TopFrog
Lifelong Frog
http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/04/06/20...leadership.html
[SIZE=14pt]TCU ready to replace Hughes' leadership[/SIZE]
By STEFAN STEVENSON
sstevenson@star-telegram.com
Jerry Hughes was not only a devastating force for opposing offenses to constantly deal with, but he was also the vocal leader on the TCU defense that topped the nation the last two years.
His leadership was especially important to the Horned Frogs' defensive line, a void likely to be filled next fall by seniors tackle Cory Grant, right end Wayne Daniels and nose tackle Kelly Griffin.
Redshirt freshman Stansly Maponga has taken the lead in the Hughes replacement sweepstakes at left end. Maponga was at end last fall but briefly had moved to tackle before coaches decided end was a better fit. At the same time, they felt D.J. Yendrey was more comfortable inside, coach Gary Patterson said. Junior Braylon Broughton, the initial No. 1 on the depth chart, is still giving Maponga a battle.
"Spring is a chance for your team to get better and see what you've got going," Grant said. "Right now, the competition is pretty nice, they're both playing pretty good."
As for their leadership roles, Grant and Daniels are both ready for the challenge. It's something Patterson expects out of experienced seniors, especially "if you want to have the team we want to have, they have to be the guys that do that."
"We're trying to be more vocal," Grant said. "Not necessarily individually, but as a unit and as seniors. We have quite a few seniors this year, so along with [linebacker] Tank [Carder], we're trying to motivate each other as a group."
Said Daniels: "I think all four of us, even the new guy, need to raise it a little bit. We need to compete like we did when Jerry was here."
Running back shuffle
Aundre Dean is back with the running backs after working exclusively with the safeties during the first half of spring and in December.
Freshman Dwight Smith continued to open eyes with several big hits and big runs this week during scrimmages.
"He works against the 3s, but he's learning and he's getting better every day," Gary Patterson said of Smith. "We're happier with where he is than nine practices ago."
Tank sidelined
Tank Carder didn't practice during the Frogs' scrimmage at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Tuesday. The junior sustained a minor shoulder injury last week and was held to limited action Friday and Monday and wore the protective red jersey to ward off contact.
"He dinged his shoulder a little bit last week," Gary Patterson said. "But he practiced all day. [Kris] Gardner has already been down with a knee injury, so we couldn't afford another linebacker injury. I already know what [Tank] can do."
Banquet seats available
A limited number of general-admission tickets remain for the Frogs' Saturday banquet at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. Reserved seats, which include dinner at a table on the floor, are sold out.
General-admission tickets are available for $15 through the football office or online at www.gofrogs.com. Tickets must be purchased by 5 p.m. Friday. Those seats will open at 7:30 p.m. for the program, which honors the Frogs' senior class and begins at 8 p.m.
Highlights of the '09 season will be shown, plus Gary Patterson will be presented with the Bobby Dodd Foundation National Coach of the Year Award. Attendees will receive a commemorative gift from the Bobby Dodd Foundation.
Stefan Stevenson, 817-390-7760
[SIZE=14pt]TCU ready to replace Hughes' leadership[/SIZE]
By STEFAN STEVENSON
sstevenson@star-telegram.com
Jerry Hughes was not only a devastating force for opposing offenses to constantly deal with, but he was also the vocal leader on the TCU defense that topped the nation the last two years.
His leadership was especially important to the Horned Frogs' defensive line, a void likely to be filled next fall by seniors tackle Cory Grant, right end Wayne Daniels and nose tackle Kelly Griffin.
Redshirt freshman Stansly Maponga has taken the lead in the Hughes replacement sweepstakes at left end. Maponga was at end last fall but briefly had moved to tackle before coaches decided end was a better fit. At the same time, they felt D.J. Yendrey was more comfortable inside, coach Gary Patterson said. Junior Braylon Broughton, the initial No. 1 on the depth chart, is still giving Maponga a battle.
"Spring is a chance for your team to get better and see what you've got going," Grant said. "Right now, the competition is pretty nice, they're both playing pretty good."
As for their leadership roles, Grant and Daniels are both ready for the challenge. It's something Patterson expects out of experienced seniors, especially "if you want to have the team we want to have, they have to be the guys that do that."
"We're trying to be more vocal," Grant said. "Not necessarily individually, but as a unit and as seniors. We have quite a few seniors this year, so along with [linebacker] Tank [Carder], we're trying to motivate each other as a group."
Said Daniels: "I think all four of us, even the new guy, need to raise it a little bit. We need to compete like we did when Jerry was here."
Running back shuffle
Aundre Dean is back with the running backs after working exclusively with the safeties during the first half of spring and in December.
Freshman Dwight Smith continued to open eyes with several big hits and big runs this week during scrimmages.
"He works against the 3s, but he's learning and he's getting better every day," Gary Patterson said of Smith. "We're happier with where he is than nine practices ago."
Tank sidelined
Tank Carder didn't practice during the Frogs' scrimmage at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Tuesday. The junior sustained a minor shoulder injury last week and was held to limited action Friday and Monday and wore the protective red jersey to ward off contact.
"He dinged his shoulder a little bit last week," Gary Patterson said. "But he practiced all day. [Kris] Gardner has already been down with a knee injury, so we couldn't afford another linebacker injury. I already know what [Tank] can do."
Banquet seats available
A limited number of general-admission tickets remain for the Frogs' Saturday banquet at Daniel-Meyer Coliseum. Reserved seats, which include dinner at a table on the floor, are sold out.
General-admission tickets are available for $15 through the football office or online at www.gofrogs.com. Tickets must be purchased by 5 p.m. Friday. Those seats will open at 7:30 p.m. for the program, which honors the Frogs' senior class and begins at 8 p.m.
Highlights of the '09 season will be shown, plus Gary Patterson will be presented with the Bobby Dodd Foundation National Coach of the Year Award. Attendees will receive a commemorative gift from the Bobby Dodd Foundation.
Stefan Stevenson, 817-390-7760
