Pardon me for the hiatus between posts as I have been nursing a stomach flu the last handful of days but a few things caught my eye from the past few days pertaining to Husker football.
1) From the Collegefootballnews.com message board courtesy of Peter Fiutak:
Q) How long do you give Bo Pelini at Nebraska? 2 scenarios at work here: Bo resurrects the program, wins the Big 12 this year and goes to the Fiesta Bowl, then maintains a Bob Stoops-like 10 wins/season for the next 5-7 years, winning a few conference championships. Scenario #2: Bo takes his team to the Big 12 championship game every other year or so for 5-7 years, but can’t come up with a way to put OU or Texas away and win it. Osborne didn’t beat Oklahoma for several years after his hiring and nearly walked away in 1980. If Bo’s successful, do you think he’ll stick around and be the next Osborne or Beamer? Will he try to move back to the SEC where the talent is richer? As for scenario #2, I think NU fans are going to give this man a huge leash with which he can struggle to win the big games for a few years, but eventually turn the program back into a contender after the 5-7 year grace period. Your thoughts? - CM
A) I’m more on the side of scenario two. Oklahoma and Texas own Oklahoma and Texas when it comes to recruiting, while Nebraska has to be a bit more national in scope. The days of bringing in kids off the farm, beefing them up with, um, uh, lots of work in the weight room, and dominating the Big 8 are over. That’s not to say Nebraska can’t dominate the North. Kansas and Missouri have to prove they have staying power, and I’m not sold they can take another step up into consistent superpower status. Iowa State is, well, Iowa State, Kansas State is a mess at the moment, and Colorado can’t seem to get its mojo under Dan Hawkins. The division is ripe for the picking, and if Pelini rocks and gets Nebraska to the Big 12 title game on. – Peter Fiutak
My response:
I think reclaiming the Big 12 North on a regular basis will be the easy part for Nebraska. Iowa State maxed out in 2005. Seriously, can see the Cyclones going 9-3 or 10-2 on a regular basis? Bill Snyder returns to Kansas State but how many “coming home” stories turn successful? Not many. Colorado under Dan Hawkins has been long on frosting but short on cake. Missouri and Kansas went 12-2 and 12-1 respectively in 2007 while Nebraska took a nosedive in going 5-7. However, neither program strikes me as one that will have staying power. Keep in mind, Missouri entered 2008 with mega-hype and while a 10-4 record and a division title are not a failure, it was not the breakout year most anticipated. Other than 2007, the Tigers have chronically underachieved under Gary Pinkel. As long as the Jayhawks have Mark Mangino as head coach, they will not be an easy out because he knows how to maximize the talent on his roster. Nebraska, however, will generally always have a talent edge on KU, which means with equal coaching, the Big Red has the edge.
As for getting past Texas or Oklahoma, I see Texas as an easier hurdle. Both teams have similar talent but OU seems to underachieve less than Texas. Honestly, with the exception of the Vince Young years (2004-2005), the Longhorns have been a perpetual 10-2 caliber team that should be better. OU’s biggest problem is imploding on the national stage.
2) Red Bull Ekeler stays
Linebackers coach Mike Ekeler spoke on the Husker Sports Network's "Sports Nightly" show Thursday night about his weekend interview with South Florida head coach Jim Leavitt.
"First of all, when Coach Leavitt called Bo and talked about it, I told Bo point blank ... 'If you don't want me to go interview, I won't,'" Ekeler said on the show.
But Ekeler said Pelini told him the interview would be a great experience and he should do it. Ekeler had hoped no one would find out, but the newspapers in that area soon reported he had interviewed, the Tampa Tribune eventually reporting that he had turned down an offer to be the Bulls' defensive coordinator.
Ekeler didn't deny that an offer was extended but said both he and Leavitt agreed it wasn't the right fit at this point.
My response
We all long for the days of yore when Tom Osborne’s staff Milt Tenipor, George Darlington, Dan Young, Frank Solich Tony Samuel, Ron Brown, etc. stayed together for eons. Make no mistake, Pelini longs for such days too. He just understands that in today’s climate, continuity across the board for years on end is a tough proposition. He also understands that assistant coaches have different desires. Some wish to move up within the profession. Others are happy as assists. The assistant coaches owe it to themselves to find out on their own what the right move is.
3) Davison targets bullying
Former Nebraska wide receiver Matt Davison will always best be remembered for his miracle catch in 1997 against Missouri to save the Huskers bid for a National Championship. After his playing days, he has made his name well-known as a broadcaster.
Lincoln Journal Star columnist Steve Sipple recently wrote that Davison has created a nonprofit organization called, “Creating Captains,” which stresses to youth the importance of leadership while also addressing topics such as peer pressure, hazing, bullying, teamwork, drugs and alcohol, and the value of higher education.Davison plans to conduct summer camps across the state of Nebraska in which he will provide guidance and instruction in both football and life. He’ll also make presentations to high school teams and school assemblies.The hazing and bullying aspects of Davison’s message captured my imagination because I was unaware they were significant issues. Actually, “Hazing and bullying are huge issues in schools right now,” Davison says. He saw instances while he played for Nebraska from 1997-2000.
My response
I have always believed in a “law or order” approach to bullies but I know that passing a law to flog them from a tree in public won’t happen anytime soon. Personally, I think bullies are cowards and sissies deep down inside because they think that hurting those more vulnerable than them makes them “tougher” when in fact it exposes how pathetic they really are.
I have always believed that the best way to combat a bully is to take his best shot and then give him yours. You will have a much better chance of ending the process. I think we're teaching our kids to be way too passive. Does it breed more fear in them and keep them from standing up for themselves? If they get a black eye or a bloody nose for sticking up for themselves, it mostlikely will prove to them it doesn't hurt all that bad to take a shot or two and give them the knowledge that they can stand up for themselves. I just don't like seeing kids taking crap from some bully, who if they stood up to him/her, they would most likely leave them alone. Not standing up for themselves gives these types more power over them and others.
Anyhow, I think I have established that if I were a dictator, bullies would be killed on the spot.
Now for a more reasonable solution.
Bullying is a much bigger problem than people think and frankly gets swept under the rug by too many adults, who need to get on board in eliminating this problem or least curtailing it.
Good to see Davison do his part to address the issue.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
How much will the playbook be altered?
Since Patrick Witt has left the program, the starting job for the quarterback position is there for the taking for Zac Lee.
