The Fake Lonnie Finch

Dude, I'll drive the family over from Frisco to get in on that action. The kids love pizza...and so does I!

(Also, fark up a picture of Todd Dodge putting mayo on a hamburger because he answered the all important 'mayo or mustard' question during the online thingy...after you're finished with your nanchuku practices, that is)

I'll go ahead and say it's a gimme: "The Rice game is a gimme." You can quote me. And, for the record, so is Army. We'll paint West Point Mean Green, for sure, dude! Like, totally! The ground has shifted, fellow Mean Green followers. Shift with it or be sucked into Dante's ninth level freezing hell...because that's where were going to send the majority of our opponents and doubters in 2010! ¡Viva Chico Canales! (Someone with nunchuk and computer farking skills needs to create a picture of Chico in a Mean Green Sombrero)

http://www.soonerfans.com/KaseyStuddard.pdf

If it's true, I like it. It gives us an even deeper in to recruiting the Pelican State. You add him to what we're already getting out of Gandy and we'll give every non-AQ school from here to Boca Raton a run for their money on players in the Gulf Coast region. You can go ahead and stick that in the bank as well, Pied Pipers.

There's alot of truth to this. You think of defensive coordinators who cut their teeth against the spread, like Stoops at Florida before going to OU and Chizik/Muschamp at Auburn before moving on to Texas. Those guys normally crush a true spread. Yes, occasionally Texas Tech will get up on OU or Texas, but not very often. Plus, the Red Raiders have been shut down by others annually as well. You look at the Big 12 South hardware over the past decade Tech has been running the spread and every year it was OU or Texas in the Big 12 Championship game, not the Red Raiders. Even in their Golden Year of 2008, OU beat the everloving snot out of them, and they just barely squeaked by Texas. The problem with the spread is that if the defense is killing it, you've got nothing else to turn to. You've spent all of this time implementing it; but, if it's not working, you can't just default down to the run. It's not there for you. When you've got a defense smothering a spread, it's like Jackie Sherrill cutting the nuts of a Longhorn Steer...it ain't gonna produce nothin' else in it's life ever again except meat for someone else's dinner table. And, for Tech's spread, they were more often than they care to remember putting meat on OU and Texas' plate. And, the Sooner and Longhorn fans will tell you, it was delicious - seasoned so well that they didn't even have to use the steak sauce, ya hear what I'm sezin'? That's what's great about Texas and OU and others who use the spread as part of a multiple offense attack. They can still hammer your butt running the ball (okay, Texas in 2009 was an exception, but generally they can run it as well). They haven't sold their soul to the spread offense devil. They've got fullbacks and tight ends that will knock your jock in dirt all day long then ask if your mother wants a second helping of it! For us, it should be different. We don't see the size and speed on defense like OU and Texas throw down week after week; and, especially not in conference play. Maybe Troy comes the closest. But, they'd be hammered dogmeat if they had to go through the Big 12 every year. In conferences like ours, coaching makes a huge difference. OU and Texas' defenses can cover alot of sins with sheer speed. If your two-deep at cornerback all go the 4.4 speed, you can make a mistake here and there and get away with it. The offensive coaches in the Sun Belt should be able to find weak spots in every defense week after week - yes, even against Troy - because that type of talent and speed just isn't there at every defensive back position. The difference over the past five seasons for us is that we've had ding dongs running our offenses on both the Dickey and Dodge coaching staffs. I believe those days are gone long gone with the hiring of Mike Canales and Todd Dodge's willingness to turn the whole enchilada over to him. The days of our offense coordinators having the deer in the headlights gamecalling against Sun Belt defenses are over. It will also help immensely to have coaches paying attention to the game and not worrying about whether or not a defensive back drops an F-bomb on the sideline. Here's a take home for you as well - I think with Canales calling the shots and shepherding the the QBs you can go ahead and chalk up two wins this season against Rice and Army as well. Go ahead. Chalk them up. I'll take Canales any day of the week to be able to figure out those two defenses as well as the whatever the Sun Belt throw at them, yo. Book it, Dan-O! Who's going with me?

