Sping Practice

Mean Green 93-98 · March 23, 2009

How about we started working on our own problems before game-planning...for anyone?

Not sure I follow you . . .

KRAM1 · March 24, 2009

Oh, the "boys of spring"...how sweet it is! How anyone can watch every practice and continue to critize Riley makes me think that a personal agenda is being maintained. No matter, opinions are worth what they cost...yours, mine and everyone's. I jsut find it hard to believe people want to continue to criticize Riley after knowing the HS career he had and without ever seeing him QB a college game as the starter. Some kids just know how to win...with or without what some might say a "big time arm", "quick feet", "speed", etc. Some of those HS teams he faced were pretty darn good competition at the time and that's the level Riley was playing at the time...so, can we "hold our horses" a bit with the criticism until Riley has several games under his belt as the starter?

We should start a thread about all the highly successful college players who were said to be deficient in one area or another by sports media types, by their so-called fan base, etc., etc. I would imagine we might just fill a record number of pages. Seems to me the list would be almost endless. Sort of like a list of "big time" recruits who didn't get it done and left their programs for one reason or another!

I'll wait to see just how well Riley does after a few games thank you very much. However, at this point, I would give the edge to betting that he will be a solid QB for UNT and will help lead this team to many victories in the next few years.

Tune is alo a good QB and I have likied him for some time. Good kid, good family. For someone to say "the team is behind Tune" makes me wonder just where that little bit of devisive information comes from...again, perhaps a personal agenda. The members of the "team" that I talk with seem to be behind Riley and Tune. The comments I hear are positive for both these guys and seem to indicate they are more than happy with Riley as #1 at this point. Who knows what will happen as the season progresses.

As for "Dodge's tenue being up" at the end of the season...get a new line and give this one a rest.

GO MEAN GREEN!

foutsrouts · March 24, 2009

Oh, the "boys of spring"...how sweet it is! How anyone can watch every practice and continue to critize Riley makes me think that a personal agenda is being maintained. No matter, opinions are worth what they cost...yours, mine and everyone's. I jsut find it hard to believe people want to continue to criticize Riley after knowing the HS career he had and without ever seeing him QB a college game as the starter. Some kids just know how to win...with or without what some might say a "big time arm", "quick feet", "speed", etc. Some of those HS teams he faced were pretty darn good competition at the time and that's the level Riley was playing at the time...so, can we "hold our horses" a bit with the criticism until Riley has several games under his belt as the starter?
We should start a thread about all the highly successful college players who were said to be deficient in one area or another by sports media types, by their so-called fan base, etc., etc. I would imagine we might just fill a record number of pages. Seems to me the list would be almost endless. Sort of like a list of "big time" recruits who didn't get it done and left their programs for one reason or another!
I'll wait to see just how well Riley does after a few games thank you very much. However, at this point, I would give the edge to betting that he will be a solid QB for UNT and will help lead this team to many victories in the next few years.
Tune is alo a good QB and I have likied him for some time. Good kid, good family. For someone to say "the team is behind Tune" makes me wonder just where that little bit of devisive information comes from...again, perhaps a personal agenda. The members of the "team" that I talk with seem to be behind Riley and Tune. The comments I hear are positive for both these guys and seem to indicate they are more than happy with Riley as #1 at this point. Who knows what will happen as the season progresses.
As for "Dodge's tenue being up" at the end of the season...get a new line and give this one a rest.
GO MEAN GREEN!

Yeah, sure Riley's success as a D1 QB is still unknown. Why? Because he has yet to get any real time at the position at this level. One thing I do know is that he was undoubtedly one of the best QB's in Texas high school history. That alone tells me he has a pretty reasonable chance for some real success here. People need to give the guy a chance before knocking him for his size etc. .

UNT90 · March 24, 2009

Yeah, sure Riley's success as a D1 QB is still unknown. Why? Because he has yet to get any real time at the position at this level. One thing I do know is that he was undoubtedly one of the best QB's in Texas high school history. That alone tells me he has a pretty reasonable chance for some real success here. People need to give the guy a chance before knocking him for his size etc. .

Most people are just posting concerns, not ripping him apart. As has already been covered, Reilly was highly recruited, but as an athlete, not a QB, because most major colleges apparently didn't think he could play QB at that level. Many very good college QBs have had the same thing said about them only to prove the skeptics wrong. Many other very good HS QBs have had the same thing said about them, only to prove the skeptics right. Which catagory does Reilly fall into? We will find out in September. No one on here knows whether he'll be the next Doug Flutie or the next....won't rip any former players, I'm sure you get my drift.