Now the question is who might be No. 2? In 2007, Bill Callahan constantly said how Sam Keller and Joe Ganz were competing for the starting quarterback job but let’s face it that was lip service. No reason to rehash that. Last season, the job belonged to Ganz. There was not even remotely an illusion of a quarterback competition. With Witt in the equation, we were bracing ourselves for him and Lee to duke it out with a starter being named sometime during the week of the first game.
The Huskers made a lot of strides in head coach Bo Pelini’s first season in going from 5-7 in 2007 to 9-4 in 2008, winning six of their last seven games. There’s every reason to believe that Nebraska will develop the right way under Pelini but inexperience at the quarterback position has made most of our fans hesitant about “the big turn around” coming in 2009.
Nebraska will definitely have to rely on its defense a little more while the offense finds its groove. The Husker defense improved from 112th in 2007 to 55th last season. While the defense has improved, will it be so well upgraded that we can rely on it to win lower scoring games?
Lincoln Journal Star columnist Steve Sipple indicated that Nebraska’s relationship with Witt needed to end now based on Witt’s father supposedly wanting assurance that the coaches name him the starter before the end of spring practice. If that’s the case, who does the Witt family think they are to dictate the race? More to the point, if a player shies away from competition for a starting job now, how is he going to handle hostile environments like Oklahoma or Texas A&M?
That’s the difference between Witt and Ganz, who clearly got hosed out of the starting job before the start of 2007. However, when Ganz got his chance when Keller got hurt, he shined.
Battling for the No. 2 spot are redshirt freshmen Kody Spano and true freshman Cody Green. Regardless, all three are inexperienced with only Lee getting game experience but that was in garbage time. Witt’s departure means that Green, who is a prized recruit, gores from almost certainly redshirting to now having a shot at the No. 2 position.
The question becomes, how much will offensive coordinator Shawn Watson scale down the playbook? There was a lot of talk about the Huskers simplifying their scheme after Callahan’s dismissal. However, since Ganz had been in the program for four years, the coaching staff was still afforded the luxury of keeping a lot of playbook volume.
Watson will likely have to scale down the playbook even if Lee, who enters his junior season in 2009, winds up the starter because he has only been in the program two years. Nonetheless, Watson has shown the ability to adjust according to the talent at his disposal.
While Colorado’s offensive coordinator in 2001, the Buffs were primarily a running team but two years later they were more of a passing team.
Last season, the Huskers tried to get back to being the power running team they were for so long. That approach was not working so Watson junked the heavy sets with multiple tight ends and the Huskers ran more out of the spread formation.
Now the question is who might be No. 2? In 2007, Bill Callahan constantly said how Sam Keller and Joe Ganz were competing for the starting quarterback job but let’s face it that was lip service. No reason to rehash that. Last season, the job belonged to Ganz. There was not even remotely an illusion of a quarterback competition. With Witt in the equation, we were bracing ourselves for him and Lee to duke it out with a starter being named sometime during the week of the first game.
The Huskers made a lot of strides in head coach Bo Pelini’s first season in going from 5-7 in 2007 to 9-4 in 2008, winning six of their last seven games. There’s every reason to believe that Nebraska will develop the right way under Pelini but inexperience at the quarterback position has made most of our fans hesitant about “the big turn around” coming in 2009.
Nebraska will definitely have to rely on its defense a little more while the offense finds its groove. The Husker defense improved from 112th in 2007 to 55th last season. While the defense has improved, will it be so well upgraded that we can rely on it to win lower scoring games?
Lincoln Journal Star columnist Steve Sipple indicated that Nebraska’s relationship with Witt needed to end now based on Witt’s father supposedly wanting assurance that the coaches name him the starter before the end of spring practice. If that’s the case, who does the Witt family think they are to dictate the race? More to the point, if a player shies away from competition for a starting job now, how is he going to handle hostile environments like Oklahoma or Texas A&M?
That’s the difference between Witt and Ganz, who clearly got hosed out of the starting job before the start of 2007. However, when Ganz got his chance when Keller got hurt, he shined.
Battling for the No. 2 spot are redshirt freshmen Kody Spano and true freshman Cody Green. Regardless, all three are inexperienced with only Lee getting game experience but that was in garbage time. Witt’s departure means that Green, who is a prized recruit, gores from almost certainly redshirting to now having a shot at the No. 2 position.
The question becomes, how much will offensive coordinator Shawn Watson scale down the playbook? There was a lot of talk about the Huskers simplifying their scheme after Callahan’s dismissal. However, since Ganz had been in the program for four years, the coaching staff was still afforded the luxury of keeping a lot of playbook volume.
Watson will likely have to scale down the playbook even if Lee, who enters his junior season in 2009, winds up the starter because he has only been in the program two years. Nonetheless, Watson has shown the ability to adjust according to the talent at his disposal.
While Colorado’s offensive coordinator in 2001, the Buffs were primarily a running team but two years later they were more of a passing team.
Last season, the Huskers tried to get back to being the power running team they were for so long. That approach was not working so Watson junked the heavy sets with multiple tight ends and the Huskers ran more out of the spread formation.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Witt departure shakes up QB race
Patrick Witt has left the building.
Witt, who figured to battle for Nebraska’s starting quarterback position with Zac Lee, is leaving the program after finishing with spring semester classes in May.
“Patrick has decided that it is in his best interest to continue his college career at another school,” Husker head coach Bo Pelini said in a released statement. “Patrick is a great kid from a great family and I appreciate the contributions he has made to our football program. I wish him nothing but the best in the future and know he will be a success wherever he goes.”
The first thing that comes to mind in hearing of Witt’s departure from the program is should we really be surprised? After all, Witt, who would have entered his sophomore season in 2009, played at two different high schools (Wiley High School in Texas and Parkview High in Lilburn, Ga.).
Rivals.com ranked Witt among the top 20 pro-style quarterbacks in the nation and among the top 100 prospects in Texas. Witt was also a first-team academic all-state selection as a senior. He only visited Nebraska, but also received strong recruiting interest from Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Oklahoma among others.
Not that Witt’s pre-Nebraska history is of any fault of Pelini and his staff because Bill Callahan’s staff recruited Witt, who redshirted the 2007 season before serving as Joe Ganz’s understudy in 2008. With Nebraska having gone to a more Spread-oriented look in 2008, thus slightly deviating from the West Coast Offense, that involves more quarterback running plays, the straight dropback passing Witt might not have been the odd man out for offensive coordinator Shawn Watson’s offense anyway.
So how does Witt’s departure impact the quarterback race? One would think the job belongs to Lee, who is mobile with a strong arm. Plus, he also has experience playing at the college level which includes his time at San Francisco City College.
