COLLEGE STATION --- The Texas A&M football team drilled for two-and-a-half hours in full pads on Saturday at the grass practice fields. Watching from sidelines were a number of high school coaches, who were in College Station for the Aggies' annual coaching clinic.

"We took a step physically today from Thursday, which I hoped we would," A&M head coach Dennis Franchione said. "The first day of pads was a little softer than you hope for; I didn't think it was bad. But today was more physical, which is good. The second day in pads should be (more physical)."

Franchione was asked about the "Aggie Drill", which sets the tone for practices by lining up a blocker and defender against each other with a ball carrier trying to get past the defender.

"That's our drill," Franchione said. "That's an enthusiasm drill, a physical drill, an intense drill, and if it's not we'll start it over. That's the way we do it. That drill personifies what we try to be about as a team. Either you make the block or you beat the block and make the tackle. There is no where to hide."

The Aggies return to the practice field on Monday afternoon and all A&M's spring workouts are open to the public.