We've been through this topic several times on the magic portal part of the board. I've had two consitent takes thoughout: (1) Dodge had no idea about the competition level he was about to face (2) Villareal should have known As to (1), it manifested itself in several ways: - putting off taking the helm while the high school playoffs were ongoing, which I believe hurt the initial recruiting efforts - the inability or unwillingness to adjust to the opponent, as shown by trying to play man coverage against an OU team with three future NFL draft choices - focusing too much on things that have nothing to do with football, like wasting game time to have the receivers coach dress down a defensive back for cursing during a game As to (2), his background should have precluded Rick from allowing Dodge from putting together the initial staff - Rick had been a college football coach - Rick had been athletic administration for years I think quite a bit of hubris developed around Todd Dodge because of his high school success, and maybe Rick bought into it. I know from talking to more than a few parents of players that they were initially swept into what they thought was a "Dodge mystique." The problem was and always will be, given equal parts, who can make their machine run the best. Think NASCAR here. All teams have to follow the same guidelines and rules in putting together their cars for race day. We had the equivalent of the high school shop class and the shade tree mechanic neighbor we'd known for years (the DB coach from the business world) putting our car together. Meanwhile, our opponents cars were assemble and put to the test by professional mechanics. It doesn't matter now. If everything is as it appears, Todd Dodge has traded the old, top-down, high school model of running the team for the 21st Century CEO/delegate the power model. And, I truly believe we will benefit from it. I've said all along that the most ridiculous part of our losing so much was that we are in the Sun Belt. If Dodge had been hired by, say, Baylor and gone 5-31 in the Big 12, that wouldn't have been shocking. But, guys, two official Sun Belt conference wins in three seasons was ridiculous. As stated a couple of days ago, I don't think one Sun Belt team blows the doors off the others in recruiting. We're all behind the big, AQ conference dogs regionally. So, the other factor comes into play, and that's coaching. We now have a coaching staff with experience equal to or greater than every one of our Sun Belt foes. So, I think you will see not just a highly competitive team, but a championship caliber team - for this conference. There will be less missed assignments on defense, fewer dropped passes on offense, more receivers working open and also knowing what to do when a play breaks down...and the quarterback lining up behind the center on third or fourth and short and sneaking for the first down or handing off to a tailback to bang away for the first down or, dare I say, touchdown!

In a nutshell, yes. We're at the bottom of the food chain conference-wise. No one really gets top recruits. Not even Troy. It's what you do with what you get. Whether anyone admits it or not, Darrell Dickey took some unknowns, unheralded players and he and his coaching staff turned them into a machine - in the Sun Belt. I'd match this coaching staff with any other Belt team. In fact, I wouldn't trade it straight up for any of the others. Every hire since Ron Mendoza and Robert Drake left have been 164% on target with what we need - Deloach, Gahagan, Nelson, Canales, and Peterson. Deloach: Has done it here, and produced NFL safeties at UCLA Gahagan: Experience at Southern Cal Nelson: Over a decade of the best Iowa State football in its history Canales: Part of taking South Florida from start up to giant killer Peterson: A decade during the remarkable Kansas State turnaround I mean...these are all guys with dozens and dozens of All-League, All-American, and NFL draft picks and signees under their belts. How can anyone not be excited about what is happening now? Look at it this way: except for Gahagan, all have been a part of "turn around" stories or "doing it from scratch" stories - North Texas, South Florida, Kansas State and Iowa State. These coaches have all seen programs that needed building up and played major roles in helping them do so. And, with the exception of Deloach, all did so in BCS conferences (Big East, Big 12, and Pac-10). Sorry, guys, but I'm legitimately excited about what's going on with football these days. And, you should be, too.