Kody Spano redshirted last season after throwing more than 5,000 yards and rushing for about 900 his last two years at Stephenville High School in Texas. Incoming freshman Cody Green is loaded with potential and is on campus, which is a plus, but has some catching up to do. Plus, it’s likely going to be very rare that Pelini burns a redshirt on a freshman.
As for potential reasons why Witt transferred since neither he, the Husker coaches or his family are commenting on such reasons, maybe he is reading between the lines and does not think he is going to be the starter. The fact that either Witt or Lee would transfer is not unthinkable given that they were recruited by the previous coaching staff. Plus, the current staff is high on Green and to a lesser degree Spano.
If a starter is not named until fall as Watson indicated may happen a lot of time would be lost if somebody transferred at that point. I would think if Witt felt he had a strong chance of being the starter he would have stayed but it could also be that he feels even if he is the starter this coming season he may lose out to Green the following season.
One other factor could be that he knows the offense is going to evolve more requiring a mobile quarterback and of the candidates he is probably the least mobile.
I’m an alum that gives money but that’s just my two cents.
Witt, who figured to battle for Nebraska’s starting quarterback position with Zac Lee, is leaving the program after finishing with spring semester classes in May.
“Patrick has decided that it is in his best interest to continue his college career at another school,” Husker head coach Bo Pelini said in a released statement. “Patrick is a great kid from a great family and I appreciate the contributions he has made to our football program. I wish him nothing but the best in the future and know he will be a success wherever he goes.”
The first thing that comes to mind in hearing of Witt’s departure from the program is should we really be surprised? After all, Witt, who would have entered his sophomore season in 2009, played at two different high schools (Wiley High School in Texas and Parkview High in Lilburn, Ga.).
Rivals.com ranked Witt among the top 20 pro-style quarterbacks in the nation and among the top 100 prospects in Texas. Witt was also a first-team academic all-state selection as a senior. He only visited Nebraska, but also received strong recruiting interest from Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Oklahoma among others.
Not that Witt’s pre-Nebraska history is of any fault of Pelini and his staff because Bill Callahan’s staff recruited Witt, who redshirted the 2007 season before serving as Joe Ganz’s understudy in 2008. With Nebraska having gone to a more Spread-oriented look in 2008, thus slightly deviating from the West Coast Offense, that involves more quarterback running plays, the straight dropback passing Witt might not have been the odd man out for offensive coordinator Shawn Watson’s offense anyway.
So how does Witt’s departure impact the quarterback race? One would think the job belongs to Lee, who is mobile with a strong arm. Plus, he also has experience playing at the college level which includes his time at San Francisco City College.
Kody Spano redshirted last season after throwing more than 5,000 yards and rushing for about 900 his last two years at Stephenville High School in Texas. Incoming freshman Cody Green is loaded with potential and is on campus, which is a plus, but has some catching up to do. Plus, it’s likely going to be very rare that Pelini burns a redshirt on a freshman.
As for potential reasons why Witt transferred since neither he, the Husker coaches or his family are commenting on such reasons, maybe he is reading between the lines and does not think he is going to be the starter. The fact that either Witt or Lee would transfer is not unthinkable given that they were recruited by the previous coaching staff. Plus, the current staff is high on Green and to a lesser degree Spano.
If a starter is not named until fall as Watson indicated may happen a lot of time would be lost if somebody transferred at that point. I would think if Witt felt he had a strong chance of being the starter he would have stayed but it could also be that he feels even if he is the starter this coming season he may lose out to Green the following season.
One other factor could be that he knows the offense is going to evolve more requiring a mobile quarterback and of the candidates he is probably the least mobile.
I’m an alum that gives money but that’s just my two cents.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
2009 Nebraska football outlook: defensive backs
One story in a Wine Country Husker series, looking at position breakdowns for the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the 2009 season. Today, we look at defensive backs:
Looking back: The Huskers entered the 2008 season hoping that the return of defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders, who coached Nebraska in that capacity in 2003, would equate to the return of many interceptions. With current head coach Bo Pelini as the defensive coordinator and Sanders the defensive backs coach, the Huskers generated 47 turnovers, 32 of which came via the interception in 2003.
Takeaways certainly did not come by the bushel this past season, however, with the Huskers generating just 17 one year after producing a mere 11. The Huskers intercepted 12 passes with just six coming from the secondary. Those low numbers, however, should not be construed as an indictment of Pelini or Sanders.
Things were a bit of an adventure at times for the Husker secondary.
At the cornerback position, Armando Murrillo and Anthony West generally did a serviceable job with the former being the more consistent player while the latter was more of a gambler, resulting in feast or famine success. Eric Hagg, Prince Amukamara and Lance Thorell gained valuable experience. Amukamara was an occasional starter. Hagg and Thorell did some good things at times but also a few things that drove the coaching staff crazy.
The safety position was pretty similar with Larry Asante, Matt O’Hanlon, Major Culbert and Ricky Thenarse. Sometimes they did some very good things. Other times. Well, let’s not go there.
Looking ahead: Nebraska led the Big 12 in pass defense but that was more a reflection of a powerful defensive line generating a pass rush (a foreign concept in 2007 under former defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove) and an offense that emphasized time of possession than it was the strength of the secondary.
The Huskers only loss of consequence in the secondary is Murillo and while the secondary play was erratic in 2008, it could wind up as a team strength in 2009. The main cogs in the machinery return and should get better if for no other reason that having a full year of Pelini and Sanders’ tutelage.
The return of Anthony Blue from a knee injury would be an enormous boost. The starting cornerback jobs are West and Amukamara’s to lose. Both guys bring good athleticism and decent size. Hagg also adds the dimension of being a good corner-blitzer. Look for Alfonso Dennard, who shined on special teams last season, to also be a factor. Courtney Osborne and John Levorson, both of whom redshirted in 2008, are two guys the coaching staff is high on and also are similar players to Hagg.
At safety, O’Hanlon, Asante, Culbert and Thenarse are all seniors. Could Pelini burn a redshirt or two at this position? Pelini is normally reluctant to burn redshirts but none of these guys are proficient in coverage the way Pelini is used to seeing. In Culbert’s case, it bears pointing out that he has made several position changes over the coarse of his career.
Of that foursome, Asante showed the most improvement from the start of the season. Thenarse is the one that has much to prove. He plays with passion and can deliver bone-rattling hits but he falls short on discipline at times.
Right now, my money is on Dennard to enjoy a break through season in 2009.
Looking back: The Huskers entered the 2008 season hoping that the return of defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders, who coached Nebraska in that capacity in 2003, would equate to the return of many interceptions. With current head coach Bo Pelini as the defensive coordinator and Sanders the defensive backs coach, the Huskers generated 47 turnovers, 32 of which came via the interception in 2003.
