RB Green to transfer

The Nebraska football team will be minus one running back for the 2012 season.

According to stories that appeared in the Lincoln Journal Star and Omaha World Herald, sophomore running back Aaron Green has been released from his scholarship and will transfer from Nebraska.

Green, a 5-foot-11, 180-pounder from San Antonio, carried the ball 24 times for 105 yards as a true freshman in 2011. He had a productive set of spring practices in March and April, according to the Husker coaching staff but Aaron Green will finish the spring semester at NU this week and start looking for a new school, his father Tony Green said.

Aaron's brother, Andrew, is a junior and projected starter at cornerback for the Huskers. Baylor, Houston, TCU, Texas A&M and Texas Tech are among Aaron's early list of potential destinations, according to Tony. Aaron Green hasn't redshirted and will have to sit out a year because of NCAA transfer rules.

Nebraska does return its top rusher from 2011, senior Rex Burkhead. Sophomore Ameer Abdullah will be the expected No. 2 back.

Junior running back Mike Marrow, who transferred to NU last year, reportedly had a strong spring and will be eligible to play this fall after sitting out a season. Freshman Imani Cross joins the program this summer.

Sophomore Braylon Heard, who carried the ball 25 times last season, moved to cornerback this spring.

Anytime a player transfers, message boards light up from fans saying, “I don’t blame him” or “screw him if he doesn’t want to be here.” I generally tend to lean to the philosophical side when players transfer. I don’t want to speculate why Green transferred because he hasn’t said anything publically but I’m guessing that playing time, or lackthereof, was the root of his dissatisfaction at Nebraska.

If you counted up all Husker running backs last year that weren’t Burkhead, it wasn’t a bad number for a backup, but to divide that number by three meant someone was going to feel shorted.

The truth of the matter is that if player that doesn’t want to be there will never become a great player. It’s better to find out now than in the thick of conference play.

However, the Nebraska coaching staff is not blameless in this matter either. I have said it in this space time after time, why play THREE true freshmen that are barely seeing the field while Burkhead gets his legs bashed in with 30-plus carries a game? I’m not going to sit here and try to advocate that Green is better than Burkhead, because he’s not but any sane coaching staff would have provided Burkhead with some relief and on top of that would not have burned three redshirts at the same position when none are making an impact.

Husker draft wrapup 2012

Another NFL Draft has come and gone. I watched it pretty religiously in my younger days but now my idea of following it is checking out the ticker every 20 or so minutes.

Four Nebraska players had their name called for the chance to have a job that requires work on Sundays. Here’s a closer look:

LaVonte David, LB

Second-round, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

You have to feel good for this young man, he appeared genuinely excited in his interview about returning to his home state to play pro ball. David is truly a class act and set new standards by which future Blackshirts will be measured against and he did it all in two years because keep in mind he was a junior college transfer.

I was very impressed the way he came in, kicked butt, and acted like it was all about the team as if he had been in the program all along. Though I have never met David, he seems to be an
outstanding guy.

I love the idea of David playing weakside linebacker in the Bucs’ 4-3 front. David lacks ideal size but he’s one of the top pure players in this year’s draft and will outperform a lot of the guys who went ahead of him. The question is, given that he is undersized, will he morph into a productive starter or become a nickel linebacker.

Jared Crick, DT

Fourth round, Houston Texans

Crick was once considered a first-round talent but a season-ending pectoral muscle injury dropped him all the way to the fourth round.

The concern I have about Crick is that he falls into the ‘tweener. At 6-4, 285, he’s not big enough to play tackle but not quick enough to play end. However, if there is a defensive coordinator that will know how to use him it’s Wade Phillips. F or all of his shortcomings as a head coach, there’s nothing wrong with Phillips as a defensive coordinator. Being a 3-4 end might be his best shot.

Alfonzo Dennard, CB

Seventh round, New England Patriots

Dennard’s stock plummeted badly due to a subpar combine and getting arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer.

Dennard will make the team but has a lot of proving to do. His injuries and the lack of production this past season really have hurt him but his off-the-field stupidity hurt him more.

However, the idea that a talent like this could fall to the Patriots this late is mind-boggling. He’s a tough kid who can play press, loves to mix it up in the run game and has the attributes to mature into a starter on the outside or slot man early in his career.

