Cotton Bowl tickets

If anyone is looking to buy some tickets to the Cotton Bowl, Kyler just let me know that someone at his office is selling theirs. Let me know if you're interested.....

Much needed commit at Linebacker

Haltom star linebacker Lewis picks Texas A&M

By JOHN MILLER

STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER

Texas A&M picked up the biggest commitment in its 2006 recruiting class with Haltom linebacker Anthony Lewis committing to the Aggies on Sunday.

"It's been a long process, but they have kind of always been right there throughout the whole recruiting process," Lewis said. "It was a tough decision, but in the end, I had to go with my instincts."

Lewis (6-foot-2, 228 pounds), a member of the Star-Telegram's Elite 11, had narrowed his choices to Oklahoma and Texas A&M. He said last week he wanted to wait until Texas A&M selected its defensive coordinator before making a decision. The Aggies announced Gary Darnell on Friday as the new defensive coordinator. Lewis visited Texas A&M this weekend and had a chance to talk with Darnell.

"I had a very good visit with Coach Darnell," Lewis said. "He seemed to fit in very well there and with the program."

As a senior, Lewis recorded 132 tackles along with five sacks and four forced fumbles.

Lewis is the 16th commitment for the Aggies and the first who was a member of the Star-Telegram's National Top 100 recruits.

Police probe connection between crimes, UT athletics

From the Dallas Morning News:

According to the statement, police are investigating allegations of aggravated assault with an automatic handgun on Sunday, Sept. 4, at 3:06 a.m. A location for the incident was not revealed in police records.

Police also are investigating allegations of attempted robbery by assault at 2:59 a.m. last Saturday at 500 E. Seventh St., in what is commonly referred to as Austin's Sixth Street entertainment district. According to the statement, police received a call reporting that a suspect used his hands, fist and feet to carry out the assault.

Austin attorney Ken Oden said he is advising Texas senior cornerback Cedric Griffin, who has been questioned by police in connection with the Dec. 10 incident.

According to The Ticket, Ramonce Taylor is also under investigation.

No freaking way this turns into anything at all. Without a doubt, Mack Brown or his consigliere has already had a "sit down" with the DA and the Austin Chief of Police, and reminded them that all UT starters are above the law, and that their careers will be in serious jeopardy if they pursue this matter any further.

With the Longhorns in the Rose Bowl, the entire starting lineup could gang rape Matthew McConaughey , and it would be swept under that ridiculous carpet at Disch-Falk Field.

Two Tech receivers suspended

I predict that when the truth comes out, this suspension will be due to an unspecified violation of each other's rectum.

By KEITH WHITMIRE / The Dallas Morning News

Receivers Marquis Johnson and L.A. Reed have been suspended from the football team and will not play in the Jan. 2 AT&T Cotton Bowl against Alabama, a school spokesman confirmed. The suspension is for an unspecified violation of team rules.

Johnson ranks seventh on the team in receptions with 13 for 74 yards and one touchdown. Reed is eighth with 11 catches for 136 yards and no touchdowns.

The most recent depth chart lists Johnson as a backup to Joel Filani at the Z receiver spot and Reed as a backup to Robert Johnson at the Y receiver in Tech's spread offense.

I hope this is a better hire than it looks on the surface

(dude looks like Jerry Glanville)

Gary Darnell, a coaching veteran who once oversaw two of the worst defensive units in Texas history, is expected to be announced as Texas A&M's new defensive coordinator at 11 a.m. Friday, according to two A&M sources.

LINK to story

LINK to Gary Darnell coaching resume

Other words that you can't spell without "Double T"

• otter
  
• mittens
  
• smitten
  
• pottery
  
• petty
  
• cottage
  
• platter
  
• putty
  
• shatter
  
• attorney
  
• batter
  
• butter
  
• butthead

Double-T words with specific meaning to Texas Tech:

• attack
• battle
• slutty
• smutty
• attitude
• shitty
• tatty

A Day That Will Live in Infamy

To the Congress of the United States -

Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

You Can't Spell Cotton Without a "Double T"

History Lesson

History began some 12,000 years ago.(Actually, it was 40,000 years ago.) Humans existed as members of small bands of nomadic hunter/gatherers. They lived on deer in the mountains during the summer and would go to the coast and live on fish and lobster in winter. The two most important events in all of history were the invention of beer and the invention of the wheel. The wheel was invented to get man to the beer. These were the foundations of modern civilization and, together, were the catalyst for the splitting of humanity into two distinct subgroups: Liberals and Conservatives.