Takeaways certainly did not come by the bushel this past season, however, with the Huskers generating just 17 one year after producing a mere 11. The Huskers intercepted 12 passes with just six coming from the secondary. Those low numbers, however, should not be construed as an indictment of Pelini or Sanders.
Things were a bit of an adventure at times for the Husker secondary.
At the cornerback position, Armando Murrillo and Anthony West generally did a serviceable job with the former being the more consistent player while the latter was more of a gambler, resulting in feast or famine success. Eric Hagg, Prince Amukamara and Lance Thorell gained valuable experience. Amukamara was an occasional starter. Hagg and Thorell did some good things at times but also a few things that drove the coaching staff crazy.
The safety position was pretty similar with Larry Asante, Matt O’Hanlon, Major Culbert and Ricky Thenarse. Sometimes they did some very good things. Other times. Well, let’s not go there.
Looking ahead: Nebraska led the Big 12 in pass defense but that was more a reflection of a powerful defensive line generating a pass rush (a foreign concept in 2007 under former defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove) and an offense that emphasized time of possession than it was the strength of the secondary.
The Huskers only loss of consequence in the secondary is Murillo and while the secondary play was erratic in 2008, it could wind up as a team strength in 2009. The main cogs in the machinery return and should get better if for no other reason that having a full year of Pelini and Sanders’ tutelage.
The return of Anthony Blue from a knee injury would be an enormous boost. The starting cornerback jobs are West and Amukamara’s to lose. Both guys bring good athleticism and decent size. Hagg also adds the dimension of being a good corner-blitzer. Look for Alfonso Dennard, who shined on special teams last season, to also be a factor. Courtney Osborne and John Levorson, both of whom redshirted in 2008, are two guys the coaching staff is high on and also are similar players to Hagg.
At safety, O’Hanlon, Asante, Culbert and Thenarse are all seniors. Could Pelini burn a redshirt or two at this position? Pelini is normally reluctant to burn redshirts but none of these guys are proficient in coverage the way Pelini is used to seeing. In Culbert’s case, it bears pointing out that he has made several position changes over the coarse of his career.
Of that foursome, Asante showed the most improvement from the start of the season. Thenarse is the one that has much to prove. He plays with passion and can deliver bone-rattling hits but he falls short on discipline at times.
Right now, my money is on Dennard to enjoy a break through season in 2009.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Cosgrove interview reeks of denial
Kevin Cosgrove has spoken. About his experience as Nebraska’s defensive coordinator from 2004-2007 that is.
I know, why beat a dead horse? The 2008 Huskers showed much promise under first-year head coach Bo Pelini in going 9-4. Steve Pederson, Bill Callahan and Cosgrove are gone. Cosgrove has been mainly silent since being dismiss after Nebraska’s abysmal performance, especially on the defensive side of the ball in going 5-7 in 2007 – until now.
Cosgrove is now the co-defensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota after being out of coaching last year. Cosgrove did a one-on-one interview with www.gopherhole.com writer Nadine Babu. The interview reeks of a coach in denial. Granted, there’s not much Cosgrove can say to appease us Husker fans.
Criticize Callahan all you want for not granting Omaha World Herald reporter Mitch Sherman an interview when Sherman traveled to the New York Jets practice facility but at least Callahan has the common sense to keep his mouth shut.
Cosgrove seems like a decent guy as a person and while he was at Nebraska he never made excuses for the defense’s failures but the general tone of this interview just seems a bit too whiny and a lack of willingness to accept accountability.
Here are some of the things he said about his Nebraska days in the interview and italicized are my responses to his responses:
About Nebraska's rating of 112th in total defense in his last season here: "I don’t know, I didn’t even look at it, because the way things went down there, it was done before the season was even over. We all knew we were fired before that. It was just a tough time, and I don’t look back at that. But, we did lead the nation in sacks (in 2005), did you know that?"
Really. It’s mildly strange that you allude to us leading the nation in sacks in 2005 now considering that defensive backs coach Phil Elmaisson (aka Uncle Elmo) said that sacks were overrated. We also led the nation in bad defense in 2007 under your watch I might add. Pelini proved this year that our players weren't nearly as bad as the record last year said they were. They may not have been good enough to win the Big 12, but they weren't bad. Heck, Cosgrove made Craig Bohl look like Charlie McBride.
About ensuring that another year like 2007 doesn't happen to him as a coach again: "Well, I’m not going to make any excuses for what happened there, but if you look at my past, we’ve had many successes on the teams I’ve been with. If I do remember, I think we won Big 10 Championships on four of the teams I’ve coached, and I won a Big 12 North Championship on a team I coached, so I think my record will speak for itself. If I’m going to be judged on one year in this profession, it seems like the people in blogs will do it, not my peers. That’s just the way it is."
For starters, celebrating a Big Ten title at Wisconsin is one thing considering that Michigan and Ohio State have combined for 75 of 164 conference titles in Big 10 history. Wisconsin has 11, three in the 1990s under Barru Alvarez. However, blowing your horn about a Big 12 North title at Nebraska is ridiculous. Granted, it was a good achievement at the time considering the Huskers hadn’t done since in seven years but we don’t celebrate division titles at Nebraska. And if your peers rather than blogs judge you as a coach then explain why you were out of coaching for a year?
About what he did in his year off from coaching: "I’ve done a lot of research and studied trends in college football; the game changes constantly. I was able to do the things I never was able to when you’re actually working a job. I also coached my son in football, who is a senior in high school."
Again, Cos seems like a decent guy personally and best of luck to Minnesota but my next door neighbor is a nice guy too. That doesn’t make him a good defensive coordinator. Maybe Cos can succeed in the right set of circumstances but he also had four years at Nebraska to learn to stop the zone read and never came close.
About what he would say to his critics: "When I was at Wisconsin, working for Barry (Alvarez) we never even knew that stuff existed. I never saw anything negative; the only thing I ever saw was positive. Then I went to Nebraska, and I started looking at the negative stuff, and that was probably the worst thing I ever did. It was the worst thing our team ever did, because our players started reading it. They were not only beating up me, but the players, and that’s a bad thing when that happens. That’s their team, they’re beating up the kids, and that’s not right. As a coach, I can take it. Everybody has their opinions, and God bless them, but I’m moving on, and I’m excited to be a Minnesota Gopher right now."
