40 Acres Sports

Andre Jones released from jail, claims mistaken identity. He says he has an alibi, for his sake I hope he’s telling the truth.

25 college quarterbacks with something to prove in 2007. Colt McCoy makes an appearance at number 11.

Just a few weeks after declaring [tag]John Chiles[/tag]’ career at quarterback over for the Longhorns based on a misinterpreted Mack Brown quote, the guys over at the AAS’ blog Bevo Beat have seen the light:

Mack has never accused Bevo Beat of being slow or contemplative or even a very good judge of football talent.

So, naturally, none of that will stop us from making the following declaration: John Chiles is a quarterback.

Yes, the very first practice of August has just wrapped up out at Denius Fields, and we watched Chiles throw all of a couple dozen passes. But that was enough to see that Chiles has a natural, fluid motion that results in a terrific ball flight with zip and accuracy. We already knew he was a great athlete with exceptional speed.

Chiles’ status as a potential backup quarterback is one of the more intriguing storylines of the fall. He’s a true freshman who, they say, is eager to get on the field this season. He might decide that his best shot in 2007 lies at receiver or kick returner, but he showed plenty of quarterback skills tonight.

It’s very early but it’s great news to hear Chiles is impressing at QB. There’s no doubt he’s athletic but he was only a full time quarterback for one season in high school so there was some question if he’d be able to play the position at this level. If he’s a QB all the way hopefully he’ll be able to redshirt this season and put a little more separation between himself and Colt McCoy and Sherrod Harris.

Photos from first day of fall practice. It’s been a very long summer, great to see the guys back at work.

Mess with his teammates and Vince Young will knock you the heck out. Okay maybe not, but he’s going to make sure you know when he’s not happy.

Today Tennessee Titan safety and special teamer Donnie Nickey learned one more way Vince isn’t your normal quarterback. He’s not afraid of a little confrontation. After a neck high tackle by Nickey on wide receiver Courtney Roby, Young got in Nickey’s face and let him have it over the dirty play. After Nickey shoved him, Young shoved back and took a swing at him with his right hand.

He’s lucky he didn’t land a solid shot and that he avoided serious injury. Not a smart move at all by Vince to go after the guy with his throwing hand but it’s good to see him standing up for his receivers. He’s got to be able to control it but this kind of fire is exactly why Vince is able to get his teammates to play so well around him. By the time practice was over everyone had cooled down but I bet Vince earned a little more respect from guys on both sides of the football.

Nickey may be a little dirty and may not be too bright manning up with the franchise QB, but at least he had some amusing comments on the situation. He put Vince and President Bush up on the same level (and in that order) and had some advice for the next time Young wants to scrap: “At least not with your right hand man. Jab with the left and wait for the cavalry.” With all the former Longhorns on the roster, that seems like some pretty sound advice.

Update: Added an image of the “punch” courtesy of Tummer over at Orangebloods. (8/2/2007)

Update 2: Video from a local Nashville newscast added below after the jump. (8/4/2007)

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Can Vince Young be a fantasy winner too? Leadership and wins mean nothing in fantasy football.

Is Chris Simms still hurt? Sounds like he’s still experiencing complications from his splenectomy.

Vince Young is wise beyond his years. Titans may struggle this year but it won’t be long till VY makes them a winner. (via)

Pac 10 threatens to leave BCS if plus-1 system implemented. If true, don’t let the door hit you on the way out.

Texas linebacker [tag]Sergio Kindle[/tag] was arrested Saturday morning by the Austin PD and charged with driving while intoxicated. Kindle was pulled over for swerving lanes in downtown and arrested around 2:30 am after he failed a field sobriety test. He was later released from Travis County Jail. Coach [tag]Mack Brown[/tag] released the following statement on Kindle’s arrest:

“We’re aware of Sergio’s situation and are disappointed anytime one of our players is accused of wrongdoing. We take a strong stance against drinking and driving and will thoroughly investigate this situation.'”

Kindle, probably the defense’s most promising young player and a possible future superstar, is the second Longhorn to be charged with a DWI this summer. Defensive end Henry Melton was arrested on June 1st.

College students drink alcohol and smoke marijuana. They also get into the occasional scuffle. I can let those types of transgressions go, but this is different. Drunk driving kills innocent people and ruins families. It only takes a second to change lives forever. This is not a “boys will be boys” situation. It’s time for Mack to put a stop to this kind of behavior.

Kindle and Melton may not be bad kids and these may just be isolated mistakes, but they must be punished severely. You can’t (and shouldn’t) stop players from having the occasional good time, but you can make them realize there will be consequences for their actions. The two players must miss playing time, suspend them both for at least the season’s first three games. Unfortunately, sometimes you have to make an example of someone. The next time a player goes out to party maybe he’ll think twice before he gets behind the wheel under the influence.