More about Meager & team notes

[NT80]

Football: UNT’s Meager takes tumble in drills

Mean Green QB hit head on ground, now OK

08:10 AM CDT on Tuesday, August 16, 2005

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

Daniel Meager gave the North Texas football team a scare Monday morning.

Daniel Meager

The redshirt freshman quarterback took a tumble during team drills and hit his head on the ground. Meager felt dizzy after the hit and left practice to be evaluated. He returned for UNT’s second practice of the day in the afternoon, but not participate in 11-on-11 passing drills.

“Daniel’s fine,” UNT head coach Darrell Dickey said. “We were just being careful.”

Meager entered the fall atop the depth chart at quarterback and has worked with the first team throughout practice.

Meager’s absence opened up playing time for several other players who are competing for both the starting and backup jobs.

Freshman Matt Phillips and junior Cullen Mills are among the players who received extra work with Meager out for a large portion of the day.

Meager missed the majority of spring practice with a shoulder injury, but entered fall practice with a clean bill of health.

Moore among players not with team

Kevin Moore is not practicing with Mean Green to attend to what Dickey described as personal issues.

Moore has served as one of UNT’s primary backup running backs the last two years and has also been a key player on special teams. The former Houston North Shore standout rushed for 267 yards while playing behind Patrick Cobbs in 2003 and added 141 yards last season.

Moore was at his best as a kickoff return specialist last year when he averaged a team high 28.9 yards per return while racking up 318 yards.

UNT has plenty of depth at running back with the return of Cobbs and Jamario Thomas, the last two national rushing champions. The Mean Green also returns Zach Muzzy and Ja’Mel Branch, a pair of players with experience returning kickoffs.

Muzzy averaged 18.5 yards on a team-high 23 kickoff returns last season, while Branch averaged 19.7 yards an attempt in 2003.

Branch, who sat out last season, is averaging 21.1 yards a return for his career and has racked up 1,118 yards on kickoff returns in three seasons.

Backup linebacker Isaac Colbert is also not practicing with the team and is considering transferring. Colbert played in two games last season and was not on the Mean Green’s depth chart entering fall practice.

Early returns to practice

Linebacker Shawn Early returned to UNT’s practices on Monday afternoon, although it was in a completely different role than expected.

Early suffered a sever knee injury in the spring when he tore both the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in his knee. The Jacksonville, Fla., native tried to rehabilitate the injury, but did not recover in time for the beginning of the 2005 season.

Early, who is on track to graduate this year, stood on the sideline as a spectator for the first time since last season.

Early said he plans to spend the season as a redshirt and return next year for his senior season.

Phillip Graves has moved into the starting lineup to replace Early, who finished with 60 tackles last season.

[pollock]

Football: UNT’s Meager takes tumble in drills

“Daniel’s fine,” UNT head coach Darrell Dickey said. “We were just being careful.”

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Maybe so, but I really hope he gets the other QBs as many reps as possible. We might be better off with durable guy that can sling the ball down the field. We should have several WRs that can get to a marginally-thrown ball.

[PlummMeanGreen]

Maybe so, but I really hope he gets the other QBs as many reps as possible.  We might be better off with durable guy that can sling the ball down the field.  We should have several WRs that can get to a marginally-thrown ball.

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At what point of Fall practice do they put the red jersey on the QB?

As I recall the story, Brandon Kennedy got a bit rough with Scott Hall in a similar pre-season practice and wasn't that when Hall tore a pectoral muscle (which caused him to have to sit out that entire season eventually)? Hey Mean Green "D" we love your intensity and don't won't you to panty-waist or play "two-below" in these workouts, but lets not injure our franchise type players who can mean the difference of us playing a game in December or staying home Christmas month.

FWIW, Meager hit his head on the ground a bit too intense yesterday. He was taken out for precautions, but I'd bet if truth be known, he probably didn't want to sit out any of yesterday's practices, but (as always) our NT coaches have the last word in all that.

[MeanGreen61]

If we ever needed backups to get ready and stay ready it may be at QB this year. Hope I'm wrong, but Meager doesn't seem to bend, he seems to break.

[NCMeanGreen]

I'm sorry...but what a sissy! We are in severe trouble here folks, and DD and company had BETTER be giving some good snaps to our "backup" (aka STARTING) QB, as Meager is just one big wussy. MAN, LSU will just eat this kid up!

I have heard that Steve Warren looks pretty good. Hell, give him the ball...

On a side note: What is Kevin Moore's problem? How many "personal issues" is he going to have, anyway??????

Edited August 16, 2005 by NCMeanGreen

[Cerebus]

Meager is a tough kid.

If he had to miss some snaps, I am sure it wasn't his decision.

[Eagle-96]

I'm sorry...but what a sissy!  We are in severe trouble here folks, and DD and company had BETTER be giving some good snaps to our "backup" (aka STARTING) QB, as Meager is just one big wussy.  MAN, LSU will just eat this kid up!

I have heard that Steve Warren looks pretty good.  Hell, give him the ball...

