An optimistic view of the spring scrimmage

Tyler Maryak · April 26, 2016

The article doesn't exactly say we're going undefeated in 2016, but I would say that this writer certainly took away a positive impression from the spring scrimmage. I used to be optimistic like you, young writer...an encouraging read, for sure.
http://www.todaysu.com/c-usa/north-texas-offense-up-to-par-in-spring-game/

ChristopherRyanWilkes · April 26, 2016

Personally, I didn't understand the negativity coming out of the Spring game. To me, it looks like we have at the very least a decent QB and a capable back-up behind him. Something we haven't had in a bit. I was less worried about the WR group after seeing Tee Gorree. Defensive line also looks improved. For the first scrimmage in a new system, I didn't see anything of significant concern.

GOMG2013 · April 26, 2016

2 hours ago, ChristopherRyanWilkes said:

Personally, I didn't understand the negativity coming out of the Spring game. To me, it looks like we have at the very least a decent QB and a capable back-up behind him. Something we haven't had in a bit. I was less worried about the WR group after seeing Tee Gorree. Defensive line also looks improved. For the first scrimmage in a new system, I didn't see anything of significant concern.

This. Best Spring performance I have seen in 3 years. Very competitive and not just the 1st team whipping up on the scout team. Guys were out there competing for a spot.

Tyler Maryak · April 26, 2016

17 minutes ago, GOMG2013 said:

This. Best Spring performance I have seen in 3 years. Very competitive and not just the 1st team whipping up on the scout team. Guys were out there competing for a spot.

As I watch the replay of the game, I am agreeing with you more and more. I'm seeing some things that would be frustrating in a game (some of those picks/overthrows were hella bad), but are pretty reasonable for 15 practices. I'll be anxious but interested to see how we do against SMU, but there wasn't much about the spring scrimmage that made me think we won't be competitive on both sides of the ball.

Edited April 26, 2016 by Tyler Maryak

jdennis82 · April 26, 2016

I can't speak for all on the board, but I have a hard time being disappointed by any player or position group's performance in the spring game. There is so much transition on both sides of the ball, I'm left to assume much of the spring has been breaking down individual technique ingrained under the previous staff when players' responsibilities on a play to play and scheme to scheme basis were vastly different. In fact, I would expect one of the most challenging transitions is on the offensive line.

I'm excited to see the squad in fall practice after a summer spent reshaping their frames to better accommodate the new things being asked/expected of them.

MeanGreenHoops · April 27, 2016

19 hours ago, ChristopherRyanWilkes said:

Personally, I didn't understand the negativity coming out of the Spring game. To me, it looks like we have at the very least a decent QB and a capable back-up behind him. Something we haven't had in a bit. I was less worried about the WR group after seeing Tee Gorree. Defensive line also looks improved. For the first scrimmage in a new system, I didn't see anything of significant concern.

Probably because it wasn't a "game" with score being kept. It made it much more difficult for someone watching to get a feel for how we were doing. For example, last year (i think) it was obvious we were terrible because the 1st team offense couldn't do enough against the 2nd team defense to overcome the points spotted to the 2nd team. It was a huge red flag.

17 hours ago, GOMG2013 said:

This. Best Spring performance I have seen in 3 years. Very competitive and not just the 1st team whipping up on the scout team. Guys were out there competing for a spot.

Yes there were so many big plays made on offense. Last year there were virtually none except for 2 maybe 3 busted plays that led to McNulty stats looking decent at the end of the day and then that being the story. Reality was, the offense could do very little last year. I remember that was the discussion this time last year.

untjim1995 · April 27, 2016

How many attended the Spring Game? I haven't seen any numbers on that...

UNT90 · April 27, 2016

21 hours ago, ChristopherRyanWilkes said:

Personally, I didn't understand the negativity coming out of the Spring game. To me, it looks like we have at the very least a decent QB and a capable back-up behind him. Something we haven't had in a bit. I was less worried about the WR group after seeing Tee Gorree. Defensive line also looks improved. For the first scrimmage in a new system, I didn't see anything of significant concern.

GOMG2013 · April 27, 2016

I'm not sure some understand the differecent between a spring game and a scrimmage. A game is where you are trying to out scheme an opponent.

A scrimmage is where you are going against the other unit, but there's not much trying to trick the opponent with play calling. In a lot of cases, the defense and offense knows what is coming. It didn't take me long to realize it would majority passing the whole game. Pretty sure the secondary and pass rush knew too. One series morris threw the ball out of bounds and the knew the route. They ran the same exact play the next time with the same coverage and same result. No hard to realize they said run that again and the db knew it.