Charlie NT 73

After reading the story, I liked Coach Dodge's concept of recruiting OL players. Coach Dodge said, he recruits from the outside in, meaning OT's are priority, that can become OG's. I never thought of recruiting OL prospects in that order, but this concept makes more sense now.

Great news! Daniel Mayberry, Spruch HS, 17-5A, 6-0, 175, and 4.4 speed!! Another DFW athlete commiting to North Texas! Looks like a very good slot reciever with speed that the team needs! Coach Dodge stated that recruiting the DFW area is a priority, and I am very happy that the North Texas staff is recruiting the top DFW athletes! Looks like many schools were taking notice of Mayberry! As far as "stealing one from Montana State", what a cop out- geez If you look at Scout.com, and review the top athletes, you will see prospects with offers from the big boys along with offers from the lower division schools. So if a kid has a offer from Texas, and a offer from Nicholls State, but the kid commits to Texas, did Texas "steal" one from Nicholls State? Coach Dodge and his staff has changed the whole recruiting scene at North Texas, upped the competition, and brought in 2 terrific classes of athletes that will win! I believe in Coach Dodge and his recruiting of the prospects that he judges as top athletes to fit the team needs! I am sure the OL,DE,DT,LB's needs will be met with this class too!

Was it too much to expect a Sun Belt Conference team, La Monroe, to win in Tuscaloosa against Nick Satan and Alabama? Was it to much to expect that Jerry Moore and Appalachian State would knock off Michigan at their house? How about Stanford beating USC? This is one of the many reasons I like college football. The opportunity for a underdog to beat a power team. Troy already has the mind set, they can play school in the country, and they expect to win the game. That alone makes Troy a dangerious team for any school to play them. The mind set to win concept is one of the many reasons I like Coach Dodge, and how he and the staff are developing North Texas football. Coach Dodge expects to win every game his teams play, no matter who the opponent will be.

If I remember correctly, North Texas had the lead one or more times in every one of these games. Up 20-10 on FAU going into the 4th, then, boom, 2 blocked punts result in 2 TD's Aky State scores with 2 seconds left in the game. Navy- you know that story-could not stop the run or the deep pass, score 62 and lose! $MU- last minute int return for a TD, 600yds + offense!! LLU-their QB has long TD run Sounds bad, but, all of these games just slipped out of our grasp. One or two plays here and there, and all of these games are wins, and a good opening season of Dodge Ball. The offense clicked, moved the ball, (more 1st downs than I have ever seen), suprises like Vizza, Fitz, Mosley, and Craig Roberson to name a few of many players that IMHO played very well under the circumstances- true freshmen, new offense/defense, only a few practices to hone their skills, position changes, to name just a few obstacles to overcome. Even though I was disappointed, I saw real hope and promise, especially with the offense, then the 2 recruiting classes, and Gary DeLoach is back! I am really looking forward to the 2008 season!

"Its still early in the recruiting season and UNT only has a few scholarships to give." How does BV know this? How many scholarships will North Texas have to award for the 2009 class? The coaching staff has been evaluating the needs of the North Texas football team since the end of last season. The 2008 class was rated one of the best in the SBC and one of the best against all the Texas schools. Was the coaching staff just lucky or did their pre-planning, prospect evaluations, and great work pay off? I believe the 2008 class was a result of a very good recruiting game plan by the staff. For the 2009 class, I am sure the staff has a game plan, target prospects, and the will to put another great class together. There is alot of action going on behind the scenes that we as fans do not even know about, so have some faith in the coaches. Remember, these kids are 17-18 years old, and will change their minds. North Texas won many recruiting battles last year against just about every one of the big schools, top coaches, programs, in one of the richest talent areas in America, the great state of Texas. I am very confident, the staff will put together another great class, with top rated players, regardless of what BV thinks!

All the more reasons to make deals for multi game series with regional schools like $mu,Baylor, TCU, Rice, Houston, that include return games. I am now starting to believe the one way money/body bag games are not worth the cash generated for one game. The money generated for a 2 for 2 series with a regional school, over a 4 year period, would be much greater for the schools, do wonders for game attendence, plus, more fans would have the opportunity to see the regional games. I know that I would not go out to Miami for one game, but I would be able to go down to Houston every other year to see a game with Rice or Houston. I think all the "mid majors" are currently looking at cutting costs, trying to build revenues, keeping fans and increasing game attendence. Maybe the fuel crisis will spur the AD's to have some common sense and make the regional games as a priority.

Before you go, Steve, please complete the 6 game deal with North Texas!

I am glad MTSU did not give in to OU. The way the article reads, OU is blaming MTSU for the deal falling through. MTSU would have signed the deal if OU would agreed to a return game at MTSU. OU said they would not do a return game, so MTSU made the deal with Miss State.

I agree with UNTLifer. Gabe Hollivay weighing in at 368lbs! Looks like he may need to lose about 50lbs, or become a nose guard. Hollivay is bigger than Nate Newton, former Dallas Cowboys OG. His 368lbs is alot of weight to be moving around in a spread offense game. I remember the big OG for NMST, Steve Luna, was around 370lbs. Booger Kennendy, ran circles around Luna all day long. I wonder how much Nate Jenkins is weighing in at? He was listed at 335lbs.

