Isn’t it amazing how issues within another program can trigger thoughts about your own?
Now that we find out that TCU had at least four players dealing grass along with statements gathered by undercover police by said players that at least 60% of the team would fail drug tests, are we more apt to take to heart that Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini always talks about running a clean program? A lot of programs (USC, Ohio State, TCU, Miami, Alabama, etc.) have now been put on some pretty serious negative sanctions/embarrassing light. Need we get started with Penn State.
Four football players were among 17 TCU students arrested on drug charges Wednesday, and an arrest warrant for one of the players alleges that at least three players were dealing drugs. According to the warrant, one of the players also said that drug use was widespread on the Horned Frogs' team.
According to Fort Worth police, the players arrested are: junior linebacker Tanner Brock, junior safety Devin Johnson, junior defensive tackle D.J. Yendrey and sophomore offensive tackle Tyler Horn. They have been removed from the team.
We all want 11 wins and conference championships every year, but I don't think any program is immune to getting in trouble; although it seems Pelini and Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne run a pretty tight ship. It does mean something, right?
Do you want 13 wins and trouble? Or 9-10 wins and no major embarrassment? Or would you rather your team goes 0-for-the season with a clean program or go 13-1 with some crookedness?
That's something that gets lost in the thinking of some fans. Former Nebraska football coach and athletic director Bob Devaney once said: "I don't expect to win enough games to be put on NCAA probation. I just want to win enough to warrant an investigation."
Less than 1% of the youngsters playing today will make a career in the NFL. Character counts in my book and is being taught by Pelini and staff. They might not recruit like Nick Saban, but at the end of the day I would rather have youngsters learning that there is life after college football and get some character building (which will last long after the final whistle) along the way.
Unfortunately, as long as the NCAA looks differently at different programs and some get hammered while others get nothing disparity of performance based upon the integrity of the program will always exist.
What's a clean program? I'd say a program is clean if only a handful of guys get arrested each year. If you randomly selected 120 non-athlete college guys that's about what you'd get. A handful of arrests, mostly for DWI and such. Also by clean I'd say we don't have guys juicing to build muscle, and cleverly covering it up.
Arrests and bad behavior mean the program isn't clean, it means the players who are part of it get into trouble. How the coach runs his ship and how he responds to these incidents define how clean the program is. You could hand a principled coach a roster full of thugs who, all they do is get arrested, but it doesn't mean that coach isn't running a clean program.
Nebraska has had a decent amount of alcohol related incidents during Pelini's tenure; however, I'm not stating alcohol related incidents have increased under him. Just wondering where some draw the clean/dirty line. I think there's a difference between "clean" and "pristine".
When the school's biggest problem is giving the players textbooks, I think we're a pretty clean program. Seriously, every program is going to have players getting into some mischief (especially with alcohol). I hate to excuse that sort of behavior, but it's almost part of being in college. I realize that these guys are expected to maintain higher standards than most students, but that doesn't mean they aren't human and don't make mistakes.
I'm just glad Nebraska isn’t anywhere near the level that Ohio State or Penn State. On a national scale, the Huskers are a pretty squeaky-clean program.
If I had to choose between running a clean program and winning 5-7 games each year versus running a program that bends the rules a little but is in the perennial hunt for the national title, I'd take the latter. But I think we have close to the best of both worlds at NU. The football team is run very well and nine wins a year is nothing to be ashamed of despite how frustrated some fans are that the program has not reached BCS Bowl level under Pelini. Hopefully this coming season we can break through that barricade and win 11-14 games.
Monday, February 20, 2012
Thursday, February 16, 2012
What the hell is a "game manager" anyhow
For years when I heard the term “Game Manager,” I thought of double switches and calls to the bullpen. The term gets thrown around so freely on blogs, on ESPN, college football and the NFL that I almost don’t really know what it means anymore. Many people use the term, but how many actually know the definition? How many have their own definition entirely? I guess, I tend to fall into the latter category.
The common assumption of a quarterback who is a game manager is not asked to make big plays, not asked to do much, and nothing fancy. He is expected to put long drives together, eat some game clock, complete short passes, not turn the ball over, score enough to keep it competitive but don’t lose the game for the team. Trent Dilfer is a name that comes up often. He was the quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, which was famous for their punishing defense, during their Super Bowl winning season of 2000. Dilfer put together long drives, relied on defense, scored enough points, and didn’t turn the ball over.
Do we have that at Nebraska? What about Taylor Martinez fits that “game manager” term? So many people say he improved as a game manager in 2011 and I guess I am confused on the meaning of the term or I’m not seeing it.
I view a game manager as a coach on the field that has strong leadership abilities. He is patient, relaxed and doesn’t make mistakes. I don’t really think big plays (or lack thereof) have anything to do with it.
Many Husker fans want Martinez to pop off 40 plus yard runs rather than manage the game.
Managing the game is about running the offense. It’s about distributing the ball to the right guy, making the right reads, getting the offense in the right play for how the defense is lined up, maintaining tempo or managing the huddle, and generally just getting his teammates in the best position for them to make plays. Whether the play adds up to four yards or 40 yards is immaterial.
Game managers also know their limitations and play “within” the system. This doesn’t mean that he can’t or won’t take chances once in a while because a game manager can also have game breaking plays. As much as Martinez improved in this area last season, he will need to continue to get better.
I have defended Martinez more than a good segment of Husker fans in this space but not to the extent that I refuse to recognize his faults. With that said, the best case scenario is that once Martinez is completely in tuned with the game manager role (whatever that means), he will be more relaxed and will be able to just play and not think as much. In turn, he may move from a game manager to a game changer, which is a label that many have already given him.
