TIgreen01

Well....the original post about this worked me up, I'll admit. But I still say that it's time that DD makes a change (or RV). We(fans) need to be treated the same way the big boys treat their fans.....locked out of speeches like this. The whole "division from within" speech could be applied to the fans, the same way it was applied to the team. Here we are as fans and, in the only access we have to the team, we overhear something a player/coach said and take offense to it....next thing you know, someone is posting on this board and everyone freaks. The single biggest problem that UNT has is it's perception of itself and knowing where we belong. We have a history of not fully following through with this whole athletics push, and there still exists a belief on campus that by increasing athletics, we somehow will take away from the quality of education the school can deliver. The biggest worry on the board, right now, is that the new Pres. will come along and not continue on the path that Dr. Pohl was driving us on. Next thing you know, we all hear about DD bashing the fans and the school saying it's the worst place in the country. I don't know what DD really said, or really meant....but the point is, here at NT, we have a built-in premonition to be defensive about our school --esp. if someone associated with it (student/faculty/admin/coach) starts talking bad about us. I know that's how I responded to the original post..... I just think that the last 2 weeks demonstrate that we are still too fragile a fan base to be given this kind of access. I personally, wouldn't want to give up the insider information we have available here on the board, and think that a select few reporters (ala...the Mean Green Report used to have) be allowed this kind of access. But for goodness sakes, keep the rest of us out!

That post was the worst post of the year. Someone, please, delete this thread before we start in on this again......

Just read that last post and removed what I had previously here....I will give you the fact that ASU signed 2 nice looking OGs, but last year's team sure didn't look as good as you're saying....they barely beat the worst team we have fielded in 6 years and lost a 45-7 thriller to MTSU. Maybe it'll all come together for them this year, but ASU has always been very inconsistent---and last year was no different. Over the course of the entire season, the best winning streak they put together was 2 games.

Yes. To the poster who said that ASU and ULL were superior to us....I just don't see it. We were in EVERY single Sun Belt game last year until the final drive of the game...where our D typically allowed long 4th quarter drives to beat us. We had the 3rd youngest D in I-A. Our D will be better this year, and so will our QB play (2 Fr QBs last year). I don't know that we will win the Sun Belt, but ASU and ULL sure as heck aren't superior to us. How is ASU going to do without Noce--who was ASU's entire offense in the bowl game. ULL might have a shot this year, simply b/c Babb is going to be a senior this year. Still, I'm not all that impressed with their entire team. Troy and the Florida schools are our primary competition for now.

Was this post a joke?...just made up?...or what was actually said? I have no idea how that would have made me feel as a player, but I know if I was personally standing there to hear that (as it sounds several of you were), I would have felt pretty uncomfortable. I don't know that it's a good idea to have the fans so close to an obvious team only speech. That said, that is a disappointing statement to make---right up there with "we have the worst situation in the Sun Belt...I know, I work here everyday". Further, passing comments like those off by saying that he didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings is missing the point. It is truly sad that our head football coach thinks that he works at the worst place in the country for college football....or at the very least, if all he's trying to do is protect his players from getting worked up over fan comments, why preface those statements with an educated (46 years in college football) opinion that slams his players' choice of school? Personally, this is not surprising. I would, however, prefer that speeches like this (on the radio or overheard by fans) be censored. At least on the board. I'm just tired of hearing this kind of crap. If DD (or any coach at any school, for that matter) needs to use these kinds of speeches to motivate their teams to win games, that's fine. But it needs to stay behind closed doors....

Crap! 2003 can be explained by the BU game....what happened in 2004?...seems like we did decent that year.....and last year, we were on pace to finish with great attendance until the Thanksgiving weekend game. Anyone have access to season ticket holder numbers?

