KRAM1

I would bet that if one surveyed that neighborhood, one would find that up to 60% of the residents owe their livelihood in one way or another to UNT. That's one reason they moved in that neighborhood in the first place...to be close to UNT. I know several residents of the area who are either current employees of UNT or retired faculty/staff. They think they "own" the public streets that run through their neighborhood. I do understand the concerns about traffic, they are legit, but they are no where near the magnitude that these folks want to make it out to be. I wonder how many will set up "parking lots" in their driveways? Heck, if I was a kid in the neighborhood I'd organize the neighborhood kids to set up a parking system in driveways for the games and get folks to "reserve" spots for "x" number of $$$$ ahead of time. No, not on the street, but in driveways...one or two cars per at $10-15 a car...heck the kids make a few bucks! There is no way they will be blocked in for those max. 6 games a year...SIX a year...wow, that will kill off the neighborhood...will there be traffic, YEP...get over it....will it ruin your lifestyle...NOT IN THE LEAST. I love all this "not in my backyard" crap that always comes up when things change..."it's great to help the city and the university as long as whatever happens has absolutely no impact on me and my Deina neighborhood"...stupid thinking. Have they ever once stopped to think of the benefits they and all the citizens of Denton will receive from this new stadium? In the immortal words of Charlie Brown, "Good Grief"! GO MEAN GREEN!

Well, first, the kid isn't taking the time to see if UNT is a good fit...he already made that decision and is now just waiting around to see if he gets a "better offer". Secondly, I am not a big fan of trying to build with JUCO's. They are JUCO players for a reason. BTW...the 48 hours has now run out! See ya! Maybe that scholly will there be there when you make up your mind...maybe not, but I'm not hanging around waiting on you any longer. I'm out looking for one of Quoner's "fat kids" who "want to"! This is my position and I',m sticking with it!

Really? Did you even see the link? So, you think the kid is the last DT on the face of the earth? You need to get out more. Heard a great analogy last night before the men's basketball game...It's sort of like asking someone to the prom but letting them know they were on "stand-by" until and if no one else better could be found. I don't think UNT needs to be the "stand-by" prom date. If that's OK with you, it's just another reflection of why UNT gets so little respect from its alumni base. Too many are more than happy to be the "stand-by" prom date. Not me! And, by the way...time has run out...48 hours gone...I'd pull the scholly offer now and let the chips fall where they may. Good luck getting that Miami offer. See ya! I'll be out looking for that "fat kid" with the "want to" to play for UNT in the first place. Too many good things are happening for the Mean Green to play this "standby" game! Go Mean Green!

See you at the Super Pit! I can't think of a much better way to welcome 2011 than cheering the Mean green on to win #2 in conference play...unless it's that Ben Knox double double that Eulesseagle mentioned!

Do tell why you would be listening to an A&M broadcast in the first place???? Unless A&M was playing UNT I would have absolutely ZERO reason to listen to an A&M broadcast. Are you a closet Aggie? That might just explain more than anything else.

I'm with Silver on the timing and with Greenjoe on the sentiment. The new stadium has got to be the biggest story for UNT followed by the hiring of Coach McCarney. However, several items didn't make the list such as the turn around by the golf teams, the continuing success of the soccer team, the rise of UNT's tennis team...OK, just trying to give some credit to the "other" less covered sports that have had some great success for UNT.

My excitement comes more from Army winning rather than SMU losing. Pretty decent game, and very good to see all three of the largest service academies in bowl games. First time for Army in a good long time. Way to go Cadets! Now, to all the Army seniors who will soon be commissioned and head out to help defend this great nation of ours...THANK you for your service and may God go with you. You have my everlasting thanks and appreciation and I will keep each and every one of you in my thoughts and prayers! Great win but done by and even greater bunch of young leaders for this great nation of ours!

JJ's strategy of playing Ben and some of the other reserves (Hall, Edwards, etc.) during the past few games is really paying off as one can see in the play of Ben Knox. The kid is playing with more intensity and strength and it seems confidence. I really didn't think I'd live long enough to see Ben dunk the ball, and there it was last evening...not one but TWO...count 'em TWO Ben Knox dunks. Be still my heart! To me tat was just another indication of the confidence that playing time has given Ben. Seems his defense is getting better as well. Hall can light 'em up when he gets hot and is very intense on the defensive side...at least in my observation. Edwards still does not appear to have all the confidence he needs, but I have seem some improvement with his play as well. You have to hand it to JJ and his coaching team. They seem to be handling playing time and rotations well, and it has already started top pay dividends. GO MEAN GREEN! Good things are happening for the reserves on the team!