Marcel Jones, OT

Seventh round, New Orleans Saints

It looks like the Saints are going to make sure that Drew Brees is protected no matter what may happen this season.

Jones has a lot of honors and accolades under his belt and is a very big body to put on an already very good offensive line. Jones is a mammoth 6-7, 320 pounds so he will certainly tower over many and has a great reach to help block.

With New Orleans' need for depth on the o-line, Jones is a solid pick. While not quite ready to start just yet, Jones is a big body that can be plugged into the Saints line.

Freedom of Speech does not protect statement's reprucussions

I normally do like using this blog for such matters but in light of Nebraska assistant football coach Ron Brown’s recent actions it bears discussing in this domain.

When attending an Omaha City Council hearing last month, Brown testified against an anti-discrimination ordinance that extended protections to gay and transgender people.

In Brown’s three-minute appearance, he challenged ordinance sponsor Ben Gray and other members to remember that the Bible does not condone homosexuality. He told council members they would be held to “great accountability for the decision you are making.”

“The question I have for you all is, like Pontius Pilate, what are you going to do with Jesus?” Brown asked. “Ultimately, if you don’t have a relationship with him, and you don’t really have a Bible-believing mentality, really, anything goes. … At the end of the day it matters what God thinks most.”

Barbara Baier, a member of the Lincoln Board of Education, wrote to university administrators calling for Brown’s ouster in the wake of his testimony. She noted the university-wide policy not to discriminate based on, among other things, sexual orientation.

Brown — in a decision he said he now regrets — gave Memorial Stadium in Lincoln as his address of record. Baier said some people could have inferred he was representing the university, not just himself, when he appeared before the council. She said Brown’s continued employment creates an atmosphere hostile to gay student-athletes.

Chancellor Harvey Perlman admonished Brown for giving the stadium address but said Brown’s personal views do not reflect those of the university. Brown added that he would continue to express his beliefs regardless of whether or not it costs him his job.

It was six months ago that Brown earned national acclaim for leading a prayer for healing at midfield before the Cornhuskers’ game at scandal-torn Penn State.

By definition, the First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects the right of freedom of speech. I completely understand that Brown is allowed to express whatever belief he wants regardless of how uninformed he may appear to be. However, freedom of speech can be a slippery slope.

If you want to pound your chest about freedom of speech, fine, but utter your words at your own risk because the constitution does not protect you from the ramifications you face as a result of what you say. Just for the sake of discussion, there is nothing preventing me or anyone from walking into an openly gay bar and screaming at the top of my lungs, “all faggots should die,” but if one of the gay patrons decides to punch me in the face, the constitution will not, and should not, protect me.

In my opinion, Brown’s behavior is not acceptable. While he is entitled to his beliefs, using his high-profile position as a football coach to further his causes/beliefs/thoughts is not right. He can’t deny that he uses his position in society as a way to speak out for what he believes, and if he denies that, it’s on him. He is preaching from a Bible that says homosexuality is wrong (which is totally up to the interpretation of the reader). Society is changing and allowing for homosexuals to be included albeit at a slow pace, but change takes time.

I feel after Perlman remanded him once a few weeks ago, Brown would get the hint to tone down his rhetoric or just say “no comment” and focus on football, he would do that. Sadly, Brown hasn’t done this. Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne is a man of a Christian background-which is fine with me, but he knew how and when was the appropriate place to talk about his beliefs and not be so overt about it, even if he might be right or wrong on his stances.

Brown’s job at Nebraska is not just another job. He has a powerful personality, presence and gift, and he’s choosing to use it in a controversial, very public way that leaves most, if not all, within a certain group (homosexuals) feel isolated, wrong and shamed.

He may believe what they’re doing is sinful, but he should know that many disagree with him. Their proof against his position is deep and credible. It’s a significant argument in our society that can become all-consuming for those who immerse themselves in it. If he wants to be a preacher spreading his message and beliefs, fine. Have at it. If he wants to be a football coach in a high profile position at the University of Nebraska, he should pipe down and be much more discreet.

Granted, Brown’s thoughts have no influence on me but I’m going to guess the number of times Brown talked about his views on homosexuality in a recruit’s living room is probably zero. Now, every living room Brown goes into, it’ll be a topic. It’ll also be a topic for every other coach. I’m sure Brown can be sent to recruits that have similar religious backgrounds as he does, but it’s a big country, and his views aren’t going to be a shared by some. Brown won’t be fired for his views, but if his views make it harder for the program to succeed, that’s another story.

