Without further adieu, it’s time to start the college football season. In Lincoln, Neb., it starts at 6 p.m. local time against Florida Atlantic.
I never know for sure what to expect, especially in a season opener. I always caution that in August, pretty much everybody is full of optimism. The fact of the matter is, when the games are actually played, somebody's going to go away disappointed.Nebraska could, and probably should, win decisively but I would not be shocked if the Huskers are tested early in the contest. We have an unproven OL and an unproven QB. These are key question marks. FAU has a great talent at QB.For Nebraska, the rubber will truly meet the road on Sept. 19 when it visits Virginia Tech, which enters the season rated No. 7.
One thing we have to take into consideration is that this Nebraska team is a pretty young one. There are about 11 redshirt freshmen, 11 sophomore, and 16 juniors that will play key roles but as of now only about six seniors that figure to be starters. There will be some bugs to work out.
With the running back rotation, I see the top three guys as being Roy Helu, Rex Burkhead and probably Lester Ward with Marcus Mendoza being the situational back. Much will depend on the game situation but I see Helu getting about 20-25 carries with Burkhead (a true freshman) getting about 10-12.
The biggest concern for Nebraska on offense is definitely the line, which I think will at least be satisfactory. Individually, you have some pretty good players but it’s a matter of finding the right combination. Then, there’s the question of how does quarterback Zac Lee respond to adversity? Not just from a game score standpoint but how does he react the first time he gets hit? Then also, while there is talent at wide receiver, who becomes that No. 1 guy?
No worries at all for the tight end position with Mike McNeill figuring to be Lee’s go-to man but don’t be surprised if Dreu Young or Kyler Reed becomes a factor.
Defensively, Nebraska should be just as good if not better up front thanks to Ndamukong Suh opting to stay in school for his senior year. Suh will face his share of double-teams that will free up opportunities for guys like Barry Turner, Pierre Allen, Jared Crick and Cameron Meredith.
Allen is a definitely star but with Turner coming off a torn ACL, it’s doubtful he’s an all-Big 12 player but if he can be solid that would be a huge boost for Nebraska.
Linebacker and secondary should be an upgrade even with several new faces.
Florida Atlantic’s offense will test the Huskers from time-to-time. Rusty Smith is a legit quarterback. FAU has some size and speed at receiver and their head coach (Howard Schnellengberger) is a bright offensive mind). However, FAU has a suspect running game and Nebraska’s D-Line should dominate.
The Husker offense has some new faces but the good news is that so does FAU’s defense, which lost eight starters.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Nebraska football can dominate again
Much of the offseason conversation of Nebraska’s quest for a rebirth is “when do we know the program is ‘back?’”
In a post earlier this summer, yours truly addressed what needs to be done before the program can claim such a status: http://napavince.blogspot.com/2009/07/at-what-point-is-nebraska-back.html
Going 9-4 in Bo Pelini’s first year is a good start but that progress needs to continue beginning with Saturday’s season opener against Florida Atlantic. The real question should be, will Nebraska ever “dominate” again? Keep in mind, from 1962-2001, Nebraska never failed to win fewer than nine games. From 1993-1997, the Huskers went 60-3 with four undefeated regular seasons and three National Championships. From 2002-2007, the Huskers were a mediocre 44-32. That’s a 57.8% winning clip if you are scoring at home. There were three non-winning seasons (2002, 2004, 2007) and two seasons without a bowl game (2004 and 2007). In 2002, the Huskers were 7-7.
The strong of 40 consecutive nine-win seasons and a five-year run of 60-3 are unheard of and not likely to be eclipsed any time soon. Sorry, USC fans, your 82-9 record with two National Titles this decade is great but 60-3 with three National crowns is better. The Huskers aforementioned run also trumps Miami’s record of 76-6 from 1986-1992 with three National Titles.
Anyhow, back to the original point. Nebraska could certainly use the much discussed “signature win” (i.e, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma or Texas) to provide a tangible sign that the program is “back.” Pelini’s arrival at Nebraska last year could not have been more timely.
For one, Pelini is a defensive minded coach in what has become an offensive-minded conference.
Anyhow, I think as evidenced by Nebraska’s run in the 90s, this program can absolutely return to competing for national titles. Maybe not on a year in and year out basis like they did during that period and like Texas and Oklahoma do now, but I truly believe that once every four years or so, this team can compete for a National Title. If a team has a transcendent player like say Tommie Frazier, Tim Tebow or Vince Young, sprinkle in some very solid 3 or 4-star recruits, and then try to find some diamonds in the rough. With good coaching and continuity on the staff, it can be done, even at Nebraska. Look no further than what has been built at Utah, who should have competed for two national titles in the last six years.
In a post earlier this summer, yours truly addressed what needs to be done before the program can claim such a status: http://napavince.blogspot.com/2009/07/at-what-point-is-nebraska-back.html
Going 9-4 in Bo Pelini’s first year is a good start but that progress needs to continue beginning with Saturday’s season opener against Florida Atlantic. The real question should be, will Nebraska ever “dominate” again? Keep in mind, from 1962-2001, Nebraska never failed to win fewer than nine games. From 1993-1997, the Huskers went 60-3 with four undefeated regular seasons and three National Championships. From 2002-2007, the Huskers were a mediocre 44-32. That’s a 57.8% winning clip if you are scoring at home. There were three non-winning seasons (2002, 2004, 2007) and two seasons without a bowl game (2004 and 2007). In 2002, the Huskers were 7-7.
The strong of 40 consecutive nine-win seasons and a five-year run of 60-3 are unheard of and not likely to be eclipsed any time soon. Sorry, USC fans, your 82-9 record with two National Titles this decade is great but 60-3 with three National crowns is better. The Huskers aforementioned run also trumps Miami’s record of 76-6 from 1986-1992 with three National Titles.
Anyhow, back to the original point. Nebraska could certainly use the much discussed “signature win” (i.e, Virginia Tech, Oklahoma or Texas) to provide a tangible sign that the program is “back.” Pelini’s arrival at Nebraska last year could not have been more timely.
For one, Pelini is a defensive minded coach in what has become an offensive-minded conference.
Anyhow, I think as evidenced by Nebraska’s run in the 90s, this program can absolutely return to competing for national titles. Maybe not on a year in and year out basis like they did during that period and like Texas and Oklahoma do now, but I truly believe that once every four years or so, this team can compete for a National Title. If a team has a transcendent player like say Tommie Frazier, Tim Tebow or Vince Young, sprinkle in some very solid 3 or 4-star recruits, and then try to find some diamonds in the rough. With good coaching and continuity on the staff, it can be done, even at Nebraska. Look no further than what has been built at Utah, who should have competed for two national titles in the last six years.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Looking back to my trip to Lincoln -- it's been a year already
Sometimes you have to take a look back. Last year at this time, I was just a father of one – soon to be a father of three as my wife and I were expecting twins to be born in November to go along with our oldest child, who was 1 ½ years old at the time. I had not been back to Lincoln in seven years.
I have spent 31 of the 37 years of my wife in Napa, CA. I attended the University of Nebraska from 1994-1997, earning my degree in Journalism. I stayed in Lincoln for a year after I graduated but things were not working out professionally so I decided to return home and essentially start over.
Little did I know, I would land a job at the Napa Valley Register. I worked as a sports writer for there for three years. I then moved on to the same job at an internet news in Benicia and Vallejo. After two years, they laid off the entire staff so I was out of a full-time job for eight months, during which time I made do as a pure freelancer. I landed back on my feet in January of 2004 as a sports writer/photographer for two weekly newspapers – the St. Helena Star and Weekly Calistogan, where I still am. I'm actually finding that I enjoy life as a small town weekly newspaper guy. I have more control to do things the way I see fit. Plus, big papers are cutting more jobs than they are adding. I also worked as a freelancer for an Oakland Raiders magazine from 1999-2005. I resigned just before the 2005 season because the company that owns the magazine was forgetting one small detail -- like paying me on time. Though I’ll always be grateful for the experience, I don’t miss covering the constant drama that goes on in that organization especially given how bad the team has become. I got married to a gal named Jacqueline Scioneaux, in August 2003. We also recently had a little girl (Juliette Scioneaux D'Adamo) who is now 2 1/2 years old and we just welcomed twins (Thomas and Danielle) into the world just seven months ago. Most days are great, others I’d like to jump off a bridge. We own a home here in Napa. I kind of have a like/dislike relationship with it. I dislike it because it's not the same Napa we knew growing up but I'd still be hardpressed to find a better place. Well, except on college football gameday.
Again, I had not been back to Lincoln in seven years, when my long-time friend and I came back for the season opener against TCU in 2001. I had always wanted to make it back to Lincoln for a game but various circumstances prevented me from doing such. Well, I went to the 2007 Cotton Bowl in Dallas, which was fun other than the outcome of the game, but it’s not the same as being in Lincoln.
With our now 10-month old twins keeping us busy, it’ll probably be a while before I make it back to Lincoln again. Anyhow, I took the liberty of writing about my trip back to Lincoln last year. I share this with you because it was before I established this recreational blog:
http://www.sthelenastar.com/articles/2008/09/04/sports/local/doc48bf61e8bc529666722997.txt
I have spent 31 of the 37 years of my wife in Napa, CA. I attended the University of Nebraska from 1994-1997, earning my degree in Journalism. I stayed in Lincoln for a year after I graduated but things were not working out professionally so I decided to return home and essentially start over.
Little did I know, I would land a job at the Napa Valley Register. I worked as a sports writer for there for three years. I then moved on to the same job at an internet news in Benicia and Vallejo. After two years, they laid off the entire staff so I was out of a full-time job for eight months, during which time I made do as a pure freelancer. I landed back on my feet in January of 2004 as a sports writer/photographer for two weekly newspapers – the St. Helena Star and Weekly Calistogan, where I still am. I'm actually finding that I enjoy life as a small town weekly newspaper guy. I have more control to do things the way I see fit. Plus, big papers are cutting more jobs than they are adding. I also worked as a freelancer for an Oakland Raiders magazine from 1999-2005. I resigned just before the 2005 season because the company that owns the magazine was forgetting one small detail -- like paying me on time. Though I’ll always be grateful for the experience, I don’t miss covering the constant drama that goes on in that organization especially given how bad the team has become. I got married to a gal named Jacqueline Scioneaux, in August 2003. We also recently had a little girl (Juliette Scioneaux D'Adamo) who is now 2 1/2 years old and we just welcomed twins (Thomas and Danielle) into the world just seven months ago. Most days are great, others I’d like to jump off a bridge. We own a home here in Napa. I kind of have a like/dislike relationship with it. I dislike it because it's not the same Napa we knew growing up but I'd still be hardpressed to find a better place. Well, except on college football gameday.
Again, I had not been back to Lincoln in seven years, when my long-time friend and I came back for the season opener against TCU in 2001. I had always wanted to make it back to Lincoln for a game but various circumstances prevented me from doing such. Well, I went to the 2007 Cotton Bowl in Dallas, which was fun other than the outcome of the game, but it’s not the same as being in Lincoln.
With our now 10-month old twins keeping us busy, it’ll probably be a while before I make it back to Lincoln again. Anyhow, I took the liberty of writing about my trip back to Lincoln last year. I share this with you because it was before I established this recreational blog:
http://www.sthelenastar.com/articles/2008/09/04/sports/local/doc48bf61e8bc529666722997.txt
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Bo's bluntness
It doesn’t quite rival Jim Mora, Dennis Green or Mike Ditka. It does not come close to rivaling former Nebraska head coach Bill Callahan, who when coaching the Oakland Raiders referred to them as “We’ve got to be the dumbest team in America in terms of playing the game,” after a 22-8 loss to the Denver Broncos.
However, current Husker head coach Bo Pelini has been known to be on the surly side with the media at various times after Nebraska has a subpar practice. One of those days was Wednesday, August 26, in which Pelini publicly chided the team’s performance in practice as the team continues preparation for its season opener on Sept. 5 at home against Florida Atlantic.
“Unsportsmanlike Conduct,” which is hosted by Kevin Kugler and Mike’L Severe on Omaha radio station 1620 AM KOZN, played the unedited version of Pelini’s post-practice briefing with local media:
Pelini: “We're just not a real good football team right now. For a lot of reasons.”
So what about the offensive line competition?
Pelini: “No one's stepped up and taken control. Bunch of average guys running around out there right now.''
Is it a matter of losing focus toward the end of practice?
Pelini: “It doesn't matter whether it's the beginning, end, middle. It doesn't really matter, does it?''
Do they get it?
Pelini: “Apparently not.''
Did he say anything after practice to let them know?
