Starting Line Up Vs. Ou

[Censored by Laurie]

Figured I'd spark some discussion actually involving the team...and I'm bored out of my mind at work.

QB - Giovanni Vizza - this is essentially a new system for every qb involved except Vizza...Meager ran the spread 4 years ago...so who better than a player who is very familiar with the spread to introduce it. This is viewed as a transition and rebuilding season...getting Vizza exposed to D-1 football as a freshman can only make him more successfull as a Soph, Jr and Sr.

RB - Jamario Thomas - a bit of a no brainer if he's healthy...but not a lock to hang on to the position the entire season. Based on the amount of work the RB postion will see this season and the load they will carry...this is probably the deepest position on the team. Cam Montgomery (6'1 213) is a change of pace from JT preferring to stay btwn the tackles, Deavin Cox showed potential last year and Micah Mosely had great numbers in HS yet was shunned by Texas all-star teams and bigger programs and may feel he has something to prove

WR - Brandon Jackson, Casey Fitzgerald, Brock Stickler, Marcus King - lots of players to work out here and lots will have the chance to make catches this season. Jackson's experience and TD's man crush on Fitzgerald will get them starts...Stickler is physical and a solid possession guy and King has been touted as a a big time deep threat. All the freshman, Korey Washington and Johnathon Ieans will also contribute

OT - Robert Peachey, Josh Alexander - Matthew Menard will work his way in to the rotation as well...but look for the versitile Alexander (if healthy) to start and help stabilize the weakest part of the line

OG - Chad Rose, Adam Venegas - Both are experienced and capable of 2 second blocking as we hitch and slant down the field. Tyler Bailey is a monster of a man who may find time here if Rose is better suited at center

C- Kelvin Drake - Shared time with Rose at center last season.

DE - Jeremiah Chapman, Blake Burruss - Chapman should be first team all SBC this season...Burruss will see most of his work on running downs b/c of his size...look for Eddrick Gilmour to see most of the 3rd down action as a pass rushing specialist.

DT - Joseph Miller, Montey Stevenson - Both established themselves last season as solid contributors and should see themselves in a rotation with Isaac Thomas and freshman Jordan Scroggins (only one of our recruits to be listed on rivals as a TX top 100 player)

LB - Maurice Holman, Brondon Monroe(OLB), Colt Mahan(MLB) - Holman will be a first team SBCer and Monroe will regain his freshman form and finish out his career here strong. Mahan made huge strides last season and is more talented then the hard working Derek Mendoza, who will still see plenty of time. Germaine Dawson will be a good fit in Nickel situations, Tobe Nwigwe will see time and the staff seems high on RS-Fr Craig Robertson.

CB - Antoine Bush, Dominique Green - 2 smallish corners will be pushed (esp. against OU) by the bigger Latif Nurudeen and Desmon Chapman. This is still a young position...but the experience gained last season is so valuable to thier future success. Green will start all 12 (13?) games and push for SBC honors. Freshamn Kevin Ealey's athleticism has been sited numerous times and may push in mickel and dime situations

S - Roy Loren, Aaron Weathers - Weathers is ready to have a break through senior season and conjure images of Jonas Buckles in the minds of fans. Loren is healthy and will compliment Weathers well. Their biggest duties may not be covering all of their assignments...but occassionally covering the mistakes made by our corners. The SBC has all of a sudden become a pass oriented league so the DB's have added pressure.

Overall Analasys - The offense will be improved...I mean...it really just has to be. I feel the biggest problem last season wasn't the o-line, it wasn't JT and it wasn't the QB...it was DD never naming a starting quarterback and sticking with him. Wilson, Meager and Phillips all pressed and forced plays last season with the fear of being pulled. Simply naming a QB would have stabilized the position. I've heard JT's healthy for the past 2 seasons...but if he gives me 800 yards I'm happy. The spread will be fun to watch. The defense has the potential to be better then the 2001 defense. This is a deep, experienced and talented group who will be battle tested (OU, Arkansas) by the time the reach SBC play. The D has the potential to carry this team throuhg the offenses learning curve...and could be the best in the SBC if the secondary comes together. If we win our first 3 home games (FAU, ULM, MTSU) I think the Navy game will be one of the best atmospheres Fouts has seen in a while. Road games at Troy and Ark St. will be trials...but not unwinnable. Give me 7-5 (loses - OU, Ark, Troy, Navy, Ark St.) this season and TD is off and running.

Thanks for indulging my inner Sean Salisbury and disagree to your hearts content...its better than arguing about tortillas

[LongJim]

QB - Giovanni Vizza - this is essentially a new system for every qb involved except Vizza...Meager ran the spread 4 years ago...so who better than a player who is very familiar with the spread to introduce it. This is viewed as a transition and rebuilding season...getting Vizza exposed to D-1 football as a freshman can only make him more successfull as a Soph, Jr and Sr.

