Thoughts on Williams move

Harry · September 16, 2014

UNT made a key move today — both in terms of its immediate future and its long-term plans.

Dajon Williams is in at quarterback for the Mean Green.

The story of how UNT got here in terms of the last couple of months is one we went into a little on the blog today.

UNT head coach Dan McCarney pulled the curtain back a bit and talked about Williams’ issues off the field over the last few months — not coming into camp ready to go, missing both major fall scrimmages and the fact he is now a father.

We hinted at some of those issues on the blog for the last several months, saying that Williams wasn’t ready and wasn’t in the race.

I’m not going to second guess McCarney or offensive coordinator Mike Canales on this one. UNT followed what seems like a reasonable course of action.

Read more: http://meangreenblog.dentonrc.com/2014/09/thoughts-on-williams-move.html/

UNTexas · September 16, 2014

Having a kid freaked me out at 30 while married and with a great career. My wheels would have come off when I was his age. Everyone should stop with this maturity bs. He had life issues that were honestly more important than a game. It sounds like he's going to have more than one hat to wear and I'd bet he's going land on his feet just fine. He's in the drivers seat now and knowing he's fought more adversity than others makes me want him to succeed even more. On and off the field.

eulessismore · September 16, 2014

Having a kid freaked me out at 30 while married and with a great career. My wheels would have come off when I was his age. Everyone should stop with this maturity bs. He had life issues that were honestly more important than a game. It sounds like he's going to have more than one hat to wear and I'd bet he's going land on his feet just fine. He's in the drivers seat now and knowing he's fought more adversity than others makes me want him to succeed even more. On and off the field.

+1. My wife says you either wake up or you don't (she has 4 kids from a previous marriage; all grown and doing fine, thank you). I really suspect he woke up.

UNTLifer · September 16, 2014

That "maturity bs" was just stating what Mac had said previously.

UNT90 · September 16, 2014

I'm thinking we wouldn't be hearing about any "sudden maturity" if Greer had showed anything in the 1st three games.

Call me crazy.

oldguystudent · September 16, 2014

Call me crazy.

That's just too easy.

VideoEagle · September 16, 2014

I'm not hearing anything about sudden maturity, just someone who is STARTING to come back around to paying attention to football. The guy wasn't ready for fall camp and missed both major scrimmages. He had reasons for missing, but never the less he wasn't there. He's paying attention now, but there will be growing pains because of all the missed time. I think NT has a better chance to win with him than without him.

I've never heard a football coach say there are players who show up for games but not practice. A couple of years ago I was talking to a retired Cowboy here in Coppell who actually laughed at that idea. He told me skill means you are going to have a few good plays no matter what, and if you are a backup and those plays happen to hit at the right time you look great. But for a starter who is in for most plays, practice is vital. Practice is the only way to get consistent timing between players. Without practice, you have to be lucky. With practice you can make your own luck.

Again, we are better off with him, but don't think there aren't going to be some serious growing pains.

IslandEagle · September 16, 2014

It is good we have the Nicholls State game to help DW iron get some practice and confidence before facing Indiana on the road.

MeanGreenTexan · September 16, 2014

I'm not hearing anything about sudden maturity, just someone who is STARTING to come back around to paying attention to football. The guy wasn't ready for fall camp and missed both major scrimmages. He had reasons for missing, but never the less he wasn't there. He's paying attention now, but there will be growing pains because of all the missed time. I think NT has a better chance to win with him than without him.
I've never heard a football coach say there are players who show up for games but not practice. A couple of years ago I was talking to a retired Cowboy here in Coppell who actually laughed at that idea. He told me skill means you are going to have a few good plays no matter what, and if you are a backup and those plays happen to hit at the right time you look great. But for a starter who is in for most plays, practice is vital. Practice is the only way to get consistent timing between players. Without practice, you have to be lucky. With practice you can make your own luck.
Again, we are better off with him, but don't think there aren't going to be some serious growing pains.

I think this is where we're going to see some early struggles with Dajon. Timing routes may be off early on. Hopefully 2 weeks worth of practice will have Dajon on the same page with his receivers & ready for Indiana.

However, I think we'll see him excel when a play is busted. I didn't get to see him in the 4th quarter last week, but I keep seeing you guys cite a busted play where he hit a streaking Caldwell down the sideline before taking a hit. That's what puts him miles away from Greer at this time.

Cerebus · September 16, 2014

Timing routes may be off early on.

The timing routes were TERRIBLE before. They won't get worse.

I have been telling everyone to tap the brakes on their expectations. However, I still think we are a better offense with him, than without him. He just has to be average to slightly below average, that will get us to 6-7 wins.

VideoEagle · September 16, 2014

I think this is where we're going to see some early struggles with Dajon. Timing routes may be off early on. Hopefully 2 weeks worth of practice will have Dajon on the same page with his receivers & ready for Indiana.
However, I think we'll see him excel when a play is busted. I didn't get to see him in the 4th quarter last week, but I keep seeing you guys cite a busted play where he hit a streaking Caldwell down the sideline before taking a hit. That's what puts him miles away from Greer at this time.

Yes! I'm sure he will be better on busted plays. But I don't want to depend on busted plays working out because even with DW most of them won't. Let's see what he can do with a few weeks of serious practice.

