GrayEagle

Anyiam seems too injury prone for a defensive lineman. As to help, I'm hoping that Brooks and Thompson are good enough to make the two deep.

Yes, it was. It began with Coach Mac having them run onto the playing field. The coaching staff had rigged a large numerical digital display in the stands. When the horn sounded ending one session, the display would exhibit a number and the players went immediately to that drill. No lost time as they ran to the next drill. They didn't even have to be prodded by the coaches.

DON'T DO THAT AGAIN! When I first turned this thread on it said the topic was 'Leaving' and the last post was by Valley Boy so my first thought was that Brent Osburn was leaving the program. My blood pressure may not return to normal for two more days.

Maybe we should not keep score and just give a participation trophy. That would dispel the "win at all costs" stigma. While we're at it, let's just give a certificate of completion and do away with degree requirements. And, we could do away with college campuses and do everything online. Ralph Nader is a joke. He has made numerous runs for president and gathered about as much support as the Socialist Party candidate. I'm embarrassed that the chose to call his party the Green Party.

I have found more than 40 recruits that list interest in North Texas on the Rivals/Old Coach board: QUARTERBACKS Brady Burgin 6-2 205 Highland Park Dane Evans 6-2 185 Sanger Tai Gaddison 5-11 155 Leander Josh Greer 6-4 195 Arlington c RUNNING BACKS Edwin Dearing 6-0 205 San Antonio East Central Zay Handy 5-5 165 Duncanville Darrell Harris 5-10 175 Waco Brandon Holloway 5-9 165 Tampa FL Alonso Marvin Jackson 5-7 163 Harker Heights Jerome Watkins 5-11 205 Fort Worth Arlington Heights WIDE RECEIVERS Jaydrick Declouet 5-10 175 Patterson LA Carlos Harris 5-7 155 Frisco Adonis Haven 6-2 195 Waco University Lynx Hawthorne 6-1 185 Weimar Dontonio Jordan 5-11 185 Lake Dallas Peyton Williams 6-1 185 Southlake Carroll GUARDS Brent Wagner 6-2 275 League City Clear Creek Shane Weeks 6-3 265 Sachse TACKLES Simon Goines 6-7 270 Keller Central Ralphael Green 6-5 336 San Antonio Sam Houston Ryan Melton 6-5 265 Liberty James Prince 6-6 268 Southlake Carroll Connor Trussell 6-5 285 Arlington Martin DEFENSIVE ENDS Devonte Fields 6-4 220 Arlington Martin Kingsley Ike 6-4 215 Pflugerville Henderson Tariq McCord 6-3 209 Tampa FL Jefferson Noble Nwachukwu 6-2 240 Wylie Jordan Smith 6-5 220 Waco Reicher DEFENSIVE TACKLES Azuka Akozar 6-1 250 Wylie Ikenna Nwafor 6-5 298 Irving Cistercian LINEBACKERS Michael Hargis 6-4 215 Manor Chukwuma Oputa 5-11 215 Dallas Woodrow Wilson Lincoln Richard 6-3 215 Everman Cameron Speth 5-11 208 League City Clear Creek CORNERBACKS Stephen Amoako 5-10 175 Arlington Martin Nick Coleman 5-11 185 San Antonio East Central Ty Johnson 6-1 170 Orange Orangefield Cranston Jones 5-9 170 West Mesquite Trey Ridge 5-9 165 Waco LaVega SAFETIES Eric Amoako 5-11 175 Arlington Martin Tre Dean 6-0 170 Sulphur Springs Leo Thomas 6-2 165 San Antonio Sam Houston I don't know how many are legitimate 1-A athletes or, in some cases, whether North Texas' interest is reciprocal. Fourteen on that list have received offers. There seems to be a lot more interest in the Mean Green this early than in years past.

I think that's the right decision...so why doesn't our president make it? Let the world know that our stance is that we have no direct stake in Libya's problem but implore the Arab nations to help their own. Or say that we won't get involved unless there are extreme violation of human rights. Anything...but say something. Put the ball in someone else's court. Just saying that Gadahfi should be replaced is hardly anything official.

