Beyond The Spring - Spring QB Battle

Since the goal is to build the best TEAM, it seems reasonable to think that the both the decision to start DT and the offensive scheme employed were influenced by the fact that our team featured

1. a sound defense,

2. game-changing special teams units, and

3. play-makers on the offense outside of the QB.

If in this off-season, a play-making WR doesn't step forward and the defense looks shaky with all the turnover, I expect having a dynamic player under center and opening up the offensive scheme/pace will become more critical.

Edited March 26, 2014 by jdennis82

But don't fool yourself again and think Mac will do something he hasn't done since he has been here.

Gosh I hate it when UNT90 is right. Like in this case.

I guess Vito reporting that Means is out of the race for the number one spot is not really surprising and probably means more that the coaching staff is starting to make up their minds than it meaning that Means is not as good as hoped.

I take it that is more because they can't split the available reps in 4 ways until fall. Unless there is a ton of injuries I expect Means to redshirt, so he does not end up being in DWs class and has a fair shot at getting to play down the line.

Since the goal is to build the best TEAM, it seems reasonable to think that the both the decision to start DT and the offensive scheme employed were influenced by the fact that our team featured

1. a sound defense,

2. game-changing special teams units, and

3. play-makers on the offense outside of the QB.

If in this off-season, a play-making WR doesn't step forward and the defense looks shaky with all the turnover, I expect having a dynamic player under center and opening up the offensive scheme/pace will become more critical.

And we didn't have any of those things in 2011 or 2012, yet we ran the same offense.

We also had no idea how good the defense was going to be last year, yet Berglund couldn't get higher than 4th on the depth chart in fall practice due to the inability to play within the system and ball security.

Nothing changes this year. Or the next. Or the next. This is who we are as long as Mac is hear.

And that's fine, as long as we win.

I guess Vito reporting that Means is out of the race for the number one spot is not really surprising and probably means more that the coaching staff is starting to make up their minds than it meaning that Means is not as good as hoped.

I take it that is more because they can't split the available reps in 4 ways until fall. Unless there is a ton of injuries I expect Means to redshirt, so he does not end up being in DWs class and has a fair shot at getting to play down the line.

I agree. Being a true freshman, the only way Means would get the nod is if he clearly outplayed everyone else. Dajon's redshirt year is already used up, and the clock is ticking on McNulty and Greer. "Winning by a nose" would probably not win Means the position.

This past season's offense was not the same as 2012. There were a lot of tweaks here and there. The play calling was also better this past season. Now as far as the run vs pass (especially on 1st down), it was not much difference. If people think "open up" the offense will result into more passing on 1st and 2nd down, then they will be very disappointed.

I was frustrated by the predictable run plays on 1st down. In some ways, I understand it. An incomplete pass on 1st down almost guarantees a throw on 2nd and 3rd down. And possibly going against a nickel defense on 3rd and long. That is the last thing Mac and this staff wants to see. Not a knock on just DT. Our Wrs were average also. It's not like they got seperation or could go up and snatch a ball in double coverage. We just did not have that type of talent in our passing game. We threw safe passes. Not many quick slants or out patterns. Was it philosophy or because of personel? Maybe a little of both.

Even if we upgrade at the QB position, we will still need to upgrade at WR if we want to see an offense that is comfortable with passing on any down and actually trying to convert on 3rd and long. I see a similar offense to last year at the start of the season. The new QB may be able to give us more options with possibly more running and quicker release. If the 2014 Wrs can come in and contribute, it may open things up later in the season, but for now, we do not have the speed nor depth at WR to be putting a lot of time in a passing offense.

I guess Vito reporting that Means is out of the race for the number one spot is not really surprising and probably means more that the coaching staff is starting to make up their minds than it meaning that Means is not as good as hoped.

I take it that is more because they can't split the available reps in 4 ways until fall. Unless there is a ton of injuries I expect Means to redshirt, so he does not end up being in DWs class and has a fair shot at getting to play down the line.

Unless the guy is just lights out better than what you have, always redshirt a freshman QB. Giving them an extra year to learn the college game, adjust to the speed of the game, and learn the offense.

This past season's offense was not the same as 2012. There were a lot of tweaks here and there. The play calling was also better this past season. Now as far as the run vs pass (especially on 1st down), it was not much difference. If people think "open up" the offense will result into more passing on 1st and 2nd down, then they will be very disappointed.

I was frustrated by the predictable run plays on 1st down. In some ways, I understand it. An incomplete pass on 1st down almost guarantees a throw on 2nd and 3rd down. And possibly going against a nickel defense on 3rd and long. That is the last thing Mac and this staff wants to see. Not a knock on just DT. Our Wrs were average also. It's not like they got seperation or could go up and snatch a ball in double coverage. We just did not have that type of talent in our passing game. We threw safe passes. Not many quick slants or out patterns. Was it philosophy or because of personel? Maybe a little of both.

