Dodge2007

CR, great research. I stand corrected sir.... I might even ban myself from ever making a post. Great Tag team effort by you and Emmitt, you girls sure look good in those WWE Tights.

It is right in front of your nose.......if it was a snake, it would have already bit you by now. Tell me Emmitt, I mean WW, why aren't you with the team? Why didn't you come back to play? How did you like that spread offense? You have to make some pretty quick reads, Don't ya? What did you say? I hear ya, " I am not spread QB who can throw darts like TD demands." " I also like to take my whole summers off, like we did with Coach Dickey. Man, can you believe that TD wanted us to throw and workout during the summer?"

The answer to your question is obvious, you freakin clown. Your the rocket scientist and grammar school teacher and you can't even answer your own question. Woody didn't want to compete with Meager and Tune. He wasn't going to cut the mustard. Is that so freakin hard to understand for a man of your Intelligence? Emmitt, I can getting the feeling you might actually be Woody in the flesh.

Emmitt your a freakin rocket scientist. Grammar school lesson and all. As my friend (Jack) would say..........."You want the truth? Do you want the Truth? You can't handle the truth." Sorry Emmitt.......post me back when you have a freakin fact or some information that is worthy. Until then, kiss my Woodrow, I mean Woody. Emmitt, you remind me of another one game wonder, He just doesn't play here anymore.

Rick your point is exactly right except that I DIDN'T act like it was some scoop (news shattering event) that I only knew. I just stated the facts that Emmit didn't believe. I got called out but it is what it is.

Boy I like your definition of conjecture when it comes to WW. Tell me Emmitt, why isn't WW with his teamates? Why didn't he practice, lift, and run this summer with his teamates? Please Emmitt tell me why? Oh, I know, he wanted it TOO MUCH and was too good a player last season to put forth the effort that Daniel put in.........I hear ya, I feel ya.

Woody is a special athlete. Just not a special QB. If he had the X factor, then Dodge wouldn't let a 18 year kid be our back up. WW should have swallowed his pride and played WR, Punt and kick off returner or something else to help his team and to do what is right by the team, imo. No doubt that Woody is athletic and could have helped in some form or fashion. In Dodge and Meager we trust.

NMSU sucks. Their program is exactly what we do not need. Let's suit up and play at least a couple of big boys. It is a shame Miami is looking to replace our game with them at Dolphin Stadium. Our program needs the Big Dollar games and the recognition.

Bradford is a nice looking player. I bet we see Nichols play some QB during some portion of the game and likely will coincide with the time frame that Vizza plays (3rd qtr. and also into the 4th). Tune hopefully will get some snaps as well.

Cr it's because I call it like I see it. No one liked my Woody analysis and facts, no one liked my Meager prediction and now U don't like my opinion, that Riley is overhyped. Big freakin deal. I remain a Riley, a TD, a WW, a Meager, Tune and Vizza fan. But I call it like I see it and its tough tits that you don't agree. Let me know when you make all the predictions that I made this summer, correctly and then come back and talk to me.

Riley sure gets a lot of hype. Being apart of the SLC program and having the last name Dodge gets him a lot of exposure. I have seen him throw the ball (on many occasions) and his arm is average at best. Good athlete in a good system, but way overhyped. I do believe he will do well at UNT but I do not believe he will a three or four year starter as many assume.

Well Green Lantern, I have been called a lot of things by Emmitt, Rick, and others but definitely NOT A PROPHET?????????? No way Dodge was going to take Giovanni or anyother freshman and have him take a beating like Meager is going to get against OU. Meager better be one tough SOB. Meager was the obvious choice...........it just wasn't the popular choice and I took my lumps like a man for stating the obvious decision that Dodge was going to make. I will even go further with my "Crystal Ball"........based on what I have seen after several practices and the last scrimmage, that I snuck in and watched, Daniel will not hold onto that position the entire season. NO WAY! That freshman kid is the real deal. In fact, I think Dodge knows exactly what he is doing.....that OU is no place to start a 18 year old kid regardless of his talent. Smart decision for the long run. I believe now that Dodge knows exactly what he is doing. He would have broken the spirit and heart of Meager by not naming him the starter. Wise decision by TD. I wish Daniel well and have felt he would flourish in this offense, and he still might, but after witnessing first hand, Vizza is the obvious QB of the future (including when Riley shows up on campus.) The freshman has the entire respect of that team in two weeks...that is unheard of for a freshman. Just ask the others on the team, they will say the same.

Brett Vito, I believe, forgot about Casey. Breece Johnson will likely back up Casey on the outside. No way Fitzgerald doesn't start. I think BJ Lewis, Washington, and Stickler will all see plently of action in the slot. Dibrell will play but I believe Roberson will shirt, he is just too raw but will be a good one, come this time, next season.

