A Few Discouraging Things From Fans.

calvin · September 4, 2007

I have read quite a few posts where people have stated that DD left Dodge with nothing. Or how can you expect TD to win with DD's players or DD's recruiting was terrible. Well how do you think that makes the players feel ? I know the players read this board and if I was a player I would have to take that as a slap in the face, knowing that my own fans are ragging on me. This team is going to be made up of DD's players for at least a couple of years, so should we just write off the next 2 years ? Remember Briles came in immediately and won with someone elses players. Stocksdill at MTSU went to a bowl game with McCollum's players, Todd Graham at Rice went to a bowl game with Hatfield's players, so to me that is not a very good argument and to me is demeaning to the players that we have now.

pollock · September 5, 2007

I think part of that is due to the fact that everyone is high on Dodge right now. We blamed everything on Dickey before, and now we've replaced him with God's Gift to Offense. We got smoked worse (numerically) than we ever did under Dickey, so it must be the players, not the coach.

We'll see. If our defensive coordinator doesn't manage to make some game-time adjustments, we're in deep doodoo.

GrandGreen · September 5, 2007

I have read quite a few posts where people have stated that DD left Dodge with nothing. Or how can you expect TD to win with DD's players or DD's recruiting was terrible. Well how do you think that makes the players feel ? I know the players read this board and if I was a player I would have to take that as a slap in the face, knowing that my own fans are ragging on me. This team is going to be made up of DD's players for at least a couple of years, so should we just write off the next 2 years ? Remember Briles came in immediately and won with someone elses players. Stocksdill at MTSU went to a bowl game with McCollum's players, Todd Graham at Rice went to a bowl game with Hatfield's players, so to me that is not a very good argument and to me is demeaning to the players that we have now.

TD has stated repeatedly that the experienced defense is the strength of the team. No NT is not close to having OU level of athletes but Boise State was not either. There is enough talent here to compete in the Belt. NT coaching staff was schooled at OU especially on the defensive side of the ball. The offense looked about what most knowledgeable fans expected if not better, but the defense was far worse. No NT doesn't have the talent to play anywhere close to OU, but they are not nearly as bad they looked Saturday. NT's defense was one of the better ones in the Belt last year and they should be able to substantially improve above last year's level.

MeanGreenBuzz · September 5, 2007

I wouldn't say calling someone a DD player is a bad thing but what you do have to remember is that they may not be suited to the TD offense and defense and that is the problem.

PlummMeanGreen · September 5, 2007

I have read quite a few posts where people have stated that DD left Dodge with nothing. Or how can you expect TD to win with DD's players or DD's recruiting was terrible. Well how do you think that makes the players feel ? I know the players read this board and if I was a player I would have to take that as a slap in the face, knowing that my own fans are ragging on me. This team is going to be made up of DD's players for at least a couple of years, so should we just write off the next 2 years ? Remember Briles came in immediately and won with someone elses players. Stocksdill at MTSU went to a bowl game with McCollum's players, Todd Graham at Rice went to a bowl game with Hatfield's players, so to me that is not a very good argument and to me is demeaning to the players that we have now.

What sorta' bothers me the most is how so many are using one game, ie, the OU game as our new barometer for TDodge. OU has beaten Big 12 schools worse than our school's team.

I think what most are excited concerning TDodge has to do with long term and not quickie fixes and the full meal deal he brings to UNT such as: Positive thinker, positive comments on any radio broadcast he will most likely ever be on while he is in Denton; his knowledge (and acceptance) that he will need to be our point man with numerouos promotions and fund-raising activities that need his presence to be ultimately successful.

PLUS......... the fact that TDodge has been at the pinnacle of one of our Lone Star State's premium programs (UT) and was even its starting QB gives him a perspective that not even being what one of the FSN commentators called "the national HS coach of the year" for a couple of years would not give him. It also doesn't hurt that he did spend 2 years as our offensive coordinator and like the Mean Green Radio Network guys were saying back in the day: "Matt Simon initial successes had much to do with the coaching staff that had preceeded him along with the recruiting (including Mahr) that they had done.

You know, some out there get to plant the seed while others get to do the harvesting.

I supported Darrell Dickey for 6 of his 8 years in Denton, but it just came down to the worst loss in Fouts Field history (versus Tulsa) and that after a 4 year bowl run with what should have been some talent left-overs and then the loss at La Tech which became the icing on the cake that made this NT Ex feel we just needed a new direction. I don't like all that I said about DD during that 2 year span of time when things just seemed to be going even further south, but I think more now know how a whole bunch of us felt during those 2 years. This could have never been personal toward DD because (quite frankly) I only met the man on 2 occassions.

