Global News

Sunday September 05, 2010

if a player proves he's ready, TCU coach Gary Patterson isn't too concerned about how young an athlete is."We're not scared to play young players here," Patterson said. "We played five freshmen last year and three the year before."Stansly Maponga, the standout from Hebron High in Carrollton, proved he was ready in August and won the starting spot at left defensive end, replacing Jerry Hughes. although the 6-foot-2, 260-pound redshirt freshman won't bring Hughes' senior leadership to the defensive line, Patterson is eager to see him lineman in a real game."I'm really excited about him," Patterson said. "He's very physical for his age. he and Braylon Broughton, as they keep going, will become very good defensive ends by the middle of the season, if they're not already. and I'm not saying they aren't now."Broughton (6-6, 272 pounds), a junior, is bigger, but Maponga won the job by being quicker around the edge. Sophomore Ross Forest was also competing for the job. Forest and Broughton could see time backing up Wayne Daniels on the right side while Daniel's backup, Clarence Leatch, is out injured.Hughes, a two-time All-American who is now playing with the Indianapolis Colts, was a defensive focal point and was often double-teamed. Maponga won't likely get the same attention from Oregon State on Saturday, but if he performs as he has this August that will change down the road.No cell phonesTCU players will be on a communication blackout Friday night. The players will be required to turn in their cell phones Friday afternoon and won't get them back until after a team walkthrough at Cowboys Stadium on Saturday morning."Just making sure," Gary Patterson said. "Everybody is all hyped up. I want to get them away from [all the distractions]."Renovation questions?TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte will hold a couple of town hall-type meetings to answer questions from fans about the pending renovation of Amon G. Carter Stadium. Formal dates will be announced soon, but the first gathering will likely come in early October.many fans have wondered what sort of changes are in store regarding their current seats, prices and parking.Quotable"I'm ready for it to be here. It feels like forever since we've played because it has been. All the anticipation, working so hard, studying film, we've done all this stuff.... I think we're all ready to get to Saturday."Quarterback Andy Dalton, on anticipating the season opener.Stefan Stevenson,817-390-7760

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