See, this whole "satisfied" argument has been used to death on this board. It's a bunch of sh!t. I would dare say that everyone, on the board, would love to see us playing in a BCS bowl every year. Everyone here loves UNT. Everyone (maybe a few trolls). Why else would they pour over these boards everyday and post 1000+ posts?? Maybe you are confused and think you are arguing with some of these lurkers/trolls, but I am not one. I have missed one home game since 1998...but then, I live close enough to drive to every game. I hate making the drive home after a loss. My family hates riding with me after a loss. I venture to guess that EVERYONE on the board is the same way! Sorry for the rant, but we need to seriously put to bed this talk of people being "satisfied".... That said, I've seen most every game in DD's tenure and never have really cared for our style of play....I like the defense, but the offense is harder to watch than Slocum-ball. Still, it's hard to argue with success....and until last year DD-ball was working. You cannot argue that attendance has grown every year since 2001. We are not winning (or even being competitive) OOC games, but we have winning records and bowl games to celebrate....and people notice. We got on the cover of the USA Today last year. I understand the concern over becoming lazy and letting this last success slip by us without parlaying it to a better conference, but I just think everyone needs to take a deep breath.

It doesn't matter what I think...that's what the class was rated by several recruiting services. Now whether or not JJ can coach them (untbowler's comment)...I tend to question that as well--in one of my earlier posts I said I was in the camp that thought he should already be gone), I don't know. But the fact is, he finally recruited some highly rated talent---so what do we have to lose if we let him coach them for a year? Yes, as a matter of fact, I do think that attendance would continue to grow. I don't know many fans who ever liked watching Dickey-ball until we started winning in 2001. I hated it. But 7,8,9 win seasons turn heads and get people interested. It's really just that simple. Win games and build a winning tradition and attendance will follow. Now, whether or not a high flying coach and offense would turn it around quicker, I don't know. I just know what I've seen with my own eyes for the last 5 years.....winning is all that matters---looking pretty doing it, does not.

The whiners on this board are not complaining about staying at the top of our league. Most are complaining that we're not moving UP and OUT of the Sun Belt. How many schools can you name that have done well enough with a tiny budget to do that?? Anyone outside the state of Florida? ?? When, in the last 5 years, have we ever had a top 30 bball recruiting class? We haven't. There's no song and dance to this one...this will be the best recruiting class that NT has seen since I've been watching the program (mid-90's on). To me, that's a big victory for the coaching staff.

Good post. It seems that everyone is freaking out b/c our young football team lost a bunch of games last year and our bball had another bad SB tournament. To those who think that JJ should be fired (I was in that group before this last season), put yourself in RV's shoes and ask yourself this question, "How do you fire the head bball coach when he has cemented a top 30 recruiting class for next year?" Seriously?! If that doesn't buy the man at least one more year, I don't know what to tell you. Oh, and to untbowler who said, "$$$ does not buy wins"---pull your head up out of the sand and look around. Not many teams, with budgets comparable to UNT, are able to win enough games to improve their status in the NCAA world. $$$ buys coaches, which buys you more wins, which buys you better players--which buys you more wins, etc, etc....IF UNT can continue the trend that we are on (improving attendance and # of season ticket holders), THAT will get us more $$$, among other things.

I'm going to disagree with that statement. We only recruited 4 (or is it 5?) JUCO players. I think that our hopes are pinned largely on the new DC....but maybe that's just me.

That was a joke, so don't worry. I'm not trying to start any rumors, but you know NT folks....we expect results (and inside info) immediately!

Honestly, I'm just trying to decide whether or not I should get the MGP on the official site. I already pay for the MGR, and NEED that info, so if I'm going to get the same stuff from MGP now (+ actual game footage)....that's fine. The thing is that right now I don't think that the MGP is worth it---I already go to all the games, so what do I need with a live tv feed?...maybe some of the away games.....but I really like reading the inside scoop from the MGR. I guess what I'm saying is that if you guys are going to be working for the AD now, GREAT!....just let me know when to sign up!

So....the videos are on the Mean Green Premium site. Last I heard, the MGR is not taking new subscriptions. I'm going to put 2-2 together here and guess that the MGR is going away and being replaced by the "official" MGP site? Yes/No?