Once beer was discovered, it required grain and that was the beginning of agriculture. Neither the glass bottle nor aluminum can was invented yet, so while our early human ancestors were sitting around waiting for them to be invented, they just stayed close to the brewery. That's how villages were formed. Some men spent their days tracking and killing animals to barbeque at night while they were drinking beer. This was the beginning of what is known as "the Conservative movement." Other men who were weaker and less skilled at hunting learned to live off the Conservatives by showing up for the nightly barbeques and doing the sewing, fetching and hair dressing. This was the beginning of the Liberal movement. Some of these liberal men eventually evolved into women. The rest became known as girlymen.

Some noteworthy liberal achievements include the domestication of cats, the invention of group therapy, group hugs and the concept of Democratic voting to decide how to divide the meat and beer that Conservatives provided. Over the years, Conservatives came to be symbolized by the largest, most powerful land animal on earth, the elephant. Liberals are symbolized by the jackass. Modern Liberals like imported beer (with lime added), but most prefer white wine or imported, bottled water. They eat raw fish but like their beef well done. Sushi, tofu, and French food are standard Liberal fare. Another interesting evolutionary side note: Most of their women have higher testosterone levels than their men. Most social workers, personal injury attorneys, journalists, dreamers in Hollywood and group therapists are Liberals. Liberals invented the designated hitter rule because it wasn't "fair" to make the pitcher also bat.

Conservatives drink domestic beer. They eat red meat and still provide for their women. Conservatives are big-game hunters, rodeo cowboys, lumberjacks, construction workers, firemen, medical doctors, police officers, corporate executives, fighter pilots, athletes and generally anyone who works productively outside government. Conservatives who own companies hire other Conservatives who want to work for a living.

Liberals produce little or nothing. They like to "govern" the producers and decide what to do with the production. Liberals believe Europeans are more enlightened than Americans. That is why most of the Liberals remained in Europe when Conservatives were coming to America. They crept in after the Wild West was tame and created a business of trying to get MORE for nothing.

This ends today's lesson in world history.

from the Dallas Morning News....

Big 12 Defensive player of the year: Dwayne Slay, Texas Tech FS, Sr.

There are impact players and there are players who make a lot of impacts. Dwayne Slay was both for Texas Tech. The tall, rangy Slay practically redefined the free safety position as someone who can attack the line as well as patrol the secondary...............more

Big 12 Newcomer of the year: Robert Johnson, Texas Tech WR, Jr.

A junior college transfer who redshirted last season, Johnson broke into Tech's receiving corps in a big way. His 64 receptions led the league. His 899 receiving yards were the second most in the conference. Not bad for a guy who had been a quarterback until this year.

looking ahead to the Aggie football future

I was going to title this post "season wrap-up", but what's the point in looking backwards? Everyone knows the Aggies had a very disappointing season. Hell, I would have been disappointed at 7-4 heading to a crappy bowl game. It makes much more sense to me to look ahead. From this point forward, please take everything I write, knowing that I am fully aware of the similarities to the optimism of this time last year.

Offense: Things could look much worse, especially faced with the loss of the TAMU career passing leader. The fact is, Reggie was exciting, but his stay in Aggieland was ill-timed with the change of coaches and demise of the Wrecking Crew. Stephen McGee showed some great leadership and grit during the final six quarters of the season. He runs the option like Bucky, but believe it or not, was recruited as a passer! Get that passing shaped up, and he may be the best we've seen in a while.

We should return a nice stable of receivers (Riley, Schroeder, E. Taylor, Morrow, Brown, Franks), an incredible tight end in Martellus Bennett, and a solid group of running backs in Courtney Lewis, Jorvorskie Lane, and Brandon Leone. The offensive line will also be much better, with a more stable, more experienced group.

Defense: The weak spot will continue to be at linebacker. Hard to believe we used to get away with calling A&M "Linebacker U". We are not even a shadow of our former selves at this position. Justin Warren returns, and that's about it. The defensive line should be very good, with Michael Bennett, Chris Harrington, Jason Jack and Red Bryant, and hopefully dominant enough to take some pressure off the defensive backs, who certainly can't go anywhere but up from 2005. Danny Gorrer improved in the last 2 games, and will hopefully continue that trend, along with the late additions of Marquis Carpenter at CB, and Devin Gregg and Alton Dixon at safety. This is not the same defensive backfield as 2005 by any stretch!

Overall, I have a great outlook for next year. I realize that these things sometimes don't work out the way you expect, but that's no reason to lose hope. Expect a much improved Aggie team surging back into the national picture in 2006!

I have to go now before my maroon kool-aid gets warm.