When it comes down to “what kind of quarterback do I want at Nebraska,” I want someone that the defense has to account for at all times. Someone that can get his teammates involved and still be a threat himself. Someone that if the defense puts a spy on, or two spies, it will free another playmaker up on the field somewhere, and it’s essentially a pick your poison of what you want to stop.
Just look at all the game-breaking quarterbacks we had in the past that defenses had to account for: Jamaal Lord, Eric Crouch, Scott Frost, Tommie Frazier, and Turner Gill. Those are the types of quarterback we need. Granted, Lord was a terrible passer and so too were Frazier and Frost, but they were outstanding athletes. In fact, Lord had to make due with less talent around him than the others.
While defense may keep an eye on Martinez, he didn’t have many game-breaking plays as I thought he would. His acceleration going north & south is amazing, but laterally, I don’t think he has that same speed or awareness/acceleration. I would like to see him make plays with his feet on 3rd and 8 if no one is open. I want to see him scramble and get those yards, and get tough yards when needed. There were times he could have taken off and got the first down, instead of throwing a dangerous pass. I think he needs to work on his “open field” moves and making the first guy miss and I don't think that gets talked about enough.
Martinez may have been told not to scramble as much because of the depth issue at quarterback but he doesn’t look comfortable when no one is open and tries to find the first down with his legs, but rather, he forces passes.
On the option game he seems hesitant, but I will give him some slack there, he probably hasn't run a whole lot of option before. I think he needs to be more aggressive taking it up-field, and make the defense commit to one or the other. But again that takes a ton of practice and experience, especially for someone that is very new to the option game, more so than anything else.
When it comes to the zone read, and he keeps it up the middle, he is absolutely a magician, and I think one of the very best to hold the ball in the belly of the running back before pulling it out. A prime example of that is the Ohio State game last season, and what he did in 2010. He showed flashes of it in 2011, but no real long touchdown runs.
Which is why running a shotgun-spread style Florida or Oregon offense would be best suited to run, with I-Formation and Diamond sets mixed in. I hope we are headed that direction.
The common assumption of a quarterback who is a game manager is not asked to make big plays, not asked to do much, and nothing fancy. He is expected to put long drives together, eat some game clock, complete short passes, not turn the ball over, score enough to keep it competitive but don’t lose the game for the team. Trent Dilfer is a name that comes up often. He was the quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, which was famous for their punishing defense, during their Super Bowl winning season of 2000. Dilfer put together long drives, relied on defense, scored enough points, and didn’t turn the ball over.
Do we have that at Nebraska? What about Taylor Martinez fits that “game manager” term? So many people say he improved as a game manager in 2011 and I guess I am confused on the meaning of the term or I’m not seeing it.
I view a game manager as a coach on the field that has strong leadership abilities. He is patient, relaxed and doesn’t make mistakes. I don’t really think big plays (or lack thereof) have anything to do with it.
Many Husker fans want Martinez to pop off 40 plus yard runs rather than manage the game.
Managing the game is about running the offense. It’s about distributing the ball to the right guy, making the right reads, getting the offense in the right play for how the defense is lined up, maintaining tempo or managing the huddle, and generally just getting his teammates in the best position for them to make plays. Whether the play adds up to four yards or 40 yards is immaterial.
Game managers also know their limitations and play “within” the system. This doesn’t mean that he can’t or won’t take chances once in a while because a game manager can also have game breaking plays. As much as Martinez improved in this area last season, he will need to continue to get better.
I have defended Martinez more than a good segment of Husker fans in this space but not to the extent that I refuse to recognize his faults. With that said, the best case scenario is that once Martinez is completely in tuned with the game manager role (whatever that means), he will be more relaxed and will be able to just play and not think as much. In turn, he may move from a game manager to a game changer, which is a label that many have already given him.
When it comes down to “what kind of quarterback do I want at Nebraska,” I want someone that the defense has to account for at all times. Someone that can get his teammates involved and still be a threat himself. Someone that if the defense puts a spy on, or two spies, it will free another playmaker up on the field somewhere, and it’s essentially a pick your poison of what you want to stop.
Just look at all the game-breaking quarterbacks we had in the past that defenses had to account for: Jamaal Lord, Eric Crouch, Scott Frost, Tommie Frazier, and Turner Gill. Those are the types of quarterback we need. Granted, Lord was a terrible passer and so too were Frazier and Frost, but they were outstanding athletes. In fact, Lord had to make due with less talent around him than the others.
While defense may keep an eye on Martinez, he didn’t have many game-breaking plays as I thought he would. His acceleration going north & south is amazing, but laterally, I don’t think he has that same speed or awareness/acceleration. I would like to see him make plays with his feet on 3rd and 8 if no one is open. I want to see him scramble and get those yards, and get tough yards when needed. There were times he could have taken off and got the first down, instead of throwing a dangerous pass. I think he needs to work on his “open field” moves and making the first guy miss and I don't think that gets talked about enough.
Martinez may have been told not to scramble as much because of the depth issue at quarterback but he doesn’t look comfortable when no one is open and tries to find the first down with his legs, but rather, he forces passes.
On the option game he seems hesitant, but I will give him some slack there, he probably hasn't run a whole lot of option before. I think he needs to be more aggressive taking it up-field, and make the defense commit to one or the other. But again that takes a ton of practice and experience, especially for someone that is very new to the option game, more so than anything else.
When it comes to the zone read, and he keeps it up the middle, he is absolutely a magician, and I think one of the very best to hold the ball in the belly of the running back before pulling it out. A prime example of that is the Ohio State game last season, and what he did in 2010. He showed flashes of it in 2011, but no real long touchdown runs.
Which is why running a shotgun-spread style Florida or Oregon offense would be best suited to run, with I-Formation and Diamond sets mixed in. I hope we are headed that direction.
