Robertson gets looks at practice

MeanGreen61 · August 15, 2005

Football: Robertson gets looks at practice

08:13 AM CDT on Monday, August 15, 2005

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

The North Texas football team’s coaching staff told Evan Robertson earlier this week that he would have plenty of opportunities to show what he could do when the Mean Green began practicing in full pads.

They came through on their promise Sunday on the first day of full-contact drills.

“Everyone is trying to come out here and show their stuff,” Robertson said. “I was not surprised that I got that many carries. The coaches told us in a meeting that they would give us the ball to see what we could do and make sure that we wouldn’t be lost in the scrimmage.”

UNT returns a pair of standout veteran running backs in Patrick Cobbs and Jamario Thomas, the last two national rushing champions. Cobbs missed the last 10 games of the 2004 season with a knee injury, while Thomas missed the majority of spring practice.

The Mean Green’s coaching staff took a look at Robertson, a player trying to establish himself as the heir to the spot Cobbs and Thomas hold, on Sunday morning.

After a series of position changes, Robertson is the only member of UNT’s incoming recruiting class working at running back. Playing at the college level for the first time was a big adjustment for Robertson, who is 5-9, 160 pounds.

“Everything is faster,” said Robertson, a former Pflugerville standout. “You have to hit the hole fast and not diddle around.”

Sophomore linebacker Derek Mendoza worked against several of the Mean Green’s newcomers.

“This freshman class is good,” Mendoza said. “There are a lot of good athletes out here. It’s a matter of them developing and learning the plays. Hopefully a lot of them will get a chance to play this year, get on some special teams and maybe even start, depending on how well they learn the system.

Robertson was one of several UNT newcomers who got a jump on that process in the Mean Green’s first workout in full pads.

“Practice went OK,” Mendoza said. “We have a lot of improving to do, but it was a good first day. The intensity was not there at first. At the end, we started to come along.”

Ransom misses workout

Defensive end Willie Ransom sat out Sunday morning’s practice with a hip injury, but said he expects to return to workouts in the next few days. Ransom transferred to UNT from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College and is expected to contribute in his first season with the Mean Green.

Jeremiah Chapman, a sophomore defensive end, and Issac Thomas, a redshirt freshman defensive lineman, were held out of practice for the second straight day.

BRETT VITO can be reached at 940-566-6870. His e-mail address is bvito@dentonrc.com.

SilverEagle · August 15, 2005

As I was watching Robertson carry the ball, I commented to Harry how shocked I was back in Feb. when we signed a RB who was 5'9" X 160. My comment at that time was that this guy had better be REAL FAST and REAL TOUGH.

As of yesterday, he passed the REAL FAST test. We'll have to wait to the end of fall practice to see if he passes the REAL TOUGH test. So far he has.

meangreendork · August 15, 2005

5'9" 160? Wow...for an RB, he's a little thin (not that I have room to talk). But if he's good enough to be a guy who can step in for our current batch of RB's, he has my support.

Hope our QB situation works out well.

adman · August 15, 2005

As I was watching Robertson carry the ball, I commented to Harry how shocked I was back in Feb. when we signed a RB who was 5'9" X 160. My comment at that time was that this guy had better be REAL FAST and REAL TOUGH.
As of yesterday, he passed the REAL FAST test. We'll have to wait to the end of fall practice to see if he passes the REAL TOUGH test. So far he has.
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Would you say he has a Quintin Griffin (sp) style of running?