Off season attrition has murdered us. Our WR corps, OL, and LB corps have been obliterated. They're experimenting with Bee at DL... Foster back to WR is a help...but We are young and not deep at all. I'll piss on a spark plug if we get to 6-6...

After watching the Spring Game, I now have a few observations....

The Good- Mason Fine looks healthy. He didn't have as good of an outing as I expected, but I think a lot of that is due to our front 7. The defense looks very good for spring. They were flying to the ball and hitting hard. I know it is early, but they look like they have a chance to be special. The WR position looked much better then it did last spring.

The (possibly) Bad- The O-line seemed to struggle at times with our defensive front. That said, the unit still looked better then last spring. But, I do worry some of their issues from last season have not been fixed. Our punting was very inconsistent today. It was very windy, but still not up to FBS standards.

Overall- I feel confident that this team is more talented and better then last season's team. Last season's schedule was tough, with North Texas playing 5 of C-USA's bowl teams. ODU was the only other C-USA bowl team not on our schedule last season. Right now, this year's schedule looks to be easier. After what I saw today, I feel North Texas should get 6 or more wins this year.

Getting onto the field will be the first victory.

Sent from my XT1565 using CSNbbs mobile app

Barring injury LA Tech has its starting QB for the next 3 years pretty well wrapped up.

(04-08-2017 10:46 PM)DogsWin1 Wrote:  Barring injury LA Tech has its starting QB for the next 3 years pretty well wrapped up.

Did you watch? How was thr defense, I wasnt able to be there. The score indicates it did well enough preventing touchdowns

(04-08-2017 11:50 PM)Doots4Dawgs Wrote:  

(04-08-2017 10:46 PM)DogsWin1 Wrote:  Barring injury LA Tech has its starting QB for the next 3 years pretty well wrapped up.

Did you watch? How was thr defense, I wasnt able to be there. The score indicates it did well enough preventing touchdowns

Tech is going to have a nasty d-line w/ Jay Ferguson, Willie Baker, Deldrick Canty, and Eric Kendzior

I thought the defense played with a chip on their shoulders. One lineman (Deldrick Canty I believe) got a sack on Jack Abraham that, well, if Abraham hadn't been wearing a red jersey, Canty would have destroyed his soul. Also, one of my friends has class with Secdrick Cooper, and apparently Cooper told him the defense next year would "punch you in the mouth." It's clear they aren't happy with last year's performance and are taking improving very seriously.

As for the offense, if our quarterbacks had been allowed to run without getting blown dead after a touch, the score would have been higher. J'Mar would have had a touchdown from a read option keeper if it wasn't for that. The quarterbacks and wide receivers still need to work on getting in sync, but if they get that locked down I think we'll be fine. There was only one interception (pick by Kitchen, don't recall who threw it) and one fumble (offense recovered and picked up the 1st down a play later), so we should be fine there. J'Mar threw for over 300 yards.

Dancy made a couple of nice plays. He didn't see a whole lot of action as he's still trying to get back to full strength, but he flashed a little potential.

A little concerned by missed field goals (by both Barnes and Farlow), but I'm hoping that was just offseason rust that will be polished by Sept 2.

USM is getting there, but not this year. The qb position will be our biggest hurdle to overcome in my opinion. Probably the strongest position on our team is at receiver. The question is will we find a qb that can get them the ball. Expect more of a run game with Ito this year and the qb rolling out a lot with a run option. Ball security could be a real issue from the qb position.

The defense will be better with depth and size on the line, but big questions still at the linebacker positions. The young guys will be tested. Safety will be a question area, but returning starters on the corners should be good.

What I will be watching for is how much better Hopson and his staff coach this year. Have to improve from last year.

(04-09-2017 03:46 PM)techdawg28 Wrote:  I thought the defense played with a chip on their shoulders. One lineman (Deldrick Canty I believe) got a sack on Jack Abraham that, well, if Abraham hadn't been wearing a red jersey, Canty would have destroyed his soul. Also, one of my friends has class with Secdrick Cooper, and apparently Cooper told him the defense next year would "punch you in the mouth." It's clear they aren't happy with last year's performance and are taking improving very seriously.

As for the offense, if our quarterbacks had been allowed to run without getting blown dead after a touch, the score would have been higher. J'Mar would have had a touchdown from a read option keeper if it wasn't for that. The quarterbacks and wide receivers still need to work on getting in sync, but if they get that locked down I think we'll be fine. There was only one interception (pick by Kitchen, don't recall who threw it) and one fumble (offense recovered and picked up the 1st down a play later), so we should be fine there. J'Mar threw for over 300 yards.

