Football Questions Abound At Ut

[GreenBat]

Football questions abound at UT

Brown enters spring drills lacking experience at key positions

02:49 AM CST on Friday, February 23, 2007

By CHIP BROWN / The Dallas Morning News

chipbrown@dallasnews.com

AUSTIN – Heading into his 10th season, Mack Brown says he has more unanswered questions heading into spring football practice, which begins today, than at any time since his first year at UT.

"I think we have a lot of good players, just no experience at some really key positions," Brown said Thursday.

Those question marks include three positions in the secondary and three starting positions on the offensive line as well as fullback and defensive end. Brown is also concerned about depth at quarterback, running back and tight end.

"There's more new stuff on this team than at any time since our first year," Brown said.

Tailback Jamaal Charles, who finished fourth in the 100 meters at the NCAA Outdoor championships last season, has decided not to run track during spring football practice in an effort to get stronger.

"We need Jamaal to touch the ball more and stay healthy doing it," Brown said of Charles, who led UT with 831 yards on 156 carries and seven touchdowns in 2006.

Brown is also eager to find another running back or two who can help carry the load. The candidates include Vondrell McGee, who redshirted last season, Chris Ogbannaya (18 carries for 82 yards and one TD in 2006) and James Henry, who redshirted as a safety last season.

Texas failed to average 4 yards per carry in seven of its last nine games last season.

"We just have to take some wider splits on the offensive line, break more tackles and do a better job of downfield blocking by our receivers," Brown said.

Brown said incoming freshman John Chiles, a Mansfield Summit product who enrolled early, will compete with redshirt freshman Sherrod Harris (Arlington Bowie) for the backup quarterback position behind Colt McCoy.

Linebacker Drew Kelson, who will be a senior, is returning to safety, where he started his UT career.

Brown said he is excited about the young talent at linebacker, led by Jared Norton, Sergio Kindle of Woodrow Wilson and Rod Muckelroy, who was sidelined by a hand injury last season.

Brown expects those players to push 2006 starters Robert Killebrew, Rashad Bobino and Scott Derry.

Briefly: DT Derek Lokey, who broke his leg last season, will take part in spring drills but not as a short-yardage fullback. ... Brown said sophomore LB Jeremy Campbell and sophomore WR Myron Hardy are out of school this semester and will miss spring practice. ... OG Cedric Dockery (knee) will not take part in spring drills. ... Kindle will not work at short-yardage running back during the first half of spring drills. New co-defensive coordinator Larry Mac Duff wants to evaluate Kindle on defense. ... WR Quan Cosby, RB Vondrell McGee and CBs Deon Beasley and Chykie Brown are candidates to return punts and kicks.

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I feel so bad for the whorns . They have a $40 million budget, get the top recruits in the state.

They enter spring drills lacking experience. Oh Woe is Me.

Grow a set Mack! UT's going to win at least 9 games this year and go to a big payout bowl. I feel so sorry for him.