All-Leach Texas Tech Football Team

by merrik on Dec 1, 2009 8:18 PM CST Comment 68 comments

It's been 10 great years of Leach. Who would you pick for your squad if you could put a team together from any of the players who have played under Leach at Tech?

I'd figure you have to at least have Graham Harrell, Michael Crabtree, and Wes Welker as locks. Alex Trlica or Matt Williams kicking PATs? Who is on the offensive and defensive line? Secondary? Who's your RB? Baron Batch, Shannon Woods, or someone else?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors.

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this is what im talking about

QB- graham harrell
WR- michael crabtree,wes welker,alexander torres,danny amendola,eric morrison
2008 o-line
RB- Baron Batch, Harrison Jeffers, Eric Stehpens

DE-Brandon sharpe,Mckinner Dixon,Brandon Williams,Daniel Howard
DT-Coby Whitlock, Richard Jones
LB-(he wasnt in leach’s era but id still take him) Zach Thomas,Brian Duncan,Bront Bird
Secondary-Dwayne Slay, Jamar Wall, Darcel McBath,Cody Davis

Special Teams- Alex Trlica

by wrench_raider on Dec 1, 2009 9:17 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Dude...

No one would dare throw the ball against that secondary! It would be a quick way to murder the receivers!

by RdrPwr on Dec 2, 2009 12:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My picks as well with Matt Williams...gotta love this kid coming on board

by Raider1992 on Dec 2, 2009 8:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Trlica

is the better kicker. Matt Williams is a great feel good story, but Trlica was money. He holds the record for consecutive PATs. I’m not sure he ever missed one, and if he did it was his freshman year. I think I remember Matt Williams missing one this season, but don’t quote me on that. Trlica could also make some respectable field goals. It makes my heart smile every time Williams walks on the field, but if I could choose between the two to have on a team it would be Trlica hands down.

by jdeeTTU on Dec 2, 2009 9:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

agree trlica was the man.

by logan5555 on Dec 2, 2009 8:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Trilica was CLUTCH too

remember Insight, and gator bowls… pressure didn’t seem a factor

Wreck 'Em Tech!

J.T.H.

by redraidersax on Dec 3, 2009 3:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

please take no offense to this

your team seems full of the more recent players… i’d mix in some others…

Wreck 'Em Tech!

J.T.H.

by redraidersax on Dec 3, 2009 3:42 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Effect of recruiting?

I’d argue that this is mostly due to ever-improving recruiting. But Shannon Woods should probably get some love here, his blocking was critical for GH.

by RAIDERdweb on Dec 4, 2009 2:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Taurean Henderson is the #1 All Leach RB

IMO. The dude was as perfect for the system as humanly possible. Tech really hasn’t had a pass catching threat at RB like Henderson was since he left.

I would also include that DE that dominated for so long.. was it Adell Duckett? The dude was a beast in the Big 12.

by the1austin on Dec 7, 2009 3:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What no Zebbie?

by allknowing on Dec 1, 2009 9:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

ugggh!

I still have my Zebbie Lethridge Cotton Bowl Jersey.

I caught the game in the Lake Tahoe Airport after a new years eve skiing and gambling. Oh the horror!

The Lyle Leong Bandwagon will Continue to Roll!!!

Respect Everyone....Fear No One!

Wreck 'em, Tech!

by Tortilla Pirate on Dec 2, 2009 9:59 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I would take all of last year’s O-line. I would add in some Ricky Williams and Taurean Henderson at running back and Joel Filani at receiver.

by Raider75 on Dec 2, 2009 8:00 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

QB – Graham
WR – Crabtree, Welker, Joel Filani, Glover
RB – Batch, Henderson
OL – Vasquez, Loper, Gandy, Ramirez, Reed

DL – Duckett, Dawson, Williams, Sharpe, Whitlock
LB – Duncan…
DB – Slay, McBath, Wall, Naziruddin

by kayakyakr on Dec 2, 2009 8:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I'm glad somebody remembers Glover!!

" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...

by KWashburn on Dec 2, 2009 6:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

AFROS

Glover was my all time favorite tech wide out, I loved Americas Finest Receivers On Saturdays

by harrell4heisman on Dec 4, 2009 12:26 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

QB – BJ Symmons
WR – Crab, Welker, Filani, Carlos Francis
RB – Batch, Henderson
OL – Vasquez, Ramirez, Reed, Whitley, Gandy
DL- Dawson, Williams, Sharpe, Whitlock
LB – Duncan, Mike Smith, Slaughter (love that name dont remember how good he was)
DB – Slay, McBath, Wall, Jensen

Some of the same as kayakyakr but he did pick most of the best players. Those receivers are awesome. RB’s are awesome. Symmons was the man. That O line would be solid. The line would get about 80 sacks in a season. LB is the weakpoint obviously however that secondary would destroy some people.

by logan5555 on Dec 2, 2009 8:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Look further...

Here are some I would want to add:

DL – Aaron Hunt, Chris Hudler
LB – Lawrence Flugence
Secondary – Ryan Aycock, Joselio Hanson

RB – T. Henderson
Receiver – Carlos Francis, Filani, Amendola
OL – Rex Richards, Manny Ramirez, EJ Whitley

by imisswesttexas on Dec 2, 2009 8:48 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Johnson was a pretty good receiver also

by Raider1992 on Dec 2, 2009 10:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Grew up with Richards and played football with him.

He’s into MMA right now in the Midland Odessa area. Stand up dude.

" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...

by KWashburn on Dec 2, 2009 6:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Im Thinking

QB- Kliff Kingsbury
WR- Crabby, Wes Welker, Carlos Francis, Robert Johnson, Alex Torres
RB- Ricky Williams, Batch, Henderson
DL- Keyunta* Dawson, Sharpe, Williams, Hunt
LB- Lawrence Flugence, Bront Bird, Marlon Williams
CB- Joselio Hansen, Charbonet, Duane Slay
K- Lynwood (Williams)

by Vassago77379 on Dec 2, 2009 9:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Kliff

That kid was exciting to watch. He’s get pressured out of the pocket, run to one side of the field, turn around and run to the other side, find a guy in the end zone and throw a TD (actually saw this happen live in the Jones). I’ve never seen a Tech QB scramble better than he did.

by jdeeTTU on Dec 2, 2009 9:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Don’t forget about Mickey Peters. Best 3rd down catcher in this era.

by raider05 on Dec 2, 2009 9:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

QB- BJ Symons
WR- michael crabtree, wes welker, Mickey Peters, Trey Haverty, Nehemiah Glover
2008 o-line + Gandy and Loper
RB- Baron Batch, Henderson, Rickey Williams

DE-Brandon sharpe, Dawson, Brandon Williams,Daniel Howard
DT-Coby Whitlock, Richard Jones, Fred Threat
LB- Brian Duncan, Mike Smith, Marlon Williams
Secondary-Dwayne Slay, Jamar Wall, Darcel McBath,Cody Davis

Special Teams- Alex Trlica, Alex Reyes.

I liked that hard hitting secondary that wrench put.

I would like to see BJ Symons throw deep to Crabtree all day with Welker and Peters underneath. Haverty and Glover could also be some deep to middle threats.

by ST04 on Dec 2, 2009 9:37 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

no doubt

i think Bj symons is the best Qb Tech ever had.

by mxmvxx on Dec 2, 2009 11:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

All Around Team Guy

I can’t argue with any of the above but somehow Reed has to be added as the comsumate team player. Started as Rec. as a Soph, Killer Special Teams Tackler, and moved to Def as a Senior so he could play. Poor guy was injured as a Senior and didn’t play as much but never complained. For him it was “Team First”. Wreck Em!!!!

by cweber7377 on Dec 2, 2009 11:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Gut wrenching choices

I reward longevity so I don’t have as many current players. We’ll do an all decade team after 2010 so some more of the current players may be included. I had trouble finding interior D linemen who stood out so I just put down what I felt were the 4 best DL. Also, CB are hard to put on the all-Leach team so I have the best 4 DB’s (IMO).

