Where's the Beef?

[westexSMU]

5.2 40 Speed is generally too slow for a D1 DL, but loosing the weight discribed should improve his 40 time.

[westexSMU]

The last really quality DL SMU had was Adrian Haywood in 2006 when we went 6-6. Haywood ran a 4.7 40 and spent alot of game time in the opposing teams offensive backfield chasing/sacking QBs.

[Vitale]

Some of the OL fellas recruited over the last couple of years also played or can play some interior DL positions don't ya think? Atchison maybe?

Some of them might be able to, but I think Atchison is locked in at guard.

[davidpaul123]

Outside of quarterbacks, D-Tackle is the hardest position to recruit.

[davidpaul123]

In the pressconference, JJ really sounded like he was happy with what he has on the D-Line, so maybe he knows something we dont. All I know is, it will show on the field either way, but I hope we are better up front this year.

[SMUfiji43]

I'm happy with our D-line also, but we need need depth without a doubt. If even one of our starters go down, we are in trouble. However, with Evan, Frazier, Parham, Pittman, Thompson and Margus as the wild card, we have a solid core which I think will be MUCH improved this year.

[ponyboy]

I understand that John Coctoasten out of Utah is available for transfer.

[Ponymon]

I'm happy with our D-line also, but we need need depth without a doubt. If even one of our starters go down, we are in trouble. However, with Evan, Frazier, Parham, Pittman, Thompson and Margus as the wild card, we have a solid core which I think will be MUCH improved this year.

You need to remember that Evan and Frazier had to sit out Spring practice because of GRADE problems. Thompson and Margus appear to be too tall to play in the middle and Parham is a senior this year. Kind of makes the need more urgent doesn't it?

[ProudMama]

I'm happy with our D-line also, but we need need depth without a doubt. If even one of our starters go down, we are in trouble. However, with Evan, Frazier, Parham, Pittman, Thompson and Margus as the wild card, we have a solid core which I think will be MUCH improved this year.

May the Lord watch over our boys and see them through an injury free season. Hopefully there are strict NCAA rules against cutting and chop blocks...the double and triple teaming is to be expected and Evan is very used to it...sometimes it works very well to our advantage too

[Ponymon]

I'm happy with our D-line also, but we need need depth without a doubt. If even one of our starters go down, we are in trouble. However, with Evan, Frazier, Parham, Pittman, Thompson and Margus as the wild card, we have a solid core which I think will be MUCH improved this year.

May the Lord watch over our boys and see them through an injury free season. Hopefully there are strict NCAA rules against cutting and chop blocks...the double and triple teaming is to be expected and Evan is very used to it...sometimes it works very well to our advantage too

Proudmama, Hope you have been after Evan to concentrate more on his grades as he had to miss some practice time this year because of this. I assume that he was having too good of a time his first year, which is typical for most freshmen. (I certainly was guilty of this!) We need him to stay eligible BIGTIME this year as he is the MAIN MAN in the middle!

[ProudMama]

I'm happy with our D-line also, but we need need depth without a doubt. If even one of our starters go down, we are in trouble. However, with Evan, Frazier, Parham, Pittman, Thompson and Margus as the wild card, we have a solid core which I think will be MUCH improved this year.

May the Lord watch over our boys and see them through an injury free season. Hopefully there are strict NCAA rules against cutting and chop blocks...the double and triple teaming is to be expected and Evan is very used to it...sometimes it works very well to our advantage too

Proudmama, Hope you have been after Evan to concentrate more on his grades as he had to miss some practice time this year because of this. I assume that he was having too good of a time his first year, which is typical for most freshmen. (I certainly was guilty of this!) We need him to stay eligible BIGTIME this year as he is the MAIN MAN in the middle!

Ponymon, not sure if Mr. H and I have met you yet but if not we hope to do so soon. Just want to let you know that, as parents, we do not take that responsibility lightly. My husband is from a country that places education VERY high on their list of priorities. Although Tonga is considered a third world country, with no public school system, they have a literacy rate of 98%. They, like other polynesian countries, demand that their children respect their elders and authority. That being said, YES, we have been after Evan and it has worked. Evan made A's in both his classes during the first session of summer school and voluntarily took two more classes the second session of summer school. I have no doubt that he will do well in both of those classes as well. I believe you are right about him having too much of a good time his first year. He now realizes that there are consequences for irresponsible behavior and has matured and accepted responsibility for his actions. I see him focused and taking on a leadership role which, I believe, comes from becoming a more mature young man. He spends his free time at a high school in south Dallas helping to coach their wrestling team and finds this very fulfilling. I assure you that his head is in the right place and that he will not disappoint his team, fans and those that have made this wonderful opportunity available to him. We are looking forward to an exciting and rewarding season

Mrs. H

[Mama Bouche]

From one Mama to another, thanks for the great parenting with Evan. It's really refreshing to hear what's going on in the player's lives besides their time in the 40. I have always enjoyed talking to the parents at the games. I've met a number of the players over the years. The program does produce some fine young men, which, after all, is largely what this whole exercise is about. I'm with you on the lack of depth on the D-Line. Keep up the good work. As a parent of an undergrad student here in Cali, I know of our own challenges. I can't speak to that of others. Evan sounds like a credit to the institution. I hope to meet you all some time. Can't we get games back on the West Coast?

[ProudMama]

From one Mama to another, thanks for the great parenting with Evan. It's really refreshing to hear what's going on in the player's lives besides their time in the 40. I have always enjoyed talking to the parents at the games. I've met a number of the players over the years. The program does produce some fine young men, which, after all, is largely what this whole exercise is about. I'm with you on the lack of depth on the D-Line. Keep up the good work. As a parent of an undergrad student here in Cali, I know of our own challenges. I can't speak to that of others. Evan sounds like a credit to the institution. I hope to meet you all some time. Can't we get games back on the West Coast?

Thanks Mama Bouche...where in Calif do you live? Do you have a child at SMU or are you an alum?

[Mama Bouche]

I am an alum, Law School, class of '79. We live in Fresno, originally from Ventura Co. Daughter is in Santa Barbara.
Got hooked on college football at SMU and enjoyed coming back for the glory years and followed the team on all its games on the West Coast during the WAC days. I think we are on the right track now. It's tough to have seen the game in Austin in '82 and then not be able to hang with Fresno State a few years ago. Now, thanks to June and different circumstances we have a decent class and Fresno State has no recruits. Long way to go, but I think the pieces are in place.
Best.

[RGV Pony]

I am an alum, Law School, class of '79. We live in Fresno, originally from Ventura Co. Daughter is in Santa Barbara.
Got hooked on college football at SMU and enjoyed coming back for the glory years and followed the team on all its games on the West Coast during the WAC days. I think we are on the right track now. It's tough to have seen the game in Austin in '82 and then not be able to hang with Fresno State a few years ago. Now, thanks to June and different circumstances we have a decent class and Fresno State has no recruits. Long way to go, but I think the pieces are in place.
Best.

bless your heart, Mama in Fresno. I'm guessing you were in attendance for one of the most dismal showings SMU has ever put forth, the 42-0 game a few years ago?