Young Team?

GrandGreen · July 18, 2013

I have seen several comments on this board relative to NT having a young team. I don't understand that at all; this is a senior and junior laden team and after this year if there is not a lot of improvement in the younger players this year; the next season could be tough.

Going by Athlon starting lineup; of the 22 starting players the break down is 12 seniors, 6 juniors, 3 sophs, and 1 freshmen. Yes, the lineup is likely to get younger as the under class men come in and compete next month; but still this is a mature team.

Just one more factor, why this season is so important and a toward the bottom finish in the conference will be very discouraging.

emmitt01 · July 18, 2013

I have seen several comments on this board relative to NT having a young team. I don't understand that at all; this is a senior and junior laden team and after this year if there is not a lot of improvement in the younger players this year; the next season could be tough.

Going by Athlon starting lineup; of the 22 starting players the break down is 12 seniors, 6 juniors, 3 sophs, and 1 freshmen. Yes, the lineup is likely to get younger as the under class men come in and compete next month; but still this is a mature team.

Just one more factor, why this season is so important and a toward the bottom finish in the conference will be very discouraging.

You have to understand that at Norty Texas there is a rotation of excuses (err, I mean reasons) for why we don't succeed.

-We're young

- We're injured

-We were within (insert number) of points in (insert number) of games...progress!!

- (Insert conference mate(s)) is much improved and that loss isn't so bad

- (Insert recruit) really flew under the radar and is WAAAAY better than their Rivals/Scout/ESPN rating

Rinse and repeat.

BIG DAWG · July 18, 2013

I'm not sure many have been relying on the youth argument going into this season. I know the last couple of years it has been made plenty, including by me, but this year that argument doesn't fly.

We would like to have a couple of the "kids" contribute, but what team doesn't? We will definitely have experience going into this season.

It about the quality of the players with the experience at this point in the McCarney regim...and that's my big worry at this point.

As anyone who reads my posts knows...I am especially concerned with our SENIOR QB, if he indeed will be the starter.

Edited July 18, 2013 by BIG DAWG

BillySee58 · July 18, 2013

IMO the best thing that Dodge left us with was his 2010 recruiting class. There weren't a lot of high school kids in that class, but they turned out to be pretty good. Seniors like Bellazin, Wright, Orr, Olen, Byrd, and chancellor as well as redshirt juniors Teagarden, Dunham, Antonio Johnson, and Mason Y'Barbo. We signed 12 high school kids that year and 11 of them have been solid contributors throughout their career (also Richard Abbe).

These guys and the redshirt seniors from the class of 09, as well as some of the third year guys from the class of 2011, form a good nucleus of guys who have been here from the beginning of the Coach Mac era. I think they form a much better leadership core than what we had last year.