Texas Tech Friday Morning Notes - Be A Part Of It Edition

DTN's Top Three:

1. LAJ's Jeff Walker Big 12 Extra (pdf).
2. BOTC Big 12 outlook for the weekend.
3. SB Nation blog The Rivalry, Esq. took a look at the Leach/TT contract points of contention.

Relieved Red Raiders

LAJ's Adam Zuvanich writes that the 2009 commitments and assistant coaches are relieved that the Captain will be the head coach. Offensive tackle Kyle Clark is glad:

"It’s one less thing we have to worry about," said Clark, a member of The Avalanche-Journal’s Fabulous 44 list of the state’s top recruits. "We can just move on and look forward to the 2009 season and so on, and turn this program into one of nation’s greatest.

"I’m just glad he got it taken care of," he added, "and I’m excited to get up there and be a part of it."

Receivers coach Dennis Simmons is relieved:

"To say it wasn’t a concern or we weren’t fearful for our jobs, I’d be lying. Obviously, all of us were concerned," Simmons said. "… I’m just happy that everything worked out, it’s over and done with, and we can all move forward and get better as an athletic department and university."

Simmons said Tech’s returning players were just as glad to learn their head coach was staying.

"Yeah, they’re relieved," he said. "A lot of these guys came here because of Texas Tech, but we were the people who went out and developed the relationships to get them to come here. That working relationship, who would want to change it at this point?"

Red Raiders at the NFL Combine

DT's Adam Coleman looks at the Texas Tech players heading to the NFL Combine, including Michael Crabtree, Darcel McBath, Louis Vasquez, Brandon Williams and Graham Harrell, and safety Darcel McBath is trying to focus on the task at hand:

"I put a lot of emphasis on everything," he said. "I didn't take anything lightly. Every event, I try to improve."

McBath said he believes what he did on the field should stand out more than what he does at the Combine, but it still is a golden opportunity to impress scouts. The Gainesville native also played in the East-West Shrine Game on Jan. 17, which gives scouts another look at the free safety. He finished the year with seven interceptions, good for third-most in the nation.

While Brandon Williams is trying to calm his nerves:

"I'm just trying to be more relaxed than nervous," said Willaims, who is forgoing his senior season to enter the NFL Draft. "If I go in there with a positive mindset then I think I'll be more relaxed. Wouldn't be more hesitant on the stuff I do."

Press Conference Video

Three local stations have video of the press conference: KCBD11, KAMC and Fox34 so go enjoy that. I watched the KCBD11 video with Pete Christy doing play-by-play. Notice too that right before Myers and Leach go to sit down, they share a laugh, can't tell what they're talking about. Perhaps its nervous laughter, but at least they were joking.

Play Ball!

DT's Mike Graham previews Southern Utah and UT Pan American, starting with today's game, first pitch @ 1:00 p.m. Third baseman could care less where Texas Tech is picked to finish, 8th:

"Who cares?" said Tech third baseman Joey Kenworthy, "It's baseball - anything can happen. In the Major League (Baseball), the (Tampa Bay) Rays essentially went from zero to the top and made the World Series. I think we can do the same. It doesn't matter how bad or how good you are. It's who comes to the ballpark day in and day out, and we're going to do that."

And head coach Dan Spencer would like to see the stands full:

Spencer said he would like to see fans in the stands.

"The energy your fans create and the enthusiasm, you can't match it," he said. "I understand the 1 o'clock start time is hard, but, you know, it's the opener so I mean the boss will understand. Come to the ballpark."