I feel as good about this program as I did Hayden Fry's football program (and direction) even after Oklahoma State had bombarded us to the tune of about 61 to 7. It's just that the upside looks so much better now than before. Just my .02...

Edited September 5, 2007 by PlummMeanGreen

UNTflyer · September 5, 2007

They are DD's players... in other words, they were recruited for a run-oriented offense. Haven't really seen much criticism of the players, but even if there were, SO WHAT???

They're football players, not pansies.

PHSCoach · September 5, 2007

They are DD's players... in other words, they were recruited for a run-oriented offense. Haven't really seen much criticism of the players, but even if there were, SO WHAT???
They're football players, not pansies.

This from a 35 year old that is still trying to get a Masters that fells he will make more than any of the players on the team. Sorry chump but there are kids that are working on their masters with two years to play. And others that pay more in taxes then you make as an IT manager.....

GreenTiger_OriginalAcct · September 5, 2007

I think it is more a mismatch of players to the system than an absence of talent. Someone else pointed out the other day that when TD took over he had 3 WRs and 5 TEs on the roster and his offense does not use TEs and relies on 4-5 WR sets. I think it speaks to the quality of the young men on this team that we can field an offense at all. It will be a learning process for all involved - especially us in the seats!

akriesman · September 5, 2007

This is a really tough situation. Personally, I try never to single out an individual player to criticize. IMHO, saying that DD's players are holding TD back is more of a generalization than anything. I would not expect any individual players to be offended by this. Certainly, there are some really good players that were recruited by DD and will excel in this new system.

GreenTiger_OriginalAcct · September 5, 2007

This from a 35 year old that is still trying to get a Masters that fells he will make more than any of the players on the team. Sorry chump but there are kids that are working on their masters with two years to play. And others that pay more in taxes then you make as an IT manager.....

Nevermind - not going to go there.

Edited September 5, 2007 by GreenTiger

stebo · September 5, 2007

Somebody's daddy is very protective. Cut the cord bud. DD's classes were some of the lowest ranked in the country AND they were recruited for an outdated style of ball that cannot win at the IA level anymore. Time to let fans be fans - and when teams lose, fans gripe. Nothing personal.

shaft · September 5, 2007

I thought the announcers summed it pretty well at the end of the 4th.

"If things were going the way they were suspose to, North Texas wouldn't have a new coach."

Or maybe we should just get tougher players. You know the type that don't get their feelings hurt by message boards.

PHSCoach · September 5, 2007

I agree with some of your points the style of ball DD played is out dated. But I can not agree on the on the level. Per Rivals 2003 was 72nd 2004 was 71st 2005 droped to 86th if I remember correctly. The class of 2007 was 100+. The players that are left are doing all they can to learn the new system and the 56 of them should not be ran into the ground by what should be fans of the team...........

akriesman · September 5, 2007

"You know the type that don't get their feelings hurt by message boards."

This is a good point. Unless your team has just won a championship, you will find negativity and criticism on any team's message board. I know of one NFL coach that tells his players to refrain from visiting message boards. But, I would not be surprised if every coach says this, including TD.

Green Mean · September 5, 2007

I have read quite a few posts where people have stated that DD left Dodge with nothing. Or how can you expect TD to win with DD's players or DD's recruiting was terrible. Well how do you think that makes the players feel ? I know the players read this board and if I was a player I would have to take that as a slap in the face, knowing that my own fans are ragging on me. This team is going to be made up of DD's players for at least a couple of years, so should we just write off the next 2 years ? Remember Briles came in immediately and won with someone elses players. Stocksdill at MTSU went to a bowl game with McCollum's players, Todd Graham at Rice went to a bowl game with Hatfield's players, so to me that is not a very good argument and to me is demeaning to the players that we have now.

I think when you are in the limelight like that you should expect criticism whether its good or bad....it depends what you make of it. If i'm a DD recruited player and come on this board to see comments like that, then I think I would surely want to do something about it and get some fire up under my arse. My goal then would be to work day and night to prove people wrong that I belong on the field with whoever I play with. These people are not 10 years old....they are 17-18+ years old that are probably used to quite a bit of spotlight.....something I all these players know about.

Edited September 5, 2007 by Green Mean

UNTflyer · September 5, 2007

Nevermind - not going to go there.

Really... I don't even know where that came from.

SUMG · September 5, 2007

This from a 35 year old that is still trying to get a Masters that fells he will make more than any of the players on the team. Sorry chump but there are kids that are working on their masters with two years to play. And others that pay more in taxes then you make as an IT manager.....

