The Fake Lonnie Finch

You don't have to. I went to a Christian school for two years - 7th and 8th grade - and we learned about all the theories of Earth's origin. For whatever reason, one "poof into existence" is supposed to trump the other, even though neither can be definitely proven. But, each side likes to look down their nose at the other. And, no one looks down their nose at people better than the NY Times. It's ridiculous, but true. "Poof!"

People pooh-poohed the hiring of Larry Coker. The guy knows what he is doing. And, being from Oklahoma - as a player and coach - and recruiting nationally for Ohio State and Miami...it was a great hire for UTSA. Again, I'll be disappoint if UTSA beats us, but not as surprised as many here would be.

Not just man...7-10 million species of plant and animal with, at minimum, thousands of working parts, depending on whose numbers you use. All over millions of year evolving out of a giant space "poof." All random, you understand...if you are to be rational about it. Millions and millions of random happenings over millions and millions of year that no one ever saw. I'm ready for the "space poof" believers to give me the winning lottery numbers.

Right, because it's so much less believable than the "poof into existence" came from a space explosion millions of years ago that no one saw. There's a "poof into existence" with either belief. NY Times likes its "poof into existence" belief more than it likes flyover country Christians' "poof into existence." Magic creation versus magic explosion. Choose your side. Neither can be definitively proven, so why look down at one side or the other? It's just another hypocrisy of people who say they love "rationality" and "science above all" - "You can't prove yours, so mine is right."

I'm surprised, honestly. Third year in and the quality of recruit doesn't seem to have changed much. Defensive line depth will, again, be a problem. This is what shocks me the most. It appears as though this group of coaches believes secondary is more important.

Always chuckle at sweeping claims of the love of science, when most who do so ignore that fact that AIDS is, was, and always will be a disease wrought and spread by homosexuals, bisexuals, and drug users. It's cure is a simple a keeping your penis out of other men's anuses, refraining from sex with those who do not refrain from doing so, and staying in a monogomous heterosexual relationship. Heck, that's easier than proving the origin of the universe. It's a wholly demonstrable fact that we don't have to wait "millions and billions" of years to prove. But, I guess picking and choosing which science to believe makes them feel a cut above. Carry on, NY Times - your wilful ignorance is no better or worse than the religious.

I took the survey, but there was no free banana at the end.

If there is no consistent pass rush and no ability to stop the run, I expect more 4-8. If the only real receiving threat, again, is Chancellor, I expect more 4-8. Players are going to have to decide to do it this year. They have stability in the coaching staff. They have new facilities. They have fan support. They are doing well in class. They have access to all the Choki Choki they can stomach. It's time to do something with it. I've spent so much capital on believing the coaches make it work, but...it' really time at this place for the players to own up and do something. They aren't wallowing away at Fouts anymore with the AD and head coach fightiing, or AD foisting high school coaches on them. They have what they need to win. The 2013 season will tell whether or not this group of players have the will to prepare for a bowl season. If they don't well...at least our assistant coaches aren't molesting children. We'll always have that going for us.

This is the kind of get we need to keep...getting.

Where was he in 2012? In 2011 he was with Fort Valley State: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/players/209957 I'd take a flyer on him as a walk-on, but he's likely to be a junior...? How much time does Canales have to develop him?

No. That guy went bust at UTEP and spent last year at TrinityValley JC. Neither rivals nor scout carry recruiting information about him this time around. http://stats.njcaa.org/sports/fball/2012-13/players/javiahallbycs If he wants to walk on and give it shot at receiver here, I'd say yes. We're set at QB.

I think when all is said and done, the prep part of the 2010 Class will be among the more successful ones we've had. Now...we also signed 11 JUCOs. I'll carve out some time this weekend to post those. We had some good players there as well. But, I think there were three who never hit campus, and others who didn't pan out. That is what kind of hurts our depth now. Some of our starters had bona fide offers to schools who have gone bowling of late - Bellazin/SD State and SMU, Orr/Tulsa, Y'Barbo/Houston. These were excellent gets. Would love to see Bellazin hit the 10+ sack mark in 2013.

