DRC/MGB: UNT hopes summer work on passing game pays

greenit · August 19, 2015

I am on board with running the spread, but, and I hate to say this, I would use 4 WR's and forgoe the TE if you are really going to commit.

I would put all the WR's outside the numbers so the OLB's can't cheat in to the box. That would put 5 in the box plus the safeties would have to decide whether to play deep to protect against the long ball or come up in the box and risk the bomb.

I don't like the tighter formations that allow the defense to disguise their blitzes and sneak extra guys in the box.

The issue is that you have to have a pretty strong arm to hit the short/quick routes outside the numbers.

UNTwarDaddy · August 19, 2015

I am on board with running the spread, but, and I hate to say this, I would use 4 WR's and forgoe the TE if you are really going to commit.
I would put all the WR's outside the numbers so the OLB's can't cheat in to the box. That would put 5 in the box plus the safeties would have to decide whether to play deep to protect against the long ball or come up in the box and risk the bomb.
I don't like the tighter formations that allow the defense to disguise their blitzes and sneak extra guys in the box.
The issue is that you have to have a pretty strong arm to hit the short/quick routes outside the numbers.

I 90% agree with you. I still think the tight end formation should be used, but just on rare occasions.

Edited August 19, 2015 by UNTwarDaddy

greenit · August 19, 2015

I 90% agree with you. I still think the tight end formation should be use, but just on rare occasions.

Chico?

Edited August 19, 2015 by greenit

Mean_Green09 · August 19, 2015

I am on board with running the spread, but, and I hate to say this, I would use 4 WR's and forgoe the TE if you are really going to commit.
I would put all the WR's outside the numbers so the OLB's can't cheat in to the box. That would put 5 in the box plus the safeties would have to decide whether to play deep to protect against the long ball or come up in the box and risk the bomb.
I don't like the tighter formations that allow the defense to disguise their blitzes and sneak extra guys in the box.
The issue is that you have to have a pretty strong arm to hit the short/quick routes outside the numbers.

I disagree. I think Marcus Smith adds too much value to any spread formation. He is a mismatch for most LBs and Safeties. Plus he adds value as a run blocker. If I'm an OC I want my best playmakers on the field and Marcus is one of those guys. The TE can still be split out like a WR in our spread formations.

Aldo · August 19, 2015

I disagree. I think Marcus Smith adds too much value to any spread formation. He is a mismatch for most LBs and Safeties. Plus he adds value as a run blocker. If I'm an OC I want my best playmakers on the field and Marcus is one of those guys. The TE can still be split out like a WR in our spread formations.

Yeah, you have to figure who those 4 WRs would be. Smith would be better than at least 2-3 of them. Bigger, stronger than all 4, too.

Withers940 · August 19, 2015

I was talking to one of the players on the Defense yesterday and he will remain nameless to conceal his identity but he was saying that McNulty has improved night and day from last year and as of right now he is the best QB that we have right now. He knows the playbook very well and all the player are behind him 100% and believe in him.

I asked him what he thought of Smith and he said that the kid is a freak of nature but he really hurt himself in the spring. He was telling me that he missed a lot of meetings where he could of attended and learned the playbook but he decided to stay in his dorm room. He said he is clearly the most athletic one out there but doesnt know the playbook which hurts him severely which we all know. This player was telling me about Smith's arm strength were Smith during a scrimmage was running to the left and he had a received running across the field deep to the right, the defender was a step or two behind but he figured that he was good enough considering that Smith was running in the opposite direction. Smith then proceeded to throw across his body, hit the receiver on the run and the WR scored a TD. So Smith throw across his body from one side of the field to the other on the run and hit the WR in stride.

If only Smith would of attended some offensive meetings this Spring, who knows where he would be right now. As of right now as I have said before I have given up on giving an S about the QB race. Who ever can lead us to a victory, thats all i care about and if we throw nothing but stop and slant routes even though thats boring but if we can manage to win then good.

ALL HAIL NORTH TEXAS!!!!

GMG24 · August 19, 2015

I am on board with running the spread, but, and I hate to say this, I would use 4 WR's and forgoe the TE if you are really going to commit.
I would put all the WR's outside the numbers so the OLB's can't cheat in to the box. That would put 5 in the box plus the safeties would have to decide whether to play deep to protect against the long ball or come up in the box and risk the bomb.
I don't like the tighter formations that allow the defense to disguise their blitzes and sneak extra guys in the box.
The issue is that you have to have a pretty strong arm to hit the short/quick routes outside the numbers.

so you want two WR's within 10 yards of each other? That leaves them with only a few route possibilities and most of them would take them right back to the same guys you are trying to remove them from. TE formations in spread are very tough on a DC. You have to declare your secondary strength to the WR's but for run support it leaves you vulnerable. Especially when they are as good as Smith.

