Again the Texas A&M Aggies find themselves searching for success

The Aggies' ended the 2007 season in a terrible rancor among fans and among teammates alike. Fist fights broke out in the locker room. Tailback Mike Goodson showed up for a press conference sporting a shiner. Then there was Goodson's celebrated, public benching in the first half on regional TV during the Oklahoma game. At one point, Goodson was rumored to be ready to transfer to LSU.

There are still die hards out there are still angry that failed head coach Dennis Franchione was fired. Lingering animosities between the anti-Franchione “pot bangers” and the pro-Fran “sunshine pumpers” still exist on the forums.

Internally, the program is searching for a formula for success. Are the pieces there? Can new head coach Mike Sherman put them together? The Aggies on paper at least have a terrific backfield.

Goodson, who was Big 12 newcomer of the year in 2006, is coming off of a so-so year. Behemoth, 300-pound tailback Jorvorskie Lane has been told to shape up, trim down, and move to fullback. He didn't take it well. Sherman threw him a bone by promising he would be a pass receiver, too.

Last year, two-year starter Stephen McGee had a lock on the QB position. He learned the craft of running Franchione's zone-read option well. Sherman uses a pro set and a form of the West Coast offense. McGee made his reputation as a runner. Sherman wants a passer. How can these two meet in the middle?

Sherman informed McGee shortly after taking charge that the quarterback position was open and would have to be earned. McGee will be competing against sophomore Jerrod Johnson. Lurking in the background are freshman QB Tommy Dorman, freshman redshift Ryan Tannehill, and junior squad man Jeff Wood.

Johnson has been described as a dazzling runner! ...but wait! Sherman wants a passer! Johnson did throw five TD passes on only six drives last year. Those drives were after the games were decided. The jury on Johnson is still out. He played in only five games.

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McGee has been hurt. Franchione never disclosed injuries during his tenure. What is known is that McGee was to have surgery on a bum shoulder during the winter or spring. Will the surgery impact his passing? McGee hustled through his surgery and rehabilitation. He showed up for the spring drills. He played and threw passes in the annual Maroon & White game.

All these elements are the making of a true quarterback controversy. Sherman insisted at the Big 12 media days that there is no QB controversy ... only “a competition.” The competition appears to be heating up, too. Johnson showed up at quarterback camp early in July in Louisiana. The camp was sponsored by NFL quarterbacks Eli and Peyton Manning.

Sherman says he will decide on a starter after the second week of August two-a-days. At stake is who will be the greater portion of the quarterbacking repetitions. Will that actually end the controversy that is only a competition? ...not if McGee fails to make Sherman's offense produce.

McGee's past hold some hint to his passing capability. As a high school QB, he threw for more than 8,000 career passing yards. McGee has taken a lot of hits. He carried more than 35 times for 184 yards in the win over Nebraska last year.

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McGee rushed 181 times for 899 yards in 2007. Rumors swirled that McGee was too banged up to throw deep. The surgery on his shoulder confirmed some of the rumor was true.

Lucky for Sherman that these internal problems will be under the radar. The Aggie program won't get any attention until Sherman proves he can beat somebody. Aggies can circle Sept. 20 on their calendars. That's the day the Miami Hurricanes step onto Kyle Field. If the Sherman offense cannot get off the ground on that day, the Aggies may in for a real quarterback controversy.

By Jay Goode
Big 12 Fans Texas A&M Correspondent

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