Meangreensports

[UNTLifer]

DENTON (4/11/07) - MeanGreenSports.com is previewing the 2007 North Texas football team with daily updates that will break down the team’s outlook by position. The updates will continue over the next nine days, leading up to the annual Green and White Game that will be played at Fouts Field on Sunday, April 22 at 3 p.m.

Linebackers

With the switch back to the 4-3, the premium on the play of the linebackers will be even higher for the Mean Green in 2007. Fortunately there will be plenty of experience returning as seven different linebackers who started at least one game last season are back.

Senior Maurice Holman looks poised for a stellar closeout to his career after finishing second on the team in tackles and earning all-conference honors the past two years. Holman has 179 career tackles and is expected to be a vocal leader for the entire defense. Brandon Monroe and former walk-on Derek Mendoza have the most experience of the remaining linebackers and are expected to battle for the remaining two starting positions. The two seniors split time at the same position last year but will benefit by playing beside each other this year.

Underclassmen were forced to play a considerable role on a youthful team in 2006, particularly at the linebacker position. With the learning curve out of the way players like Colt Mahan, Tobe Nwigwe and Germaine Dawson will each have the opportunity to make an even bigger impact this season. Mahan made his splash by leading the team in tackles in each of his first two career starts, and Dawson finished in the top five on the team in tackles after earning starts in each of the first 11 games of the year. Dawson’s 54 tackles was the most by a freshman since teammate Brandon Monroe had 62 in 2004. Fellow freshman Nwigwe proved to be a big-play specialist finishing second on the team with seven tackles for a loss while starting all 12 games. Redshirt freshman Craig Robertson has also made a quick impression on the coaches and will battle to be in the two deep.

Top Returning Tacklers in Linebacker Corps

Maurice Holman – 74

Germaine Dawson – 54

Colt Mahan – 53

Derek Mendoza - 41

Brandon Monroe - 38

Here is a look at the schedule for the updates by position

Wed. April 11 – Defensive Line

Thur. April 12 – Linebackers

Fri. April 13 – Safeties

Sat. April 14 – Cornerbacks

Sun. April 15 – Special Teams

Mon. April 16 – Offensive Line

Tue. April 17 – Running Backs

Wed. April 18 – Wide Receivers

Thur. April 19 - Quarterbacks

[Charlie NT 73]

With our interior DL very thin as far as backup NT and DT positions- the whole defense

is going to need the 4-6 LB's that have game experience. I can see our opponents trying to

run up the middle of the DL again this year.

[jimmyjames_99]

Any thoughts on how Padron is going to fit in the lineup? Will he be in contention for a starting position when practice starts up this summer? Is there a possibility of a redshirt?

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

I think that there's a strong possibility that all three redshirt. They were three of our most highly touted recruits but linebacker is our strongest position. We have six solid players for sure and redshirt freshman Robertson may be better than some of the regulars and former TE Seidle may be a comer as well. I think that it's possible that Owusu-Hemeng could also be moved to LB.

Nice group. I think that we can afford to have three future starters sit out for a year.

[Green Means Go!]

Don't count out this kid at LB.......

Maurice Sykes.....he's a 6'3", 253 lb. monster out there.

[Charlie NT 73]

Sykes is just a few biscuits and gravy away from being a monster NT!

[ScreaminEagle]

Does anyone find it strange that Colt Mahan had quite a few more tackles with CONSIDERABLY less playing time than Monroe or Mendoza?

Edited April 15, 2007 by ScreaminEagle

[adman]

Does anyone find it strange that Colt Mahan had quite a few more tackles with CONSIDERABLY less playing time than Monroe or Mendoza?

Perhaps his speed played a big role in that.

[good_ken]

Perhaps his speed played a big role in that.

Ironic, since he was supposed to be a bit small; and a step slow.

[Guest GrayEagleOne]

It seems to me that a number of Mahan's tackles were from special teams play. Colt more or less replaced Graves as the premier coverage player on returns. Also, teams sometimes try to run away from an established linebacker and pick on someone with less experience. That didn't seem to work for Holman though who had the second most tackles behind Weathers.

[ScreaminEagle]

Most of his tackles were while playing linebacker, not special teams. The numbers reflect SPEED, understanding the defence, persuit angles, along with an "incredible" desire to make plays. From what I understand he is the fastest linebacker on the team.

Edited April 16, 2007 by ScreaminEagle