QB – Harrell
WR – Welker, Crabtree, Carlos Francis, Joel Filani
OLine: toughest of them all to decide: Rex Richards (40 starts), EJ Whitley (44 starts), Manny Ramirez, Louis Vasquez, Rylan Reed (who was originally on the roster as a TE!)
RB – Taurean Henderson, Ricky Williams
DL – Aaron Hunt, Keyunta Dawson, Adell Duckett, Brandon Sharpe
LB – Lawrence Flugence, Fletcher Session
DB – Ryan Aycock, Joe Garcia, Darcel McBath, Dwayne Slay
K – Trlica, Mark Bounds (just to see if you’re awake)

Watch list: Colby Whitlock, Baron Batch, Cody Davis, Alex Torres
I hated to leave off: Daniel Charbonnet, Jamar Wall, Daniel Loper, Dylan Gandy, Danny Amendola, Brandon Williams, Jarrett Hicks, Robert Johnson, LA Reed (our Troy Brown)

by rpowel2 on Dec 2, 2009 11:53 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Missing a 3rd LB.

Also, Joselio Hanson, Jamar Wall, Khalid Naziruden (sp?). 3 good picks at corner without breaking a sweat.

I do believe Naziruden was vastly underrated.

by kayakyakr on Dec 2, 2009 1:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

+1 on Naz. Very underrated.

by imisswesttexas on Dec 2, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ZUUUUUES!!!!!

Wreck 'Em Tech!

J.T.H.

by redraidersax on Dec 3, 2009 3:39 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I sweat plenty of times when the ball was thrown Wall's way...I'll give you Naz

as for the other linebacker, I’m at a bit of a loss…Mike Smith maybe? Other thoughts? I think he was better than M Williams or B Duncan.

by rpowel2 on Dec 2, 2009 2:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking Mike Smith as well...but

if you are using longevity as a criteria….i think Marlon and B Duncan have started more games than Smith.
However – Mike could play. He was making a nice name for himself in Baltimore, but an injury stopped his career.

As I was thinking about the guys on your watch list – I remembered these guys had some pretty big TTU moments:
Danny vs. OU (the crazy first down catch)
Robert Johnson game winning TD vs. A&M at their house
Whitlock’s safety vs UT last year
Wall’s hit vs. OSU Zac Robinson this year…..

by beantownraider on Dec 2, 2009 3:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I like Danny but Peters is more of a mismatch on linebackers underneith. Sure Danny had the speed to outrun them, but he would sometimes get jammed on the line. Peters didn’t get jammed and had good speed. Plus most people have welker on their all leach team witch would be an upgraded Danny.

With that said I did love to watch him here at Tech and that catch against OU was amazing so was the comeback block against bama in the cotton bowl.

by ST04 on Dec 2, 2009 4:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Longevity is a consideration, but not the deciding one

I tried to put out the guys who produced the most consistently over the longest period of time. What I’d really want to achieve, however, is to have the best 11 athletes on the field. That’s why I included Brandon Sharpe. He had the best season of any Tech DE in the Leach era, so I would want him on the field. With Mike Smith, he is more talented and produced more than the other LBs AND he played more, so I’d want him on the field. According to Wikipedia, Mike started 45 games and is one of only 5 Red Raider to have played in over 50 games…

by rpowel2 on Dec 3, 2009 8:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Most of these are resume picks, but one in particular is based on potential

QB: Gotta be Harrell
RB: Batch, Henderson
WR: Crabtree, Welker, Filani, Hicks, and if you want 5 I’ll give you Nehemiah Glover.
K: Alex Trlica
OL: Vasquez, Ramirez, Reed, Richards, Gandy

DT: Colby Whitlock, and Whitlock’s clone, Kirby Whitlock
DE: B Williams and B Sharpe
LB: Duncan, Smith (we run a 4-2-5 in my brain)
S: McBath, Slay
CB: Wall, Naziruddin
Nickelback: Will Ford
P: Google says No results found for “best Texas Tech punter” =)

by mojavereject on Dec 2, 2009 4:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Bonus: All-Leach gimmick play

1st Team: Ninja formation 2nd Team: Jeffers sweep

by mojavereject on Dec 2, 2009 4:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

1st team: Field Goal
2nd team: Punt

by kayakyakr on Dec 2, 2009 4:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

touché

by mojavereject on Dec 2, 2009 4:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I chuckled...

