Sun Belt Conference

MeanGreen61 · July 19, 2009

http://www.pigskinpress.com/sunbelt_conference.html

North Texas-Todd Dodge

Dodge has done a great job of recruiting thus far, now it’s time to put up or shut up! Nearly every starting player will be a Dodge recruit, and now North Texas has to win some games. If the Mean Green can get four wins, we will consider that a success; after all, they are still a young team. Another one or two win season will be serious cause for concern in Denton.

Stock: Steady

D-Defensive Improvement- Both Louisiana and North Texas have a chance to be competitive with the large majority of their defenses returning in 2009. If they continue to give up big numbers (33.7 ppg and 47.6 ppg) to opposing offenses, there will be some hot seats for both Ricky Bustle and Todd Dodge!

V-Victor Gill- The North Texas tackle will get first crack at protecting QB Riley Dodge, who is the most heralded player in conference history. Gill started 11 games last year and did a good job, but will need to be quicker to the point of contact on the pass rush.

X-X-Sooners- Both UNT WR Tyler Stradford, and Troy WR Josh Jarboe will be significant offensive weapons in their respective systems and open the door to other great players who are riding the bench at Big-12 schools.

Edited July 19, 2009 by MeanGreen61

gangrene · July 19, 2009

http://www.pigskinpress.com/sunbelt_conference.html
North Texas-Todd Dodge
Dodge has done a great job of recruiting thus far, now it’s time to put up or shut up! Nearly every starting player will be a Dodge recruit, and now North Texas has to win some games. If the Mean Green can get four wins, we will consider that a success; after all, they are still a young team. Another one or two win season will be serious cause for concern in Denton.
Stock: Steady
D-Defensive Improvement- Both Louisiana and North Texas have a chance to be competitive with the large majority of their defenses returning in 2009. If they continue to give up big numbers (33.7 ppg and 47.6 ppg) to opposing offenses, there will be some hot seats for both Ricky Bustle and Todd Dodge!
V-Victor Gill- The North Texas tackle will get first crack at protecting QB Riley Dodge, who is the most heralded player in conference history. Gill started 11 games last year and did a good job, but will need to be quicker to the point of contact on the pass rush.
X-X-Sooners- Both UNT WR Tyler Stradford, and Troy WR Josh Jarboe will be significant offensive weapons in their respective systems and open the door to other great players who are riding the bench at Big-12 schools.

Every single time I start to get optimistic about our chances this season (and forget about how awful our defense was last year), that horrible, horrible stat resurfaces and the reality that we really weren't even close to winning more than two games all season sets in again.

July 20, 2009

I generally agreee with most of this writer's comments. The "nearly every starter" is a little bit of a reach as Dickey recruits should be more than 1/4 of the starters.

I count a total of 20 lettermen from the Dickey era that are still on the roster. Here is my list to see if anyone has any additions or corrections.

OL Tyler Bailey

DL Charlie Brown

DB Antoine Bush

OL Kelvin Drake*

OL Victor Gill*

DL Eddrick Gilmore*

DB Robbie Gordon

OL Matt Menard

DB Chris Neal

LB Tobe Nwigwe*

DE Sam Owusu-Hemeng

LB Craig Robertson*

DL Draylen Ross

OL Esteban Santiago*

TE Bryant Seidle

DL Jonathan Stewart

DB Arthur Stubblefield

LB Marquis Sykes

QB Nathan Tune

DB Steve Warren

I do agree that it's time for Dodge to fish or cut bait with this group. Todd has recruited well, especially given the conditions, and it's now time to be responsible for what he puts on the field. I still believe that he will field a pretty respectable team but he sure hasn't shown it thus far. Still, this should be the year when things begin to turn around.

untcampbell · July 20, 2009

I was listening to a ESPN radio conversation regarding the SEC today. Can't recall the team (and am not inclined to do the research) but the commentator was asked about a team with a first year coach that was implementing the spread. His reply was something along the lines of: "The guy is transitioning a run-oriented team to his spread offense. Don't expect anything for at least 2 years."

But GMG.

Mean Green 93-98 · July 20, 2009

E-Edrick Gilmore- As a senior, it’s time for Gilmore to step it up at North Texas. If Gilmore’s performance stays flat after week #2, look for increased playing time for So. Kyle Russo and Jr. Marquis Sykes.

So many problems with this gem of an analysis, it discredits just about everything else he said.