The state's budget problems could be vastly improved if the legislature had the intestional fortitude to overhaul state government. Texas has 254 counties which is far more than needed. Those that minister to less than 5,000 residents, except in rare cases, should be consolidated with an adjoining county. This should reduce the number of salaried government employees in those counties and get the job done more efficiently. Next, get rid of hundreds of ISDs by having each county responsible for the students in their county. The county tax assessor can then determine what resources are necessary to run the county education system and set rates accordingly. Close the borders. I know that this is done at the federal level but keep pushing, even if it requires a lawsuit, to see that the U.S. government does its job. As long as we have the expense of educating and caring for the health and welfare of illegal immigrants we will always be burdened with far more expenses than the other states. And yes, allow casinos. Gambling is not immoral unless it is done irresponsibly. At least a gambler is not a menace behind the wheel as are substance abusers. Eating is not immoral but gluttony is one of the seven deadly sins. I go to casinos occasionally I don't see any evidence of abnormal behavior by gamblers. I am a religious person but I find nothing in the Bible condemning gambling. Casinos could be a good source of additional revenue and furnished from the free will and accord of citizens. As long as the federal government keeps mandating programs there will always be the necessity for belt-tightening. The federal government also needs some overhauling but that's another story.

Well, if you don't reach for a star then you won't get one. Dude at least lists us with medium interest along with Florida, Notre Dame, Southern Cal and six others.

We have made tremendous progress regarding size. Come this fall we will have 1 athlete that is 6'6"; 11 that are 6'5"; and 13 that are 6'4". Eight to ten weigh in around 300 or better. More could join the ranks after the summer. We won't be out-sized by many but as we have heard many times in the past...size isn't everything!

OK, upon further review the number of scholarships is likely 78, leaving 7 available. Baine, Deans and Lewis should be removed from the list. There is still doubt about Adedipe, McCoy and Miller. I would wager that Adedipe has either been awarded or promised a scholly. He will likely be a starter this season and is from out-of-state which means higher tuition. McCoy is also a likely starter. He is no doubt on the GI Bill but that is a monthly allotment so he would have to dig for tuition, books and room and board. He could use the help. Miller may also be a starter of sorts when the H or U Back is used. He is also deserving of a scholarship IMO. The announced transfers are included but there could be some that won't be eligible until they receive their associate degree so some scholarships could be held until their status is known.

I agree with virtually everything that Rick said, especially about Kenneth Lyons. Kenneth has been in the North Texas HOF since 1993 so he hasn't been ignored but, in truth, none of our HOF members have been really placed on a pedestal but Joe Greene. Well deserved for Joe because he is arguably the best defensive lineman in the history of the game. Our failure to continue traditions is largely the fault of prior administrations. Envolvement beyond the school years wasn't encouraged; in fact, it was discouraged. Nearly all of the gifts to the AD prior to Hayden Fry was in the form of advertising, goods or services. So, while we had some rudiments of a program of giving, that pretty much went south when we were forced to drop to 1-AA in 1982. Those 12 years ran off many who had supported North Texas after graduation. I suppose that we could be blamed for not having the alumni leadership to strongly encourage an alumni-giving program but the wind had been taken out of those sails by prior administrations. Denton had few wealthy residents and Hayden had tapped the two most noteworthy, Newton Rayzor and Rex Cauble, so that the list of affluent donors was depleted. Another major factor working against us was the city of Denton. They enjoyed the benefits of being a college town but contributed little. Their excuse seemed to be that North Texas added nothing to their tax base and required additional police and fire protection. Little did they realize that the UNT administration, faculty and auxillary personnel were large contributors to their property tax base. I question why our administration did little to establish any rapport with the city. The University of North Texas community needs to reach out to Denton and Denton County and get them involved. That is why I'm encouraged about having Coach Mac and his staff. It's almost as if we are getting the citizens involved for the first time. Past history can't be changed but our future course can. Traditions and recognition can be restored but it can't rest on the shoulders of a few.

Does anyone know if there is any interest in Denton High product Adam Choplick? He does not list any schools of interest on Rivals but I know that he has visited the campus. He is among the Top 30 in the area in both rebounds and points scored. Although only 6'6" he appears to be a true center, something that we are sorely lacking.

The DFW market is not a UT or any other university market. For the Dallas Morning News it is a Big XII market. The conference office is in Plano and spends a lot of advertising dollars with them so they get the big play even though none of their colleges are in the market area. Also, the ESPN and Fox outlets in the area have the big contracts with the Big XII so they are going to give them dominance. Couple that with the fact that North Texas seldom does anything newsworthy and you can see why we get little publicity. I believe that for us to make a major impact in this market we must 1) have ten win seasons or better, 2) advance to another conference, 3) recruit heavily in the DFW market, 4) increase advertising with the DMN and the FWST and 5) have some noteworthy players such as Lance Dunbar to herald. Then you will see formerly taciturn North Texas fans emerge from the woodwork.