PART I - Prep Signees Richard Abbe - DT/Lubbock Monterrey - No other offers 2010: 5 games, 1 tackle 2011: 12 games, 7 tackles, 0.5 for loss, 0.5 sacks, 1 interception, 1 pass defensed 2012: 11 games, 13 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 1 sack, 2 passes broken up, 2 passes defensed, 1 fumble recovery Aaron Bellazin - DE/Everman - 3 stars - Offers from Buffalo, ULM, New Mexico, San Diego State, SMU, SFA, UTEP 2010: 12 games, 8 tackles 2011: 9 games, 10 tackles, 2.5 for loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble forced 2012: 12 games, 32 tackles, 9 for loss, 5 sacks, 1 pass broken up, 1 pass defensed, 2 fumbles forced, 1 quarterback hurry Brandin Byrd - RB/Copperas Cove - 2 stars - No other offers 2010: 12 games, 173 rushing yards/1 TD, 6 receiving yards, 5 tackles 2011: 11 games, 83 rushing yards/1 TD, 16 receiving yards, 108 kick return yards 2012: 12 games, 860 rushing yards/4 TD, 92 receiving yards, 28 kick return yards Brelan Chancellor - WR/Copperas Cove - 2 stars - No other offers 2010: 9 games, 12 receiving yards, 10 punt return yards, 923 kick return yards/2 TD, 4 tackles 2011: 12 games, 46 rushing yards, 457 receiving yards/3 TD, 31 punt return yards, 1094 kick return yards 2012: 8 games, 155 rushing yards/2 TD, 450 receiving yards/5 TD, 10 punt return yards, 351 kick return yards Blake Dunham - LB/DS/Argyle - 2 stars - No other offers 2010: Redshirted 2011: 0 games 2012: 12 games Graylan Hawkins - OL/Dallas Skyline - 2 stars - No other offers 2010: Redshirted, moved to TE 2011: Not on roster, arrested on two counts of credit card abuse, 5/13/2011 2012: Not on roster, plead charges, received deferred adjudication, 3 years probation, 120 community service, $1,125 fine/assessment; assessment paid off early, 8/14/2012; judgement adjusted 9/11/2012 for time served. Antonio Johnson - DE/OL/Diboll - 2 stars - ULM, Texas State 2010: Redshirted 2011: 12 games 2012: 11 games Zach Olen - K/Richardson Berkner - No stars - No other offers 2010: 9 games, 21 of 23 PATs, 13 of 15 FGs, 60 points 2011: 12 games, 32 of 33 PATs, 8 of 16 FGs, 56 points, 2 tackles 2012: 12 games, 28 of 29 PATs, 11 of 16 FGs, 61 points, 3 tackles Zachary Orr - LB/DeSoto - 3 star - Louisiana Tech, San Diego State, Tulsa, UTEP 2010: 12 games, 60 tackles, 1 for loss, 2 pass break ups, 1 quarterback hurry 2011: 9 games, 74 tackles, 7 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 fumble forced, 3 passes broken up, 4 passes defensed, 2 quarterback hurries 2012: 12 games, 108 tackles, 3.5 for loss, 2 interceptions, 2 fumbles recovered, 2 passes broken up, 2 passes defensed, 1 quarterback hurry Derrick Teegarden - QB/Odessa - 2 star - No other offer 2010: 1 game 2011: Moved to WR, 3 games, 22 receiving yards 2012: 7 games, 30 receiving yards Mason Y'Barbo - OL/Sulphur Springs - 2 star - Houston, Northwestern State 2010: Redshirt 2011: 12 games 2012: 12 games

Analysis so far: Good Derek Akunne Antionne Jimmerson Lairamie Lee Cyril Lemon Andrew Power Zach Whitfield Still Good Upside Alex Lincoln Daryl Mason Mike Marshall Incomplete Chad Polk Austin Orr Freddie Warner Michael Stojkovic Next year is third year on campus...anything? Travis Ellard Cooper Jones Andrew McNulty Micah Thompson Bust Chaz Sampson Kerry Swarn Moved Along Terrell Brooks Still JUCO Jamone Greer Out of time/Grad Andrew Power Brent Osborn Yes, I know Power is listed twice. He was a good signing; wish he had more time here.

