Texas A&M
The Battalion Sports
Wednesday, August 24,1983/The Battalion/Page 17
lOlTiS:
STATI0J
MOV
l*.M. SlI
V\
I. MOM
*.M. SII
\
w
-VISOR
^eg. 5,9!|
5ALE3
-CAP
^eg. 4.S
5ALE2fl
Firepower
New offensive strengths have Sherrill, players confident
staff photo by David Fisher
A&M head coach Jackie Sherrill is hoping
offensive newcomers and a new defensive
formation will make a difference in 1983.
by John Wagner
Sports Editor
Wearing a bandana around his neck
like a U.S. Cavalry sergeant, Texas A&M
coach Jackie Sherrill greeted members of
the Southwest Conference media tour
Tuesday touting the Aggies’ new-found
offensive firepower and their switch to
the 3-4 defense.
The bandana symbolizes the Aggies’
“blood and sweat,” Sherrill explained,
and he wears one in practice along with
offensive tackle Tommy Robison and
linebacker Jerry Bullitt. As Sherrill
talked about his unusual clothing acces
sory, A&M Sports Information Director
Ralph Carpenter gave one to each of the
visiting sports writers.
But Sherrill had more up his sleeve
than free bandanas. Saying the Aggie
offense has the potential to be “extreme
ly efficient” in 1983, the A&M head
coach praised each part of his offensive
unit and told reporters the Aggies were
“in much better shape” than they were
this time last season.
“The three important keys are: How
John (Mazur) plays, how our secondary
plays early, and (Ray) Childress has got to
play well,” Sherrill said.
The new watchword around Aggie-
land appears to be depth, and the Aggies
have it in several positions — especially
on offense. Sherrill said his offensive line
‘The players look up to him, and he’s done an excel
lent job of running this football team. He’s a tough,
vocal kid, and he’s got the ability to move around in the
pocket.’—Jackie Sherrill, talking about AScM quarter
back John Mazur
— Matt Darwin, Greg Porter, Robison,
Ken Reeves and Nathan Steadman — has
the ability to be “the best I’ve ever
coached.”
“I’ll be honest with you,” Sherrill said,
“(a good offensive line) is the reason
Texas has been the dominant team in the
conference for so long. You’ve got to
have dominant people up front.”
Another reason Sherrill is confident
about his offensive attack is quarterback
Mazur. The transfer from USC has all
the characteristics of a good leader, Sher
rill said.
“The players look up to him,” Sherrill
said, “and he’s done an excellent job of
running this football team. He’s a tough,
vocal kid, and he’s got the ability to move
around in the pocket.”
Because of injuries in the backfield,
Sherrill’s 1982 Aggie squad finished the
season first in the SWC in passing
offense, but next to last in rushing. The
Aggies hope to be more balanced in
1983.
After Sherrill spoke to the group, sev
eral A&M players came up for an inter
view session, and Robison explained the
offensive scheme.
“We’ve worked hard on the fun
damentals,” he said. “The plan is to even
it out more this fall and run the ball.”
But Mazur says the Aggies won’t be
conservative.
“We’re putting the ball up a lot in prac
tice,” he said. “We’re not going to say we
can’t throw here because we’ve already
thrown the ball so many times. We’ll see
what’s working and go with that.”
With the running backs Mazur has be
hind him, however, he may find it’s just
as exciting to hand the ball off. Junior
college transfer Joey Harris and sopho
more Ira Valentine are penciled in as
starters, but once again, th/Aggies have
plenty of depth. Tran/er Anthony
Toney and freshmen RodBernstine and
Keith Woodside will sed/laymg time be
hind Harris, and sopfomores Jimmie
Hawkins and George .fnith will back up
Valentine.
Mazur said the rtAning backs may be
the Aggies’ “secret^p a P on -
“Our running bc'ks are really gonna
be super,” he said ‘ I ° some people they
may have been Question mark — espe
cially at the beginning — but we’re gonna
have a fine cropof backs by the end of the
season.”
/ L)
Defensive^ Sherrill said the switch to
the 3-4 and he move by Billy Cannon to
outside lirebacker should make the
Aggies a later — if not better — football
team.
“We’r< putting a lot of speed on the
field,” Srerrill said. T he Aggies’ main
defensi’e problem last season was keep
ing up with quicker offensive players.
The 34, with its emphasize on small, fast
linebackers instead of big, lumbering
linenen, should help the Aggies contain
on tie ends better.
iherrill said Cannon’s speed and
quickness will give the Aggies more “fle-
>tbility” on defense.
“Every time Billy takes a snap on the
field, he takes it full-speed. He’s gonna
give a lot of people problems.”
•►Dillard s
AUGUST HOME SALE
famous maker
Colorsettings" tablecloths
by SpringmaicT
799
Z i x X a || sizes
Reg. *12-31. Spread a little cheer on your dining
table with a colorful collection of tablecloths. Of
completely machine washable polyester/cot
ton, in white, bone, peach, navy or yellow. It's
easy to fit your table in 52x52'', 52x70'',
60x84", 70x104", 70" and 90" round sizes.
save s 10- s 40! machine
washable bedspreads
2999
X ■ X X all sizes
Reg. s 40-70. A luxurious, easy-care selection of
machine-washable bedspreads to give your
bedroom a boost. Includes the latest decorator
prints and solids by such famous makers as
Rex®, Springmaid®, more! Your choice of twin,
full, queen or king sizes.
Not every size and color in every store
save 50 % and more!
king or queen-size sheets
7.99
all sizes
Orig. *18-22. Your choice! Queen or king!
Choose from a select group of fashion prints on
no-iron polyester/cotton by some of our most
famous makers. Easy-care sheets stay fresh
and cool while you sleep!
Pillowcases, orig. S 12- S 14 7.99
yop Dillard's monday thru Saturday 10-9; post oak mall, college station
Dillard's welcomes the
American Express ’ Card
AAftfcRIC AM
CXRRCSS
Hlc> uKHeI SSOOb
r