Cos’s family did not deserve the abuse it got (i.e. death threats at his office and his son getting taunting at his high school football game). Granted, that’s probably just one clown out of every ten among Husker fans but those people need to be locked in a rubber room. However, Cos also needs to realize that the biggest reason for the fan negativity is the team’s horrible performance. And the players flat out quitting on him is indeed his fault.
I know, why beat a dead horse? The 2008 Huskers showed much promise under first-year head coach Bo Pelini in going 9-4. Steve Pederson, Bill Callahan and Cosgrove are gone. Cosgrove has been mainly silent since being dismiss after Nebraska’s abysmal performance, especially on the defensive side of the ball in going 5-7 in 2007 – until now.
Cosgrove is now the co-defensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota after being out of coaching last year. Cosgrove did a one-on-one interview with www.gopherhole.com writer Nadine Babu. The interview reeks of a coach in denial. Granted, there’s not much Cosgrove can say to appease us Husker fans.
Criticize Callahan all you want for not granting Omaha World Herald reporter Mitch Sherman an interview when Sherman traveled to the New York Jets practice facility but at least Callahan has the common sense to keep his mouth shut.
Cosgrove seems like a decent guy as a person and while he was at Nebraska he never made excuses for the defense’s failures but the general tone of this interview just seems a bit too whiny and a lack of willingness to accept accountability.
Here are some of the things he said about his Nebraska days in the interview and italicized are my responses to his responses:
About Nebraska's rating of 112th in total defense in his last season here: "I don’t know, I didn’t even look at it, because the way things went down there, it was done before the season was even over. We all knew we were fired before that. It was just a tough time, and I don’t look back at that. But, we did lead the nation in sacks (in 2005), did you know that?"
Really. It’s mildly strange that you allude to us leading the nation in sacks in 2005 now considering that defensive backs coach Phil Elmaisson (aka Uncle Elmo) said that sacks were overrated. We also led the nation in bad defense in 2007 under your watch I might add. Pelini proved this year that our players weren't nearly as bad as the record last year said they were. They may not have been good enough to win the Big 12, but they weren't bad. Heck, Cosgrove made Craig Bohl look like Charlie McBride.
About ensuring that another year like 2007 doesn't happen to him as a coach again: "Well, I’m not going to make any excuses for what happened there, but if you look at my past, we’ve had many successes on the teams I’ve been with. If I do remember, I think we won Big 10 Championships on four of the teams I’ve coached, and I won a Big 12 North Championship on a team I coached, so I think my record will speak for itself. If I’m going to be judged on one year in this profession, it seems like the people in blogs will do it, not my peers. That’s just the way it is."
For starters, celebrating a Big Ten title at Wisconsin is one thing considering that Michigan and Ohio State have combined for 75 of 164 conference titles in Big 10 history. Wisconsin has 11, three in the 1990s under Barru Alvarez. However, blowing your horn about a Big 12 North title at Nebraska is ridiculous. Granted, it was a good achievement at the time considering the Huskers hadn’t done since in seven years but we don’t celebrate division titles at Nebraska. And if your peers rather than blogs judge you as a coach then explain why you were out of coaching for a year?
About what he did in his year off from coaching: "I’ve done a lot of research and studied trends in college football; the game changes constantly. I was able to do the things I never was able to when you’re actually working a job. I also coached my son in football, who is a senior in high school."
Again, Cos seems like a decent guy personally and best of luck to Minnesota but my next door neighbor is a nice guy too. That doesn’t make him a good defensive coordinator. Maybe Cos can succeed in the right set of circumstances but he also had four years at Nebraska to learn to stop the zone read and never came close.
About what he would say to his critics: "When I was at Wisconsin, working for Barry (Alvarez) we never even knew that stuff existed. I never saw anything negative; the only thing I ever saw was positive. Then I went to Nebraska, and I started looking at the negative stuff, and that was probably the worst thing I ever did. It was the worst thing our team ever did, because our players started reading it. They were not only beating up me, but the players, and that’s a bad thing when that happens. That’s their team, they’re beating up the kids, and that’s not right. As a coach, I can take it. Everybody has their opinions, and God bless them, but I’m moving on, and I’m excited to be a Minnesota Gopher right now."
Cos’s family did not deserve the abuse it got (i.e. death threats at his office and his son getting taunting at his high school football game). Granted, that’s probably just one clown out of every ten among Husker fans but those people need to be locked in a rubber room. However, Cos also needs to realize that the biggest reason for the fan negativity is the team’s horrible performance. And the players flat out quitting on him is indeed his fault.
Friday, February 13, 2009
2009 Nebraska football position outlook: Linebackers
One story in a Wine Country Husker series, looking at position breakdowns for the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the 2009 season. Today, we look at linebacker:
Looking back: The Huskers entered the 2008 season having to replace virtually its entire linebacking corps (Steve Octavien, Lance Brandenburg, Corey McKeon, and Bo Rudd). In one respect, those losses could have been viewed as a good thing because all you have to do is watch the 2007 defense get shredded week after week. On the downside, however, it meant having to start over at this position with a lot of inexperience.
The Huskers were so thin at this position that they had to covert running back Cody Glenn to linebacker. Part of that dearth of depth can be attributed to the Bill Callahan regime focusing a heavy emphasis of recruiting on offense. After all, why else would you be so desperate enough to move a running back that had never played linebacker before (not even in high school) to linebacker?
Glenn promptly became Nebraska’s starter at WILL linebacker and shined, totaling 51 tackles (six for lost yardage) before being suspended for the final four games of the season.
If that wasn’t enough, starting MIKE linebacker Phillip Dillard missed four games because of an ankle injury. Senior Tyler Wortman enjoyed a solid season while youngsters such as Blake Lawrence, Colton Koehler, Matt Holt and Matthew May gained valuable experience.
That quartet filled the void more often than not but also had its share of assignment busts. The biggest disappointment, however, was junior-to-be LaTravis Washington not distinguishing himself as a key player as some people thought might happen.
One thing was for certain, this unit never lacked in effort and much of that credit is attributable to first-year linebackers coach Mike Ekeler, who did an excellent job coaxing production out of a limited group. This group should continue to feed off his infectious enthusiasm.
Looking ahead: Despite losses of Glenn and Wortman, the Huskers should be in solid shape with this unit because many young players return already having gained experience and the quality depth will be better along with having more athleticism. It will need to be solid if Nebraska wants to keep ascending defensively. One thing is for certain, the competition will be fierce.
As much as he shined considering he had never played linebacker before, Nebraska played without Glenn the last four games and actually improved defensively, therefore, softening that blow. Wortman made some plays at linebacker but is replaceable.