The 2-10 season was crap, but could have been 6-6, or even 7-5 easily. Just making couple of plays here and there could have changed the season. Remember Coach Dodge only had a few weeks to install DodgeBall, as well as changing the defensive operations, and personell changes. Even with all the returning defensive players, something just did not gel defensively. So did Mendoza's defense hurt the team? I would have to say yes. (I do not want to bash DD, but, I do see the NT problems were already in place when Coach Dodge took over, and building NT back will take time.) Coach Dodge could see the defense was not working, and Coach Dodge had to make a change. I am very happy that Coach Dodge was able to bring back Gary DeLoach as DC. Will Deloach be able to turn around the defense? Yes, Deloach certainly will improve the defense, although I do not expect miracles for the 2008 season. DeLoach will need several more defensive stars to put the Mean back into the Green! This is where the recruiting factor is again, the primary focus. The last 2 classes are great classes, so these players will need to step up quickly. I do not worry about who the other schools gain commitents from right now. There are many many good football players out there that will come to North Texas regardless of the past record. 2007 was WR's and a great QB. 2008 was DB's, OL and another great QB. 2008 looks like DL,DE and OL will be the focus, so more pieces of the rebuilding job will be added. Just do not panic over losing early recruits. Coach Dodge and his staff will recruit the kids the team needs.

The OL starting line up refelcts the orginal weights of the players as true freshmen, except for OG, Estaban Santiago, who as a freshman was 275, but now a more accurate 302. I believe the starting OL this season will average 290+ or more. Both the JUCO's, Jenkins and Hollivay are 300+. Listed at 6-4 and 6-3, respectively. I read that OG Tyler Bailey is at 295. Victor Gill, as a true freshman TE was listed at 235 so Gill must be 250 by now, and he is quick and strong. Matt Menard as a true freshman was 6-5, 275, so Menard may be around 295 by now. Center JJ Johnson should be in the 290+ range by now also. I know incoming freshman, Troy Franklin OL/DL is 6-5, 295+ and Coleman Freely is 6-4, 287. For the DL, DT Joseph Miller, as a true freshman was 6-3, 275. Miller is now a senior, but still listed at 6-3, 275. To me, Miller looked to be 290 last year. I read that sophmore DT Draylan Ross is 290+ and a real contender for 1st team DT. Don't forget DT Charlie Brown, 6-4, 255+, very quick and strong, who DC Gary DeLoach says should get 40 snaps a game. DE Eddie Gillmore is 6-5, and around 250-260. Incoming JUCO DE Alonzo Horton is 6-3, 260. True freshman DT Tevan Cantly is 6-4, 290+. I do believe both the OL and DL players will be much bigger and stronger than expected for the 2008 season, plus, there will be good depth at key positions.

Both of these 2 kids, DT Eugene Kinlaw, 6-3, 282, Homerville Ga and OT Nate Newland, 6-3, 290 Frankfort KY, were part of Troy's 2007 class. Because of low ACT scores, many SEC schools backed off recruiting these 2 prospects. I admire Troy's HFC Larry Blakeney and his staff's work on helping these kids get into junior college,(Hutchinson KS CC). Kinlaw, was a Rivals 3 star rated 5.5 out of HS. Troy's OC and OL coaches, know the high school coaches for both of these kids, which opened the door for Troy's recruiting these players. The kids stayed loyal to Troy because of the help they received from Troy's coaches.

I am hoping Huber gets a offer from North Texas!

From the Troy Trojans board- Phill Steels 2008 All Sun Belt Confrence team. Wow, Riley Dodge is 2nd team All SBC at QB without even going through 2 adays much less playing in one SBC game! http://www.philsteel.com/FBS%20Info/2008%2...ms/sunbelt.html http://www.gotroytrojans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10260 PS- I cannot get the Phil Steel web page to work- so go to the Troy Trojans link.

I was reading DCTF web site and saw the distribution date for their summer 2008 magazine. For the DCTF fans, the date wiil be June 16th. I guess Brett Vito had the honor to write the North Texas review for DCTF.

I wonder if Nick Foles and Bron Hager, are friends? Bron is from Austin Westlake, NT class of 2007.

What keeps fans away, Fouts or the schedule? I would say the schedule, and add to that, a winning team. I do not mind going to Fouts for a home game at all, so the stadium issue is not a problem for me. When North Texas starts rolling over teams, more fans will come back! Winning does cure alot of attitudes! Now if North Texas could schedule the "regional" teams, more fans would come the the games. Bring in teams fans want to see! What ever happened to the six game deal with the phonies?

Yes, the weather was very nasty for the WKU game-rain, cold, windy. I would want a 6th home game, even if it means playing a 1-AA team. Home games are for the fans as well as the team, so I say schedule as many home games as possible!

