Mean Green

Tomorrow is UNT's first scrimmage of spring practice. Here is what you need to know about the Mean Green heading into the workout.

First off, the scrimmage will take place at 3:30 p.m. at Fouts Field and is open to the public. Head coach Todd Dodge will have his first- and second-team offenses face off for 12 plays, followed by the third-team offense and defense for five plays, followed by eight plays by the second teams.

UNT will run through three punts and then repeat the sequence with 10 plays with the first teams, five with the third teams and eight with the second teams.

The third round will begin with three kickoffs and then 10 plays with the first team, five with the third and eight with the second.

All told, the workout will last around 100 plays.

UNT practiced on Thursday in preparation for the scrimmage when tackle Matthew Menard did a little more in the way of football activities. He was still limited, but worked on his foot work in pass protection with Chad Rose, who is out for the spring with an injury.

After watching a few sessions of spring, the player who seems to have really taken a step forward and improved his stock is redshirt freshman wide receiver Sam Roberson. I would be shocked if he didn't earn a starting job by fall practice.

Dodge continues to be high on walkon wide receiver Alex Lott, who made a nice grab in pattern drills where the wide receivers run their routs without defenders on the field. Sam Dibrell also made a nice catch.

Kicker Jeremy Knott appears to be as good as advertised. Knott hit several field goals from 35 yards out with room to spare at the end of practice. He should help solve the problems with UNT's kicking game last season.

Former Denton Ryan standout and Navy transfer Greg Garden is getting a long look with the first team at safety. Cornerback Latif Nurudeen continues to work with the first team as well.

Defensive end Eddrick Gilmore knocked down another pass at the line of scrimmage in practice. It seems like he gets at least one deflection every practice.

Lineman Charlie Brown is getting a long look with the first- and second-team defenses.

UNT staged its first third-down scrimmage of spring practice on Thursday. The Mean Green worked on several third-down situations when UNT's defense made a few stops unlike last year when the offense seemed to score at will.

I received a few questions about Rick Villarreal's comments on the future use of the land where the Radisson is currently located, especially after UNT president Gretchen Bataille mentioned that the athletic department could benefit from the university taking over the property. I went back and asked Villarreal again how the land could be used by the athletic department. He reiterated that he is unaware of what the plans for the land are, but that the university will keep in mind the athletic department’s plans to build a football stadium next door to the property as it devises a use for the land.

Post your thoughts on the blog. Who do you expect to shine in the first scrimmage of spring workouts?