BIG DAWG

GOOD!

Needless...pointless specualtion...ridiculous!

What conference are they playing in when they get started??? I forget also...did I read somewhere that they are wanting to stay FCS or old div II??? Thanks EDIT Nevermind...but for those that also might have forgotten, or might want to know for the first time...

After getting pushed around up front like we did last year, I find it VERY hard to believe that Coach Nelson is not going to be able to take advantage of our newly found size. I think when Coach Nelson talks about using smaller quicker players, i.e. Akpunku @ DE, is more about using what we have on our roster to our advantage. He understands that as a mid-major school, you aren't always going to be able to bring in prototypical players on the DL, so you have to think outside the box...I think that when he has prototypical players at his disposal, he will most definitely use them. I guess my point is that I think that what makes him a good coach is that he is flexible with his plan, he is going to make what he has work...you can count on the fact that Atkinson and the other new big guys we are getting are going to play...and play ALOT!

I must admit...it is definitely NMSU...those games at Fouts are some of the ones I will never forget

I am looking over my Dave Campbell's magazine for the 100th time, and as the season nears closer, I begin to get drunker from the Green Cool-Aid, I begin to think NT can really surprise people. Here are my 3 reasons for NT putting a record the pundits and critics will be surprised from with...and I am talking from a positive standpoint... 1) The RUNNING GAME...Cam Montgomery and Lance Dunbar would be spectacular by themselves...then throw in Mosely (still a very capable back), Hamilton (talented athlete...may not stay at RB, but is there for the time being), and Mathis (power back that almost made the team as a true freshman). This stable of backs is very talented, and VERY versatile, and will be used more frequently than many outsiders to the program would think. 2) The OFFENSIVE LINE...This unit may be the biggest strength of our team that no one talks about...or at least not enough. This unit was pretty solid a year ago, starting 2 fresh. (Johnson & Feeley), 2 sophomores (Gill and Santiago), and 1 Junoir (Hollivay). Now you can throw in the return of a stud in Kelvin Drake, who will play somewhere, and the JUCO Jeremy Bean (6-5 310) who will get an opportunity to win a job. This unit, minus Hollivay, still has another year together in 2010 to look forward to. 3) The DEFENSIVE LINE...Last season 2 of our 3 top of the rotation DTs weighed in at 286lbs...this season we will be adding Shavod Atkinson 298lbs, Kelvin Jackson 6-2 320lbs, and the true freshman Kyle White 6-2 318lbs to our DT rotation...Also throw in John Weber at DE 6-3 265 and you have really beefed up the DL...When talking about the DL you have to talk about Coach Mike Nelson and some of things he is doing to take advantage of the talent we do have on the roster...Brandon Akpunku to DE (speed off the edge) and the move of Tevinn Cnatly to DE 6-4 310lbs...When playing as a mid-major, you have to think outside the box, and I am excited to see what Coach Nelson's outside the box thinking, coupled with DeLoach's second year back do for the overall defense, a unit that obviously has to get better, and I really think can be significantly better. What are your reasons for hope of a turnaround at Fouts???

Most publications...MOST...don't have a damn clue about the Belt...not than I am clamoring that they should...it is a minor conference, but I don't put anything into 99% of "predictions" by publications and websites

New Mexico State - Best Sunbelt rival??? Idaho - Something to the Kibbie Dome??? Utah St. - Always enjoyed playing these guys from some reason

The whole article has a pretty bad spin on the Athletic Dept...and I have no reason to believe that Vito is reporting anything but the truth...this piece can do nothing but get ypu down about ever getting something done with this stadium

Too many good backs to see touches...Cam, Dunbar, Mosely, Hamilton, Mathis

Concussions are taken so seriously these days...and rightfully so...it would be hard not give a player a medical redshirt coming off a concussion...just makes good sense

I am not saying that any rules were broken...just with a concussion, there is a gray area there. I just think that Dodge thought to himself...we weren't going to play for a championship or anything last year, I think the decision to burn his redshirt was done to spark the team, it didn't, and he had the opportunity to get Riley another year...

I'll give you that, but I think you are going to see smart running from Riley. You are going to see him go out of bounds, slide, etc. You won't see him droping his shoulder and taking on LBers like Vizza used to do all the time.

Yes, he banged his shoulder up pretty good in his last game for Carroll, and he got a "concussion" vs. Rice...but...was the whole concussion thing made to be more than it was??? My thinking is that Dodge saw what the 2008 season was turning out to be...Riley got his bell rung, and Dad saw an opportunity to pull back his redshirt year. When I saw Riley come on the field that first game, and saw that he was about to burn his redshirt year as a slot receiver I was livid. MAYBE...Todge realized this was a dumb move too, and decided to play up the whole "concussion" to regain the redshirt for Riley. Would as many be doubting his durability if weren't for the concussion??? I don't think so...not nearly to the degree where most people don't think he can make it through week one. Then people run their mouths about Riley not taking any hits in Spring Ball, but I remember everyone up in arms when Scott Hall and Danny Meager were being pummled during practices. Don't get me wrong, I was one of them, and I am glad Riley didn't take any unnecessary hits, as I wish Scott or Danny didn't. (that game at Texas goes a little different if Scott didn't get killed during fall practice...not saying we win that game, but it is closer than 27-0) Just a thought...I am tired of hearing about Riley's durability before the kid gets on the field

WOW!!! That is all I have to say!

I am glad Vito gets props somewhere...he deserves a lot more!

Very nice!

I am glad I have gotten second chances in this world, because I am not perfect either. GOOD LUCK ADRIAN!!!

Stupid article

NT v. SMU

DAMN IT!

I wanted to state the same thing about Steele, this guy is right on every year. This is good for the MEAN GREEN NATION!!!

They seem to be pretty accurate in the previous predictions...they have been off a couple years though...lets hope they are off agin this year

Seems like so long ago... The thing I remember most about those days was the fact that you really didn't go to Fouts and wonder if we were going to win, but you were thinking by how much

Great Job Vito! You will never get any credit for writing it well when we are winning, but people sure will bust your balls when you write the truth when we are losing...keep doing what you do