Optimistic about DL

MeanGreenEJ · June 10, 2014

While I understand everyone's concern about the D-line, I am optimistic about this season and here is why:

DE

I think we will have the most athletic group of DEs in a long time. I expect Daryl Mason to have his best season yet and be a true leader on the defense. His size (6-3 263) and speed will make him the most athletic freak on the team. I also expect Malik Dilonga to be a stud and have a breakout season. His size (6-4 261) and speed (faster and longer than Mason) will be a huge upgrade from last year on the pass rush. Mix in Chad Polk (6-0 230) and we have a formidable pass rush. I think Tillman Johnson (6-1 250) and Jerrian Roberts (6-2 248) will be great rotation guys. Throw in Andy Flushe (6-3 240) and we have some depth there.

*I added 10 lbs to each players weight as this is what i expect summer workout will do.

DT

I understand everyones concern here in regards to size. We lost Abbe who was huge and played very well last season. With that being said, I am very optimistic about this position because of the ability to rotate fresh guys in and out. The starters should be Alex Lincoln (6-2 277) and Austin Orr (6-4 282). Lincoln will be the stud of this group. He is strong against the run and able to put on a pass rush from the DT spot which is huge in a passing oriented league. Orr is a solid player with pretty good size too. Mix in Sid Moore (6-1 262), who Mac is VERY HIGH ON, and Dutton Watson (6-3 283) and we have some backups who are formidable. The wild cards at DT are TJ Tauaalo (6-2 298) and Sir Calvin (6-2 300). If either of them can show up in the fall we should be fine at DT. One thing I have wondered is why they don't move Wylie Rheinhart to DT? He has the size and tenacity to help us out there.

*I added 10 lbs to each players weight as this is what i expect summer workouts will do.

Ben Gooding · June 10, 2014

I too am optimistic, but automatically giving each guy 10lb is extremely optimistic, particularly given the workout regimen these guys are on.

MeanGreenEJ · June 10, 2014

True. Maybe 5 lbs is more reasonable. Regardless, I think everyone will be surprised about the DL.

Harry · June 10, 2014

I share in your optimism.

UNT90 · June 10, 2014

We need to find a solid guy to play the big DT spot. There are only 2 that are size capable. Wallace and Tauaalo. Wallace hasn't shown it in practice.

Tauaalo may be the true key to just how well the defense performs this year.

Ben Gooding · June 10, 2014

I really like what Tauaalo has to offer. He looked like an animal in his highlight video, but that's just it, it's a highlight video. It was also against lesser competition. Nevertheless, I still think he can come in and contribute significantly. He has the size and from what I have seen he has the tenacity. I hope he is hitting those weights hard and is trying to learn Skaldany's defense. If he can do those he will see the field quite a bit.

Ben Gooding · June 10, 2014

U know that I am pessimistic about the d-line but optimistic about the team as a whole. They are just too lightweight. Someone has to step up in weight to control opposing o-lines but until that actually happens i will be pessimistic. All i know is that the game is played on the field and not on paper so i guess i have to wait and see what happens.

The D-line will not have an issue with CUSA linemen. I (we) are referring to trying to become big time in order to legitimately compete when we play UT, Indiana, and SMU. I am wholeheartedly confident that North Texas' D-line will hold their own in conference play.

GOMG2013 · June 10, 2014

The D-line will not have an issue with CUSA linemen. I (we) are referring to trying to become big time in order to legitimately compete when we play UT, Indiana, and SMU. I am wholeheartedly confident that North Texas' D-line will hold their own in conference play.

I agree. We shouldnt have trouble with most of our schedule. I expect Calvin Wallace to play against Texas and if he plays well, could play his way into more time. They are going to need his size for those first few games.

Marty · June 10, 2014

I think Flusche has been moved to DT.

greenit · June 10, 2014

I am really looking forward to playing the other Texas teams in CUSA. UTEP and Rice are great. We should look at adding Texas State to go with UNT, UTEP, and Rice so there are 4 solid Texas teams.

MeanGreen13 · June 11, 2014

I am really looking forward to playing the other Texas teams in CUSA. UTEP and Rice are great. We should look at adding Texas State to go with UNT, UTEP, and Rice so there are 4 solid Texas teams.

