SouthBendGreen

I miss the old Big West debates we used to have about travel on this board. Back then travel in the Big West was a legitimate concern and part of the debate. IMO, that doesn't even come close to factoring into the MWC. I don't even see the MWC looking in NT's direction but if they did, RV shouldn't even play hard to get. Right there on the phone he should respond, "HELL YES AND WHEN CAN WE START!!!" I am amazed at people on this board that I really respect saying no to a MWC bid. I don't get it. I hope and pray that the MWC thinks about adding NT.

Thanks for the well-wishes Harry and the board. Even though I don't post hardly at all anymore I still read and am amused by everyone here as I have been for years! Go Mean Green. Patrick

Wow. Just wow. No words can explain the string of just completely horrible luck this team has faced. What a shame. Hopefully Derek can at least get a medical redshirt so another year of his elgibility isn't blown! Patrick

Any watching parties in Los Angeles?? Patrick

Hey Guys, Arnie is an old friend. And these comments are correct. He is a pot stirrer and does what he does to get a reaction. He knows plenty about North Texas because the 5 years that I worked with him it's pretty much what I talked about. Hell, for my wedding he got me two really nice North Texas folding chairs and a North Texas fleece blanket. He's even tried to get me to come back to Dallas for a potential gig at that station. I understand the reactions of some fans here, but if it helps, take it with a grain of salt. He's definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but he has a loyal following and is good at what he does. Even though we are friends, I'm not the biggest fan of his style, but I see why it has worked. So maybe it helps a little to know that he's a really good guy and the best way to deal with him is to NOT give him a reaction. Trust me, it only throws fuel on the fire. I can't tell you the number of times I told myself to not take the bait and let him make his dumb comments. But he would always find a way to suck me in and I would get so frustrated. But that's what he wants. It's Arnie being Arnie. Patrick

Hello All, So I've watched every North Texas game this season and read this board regularly. Granted I don't post like I used to but I still love to read the board. Regardless, during the season I've been blown away by the topics regarding Riley. Guys on this board that I really respect and respect their knowledge of the game and can't understand the opinions of Riley overall. Whether it's knee jerking, frustration, anger or just plain being wrong I don't understand the quick rush to judgement on him. I've bit my tongue, or maybe it's bit my keyboard over the weeks and not responded to any topic about Riley, but today's game forced me to have to start this topic. Today we saw what this kid can do for our program over the next few years. There have been definite criticisms of him that are fair and I will always be concerned about his ability to stay healthy. However a game like today should show everyone here what he can mature into in 4 years at NT. Let's start out with his intelligence. On a play in the first half he scrambled and stuck the ball out while going out of bounds to gain an extra yard for the first down. In the 2nd half it was a designed QB draw and WK blew it up, he scrambled and very smartly DID NOT throw the ball because lineman were down field. I watched on ESPN360 and the commentators questioned why he didn't throw the ball to a wide open receiver and it's because he knew a flag would be thrown. EXTREMELY intelligent play. Those are things that you can't teach and he will continue to grow. The dumb mistakes he has made will continue to diminish over the years because of his football IQ. I love that about him. Next his mobility. Forget about it. Numerous times he should have been sacked for a big loss but made just enough to elude the defense. I know the offensive line has been good but there is a reason NT has only given up 5 sacks or whatever it is. His mobility is going to leave us with numerous plays over the next four years that leave us scratching our head wondering how he made that play. Let me preface this by saying he is NOT like Tony Romo. But he elusive and will make play similar to the crazy play Romo made against the Falcons that resulted in the TD to Patrick Crayton. Accuracy. That will improve but a glimpse was on display for that TD pass to Jamel in the end zone. It was perfectly placed amongst like 3 WK defenders and the sideline. That will only get better. Yes I think Nathan throws a better deep ball now, but I think Riley will only improve. I think durability will plague him for four years but as he matures I can almost guarantee that will see more games from Riley like the one today than previous ones this season. In the midst of the frustrating season we are enduring I hope people can see the signs of what is to come. I believe this program is going in the right direction. Maybe I'm in the minority here, but I do believe that. Not sure what's up with the defense and that scares me but between Riley, Lance and those guys on offense they are forming a great system. The offense has a great foundation, TD now needs to get to work ASAP on the defense. I will say that every time Riley gets hit I get a little nervous and I hope he bulks up a little, but I am behind him and TD. Thanks for enduring my whipping of a long post, but I really wanted to get that off my chest. Patrick

