August Practice

Dodge2007 · July 31, 2008

What intrigues the local MGN?

I personally look forward to the Deloach factor, and how he gets all these new bodies to play as one unit. Look forward to all his schemes and how he plans on using (if any) incoming freshman and existing personnel.

What position battles do you expect going down to the wire?

The obvious position is the DE position. But I believe the entire secondary is wide open, except for maybe Antoine Bush.

The RB position with the addition of Dunbar should be interesting. Can he take the college pounding and can he pass block?

Moseley has to be the favorite going in.

Safe positions on offense are Casey, Dibrell, Stickler, Vizza and Drake. (to at least start the season) But you never know, starting in September doesn't mean much in a rebuilding program. Roberson, Rucker and Fentriss should be a great competition along with BJ Lewis.

Most likely freshman to see action, DaWaylon Cook, Lance Dunbar, Darien Williams and Forrest Rucker.

Look forward to your takes.

BIG DAWG · July 31, 2008

Freshman most likely to play...possibly start..>Royce Hill - CB

Zeke · July 31, 2008

Any practice schedule available yet?

UNTLifer · July 31, 2008

Freshman most likely to play?

Hill, Franklin or Brigham

greenminer · July 31, 2008

I am scared sh1tl3ss for our D-Line. A little bit less so for the O-line.

I love our skill positions on both sides, but worry that they will be running for their lives.

July 31, 2008

I think that it depends on your definition of "play." If you mean at a position, maybe only a couple or so but if you mean on special teams, especially the coverage teams, then I think that there could be six to eight.

This class possesses a lot of speed. Hamilton, Cook, Hill, Akpunku, Brigham, Shorter and Williams are all reputed to be in the 4.5 forty range and are experienced at making open field tackles. They would be naturals for the coverage teams, which struggled last year. Also Dunbar can fly and would make a nice complement to Jamel Jackson returning kickoffs.

As to position players, I think that Franklin and Cantly stand a good chance of playing, to provide some experience for 2009.

SUMG · July 31, 2008

I think that it depends on your definition of "play." If you mean at a position, maybe only a couple or so but if you mean on special teams, especially the coverage teams, then I think that there could be six to eight.
This class possesses a lot of speed. Hamilton, Cook, Hill, Akpunku, Brigham, Shorter and Williams are all reputed to be in the 4.5 forty range and are experienced at making open field tackles. They would be naturals for the coverage teams, which struggled last year. Also Dunbar can fly and would make a nice complement to Jamel Jackson returning kickoffs.
As to position players, I think that Franklin and Cantly stand a good chance of playing, to provide some experience for 2009.

I think Cantly may be a good candidate for being redshirted....since I think he (right now) is a bit of a project. I think his upside is very high; but as I recall he hasn't played that many years of high school football.

I think of the freshmen D linemen...Joe Hawthorne may be a little ahead of Cantly.....as far as skills go. But Cantly definitely has the edge in size (291 versus 250).

I'll also be interested in seeing if the juco o-linemen (Hollivay, Jenkins) can crack the starting o line. Also, can Tomlinson and Kaiser (now in their second years) contribute. Finally, my favorite lineman (on film) last February was Coleman Feeley. I think he's gonna be awesome.

Edited July 31, 2008 by SUMG

UNTLifer · July 31, 2008

Finally, my favorite lineman (on film) last February was Coleman Feeley. I think he's gonna be awesome.

Did you see Feeley play in the Bayou Bowl? Very impressive.

ntsumck · July 31, 2008

I am ready for DodgeBall to get some big lineman. Our line looks like a JV in size against most teams.

Green59 · July 31, 2008

I am ready for DodgeBall to get some big lineman. Our line looks like a JV in size against most teams.

I don't think we look like a "JV" line with the following possible starting Offensive Line...

Nate Jenkins 6'4" 335 lbs

Esteban Santiago 6'5" 302 lbs

Kelvin Drake 6'2" 300 lbs

Gabe Hollivay 6'3" 320 lbs

Matt Menard 6'5" 275 lbs

KRAM1 · July 31, 2008

I agree that the positions to watch the development of this season will be our OL and DL. I think we could develop into a pretty good OL and DL group, but we definitely need help. I still think we are "thin" in numbers on both sides of the ball in the line, and if the "injury bug" hits UNT skill players could be "running for their lives".

