DRC Monday column: No denying it now -- UNT misses Thompson

Brett Vito · October 27, 2014

Thompson might not have been elite, but the numbers overwhelmingly show he performed better than this season's trio:

http://www.dentonrc.com/sports/sports-headlines/20141026-vito-north-texas-struggles-to-fill-qb-void.ece

meangreen15 · October 27, 2014

And now we get to drag this argument out for another week....thanks Brett

Cerebus · October 27, 2014

Brett reads this board and he is now purposely trolling us.

Aldo · October 27, 2014

It really wasn't just Thompson. It was the people and talent around him that made him better.

Thompson would not fare any better this season, as this season's trio have been charged with putting the team on their shoulders on a game-by-game basis.

Harry · October 27, 2014

So we have to get kicked in the head one more time about DT. As if 90 hadn't done it enough. DT was great but when can we stop living in the past? DT graduated for goodness sakes. Why do we insist on focusing so much energy about a player who is no longer here?

Travis · October 27, 2014

Jesus!

Apples to Oranges. No amount of failure this year will get me to say what this article says. It is something you simply can't compare. Way too many changes from last year to this year to attribute our success to him last year or our failure without him this year.

I give up on life.

Edited October 27, 2014 by Travis

meangreen15 · October 27, 2014

Things you should never talk about with others:

1. Politics

2. Religion

3. Finances

4. Derek Thompson's Legacy

Travis · October 27, 2014

So we have to get kicked in the head one more time about DT. As if 90 hadn't done it enough. DT was great but when can we stop living in the past? DT graduated for goodness sakes. Why do we insist on focusing so much energy about a player who is no longer here?

I love you Harry.

meangreen15 · October 27, 2014

So we have to get kicked in the head one more time about DT. As if 90 hadn't done it enough. DT was great but when can we stop living in the past? DT graduated for goodness sakes. Why do we insist on focusing so much energy about a player who is no longer here?

#Harry4Heisman

oldguystudent · October 27, 2014

Somewhere Eric Capper is smiling.

UNTcrazy727 · October 27, 2014

Sure we'd be better with Thompson, but we still wouldn't be going to a bowl game. If Brett is going to write an article about missing people it should be about Orr, Trice, and Abbe.

Travis · October 27, 2014

If Brett is going to write an article about missing people it should be about Orr, Trice, and Abbe.

I am still waiting for that article.

Cerebus · October 27, 2014

Somewhere Eric Capper is ~~smiling~~ ghost writing Vito's articles.

Fixed.

Coffee and TV · October 27, 2014

Last I checked Derek Thompson didn't play defense.

untbowler · October 27, 2014

yeah thanks for reminding us again that DT did a great job managing the team and had the ST and Defense to help.

Now can we start placing some F**king blame on DMac and satff for not having a QB ready for Average FBS play as well as a defense that is just terrible.

Thanks DT for everything but time to move on and stop deflecting blame

GOMG2013 · October 27, 2014

I know it is boring around here, but this is getting ridiculous. Almost creepy.

I guess Orr, trice, and chancellor cant get any credit? Im sure they would like to be missed too.

keith · October 27, 2014

Now, now....let's give him a break. After all, the DRC is one of the hardest papers to write for.

The Fake Lonnie Finch · October 27, 2014

Derek Thompson was awesome. Best I-A/FBS QB we ever had.

meangreen15 · October 27, 2014

Last I checked Derek Thompson didn't play defense.

Don't short change him like that! He had to make 4 tackles last season because of interceptions he threw.

BillySee58 · October 27, 2014

Derek Thompson was awesome. Best I-A/FBS QB we ever had.

He might be. But that doesn't mean we should miss him. Appreciate him for what he did, sure.

We should appreciate him because he worked his tail off, got the maximum output out of his ability, always played hard, was extremely tough, helped us win 9 games and a bowl, represented the university well, or any other reason you want.

In his redshirt senior year we were able to surround him with the best defense and best special teams in the conference, some good skill players and a solid line, and we were unable to win our division and he wasn't even named honorable mention all conference. You can easily blame playcalling or coaching as well, but this program and fanbase should seek and want a division title and, eventually, a conference title. He wasn't able to get that done. Obviously neither have our current guys this year. But we need to move forward and find that guy. Not keep dwelling on a guy whose career is over.

We've also seen Mcnulty give us two games very similar to what DT gave us, on an average conference game, and we couldn't beat one of the worst teams in conference at home, and got blown out on the road. Our team is down, not just qb position.

It's also disgusting how far this agenda has been pushed. It's like "say you miss DT or you're a DT hater and didn't appreciate what he did." No, that's ridiculous. Whether it's a decrease in qb production or a lateral transition, neither are going to get us where we need to go. So stop pushing this and make it seem like people don't appreciate DT, just because they want to see this team strive to get someone to surpass him.

A lot has been exposed this year. DT's departure has shown this staff's inability to find a ready replacement, and the departure of a lot of those Dodge guys has revealed that our recruiting in the early years under Coach Mccarney did not produce enough guys ready to replace a lot of starters from a bowl team. We all have to move forward, including this coaching staff, and not just be content with last season being the pinnacle of mean green football.

VideoEagle · October 27, 2014

It must be a VERY slow news day for Mr. Vito!

Mean_Green09 · October 27, 2014

Not ashamed to say I miss Mr. Thompson. I miss his completion percentage from last year in close games - 67% games where the game is within 7 points . Compare that to McNulty 53%, or Dajon 54%. I miss the leadership. I don't miss the INTs that cost us games. I miss his QB rating in those close games 143.5 vs McNulty 115.6, Dajon 79.8. I miss the fact that he got rid of the ball quicker than the guys we have now. I appreciate what he did for UNT. He wasn't the greatest, but he was a stable veteran who had just enough talent to help us win games. Your kidding yourself if you think Dajon or McNulty could have helped this team win 9 last year. Maybe 5 or 6.

If he was the QB this year the win/loss total might not look a whole better, but the QB position itself would look better. He isnt here though and its time to stop thinking about it. 2014 is not 2013 and its time to look forward to 2015.

Its a shame that this QB situation wont solve it self anytime soon. McNulty is the best option we got for now. Time to stop throwing the ball so much.

ChristopherRyanWilkes · October 27, 2014

I miss the Nichols State Dajon Williams

LongJim · October 27, 2014

I think it boils down to a lack of playmakers at receiver at the moment. I think Kidsy is going to be good, but none of the receivers save Harris are able to consistently get open. OL is not playing particularly well. RB's are missing blocking assignments. Lots of problems right now on offense, and that compounds the QB inexperience issue.

DL plays hard but is undersized and wears down because offense can't score or stay on the field. And that's pretty much that.