Travis · August 19, 2015

I was talking to one of the players on the Defense yesterday and he will remain nameless to conceal his identity but he was saying that McNulty has improved night and day from last year and as of right now he is the best QB that we have right now. He knows the playbook very well and all the player are behind him 100% and believe in him.
I asked him what he thought of Smith and he said that the kid is a freak of nature but he really hurt himself in the spring. He was telling me that he missed a lot of meetings where he could of attended and learned the playbook but he decided to stay in his dorm room. He said he is clearly the most athletic one out there but doesnt know the playbook which hurts him severely which we all know. This player was telling me about Smith's arm strength were Smith during a scrimmage was running to the left and he had a received running across the field deep to the right, the defender was a step or two behind but he figured that he was good enough considering that Smith was running in the opposite direction. Smith then proceeded to throw across his body, hit the receiver on the run and the WR scored a TD. So Smith throw across his body from one side of the field to the other on the run and hit the WR in stride.
If only Smith would of attended some offensive meetings this Spring, who knows where he would be right now. As of right now as I have said before I have given up on giving an S about the QB race. Who ever can lead us to a victory, thats all i care about and if we throw nothing but stop and slant routes even though thats boring but if we can manage to win then good.
ALL HAIL NORTH TEXAS!!!!

I thought I read somewhere that he couldn't attend anything....

MeanGreenTexan · August 19, 2015

I was talking to one of the players on the Defense yesterday and he will remain nameless to conceal his identity but he was saying that McNulty has improved night and day from last year and as of right now he is the best QB that we have right now. He knows the playbook very well and all the player are behind him 100% and believe in him.
I asked him what he thought of Smith and he said that the kid is a freak of nature but he really hurt himself in the spring. He was telling me that he missed a lot of meetings where he could of attended and learned the playbook but he decided to stay in his dorm room. He said he is clearly the most athletic one out there but doesnt know the playbook which hurts him severely which we all know. This player was telling me about Smith's arm strength were Smith during a scrimmage was running to the left and he had a received running across the field deep to the right, the defender was a step or two behind but he figured that he was good enough considering that Smith was running in the opposite direction. Smith then proceeded to throw across his body, hit the receiver on the run and the WR scored a TD. So Smith throw across his body from one side of the field to the other on the run and hit the WR in stride.
If only Smith would of attended some offensive meetings this Spring, who knows where he would be right now. As of right now as I have said before I have given up on giving an S about the QB race. Who ever can lead us to a victory, thats all i care about and if we throw nothing but stop and slant routes even though thats boring but if we can manage to win then good.
ALL HAIL NORTH TEXAS!!!!

DaMarcus was prohibited from team activities during the spring... thus the 'ineligible' part. He can't practice with the team on the field, he can't sit in on meetings off the field either. Not that he 'skipped out' or something. No doubt that hurt though.

Withers940 · August 19, 2015

DaMarcus was prohibited from team activities during the spring... thus the 'ineligible' part. He can't practice with the team on the field, he can't sit in on meetings off the field either. Not that he 'skipped out' or something. No doubt that hurt though.

I thought I read somewhere that he couldn't attend anything....

I know that but that is just what I was told and then I decided to share this with the group. Dont kill the messenger guys. Do yall Murder your Mailman when he delivers your High Utility bill?

I'm sure all programs abide by all NCAA rules

greenit · August 19, 2015

so you want two WR's within 10 yards of each other? That leaves them with only a few route possibilities and most of them would take them right back to the same guys you are trying to remove them from. TE formations in spread are very tough on a DC. You have to declare your secondary strength to the WR's but for run support it leaves you vulnerable. Especially when they are as good as Smith.

Just offering a different perspective.

By splitting them out that far, you make the defense have to choose their poison. By keeping the slot closer to the formation and keeping a TE in there, the defense is able to keep more guys closer to the box. Inside the red zone is a different story.

Art Briles has made a career for himself with this approach. Look at where he puts his WR's in most formations. Gives the defense fits. I guess I am just saying if we are going to go a spread, let's don't half ass it.

LongJim · August 19, 2015

I was talking to one of the players on the Defense yesterday and he will remain nameless to conceal his identity but he was saying that McNulty has improved night and day from last year and as of right now he is the best QB that we have right now. He knows the playbook very well and all the player are behind him 100% and believe in him.

WHAT????!?

