Spring Game No. 2 of the Bo Pelini is nearly here and if last year is any indication, you won’t be seeing any exhibition like play of the No. 1 offense going against the No. 4 defense like we did in four years of the Bill Callahan era.
Everyone has their own idea of what they would like to see. I have mine:
Barry Turner is back but how much of an impact can he make?
Turner’s return from knee surgery that cause him to miss virtually all of the 2008 season could help Nebraska become the Top 25 defense they need to be. Keep in mind, Matt Herian returned from a broken leg in 2006 but was only a shadow of his former self. Let’s hope Turner can be a difference maker.
Receivers have more speed but can they be sure-handed and block downfield?
The Husker offense could have used more speed at receiver last season. They will get that element this season with additions like Curenski Gilleylen and converted running back Marcus Mendoza. Nebraska, however, lost Nate Swift and Todd Petersen to graduation. Neither was a downfield blazer but were tough in traffic, in the clutch and as downfield blockers. Gilleylen has improved his hands; Antonio Bell could be the most complete receiver by the time he develops. Antonio Bell will be a big threat this year. Competition for the X receiver spot has been intense between Will Henry and Menelik Holt.
Who steps up on the O-Line, Ricky Henry or DJ Jones?
With projected starting tackle Javoirio Burkes out indefinitely due to an unclosed medical condition, the Huskers will need one if not both to fill the void quickly.
What will we see from Baker Steinkuhler?
When the Huskers recruited Steinkuhler, who is the son of former Husker great Dean Steinkuhler and brother of recently graduated Ty Steinkuhler, much was asked on where he fits in – as an offensive or defensive tackle? Baker Steinkuhler redshirted last season and the Huskers have him at defensive tackle. Can Baker become the stud tackle that takes over after Ndamukong Suh graduates?
Is Zac Lee ready?
The Spring Game format probably won’t tell us a whole but the biggest issue is making the right reads and handling the pressure within the pocket. Most importantly, he has to take command of the offense.
Are Castille’s fumbling problems a thing of the past?
With Roy Helu being held out for precautionary reasons, Quentin Castille will get a lot of attention along with Lester Ward, Austin Jones and Jeremy Wallace. Castille did not fumble in the Huskers 26-21 Gator Bowl win. Is that an aberration or a sign of things to come.
Who stands out in the defensive backfield?Turnovers did not come by the bushel as many anticipated last season with the return of Pelini and defensive backs coach Marvin Sanders. In fact, last season things were an adventure in the secondary at times. I’ll be interested to see if another year in the scheme will mean the DBs being in a better position to make plays.
Showing posts with label Barry Turner. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barry Turner. Show all posts
Friday, April 17, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
How much will the Husker defense improve in Pelini's second year?
It is generally assumed that after having had one season to absorb the scheme, Nebraska’s defense will make “a huge jump” during the 2009 season.
Second-year Husker head coach Bo Pelini said as much during his press conference on the eve of the beginning of spring practice Tuesday. After leading the nation in terrible defense in 2007 (ranking 112th overall), the Huskers climbed to 55th overall a year ago.
The No. 55 ranking was exactly the same as where Nebraska finished during a 7-7 season in 2002 with Craig Bohl as the defensive coordinator. In 2007, Kevin Cosgrove made Bohl look like Charlie McBride.
Nebraska ranked No. 2 in the Big 12 in total defense, No. 3 in rushing defense and No. 6 in scoring defense last year after picking up the rear in each category in 2007.
Last year, Nebraska allowed about 10 fewer points and 125 fewer yards per game than the 2007 defense that Pelini was hired to fix. That improvement can be traced to playing with better effort along with the offense averaging over 34 minutes per game in time of possession to help a still building defense.
The 2008 Huskers held four of their last seven opponents below 300 total yards, but also scorched for 62 points and 508 yards at Oklahoma, 52 points and 462 yards by Missouri and nearly nine yards per play at Texas Tech.
We’ve heard all of the arguments why the Husker defense should be better. The real question is how much should we expect the defense to improve? Top 30? Top 20? Top 10?
My realistic expectation would lie somewhere between 20-30. Since the Big 12 has become chalk full of offenses that resemble basketball teams in pads, I’m not sure that a Top Ten defense is realistic but if Nebraska can finish say in the Top 25 in defense, that means we are slowing downing the potent offenses and putting the clamps on the bad ones.
