MGB: Friday scrimmage/practice notes

Brett Vito · March 10, 2017

MGB:

http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2017/03/notes-from-fridays-scrimmagepractice.html/

Harry · March 10, 2017

@SilverEagle will like this update!

emmitt01 · March 10, 2017

I'm happy to see that Kelvin Smith will be featured in this offense and that Chumley has finally found a place where he can see the field. One of the things I enjoyed most from that Dickey era was the use of the tight end in the passing game.

SilverEagle · March 10, 2017

2 hours ago, Harry said:

@SilverEagle will like this update!

I was there and saw "the new pecking order". This is the most that Vito has ever talked about Shanbour.....much less acknowledged anything positive about him. He used to dismiss him out of hand because, as he said to me once "good grief, he can't be over 5'10". Well since Mason Fine came along and started he had to stop saying that. And from my view from the sideline today, Shanbour didn't run anymore than Fine.......he was just more effective when he did run. And IMHO, Shanbour looks just as physically stout as Fine..... maybe more. So Vito's criticism of Shanbour applies just as much to Fine. And I would add that I guess that Shanbour's foot speed is about a step faster than Fine's. Remember last week when I talked about the head coach who came up to me and asked about Shanbour? He didn't bother to ask about anyone else. He only offered his opinion about Izzy when I asked him about it.

Vito's summary is pretty spot on. That catch that Smith (#87 on your program) made was spectacular.....almost Bingham spectacular. It caused the whole team (defense and offense) to run over to him to congratulate him.

One other observation. Two fights broke out today.....both started by WR's.......WR's FORGODSAKES! The first one was between Michael Lawrence (#32) and Kakpa Mansary (#41). Mansary kept grabbing Lawrences shirt as Lawrence got by him (which obviously was often) and Lawrence just had enough and the fight was on......and a good one it was. It took several players, including offensive lineman, to break it up, and Lawrence was still taking shots at him as they were dragging him away.The other one was on the other side of the field and I didn't get the numbers, but I could tell it was between a WR and DB.

This version of SL's team is getting pretty salty.

I had a nice visit with the parents of one of the newest members of the team Zack Bishop (#43 LB). He played HS ball at Allen. He looked pretty solid and it looked like he was running with the second team. Zack's younger brother is walking on this fall. He will be trying out for safety.

I also had a few words with Mr. Shanbour after the practice. He told me that he has just been granted a medical hardship by the NCAA (I guess for his turf toe) and now has an extra year of eligibility.

One other observation(2). I didn't see Smith (#21) out there. I hope it's because, like Wilson, they know what he can do, and don't want to risk him getting hurt. Hosley (#46) availed himself of the extra reps and made some pretty good runs.....one was pretty spectacular, considering that most of it took place between the OL and the LB's. You had to be there and see it for yourself.

Here's the roster.

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

Edited March 10, 2017 by SilverEagle

greenminer · March 10, 2017

I seem to recall a few player altercations every now and then during the NO Bowl run. I think it means the players are hungry and don't want to be denied.

It can be a great sign, especially for a WR corp criticized for not being physical enough coming off the LOS.

Edited March 10, 2017 by greenminer

emmitt01 · March 10, 2017

34 minutes ago, greenminer said:

I seem to recall a few player altercations every now and then during the NO Bowl run. I think it means the players are hungry and don't want to be denied.

It can be a great sign, especially for a WR corp criticized for not being physical enough coming off the LOS.

One of the things Dickey did was a drill called "blood alley." Players were lined up against each other, with a line of their teammates to their left and right. The only way out was forward, through the other man.

None of that patty cake bull$hit that Dodge employed that left us looking like we had never hit anyone before when the real games started.

greenminer · March 10, 2017

@emmitt01 I never knew of blood alley. Interesting.

I would love to know if Fine looks better than last year.

MeanGreenTexan · March 10, 2017

55 minutes ago, SilverEagle said:

I was there and saw "the new pecking order". This is the most that Vito has ever talked about Shanbour.....much less acknowledged anything positive about him. He used to dismiss him out of hand because, as he said to me once "good grief, he can't be over 5'10". Well since Mason Fine came along and started he had to stop saying that. And from my view from the sideline today, Shanbour didn't run anymore than Fine.......he was just more effective when he did run. And IMHO, Shanbour looks just as physically stout as Fine..... maybe more. So Vito's criticism of Shanbour applies just as much to Fine. And I would add that I guess that Shanbour's foot speed is about a step faster than Fine's. Remember last week when I talked about the head coach who came up to me and asked about Shanbour? He didn't bother to ask about anyone else. He only offered his opinion about Izzy when I asked him about it.

...