Would love to see him redshirted, as I think Meager is the guy this year, but will probably need him due to inconsistent play from the guys behind him. Definitely a great pickup for the MG. Unthinkable signee in previous years. QB was a problem last year, for a myriad of reasons, and it simply can't continue. Someone's simply got to take charge and lead the team in every way. I'm sure the new positivity will be a boon to this position.

RB - Jamario Thomas - a bit of a no brainer if he's healthy...but not a lock to hang on to the position the entire season.

I agree, and hope JT has something in his bag this year. He'll definitely have every opportunity to shine, for sure.

OT - Robert Peachey, Josh Alexander - Matthew Menard will work his way in to the rotation as well...but look for the versitile Alexander (if healthy) to start and help stabilize the weakest part of the line

OG - Chad Rose, Adam Venegas - Both are experienced and capable of 2 second blocking as we hitch and slant down the field. Tyler Bailey is a monster of a man who may find time here if Rose is better suited at center

C- Kelvin Drake - Shared time with Rose at center last season.

I'm going to be a skeptic until I see this unit come together and play consistently. Last year was pitiful, and I frankly think this may be the weak link for the team. Hope like hell I'm wrong about this, but too many games this unit was manhandled, and generally abused, as well as confused at times. Tackle play was atrocious at times. New year, new faces. We'll see.

Defense? Jury's out until I see how the DL play is. Running game gashed the MG last year.

Overall Analasys - The offense will be improved...I mean...it really just has to be. I feel the biggest problem last season wasn't the o-line, it wasn't JT and it wasn't the QB...it was DD never naming a starting quarterback and sticking with him.

I'm not a DD apologist, but OL play last year was bad. BAD.

The defense has the potential to be better then the 2001 defense. This is a deep, experienced and talented group who will be battle tested (OU, Arkansas) by the time the reach SBC play.

That's one way to put it! I'm tapping the brakes on "potential" until I see them play. Probably do us all good to remember that the other SBC teams did ok on signing day, as well. Be interesting to see the new faces at the other schools in action.

Thanks for indulging my inner Sean Salisbury and disagree to your hearts content...its better than arguing about tortillas

Great post!

[UNTLifer]

I would love to see Banks get his grades in order and plug him into one of the guard positions. He, Rose and Drake would really solidify the center of the line, in fact, I may even rather see Rose and Drake switch with Rose at Center. Venegas could possibly provide depth at guard and tackle. I also hope Alexander comes in healthy.

Weathers needs to start hammering people before he conjures up images of Buckles and Jones.

[H-towngreen]

Figured I'd spark some discussion actually involving the team...and I'm bored out of my mind at work.

QB - Giovanni Vizza - this is essentially a new system for every qb involved except Vizza...Meager ran the spread 4 years ago...so who better than a player who is very familiar with the spread to introduce it. This is viewed as a transition and rebuilding season...getting Vizza exposed to D-1 football as a freshman can only make him more successfull as a Soph, Jr and Sr.

I SEE HIM AS BEING OUR #2 BEHIND MEAGER

WR - Brandon Jackson, Casey Fitzgerald, Brock Stickler, Marcus King - lots of players to work out here and lots will have the chance to make catches this season. Jackson's experience and TD's man crush on Fitzgerald will get them starts...Stickler is physical and a solid possession guy and King has been touted as a a big time deep threat. All the freshman, Korey Washington and Johnathon Ieans will also contribute

LOOK FOR B JAX TO HAVE A BIG YEAR, AND OUT OF THE FRESHMAN I REALLY HOPE THAT SAM ROBERSON IS THE REAL DEAL, AS HE WAS BEING SOUGHT AFTER BY SOME BIG TIME SCHOLS

OG - Chad Rose, Adam Venegas - Both are experienced and capable of 2 second blocking as we hitch and slant down the field. Tyler Bailey is a monster of a man who may find time here if Rose is better suited at center

C- Kelvin Drake - Shared time with Rose at center last season.

I LOOK FOR SANTIAGO INSTEAD OF VENEGAS, I THINK THAT DRAKE IS A BEAST AS LONG AS HE FIGURES OUT THE SNAP

DE - Jeremiah Chapman, Blake Burruss - Chapman should be first team all SBC this season...Burruss will see most of his work on running downs b/c of his size...look for Eddrick Gilmour to see most of the 3rd down action as a pass rushing specialist.

