Alabama A&M notebook
09/19/01
Reed back in the doghouse
Troubled defensive back Brandon Reed is in trouble again.
Coach Ron Cooper said athletic department officials have suspended Reed indefinitely until some disciplinary problems can be resolved. As a result, Cooper held Reed out of practice Tuesday as A&M continued preparations for Saturday's home opener against Texas Southern.
''If I'm not going to have him this weekend, I'm not going to have him practice,'' said Cooper, who refused to go into detail on Reed's situation.
It is the second time this year Reed has been in trouble.
Reed stole quarterback Chris Gunn's credit card earlier this year and charged more than $500. Reed's parents repaid the money and he was allowed back on the team, but was reportedly taken off scholarship.
Reed missed the season opener against Tennessee State, but came back to record four tackles and a pass breakup in the loss to Grambling.
''I'm hoping to get to the bottom of this, but right now I'm planning to go without him,'' Cooper said.
If Reed can't go, sophomore Courtney Young, a 5-foot-8, 155-pound sophomore, will make his first career start.
Offensive line hit by flu
The offensive line has been hit by the flu bug.
Right tackle Ronald Wilson, considered A&M's best lineman, and left guard Ben Moore missed Tuesday's practice. Center Brandon Emerson and right guard Jonathan Woodard practiced but have also had the flu-like symptoms, offensive coach Brian Wajert said.
Stargel McKey worked with the first offense at right tackle in place of Wilson, while Robert Cole worked at Moore's left guard spot Tuesday.
Wajert remained hopeful that Wilson and Moore would be ready to return to practice tonight and could start Saturday night in the home opener against Tennessee State.
The Bulldogs are already playing without backup left guard Troy Ragland, who has been hampered by a knee injury.
Furthermore
Offensive coordinator Don Jacobs said Gunn will likely remain as the starting quarterback, but backup Johnathan Harris will be given more opportunities to play . . . Outside linebacker Rashad Watson, who has been hampered by a hamstring injury since late last week, returned to practice Tuesday . . . Inside linebacker Jamaal Ware, injured minutes into the Grambling game, sat out practice again Tuesday. Ware was scheduled to see Dr. John Greco Tuesday night, but his status for Saturday's game with Tennessee State remained up in the air . . . Tailback Melvin Gideon, who started the season opener against Tennessee State and led the Bulldogs with 41 yards on nine carries, has fallen to fourth on the depth chart behind Curtis Donnell, Tieko Williams and John Burroughs. . . . With Reed likely out, Gideon or Bryan Thompson will join Neal Lindsey as the deep man on the kickoff return team. Gideon has four kickoff returns for 52 yards, while Thompson has one for 14 yards.
Reggie Benson
09/19/01
Reed back in the doghouse
Troubled defensive back Brandon Reed is in trouble again.
Coach Ron Cooper said athletic department officials have suspended Reed indefinitely until some disciplinary problems can be resolved. As a result, Cooper held Reed out of practice Tuesday as A&M continued preparations for Saturday's home opener against Texas Southern.
''If I'm not going to have him this weekend, I'm not going to have him practice,'' said Cooper, who refused to go into detail on Reed's situation.
It is the second time this year Reed has been in trouble.
Reed stole quarterback Chris Gunn's credit card earlier this year and charged more than $500. Reed's parents repaid the money and he was allowed back on the team, but was reportedly taken off scholarship.
Reed missed the season opener against Tennessee State, but came back to record four tackles and a pass breakup in the loss to Grambling.
''I'm hoping to get to the bottom of this, but right now I'm planning to go without him,'' Cooper said.
If Reed can't go, sophomore Courtney Young, a 5-foot-8, 155-pound sophomore, will make his first career start.
Offensive line hit by flu
The offensive line has been hit by the flu bug.
Right tackle Ronald Wilson, considered A&M's best lineman, and left guard Ben Moore missed Tuesday's practice. Center Brandon Emerson and right guard Jonathan Woodard practiced but have also had the flu-like symptoms, offensive coach Brian Wajert said.
Stargel McKey worked with the first offense at right tackle in place of Wilson, while Robert Cole worked at Moore's left guard spot Tuesday.
Wajert remained hopeful that Wilson and Moore would be ready to return to practice tonight and could start Saturday night in the home opener against Tennessee State.
The Bulldogs are already playing without backup left guard Troy Ragland, who has been hampered by a knee injury.
Furthermore
Offensive coordinator Don Jacobs said Gunn will likely remain as the starting quarterback, but backup Johnathan Harris will be given more opportunities to play . . . Outside linebacker Rashad Watson, who has been hampered by a hamstring injury since late last week, returned to practice Tuesday . . . Inside linebacker Jamaal Ware, injured minutes into the Grambling game, sat out practice again Tuesday. Ware was scheduled to see Dr. John Greco Tuesday night, but his status for Saturday's game with Tennessee State remained up in the air . . . Tailback Melvin Gideon, who started the season opener against Tennessee State and led the Bulldogs with 41 yards on nine carries, has fallen to fourth on the depth chart behind Curtis Donnell, Tieko Williams and John Burroughs. . . . With Reed likely out, Gideon or Bryan Thompson will join Neal Lindsey as the deep man on the kickoff return team. Gideon has four kickoff returns for 52 yards, while Thompson has one for 14 yards.
Reggie Benson