We all long for the days of the Peter Bros., Grant Wistrom, and Jared Tomich causing nightmares. With the exception of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, however, Nebraska’s defense does not have anyone that compares to Blackshirt defenses of that era. And even in Suh’s case, he only began to scratch the surface last season with his potential.
The Husker defense will need to be better since the offense is breaking in a new starting quarterback and a new group of receivers. Secondly, they players know what to expect and there should be a lot less thinking about their assignments. Therefore what they do should come as second nature. In turn, that will mean Pelini will be more comfortable implementing more intricate things within the scheme like we saw when his LSU defenses wreaked havoc.
Despite the Huskers having limitations at some positions, especially linebacker, Pelini resisted the temptation to burn redshirts in order to develop those players the right way. Those redshirted players such as Will Compton, Sean Fisher, Alonzo Whaley and Micah Kreikemeier should be ready to contribute. However, let’s not forget that the only way of truly telling how good a player is until he plays in game situations.
The two biggest keys, however, to the Husker defense making a quantum leap are forcing more turnovers and simply executing assignments better. The Huskers forced just 17 turnovers last season.
There’s no doubt that Nebraska’s defense played with better effort in 2008 after a sorry effort in 2007. However, there were also plenty of blown assignments that led to big plays. Just picture Colorado’s Riar Greer blowing by Husker cornerback Lance Thorell.
Therein lies Pelini’s statement of “We were our own worst enemy sometimes.” Playing defense is a combination of playing with a controlled fury and discipline.
With Suh, Pierre Allen and hopefully a healthy Barry Turner coming back, the defensive line should still be pretty stout despite losing Zach Potter and Ty Steinkuhler.
The linebacking corps has plenty of young players ready to make their mark but their youth also means you have to live with mistakes as well as big plays. The secondary brings back a lot of experience and talent and should improve. Therefore, we should not be seeing the amount of assignment busts we saw last season.
Second-year Husker head coach Bo Pelini said as much during his press conference on the eve of the beginning of spring practice Tuesday. After leading the nation in terrible defense in 2007 (ranking 112th overall), the Huskers climbed to 55th overall a year ago.
The No. 55 ranking was exactly the same as where Nebraska finished during a 7-7 season in 2002 with Craig Bohl as the defensive coordinator. In 2007, Kevin Cosgrove made Bohl look like Charlie McBride.
Nebraska ranked No. 2 in the Big 12 in total defense, No. 3 in rushing defense and No. 6 in scoring defense last year after picking up the rear in each category in 2007.
Last year, Nebraska allowed about 10 fewer points and 125 fewer yards per game than the 2007 defense that Pelini was hired to fix. That improvement can be traced to playing with better effort along with the offense averaging over 34 minutes per game in time of possession to help a still building defense.
The 2008 Huskers held four of their last seven opponents below 300 total yards, but also scorched for 62 points and 508 yards at Oklahoma, 52 points and 462 yards by Missouri and nearly nine yards per play at Texas Tech.
We’ve heard all of the arguments why the Husker defense should be better. The real question is how much should we expect the defense to improve? Top 30? Top 20? Top 10?
My realistic expectation would lie somewhere between 20-30. Since the Big 12 has become chalk full of offenses that resemble basketball teams in pads, I’m not sure that a Top Ten defense is realistic but if Nebraska can finish say in the Top 25 in defense, that means we are slowing downing the potent offenses and putting the clamps on the bad ones.
We all long for the days of the Peter Bros., Grant Wistrom, and Jared Tomich causing nightmares. With the exception of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, however, Nebraska’s defense does not have anyone that compares to Blackshirt defenses of that era. And even in Suh’s case, he only began to scratch the surface last season with his potential.
The Husker defense will need to be better since the offense is breaking in a new starting quarterback and a new group of receivers. Secondly, they players know what to expect and there should be a lot less thinking about their assignments. Therefore what they do should come as second nature. In turn, that will mean Pelini will be more comfortable implementing more intricate things within the scheme like we saw when his LSU defenses wreaked havoc.
Despite the Huskers having limitations at some positions, especially linebacker, Pelini resisted the temptation to burn redshirts in order to develop those players the right way. Those redshirted players such as Will Compton, Sean Fisher, Alonzo Whaley and Micah Kreikemeier should be ready to contribute. However, let’s not forget that the only way of truly telling how good a player is until he plays in game situations.
