After a promising 2-0 start, the Aggie football team has slowly reminded us of its previous ways throughout 2008.Persistent injuries to key players and inconsistent quarterback play this year has turned A&T from being the powerhouse team-to-beat to possibly becoming the most requested conference team to schedule for future homecomings.Here is an in-depth evaluation of the blue and gold’s performance by position.CoachesWhen A&T announced the hiring of former Alcorn State offensive coordinator John McKenzie, many expected a much improved high powered offense that would help the Aggies to increase their scoring from 2007.  Instead, the blue and gold are averaging less points than last season (16.2 ppg), and currently ranked last offensively in the MEAC.The defense did show signs of dominance early on, but are now giving up 27.8 ppg with the increasing average being directly affected by the midseason offensive struggles.  Maybe it was not expected to move atop of the conference in one season, but Aggie fans were really looking forward to obtaining revenge against rival North Carolina Central, and finally gaining a homecoming victory in four years.   The loss to the winless Eagles and the 41-3 dismantling at homecoming put the nail in the coffin on their season and for former head coach Lee Fobbs.If this coaching change had not occurred before end of the season, this grade could be a lot worst.QuarterbacksSenior quarterback Herb Miller lost his position early on, and the offense still could not move the ball in the air.The passing game has been hideous compared to 2007, and after junior Carlton Fears also struggled in the passing attack.  The two players have thrown 10 interceptions together.A&T is only averaging 112 y.p.g. off the ground, and still have not found a consistent reliable quarterback to get it done.Red-shirt sophomore Shelton Morgan has yet to see first half minutes even after possibly proving in 2007 to be a vital part of the attack. Gaining 23 yards between three quarterbacks in a homecoming game is absolutely hideous and no excuse.Running BacksAs Michael Ferguson goes, so does the Aggie offense.  When Ferguson went down early on in the year, it became obvious that A&T could not move the ball.Although the ground game has been conservatively well, Ferguson is still not 100 percent, and none of the reserves have consistently filled the void.Junior Nigel Tomlin is the only other running back to rush for over 100 yards in a game this season.Still, the ground attack has been their most effective threat to the end zone.Offensive Line This has served as part of the reason why the blue and gold have had trouble in the passing game.Miller or Fears seem to never appear comfortable in the pocket and neither are effective throwing on the run.The offensive line is young, so it may take time for the unit to pull it together.The run block has not really been an issue, but A&T’s pass protection will have to improve if they hope to pull out another victory in the remainder of the season. Wide Receivers

These guys rarely have a decent ball thrown their way.For the most part, when an accurate pass is made, the wide receivers have held on to the ball.Senior Chaz Dawson is leading all players with 18 catches for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns.When you are rarely involved in the offense, there isn’t much to say.Defensive LineThere has been a major imprment in this part of the defense as opposed to last year.They have over half of the team’s sacks, and produced 22.5 tackles for losses this season.Two of the top five leading tacklers are senior defensive ends Jarrell Herring and Tyree Glasper.A&T has done a pretty good job getting pressure on the ball this season, with much of the credit to the defensive line.LinebackersIf not for the team record, junior Andre Thornton and senior Brandon Long could both make a case for first-team all conference.The two linebackers are playing exceptionally well leading the team in tackles with 69 and 58 respectively.The only problem is the amount of rushing yards the defensive is allowing, which all boils down to this position, the heart of the unit in its entirety.We do have to put into consideration the large amount of time they spend on the field, so maybe giving up 183.6 rushing yards per game is mediocre in that aspect.Defensive BacksWhen senior all-conference safety Brandon Colbert went down early in the season, it was expected to leave a gap in the secondary.Junior Nick Clement earned the starting role and has proven to be solid for the secondary, and even scored his first career touchdown on special teams.Just like the linebackers, it’s actually pleasing to see that they are allowing a middling 162.2 passing yards a game while spending major minutes on the field.They have also earned three of the team’s five interceptions and forced two fumbles.If they were consistent in holding on to the ball early on, the interception total would have doubled.Special TeamsAt times this season, this was the only way the Aggies could gain a first down.The Aggies have one touchdown this season on special teams off a fake punt pass play, and senior punter Lee Woodson is only a touchdown pass behind Miller and Fears this season.Woodson is averaging 37.4 yards a punt, and sophomore kicker Eric Houston is 3-4 in field goals.His lonngest kick was for 37 yards against the Eagles.Houston must improve his range for the blue and gold to increase their low scoring average in the remaining games.

• Daniel Henderson