Texas A&M Spring Game

[WorkHorse]

Quarterback Johnny Manziel threw for 303 yards and 3 touchdowns to lead the maroon team over the white team 43-23 in the Aggies spring game yesterday. Manziel looked sharp, completing 24 of 30 passes, with a long throw of 60 yards. He sat down after one series in the second half. Excitement over the Aggies is high after last year's big season, with the game, which was televised on ESPN, drawing a spring record 45,212 fans.

[suicidekings]

It's going to be interesting how TAMU deals with the loss of Michael, Swope, Joekel, Nwachukwu, and Lewis. They're still loaded on offensive potential, but losing a lot of experience.

[WorkHorse]

Thanks Bud....damn strong post.

I agree A&M has some holes to fill...plus...they ain't going to sneak up on some folks this year.

My view is good team......but not close to last year. My take and welcome yours..............

[WorkHorse]

Suicide...losing that big ole left tackle (Luke Joeckel) is some BIG shoes to fill. He was a security blanket for Manziel's backside and one of the best offensive lineman in Texas A&M history. The guy will be missed even if the Aggies have a solid replacement.

I've watched tape on Joeckel and the dude could have played in the NFL last season...he's that good. Manziel will miss him and a few others who are gone. Will be interested to see how A&M does this year.

[suicidekings]

Luke Joekel leaving for the draft is a big factor, but Jake Matthews decision to stay for his senior year is huge. Matthews is almost as good a player as Joekel, so with his move to left tackle, Cedric Ogbuehi taking over at right tackle (returning to his natural position), and Mike Matthews taking over at center, the TAMU offensive line is still a monster (Harrison & Ifedi at LG/RG). Sumlin set his starting five before the spring practices even started and has had them working together since then. I don't think the loss of Joekel will actually hurt TAMU as much as people think.

For me, the biggest loss TAMU has undergone this year on offense is Ryan Swope. He's been invaluable for TAMU over the last few years in making plays under tough conditions. Losing Swope and Nwachukwu leaves only Mike Evans as a top level, proven WR, and after the that, the experience level drops off a lot. I think a team that can contain Evans has a very good shot to disrupt Manziel's passing in a major way.

But really, TAMU's biggest problem is losing five of their front seven on defense this season. I really don't know how well this unit is going to perform losing so many experienced bodies, including Damontre Moore. At best, they're going to run into depth issues, and either way they're going to need their young players to step up big time.