The two biggest keys, however, to the Husker defense making a quantum leap are forcing more turnovers and simply executing assignments better. The Huskers forced just 17 turnovers last season.
There’s no doubt that Nebraska’s defense played with better effort in 2008 after a sorry effort in 2007. However, there were also plenty of blown assignments that led to big plays. Just picture Colorado’s Riar Greer blowing by Husker cornerback Lance Thorell.
Therein lies Pelini’s statement of “We were our own worst enemy sometimes.” Playing defense is a combination of playing with a controlled fury and discipline.
With Suh, Pierre Allen and hopefully a healthy Barry Turner coming back, the defensive line should still be pretty stout despite losing Zach Potter and Ty Steinkuhler.
The linebacking corps has plenty of young players ready to make their mark but their youth also means you have to live with mistakes as well as big plays. The secondary brings back a lot of experience and talent and should improve. Therefore, we should not be seeing the amount of assignment busts we saw last season.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
2009 Nebraska football Position outlook: Defensive line
One story in a Wine Country Husker series, looking at position breakdowns for the Nebraska Cornhuskers for the 2009 season. Today, we look at defensive line:
Looking back: The Huskers entered the 2008 season looking to prove that the 2007 campaign was an aberration under former coordinator Kevin Cosgrove. The defense was so bad in 2007 that it became a national punch-line, ranking 112th in total defense, and near the bottom in many more categories.
Thanks to its strongest line since Jason Wiltz, Chad Kelsay and Steve Warren were donning Blackshirts, the Husker defense rose to 55th overall in 2008. That ranking might not make us forget the 1993-1999 Blackshirts but it was a step in the right direction.
Despite being pushed around in ’07, this immediate unit was looked at as one that had plenty of pieces to help make the Husker defense a leap forward. Despite the loss of starting defensive end Barry Turner to a season ending knee injury in Week Two, the line turned out to be the strength of the entire team which is saying something considering the offense averaged 35.4 points per game.
Any discussion about the Husker defensive line, however, begins and ends with tackle Ndamukong Suh, who especially blossomed in the second half of the season into the dominant player Nebraska fans envisioned when they recruited him as a high school football star out of Portland, Oregon. Tackle is not normally a stat oriented position but Suh led the Huskers in total tackles (76), tackles for lost yardage (19), sacks (7.5), quarterback hurries (seven) and tied for the team lead with interceptions (two, both for touchdowns).
End Zach Potter and tackle Ty Steinkuhler were also vital cogs to the Husker defensive line. Potter enjoyed a breakout senior campaign with 54 total tackles (16 for lost yardage), 5.5 sacks and two interceptions. After an injury plagued junior year, Steinkuhler enjoyed a solid senior year along side Suh. Steinkuhler recorded 48 tackles (eight for lost yardage).
If there is a bright side to Turner’s injury, sophomore Pierre Allen got the chance to develop into a solid starter. Allen recorded 52 tackles (10 for lost yardage) and five sacks. Reserve senior tackle Shukree Barfield also came on strong at the end of the season, earning a Blackshirt in the process. Redshirt freshmen Jared Crick and Terrance Moore also gained some valuable experience at tackle.
Looking ahead: The best news is that Suh decided to return for his senior campaign instead of entering the NFL draft.
The Husker defense probably would have continued to improve even if Suh opted to apply for a job that required him to work on Sundays because a) the comfort level in head coach Bo Pelini’s scheme would be greater and b) Pelini will likely put in more intricacies into his scheme this season. However, dominant defensive tackles like Suh are the backbone of any strong defense. With that being said, Suh’s return to Lincoln for his senior season gives Nebraska’s defense a chance to ascend to the top quicker than if he had decided to forgo his senior campaign.
Suh made a wise decision to stay for his senior season. Of course, I say that for selfish reasons – hardly a confession if you are a Husker fan. However, Suh’s return not only does wonders for the 2009 defense but also if he continues to improve, he can help his draft stock even more. Most draft boards projected Suh as a late first-rounder/early second-rounder in 2009. If he dominates as a senior, he could be a potential Top 10 pick a la Jason Peter or Grant Wistrom in 1998.
