Blocking is a point of emphasis for Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher.
Just not exactly the way some might expect.
Mired in a two-game losing streak, Fisher is coaching the Aggies (3-2, 0-2) to block out negativity as well as No. 1 Alabama, which comes to town on Saturday.
Dealing with the Crimson Tide is hard enough. Dealing with a tsunami of venomous criticism on social media is another difficult obstacle.
Fisher’s message for success is simple: Block it out.
“You block it out. Turn it off. Turn social media off. Turn (the media) off,” Fisher said on Monday. “You’ve got to lock into that (position) room only and understand everybody has their opinion. When (reporters) write something good, don’t listen. When (reporters) write something bad, don’t listen. Move on. Eliminate the clutter.”
“When you have downtimes or bad moments, you have to circle the wagons and trust the people in the trenches with you and play ball. It takes maturity.”
- A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher
But just like blocking out the Crimson Tide’s defense — which is ranked 17th in the country — blocking out the negativity is a difficult task for college students that have grown up with social media.
“In our society, at this age with this young group, that’s a very hard thing to do,” Fisher said. “They live, eat and survive on it. They’ve got to learn to turn it off and understand that’s part of growing up.
“People are going to doubt you and love you all based on what you do on Saturday. That’s the world we’re in.
“When you have downtimes or bad moments, you have to circle the wagons and trust the people in the trenches with you and play ball. It takes maturity.”
Unfortunately, the Aggies do not have a glut of maturity.
Junior center Luke Matthews, a projected starter before the season, had surgery Monday on his chronic shoulder. He will miss the remainder of the season.
Cornerbacks Myles Jones, who will have surgery on a broken foot, and Brian George are also out for the rest of the season.
Receivers Hez Jones and Caleb Chapman remain out.
Fisher also didn’t give an optimistic outlook for an imminent return of injured starting quarterback Haynes King.
“He has to heal up. He has a broken ankle,” Fisher said. “It’s going to be a long time. We’re going to make sure he’s fully healthy, but he’s progressing very nicely.”
As a result of injuries, the Aggies are likely to have three true freshmen in the starting lineup against Alabama. Either Tyreek Chappell or Deuce Harmon figure to start at cornerback. Freshman Bryce Foster has started in place of Matthews all season. Freshman Reuben Fatheree is now entrenched as the starter at right tackle.
Jamie Maury, TexAgs
Getting plenty of action in place of Myles Jones, Tyreek Chappell contributed seven tackles and four pass break-ups vs. MSU.
“Those are the best players right now,” Fisher said. “Those are the guys who have played the best. We have some guys who are banged and bruised and had some injuries, some guys that unfortunately had to get medical-ed, some guys we recruited that I thought would be really good players. That’s the world we’re in right now.
“Those are the best guys playing and doing a solid job.”
A&M did have its best rushing output against a Power 5 opponent with 162 yards in a loss to Mississippi State last week. Perhaps that’s an indication of progress in the offensive line.
Fisher said he also saw progress from quarterback Zach Calzada. Though Calzada has struggled since taking over for the injured King three weeks ago, Fisher said he is making strides forward.
“I think he progressed. Any time you’re the quarterback and you don’t win, everything is going to be scrutinized. Every throw,” Fisher said. “Are there some throws and plays he’d like to have back? Surely. That’s mostly every quarterback that ever played.
“I think he’s learning and growing. I think he’s confident. You watch film with him, he understands things, and he’s getting better and better each play. I think he believes in himself wholeheartedly, and I think our players believe in him.”
Junior tight end Jalen Wydermyer, who caught his record 13th career touchdown pass last week, indicated he has faith in Calzada.
“We try to keep his confidence up. We know how great of a player he can be,” Wydermyer said. “If we can get the little things right in practice, keep his courage up and keep the O-line’s courage up, then you’re going to see what he can do.”
That will require effective blocking from the offensive line against Alabama. And by Calzada from social media.