HOGWASH, I SAY!! I WANT THE QB ON THE FIELD THAT GIVES US THE BEST CHANCE TO WIN!1!! SURELY THAT'S NOT MCNUTLY!!!1

Travis · August 19, 2015

I know that but that is just what I was told and then I decided to share this with the group. Dont kill the messenger guys. Do yall Murder your Mailman when he delivers your High Utility bill?

I am on my 7th mailman.

MeanGreenTexan · August 19, 2015

I know that but that is just what I was told and then I decided to share this with the group. Dont kill the messenger guys. Do yall Murder your Mailman when he delivers your High Utility bill?
I'm sure all programs abide by all NCAA rules

Bang!

It just kinda sounded like the player you referred to was under the impression he could have sat in on those meetings and such, but chose not to because he lacked motivation.

Ben Gooding · August 19, 2015

I disagree. I think Marcus Smith adds too much value to any spread formation. He is a mismatch for most LBs and Safeties. Plus he adds value as a run blocker. If I'm an OC I want my best playmakers on the field and Marcus is one of those guys. The TE can still be split out like a WR in our spread formations.

This^. Marcus Smith would eat just about every will linebackers lunch if he jumped out in the slot. He would out physical any nickel thrown on him as he would safety as well. If anything, he could be more of a threat in the slot bc he wouldn't be getting checked by a backer going into his route.

North Texas Shep · August 19, 2015

Smith is a beast and will be an asset every time he is on the field. Better wr then most. I have no doubt the team is behind McNulty if he really has improved that much. He is a hard worker and get respect from the people that see him working hard.

greenit · August 19, 2015

The numbers last year show that Marcus was not involved in the passing game until the ball crossed the 25 yard line. Chico will have to involve him more in the middle of the field of he is going to have a bigger impact in the passing game.

Got5onIt · August 20, 2015

All I'm going to say is that every program's players will and should improve year to year. Are we expecting players in other programs to stay stagnant as they go through their offseason, thus advantage NT come Saturdays? Our team is the only team that "improves"? From what we've seen at QB here, the rate of improvement would have to be astronomical. After 5 years of average/below average play at this position, we expect something totally outside the norm in 2015 from last year's group? The only way anything like this will happen is if an unknown like Demarcus Smith comes in and does it. It's a harsh reality, but it's the cold, hard truth.

Anyone remember the Hawkins clan in Colorado? Yeah little Hawkins "improved" every year and knew the playbook like the wrinkles on his nutsack, but Dan could never turn his son into a legitimate FBS QB.

Edited August 20, 2015 by Got5onIt

UNT90 · August 20, 2015

F it. At this point just run the triple wing already.

yes, McNulty is smart, can check down at the line of scrimmage, and knows the playbook. Problem is, his physical talent level is that of a D11 QB. He simply doesn't have the physical tools at QB to make throws downfield. See: Riley Dodge.

Notice how Mac or Chico don't talk about his great arm, ability to get the ball to receivers on time, or anything else AFTER the ball is snapped? It's because they can't.

3-9 is staring us directly in the face. I really don't know that we even beat SMU.

I know that but that is just what I was told and then I decided to share this with the group. Dont kill the messenger guys. Do yall Murder your Mailman when he delivers your High Utility bill?
I'm sure all programs abide by all NCAA rules

you say you know that, but then say a player told you he "could have attended but stayed on his dorm room."

Then you come back and say you know that and don't kill the messenger.

I have zero confidence that anything in your post is accurate due to the above, that includes the amazing throw by Smith.

Why do some on here always want to question the character of players they don't know one damn thing about?

Edited August 20, 2015 by UNT90

Withers940 · August 20, 2015

you say you know that, but then say a player told you he "could have attended but stayed on his dorm room."
Then you come back and say you know that and don't kill the messenger.
I have zero confidence that anything in your post is accurate due to the above, that includes the amazing throw by Smith.
Why do some on here always want to question the character of players they don't know one damn thing about?

Listen here, I honestly dont give a damn if you want to believe me or not. The kid that told me plays on the defense and rooms with one of the Qb's so he was just telling me that he could of attended meetings/pow wows or what ever you want to call them but he didn't go. I am not calling into question this kids character what so ever or even his commitment but just stating what I was told. "He was telling me that he missed a lot of meetings where he could of attended and learned the playbook but he decided to stay in his dorm room." was what I said but if you want to take this as trashing his character then have at it. You must be a liberal because you made something out of nothing. I was one of the guys waving the Smith Pennant but has since stop caring because he hasnt really gotten a chance to run with the 2nd or 1st team.

The play that Smith made in practice is 100% accurate so you can believe it or not but once again, who cares what you think.

