Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Alabama A&M Winston returns and may start


Reggie Benson, Huntsville Times

Defensive tackle David Winston practiced Tuesday for the first time in over a week and is expected to play in Saturday's season opener against Tennessee State.

Winston, a 6-foot-3, 263-pound junior, injured his back lifting weights over a week ago and was held out of practice to rest it. He returned on Tuesday and A&M coach Anthony Jones came away believing he could help the Bulldogs.

"He practiced and moved around pretty good," Jones said. "He didn't do a thousand things, but I expect him to be available. We'll look at him again (tonight), but we're hoping he can start."

If Winston is unable to start, Renaldo Askew, a 6-1, 263-pound redshirt sophomore, will start. The Bulldogs are already without defensive tackle Justin Harper, who is out up to four weeks after having surgery on his thumb.

Webster expects stern test: Tennessee State coach James Webster is eager to see how his team stacks up against A&M.

The Bulldogs have beaten the Tigers in each of Webster's two seasons, but both games have been very competitive.

"They're a good football program," Webster said. "They're picked to win the (SWAC) again. It will be a good test to see where we are."

The Tigers, who finished 6-5 last season, return 10 starters from last year's team that came within one win of sharing the Ohio Valley Conference.

The Bulldogs return 15 starters from last year's SWAC championship team. "They'll be a very tough opponent," Webster said. "It'll be a very tough, emotional game. It will tell us a lot about our football team."

Kicker decision coming: Jones said a decision will be made on A&M's place-kicking job tonight or Thursday.

Sophomore Jeremy Licea and freshman Grant Maddix have competed throughout preseason practice and appear to be almost even.

Licea has been more accurate from shorter distances, while Maddix has the stronger leg, but has been a little less consistent.

"We're looking at it and trying to see how it's going to play out," Jones said. "We're trying to determine who's going to be more consistent. We may let both of them kick."

Furthermore: The possible loss of reserve left guard Antonio Regist leaves A&M with only four offensive linemen that have ever played in a game for the Bulldogs. ... Ted Dixie will be the color commentator on A&M's radio broadcast on WJAB along with play-by-play man Ley Jean.

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