Sorry, guys. Very busy at work these days...which is good! The off-season has been a dream! We've got a full compliment of college coaches on board, and Todd Dodge has agreed to let them run the show from gameplanning to playcalling. It's 21st Century coaching. Todd Dodge isn't the only coach who has wisely chosen to play CEO. The first coach to openly do it was Steve Spurrier, who turned the defense over to his defensive coordinators and left them alone. With all that is expected of football programs these days, you can't have a guy be and do everything. I think Dodge tried to do that at first. Todd Dodge has some ideas about offense. Fine. But, his style of implementing them into the FBS-level of college play didn't work. There's no sin in that. Many coaches fail at this level. What Dodge has chosen to do (and, at this point, whether it's of his own volition or Rick Villareal's is irrelevant to me) will have North Texas competing for the Sun Belt title in 2010. And, I think we'll win it. Therefore, I believe his off-season decisions not only help the team, but will give him a long career in college coaching...if he choses to stay. The hallmark of a good NFL coach is managing the ship. If you're at the wheel, you can't also be hoisting and setting the sails. I think Dodge has learned this and we will all reap the benefits in 2010 and beyond, yo.

With Preist, give me Rapid Fire for what would be a loud, thundering intro: But, what would really be unique - and, as far as I know, untried as of yet - is Rush's YYZ.

Yeah, I kind of agree here. The UT animation is pathetically "Money For Nothing"-ish. But, hey...maybe the typical Longhorn fan likes to relive the mid-80s in their video intros. (Note: Going into the office building today, I saw a Horn douche approaching his 50s wearing an orange pullover with a big Longhorn head on the front. Nice gear...for a kid in junior high school maybe. In the middle of the work day, out of football season, in an office environment...not so much. Perhap, save it for the weekend, dude?) The Kansas State thing of their helmet smashing the opposing team's helmet is, for my money, forced. This is a stupid gimmick many schools use in football and basketball...unfortunately. In my mind, at a home game, most of the fans in attendance already know which team to cheer for...or, maybe I impute far too much gameday awareness to the average fan.

Hey, when there's reason to be optimistic, I'm optimistic. When the thing is off the rails, I'm going to say it's off the rails. I've got to tell you, my dauber was down when Dodge was retained and announced all staff was going to be retained. I wonder if RV hadn't lost his sports mind...or, was just in a tight because of (1) compromising photos/video Dodge had of him, or (2) legitimate budgetary problems. But, as this thing has shaken out, I can't help but think that behind the scenes the wheels were turning to give the remaining high school staffers a cover for them "leaving" without firing them outright. And, let's be honest - they were hired in places Todd Dodge has strong ties. Whatever the case may be, it's good for the program because we've picked up a really experienced offensive coordinator and Todd Dodge has humbled himself to backseat driver status. To me, that's the mark of a good coach - he learned what his strengths and weaknesses are at this level, and he's adjusted the way the thing rolls forward as a result. I didn't think he had it in him, but he did. Thankfully. The reality of the whole thing is this - we're in the Sun Belt, the lowest conference on the food chain. It shouldn't have struggled along for as many years as it has. I think this thing will flip really quickly for us now. I also think the Tortas Cubanas at La Duni are good, amigos. Don't hold back when you are dining there. Just order one up and see. ¡Taco Borjas über alles!

No. You're just ignoring the fact that he's turned over the gameplanning, playcalling, and QB training to Chico Canales. So, for all intents and purposes, he's a figurehead/spectator...which is the perfect role for him. He can be a Mack Brown/Bobby Bowden/ambassador-for-the-school-type while the real coaches do the work. If he really gets bored, maybe he can take over Clayton George's old role of Gameday Sideline Cuss Word Police. It'll give him something to do while Canales, Deloach and Co. lead us upward and onward...FINALLY!