Now, that's what I'm talking about! Great start to conference play. The team looked ready from the opening tip. Sure, there were a couple of little "lapses" in intensity, but you could just tell that there was no way they were going to slow down and let this one get out of their control. Ben Knox's two dunks...how about that, sport's fans! I thought the crowd was very good as well given the date and no students. However, I want to mention that there were several UNT football players and at least one UNT soccer player in attendance. The soccer player being the prettier one of the bunch for sure! Let's get some folks in the seats for the 4PM New Year's Day game as well. These guys are really playing well and have earned some solid support. I agree that when the students return there is a decent chance that attendance could start approaching 5,000 game in and game out. Congrats to JJ and Company for starting strong in conference play. Seems UNT has had some challenges with UALR in the past as they are a very good defensive team...takin' care of business was the rule of the evening. Congrats...now about that New Year's day game...GO MEAN GREEN!!!

What? It can't be...there are OTHER DT's still not committed that UNT could actually go after? I thought we were holding a scholly waiting on the last DT in the whole world to sign. WOW! Imagine that! Thanks for the link Lifer.

Oh, sorry. Lost my head...this kid is the very last possibility in the country UNT has to land a DT. What was I thinking? Look, whoever is giving me minus points for this opinion, good for you, but I am sticking with the idea to give the kid a deadline. Doesn't mean he couldn't sign with UNT...do you really understand that? Just means that if you are not sure then we can't wait around hanging fire until you are sure. So, if you want to keep the scholly UNT offered you have "X" amount of time to sign. After that, we will pull the offer and start looking elsewhere. Seems to me this is the same thing the kid is doing to UNT. He says...UNT, you aren't good enough for me to sign now, but keep that scholly open for me as long as I want to string you along and if a better deal doesn't come along, I'll sign with you. Right, that's not my idea of the way to handle this situation. All you who think otherwise, good for you, you have your opinion, but I'm staying with this one...works for me, and I'd darn sure play it out if I could at UNT. But, since this kid is the very last DT in the whole world that UNT could possibly sign maybe UNT had better play the "poor needy university" and let this kid string it along until a better offer develops. I'd put on a full court recruiting press to find a different DT and offer the kid. Trust me, there really are others capable still uncommitted and unsigned...perhaps even some overlooked JUCO's.

Might I remind you that the Oklahoma Panhandle State game was no blowout until the end. But, it should have been from the opening tip. This is what scares me about these guys...they are the cardiac kids. But, I do think they will come out firing on all cylinders this evening to open conference play and close out 2010 with a win...I say anywhere from 6-10 point win for the Mean Green. See you at the Super Pit! GO MEAN GREEN!

So, how do you rationalize that with all the HS football players placing all that "physical stress on themselves" for free? How about all the money high schools like SLC, Highland Park, Jesuit, etc. make off their football teams, and all the donations that come in to their programs? WOW, those poor kids have no clue how they are really playing for the benefit of their high schools money coffers! They were probably found walking the halls and handcuffed and taken right to the football field and forced to play! Comments like "make on their backs" pretty much gives your point a nice slant. Those poor kids are just being led down the path to destruction by those big mean universities who force them to play and accept an education in return. Shame, shame. Come on, I don't think I have ever seen a college force a kid to play and accept that scholarship money. Seems to me even this board has discussed all the kids and their parents doing all they can to get one of those scholarship offers. And, let's see...what about all the players at service academies like Navy, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and the US Merchant Marine Academy? No scholarships for athletics there...why do they play? Division III - no scholarships. Man, those service academies and all those DIII schools are really raking in the bucks on the backs of those poor ignorant kids who were suckered into playing ball. I really never knew! OK, yes, full of sarcasm, but I just couldn't help it...this argument about making all this money on the backs of these poor kids who are suffering all kinds of physical stress is just laughable to me (father of a college athlete by the way-one of those dumb service academy ones). I wonder if all those who want to play the "these kids are making their colleges rich at the cost of their bodies" card have ever given any thought to the fact that most...if not all...of these kids play for the love of the game, the friendships they make and maintain through playing, the contacts they make that serve them well in their later careers, etc., etc. Some just never get it...playing a sport is not all about money....especially at the high school and college levels. Does all this ignore the very real possibility that some will be seriously hurt playing the sport they love? No, absolutely not. But, it appears the benefits far outweigh the risks to most who care to don the uniform of a high school and/or college athlete. Believe it or not, most even know that they will NEVER see the field as a professional athlete.

AMEN...agree 100%! Many thanks.

Not long I would surmise. The SMU fan base has shown be be very "fluid" over the years. But, June Jones really is doing a decent job of courting the "bigger money" alums and fans. The challenge is to bring the fans that will buy the tickets and actually attend games.

Sorry, Tasty...sorry Silver...I'll stand with the original post...I'd give the kid 48 hours to sign or not. Then I'd tell him we would still like to sign him IF a scholarship was available when he finally decided UNT was the place for him. Then I'd hit the trail in the search for a replacement. Why waste time waiting for the kid to find a "better offer"? If UNT isn't good enough for the kid, good luck to him. happy to sign him if he comes to his senses, but I'm not sitting around waiting any longer. It's 48 hours...well...24 now since one more day is gone and then I tell the kid no guarantee...sorry, we like you, but won't sit around any longer. If he signs, great...if not...well, I find another. There are kids out there that could fit just fine and who actually would like to sign with UNT.

