Dave Campbell 2014 North Texas Talking Point

MeanGreenGlory · July 9, 2014

http://youtu.be/YMlJqQ3TFQw

All About UNT · July 9, 2014

so much for the reference to Fonzale

MeanGreenGlory · July 9, 2014

Yeah...oh well.

I'm really looking forward to seeing Carlos Harris this year and was surprised they didn't mention him. I think he'll be great.

UNTeagle88 · July 9, 2014

Are we that much of a clean sleight?

BillySee58 · July 9, 2014

Are we that much of a clean sleight?

No. Tep was just being dramatic. We lost our leading rusher but we return the rest of our top guys. And we lost our top 2 receivers but our 3rd through 5th leading receivers are back.

greenminer · July 9, 2014

Among our returning skill positions, we are retaining almost 50% of our production

Aldo · July 9, 2014

Although Harris and Kidsy looked solid this spring, I'm going with (hoping?) Darius Terrell being "that guy" we talk about.

MeanGreenTexan · July 9, 2014

Look for Carlos Harris to replace (to a degree) what Chancellor was doing with the Jet Sweeps and big 3rd down catches.

Look for Jimmerson to get more touches, sure, but I wouldn't be surprised to Pegram basically step into Byrd's old role, and it looks like we may have a 3rd option for change-of-pace in Evans and/or Ivery. I expect the run game to look a lot like it did in 2012.

At WR, Can Goree contribute immediately? Can Terrell finally shine here? Is Kidsy ready to take the next step in his development? Any other surprises (Caldwell/Smiley/...)?

I expect Smith to step up big time this year at TE.

Biggest question mark is QB. Whoever it is, they are going to make or break the offense this year.

Aldo · July 9, 2014

Biggest question mark is QB. Whoever it is, they are going to make or break the offense this year.

I think this can be masked in this run-first system. If you can execute the play action well (assuming a successful run game), then we can still work with a game manager.

After looking at some fuzzy Hudl videos (which only include the "good" plays where everyone has 100% completion rate, 40 ypa, and 20 ypc) I came away with a few observations.

Josh Greer - This is the guy I want to see succeed. I like his size at 6'-5" 220lbs, though I know Canales likes to run the QB sometimes. Greer's 4.8 40 seems a tad slow (according to his Hudl page). He has decent mechanics: He throws over the top, even under pressure, but sometimes employs a 3/4 throw. He throws a little slow for my taste. Great footwork, but consistently spreads his feet too far apart. This could lead to reduced power and accuracy in long throws. Most throws I saw were short to intermediate, in the soft parts of zones, and for the most part on target. He can throw to the outside, and fairly well. Hardly saw any play action, and mostly out of 10 or 11 shotgun set. I feel good about this guy's development so far, and has the most game experience out of the bunch, but I question the ability to play under center, and run the play action in this system.

Andrew McNulty - I may have an unfair judgement of McNulty. Never really given chances to throw in spot play as of late. All I can remember are INTs, which may be why I subconsciously would like Greer to start. But, uh, I couldn't find any high school highlights that I could actually see who was playing. All I know is he can run the ball well, and could be a candidate for running the option. During the spring game I was pleasantly surprised with his decisiveness and accuracy down the field. But for the amount of effort he looked to be putting into his passes, they seem to be "soft" (e.g. interceptable). He also seemed to hone in on Terrell. Throwing mechanics and footwork look good, that I can tell, but he seems to spread his feet way far apart when he plants. Almost looks like a warrior pose in yoga. At 6-1, he can't afford to lose more height on his throws over lineman. He looks the most comfortable in this offense, but I don't see him taking the reigns.

Connor Means - Color me impressed. He's not ready to start, though. He needs to refine his footwork, and it almost looks like he sidearms his throws. At best a 3/4 throw. But he's 6-4 and runs a 4.6 40. Not bad. Although does that mean 4.69 or 4.61? Game tape shows him outrunning linebackers, so I am going with the fast 4.6. I'm sure they'll bulk him up a little. Runs the play action well, which sells the defense allowing him to accumulate all those highlight reel qb runs. Throws to outside well. But he runs well too, getting extra yards and taking angles away. Don't think he'll be able to do that against D1 linebackers though, and be durable. Throws well on the move, keeping the ball high before throwing. Not a project, but not ready. I like this guy. He'll be able run the option, and pass well on play action boots. Not afraid to look deep, which brings the question of, can he make the short to intermediate throws?