Monday, February 13, 2012
More Pelini perspective
Whether the Nebraska football head coach has been Bob Devaney, Tom Osborne, Frank Solich, Bill Callahan or Bo Pelini, Husker football coaches will always be subjected to (how can I put this nicely) — public opinion.
Despite the fact that Pelini has guided the Huskers to a 39-16 record (if you include the interim coach Alamo Bowl game in 2003) since taking over for Callahan after the 2007 season, the biggest sticking point with most Nebraska fans is that the program has not taken the next step to becoming BCS Bowl material. Pelini’s initial impact was great as the Huskers went from 5-7 in 2007 under Callahan to 9-4 in 2008 (Pelini’s first season). Though the Huskers were on the doorstep of a Big 12 conference title in 2009 and 2010, they have done no better than 10-4 in his tenure.
There are a segment of Husker fans who want him gone, and those in the media who are also ultra-critical of the Pelini. While some of the criticism has been warranted, sacking the man at this point the answer. I think that he’s earned another year (all you ever do season to season in my opinion). I think a 9-4 performance next year would also secure him another year, however, I wouldn’t feel as good about it. Then again, the 2011 version of 9-4 was not much to crow about either.
The question then becomes, how long would you say that this standard of performance could go along before you’d believe that a change needs to be made?
Though improvement can always be made, I think Pelini is doing a fine enough job at the moment, but that’s on the basis that we all think his teams are going to get better at some point. I’d say that a conference title and a top 10 finish in his first decade as a coach would be acceptable to me.
My overall evaluation of Pelini as our head coach is positive. Of course, there are areas in which I feel he could improve, but I had those feelings about Osborne during his tenure. There is no perfect coach. During his coaching career, Osborne was criticized for not being able to win the big games, for being too one dimensional on offense, for not recruiting well, for his sideline behavior (not being animated enough), for his media presence (being too dull), etc., but he turned out to be a pretty darn good coach.
Pelini is still learning, and has made improvements. He has acknowledged some issues, and worked on them. He took over the program at a tough time, had his hands tied during his first recruiting class, and has gone through a conference change.
Football is cyclical. There are times of prosperity and growth, and there are rebuilding times. You don’t always have a Tommie Frazier in the program, sometimes you have a Mike Grant. That is not a slight against Grant, who was a good quarterback but not the difference-maker that Frazier was.
Pelini has had some special players on his teams (some he recruited and some he coached), and he has done well. I think brighter days are ahead with Pelini, and think if we get rid of Pelini for anything other than NCAA violations, serious transgressions either on the field or off, or horrible losing seasons, we're doomed to repeat our Steve Pederson/Bill Callahan errors.
However, I think that Nebraska needs to eventually be looking to win at least three conference titles per decade. I say this because we should wish to be in the game more often than not and hope to go about .500 in it. I understand that Michigan isn’t going to roll over and neither are Ohio State and Penn State. Still, Nebraska needs to fill in that gap.
That said, I think the Huskers are still recovering to some degree from the last decade and especially the Callahan years, as such I think that we need to allow our young coach with plenty of time, I still think that he’s got to perform at some point. So I don’t think a conference title in the first decade is unreasonable.
It seems to me that Osborne has five rules for Pelini’s continued employment: 1) Maintain good graduation rates; 2) Maintain team support; 3) Limit Woody Hayes-like behavior; 4) Don’t break any rules/embarrass the university; 5) Consistently field a respectable/competitive team.
I think Pelini will be there as long as he doesn’t violate one of these rules and continues to be happy in Lincoln. The blow-out losses in 2011 could be his Achilles heel.
That said, I don’t find 9-4 as acceptable in the long term, I only find it acceptable right now because five years ago the Huskers had a losing record. They’re trying to build the program, I also think that dropping four games every few years is OK, but 9-4 ought to be one of their “down” years. I think that Pelini will have Nebraska on an upward trajectory, he just needs to iron out some of the team break downs, which I think start with him.
Despite the fact that Pelini has guided the Huskers to a 39-16 record (if you include the interim coach Alamo Bowl game in 2003) since taking over for Callahan after the 2007 season, the biggest sticking point with most Nebraska fans is that the program has not taken the next step to becoming BCS Bowl material. Pelini’s initial impact was great as the Huskers went from 5-7 in 2007 under Callahan to 9-4 in 2008 (Pelini’s first season). Though the Huskers were on the doorstep of a Big 12 conference title in 2009 and 2010, they have done no better than 10-4 in his tenure.
There are a segment of Husker fans who want him gone, and those in the media who are also ultra-critical of the Pelini. While some of the criticism has been warranted, sacking the man at this point the answer. I think that he’s earned another year (all you ever do season to season in my opinion). I think a 9-4 performance next year would also secure him another year, however, I wouldn’t feel as good about it. Then again, the 2011 version of 9-4 was not much to crow about either.
The question then becomes, how long would you say that this standard of performance could go along before you’d believe that a change needs to be made?
Though improvement can always be made, I think Pelini is doing a fine enough job at the moment, but that’s on the basis that we all think his teams are going to get better at some point. I’d say that a conference title and a top 10 finish in his first decade as a coach would be acceptable to me.
My overall evaluation of Pelini as our head coach is positive. Of course, there are areas in which I feel he could improve, but I had those feelings about Osborne during his tenure. There is no perfect coach. During his coaching career, Osborne was criticized for not being able to win the big games, for being too one dimensional on offense, for not recruiting well, for his sideline behavior (not being animated enough), for his media presence (being too dull), etc., but he turned out to be a pretty darn good coach.
Pelini is still learning, and has made improvements. He has acknowledged some issues, and worked on them. He took over the program at a tough time, had his hands tied during his first recruiting class, and has gone through a conference change.