Thank you. I'm currently out of radio. Getting married showed me that I need more stability than radio can provide at times. Although I know that my good friend Arnie Spanier is now in Dallas. He told me that if I'm interested I could probably come back there. Tempting I must say. Patrick

I posted this in the TV thread yesterday I need to give kudos to the Mean Green Premium site. The last couple of years the video was spotty at best and it would buffer a lot. I really think that they got their act together. For Ohio I logged on expecting it not to work or have major issues. But I didn't have one problem. It loaded first time flawlessly, never buffered and the audio with George and Hank was always in sync. I even think the video is much improved. I had it full screen on my 22 inch monitor and it was very solid. To me definitely worth the $10 bucks a month. Oh yeah, I was also watching over my wireless network. I would highly recommend using MGP for the games. Wow, I just re-read my post and it kind of comes across that I'm a plant for MGP trying to get more people to sign up. Haha. Well since I'm poor, it's my own cheap way of contributing to NT. Patrick Now I don't have the fastest computer in the world, but it's good. I was also using Firefox. My computer is fast, but doesn't have tons of memory. And like I said it was over wireless. Granted I'm using Draft N wireless so that's faster than "G", but still wireless.

I need to give kudos to the Mean Green Premium site. The last couple of years the video was spotty at best and it would buffer a lot. I really think that they got their act together. For Ohio I logged on expecting it not to work or have major issues. But I didn't have one problem. It loaded first time flawlessly, never buffered and the audio with George and Hank was always in sync. I even think the video is much improved. I had it full screen on my 22 inch monitor and it was very solid. To me definitely worth the $10 bucks a month. Oh yeah, I was also watching over my wireless network. I would highly recommend using MGP for the games. Wow, I just re-read my post and it kind of comes across that I'm a plant for MGP trying to get more people to sign up. Haha. Well since I'm poor, it's my own cheap way of contributing to NT. Patrick

oops. Not after review!

NICE

it now says "on air now" but still not working. Why don't test and get the kinks out before the season starts?

Since I'm not in Texas I can't watch the game and right now there is no link available to watch the stream. Is anyone getting it?

If you have the PS3 or XBOX 360 version you can download rosters. On my PS3 I went the online section and then EA Locker From there click download roster or something like that. You then must enter in the id of a user that has rosters. The one I used is Listeri87, I think. You type in that name and his file comes up and you download it. Once you've done that you load that file and all names will change. He did every team. There are some errors, but not bad. He does have #1 on NT's roster as Riley. If you look at the stats it has to be him. He's a freshman and his ratings look like Riley's. Now be careful because these rosters have been causing some games to crash. EA says they are hoping to have a patch to fix the problem in like 3 or 4 days. Hope that helps. It's also nice to score a TD and hear the NT fight song!

Sweet. I look forward to this game every year almost as much as I do the new season. Where did you get those screen shots?

Don't forget a potential Matt Ryan cover shot. But Brennan's a good guess since Zabransky was on the cover. Also last summer I interviewed the lead producer on the franchise and he said they are REAL close to striking a deal with the NCAA to allow names to be used. He didn't say when it would happen, but he said the NCAA doesn't seem to have a problem with it. Now that would be cool. Save me a bunch of time when starting my NT dynasty having to change names.

I try to stay as realistic as possible and don't get too out-of-hand when thinking about NT, but I don't see how they CAN'T be the most improved. Granted I don't follow other Sunbelt schools like NT, but we have some great talent coming in and a year under TD's belt. I guess I expect NT to be the most improved. Not win the Belt granted, but at least be in the running.