Pelini: “What do you think?''
Of course, it should also be dually noted that players and fellow assistant coaches also echoed Pelini’s sentiments on the team’s subpar practice. Thursday’s effort was much better: http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=1&SPID=22&ATCLID=204782705&DB_OEM_ID=100
Nebraska Statepaper Husker beat writer Samuel McKewon, one of my former Daily Nebraskan cohorts, addressed Pelini’s personality with the media: http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/08/27/4a96aa2938b68
As one who works as a sports reporter/photographer myself for two small-town weeklies in Northern California (St. Helena Star and Weekly Calistogan), I know what media members go through. I have also had the experience of covering pro and college sports, which has a massive volume of people covering the team daily. So much so that you lose that intimacy with the players and coaches.
In general, I like Pelini’s honesty and forthright personality. That’s where he is a refreshing change. Granted, Frank Solich was not the most well-spoken coach. Callahan was but what did that get him other than a 27-22 record and a ticket out of town?
Pelini is who he is. Nebraska knew that when they hired him. There’s no turning back.
Pelini, however, needs to realize that no coach wins when he gets cross with the media. There are too damn many of them and they feed off each other. One little soundbite can reverberate for years.
In general, I think what McKewon is trying to get across is that you can't judge Pelini's interactions with the media simply by the soundbites that come when he's fired up. The press is getting a great deal of info regarding what's going on inside the team, it's just not all rhetoric from the head coach. Pelini gives an honest opinion, and allows the assistants and players to speak freely. Believe me; I understand that it is better than Callahan and/or Pederson blowing sunshine, then wheel out the coaches and players to speak from a script.
However, as the head coach, Pelini needs to understand that part of the job is being the front man for the media. It’s not like the local media had printed negative stories on the program. Granted, printing the stories on running back Quentin Castille’s suspension for what Pelini indicated was a “clear violation of team rules,” was not a pleasant topic but I think the media as a whole supported Pelini’s decision.
In a nutshell, I’m completely on board with Pelini venting after the team has a practice that does not please him. After all, it’s part of his way of letting players know that they need to earn their keep.
He just needs to realize that even if he is pissed off, part of his job is to answer questions at least respectfully. After all, we are talking Lincoln, Nebraska, media – not the New York Times.
It’s a matter of balancing being tough without being surly.
However, current Husker head coach Bo Pelini has been known to be on the surly side with the media at various times after Nebraska has a subpar practice. One of those days was Wednesday, August 26, in which Pelini publicly chided the team’s performance in practice as the team continues preparation for its season opener on Sept. 5 at home against Florida Atlantic.
“Unsportsmanlike Conduct,” which is hosted by Kevin Kugler and Mike’L Severe on Omaha radio station 1620 AM KOZN, played the unedited version of Pelini’s post-practice briefing with local media:
Pelini: “We're just not a real good football team right now. For a lot of reasons.”
So what about the offensive line competition?
Pelini: “No one's stepped up and taken control. Bunch of average guys running around out there right now.''
Is it a matter of losing focus toward the end of practice?
Pelini: “It doesn't matter whether it's the beginning, end, middle. It doesn't really matter, does it?''
Do they get it?
Pelini: “Apparently not.''
Did he say anything after practice to let them know?
Pelini: “What do you think?''
Of course, it should also be dually noted that players and fellow assistant coaches also echoed Pelini’s sentiments on the team’s subpar practice. Thursday’s effort was much better: http://www.huskers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=1&SPID=22&ATCLID=204782705&DB_OEM_ID=100
Nebraska Statepaper Husker beat writer Samuel McKewon, one of my former Daily Nebraskan cohorts, addressed Pelini’s personality with the media: http://nebraska.statepaper.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2009/08/27/4a96aa2938b68
As one who works as a sports reporter/photographer myself for two small-town weeklies in Northern California (St. Helena Star and Weekly Calistogan), I know what media members go through. I have also had the experience of covering pro and college sports, which has a massive volume of people covering the team daily. So much so that you lose that intimacy with the players and coaches.
In general, I like Pelini’s honesty and forthright personality. That’s where he is a refreshing change. Granted, Frank Solich was not the most well-spoken coach. Callahan was but what did that get him other than a 27-22 record and a ticket out of town?
Pelini is who he is. Nebraska knew that when they hired him. There’s no turning back.
Pelini, however, needs to realize that no coach wins when he gets cross with the media. There are too damn many of them and they feed off each other. One little soundbite can reverberate for years.
In general, I think what McKewon is trying to get across is that you can't judge Pelini's interactions with the media simply by the soundbites that come when he's fired up. The press is getting a great deal of info regarding what's going on inside the team, it's just not all rhetoric from the head coach. Pelini gives an honest opinion, and allows the assistants and players to speak freely. Believe me; I understand that it is better than Callahan and/or Pederson blowing sunshine, then wheel out the coaches and players to speak from a script.
However, as the head coach, Pelini needs to understand that part of the job is being the front man for the media. It’s not like the local media had printed negative stories on the program. Granted, printing the stories on running back Quentin Castille’s suspension for what Pelini indicated was a “clear violation of team rules,” was not a pleasant topic but I think the media as a whole supported Pelini’s decision.
In a nutshell, I’m completely on board with Pelini venting after the team has a practice that does not please him. After all, it’s part of his way of letting players know that they need to earn their keep.
He just needs to realize that even if he is pissed off, part of his job is to answer questions at least respectfully. After all, we are talking Lincoln, Nebraska, media – not the New York Times.
It’s a matter of balancing being tough without being surly.
Florida Atlantic no pushover -- but not a landmine game either
As one that frequently visits collegefootballnews.com, I am always intrigued by the term “landmine games.” That term is often used in association with games where your team is likely favored but if not careful could wind up on the short end.
For Nebraska, the Baylor Bears have commonly been seen among the mainstream media that covers the team along with message board posters and bloggers as such a team that could spoil the Huskers fortunes in 2009. For starters, Nebraska visits Waco on Oct. 31 – one week before it hosts what is likely to be a Top Ten if not Top Five Oklahoma team. The argument has beckoned that the Huskers could be “looking ahead” to OU. I say, baloney because Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini is just the type of coach to preach the message, “you’re not good enough to overlook anyone.” Plus, Pelini and his staff have shown the ability to “coach in the moment.”
Baylor gave the Huskers a pretty good tussle in Lincoln last year before the Big Red prevailed 32-20. Bears quarterback Robert Griffin gave the Nebraska defense fits (rushing for 121 yards, throwing for 134 more) but keep in mind the Blackshirts were still finding their way at that point.
The Bears, who went 4-8 last season, might not be the easy out they’ve been in past years but let’s keep in mind 1995 was the last season Baylor went over the .500 mark, going 7-4 that year. The closest to breaking even the Bears came since then was 5-6 in 2005.
CFN.com has actually tabbed the Huskers opening game opponent (Florida Atlantic) on Sept. 5 as a landmine game. I won’t disagree that Owls will not be your “name the score” type of win. In fact, I can very easily see matters unfolding like last year’s 47-24 opening game win over Western Michigan. The type of game where Nebraska was not in danger of losing per se but close enough to keep the starters in the game much of the way.
However, I think CFN.com (which is a reputable news organization) errs in judgment when it prints, “In 2007, Ball State came in to Lincoln and came within an eyelash of pulling off the upset, losing in a fun 41-40 shootout. Husker fans came away raving about QB Nate Davis, and they'll do the same this year after seeing FAU QB Rusty Smith. The Owls are fearless road warriors, and while they don't have enough on defense to beat Nebraska, they're good enough to make part one of the Husker's three-game date with Sun Belt teams a memorable battle.”
There are two things wrong with that statement. True, it won’t be the first time the Owls have faced a traditional power. FAU has faced teams from a BCS conference 16 times. Keep in mind, however, that Florida Atlantic is 1-15 all-time vs. BCS conference teams and has been outscored 678-170 in those games.
Also, comparing the Ball State game of 2007 to the 2009 opener is much to do about nothing. There is no way you compare the 2009 Nebraska team (while still flawed) to the one that stepped on the field against Ball State. That defense was truly awful (maybe the worst that ever set foot on the Memorial Stadium turf) and had just gotten clubbed to death by USC one week earlier. I don't see that happening in the first game. In fact, I think Nebraska should be able to pound the ball right down Florida Atlantic’s throat.
I will give Owls head coach Howard “Give Me Some Conditioner For My Mustache” Schnellenberger credit for one thing. Since beating Minnesota in 2007, he has made it clear Florida Atlantic’s goal when playing the big boys isn’t just to get a big check -- he expects his teams to compete even if the opponent has been playing football at a much higher level for a much longer period of time.
The Huskers must be mindful of that because losing this game would be devastating on opening day and at home. It could spiral the season out of control but I don't see it happening. The Huskers will not lose this game.
Florida Atlantic (7-6 in 2008) took some beatdowns when they went to BCS schools (52-10 loss at Texas, 17-0 loss at Michigan State, 37-3 loss at Minnesota) last year and they lost quite a bit from that team. I don't think this one qualifies as a scare game.
If there's a landmine game on the schedule, it's the next week against Arkansas State. Nebraska could get caught looking ahead to Virginia Tech, Arkansas St has played well against Big 12 teams in the recent past, and the Huskers 'let down' game last season was in Week Two against San Jose State (35-12 win).
I also actually think the players and the team is looking to unload on somebody and make a point. Florida Atlantic just happens to be first up. If that happens, it's possible they could roll into game two overconfident but I think Pelini will keep them grounded.
Well, there is always a chance as Michigan found out with Appalachian State in the Big House in 2007 but I think it's remote and believe we will win, but stranger things have happened on opening day. Point being, I think Nebraska has to show up every game because the Huskers are not a point like they were in the 90's where they just show up and blow teams out. I hope they will be soon but the fact is they are not there yet.
For Nebraska, the Baylor Bears have commonly been seen among the mainstream media that covers the team along with message board posters and bloggers as such a team that could spoil the Huskers fortunes in 2009. For starters, Nebraska visits Waco on Oct. 31 – one week before it hosts what is likely to be a Top Ten if not Top Five Oklahoma team. The argument has beckoned that the Huskers could be “looking ahead” to OU. I say, baloney because Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini is just the type of coach to preach the message, “you’re not good enough to overlook anyone.” Plus, Pelini and his staff have shown the ability to “coach in the moment.”
Baylor gave the Huskers a pretty good tussle in Lincoln last year before the Big Red prevailed 32-20. Bears quarterback Robert Griffin gave the Nebraska defense fits (rushing for 121 yards, throwing for 134 more) but keep in mind the Blackshirts were still finding their way at that point.
The Bears, who went 4-8 last season, might not be the easy out they’ve been in past years but let’s keep in mind 1995 was the last season Baylor went over the .500 mark, going 7-4 that year. The closest to breaking even the Bears came since then was 5-6 in 2005.
CFN.com has actually tabbed the Huskers opening game opponent (Florida Atlantic) on Sept. 5 as a landmine game. I won’t disagree that Owls will not be your “name the score” type of win. In fact, I can very easily see matters unfolding like last year’s 47-24 opening game win over Western Michigan. The type of game where Nebraska was not in danger of losing per se but close enough to keep the starters in the game much of the way.
However, I think CFN.com (which is a reputable news organization) errs in judgment when it prints, “In 2007, Ball State came in to Lincoln and came within an eyelash of pulling off the upset, losing in a fun 41-40 shootout. Husker fans came away raving about QB Nate Davis, and they'll do the same this year after seeing FAU QB Rusty Smith. The Owls are fearless road warriors, and while they don't have enough on defense to beat Nebraska, they're good enough to make part one of the Husker's three-game date with Sun Belt teams a memorable battle.”
There are two things wrong with that statement. True, it won’t be the first time the Owls have faced a traditional power. FAU has faced teams from a BCS conference 16 times. Keep in mind, however, that Florida Atlantic is 1-15 all-time vs. BCS conference teams and has been outscored 678-170 in those games.
Also, comparing the Ball State game of 2007 to the 2009 opener is much to do about nothing. There is no way you compare the 2009 Nebraska team (while still flawed) to the one that stepped on the field against Ball State. That defense was truly awful (maybe the worst that ever set foot on the Memorial Stadium turf) and had just gotten clubbed to death by USC one week earlier. I don't see that happening in the first game. In fact, I think Nebraska should be able to pound the ball right down Florida Atlantic’s throat.
I will give Owls head coach Howard “Give Me Some Conditioner For My Mustache” Schnellenberger credit for one thing. Since beating Minnesota in 2007, he has made it clear Florida Atlantic’s goal when playing the big boys isn’t just to get a big check -- he expects his teams to compete even if the opponent has been playing football at a much higher level for a much longer period of time.
