The Mean Green Future Just Seems More Bright Than Ever Before

FirefightnRick · January 20, 2017

Thinking back on the fight this team showed in the HOD Bowl, and with plays like the one freshman Rico Bussey made going up for that ball in the endzone, I just think this thing is gonna turn. Busey, Fine with another year of experience, and several weapons on the O....English, Brooks and others getting more comfortable with Ek and Reffet's system there's a lot to be excited about the future.

Who's your key to the future?

http://www.meangreensports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/ntex-m-footbl-mtt.html

Rick

Edited January 21, 2017 by FirefightnRick

MeanGreen_MBA · January 20, 2017

I honestly think that this new form of Air Raid will allow UNT to build a really strong running game. We have a nice stable of running backs already. I can see us throwing for 3K yards and at least 1 RB with 1000 yds rushing. Maybe have 2 RB's with 800+ rushing and another 600-700 receiving. This will be a RB friendly offense...... I am with you on the sun rise of this program!!!

Eagle-96 · January 20, 2017

It all comes down to quarterback development. Whether that is Fine, Pearson, Izzy, or someone not here yet remains to be seen.

GrandGreen · January 20, 2017

The future is promising, but I've seen too much of things turning south in a hurry to be very confident.

On the football front, Fry leaving a great team and Moore coming in and changing about everything that worked. During in Corky's 1aa days, after a sophomore laden team in 1988 I believe, beat Tech and Rice and got cheated out of victory at UT; I just knew they were going to be playing for the 1aa championship for years. I really thought DD had turned the corner in 2001 and 2002. Even though I knew at the time that McCarney lacked in recruiting, I was becoming a believer after his one good year.

And in basketball, it has been even worse.

I agree though I think the future is more promising then anytime in decades. Littrell had a good first season, but the real reason is that NT is finally financing the program at a G5 competitive level.

Back to the question, I think that Wilson is a very underrated back in the conference and should have a stellar senior season. The wide receiver position must improve and I think Busey , Wilson and Smiley will all be much better. Likewise the offensive line must get better and I think it will; I look for big Murray to turn into a force in his junior year. The secondary was the best unit on the team and should only get better. Linebacker is a big question mark, but I think Garner will excel. The big key is we know Fine can play.

MeanGreenTexan · January 20, 2017

We still have another year of Wilson! I think he'll be a fantastic security blanket for Fine's continued development.

untcampbell · January 20, 2017

Actor Gary Busey asked me to forward this link out of respect for the player, Rico Bussey, Jr.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/player/_/id/4049750/rico-bussey-jr

(I apologize for any of my past or future posts with misspellings, mistaken information or grammatical errors. Happens to us all.)

As for the title of this thread:

The statement in itself coming from FFR, a guy that remembers every play, player and coach since the first game he saw, gives me great optimism.

GMG

Edited January 20, 2017 by untcampbell
Merged thread duplicated my signature ending, GMG

UNT Mean Green · January 20, 2017

1 hour ago, FirefightnRick said:

Thinking back on the fight this team showed in the HOD Bowl, and with plays like the one freshman Rico Busey made going up for that ball in the endzone, I just think this thing is gonna turn. Busey, Fine with another year of experience, and several weapons on the O....English, Brooks and others getting more comfortable with Ek and Reffet's system there's a lot to be excited about the future.

Who's your key to the future?

http://www.meangreensports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/ntex-m-footbl-mtt.html

Rick

Good post FFR. Hopefully a lot of people can see this and it provides a sense of optimism heading into 2017 spring ball and the season. The future is definitely bright, and regardless of how people want to harp on recruiting rankings, the fact is that 13 signees from last year's class made substantial positive contributions and 11 of those return. Couple that with a year of experience in the system, understanding expectations, how to practice, etc. Add in another crop of recruits and the kids who redshirted last year, and it should only improve.

The key to the future for me is going to be the ability to improve up front offensively. Things were so bad up front this year on offense (I'm not certain if people truly recognize how poor that situation was) it was a massive hindrance on that side. It should be much improved in 2017.

We also must improve overall team speed, particularly on defense.

TheReal_jayD · January 20, 2017

10 minutes ago, UNT Mean Green said:

Good post FFR. Hopefully a lot of people can see this and it provides a sense of optimism heading into 2017 spring ball and the season. The future is definitely bright, and regardless of how people want to harp on recruiting rankings, the fact is that 13 signees from last year's class made substantial positive contributions and 11 of those return. Couple that with a year of experience in the system, understanding expectations, how to practice, etc. Add in another crop of recruits and the kids who redshirted last year, and it should only improve.

The key to the future for me is going to be the ability to improve up front offensively. Things were so bad up front this year on offense (I'm not certain if people truly recognize how poor that situation was) it was a massive hindrance on that side. It should be much improved in 2017.

We also must improve overall team speed, particularly on defense.

