Mean Green Feeling Good About Defense

[OldTimer]

Posted on Thu, Nov. 29, 2007 Mean Green feeling good about defense

By TROY PHILLIPS

Star-Telegram Staff Writer

DENTON -- North Texas didn't hesitate this season to move young offensive players to the forefront.

As the Mean Green heads into its final game and the off-season, much has happened in terms of developing new blood on defense.

Recruiting might not immediately address several areas of need. Despite struggling with consistency and big plays, UNT's defense will finish its first season of the Todd Dodge era showing improvement.

"It's encouraging," Dodge said. "There will be a handful coming back that got to play a lot this year. I'm optimistic with the kids we have redshirted and the backups who are coming back."

UNT knows what it has in returning players such as defensive linemen Joseph Miller, Eddrick Gilmore and Isaac Thomas, as well as cornerbacks Antoine Bush and Latif Nurudeen, safety Kartey Agbottah and linebacker Craig Robertson.

Those seven will be the core of UNT's defense next year, but younger talent could be the difference between another year of struggles or palpable progress.

This season, UNT redshirted junior safety Steve Warren, a former quarterback from Burleson who played the two previous seasons. Warren's move to linebacker next season could prove valuable.

True freshman safety Bron Hager, another redshirt, is also moving to linebacker, while freshman linebacker Marquis Sykes will move to defensive end. UNT also redshirted defensive lineman Draylen Ross, who has grown to 6-foot-4, 290 pounds.

Freshmen A.J. Penson and Sam Owusu-Hemeng gained valuable experience at linebacker and defensive end, and Dodge said he expects both to play larger roles in 2008.

"The cupboard's not going to be bare," Dodge said.

Closing the Orange Bowl

UNT (2-9) and Florida International (0-11) will bring the curtain down on the Orange Bowl as the 70-year-old venue's last college football game.

"I've grown up in this game and never been to the Orange Bowl," Todd Dodge said. "We'll be part of a trivia question someday when they ask who were the last teams to play there. They probably won't guess Florida International and North Texas."

FIU used the Orange Bowl this season while expanding its on-campus stadium, which will re-open in 2008.

Briefly

UNT's announced 5,027 fans Saturday was the third-smallest crowd in the Bowl Subdivision this season, behind Bowling Green at Eastern Michigan (4,304) and Buffalo at Kent State (2,687).

Senior defensive end Jeremiah Chapman was named Sun Belt defensive player of the week after making 16 tackles and forcing two fumbles against Western Kentucky.

UNT FOOTBALL VS. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 6 P.M. SATURDAY, ORANGE BOWL, MIAMI, FLA.

Troy Phillips, 817-390-7760

tphillips@star-telegram.com

[SilverEagle]

Well, that explains why I never saw Warren, Ross or Sykes out on the field. I remember commenting weeks ago that Ross looked every bit of his listed size of 6'3" X 280.

Was Warren still recovering from some nagging injury? Is that why he was redshirted this year? I remember that he had a few concussions last year.

[jperg2]

UNT also redshirted defensive lineman Draylen Ross, who has grown to 6-foot-4, 290 pounds.

Draylen Ross is a nephew of a fellow co-worker. I believe he told me in an earlier converstation that Draylen was a TE previously. I wonder if he'll be used as a possible TE going forward, or if he'll continue to play on D.

[Mad Hatter]

Draylen Ross is a nephew of a fellow co-worker. I believe he told me in an earlier converstation that Draylen was a TE previously. I wonder if he'll be used as a possible TE going forward, or if he'll continue to play on D.

I think he played Defense in High School but DD moved him to Tight End. I like 6'4" 290 for a DE. Hope he's still quick.

[Legend500]

"The cupboard's not going to be bare," Dodge said.

So Dodge seems to confirm that DD left the cupboard empty. Hopefully this is confirmation that the problems on the D-side were talent-based and not coach-based, as Dodge seems keen on keeping Mendoza. FIU will give some indication.

[Charlie NT 73]

Coach Dodge will keep the staff together. I like this concept, even with the problems

on defense and special teams. I do believe the last 2 years ending up 5-18 has caught

up with the team, while at the same time Coach Dodge and the staff walked into a team

that was in need of direction and leadership, and needing alot of pieces of the puzzle.