Dillard and Lawrence have to grab this unit by the scruff of the neck and lead the way. Despite Nebraska’s struggles at that position, first-year head coach Bo Pelini resisted the temptation to burn redshirts from talented freshmen such as Alonzo Whaley, Sean Fisher and Will Compton. The premise behind that decision is such that while those players might have been talented, they simply were not ready to step in and play at the level necessary to be contributors.
That extra year of development should prove vital. Of that group, my money is on Compton to impact matters the soonest.
Looking back: The Huskers entered the 2008 season having to replace virtually its entire linebacking corps (Steve Octavien, Lance Brandenburg, Corey McKeon, and Bo Rudd). In one respect, those losses could have been viewed as a good thing because all you have to do is watch the 2007 defense get shredded week after week. On the downside, however, it meant having to start over at this position with a lot of inexperience.
The Huskers were so thin at this position that they had to covert running back Cody Glenn to linebacker. Part of that dearth of depth can be attributed to the Bill Callahan regime focusing a heavy emphasis of recruiting on offense. After all, why else would you be so desperate enough to move a running back that had never played linebacker before (not even in high school) to linebacker?
Glenn promptly became Nebraska’s starter at WILL linebacker and shined, totaling 51 tackles (six for lost yardage) before being suspended for the final four games of the season.
If that wasn’t enough, starting MIKE linebacker Phillip Dillard missed four games because of an ankle injury. Senior Tyler Wortman enjoyed a solid season while youngsters such as Blake Lawrence, Colton Koehler, Matt Holt and Matthew May gained valuable experience.
That quartet filled the void more often than not but also had its share of assignment busts. The biggest disappointment, however, was junior-to-be LaTravis Washington not distinguishing himself as a key player as some people thought might happen.
One thing was for certain, this unit never lacked in effort and much of that credit is attributable to first-year linebackers coach Mike Ekeler, who did an excellent job coaxing production out of a limited group. This group should continue to feed off his infectious enthusiasm.
Looking ahead: Despite losses of Glenn and Wortman, the Huskers should be in solid shape with this unit because many young players return already having gained experience and the quality depth will be better along with having more athleticism. It will need to be solid if Nebraska wants to keep ascending defensively. One thing is for certain, the competition will be fierce.
As much as he shined considering he had never played linebacker before, Nebraska played without Glenn the last four games and actually improved defensively, therefore, softening that blow. Wortman made some plays at linebacker but is replaceable.
Dillard and Lawrence have to grab this unit by the scruff of the neck and lead the way. Despite Nebraska’s struggles at that position, first-year head coach Bo Pelini resisted the temptation to burn redshirts from talented freshmen such as Alonzo Whaley, Sean Fisher and Will Compton. The premise behind that decision is such that while those players might have been talented, they simply were not ready to step in and play at the level necessary to be contributors.
That extra year of development should prove vital. Of that group, my money is on Compton to impact matters the soonest.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
2009 Nebraska football Position outlook: Defensive line
One story in a Wine Country Husker series, looking at position breakdowns for the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the 2009 season. Today, we look at defensive line:
Looking back: The Huskers entered the 2008 season looking to prove that the 2007 campaign was an aberration under former coordinator Kevin Cosgrove. The defense was so bad in 2007 that it became a national punch-line, ranking 112th in total defense, and near the bottom in many more categories.
Thanks to its strongest line since Jason Wiltz, Chad Kelsay and Steve Warren were donning Blackshirts, the Husker defense rose to 55th overall in 2008. That ranking might not make us forget the 1993-1999 Blackshirts but it was a step in the right direction.
Despite being pushed around in ’07, this immediate unit was looked at as one that had plenty of pieces to help make the Husker defense a leap forward. Despite the loss of starting defensive end Barry Turner to a season ending knee injury in Week Two, the line turned out to be the strength of the entire team which is saying something considering the offense averaged 35.4 points per game.
Any discussion about the Husker defensive line, however, begins and ends with tackle Ndamukong Suh, who especially blossomed in the second half of the season into the dominant player Nebraska fans envisioned when they recruited him as a high school football star out of Portland, Oregon. Tackle is not normally a stat oriented position but Suh led the Huskers in total tackles (76), tackles for lost yardage (19), sacks (7.5), quarterback hurries (seven) and tied for the team lead with interceptions (two, both for touchdowns).
End Zach Potter and tackle Ty Steinkuhler were also vital cogs to the Husker defensive line. Potter enjoyed a breakout senior campaign with 54 total tackles (16 for lost yardage), 5.5 sacks and two interceptions. After an injury plagued junior year, Steinkuhler enjoyed a solid senior year along side Suh. Steinkuhler recorded 48 tackles (eight for lost yardage).
If there is a bright side to Turner’s injury, sophomore Pierre Allen got the chance to develop into a solid starter. Allen recorded 52 tackles (10 for lost yardage) and five sacks. Reserve senior tackle Shukree Barfield also came on strong at the end of the season, earning a Blackshirt in the process. Redshirt freshmen Jared Crick and Terrance Moore also gained some valuable experience at tackle.
Looking ahead: The best news is that Suh decided to return for his senior campaign instead of entering the NFL draft.
The Husker defense probably would have continued to improve even if Suh opted to apply for a job that required him to work on Sundays because a) the comfort level in head coach Bo Pelini’s scheme would be greater and b) Pelini will likely put in more intricacies into his scheme this season. However, dominant defensive tackles like Suh are the backbone of any strong defense. With that being said, Suh’s return to Lincoln for his senior season gives Nebraska’s defense a chance to ascend to the top quicker than if he had decided to forgo his senior campaign.
Suh made a wise decision to stay for his senior season. Of course, I say that for selfish reasons – hardly a confession if you are a Husker fan. However, Suh’s return not only does wonders for the 2009 defense but also if he continues to improve, he can help his draft stock even more. Most draft boards projected Suh as a late first-rounder/early second-rounder in 2009. If he dominates as a senior, he could be a potential Top 10 pick a la Jason Peter or Grant Wistrom in 1998.
Steinkuhler and Potter are key losses but Suh’s return softens that blow. The Huskers also look forward to the return of a healthy Turner along with Allen having had the chance to develop.
Throw in the unveiling of redshirt freshman Baker Steinkuhler and the line should be close to as strong as last season with the back seven figuring to improve with many pieces returning.
Allen and Turner give the Huskers two experienced ends. The question for Turner is that if he returns healthy, how effective will he be? Moore and Crick also have experience but will need to keep improving. Turner looked like he was starting to reach his vast potential as a pass rusher before getting injured. Allen performed much better than anyone could have anticipated under the circumstances and will need to keep getting better.
