Thursday, August 23, 2007

Threat tripled at AAMU


By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff

Running backs new but can keep defense off balance

The names have changed, but Alabama A&M coach Anthony Jones believes the production will likely be the same. Perhaps, even better.

A&M fans had grown accustomed to watching Nic Luke and Ta'mar Scott run the football each of the last two years. Luke and Scott, who combined for more than 3,500 yards and 29 touchdowns, were one of the Southwestern Athletic Conference's top tailback tandems.

While Luke and Scott will be missed, A&M will feature a trio of tailbacks this season that could be even better, Jones believes.

Redshirt sophomore Ulysses Banks, who led the nation is kickoff returns last season, is the starter. Redshirt freshman Anthony Green will spell him and former Bob Jones High star Max Martin rounds out the group of talented backs.

"Banks has good speed and is more powerful than he looks," Jones said. "Green has a unique style of running. He has excellent vision and makes people miss. Max has the combination of good speed, good size, good power and good vision.

"Neither one of those guys is going to hurt us. We've got to work to get them better. They're still not where we want them to be, but they're three pretty good weapons."

Banks, who starred at Parker High School in Birmingham, averaged 34.3 yards per return and had electrifying touchdown returns against Southern and Alabama State a year ago. He won the job last spring and has kept it through preseason practice.

"I'm ready," said Banks, who will take a handoff for the first time in his college career in the season opener against Tennessee State. "There's a little bit of nervousness, but we've prepared enough. We've still got a lot of stuff to work on, but I think I'm ready for it."

Green, a 5-7, 175-pound redshirt freshman, hasn't played since the 2005 season when he was a senior at Madison High School in San Antonio. He's itching for a chance to carry the ball.

"I'm a little nervous, but after I get my first play behind me, I'll be just fine," he said. "I'm ready. I've been waiting for this for two years."

While Banks and Green are similar in size, Martin is more like Scott. At 6-1 and 205, Martin is A&M's most versatile back.

"With Green, you get speed and quickness," Banks said. "I've got speed and a little punch and with Max you've got power. We're going to make it tough on defenses. We're a beast. We cover it all."

Errol Jones, A&M's new running backs coach, agrees with Banks.

"We're going to hit them with speed, hit them with speed and hit them with some power," he said. "Banks and Green will make you miss and then Max will truck you."

Banks, Green and Martin haven't played running back in a game for the Bulldogs, but Jones says that doesn't concern him. "It's like riding a bike," he said. "Once you learn how to do it, you don't forget. You might get a little rusty, but once you get back in the flow of things, it will all come back to you."

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