Vito Blog; Tuesday Practice Notes

[NT80]

August 14, 2007

Practice news, observations

Add sophomore defensive lineman Draylen Ross to the list of players who have missed the last several days of practice. Ross has not worked out with the Mean Green this fall, but did stop by practice Tuesday along with defensive Eddrick Gilmore and offensive lineman Ajani Banks.

All three have missed all of fall workouts.

The list of linemen UNT has lost or seen miss significant time this fall is getting pretty long -- Josh Alexander and Nick Foster are also among those who are gone for one reason or another. Needless to say all the losses are going to contribute to some depth problems this season. UNT isn't going to be able to afford many injuries on either its offensive or defensive lines.

In other news and random observations:

Safety Aaron Weathers has been one of UNT's best defensive backs in single coverage during drills. UNT's receivers have generally had the upper hand until they run into the senior.

Redshirt freshman linebacker Craig Robertson intercepted a pass in team drills and continues to be impressive. UNT's old coaching staff was high on Robertson. UNT's new staff appears to have the same opinion.

Freshman wide receiver Marcus King was injured at the end of practice after catching a pass in the back of the end zone and falling awkwardly to the grass. He was helped off the field.

Running back Deavin Cox was back in pads and looked good in practice Tuesday. ... Steve Warren wore shorts and was limited. ... Quarterbacks Giovanni Vizza and Daniel Meager jumped in line with the Mean Green's receivers and both caught touchdown passes in goal line drills. I guess a little fun never hurt anyone. ... Vizza threw consecutive perfect passes into a basket during a drill that requires quarterbacks to loft a fade pass over a vertical net and into the target. ... Wide receiver B.J. Lewis made a couple of nice catches in goal line drills. ... Wide receiver Korey Washington continued his quick comeback from missing several days of practice by making a couple of impressive catches. ... Freshman wide receiver Sam Dibrell made a nice catch in drills. ... Brandon Jackson caught a deep ball and scored from about 50 yards out. ... Meager and Vizza both led UNT's offense to touchdowns in 11-on-11 drills. ... Kartey Agbottah showed his agility on a leaping interception while playing against the scout team offense. ... Antoine Bush, Evyn Roman and Casey Fitzgerald all saw time on UNT's kickoff return team. ... Charlie Brown made a few nice plays at defensive end, his new spot after moving from tight end.

[untbowler]

So what is the deal with Gilmore, Banks, Wilson and Ross? Are they in or out? I am thinking that grades were due yesterday or Monday.

Also nice to see some pub for C. Brown and hope he does well at his new position.

Edited August 15, 2007 by untbowler

[mean green d]

Yeah, I would like to know if Ross, Banks and all are still on the team? Vito left us hanging.

[Mad Hatter]

Yeah, I would like to know if Ross, Banks and all are still on the team? Vito left us hanging.

My Mother-In-Law is a teacher at Draylen's High School in Fort Worth. She was asking me this past weekend if I had heard anything about him from the practices. I told her I hadn't and now I know why. I'd also like to know if he's still with the team, or are he and Gilmore waiting to see what kind of grades they made in Summer School?

[MeanGreenPOP]

Charlie Brown made a few nice plays at defensive end, his new spot after moving from tight end.

Woooooohoooooooo!

[NTPhiKap99]

I am thinking that grades were due yesterday or Monday.

Grade did post yesterday so anyone out for academics could be coming back. But I haven’t heard anything about anyone regaining eligibility yet.

[H-towngreen]

What is going on with all these players missing practice so far??? These are some key components to the team that are M.I.A. When can we expect to see if these guys are gonna make it back? We can't afford to be missing people of the lines as depth is a big concern.

Edited August 15, 2007 by H-towngreen