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Starting RB Martin has some competition

11:52 PM CDT on Tuesday, August 22, 2006

By CALVIN WATKINS / The Dallas Morning News


UNIVERSITY PARK – Starting running back DeMyron Martin (Allen) is getting pushed by backup Johnnie Fitzgerald (Red Oak). Martin, who led the team in rushing last season, is battling tendinitis in his knees that has limited his reps in practice. That has allowed Fitzgerald a chance to show the coaching staff what he can do.

Coach Phil Bennett said Martin remains the starter but expects James Mapps, Cedric Dorsey and Fitzgerald to see playing time

Martin will still be the man, assuming his knees allow it. But from everything that's been written and said, there is a ton of talent there. Johnnie Fitzgerald is really fast, and James Mapps is one of those elusive jitterbug-style runners, and Cedrick is probably the most well-rounded of all of them. How they will balance the carries is going to be interesting to see. I assume they'll go with who's hot. If nothing else, Martin will get the carries when we're ahead, to wear down the defense and run down the clock. I was continually impressed last year with the way he not only can cover some ground, but also how he drags defenders and moves the pile. I'd be really interested to see the numbers of yards he had after the initial hit. He's extremely powerful, and bigger and stronger than last year.

I can see SMU using Mapps much like Baylor used that Baylor backup last year to break open the game against a tired defense.

Good point. I would think it would be frustrating for a defense to get pounded all day by Martin and Fitzgerald and then have to chase Mapps all over the field.

DeMYRON is
DaMAN for
DaHEISMAN

I think Bennett is being cagey. "Woe is me about Willis. Woe is me about the D-Train." He knows what he'd got. Why tell Leach?

Sure, DeMyron's knee is bothering him some, but ain't no way, if he's healthy, he's not the man. Bennett still regrets not playing him against Baylor last year.

Tendonitis sucks -- I have it in a shoulder, and it sucks (or did I already say that?) If he really has tendonitis, it's something he's always going to have, and if he's as tough as he seems on the field, he'll play through it. The coaches and medical staff can juggle how much work he gets in practice, but tendonitis doesn't go away. He seems like a very tough guy, in which case: DeMYRON is DaMAN!

agreed = i have tendonitis in my shoulder too

leave it alone and it gets better, but it does not go away

i hope he can play thru it

He will be his size/speed is unbelieveable... He can play, the rest of the nation is about to learn that...