Fans get first look at Longhorns

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Fans and media members got their first look at the Texas Longhorns new football team.  The team held an open practice at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium Tuesday.

The Longhorns went through their normal practice routine, breaking into sub-group drills toward the beginning and scrimmaging toward the end.

Sophomore Garrett Gilbert has taken over the offense this year, replacing four-year starting quarterback Colt McCoy.  It's one of many changes on offense.

Another emphasis is better run production.  Head coach Mack Brown is considering a two running back system for 2010.  Senior Vondrell McGee, juniors Foswhitt Whittaker and Cody Johnson, and sophomore Tre Newton shared the carries last season.  Freshman Chris Whaley will also try the backfield.

Brown has challenged his coaching staff to be more innovative with the play calling.  The team ran a couple of trick plays at practice to support that idea.  The Longhorns will keep the shotgun package in place for Gilbert but will also try him under center more often.

Former Longhorns' quarterback Colt McCoy was a spectator on the field Tuesday.  He is preparing for the NFL Draft in April, but his younger brother Case McCoy is one of three players from the 2010 recruiting class that enrolled early and is participating in spring workouts.  Fellow quarterback Connor Wood and defensive back A.J. White are the other two.

Mack Brown was at Tuesday's practice despite losing his mother Sunday to cancer.  He flew home to Tennessee Tuesday evening to join his family for the funeral.

The next chance for the public to see Texas practice is Monday, March 8.  The annual spring jamboree is Easter Sunday, April 4.