My money is on Crick to be a possible breakout performer.
Looking back: The Huskers entered the 2008 season looking to prove that the 2007 campaign was an aberration under former coordinator Kevin Cosgrove. The defense was so bad in 2007 that it became a national punch-line, ranking 112th in total defense, and near the bottom in many more categories.
Thanks to its strongest line since Jason Wiltz, Chad Kelsay and Steve Warren were donning Blackshirts, the Husker defense rose to 55th overall in 2008. That ranking might not make us forget the 1993-1999 Blackshirts but it was a step in the right direction.
Despite being pushed around in ’07, this immediate unit was looked at as one that had plenty of pieces to help make the Husker defense a leap forward. Despite the loss of starting defensive end Barry Turner to a season ending knee injury in Week Two, the line turned out to be the strength of the entire team which is saying something considering the offense averaged 35.4 points per game.
Any discussion about the Husker defensive line, however, begins and ends with tackle Ndamukong Suh, who especially blossomed in the second half of the season into the dominant player Nebraska fans envisioned when they recruited him as a high school football star out of Portland, Oregon. Tackle is not normally a stat oriented position but Suh led the Huskers in total tackles (76), tackles for lost yardage (19), sacks (7.5), quarterback hurries (seven) and tied for the team lead with interceptions (two, both for touchdowns).
End Zach Potter and tackle Ty Steinkuhler were also vital cogs to the Husker defensive line. Potter enjoyed a breakout senior campaign with 54 total tackles (16 for lost yardage), 5.5 sacks and two interceptions. After an injury plagued junior year, Steinkuhler enjoyed a solid senior year along side Suh. Steinkuhler recorded 48 tackles (eight for lost yardage).
If there is a bright side to Turner’s injury, sophomore Pierre Allen got the chance to develop into a solid starter. Allen recorded 52 tackles (10 for lost yardage) and five sacks. Reserve senior tackle Shukree Barfield also came on strong at the end of the season, earning a Blackshirt in the process. Redshirt freshmen Jared Crick and Terrance Moore also gained some valuable experience at tackle.
Looking ahead: The best news is that Suh decided to return for his senior campaign instead of entering the NFL draft.
The Husker defense probably would have continued to improve even if Suh opted to apply for a job that required him to work on Sundays because a) the comfort level in head coach Bo Pelini’s scheme would be greater and b) Pelini will likely put in more intricacies into his scheme this season. However, dominant defensive tackles like Suh are the backbone of any strong defense. With that being said, Suh’s return to Lincoln for his senior season gives Nebraska’s defense a chance to ascend to the top quicker than if he had decided to forgo his senior campaign.
Suh made a wise decision to stay for his senior season. Of course, I say that for selfish reasons – hardly a confession if you are a Husker fan. However, Suh’s return not only does wonders for the 2009 defense but also if he continues to improve, he can help his draft stock even more. Most draft boards projected Suh as a late first-rounder/early second-rounder in 2009. If he dominates as a senior, he could be a potential Top 10 pick a la Jason Peter or Grant Wistrom in 1998.
Steinkuhler and Potter are key losses but Suh’s return softens that blow. The Huskers also look forward to the return of a healthy Turner along with Allen having had the chance to develop.
Throw in the unveiling of redshirt freshman Baker Steinkuhler and the line should be close to as strong as last season with the back seven figuring to improve with many pieces returning.
Allen and Turner give the Huskers two experienced ends. The question for Turner is that if he returns healthy, how effective will he be? Moore and Crick also have experience but will need to keep improving. Turner looked like he was starting to reach his vast potential as a pass rusher before getting injured. Allen performed much better than anyone could have anticipated under the circumstances and will need to keep getting better.
My money is on Crick to be a possible breakout performer.
Friday, February 6, 2009
2009 Nebraska football position outlook: Offensive Line
One story in a Wine Country Husker series, looking at position breakdowns for the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the 2009 season. Today, we look at offensive line:
Looking back: The Huskers entered the 2008 season looking to become a more physical team. No other position embodied that desire more, on the offensive side, than the line.
The Huskers used to keep track of pancake blocks as if they were going for a short stack at Denny’s. In recent years, however, the Nebraska line lost its edge and identity of being more physical than its opponents at the line of scrimmage.
The Huskers hoped the return of Barney Cotton as the offensive line coach would help re-instill a physical mindset. Cotton played on Nebraska’s O-Line from 1975-1978 and was a member of the Husker coaching staff in 2003 but was not retained by Bill Callahan when hired in 2004 to replace Frank Solich. When Bo Pelini, who was the Husker defensive coordinator in 2003 and later interim head coach, was hired to replace Callahan, he immediately brought Cotton aboard.
Cotton took his share of criticism from Nebraska fans but it should be noted that he had to coach players out of bad habits and re-instill a philosophy of being physical that takes time to develop. The Husker coaching staff also had to spend time simplifying the playbook as well.
To their credit, the Nebraska offensive linemen showed the ability to perform well once they found their strength. In a nutshell, the line took care of business against inferior front sevens and struggled against the superior ones, which was already a step in the right direction over recent years past.
Looking ahead: The biggest losses of note will be Lydon Murtha at tackle and Mike Huff and Matt Slauson at guard from the two-deep. All three players battled through their share of injuries and adversity. Murtha, however, was frequently hurt and Slauson, while solid, is replaceable.
This Husker line won’t make us forget guys like the 1994 Pipeline but this version is well-stocked with depth.
From center-to-left tackle, there’s a solid nucleus with Jacob Hickman, Keith Williams and Mike Smith. Then there’s Javoirio Burkes and Marcel Jones. The coaching staff is high on Ricky Henry, Marcel Jones Brandon Thompson and Mike Caputo. Henry redshirted his freshman year but is particularly noted for his tenacity.
The Huskers will need the offensive line to perform well right away. The good news is that there is a strong stable of running backs led by Roy Helu and Quentin Castille. The bad news is that the quarterback spot will feature inexperience at the Div. I-A level with most likely either Zac Lee or Patrick Witt.
The good news is also that Smith, Williams, Hickman, DJ, Burkes have started games. The line play should also be better in that their play will be more instinctive in Cotton’s second season.
Looking back: The Huskers entered the 2008 season looking to become a more physical team. No other position embodied that desire more, on the offensive side, than the line.
The Huskers used to keep track of pancake blocks as if they were going for a short stack at Denny’s. In recent years, however, the Nebraska line lost its edge and identity of being more physical than its opponents at the line of scrimmage.