Walk-on contributors, 2011 Colton Clay - LB/Princeton 2011: 11 games, 10 tackles 2012: Not on roster, can't find anything else Nick Crewe - LB-DE/The Woodlands 2011: 2 games - 1 tackle 2012: Not on roster, can't find anything else Mike Marshall - DB/South Grand Prairie 2011: 8 games, 5 tackles 2012: 11 games, 4 tackles, 0.5 for loss

Derek Akunne - LB/North Garland - 2 stars - Offers from Air Force, Colorado State, Western Kentucky 2011: 10 games - 20 tackles, 2.5 for loss 2012: 12 games - 90 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, 1 fumble forced, 5 passes broken up, 7 passes defensed Terrell Brooks - DT/Duncanville - 2 stars - No other offers High risk gamble; discovered why when he left the team after playing in one game. 2011: Registered a safety during the one game played. Waste of talent. 2012: Played 10 games at Navarro JC, 46 tackles, 11 for loss, 3 passes broken up; committed to Baylor for 2013 Travis Ellard - OL/Deer Park - 2 star - No other offers 2011: Redshirt 2012: 1 game Jamone Greer - CB/Sugar Land Kemper - 2 star - Utah State, Central Arkansas Did not qualify academically 2011: took a redshirt at Blinn. 2012: played in two games at Blinn; made one tackle Antoinne Jimmerson - RB/DeSoto - 2 Stars - No other offers 2011: Redshirt 2012: 10 games played, 544 rushing yards/5 TDs, 205 receiving yards/3 TDs Cooper Jones - QB/Lone Oak - 3 stars - Air Force, SFA 2011: Redshirt 2012: Moved to TE, no games played Lairamie Lee - CB/Tyler Chapel Hill - 2 stars - No other offers 2011: 11 games, 10 tackles , 1 blocked kick - 1 punt return for 19 yards 2012: 12 games, 72 tackles, 1 for loss, 1 interception, 3 passes broken up, 4 passes defensed Cyril Lemon - OG/Marble Falls - 2 stars - FIU, Houston, Louisiana Tech, Missouri, New Mexico State, Rice 2011: 12 games 2012: 12 games Alex Lincoln - DE/Cibolo - 2 stars - No other offers 2011: 8 games, 2 tackles 2012: 11 games, 15 tackles, 2.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 quarterback hurry Daryl Mason - DE/Rowlett - 2 stars - No other offers 2011: 6 games, 1 tackle 2012: 9 games, 6 tackles, 1 quarterback hurry Andrew McNulty - QB/Iowa City, IA - 2 stars - No other offers 2011: 7 games - 28 of 51 passing for 352 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs - 23 rushes for 57 yards, 1 TD - 2 tackles (both against Tulsa) 2012: 0 games Austin Orr - DE/Houston Clear Lake - 2 stars - New Mexico State, Texas State, Montana State 2011: Redshirt 2012: 3 games played, no stats Brent Osborn - QB/Valley, AL/NW Mississippi CC - 3 stars - Murray State, Tennessee-Martin 2011: 3 games, 13 for 21 passing for 127 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs - 4 rushes for 16 yards 2012: 1 game, 0 for 2 passing Chad Polk - LB/Woodrow Wilson - 2 stars - Baylor, Sam Houston 2011: Redshirt 2012: 5 games, 9 tackles, 1 for loss Andrew Power - TE/Myrtle Beach, SC/Arizona Western CC - 3 stars - Memphis, Nevada, Tennessee, Utah State 2011: 12 games, 16 catches for 142 yards, 1 TD - 1 fumble recovery for 29 yards, 1 TD - 1 tackle 2012: 11 games, 14 catches for 180 yards, 1 TD Chaz Sampson - WR/Mansfield Timberview - 2 stars - Pittsburgh, Tulsa, UTEP 2011: Redshirt 2012: 0 games Michael Stojkovic - LB/Katy/Valley Forge Military - 2 stars - No other offers 2011: 12 game, 48 tackles, 5 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 fumble forced, 1 pass broken up 2012: 0 games Kerry Swarn - S/Lincoln - 3 stars - Arizona, Iowa, East Carolina 2011: 4 games 2012: Tyler Junior College or North Central Texas College, student IDs to both: http://www.iphoneogram.com/u/49567084 Micah Thompson - DT/Jones, OK - 2 stars - Tulsa 2011: Redshirt, moved to OL 2012: 2 games Freddie Warner - CB/Pinkston - 3 stars - Colorado State, Utah State 2011: 7 games, 18 tackles, .5 for loss, .5 sacks, 1 pass broken up 2012: 1 game Zach Whitfield - RB/Sherman - 2 stars - New Mexico State 2011: Redshirt 2012: Moved to CB, 12 games, 60 tackles, 3 interceptions, 12 passes broken up, 15 passes defenses, 1 fumble forced

Right here, brocephus, is not a quitter. Pencil me in on the Derek side of the ledger.