Steinkuhler and Potter are key losses but Suh’s return softens that blow. The Huskers also look forward to the return of a healthy Turner along with Allen having had the chance to develop.
Throw in the unveiling of redshirt freshman Baker Steinkuhler and the line should be close to as strong as last season with the back seven figuring to improve with many pieces returning.
Allen and Turner give the Huskers two experienced ends. The question for Turner is that if he returns healthy, how effective will he be? Moore and Crick also have experience but will need to keep improving. Turner looked like he was starting to reach his vast potential as a pass rusher before getting injured. Allen performed much better than anyone could have anticipated under the circumstances and will need to keep getting better.
My money is on Crick to be a possible breakout performer.
Looking back: The Huskers entered the 2008 season looking to prove that the 2007 campaign was an aberration under former coordinator Kevin Cosgrove. The defense was so bad in 2007 that it became a national punch-line, ranking 112th in total defense, and near the bottom in many more categories.
Thanks to its strongest line since Jason Wiltz, Chad Kelsay and Steve Warren were donning Blackshirts, the Husker defense rose to 55th overall in 2008. That ranking might not make us forget the 1993-1999 Blackshirts but it was a step in the right direction.
Despite being pushed around in ’07, this immediate unit was looked at as one that had plenty of pieces to help make the Husker defense a leap forward. Despite the loss of starting defensive end Barry Turner to a season ending knee injury in Week Two, the line turned out to be the strength of the entire team which is saying something considering the offense averaged 35.4 points per game.
Any discussion about the Husker defensive line, however, begins and ends with tackle Ndamukong Suh, who especially blossomed in the second half of the season into the dominant player Nebraska fans envisioned when they recruited him as a high school football star out of Portland, Oregon. Tackle is not normally a stat oriented position but Suh led the Huskers in total tackles (76), tackles for lost yardage (19), sacks (7.5), quarterback hurries (seven) and tied for the team lead with interceptions (two, both for touchdowns).
End Zach Potter and tackle Ty Steinkuhler were also vital cogs to the Husker defensive line. Potter enjoyed a breakout senior campaign with 54 total tackles (16 for lost yardage), 5.5 sacks and two interceptions. After an injury plagued junior year, Steinkuhler enjoyed a solid senior year along side Suh. Steinkuhler recorded 48 tackles (eight for lost yardage).
If there is a bright side to Turner’s injury, sophomore Pierre Allen got the chance to develop into a solid starter. Allen recorded 52 tackles (10 for lost yardage) and five sacks. Reserve senior tackle Shukree Barfield also came on strong at the end of the season, earning a Blackshirt in the process. Redshirt freshmen Jared Crick and Terrance Moore also gained some valuable experience at tackle.
Looking ahead: The best news is that Suh decided to return for his senior campaign instead of entering the NFL draft.
The Husker defense probably would have continued to improve even if Suh opted to apply for a job that required him to work on Sundays because a) the comfort level in head coach Bo Pelini’s scheme would be greater and b) Pelini will likely put in more intricacies into his scheme this season. However, dominant defensive tackles like Suh are the backbone of any strong defense. With that being said, Suh’s return to Lincoln for his senior season gives Nebraska’s defense a chance to ascend to the top quicker than if he had decided to forgo his senior campaign.
Suh made a wise decision to stay for his senior season. Of course, I say that for selfish reasons – hardly a confession if you are a Husker fan. However, Suh’s return not only does wonders for the 2009 defense but also if he continues to improve, he can help his draft stock even more. Most draft boards projected Suh as a late first-rounder/early second-rounder in 2009. If he dominates as a senior, he could be a potential Top 10 pick a la Jason Peter or Grant Wistrom in 1998.
Steinkuhler and Potter are key losses but Suh’s return softens that blow. The Huskers also look forward to the return of a healthy Turner along with Allen having had the chance to develop.
Throw in the unveiling of redshirt freshman Baker Steinkuhler and the line should be close to as strong as last season with the back seven figuring to improve with many pieces returning.
Allen and Turner give the Huskers two experienced ends. The question for Turner is that if he returns healthy, how effective will he be? Moore and Crick also have experience but will need to keep improving. Turner looked like he was starting to reach his vast potential as a pass rusher before getting injured. Allen performed much better than anyone could have anticipated under the circumstances and will need to keep getting better.
My money is on Crick to be a possible breakout performer.
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