DRC LB Monroe returns to NT practice NT considers

[OldTimer]

Football: Monroe returns to UNT practice

10:07 AM CDT on Thursday, August 25, 2005

By Brett Vito / Staff Writer

North Texas finally got one of its top defensive players back on the field Wednesday when Brandon Monroe, a sophomore linebacker, worked out for less than 20 plays during a morning scrimmage.

Both Monroe and sophomore defensive end Jeremiah Chap-man missed several practices with hamstring injuries before returning to practice. Chapman resumed working out earlier in the week.

“It’s a huge boost to have those guys back out there,” UNT defensive coordinator Kenny Evans said. “They are guys we were planning on counting on. They are behind now and will have to catch up. It’s a different game when you are playing at full speed.”

Monroe started as a freshman last year when he finished with 63 tackles and forced a pair of fumbles.

Chapman was expected to join Monroe in the starting lineup after showing signs of developing into a solid player while backing up former UNT standout defensive end Adrian Awasom.

Chapman finished with 10 tackles, including a pair of sacks last season. The former China Springs standout posted his best game of the season in a win over Idaho when he finished with six tackles and two sacks.

The return of Monroe will strengthen a corps of linebackers that has shown promise during fall practice. Sophomore Maurice Holman stepped in for Monroe during fall workouts and im-pressed UNT’s coaches.

Holman led the Mean Green with 10 tackles in a loss to Southern Miss in last season’s New Orleans Bowl.

Evans said Holman is currently the starter at outside linebacker, although Monroe will also see time at the position.

UNT coaches thinking 3-4

The North Texas coaching staff is considering using a 3-4 defense more often this season due to the depth of its corps of linebackers.

UNT returns two of its three starters in Derek Mendoza and Brandon Monroe, who resumed practicing on Wednesday after missing most of fall workouts with a pulled hamstring. Phillip Graves also saw extensive playing time at outside linebacker for the Mean Green last year.

Travis Thompson, an inside linebacker from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, has also improved his stock in fall practice. Thompson sat out last season after breaking his leg before the first game of the season.

“I like what we could do in the 3-4 against teams that like to spread the field,” UNT defensive coordinator Kenny Evans said. “It would allow us to get players with more speed on the field. We could play an extra linebacker or a safety.”

UNT works out under lights

A switch in practice plans helped North Texas see the ball in a whole new light on Wednesday.

UNT pushed its afternoon practice back into the evening and moved workouts to C.H. Collins Athletic Complex. The Mean Green have worked out on the field while the final stages of construction on a new turf surface at Fouts Field are completed.

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

[pollock]

The North Texas coaching staff is considering using a 3-4 defense more often this season due to the depth of its corps of linebackers.

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While this may be a great move, shouldn't it have been made at the start of fall practice, or maybe even in the spring. Seems a little late now. Isn't that a fairly difficult adjustment for the defense?

Is this something they've been working on and we just haven't heard much about it?

BTW, good to have Monroe back. I think he is underrated on this board.

Edited August 26, 2005 by pollock

[Cerebus]

While this may be a great move, shouldn't it have been made at the start of fall practice, or maybe even in the spring.  Seems a little late now.  Isn't that a fairly difficult adjustment for the defense?

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The 3-4 is been in the system for years. Booger had more than a few sacks from the NT position.

The article says they coaches are cosnidering using it *more*.

[FirefightnRick]

We were in the 3-4 for the majority of the game against Utah State last year. It truly displayed the strength and speed of our young linebackers last year.

Rick