UTSA is the fourth. not sure if you left them off on purpose but they definitely went into apogee last season and beat the best UNT team in recent memory so the disrespect is a bit ironic don't you think? i dont like utsa but until we can dominate them, we cant disregard them.

Edited June 11, 2014 by MeanGreen13

greenminer · June 11, 2014

I expect Calvin Wallace to play against Texas and if he plays well, could play his way into more time. They are going to need his size for those first few games.

Any one with new news about Calvin?

BIG DAWG · June 11, 2014

Don't know if you can just predict 10lb gains to everyone...

casual fan · June 11, 2014

Don't know if you can just predict 10lb gains to everyone...

What's the problem?

I have easily gained 10 lbs over a 3 month period on numerous occasions.

I go on the "see food" diet. ( I eat every time I see food.)

UNT90 · June 11, 2014

What's the problem?
I have easily gained 10 lbs over a 3 month period on numerous occasions.
I go on the "see food" diet. ( I eat every time I see food.)

Pure muscle?

Cerebus · June 11, 2014

U know that I am pessimistic about the d-line but optimistic about the team as a whole. They are just too lightweight. Someone has to step up in weight to control opposing o-lines but until that actually happens i will be pessimistic. All i know is that the game is played on the field and not on paper so i guess i have to wait and see what happens.

Are we still pretending (San) Antonio Donarurren (roaDrunner) isn't a UTSA fan pretending to be a UNT fan?

Ben Gooding · June 11, 2014

Are we still pretending (San) Antonio Donarurren (roaDrunner) isn't a UTSA fan pretending to be a UNT fan?

Yeah, I think most people know he's a utsa fan. Let him put his 2 cents in. More views and comments on the site. Nobody listens to what he has to say, but it is what it is.

DT 90 · June 11, 2014

Any one with new news about Calvin?

Won't see the field.

My source has very deep concerns about the D-line. Nothing to do with size or speed, just pure lack of experience. This results in a lot of improper technique and making the wrong decisions. Doesn't sound like much but there is a reason #35 seemed to be everywhere making all the tackles. Even with a more aggressive technique brought in by the new coach. If you don't do what your suppose to do, bad things happen.

In regards to eating and adding weight.... I refer to my previous post on this subject.

Cerebus · June 11, 2014

Yeah, I think most people know he's a utsa fan. Let him put his 2 cents in. More views and comments on the site. Nobody listens to what he has to say, but it is what it is.

MeanGreenD · June 11, 2014

Won't see the field.

My source has very deep concerns about the D-line. Nothing to do with size or speed, just pure lack of experience. This results in a lot of improper technique and making the wrong decisions. Doesn't sound like much but there is a reason #35 seemed to be everywhere making all the tackles. Even with a more aggressive technique brought in by the new coach. If you don't do what your suppose to do, bad things happen.

In regards to eating and adding weight.... I refer to my previous post on this subject.

Troubling, but I still have a lot of belief in this young group. Skladany will have these guys playing with their hair on fire just like every member of the D that stepped on the field last year. Everyone is prone to mistakes, but the tendency is higher among less-experienced players. :unsure:

I see Mason emerging as a leader of the defense. If he's a consistent pass rusher, he will start garnering double teams during CUSA play.

I would expect Charlie Strong to come out and pound us. What I've been reading re: RBs should have Horns fans excited. I would expect him to recognize this group as the weakness of our D and try to exploit it. Then we'll see if these guys are up for the challenge and can learn of the fly...won't be easy against that group...which will make it that much more impressive!

Also, I like to think that getting to work against the O-lineman we have will help to accelerate the learning curve. All I can really do is #believe

80 days to get better!

GrayEagle · June 11, 2014

Won't see the field.

My source has very deep concerns about the D-line. Nothing to do with size or speed, just pure lack of experience. This results in a lot of improper technique and making the wrong decisions. Doesn't sound like much but there is a reason #35 seemed to be everywhere making all the tackles. Even with a more aggressive technique brought in by the new coach. If you don't do what your suppose to do, bad things happen.

In regards to eating and adding weight.... I refer to my previous post on this subject.

As of today that's no doubt a fair assessment. However, I believe that Coach Patrick can and will make a cohesive unit of them. I just trust him as a coach more than I did Coach Nelson. They'll make mistakes due to inexperience but I honestly believe that you'll see better overall results. Their still a little undersized but I like their quickness and potential agressiveness.