The Huskers must be mindful of that because losing this game would be devastating on opening day and at home. It could spiral the season out of control but I don't see it happening. The Huskers will not lose this game.
Florida Atlantic (7-6 in 2008) took some beatdowns when they went to BCS schools (52-10 loss at Texas, 17-0 loss at Michigan State, 37-3 loss at Minnesota) last year and they lost quite a bit from that team. I don't think this one qualifies as a scare game.
If there's a landmine game on the schedule, it's the next week against Arkansas State. Nebraska could get caught looking ahead to Virginia Tech, Arkansas St has played well against Big 12 teams in the recent past, and the Huskers 'let down' game last season was in Week Two against San Jose State (35-12 win).
I also actually think the players and the team is looking to unload on somebody and make a point. Florida Atlantic just happens to be first up. If that happens, it's possible they could roll into game two overconfident but I think Pelini will keep them grounded.
Well, there is always a chance as Michigan found out with Appalachian State in the Big House in 2007 but I think it's remote and believe we will win, but stranger things have happened on opening day. Point being, I think Nebraska has to show up every game because the Huskers are not a point like they were in the 90's where they just show up and blow teams out. I hope they will be soon but the fact is they are not there yet.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Watson's remaining window at NU likely a short one
“Stability” and “continuity” were two words commonly uttered throughout Tom Osborne’s 25-year head coaching tenure at Nebraska as well as the first four years of Frank Solich’s stint.
Then in 2002, the Huskers became just another program and that goes even beyond their subpar 44-32 (for Nebraska) record from 2002-2008. Solich uprooted most of the coaching staff after a disappointing 7-7 season in 2002, bringing in assistants such as Bo Pelini, Marvin Sanders, Tim Albin and Barney Cotton. Despite a 10-3 season, then athletic director Steve Pederson fired Solich, named Pelini interim head coach and later passed over both Pelini and Turner Gill for Bill Callahan. In Callahan’s four years, the staff also went through various changes as well as a 27-22 record.
Nebraska fired Callahan after a 5-7 season in 2007 and went 9-4 in 2008, Pelini’s first as head coach. Most importantly, every staff member returns for 2009. Stability and continuity might be overstated words but are very important nonetheless because a youngster can come into the program as a freshman, knowing that what he learns then will apply every single year. When a staff experiences an upheaval, it takes time for players to not only learn the new system but for players and coaches to build a rapport.
Most of these assistants give you the impression of being here for the long haul. However, the reality is that while we all long for the days of Charlie McBride, George Darlington and Milt Tenopir staying for 25-plus years, those days are likely gone but as long as the core of the staff stays together, the Huskers will continue to sow the seeds for long term success.
Now, to bring up a hypothetical, yet likely, scenario that I hope doesn't happen, but something that has to be considered. The Huskers probably will lose offensive coordinator Shawn Watson at some point. I believe Watson is as good as any OC out there but he also has aspirations to be a head coach. I get the impression that he is just looking for the right offer to come along. I don't think he will leave NU for another OC job, that would be a lateral step but a head coaching job? Well, it depends on the program that calls him.
As much as I hate to say it, I think that Watson will be gone in 1-3 years, regardless. Hopefully, closer to three than one. The only thing that would keep him around is to offer him the head coaching position at NU, and that is something we can't offer as long as Pelini builds on his success.
The question begs: does Pelini have a short list somewhere that he is saving and tweaking for that rainy day when he needs it? Will he try to hire someone of Watson's caliber away from another program? Or will Pelini try to find a young, diamond-in-the-rough somewhere who is just looking for the opportunity to make it in the big-time? This is a bigger risk, yet will be easier to pull off and has a greater chance of sticking around the program long-term.
Another factor is that it takes so long to recruit for an offensive system that we should do whatever we can to keep the same offensive philosophy. Well, as long as the Huskers keep producing 30-plus points per game and the defense becomes stouter under Pelini.
Another option would be to promote from within with Barney Cotton, Ted Gilmore, Ron Brown, and Tim Beck as the options. I don’t think Beck would be ready just yet. Gilmore will be a downgrade, and Brown - as much as I respect the guy - is a permanent assistant at this level. That leaves Barney Cotton who was Solich's OC for one year, and then Cotton served as OC for Iowa State for a couple years. I just do not put Cotton in the same league as guys like Watson. Cotton may be a great line coach, but I don’t see him as an offensive coordinator. My money is on Beck if Pelini stays in staff. He has a pretty good resume when you think about it.
Of course, I hope Watson never leaves but let’s not be delusional. Hopefully, Watson at least sticks around through next year as the entire line except for Jacob Hickman returns. With Zac Lee (quarterback), Roy Helu (running back) and Mike McNeill (Tight end) returning the offense could be dynamite. At wide receiver, Menelik Holt will be gone but I have a feeling that JUCO transfer Brandon Kinnie will press Holt for playing time this year.
If Watson leaves, it'll be for a major conference program, in my mind. Settling for less wouldn't be worth it for a guy his age (49). He's got a 15-year head coaching window, essentially. Spending a quarter of that at a MAC school that'll struggle in hard economic times is a waste.
I think he is looking for something at least as good as Missouri or Kansas (just examples, not that those schools are looking), and anything better would be just that much more of a pull. He wouldn't go somewhere like Iowa State. I think Watson using essentially the same approach as Pelini used while at LSU - looking for the right program, the right fit, the right head-coaching opportunity at a relatively big-time university. If and when he leaves, I hope that it is for a program outside the Big 12.The nice thing about the existing staff, except Watson, is that the assistants either don't want to be head coaches or they are so young and unproven that they aren't even close to sniffing a head-coaching position. I think they are talented, and because of my previous statement - will be around for a long time = coaching continuity.
Then in 2002, the Huskers became just another program and that goes even beyond their subpar 44-32 (for Nebraska) record from 2002-2008. Solich uprooted most of the coaching staff after a disappointing 7-7 season in 2002, bringing in assistants such as Bo Pelini, Marvin Sanders, Tim Albin and Barney Cotton. Despite a 10-3 season, then athletic director Steve Pederson fired Solich, named Pelini interim head coach and later passed over both Pelini and Turner Gill for Bill Callahan. In Callahan’s four years, the staff also went through various changes as well as a 27-22 record.
Nebraska fired Callahan after a 5-7 season in 2007 and went 9-4 in 2008, Pelini’s first as head coach. Most importantly, every staff member returns for 2009. Stability and continuity might be overstated words but are very important nonetheless because a youngster can come into the program as a freshman, knowing that what he learns then will apply every single year. When a staff experiences an upheaval, it takes time for players to not only learn the new system but for players and coaches to build a rapport.
Most of these assistants give you the impression of being here for the long haul. However, the reality is that while we all long for the days of Charlie McBride, George Darlington and Milt Tenopir staying for 25-plus years, those days are likely gone but as long as the core of the staff stays together, the Huskers will continue to sow the seeds for long term success.
Now, to bring up a hypothetical, yet likely, scenario that I hope doesn't happen, but something that has to be considered. The Huskers probably will lose offensive coordinator Shawn Watson at some point. I believe Watson is as good as any OC out there but he also has aspirations to be a head coach. I get the impression that he is just looking for the right offer to come along. I don't think he will leave NU for another OC job, that would be a lateral step but a head coaching job? Well, it depends on the program that calls him.
As much as I hate to say it, I think that Watson will be gone in 1-3 years, regardless. Hopefully, closer to three than one. The only thing that would keep him around is to offer him the head coaching position at NU, and that is something we can't offer as long as Pelini builds on his success.
The question begs: does Pelini have a short list somewhere that he is saving and tweaking for that rainy day when he needs it? Will he try to hire someone of Watson's caliber away from another program? Or will Pelini try to find a young, diamond-in-the-rough somewhere who is just looking for the opportunity to make it in the big-time? This is a bigger risk, yet will be easier to pull off and has a greater chance of sticking around the program long-term.
Another factor is that it takes so long to recruit for an offensive system that we should do whatever we can to keep the same offensive philosophy. Well, as long as the Huskers keep producing 30-plus points per game and the defense becomes stouter under Pelini.
Another option would be to promote from within with Barney Cotton, Ted Gilmore, Ron Brown, and Tim Beck as the options. I don’t think Beck would be ready just yet. Gilmore will be a downgrade, and Brown - as much as I respect the guy - is a permanent assistant at this level. That leaves Barney Cotton who was Solich's OC for one year, and then Cotton served as OC for Iowa State for a couple years. I just do not put Cotton in the same league as guys like Watson. Cotton may be a great line coach, but I don’t see him as an offensive coordinator. My money is on Beck if Pelini stays in staff. He has a pretty good resume when you think about it.
Of course, I hope Watson never leaves but let’s not be delusional. Hopefully, Watson at least sticks around through next year as the entire line except for Jacob Hickman returns. With Zac Lee (quarterback), Roy Helu (running back) and Mike McNeill (Tight end) returning the offense could be dynamite. At wide receiver, Menelik Holt will be gone but I have a feeling that JUCO transfer Brandon Kinnie will press Holt for playing time this year.
If Watson leaves, it'll be for a major conference program, in my mind. Settling for less wouldn't be worth it for a guy his age (49). He's got a 15-year head coaching window, essentially. Spending a quarter of that at a MAC school that'll struggle in hard economic times is a waste.
I think he is looking for something at least as good as Missouri or Kansas (just examples, not that those schools are looking), and anything better would be just that much more of a pull. He wouldn't go somewhere like Iowa State. I think Watson using essentially the same approach as Pelini used while at LSU - looking for the right program, the right fit, the right head-coaching opportunity at a relatively big-time university. If and when he leaves, I hope that it is for a program outside the Big 12.The nice thing about the existing staff, except Watson, is that the assistants either don't want to be head coaches or they are so young and unproven that they aren't even close to sniffing a head-coaching position. I think they are talented, and because of my previous statement - will be around for a long time = coaching continuity.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Holtz must be high with his title game prediction
I can think of plenty of reasons to dislike Lou Holtz and I did not think I could come up with more -- but his latest his statement proved me wrong.
Now, I would never take away Holtz’s achievements as a football coach. After all, Holtz (now an ESPN commentator) is the only coach in NCAA history to lead six different programs to bowl games and the only coach to guide four different programs to the final top 20 rankings. He is also a multiple winner of National Coach of the Year honors. So the guy obviously knows how to win.
Granted, his one-year stint as an NFL coach failed miserably with the New York Jets in 1976, leading them to a 3-12 mark. Yes, the same coach that thought the “veer could be successful in the NFL.” Fat chance. Did not work. Then again, I can think of plenty of coaches who swallowed up the competition in college and failed miserably in the NFL such as Bobby Petrino, Steve Spurrier, Dennis Erickson, Nick Saban and Bill Peterson.
Holtz’s latest statement, however, is beyond my comprehension. “I believe Notre Dame will play Florida in the national championship game,” Holtz said. OK, I’d like to use the word “Kool-Aid sipper” to describe Holtz’s statement but that might be giving him too much credit.
“Lay off the bong,” should be more like it.
Granted, this is America and we are all entitled to our opinions but honestly there’s a better chance I’m going to get a date with Cindy Crawford than there is Notre Dame playing for the National title.
Florida in the National title game? I can see that happening. After all, quarterback Tim Tebow decided to stay in school and has already led the Gators to two National titles. Of course, several other teams might have a thing or three to say about that but point being Florida is a realistic bet.
But Notre Dame? Sorry, not buying it. Keep in mind, Holtz was the last coach to lead the Irish to legitimate national prominence, and for that we can certainly understand why Holtz and the University of Notre Dame will be forever intertwined. But when you make the move to sports commentator, you are expected to be as objective as you possibly can.
Keep in mind, this is the same guy that predicted the Irish to win 11 games in 2007 and all Notre Dame did was go 3-9. The Irish went 7-6 last season. Notre Dame might have the schedule to win 10 plus games. Looking at their schedule with the naked eye, the only team that seems definitively better than the Irish is No. 4 USC but a loss to Nevada or Michigan is also not unthinkable.
However, look at Notre Dame’s recent track record: 35-25 under Bob Davie, 21-15 under Tyrone Willingham and for all the hype he gets because of his NFL pedigree, Charlie Weis led the Irish to a 29-21 record in his four seasons, including 10-15 in his last two.
As a Nebraska alum, I won’t sit here and defend the Bill Callahan era (where the Huskers went 27-22). However, I find it mildly strange how Weiss frequently gets a free pass from the media where Callahan often got skewered – and rightfully so but what has Weis really done?