I do believe Coach Dodge and his staff reconized the weakiness but had to do the best

they could with the current players. These players have given their very best too, gaining

valuable experience. Coach Dodge is looking to the future, by red shirting key players,

and recruiting the players he needs. North Texas suffered this year, so the pay off later

on will be so good, we will forget this season, and mark the season as a learning year.

Draylan Ross, keeps geting bigger and stronger. Wow, 6-4, 290. I would be going nuts

if NT were recruiting a DT like this! Marquis Sykes, is another player that will get bigger

also, and is a speed guy for DE, same for Sam Owusu-Hermg, a true speed DE.

Steve Warren, I always thought he should be a LB. I like this move.

Jordan Scoggins, was a TE in high school, DCTF top 300, and top 20 TE. Arrived at

NT about 6-1, 275. Looks strong as a bull already. With this year and next years off

season work outs, I bet he hits 300-310 easily by next fall.

Hey you know what. The defense is lgetting better and better every day!

Edited November 29, 2007 by charlie nt73

[SilverEagle]

I think he played Defense in High School but DD moved him to Tight End. I like 6'4" 290 for a DE. Hope he's still quick.

I think we have more than enough DE's. At 6'4" X 290lbs, and if he's even close to being as fast and quick as he was when he arrived, Mr. Ross could be the second coming of Joe Greene.

[yyz28]

Mendoza will not be fired, but will not be the DC in 2008 either. Mark it down.

[GreenMachine]

what has happened to LB Colt Mahan? Wasn't he one of our top tacklers last year?

[adman]

what has happened to LB Colt Mahan? Wasn't he one of our top tacklers last year?

Season ending shoulder injury that required surgery. I've not heard but expect he will be back next season.

[FirefightnRick]

This season, UNT redshirted junior safety Steve Warren, a former quarterback from Burleson who played the two previous seasons. Warren's move to linebacker next season could prove valuable.

This is wonderful news to me and I am excited we have him for 2 more years. IF you will recall he loves hitting which was evident when he knocked himself out making a tackle and suffereing a concussion against La Tech that forced him to sit for the LSU game back in '05. In High School running a triple optoin offense Warren was the Offensive MVP of district 4-5A and ran for 10 touchdowns and just short of a 1,000 yards his senior year. That spring he clocked a 10.7 100 meter dash for his track team and to me last year he didn't look like he had lost much of that speed after bulking up a bit. If he's able to continue to gain speed that's a very fast linebacker.

And I want to again give props to Coach Mendoza and his staff for hanging in during the tough times. To me it defines more of who you are and shows to the quality of your character not for how you handle situations leading up to adversity but how you handle it afterwards, or how you respond for the future and these men deserve a huge thank you from all of us for continueing to improve this defense. Coach's Mendoza, Lacroix, Peterson, Rausch, Drake and Vestal have my complete confidence and support for next year. It's exciting and we have a lot to look forward to.

Rick

[GrandGreen]

So Ross and Warren were redshirted, that is good news. There is some talent returning but don't overlook that the defense is losing the bulk of its players from a very bad defensive team. An one point victory over a transitional team does not mean the defense is anywhere near where it needs to be.

Whether the main issue with the defense is talent or coaching; losing half of the defensive starters including in my opinion the three best in Chapman, Weathers, and Holman is going to be tough. I believe that Gilmore and Robertson have star quality, but there are a lot of questions about most of the defense. Redshirts should help on the defensive side but these players are all unproven at this this time.

It appears these players are defensive redshirts

DT Scoggins Fr

DT Ross So

DE Russo Fr

LB Padron Fr

LB Davis Fr

LB Warren Jr

LB Hager Fr (maybe grayshirt)

DB Garden So

[Mean Green 93-98]

And I want to again give props to Coach Mendoza and his staff for hanging in during the tough times. To me it defines more of who you are and shows to the quality of your character not for how you handle situations leading up to adversity but how you handle it afterwards, or how you respond for the future and these men deserve a huge thank you from all of us for continueing to improve this defense. Coach's Mendoza, Lacroix, Peterson, Rausch, Drake and Vestal have my complete confidence and support for next year. It's exciting and we have a lot to look forward to.

Very well said. I whole-heartedly second that.

[H-towngreen]

This season, UNT redshirted junior safety Steve Warren, a former quarterback from Burleson who played the two previous seasons. Warren's move to linebacker next season could prove valuable.