MeanGreenTexan · August 20, 2015

F it. At this point just run the triple wing already.

yes, McNulty is smart, can check down at the line of scrimmage, and knows the playbook. Problem is, his physical talent level is that of a D11 QB. He simply doesn't have the physical tools at QB to make throws downfield. See: Riley Dodge.
...

HEY! Let's get something straight here: Riley was 5X the QB McNulty is. Noodle arm or not.

greenit · August 20, 2015

If he has more skill than the other QBs on the roster, he should work his way up in no time. Smith, and Smith only, put himself behind by not being here in the Spring.

untjim1995 · August 20, 2015

F it. At this point just run the triple wing already.

yes, McNulty is smart, can check down at the line of scrimmage, and knows the playbook. Problem is, his physical talent level is that of a D11 QB. He simply doesn't have the physical tools at QB to make throws downfield. See: Riley Dodge.

Notice how Mac or Chico don't talk about his great arm, ability to get the ball to receivers on time, or anything else AFTER the ball is snapped? It's because they can't.

3-9 is staring us directly in the face. I really don't know that we even beat SMU.
you say you know that, but then say a player told you he "could have attended but stayed on his dorm room."

Then you come back and say you know that and don't kill the messenger.

I have zero confidence that anything in your post is accurate due to the above, that includes the amazing throw by Smith.

Why do some on here always want to question the character of players they don't know one damn thing about?

If we cannot beat SMU, we ain't getting 3 wins, UNT90. We will probably be doing good to get above 1, actually. Chico is gone after this season, unless we win 5 games, which is the absolute ceiling on this thing, I think.

We can go 0-12 this year and next year and Mac will get a 4th year here so we can save the extra $600k per year that a buyout would cost if we fired him before then.

McNulty isn't a FBS QB. He'd be a nice QB at FCS, but not at this level. Maybe if he just got to throw short passes in a spread offense, he MIGHT be better, but in this busdriver offense, he will never make plays to win games. The FIU game last season told you all you need to know about how much trust Mac has in McNulty's game...

Ben Gooding · August 20, 2015

Ashton of BTG has been around the coaching staff too long. Mac has ingrained the idea of McNulty being "smart, good at the LOS, leader, etc." Those are great attributes to have, but if he is physically incapable, he is physically incapable. If he can't sling a ball 35 yards downfield with accuracy and arm strength then his checks at the LOS will be all for nothing. Teams will watch our film and they will quickly figure this out (if they haven't already). Then Mac & Canales will go back to safe throws of hitches, stand ins, slants, etc. Teams will know to expect that and we will be watching 2014 games 7-12 all over again. Yeah, AM threw for a respectable amount of yards vs So Miss and UTSA (2 worse teams in the west) and that did nothing for us for we still lost. Also, when AM reaches 200+ passing yards in the few times that he has, pay close attention to YAC.

Bottom line is I'm not buying into the he's done his time he "deserves" to start, bc as far as I'm concerned he hasn't earned anything. For Smith only being here for a few weeks, who cares. If he only knows 1/2 the playbook (which is crap) but still gives us the best chance of winning then start him. If Mcnulty truly is our best option then all that does is solidify what we already know, this staff can't recruit.

untjim1995 · August 20, 2015

Ashton of BTG has been around the coaching staff too long. Mac has ingrained the idea of McNulty being "smart, good at the LOS, leader, etc." Those are great attributes to have, but if he is physically incapable, he is physically incapable. If he can't sling a ball 35 yards downfield with accuracy and arm strength then his checks at the LOS will be all for nothing. Teams will watch our film and they will quickly figure this out (if they haven't already). Then Mac & Canales will go back to safe throws of hitches, stand ins, slants, etc. Teams will know to expect that and we will be watching 2014 games 7-12 all over again. Yeah, AM threw for a respectable amount of yards vs So Miss and UTSA (2 worse teams in the west) and that did nothing for us for we still lost. Also, when AM reaches 200+ passing yards in the few times that he has, pay close attention to YAC.
Bottom line is I'm not buying into the he's done his time he "deserves" to start, bc as far as I'm concerned he hasn't earned anything. For Smith only being here for a few weeks, who cares. If he only knows 1/2 the playbook (which is crap) but still gives us the best chance of winning then start him. If Mcnulty truly is our best option then all that does is solidify what we already know, this staff can't recruit.

We've been trying to tell you for months that McNulty is gonna be the starter here in Dallas. He's the only one that McCarney trusts to be the bus driver. He tried his hardest to look outside that box in the first half of last season, only to fall back to his true comfort zone with McNulty in the last half of the season. Minimac will start here for at least the first 5 games of the season, if not a lot more. Portland State is the first game that could possibly see a QB change, but not before.