I still need to see where Weiss is a good head coach. Yes, he’s got the NFL pedigree having been an assistant under Bill Parcels with the New York Giants and New York Jets. He also played a key role in the New England Patriots three Super Bowl wins as offensive coordinator but the jury is still out on Weis and how his NFL background translates into college game. Back to the original point, there is almost zero chance of Notre Dame making the title game and for Lou to not understand this fundamentally. Well this would like having Ty Willingham say "I wish they didn't fire me at UW because I can predict that this season the Huskies will make the Rose Bowl."
Now, I would never take away Holtz’s achievements as a football coach. After all, Holtz (now an ESPN commentator) is the only coach in NCAA history to lead six different programs to bowl games and the only coach to guide four different programs to the final top 20 rankings. He is also a multiple winner of National Coach of the Year honors. So the guy obviously knows how to win.
Granted, his one-year stint as an NFL coach failed miserably with the New York Jets in 1976, leading them to a 3-12 mark. Yes, the same coach that thought the “veer could be successful in the NFL.” Fat chance. Did not work. Then again, I can think of plenty of coaches who swallowed up the competition in college and failed miserably in the NFL such as Bobby Petrino, Steve Spurrier, Dennis Erickson, Nick Saban and Bill Peterson.
Holtz’s latest statement, however, is beyond my comprehension. “I believe Notre Dame will play Florida in the national championship game,” Holtz said. OK, I’d like to use the word “Kool-Aid sipper” to describe Holtz’s statement but that might be giving him too much credit.
“Lay off the bong,” should be more like it.
Granted, this is America and we are all entitled to our opinions but honestly there’s a better chance I’m going to get a date with Cindy Crawford than there is Notre Dame playing for the National title.
Florida in the National title game? I can see that happening. After all, quarterback Tim Tebow decided to stay in school and has already led the Gators to two National titles. Of course, several other teams might have a thing or three to say about that but point being Florida is a realistic bet.
But Notre Dame? Sorry, not buying it. Keep in mind, Holtz was the last coach to lead the Irish to legitimate national prominence, and for that we can certainly understand why Holtz and the University of Notre Dame will be forever intertwined. But when you make the move to sports commentator, you are expected to be as objective as you possibly can.
Keep in mind, this is the same guy that predicted the Irish to win 11 games in 2007 and all Notre Dame did was go 3-9. The Irish went 7-6 last season. Notre Dame might have the schedule to win 10 plus games. Looking at their schedule with the naked eye, the only team that seems definitively better than the Irish is No. 4 USC but a loss to Nevada or Michigan is also not unthinkable.
However, look at Notre Dame’s recent track record: 35-25 under Bob Davie, 21-15 under Tyrone Willingham and for all the hype he gets because of his NFL pedigree, Charlie Weis led the Irish to a 29-21 record in his four seasons, including 10-15 in his last two.
As a Nebraska alum, I won’t sit here and defend the Bill Callahan era (where the Huskers went 27-22). However, I find it mildly strange how Weiss frequently gets a free pass from the media where Callahan often got skewered – and rightfully so but what has Weis really done?
I still need to see where Weiss is a good head coach. Yes, he’s got the NFL pedigree having been an assistant under Bill Parcels with the New York Giants and New York Jets. He also played a key role in the New England Patriots three Super Bowl wins as offensive coordinator but the jury is still out on Weis and how his NFL background translates into college game. Back to the original point, there is almost zero chance of Notre Dame making the title game and for Lou to not understand this fundamentally. Well this would like having Ty Willingham say "I wish they didn't fire me at UW because I can predict that this season the Huskies will make the Rose Bowl."
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Castille dismissal shows Pelini will make tough choices
Say one thing for Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini. Well, there are many things you can say but none the least of which are his willingness to make a tough decision.
Running back Quentin Castille has been dismissed from the football team for what Pelini said Saturday was a clear violation of team policies according to the Lincoln Journal Star.
"We have guidelines, we have policies that we have set up here, we have a culture we have set up here," Pelini said. "It's pretty black and white my expectations and what we lay out as a staff, and if somebody doesn't follow those policies or guidelines, they're no longer going to be with the program. That's the case with Quentin. I wish him luck. He's a good kid. He's just not going to be with our program anymore. I wish him luck in the future. The book is closed on that."
Pelini addressed the matter following Saturday's practice. It marked the third day Castille was not with the team.
"It's black and white," Pelini said. "It's not tough the way I go about running this football program."
What stands out the most (to me anyhow) about the decision was that it did not involve the Unity Council, which Pelini reinstituted after becoming the head coach.
The Unity Council, which was in place from 1991-2003, is a group consisting of players selected by their fellow teammates on the football roster of that specific year. At least one player comes from each position on the football team so the voice of other players in that position can be heard. The idea enjoyed great on-field success initially, as Nebraska rolled off three national championships within the next 10 years.
The council dealt with internal discipline. It worked under a point system for troubled players -- those who got into trouble received points for infractions such as missing classes or practices, as well as criminal charges. The more points a player received, the harsher the discipline.
“If there's a violation and people go against the rules and the guidelines that we've set up, it's black and white,” Pelini said. “We'll show you the door. No one is above the football team. I got a program to run, both short term and long term. Like I said, end of story.”
So what does this mean for the running back position? Keep in mind; Castille and Roy Helu were slated to be Nebraska’s running back tandem in 2009 much like the ’08 season with Marlon Lucky.
Pelini added that true freshman Rex Burkhead has emerged as the No. 2 back behind Helu but don’t rule out Collins Okafor, Lester Ward, and Austin Jones. For that matter, don’t rule out Marcus Mendoza. Keep in mind, Okafor is a big back like Castille at 6-1, 225-pounds. Although I think Burkhead would have seen the field at some point this season anyhow despite Pelini’s tendency to redshirt freshman players.
Castille’s dismissal is a tough blow but Pelini is right to stick to his standards, which is what happened. I trust the reasons (unknown at this point) were legit. Pelini is proving he can make the though choices. Again, I am very curious about the reason for the dismissal. Was it drugs? Drinking? Breaking the law? Or heaven forbid violating the NCAA rules?
We'll never know unless either Castille discusses it, or the NCAA comes sniffing around and we hear about it on ESPN. Since it was for a “clear violation of team rules,” I seriously doubt it's an NCAA violation. Also, if Nebraska even suspected Castille violated NCAA rules he would have been suspended immediately (a couple days ago). About the only streak we've got left besides the sell-out streak is no major NCAA violations in the football program and I'm quite sure Nebraska wants to keep it that way. Also, I doubt it was the law. If it was, we would have heard about it because the police can't keep arrest reports from reporters for long. Defensive tackle Kevin Dixon's issues we knew about within hours of his arrests. Pelini dismissed Dixon before the start of last season and linebacker Cody Glenn late in the season. The speculation is already out there as to the reason for it but I doubt we ever get it confirmed. Pelini isn't going to throw a player or a former player under the bus under any circumstances. He referred to Castille as a “good kid.” Keep in mind, he never talked in specifics about what Dixon and Glenn did, and he's not going to talk about this one either.
It is a sad day for Castille but he is the only one who should be sad. The pattern of consistency in the area of discipline has been established. The only way to maintain the respect of the players in your program is to apply the consequences for the breaking of rules fairly and consistently regardless of who you are or how good you are.
Castille made mistakes and it cost him and for that you hope that he can overcome these hardships but for the good of the whole Pelini represents what is best in sports, character and principles, which someday will influence others choices to come to Nebraska for the right reasons.
Not that I need to know every time someone violates team rules but Pelini and his staff have demonstrated that they are completely fair with their players, and have their best interests at heart. So when he says someone can no longer be on the team, that's good enough for me. I also think that he deserves praise for keeping these things “In House,” letting the young men keep their dignity to whatever extent that is possible.
Running back Quentin Castille has been dismissed from the football team for what Pelini said Saturday was a clear violation of team policies according to the Lincoln Journal Star.
"We have guidelines, we have policies that we have set up here, we have a culture we have set up here," Pelini said. "It's pretty black and white my expectations and what we lay out as a staff, and if somebody doesn't follow those policies or guidelines, they're no longer going to be with the program. That's the case with Quentin. I wish him luck. He's a good kid. He's just not going to be with our program anymore. I wish him luck in the future. The book is closed on that."
Pelini addressed the matter following Saturday's practice. It marked the third day Castille was not with the team.
"It's black and white," Pelini said. "It's not tough the way I go about running this football program."
What stands out the most (to me anyhow) about the decision was that it did not involve the Unity Council, which Pelini reinstituted after becoming the head coach.
The Unity Council, which was in place from 1991-2003, is a group consisting of players selected by their fellow teammates on the football roster of that specific year. At least one player comes from each position on the football team so the voice of other players in that position can be heard. The idea enjoyed great on-field success initially, as Nebraska rolled off three national championships within the next 10 years.
The council dealt with internal discipline. It worked under a point system for troubled players -- those who got into trouble received points for infractions such as missing classes or practices, as well as criminal charges. The more points a player received, the harsher the discipline.
“If there's a violation and people go against the rules and the guidelines that we've set up, it's black and white,” Pelini said. “We'll show you the door. No one is above the football team. I got a program to run, both short term and long term. Like I said, end of story.”
So what does this mean for the running back position? Keep in mind; Castille and Roy Helu were slated to be Nebraska’s running back tandem in 2009 much like the ’08 season with Marlon Lucky.
Pelini added that true freshman Rex Burkhead has emerged as the No. 2 back behind Helu but don’t rule out Collins Okafor, Lester Ward, and Austin Jones. For that matter, don’t rule out Marcus Mendoza. Keep in mind, Okafor is a big back like Castille at 6-1, 225-pounds. Although I think Burkhead would have seen the field at some point this season anyhow despite Pelini’s tendency to redshirt freshman players.
Castille’s dismissal is a tough blow but Pelini is right to stick to his standards, which is what happened. I trust the reasons (unknown at this point) were legit. Pelini is proving he can make the though choices. Again, I am very curious about the reason for the dismissal. Was it drugs? Drinking? Breaking the law? Or heaven forbid violating the NCAA rules?
We'll never know unless either Castille discusses it, or the NCAA comes sniffing around and we hear about it on ESPN. Since it was for a “clear violation of team rules,” I seriously doubt it's an NCAA violation. Also, if Nebraska even suspected Castille violated NCAA rules he would have been suspended immediately (a couple days ago). About the only streak we've got left besides the sell-out streak is no major NCAA violations in the football program and I'm quite sure Nebraska wants to keep it that way. Also, I doubt it was the law. If it was, we would have heard about it because the police can't keep arrest reports from reporters for long. Defensive tackle Kevin Dixon's issues we knew about within hours of his arrests. Pelini dismissed Dixon before the start of last season and linebacker Cody Glenn late in the season. The speculation is already out there as to the reason for it but I doubt we ever get it confirmed. Pelini isn't going to throw a player or a former player under the bus under any circumstances. He referred to Castille as a “good kid.” Keep in mind, he never talked in specifics about what Dixon and Glenn did, and he's not going to talk about this one either.
It is a sad day for Castille but he is the only one who should be sad. The pattern of consistency in the area of discipline has been established. The only way to maintain the respect of the players in your program is to apply the consequences for the breaking of rules fairly and consistently regardless of who you are or how good you are.
Castille made mistakes and it cost him and for that you hope that he can overcome these hardships but for the good of the whole Pelini represents what is best in sports, character and principles, which someday will influence others choices to come to Nebraska for the right reasons.
Not that I need to know every time someone violates team rules but Pelini and his staff have demonstrated that they are completely fair with their players, and have their best interests at heart. So when he says someone can no longer be on the team, that's good enough for me. I also think that he deserves praise for keeping these things “In House,” letting the young men keep their dignity to whatever extent that is possible.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Has time passed the redshirt by
In a March 11 blog entry, I talked about the value of redshirting a true freshman: http://napavince.blogspot.com/2009/03/redshirt-does-not-mean-red-flag.html
The current NCAA rules state that an eligible athlete has five years to complete four seasons. Therefore, student-athletes may practice for a team but not play in a game for one season, not counting against his or her four seasons of eligibility. This is known as a redshirt. Fans don’t see their contributions in that they do not happen on gameday but the redshirt season is a valuable year in a system in that it provides shelter against some of the harsh realities of jumping to a new level of football.You see, some highly-touted high school studs make their college choices in the recruiting process based on early playing time. Some coaches promise it or tell the youngster he has a fair chance to compete for playing time. Others will demand an automatic redshirt. Pelini might not redshirt 100 percent of his recruits as freshmen but it’s going to be rare when he does not.Bo Pelini redshirted 50 scholarship players (including walkons) last season – his first as Nebraska’s head coasch. The Huskers were already thin at linebacker entering 2008. So thin they converted running back Cody Glenn to linebacker. Glenn, who earned the starting weakside linebacker job, was suspended late in the season and starting linebacker Phillip Dillard was limited the last half of the season with an ankle injury. Pelini still resisted the temptation of burning redshirts on talented players like Sean Fisher, Will Compton and Alonzo Whaley.