It’s a horrible mistake to force your religion on others because you think your religion is better. Of course the university will not overtly fire Brown based on his beliefs but if this becomes too big a distraction it’s not hard to see why the University would set him loose based on his “performance” or some other job-related criteria that would be perfectly within its rights.

Brown needs to know that his position of authority is a unique one and comes with certain responsibilities. And it doesn’t have to be a gay/straight issue. Imagine if Brown was an avid Nazi sympathizer? Protected under the First Amendment doesn’t mean carte blanche for someone in his unique position.

True, he can’t be legally fired for voicing his opinion as a private citizen, but due to the platform his position affords him also must come some discretion on his part about how he uses that and he must be ready to deal with any and all repercussions as a result.

Burkhead for Heisman a nice thought but a longshot

The only thing more comical than listening to Heisman Trophy hype is listening to fan reaction such.

Heading into the 2012 season, Matt Barkley (USC) and Dennard Robinson (Michigan), to name a couple, pop into many people’s heads. Part of the reason is because of their outstanding talents along with the notion that both of their teams come into the season with high expectations, especially USC. The Trojans will probably be the preseason No. 1 by more than a handful of pollsters.

Depending on who you hear, Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead could potentially fit into the Heisman Trophy discussion. However, as much as I admire Burkhead’s weekly efforts and the character he exudes, I would consider his Heisman Trophy chances a longshot at this juncture. Below are Burkhead’s numbers compared to Wisconsin’s Monte Ball and Alabama’s Trent Richardson, both were Heisman candidates a year ago before Baylor’s Robert Griffin III won the award:

ATT    YDS    TD       YDS/ATT       REC    YDS    TD       TDS/REC

Ball                 307      1923    24        6.26                 24        306      6          12.75

Richardson      283      1679    21        5.93                 29        338      3          11.66

Burkhead         283      1357    15        4.80                 21        177      2          8.43

Burkhead’s numbers do not stack up with Ball or Richardson. However, it should also be noted that Ball and Richardson had much better offensive lines and a more consistent passing game to balance the scale than Burkhead had.

While it is possible for Burkhead to figure into the Heisman Trophy mix, let’s also keep in mind that Nebraska offensive coordinator Tim Beck has openly talked about reducing Burkhead’s workload in 2012. Burkhead accounted for over 60 percent of Nebraska’s rushing attempts last season. The plus side of that decision, if it comes to fruition, is that Burkhead might be fresher and more productive at the end of the season but will also decrease his chances of putting up Heisman-like numbers. However, if the Huskers go 10-2 and win the Big Ten title who cares if he has 2,400 yards rushing or 24 yards rushing?

You also have to understand Burkhead’s style of running. If Burkhead rushes for say 175 yards on 25 carries, it is most likely to happen as a result of a steady diet of 4-7 yard runs with an occasional 15-20 yarder mixed in rather than say a 65-yarder into the equation. That is not meant to be a negative but let’s face it, the 65-yarders get on SportsCenter.

Nebraska having breakthrough team success also has to happen for Burkhead to be even considered. Remember Nebraska defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in 2009? Suh put up eye-popping numbers as a senior, recording 12 sacks and 24 tackles for loss on the way to becoming one of the most decorated players in college football history. Suh won numerous awards including the Associated Press College Football Player of the Year Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy. He was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, finishing fourth.

Two things played into Suh not winning the Heisman. For openers, defensive players already have their own awards and Nebraska also went 10-4. However, they came within a controversial call of beating Texas for the Big 12 title. It’s still a lousy call today if you ask me but I digress. On the other hand, Nebraska playing in that game also helped Suh garner even more recognition. He recorded 4.5 sacks in that game.

Burkhead may not be a top three “preseason” Heisman pick but to rule out him carrying the label Heisman contender is mistaken. Nebraska still remains a high-profile program, has huge fan base and potential to place in a BCS bowl. All are ingredients for a trip to the New York ceremony.

However, you also have to define the trophy for what it has become. More often than not, it will go to a quarterback with an occasional player from another position winning. If the trophy was awarded per it’s current description (most outstanding college player) then over half of the past 25 winners would not have won.

