RonzNotes Husker Ramblings

Less Than 100

Well, we're under 100 days to the first game.  I wish I could say time is flying, but no so much.  I know the Pelini comments on Solich were a bit of a rub on people, but I think it demonstrates Bo's standards of fairness and honesty.  I think we'll find out to our happiness and embarrassment that Bo does not have much of a filter on his thoughts.  But, unlike BC before him, his thoughts and his emotions will be aligned.

Only the two walk-on transfers (so far) is a testament to the connection this group of players have to the coaches.  I think we'll see a better stick rate with Pelini's recruits than BC saw, but we have to recognize any team is lucky to see 1/2 of a recruiting class ever start a game in their careers.

I hope the kids work hard this summer - seems like we have some motivated leaders on the team - seniors that want to go out on a good note, with a bowl and maybe even some hardware on their fingers.

Spring Game 3

A few observations from the drafted and free agents. 

Basically if you were a senior and played defense and ever started a game - you are going to cash a check from the NFL.  Maybe not a big check or for very long, but you'll cash a check nontheless.  If that doesn't tell us how bad we were last year from a coaching and scheme standpoint, then what does?  I can't recall, except maybe in the era of 1995 where basically every senior on one side of the ball was considered worthy of at least a sniff from the NFL.  Amazing that with 2 CBs (grixby and bowman) 3 linebackers (ruud, octavian, brandenburgh) and a safety (green) worthy of NFL attention we couldn't get into the top 100 defenses.   

Purify hasn't signed yet - what a shame for the talent. 
Keller --  nothing but crickets chirping at his house 
Hardy even signed a contract. 

Looking ahead - Not sure we have much more talent on the draft board next year, but it seems talent could not have been the key issue last year. 

Spring Game 2

A few notes from being at the game:

Yes, it was just like a Nebraska home game - full, wearing red, etc.  Things missing - a fly over after the anthem, a small section of visitor fans, the band in the usual place, and a clear "what to cheer for" - is a touchdown a good thing?  how about an interception?

Offensively we confirmed what we already knew - Helu is talented, fast and tough inside, if Castille learns to hang onto the ball he'll be in the NFL and could be good for 1800 yards in a season with his size and blazing speed and he caught the ball well, and Lucky is the most "unimpressive" good back at NU that anyone could ever remember.  What I mean by that is this:  the guy rushed for a 1000 yards last year and I can't remember a single run and maybe 2 catches.  I still remember runs by Ken Clark, Doug Dubose, Jeff Smith, Calvin Jones, Keith Jones, etc   how can Lucky be an NFL draft pick and plays so under the radar.  I remember playing OU in about 86 and at the end of the game we give the ball to Calvin Jones about 8 straight carries and go down and score.  I still remember seeing the huddle and the fact it took about 2 seconds because everyone knew we were running the ball and Calvin was going to get it (I assume the play call was "go left" or "go right").  Okay, your turn - more memories of Cory Ross or Lucky?

Defensively - lots of new players to learn.  The linebackers are non factors - virtually never heard their names called out.  Safeties and DBs made plenty of tackles.   D-line showed good pursuit and speed and decent pass rush.  I was somewhat concerned that a scrambling QB could give us trouble - but we'll have to let Pelini scheme a system to stop Daniels, Phil Bates, etc.   The defense was around ball, but it didn't stand out as much as one would expect.  At the same time, i thought about the USC game and couldn't see anyway these guys would be that screwed up from a scheme standpoint.  There was never a hole bigger than a mini-cooper (vs jack knifed 18 wheeler last year).   

Offensive line - seemed fully capable of smash mouth and did decent pass-pro, too.  Lots of big bodies - even when half on each team.  The pass-pro was mixed because of the green jerseys.

Coaches on the field - what a demonstration of how Pelini approaches practice.  this is a learning envirionment and constant evaluation.  Pelini didn't do much interacting with the players, but being on the field with several assistants made it clear how this group of coaches operate.   