Wreck 'Em Tech!

J.T.H.

by redraidersax on Dec 3, 2009 3:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This should be interesting..... And I'm going 3 deep at some places...

QB – Harrell, Symons, Cumbie
WR – Crabtree, Filani, Morris, Welker, Amendola, Glover, Zouzalik, Torres, Hicks (on the fence w/ him)
RB – Batch, Henderson
OL – Reed, Vasquez, Gandy, Richards, Ramirez

DL – Whitlock, Thrweatt (another good buddy we played with) Dixon, Sharpe, Howard, Dawson, Duckett
Secondary – SirDon, Aycock, Hanson, Wall, Slay, McBath
LB – Stratton, Duncan, Williams, Bird

I probably should have spent more time on this…..

" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...

by KWashburn on Dec 2, 2009 7:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

hicks as a sophomore yes. Hicks as a senior no. motivation anyone….

by logan5555 on Dec 2, 2009 8:43 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Almost Loyd Hill esk

by ST04 on Dec 8, 2009 9:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

adding a few for your consideration

If you’re going that deep, you gotta have Sessions and Flugence at LB. And no one (including me) has mentioned Joe Garcia at DB. He lead the team in tackles in ’07 and was second in ’06.
But more importantly, he was freaking knock your head off just like D.Slay. Man I enjoyed watching those two guys. Good times.

by imisswesttexas on Dec 3, 2009 8:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Joe Garcia was a classmate of mine, good guy, good player, excellent hitter. I highly considered throwing a shout-out to him as probably my #3 or #4 safety, but got lazy and didn’t.

by kayakyakr on Dec 3, 2009 9:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

see my post above, Joe Garcia on my list

he was punishing and I loved seeing him “close the gap”

by rpowel2 on Dec 3, 2009 9:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i stand corrected

Nice work rpowel2. sorry I missed you having listed him. how lucky were we to be able to watch first Dwayne Slay and then Joe Garcia over a period of time. those guys both could bring the wood.

by imisswesttexas on Dec 3, 2009 12:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This could be a great offseason project

I’m not sure how to organize it, but we could take nominations, then put the top ones to a community vote. This may not happen until after the bowl game, but let me know if you guys think this would be something that interests everyone.

Go Raiders . . .
Double-T Nation

by Seth C on Dec 3, 2009 8:57 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

love the idea

this could waste weeks! haha

1) Outline the layout, are we going position by position (G,C,T) or just the 5 best OL, for example
2) Nominate players
3) Discussion on their merits
4) Final vote
5) Publication of the All-Leach Team

Then in subsequent years nominations can be proposed to replace positions on the All-Leach team with current players/graduates.

Let’s face it, not all of us on DTN go back to Donnie Anderson, but most of us go back to Leach’s first season. It’s a great way to keep the current players in context versus those at the beginning of the Leach era and to build the tradition/knowledge of the fan base.

by rpowel2 on Dec 3, 2009 10:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Makes me think of a new trivia question

Can anyone name two RBs who also punted? Anyone see them both play besides me?

by TechFirst on Dec 3, 2009 3:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Okay, youngsters. Donny Anderson (60’s) and Danny Hardaway (70’s). There may be others, those two just come to mind because I saw them play.

by TechFirst on Dec 3, 2009 8:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I wasn't even around then.

My mom was at Tech 70 – 74. Inlaws 73 – 77. I’ll have to ask them about it….

" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...

by KWashburn on Dec 3, 2009 8:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Better hurry before their senility kicks in....