True freshman safety Bron Hager, another redshirt, is also moving to linebacker, while freshman linebacker Marquis Sykes will move to defensive end. UNT also redshirted defensive lineman Draylen Ross, who has grown to 6-foot-4, 290 pounds.

Freshmen A.J. Penson and Sam Owusu-Hemeng gained valuable experience at linebacker and defensive end, and Dodge said he expects both to play larger roles in 2008.

LB seemed to be one of our deepest and best positions the last several years. Now there seem to be a few question marks there. One thing is for sure, we have young talent there. Although Warren to lb seems like a good move.

Sykes is a person to keep an eye on, as is Ross. I was very excited when we signed this kid. We heard that he had the frame to add alot of weight, and that he did. I watched him during the spring game and was impressed.

[pollock]

I can't believe what I'm reading.

Two propaganda articles about how TD and/or the team "feel good" about defensive "progress" and some people are already prepared to welcome our DC back for next year.

Ugh. Here's hoping the offense can average 50 points a game next year instead of 30. Maybe we can win 4 games that way.

[yyz28]

...and some people are already prepared to welcome our DC back for next year.

DON'T PRESS IT!!! Mendoza will not be DC next season, I still have faith...

[H-towngreen]

Does anyone else seem to think that we should have a good D-Tackle rotation next year. Jonathen Stewart, Ike Thomas, Joesph Miller, Draylen Ross, Jordan Scroggins, Jesse DeSotto. I think that we are set at this position for the next several years, especially when you add Troy Franklin this years DL recruit. A good defense starts up front and we are well on are way.

Edited November 29, 2007 by H-towngreen

[hickoryhouse]

Not panic button so much as it is cook-aid drinking. If you are right and he is not DC next year that is fantastic. but it seems to me that there has been no indication that he would not be here much less that he would change rolls on the the coaching staff. Honestly the way our defense has performed this year is laudable and almost embarrassing. The kids played their hearts out and that was obvious to anyone that wanted to watch, but the coaching did no justice to the effort they were putting out there.

[yyz28]

Not panic button so much as it is cook-aid drinking. If you are right and he is not DC next year that is fantastic. but it seems to me that there has been no indication that he would not be here much less that he would change rolls on the the coaching staff. Honestly the way our defense has performed this year is laudable and almost embarrassing. The kids played their hearts out and that was obvious to anyone that wanted to watch, but the coaching did no justice to the effort they were putting out there.

I've heard indications otherwise. Not first person, but from some reliable sources. Who knows, I could be wrong... ...but the lack of a public annoucnement before the season is over shouldn't be surprising even if a change is coming... ...IMHO.

[PlummMeanGreen]

I think we have more than enough DE's. At 6'4" X 290lbs, and if he's even close to being as fast and quick as he was when he arrived, Mr. Ross could be the second coming of Joe Greene.

2'nd Coming of Joe Greene? Hmmm? Sounds good to me...

[H-towngreen]

I've heard indications otherwise. Not first person, but from some reliable sources. Who knows, I could be wrong... ...but the lack of a public annoucnement before the season is over shouldn't be surprising even if a change is coming... ...IMHO.

details please......

[yyz28]

details please......

I don't have enough details to pass on. I just know that guy A told guy B, called guy B's sister who then told my cat, who in turn told me via a translator that some player's parents have said some unspecific things that might indicate Mendoza won't get fired but won't be the DC next year. You can take that for what it's worth... $.02

[H-towngreen]

I wouldn't have a problem moving Mendoza to say lb's coach so that we could hire another DC.

[meangreanmick]

I don't have enough details to pass on. I just know that guy A told guy B, called guy B's sister who then told my cat, who in turn told me via a translator that some player's parents have said some unspecific things that might indicate Mendoza won't get fired but won't be the DC next year. You can take that for what it's worth... $.02

I know an old lady who swallowed a fly. She did not say why she swallowed a fly, nor did she say anything about Mendoza being or not being our DC next year.

[hickoryhouse]

Mendoza has to have something good going for him otherwise Dodge wouldn't have brought him here. Maybe he, like say a rookeie QB in the NFL, needs to ride the pine for a bit before jumping into the starter, or DC, role? Mendoza probably has a good amount of talent and intelilgence in regards to defensive football, the problem is that I think he is over his head and it is really showing with our defense this year. Put him as a LB or D line coach and let him learn under someone who has played to college game before.