. Richards and Faison McKinnes return, but will the team get improved play at the position with the same personnel? This will be the key area for the Aggies entering 2013.
The offensive line should be solidified at left tackle (Davonte Wallace), center (Valerian Ume-Ezeoke) and one of the guard spots (Andy Cunningham).
• No. 2 receiver: Kemonte Bateman, a senior last season, was a quality complement to No. 1 wideout Austin Franklin.
This area could be characterized as more of a question mark, because the team has a number of bodies vying for the position. Someone has to emerge, however.
Following last Saturday's practice, Martin pointed to Adam Shapiro (former Rio Rancho Ram) and Jerrel Brown (a senior) as two players who've looked good thus far.
Both have been played well on the practice field in recent years, and on a personal note, I thought Brown would be in for a breakout campaign last season. Perhaps it's been reserved for 2013.
Follow me on Twitter @TeddyFeinberg
Sunday, April 7, 2013
Quarterback capsules: Looking at which Aggie QB could be calling the shots in 2013
Below, we break down the Aggie quarterbacks competing for the starting job during spring practices. For a story on what to expect from the Aggie offensive scheme in 2013, click here.
Andrew Manley
Aggie fans are familiar with this junior player, but let’s also define Manley’s game for the record. His strength is throwing the football, with the farther and faster the pass needs to be, typically the better. His weaknesses have been getting rid of the ball in a timely fashion to the short and intermediate routes, and lack of mobility. If Manley wants to be the Aggies' starter in 2013, the latter two deficiencies — as well as the line’s ability to protect him — must improve (and most likely will with better offensive acumen). One thing Manley has going for him is experience, as well as starting for Doug Martin in 2011. What he isn’t is a runner, which would be the ideal fit in NMSU’s 2013 attack.
Quoting Manley: “This offseason I put a lot of work into it. I dropped 20 pounds, I’ve just been working on trying to get faster. So when I do have to keep it, I can actually pick up some yards. Not just be the stiff guy in the backfield and take sacks all the time.”
Quoting Martin: “He’s never going to be a runner. But he’s got to be able to move in the pocket and stay alive back there. I think (losing 15 to 20 pounds) has helped him.”
Travaughn Colwell
Colwell has mobility, and athletically seems like a good fit in the quarterback-option running game. He was misused last year — brought in for the occasional down or series, yet deployed primarily as a wildcat runner and seldom as a passer. Alas, that’s where Colwell needs to make progress — in his passing game. Martin said if Colwell doesn’t win the starting quarterback job outright, the team would likely use him on the field in some capacity, which makes sense (the junior can be a dynamic player). The head coach also pointed out that Colwell has some experience now — he played for the Aggies in 2011 as a freshman (and at times effectively) while getting some time last year, albeit in limited capacity.
Quoting Colwell: “Trusting what you see, making the pass, not tensing up too much. Pitch and catch. .... The running stuff, that’s pretty natural to me.”
Quoting Martin: “Tra’s biggest thing is anticipating (receivers) coming open. He has a tendency to wait, see if everything is coming open, and then he tries to make the throw. You’ve got to try to anticipate that guy coming out of the break.”
Andrew McDonald
This is a junior college player who was recruited to NMSU last season, yet only threw three passes in mop-up duty at Ohio. Perhaps this season he’ll get his shot, as a quarterback who could be cut from a similar cloth as 2011 starter Matt Christian — from the same junior college league, a quarterback who can create some with his legs and get rid of the ball to the team’s playmakers. Martin said McDonald does bring in-game experience from his days at Santa Ana College. His father, Paul, also played quarterback, first at USC and then in the NFL with the Cleveland Browns (drafted in 1980). With that, McDonald remains unproven on the Division I level.
Quoting McDonald: “I’m not really thinking about last year. It’s a fresh start with the new coaching staff. I’m just trying to get better every day. .... I think this offense, the biggest thing is you have to get completions, make the right decisions and move the sticks. I think those are my best qualities.”
Quoting Martin: “Andrew is kind of an operator. He can handle the situation well. He’s smart, really heady. He’s one of those quarterbacks, if he doesn’t make mistakes, you can win football games with him. He’s not going to be real flashy and all those types of things. He’s steady.”
King Davis III
Davis III hails from Mesquite, Texas, and will be a true freshman in 2013. Davis said, while he brings mobility to the quarterback position, he operated more out of the pocket during his high school days. He said he’s working with new offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon on concepts such as the team’s shotgun formation and getting rid of the ball faster. Martin said Davis has all the athletic attributes the team would want in its “future quarterback.” Similar to Colwell, Martin said he would like all his QBs to get on the field in some capacity. In Davis’ case, if he were a backup, Martin said, “he’s not going to stand on the sidelines next to me.”