GILMORE WILL STEP UP, AND CHAPMAN IS GOING TO HAVE A MONSTER SEASON. WE SIGNED ALOT OF D-LINEMEN LAST YEAR LOOK FOR SOMEONE TO STEP UP FROM THAT GROUP

LB - Maurice Holman, Brondon Monroe(OLB), Colt Mahan(MLB) - Holman will be a first team SBCer and Monroe will regain his freshman form and finish out his career here strong. Mahan made huge strides last season and is more talented then the hard working Derek Mendoza, who will still see plenty of time. Germaine Dawson will be a good fit in Nickel situations, Tobe Nwigwe will see time and the staff seems high on RS-Fr Craig Robertson.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE NWIGWE GET ALOT OF PT, AND LOOK FOR PENSON TO POSSIBLY GET SOME PT

CB - Antoine Bush, Dominique Green - 2 smallish corners will be pushed (esp. against OU) by the bigger Latif Nurudeen and Desmon Chapman. This is still a young position...but the experience gained last season is so valuable to thier future success. Green will start all 12 (13?) games and push for SBC honors. Freshamn Kevin Ealey's athleticism has been sited numerous times and may push in mickel and dime situations

SO YOUNG, BUT A TON OF POTENTIAL

S - Roy Loren, Aaron Weathers - Weathers is ready to have a break through senior season and conjure images of Jonas Buckles in the minds of fans. Loren is healthy and will compliment Weathers well. Their biggest duties may not be covering all of their assignments...but occassionally covering the mistakes made by our corners. The SBC has all of a sudden become a pass oriented league so the DB's have added pressure.

SHOULD BE ONE OF THE BETTER DUOS IN THE SBC

Overall I think the O-line will be the key. Whoever is at Qb should be fine as long as they have the time. And I expect the D to be rock solid, hopefully the front 7 can put some pressure on the QB to help out our young d-backfield.

[Mean Green 93-98]

Figured I'd spark some discussion actually involving the team...and I'm bored out of my mind at work.

QB - Giovanni Vizza - this is essentially a new system for every qb involved except Vizza...Meager ran the spread 4 years ago...so who better than a player who is very familiar with the spread to introduce it. This is viewed as a transition and rebuilding season...getting Vizza exposed to D-1 football as a freshman can only make him more successfull as a Soph, Jr and Sr.

Have to disagree with you there. Even if Vizza looks like he is emerging as the starter, I don't think you throw him to the wolves like that. I think Woody gives us our best shot, not necessarily through the season, but against OU.

[KBJ]

Have to disagree with you there. Even if Vizza looks like he is emerging as the starter, I don't think you throw him to the wolves like that. I think Woody gives us our best shot, not necessarily through the season, but against OU.

Wilson comes out of spring ball the #4 QB and he is the best shot...........

[Mean Green 93-98]

Wilson comes out of spring ball the #4 QB and he is the best shot...........

The man completed 60% of his passes last year, has the best running ability, and played well against the tough OOC opponents last year. He was 5 of 6 with a TD in our season opener against UT last year (229.33 QB Rating). UT--as in Big 12 powerhouse, kind of like OU. So, yes, he is the best shot.

[H-towngreen]

Wilson comes out of spring ball the #4 QB and he is the best shot...........

I'm pretty sure he is #2 as of now

[NT80]

Let's see how the new recruits mix in and fare against the vets in the fall. I know Dodge recuited players who could play right away "if they had to" but that was before he had spring training and saw what he had to work with. He said basically the defense is the strength of the team, the punter is good, a couple receivers impressed him enough, and he likes Meager's consistency the best so far of the four qbs. I expect a couple freshman to make the travel squad but I'm thinking he'll redshirt as many as possible to still be competative in this transition year. Next year will be the show.

[Charlie NT 73]

Offense-Projected starters: I do not think anyone is a starter yet- I think Coach Dodge and his

staff will have multiple "starters" playing and rotating.

Center- I beleive Drake has taken over-Rose to RG but will back up, B. Glass--back up?

LG/GR--depth has delveloped, Rose, Venegas, Santiago, Bailey, Vetrans start- Rose/Venegas

maybe Banks can come back, Santiago and Bailey looked good though.

LT/RT--this spot worries me- Peachy,Menard,Carlson,Foster, starters-Peachy/Menard

I also see Venegas coming over as a backup, Carlson is a good OT back up also

Alexander--well, maybe he should hang it up, knee injury is nothing to chance!

WR's---I see C. Fitzgerald, B. Jackson, K Washington, B. Stickler, Sam Roberson

I think there could be another set or 2 of WR's-depends on what the defense gives up.

I see several new reruits playing or even to start-just have to wait and see.

Charley Brown, B. Seidle and V. Gill must be in the game somehow!

RB----If our O-line can move or slow down the defense, we spread out the defense-JT will

have a great year, CM is a real player too, I see him used in the passing game, and

D. Cox, will be used in several different sets-maybe KR's also.Starter, JT.

QB----Meager-job is his to lose- Vizza will have to out preform Meager completely, and Wilson-

I do not want a freshman QB out there. But- if he clearly leads the team- start him!

