eulessismore

But will the alligators like the kids?

Pardon me if anyone has brought this up during or after MTSU week, but Middle was able to make a very good hire for offensive coordinator after Tony Franklin was fired by Auburn 6 weeks into last years season. I had thought before he got hired by MTSU that maybe UNT could send our OC to him for consulting or at least to one of his seminars (yes, they're for high schoolers, but...). Anyway, here's the best story I've found on it. Some think we need a new OC; if it comes down to it, I hope we're lucky enough to get one like this guy: MTSU hires Tony Franklin as OC

I think we already have former quarterbacks as receivers (Darius Carey for one). I think it would be more deceptive to just have one of them move over next to Riley and take the snap. We need some deception.

Nothing about Dunbar?

I was impressed by that quick no huddle; noticed they only did it for a short time early in the game, and were less effective when they went back to doing it like we do, with the look to the sideline. I'm now wondering if they had some scripted series of plays memorized, and just ran through those before going to the "look to the sideline". However, I do find myself wishing we would go to that "quick no huddle" at least some. It seems to have some chance of keeping defenses off balance.

I do admire Dodge and company for having come up with some packages, the two back sets, plays from under center, etc., that give a different look at times to our offense. As of yet, I'm not convinced that the plays run from those sets are getting us the occasional short gainer that we need at times. Of course, a play to convert a 3rd and short may need to be different from one at the 5 yard line. And I do recognize that we succeed in some short yardage situations. I'm just convinced we need more variety; the run up the middle almost never seems to work, and the quarterback keeper doesn't appear to be something one should keep going to the well for. I'm not necessarily saying something called a "pass to the tight end" is the key; I did notice that we got the ball to Forrest Rucker at least once. He does seem like someone with the height to go for a "jump" ball. Not saying I have the answers; I do hope our coaches spend some time over the next couple of weeks figuring out how to get more points out of our trips inside the opponents 30 yard line.

I hope we don't have to struggle for as long as they did to get where they are now: Story: Houston's "Stunning Fall" Oh, there is an object lesson here for us: they were having all that fun at a stadium with a capacity around 32k. Maybe we can "have fun" in such a venue. UH: O'Quinn field at Robertson Stadium

I thought, as fans, we were too high after the Ball State game, and are now too low. The "too high" attitude going into the Ohio game showed by people on this board posting as if assuming we would beat Ohio, who barely lost to a UConn team that has looked real good at times. I think we had the talent to win this game tonight. Of course, Middle had already shown itself a good team, and has had our number for the last three games in the series. Could we have done better at game planning or play calling during this game? I think so. Still, I would like for us as fans to QUIT ASSUMING THAT WE WON'T WIN. Yeah, let's also forgot about assuming that we will win. Honestly, there's no team remaining on our schedule that we can't compete with. Can I sit here and think about a realistic won-loss record against our remaining eight opponents? No, but I'll keep showing up, cheering the team, cussing some coaches and refs, and hoping for the best.

We must be hospitable to those attending games who are "on the fence", even if they aren't yet hip to our most cherished traditions. They are the ones who, if courted assiduously, have the power to take UNT to a higher level in terms of attendance, financial support, and favorable publicity. We should remember that the lasting impression of Denton and UNT, to many of it's alumni, is that of a remarkably friendly place. That is a good thing.

Surprising to me, but some in this thread are saying Jerry is not really that interested, leading to other venues, including Fouts, being considered. What will replace Texas Stadium for high school playoff games? I realize this may not belong in this forum, but it might be something of an opportunity, for now and in the future.

I'll wait to see who he invites to the White House for a beer. FireFightingRick and CensoredByLaurie?

I'm not that impressed by the whole redshirting thing; maybe if it's someone who needs to bulk up, or someone in a position where there is no real need. As far as linemen who can tackle, keep putting guys out there til you find the right ones.

26. We've been beaten a lot worse by less capable teams.

Are you a beta tester? Is this a UNT secret developing technology, like the green jerseys that look darker when they're wet?

I thought our extra point kick defense team looked good!

Nowadays, people expect to see those emoticons; I've never used them myself, but would hope not to be taken too literally!

Please, tell us more! Who did they play?

I just don't see the point of this whole Alabama was "running up the score" argument. I'm convinced they could have scored more, but were smart enough to take their stud qb out and keep him healthy for greater challenges.