I think both Dodge and DeLoach are quite capable of working around this challenge and getting more than many would think possible from this group. I think they have some potential to "surprise" a bunch of folks at how good they really are. I hope I'm right, you better hope so to you MEAN GREEN NATION fan folks!

Charlie NT 73 · July 31, 2008

What intrigues the MGN, regarding going into fall practice?

Can Gary DeLoach turn around the defense, and the DL?

I say yes he can. He knows the players and how they preform.

Will there be any new JUCO's? No, the staff will play the guys we have.

There are quality defensive players, veterans and new recruits that will

make a difference. Joesph Miller will be the starting point at DT. Mack Cole

at DE? Maybe. Will charlie Brown slide over from DT back to DE? I hope so.

NT, Ike Thomas, I question his health. Drayland Ross is huge, and can be

considered a strong candidate at NG or DT. Stewart, only played sparingly LY.

Cantley, still too young, needs seasoning. Hawthorne, looks more like a DE

right now. How about McMillan, the walk on from Aledo? There is recruit Troy

Franklin, who has been working out, reported to be 6-5, 300+. Played DT in HS.

This guy is a stud, but was recruited to play OT. I think he ends up at DT, and will

play alot this season. LB's will be set with Robertson, Nweigwe, and Penson, and real

quality back up's. The secondary will be loaded with talent-too many battles to

note here. Developing the secondary will be fun to watch. Along with the defense,

special teams will be my next focus. LY, the two blocked punts by FAU cost us a big

win. Please teach the line assignements! KO's were handled by Micah Mosely LY. I do

not want my starting RB handling KO's. Transfer Jamel Jackson lit up spring ball with

his punt and KO return skills. How about Lance Dunbar, Royce Hill or John Shorter

having a try handling kicks.

Yes there are questions to be answered. I have a very good feeling the coaches

already have the answers, with the players we have on the roster now!

Edited July 31, 2008 by charlie nt73

Harry · July 31, 2008

I agree with GrayEagle I look for special teams to improve vastly this season!

GrandGreen · July 31, 2008

What intrigues the local MGN?
The success of the team will rely on whether Deloach can cobble together an at least average Belt defense. I thought he had a good chance of success until both presumptive started de's were lost. There is absolutely no significant experience at defensive end and frankly not any outstanding prospects.
Although the offense has a lot of starters returning, I think every position is up for grabs except Fitzgerald at WR, and Drake at center. QB, I think will be a battle between Dodge and Vizza. Vizza had a great freshman year but he will be battling a legit Prarade AA. Mosely has the edge at RB but we have not seen a healthy Montgomery. The other WR's positions will be a battle between Fentress, Johnson, Dibrell, Roberson and Stickler. Likewise the other offensive linemen will be a battle between JUCOS Hollovay and Jenkins, and returning lettermen: Rose, Bailey, Santiago and Menard.
On the defensive side, I think the LB positions are solidified and Miller will be one of the defensive tackles. Other positions IMO are yet to be decided.
The Defensive end positions is wide open. I will guess it will be Davenport and Owussu-Hemeng but just as easily could be Cole, Sykes or Brown. Thomas is the most likely starter at the other dt, but with his health issues; he could be replaced with Stewart or Desoto
There is so such incoming talent coming into to the secondary, there is going to be competition at every position. Bush although a two year starter may well be replaced with competition from juco Adams and a very talented trio of high school players; Cooks, Hill, and Hamiiton. At safety, I believe returning starter Abogottah (sp) will be replaced and the two new starters will come from a goup of JUCO Hill, RS Garden and HS Williams.
A number poor Senior and Junior class plus a lower number of ship players will afford a lot of opportunities for true freshmen to play. My guess is that Dodge, Dunbar, Brigman, Hamilton, Cooks, Hill, Shorter and Williams will all play. The offensive linemen will all redshirt, Franklin may play if he can make it on the defensive side. Mathis rb, Barrett, Taylor and Rucker wrs will redshirt because of numbers ahead of them. I look for Phillips to redshirt much like Hager and resurface as a linebacker. I think defensive lineman despite NT being thin at those positions to redshirt.
Look forward to your takes.