However, I have also heard at times lately that in recent years more true freshman are ready to make an impact. That argument has some merit in part because at larger high schools, there are fewer multi-sport athletes. Therefore, if a youngster is laser-focused on football, he might spend huge amounts of money to go to football camps to get recognized by college scouts.
The assumption that you can get four years out of an athlete after he redshirts may no longer be a valid assumption. It also seems as though there are quite a few players who have done well playing in their freshman years.Granted, it has become more common for true freshman to make an impact but in general I’d still say that only about two out of every ten are ready to do so. If a year of potential eligibility can be saved by not playing, then sure - that makes sense to redshirt them but if the guy is ready to play, and is better than those ahead of him on the depth chart, is it still a good idea to not play him if he's not a starter? Absolutely.
Therefore, I think redshirting is a good thing, especially in rebuilding years. Few guys are ready to go right out of high school and even fewer wouldn't benefit from an extra year of coaching. One exception is in a year where the non-freshmen on the team put you in a position to challenge for the National Title. In that case, I say go balls to the wall let's play our best guys if we need them.The other exception is if you think the guy is going to the NFL early. Use him while you've got him.
One thing that is different between Nebraska and most of the top schools in college football: the others tend to recruit great athletes, physical specimens. Nebraska tends to recruit mostly good (and a few great) athletes. Nebraska's emphasis has always been on building their players that fit the program, not on starting with the great players. I like it that way, it's the Nebraska way. But it also requires the extra year to bulk up and learn the playbook.
The current NCAA rules state that an eligible athlete has five years to complete four seasons. Therefore, student-athletes may practice for a team but not play in a game for one season, not counting against his or her four seasons of eligibility. This is known as a redshirt. Fans don’t see their contributions in that they do not happen on gameday but the redshirt season is a valuable year in a system in that it provides shelter against some of the harsh realities of jumping to a new level of football.You see, some highly-touted high school studs make their college choices in the recruiting process based on early playing time. Some coaches promise it or tell the youngster he has a fair chance to compete for playing time. Others will demand an automatic redshirt. Pelini might not redshirt 100 percent of his recruits as freshmen but it’s going to be rare when he does not.Bo Pelini redshirted 50 scholarship players (including walkons) last season – his first as Nebraska’s head coasch. The Huskers were already thin at linebacker entering 2008. So thin they converted running back Cody Glenn to linebacker. Glenn, who earned the starting weakside linebacker job, was suspended late in the season and starting linebacker Phillip Dillard was limited the last half of the season with an ankle injury. Pelini still resisted the temptation of burning redshirts on talented players like Sean Fisher, Will Compton and Alonzo Whaley.
However, I have also heard at times lately that in recent years more true freshman are ready to make an impact. That argument has some merit in part because at larger high schools, there are fewer multi-sport athletes. Therefore, if a youngster is laser-focused on football, he might spend huge amounts of money to go to football camps to get recognized by college scouts.
The assumption that you can get four years out of an athlete after he redshirts may no longer be a valid assumption. It also seems as though there are quite a few players who have done well playing in their freshman years.Granted, it has become more common for true freshman to make an impact but in general I’d still say that only about two out of every ten are ready to do so. If a year of potential eligibility can be saved by not playing, then sure - that makes sense to redshirt them but if the guy is ready to play, and is better than those ahead of him on the depth chart, is it still a good idea to not play him if he's not a starter? Absolutely.
Therefore, I think redshirting is a good thing, especially in rebuilding years. Few guys are ready to go right out of high school and even fewer wouldn't benefit from an extra year of coaching. One exception is in a year where the non-freshmen on the team put you in a position to challenge for the National Title. In that case, I say go balls to the wall let's play our best guys if we need them.The other exception is if you think the guy is going to the NFL early. Use him while you've got him.
One thing that is different between Nebraska and most of the top schools in college football: the others tend to recruit great athletes, physical specimens. Nebraska tends to recruit mostly good (and a few great) athletes. Nebraska's emphasis has always been on building their players that fit the program, not on starting with the great players. I like it that way, it's the Nebraska way. But it also requires the extra year to bulk up and learn the playbook.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
JUCO transfers are not junko transfers
There are many arguments that will get a Nebraska football fan’s blood going. Too many to list.
One that recently crossed my mind was how Husker fans, well at least as a broad generalization; tend to have an aversion to recruiting JUCO transfers. Cynics will point to the Bill Snyder era (the first one) at Kansas State along with the Bill Callahan era at Nebraska. Under Bo Pelini, the Huskers have scaled back their emphasis on recruiting JUCO transfers.
This blog entry should not be confused with endorsing a recruiting class full of JUCO transfers but in listening to some people you would think JUCO transfers came with a birth defect.
Yes, they do come with a risk. However, it should also be pointed out that Mike Rozier was a JUCO transfer and went on to become a Heisman Trophy winner. Terrell Farley was also a JUCO transfer and was a key member of the 1995 National Championship Husker team. Granted, Nebraska’s defense had other tremendously talented players (i.e. The Peter Bros., Grant Wistrom, Jared Tomich, and Mike Booker to name a few) but Farley generated numerous big plays. Zac Taylor was also a JUCO transfer and one could argue that his play at quarterback kept the Callahan era from being a complete disaster. Taylor was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2006.
The 2009 Huskers will have at least two JUCO transfers that will play a role in the team’s success, quarterback Zac Lee and wide receiver Brandon Kinnie. Lee is the starter while Kinnie will likely see time because they are playing positions of need.
In general, I think certain people disdain JUCO transfers (Nebraska fans included) with such an elitist mentality for much the wrong reason because there are more reasons than "just" academics why a kid winds up at a JC.For one thing, as much as we Husker fans love the walk-on program, the bottom line is that kids are not as patient anymore about waiting their turn. Since I cover primarily high school sports, I have seen many kids who were the star on their high school team become hell bent on moving out of their hometown because they want something new. Because they were so much more talented than their high school peers, they didn't really have to work hard for their success. Then, they get to college and realize too late that they have to work much harder for their success. The next thing you know, they're back at their hometown JC but not because they couldn't cut the mustard academically. Plus, we live in an instant gratification world more than ever. The fact is, kids like an Adam Ickes, Todd Peterson or a Ben Eisenhart, who might be willing to forgo scholarships and early playing time elsewhere to wait their turn are fewer and further between than even 15 years ago.I also think that while relying heavily on JUCO transfers can be a risk, they often tend to have a better work ethic than your four and five star recruits from the high school ranks. Why? Nobody handed them anything and they are less likely to take what they have for granted because they have a shorter window of opportunity to prove themselves than a high school kid. Therefore, they push those four and five star recruits in practice to become better ballplayers – similar to the walk-ons. Granted, a JUCO transfer from outside Nebraska might not have Husker football woven into their blood but they tend to have the same work ethic as a walk-on.
To become a great team like what we all hope Nebraska aspires to become again, it's a balancing act. You obviously want five-star recruits but you also need hard-nosed walk-ons and JUCO transfers with talent and intangibles like Taylor.In addition, there are plenty of kids who might have been decent enough students in high school but perhaps lacked a little maturity off the field. For those kids, a JUCO situation is in their best interest. This aspect is also prevalent in non-athletes too. After all, take the kid who graduated from high school with barely enough credits and put him or her next to one who graduated with honors. Often times, they wind up in the same place. The first of which might begin their academic career at a JC and the other at a highly regarded four-year school. The latter of which might be the anointed one but winds out either back at his hometown JC or flunking out of school because he or she partied their life away.
I know I'm rambling like crazy but the same thing can apply in athletics too. Look at former Notre Dame quarterback Ron Pawlus, he was the anointed one out of high school and look what happened. Look at Taylor, he failed at Wake Forest and went to a JUCO before coming to Nebraska. Granted, Taylor has not become the next Joe Montana or John Elway but all I know is this – I want that guy on my team not just for his ability (which I think is pretty good but not great) but for his intangibles. Plus, Pawlus never had a job that ended requiring Sunday work.
One that recently crossed my mind was how Husker fans, well at least as a broad generalization; tend to have an aversion to recruiting JUCO transfers. Cynics will point to the Bill Snyder era (the first one) at Kansas State along with the Bill Callahan era at Nebraska. Under Bo Pelini, the Huskers have scaled back their emphasis on recruiting JUCO transfers.
This blog entry should not be confused with endorsing a recruiting class full of JUCO transfers but in listening to some people you would think JUCO transfers came with a birth defect.
Yes, they do come with a risk. However, it should also be pointed out that Mike Rozier was a JUCO transfer and went on to become a Heisman Trophy winner. Terrell Farley was also a JUCO transfer and was a key member of the 1995 National Championship Husker team. Granted, Nebraska’s defense had other tremendously talented players (i.e. The Peter Bros., Grant Wistrom, Jared Tomich, and Mike Booker to name a few) but Farley generated numerous big plays. Zac Taylor was also a JUCO transfer and one could argue that his play at quarterback kept the Callahan era from being a complete disaster. Taylor was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year in 2006.
The 2009 Huskers will have at least two JUCO transfers that will play a role in the team’s success, quarterback Zac Lee and wide receiver Brandon Kinnie. Lee is the starter while Kinnie will likely see time because they are playing positions of need.
In general, I think certain people disdain JUCO transfers (Nebraska fans included) with such an elitist mentality for much the wrong reason because there are more reasons than "just" academics why a kid winds up at a JC.For one thing, as much as we Husker fans love the walk-on program, the bottom line is that kids are not as patient anymore about waiting their turn. Since I cover primarily high school sports, I have seen many kids who were the star on their high school team become hell bent on moving out of their hometown because they want something new. Because they were so much more talented than their high school peers, they didn't really have to work hard for their success. Then, they get to college and realize too late that they have to work much harder for their success. The next thing you know, they're back at their hometown JC but not because they couldn't cut the mustard academically. Plus, we live in an instant gratification world more than ever. The fact is, kids like an Adam Ickes, Todd Peterson or a Ben Eisenhart, who might be willing to forgo scholarships and early playing time elsewhere to wait their turn are fewer and further between than even 15 years ago.I also think that while relying heavily on JUCO transfers can be a risk, they often tend to have a better work ethic than your four and five star recruits from the high school ranks. Why? Nobody handed them anything and they are less likely to take what they have for granted because they have a shorter window of opportunity to prove themselves than a high school kid. Therefore, they push those four and five star recruits in practice to become better ballplayers – similar to the walk-ons. Granted, a JUCO transfer from outside Nebraska might not have Husker football woven into their blood but they tend to have the same work ethic as a walk-on.
To become a great team like what we all hope Nebraska aspires to become again, it's a balancing act. You obviously want five-star recruits but you also need hard-nosed walk-ons and JUCO transfers with talent and intangibles like Taylor.In addition, there are plenty of kids who might have been decent enough students in high school but perhaps lacked a little maturity off the field. For those kids, a JUCO situation is in their best interest. This aspect is also prevalent in non-athletes too. After all, take the kid who graduated from high school with barely enough credits and put him or her next to one who graduated with honors. Often times, they wind up in the same place. The first of which might begin their academic career at a JC and the other at a highly regarded four-year school. The latter of which might be the anointed one but winds out either back at his hometown JC or flunking out of school because he or she partied their life away.
I know I'm rambling like crazy but the same thing can apply in athletics too. Look at former Notre Dame quarterback Ron Pawlus, he was the anointed one out of high school and look what happened. Look at Taylor, he failed at Wake Forest and went to a JUCO before coming to Nebraska. Granted, Taylor has not become the next Joe Montana or John Elway but all I know is this – I want that guy on my team not just for his ability (which I think is pretty good but not great) but for his intangibles. Plus, Pawlus never had a job that ended requiring Sunday work.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Playing redshirt roulette
Omaha World Herald columnist Tom Shatel had a great sense of timing this week.
Earlier this week, Shatel reasoned that Nebraska might not have the luxury of redshirting true freshman quarterback Cody Green http://omaha.com/article/20090810/SPORTS/708109892. If there is one thing we know about second year Husker head coach Bo Pelini is that it will be a rare set of circumstances that he does not redshirt a true freshman.