Football is cyclical. There are times of prosperity and growth, and there are rebuilding times. You don’t always have a Tommie Frazier in the program, sometimes you have a Mike Grant. That is not a slight against Grant, who was a good quarterback but not the difference-maker that Frazier was.
Pelini has had some special players on his teams (some he recruited and some he coached), and he has done well. I think brighter days are ahead with Pelini, and think if we get rid of Pelini for anything other than NCAA violations, serious transgressions either on the field or off, or horrible losing seasons, we're doomed to repeat our Steve Pederson/Bill Callahan errors.
However, I think that Nebraska needs to eventually be looking to win at least three conference titles per decade. I say this because we should wish to be in the game more often than not and hope to go about .500 in it. I understand that Michigan isn’t going to roll over and neither are Ohio State and Penn State. Still, Nebraska needs to fill in that gap.
That said, I think the Huskers are still recovering to some degree from the last decade and especially the Callahan years, as such I think that we need to allow our young coach with plenty of time, I still think that he’s got to perform at some point. So I don’t think a conference title in the first decade is unreasonable.
It seems to me that Osborne has five rules for Pelini’s continued employment: 1) Maintain good graduation rates; 2) Maintain team support; 3) Limit Woody Hayes-like behavior; 4) Don’t break any rules/embarrass the university; 5) Consistently field a respectable/competitive team.
I think Pelini will be there as long as he doesn’t violate one of these rules and continues to be happy in Lincoln. The blow-out losses in 2011 could be his Achilles heel.
That said, I don’t find 9-4 as acceptable in the long term, I only find it acceptable right now because five years ago the Huskers had a losing record. They’re trying to build the program, I also think that dropping four games every few years is OK, but 9-4 ought to be one of their “down” years. I think that Pelini will have Nebraska on an upward trajectory, he just needs to iron out some of the team break downs, which I think start with him.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Looking ahead to 2012
Perhaps the most comical thing to listen to from a football fan (high school, college or NFL) in February besides NFL draft hype or college recruiting rankings is gauging strength of schedule for the upcoming season.
Nebraska football fans are no different. Whether it is looking at message boards, Facebook and Twitter or listening to talk radio, expectations for the 2012 season range from the cynical group (6-6 and barely bowl eligible) to realistic (say 9-3 and another early New Years’ Day bowl game in Florida) to Kool Aid sipping (say anything less than 11-1 is a pathetic failure).
The Huskers’ first game is not until Sept. 1 when Southern Mississippi comes to Lincoln. I know. You want answers. We live in an instant gratification world. Instead, the thumbnail sketch of each opponent will have to whet your palate for now:
September 1, vs. Southern Mississippi: The last time these two teams met in 2004, Nebraska committed an unsightly six turnovers in a 21-17 loss in Game Two of the Bill Callahan era. The Huskers actually outgained the Golden Eagles 2-to-1 in total yards but six turnovers will hurt anyone’s chances of winning. This game is the most stringent season opener since Oklahoma State in 2003. Southern Miss was solid defensively a year ago but loses three starters and has a new coaching staff.
September 8, at UCLA: For the second time in as many weeks, the Huskers are facing a team breaking in a new coaching staff. The Bruins underachieved last season on the way to a 6-8 season that ultimately cost head coach Rick Neuheisul (everyone’s favorite in Nebraska) his job, since replaced by Jim Mora Jr. The Bruins are a talented but enigmatic bunch which means they could be 7-5 or 10-2 but the former is more likely in a conference that already has powerhouses like Stanford, Oregon and USC. With 16 returning starters, you have to like Nebraska’s chances. The question is, will Nebraska be making a trip to the Rose Bowl in January? Possible but not probable.
September 15, vs. Arkansas State: The cynics are going to take their Sun Belt jabs, however, Arkansas State is not a bottom of the barrel Sun Belt team either. The Red Wolves were a bowl team last year. Granted, being a bowl team nowadays is ridiculously easy but you get the idea. The Red Wolves hired head coach Gus Malzahn, who is known as a bright offensive mind, along with Michael Dyer at running back. Dyer transferred from Auburn, where he rushed for over 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons. The truth of the matter, however, is that the Red Wolves are still a Sun Belt that is not going to beat an upper-third Big Ten team in their building.
9/22, TBA: However, it is likely going to be a body bag game.
9/29: vs. Wisconsin: The Badgers lose Russell Wilson and Nick Toon, which will slow their offense but Wisconsin has enough of a culture in place to where it tends to restock its cupboard quickly. Both teams have excellent running backs in Rex Burkhead (Nebraska) and Monte Ball (Wisconsin). This game will come down to Husker quarterback Taylor Martinez not making negative plays like last year’s 48-17 loss in Madison. Complain about play-calling all you want but made decisions that night that were bad for high school JV quarterbacks.
10/6: at Ohio State: If there is one thing that new Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer has proven is that he knows how to coach quarterbacks. In which case, look for Braxton Miller to blossom under Meyer’s tutelage. The Huskers will have their share of turnover on defense but the Blackshirts need to have gelled by this game if not sooner especially since this game is in Columbus. Otherwise, the Huskers could be looking at a long day.
10/20, at Northwestern: Coming off a bye week, Bo Pelini and Company should be eager to avenge last year’s 28-25 head-scratcher of a loss in Lincoln. Quarterback Dan Persa is gone but Nebraska had a hard time containing backup Kain Colter, who rushed for 57 yards. Colter is no Dennard Robinson but not easy to contain nonetheless.
