gangrene

This is great! Where's that popcorn-eating smiley?

I've commented on this very subject several times. I handle regional advertising for a very pretigious global company that has regional headquarters in Dallas. While they have neither the budget nor need (to build the brand image) to commit millions of dollars for stadium naming rights, I think there would be some interest in sponsorship opportunities with UNT. I've evaluated and recommended numerous sports sponsorship packages for my clients, which have invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in these packages with universities and pro sports teams in the five-state area. My problem is that I have never received a proposal of any sort from anyone representing UNT. And UNT is one of the few I can think of that hasn't tried to pitch me or my clients at one time or another. I was even approached by the Southland Conference recently!! So you're asking why don't I approach UNT on behalf of my client?? Because that's not the way this business works and, being a proud UNT alumnus, my true intentions would be questioned from the start. UNT has some SERIOUS deficiencies in the marketing department.

Hmmm...well, one could say that Riley has been performing in this offense since birth. When it comes to knowledge of the offense I think Riley's knowledge base is vastly superior to everyone but Todd Dodge himself. It's not my intention to start anything even slightly resembling a QB controversy so I'll cease commentary on this subject now (it'll surface soon enough without my help). Vizza is the man until we hear otherwise.

I don't have this in front of me either , but I seem to recall a similar comment from TD about Meager being the starter last year and he even went as far as to say that he wouldn't have to "look over his shoulder" as he had the previous year. We all know the outcome of that story.

QB - Dodge Just kidding! Sort of... Actually, if he hadn't been injured last year, I think the QB race this year would be even closer than it's going to be....and it's going to be close as it is IMHO. I'm not taking anything away from Vizza because I stand behind him as our starter 100%. I will be watching the THSCA all-star game rather closely this year but it's my hope that Riley redshirts.

Riley is playing in the Texas High School Coaches Association Football game on July 29, 2008 in San Antonio. Several other future Mean Green will be playing as well. Here's a link to the 2008 roster.

Did anyone ever find out what happened to Troy Franklin and why he didn't play in this game? BTW, thanks for the reports. I really wanted to go to this game also but couldn't talk the wife and daughter into it.

This becomes another stadium thread in 3, 2, 1... Behold, Montana State's stadium plans. Ok, let's hear from everyone about how even Montana State is going to pass us up in athletics now.

Oh, one more thing, our friends over on the hilltop may be doing quite well in the 2009 recruiting arena (7 commits) but, according to Rivals, we just got the first 2009 verbal commitment in the Sunbelt.

I'd like to add something to that. For years, gmg posters bitched and moaned about UNT not recruiting from the DISD and here, we have our first commit of the year from...you guessed it...the DISD. While we appear to be loaded at the WR position, any one who watched even part of one game last year should know it's not a bad thing to have a lot of capable WRs in this offense. I also would like to see some additions to the OL and DL but I have confidence those will come in time. WRs and QBs (we have a lot those interested in us this year too if you haven't noticed) are highlighted in Dodge's system and put up crazy statistical numbers (see Casey Fitzgerald's 2007 season). It should come as no surprise to anyone that we'll get more than our fair share of recruits at those positions each and every year Dodge is our head coach. Welcome aboard Mr. Mayberry and best of luck to you in Denton. And Tweedy, if you're still considering the Mean Green, we'd be happy to have you here as well.

Hmmm...I don't know then. Maybe his dad will chime in? I've seen him on gmg a few times in the last couple of days. He's listed on the roster (published by the Wichita Falls Times-Record News on April 18, 2008), as OT/DT.

The roster is listed in alpabetical order by last name. Troy Franklin is listed just below Nick Florence and just above Courte Gilbert. BTW, I'm not trying to be a smart ass, just trying to show you where you can find him listed.

Don't knock 'em too much...they have more 2009 commitments than we do right now. In fact, they seem to be recruiting quite a few kids from Texas. The Bobcat list. I see antoher one of our prospects on their list. Plus, they have a skiing team...that's cool.

This is like secretly opening a Christmas present, and then your parents figure out you peeked. Next thing you know, that present has disappeared from under the tree because your parents took it back to the store!

Yep, that's exactly it. I think our WRs HHI is among the highest in FCS.

Article from DCTF. Far too often a football career ends in a snap. For some it's in the knee. For others, an elbow. Occasionally it's in the ankle. But it always echoes like a gunshot, mortally wounding the hopes of a young kid who, more than anything, just wanted to play ball. Alex Tweedy was almost another casualty. The Woodlands WR heard his fateful snap in his leg when he broke it in seven-on-seven play this spring; suddenly, a Texas Top 300 player was lost for the year (and maybe forever) in a silly summer tournament that counts for little more than bragging rights and off-season conditioning. All the BCS interest he was getting evaporated, and the senior-to-be was left sitting on little more than reputation. Ironically, that happened to be enough. Over at North Texas, the Dodge family was talking. Riley, coach Todd Dodge's son and soon-to-be collegiate quarterback, remembered Tweedy vividly from, in another noteworthy irony, a seven-on-seven game in 2007. According to Matt Malatesta of Rivals.com, Riley said if he had one wideout to throw to, it would be Tweedy. That was enough for the elder Dodge, and the scholarship offer went out in the mail. Needless to say, Tweedy accepted.

