The Fake Lonnie Finch

He already has a good relationship with Texas HS coaches, something Jones allegedly didn't have and wasn't building. This would not be great for us, if Mack Brown accepts. Also, Mack and SMU prez both grew up in the Church of Christ, so they can sing 728b before the games together.

I imagine this same type of pity party/weeping and gnashing of teeth would have occurred had McCarney allowed Berglund to start a couple of game and turn the ball over six or seven times with his "athletic ability" as well. To the Berglund/Berglund, Jr. crowd: It doesn't matter what the game plan is if the quarterback won't learn it. And, further, if he's giving the opposing teams 42 points, he's playing for the wrong team. What McCarney is signaling to HS kids is that he'll happily offer you a scholarship if you are willing to dedicate yourself to the program and put in the work it takes to be a quarterback at this level. Unfortunately for us and Mac, we've had too many who couldn't or wouldn't.

So, two coaches who have been at it for decades conspired to make a player they put on scholarship look bad and lose games for them? That makes sense.

We weren't four or five touchdowns behind in the fourth quarter because of McNulty's turnovers. We have already acknowledged that the defense deserves plenty of blame as well. McNulty didn't give USM any freebies, okay? If we had been tied with Indiana and UAB 20-20 in the middle of the third quarter, I'd see your argument. But, we weren't. After falling behind, McNulty led the team on a drive to the 15 or 16, but Trevor Moore missed his first field goal of the year. That would have put us within seven. Defense gets the ball back, McNulty drives us into USM territory again to about the 30. He's sacked and hurt on the ensuing first down. Dajon come in to replace him and also gets sacked. McNulty had us down there when it counted. We weren't blown out. Trevor Moore was bound to miss a field goal at some point in his college career. That was a tough point for it to happen. Still, it's hard to fault McNulty. He wasn't turning the ball over early or late, and had sustained drives when we needed them late. Just didn't finish them off. That is leaps and bounds better than where Greer and Williams had us in the other losses.

That's plenty. It's the story of almost every freaking successful quarterback: (1) In the weight room (2) In the film room (3) In the playbook (4) On their teammates asses about doing to same So, yes...seven turnovers from Dajon over a two game span leading to 42 points for our opponents, it has everything to do with preparation. Maybe someone will direct him to the quotes about these quarterbacks and it will light a fire under his butt. Although, I have a sneaking suspicion that McCarney, Canales,and Wintrich have given them their own examples of past successful quarterbacks at their various stops who worked their butts off to succeed. Again, he either wants to do it or he doesn't. There are no shortcuts due to "athleticism." Try to tell me he's so athletic that he doesn't have to do the thing Colin Kaepernick was doing, even while he was Alex Smith's backup! It's either in you or it isn't. If Dajon doesn't have the "hate to lose" mentality in him so much that it drives him to the weight room, film room, and playbook - drive him to get in his teammates' faces about their work habits - why is he here? Ditto any other quarterback on the roster. What is he waiting for, the punter to step up and lead the team? Dajon, you are a quarterback; get up and lead the team...every day...everywhere!

Chuck Pagano on Andrew Luck: "He's the first guy here, last guy to leave. Every time you walk by the quarterback room, film room, he's usually in there studying tape. The guy's just relentless. He's relentless. He's relentless on the field, he's relentless in the classroom, he's relentless in walkthroughs. Every part of his job, in the training room, in the weight room, warmups, you guys are out there for all that stuff. He's got a routine and he's a pro's pro, and he was a pro's pro early. Those are the things that we try to tell the young guys coming in, ‘Hey, look, you've got a guy like this, like number 12, and 87 and 90, and Vinny (Adam Vinatieri) and these pros. Just get in their hip pocket and do exactly what they do.'" http://www.stampedeblue.com/2014/9/4/6104235/chuck-pagano-praises-andrew-lucks-focus-in-replacing-peyton-manning