10/27, vs. Michigan: This figures to be a crucial game in the Legends Division race as Michigan, Michigan State and Nebraska play each other over a three-week stretch. Robinson leads an explosive offense and the Blackshirts have to slow them down to have a chance. The Wolverines won’t win 45-17 in Lincoln like they did in Ann Arbor a year ago when the two teams met but with eight returning starters on defense, Michigan will be a handful.
11/3, at Michigan State: The Spartans return key defenders but the question is, who evolves quicker? The Spartan defense or the Husker offense? Last season, the Husker defense dominated Michigan State which had an offense of Kirk Cousins and a receiving corps that included B.J. Cunningham.
11/10, vs. Penn State: Besides the off-the-field issues, Penn State is breaking in an entirely new coaching staff led by Bill O’Brien. Penn State was a very talented team on the defensive side of the ball, but only returns five starters. The Lions also have only five starters coming back on offense but when you rank 110th in scoring, is that a bad thing? Penn State should be better but breaking in a new coaching staff takes time.
11/17, vs. Minnesota: Jerry Kill might just be the guy that leads Minnesota back to respectability. The Gophers should have a more potent offense but they have a lot of gaps to fill on defense. Nebraska should win this game going away. Key word “should.”
11/23: at Iowa: This game screams “advantage Nebraska” because Iowa lost both coordinators and their defensive line coach (Rick Kaczenski) jumped ship to Nebraska. Though it could be said about any game, the Husker offense needs to be clicking because playing in Iowa City is no walk in the park. The Hawkeyes were 7-6 last season but play solid defense and are balanced enough on offense to give teams a headache.
I'm not suggesting that the optimism of this blog entry is anything but drug-induced, but the schedule does align better for Nebraska in 2012. Wisconsin, Ohio State, Southern Miss, Arkansas State, and UCLA will have almost entirely new staffs. Iowa has a bunch of turnover in that department as well. There is no question that those programs (all Nebraska opponents) will struggle a little next year the same way the Husker staff struggled to game plan for twelve new opponents, not to mention that they don’t have a good sense of their own personnel. That scenario leads me to this: Nebraska does not have to game plan for 12 new opponents and has a better understanding of its personnel. This is worth at least two wins this year.
The non-conference slate is interesting because of the staff turnover, but Nebraska should beat Arkansas State and Southern Miss on talent and scheme alone and pull out a win over UCLA while Mora is getting his ducks in a row. The game at Ohio State and at home against Michigan will define the Huskers season.
Best case: 11-1, trip to the Big Ten Championship
Worst case: 8-4, playing in a mid-level bowl like the Gator or Insight
Realistic: 9-3, possibly winning the Legends depending on how the Wolverines and Spartans play. Not controlling our own destiny.
Nebraska football fans are no different. Whether it is looking at message boards, Facebook and Twitter or listening to talk radio, expectations for the 2012 season range from the cynical group (6-6 and barely bowl eligible) to realistic (say 9-3 and another early New Years’ Day bowl game in Florida) to Kool Aid sipping (say anything less than 11-1 is a pathetic failure).
The Huskers’ first game is not until Sept. 1 when Southern Mississippi comes to Lincoln. I know. You want answers. We live in an instant gratification world. Instead, the thumbnail sketch of each opponent will have to whet your palate for now:
September 1, vs. Southern Mississippi: The last time these two teams met in 2004, Nebraska committed an unsightly six turnovers in a 21-17 loss in Game Two of the Bill Callahan era. The Huskers actually outgained the Golden Eagles 2-to-1 in total yards but six turnovers will hurt anyone’s chances of winning. This game is the most stringent season opener since Oklahoma State in 2003. Southern Miss was solid defensively a year ago but loses three starters and has a new coaching staff.
September 8, at UCLA: For the second time in as many weeks, the Huskers are facing a team breaking in a new coaching staff. The Bruins underachieved last season on the way to a 6-8 season that ultimately cost head coach Rick Neuheisul (everyone’s favorite in Nebraska) his job, since replaced by Jim Mora Jr. The Bruins are a talented but enigmatic bunch which means they could be 7-5 or 10-2 but the former is more likely in a conference that already has powerhouses like Stanford, Oregon and USC. With 16 returning starters, you have to like Nebraska’s chances. The question is, will Nebraska be making a trip to the Rose Bowl in January? Possible but not probable.
September 15, vs. Arkansas State: The cynics are going to take their Sun Belt jabs, however, Arkansas State is not a bottom of the barrel Sun Belt team either. The Red Wolves were a bowl team last year. Granted, being a bowl team nowadays is ridiculously easy but you get the idea. The Red Wolves hired head coach Gus Malzahn, who is known as a bright offensive mind, along with Michael Dyer at running back. Dyer transferred from Auburn, where he rushed for over 1,000 yards each of the last two seasons. The truth of the matter, however, is that the Red Wolves are still a Sun Belt that is not going to beat an upper-third Big Ten team in their building.
9/22, TBA: However, it is likely going to be a body bag game.
9/29: vs. Wisconsin: The Badgers lose Russell Wilson and Nick Toon, which will slow their offense but Wisconsin has enough of a culture in place to where it tends to restock its cupboard quickly. Both teams have excellent running backs in Rex Burkhead (Nebraska) and Monte Ball (Wisconsin). This game will come down to Husker quarterback Taylor Martinez not making negative plays like last year’s 48-17 loss in Madison. Complain about play-calling all you want but made decisions that night that were bad for high school JV quarterbacks.
10/6: at Ohio State: If there is one thing that new Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer has proven is that he knows how to coach quarterbacks. In which case, look for Braxton Miller to blossom under Meyer’s tutelage. The Huskers will have their share of turnover on defense but the Blackshirts need to have gelled by this game if not sooner especially since this game is in Columbus. Otherwise, the Huskers could be looking at a long day.