LOL...I'm right there with you and not the least bit surprised our first commit is a WR. I'm also noticing we're looking a bit like SLC in the WR position...and I'm not talking about position quantity.

Yes, that is correct. Brainard has been listed as a walk-on for some time now.

If it gets too expensive we can always go the cheaper route Build and Own Your Own Football Stadium.

Ah yes, the old 6-6 mid-major conference bowl snub.

Close...it's the scout site.

Ok, then I'll revise my "no" to a very hesitant "maybe".

Unfortunately, we are still sitting pretty with our goose egg. However, I don't believe we were actively pursuing any of these prospects. From Dave Campbell's TF: Verbal Pledges '09: Eight verbals given out over a busy weekend 06/16/2008 This is the complete list of 2009 verbal committments for all DI Texas colleges and in-state high school players who have committed to out-of-state programs. For our official list of 2008 signees, click here. For 2007-2005 signees, click here. If you can find a busier recruiting weekend than the one that just finished up, then speak up. Short of signing day, it may not even be possible. An unusually high eight high schoolers chose college destinations over the weekend, with a rather disproportionate number from the Metroplex area. Half chose in-state schools, and out of those, none picked Texas, A&M or Tech. There's a surplus of information here, so let’s get to it. The most recent announcement was Southlake Carroll DE Brayden Burnett picking Missouri, which should immediately draw raised eyebrows from both Dragon and Tiger fans -- after all, there is a certain Southlake Carroll grad currently sporting the black and gold who's turning that program into a championship contender; his name is Chase Daniel or something. Burnett, one of the top defensive players on a Carroll program steeped in a tradition of excellence, will be looking to become part of another long-standing trend when he gets to Missouri: becoming part of the Tigers' long list of celebrated Texas-born players. Staying within the Dallas area, SMU is reaping the benefits of having a head coach with national notoriety and has received two more verbal commitments, both from greater Metroplex area players: OL Christian Miller (Aledo) and QB Chris Frazier (Dallas Skyline). Miller is a great pickup for the Mustangs -- he was injured early on in 2007, which may have kept him off of recruiting boards at larger schools. He'll be another piece in SMU's seemingly constant efforts to build up depth along the offensive line. Frazier, on the other hand, is a bit more of an enigma for coach June Jones. He started at quarterback his sophomore year, than moved to WR (and FB, and TE) in 2007 when sophomore Javiar Hall and senior Troy Stoudermire (now at Minnesota) platooned under center. Frazier, a terrific athlete, will get another shot at quarterback this year if he can beat out Hall. If not, he'll be making plays just about everywhere else. Baylor has also begun adding on to a small recruiting class and has secured it's second verbal in the last week, Dickinson QB/ATH Brody Trahan. A coach's son, Trahan missed eight games last year with an injury but still put up 700 passing yards and 8 touchdowns in the three games he started. If those numbers aren't enough to convince you, go back to 2006, when he burst onto the scene as a sophomore with 700 rushing yards, 1,807 passing yards and 31 total touchdowns. The 2008 season, which brings Dickinson up to 5A, should be a five-month scouting report on the young Trahan. TCU is stockpiling athletes like they're going out of style and have gotten a verbal out of Copperas Cove WR Josh Boyce. For those who were there, Boyce was pretty good in last year's 4A DI championship game vs. Lamar Consolidated; he opened the scoring with a 4-yard touchdown run and finished as the top offensive threat behind DI-signees Troy Vital (Idaho) and Robert Griffin (Baylor). He should be a great addition for the Horned Frogs, who are developing a WR group that is going to be terrorizing opposing defenses for years, and could be a conduit for TCU recruiters to get to another Dawg standout, LB Tanner Brock. Here's where we get into the out-of-state commitments, and we’ll lead off with Georgia Tech, which has landed Austin LBJ WR Jeremy Moore. Moore, one of many DI caliber players on the Jaguars this year, is a prototype athlete for the wide receiver spot -- he's big and rangy (6-3) with terrific speed (4.4), and he has that explosive athleticism that can separate a good college player from a great one. He'll be playing in a very good offense this year at LBJ -- don't be surprised if he puts up monster numbers in his farewell tour with the Jaguars. Out at Tulsa, the Golden Hurricane was still looking for its first Texas recruit after Euless Trinity LB Earnest Norman switched to Kansas, and now it has it: Garland WR Keith Blanton. Blanton didn't have massive numbers his junior year (30-404, 4 TDs), but he has incredible speed and should be a big reason why the Owls play better in 2008 than they did in a disappointing 2007 campaign. If it feels like Garland is pumping out athletes every year, it's because they are -- last year alone saw Owls sign with LSU, Oklahoma, Rice and Louisville. What a haul! Lastly (finally!), the Cal Golden Bears are bringing in a blast from the past in Blinn CC/Dallas Madison LB Jarred Price. He's the first Blinn player to commit to a DI institution this year, but don't worry, they'll be more. Blinn never seems to stop producing talent, and the 2009 class should be no exception.

And one recruit who fits that description, who may/may not have been on our target is Brayden Burnett, 6'3", 240 lbs DE from Southlake Carroll who runs a 4.6 40. He just committed over the weekend to play at Missouri. I guess we can't expect to get every SLC prospect??