MEEN2018

For Brooks and LaDarius, the Bucs are deep enough that the determining factor in either making the team will be almost exclusively based on their special teams play. They will just go with the best special teamer at these positions (CB5 and OLB 5/6). Still hoping both have a great camp on defense as well and make the team.

Bucs OTA report - 6/1 - Darden Steals the Show

As a Bucs fan, I figured that I would help create a thread with links to articles to provide updates on Darden throughout the year. I’ll post a link to all articles that discuss how Darden is doing.

As a Bucs fan, the Darden addition doesn’t have much to do with AB. They returned all 22 starters and every key backup from a Super Bowl winning team. They also had a top 10 offense and a top 10 defense. The only opportunity for playing time and a roster spot basically is special teams as they needed to improve that. They love Darden for what he can offer in the return game but as of now he is WR6 or WR7. I wouldn’t read into the 6th round pick to trade up. They traded up because they really like Darden, but also a 6th round pick wasn’t going to make this team. Bruce Arians stated on the pewter report podcast (he also raves about Darden. It is a good listen) that AB got a small knee scope done and they are still signing him. They will design ways to get Darden the ball on offense, but they have 2 top-10 WRs, AB, and 2 other really good young WRs in front of Darden.

As a Bucs fan, I was hoping they would draft Brooks, Hambone, and Darden. Seeing them draft Darden was super awesome and then having them sign Brooks and Hambone later in the week is so cool. It will be tough for Brooks and Hambone but hoping they can both make the team. Luckily those are the 2 positions that they lack depth in and they tried out Brooks a few times this past season so they obviously like him.

As a life-long, die-hard Bucs fan and UNT alum, I love the move. They have the best WR core in the NFL (truly five deep before Darden) but was still hoping they’d draft him. Arians has a history of using and loving smaller speedsters. He will definitely get the first opportunity to be the PR and KR as that is really their only weakness currently. He will definitely have to fight for playing time as he will come in as WR6, but they will definitely scheme up ways to get him the ball. Arians said that he has been talking to Tom about the draft picks and that Brady is already really excited about Jaelon. I think it is a homerun pick and glad that Jaelon will get to win a Super Bowl as a rookie! 🙂

Yes and no. The senior bowl is definitely the premier game and every player that is invited to both will choose the senior bowl if they go to either. However the shrine game is usually the week before and a few players from the Shrine game that have the best weeks usually get “promoted” and invited to the senior bowl as well. Obviously not the case with no practices and game for the Shrine bowl this year, but potentially a player could get hurt or opt out of the Senior bowl and Darden could get an invite.

That’s stupid to say. He played hard here and had some great years. If he stays at UNT he is going to have a young QB that has basically never played in college determining his NFL future. He would probably max out as a 4th-5th round pick with everything going perfect here. He has a chance to be a 2nd round pick or so if he has a good year at a P5. I don’t want to see him leave either, but people also have to be realistic. This is a family decision to potentially set them up for years to come. I love UNT, but anyone that would put a school above doing what is best for his family and career is just being stupid and petty.

I remember him being knocked for making TOO many tackles in college and that they thought he couldn’t make plays at the LOS because of that.

Fine measured in at 5’ 9 3/4”. That is probably about the worst thing that could’ve happened for him. Really needed like 5’ 11”. Stupid to think that 1.25” would make a big deal but the NFL has a track record for being stupid.

As I don’t follow Kansas at all, I honestly have no clue whether or not he is a good hire. The thing that gives me pause is that he was the DC/S coach here in 2011 and then almost a decade later he takes the same job again. Obviously he seems like a loyal guy so that may play into it, but if he is to be a great/good DC you’d think that he wouldn’t be taking the same DC job at the same CUSA program a decade later and would instead be moving up the ladder... Obviously I hope that he works out and wish him nothing but the best, but I can definitely see how it would be hard for some people to get too excited about it. Personally I wanted Koonz as it was a night and day difference in the LBs before, during, and after his time here.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/247sports.com/college/north-texas/Article/North-Texas-football-staff-promotions-Tommy-Mainord-Jeff-Koonz-Luke-Walerius-129392701/Amp/ “Luke Walerius, North Texas' director of recruiting, will continue overseeing all of the Mean Green's recruiting efforts. However, Walerius will also take on the title of Chief of Staff, which will involve him directly assisting head coach Seth Littrell with day-to-day duties within the football program.” To me it seems like they could be grooming Walerius to be the next HC if Littrell leaves in the next couple of years? He’s definitely done an amazing job with recruiting!

Im not sure if it’s already been mentioned but if Riley is coming on board as RB coach like was mentioned previously, then Nichol almost makes too much sense. Looks like he coached under Littrell as WRs coach at Arizona for 3 years and coached with Garrett Riley for 3 years at East Carolina. Would make a lot of sense relationally and schematically.

The deadline was January 14th so he’s locked in and can’t come back. Hopefully he can catch on with someone, though I’d say at best he was the third best receiver at UNT so not super likely. I’m guessing with all the young talented guys coming up he figured his stock probably wouldn’t increase more and since he already has his degree might as well try now with his high school pedigree and his CUSA newcomer of the year more recent.

He signed custom ”Mean Joe” cokes this year at the scholarship event honoring his late wife.

Who did it say?

I agree. It seems like Harrell and Littrell put together a good game plan but then Harrell sticks with it even after the defense adapts. I think he just needs to learn to better adapt and have confidence to deviate from the game plan.

I think that Harrell is a great QB coach as evidenced by Fine’s growth. The problem is that unlike being a QB coach where he can directly use his playing experience, play calling takes time to develop. I think he has a lot of potential as a coach but I think the frustration stems from his play calling not developing as fast as many fans would like. The offense has been good but has left a lot of points on the board from suspect play calling at times.

All of Mean Green Nation right now:

Which 2018 and 2019 recruits do you expect to make the most impact next year?

https://247sports.com/college/north-texas/LongFormArticle/North-Texas-Mean-Green-football-official-visitors-list-weekend-Dec-7-9-126032585/#126032585_6

I think Harrell is a good QB coach as we have seen how much better Fine has gotten each year. He just needs a lot more development as a play caller and unfortunately I think that to live up to their potential this team needs a better play caller. Yellock doesn’t surprise me. Amazing improvement on the dline this year. If he leaves I wish him the best of luck! Biagi seems like a future star with his coaching and recruiting. I think he would be the best candidate to replace Seth down the road if we promoted from within. Choice is in the same boat as Biagi to me. The players seem to LOVE both of them and it seems like every key recruit posts a picture with Choice, Biagi, and Mainord. I would not be surprised to see Choice as a HC somewhere in the next 5 years. Glad to hear on the rest. The only coach I’m on the fence about is Langston. Not impressed with his results but the online recruits for this year seem better. Oline takes a while to develop so I’ll trust Seth on this one. I know a lot of us wanted Reff gone last year and then he turned into a star this year so patience may be a virtue.

Would this be as a Co-OC with someone like Mainord or as the sole OC? I mentioned him yesterday but didn’t know if he was ready for sole OC yet