eulessismore

I just wondered if anyone (besides myself) would like to change their selection, since Alonzo Horton was tied for the most mentions, along with Jeremy Knott. My new projections for new starters and stars in 2008 are: Gabe Hollivay Jeremy Knott Troy Franklin (replacing Alonzo Horton; I like him because he's capable of playing OT or DT) Jordan Scoggins That's my story, and I'm sticking to it, for now!

Ok, I thought I'd seen some more detailed info on Jenkins, it was this Vito post, which mentions Jenkins was to have finished up his one remaining course by the end of June. Since we haven't heard anything since May 16 on this, I'm taking it as good news (unless I find out otherwise). May 15, 2008 Good news on UNT football 8:35 PM Thu, May 15, 2008 | Permalink Brett Vito E-mail News tips After the events of the last week or so, I bet UNT football fans could use some good news. And since we are in the public service and information business on the Mean Green Blog, I went and found some. Just before national signing day earlier this year, I reported on the blog that Pearl River (Miss.) Community College tackle Nate Jenkins had a whole lot of work to do in his final semester and over the summer to become eligible to play next season. Since this is the time of year that grades come out, I gave Pearl River coach Tim Hatten a call to see how Jenkins was doing. Turns out he did very well in the spring. "He's got just one class left to take," Hatten said. "He needed 18 hours and passed 15. Some guys when the light at the end of the tunnel gets a little brighter, they get a little more motivated." Hatten said Jenkins will be done with his junior college classes by the end of June and should be ready to go when UNT opens fall camp. UNT is expected to plug Jenkins, who is huge at 6-4, 335, in at right tackle to replace Adam Venegas. UNT could use the help after quarterback Giovanni Vizza was beaten in a way that is illegal is most states last year, when the Mean Green’s quarterbacks were sacked 39 times. "There is no doubt that Nate can help North Texas out," Hatten said. "He could help a lot of teams in the country." Jenkins is one of two junior college linemen UNT added in its last recruiting class. Gabe Hollivay, a guard from Itawamba (Miss.) Community College, also signed with the Mean Green. Post your thoughts on the blog. Just how much better will UNT's offensive line be next season if Jenkins can finish up his work in junior college and play for the Mean Green?

I don't believe Hollivay had any academic issues that were reported; I believe it was just Nate Jenkins who had some remaining classwork; this is the latest I could find on him, from a Vito Blog entry: May 16, 2008 UNT mailbag 2:42 PM Fri, May 16, 2008 | Permalink Brett Vito E-mail News tips Matt McCombs sent in a good question to the Mean Green Blog today on the status of Pearl River (Miss.) Community College tackle Nate Jenkins, who is trying to finish up his junior college coursework in time to be eligible to play for UNT in the fall. Jenkins has one class left to take and will enroll in that class in the first term of summer school at Pearl River. That term should end in time for Jenkins to pack up and move to Denton for the start of fall practice.

Just though I'd mention this since the Alonzo Horton/Stadium thread became the Stadium thread. Tulsa fans feel their team is weak on pass rushers/de's, so welcome a coaching proposal to use a couple of their RB's as pass rushers in 3rd down passing situations. Since few here seem excited about our remaining prospects for de, what about using some of our previous tight ends/even backup quarterbacks that way? Hey, I noticed that Matt Phillips is 6'1", 228 lbs, and was known as a dual threat quarterback in high school. Anyone think some of our linemen, pass rushers of whatever position, former tight ends, whatever, that we DO still have on the roster should be considered for both offensive and defensive play, especially to create pressure on the opposing quarterback, if only situationally? Ok, ok, maybe the Matt Phillips thing is crazy talk, but I haven't seen it suggested here before, thought it might spark some conversation about players. I mean, hey, if we were West Virginia, maybe we'd come up with a 3-3-5. Tulsa dual threat players

You may have a good point there, Dodge2007; I still think Charlie Brown would be more suited to DE than his proposed new position of DT; with a weight of 255 and 4.8 speed, he sounds kinda like a DE to me. Hey, no offense, but are you thinking of changing your sig, since we're well along into 2008 now...just trying to inject a little humor!