Now what was I talking about?

by TechFirst on Dec 3, 2009 9:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh yeah

The game I can still picture had Danny Hardaway playing against Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl. Wait a minute, was he a WR instead of RB, or in addition to? What was I talking about?

I got to Tech a year before your mom.

by TechFirst on Dec 3, 2009 9:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

ahhhhh..... My uncle went to Tech in 69.

His highschool slogan was “drugs, sex, beer, and wine. We’re the class of ’69.” Why that has stuck with me all these years I’ll never understand…..

" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...

by KWashburn on Dec 3, 2009 9:38 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

"69, ain't it fine!" was ours

Believe it or not, ‘69’ was dirty language back then.

by TechFirst on Dec 3, 2009 9:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ridiculous!

" Answers -- Become Resources."
Without Questions; There are limited Resources...

by KWashburn on Dec 3, 2009 9:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Awesome idea for offseason

I love your idea of nominations. I’m thinking a first team and second team based on votes. Not sure how time consuming this would be, but it would be a lot of fun.

This has been one of the more enjoyable posts over the last few weeks. It was genius by merrik to get it started!

I would also add that it might be fun to do a “All 1990’s team” after the dust settles on the All Leach team. May be more difficult to research though. But it is a great way for younger Tech fans to learn more about the history of the program. And it’s fun for the older fans to enjoy personal memories of prior teams.

One example, as I’m typing this I was thinking about the Kick-off return by Rodney Blackshear at Kyle Field late in the 4th qtr one year. Don’t remember the year, but I do remember being in the stands in the end-zone going freaking crazy around a bunch of Aggies. Great times!

by imisswesttexas on Dec 3, 2009 12:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

agree do a bracket. Voting decides.

by logan5555 on Dec 3, 2009 7:18 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thoughts

My wife followed her finance to Tech. He was 185 pound OG, Jimmy Cecil. He and other OG Chester Howard blocked lots for all american Donny Anderson. The lines are just a little bigger now.

by b4hntn on Dec 4, 2009 5:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Almost twice as big

finance or fiancé? And her fiancé would be……you?

by TechFirst on Dec 4, 2009 5:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think he’s saying she was engaged to the OG, but that didn’t last because he’s married to her. Unless he’s Jimmy Cecil. (Hi Jimmy).

by kayakyakr on Dec 9, 2009 12:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

My team

QB – Graham Harrell
RB – Baron Batch, Taurean Henderson
FB – This is Tech, we don’t need a FB
WR – Michael Crabtree, Wes Welker, Danny Amendola, Joel Filani, Jarrett Hicks
TE – Once again, this is Tech, we don’t need any TE’s.
O Line – 2008 O Line
D Line – Whitlock, Sharpe, Dawson, Duckett
LB – Session (he made tackles all over the place), Williams, Duncan
DB – Wall, Naziruddin, Slay, McBath, Ford
K – Trlica
P – Reyes

by techfan5730 on Dec 7, 2009 9:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

TE: Mickey Peters

by kayakyakr on Dec 9, 2009 12:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Harrell and Tauren the dream Henderson.

crabtree welker and Joel Filani

Fresh since 1822

by kmacsm on Dec 10, 2009 3:36 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

My All-Leach Squad

QB – Harrell, Kingsbury, Hodges (Symons)
RB – Batch, T-Hen, Ricky Williams (Jeffers)
WR – Welker, Crabs, Filani, R. Johnson, Francis, Haverty, Elf, (Britton)
OL – Ramirez, Reed, Carter, Vasquez, Gandy, Richards (Gandy)
TE – Peters, (James)
DL – F. Threwett, Whitlock, Sharpe, Duckett, Dixon, Howard, (A. Hunt)
LB – Session, Duncan, Williams, (B. Stratton)
DB – Nazzirudin, Wall, Slay, McBath, Davis, Hanson, Charbonnet, (Ford)
P – Reyes
K – Trilica, (Williams)

¡Viva los Matadores!

by jwhitettu on Dec 11, 2009 10:06 AM CST reply actions 0 recs