Tech notebook: Key receiver out in cold

March 27, 2009

BY DON WILLIAMS l AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Britton out in cold

Edward Britton, Texas Tech's most experienced split end, was demoted before spring practice and further raised the ire of Tech coach Mike Leach this week. After Friday's practice in 30-degree weather and a few snow flurries, Britton was sent to study classwork on the double-T at midfield of Jones AT&T Stadium.

He sat at a desk, in street clothes and a heavy coat with the hood pulled up.

"Ed didn't like showing up and studying at places I felt like he needed to and like the academic people asked him to, so he can go study out there on the 50-yard line," Leach said. "We'll take baby steps, and if he does good studying out there, we'll decide if we're going to actually let him practice."

Asked if Britton was on thin ice, Leach said, "I'd say that's accurate. All guys that don't study are on thin ice, as far as I'm concerned."

Leach said Britton was to remain out in the cold, studying for at least an hour and a half after his teammates had gone in for the day.

"If somehow he fails to do that, then that'll be the last we ever hear of Easy Ed," Leach said.

On Wednesday, Britton took part in the first spring workout and was in the rotation at split end, although wide receivers coach Dennis Simmons listed him behind untested sophomore Rashad Hawk on the depth chart.

Britton caught 35 passes for 577 yards and six touchdowns last season and had 48 catches for 631 yards and four TDs the year before.