Quoting Davis: “Being a freshman, I don’t feel much heat. I feel like I can just go out there and play. Being so young, I think for the other quarterbacks, it brings them good competition. I can just go out there and sling it.”
Quoting Martin: “Accuracy is the thing he’s got to improve on right now. At times he really puts it right on them. At other times, he’s got to be more accurate. But part of that is him learning the system, and learning how to practice as a college player.”
Follow me on Twitter @TeddyFeinberg
Thursday, April 4, 2013
VIDEO: Teddy and Brook Show (4/4)
Live from Aggie spring football practice, LCSN sports duo talks NMSU pigskin, baseball and softball, as well as high school baseball. Special appearance from Grant Stockberger highlights this week's episode:
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Analyzing recent college basketball hires, and bringing it home
With the recent coaching shuffle that's taken place in college basketball — from Steve Alford (UNM to UCLA), to Andy Enfield (Florida Gulf Coast to USC), to Reggie Theus (NBA Developmental League coach who's expected to be hired at Cal State Northridge) — we're reminded that this is college basketball: Coaches move on, and all over, every offseason.
But it also makes us wonder, what's a good job and what's a good move? And what does it take to really get quality a look from another program?
In the case of Alford, superficially he made a good decision. He'll get more money (over $2 million annually at UCLA, on what is a seven-year contract). He'll now coach and recruit in Southern California, have the national spotlight and be on television regularly. Alford's proven to be a good coach — people point to his NCAA Tournament flops (an area he undoubtedly will need to get better in) but also should realize that such losses happen to many coaches every college basketball season. That, and he didn't win 29 games at UNM this past year for nothing. In all likelihood, his team overachieved to get a No. 3 NCAA Tournament seed to begin with.
All that still doesn't mean UCLA is actually a better job for him, however. New Mexico is a top mid-major program — good support, a good team returning and a good-paying position at that. If you win as Lobos coach, you're celebrity in Albuquerque, and Alford did have a good thing there. He wasn't UCLA's first choice after the school dismissed former coach Ben Howland — the Bruins couldn't reel in Brad Stevens or Shaka Smart — and some wonder if the program actually upgraded at the position. Again, this is college basketball: Check back in five years (if that) to see if such a move was a good or bad one for both parties.
In the case of Theus, he had things rolling at New Mexico State before leaving after two seasons to join the Sacramento Kings. Tough to turn down an NBA job (a place that was always near and dear to his heart) that pays $2 million annually, but if Theus had stayed at NMSU for another year or two, who knows where the Aggies could have gone? The upside is, they had a strong recruiting class come in the year he departed, and an NCAA Tournament run wasn't out of the question. Certainly, such success would have done wonders for his career, and the Aggie program. Now, he's starting over in the college game, at Northridge, which is also closer to his Southern California roots.
And lastly, Enfield. Here's a coach who was the face of Florida Gulf Coast's Cinderella run into the NCAA Tournament this year, and days later was swept up by USC. The Eagles were a well-coached and entertaining team that ran a fun offense. They also finished second in an Atlantic Sun Conference that featured the likes of Mercer (league winner), Stetson, USC Upstate, Jacksonville, Northern Kentucky, Northern Florida, East Tennessee State, Lipscomb and Kennesaw State. If such names don't sound familiar, have no fear. This is an unrecognizable league.
But it also brings us to what can trigger a coaching buzz: Enfield's newest job opportunity came off a quality NCAA Tournament run — to be exact, going from a relatively unknown team to winning two tourney games and advancing to the Sweet 16. Again, it can happen to any coach, any time, anywhere. And yes, it could in fact happen at New Mexico State.
Head coach Marvin Menzies has gotten his team to the NCAA Tournament three of the past four years, only to lose in Round 1. He's still received some interest — interviewing with Colorado State two years ago, and seemingly receiving an informal interview with Texas Tech last week (no, we don't buy that he consulted the Red Raiders on who they should hire next). The Aggies should be prime contenders to win the WAC next year (the league has taken a major hit from a competitive standpoint). If that happens, and the team can grab a win or two in the tournament? Menzies could write his ticket to a bigger program if he so chooses.
That's not saying he's unhappy at NMSU, because he seems to enjoy coaching at the program and the Las Cruces community as a whole. It's simply saying, if he ever had the inkling to try his hand at a larger program, that's how he'd get there. Get his team back to the postseason, win a game or two, and opportunities would follow.
Follow me on Twitter @TeddyFeinberg
Monday, April 1, 2013
Aggies will hope to find identity during 2013 spring practices
The 2013 New Mexico State football season won't be predicated off spring practices.