Colin Kaepernick: SANTA CLARA – Anyone worried whether Colin Kaepernick's sudden celebrity has altered the 49ers' quarterback or turned him Hollywood-soft need only arrive at the team practice facility at, oh, 5:55 on any given morning. There you'd find Kaepernick's white Jaguar sedan – recompense for one of the ads he shot this offseason – in the first stall of the parking lot and Kaepernick on a bench in the weight room. Or sprinting across the practice field. Or tethered, via a 10-foot chain, to a stack of 35-pound plates he's dragging across the turf. Michael Wilhoite, a young reserve inside linebacker eager to stay on the squad last year, said he'd routinely arrive before sunrise intending to be the first player in the weight room. Instead, he'd find Kaepernick, then a backup to Alex Smith, had beaten him into the office. "And it's the same situation this year," Wilhoite said. "You walk in and he's already drinking his protein shake. Because he's already done with his workout." http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nfl/san-francisco-49ers/article2578282.html

Favre: "Brett was normal. His best friend was the strength coach.” "To the backups, it makes perfect sense. Hasselbeck often found Favre alone in the weight room, squatting 315 pounds." http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/10/sports/football/10favre.html?_r=3&ref=sports&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&

Aikman: One thing that's certain is that success won't spoil Aikman. As Laufenberg said, "He'll probably do Lettermen and a few things like that, but I guarantee you he'll be in the weight room in March." http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1993-01-29/sports/1993029101_1_troy-aikman-laufenberg-dallas-cowboys

More Cam Newton, from Cam Newton: CN: "...I understand that my body has to be ready to do more than just throw the football. I have to take my body through the rigors and be prepared to take hits and be strong enough to tote the ball 10 times a game if asked to. At my position, the core is very important, as is overall body balance. Because there’s very rarely a time when you have a perfect pocket. You have to be able to torque and control your body to make accurate throws, whether it’s a blitz or a pretty pocket. M&F: So you carry that motivation into the gym, not just the practice field? CN: Absolutely. It’s a standard that’s set that starts in the weight room. Because during the off-season, many teams overlook that time that you have in the weight room and just go through the motions as if it’s not important. But we have guys like Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, myself – guys that hold each other accountable. It’s like, if you have 10 reps to do, do 10 good quality reps. Don’t just do enough to say you did it. With the group of guys on this team holding each other accountable, it’s the little things that are going to make a big difference for us this season. http://www.muscleandfitness.com/athletes-celebrities/news/cam-newton-2014-mf-strength-team-qb

Ryan Mallett: "O’Brien said a career backup the Texans traded for Sunday now understands the pro game better, while his accuracy and dedication in the weight room have clearly improved." http://blog.chron.com/ultimatetexans/2014/09/ryan-mallett-named-texans-backup-qb/#26367101=0

Cam Newton: "The Panthers re-evaluated Newton this weekend, and he threw 25 passes before coming back to the facility Sunday to work out in the weight room and the underwater treadmill." http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/09/01/5143633/carolina-panthers-quarterback.html#.VEgZvBY264E

Kirk Cousins' high school coach: JJ: What’s your best memory of Kirk off the field? TL: The biggest thing was how much of phenomenal leader he was. The thing I remember is that he outworked everyone in the weight room. Everyone. Kirk had a 4.0 GPA too; he was a lot brighter than I am I can tell you that. He was always really, really organized and focused. He always had a plan. http://usatodayhss.com/2014/redskins-qb-kirk-cousins-hs-coach-says-skins-are-without-a-doubt-in-good-hands

Mike Pettine on Johnny Manziel - a fan favorite here - at the beginning of training camp: "He's been very humble," Pettine said. "He's been great in the meeting rooms. Worked hard -- worked hard in the weight room; one of the best guys in the weight room. Asked the right questions. I think he's ahead of the learning curve." http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/11246666/cleveland-browns-name-starting-qbjohnny-manziel-brian-hoyer-third-preseason-game-coach-mike-pettine-says