This!! well said @UNT Mean Green

Wag Tag · January 20, 2017

Also confident in the future of the program with the leadership we have in place.

Really excited about the QB competition.

Also think we will have a lot quicker receivers, hold on to Bradley!

Look forward to D- Hair in the slot!

GMG

Travis · January 20, 2017

I really look forward to seeing what English can do. I think he will be a key for us for the next several years.

Aldo · January 20, 2017

You said it. Bussey excites me.

MGNation92 · January 20, 2017

I really think Jason Pirtle could do some damage from the Y position

He's got great hands and a big body, hopefully he can fill in and improve on Thad Thompson's performance this year

greenminer · January 20, 2017

Bussey looked amazing in the bowl game!

Matt from A700 · January 20, 2017

I want to see stability at the QB position. Yes, if competition in the Spring drives Fine out of the starting position, then that's fine, but I would like to see someone start all 12, 13, 14 games next year behind center. As a Texans fan who has seen 10 starting quarterbacks the past three seasons, please I am dying for some quarterback stability.

GTWT · January 20, 2017

Success on offense starts up front. I would like to see 10 really big, really ugly dudes rise to the challenge. That will help a young qb & open holes for our rbs.

GOMG2013 · January 20, 2017

7 hours ago, Travis said:

I really look forward to seeing what English can do. I think he will be a key for us for the next several years.

I feel English (or some DL out of nowhere) has to be the key that get this team to the next level. We could also use a major upgrade at LB, but this defense needs to sure up the middle and be able to stop the run without the help of the whole secondary pitching in.

We do a lot of questionable coverages with our secondary, and many times they get beat and are out of position. This is due to the fact that they have to watch the run and pass so much. If this secondary was allowed to concentrate on stopping the pass more, it could be a shutdown secondary. Too many times we need both safeties and even the nickel to watch what is coming out of the backfield on RUNS and passes.

If English could be a dominant force in the middle, it would make the defense a whole lot better. And a good defense is going to have you in every game.

Harry · January 21, 2017

4 hours ago, GOMG2013 said:

If English could be a dominant force in the middle, it would make the defense a whole lot better.

agree with this 100%

Christopher Walker · January 21, 2017

On 1/20/2017 at 7:59 AM, Eagle-96 said:

It all comes down to quarterback development. Whether that is Fine, Pearson, Izzy, or someone not here yet remains to be seen.

QB development is squandered if you don't recruit the right pieces around him.

Cooley · January 21, 2017

I can't get too optimistic until I see an All-Conference quarterback on this team. Additionally, a Great Defensive Line (with size & depth). This program has always had a hand full of good players on the roster. To turn the corner, we need 15-20.

I don't see a difference in recruiting than any other year. Also, didn't see good or bad coaching from this staff. Hopefully, this thing will eventually come together in my life time. Would be ecstatic to return to the Fry years and move the conversation to a higher level.

Monkeypox · January 21, 2017

1 hour ago, Cooley said:

I can't get too optimistic until I see an All-Conference quarterback on this team. Additionally, a Great Defensive Line (with size & depth). This program has always had a hand full of good players on the roster. To turn the corner, we need 15-20.

I don't see a difference in recruiting than any other year. Also, didn't see good or bad coaching from this staff. Hopefully, this thing will eventually come together in my life time. Would be ecstatic to return to the Fry years and move the conversation to a higher level.

Want to entertain yourself? Search this site for "Dodge bright future" and "McCarney bright future."

GOMG2013 · January 21, 2017

I have watched this team for 5 years. Two of those years they went bowling without a great QB. In 2013 the defense was dominant and this year they were good enough to beat teams they were supposed to. It would be great to land a great QB and have a solid team top to bottom, but it seems more realistic to predict and expect something that has already worked with this team in the past. Get the defense right. Stop the run and we will at least be competitive. To compete for CUSA titles we will still need to recruit a top QB eventually.

Mean Green 93-98 · January 21, 2017

18 minutes ago, Monkeypox said:

Want to entertain yourself? Search this site for "Dodge bright future" and "McCarney bright future."

I just tried. You must be much more easily entertained than I am.

Monkeypox · January 21, 2017

9 minutes ago, Mean Green 93-98 said:

I just tried. You must be much more easily entertained than I am.

Well I've watched NT football for over 20 years and I've been on this board more than 10. Being easily entertained and something of a masochist is a requirement.

GMG24 · January 21, 2017

19 hours ago, Harry said:

agree with this 100%

He doesn't get blocked often. When will we get the player adoption thread? If no one has adopted him I want the HoneyBear!

SilverEagle · January 22, 2017

7 hours ago, GMG24 said:

He doesn't get blocked often. When will we get the player adoption thread? If no one has adopted him I want the HoneyBear!

I'll get officially excited when that statement applies to his performance against SMU this fall.

I wonder if he's wearing #34 because it's close to the one his father (Lee) wore (#33) when he played here.