Why Andrew McNulty could be North Texas' most important player

Cr1028 · March 23, 2015

Williams was great off the bench but just mediocre as the announced starter(outside of Nicholls). Perhaps, he just doesn't make great reads when the defense has had the opportunity to plan for him. McNulty makes me feel like I'm watching Meager run the Dickey offense in 2006 (almost unwatchable).

Cr1028 · March 23, 2015

Even comparing '12 DT to '14 little Mac, DT was still better.

BillySee58 · March 23, 2015

Even our Head Coach disagrees with this. He says every QB was bad last year.

Thompson was bad as a junior too. I said not that bad, as in, not as bad as many make Mcnulty out to be. He was bad, but bad on the same level that DT was as a junior.

Difference is, heading into DT's senior year he had an experienced, good offensive line and an experience defense led by players who had the combination of having been highly recruited, had experienced heading into 2013, and had shown the ability to make plays, albeit on varying levels of consistency (Marcus Trice, Zach Orr, and Aaron Bellazin). Those guys ended up being all-CUSA guys, and we don't really have anyone who fits all 3 of those criteria heading into this year. Hopefully some guys emerge as all-CUSA guys but, objectively speaking, the chances just don't look as good. Although I do really like the group we have at the skill positions.

All that to say, more will be asked of this offense than was asked of them in 2013. Mcnulty could give us DT-level play as a senior. Everyone likes to point to DT's best games, and I don't know if Mcnulty can pull off games like that. But I think he could give us 8 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in conference play, which is what Thompson gave us as a senior. The question is, will that be enough to make a bowl game this year?

Edited March 23, 2015 by BillySee58

Aldo · March 23, 2015

You are in for a severe let down if you think McNulty can be near as good as DT. He doesn't have near the arm strength of DT.
If he is the starter, and with this schedule, we are staring 3-9 dead in the face.

imo arm strength doesn't matter, unless you're making him throw bombs every other play.

Efficiency is what is needed. There was none to be had last year.

GOMG2013 · March 23, 2015

Even our Head Coach disagrees with this. He says every QB was bad last year.

also said it in 2012...but 2013 still happened.

UNT90 · March 23, 2015

imo arm strength doesn't matter, unless you're making him throw bombs every other play.

Arm strength absolutely matters on short throws. It can be the difference between a completed pass for a first down or a pick 6 (on both short out routes and crossing routes). It can be the difference between a deflected incompletion and a first down completion. All of these being under 15 yard routes.

Velocity matters in just about every route.

Edited March 23, 2015 by UNT90

SilverEagle · March 23, 2015

Arm strength absolutely matters on short throws. It can be the difference between a completed pass for a first down or a pick 6 (on both short out routes and crossing routes). It can be the difference between a deflected incompletion and a first down completion. All of these being under 15 yard routes.
Velocity matters in just about every route.

Well, velocity and placement. Touch is also important. When I was sitting with those two "consultants" at the first practice, McNulty threw a long sideline pass. It was completed, but one of the "consultants" said that the same throw would have been intercepted by Texas or any other big time defense. I agreed. The ball took too long to get there.

Aldo · March 23, 2015

Arm strength absolutely matters on short throws. It can be the difference between a completed pass for a first down or a pick 6 (on both short out routes and crossing routes). It can be the difference between a deflected incompletion and a first down completion. All of these being under 15 yard routes.
Velocity matters in just about every route.

Oh my bad thought we were talking arm strength for deep balls.

Aldo · March 23, 2015

McNulty's intermediate throws > deep throws > short throws*

*Were we any good at advancing screen passes anyway?

Cerebus · March 23, 2015

You're going to have to be more specific. Although if the athletic department had it's own official crest and Latin motto, I'd nominate yours as the official motto.

This comedy gold people, COMEDY GOLD!

UNTexas · March 23, 2015

Please don't mention that 2012 Troy game again. It hurt my soul to watch that game.

SSP · March 24, 2015

AAU- I SAW....

HOLY.

HERA.

Uhhhhheeeemmmm...... As I was saying....

He's healthy.

https://mobile.twitter.com/QuinnShanbour/media/grid?idx=0&tid=580167229779488768

http://t.co/r8BsjRcNew

Edited March 24, 2015 by SSP

CaribbeanGreen · March 24, 2015

I have to admit, I don't really get the narrative that McNulty doesn't make mistakes or hurt the team with turnovers...

ntmeangreen11 · March 24, 2015

One day we will land our own Case Keenum, Kolton Browning, Keith Wenning etc.

It's remarkable we have gone so long without finding one quarterback who was that type of player.

Marty · March 24, 2015

I think SSP has a crush.

Harry · March 24, 2015

Damn man those are impressive results.

I'm really intrigued by Shambour. Guy seems to be buying in big time.

MeanGreenTexan · March 24, 2015

I have to admit, I don't really get the narrative that McNulty doesn't make mistakes or hurt the team with turnovers...

It's comparative. Our frame of reference is warped.

Of course McNulty doesn't look like he's making mistakes when you put his production up against DW & Greer.

Ben Gooding · March 24, 2015

The people saying McNulty plays mistake free football or even with minimal mistakes is the same group of people that think DT is a HOF lock. As Fly would say...

"#itsallajoke"

MeanGreenTexan · March 24, 2015

The people saying McNulty plays mistake free football or even with minimal mistakes is the same group of people that think DT is a HOF lock. As Fly would say...
"#itsallajoke"

Wrong.

Like it or not, his numbers & his bowl win will get him in.

Ben Gooding · March 24, 2015

Ok...What if McNulty comes in this season throws 13 td 13 int for 2500 yards and hardly 60% completion rate...let's not put a number of wins on the season, but let's say he has a Ball St type game and a UNLV type game...Is he HOF?

UNT90 · March 24, 2015

The people saying McNulty plays mistake free football or even with minimal mistakes is the same group of people that think DT is a HOF lock. As Fly would say...
"#itsallajoke"

Just...

I....

So ridiculous.

MeanGreenTexan · March 24, 2015

Ok...What if McNulty comes in this season throws 13 td 13 int for 2500 yards and hardly 60% completion rate...let's not put a number of wins on the season, but let's say he has a Ball St type game and a UNLV type game...Is he HOF?

Well, let's see:

Thompson, #2 Overall QB statistically, in UNT's history has 7447 career passing yards & 42 TDs.

McNulty, in your scenario, would have just over 4000 career passing yards & 20 TDs.

Equal?

For a reference point: Gio Vizza (everyone's favorite "what-could've-been" QB) = just over 5000 career passing yards & 32 TDs.

Caw Caw · March 24, 2015

Can i get in on the workouts? Jesus.

meangreendork · March 24, 2015

Even our Head Coach disagrees with this. He says every QB was bad last year.

Yeah. McNulty got stuck with a limited playbook and was trying to place the ball in places it wasn't going to be caught by a UNT receiver. Williams was relying too much on his athleticism and not enough on the playbook and the team. Greer was underthrowing and couldn't really get comfortable in the pocket.

Ben Gooding · March 24, 2015

So you're basically saying that McNulty wasn't given the opportunity to be average as much or as long as Thompson. Given the time played, their stats would be similar if McNulty simply threw 13 touchdown passes and 2500 yards in one year. Not that it matters, but me saying IF in that sentence is a tribute to how awful this staff has been in finding/developing a QB. I understand DT's career stats and I commend him for whet he gave to UNT. I would shake his hand and tell him thank you if I ever cross him. I am just trying to put things in perspective.