Side Show Joe

Although I feel this blog is dumb, and this person is totally wrong about our uniforms, I do appreciate the press. We can use all the attention we can get. I feel most logical people who read the post would see our team on their and say, "that North Texas uniform isn't ugly, UAB, Iowa State, Bowling Green, and many other schools have worse uniforms". That said, its hard to defend any uniform that has tubing.

This year we have six home game. The non-conference home games are against teams we should have a chance to compete with (Army & Ohio). Army should bring in a large crowd like Navy did a few years ago. There is no Thanksgiving weekend home game to ruin our average. So, will North Texas set a new record for average attendance this season? I'll say we average 19,750 a game for the season. Over 20,000, if we win more then 2 of the first 6 games.

Javia Hall QB from Dallas Skyline 6'2" 175 4.67 40 yard dash. Rivals gave him 3 stars, but has not listed him as committing yet. Scout has him committed to us. I hope Scout is right. I'm always happy to see a 3 star recruit! Welcome Mr. Hall.

The assessment is fair. The one thing I think could have been added, and the thing I'm waiting to see before I get my hopes up for this season, is how our guys look after working out over the summer. I don't know the NCAA rules for summer workouts, but I'm sure our new strength coach has given these guys individual workout programs and goals. If they are dedicated and hungry, then they should show up for fall camp stronger, in shape, and hopefully with chips on their shoulders. If this happens, then I feel the defense, and offensive line will both see improvement. At the offensive skill positions I feel Cam could have a standout year. He looked great in spring, and I think could be among the top backs in the Sun Belt. Reilly could have a rough start, just because of the level of competition he has to face at the beginning of the year. If he is able to have some success against a few of our non-conference opponents, then I think a few coaches around the Belt might start losing a little sleep at night. It is my hope that by the start of conference play Reilly will have the ability and freedom to audible plays at the line. He knows the offense, it is just a matter of if can read or can learn to read college defenses with disguised blitz packages, and if our WR can break off routes and find the openings. If Reilly can audible at the line, we will move the ball great between the 20's. Until I see a true power formation, with the QB under center inside the 20 and on short yardage downs, I can't say we will score a considerably larger amount of points in the red zone, compared to last year. though I do think our scoring on plays of over 20 yards will go up. On special teams, I'll believe it when I see it. I wish Gandy all the best, and hope he can pull it off.

I see your point, and I did not mean to imply that the Republicans had no fault in this mess. They, were too willing make money and along with Democrats, get people into houses they couldn't pay for. As for the Democrats running unchecked, I'm referring to post inauguration Washington. With the Whitehouse and both houses of congress under the Democrats, I think we are seeing big mistakes made, like the AIG issue. Carter was a bad President. With Carter in the Whitehouse, and Democrats in control of the House and Senate, Washington was under Democratic control just like today, and we were a weak country with inflation running wild. With all his spending, and both houses under his party's control I fear we could see a similar situation happen under obama. I'm not the smartest guy, but I did a good deal of research before I bought a home. Because of that, I knew enough to not get caught up in one of those adjustable rate mortgages. I bought a home I knew my wife and I could afford. And when I say "afford" I mean, I could pay the mortgage, meet all my other financial obligations, and put funds back for savings. I didn't go out there and buy a house I could barely pay for, with an interest rate that could change. Today through no fault of our own, my family is far worse off than it was just three months ago. My friends are worse off then they were just three months ago. I don't know anyone who is better off now. The people are America, and the hard working middle class are its backbone. obama is currently succeeding in pushing his agenda through congress, and hard working middle class families are hurting more as every day goes by. In light of what I'm seeing on a daily basis, I can't see a way where his policies can succeed and our country can end up the better for it. I don't see it happening now and I don't believe it will happen later when our national debt is substantially higher, we can't print more money to flood the economy with, and other countries want nothing to do with our dollar. That said, Go Mean Green!!! Hope our fan base will still be able to afford tickets.

I am only posting my opinion of the practices, and I don't mind that you take exception with my views. You are welcome to attend practices and post what you see. I feel the reason Riley was not recruited by other schools could have been because he committed early to Texas, but had he not committed early, his size could have been a concern for other schools who may have wanted him at QB. As for not getting hit in practice, I don't believe Dodge let his QBs get hit in spring ball last year either, with the exception of the spring game. Anyone who watched a practice last year that can shed light on this subject, please do. Just because I feel Riley is preforming well, does not mean I think Tune or Baine are not. So, I'll say it again. Riley has a big time arm. These are my opinions and you can agree or disagree with them.