Right or wrong, it has become an award for the best player on one of the best teams. What it should be about is another story. I can think of several players that won, that in my opinion won because of the team they were on, not because of personal talent. Last year was dead on with the most outstanding player in RGIII. When was the last time an also ran school won the Heisman? It only happens when a player leaves the voters no other choice and still be able to justify their votes. The Heisman has become a sham and more and more fans are beginning to tune out the hype of the Heisman. It’s not as coveted as it once was.

Can the defense sharpen its teeth?

While Nebraska was decent defensively in 2011, it was not the authoritative bunch that was on display in 2009 and to a lesser extent 2010. Part of that dropoff can be attributed to the season-ending injury to defensive tackle Jared Crick (torn pectoral muscle) in Week 5.

However, the Husker defense was having issues even before Crick was put on the shelf for the season. There were bright spots, most notably in a 24-3 win over Michigan State and the second half dominance that fueled a 34-27 come-from-behind win over Ohio State in addition to the unit’s outstanding effort in a 20-7 win over Iowa.

Nebraska did finish pretty well (Top 40) statistically but for much of the 2011 campaign, the Huskers were a pretty average club. Nebraska finished 37th in total defense and 42nd in scoring defense. The Huskers finished tied for 18th in passing defense and 34th in pass efficiency defense.

However, the Huskers were tied for 72nd in interceptions (with 10), tied for 84th in sacks (21), and 64th in rushing defense. Nebraska also finished with a minus-1 turnover margin with 18 takeaways and had 19 giveaways. This tells me they need to get far more pressure on opposing teams quarterbacks to force mistakes that lead to turnovers, and to increase sack numbers.

In Bo Pelini’s four seasons as head coach, there have been some dominant defensive players such as Ndamukong Suh, LaVonte David, Alfonzo Dennard, Prince Amukamara, Dejon Gomes, Phillip Dillard and Larry Asante. Only David was not on the roster for the Huskers 2009 defense that allowed only 10 points per game, best in the nation.

The defense was probably the best in the Big 12 in 2010, but a keen eye could see chinks in the armor. They had difficulty stopping a mobile quarterback. They relied too much on their potent, if inconsistent, offense to create plays.

In 2011, with Carl Pelini as defensive coordinator, Nebraska’s defense failed the team when they needed them most. Wisconsin and Michigan made the Husker defense look awful. In the Capital One Bowl loss to South Carolina, the Husker defense failed at crucial times. Despite losing key pieces like Crick, David and Dennard, 2012 has the potential to be a very good year for the defense.

Of course, some would see the coaching staff changes as a negative because change normally takes time to adapt.

After defensive coordinator Carl Pelini took the head coaching job at Florida Atlantic, Bo Pelini promoted John Papuchis from defensive line coach to defensive coordinator. He also hired Rick Kaczenski from Iowa to replace Papuchis on the defensive line. Kaczenski brought with him an impressive resume that included All-Americans during his time as defensive line coach for the Hawkeyes.

After Husker defensive backs coach Corey Raymond accepted the same position at alma mater LSU, Pelini scooped Terry Joseph from Tennessee to replace him. Joseph, cousin of former Husker Mickey Joseph, coached a stellar Volunteer defensive backfield for three years.

True, it takes time to get used coaches and their approach but these changes might be the shot in the arm the Huskers need. Kaczenski and Joseph inherit some pretty solid depth at their respective positions.

There is no Crick, David or Dennard but instead of leaning heavily on All-Americans, the Huskers will need to rely on each other and the scheme. However, it never hurts to have a game-changer.

Nebraska Will Repay the Favor to Wisconsin

Taylor Martinez is looking to perform better vs Wisconsin in 2012.

Almost exactly a year after Nebraska was humiliated in front of a national audience in their Big Ten opener, Taylor Martinez and the Cornhuskers will be better prepared to face a Wisconsin team without standout quarterback Russell Wilson and a defense not as talented or salty as they were in 2011. They will still have to stop running back Montee Ball, but, without a deep threat and somebody to throw it and take the pressure off the running backs, Nebraska will sell out and blitz over and over again.

The beating might not be as bad as the wood the Badgers laid to the Huskers in Madison in 2011, but it will be bad. Nebraska's defense will show up in a big way, Rex Burkhead will have over 150 yards rushing, and the Huskers will win by more than three touchdowns to start off their second season in the Big Ten with a bang.

