Mean Green gears up for upcoming season

MeanGreen61 · August 29, 2006

NT ready to reclaim SBC title

Michael Prescott

Issue date: 8/29/06

With the start of the 2006 football season under a week away, the Mean Green look to return to the top of the Sun Belt Conference. After seeing the team's 26-game conference-winning streak snapped en route to a 2-9 record last year, the NT football team is ready to claim its fifth conference title in six years.

The Mean Green will return two starters at the quarterback position this year, as well as junior college transfer Woody Wilson. Both Daniel Meager and Matt Phillips saw playing time last fall leading NT to a 2-9 record. Meager started the season for the Mean Green, completing 50 percent of his passes for 941 yards. Matt Phillips saw his playing time come late in the season as he went on to complete 33 of 69 passing attempts for 448 yards.

Wilson, who threw for 910 yards and rushed for an additional 214 at Coffeyville Junior College in Kansas, will also look to figure into the passing game. The coaching staff has yet to name a starter, but has hinted at rotating quarterbacks until they find the right fit.

"Right now we're not sure who the starter is going to be," said head coach Darrell Dickey. "Each guy has his own strengths and weaknesses; we're just going to have to see how things play out."

The rushing attack will remain solid for NT. The loss of Patrick Cobbs will leave a big hole that will have to be filled by junior running back Jamario Thomas. Thomas, who suffered from injuries last season, will look to get back to his 2004 form when he led the nation in rushing with 1,801 yards.

"I've been lifting a lot weights and working on my conditioning to make sure my legs remain healthy," Thomas said. "I'm doing what ever I can do get us back on track."

Senior Johnny Quinn will anchor the Mean Green receiving squad. Quinn led the team in receptions in 2005 with 47 catches for 591 yards.

"Johnny has been a standout guy for us for the past three years. He's always ready when you call his number and he's always just one catch away from another big play," Dickey said.

Teaming up with Quinn on the receiving squad will be Brandon Jackson, Joel Nwigwe and Zach Muzzy. Jackson was second on the team in receptions in 2005 with 22 for 225 yards. Nwigwe and Muzzy also started much of last season and have logged over 40 career receptions.

The NT defense will see a slight change this year as it switches to the 3-4-style defense. After giving up an average score of 31.5 points per game and 436.6 yards per game, there is much room for improvement on the defensive side of the ball.

"We've always had some form of the 3-4 in our defensive scheme; this year it just plays into our strength at linebacker," Dickey said.

The Mean Green will return three playmakers in Graves, Holeman and Monroe to the linebacker position. The three combined for three fumble recoveries, and four interceptions during the 2005 season.

The only weak spot on the NT defense could come in the secondary, where the Mean Green will start freshmen Desmon Chatman and sophomore Dominique Green. Both lack playing experience but will look to junior safety Aaron Weathers for leadership. Weathers, who led the team in tackles and interceptions in 2005, will be called upon to be a leader on the defensive side of the ball.

NT will open the 2006 season Saturday, facing the defending national champions the Texas Longhorns in Austin. "It's just another football game," Thomas said. "I plan to go out there and have some fun and make sure we're the ones making the big plays."