Don't a lot of us that have been on the board for years have a bit of the "Good Ole Days" syndrome? I mean back then we knew all of the posters and it seemed like a bunch of dudes, and some women, hanging out at a bar talking Mean Green sports. There was no place to get that. North Texas was barely covered in the paper and on tv and never mentioned on sports talk radio, not that that's changed, but it was great. To know that I found people that loved NT as much as me. So it started with a few and then continued to grow. Now with TD here and SO many more people joining it isn't the close knit community like it was 6 years ago. But I think we all want that because it means the program is growing and gaining steam. It could never stay that way forever! I don't post nearly as much as I used to, and I do think there is a different tone to the board, but I still check it almost daily and I feel JayDub will do the same. Justin, PM with your personal email address! Patrick

Hello All, First let me state to Todd and others I apologize for not responding to the PMs. You guys know me and that's not really like me. Anyway, I do have some bad news to report. A few weeks ago SNR told me that they are shuffling station resources and that they were letting me go. It was a bitter pill to swallow considering just 10 days prior to that my boss told me how I was his most valuable host and that my show was looking good. At the time he most likely knew he was letting me go. Anyway SNR is now moving from a 24/7 model to syndication. The network will only originate like 3 or 4 shows and syndicate the rest. The situation has now cost at least 4 people their jobs and it will be many more before it's over. BTW, it also led to Tony Bruno leaving the network. Bruno was the cash cow for SNR. Things aren't looking good for SNR. So now it's on to the next phase of my life. I'll be brutally honest, this has made me reconsider my chosen profession. I new have a wife to worry about and I don't want this to happen again when we start having kids. I was moved out to LA and then let go less than a year later!!! So I'm thinking about a career change, but who knows. As for now I have my agent beating down the west coast while I look for gigs in Texas and Chicago. I have a couple of things brewing including one that might get me home so that maybe I can catch NT games for the first time in like 5 years!! I will tell you though, this board has been good for me over the last few weeks while dealing with this. I got lost in all of the recruiting news. I also appreciate all of you guys and gals that have contacted me. Doing the show, I was always happiest when a fellow NT alum would contact me. We are a big family!! In the meantime I will be checking out the board almost daily and I'll keep you guys posted on where I land next. Patrick Cortes

I just don't understand some views on this. I don't know if some here are trying to stay positive or what, but everyone has to admit that of all the candidates this was the one that impacts NT the most in a negative sense, or am I off base? I also don't buy the no Texas ties thing. A quick scan of Mack Brown's wikipedia page showed ZERO Texas ties. Yes he was close as a coordinator at OU and in Tulane as well. Also Dennis Franchione, didn't really have them either. He spent two seasons as coach at Texas State, but that's really it before getting to New Mexico and then TCU and he did great at TCU. Plus, JJ goes into a kids home and says, "Hey you saw Colt Brennan in New York for the Heisman. You saw us in a BCS Bowl." What's TD say, "hey you saw me at SLC and I know your coach." I know TD's relationships with coaches is great, but kids these days want all kinds of attention. I watch the HS all-star games and these kids have like three hats in front for the college choice and then knock them all off the table and pull one from behind their back. It's a joke. Point is, coaches only have so much influence. And if it's true that SMU is lowering standards that's even more the case. I don't have the desire to look it up, but I guarantee you we can find numerous coaches that didn't have specific regional ties and still did fine in recruiting. Now I'm not getting down on TD or his ability. I have FULL faith in TD and expect him to make NT into a solid D-1 program. All I'm saying is that it got a little more difficult last week. I don't know how anyone can disagree.

What Hawaii ties did JJ have? What Texas ties did Mack Brown have? He may have had some which throws that out the window. Anyway, point is that would be nice, but I don't think it completely matters. JJ can say, "Hey I took a school from Hawaii to a BCS Bowl." I think that plays well to kids.

I know it's been talked about in MANY threads and I've read them all, but I still can't shake loose this bad taste in my mouth after SMU hired JJ on Monday! I've tried to figure out how this isn't just really bad for NT. I mean what are the positives for us? We've been taking recruits away from SMU, does that happen now? I just don't see how it does. Two schools that run similar offenses just 30 miles away and one has a coach that took a team to a BCS bowl last season! I don't want to seem like Chicken Little, but I was so giddy during recent recruiting and then getting a new DC. It's been great. Then BAM!! Yesterday hits. I need some Mean Green therapy.

Good God, maybe you guys should take over and host the show for me. I came in 380th!!!!!!!!!!!! That blows.

I just think that this is so bad for NT.

Just talked to my guy again and he affirmed this is happening. Boy, I'm nervous. I've never broken any news and I'm scared. I've blasted many a people before for false reports.