Taylor Martinez Will Complete More Than 65% of His Passes

Taylor Martinez will fix this throwing motion
Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Let's face it. Taylor Martinez's throwing motion reminds you more of Tim Tebow than it does any other quarterback in college of the NFL. If anything, this prediction is the hardest of all to imagine. The guy just doesn't throw very well or with any sort of accuracy.

There is good news, though. Martinez is dedicated to keeping his starting job. We know this because he spent his spring break not schmoozing with girlfriend and Nebraska volleyball player Lauren Cook but in California with a throwing expert (by the way, what's up with Nebraska football and volleyball players dating? I just heard Roy Helu and Dani Mancuso are getting married).

The best news on the planet for Taylor Martinez: the Nebraska running game will take pressure off him in the pocket. With Rex Burkhead, Ameer Abdullah, and Aaron Green forming a formidable backfield, Martinez will have more time to sit back and go through his reads on play action and straight passing plays. As he does this, he will make more throws on target and will complete 65% of his passes in 2012.

Rex Burkhead Will Win the Heisman Trophy

Rex Burkhead will run all the way to New York in 2012.
Eric Francis/Getty Images

Sexy Rexy.

He's Rexy and He Knows It. Heard the songs? If not, look them up on YouTube.

They are about Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead. My favorite line comes from "Sexy Rexy": "Calves defined like dictionaries, breaks through tackles on his carries."

In early odds, Burkhead is at 20-1 to win the Heisman Trophy. If you ask Nebraska fans, or anybody in the Big Ten footprint, that is far too low. Burkhead is the unquestioned leader of the team. He is the most popular player in Nebraska football since Brook Berringer. He is as much of an unstoppable machine on the field as he is a charismatic, humble man off it. Burkhead is what legends are made of at Nebraska, and the Heisman Trophy will be his crowning achievement.

What can Burkhead do on the field? Well he averaged 4.8 yards per carry and just over 104 yards per game in 2011. That's not bad. He will have to do better than that to have national recognition, though. His 21 catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns are nice. However, more than anything, he will need sophomores Ameer Abdullah and Aaron Green to step up and spell him when the time arises.

He will need big, and I mean BIG, performances in national games. He will need to run roughshod over Wisconsin and Michigan. He will need to will the team to victory.

More than anything, though, he needs the team to win. Nebraska needs to win the Big Ten Legends Division. He then needs to pull an Ndamukong Suh from the 2009 Big 12 Championship Game and just tear apart whoever Nebraska plays in the 2012 Big Ten Championship Game.

Nebraska can do that. They have the talent. Rex can as well.

Nebraska Will Win the Big Ten

This Trophy Will be in Lincoln in December.

Nebraska sort of stumbled their way through the 2011 football season. They were beaten badly by Wisconsin and Michigan and upset at home by Northwestern. They managed to overwhelm Michigan State and Iowa and also hung on at Penn State. Throughout the season, though, it felt as though they couldn't get their feet under them. In 2012, that won't be the case.

Nebraska's offense won't be forced in so many down-and-distance situations as they were in 2011 as a deep, talented offensive line will keep a Taylor Martinez and Rex Burkhead-led attack moving. Martinez has a new throwing motion that will help him improve on his 57% accuracy, a bevy of speedy, talented receivers to throw to, and the always steady Burkhead behind him. In short, this will be the best and most balanced offense Nebraska has seen since 1999.

The defense is going to come together and obliterate opposing offenses. Blitzes will come from every angle, the defensive line will push offensive lines back into their quarterbacks, and running backs will find no lanes to run. In short, this will be a defense to be feared.

The schedule doesn't do them any favors, but there is no team outside of Michigan as talented as they were in 2011. The Huskers get the Wolverines at home the last weekend in October. They welcome Wisconsin, Penn State, and Minnesota to Lincoln as well. They will have to battle past Ohio State and Northwestern on the road in consecutive games.

The Huskers won't have to win every game on their schedule to win the Legends Division, but they must avoid trip-ups in Evanston, East Lansing, and Iowa City to advance to the Championship Game. The good news is Nebraska will win the games they need to and will not lose to anybody they shouldn't. On December 1, the Nebraska Cornhuskers will beat the winner of the Leaders Division and will claim their first Conference Championship since 1999.