I can't agree with his future for our country, because I don't like seeing the federal government buy up large portions of corporations with money they don't have. I don't like having the democratic party go unchecked in Washington. Last time that happened Carter was in office, and some of us are old enough to remember what that was like. I don't like that we have so much debt and China owns so much of it. Should they decide to stop buying it, I won't like the inflation that will occur either. I don't like watching irresponsibility be rewarded by either party. People and companies that can't pay their obligations need to fail, and the executives and politicians responsible need to be serving time for it. Reckless and hasty legislation has already led to problems with the stimulus package. In my opinion, voting on legislation without being required to read it first, is a very stupid policy, but it is change. I don't see how any of this will help our country, not in the short term or the long term. I have no faith in the dems ability to lead this country, and I think the bigger question is, If obama succeeds, does America fail?

Other states have a problem with our death penalty. Many think less of Texas because of the amount of people we put to death. Which is OK with me, because I don't have to worry about too many of them wanting to move here and ruin out state.

I don't know if he'd be fighting for his job, but I definitely see a double standard. The news does a terrible job of reporting and condemning these types of actions by Dems. I will say I feel like Obama is doing everything he can to get people off the topic of his blunder of a stimulus package, that is paying out these AIG bonuses, which are exempt from this new 90% tax. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE DEMS PASS LEGISLATION WITHOUT READING IT OR CONSIDERING IDEAS FROM REPUBLICANS AND INDEPENDENTS!!!

Squier was a walkon last year. He's a fast little RB out of Sanger. I saw him break a big gain at Fouts a few days back. Tough kid.

Silver and Lifer, I carried a make-shift roster with me to the practices, but it was not all that accurate. I got the updated Spring roster ready to go for next week. The only time I've been looking at it is if I see someone make a really great play and don't already know who they are. To be honest, I haven't seen Franklin make a big play. That's not to say he hasn't. I just haven't been there for every practice. Next week I'll be sure to keep an eye on him and let you know want I think. As for Cantly, I don't have any information on his injury. I'll keep an eye open for him too. I will say Cantly looks like he could develop into the kind of player we could anchor the fount four around in a few years.

I think you are absolutely right about Ross and Desoto. These two look bigger and stronger this year, like solid starters. They have great size and strength, and have looked good this spring.

I been busy with work and haven't been able to post what I've seen at practices this Spring, but after reading some of the posts I feel obligated to share my opinions. I've been to two practices so far. Here is a run down of what I've seen. 1. Riley has a big time arm. I watched him at practice last year, and feel his arm is much stronger now. Makes me wonder if he was still recovering from the shoulder surgery when he was practicing last year. Last week he showed the touch to throw the deep ball, the fastball and accuracy to thread the needle between defenders over the middle, and the knowledge to read the defense and take what they are giving up. Aside from a pick I saw him throw, He looked very solid. 2. The team looks stronger and more physical then they did at any time last year. I'm thinking the new strength coach is really getting after these guys. The O-line looks especially big. And when I say that I mean tall, solid and cut. It's hard to judge the size from outside the fence, and with Riley lining up back there, but my best guess would have to be the line might average 6'4"-6'5" and between 295 and 320. 3. Cam Montgomery looks ready for the season to start now. A few times he squeezed through holes and had big gains, but on most carries he was able to at least get 3 or 4 yards. 4. Gilmore looks great. This guy is really something special on the field. I saw him get to a few passes and come up with an interception. You guys who watch the games know what he does. 5. Tobe is still leading by example in the middle. He is a very solid tackler. 6. The front four on defense look fairly good, but we just don't have enough depth behind them. When the second and third team go up against the second and third O, they don't get to the QB. And that's not good. How are they going to rotate in and play against starters from other teams? It is my hope that some of these guys are spending their spring break's driving between buffet's and the gym with the new strength coach. 7. Jackson and Outlaw look fine. They run decent routes and catch the ball well. All of the receivers look as though they are ready to contribute. But the most impressive WR I've seen at practice is a guy who wears #18. Vito said he thinks he's a walk on from Navarro. This kid runs good routes and catches everything around him. He also does an outstanding job of using his body to create space between himself and the defender. 8. The secondary looks pretty physical. I think they are doing a better job of tackling in the open field, but their ability to cover will really depend on how well the front four can put pressure on quarterbacks. 9. I wish I could tell you something about our special teams, but I haven't seen them in practice. I'm not saying they aren't working on special teams, I just haven't been there when they were. 10. It's really nice to be able to go to the practices and feel welcomed. I don't get there until around 4:45 on most days because I have to drive up from Fort Worth after work. Anyone who can get out their and watch really should. I think the team really likes seeing the fans show up and support them. I'll be out there again next week, and will try to post some updates for you guys who live too far away.