I would assume it is just the coaches being careful with him after the heat stroke thing. I agree, though, there has to be some off the field issue holding him back b/c he's clearly the best DT on the team....ok, maybe not best, ....most disruptive fits better. 3? Then I must have been blind. I only remember 1 TD, on the first drive of the scrimmage....after that, all I remember were big hits. That's all I really remember about him from last season as well. I guess I just cringe when he comes in b/c he's SO much slower and immobile than Meager and Wilson. Sure, he'll connect on a few plays, but I just sit there holding my breath if there's any kind of rush on b/c you KNOW he's going to get nailed.

How's Isaac Thomas doing? Is he a 1st teamer yet? Also, I made the scrimmage last sat. and didn't see much from Phillips (other than his tendency to hold the ball too long and get crushed by big hits). My question is this, was I blind watching that?...or is Phillips much better in practice??

Excellent post. For further proof of what winning does, you need to look no further than the basketball team this year. Remember all the buzz surrounding the team up through January? We were what? 12-5?...something close to that. Nevermind that that record was earned largely by playing cupcake games, we eventually had 4k+ show up for a conference game!! When was the last time that happened? Now that we've come back down to earth and started losing, it's even MORE amplified by the loss of fans. The point is that people don't care who you beat b/c most casual fans aren't paying attention to who you're playing anyways...they see the won/loss record and assume you're a good team if you have a winning record. Further, winning one big OOC game doesn't carry the weight that many on this board claim it does. Just look at 1997 and 1999 for proof. In 1997, we go out to Lubbock and beat Texas Tech. The next week we get tamu at Texas Stadium and have 45-50k show up---with 20k of that being NT fans. We played tamu close for a half before fumbling away the game in the second half. Either way, we get TV coverage for the following weeks game at Idaho. We lose. Then we lose a few more. Guess what?...no more tv coverage and no more fans. 1999. We beat Tech in Lubbock again, but go 2-9 or 3-8 on the season. No fans. Fast forward to 2001 and beyond. We consistenly get DRUBBED in OOC games, but our attendance continues to GROW b/c we win conference every year for 4 straight years. We win the Sun Belt every year, which is considered by most to be the worst D1 conference in America. But guess what?? People don't care that we're beating up on the bottom 10, they just see wins. How is this not clear to EVERYONE on this board? Now, I am not saying that we should be playing all I-AA games in order to maintain a winning record. I would personally like every season to open up with a cupcake game to allow the team a chance at a live scrimmage. After that, business as usual (ie...1-2 body bags and 1-2 mid-majors). But the point is, to the people who act like beating up on I-AA would somehow hurt the program....WAKE UP! The excuse that we already play cupcakes by being in the Sun Belt is also bogus. That is our conference and it is our conference for a reason. $$ is that reason. We are competitive in this conference in terms of budget, and last I checked we got smoked by all but 2 teams last year. The Sun Belt IS our current level of play, not below us. Now, continue to win games (like we did during that 4 year span) and our attendance will continue to grow, which EQUALS MORE $$....which gives us a chance to STEP UP in terms of who our peers are and gives us a shot at joining a better conference.

I would follow that post up with a question: Would anyone be complaining if this game was the 1st game of the season for us? Thus making it basically a preseason game that counted to our record?

Yes, but this year we will have a defensive coordinator.