Man, you are rating that against a bunch of "stupid threads". Are you sure this is "the one"?

If playing college football on scholarship was not a "good deal" for the players there would be many fewer working their rear ends off to get one, and many fewer walk-on's doing more than anyone could ask to try to secure said scholarship. The idea that scholarship athletes are not "compensated" for their service to the school is just "stupid" AT BEST. Now, are there some equally "stupid" NCAA rules regarding what players can "earn" and how they can earn it while on scholarship...ABSOLUTLY. How about the NCAA taking a look at some of those stupid rules and maybe athletes could actually be placed on par with what every other student at the school can do regarding "outside" income and "perks" from friends, etc. Seems to me, that is the area that needs some serious updating by the NCAA.

Man, I hope UNT doesn't start placing those "high school" stickers on helmets like SMU does. They look so "high school" to me...and yes, I know Fl St, Ohio State, etc. do the same thing. They still look so "high school" to me no matter which team is doing it...no, not every variation of the SMU uniform is better than UNT's. I'm watching Army take care of business against SMU right now...GO ARMY! Just got their second turnover from SMU. Not even sure the uniform parts that SMU is wearing today even match each other!

Folks, the amount of money spent on a program has not proved to be direct correlation for success in every endeavor. Just look at public education in this country...we keep pouring $$$$$ after $$$$ into it, and it still seems stuck in neutral. Money isn't the answer to all situations. Does it help? Absolutely, and I am not trying to indicate otherwise. I am just trying to point out that money is only one factor that comes into play with successful programs. Now, about those Mean Green Club memberships.....

Reports are that June Jones turned down a $1,000,000+ raise to stay at SMU and pass on the Maryland gig and that Leach is, indeed, still in the running for the Maryland job. WOW...SMU is paying June Jones $2,000,000/year! That isn't bad for that program. I guess a few "big time" donors are footing a pretty big payroll as the attendance from the average fan base at SMU sure isn't brining in much cash it seems. WOW...I figured the guy was doing OK at SMU, but $2,000,000 per season...wow! I'd stay at SMU over Maryland for that as well. Who wants that cold weather and to be that close to Washington DC and all that craziness for a mere $1,000,000 more???

I think I would tell the kid that he has 48 hours to sign or the scholarship offer will be pulled. If he wants to pursue Miami let him, but he would have 48 hours to make up his mind or I'd look elsewhere with the scholarship. I hope he signs with the Mean Green as UNT could definitely use the guy, but if he is using UNT's offer as a "stop-gap" until or if he gets what he thinks is a better offer, then adios after the 48 hour deadline. UNT could play hard ball as well.

To have such a fantastic music school, the Mean Green marching band has certainly become "average" at best and seems to be no longer a "marching band" but rather a "stand still" and play "who knows what" music at half-time band. The marching band really does need to "step it up" and get back to its exciting and entertaining halftime routines. Heck, there was a time when people actually stayed in their seats at half-time to watch and some people actually came to games just to see the half-time show. Sadly, those days are very very long gone, but they are not forgotten. The talent is there to be the best marching band in the nation and have highlights shown on national TV shows. The only thing that seems to be missing to me is the "want too". Complacency seems to be the order of the day. I am VERY proud of the marching band and think it has a long and outstanding history of excellence. It just bothers me to see the pride of UNT be so willing to be so average these days. I do wish it were no so, but, alas, it is so. I hope with the new stadium and a new attitude from the football team and coaching staff that we will see a like-wise change in attitude from the UNT marching band and its leadership in 2011. Can happen...hope it does. GO MEAN GREEN!

I doubt the actual "rears in the seats" was anywhere near 2662 last evening, but I'll take the count. Can you spell UGLY GAME? I am super happy to have this game before conference play. Maybe the rust was showing from the brief holiday layoff, maybe the team was once again "playing down" to the opponent, but that game was U-G-L-Y! Also really glad to see the reserves getting some quality minutes. Could be really helpful as the conference schedule plays out. Can't wait for Thursday's game to see if this team stops "sleep-walking" through games and really kicks it into high gear for the conference games. I think they can and will come out with a whole new attidude...maybe that "LSU" game attitude. I am still all "warm and fuzzy" over that big win at LSU. maybe the team was also and that "hangover" was showing a bit last evening. Come on conference...it's going to be a great run through it by the Mean green. See you Thursday...GO MEAN GREEN!

The strategy could definitely be "Hack a Ben" for our opponents. I am glad to see the reserves getting quality minutes before the conference opener Thursday. This strategy by JJ could certainly pay big dividends for the Mean Green as the conference schedule plays out. Good to get the win last evening, but man was it ever UGLY! The rust was showing from the short holiday break, and it was really good to have this "tune up" heading into Thursday's game. See you at the Super Pit Thursday. GO MEAN GREEN!