10/20, at Northwestern: Coming off a bye week, Bo Pelini and Company should be eager to avenge last year’s 28-25 head-scratcher of a loss in Lincoln. Quarterback Dan Persa is gone but Nebraska had a hard time containing backup Kain Colter, who rushed for 57 yards. Colter is no Dennard Robinson but not easy to contain nonetheless.
10/27, vs. Michigan: This figures to be a crucial game in the Legends Division race as Michigan, Michigan State and Nebraska play each other over a three-week stretch. Robinson leads an explosive offense and the Blackshirts have to slow them down to have a chance. The Wolverines won’t win 45-17 in Lincoln like they did in Ann Arbor a year ago when the two teams met but with eight returning starters on defense, Michigan will be a handful.
11/3, at Michigan State: The Spartans return key defenders but the question is, who evolves quicker? The Spartan defense or the Husker offense? Last season, the Husker defense dominated Michigan State which had an offense of Kirk Cousins and a receiving corps that included B.J. Cunningham.
11/10, vs. Penn State: Besides the off-the-field issues, Penn State is breaking in an entirely new coaching staff led by Bill O’Brien. Penn State was a very talented team on the defensive side of the ball, but only returns five starters. The Lions also have only five starters coming back on offense but when you rank 110th in scoring, is that a bad thing? Penn State should be better but breaking in a new coaching staff takes time.
11/17, vs. Minnesota: Jerry Kill might just be the guy that leads Minnesota back to respectability. The Gophers should have a more potent offense but they have a lot of gaps to fill on defense. Nebraska should win this game going away. Key word “should.”
11/23: at Iowa: This game screams “advantage Nebraska” because Iowa lost both coordinators and their defensive line coach (Rick Kaczenski) jumped ship to Nebraska. Though it could be said about any game, the Husker offense needs to be clicking because playing in Iowa City is no walk in the park. The Hawkeyes were 7-6 last season but play solid defense and are balanced enough on offense to give teams a headache.
I'm not suggesting that the optimism of this blog entry is anything but drug-induced, but the schedule does align better for Nebraska in 2012. Wisconsin, Ohio State, Southern Miss, Arkansas State, and UCLA will have almost entirely new staffs. Iowa has a bunch of turnover in that department as well. There is no question that those programs (all Nebraska opponents) will struggle a little next year the same way the Husker staff struggled to game plan for twelve new opponents, not to mention that they don’t have a good sense of their own personnel. That scenario leads me to this: Nebraska does not have to game plan for 12 new opponents and has a better understanding of its personnel. This is worth at least two wins this year.
The non-conference slate is interesting because of the staff turnover, but Nebraska should beat Arkansas State and Southern Miss on talent and scheme alone and pull out a win over UCLA while Mora is getting his ducks in a row. The game at Ohio State and at home against Michigan will define the Huskers season.
Best case: 11-1, trip to the Big Ten Championship
Worst case: 8-4, playing in a mid-level bowl like the Gator or Insight
Realistic: 9-3, possibly winning the Legends depending on how the Wolverines and Spartans play. Not controlling our own destiny.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
2012 Position Outlook: Defensive Backs
One story in a Wine Country Husker series, looking at position breakdowns for the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the 2012 season. Today, we look at defensive back:
Looking back: Considering that the Husker secondary dealt with losses to graduation such as Prince Amukamara, Dejon Gomes and Eric Hagg along with Alfonzo Dennard missing the first three games due to a hamstring injury, the unit actually held up pretty well all things considered.
Nebraska ranked No. 41 in scoring defense (22.8 points per game), No. 38 in total yards (350.7), No. 9 in pass completion percentage against (52.9), No. 34 in pass efficiency defense and No. 19 in passing yards allowed. However, the most alarming numbers were the fact that the Huskers intercepted just 10 passes, recorded 21 sacks (No. 84) and 56 tackles for loss (No. 112).
In general, Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini prefers to rely on the front four to get pressure. That approach was fine when Ndamukong Suh was dominating up front but often times last season opposing quarterbacks had way too much time to throw.
Therefore the question becomes, is it the chicken or the egg? Did Nebraska’s secondary struggle at times because of its own faults or was it the lack of pass rush? An argument can be made for both.
Junior-to-be cornerback Andrew Green endured the definition of baptism by fire as team’s routinely tested him. Green struggled early in the season but got better as the year progressed.
Looking ahead: Losing Dennard and, and to a lesser extent, starting free safety Austin Cassidy are tough blows. After his ejection for in the second half of the team’s 30-13 Capital One Bowl loss to South Carolina, the Huskers got a glimpse of life after Dennard and frankly it was hard on the eyes. Dennard and South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey were involved in an altercation that led to both players being ejected.
One would think that with Green’s continued improvement, he will hold down one cornerback spot. The question becomes who settles in at opposite Green? Ciante Evans could be a possibility. He was primarily the dime back in the second half of the season. Stanley Jean-Baptiste is a converted wide receiver and could also be a possibility. However, look out for junior college transfer Mohammed Seisay. One would assume Seisay will play a key role immediately whether it is as a starting cornerback or the nickel/dime package. JUCO transfers normally don’t come to a program unless they are slated to make an immediate impact.
The safety position is a mixed bag in terms of experience. You have two proven players in P.J. Smith and Daimion Stafford. The latter led the team in pass breakups with 10 and is a player that has all-Big Ten potential. Courtney Osborne could fit into the picture. He started in 2010 but injuries limited his season to just five games in 2011. Of the unproven safeties on the roster, sophomores Corey Cooper and Harvey Jackson are the most likely to make an impact.
Looking back: Considering that the Husker secondary dealt with losses to graduation such as Prince Amukamara, Dejon Gomes and Eric Hagg along with Alfonzo Dennard missing the first three games due to a hamstring injury, the unit actually held up pretty well all things considered.
