Charlie NT 73

Of all the pre-season predictions for all SBC players I have seen, I also agree that Riley Dodge should be considered as a top candidate for the Freshman of the Year in the SBC. Every SBC sports fan knows who Riley is, but, I do not think these sports fans know just how well Riley will be able to run the offense, nor do these fans know his athletic abilities. Riley has what it takes, plain and simple. Riley will be a outstanding QB!

I ran across these 2 web sites today. MAC Pre-season predictions, rankings, etc. http://www.themacdaily.com/1_36_MAC-Football_Preview.html MAC East, 7 teams, Buffalo at #1, and Ohio Univ at #5. MAC West, 6 teams, Central Michigan at #1, and Ball St at #4. http://www.themacdaily.com/1_38_Capsules.html Notes for each MAC team.

Over 1200yds- yes! Cam is a power runing back, that does have moves and speed. For Cam to reach this milestone, many other parts of the offense must work too. I see Cam's chances to break 1200yds as very good because of several reasons: 1. The OL- can this group gel? With 2-3 yrs together, yes they can gel. I do believe the OL is a much improved group, especially with the depth available. I can see the starting group becoming stronger. Coach Leftwich just may have his best OL group this season. There were times LY, the OL was opening up some good lanes, which allowed Cam to break 900yds. There were several 20-30yd runs by Cam, against some good defenses. Cam is a good RB! 2. The passing game - can open the run game. First, I think the OL will be better at stoping the blitz packages that will come. Second, Riley will make his reads quickly and not hold on to the ball. Third- this may be the ace in the hole, Riley's ability to get out of trouble, plus his zone read skills. After the opponets DC's see Riley's skills first hand, and see Riley break off a couple of big zone reads, their focus will be to stop Riley, all season long. This will change NT's offensive game schemes, to take advantage of knowing what the opponents defense will be doing to stop Riley. 3. With the attention to Riley and the passing game, Cam will have even more rush opportunities, plus Cam will draw off attention to Riley. I think more passes to Cam in the flat will happen this year too. Now the DC's must defend Cam's running abilities, plus his being open for the pass in the flat. With the improved OL, the passing game clicking with short and medium completions that move the chains, add in the deep passes when the opportunity is there, plus the zone read abilities Riley will have, this will open the door for Cam to make 1200yds rushing. Add in Cam's receiving passing stats, Cam may be at 1600yds or more of total offense by one player.

I had read a story about a 7 on 7 game, NT vs the phonies, that was to take place yesterday evening. Does anyone know about this, any reports?

I am disappointed that Coach Ausmus is leaving, and I wish him the best. The Tennessee job takes him back home, and back to his school. One good point from this, is Coach Ausmus did win the players over, and the players have learned alot about S/C. If the fromer Tennessee S/C coach had stayed at Tennessee, maybe Coach Ausmus would still be at NT. From Brett Vito's story, I sense that Coach Dodge already knew that Coach Ausmus would receive the Tennessee offer and that he would take the job. Coach Dodge states he already has several very good candidates on his list. I would expect the new S/C coach to be named very soon.

West Virgina, and Louisville, were after Atkinson as well. Yes, Atkinson did choose NT over these other schools. UNT90- I can name many players on this roster, that were recruited by major programs, that did chose NT over the big boys. Here's one- How about Sam Roberson, recruited by Alabama and Auburn. Coach Dodge's recruiting classes have averaged a Rivals.com rating of 5.3 per player per year. Dickey's last 3 classes, 04, 05, and 06, had a average Rivals rating per player of 3.7 Rivals lowest rating for a player is 4.9. Which would you rather have? Jack Cumes over Coleman Feely? Mike Mazzola over Gabe Hollivay, or Matt Tomlinson? David Collins over Tevinn Cantly? Brady Hartman over Jeremy Bean? Thomas Pratt over Lance Dunbar? Trent Stanly over JJ Johnson? Tim Patton over Jesse DeSoto, Troy Franklin I will say the talent levels at NT are far greater now than with the past coaching staff. Really!

I do like our 2009 class. The 2009 class has terrific athletes, big DL/OL players, skill position players, and speed. This class met many position needs with quality players, that will be at NT for years. I saw Shavod Atkinson at the spring game. If Phill Steel believes Shavod Atkinson is a sub-par JUCO recruit, maybe Phill should come down here to see our recruits himself.