UNT90 · September 16, 2014

The timing routes were TERRIBLE before. They won't get worse.

I have been telling everyone to tap the brakes on their expectations. However, I still think we are a better offense with him, than without him. He just has to be average to slightly below average, that will get us to 6-7 wins.

This I agree with. The timing routes could in no way get worse.

And Williams will have his struggles. He is a redshirt freshman, after all, and one that has missed a substantial amount of practice.

I just hope he stays upright the rest of the season.

Again, whoever recruits QBs for UNT should have some serious questions to answer after the season is complete.

MeanGreenHoops · September 16, 2014

You know who would be a good mentor for Dajon is Sarge.

DeepGreen · September 16, 2014

Again, whoever recruits QBs for UNT should have some serious questions to answer after the season is complete.

And didn't I read either here or on the BV blog, and during the Summer, that Mac was considering "not" recruiting a QB this year? And not because of our sluggish start this season, to me you recruit at least one QB every year. Considering our dismal QB recruiting over the years, UNT should always be recruiting one or two QB's every year.

SilverEagle · September 16, 2014

And didn't I read either here or on the BV blog, and during the Summer, that Mac was considering "not" recruiting a QB this year? And not because of our sluggish start this season, to me you recruit at least one QB every year. Considering our dismal QB recruiting over the years, UNT should always be recruiting one or two QB's every year.

There are two parts to that. Recruiting and evaluating talent. After seeing Greer, I have some serious doubts about someone's ability to evaluate talent/ability in QB's.

Mean Green 93-98 · September 16, 2014

Having a kid freaked me out at 30 while married and with a great career. My wheels would have come off when I was his age. Everyone should stop with this maturity bs. He had life issues that were honestly more important than a game.

Who is to blame for bringing those "life issues" to him and distracting him from football and school?

oldguystudent · September 16, 2014

Who is to blame for bringing those "life issues" to him and distracting him from football and school?

Slippery slope there. Suppose he had taken steps to remedy that situation and it had gotten out. Imagine the uproar. So to stay away from taking a side on that issue, we're more prone to point fingers and tell a 19-year-old to keep it in his pants and never, ever make a mistake or give in to the heat of the moment.

Our desire is for a good football team. Whether or not that happens, I'll give him credit where credit it due in taking steps to be a responsible father for this child he's brought into the world. I hope he continues on that path.

Good lord, I sound like a former "coach" there.

jredallas · September 16, 2014

Who is to blame for bringing those "life issues" to him and distracting him from football and school?

Hopefully part of what is happening with him right now is that he is realizing he has to own his life choices and will make the best of the opportunity he is now being given to prove that he can overcome the additional obstacles he put in his own path. If he succeeds, and with Mac and the rest of the staff in place to provide him with the proper guidance I have every reason to believe he will, then what an awesome story it will make. It is up to him, and only him, to do what he needs to do to find the proper balance between his family situation, school, and football. I really hope he strikes the right balance and succeeds in all of those areas.

Edited September 16, 2014 by jredallas

GrandGreen · September 16, 2014

A game against Nicholls should be a rout no matter if NT runs nothing but the wildcat. Not sure anything can be proved this week.

Mean Green 93-98 · September 16, 2014

Hopefully part of what is happening with him right now is that he is realizing he has to own his life choices and will make the best of the opportunity he is now being given to prove that he can overcome the additional obstacles he put in his own path. If he succeeds, and with Mac and the rest of the staff in place to provide him with the proper guidance I have every reason to believe he will, then what an awesome story it will make. It is up to him, and only him, to do what he needs to do to find the proper balance between his family situation, school, and football. I really hope he strikes the right balance and succeeds in all of those areas.

Exactly right. Agree 100%. Perhaps the results of his previous immaturity will be a main factor in his maturation process.

UNTexas · September 16, 2014

Who is to blame for bringing those "life issues" to him and distracting him from football and school?

Are you serious? No one ever said he isn't accountable for his actions. Do you think he is anywhere close to being the first player at UNT to not show up to camp in the greatest shape? He missed practice for the birth of his child. As he should have. He's still in school too.

Why don't you cast the first stone? Or maybe he shouldn't have taken responsibility for his actions and been absent for his child as so many losers do these days?

Your post makes you sounds like one of those judgemental people who were angry when Roethlisberger missed a game to be with his wife giving birth. Seriously, get over it because your post sounded as you've never made a mistake. You are obviously a grown man being judgmental on a kid. Once again, it's a f'ing game.

Usually I agree with your posts but being judgmental of a kid working his way through life is outrageous.

Edited September 16, 2014 by UNTexas

oldguystudent · September 16, 2014

it's a f'ing game.

I think that's what got him in the predicament in the first place.

UNT90 · September 16, 2014

There are two parts to that. Recruiting and evaluating talent. After seeing Greer, I have some serious doubts about someone's ability to evaluate talent/ability in QB's.

I would hope whoever recruits also evaluates QBs. Same thing.

VideoEagle · September 16, 2014

Wasn't Greer recruited by multiple schools coming out of high school? I know he signed with UAB, but otherwise I don't know. I thought UAB was still interested in him after Jr College, but again I didn't follow that closely. Coaches besides our staff appear to have thought he had potential.