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Keep ReadingNebraska returns a majority of their starters on defense, but they will have a new defensive coordinator in John Papuchis who replaced Carl Pelini after he departed for FAU. Papuchis has instantly become the youngest defensive coordinator in the Big Ten and it'll be interesting to see how the players respond to the energetic coach.

He’s been on the Nebraska staff since 2008 and worked with the defensive ends and special teams before replacing Pelini. The defensive schemes should remain the same for the most part, but with a new guy calling the shots, it will be something that bears watching.

Pelini safe unless 2012 is a disaster

With Year No. 5 of the Bo Pelini era forthcoming, one question pondered among media and fans alike has been, “is this a make or break season for Pelini?”

The supporters would say that he has amassed a 39-16 record and has twice had the Huskers on the doorstep of the conference championship. The detractors would say, “Well, he’s been a success but only compared to his predecessor, Bill Callahan.” The Huskers went 27-22 in Callahan’s four seasons, which included two years without even being bowl eligible. The detractors would also point out that in Pelini’s first year, Nebraska went 9-4, which represented a marked improvement over Callahan’s 5-7 campaign in 2007 but have not done better than 10-4 since that time.  

Pelini came to Lincoln with high expectations and has frankly failed to live up to them so far. Making it to the Holiday Bowl and the Capital One Bowl does not cut it at Nebraska. However, I would say it’s a make or break season only if 2012 is really bad, as in six or more losses. Pelini has built a solid foundation, both on the field and, perhaps more importantly, off as well. There is enough talent to win the conference and play in BCS, if they play well. I think it may be make or break for Taylor Martinez at quarterback, but Pelini’s job is safe, barring a total collapse.

I would sum his tenure as Solichism with a snarl. Nothing innovative, just that warmed-over Bobby Knight us against the world philosophy. He is certainly not in the top or even second tier of coaches. The schedule for 2012, however, does present its share of pitfalls so I think a pass is going to be somewhat given.

The 2013 campaign, however, that is the judgment year. The schedule is very favorable for NU, and sets up for a Big 10 Championship game and BCS Bowl Bid. If he can’t get it done in 2013, then a long and hard look needs to be taken. You also got to remember how loyal current Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne is with his coaches. He gives them a long leash, because he remembers the 1980s when fans wanted his head on a silver platter. The man started to break up at the Doc Sadler firing and was torn up about that. How do you think he'll feel having to let go of HIS pick and hire in Bo Pelini?

Pelini's priorities in the right place

Even though I’m a mainstream sports media member by trade and a Nebraska football blogger by hobby, I try not to overanalyze players or coaches statements in the public domain. However, when Husker head coach Bo Pelini put the kibosh on Nebraska rescheduling the annual Red-White game, this statement certainly resonated:

"I don't think that's going to work out," Pelini said of a Sunday scrimmage. "When we met with the team, there's a lot of issues that go with playing (Sunday). When you talk about family issues ... I had a show of hands of guys who had a problem with tomorrow -- you have projects, academic things, a banquet coming up -- it's not going to work."

With most of eastern Nebraska anticipating severe weather and a likely tornado outbreak, NU officials canceled Saturday's annual Red-White Spring Game. Minutes after the scheduled 1 p.m. kickoff time, Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne announced the decision on HuskerVision screens, noting that the game would be played Sunday if conditions improve.

A little more than an hour later, Pelini took to the microphone to announce that the game will be canceled instead of the game being rescheduled for Sunday or even a later day.

What truly stands out about Pelini’s statement was how he addressed academics. OK, cynical college football fans will say, “Yeah, right,” but how many college football coaches would have put academic and family conflicts above rescheduling a Spring Game? Though Pelini may have his shortcomings as a coach and fans are frustrated that the team has not achieved that elusive conference title and/or BCS bowl game, Pelini once again is looking out for his players above everything else. That example demonstrates that Pelini’s priorities are in the right place.

Somehow I get the impression a lot of coaches really do not like the spring games. They would probably prefer to have one more practice instead even though the game is a glorified practice. I think most coaches see the game as the dog and pony show that it is. Some coaches relish their roles as ringleader of dog and pony shows and others do not.

I don't think the coaches get nearly as much out of the Spring Game as the fans do.

The spring game was cancelled. We can debate if/when it should have been cancelled/postponed or moved but it is over and the fall can't get here soon enough. Now I will go worry about something important like, like, well nothing is more important than football but that debate is for another day.