Lol. Shanbour was "#2" coming out of Spring Practice last year too, remember?

Just get you a custom Shanbour Fathead and put him on your bedroom wall Silver. That way he'll be with you every night.

SilverEagle · March 10, 2017

27 minutes ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

Lol. Shanbour was "#2" coming out of Spring Practice last year too, remember?

Just get you a custom Shanbour Fathead and put him on your bedroom wall Silver. That way he'll be with you every night.

Fair and balanced coverage will do fine (no pun intended).

30 minutes ago, greenminer said:

@emmitt01 I never knew of blood alley. Interesting.

I would love to know if Fine looks better than last year.

Skills-wise, he pretty much looks the same. He will look a lot better if he gets consistent protection from his OL this year.

36 minutes ago, emmitt01 said:

One of the things Dickey did was a drill called "blood alley." Players were lined up against each other, with a line of their teammates to their left and right. The only way out was forward, through the other man.

None of that patty cake bull$hit that Dodge employed that left us looking like we had never hit anyone before when the real games started.

During my visit with the parents of Zack Bishop I mentioned that exercise/drill. I told Mr. Bishop that not even the punters and kickers were exempt from the drill.

Edited March 10, 2017 by SilverEagle

All About UNT · March 10, 2017

Was the Blood Alley Drill something like this?

SilverEagle · March 10, 2017

22 minutes ago, All About UNT said:

Was the Blood Alley Drill something like this?

Yep.

MeanGreenTexan · March 10, 2017

40 minutes ago, SilverEagle said:

Fair and balanced coverage will do fine (no pun intended).

...

Why would Vito want to spend a lot of time covering a guy who is a non-factor?
Shanbour is a great locker-room presence, has a fantastic understanding of the game, and will likely make a very good football coach one day if he pursues that avenue... Actually, I bet he does well in anything he does upon graduation because he seems to be a bright, ambitious, hard-working guy.

But on the gridiron, his story is more reminiscent of "Rudy".

Where is O'Hara?

SilverEagle · March 10, 2017

2 minutes ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

Why would Vito want to spend a lot of time covering a guy who is a non-factor?
Shanbour is a great locker-room presence, has a fantastic understanding of the game, and will likely make a very good football coach one day if he pursues that avenue... Actually, I bet he does well in anything he does upon graduation because he seems to be a bright, ambitious, hard-working guy.

But on the gridiron, his story is more reminiscent of "Rudy".

Where is O'Hara?

I mentioned O'Hara last week. He spends the whole practice gingerly pitching the ball back and forth to a fellow rehabber. In other words, he's still in rehab.

GrandGreen · March 10, 2017

It doesn't sound like Shanbour is running second team, because he is outstanding but rather that the others haven't shown much. Overall, not a good development.

TreeFiddy · March 10, 2017

1 hour ago, MeanGreenTexan said:

Why would Vito want to spend a lot of time covering a guy who is a non-factor?
Shanbour is a great locker-room presence, has a fantastic understanding of the game, and will likely make a very good football coach one day if he pursues that avenue... Actually, I bet he does well in anything he does upon graduation because he seems to be a bright, ambitious, hard-working guy.

But on the gridiron, his story is more reminiscent of "Rudy".

Where is O'Hara?

It sounds like Shanbour essentially just got bumped back to a RS Junior status so he has got 2 more years.

Bummed to hear that Pearson does not look like he is ready. Still a long way to go before September though.

Marty · March 10, 2017

Is Shanbour even on scholarship?

Hunter Green · March 11, 2017

3 hours ago, GrandGreen said:

It doesn't sound like Shanbour is running second team, because he is outstanding but rather that the others haven't shown much. Overall, not a good development.

Perhaps this is his year to shine.

GrandGreen · March 11, 2017

56 minutes ago, Hunter Green said:

Perhaps this is his year to shine.

Nothing against Shanbour, you got to respect his drive and endurance. I just want NT to have a QB that can be a difference maker and that could be Shanbour.

BillySee58 · March 11, 2017

5 hours ago, TreeFiddy said:

It sounds like Shanbour essentially just got bumped back to a RS Junior status so he has got 2 more years.

Bummed to hear that Pearson does not look like he is ready. Still a long way to go before September though.

Which is crazy when you consider this is already going to be his 6th season out of high school. If he is still here in 2018 that'll be his 7th year out of high school. Dude could have a dang PhD before his eligibility is up.

GMG24 · March 11, 2017

43 minutes ago, BillySee58 said:

Which is crazy when you consider this is already going to be his 6th season out of high school. If he is still here in 2018 that'll be his 7th year out of high school. Dude could have a dang PhD before his eligibility is up.

You know what's awesome? I sent him to Benford before all big schools came in late.