You know, you have a good point, as did H-towngreen in mentioning Russo. Honestly, Russo was a first team all state selection as a senior on a state championship team; were we just planning on using him as a backup, and what of Marquis Sykes, first team all-district as a senior, and his team's defensive mvp and leading tackler, another reserve? We need to start looking at the players we do have, many of whom were highly recruited. Honestly, just looking at the bios of players like Draylen Ross, I have to wonder if in fact, the Dickey regime didn't have some pretty good defensive players who ended up not being well used by our DC Mendoza last year. The local high school here, Euless Trinity, has offensive and defensive linemen that are highly praised, but they won a state championship last year with an o-line that was patched up due to injuries early on, leading to a rotation scheme which became a strength in the playoffs. On the defensive side, Mao Leota and Robert Griffin hardly played any significant time in the state championship game. I'll never forget reading what Coach Lineweaver said, that rotating players frequently was a good morale builder.

Well, this article from CFN, written last May seems prescient, especially this line: Player who has to step up and become a star: Sophomore DEs Sam Owusu-Hemeng & Marquis Sykes. I am wondering if someone could give me a little insight on Owusu-Hemeng, I didn't even find him listed on the Roster at Meangreensports. 2008 North Texas Preview - Defense

So far, players mentioned as potential new starters and stars, and votes: Alonzo Horton-3 Jeremy Knott-3 Justin Edwards-2 Sam Roberson-2 Lance Dunbar-2 Others mentioned (1 each): Sam Dibrell, Gabe Hollivay, Jemal Jackson, Nate Jenkins, Jordan Scoggins Hey, I'd really like to hear from others, especially regarding offensive linemen and defensive tackles. I'm really wondering whether people think we are lacking in those areas, or that we're uncertain about the talent, experience, or depth we have there. I certainly think this is a year that a true freshman could get significant playing time on either side of the line of scrimmage, and that one or more of last year's redshirts could end up starting, and making a big impact; also, others moving to the line from other positions may truly find a home.

If you were a photographic hobbyist in Texas, you would buy a "Texas Parks and Wildlife" subscription and read their occasional features on good places for autumn foliage pictures in Texas. Yep, it's damn hot in Denton in July, but have you ever been on the East Coast when it's hot...experienced the heat, along with greater humidity and less wind? I hate hot weather, but other than the Houston area, would prefer most places in Texas to most places along the East Coast when the temps get above 90. I'm sure there are places in Tennessee that can be pleasant, especially in the eastern part, but one week in the Louisiana summer was enough for me.

Hey, the above mentioned were not starters until 2007, as far as my limited knowledge. I think Drake and Fitz were backups before 2007, with the other two true freshmen. Those four won considerable honors though, and deservedly so. Who will start for the first time, get enough quality playing time, and have enough positive impact to at least be all-conference, if not "freshman all-america" or other, perhaps greater honors. My projections: Gabe Hollivay, just because he sounds like what we need on the offensive line; Alonzo Horton, just because he's what we need at defensive end and would make a great story as a major force in opposing backfields; Jeremy Knott, because he's got to be noticed if he substantially improves our kicking game; Jordan Scoggins, a sentimental favorite of mine, since he's from Euless Trinity, but mostly because we need someone to really step up at defensive tackle, and if he succeeded there, could help clear the way for a Charlie Brown move to DE-also, Scoggins always seemed to like contact and to beat his man when he played for Trinity. Not that many others don't have the talent and character to excel; Marcus King, Cam Montgomery, and J.J. Johnson come to mind, but I really think it will be difficult for new wide receivers to stand out; Micah Mosley ensures that Cam will most likely share running attempts; and once Kelvin Drake and Chad Rose get healthy, I think Drake will take most of the reps at center, with Rose as backup. Anyway, just thought I'd limit myself to four, since we had four new "starters and stars" last year (and please correct me if I'm wrong on that). Other possibilities? What does anyone here think about other JUCO transfers, such as Adryan adams, Justin Edwards, or Nate Jenkins starting? True freshmen, such as Kenny Barrett, Troy Franklin, or Coleman Feeley? Either redshirts from last year, such as the linebackers Justin Padron or Marquese Davis, or even a linebacker with minimal time shifting to another position, Marquis Sykes?

I've heard the worst part is having to stand around afterwards talking about how much you enjoyed the meal.

This is kinda funny, but a little sad, as well: KSUFans poll on Patton's punishment

Well, at least Jones is true to form scheduling Texas State next year. You know what's really ironic is Georgia's claim to have been overlooked as national champions in 2007 based on their blowout of Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl. SMU is basing their early hopes for the June Jones regime based on his first year at Hawaii, ignoring the second year 3-9 record and the subsequent weak schedules. Really, the only away games in which Hawaii dominated in 2007 were Idaho and UNLV, with a combined 3 wins for 2007. Oh well, I guess there may be something to be said for "cupcake" scheduling.