Given the child molesting Penn State allowed to go on for decades, this is the kind of thing that makes me not care about being 4-8 on the field. When he arrived and began to go out on the coaches tour, Dan told many of us that the academic performance was so bad that he was shocked. He vowed to turn it around. And, it appears as though he has. We complain a bunch about on the field performance, or lack thereof. But, in the long run, these guys getting an education for their future is more important. Give credit where credit is due. Great job, coach Dan and staff. And, great job, fellas! Hard work does pay off in life...in every endeavor. Keep pushing.

UTSA has come a long way in a very short time. It is impressive. If they beat us this year, I will not be surprised. Their trajectory seems to be mirroring South Florida, for sure. Here are my two caveats: (1) UTSA really is in San Antonio; we are not really in Dallas. (2) UTSA has not other football options to compete against in their metropolitan area; we compete against SMU, TCU, and the Dallas Cowboys. San Antonio is a big city that didn't have football until UTSA erected their program. It has an element of newness to it. So, there are thousands of football fans to draw upon. Remember, San Antonio had a USFL team, it's had a long time bowl game, and it's had the Dallas Cowboys' training camp. This isn't a city that hates football. Denton is not in Dallas, and it's nothing like Dallas. For better or worse, our reputation, perhaps holds us back. First, our legacy, in the eyes of many, is a losing one. Very few remember the Abner Haynes/Spider Lockhart/Mean Joe Green/Steve Ramsey days in Denton. Then, we dropped off the map into I-AA when the arms race for television contracts and facilities fired up in the late 80s/early 90s. Also, the student body has a reputation of being more "hippie" than "social." And, finally, whether it aggravates us or not, we also had the reputation for being a commuter school. I want things to change for us, and hope they do. I thanked Dan back at the May gathering in Plano for giving us hope again. I really do want him to get things done on the field. Off the field, he's swimming upstream alot more than UTSA or USF had to, given their built in big city metro campuses, football starved citizens, and shiny newness. He and we can't match that, so he - or, anyone else who is our head coach - will have to win and win big to get us on the map.

...offensive chit-chat for you from Barry Switzer, who used to coach football: “The philosophy of running the football is so important,” Barry Switzer told me last fall. “Because you don’t allow the other team to be out there. Alabama does both, but they run first. They play two tight ends, they make you play balanced, they put a flanker out both ways so you’ve got to play four deep. You’ve got to play cover-2 against two flankers with two tight ends. Now they put one back back there, they make your seven-man front — you can’t overshift one way because they’ve got that balanced offensive front — you’ve got to play ‘em straight. So you get man-on-man, they come off and just gash you. They run the football because they’re bigger and better than you are and they mash your ass.” I like that. Two tight ends. Two flankers. The halfback. The quarterback. The offensive linemen. Sounds so simple...because it is!

It's because I had SPAM and Vienna Sausages for lunch. I'd been eating healthy for so long, I forgot how to think straight.

TE and Special Teams. Riddle coached both. Maybe he would laugh. But, coaches like to coach...and draw paychecks.

Hire Mario Cristobal as replacement for Riddle. Before becoming FIU head coach, Cristobal coached tight ends at Rutgers (01-02) and Miami (04-05). I know it's a stretch. But, look...the guy put together some pretty good recruiting classes at FIU with not much more than promises to work with. Many coaching contracts say that payout after dismissal is diminished by whatever said coach makes at a new job. So, unless FIU lump summed him, we might be able to get him on the cheap since FIU would still be paying him off his old contract. I know it's a crazy idea and farfetched. But...it doesn't hurt to dream. The guy already knows our competition level, and has extensive recruiting ties to Florida, a land brimming and deep with speed.

Not even 15? Wow. They're newer than I thought...and considered our equal. That's what wears on people. Those two have come quite a ways in a short time.