←

DD held Meager out of practice. It wasn't Daniel's choice to sit out the 11 on 11 drills. If your boss tells you to do something you do it. You don't just take it upon yourself to make your own rules.

Meager broke his leg after his junior year and seperated his shoulder in spring practice. Yeah those are REAL wuss injuries. Meager is SUCH a sissy. If he was a real man he would have cut off his leg below the break and hopped out to play his senior season. As for last spring, he should have stayed out there and thrown the ball until his arm flew off. That would have proven that he had some guts.

[pollock]

On a side note:  What is Kevin Moore's problem?  How many "personal issues" is he going to have, anyway??????

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You might feel bad if it turns out he's taking care of his sick grandmother or something like that.

[C&S]

I'm sorry...but what a sissy!  We are in severe trouble here folks, and DD and company had BETTER be giving some good snaps to our "backup" (aka STARTING) QB, as Meager is just one big wussy.  MAN, LSU will just eat this kid up!

I have heard that Steve Warren looks pretty good.  Hell, give him the ball...

On a side note:  What is Kevin Moore's problem?  How many "personal issues" is he going to have, anyway??????

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How many times have you put on full pads and gone through spring and fall ball? How many times have you been a quarterback?

[PlummMeanGreen]

I'm sorry...but what a sissy!  We are in severe trouble here folks, and DD and company had BETTER be giving some good snaps to our "backup" (aka STARTING) QB, as Meager is just one big wussy.  MAN, LSU will just eat this kid up!

I have heard that Steve Warren looks pretty good.  Hell, give him the ball...

On a side note:  What is Kevin Moore's problem?  How many "personal issues" is he going to have, anyway??????

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Good grief, NCMeanGreen, what's up?

Daniel Meager came back from an injury (hey, its football--they do happen) and led his Richardson Pearce 5A football team into the Texas UIL state play-offs. I don't think I would call that "sissy." I call that someone coming back from an injury and leading his football team.

You've had some great posts until this one. If you're having a bad day, get the old Louisville slugger out, go to the back yard and knock the hell out of one of those North Carolina pine trees. You're fine, though, we are all allowed 1 or 2 "off" posts per week. PS: You only have 1 left for this week!

Edited August 16, 2005 by PlummMeanGreen

[Nt4Life!]

Seriously NC... no need for that. THis kid has worked hard to stay with it, unlike others that cannot play this year.

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

---Is Moore's absense tempory or does it mean he is gone for the year or extended time?

---Once the season starts some coaches rarely use full team contact for that reason, to avoid injuries.... As Gordan Wood stated-- by gameday they are then anxious to hit someone. (and not beat up)

[Green Lantern]

---Is Moore's absense tempory or does it mean he is gone for the year or extended time?

---Once the season starts some coaches rarely use full team contact for that reason, to avoid injuries.... As Gordan Wood stated-- by gameday they are then anxious to hit someone. (and not beat up)

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Hopefully Moore's absence will only be temporary. I was really enjoying him in his kick returning role last year. There is no doubt that when he gets going, he truly has a second gear. Best of luck to him.

[Eagle-96]

With Muzzy getting so much time at receiver this year I don't want him to get beat up and/or tired returning kicks. I would much rather see K-Mo back there as he will not see too many carries this year.

[Guest JohnDenver]

With Cobbs trying to make it to the next level, I would put him back there to return it. If he can prove to be a good returner, he will be more apt to get drafted.

When Galbreath was the starter I think Cobbs was returning kicks.

[keith]

I'm still amazed that we find ourselves in a situation of not having a quarterback on our team that has taken a snap in a D-I college football game (at least I think we are in that situation).

Maybe it's more common than I think, but is there any other D-I college football team in the country that has zero experience with all of its quarterbacks?

The one thing you hear a lot from players moving from high school to college or college to the pros is, "it all happens so much faster." You need experience to deal with that and we don't have any.

Keith

[SCREAMING EAGLE-66]

I'm still amazed that we find ourselves in a situation of not having a quarterback on our team that has taken a snap in a D-I college football game (at least I think we are in that situation). 

Maybe it's more common than I think, but is there any other D-I college football team in the country that has zero experience with all of its quarterbacks?

The one thing you hear a lot from players moving from high school to college or college to the pros is, "it all happens so much faster."  You need experience to deal with that and we don't have any. 

Keith

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---The starting QB at TexTech is likely going to be a red-shirt freshman (Graham Harrell) and the other option has very limited experience...... and that is a "pass-happy" team. We will do ok. The good news for them they start with 3 rather easy opponents at home, the bad news for us is we are on the road at LSU. Smith went into the Texas game with no experience and did fairly well and we eventually won the conference. Nothing is impossible.... did you see the Steelers 21 points on zero offense last night.

---We lost our two QBs that should be available due to a death and not taking care of business in the classroom. The last may be a blessing if he can't do and think better than that.

Edited August 16, 2005 by SCREAMING EAGLE-66

[GreenN'walinsVet]

I'm still amazed that we find ourselves in a situation of not having a quarterback on our team that has taken a snap in a D-I college football game (at least I think we are in that situation). 