You are absolutely right. The way we play means we score and give up lots of points. I think giving up lots of points equates to a shaky defense at best, and I don't feel conceding points and trying to to win shootouts should be the expectation for our team. It is my opinion that this style of play will not be good enough to get us out of the second round of the Sun Belt Tournament. We must become more consistent in our play every night and play more physically on defense. This team has that kind of talent.

You are absolutely right. We need to create some new traditions for the stadium. North Texas has produced some great musicians and bands over the years. Why is it that we never hear their songs at the games. I know some of you will get mad at this, but I'm saying it anyway. I hate hearing Steve Miller's "Fly Like An Eagle" every two minutes. Steve Miller didn't even go to UNT. Songs to consider: The Toadies- Possum Kingdom, and Tyler The Eagles- Take It Easy, and Desperado another song Texas song: Deep in the Heart of Texas Anybody got other songs for the list?

"What I like most about this poll....after about 20 votes, nearly everyone has a vote. It's pretty balanced - just like the team itself" Where in your quote do you imply you are only referring to the offense? If you did, I'd agree our team is fairly balanced in its ability to score.

Ya know, I was really hoping this would be a "the cup is half full" kind of thread, but you guys have brought up some solid points.

Temporary jobs and handouts will not fix this economy. Creating more money that does not exist will not fix this economy. This trillion dollar package will only lead to inflation and a worse economy. This people of our country have lived beyond their means for far too long. Our leaders on both sides have made terrible choices. Dems wanted everyone to be able to buy a home, regardless of weather or not they could pay for it, and repubs were ready to make the money off those loans. Repubs deregulated the markets to the point where oil and housing prices could be falsely inflated by greedy speculators. Who knows what market may be next? When the housing bubble burst, the oil bubble wasn't far behind. Now look at the mess we're in. We need to put the regulations back on the market, so prices can't be falsely inflated, we need to put criminal penalties in place for knowingly mismanaging investments ( and I'm not talking about country club prisons), and we need to let the market correct itself. Jobs would be lost, and businesses will go under, but the economy would recover faster, and our country would not become Socialist in the process. This spending package will only make a bad situation worse. The whole world needs money and there is no one to lend it. Believe me, this won't end well. Future generations of Americans will never forgive us for this.

Or you could say, we don't have a designated go-to-guy, when the game is on the line, and if our team is balanced, where is our defense at the end of close games? I love our team, but I'm concerned about these things going into the end of the season and the tournament. I hope our offense stays on a roll.

I know we both had awful seasons, but one of them has to labeled the worst in Texas. I feel we had a better year then smu. Both teams only won one game. We beat Western Kentucky, who is a Bowl Subdivision team, entering the Sun Belt. smu beat Texas State, a Championship Subdivision team. By this logic, our win was over stronger competition, so smu wins the crown of "Worst Team in Texas" last season. Does anyone see it differently?

I'm down with that! Lets make Jerry Jones really mad, and the Cowboys "Mean Green" with envy!

I don't mind UTSA or Texas State in the Belt. Let Lamar in too. But, I don't want to be in the Belt with them. By the time those teams are ready to join, we better be in or moving to a better conference. If we are going to improve as a program, we must play better competition. We need to be playing in a stable conference with stronger teams. If the Sun Belt Conference continues to be a gateway conference for every team that wants to play BCS football it will continue to be the worst conference in the BCS, and a joke. We can't improve our program in those conditions. Are we building a new stadium to compete with the teams of the Sun Belt Conference?, or all the BCS conferences? What do we really want for our university?

A good point. Lets hope for the best.

I don't know if it will open before our stadium or not. I don't know if it matters. We are building a football stadium, not a basketball arena. UTA doesn't even play football. I think the bigger question this thread needs ask is, "What will UNT do to improve our basketball facilities?". I think the Super Pit is still a good arena, but it could use a renovation. when out stadium is finished, we need to look at getting a new media board to hang in the Pit, and better lighting for the place. When I see games on TV, it looks like the place has about five candles lighting the joint. UTA already beats us regularly on the court. We can't let them gain more of a recruiting advantage by having nicer facilities then us too.

1. Army- We gave Navy a great (offensive) game when they came here, and Army is nowhere near as good as they are. We should have a big crowd and I think this game is the one we have the greatest chance to win. 2. Ohio- An OK MAC school that I feel we have at least a close to even chance of beating. 3. Ball State- They really had a great season last year. Did they lose enough talent from that great team? 4. Alabama- In all honesty, they won't overlook the Sun Belt next season, and will play us like they are trying to get even with UL Monroe. As a true UNT fan, I will cheer for us tell the bitter end, but this one will probably get ugly.