I can speculate with the worst of them so here it goes: Meager is a veteran, like him or not. He is four years older than GV. He should be way ahead of the freshman after going through all of spring ball and having college experience. BUT, apparently, he is not ahead of this "kid" that is just beginning to learn and understand the college game. That surprises me some but then again, this kid, is not your average college freshman. What's really going on inside the program as far as the intangibles is really the key component that nobody knows except Dodge and the team. Leadership, mental fortitude, heart, character, etc. are the unknowns that TD has to have in his equation. There are several other things in the equation, imo. that TD has to be considering in the back of his mind. I believe he has to considering what would happen to Meager's mental state if he starts Vizza. How fragile is Meager (mentally) if he doesn't get the start. You know that the Vizza is in a no lose situation being first or second team. But what about the Meager? How does the team respond to starting a true freshman, especially the seniors? Vizza is the future, no doubt, is it now? I am glad I am not Todd Dodge who has to answer that question.

The only thing is that Giovanni's last name is Vizza pronounced like Pizza!

That is a valid point. The kid has done wonders in such a short time. As he adjusts to the college game, their really could be more seperation than I thought of. Regardless, Dodge picked a winner in Vizza, whether he starts of not. Starting is not as important as finishing the season. But this kid might do both. O-LINE better step up big time. O-line is our achilles heal right now and that is not good for any QB, more less a freshman.

The biggest thing is that everyone wants and expects Dodge to win NOW. With a freshman QB, the benefits begin in year 2. Will the Mean Green have the patience or will they be screaming. Look at what Texas Tech has done against OU. Absolutely Nothing. Whoever comes in the OU game after the starter is replaced will excel more against a 2nd or 3rd team defense. Tech is so explosive yet can't do jack against OU. It will be a long game regardless. We will have to have big time patience with whoever starts.

Good read on starting True Freshman QB's -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It looks like there are several teams who will be starting True Freshman this year and over the last couple of years. TCU - will start a red-shirt Freshman Notre Dame - might start a True Freshman Georgia did last year Georgia Tech - started Reggie Ball Michigan - started Henne - and he had his best year as a True Freshman. 50/50 though on some others- I personally think we should get Nichol game experience this year - weather he starts or not... Article The Good Book says a child shall lead them, but the playbook usually requires more experience. That's why Oklahoma's Jamelle Holieway in 1985 is the only true freshman in Division I-A football history to start at quarterback for a national championship team. The growing pains are much more severe at a position which demands the performance level, knowledge and acceptance that true freshman usually lack. Last season six true freshmen – Matthew Stafford of Georgia, Josh Freeman of Kansas State, Thaddeus Lewis of Duke, Juice Williams of Illinois, Nate Davis of Ball State and Mitch Mustain, who transferred from Arkansas to Southern California - started the majority of their team's games and experienced various degrees of success. They combined for a 22-30 record as starters, but only Stafford started in a bowl game victory and only Lewis and Mustain threw more touchdown passes than interceptions. However, a year of experience can make a significant difference in aptitude and attitude, and last year's unsure freshmen are growing into confident sophomores. "Last year during the season I went through the motions," admitted Davis, who was 3-4 as Ball State's starting quarterback but threw for 18 touchdowns compared to eight interceptions. "I didn't really know the offense and I was just out there playing. Over the winter I watched film every day to learn the offense more, and now I have a better grasp of it." So does Stafford. He went 6-2 as the Bulldogs' starter, but threw 13 interceptions and only seven touchdown passes. He did, however, show considerable improvement in helping Georgia post three consecutive victories over ranked teams to close the season. Last spring Stafford arrived in Athens rated the nation's top quarterback prospect by Rivals.com. He largely struggled through the spring, although he did throw a long touchdown pass in his first attempt in the G-Day spring game. With a football season and a full year under his belt, he felt like a crafty veteran this spring. "It was like night and day for me," Stafford said. "I was just so much calmer and composed this year. You're more comfortable knowing what's going on around you and knowing what to look for. Last spring, being my first semester at school, it was tough. This year was a whole lot more fun. "I feel like my game is a whole lot better. Hopefully, it will carry into the fall." Stafford and his contemporaries can look at other former true freshmen starters and be encouraged that future seasons will be more fun, too. For example, Tennessee's Erik Ainge had a decent freshman year in 2004 in which he passed for 1,452 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Last season, Ainge broke out with 2,989 yards passing with 19 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Fresh starts The freshman quarterbacks who started most the games for their teams in 2006 and how they fared: Name School W-L Yards TD INT Nate Davis Ball State 3-4 1,975 18 8 Josh Freeman Kansas St. 4-4 1,780 7 15 Thaddeus Lewis Duke 0-11 2,134 11 16 Mitch Mustain* Arkansas 7-1 894 10 9 Matthew Stafford Georgia 6-2 1,749 7 13 Juice Williams Illinois 1-8 1,489 9 9 * -- transferred to Southern California Brady Quinn passed for 1,831 yards and nine touchdowns with 15 interceptions in 2003 as a freshman at Notre Dame. The Irish finished 5-7 that season. As a sophomore, Quinn passed for 2,586 yards with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Each year he steadily improved. Of course, nothing is guaranteed. Michigan's Chad Henne has had three good seasons, but his freshman year - when he threw for 2,743 yards and 25 touchdowns - remains statistically his most productive season. Ainge, Henne and the freshmen starters of '06 are among a rather exclusive group to start at quarterback as true freshmen. Given the opportunity, in the vast majority of cases coaches would prefer quarterbacks to redshirt their freshman year to learn the offense and be shielded from the immediate expectations of grandeur that often accompany a quarterback recruit to college. No quarterback on Georgia's 2006 roster had significant playing experience, so the Bulldogs did not have the luxury of redshirting Stafford. Despite the ups-and-downs of his inaugural year, Stafford is glad he received on-the-job training. "Personally, I was better served to go out and play," Stafford said. "I learned by trial and error. I wouldn't have had it any other way." Stafford learned to adapt to the speed of the game, which is always one of the major obstacles freshmen face. He became more comfortable in coach Mark Richt's offense as the season progressed. Stafford appeared in better condition this spring than he was a year ago, showed a much better command of the offense, didn't make as many mistakes and threw fewer interceptions. "He is really good," Richt said of Stafford during spring drills. "Even last year he understood things, but he did not understand the speed of the game, the speed of the athletes, when to sling that sucker out of bounds and how to manage the bad plays. "Those little fundamental things are what gets you beat, but I think he understands it pretty well now." Yet, perhaps most important is that Stafford has the confidence of his teammates. He earned that confidence during a stretch in which the Bulldogs defeated Auburn, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech. That enabled Stafford to assume the leadership role so important for a quarterback. He seemed to build on that in the spring. "I think the hardest part is to come in as a freshman and lead the team off the bat," Stafford said. "It's tough to step in and play well enough to gain respect. Once you do, it's a great feeling when the team is behind you. After the Auburn game everybody realized we can play well together." Like Stafford, Davis also gleaned and gained crucial confidence during a late-season surge. Ball State won three of its last four, and the loss was by eight points to Michigan. "You have to have a lot of confidence," Davis said. "You can't get down because you'll let the whole team down. I'm trying to be a leader for the offense. "You have to earn (teammates') respect. You always have to be positive. You never want to say anything negative. I started being a leader when I started knowing the offense. The worst thing in your first season is going into the huddle and being hesitant. I didn't know the offense and I was calling the plays wrong. They were saying, 'What are you talking about?' '' Now, those teams are talking about winning more games next season with proven quarterbacks, especially Georgia. "We have to try to improve on those numbers and the wins and losses," Stafford said. "We were 9-4 and happy with the way we finished, but that's not the way we do things around here. We're trying to win them all."