Nebraska ranked No. 41 in scoring defense (22.8 points per game), No. 38 in total yards (350.7), No. 9 in pass completion percentage against (52.9), No. 34 in pass efficiency defense and No. 19 in passing yards allowed. However, the most alarming numbers were the fact that the Huskers intercepted just 10 passes, recorded 21 sacks (No. 84) and 56 tackles for loss (No. 112).
In general, Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini prefers to rely on the front four to get pressure. That approach was fine when Ndamukong Suh was dominating up front but often times last season opposing quarterbacks had way too much time to throw.
Therefore the question becomes, is it the chicken or the egg? Did Nebraska’s secondary struggle at times because of its own faults or was it the lack of pass rush? An argument can be made for both.
Junior-to-be cornerback Andrew Green endured the definition of baptism by fire as team’s routinely tested him. Green struggled early in the season but got better as the year progressed.
Looking ahead: Losing Dennard and, and to a lesser extent, starting free safety Austin Cassidy are tough blows. After his ejection for in the second half of the team’s 30-13 Capital One Bowl loss to South Carolina, the Huskers got a glimpse of life after Dennard and frankly it was hard on the eyes. Dennard and South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffrey were involved in an altercation that led to both players being ejected.
One would think that with Green’s continued improvement, he will hold down one cornerback spot. The question becomes who settles in at opposite Green? Ciante Evans could be a possibility. He was primarily the dime back in the second half of the season. Stanley Jean-Baptiste is a converted wide receiver and could also be a possibility. However, look out for junior college transfer Mohammed Seisay. One would assume Seisay will play a key role immediately whether it is as a starting cornerback or the nickel/dime package. JUCO transfers normally don’t come to a program unless they are slated to make an immediate impact.
The safety position is a mixed bag in terms of experience. You have two proven players in P.J. Smith and Daimion Stafford. The latter led the team in pass breakups with 10 and is a player that has all-Big Ten potential. Courtney Osborne could fit into the picture. He started in 2010 but injuries limited his season to just five games in 2011. Of the unproven safeties on the roster, sophomores Corey Cooper and Harvey Jackson are the most likely to make an impact.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Nebraska's probation a good example of NCAA pettiness
Lost in the National Letter of Intent Day madness on Wednesday was the NCAA’s decision to place the University of Nebraska athletic program on probation.
In July, the Husker athletic department announced that it was self-imposing a two-year probationary period due to student-athletes unknowingly gaining benefits from recommended course textbooks they had received in addition to their required books.
On Wednesday the NCAA accepted Nebraska’s proposed penalties that also include a $38,000 dollar fine that will be donated the local charities in addition to the two years probation.
The Huskers may have had its share of student-athletes run afoul with the law but being on probation is a stigma that has never been in association with Nebraska.
Then again, this rule is a prime example of how big of a joke the NCAA truly is, not to mention hypocritical. The organization constantly preaches that they want the youngsters to be “student-athletes” with the student part being first. Yet, they do not want them getting any books besides what it required.
Apparently, when a youngster gets a scholarship, he or she can purchase mandatory but not “recommended” textbooks. I read through the stories a handful of times and I must say, I never knew that buying recommended/nonrequired (whatever the language is) textbooks was a violation. That rule needs to be changed yesterday. I have no problem with Nebraska getting fined but two years probation is border-line extreme. Then again the day the NCAA shows logic will be the first time.
In an era where you have kids' parents whoring out their sons to get a paycheck/shiny new car and those schools get just as much punishment if at all?
The NCAA, unfortunately, became a joke long ago. This seems to be the final verdict in the case. The fact that the $38,000 penalty is peanuts and will be donated to charity, my guess is the NCAA deemed the whole thing to not be a big deal in the grand scheme.
Though the two years probation years doesn't mean much at this point, if I were athletic director Tom Osborne or any coach of any sport at Nebraska, I would be having a serious talk to the players to hammer home that no one does anything that could jeopardize the program as the NCAA might take a very dim view of another infraction (a serious one) that occurs while we are already on probation. Both Osborne and football head coach Bo Pelini have done an outstanding job in that regard so I am not worried; just saying one stupid tattoo and whoa Nelly.
The NCAA should put themselves out of their misery.
In July, the Husker athletic department announced that it was self-imposing a two-year probationary period due to student-athletes unknowingly gaining benefits from recommended course textbooks they had received in addition to their required books.
On Wednesday the NCAA accepted Nebraska’s proposed penalties that also include a $38,000 dollar fine that will be donated the local charities in addition to the two years probation.
The Huskers may have had its share of student-athletes run afoul with the law but being on probation is a stigma that has never been in association with Nebraska.
Then again, this rule is a prime example of how big of a joke the NCAA truly is, not to mention hypocritical. The organization constantly preaches that they want the youngsters to be “student-athletes” with the student part being first. Yet, they do not want them getting any books besides what it required.
Apparently, when a youngster gets a scholarship, he or she can purchase mandatory but not “recommended” textbooks. I read through the stories a handful of times and I must say, I never knew that buying recommended/nonrequired (whatever the language is) textbooks was a violation. That rule needs to be changed yesterday. I have no problem with Nebraska getting fined but two years probation is border-line extreme. Then again the day the NCAA shows logic will be the first time.
In an era where you have kids' parents whoring out their sons to get a paycheck/shiny new car and those schools get just as much punishment if at all?
The NCAA, unfortunately, became a joke long ago. This seems to be the final verdict in the case. The fact that the $38,000 penalty is peanuts and will be donated to charity, my guess is the NCAA deemed the whole thing to not be a big deal in the grand scheme.