The Huskers enter the 2009 campaign with junior Zac Lee as the clear cut favorite to be the starting signal-caller with redshirt freshman Kody Spano, Green, junior LaTravis Washington (a converted linebacker) and true freshman Taylor Martinez battling for the No. 2 spot. The best case scenario would be Lee proving that he is more than ready to play at a high level with Spano being the No. 2 man while redshirting Green.
Spano, however, will miss the season with a torn ACL. The injury, which took place Tuesday, came in the same left leg that Spano suffered an ACL tear in during spring ball. Pelini expects to have him back in the fold by winter conditioning. Spano might pursue a medical redshirt but that’s a discussion for another day.
It was a non-contact injury suffered while running, Pelini said, which occurred during Tuesday's practice. The injury leaves Washington and Green as the likely candidates to backup Lee since they were in Lincoln for spring ball.
Some media members that cover the team daily as well as message board posters have wondered if perhaps Spano rushed back to soon. Hard to say really because for all we know the structure of his knee might make him more prone to injury.
So does this mean Green redshirting is pretty much off the table, or does become the de facto No. 2 guy and you hope that you can redshirt Green by not having to play him?
The answer is pretty simple. Whomever wins the No. 2 job doesn't redshirt. I don't think the coaches can worry about anything else now; you have to get that No. 2 guy some reps in a game early in the season, just in case. You can't try to save Green or Washington for a redshirt, I don't think, like Bill Callahan tried to do with Harrison Beck in 2005. To be fair, Nebraska was seldom in a blowout situation in 2005.
Potentially, if the threesome of Green, Washington and Martinez are dead even for that No. 2 slot, you could play one of them as No. 2 this season, then redshirt him next season and play the other two behind Lee, thereby preserving everyone's redshirt. Had Spano remained healthy, and the No. 2 job was pretty even between him, Green, Washington and perhaps Martinez, then you could've tried to save the redshirts for Green, Washington and Martinez, using Spano in the mop-up role, since he already had redshirted. This re-injury makes that impossible.
I know some will look at this as Spano rushing his return, and he may have, but look at it this way. Spano had already used his redshirt. He knew this fall gave him a great shot at winning the No. 2 job. The doctors probably told him he might re-injure it and was pushing his return date, but he had a reasonable shot of staying healthy too. With his redshirt already burned, he probably figured the reward of being No. 2 was worth the risk of re-injuring it. If he had sat out another couple of months, he would've had little to no chance of being No. 2 this season, so he probably felt like pushing the return was worth a shot. I can understand why he did it - if he sat out another couple of months of rehab, 2009 would be pretty much a lost season for him anyway.
As for Green, I’d say he only burns a redshirt if he is so much better than Washington that the coaches have no choice or if Lee gets injured. If the guy is Terrelle Pryor, Vince Young or Tommie Frazier, then that is one thing but only the coaches will really know if he's that good this soon. If, in their estimation he's not going to be any less mistake prone than Washington then let Washington finish it out.
Let’s also not forget that Ron Kellogg Jr. might be an option too. Kellogg joins the Huskers as a walk-on from Omaha Westside High School, where he starred at quarterback. He also held scholarship offers from Northwest Missouri State and North Dakota and a walk-on offer from Iowa. Kellogg is the son of former Kansas basketball great and NBA player Ron Kellogg.Then again, we also have to truly understand the true meaning of the term “redshirt.”
There is no such thing as a redshirt in terms of being defined as one before the season starts. As long as a player does not play in a game (or gets a waiver for a medical redshirt because he was injured in an early game) and has not used his redshirt year, that player is considered to have used it when the season is over. So, theoretically, Green could be Nebraska's No. 2 QB and still use his redshirt year if he does not play during 2009.
When offensive coordinator Shawn Watson and Pelini think about this, I think this is the most likely scenario. If Nebraska is up big and it's garbage time, Washington and/or Kellogg will likely come in to finish the game. If, heaven forbid, Lee is injured and cannot go when a game is still close, I think you'll see Green. If a game's out of reach with NU ahead and Lee gets injured, I think Washington and Kellogg finish with Green taking over as the starter the next week if Lee isn't healthy. I don't think this automatically means Green does not use his redshirt year at all. There's nothing that says he won't use it next year even if he does have to play this year. This was the plan that was supposed to have been done at Virginia Tech with Tyrod Taylor. He wasn't supposed to play last year, it's just that Sean Glennon was so bad behind a young/poor offensive line that Taylor had to play because VaTech could use more rollouts/QB keeper plays and not have a drop-back passer get sacked routinely because their O-line wasn't very good early in the season.
Earlier this week, Shatel reasoned that Nebraska might not have the luxury of redshirting true freshman quarterback Cody Green http://omaha.com/article/20090810/SPORTS/708109892. If there is one thing we know about second year Husker head coach Bo Pelini is that it will be a rare set of circumstances that he does not redshirt a true freshman.
The Huskers enter the 2009 campaign with junior Zac Lee as the clear cut favorite to be the starting signal-caller with redshirt freshman Kody Spano, Green, junior LaTravis Washington (a converted linebacker) and true freshman Taylor Martinez battling for the No. 2 spot. The best case scenario would be Lee proving that he is more than ready to play at a high level with Spano being the No. 2 man while redshirting Green.
Spano, however, will miss the season with a torn ACL. The injury, which took place Tuesday, came in the same left leg that Spano suffered an ACL tear in during spring ball. Pelini expects to have him back in the fold by winter conditioning. Spano might pursue a medical redshirt but that’s a discussion for another day.
It was a non-contact injury suffered while running, Pelini said, which occurred during Tuesday's practice. The injury leaves Washington and Green as the likely candidates to backup Lee since they were in Lincoln for spring ball.
Some media members that cover the team daily as well as message board posters have wondered if perhaps Spano rushed back to soon. Hard to say really because for all we know the structure of his knee might make him more prone to injury.
So does this mean Green redshirting is pretty much off the table, or does become the de facto No. 2 guy and you hope that you can redshirt Green by not having to play him?
The answer is pretty simple. Whomever wins the No. 2 job doesn't redshirt. I don't think the coaches can worry about anything else now; you have to get that No. 2 guy some reps in a game early in the season, just in case. You can't try to save Green or Washington for a redshirt, I don't think, like Bill Callahan tried to do with Harrison Beck in 2005. To be fair, Nebraska was seldom in a blowout situation in 2005.
Potentially, if the threesome of Green, Washington and Martinez are dead even for that No. 2 slot, you could play one of them as No. 2 this season, then redshirt him next season and play the other two behind Lee, thereby preserving everyone's redshirt. Had Spano remained healthy, and the No. 2 job was pretty even between him, Green, Washington and perhaps Martinez, then you could've tried to save the redshirts for Green, Washington and Martinez, using Spano in the mop-up role, since he already had redshirted. This re-injury makes that impossible.
I know some will look at this as Spano rushing his return, and he may have, but look at it this way. Spano had already used his redshirt. He knew this fall gave him a great shot at winning the No. 2 job. The doctors probably told him he might re-injure it and was pushing his return date, but he had a reasonable shot of staying healthy too. With his redshirt already burned, he probably figured the reward of being No. 2 was worth the risk of re-injuring it. If he had sat out another couple of months, he would've had little to no chance of being No. 2 this season, so he probably felt like pushing the return was worth a shot. I can understand why he did it - if he sat out another couple of months of rehab, 2009 would be pretty much a lost season for him anyway.
As for Green, I’d say he only burns a redshirt if he is so much better than Washington that the coaches have no choice or if Lee gets injured. If the guy is Terrelle Pryor, Vince Young or Tommie Frazier, then that is one thing but only the coaches will really know if he's that good this soon. If, in their estimation he's not going to be any less mistake prone than Washington then let Washington finish it out.
Let’s also not forget that Ron Kellogg Jr. might be an option too. Kellogg joins the Huskers as a walk-on from Omaha Westside High School, where he starred at quarterback. He also held scholarship offers from Northwest Missouri State and North Dakota and a walk-on offer from Iowa. Kellogg is the son of former Kansas basketball great and NBA player Ron Kellogg.Then again, we also have to truly understand the true meaning of the term “redshirt.”
There is no such thing as a redshirt in terms of being defined as one before the season starts. As long as a player does not play in a game (or gets a waiver for a medical redshirt because he was injured in an early game) and has not used his redshirt year, that player is considered to have used it when the season is over. So, theoretically, Green could be Nebraska's No. 2 QB and still use his redshirt year if he does not play during 2009.
When offensive coordinator Shawn Watson and Pelini think about this, I think this is the most likely scenario. If Nebraska is up big and it's garbage time, Washington and/or Kellogg will likely come in to finish the game. If, heaven forbid, Lee is injured and cannot go when a game is still close, I think you'll see Green. If a game's out of reach with NU ahead and Lee gets injured, I think Washington and Kellogg finish with Green taking over as the starter the next week if Lee isn't healthy. I don't think this automatically means Green does not use his redshirt year at all. There's nothing that says he won't use it next year even if he does have to play this year. This was the plan that was supposed to have been done at Virginia Tech with Tyrod Taylor. He wasn't supposed to play last year, it's just that Sean Glennon was so bad behind a young/poor offensive line that Taylor had to play because VaTech could use more rollouts/QB keeper plays and not have a drop-back passer get sacked routinely because their O-line wasn't very good early in the season.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Minter imparting wisdom on Husker safeties
Since Bo Pelini has come aboard as Nebraska’s football head coach, the past has been reconnected with the present.
Former head coach Bill Callahan made the mistake of shunning the past. Despite what a percentage of Husker fans think, Callahan did not eliminate the walk-on program, he merely scaled it down – something Pelini would have had to do had he taken over as head coach in 2004 as opposed to Callahan.
The one area of the Callahan era that cannot be discounted (one many former players have publicly stated) was that he did not welcome former players to visit the facility or watch practice.
One cannot accuse Pelini of such. Pelini has welcomed former players back to visit and has openly supported the walk-on program.
Former Husker Mike Minter has been in the headlines lately – both in the Lincoln Journal Star and on Unsportsmanlike Conduct (an Omaha sports talk show hosted by Kevin Kugler and Mike’L Severe). Minter spent time with current Nebraska strong safety Larry Asante, who plays the same position Minter starred at Nebraska and the Carolina Panthers.
Minter, a second-round NFL Draft pick, lettered from 1993-96 and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors his senior season. He had seven career interceptions — five as a senior, two as a junior — playing mostly at a position Nebraska then termed the rover.Minter visited Lincoln on his own and worked with the safeties over a five-day period. The Husker defense took a huge step in the right direction jumping from 112th in 2007 to 55th last season (Pelini’s first) in total defense but that improvement also left a void because Nebraska ranked 97th nationally last season with 17 forced turnovers. Twelve were interceptions, but only six were by members of the secondary.
Asante is a talented player that came to Lincoln in 2007 with much fanfare as Husker fans were expecting that hard-hitting safety in the mold of Minter or Mike Brown. Asante, like most Husker defenders, had a terrible 2007 season but showed promise in 2008. Asante has the ability to be a difference-maker and maybe Minter imparting his wisdom makes a difference.
Minter has been coaching high school football since retiring after the 2006 season, teaching youngsters what he has learned throughout the years. Among what Minter has been teaching Asante is “how to watch film.” Meaning it’s not enough just to pop the tape (or DVD) into the machine for 15 minutes. It’s about “what” to watch.
One or two players on the field will invariably tell you what everyone else is doing. College and NFL quarterbacks are taught to look one way first and then throw the other. Also, don’t look at the running back if you are a safety or the receiver will run by you.
Offensive linemen will also dictate whether the play is a run or pass. If the linemen have a “low hat,” it’s a run. If the linemen have a “high hat,” it’s a pass.
Since Minter had success in both college and NFL, knowing that college players often have aspirations of playing in the NFL, Minter said, “This is the best year of your life. Have fun and everything else will take care of itself.”
Former head coach Bill Callahan made the mistake of shunning the past. Despite what a percentage of Husker fans think, Callahan did not eliminate the walk-on program, he merely scaled it down – something Pelini would have had to do had he taken over as head coach in 2004 as opposed to Callahan.
The one area of the Callahan era that cannot be discounted (one many former players have publicly stated) was that he did not welcome former players to visit the facility or watch practice.
One cannot accuse Pelini of such. Pelini has welcomed former players back to visit and has openly supported the walk-on program.
Former Husker Mike Minter has been in the headlines lately – both in the Lincoln Journal Star and on Unsportsmanlike Conduct (an Omaha sports talk show hosted by Kevin Kugler and Mike’L Severe). Minter spent time with current Nebraska strong safety Larry Asante, who plays the same position Minter starred at Nebraska and the Carolina Panthers.