This season, I believe there will be several players on both the offense and the defense that will come into their own. Just picking one player that will become a stud player is difficult to chose. Defense: DT Jesse DeSoto- last year Jesse was double teamed alot. This season the pressure will be off DeSoto because of Cantly comming on to the scene. After the opponents DC's view Cantly at DE, the double teams will drop off DeSoto. Big year for Jesse! Close second- Safety, DaWaylon Cook. Offense: OT Victor Gill. Kind of a tweener. The former TE was moved to OT because he was the best available OT at the time. Considered too light, and inexperienced, Gill has held his own against very good DE's and DT's. Gill has hit the weights, become bigger and stronger. This is his third year at OT, so he knows what to do to become a dominate OT, and he knows that he must protect Riley's back side. With Bean and Tomlinson right behind Gill, the competition will make Gill a better OT! Close second- WR Breece Johnson

I heard SMU may be interested in contacting Floyd.

Last February, during the LOI signing day event held at the Pourhouse, Coach Dodge mention our incomming JUCO's, DT Shavod Atkinson, DT Kelvin Jackson, and DE John Weber, would be on campus in June, to participate in Coach Ausmus's summer conditioning program. I believe the summer conditioning program starts next Monday 06/08. Does anyone know if these players are on campus now, or, when the staff expects their arrival to NT?

Will Riley's speed benefit the team? Will Riley's speed make opponets DC's more honest? Yes to both questions! Hell yes! IMHO, Riley's quickness and speed will be a huge factor. Riley is a weapon, that will open up holes in opponets defensive game plans. When Riley breaks off a couple of big zone reads on Ball State, or breaks a big gain on a scramble, every DC will pay special attention on containing Riley, through out the season. Attention to Riley will just open the door for Cam, the passing game, and the offense. Riley will be a major weapon for the NT offense, plain and simple.

Money talks, and that, is all there is to this deal. A one time deal, take it or leave it. The SEC and Big 12, loves the SBC teams for their home openers. What happen to the theory of guaranteed return game? How many times has NT opened the season at home? I would rather open at home with a team like Baylor or Houston. As long as Georgia is the only power house team for the 2013 season, I can go along with this game. On the bright side, there is always a chance for a NT win! Winning at Georgia, would be worth more than the paycheck!

Coach Ausmus got stung by Kiffin, so, I really do not think, Coach Ausmus will bolt back to the wasp nest. From what I have heard, Coach Ausmus likes his job here at NT, the players, the staff, and the Mean Green scene.

Predictions for the 09 season? My crystal ball is not working, and neither is my bowling ball. There are some intangibles worth considering when making a bold prediction, like Riley Dodge, Tyler Stradford, Tevinn Cantly, Kelvin Drake, Jeremy Phillips, Coach Nelson, year 2 for DC Gary DeLoach, Coach Gandy's special teams, new JUCO's this fall. Schedule- 6 home games! Sweet! Sweet! Sweet! Sweet! Sweet! Sweet! 09/03: @ Ball State. The book says NT has no chance. First game jitters? Personell changes for both teams. I would call a "toss up" but that means a loss for NT. Close but not enough. 09/12: Ohio comes to town, home opener, good crowd. Good match up for NT? Ohio has been middle of the pack in the MAC for 4yrs. NT wins a home opener! Barely though. 09/19: @ Ala-damn-Bama. In T-town. There is always a chance, but no chance here, loss. 09/26: MTSU, always the darlings of the SBC, new OC guru, returning players. If there ever will be a NT upset game, this is it. NT wins by 1. 10/10 @ U La la or Louisana? The big LaLa guns are gone! NT wins on the road! 10/17: FAU comes to town. Alot of player changes at FAU, only problem is Rusty Smith is not one of the changes, nor is old Snelly! Loss for NT but a better showing. 10/24: @ Troy. Too much for NT to handle. Maybe a better showing? No. Loss, yes. 10/31: WKU. Fun game, back and forth, NT wins in another close fashion. 11/07:ULM. Two Home games in a row! NT keeps the win streak alive! 11/14: @ FIU. TY Hilton has not declared for the NFL draft-yet. Loss. 11/21: Army has been on hard times, new triple option, not enough, NT wins. 11/28: Ark St, another yearly SBC contender. NT played close LY but lost in the final seconds. This game is a repete of last year. Another NT heart breaking loss in the final seconds to Ark St! Final prediction, 6-6 Corrected the W/L count. I still believe 7-5 could happen.

