A Whole New Era

MeanGreen61 · August 6, 2007

A whole new era

UNT returns to practice to start Dodge's reign

10:37 PM CDT on Sunday, August 5, 2007

By Brett Vito/Staff Writer

North Texas junior quarterback Daniel Meager can sense a difference in the atmosphere surrounding the Mean Green as it heads into the beginning of fall practice today.

A sense of uncertainty that lingered during spring workouts just a few months ago has been replaced by a quiet confidence, one that comes with a better understanding of what the Mean Green is trying to accomplish under new head coach Todd Dodge.

Meager was one of 105 players, including the Mean Green's entire 2007 recruiting class, who reported Sunday for the beginning of practice at 3:30 p.m. today at the Mean Green Athletic Center.

"Everyone is really confident," Meager said. "We had good workouts this summer. We feel good about ourselves and want to get the ball rolling."

In UNT's case, flying might be a more accurate description.

The Mean Green spent spring practice adapting to Dodge's spread offense after spending nine years in a run-based attack under former UNT head coach Darrell Dickey. There were a few bumps along the road after the change, ones the Mean Green believes will be less frequent now that it has experience in the system.

"We are really comfortable now," senior wide receiver Brandon Jackson said. "Spring was about learning the offense. Now, with two-a-days starting, we are going to be working on improving and getting ready for [Oklahoma]."

UNT will open the season Sept. 1 against the Sooners in Norman, Okla.

Perhaps the biggest challenge the Mean Green will face before its opener is finding a comfort zone on offense. UNT is rebuilding its offensive line and its wide receiver corps after last season.

Jackson caught 17 passes for 188 yards and is UNT's only returning receiver who caught more than 10 passes last season.

UNT could also start several young players on its offensive line, including redshirt freshman Matt Menard and sophomore Robert Peachey at the tackle spots.

Featuring so many young players on offense will be both UNT's biggest problem this season and its most important asset in terms of the future of the program.

"Offensively we have a bunch of young talent," Dodge said. "The majority of those players are going to be back next season, so it won't be like we are going to spend three months teaching a new offense and then they are all going to be gone. It's a good scenario for us."

Several of UNT's young players have spent the summer in Denton to prepare for the season. The extra time the Mean Green's young offensive players have spent together has helped them become more familiar with each other and Dodge's system.

"Like coach Dodge always says, we are speaking the same language now," Meager said. "We know what to expect and what is going on."

UNT officially began the buildup to the season on Saturday night with the Mean Green Kickoff Cookout. School officials unveiled the team's new jerseys at the event and spoke about the upcoming season.

A crowd of 600 fans attended the event.

Seeing so many of its supporters out only made UNT's players more excited for the opening of fall workouts today.

"We are always excited to start two-a-days," Jackson said. "But now that we have all these people coming to the Kickoff Cookout, it makes us even more excited."

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

UNT practice primer

North Texas will open fall practice under Todd Dodge for the first time today at the Mean Green Athletic Center. The following is a rundown of some of the issues UNT must address:

Key question: Is Meager the man?

Junior Daniel Meager came out of spring practice as UNT's starting quarterback, but he will have to hang onto the job in what should be a competitive fall practice. Matt Phillips and Nathan Tune are just two of the other players competing for the job. Highly regarded recruit Giovanni Vizza will also have a chance to show what he can do.

Position battle: Linebacker

UNT is loaded with experienced linebackers and there will be fewer positions up for grabs with the Mean Green moving back into the 4-3 defense after spending last season in the 3-4. All-Sun Belt Conference linebacker Maurice Holman, Brandon Monroe and Derek Mendoza are slated to start, but will be pushed by Tobe Nwigwe, Colt Mahan and Craig Robertson.

Player to watch: Jamario Thomas

UNT depended largely on the talents of a string of standout running backs to power its offense in previous seasons, including Jamario Thomas. The former national rushing champion won't have to carry as heavy a load this season, but it would help UNT if the senior can overcome a history of injuries and be the game-breaker he was earlier in his career.

Key to success: Adapting to the system

UNT will finish going from one end of the spectrum to the other this fall when it completes installing a new spread offense that will rely on a passing attack to replace its old power running game. The Mean Green made progress in spring practice, but must finish the task this fall.

Strength to develop: Defense

Since he arrived at UNT, Dodge has raved about the talent he has to work with on defense, especially in the Mean Green's front seven. UNT has three preseason all-conference selections on defense: Holman, defensive end Jeremiah Chapman and safety Aaron Weathers. How those players adapt to playing in a new 4-3 alignment will be key for the Mean Green, especially early in the season while the team's offense is finding its way.

Area of concern: Offensive line

UNT will open practice with a redshirt freshman and two sophomores scheduled to start on an offensive line that is expected to protect a quarterback in a passing offense. Spencer Leftwich returns for a second stint at UNT and will be in charge of finding a way to quickly develop a young group.

UNT practice schedule

August

6 -- 3:30 p.m. (helmets)

7 -- 3:30 p.m. (helmets)

8 -- 3:30 p.m. (shells)

9 -- 3:30 p.m. (shells)

10 -- 3:30 p.m. (full pads)

11 -- 10 a.m. (scrimmage at Fouts Field)

12 -- Off

13 -- 9:30 a.m. (full pads)

14 -- 8:45 a.m. (full pads); 3:30 p.m. (full pads)

15 -- 9 a.m. (full pads)