Congratulations to you and your wife, South Bend Green! You have a terriffic wife! Now just bring her to a game and she will know what it means to be a Mean Green fan and a member of the Mean Green Nation! Post up some photos of you and the bride!

I thought this story was alot better than some of the other pre-season stories I have read. The author, Todd E. Jones, had a pretty fair analysis of last years team. The one point that makes me cringe, is hearing over and over, about the 45 points per game average the team gave up last year. At least Jones did not bring that point up. It is no secret the defense last year was really pushed around. With Gary Deloach back, there will be a good improvement in the defense vs last years defensive team, but, there are a few pieces of the puzzle not in place for the 2008 defensive team. DeLoach only had spring training to install his system, a new defensive backs coach installing pass coverage, new players-new positions, and now, only fall 2 a days to put it all together and get ready for the season opener. The defense will take time to develop, but will play much better than last years defensive team. DeLoach will need another year, maybe two years, to recruit the players he needs, and to develop the dominating defensive teams he is known for.

Boby bag games? Well, in the past few seasons, I would just think these games were another blow out loss, yet, I would tolerate the game because the North Texas needed the money. I remember something to the effect of "try not to get anyone hurt, try not to get blown out, and take home the check". These days are over. Now, with Coach Dodge running the show, I do want to play the body bag games. I think the chances for a big win are better than ever. For the football players, I know they want to play the big boys. What I would want, is a RETURN GAME back to North Texas instead of a one way ticket. Troy will play Ohio State in their house this year. Do you think the Troy football team will consider the Ohio State game a body bag game? Troy believes they can beat the Buckeyes, and the team will lay it out on the field. La Monroe, went to Bama, at their house, and beat the Tide. Wow! No, I do not want to replace the body bag games. A win over LSU would certainly be better than a win over middle of the road mid major school. What would happen if the middle of the road mid major school beat North Texas? (remember Akron?) I would prefer to play a game with LSU, Clemson, or Miami, and have the chance for a big win, than lose to a mid major school.

I would like to have wins over both K-St, and Tulsa. Would North Texas winning over K-St have the same impact as Troy's wins over MO and Okie State? Heck yes, any win over a Big 12 team gives North Texas creditability. As far as that matters, any win North Texas can make happen in the 2008 season will give creditability, especially going into Coach Dodge's second season. Pulling off a big upset vs Big 12, or a SEC team, will bring tons of reconition to North Texas and the FB program. Tulsa, I just want pay back after the whipping they put on us. For that game, everyting Tulsa had worked, and next thing you know the game was a runaway. This year will be different for North Texas, because I can see the improvement in the team. I like our chances vs Tulsa this year. I would like to see this series continue.

FFR, just kidding- Nothing like a mess of sand bass fe-lays fried up, with tator tots or home made french fries, and Ranch Style beans! Good catch!

I fish both lakes. Both are very good for sandies, stripers, hybrids, catfish, during the hot summer months. Just follow the shad, find the channels and humps by deep water, and you are set! I like to drift live shad over the humps and in the river channels, or use 'slabs' just off the bottom, and jig head soft plastics (minner/shad) when schooling actions starts. One thing about Tawankoni, when the schooling action starts, I have caught numerious blue cats on the live shad and on the soft plastics, by fishing under the surface schooling fish. One day at Richland Chambers, I hung into a big flat head catfish on a chartuse slab fishing for hybrids. Got the fish up several times, but just too much pressure on the light tackle, and the fish broke off. Something new I learned- during the hot months, is when the fish (especially strippers) are showing just off the bottom, and deep, try this. When using a "slab" bait, do not jig or yank the lure hard, but, try to keep the lure still will little movement, just a inch or two off the bottom. Try to "flutter" the bait alittle bit. Be sure to hang on to your fishing rod because some of the strikes are vicious! Great box of fish, FFR, but I usually throw those size back into the lake.

This is very good news. There was a question about Jenkins making up hours and grades required to be able to qualify, so looks like he has accomplished his work. The coaching staff apparently has Jenkins slated to be the right side OT, but there will be other players available to compete for the position. I believe Troy Franklin from Celina HS will be a contender, even as a true freshman when fall camp opens. With the new players coming in for 2 a days, the coaching staff will have options and depth on the OL, which is something the coaching staff has not had the luxury of in the past. If the JUCO players work out, and the injured players heal up, the OL should be in better shape than ever before. Last year, Vizza was sacked 30+ times, and had, I am not sure about the total, what 18 int's. Alot of the sacks and int's were related to the young inexperienced OL players. Now, most of the OL starters have a year of game experience,and a year of Dodge Ball under their belts, plus new OL talent coming in. This means, Vizza will have more protection and more time in the pocket. Give Vizza just a few more seconds to find our very good WR's, then Vizza will shread defenses apart! Another point, as the passing game opens up, the running game will open up too! Mosley and Montgomery, will have open lanes, WOW! The "M & M" guys will have a great year in 2008! I predict 2200yds team rushing yards for 2008, with one of these guys hitting 1000yds for the season!