QUOTE(eulessismore @ Sep 19 2009, 07:09 PM) Well, I had to agree with the play by play guys that going to the run late after not having done so earlier was pretty strange. I certainly hope that the coaching staff recognizes that they didn't plan well for this game and will work to improve that. I'd like to see us doing some of the things that Bama was doing, like putting a big d-lineman (Atkinsson?) in on short yardage plays. Maybe we didn't have that many short yardage situations. Actually throwing to a tight end could be novel. I'll accept that may well be his intentions, but this is a team that needs to run the ball, and have the backs and tight ends do more in the underneath passing game. "Crazy out of hand"? There's got to be a country song in there somewhere. Also, I do feel our special teams play has improved, but it still needs work. I'm ok with them giving up some big returns to Arenas(sp?), but why did we have a guy running it out from 8 yards deep in the end zone?

A redshirt is lost from participating in any play for that season. The medical hardship is different (I don't think it's really called a "redshirt", and don't know all the rules), but I think they can play 3 games and still qualify for that, but some kind of appeal must be filed by the team for the medical. For the redshirt, it's simple; just don't play them.

Well, I had to agree with the play by play guys that going to the run late after not having done so earlier was pretty strange. I certainly hope that the coaching staff recognizes that they didn't plan well for this game and will work to improve that. I'd like to see us doing some of the things that Bama was doing, like putting a big d-lineman (Atkinsson?) in on short yardage plays. Maybe we didn't have that many short yardage situations. Actually throwing to a tight end could be novel.

Hey, I just thought that I'd mention that the only people I saw who looked comfortable sitting around me at last week's game was a young couple wearing North Face parkas (no telling how much THOSE would cost, but I found something at least with a water repellant shell the next day for 30 bucks at Ross), and more intersesting, they were keeping their upper legs dry by draping chamois cloths over them, not leather (yes, I got a good look at their laps), but some kind of artificial fabric, rayon or something. Periodically, when the rain slackened, they'd take those chamois cloths, wring the water out of them, and put them back in place. They actually had smiles on their faces the whole time.

Man, I'll be saying a prayer for you guys, and for all of us in the Mean Green Nation. I'm just hoping that room keeps you at least warm and dry!

Good find!

I thought I was liberal, then my sister from San Francisco called (she periodically gets in touch to let me know I ain't living right), and made me feel more moderate to conservative. I'm really somewhat left of center though, so if any conservative here wants to get on my case for not being conservative enough, feel free. I'll just feel like Barry Goldwater said, in so many words, "I stayed where I was, and everybody else moved". Oh, and as far as what to do for the relatives, get them some of the best food you can find. My family has strong ancestral ties to the Moravian immigrants to the United States (Nicholas Garrison, kin of my mother's Garrisons in the early 1700's, captained the ship "Irene" that brought many of them to the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania area from Germany, through Holland and England). Some of them later moved to the Winston Salem, N.C. area where they have their historical town, "Old Salem". They call their religion "Unitas Fratrum" (Unity of the Brethren), and many of them have honestly described the best part of their religion as "the food". I go to Old Salem once a year now, so that I can enjoy true food! Those folks treat me and my wife with great respect, especially after I told them of my familial links to "Captain Garrison". From what a Slovakian immigrant to this country where I work told me, most of what was Moravia is now back in the Czech Republic, after having been subjected to the boundary changes of twentieth century Europe. Still, those adhering to the Moravian faith in this country seem to self identify as being of German ancestry, perhaps because they found a haven from religious persecution there, but only for a while. Personally, I think the Moravians have had influence in this country far beyond their numbers. They established the oldest women's college in the U.S. that's in continuous existence, Salem College in Winston-Salem, are said to have established the first orchestra here, and began some of the first practices of Christmas decorating, such as the "Nativity scenes". For those who are impressed by the genealogical efforts of the LDS (as I am, having married an LDS woman), you might be interested to know that the Moravians were keeping such genealogical records before them; in fact, the Moravians living in England in the early 1800's provided shelter to the first Mormons who were missionizing there. Some of them converted, and became part of the Mormon "handcart pioneers". Of interest to the DFW area, Colonel A.H. Belo, who founded the Dallas Morning News, came here from Winston-Salem by way of Galveston; he was a Moravian from what is now "Old Salem". There is a "Belo Mansion" in downtown Dallas, which, at the time it was built, was an exact replica of the "Belo Mansion" in Old Salem. That mansion in Old Salem has been remodeled into assisted living for the elderly, but anyone familiar with downtown Dallas architecture would not miss recognizing its sibling in Winston-Salem (yes, it has a "Belo" plaque). So, from what I've seen, good food, good beer, and good coffee are highly appreciated. And they might also appreciate some well deserved respect for what their expatriates have accomplished in the U.S. and elsewhere.