No it's not....I registered and posted on the thread. I think we'll be top 3 this year, not sure if we can win the conference, but Bliel alone gives us a chance. ps....for those not at the scrimmage on Sat (which is near everyone as there were maybe 10 people in the stands), there were moments where our D made me cringe again. I remember, back in 2001/02/03, sitting in the stands at Fouts and actually feeling sorry for the opposing offense....we used to HIT and punish offensive players. There were times (mostly the middle section of the scrimmage) where the D was just dominating and seemed to be in the right position to lay big hits on every play. Also, the 3-4 put us in the backfield on most plays....Bliel was running it with the OLBs lining up either both on the LOS, or just off it...to where it almost looked like a 5-2. Needless to say, this leaves us open to give up big plays, but it also means we can make quite a few. Either way, you can't help but be hopeful watching Bliel in action....I think he'll help quite the posts pleading for Deloach's return.... also....I wanted to reply to the post by Harry, but the thread was locked. I guess I would like to know how W. Wilson can possibly be considered "even" with Meager or Phillips. He ran entirely with the 2nd team oline....while Meager and Phillips only played with the 1st team line. Wouldn't that mean that he's ranked behind them on the ladder at this point? Also, I didn't see anything from him that would put him even close to Meager at this point (I thought Phillips had a tough scrimmage). Granted, the 2nd team dline looked VASTLY superior to the 2nd team oline so El Presidente didn't have much time to do anything but run for his life. Oh, and the reports on Isaac Thomas are RIGHT ON. He was flat out dominating. I also thought 61 looked pretty good next to him at DE. Either way, if I. Thomas can make it through to the fall, we are IN BUSINESS in 2006.

Good post. Let us not forget that you will start seeing BCS schools schedule MORE I-AA teams from here on out as the rule change allows for 1 I-AA game a year to count toward bowl eligibility (someone correct me if I have the rule wrong). Either way, the bottom line is $$ and you make more $$ if you go to a bowl game. Look how our attendance has grown the last 5 years by winning the Belt and having a winning record. I think people here at NT get too worked up over the chance to make the front page with an upset of a Big 12 (BCS)team and are just not opening their eyes at games. We have more fans showing up to games at Fouts now than we did in 2001. Even with our putrid OOC record, we are still growing the fanbase. I don't see how playing 1 I-AA game a year hurts us....it really should be our tune-up game at the start of the season, ala what every BCS team is doing scheduling weaker teams to act as a preseason game. Do I personally get excited about playing I-AA teams? No. But more wins = more $$. It can happen the other way around where more $$ = more wins, but I don't see any big donors stepping up, so we need to win more games. It's not rocket science.

Thanks for the roster!....any idea if there will be a scrimmage this coming Saturday?...or just a practice?

I'm surprised by the numbers....the WAC got more votes?!?!? WTF?! I guess people are just impatient, or I'm way off-base....but I just see the Sun Belt having a MUCH brighter future than the WAC....both for us, and as a complete conference. It may take a few more years to get some teams up to the caliber of a Fresno or a Boise, but I think it will happen. Troy is a definite up and comer and the Florida schools look to be coming on fast. I'm more worried about us keeping up with those schools than trying to jump to a west coast conference---where we would most likely fail to gain much fan interest. The WAC is currently a 2 team conference, with the rest of the league in the same class as the Sun Belt. If playing those 2 schools every year gauranteed us more growth as a program, I'd take it...but it doesn't. Has everyone forgotten the Big West?! That was an AWFUL conference for NT....wake up, people. Here's a question to ponder....in all the years that we played in the Big West, how many times did an opponent bring their band to Fouts field? Or better yet, how many times did an opponent bring more than 50 fans?

Ever stop to think that maybe he just liked the older Daffy logo??? I gaurantee that you can find NT gear if you live in Garland...Go to any mall down 75 and you'll find the new NT hats. Maybe this guy just likes vintage NT gear. Now....about the 2 new signess pictured in this thread....both look like they've got good size---esp. Patton.

That's exactly what I answered in my second message....I'm speculating that the lists are made up exclusively of the players that the BCS schools show some interest in. UT, OU and tamu don't wait around for the area 100 lists to show up before they start recruiting these kids.....several articles posted on this board in the past several weeks support that thought....esp. the one that quotes one of the OU coaches. here: http://OU post posted by Harry ...though this post kind of makes a mockery of the lists....but the coach asserts that if you simply follow the big schools and who they offer, you'll find the best players. I don't know how the lists are compiled, but I'd guess that's exactly what happens a lot of times.