University of North Texas Athletics
Green Gang: TV Watching Alert With Full Pads
8/14/2009 12:00:00 AM | Return to Play
By Steven Bartolotta, August 13, 2009, 7:44 p.m.
Before we get to some full pads thoughts, a quick TV watching alert for everyone tonight and then again on Sunday night. CW 33 was out today shooting some practice and did a little talk with Coach Dodge after practice. There will be small tease and or story tonight on CW 33, but on Sunday night Coach Dodge will be on live, so mark those down.
Okay two-days down in full pads and here is what we know.
Royce Hill looks even better in pads and is hands down the player that has had the most impressive camp. The only thing about Hill that you will recognize this year from last year is the name on his jersey because that's it. He's going to be an all-conference player....this year.
The competition to replace Antoine Bush is really heating up. Bush, more than likely out for some time (MRI tomorrow), was going to back up Adryan Adams. Freshman Hilbert Jackson appears to have the first shot but Robby Gordon, a perennial back-up, has moved over to the cornerback spot and really impressed the last two days. Jackson is going to have to earn that spot.
Darien Williams isn't giving up his starting strong safety spot without a fight either. The incumbent after the 08 season has been challenged by Ira Smith and John Shorter and right now it's neck and neck between all three guys.
Buy a program, print a roster and highlight the d-lineman this year because it's gonna be a lot of names early on. Tevinn Cantly had his best two days of the camp against the run, but he's still got a lot of work to do getting to the quarterback. So, you take him out and plug in a Tyler Washington, Eddrick Gilmore (maybe on the outside), or Kelvin Jackson.
The hardest part I fear is going to be getting the right combination out on the field.
What we don't know, the special teams. The punters and kickers I'm not worried about. It's the coverage. Coach Gandy has been given free reign to use starters on special teams and he is. The question is will it work. It hasn't been answered yet and I'm a bit nervous.
The one battle on the offensive line between Kelvin Drake and Gabe Hollivay is starting to tilt the way of Drake. The all-conference lineman is 100 percent and looks better than ever. Hollivay is going to have to make up a lot of ground to start in Indiana.
There have been a small rash of injuries here and there, but other than Bush, nothing major, which is the best news of all through six days.