There are several on here who apparently think Reilly couldn't QB a Rec League team and there are several on here that already have him in the North Texas Athletic Hall of Fame. My guess is he will be somewhere in the middle (talk about going out on a limb!).

I am very uncomfortible going into such an important year with no experienced QB at the helm. Those of you that think Reilly or Nathan will not need an adjustment period are fooling yourselves.

Dodge2007 · March 24, 2009

Most people are just posting concerns, not ripping him apart. As has already been covered, Reilly was highly recruited, but as an athlete, not a QB, because most major colleges apparently didn't think he could play QB at that level. Many very good college QBs have had the same thing said about them only to prove the skeptics wrong. Many other very good HS QBs have had the same thing said about them, only to prove the skeptics right. Which catagory does Reilly fall into? We will find out in September. No one on here knows whether he'll be the next Doug Flutie or the next....won't rip any former players, I'm sure you get my drift.
There are several on here who apparently think Reilly couldn't QB a Rec League team and there are several on here that already have him in the North Texas Athletic Hall of Fame. My guess is he will be somewhere in the middle (talk about going out on a limb!).
I am very uncomfortible going into such an important year with no experienced QB at the helm. Those of you that think Reilly or Nathan will not need an adjustment period are fooling yourselves.

Good post and your right on the money. He will set every freshman record imaginable. Dodge is gonna make sure of that.

greenminer · March 24, 2009

Good post and your right on the money. He will set every freshman record imaginable. Dodge is gonna make sure of that.

heh.

Most points scored in the 2nd quarter? Most points scored in a half? Most TDs thrown in a half?!!!

Yeah, that game worked out great.

Just get the Ws, that's all I'm asking.

UNTLifer · March 24, 2009

Most people are just posting concerns, not ripping him apart. As has already been covered, Reilly was highly recruited, but as an athlete, not a QB, because most major colleges apparently didn't think he could play QB at that level. Many very good college QBs have had the same thing said about them only to prove the skeptics wrong. Many other very good HS QBs have had the same thing said about them, only to prove the skeptics right. Which catagory does Reilly fall into? We will find out in September. No one on here knows whether he'll be the next Doug Flutie or the next....won't rip any former players, I'm sure you get my drift.
There are several on here who apparently think Reilly couldn't QB a Rec League team and there are several on here that already have him in the North Texas Athletic Hall of Fame. My guess is he will be somewhere in the middle (talk about going out on a limb!).
I am very uncomfortible going into such an important year with no experienced QB at the helm. Those of you that think Reilly or Nathan will not need an adjustment period are fooling yourselves.

A good post about Riley with one exception, in bold. Then again, maybe it is just how I read it. I took it to mean he didn't have the ability or talent to be a D1 QB, which I disagree with, when I thought most college recruiters thought he was too small.

I'll take a wait and see approach with how his career turns out also, but I am excited because he knows this offense inside out.

meangreenbob · March 24, 2009

I remember when Bill Blakely(sp) was the only D1A basketball coach to recruit a kid by the name of Spud Webb. Ole Bill began to question his recruiting insight for after all Spud Webb was really short and not one of the "so called" big schools recruited him. So ole Bill sent Spud off to Midland Junior College where he could learn how to play.

Any one remember what became of Spud Webb?

Can you imagine what this kid would have done for UNT basketball had only BB trusted his judgement.

Give em hell.........Riley!

foutsrouts · March 25, 2009

I remember when Bill Blakely(sp) was the only D1A basketball coach to recruit a kid by the name of Spud Webb. Ole Bill began to question his recruiting insight for after all Spud Webb was really short and not one of the "so called" big schools recruited him. So ole Bill sent Spud off to Midland Junior College where he could learn how to play.
Any one remember what became of Spud Webb?
Can you imagine what this kid would have done for UNT basketball had only BB trusted his judgement.
Give em hell.........Riley!

I agree. I'm not a particularly small guy myself, so I'm not coming from that direction, but if a guy has reasonable size he should not be "belittled" about his potential. Many an "undersized" guy has had great success in both college and the NFL. I could type all night about all of the NFL and D1 stars who were "too small." If Riley truly weighs close to 195 which has recently been advertised, then I really don't think that he is too small to start at QB for the University of North Texas. This ain't the NFL, so height really isn't THAT big of a deal unless you happen to be close to the dwarf category. I don't think he qualifies in that regard. Btw, Tommy Newman is the guy that ruined our Spud legacy. That guy sent us on a downward spiral that we didn't completely recover from until the JJ era.

