TEXAS A&M

Scouting the Aggies

AUSTIN, Texas — OFFENSE

Quarterbacks

New offense, but same guy under center.

The Aggies are confident, though, that senior Stephen McGee is more than capable of making the transition from the option to the pro-style, I-back setup. There's not a better leader in the Big 12 than McGee, who hopes to resurrect the passing reputation he built at Burnet High.

Sophomore Jerrod Johnson should get more chances to solidify his role as a instant-energy, change-of-pace backup.

The coaches also love the potential of redshirt freshman Ryan Tannehill, who they claim might be the most athletic of the bunch. Seeing him play some receiver in practice confirms that.

Running backs

Arguably the deepest position on the team.

At tailback, A&M might have the league's best breakaway threat in junior Mike Goodson. He has rushed for 847 and 711 yards in his first two seasons and could be the Aggies' first 1,000-yard rusher since Courtney Lewis in 2003 if he stays healthy.

A pair of freshmen, redshirt Bradley Stephens and Cyrus Gray, also look good and will play.

Much of the running game success depends on how former tailback Jorvorskie Laneadjusts to fullback, a role he didn't willingly embrace. Veteran walk-on Nick LaMantia, junior Ryan O'Bryantand freshman Kyle Mangan also are getting time there.

Receivers

The fact that Tannehill has logged time at wide receiver underlines just how problematic this spot is. Sherman constantly has bemoaned the number of passes his receivers drop.

Freshman Jeff Fuller, a spring enrollee, has the size (6-4, 209) and speed to be a big-time threat but is riding the typical freshman roller-coaster.

Production is needed from veterans like Pierre Brown, Howard Morrow and E.J. Shankle. Losing Roger Holland for the year with concussions didn't help. Tight end is also iffy. Jamie McCoy, a converted QB/WR, can catch but can he block? Freshman K.J. Williams must be ready.

Offensive line

Graduation decimated A&M here, but Sherman, an old O-line coach, likes the potential, if not the depth, of the new generation.

Two players return with starting experience, tackles Travis Schneider and Michael Shumard.

Much is expected of junior Lee Grimes, who played in six games last year. Center will be relatively untested junior Kevin Matthews, son of NFL Hall-of-Fame lineman Bruce Matthews. Other candidates are junior Robbie Frostand redshirt freshman Evan Eike.

Some freshmen will have to play, and this is not a good area to break them in, but Brian Thomas has been solid and might start at guard.

DEFENSE

Defensive line

After recording only 18 sacks last year and 19 in 2006, A&M desperately wants to improve its pass rush, and the Aggies believe ends Cyril Obiozor, Michael Bennettand Amos Gbunblee can get to the quarterback. Obiozor led the team in sacks last year, but had only 3.5. Don't be shocked to see the 261-pound Bennett occasionally line up inside to get pressure up the middle.

Massive junior Kellen Heard (6-6, 345) and sophomore Lucas Patterson (6-4, 297) have established themselves at tackle. Coordinator Joe Kines is high on Patterson, whose sack of Texas's Colt McCoy last season forced a fumble to set up a touchdown.

Linebackers

With the loss of seniors Mark Dodge and Misi Tupe, A&M's leading tacklers in 2007, there have been several position changes to get what A&M hopes will be playmakers at linebacker.

The most notable could be moving explosive sophomore Von Miller from end to a standup spot on the edge. On the league all-freshman defense last year, the 215-pound Miller had two sacks and four tackles behind the line. Garrick Williams,a wide receiver in high school, also has been moved to linebacker. Junior Matt Featherston has been solid in the middle, while the Aggies also hope for good things from junior Anthony Lewis.

Secondary

Sherman thinks this can be an area of strength, with many returning veterans. Arkeith Brown, who started the last six games in 2007 after Danny Gorrersuffered a knee injury, will start at one corner, while converted safety Jordan Pughwill get the call on the other side. Gorrer has recovered from knee surgey, but has been held back by other relatively minor injuries.

Jordan Peterson, who started the first two games at corner last season, has won the job at free safety, a more natural spot for him. Strong safety is being contested by seniors Devin Gregg(29 career starts, including 26 straight) and Alton Dixon, who started 11 games last year.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kickers

After junior Matt Szymanski transferred to Southern Methodist, it left A&M with only two placekicking candidates, seldom-used senior Richie Bean and freshman walk-on Randy Bullock. Bean was the Aggies' main kickoff specialist in 2005, but did not play in 2006. Last year he recorded his first extra-point in the Alamo Bowl, and his next field-goal attempt will be his first.

Punting prospects are much better since senior Justin Brantlyreturns after averaging 44.2 yards per kick as a junior and 44.3 as a sophomore. Freshman QB Tannehillmight serve as the backup punter.

Returners

The coaches love dynamic freshman RB Cyrus Gray, and one of the ways he might make an initial impact is by returning both punts and kickoffs. At least early, punt returns probably will be handled by normally reliable Peterson, who returned 14 punts for 108 yards last season. Expected to be a primary returner on kickoffs is Pierre Brown. The senior wide receiver averaged 21.5 yards on 16 returns in 2007, with a long of 40 yards against Oklahoma.

Randy Riggs writes for the Austin American-Statesman.