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Chilly reception doesn't get A&M down
Bulldogs respond to new coach in first spring practice
04/04/02
By REGGIE BENSON
Times Sports Staff reggieb@htimes.com
Anthony Jones couldn't get to his office fast enough. Who could blame him?
Alabama A&M opened spring football practice in less than ideal conditions Wednesday night, but Jones appeared to be ready for the elements.
Dressed in an A&M warm-up suit with gloves and a skull cap, Jones was constantly in motion.
He was showing the receivers how to run routes. He was showing the quarterbacks how to attack the defensive end. During the conditioning portion of the practice, Jones was running sprints trying to encourage offensive lineman Robert Cole.
''I'm willing to do whatever it takes,'' Jones said after sending the Bulldogs through a spirited two-hour practice in chilly conditions. ''The players won't be as willing if the coaches aren't willing.''
The players were more than willing Wednesday night. When practice was over, they were upbeat about Jones.
''I think he's going to be a good coach,'' defensive back Reggie Johnson said. ''Everybody had fun tonight.''
Jones also had fun. But after reviewing the session, he knows there is much to be done.
''I'm not going to go out and hang myself, but at the same time I'm not overly pleased,'' he said. ''It's about what I expected. We've got some work to do.''
The Bulldogs spent most of Wednesday's practice working on fundamentals of the running and passing game. By the end of the month, Jones said, things will be a lot better.
''The passing game is about timing, spacing and confidence,'' he said. ''We've got to A&M's first spring practice is upbeat A&M Continued from page D1 teach our kids how to run routes and make sure they understand the essence of the route. That's what we've got to work on.
''It's kind of hard to judge them until we put the pads on.''
Jones lost two more players Wednesday. Junior place-kicker Tom Bambauer informed him he didn't want to play anymore, while reserve tailback/fullback Tieko Williams was placed on probation and won't likely rejoin the team, Jones said.
Bambauer met with Jones on Tuesday to let him know he was leaning toward not playing. Jones told him to talk to his parents and make sure of his decision.
On Wednesday, Bambauer told Jones he had decided against returning.
''He told me football wasn't a part of him anymore,'' Jones said. ''I don't want to force a kid to play if he doesn't want to play.''
Bambauer made 6-of-11 field goals last season.
With Bambauer gone, Rashad Cylar and Chris Carbo will battle for the place-kicking and punting jobs.
Cylar made just 1-of-5 field goals last season, but was 23-of-24 on extra points.
Williams, who has been in and out of trouble, has apparently ran out of chances.
''Tieko did some things in the dorm that were unacceptable,'' Jones said. ''I'm trying to figure him out. The way it looks now, he probably won't be a member of this team.''
Williams appeared in five games last season, rushing for 120 yards on 34 carries.
The loss of Williams, who can play either fullback or tailback, isn't expected to hurt the Bulldogs, Jones said. A&M has now lost seven players since Jones was hired to replace Ron Cooper two months ago.
The Bulldogs will take off today before resuming practice Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Bulldogs respond to new coach in first spring practice
04/04/02
By REGGIE BENSON
Times Sports Staff reggieb@htimes.com
Anthony Jones couldn't get to his office fast enough. Who could blame him?
Alabama A&M opened spring football practice in less than ideal conditions Wednesday night, but Jones appeared to be ready for the elements.
Dressed in an A&M warm-up suit with gloves and a skull cap, Jones was constantly in motion.
He was showing the receivers how to run routes. He was showing the quarterbacks how to attack the defensive end. During the conditioning portion of the practice, Jones was running sprints trying to encourage offensive lineman Robert Cole.
''I'm willing to do whatever it takes,'' Jones said after sending the Bulldogs through a spirited two-hour practice in chilly conditions. ''The players won't be as willing if the coaches aren't willing.''
The players were more than willing Wednesday night. When practice was over, they were upbeat about Jones.
''I think he's going to be a good coach,'' defensive back Reggie Johnson said. ''Everybody had fun tonight.''
Jones also had fun. But after reviewing the session, he knows there is much to be done.
''I'm not going to go out and hang myself, but at the same time I'm not overly pleased,'' he said. ''It's about what I expected. We've got some work to do.''
The Bulldogs spent most of Wednesday's practice working on fundamentals of the running and passing game. By the end of the month, Jones said, things will be a lot better.
''The passing game is about timing, spacing and confidence,'' he said. ''We've got to A&M's first spring practice is upbeat A&M Continued from page D1 teach our kids how to run routes and make sure they understand the essence of the route. That's what we've got to work on.
''It's kind of hard to judge them until we put the pads on.''
Jones lost two more players Wednesday. Junior place-kicker Tom Bambauer informed him he didn't want to play anymore, while reserve tailback/fullback Tieko Williams was placed on probation and won't likely rejoin the team, Jones said.
Bambauer met with Jones on Tuesday to let him know he was leaning toward not playing. Jones told him to talk to his parents and make sure of his decision.
On Wednesday, Bambauer told Jones he had decided against returning.
''He told me football wasn't a part of him anymore,'' Jones said. ''I don't want to force a kid to play if he doesn't want to play.''
Bambauer made 6-of-11 field goals last season.
With Bambauer gone, Rashad Cylar and Chris Carbo will battle for the place-kicking and punting jobs.
Cylar made just 1-of-5 field goals last season, but was 23-of-24 on extra points.
Williams, who has been in and out of trouble, has apparently ran out of chances.
''Tieko did some things in the dorm that were unacceptable,'' Jones said. ''I'm trying to figure him out. The way it looks now, he probably won't be a member of this team.''
Williams appeared in five games last season, rushing for 120 yards on 34 carries.
The loss of Williams, who can play either fullback or tailback, isn't expected to hurt the Bulldogs, Jones said. A&M has now lost seven players since Jones was hired to replace Ron Cooper two months ago.
The Bulldogs will take off today before resuming practice Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