If and when Giovanni Vizza gets on the field, it will tough to get him off. He is a tough ass competitior. I have to admit he has the whole package for such a young age. I think the players are responding to his style of play and has the certain something that makes him a winner. I never thought it would be this close of a duel since he is new to the college speed and game.

That is an awesome quote !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Meager being 3 or 4 yrs. older and a QB with experience should blow Vizza out of the water BUT that kid just can't be a freshman, he is too cool under pressure and a freakin gamer with the rock in his hands. TD is the only reason this kid is even here at UNT. Next week will decide the QB deal, it really shouldn't be that close but Don Giovanni is making an offer Dodge can't refuse or at least that is how some others see it.

Based on what I saw today, the QB competition is amazing. Both kids had their moments but the team rallies behind the freshman. He is a very visible leader and the toughest nosed kid we have running the ball. The team loves a Bucky Richardson type of QB, that was apparent. He is mature beyond his freshman status. Dodge has a tough decision. I got kicked out myself but hung in there long enough to see what I wanted to see and that was some live football.

You have to give it up for the Don........ Vizza is not only well spoken but he handled himself in that interview with class and dignity. Class kid and character. Well said you Italian Stallion, no wonder TD wanted YOU.

Sounds like the Defense blew up the offense. Anyone see any of the workout this afternoon?

#3 in shells just finished up. I left a little early. It is definitley Meager vs. Vizza through my eyes only. Those two get all the reps. B-Jax and BJ Lewis had off days, imo. 1st team defense looks good. O-Line, especially the second team are extremely small as compared to our defensive front, at least from my far away vantage point. High paced practice, lots of reps, hot and windy as hell. Coach Mendoza is a fun guy to watch. I am impressed with him. DB's are an impressive group of athletes. With should pads on today, their was some good leather popping at various stages. Friday and Saturday will be very interesting in full pads.

Its all good to me. I can take a beating when I deserve it. I like getting kicked around on the board. I actually enjoy all this BS. PT BARNUM always said "as long as they spell my name correctly." If I stir up the pot, then I have to take it on the back side. It is all in good fun.