Cr1028 · July 31, 2008

Joesph Miller will be the starting point at DT. Mack Cole
at DE? Maybe. Will charlie Brown slide over from DT back to DE? I hope so.
NT, Ike Thomas, I question his health. Drayland Ross is huge, and can be
considered a strong candidate at NG or DT. Stewart, only played sparingly LY.
Cantley, still too young, needs seasoning. Hawthorne, looks more like a DE
right now. How about McMillan, the walk on from Aledo? There is recruit Troy
Franklin, who has been working out, reported to be 6-5, 300+. Played DT in HS.
This guy is a stud, but was recruited to play OT. I think he ends up at DT, and will
play alot this season.

Don't forget about Scroggins and Desoto either.

Cr1028 · July 31, 2008

I look for Phillips to redshirt much like Hager and resurface as a linebacker.

As in Matt Phillips? :huh:

El Paso Eagle · July 31, 2008

Am I the only one who thinks it will be hard to keep Riley off the field (in some position)?

greenminer · July 31, 2008

Am I the only one who thinks it will be hard to keep Riley off the field (in some position)?

He might be worthy of a spot on the field, but that would negate the reason he came here.

UNT Mean Green · July 31, 2008

FYI, Troy Franklin is not 300 lbs. More like 260 or so.

Think we need to redshirt Riley in order to spread that gap of time out between him and Giovanni. However, if Giovanni goes down early in the year, pull the redshirt off of Riley and play him. Did anyone else find it interesting (slightly) that Riley was the QB in the THSCA All-Star game for the North squad, and he was playing against the South squad coached by David Byrd who was Giovanni Vizza (and Sam Dibbrell's) high school coach at SA Alamo Heights?

Edited July 31, 2008 by UNT Mean Green

UNTLifer · July 31, 2008

Am I the only one who thinks it will be hard to keep Riley off the field (in some position)?

I understand your line of thinking, but I don't think it will happen. Why? This isn't HS and Rodge is here to be a quarterback. I just don't see Todge risking injury to our future QB. Plus, our young talent at WR and DB is impressive, the two areas he could possibly play.

Charlie NT 73 · July 31, 2008

Heck, I did forget about Scoggins and Desoto!

Both of these guys have completed a full year or

weight training, so they both should be pushing

290 or even 300. Desoto was described as a

dominate player by DCTF, so is this his year

to break out? Scoggins looks like a street brawler

that can handle himself. Will he prove he is

worthy to be a college NG? Geez, I think the

DL will have some major suprise players

this season!

forevereagle · July 31, 2008

Heck, I did forget about Scoggins and Desoto!
Both of these guys have completed a full year or
weight training, so they both should be pushing
290 or even 300. Desoto was described as a
dominate player by DCTF, so is this his year
to break out? Scoggins looks like a street brawler
that can handle himself. Will he prove he is
worthy to be a college NG? Geez, I think the
DL will have some major suprise players
this season!

It's going to need to have some suprise players. We already got the suprise no-players.

emmitt01 · July 31, 2008

FYI, Troy Franklin is not 300 lbs. More like 260 or so.
Think we need to redshirt Riley in order to spread that gap of time out between him and Giovanni. However, if Giovanni goes down early in the year, pull the redshirt off of Riley and play him. Did anyone else find it interesting (slightly) that Riley was the QB in the THSCA All-Star game for the North squad, and he was playing against the South squad coached by David Byrd who was Giovanni Vizza (and Sam Dibbrell's) high school coach at SA Alamo Heights?

I still don't see why the automatic response amongst our fanbase is if Vizza goes down then Rodge is our starter. Are we not forgetting a guy who started the year as our starter last season and will be a senior?

forevereagle · July 31, 2008

I still don't see why the automatic response amongst our fanbase is if Vizza goes down then Rodge is our starter. Are we not forgetting a guy who started the year as our starter last season and will be a senior?

I agree. Riley could use a year of seeing the game and bulking up some. When you have depth, you take advantage of it. Plus, this would give Riley 2 years as a starter after Vizza graduates.