By REGGIE BENSON, Times Sports Staff
Running back jobs, kicker not set as game nears
Six days before its season opener against Tennessee State, Alabama A&M had not settled on several starting jobs, coach Anthony Jones said Sunday.
The Bulldogs' running back positions remain unsettled, and the kicking job is still up for grabs.
At tailback, Ulysses Banks, Anthony Green and Max Martin all have been terrific in training camp. Kevin McCants and Generion McWhorter have waged a great battle for the starting fullback job.
"Our backfield is still in a situation where multiple guys can and will play," Jones said. "We've got three capable guys at running back. It's going to be kind of a flow thing to see how that works and who gets the most carries.
"Who actually gets the nod to start at fullback ... we haven't decided yet. Both are about the same. No one has taken that position yet."
Banks, Green, Martin and McWhorter never have taken a handoff in a game for the Bulldogs. McCants' only carry came last season in the season opener against Tennessee State.
The kicking job doesn't have a clear leader.
Sophomore Jeremy Licea, who struggled last season before kicking three field goals in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game, is in a close race with Grant Maddix, who kicked last season for Lee High School.
"We're going to take a look at that during the week," Jones said. "Licea has been the most consistent from the shorter distances, but Grant has the stronger leg even though he's been a little inconsistent."
Jones said he hadn't decided if the same person would kick extra points and field goals.
Defensively, only two positions remain unsettled.
Left tackle David Winston, who suffered a back injury more than a week ago, is expected back at practice Tuesday, but his status is up in the air.
Should Winston not be ready, sophomore Renaldo Askew will make his first career start against the Tigers.
Also, Maurice Thomas, who started several games last season in place of Stephan Tucker, will likely be in the starting lineup at left cornerback. Tucker, who has been hampered by an ankle injury, has improved and participated some in Saturday's scrimmage at free safety.
Running back jobs, kicker not set as game nears
Six days before its season opener against Tennessee State, Alabama A&M had not settled on several starting jobs, coach Anthony Jones said Sunday.
The Bulldogs' running back positions remain unsettled, and the kicking job is still up for grabs.
At tailback, Ulysses Banks, Anthony Green and Max Martin all have been terrific in training camp. Kevin McCants and Generion McWhorter have waged a great battle for the starting fullback job.
"Our backfield is still in a situation where multiple guys can and will play," Jones said. "We've got three capable guys at running back. It's going to be kind of a flow thing to see how that works and who gets the most carries.
"Who actually gets the nod to start at fullback ... we haven't decided yet. Both are about the same. No one has taken that position yet."
Banks, Green, Martin and McWhorter never have taken a handoff in a game for the Bulldogs. McCants' only carry came last season in the season opener against Tennessee State.
The kicking job doesn't have a clear leader.
Sophomore Jeremy Licea, who struggled last season before kicking three field goals in the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship Game, is in a close race with Grant Maddix, who kicked last season for Lee High School.
"We're going to take a look at that during the week," Jones said. "Licea has been the most consistent from the shorter distances, but Grant has the stronger leg even though he's been a little inconsistent."
Jones said he hadn't decided if the same person would kick extra points and field goals.
Defensively, only two positions remain unsettled.
Left tackle David Winston, who suffered a back injury more than a week ago, is expected back at practice Tuesday, but his status is up in the air.
Should Winston not be ready, sophomore Renaldo Askew will make his first career start against the Tigers.
Also, Maurice Thomas, who started several games last season in place of Stephan Tucker, will likely be in the starting lineup at left cornerback. Tucker, who has been hampered by an ankle injury, has improved and participated some in Saturday's scrimmage at free safety.
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