I voted 21-25. Last year the team gave up 45 ppg, so I cut this ppg in half. The defense for 09 is not the same team as 07 and 08. DeLoach has more experienced players to work with, that have been in his system for a year. The interior DL has veterans that can start. A featured player with Gilmore, and a new demension with Cantly and Akpunku. Add in the JUCO's, especially Atkinson and Weber, under the guidence of Coach Mike Nelson, the DL play will certainly be stronger. I think Cantly can become a defensive star quickly. The true freshmen secondary that got burned last year by very good teams, now have a year of college game experience. With these freshmen, the current veterans, and the additonal JUCO's and CB transfers, the secondary play will be strong. The LB's return, with experience and depth. Moving Phillips and Hill to LB is a very good option for the LB's and the defensive team. MLB Tobe Nwigwe, a 2 year starter, has his best year in 08, and is the leader of the defense. Nwigwe and Gilmore are considered to be NFL prospects. I think DeLoach and his staff, will be able to futher develop the defense for 09, and certainly cut down the ppg average.

Regarding outer space, the planets, and Hubble. I heard a story the other day that sounds beyond amazing. Here is the story- This coming summer, during August, the planet Mars will be very close to Earth due to various gravitational pulls from other planets that affect the orbit of Mars around the Sun. Mars will be so close, that Mars will appear as large as our Moon. Since this event only happens once every 5000yrs, there is no recorded history. Astronomer's have just discovered this event, by using the Hubble Space Telescope. If this is true, then the sky will be falling! This event would scare the crap out of people around the world! If true, this event would be amazing to see!

Finding a spare QB at the end of the season is tough to do. All the good QB's are gone that late in the recruiting game. Especially QB's that meet the criteria set by the staff. Too bad Vizza did not tell the staff he was going to quit before the season started. The OL and the RB's will be a strong factor this season, and the staff knows this. A strong run game and passing attack go hand in hand. Dodgeball not only features a passing attack, but also a run attack. Dunbar was heading to a record year before he got hurt. Cam came on strong, with 928yds. The run attack featured 3 backs, Cam, Dunbar, and Mosley. Dunbar and Mosley got hurt, then James Hamilton came in and proved out to be a pretty good back too. Riley is not all about passing or setting records. Riley gives this team another demension with his running ability, reading defenses, and his knowledge of Dodgeball. Riley is smart, quick and fast. Riley will hit many zone reads big time this season. Riley had 2 zone reads for TD's in the spring game, only to be stopped by the officals. Riley gives this team a offensive weapon, not because of his father, but because Riley is one heck of a athlete.

Did you forget 6-4, 220 Derek Thompson will be in this fall? So far, there are 8 or 9 known QB's the staff is recruiting, with several offers already on the table. More QB recruits are going to show up this recruiting season. NT may gain another QB commitment before recruiting ends in February. Dual QB Henry Hunter, Sachse HS is another top QB recruit that has interest from NT, Iowa ST, TCU, KS, UNLV and SMU. Hunter is only considering NT and TCU. All the QB recruits already know Riley is here, which does not scare away their interest with Coach Dodge and Riley. Right now, Riley will run the show. Every team needs good QB's, so if the staff can gain the commitment from a top QB, sign him. I guess TX Tech and Oklahoma recruit top QB's just to "ride the pine". QB's come here to learn from Coach Dodge. Dodge's summer football camps have QB's from all over the country attending, just because of Coach Dodge's QB coaching skills. Many QB's come back for a 2nd camp. Why do you think Riley is so good- he learned the game from his dad.

I am right there with you Lifer, regarding depth and experience for the OL. Maybe the staff will be able to redshirt many of the 2010 class, because of the depth in certain positions. I would be interested in finding out the total number of 1 yr, 2yr and 3yr lettermen currently on this team. Seems like every man on this team played in games last year. Since this is May, more OL/DL prospects are sure to develop during the recruiting process. The staff has a detailed evaluation process for each prospect which reflects more on the 2008, and 2009 classes. I do believe the 2010 class will be impressive. I would be interested in knowing who Coach Gandy's target prospects are, in his assigned area of Mississippi and Louisana. I sure Coach Gandy will gain some impressive commitments again. Last year, the freshmen DB's had a disadvantage going against many good WR's. Even though these freshmen got beat, they did make plays, and they learned alot. Add in the vetran DB's, the JUCO's and the DB transfers, I think the secondary play will be stronger. If the DL comes through in rushing the QB on passing downs, the secondary just may suprise us this season.