Quinn Shanbour - Intriguing, RB-sized. Couldn't find a whole lot about this guy. Love his quick release. Quickest out of all these guys. Mechanics above the waist is solid, below the waist is non existent, at least in a lot of his Hudl tape. Keeps the ball too low, if it were higher, his release would be quicker. Calm, scans the field well and his head goes through the progressions 50% of the time. The rest he locks on to one player or tucks and runs. Throws the deep and intermediate ball well. Short passes are good, sometimes behind. Was asked to run a lot. He's quick with some moves, but doesn't look as fast as Means. Protects the ball like JFF during scrambles. This guy is exciting to watch on tape. Fairly accurate with some zip, and can run it up the middle on the outside during a zone read. Different kind of QB than the rest, it feels.

Dajon Williams - ZOMG YOU GUYZ. I don't understand the "project" label. He's just as much of a project as McNulty, Greer, or Means. Footwork needs fixing, as well as where he holds the ball - he keeps it around his chest, instead of around his head before throwing. Webster's dictionary defines "touch" as... This guy has touch, and delivers the ball well, and with accuracy. Second quickest motion in the bunch, but a little elongated. Need to tighten that up. I don't see a scrambler here. He throws the short, intermediate, and deep passes. I saw runs on designed plays (zone reads), and on broken plays (DE breathing down his neck on a boot). Stays in the pocket when it's clean, just doesn't climb up it.

One or two of these guys will be gone next year when they find a better chance to start. I am not too worried, as I don't see most of these guys as "game managers". In terms of overall talent, give me Williams, Means, Shanbour, Greer, and McNulty in that order. Excited about Chumley next year.

greenit · July 9, 2014

...

One or two of these guys will be gone next year when they find a better chance to start. I am not too worried, as I don't see most of these guys as "game managers". In terms of overall talent, give me Williams, Means, Shanbour, Greer, and McNulty in that order. Excited about Chumley next year.

So pretty much the opposite of what our coaching staff thinks.

Hmmm.

Edited July 9, 2014 by greenit

All About UNT · July 9, 2014

So pretty much the opposite of what our coaching staff thinks.
Hmmm.

nah.

Mean_Green09 · July 9, 2014

You can only mask your deficiency at QB for so long. Sooner or later the box becomes loaded and you will need one of these unproven WRs and QB to step up and deliver. We all know that's coming this year. It's been the story for the past 3 years

It is pretty much a clean slate on offense. We lost a ton of production. Outside of Harris. Jimmerson, and Pegram, not many guys on the roster have proven anything. Flashed yes. I have belief in Kidsy and Terrell to become play makers, just not sure how long it will take for them to become established. We dont know what FR WR will step up, but one of those guys should crack the two deep by week 1. Evans and Lewis will add quality depth to the RB position.

Not many teams that lose the type of production like we did across the board are successful the next year. Our one saving grace is the OL. They give me belief that we can have a winning record this year. They can help give a security blanket for who ever wins the QB job. Give them extra time to read defenses and help pave the way for a good run game.

outoftown · July 9, 2014

Are we that much of a clean sleight?

We lost our stats leaders at QB, RB, WR, TE, DL, LB, and DB. We also lost our number 2 at WR and our 3 DLs with the most tackles. Basically the OL is the only unit where last years leader returns. Even if there is depth, this is really a lot to lose.

Edited July 9, 2014 by outoftown

greenminer · July 9, 2014

We lost our stats leaders at QB, RB, WR, TE, DL, LB, and DB. We also lost our number 2 at WR and our 3 DLs with the most tackles. Basically the OL is the only unit where last years leader returns. Even if there is depth, this is really a lot to lose.

The stat leaders, but not exactly stat hogs.

We are retaining nearly 50% of the yards earned last year, and I'm guessing 80% or more of the snaps on the 2013 OL.

Are we going to miss those seniors? Of course. But we are far from a clean slate. If there is an offensive production issue in 2014, it will be because of the QB position.

GTWT · July 10, 2014

On offense games are won by the big ugly dudes. The 'skill position' guys are just skinny boys who get the girls and the glory - but they don't win games.

UNT will be fine on offense. On defense......

Ben Gooding · July 10, 2014

QB will decide our success. That and play calling. I don't know why, but I truly think our DL issues are going to be solved as the season progresses. Leads back to QB and play calling deciding our 2014 success. GMG