Maybe it's more common than I think, but is there any other D-I college football team in the country that has zero experience with all of its quarterbacks?

The one thing you hear a lot from players moving from high school to college or college to the pros is, "it all happens so much faster."  You need experience to deal with that and we don't have any. 

Keith

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One thing you have to look at with our situation is how it happend. Its not like our Coaching staff planned on not having a QB with experience but when you lose your Senior (that has started in the past, and won a bowl game) get killed in a tragic accident and then your backup last year (projected starter this year) become acedmically ineligible then your going to have to find somebody that has less experience. Its not like they could of gotten Meager any snaps last year because he was redshirted. Would you have rather them burn his redshirt so he could get two or three snaps in a couple of games, or leave it on him so he has 4 complete years with us as the potential starter?

[MeanGreen61]

I'm still amazed that we find ourselves in a situation of not having a quarterback on our team that has taken a snap in a D-I college football game (at least I think we are in that situation). 

Maybe it's more common than I think, but is there any other D-I college football team in the country that has zero experience with all of its quarterbacks?

The one thing you hear a lot from players moving from high school to college or college to the pros is, "it all happens so much faster."  You need experience to deal with that and we don't have any. 

Keith

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Beleive that Memphis is without a QB who's been in a college game.

[keith]

So, it's not unheard of.....

Understand what Andrew was able to accomplish, but at least we went into the season with experience at QB. And when Hall went down he could provide some help on the sidelines.

Even if Byerly had made the grades he had almost no experience. So, for whatever reason, there was little or no grooming of the successor going on last year. There were opportunities to get next year's likely starter some experience weren't there?

Do our student athletes have tutors available to them? It seems to me that you would want to keep close tabs on your borderline students.

We were in late on the kid that ended up at Nebraska. Maybe we were putting all our eggs in that basket.

Keith

Edited August 16, 2005 by keith

[shaneb]

Meager may be a tough kid, but LSU and Tiger Stadium are going to be four quarters of hell for ANY quarterback who has not taken a snap in a D1a game....

You may not believe it, but unless you are there and you hear the crowd and you see the QB getting hit, then you can't possibly understand the punishment a QB can take there if the OL lightens up and the LSU D gets firing right.

All I have to say is that if he goes to change the play at the line he better find a way to turn his head inside his helmet and scream out his earhole... even the drunkest Tiger fan picks up on that movement from the very top of those outrageously tall upper decks.

I think if a kid wasn't strong in the head that opening his career at Tiger Stadium behind a less than stellar OL could negatively affect his career for a long time.

Thankfully Marcus Spears is no longer there... he sacked the Troy quarterback 3 times in the first half last year. Being hit by that man has to feel like being hit by a freight train.

Seeya,

Shane

Edited August 16, 2005 by shaneb

[greensteve]

So, it's not unheard of.....

Understand what Andrew was able to accomplish, but at least we went into the season with experience at QB. And when Hall went down he could provide some help on the sidelines.

Even if Byerly had made the grades he had almost no experience. So, for whatever reason, there was little or no grooming of the successor going on last year. There were opportunities to get next year's likely starter some experience weren't there?

Do our student athletes have tutors available to them? It seems to me that you would want to keep close tabs on your borderline students.

We were in late on the kid that ended up at Nebraska. Maybe we were putting all our eggs in that basket.

Keith

At some point the players have to take responsibility for themselves...You can assign tutors till you're blue in the face, if the kid doesn't show up for class or doesn't express any interest in passing or studying, the tutor is irrelevant.

Casting blame on Coaches is easy to do...but at some point the responsibility must fall on the shoulders of the young men!!!!

[Green92]

I saw in the paper where UT lost three to grades. It can happen anywhere. If the kid doesn't want to show up, you can't make him. No matter how much recourses your school has. Byerly is not on the team because he chose to be. Not because the mechanism wasn’t there to help him succeed as a student.

[variable]

I haven't been to any practices and was wondering how Warren is looking. He's really been working hard over the summer getting his passing down since he never really got the chance to throw the ball in the old school offence that Burleson is running.(Wing-T) He's got tons of potential and speed to burn. He's also been working in the gym like a mad man all summer. I'm not looking for him to start or anything, just wondering how he's throwing the ball. I'd like to see him get a redshirt.

[Eagle-96]

I haven't been to any practices and was wondering how Warren is looking.  He's really been working hard over the summer getting his passing down since he never really got the chance to throw the ball in the old school offence that Burleson is running.(Wing-T)  He's got tons of potential and speed to burn.  He's also been working in the gym like a mad man all summer.  I'm not looking for him to start or anything, just wondering how he's throwing the ball.  I'd like to see him get a redshirt.

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Are you a fan or a family member? If you are a family member(you don't need to reveal who you are) what were the big factors in Steve choosing NT and what does he think so far?

BTW: Welcome to the board.

Edited August 16, 2005 by Eagle-96