Dancy made a couple of nice plays. He didn't see a whole lot of action as he's still trying to get back to full strength, but he flashed a little potential.

A little concerned by missed field goals (by both Barnes and Farlow), but I'm hoping that was just offseason rust that will be polished by Sept 2.

I'm excited about J'Mar's ability to run

(04-05-2017 03:51 AM)MUther Wrote:  I feel like not a ****** thing has changed from a barely 3-9 team for the better. I feel like our starters were predetermined instead of being selected on merit. I think we'll be moderately more successful, which translates to just enough to keep people in their jobs. I think we're going to be mediocre at best for the foreseeable future.

Be sure your staffs have a football coaching for dummies manual handy to counter our tricky 3/4 of a page playbook.

I agree, but I only see 3 or 4 games I would consider to be possible wins. Same OC and DC Litton almost certainly will be starting QB. CUSA is becoming a conference where you need an offense that can score more than 30ppg to have a shot a winning season. I don't see 30ppg if the offensive game plan from last year is what will be used in 2017. FAU & FIU will should be much improved from last year, Charlotte nearly beat us in Huntington, since Doc doesn't have a stellar road record I think Charlotte might beat us.

(04-10-2017 07:02 PM)THE NC Herd Fan Wrote:  

(04-05-2017 03:51 AM)MUther Wrote:  I feel like not a ****** thing has changed from a barely 3-9 team for the better. I feel like our starters were predetermined instead of being selected on merit. I think we'll be moderately more successful, which translates to just enough to keep people in their jobs. I think we're going to be mediocre at best for the foreseeable future.

Be sure your staffs have a football coaching for dummies manual handy to counter our tricky 3/4 of a page playbook.

I agree, but I only see 3 or 4 games I would consider to be possible wins. Same OC and DC Litton almost certainly will be starting QB. CUSA is becoming a conference where you need an offense that can score more than 30ppg to have a shot a winning season. I don't see 30ppg if the offensive game plan from last year is what will be used in 2017. FAU & FIU will should be much improved from last year, Charlotte nearly beat us in Huntington, since Doc doesn't have a stellar road record I think Charlotte might beat us.

Not to stir up old wounds but we actually did beat you in Huntington. Our spring game is 4/22. Should know about the Niners then but the lines are major areas of concern.

(04-10-2017 07:11 PM)Norm DaNiner Wrote:  

(04-10-2017 07:02 PM)THE NC Herd Fan Wrote:  

(04-05-2017 03:51 AM)MUther Wrote:  I feel like not a ****** thing has changed from a barely 3-9 team for the better. I feel like our starters were predetermined instead of being selected on merit. I think we'll be moderately more successful, which translates to just enough to keep people in their jobs. I think we're going to be mediocre at best for the foreseeable future.

Be sure your staffs have a football coaching for dummies manual handy to counter our tricky 3/4 of a page playbook.

I agree, but I only see 3 or 4 games I would consider to be possible wins. Same OC and DC Litton almost certainly will be starting QB. CUSA is becoming a conference where you need an offense that can score more than 30ppg to have a shot a winning season. I don't see 30ppg if the offensive game plan from last year is what will be used in 2017. FAU & FIU will should be much improved from last year, Charlotte nearly beat us in Huntington, since Doc doesn't have a stellar road record I think Charlotte might beat us.

Not to stir up old wounds but we actually did beat you in Huntington. Our spring game is 4/22. Should know about the Niners then but the lines are major areas of concern.

LOL! I completely blocked that one out. Result in Charlotte not likely going to be different, I don't see much chance of improvement on Marshall's offense.

Xavier Lane - RS Freshman Wide Receiver

Last summer I said he'll be the next star receiver at Western. The only thing that could stop it from happening is him. I know nothing about his work ethic or personality. But if that's all good he'll be a star.

I wasn't surprised he was redshirted last year with TT and NN as seniors and Lucky and Quin having already redshirted and Fant and Towner around. He looks to have put a little weight on.

Some kids walk in an arena or on a football field and they look like what a basketball player or a football player are SUPPOSED to look like. Xavier Lane is one of those guys. A 6'4 wideout with long legs and big hands. Might not have afterburner speed but he has adequate speed to get behind people and if you're even with him he still has you because he's 6'4 and catches everything I've ever seen thrown to him.
He was running with the first team today. He, Lucky Jackson and Kylen Towner were first team wideouts in the practice I attended today. It'll be tough to keep Jernigan off the field as well. We are loaded at wide receiver again. Lucky drops too many for my liking. Poor mans Taywan. Lane and Jernigan can be difference makers. Devin Nixon made a beautiful catch for a touchdown with a db draped all over him in the end zone.