GrandGreen · March 25, 2009

I am constantly amazed by all the anti-Riley swill that continues to come forth. One of the most heralded recruits in NT history that has not played one down at quarterback, yet you would think that he has been the biggest bust ever signed. Why don't we give him at least a couple of games before we come up with these great sports opinions. As far as size, he is just as big or bigger than two pretty good NT QB's of the past; Ken Washington and Creg Carter. Mitch Maher was not a giant either.

I for one am very happy NT has a QB with credentials of Dodge. Maybe there are some that rather rely on a former walk on, a current walk on, or a freshman, but a Parade All American that grow up in the system seems a much better bet to me.

Can you imagine the pressure on Riley to perform well this year? Not only the fans expectations based on his high school career but the fact that his father's job may hang in the balance would be a load for anyone. I think he can become a great QB at NT, but even if he falls far short of that; I will applaud his decision to come to NT and appreciate his efforts.

FirefightnRick · March 25, 2009

Can you imagine the pressure on Riley to perform well this year? Not only the fans expectations based on his high school career but the fact that his father's job may hang in the balance would be a load for anyone. I think he can become a great QB at NT, but even if he falls far short of that; I will applaud his decision to come to NT and appreciate his efforts.

If there was a young, college QB out there that I would predict could handle the pressure you described above it would be Riley Dodge. I'm excited to see what he can do this year. I think we will protect him better. I know he will deliver the ball well. And I'm willing to bet he will no doubt be the fastest QB in conference. If we are finally able to find a defense that can stop the other team who knows where this season will go?

God bless Riley Dodge.

Rick

Censored by Laurie · March 25, 2009

God bless Riley Dodge.
Rick

Do you think God wants Riley taking a snap or two from under center this season?

DallasGreen · March 25, 2009

If there was a young, college QB out there that I would predict could handle the pressure you described above it would be Riley Dodge. I'm excited to see what he can do this year. I think we will protect him better. I know he will deliver the ball well. And I'm willing to bet he will no doubt be the fastest QB in conference. If we are finally able to find a defense that can stop the other team who knows where this season will go?
God bless Riley Dodge.
Rick

Could not agree more Rick. This kid has courage and grit--something we have lacked on both sides of the ball in recent years. I saw it in Scott Hall who was definitely small by college standards but just refused to lose. If Riley can lead by example and inspire the offense to play like him there is no telling where this team could go. He might even win over Pres. B to fund athletics. That being said I for one want to give one last word of appreciation for the two years Gio gave us. I saw his first start two years ago at ULaLa and his effort and ability to take licks was phenomenal. Later that year at Troy our O-Line allowed him to take a pulverizing like I had not seen since Dandy Don was a Cowboy QB. I really feel that kid was gunshy last year from all the hits. Give him a year of rest and a decent O-Line @ A$M and we may hear some more from Mr. Vizza. Would it not be great to see a game that featured Gio vs. Riley in a couple of years? Nah makes too much sense to ever be on our schedule. We like the beatings that AL, OU,LSU can administer for the $$$$ too much for a game with a now down T$M to make sense!!!

greenminer · March 25, 2009

Do you think God wants Riley taking a snap or two from under center this season?

No more than two, or we'd be beating a dead horse.

Censored by Laurie · March 25, 2009

No more than two, or we'd be beating a dead horse.

So God is against posthumous equine assult?

H-towngreen · March 25, 2009

Give him a year of rest and a decent O-Line @ A$M and we may hear some more from Mr. Vizza.

Please tell me you are kidding? I'm not even sure that Vizza makes it A$M, he is enrolled at Blinn JC in Brenham as of now. But even if he does walk on to A&M he will be lucky to be 3rd string by his Sr year.

LoveMG · March 25, 2009

Please tell me you are kidding? I'm not even sure that Vizza makes it A$M, he is enrolled at Blinn JC in Brenham as of now. But even if he does walk on to A&M he will be lucky to be 3rd string by his Sr year.

the current a&m is not bcs bowl material. they have a fews years and another coaching change to go before you can call them a good program again/ vizza would do no worse than what they have.

H-towngreen · March 25, 2009

the current a&m is not bcs bowl material. they have a fews years and another coaching change to go before you can call them a good program again/ vizza would do no worse than what they have.

Didn't say anything about them being BCS material. I agree, but they are good at QB. Vizza will not step foot on the field.