Minter, a second-round NFL Draft pick, lettered from 1993-96 and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors his senior season. He had seven career interceptions — five as a senior, two as a junior — playing mostly at a position Nebraska then termed the rover.Minter visited Lincoln on his own and worked with the safeties over a five-day period. The Husker defense took a huge step in the right direction jumping from 112th in 2007 to 55th last season (Pelini’s first) in total defense but that improvement also left a void because Nebraska ranked 97th nationally last season with 17 forced turnovers. Twelve were interceptions, but only six were by members of the secondary.
Asante is a talented player that came to Lincoln in 2007 with much fanfare as Husker fans were expecting that hard-hitting safety in the mold of Minter or Mike Brown. Asante, like most Husker defenders, had a terrible 2007 season but showed promise in 2008. Asante has the ability to be a difference-maker and maybe Minter imparting his wisdom makes a difference.
Minter has been coaching high school football since retiring after the 2006 season, teaching youngsters what he has learned throughout the years. Among what Minter has been teaching Asante is “how to watch film.” Meaning it’s not enough just to pop the tape (or DVD) into the machine for 15 minutes. It’s about “what” to watch.
One or two players on the field will invariably tell you what everyone else is doing. College and NFL quarterbacks are taught to look one way first and then throw the other. Also, don’t look at the running back if you are a safety or the receiver will run by you.
Offensive linemen will also dictate whether the play is a run or pass. If the linemen have a “low hat,” it’s a run. If the linemen have a “high hat,” it’s a pass.
Since Minter had success in both college and NFL, knowing that college players often have aspirations of playing in the NFL, Minter said, “This is the best year of your life. Have fun and everything else will take care of itself.”
Monday, August 10, 2009
Attitude change in full force for the Big Red
The start of fall practice is typically a preseason honeymoon period. Everyone’s undefeated. Everyone’s optimistic about the upcoming season.
The 2009 Nebraska Cornhuskers are no different entering head coach Bo Pelini’s second season. The buzzwords in a recent Lincoln Journal Star story were accountability, intensity, and team unity. The 2008 Huskers took a step in the right direction in Pelini’s first season, improving from 5-7 in 2007 under Bill Callahan to 9-4 last season. As fans, we all expect to see this theme carry over to the field. These qualities were desperately in the Callahan years.
We should see that attitude continue to pay off in 2009. The question is how much will it translate from a win-loss perspective? Just reading a few player sound bites are very telling:
“The other word we used all the time was “dominate,” Nebraska tight end Mike McNeill said. “And we did a good job of dominating our tasks this summer.”The Huskers had accountability for poor effort or tardiness, too. Senior safety Larry Asante said players who fell short of expectations, or were late, had to admit those mistakes in front of the whole team.Then the team would decide a punishment for the player. It was the kind of player accountability, Asante and wide receiver Menelik Holt agreed, that members of NU’s national championship teams in the 1990s had talked to them about in the spring. “Sometimes we’d make them stand there and watch us run,” said Asante, a member of the 2009 Unity Council. “It was kind of a mental thing, to make them sit on the side and watch us run. Because we are a team.”Holt, also on the Unity Council, said Pelini stressed that each Husker “learn how to be a man.”“Part of being a man is being accountable for your actions,” Holt said. “We hear that all the time. Pelini’s always teaching us about those characteristics like a father would. And I think you’ve seen our team change in our leaders and how they act. You saw the team also change. We hear that from the 95 team when those guys come in.
I like what I am hearing. If the seniors like Phillip Dillard, Ricky Thenarse, Asante and others buy into this and play up to their potential, this could be a special year. We have seniors with a ton of talent. I hope we get the quality senior leadership that has been absent for a long time in this program.
Listening to the players and reading what they say, it sounds to me like the players think they can improve on last year and that their coaches know how to get them there. They also sound like they've bought into Pelini's mantra of "compete every day to be accountable and to be a man."Again, I know it’s a happy time of the year and that the realities of the regular season are not here. I know the Kool-Aid is flowing abundantly but it’s also good to see that healthy mindset.
I think Dillard should be given a lot of credit. Dillard fell out of favor with the coaching staff for what most believe were weight and work ethic issues in spring football practices. With fall practices here, it appears that Dillard will be given every opportunity to earn his starting job back.
I don't know if it is Dillard's personality or the staff's approach to handling the situation or (probably) both, but I am very impressed with his reaction to the spring ball demotion.I hope he is able to make it back; I think he will contribute in some valuable ways this year. He may not start, but a great backup at that position is important, as is another good special teams player.
Maybe this group of coaches found a way to challenge and motivate him, or maybe the light just went on. I wasn't sure what to expect myself. Count me in the impressed category. If he's dropped that much weight and gained flexibility and speed as a result, he could be a surprise out of fall camp and have a great senior season.
At the worst, this gives us 3 viable options at the MIKE position in Colton Koehler, Will Compton, and Dillard. Compton's the future, so you get him the experience, but you don't want to beat him up too much if you don't have to and (knock on wood) we've had more than our share of injuries at the LB position over the course of the past few seasons. We need all the depth we can build and maintain. In a situation like we have with an inexperienced group to begin with, any injuries hurt that much more.
The 2009 Nebraska Cornhuskers are no different entering head coach Bo Pelini’s second season. The buzzwords in a recent Lincoln Journal Star story were accountability, intensity, and team unity. The 2008 Huskers took a step in the right direction in Pelini’s first season, improving from 5-7 in 2007 under Bill Callahan to 9-4 last season. As fans, we all expect to see this theme carry over to the field. These qualities were desperately in the Callahan years.
We should see that attitude continue to pay off in 2009. The question is how much will it translate from a win-loss perspective? Just reading a few player sound bites are very telling:
“The other word we used all the time was “dominate,” Nebraska tight end Mike McNeill said. “And we did a good job of dominating our tasks this summer.”The Huskers had accountability for poor effort or tardiness, too. Senior safety Larry Asante said players who fell short of expectations, or were late, had to admit those mistakes in front of the whole team.Then the team would decide a punishment for the player. It was the kind of player accountability, Asante and wide receiver Menelik Holt agreed, that members of NU’s national championship teams in the 1990s had talked to them about in the spring. “Sometimes we’d make them stand there and watch us run,” said Asante, a member of the 2009 Unity Council. “It was kind of a mental thing, to make them sit on the side and watch us run. Because we are a team.”Holt, also on the Unity Council, said Pelini stressed that each Husker “learn how to be a man.”“Part of being a man is being accountable for your actions,” Holt said. “We hear that all the time. Pelini’s always teaching us about those characteristics like a father would. And I think you’ve seen our team change in our leaders and how they act. You saw the team also change. We hear that from the 95 team when those guys come in.
I like what I am hearing. If the seniors like Phillip Dillard, Ricky Thenarse, Asante and others buy into this and play up to their potential, this could be a special year. We have seniors with a ton of talent. I hope we get the quality senior leadership that has been absent for a long time in this program.
Listening to the players and reading what they say, it sounds to me like the players think they can improve on last year and that their coaches know how to get them there. They also sound like they've bought into Pelini's mantra of "compete every day to be accountable and to be a man."Again, I know it’s a happy time of the year and that the realities of the regular season are not here. I know the Kool-Aid is flowing abundantly but it’s also good to see that healthy mindset.
I think Dillard should be given a lot of credit. Dillard fell out of favor with the coaching staff for what most believe were weight and work ethic issues in spring football practices. With fall practices here, it appears that Dillard will be given every opportunity to earn his starting job back.
I don't know if it is Dillard's personality or the staff's approach to handling the situation or (probably) both, but I am very impressed with his reaction to the spring ball demotion.I hope he is able to make it back; I think he will contribute in some valuable ways this year. He may not start, but a great backup at that position is important, as is another good special teams player.
Maybe this group of coaches found a way to challenge and motivate him, or maybe the light just went on. I wasn't sure what to expect myself. Count me in the impressed category. If he's dropped that much weight and gained flexibility and speed as a result, he could be a surprise out of fall camp and have a great senior season.
At the worst, this gives us 3 viable options at the MIKE position in Colton Koehler, Will Compton, and Dillard. Compton's the future, so you get him the experience, but you don't want to beat him up too much if you don't have to and (knock on wood) we've had more than our share of injuries at the LB position over the course of the past few seasons. We need all the depth we can build and maintain. In a situation like we have with an inexperienced group to begin with, any injuries hurt that much more.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Craig, Rathman an underrated RB tandem
The football season appetizers are well underway.
There is college football Media Days that every major conference hosts. There’s the opening of NFL training camps and of course let’s not forget the high school youngsters that battle under the Friday Night lights.
There’s also the NFL Hall-of-Fame induction ceremony. The 2009 class is comprised of Rod Woodson, Randall McDaniel, Bruce Smith, Bob Hayes and Ralph Wilson Jr.
Several months ago, yours truly lobbied in this very space lobbying for former Nebraska running back Roger Craig to some day become inducted into the NFL Hall-of-Fame: http://napavince.blogspot.com/2009/05/roger-craig-belongs-in-nfl-hall-of-fame.html
I stand by that argument rather strongly to this day but I would also argue that Craig and Tom Rathman (also a former Nebraska running back) are one of the best and most underrated NFL running back tandems of all time. Would I take them over say Jim Taylor-Paul Hourning (Green Bay), Franco Harris-Rocky Blier (Pittsburgh) or Jim Kick-Larry Csonka (Miami)? No. However, like those aforementioned tandems, Craig and Rathman put up individual numbers and helped the San Francisco 49ers win Super Bowls, three for Craig and two for Rathman.
Craig finished his eleven NFL seasons with 8,189 rushing yards, 566 receptions for 4,911 receiving yards, and three kickoff returns for 43 yards. Overall, he amassed 13,143 total yards and scored 73 touchdowns (56 rushing and 17 receiving). As of today, Roger Craig remains the only running back to lead the NFL in receptions for a single season, and the only one ever to record over 100 receiving yards in a Super Bowl.
Craig was the only running back to be elected to the Pro Bowl at both fullback and halfback (a feat which has since been matched by Stephen Davis). He is also the first player in NFL history to gain 1,000 yards rushing and receiving. St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk achieved such a feat in 1999 but the difference is that Craig often ran on a muddy surface at Candlestick Park whereas Faulk played his whole career in a domed stadium.
Rathman’s NFL career spanned nine years as a fullback. The first eight of those with the 49ers. While in San Francisco, he paved the way for Craig. In 1989, he led all NFL running backs in receiving with 73 receptions for 616 yards. He spent his last season with the Los Angeles Raiders. Rathman finished his NFL career with 2,020 rushing yards, 320 receptions for 2,684 yards, five kickoff returns for 103 yards, and 34 touchdowns.
This story hits a nerve with me because I grew up in Northern California (Napa, CA to be exact) as a 49er fan who later went on to gain an opportunity to cover the Oakland Raiders as a freelance writer for Silver & Black Illustrated. The 49ers became the revered dynasty that most people know them as today when I became old enough to understand football. Keep in mind, I was born in 1972.San Francisco drafted Craig in 1983 and Rathman in 1986. I had a great NFL team to root for in the 49ers, they haven’t been relevant since 2002 but I digress. I just needed a good college team to root for – but Cal and Stanford just didn’t do it for me. They still don’t. USC has a great tradition in football. So does UCLA in basketball – but rooting for a Southern California team was a hard sell for me. Well, it still is as much as I respect their tradition. So I became a Husker fan in 1986. I later became a Husker graduate in 1997.I moved back to Northern California in 1998 after getting my degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska in 1997. Sorry, I can’t bring myself to saying “NoCal” or “SoCal.” That sounds way too damn dorky and juvenile. When I hear people those terms, it sounds like a pipsqueak that has not reached puberty yet.
I know Husker fans will never fully embrace the West Coast Offense that Bill Callahan brought to Nebraska but I would consider Craig the prototypical WCO running back, one who can run both outside and between the tackles, as well as pass catch out of the backfield.
Granted, when we think of the 49ers dynasty, people like Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Ronnie Lott are the hub of the wheel. You also can’t forget names like Steve Young, Fred Dean, John Taylor or Brent Jones. But, take away the running back production and you likely don’t see the 49ers win five Super Bowls. Craig and Rathman are might never enter the NFL Hall of Fame, but their contributions no doubt played a major part in shaping football history and by extension the future of Husker football.
Craig was a unique player whose contribution to his game and the game of football goes why past his numbers. Take what Faulk did in repeating the 1000/1000 in a season that was great but it was done on turf, Craig did his on grass much harder to do. Craig made history in football and changed the game.