The Huskers hoped the return of Barney Cotton as the offensive line coach would help re-instill a physical mindset. Cotton played on Nebraska’s O-Line from 1975-1978 and was a member of the Husker coaching staff in 2003 but was not retained by Bill Callahan when hired in 2004 to replace Frank Solich. When Bo Pelini, who was the Husker defensive coordinator in 2003 and later interim head coach, was hired to replace Callahan, he immediately brought Cotton aboard.
Cotton took his share of criticism from Nebraska fans but it should be noted that he had to coach players out of bad habits and re-instill a philosophy of being physical that takes time to develop. The Husker coaching staff also had to spend time simplifying the playbook as well.
To their credit, the Nebraska offensive linemen showed the ability to perform well once they found their strength. In a nutshell, the line took care of business against inferior front sevens and struggled against the superior ones, which was already a step in the right direction over recent years past.
Looking ahead: The biggest losses of note will be Lydon Murtha at tackle and Mike Huff and Matt Slauson at guard from the two-deep. All three players battled through their share of injuries and adversity. Murtha, however, was frequently hurt and Slauson, while solid, is replaceable.
This Husker line won’t make us forget guys like the 1994 Pipeline but this version is well-stocked with depth.
From center-to-left tackle, there’s a solid nucleus with Jacob Hickman, Keith Williams and Mike Smith. Then there’s Javoirio Burkes and Marcel Jones. The coaching staff is high on Ricky Henry, Marcel Jones Brandon Thompson and Mike Caputo. Henry redshirted his freshman year but is particularly noted for his tenacity.
The Huskers will need the offensive line to perform well right away. The good news is that there is a strong stable of running backs led by Roy Helu and Quentin Castille. The bad news is that the quarterback spot will feature inexperience at the Div. I-A level with most likely either Zac Lee or Patrick Witt.
The good news is also that Smith, Williams, Hickman, DJ, Burkes have started games. The line play should also be better in that their play will be more instinctive in Cotton’s second season.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
2009 Nebraska football position outlook: tight ends
One story in a Wine Country Husker series, looking at position breakdowns for the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the 2009 season. Today, we look at tight end:
Looking back: The Huskers entered the 2008 season looking to make the tight end position a more integral part of the passing game as well as establishing a physical presence in the running game. Nebraska succeeded on the former but the latter is a work in progress and will likely remain such in 2009.
Nebraska brought back Ron Brown to coach the tight ends. Brown was Nebraska’s wide receivers coach from 1987-2003 but was let go when Bill Callahan replaced Frank Solich as head coach in 2004. Husker receivers were particularly known for physical downfield blocking in Brown’s time as an assistant coach.
In 2007, Nebraska tight ends caught 25 passes for 355 yards and four touchdowns with Sean Hill accounting for 18 of those receptions. In 2008, Nebraska tight ends nearly doubled the pass catching output by hauling in 47 passes for 618 yards and eight touchdowns with Mike McNeill accounting for 32 of those catches.
While the tight ends were a bigger part of the passing attack, they were not as much of a factor in Nebraska’s running attack improving from 144.4 yards per game (4.2 per carry) in 2007 to 169.8 yards per game (4.5 per carry) in 2008. As far as the passing game was concerned, Nebraska’s scheme had much the same appearance of the West Coast Offense from the Callahan era. The running game, however, had most of its success out of the Spread formation but not out of the I-formation that fans clamored.
Looking ahead: With Todd Peterson and Nate Swift graduating, the wide receiver position takes a hit. Those departures open the door for McNeill, who enjoyed a breakout sophomore season in 2008, to be the go-to receiver in the passing game in 2009. Nebraska will need McNeill since it will be breaking in a new starter at quarterback with the loss of Joe Ganz to graduation
The only loss at the tight end position will be Hunter Teafatiler. Everyone else, however, returns more experienced with McNeill, Dreu Young and Ryan Hill along with redshirt freshman Ben Cotton.
McNeill will be at the top of the depth chart but as good as he and Young are as receivers, they need to progress as blockers if the Husker ground game wants to establish a physical mentality. Hill is a hybrid wide receiver tight end. Cotton and fellow redshirt freshman Kyler Reed should help as blockers.
The Huskers should continue to have strong threats as receivers at this position with Brown’s influence continuing to take effect in developing physical blockers.
Regardless of what Nebraska takes on from a formational perspective, McNeill is likely to be the lead man of this unit.
Looking back: The Huskers entered the 2008 season looking to make the tight end position a more integral part of the passing game as well as establishing a physical presence in the running game. Nebraska succeeded on the former but the latter is a work in progress and will likely remain such in 2009.
Nebraska brought back Ron Brown to coach the tight ends. Brown was Nebraska’s wide receivers coach from 1987-2003 but was let go when Bill Callahan replaced Frank Solich as head coach in 2004. Husker receivers were particularly known for physical downfield blocking in Brown’s time as an assistant coach.
In 2007, Nebraska tight ends caught 25 passes for 355 yards and four touchdowns with Sean Hill accounting for 18 of those receptions. In 2008, Nebraska tight ends nearly doubled the pass catching output by hauling in 47 passes for 618 yards and eight touchdowns with Mike McNeill accounting for 32 of those catches.
While the tight ends were a bigger part of the passing attack, they were not as much of a factor in Nebraska’s running attack improving from 144.4 yards per game (4.2 per carry) in 2007 to 169.8 yards per game (4.5 per carry) in 2008. As far as the passing game was concerned, Nebraska’s scheme had much the same appearance of the West Coast Offense from the Callahan era. The running game, however, had most of its success out of the Spread formation but not out of the I-formation that fans clamored.
Looking ahead: With Todd Peterson and Nate Swift graduating, the wide receiver position takes a hit. Those departures open the door for McNeill, who enjoyed a breakout sophomore season in 2008, to be the go-to receiver in the passing game in 2009. Nebraska will need McNeill since it will be breaking in a new starter at quarterback with the loss of Joe Ganz to graduation
The only loss at the tight end position will be Hunter Teafatiler. Everyone else, however, returns more experienced with McNeill, Dreu Young and Ryan Hill along with redshirt freshman Ben Cotton.
McNeill will be at the top of the depth chart but as good as he and Young are as receivers, they need to progress as blockers if the Husker ground game wants to establish a physical mentality. Hill is a hybrid wide receiver tight end. Cotton and fellow redshirt freshman Kyler Reed should help as blockers.
The Huskers should continue to have strong threats as receivers at this position with Brown’s influence continuing to take effect in developing physical blockers.
Regardless of what Nebraska takes on from a formational perspective, McNeill is likely to be the lead man of this unit.
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