I thought this link from the "KSU Fans" link might provide some fodder for both sides here. You can either click the first link to see it from the KSU site (and perspective), or click the second one to see the original (and complete) article. Bill Snyder's Legacy Art of the Cupcake Schedule So, we were a KSU "cupcake" in those days? Maybe the first time we played them (as 1-AA, against Jim dickey in 1985) and won, it didn't work out so well. Starting in 1989, against Bill Snyder, I guess it did. This kind of makes me think there's more to building a successful program than scheduling "cupcakes", such as hiring someone who can coach and build a program, like Bill Snyder. However, looking at Snyder's KSU coaching record on the College Football Data Warehouse does show that Snyder typically scheduled weak OOC opponents throughout his time there. I think we can and should show them how things can change by beating a previously cupcake, although major conference, KSU. We need to makea win in Manhattan the start to a successful multi-year run, the way we were part of their getting started as a winning program back in 1989.

Thank you for not praising "the one who came up with the no standing rule" as a real fan of genius.

Hey, get well, Greenbat. I really appreciate how you've help me figure out some of the finer points of recruiting area football players, especially those from Euless Trinity.

I gather from much of what you've written on the"Non-UNT Sports" forum that you have no use for environmentalists, such as myself, who proudly acquired the academic credentials of my environmentalism at the UNT (then NTSU) Geography Department over 30 years ago (yes we were taught that global warming-I think we called it the Greenhouse Effect then-existed, and would be a big problem-they were right, except that didn't predict how bad it is getting). By the way, have you read "The Great Warming"; it might give you pause, if you're opposed to radical political and societal shifts. However, "green" stadium? My employer, one of the large area cities, has one green building that I'm convinced is just something to give "green building" a bad name. It may have energy saving aspects, but is so far from where anyone from any other part of the City that any savings in electrical consumption is surely outweighed by the fuel required to drive there for classes (it's main use). A rational approach to a stadium construction project might be along the lines of what Texas' greatest architect, O'Neil Ford, an old Denton guy, did, using native materials (acme brick?) and climatic considerations to create designs such as Little Chapel in the Woods, Denton Civic Center, the Emily Fowler Library, and the Tower of the Americas. Of course, he was roundly despised by many of the little J. Edgar Hoovers of the day. Really, I would be more pleased if the stadium was designed to encourage use of public transportation to some extent, and functioned well for All it's designed purposes (yes, I do want a multi purpose stadium that can be used for concerts-I think good acoustics could do some good for football crowd noise as well as musical performance). Just my (what I think your words would be) tree hugger opinion.

No longer: Chargers release Matt Simon

I was hoping you guys would take that little morsel of information and use your creative writing skills to spice it up..."Bimbo Field" does have kind of a ring to it!

Didn't the CEO of Mrs. Bairds bread go to North Texas? They got taken over by the Mexican bread company, Grupo Bimbo. Maybe "Grupo Bimbo Field"? Nobody who heard of it would ever forget it!

Maybe just an overall lack of football news...by fall practice, such as this wouldn't be posted.

So, does nobody think that Eddrick Gilmore may be ready for the season opener and be a factor, or Jordan Scoggins? Any other redshirts from last year, or even a true freshman from the class of 2008?

Statistics themselves are quite energy consumptive, if you think about what a statistician is: a man with his head in the oven and his feet in the refrigerator, who is, on the average, quite comfortable.

Hey, I agree that beating an OFFER from UTEP is the key here. UTEP was only 4-8 last year, but one of those wins was over SMU; another was over Tulsa. By the way, why disrespect Montana State? They've played well in the last 3 years; made it to the 1-AA quarterfinals in 2006 before losing to Appalachian State; no real disgrace. Maybe we should line up a game against one of the top tier FCS teams...we couldn't be any more embarrassed than Michigan was last year. But hey, I picked up a wrinkled old five dollar bill i saw laying on the ground last week; too bad it wasn't a nice new crispy one.

I concur with what the guy cutting my hair at the local barbershop said, "When you score 62 points and lose, it's not the fault of your offense". Riley has a good point that he's known "the system" so long, but Vizza has shown he's learned the system and can execute it against some of the best D1 college teams. It would be best for the team and for Riley if he did redshirt. Just my opinion.