Craig deserves to be in the Hall-of-Fame. He revolutionized the position. Craig hasn't been inducted into the Hall-of-Fame and for that matter he and Rathman are seldom mentioned in the same breath as other great running back tandems because they lived in the shadow of Montana and Rice. And it’s hard to argue because with Montana and Rice, you have the two best ever to play their position. In Montana’s case, you could make the argument that he’s the best “football player” in NFL history. Keep in mind; he led the 49ers to two Super Bowls before they drafted Rice. I think another thing to consider is that Craig and Rathman had to share the ball a lot over their careers.
Rathman made a name for himself in the Bay Area as a 49ers’ back who was a punishing hitter, sure footed runner that could catch out of the backfield. He was everything the 49ers wanted in a fullback and everything that Roger Craig could have hoped for in a lead blocker. Today, Rathman is rarely talked about in connection with the success of the organization. But make no mistake; he played an extremely large role in it.
I also think a huge reason Craig and Rathman are not mentioned in connection with the 49ers success is because, you take the Green Bay Packers and you think of Taylor and Hourning running the power sweep. You think of Vince Lombardi on the blackboard in his Brooklyn-ese accent, “What we wanna get is a seal here and a seal here. And run this play in the alley.” You think of the 49ers and it’s about Montana orchestrating the offense with pinpoint precision and poise. Whereas you don’t think of the role Craig and Rathman played in punishing defenders in their wake.
In fact, I would argue that the biggest misconception of the WCO is that it’s a “finesse” offense that de-emphasizes the running game. Sure, it might not rely on using the run to set up the pass but using the pass to set up the run is every bit as effective.
There is college football Media Days that every major conference hosts. There’s the opening of NFL training camps and of course let’s not forget the high school youngsters that battle under the Friday Night lights.
There’s also the NFL Hall-of-Fame induction ceremony. The 2009 class is comprised of Rod Woodson, Randall McDaniel, Bruce Smith, Bob Hayes and Ralph Wilson Jr.
Several months ago, yours truly lobbied in this very space lobbying for former Nebraska running back Roger Craig to some day become inducted into the NFL Hall-of-Fame: http://napavince.blogspot.com/2009/05/roger-craig-belongs-in-nfl-hall-of-fame.html
I stand by that argument rather strongly to this day but I would also argue that Craig and Tom Rathman (also a former Nebraska running back) are one of the best and most underrated NFL running back tandems of all time. Would I take them over say Jim Taylor-Paul Hourning (Green Bay), Franco Harris-Rocky Blier (Pittsburgh) or Jim Kick-Larry Csonka (Miami)? No. However, like those aforementioned tandems, Craig and Rathman put up individual numbers and helped the San Francisco 49ers win Super Bowls, three for Craig and two for Rathman.
Craig finished his eleven NFL seasons with 8,189 rushing yards, 566 receptions for 4,911 receiving yards, and three kickoff returns for 43 yards. Overall, he amassed 13,143 total yards and scored 73 touchdowns (56 rushing and 17 receiving). As of today, Roger Craig remains the only running back to lead the NFL in receptions for a single season, and the only one ever to record over 100 receiving yards in a Super Bowl.
Craig was the only running back to be elected to the Pro Bowl at both fullback and halfback (a feat which has since been matched by Stephen Davis). He is also the first player in NFL history to gain 1,000 yards rushing and receiving. St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk achieved such a feat in 1999 but the difference is that Craig often ran on a muddy surface at Candlestick Park whereas Faulk played his whole career in a domed stadium.
Rathman’s NFL career spanned nine years as a fullback. The first eight of those with the 49ers. While in San Francisco, he paved the way for Craig. In 1989, he led all NFL running backs in receiving with 73 receptions for 616 yards. He spent his last season with the Los Angeles Raiders. Rathman finished his NFL career with 2,020 rushing yards, 320 receptions for 2,684 yards, five kickoff returns for 103 yards, and 34 touchdowns.
This story hits a nerve with me because I grew up in Northern California (Napa, CA to be exact) as a 49er fan who later went on to gain an opportunity to cover the Oakland Raiders as a freelance writer for Silver & Black Illustrated. The 49ers became the revered dynasty that most people know them as today when I became old enough to understand football. Keep in mind, I was born in 1972.San Francisco drafted Craig in 1983 and Rathman in 1986. I had a great NFL team to root for in the 49ers, they haven’t been relevant since 2002 but I digress. I just needed a good college team to root for – but Cal and Stanford just didn’t do it for me. They still don’t. USC has a great tradition in football. So does UCLA in basketball – but rooting for a Southern California team was a hard sell for me. Well, it still is as much as I respect their tradition. So I became a Husker fan in 1986. I later became a Husker graduate in 1997.I moved back to Northern California in 1998 after getting my degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska in 1997. Sorry, I can’t bring myself to saying “NoCal” or “SoCal.” That sounds way too damn dorky and juvenile. When I hear people those terms, it sounds like a pipsqueak that has not reached puberty yet.
I know Husker fans will never fully embrace the West Coast Offense that Bill Callahan brought to Nebraska but I would consider Craig the prototypical WCO running back, one who can run both outside and between the tackles, as well as pass catch out of the backfield.
Granted, when we think of the 49ers dynasty, people like Bill Walsh, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice and Ronnie Lott are the hub of the wheel. You also can’t forget names like Steve Young, Fred Dean, John Taylor or Brent Jones. But, take away the running back production and you likely don’t see the 49ers win five Super Bowls. Craig and Rathman are might never enter the NFL Hall of Fame, but their contributions no doubt played a major part in shaping football history and by extension the future of Husker football.
Craig was a unique player whose contribution to his game and the game of football goes why past his numbers. Take what Faulk did in repeating the 1000/1000 in a season that was great but it was done on turf, Craig did his on grass much harder to do. Craig made history in football and changed the game.
Craig deserves to be in the Hall-of-Fame. He revolutionized the position. Craig hasn't been inducted into the Hall-of-Fame and for that matter he and Rathman are seldom mentioned in the same breath as other great running back tandems because they lived in the shadow of Montana and Rice. And it’s hard to argue because with Montana and Rice, you have the two best ever to play their position. In Montana’s case, you could make the argument that he’s the best “football player” in NFL history. Keep in mind; he led the 49ers to two Super Bowls before they drafted Rice. I think another thing to consider is that Craig and Rathman had to share the ball a lot over their careers.
Rathman made a name for himself in the Bay Area as a 49ers’ back who was a punishing hitter, sure footed runner that could catch out of the backfield. He was everything the 49ers wanted in a fullback and everything that Roger Craig could have hoped for in a lead blocker. Today, Rathman is rarely talked about in connection with the success of the organization. But make no mistake; he played an extremely large role in it.
I also think a huge reason Craig and Rathman are not mentioned in connection with the 49ers success is because, you take the Green Bay Packers and you think of Taylor and Hourning running the power sweep. You think of Vince Lombardi on the blackboard in his Brooklyn-ese accent, “What we wanna get is a seal here and a seal here. And run this play in the alley.” You think of the 49ers and it’s about Montana orchestrating the offense with pinpoint precision and poise. Whereas you don’t think of the role Craig and Rathman played in punishing defenders in their wake.
In fact, I would argue that the biggest misconception of the WCO is that it’s a “finesse” offense that de-emphasizes the running game. Sure, it might not rely on using the run to set up the pass but using the pass to set up the run is every bit as effective.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Sizing up position battles
Competition or controversy?
If a football team has two good quarterbacks, it’s a controversy. If the team has two good middle linebackers, it’s a competition.
As fall camp enters for the Nebraska football team, as with any season, there are position battles that bear watching.
The No. 2 quarterback position will especially bear watching as Zac Lee is the odds-on favorite to replace the graduated Joe Ganz. After Lee, the race for No. 2 includes Kody Spano, LaTravis Washington, Cody Green and potentially Taylor Martinez. I remain very adamant that Green and Martinez should redshirt. For starters, it’s going to be very rare that head coach Bo Pelini does not redshirt a true freshman.
In an ideal world, Washington would redshirt too given that the junior is a converted linebacker. However, I kind of made the same argument last year when Cody Glenn moved from running back to linebacker but not redshirting Glenn seemed to work just fine. Redshirting Washington now, however, would logjam the position for the future.
Spano, who is a redshirt freshman, would be the No. 2 man ideally but is he fully recovered physically and mentally from a torn ACL injury? I say, plan on making Lee the main guy and find a role for Washington. Perhaps the Wildcat role.
Wide receiver and right guard will also be a compelling thing to watch. At the former, Menelik Holt and Niles Paul are likely to be the starters for the season opener. Both had meaningful snaps last year behind Nate Swift and Todd Peterson but being the lead guy is a whole different deal. Behind Holt and Paul, you have Chris Brooks, Will Henry, Curenski Gilleylen, Brandon Kinnie and Marcus Mendoza, Antonio Bell, Tim Marlowe and Khiry Cooper.
For right guard, the wild card is backup center Mike Caputo, who could possibly be the start and move Jacob Hickman to right guard. Or keeping Hickman at center and having Ricky Henry and Caputo battle it out at right guard. It’s really a battle to see whether sophomore backup center Mike Caputo progresses enough to surpass junior Ricky Henry at his position, right guard. Obviously the possibility has been brought up, because current center/former right guard Jacob Hickman talked about it at length at Big 12 Media Days.Middle linebacker will also bear watching. Linebacker was an area of weakness for much of the year but senior walk-on Colton Koehler was a bright spot.
The wild card is what happens to Phillip Dillard, who has fallen out of favor with the coaching staff (specifically position coach Mike Ekeler). Dillard has enough talent to be an asset but will his mind be in the right place?
Then there is also redshirt freshman Will Compton, who is highly touted but young players also come with a learning curve.
You also have five guys battling for two cornerback positions -- Anthony West, Prince Amukamara, Dejon Gomes, and Alfonzo Dennard and Anthony Blue. For now, West and Amukamara are the favorites but if he’s healthy, Blue might be the best corner.
If a football team has two good quarterbacks, it’s a controversy. If the team has two good middle linebackers, it’s a competition.
As fall camp enters for the Nebraska football team, as with any season, there are position battles that bear watching.
The No. 2 quarterback position will especially bear watching as Zac Lee is the odds-on favorite to replace the graduated Joe Ganz. After Lee, the race for No. 2 includes Kody Spano, LaTravis Washington, Cody Green and potentially Taylor Martinez. I remain very adamant that Green and Martinez should redshirt. For starters, it’s going to be very rare that head coach Bo Pelini does not redshirt a true freshman.
In an ideal world, Washington would redshirt too given that the junior is a converted linebacker. However, I kind of made the same argument last year when Cody Glenn moved from running back to linebacker but not redshirting Glenn seemed to work just fine. Redshirting Washington now, however, would logjam the position for the future.
Spano, who is a redshirt freshman, would be the No. 2 man ideally but is he fully recovered physically and mentally from a torn ACL injury? I say, plan on making Lee the main guy and find a role for Washington. Perhaps the Wildcat role.
Wide receiver and right guard will also be a compelling thing to watch. At the former, Menelik Holt and Niles Paul are likely to be the starters for the season opener. Both had meaningful snaps last year behind Nate Swift and Todd Peterson but being the lead guy is a whole different deal. Behind Holt and Paul, you have Chris Brooks, Will Henry, Curenski Gilleylen, Brandon Kinnie and Marcus Mendoza, Antonio Bell, Tim Marlowe and Khiry Cooper.
For right guard, the wild card is backup center Mike Caputo, who could possibly be the start and move Jacob Hickman to right guard. Or keeping Hickman at center and having Ricky Henry and Caputo battle it out at right guard. It’s really a battle to see whether sophomore backup center Mike Caputo progresses enough to surpass junior Ricky Henry at his position, right guard. Obviously the possibility has been brought up, because current center/former right guard Jacob Hickman talked about it at length at Big 12 Media Days.Middle linebacker will also bear watching. Linebacker was an area of weakness for much of the year but senior walk-on Colton Koehler was a bright spot.
The wild card is what happens to Phillip Dillard, who has fallen out of favor with the coaching staff (specifically position coach Mike Ekeler). Dillard has enough talent to be an asset but will his mind be in the right place?
Then there is also redshirt freshman Will Compton, who is highly touted but young players also come with a learning curve.
You also have five guys battling for two cornerback positions -- Anthony West, Prince Amukamara, Dejon Gomes, and Alfonzo Dennard and Anthony Blue. For now, West and Amukamara are the favorites but if he’s healthy, Blue might be the best corner.
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