They have Jerrod Johnson starting the next 2 years. Ryan Tannehill who is currently playing WR but will be a QB in the future, is the 2nd string QB. Followed by Tommy Dorman who is a RS freshman. Then in the 2010 class they already have 2 commits from highly touted QB's, Clay Honeycott and Jameill Showers. Vizza will not step on the field. He had a decent freshman season, followed by a disappointing sophmore season. He has all types of heart, but he doesn't have that great a skill set as a QB.

greenminer · March 25, 2009

Didn't say anything about them being BCS material. I agree, but they are good at QB. Vizza will not step foot on the field.
They have Jerrod Johnson starting the next 2 years. Ryan Tannehill who is currently playing WR but will be a QB in the future, is the 2nd string QB. Followed by Tommy Dorman who is a RS freshman. Then in the 2010 class they already have 2 commits from highly touted QB's, Clay Honeycott and Jameill Showers. Vizza will not step on the field. He had a decent freshman season, followed by a disappointing sophmore season. He has all types of heart, but he doesn't have that great a skill set as a QB.

I would love to see how Vizza develops. I like what I saw, even though his stats can be spun many different ways. He still has 3 years to develop and A&M probably has more resources than we do in that area.

Sometimes all it takes is a change of environment. I mean, c'mon, look at Sean Avery.

Edited March 25, 2009 by greenminer

H-towngreen · March 25, 2009

I would love to see how Vizza develops. For a freshman, decent. He still has 3 years to develop.
Sometimes all it takes is a change of environment. I mean, c'mon, look at Sean Avery.

He will be a Junior.

greenminer · March 25, 2009

He will be a Junior.

With a RS available. 2 years to play. 3 years to develop (presuming he uses the RS at some point).

UNT2012 · March 25, 2009

Gio was operating with an extremely young OL who didn't give up as many sacks as previous but he was under pressure just about everythrow.

Gio, last season, was working with Casey but who else? Three walk ons WR's. Casey was in all reality just a possession receiver. No one could strech the field, no one. Brock was a slot? I love Brock but he was a TE, playing slot?

There were no weapons and Dodge and Company are learning the college game. In all fairness, he did the most with what he had available to him.

He got his ass physically beaten every game.

If he was not a legit deal, then why would a Hall of Fame Head Coach (Chris Ault from Nevada) chase a kid all the way from Texas as Fake Lonnie pointed out. Then why did he have better offers than than that of UNT? D-1 offers for a QB don't grow on trees. Maybe 275 or so have a D-1 scholarship and Gio was offered by way better programs than UNT.

But he believed in Dodge and the Dodge formula for success. Dodge gave him no weapons his second season to work with. He instead pulled a bull shit medical on a legitimate slot WR and does not play one highly recruited WR. He instead played with walkons.

UNTLifer · March 25, 2009

Dodge gave him no weapons his second season to work with. He instead pulled a bull shit medical on a legitimate slot WR and does not play one highly recruited WR. He instead played with walkons.

Ahh, the source of your anger is finally uncovered.

greenminer · March 25, 2009

Gio was operating with an extremely young OL who didn't give up as many sacks as previous but he was under pressure just about everythrow.
Gio, last season, was working with Casey but who else? Three walk ons WR's. Casey was in all reality just a possession receiver. No one could strech the field, no one. Brock was a slot? I love Brock but he was a TE, playing slot?
There were no weapons and Dodge and Company are learning the college game. In all fairness, he did the most with what he had available to him.
He got his ass physically beaten every game.
If he was not a legit deal, then why would a Hall of Fame Head Coach (Chris Ault from Nevada) chase a kid all the way from Texas as Fake Lonnie pointed out. Then why did he have better offers than than that of UNT? D-1 offers for a QB don't grow on trees. Maybe 275 or so have a D-1 scholarship and Gio was offered by way better programs than UNT.
But he believed in Dodge and the Dodge formula for success. Dodge gave him no weapons his second season to work with. He instead pulled a bull shit medical on a legitimate slot WR and does not play one highly recruited WR. He instead played with walkons.

a bit bitter? I'm sorry your friend didn't get to play?

FWIW, I saw Vizza try to hit Roberson on a deep post. twice.

Edited March 25, 2009 by greenminer

H-towngreen · March 25, 2009

With a RS available. 2 years to play. 3 years to develop (presuming he uses the RS at some point).

Bottom line is it doesn't matter how much time he has to develop at A&M he is not touching the field.

Say Vizza walks on nex year

2009

Johnson JR starter

Tannehill RS soph

Dorman RS Fresh

Vizza red shirting

2010

Johnson Sr starter

Tannehill RS JR

Dorman RS soph

Vizza RS JR

Along with now 2 other freshman QB's

There is just no way that Vizza gets on the field. I doubt he ends up at A&M, don't get me wrong I wish him the best in his travels. But if him and his old man want him to play they should know it's not in College Station.