This thread isn't happy enough yet. I'll teach it to be happy! Gothic classic music and decade after decade highlights - Georgia: Mix of Gothic/historical highlights, then on to Alan Parsons' Sirius with players tunnel walk - Nebraska (warning, boisterous Huskers fans filming): Tolling bell, gothic music, former and current player mixed in with historical clips - Oklahoma: Animation of animals turning into players, trophy showcase, two coaches, tunnel run - Texas: Metallica, Enter Sandman, animation of jet coming out of farmland, a few historical clips - Kansas: Ozzy, Metallica, metal mix, animated train rollng through Kansas and turning it purple, smashing opponent helmet - Kansas State:

This has been an awesome off-season! It looks as though the final vestige of high school coaching is gone - if Dodge doesn't hire a WR coach from the high school ranks. If he can get a good, experienced WR coach (Clarence James, I'm told by 03 is available), I'll double down on my already otherworldly guarantee that we will win the Sun Belt in 2010! I feel like the Christmas Fairy just keeps giving! Along those lines, and just coincidentally, it is my son's 4th birthday today! My son turns four and gets the Chuck E. Cheese pizza party, cake, and gifts - but, dad got the real present. I will always remember my son's fourth birthday as the day UNT was 100% liberated from it's high school coach prison hell! Goodbye, 5-31...hello, Sun Belt titles and bowl games! We're there! My link

The Jayhawk CCC has always been good. KJCCC Players from the 70s and 80s - or, pre-Kansas State Revival Ron Springs Mel Gray Mike Rozier (Heisman Trophy Winner at Nebraska) Ted Watts Dean Hamel Siran Stacy Keith Traylor Curtis Brown Ron Fellows Kwame Lassiter Steve Tasker Kelly Stouffer Robert Bailey http://www.bartonccc.net/sports/sportslinks/default.htm

How can this be? I thought that only thugs were allowed on Darrell Dickey's squads?

Zach Orr, for sure. He could legitimately play at schools in better conferences. The best get. Jamison Hughes and D'Andre Wood - they actually signed to play at better schools and better conferences. Zach Olen - because he's a fellow Berkner Ram!

Hmmm. My degree from UNT in English (or, I think they officially called it Literature). I don't think Henley lives in the wild, though. I wish I had time to be a writer of literary things. I'm settling for writing insurance things for the time being. Not much room for creativity there. Some, but not much. The companies are tight on wording. What's points are you talking about? I don't keep score.

Yes, another reason America has it all backward, we haven't recognized pigeon for the delicacy that it is. Obviously. It must not follow to the second homeland, Miami, because when we vacationed there in October I don't recall seeing pigeon on any of the menues. Perhaps the American Cubans have become as spoiled and short-sighted as the rest of America.

So, a 5-star recruit is 10 times as likely to become an All-American as a 3-star and 25 times more likely than a 2-star... And, a 4-star recruits is 3 times as likelu to become an All-American as a 3-star and 6 times as likely to become and All-American as a 2-star... And, a 3-star recruit is 2.5 times more likely to become an All-American than a 2-star.... Yeah, well. We kind of already knew all of this. That's why I pooh-pooh Rivals and Scout for handing out too many 3-star ratings. Look, it isn't difficult to watch a high school football game and see who are the men playing among boys. To me, what Rivals rates as 3-star guys are those who contributed more than the average high school kid and may have a shot a starting for a couple, maybe three years in college. I like the Scouts, Inc. numberical rating system better - although, this year, they caved an now show the numberical score and along with a star rating. They've dumbed it down for the salivating masses who may venture over form Rivals and Scout. Scouts, Inc. says we have two "3-star players"...Rivals says we have 7. Scouts, Inc. breaks it donw like this: 5-star: Immediate impact starter at what they call "major college level" coming out of high school 4-star: 3- or 4-year starter for at the major college level 3-star: Could develop into a starter at the major college level 2-star: Solid starter a mid-major level 1-star: No skills "at this point" to play at a major college level, could contribute at mid-major or FCS level This is a more realistic gauge to me that Rivals and Scout giving out a ridiculously high number of 2- and 3-star ratings every year. Using this guide, here's how the Sun Belt is stacking up, according to Scouts, Inc.: Arkansas State: 3 3-star players, 6 2-star players, 1 1-star player Florida International: 4 3-star players, 6 2-star players Florida Atlantic: 1 3-star player, 3 2-star players Louisiana: 2 3-star players, 2 2-star players ULM: 1 3-star player, 4 2-star players Middle Tennessee: Zero 3-star players, 3 2-star players North Texas: 2 3-star players, 3 2-star players Troy: 5 3-star players, 5 2-star players, 1 1-star player The X factor, as always, is coaching. But, given the hires over the past two years of Deloach, Nelson, Gahagan, and Canales, I'll stack our coaching stack up against anyone else in this conference.