Here's that dimwit John Elway in an interview about being a football player: MF: What are some of the things that the average guy doesn’t know about life in the NFL? JE: There is just so much to it. There’s the glory on Sundays, but getting prepared to play on Sunday takes tons of time. Not only in learning the offensive system and the defensive system, but also in the hours spent in the weight room in the off-season. Even during the season, we spend hours studying a game plan; there’s a new one each week. Everybody gets dinged up, so you have to spend two, three hours a day in the training room. - See more at: http://www.mensfitness.com/training/pro-tips/qa-quarterback-john-elway#sthash.1Z0gvS0s.dpuf Men's Fitness :What are some of the things that the average guy doesn’t know about life in the NFL? John Elway: There is just so much to it. There’s the glory on Sundays, but getting prepared to play on Sunday takes tons of time. Not only in learning the offensive system and the defensive system, but also in the hours spent in the weight room in the off-season. Even during the season, we spend hours studying a game plan; there’s a new one each week. Everybody gets dinged up, so you have to spend two, three hours a day in the training room. http://www.mensfitness.com/training/pro-tips/qa-quarterback-john-elway What? John Elway didn't get by just "improvising?" He learned the offense and the defense AND LIFTED WEIGHTS. And, he even did those things in the off-season? Jeez, no wonder the guy only won two paltry Super Bowl rings. Wasted to much time preparing for the games. He was obviously overthinking what is, really, a simple game: take the snap, look for the first receiver..if he's not open, run...or, try to fit it into the "tight window" anyway. MF: What are some of the things that the average guy doesn’t know about life in the NFL? JE: There is just so much to it. There’s the glory on Sundays, but getting prepared to play on Sunday takes tons of time. Not only in learning the offensive system and the defensive system, but also in the hours spent in the weight room in the off-season. Even during the season, we spend hours studying a game plan; there’s a new one each week. Everybody gets dinged up, so you have to spend two, three hours a day in the training room. - See more at: http://www.mensfitness.com/training/pro-tips/qa-quarterback-john-elway#sthash.1Z0gvS0s.dpuf MF: What are some of the things that the average guy doesn’t know about life in the NFL? JE: There is just so much to it. There’s the glory on Sundays, but getting prepared to play on Sunday takes tons of time. Not only in learning the offensive system and the defensive system, but also in the hours spent in the weight room in the off-season. Even during the season, we spend hours studying a game plan; there’s a new one each week. Everybody gets dinged up, so you have to spend two, three hours a day in the training room. - See more at: http://www.mensfitness.com/training/pro-tips/qa-quarterback-john-elway#sthash.1Z0gvS0s.dpuf

So, just so I'm clear here: (1) Lifting weight does not make a player stronger. (2) The play book is irrelevant. (3) Recognition of defenses is overrated. So, here are my questions: (1) Why do football program waste hundreds of thousand of dollars (millions for the bigger schools) to build weight rooms, equip then, then hire strength coaches and assistant strength coaches to oversee all of the lifting, keeping track of the players' gains...and, of those not making gains? (2) Why have playbooks at all? Instead of wasting time studying playbooks, the players could spend more time playing XBox, smoking grass, drinking 40s, shoplifting from Wal Mart, and getting their girlfriends pregnant. (3) Why watch game film? That's obviously insulting to players who are "athletic" enough to just "improvise" when their main target isn't open down after down after down. Again, there are other, more enjoyable, things the players can be doing with their time. I'm sure that Bob Stoops, Nick Saban, and the like totally excuse their quarterbacks from weightlifting, learning the playbook, and watching game film. It's the other 21 starters plus the kicker, punter, and long snapper who really need to waste their time with such trivial pursuits. It's probable that McCarney's mentor Hayden Fry frowned upon weightlifting quarterbacks who could memorize playbooks and opposing defenses' coverage schemes as well.

Look...at Texas they ran off the only coach to have them competitive since Fred Akers chase for a national title in 1982. The players there are been badmouthed, booed in person, on radio shows, on television shows, in newpapers, on message boards...NATIONALLY! Nationally, kids at Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, etc. are booed and trashed by their own fans. Only one human on the planet covers North Texas football, and he pretty much does that with kid gloves. North Texas fans, have only ONE viable message board. Imagine your kid going to Texas and being trashed on three or four message boards PLUS national sports outlets. Come on. If your kid doesn't have think skin, why is he playing a sport that has him in the public eye? No one forced a kid to keep playing football into college. If you went to 100 different cities outside of Denton, Texas and asked 100 people who the starting quarterback at North Texas should be, they wouldn't even be able to name one of them. In fact, you'd have a tough time finding a majority of people in Denton itself who could name the two currently battling for the starting position. And, here's something more: He's having his college paid for. If I'm a parent and my kid has a chance to have his schooling paid for, I care just a bit less about what the general public thinks. Me and my bank account are thankful that he's on the team.