I will post my defense later-

[KBJ]

I'm pretty sure he is #2 as of now

Here is the way Todge played them at the spring game

1 meager

2 tune

3 phillips

4 wilson

[medpilot21]

You guys are really jumping the gun on this one. It is WAAAAYYYY to early to decide who starts next year. However, since we are doing it anyway... next years starting QB in not even a QB right now. Next year's starting QB is JONATHAN IEANS. He will emerge after fall practices as the MAN. Four years of experience, the height to see downfield, the quick-release Coach Dodge is looking for...I'm calling it right now. And his slogan..."6 foot 5, and a TD drive!" Then man is back and he is ready to dominate! Keep your Danny Meagers and Woody Wilsons... we're "FREEIN IEANS!!!"

Okay, calm down everyone. I haven't flipped out. I just find this topic funny every spring. Look at the discussions we have had even before the GMG Board. Hall versus Bridges, Hall versus Smith, Meager versus Phillips, Meager versus Wilson...etc. It seems like a tradition that we debate the QB thing long before fall practices ever start. I think the plain truth is Giovanni Vizza will be red-shirted and Danny Meager is on the clock for the 07 season. Frankly, Danny looked pretty good in the spring game. I think the spread offense is just right for him. If his throws to Fitzgerald and Fentriss are any example of what we can expect, I feel good about our chances in August. Are we going un-defeated and to the Rose Bowl...no. But we will be ten times better than last year, and certainly more un-predicable on offense.

I'll take this lineup for now..

QB - Meager

RB - Thomas

WR - B-Jax, Fitzgerald, Marcus King, and any one of the burners we just signed.

TE - yeah... right?

Lineman - Peachey, Rose, Drake, Banks, Menard. (I still think Nick Foster gets in there too)

It's going to be a long off-season.

GMG!!!

GMG!!!

[Censored by Laurie]

Oh...it is certainly too early to be engaging this conversation...but its much less asinine then debating whose touchdown ritual we're going to steal for next season...and as i mentioned...i was ohhhhh so bored.

I would prefer to see Vizza redshirted as well...its a nice concept to think we could have a guy learn the system for a season then be a cornerstone for 4 years (Colt McCoy)...however it seems the indication is that Vizza has been told to be ready to compete for the job as soon as he's on campus.

If it is a returnee at QB...give me Woody Wilson. He threw a nice ball in the spring game and has the added ability to run is something Todge has a hiastory of implimenting (Chase Daniel, Riley Dodge). I think he and Meager have the best shot of the returnees...Tune still needs a bit of time and Phillips is our Kyle Boller (not much past that big arm), and both these guys are true pocket guys. After his games against UT and SMU I felt Woody should've been named starter last season. A lot of his mistakes were the result of mentally looking over his shoulder at Meager and Phillips...he forced passes and tried to make too many plays b/c he felt a need to impress rather than just run an offense. The OL didn't help obviously...but with the new system that shouldn't be nearly the issue it was in a run oriented game. My knock of Wilson is game management...even in the hurry-up he had 2 delay calls in the spring game...I feels hes an instinct type player who has occassional mental lapses.

I think the most important thing is that we have a "starter" established after the Arkansas game (preferably earlier) and just trust the offense to him the rest of the way...barring injury or awful play. It isn't fair to a quarterback to be involved in a compition for his job all season. UT had QB controversy in spring ball last season...McCoy or Sneed...but they resolved it before the season and put their confidence behind Colt and he excelled. We have 5(really 3) guys who will be competing in the fall...so I'll expand the window a bit.

[ntmeangreen11]

I think that Colt Mahan will be beat out by Toby Nwigwe. The man is simply a maniac.

[Censored by Laurie]

I think that Colt Mahan will be beat out by Toby Nwigwe. The man is simply a maniac.

I like Nwigwe...but is he a middle or an outside linebacker? Also...you want your MLB to be your defensive play caller (Urlacher, Lewis). It was Mendoza's head that has made him successful. Mahan has the head and is a better athlete than Mendoza...Nwigwe is a beast...but does he have the head to run the defense? I think he's a great situational guy at this point...let him be a maniac on 3rd and 12 and tell him to go kill the guy with the lowest number on his chest...my fear is that on 1st and 10 or 2nd and 3 he over runs a play or misses an assignment.

[H-towngreen]

3 guys who really excite me with their athleticism are Nwigwe, Monroe, and Gilmore.

I'm not a fan of Mendoza, sorry.

We signed alot of lb's and Dl's last year, who are yall expecting to step up from that group? Sam osu-Heming??? Draylon Ross, can't even remember the rest