Only if he brings his chicken. No, he's transferring to be closer to home. We're no closer to Pine Bluff than Oxford MS. My guess is that he'll play at home at FCS Arkansas-Pine Bluff.

If you have to explain it to those who would comment why North Texas is of less value to the conference at this point than Lamar then it's just not worth the time or energy. Maybe it's just because Benson is incredibly stupid. If he's not smart enough to realize that North Texas brings nothing of value and yet he still pursues them then surely he's not smart enough to be commissioner.

In order to defect you have to belong. That would mean that San Jose State, Utah State, Idaho, New Mexico State, Louisiana Tech, Texas State or UTSA have not talked about pulling out recently. Or, it could mean that just four of them haven't threatened to leave but others have. Whatever the case they need to find at least one, preferably three, if they are to remain a viable (voting) conference. Suffice it to say we aren't going to be one of the newbies.

As I understand it, last year the defensive tackles were mostly gap-fillers. This year they will have different rush schemes in part to allow for blitzes. We have some decent defensive ends and I hope that they will be used effectively.

I like your attitude.

The New Orleans and Mobile bowls are guarantees.

We will continue to play 8 conference games. Everyone but the Pac-10 did that and they'll do that now.

Brett Vito wrote about the method of rebuilding the football team in his blog yesterday. http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/ It's certainly true that the process is going to be slower with high school players vs. a quick fix from JUCOs. He's also right that the 2011 edition will not be as strong on paper as the 2010 squad. The losses of Jamaal Jackson, the quarterbacks, Gill, Drake, Santiago, Robertson, Atkinson and Kelvin Jackson cannot be matched, at least immediately, by new or existing players. But there are some positions where we will be improved over last year. Power will be a great addition at tight end and could spring Dunbar open for some long runs. It will be good to have JJ Johnson back at center. The defensive backfield returns Ford and Cook and should be stronger than last year. However, there are some factors that Brett did not mention in his article. First, last year's team was notorious for its underachieving. Phil Steele evaluated that they had the third best personnel in the Sun Belt but they sure didn't play like it. It was not helped by the terrible string of injuries. Most of the starters seldom came off of the field so fatigue had to be a factor. That won't be the case this year. I think that you will see tremendous improvement in coaching, speed, and morale over last year. It's a more experienced, higher paid, better achieving staff and their focus is on speed and participation. Knowing that if you work hard you stand a very good chance of playing in each game will improve morale. And, improved morale often leads to overachieving. Vito's probably right...this doesn't appear to be a bowl team but I wouldn't totally rule it out either.

Help this old man, please. Does anyone know why I can only get the first page? It says 1 of 20 but I can only get page 1. Do I need membership to view more?

Don't forget the LB with the best wheels...Derek Akunne. The 230-pounder with 4.48 speed will be a force.

I've kept somewhat of an ongoing list of whom I believe is on scholarship and that list now totals 81. Here are the 81 that I believe to be on scholarship: Abbe, Adedipe, Akpunku, Akunne, Anyiam, Atterberry, Baine, Bean, Bellazin, Boutwell, Brooks, Brown, Bynes, Byrd, Cantly, Carey, Chancellor, Cook, Davis, Deans, Downing, Dunbar, Dunham, Ellard, Feeley, Fitzpatrick, Ford, Fortenberry, Gaines, Graham, Greer, Hamilton, Hawkins, Herron, Hill, Jackson, Jimmerson, A. Johnson, F. Johnson, J. Johnson, Jones, Kokjohn, Lee, Lemon, Leppo, Lewis, Lincoln, Mason, McCord, McCoy, McNulty, Miller, Noble, Obi, Olawale, Olen, A. Orr, Z. Orr, Osborn, Phillips, Polk, Power, Prior, Sampson, Sashington, Shaw, Shorter, Stojkovic, Stradford, Swarn, Taylor, Teegarden, D. Thompson, M. Thompson, Tomlinson, Warner, White, Whitfield, Wright, and Y'Barbo. Those in bold are scholarships that I believe were awarded to walkons and transfers last year. That would be the greatest possibility for error. If anyone knows of one that should be added or deducted, please post. Since we are now back to our full allotment of 85, that would leave four scholarships available. We have awarded 21 of the 25 allowed each year so that would also leave four to be given. Edit: I reviewed this year's recruits and found that there are 22 rather than 21. Maybe only three more could be awarded to reach the yearly maximum of 25.

Denny, why didn't you see to it that Lincoln had a Mean Green shirt?