Off-Season is Over

Voice of Reason · March 16, 2012

Now that Off-Season is over and Spring Football is about to begin we can start talking about actual on the field stuff. There is already a good discussion going about Feldt and where he fits into the Oline structure.

We have not had an inside look at the offseason program before so we don't have anything to compare to. I

will say there are quiet a few of the returning starters from last years team that are in the TOP 20 performers for this off-season.(Going off the performance scores on Facebook page) There is also a good number of backups performing at a high level as well. This tells me that the returning starters are not resting on their past and know that you can always improve yourself. The backups are not all accepting that they are backups and also pushing for playing time. Work ethics catches a coaches eye and they would be more likely to give a player an extra look during reps because of it, thus turning into playing time.

There will be several spots open during Spring because of injuries. Both Powers and Prior are out with shoulder surgeries. Lemon is out with a leg.(knee?) This will give others a chance to prove themselves. Miller is one that will have the oppertunity with Powers and Priors spots. Will Feldt be given the chance with Lemon out?

I think the fight for No.2 QB spot is wide open.

Will Byrd take the oppertunity that is in front of him? RB position is his to lose.

WR. Will the redshirts step forward and will Delgado continue his improvement?

Defensive backfield. The biggest question mark on the team. Loaded with SRs last year, proved to be the weak link of the team. How will the young guys do? My take. The Oline reloaded with young guy last year and became the bedrock of the team. I think the defensive backfield will be the most improved part of this years team.

DLine: Starters = ABBE, Boutwell, McCoy and Obi... the only spot I see where there is question is depth at DT.

Linebackers:In good shape, now they need to stay healthy.

Special Teams: Need a new snapper. Who will step forward?

We now have to wait for April 21.

Edited March 16, 2012 by Voice of Reason

UNTLifer · March 16, 2012

I agree with your comment on the DB's. I like Trice leading the youngsters and think this will fast become a strength of our's. Blake Dunham should become the new long snapper.

GrandGreen · March 16, 2012

Now that Off-Season is over and Spring Football is about to begin we can start talking about actual on the field stuff. There is already a good discussion going about Feldt and where he fits into the Oline structure.

We have not had an inside look at the offseason program before so we don't have anything to compare to. I
will say there are quiet a few of the returning starters from last years team that are in the TOP 20 performers for this off-season.(Going off the performance scores on Facebook page) There is also a good number of backups performing at a high level as well. This tells me that the returning starters are not resting on their past and know that you can always improve yourself. The backups are not all accepting that they are backups and also pushing for playing time. Work ethics catches a coaches eye and they would be more likely to give a player an extra look during reps because of it, thus turning into playing time.

There will be several spots open during Spring because of injuries. Both Powers and Prior are out with shoulder surgeries. Lemon is out with a leg.(knee?) This will give others a chance to prove themselves. Miller is one that will have the oppertunity with Powers and Priors spots. Will Feldt be given the chance with Lemon out?

I think the fight for No.2 QB spot is wide open.

Every spot should be open but I am not sure why the QB is any more open than it was last year with McNulty in solid as back up. Osborn looked better in games, but McNulty still played the majority of non starter minutes.

Will Byrd take the oppertunity that is in front of him? RB position is his to lose.

I see this as wide open. Byrd is the only rb with experience but I don't see him beating out all the redshirts or true freshmen. He is a hard runner and actually looked better than Dunbar in many games last year but doesn't have break away speed.

WR. Will the redshirts step forward and will Delgado continue his improvement?

Look for Chancellor, Bynes, and Delgado to start but will be challenged by Sampson and true freshmen.

Defensive backfield. The biggest question mark on the team. Loaded with SRs last year, proved to be the weak link of the team. How will the young guys do? My take. The Oline reloaded with young guy last year and became the bedrock of the team. I think the defensive backfield will be the most improved part of this years team.

I disagree to some extent to the db being the weak link last year. Playing high risk defense with a less than stellar pass rush left the secondary very exposed. Warner showed he had talent and I look for great things out of Trice. I think the secondary will be ok but several of the freshmen are gong to have to come in strong.

DLine: Starters = ABBE, Boutwell, McCoy and Obi... the only spot I see where there is question is depth at DT.

Even though most of the de's return, I think this is probably the biggest need postion on the defense. Obi, McCoy, and Bellazin can all play but none have shown the abilitity to be game changers. I think DT is actually in better shape with Boutwell, Cantly and Abbe in the middle. As you stated need depth but I like these three.

Linebackers:In good shape, now they need to stay healthy.

Orr is probably the best player on the team. Look forward to seeing if Phillips can have a big senior year. Solid starters and should have plenty of depth.

Special Teams: Need a new snapper. Who will step forward?

Should have very solid kicking and return game.

We now have to wait for April 21.

This team should be better next year with a year in McCarney's program and a little better overall talent. On paper other than rb and db, the team should be significantly better. The secondary had a rocky year last year, I think in part to a new defense. Obviously that was the focus in recruiting and I am very optimistic that it can be improved. At rb, NT lost one of their best all time players, but he was not 100% for a lot of the year. I don't foresee another Dunbar, but the offensive line should be better and I think the rushing offense could be as good if not better.

Edited March 16, 2012 by GrandGreen

UNT90 · March 17, 2012

The progress of Cooper Jones is really, really, really important to this team. When DT went down last year, there was not anything close to an effective option.

Jones really needs to claim the #2 spot. If he doesn't, and DT goes down, well, remember Tulsa? 'Nough said.

BIG DAWG · March 18, 2012

There will be several spots open during Spring because of injuries. Both Powers and Prior are out with shoulder surgeries. Lemon is out with a leg.(knee?) This will give others a chance to prove themselves. Miller is one that will have the oppertunity with Powers and Priors spots. Will Feldt be given the chance with Lemon out?

Lemon is out after hamstring surgery...happened v. MTSU

cl_1_2008 · March 18, 2012

The progress of Cooper Jones is really, really, really important to this team. When DT went down last year, there was not anything close to an effective option.

Jones really needs to claim the #2 spot. If he doesn't, and DT goes down, well, remember Tulsa? 'Nough said.

From what I recall, only one guy got an oppurtunity.