What the next month will be is an evaluation period for the team.
Specifically, what will NMSU's personnel look like — and will it fit what the Aggies want to do schematically this upcoming season.
With spring practices ready to begin this Tuesday, we take a look at what to watch for, for those who happen to make their way to Aggie Memorial Stadium to watch some football:
Distinguishing and establishing an identity: With a new head coach in Doug Martin, much of the Aggies staff and football philosophy will be different in 2013.
Veteran offensive coordinator Gregg Brandon was brought in — he's someone Martin respects and trusts to run the team's attack. With that, the Aggies will try and spread the field and use the speed-option to create a running game. Does NMSU have the personnel necessary to execute such a plan?
As for defense, the Aggies retained coordinator David Elson, who'll likely run a 3-4 defensive front. Elson's background is in the 3-4 (three downlinemen, four linebackers) although last year the Aggies ran a 4-3 alignment, more in correspondence with DeWayne Walker's coaching background.
Elson will now get a chance to coach his scheme, which means the Aggies will have to develop their personnel to fit such requirements.
How will the offense looks?: Again, the Aggies will try to spread the field and use the speed-option to generate a ground game.
Think back to Martin's lone year at NMSU as offensive coordinator, when Matt Christian was inserted at quarterback and Kenny Turner was moved from wide receiver, back to lead running back. NMSU spread the field using four- and five-wide receiver sets. Christian (a mobile QB who could run and throw) got rid of the ball quickly in the passing game, or took it outside on the ground flanked by Turner (a fast, quick gamebreaker in the backfield). The duo accumulated over 1,250 yards rushing (with Turner gaining 1,009 such yards and scoring nine rushing touchdowns in just nine starts in 2011).
Does NMSU have what it takes to produce such results again?
For starters, lets look at quarterback.
Last year's starter Andrew Manley returns for his junior season, a player who can throw a heck of a deep ball, yet isn't fleet of foot.
Junior Travaughn Colwell is back as well, and is an athlete at the position. Colwell showed promise his freshman year, but was misused last season as Manley'a backup — he was put in for spot duty, and was utilized primarily as a runner. While he has the physical capabilities to fit Brandon's offense, he's also a developing quarterback who must prove he can handle the position in it's entirety.
Senior Andrew McDonald, a junior-college transfer a season ago, threw three passes total in 2012, all during the team's 51-24 loss at Ohio. He could be a darkhorse in the race — cut from a similar cloth as Christian in terms of his versatility and experience, he's a veteran player from a good junior college league. Don't sleep on him.
Freshman King Davis, a greyshirt player last year, will also be in the running for playing time.
Brandon's history indicates he'd prefer a multi-faceted player at the position, although when Martin was asked which QB best fit the scheme, the head coach responded, “the one who gets us in the end zone.”
Linebackers wanted: The 3-4 defense requires bodies — tough linemen, playmakers at outside linebacker and some quality cornerbacks never hurt.
But it does start at linebacker, where NMSU will need a good number of players who can rotate throughout the course of the game, and a season. Bryan Bonilla returns after a solid 2012 campaign, as does Trashaun Nixon, a senior who's best utilized as a blitzer from multiple spots on the field.
Dele Junaid, a safety last season, was moved to linebacker as well, and the team brought in reinforcements at the position this past offseason. Going into spring football, 10 linebackers total are listed on the Aggie roster.
In terms of other new faces on the Aggie defense, cornerback Randell Carroll (redshirt senior transfer from UCLA), linebacker Zach Daugherty (Oñate alum, sophomore transfer from New Mexico), and defensive linemen Willie Mobley (senior transfer from Arizona), Matt Ramondo (Mayfield alum, sophomore transfer from Michigan State who sat out 2012) and Kalei Auelua (freshman transfer from Washington) could all be worth keeping an eye on as spring camp kicks off.
2013 NMSU Spring Practice Schedule
* All practices will be held at Aggie Memorial Stadium
Day Time
Tuesday 6-8 a.m.
Thursday 6-8 a.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.-noon
Tuesday, April 9 6-8 a.m.
Thursday, April 11 6-8 a.m.
Saturday, April 13 10 a.m.-noon
Tuesday, April 16 6-8 a.m.
Thursday, April 18 6-8 a.m.
Saturday, April 20 10 a.m.-noon
Tuesday, April 23 6-8 a.m.
Thursday, April 25 6-8 a.m.
Saturday, April 27 10 a.m.-noon
Tuesday, April 30 6-8 a.m.
Thursday, May 2 6-8 a.m.
Saturday, May 4 (Spring game) 6 p.m.
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