Hey PHS Coach.....if you're the parent of a player....I appreciate the fact that your kid plays for us.

But, what I know is: You parents are gone from the program as soon as Sonny graduates/flunks out/transfers.

And, I also know that good fans like UNT Flyer and others, will be here supporting my alma mater, long after you're gone.

So, lay off our alums...dude.

PlummMeanGreen · September 5, 2007

Hey PHS Coach.....if you're the parent of a player....I appreciate the fact that your kid plays for us.
But, what I know is: You parents are gone from the program as soon as Sonny graduates/flunks out/transfers.
And, I also know that good fans like UNT Flyer and others, will be here supporting my alma mater, long after you're gone.
So, lay off our alums...dude.

Yes, please do lay off our alums. We have all endured much. UNTFlyer and I don't always agree, but we're always..................MEAN GREEN!

You know, I know there will be a special place in heaven for Mean Green fans & it will be there where we put some whoop-arse on the OU's, USC's, Notre Dames, etc, etc, etc,

Hmmm? Interesting new signature I see you've created on your IBM dinosauer, SUMG.

Edited September 5, 2007 by PlummMeanGreen

FirefightnRick · September 5, 2007

SUMG, great avatar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rick

SUMG · September 5, 2007

SUMG, great avatar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rick

Rick....can't take credit for it. It was one of the ones that the great Smitty has over at meangreenworld.

Also, thanks to computer guru, John Denver....I can now post again....under my old handle.

Cooley · September 5, 2007

The facts are that many of our current players would not be playing D1 ball if it wasn't for Dickey. In less than 1 year, Dodge has attracted more interest from the area's top 100 than Dickey in the past 2-3 years.

I truly feel the kids gave a max effort against OU. Part of the problem (blowout) was the new offense that doesn't take time off the clock. Dickey ran up the middle 90% of the time and still got blown out outside the conference.

Dodge felt in the spring that he had no depth at corner. He then had to go out of state to find Roman at a Juco. I'm sure the plans were to not have the kid open up against Malcolm Kelly.

In private, Dodge has probably already told his assistants that much work is needed in recruiting. Obviously he won't publicly comment on what he inherited; as he still need the kids to battle with. The decision to turn this roster over has probably been made. The only question is: the Juco route or mostly high schoolers?

greenminer · September 5, 2007

The facts are that many of our current players would not be playing D1 ball if it wasn't for Dickey. In less than 1 year, Dodge has attracted more interest from the area's top 100 than Dickey in the past 2-3 years.
I truly feel the kids gave a max effort against OU. Part of the problem (blowout) was the new offense that doesn't take time off the clock. Dickey ran up the middle 90% of the time and still got blown out outside the conference.
Dodge felt in the spring that he had no depth at corner. He then had to go out of state to find Roman at a Juco. I'm sure the plans were to not have the kid open up against Malcolm Kelly.
In private, Dodge has probably already told his assistants that much work is needed in recruiting. Obviously he won't publicly comment on what he inherited; as he still need the kids to battle with. The decision to turn this roster over has probably been made.

Are you so sure? I vaguely recall the tone of this board at one point was "We actually get quite a few diamonds in the rough, but don't have a coach who develops them." We were quick to point the finger, torching the evil, singular presence who was responsible for blowing any chance of capitalizing on 4 NO Bowls. "He had lightning in a bottle!" someone once said. Then he just ran out of bolts.

Now we're avoiding the untouchable by blaming the cards that he was dealt.

UNTLifer · September 5, 2007

Haven't really seen much criticism of the players,

Really? The smoke from burning Evyn Roman at the stake must have gotten into your eyes. That young man commits to us this summer, moves here from California, faces one of the top WR's in the nation in his first game and he's being commented about as being our worse player ever to his hair makes him play bad.

UNTLifer · September 5, 2007

This from a 35 year old that is still trying to get a Masters that fells he will make more than any of the players on the team. Sorry chump but there are kids that are working on their masters with two years to play. And others that pay more in taxes then you make as an IT manager.....

Typical PHS Coach post

akriesman · September 5, 2007

Really? The smoke from burning Evyn Roman at the stake must have gotten into your eyes. That young man commits to us this summer, moves here from California, faces one of the top WR's in the nation in his first game and he's being commented about as being our worse player ever to his hair makes him play bad.

I know people were upset and looking for a scapegoat. But, I really have felt bad for the young man and hope he has not been reading the board. OU's receivers are going to make a lot of corners look bad this year.

I would not be surprised to see Roman turn into a fine corner for us this season.