E S P N Breaking Down The Sun Belt

MeanGreen61 · May 23, 2007

Breaking down the Sun Belt

By Adam Rittenberg

Special to ESPN.com

Updated: May 23, 2007

Can Omar Haugabook lead Troy to a Sun Belt title? Will FIU turn around its losing ways? Can Todd Dodge spark North Texas? Will Louisiana-Monroe find the linebackers it needs? Take a look at what Sun Belt questions were answered this spring and what problems linger heading into the fall.

North Texas Mean Green

Returning starters

Offense: 5, Defense: 10, Kicker/punter: 1

Spring answers:

1. Meager takes the lead: North Texas' convoluted quarterback picture began to clear up a bit at the end of spring practice. Junior quarterback Daniel Meager threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns in the spring game, outshining Nathan Tune, Matt Phillips and Woody Wilson. Meager started five straight games last season before being benched. Though the starting job remains open, Meager could be closing to claiming it. "It's very obvious that Daniel has had the most consistent spring," coach Todd Dodge told the Denton Record-Chronicle. "The other three had some times when they have really shown, but [the competition] will definitely go into the fall."

2. Quite a catch: Walk-on Casey Fitzgerald made a strong case to join the wide receiver rotation this spring. Fitzgerald had four receptions for 166 yards in the spring game, hauling in touchdowns of 85 and 72 yards. His performance could earn him a scholarship, not to mention increased playing time this fall. "He has been very consistent," Dodge told the Record-Chronicle. "He made plays on Day 1 and plays on Day 15."

3. Line steps up: What looked like a major concern for North Texas at the start of the spring blossomed as practice progressed. The Mean Green offensive line stepped up in the spring game, allowing only one sack. Chad Rose, the only lineman with starting experience, moved from center to guard, but newcomers like Kelvin Drake and Esteban Santiago stepped up. Santiago moved from defensive tackle to guard during spring ball. "I am really happy with their toughness," Dodge told the Record-Chronicle. "It showed that they are a lot more experienced than they were at the beginning of spring just 15 practices ago."

Fall questions:

1. Cornerback production: North Texas is solid at safety, boasting two-time leading tackler Aaron Weathers, but the secondary could hinge on the cornerback play this fall. Returning starters Antoine Bush and Dominique Green will compete with Desmon Chatman this summer. Baylor transfer Latif Nurudeen had a superb spring and will challenge for a starting spot. Dodge also hinted that he might try to add a junior-college cornerback.

2. Receiver rotation: Wide receiver remains the most intriguing position entering camp, as North Texas tries to replace superstar Johnny Quinn. Several players stepped up in spring practice, including Fitzgerald, and six highly touted freshmen will join the mix this fall. Quinn caught 40 more passes than any other Mean Green receiver last year.

3. Running man: Jamario Thomas turned in a strong spring, the result of improved conditioning and no injuries. But after gaining only one yard in the spring game, the senior running back needs to see continued progress this summer.

SUN BELT

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2879478

Charlie NT 73 · May 23, 2007

Nothing new here, looks like the author copied other stories-

JT --only one yard in spring game? I think JT only carried the ball 2 times in the game, then

was held out.

Newcomer- Jordan Scroggins- heck- he is still in HS. I can name several others that should have

the honor.

Cornerbacks- I thought this was a strong point of the Defense.

Just another blah report on NT.

MeanGreenBuzz · May 23, 2007

Nothing new here, looks like the author copied other stories-
JT --only one yard in spring game? I think JT only carried the ball 2 times in the game, then
was held out.
Newcomer- Jordan Scroggins- heck- he is still in HS. I can name several others that should have
the honor.
Cornerbacks- I thought this was a strong point of the Defense.
Just another blah report on NT.

I would say the top newcomer would be Breece Johnson. I think he has the biggest potential impact coming into next season on the offensive side of the ball and Latif Nurudeen on the defensive side of the ball.