People can eat lots of things - meat, vegetables, processed cheese. In some parts of the world, they eat dogs and cats. Others eat insects. The Cubans eat pigeons because their socialist economy is so great. The thing is we've got all of this handwringing all the time about what will happen if this or that happens. What will happen is this - we'll all get up and eat something, then go to work. Global warming has never been about science, anyway. It's always been about two things: (1) making the United States fork over even more money to crappily run countries (2) giving the leftists in America complete control of the government and economy all for the sake of their bogeyman. Well guess what leftists? Suck it! You'll never pull the wool over our eyes - and, therefore, the money out of our pockets - to fund your chicken little theories to their fanatical end. I'm waiting for the day when all of these environmentalists walk the walk of the talk they are talking and move away from the rest of society and cling to their beloved "Mother Earth" for their survival. There's a whole lot of open land in Africa, environmentalists. Grab a plane tickets and go fight for your survival with the lions and hyenas. I'd love to see the results. Boing. Boing. Boing. That's the sound of an ape bouncing your head all over the Serengeti. Meanwhile, I'm home in Frisco, Texas in my air conditioned home, drinking cold Pepsi Cola out of a can, microwaving a chicken pot pie, and commuting 44 miles a day back and forth in my own car, and remarking to my SUV-driving, child-bearing wife about how nice it is to turn on the news and not have hear from the environmentalists anymore.

It can be on all he wants. Thankfully, though, he will only be in "resource" mode, leaving the playcalling to Canales. That's why I posted last week that he can sit up in the press box and eat hot dogs and drink Dr. Peppers. I think that's the best place for him to use his "resourcing" skills. I think Rick Villareal has had more of a say in this handover of duties than we may think. I'm probably not the only person he has spoken to in the last three years that mentioned disapointment in the coaching choices, assignments, and decisions. I think we will all benefit now that Dodge is in "resource" mode, not playcalling mode. Strip it down to its core, and what do you think Dodge is doing in 2010, anyway: (1) He's said Canales will form the gameplan (2) He's said Canales will call the plays (3) He's said Canales will coach the quarterbacks. (4) He's said that he is only a "resource." There aren't my words. These are the words of Todd Dodge himself. And, again, he's wise to turn it over to a pro. We'll reap the benefit by challenging for, if not winning outright, the Sun Belt title in Canales first year here. Offhand, I can't think of a Sun Belt opponents who has a defense coordinator with experience and success at the BCS level that Canales has. He will have no match in the league. You read it here first: With Canales on board, choosing the quarterback, and calling the shots, the rest of the Sun Belt is chasing us now. We are the lead dog. Look at our butt, Sun Belt foes...that's as close as your going to get to beating it in 2010. I issue the same warning to Rice and Army...and Kansas State better watch out as well because we'll be rolling like thunder by the end of the season! That right Wildcat Junior College...we now have a coach that won't be folding up the playbook after three series. I've got a fever. And, the only prescription that can cure it is more Canales!

Good, I prefer global cooling.