Having Kelvin Drake back on the OL just makes the OL much better. Do not forget OT Jeremy Bean, and OT Matt Tomlinson, who had injuries during spring ball. Bean and Tomlinson will be contenders for the OT positions. There will be several key position battles to watch this fall, that is for sure. IMHO, the OL now has many more options for Leftwich to work with, and best of all, the OL will have solid depth at each OL position. Huge plus for North Texas football!

Skyline has 8 D1 prospects this year. Maybe the staff can catch another Skyline prospect. Hawkin's listed weight was from his junior year. Regardless of his weight, Hawkin's is a very good athlete for the OL. Nebraska, Ok St and Utah have interest in Hawkin's too. If Hawkin's becomes a red shirt, a full year of training by Coach Ausmus will certainly make a physical change. The two OT's from Allen HS, Luke Burleson, 6-6, 275 and Taylor Pearson, 6-5, 287, have offers from North Texas. I hope the staff can gain more commitments from the DFW area. Side note- I remember when Hayden Fry signed 5 or 6 players from a great Dallas Carter HS team.

What a great start for the 2010 class, a Rivals.com 3 star QB! The report of a "soft verbal" is a concern. Hopefully, Hall will stay with the Mean Green nation! Javia Hall, you have made the right choice! Welcome to the Mean Green!

IMHO, the biggest impact for NT this season will be DL Coach Mike Nelson. Coach Nelson was first assigned the DT's only, then later, Coach Dodge assigned the entire DL to Nelson, with DC DeLoach's blessings. The entire DL play is Coach Nelson's coaching speciality. I would say, the DL this year will feature multiple line schemes, personell changes, and position changes. There will be the core DL starters, but, Coach Nelson will make adjustments that best defend a particular teams offense. What I see, is Coach Nelson putting together a good DL, that brings out each players talents and abilities. There is D1 talent on the DL. Not counting the incomming JUCO's, the DL has several good players now. DeSoto, Ross, Gilmore, Franklin, are a pretty good core. Add in Cantly, who I think, will be a impact player as a freshman. Charlie Brown, Jonathan Stewart, will play, and maybe Joe Hawthorne will get into the mix. Brandon Akpunku was moved into a special pass rushing DE player because of his outside speed. Now add in the JUCO's to this group. The DL may develop into a force the SBC teams are not ready for, or expecting!

I agree with Fake Lonnie and his views regarding the defense, special teams, and the coaches. I believe the defense will develop into a special group. I spoke to Coach Gandy at the LOI signing day event regarding special teams. Coach Gandy is a very good special team coach. Coach Gandy was excited about the ST players returning, the new incomming recruits, and the personell changes and player options that he can implement into his ST packages. For the offense, I see the running game becoming much stronger this season. There are several very good OL guys that have played together for 1 or 2 years, building OL continuity. For the OT's, Gill and Santagio return for their 3rd year. Plus, Tomlinson and Bean will be healthy, and challenge the OT starters. There is very good depth for all the OL positions. I can see RB Cam Montgomery having a very big year running the ball and also a big year as a pass receiver. Cam will draw alot of DC's attention. This leads me to the QB and WR position, and their production. Any QB needs pass protection, regardless of experience. If Riley has the pass protection, Riley can perform like a veteran. Riley brings his run game too, which will play a big role in 09. Riley broke 2 zone reads for TD's during the spring game but he was stopped by the officals whistle. This season, I think the running game will come first, with the passing game second. In Dodge's offense, the run to pass balance is close to 50-50, depending on the what the opponets defense shows. A strong run game will open up the passing game. There are good WR's on the team, so it is their time to prove their worth. If Riley and Cam can break some big runs, the passing game will follow. Again, offense begins in the trenches. The OL certainly is alot better now- bigger and stronger, experienced, and has depth. I like this fact going into the 09 season. Sure there will be offensive questions. I do like how the OL is developing. The offensive questions may have answers now.

I agree with Silver Eagle, and also with many of Fake Lonnie's points. (What? I actually stated I agreed with Lonnie!) I have been around for a long time. I have seen adminstrations and adminstrators come and go. I do blame past adminstrators and their adminstations, for not supporting NT, and the NT athletic programs. Well, the past adminstrations and adminstrators attitudes and mistakes, are still haunting and following NT. Now, NT has a very pro athletics president, a supportaive adminstration, and a very good athletic director that are dedicated to changing the past views and attitudes, and moving NT forward. Blaming Coach Dodge for past academic performance is not fair. Penalizing NT football for past academic performance is not fair either, but, that is the way the APR game is played. The football team will deal with the scholarship loses. The coaching staff, players, and the NT adminstrators, will keep the program going.