Though the two years probation years doesn't mean much at this point, if I were athletic director Tom Osborne or any coach of any sport at Nebraska, I would be having a serious talk to the players to hammer home that no one does anything that could jeopardize the program as the NCAA might take a very dim view of another infraction (a serious one) that occurs while we are already on probation. Both Osborne and football head coach Bo Pelini have done an outstanding job in that regard so I am not worried; just saying one stupid tattoo and whoa Nelly.
The NCAA should put themselves out of their misery.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
For Peat sake recruiting matters
Sorry in advance for the delayed blogging about National Letter of Intent Day. If you are looking for a blogger to give grades or ratings on a recruiting class, you’ve come to the wrong place.
Let’s face it, rankings are pure conjecture because yes these youngsters had accomplished high school careers but the fact of the matter is, their college careers have not even begun yet. The most highly touted recruits of the 2012 Nebraska football class are quarterback Tommy Armstrong, offensive tackle Paul Thurston, wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp, linebacker Michael Rose and cornerback Mohammed Seisay. Given the rarity of quarterbacks stepping in right away as true freshman (unless your name is Tommie Frazier or Matt Barkley), Armstrong is the only one that might not make an immediate despite calls by a segment of Husker fans to end the Taylor Martinez experiment.
Seisay and Rose will likely be counted right away. The former is a junior college transfer and, let’s face it, such players are not brought in to a program unless it is to make an immediate impact. Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini has made his share of mistakes in burning redshirts on the offensive side but defensively he generally will not burn redshirts. However, with Rose he might feel compelled to do such because Nebraska needs depth at the linebacker position with the loss of All-American LaVonte David to graduation.
As for Thurston, with Nebraska getting back to running the option, at least a variation of such, coupled with limited proven depth at tackle, Thurston might be playing sooner rather than later. Westerkamp not only brings a deep threat but has a penchant for making acrobatic catches, which is significant considering how rarely Martinez hits receivers in stride.
The recruiting topic, however, that has been most prominent is the fact that offensive tackle Andrus Peat, who Nebraska strongly coveted, chose Stanford over Nebraska.
Peat is a five-star recruit by rivals.com and would have been the only such recruit signed by Nebraska’s the 2012 recruiting class. Peat was rated the No. 9 offensive tackle in the country by scout.com
One of the reasons why so many Husker fans believed Peat would attend Nebraska is because of his connections to the school. Peat’s older brother, Todd Peat, is a defensive tackle for the Cornhuskers. Todd Peat was highly recruited last year.
Nebraska didn’t make ESPN’s top 25 classes nationally and got a C-plus from ESPN’s RecruitingNation staff.
There’s two ways to look at such. With the exception of the ill-fated Bill Callahan era, Nebraska recruiting classes have very seldom been highly regarded. Therefore when the Callahan era ended, a significant portion of Husker zealouts scoffed, “Who cares about five-stars, give me five hearts.” The 2005 campaign featured the top rated recruiting class in the county but unfortunately did not lead to Nebraska getting back to prominence as some hoped.
There will always be a segment of Husker fans that say, “who gives a damn about rankings. What do they know?” That point has its merit but to say you don’t need impact players to win is foolish.
Let’s face it, rankings are pure conjecture because yes these youngsters had accomplished high school careers but the fact of the matter is, their college careers have not even begun yet. The most highly touted recruits of the 2012 Nebraska football class are quarterback Tommy Armstrong, offensive tackle Paul Thurston, wide receiver Jordan Westerkamp, linebacker Michael Rose and cornerback Mohammed Seisay. Given the rarity of quarterbacks stepping in right away as true freshman (unless your name is Tommie Frazier or Matt Barkley), Armstrong is the only one that might not make an immediate despite calls by a segment of Husker fans to end the Taylor Martinez experiment.
Seisay and Rose will likely be counted right away. The former is a junior college transfer and, let’s face it, such players are not brought in to a program unless it is to make an immediate impact. Nebraska head coach Bo Pelini has made his share of mistakes in burning redshirts on the offensive side but defensively he generally will not burn redshirts. However, with Rose he might feel compelled to do such because Nebraska needs depth at the linebacker position with the loss of All-American LaVonte David to graduation.
As for Thurston, with Nebraska getting back to running the option, at least a variation of such, coupled with limited proven depth at tackle, Thurston might be playing sooner rather than later. Westerkamp not only brings a deep threat but has a penchant for making acrobatic catches, which is significant considering how rarely Martinez hits receivers in stride.
The recruiting topic, however, that has been most prominent is the fact that offensive tackle Andrus Peat, who Nebraska strongly coveted, chose Stanford over Nebraska.
Peat is a five-star recruit by rivals.com and would have been the only such recruit signed by Nebraska’s the 2012 recruiting class. Peat was rated the No. 9 offensive tackle in the country by scout.com
One of the reasons why so many Husker fans believed Peat would attend Nebraska is because of his connections to the school. Peat’s older brother, Todd Peat, is a defensive tackle for the Cornhuskers. Todd Peat was highly recruited last year.
Nebraska didn’t make ESPN’s top 25 classes nationally and got a C-plus from ESPN’s RecruitingNation staff.
There’s two ways to look at such. With the exception of the ill-fated Bill Callahan era, Nebraska recruiting classes have very seldom been highly regarded. Therefore when the Callahan era ended, a significant portion of Husker zealouts scoffed, “Who cares about five-stars, give me five hearts.” The 2005 campaign featured the top rated recruiting class in the county but unfortunately did not lead to Nebraska getting back to prominence as some hoped.
There will always be a segment of Husker fans that say, “who gives a damn about rankings. What do they know?” That point has its merit but to say you don’t need impact players to win is foolish.
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