Even if we upgrade at the QB position, we will still need to upgrade at WR if we want to see an offense that is comfortable with passing on any down and actually trying to convert on 3rd and long. I see a similar offense to last year at the start of the season. The new QB may be able to give us more options with possibly more running and quicker release. If the 2014 Wrs can come in and contribute, it may open things up later in the season, but for now, we do not have the speed nor depth at WR to be putting a lot of time in a passing offense.

The offense was the same. The execution wasn't (in parts of most games).

Simple as that.

Edited March 26, 2014 by UNT90

The offense was the same. The execution wasn't (in parts of most games).

Simple as that.

Agreed

Games won in 2013 UNT Pass vs Run - Pass 37% Run 63%

Games won in 2011 & 12 UNT Pass vs Run - Pass 38% Run 62%

Since the goal is to build the best TEAM, it seems reasonable to think that the both the decision to start DT and the offensive scheme employed were influenced by the fact that our team featured

1. a sound defense,

2. game-changing special teams units, and

3. play-makers on the offense outside of the QB.

If in this off-season, a play-making WR doesn't step forward and the defense looks shaky with all the turnover, I expect having a dynamic player under center and opening up the offensive scheme/pace will become more critical.

Yes, this, this is what I am trying to get across. A DT type QB starting for THIS years team is going to struggle. DW is the best chance for the TEAM to win this year. Also if DW does get the start and there isn't 4 or 5 designed rollout plays then I will be utterly dumbfounded. It's like putting ankle weights on a track star. Edited March 26, 2014 by Ben Gooding

Yes, this, this is what I am trying to get across. A DT type QB starting for THIS years team is going to struggle. DW is the best chance for the TEAM to win this year. Also if DW does get the start and there isn't 4 or 5 designed rollout plays then I will be utterly dumbfounded. It's like putting ankle weights on a track star.

At his current weight/build, it's also like playing roulette. If a linebacker/safety reads it correctly, DW could get demolished and hurt in the process.

At his current weight/build, it's also like playing roulette. If a linebacker/safety reads it correctly, DW could get demolished and hurt in the process.

That's why backups exist. But you don't bench a player bc he might or might not get injured. If that were the case every team would bench 85 players.

That's why backups exist. But you don't bench a player bc he might or might not get injured. If that were the case every team would bench 85 players.

I thought y'all were talking about running designed rollouts, not benching players.

I thought y'all were talking about running designed rollouts, not benching players.

I thought so too.

I thought so too.

wait, weren't you the one bringing up injury?

wait, weren't you the one bringing up injury?

Yes. But I wasn't saying keep him on the bench, I was saying your risking his safety by calling multiple bootlegs per game.

If you listen to both Chico & McCarney, they've both expressed concern with Williams' build and his ability to withstand some of the punishing hits he may take.

If you call a rollout, you're taking away his O-line protecting him, and leaving him open to a hit.

Bootlegs with a Hback to slide out to protect or the Hback can slip in the flats behind the rush. Having mobility in an offense does nothing except help. Injuries are going to happen, it's a part of the game.

How about we win and lose with our QB, instead of winning and losing because of them?

I'm just as pumped about DW as most everyone here, but a few people need to put the lotion down. We are a 6+ win team no matter who is back there and, if the incoming guys are at least as good as DT, we'll be closer to 10.

Special things are in place if DW is named the starter for the next 4 years. Keep recruiting at a relatively high level, omg, the glory days at North Texas are undoubtedly in the near future, 2015-2017. It's exciting.

He's fragile like a China Doll. He's out with a sprained ankle. Glad Mac hasn't given he the keys to the bus.

He's fragile like a China Doll. He's out with a sprained ankle. Glad Mac hasn't given he the keys to the bus.

Jump to conclusions much?

Jump to conclusions much?

well we already know that he is the better QB at putting points on the board... i dont even know why they had another QB on scholarship this year

He's fragile like a China Doll. He's out with a sprained ankle. Glad Mac hasn't given he the keys to the bus.

Can't tell if sarcastic or stupid...

Jump to conclusions much?

He's fragile like a China Doll. He's out with a sprained ankle. Glad Mac hasn't given he the keys to the bus.

Or he is just very unlucky.

Luck, plays a role, but physical and mental toughness plays a bigger role.

My two favorite QB's, Jordan Case and Scott Hall, were some of the toughest and most durable QB's I've ever seen. During his starting years (78 &79) I read that Case (because of his congenital back ailment) had to have pain shots right before a game in order to be able to play. And I'll never forget that LaLa game where Hall was helped off the field more than once and taped up on the sidelines and then limped back out to play. I've often joked that by the end of that game, just about everything below his waist was taped up.

And just for pure durability and/or luck, how about Mitch Maher? I don't remember him missing any games. Four years of starting and a skinny (175lb) QB doesn't get injured?