They will find a way around it. Remember, they are now writing the rules for themselves as they go along.

Agree. I worked two jobs almost every day of college, and only attended part time during the semesters that I couldn't afford to go full time. So, my sympathy for kids who are already having their room, board, and tuition taken care of...it's lacking. Many of us busted our butts in college and paid for everything. Athletes are already getting the vast majority of their expenses covered.

Not working in the offseason has everything to do with those picks. Recognizing coverage from watching game film? Knowing where receivers are supposed to be on all plays due to studying and mastering the playbook? Being strong enough to take the hits quarterbacks take without fumbling. If you are not putting in the time in the weight room, in the film room, and in whichever room you choose to study the playbook - it all contributes to poor play once you hit the field.

I told you. The Criminal 5 are now openly doing what they gave SMU the death penalty for. Remember, I also told you that the next barrier to be leveled would be the 85 scholarship limit. It is coming. Think it's hard to recruit to places like North Texas now? A kid can now go sit on Texas' bench for $10k a year for expenses plus $5k for likeness. When the scholarship barrier is down, they will simply load up like OU used to do in the 1970s, taking every running back they could because they could.

This. We have many very competitive athletic programs now...just not the main, visible ones - football and men's basketball. My only problem with Rick has been not him not hiring Kathy McConnell-Miller to lead the women's basketball team. Although, I do like Mike Peterson.

Richard Abbe also got into trouble pre-senior season. But, worked to get out of the dog house and contribute. You are correct, though, leadership - as I posted a couple of days ago - is sorely lacking. Last year, Derek was a great leader. And, he was joined by Trice and Orr, in that. The coaches, again, can only do so much. The players have to police themselves in the locker room. Last year, we had guys in the locker room who held the team accountable. This year, not as many. I'd count Y'Barbo as a leader, for sure. But, I think you have to have your QB step up in there. McNulty is now a leader by default. Perhaps he can finally reign in the team and pull them out of the ditch. But, he'll need help.

It wasn't just the UAB game. Dajon opened the Indiana game throwing an interception on the game's third play. Indiana cashed in for a TD. He threw another one in the second half. Against Indiana, he threw two of those three TDs after we were behind 42-10. So, it wasn't as if he was lighting it up in that game either. The interceptions and fumbles have led to 42 points for opponents over two games. Plus the sacks he takes when he doesn't just throw the ball away. You just can't put a defense, already young and breaking in six new players in the front seven, into that kind of hole game after game. Dajon did it two games in a row. Look, you can either play it at this level or you can't. You either put in the time or your don't. No one is waiting around for your to finally get it. When a school invests a scholarship in you, you are expected to put in the work. Dajon hasn't put in the work, okay? And, he's been here two years. At the very least, with Greer you can say, okay it's his first year. But, after having seen him, then knowing he beat out Dajon? I think that shows how little work, behind the scenes, that Dajon was putting in. The coaching staff knows who is and isn't working. Their workouts are monitored. They know who is and isn't putting in extra time with game film. Dan McCarney is being paid to win football games, no babysit players with fragile egos and psyches. There isn't time for that. I'm sorry, but as I've said before, if Dajon still needs handholding after two years, he's really better off going down a level or two to play for a coach that will cater to his whims, and so he can be on the field with athletes who are slow enough for him can compete well, as was the case with Nicholls State.

Never ever would DT have been wallowing in self-pity on twitter. It took me until his senior year to admit I was wrong about him. I openly mocked his signing. But, at the end of the day - as our current roster of QBs are sadly proving - college football is not easy at this level. Derek persevered on and off the field. Through injury. Through losing seasons. Through coaching changes. Imagine a quarterback in 2014 with his mental toughness and knowledge of the playbook. Hope McNulty will step up to the plate and help deliver a victory this weekend. Notice I say help deliver a victory. It's a team game. If everyone can cut down the mistakes at every position and hit their assignments, this team can still win. But, everybody has to help.