I told you guys about Lane last year. You'll see this year.

(04-18-2017 11:09 PM)dahbeed Wrote:  Xavier Lane - RS Freshman Wide Receiver

Last summer I said he'll be the next star receiver at Western. The only thing that could stop it from happening is him. I know nothing about his work ethic or personality. But if that's all good he'll be a star.

I wasn't surprised he was redshirted last year with TT and NN as seniors and Lucky and Quin having already redshirted and Fant and Towner around. He looks to have put a little weight on.

Some kids walk in an arena or on a football field and they look like what a basketball player or a football player are SUPPOSED to look like. Xavier Lane is one of those guys. A 6'4 wideout with long legs and big hands. Might not have afterburner speed but he has adequate speed to get behind people and if you're even with him he still has you because he's 6'4 and catches everything I've ever seen thrown to him.
He was running with the first team today. He, Lucky Jackson and Kylen Towner were first team wideouts in the practice I attended today. It'll be tough to keep Jernigan off the field as well. We are loaded at wide receiver again. Lucky drops too many for my liking. Poor mans Taywan. Lane and Jernigan can be difference makers. Devin Nixon made a beautiful catch for a touchdown with a db draped all over him in the end zone.

I told you guys about Lane last year. You'll see this year.

.
Dahbeed, I'd forgot about Lane. I am thinking Kylen Towner might be the forgotten one with his breakaway speed. This offense looks loaded again with the receiving corp and with White back and the backfield of Allen, Ferby, Trigg and Baker. The biggest question mark is the O-line especially losing Lamp & Halpin, both NFL talent.

(04-19-2017 05:05 AM)Franko Wrote:  

(04-18-2017 11:09 PM)dahbeed Wrote:  Xavier Lane - RS Freshman Wide Receiver

Last summer I said he'll be the next star receiver at Western. The only thing that could stop it from happening is him. I know nothing about his work ethic or personality. But if that's all good he'll be a star.

I wasn't surprised he was redshirted last year with TT and NN as seniors and Lucky and Quin having already redshirted and Fant and Towner around. He looks to have put a little weight on.

Some kids walk in an arena or on a football field and they look like what a basketball player or a football player are SUPPOSED to look like. Xavier Lane is one of those guys. A 6'4 wideout with long legs and big hands. Might not have afterburner speed but he has adequate speed to get behind people and if you're even with him he still has you because he's 6'4 and catches everything I've ever seen thrown to him.
He was running with the first team today. He, Lucky Jackson and Kylen Towner were first team wideouts in the practice I attended today. It'll be tough to keep Jernigan off the field as well. We are loaded at wide receiver again. Lucky drops too many for my liking. Poor mans Taywan. Lane and Jernigan can be difference makers. Devin Nixon made a beautiful catch for a touchdown with a db draped all over him in the end zone.

I told you guys about Lane last year. You'll see this year.

.
Dahbeed, I'd forgot about Lane. I am thinking Kylen Towner might be the forgotten one with his breakaway speed. This offense looks loaded again with the receiving corp and with White back and the backfield of Allen, Ferby, Trigg and Baker. The biggest question mark is the O-line especially losing Lamp & Halpin, both NFL talent.

Agree about the O-Line. The guys that have plugged in have experience, just nowhere near what they had last year.

Jimmie Sims takes over the Left Tackle position. 6'4 and 295. Played backup tackle his sophomore year and first half of last season. They moved him to blocking tight end after 6 games last year and the scoring took off. Has the size for sure. Most important guy to protect the qb.

Brandon Ray is back at Left Guard. Says he's started every game of his career and that's 41 straight now. Said he's the reason Wales ran so well off the left side.

Dennis Edwards is moving from Right Guard to Center. Started every game last year.

RS Sophomore Miles Pate is newcomer to Right Guard. 6'2 and 320.

RS Sophomore Parker Howell at 6'4 and 290 is the new Right Tackle. He's out of Nashville. Said he had the best vertical among linemen.

They looked really good early in the practice but the Dee Line started getting to White some towards the end of practice. Maybe Dee Line is better, maybe O Line getting tired. We have tools to work with. It's been our strength for years now.