Back up QB - Lee is very mobile.  He takes short strides with nifty feet and hips (vs Lords long strides).  Actually runs more like a reciever or a return man (Shane Swanson maybe) and Witt is a Brook Berringer type - taller, seems capable of running, but not ever a first choice.  Ganz, sorry, but the guy is Matt Thurman with an arm (keep in mind that Turmanator was as fast as Frazier).  He runs well but is not a "threat".  Okay, he's Major Applewhite.  Not a gifted athlete, has a much better arm than expected and the team loves him.  And he drives you crazy because he beats you and "shouldn't".

Special teams - how can we have that much talent and still have to use Nate Swift to return punts?  Nate catches the ball.  The others don't - ever.  Kicking - we're blessed.

Recievers - catch the ball.  If they manage that simple task this group is going to be unstoppable.  We can create about any match up we want - Niles is a running back; Brooks is sooo talented; Swift and Pederson just get open all the time; the G man is way fast but not skinny - bubble screens were invented for a guy like him.

Mendoza - it won't be a big surprise what happens when he comes in the game this fall.  He will be in with our blocking reciever package, the fleet footed O-linemen will come in and we'll get the ball to Mendoza in as much space as possible.  He is lightening but he's not a "one touch and he's down" speedster.  Defensive coordinators will hate him.

Family-
Syd, Natilie and Melissa joined for the game.  Syd in her Husker Cheerleader outfit.  She liked the food.   She likes the games better on TV but did manage a "touchdowns" and "Go Huskers".   NattyKat slept in the front loaded backpack.   Melissa was a great mom through it all.

August - can't wait.

Spring Game 1

Just a few spring observations: 

We always hear good things this time of year.  If you go back to spring 2004 you'll hear kids talking about how intense winter conditioning was, how smooth practice goes, about how coaches like kids because they are "competitors" and how the older kids help the younger kids, etc. etc. 

Here seem to be the differences:  the emphasis is on developing players and teaching during practice.  We have lots of depth at O-line.  We have a returning "starter" at every backfield and receiving position except TE.  Players seem to accept these changes, unlike the pining for Solich that players and the state went through.  In 2004 if a player wanted to talk about the good old days he'd have 10 guys chime in and have all day to talk about it.  I assume anyone trying to talk about the good old days of Bill, Coz and 5-7 records is alone pretty fast.  Change is best accepted when the old way wasn't working.  "Change is accepted with the pain from not changing is greater than the pain of change". 

Reasons to be optimistic:  the offense doesn't change much, we have a very talented batch of RBs and some experience at QB.  The main changes for the offense seem to be toward simplicity and taking advantage of our O-line size and speed and running the ball more.  Hard to find a downside for the direction the offense would seem to be headed.  We have talent on offense - some, like Brooks may be washouts, but there is depth to the talent.   Defense by default.  Hmmm...   it would take a conscious effort in order to not improve statistically next year.  There is no "worse than last".  It would take a purposeful effort to get fewer sacks, turnovers, and defensive stops.  Can we get more with less?  Here is something to contemplate - imagine Cosgrove with this group this year.  Can you imagine how bad this group would be?  Cosgrove is gone, so by default we get better. 

Not so optimistic-   Sure the defense will be better, but better "enough" to really make a difference in the win-loss columns or stop someone from scoring 45 on us?  Other than the defensive backfield there isn't a lick of depth on defense.  Even where we have some depth, the experience is lacking.  Note:  this isn't basketball where you play 4 guards if you don't have a guy that can play center.  We will not play a 3-2-6 defense just because we have some decent defensive backs.  We will be lucky to rotate out a tired or dinged LB or D-linemen.  D-line is puddle deep, but LB is cracker thin.  Motivation will be helpful - sure this defense will play lights out and aggressive.  However, the most fired up guy in the world gets tired, especially if he's outtalented by the other team.  The cupboard is very bare and Pelini can scheme to create a paper tiger -- he did it in 2003.  We took marginal depth, a handful of talented guys and with smoke and mirrors managed to fool 10 opposing offensive coordinators and offenses into not scoring much.  But 3 teams had more talent and were not fooled into a crazy number of turnovers to allow our weak offense to score enough points to win.   Sad to say, but we haven't the talent on defense to get a single all-conference selection.  Pelini's schemes will make a few guys look good - but I said talent to be 1st team all-conference.  Maybe Thenarse or Asante has the talent, maybe Suh, maybe Dillard.  Think we win 9 games with a defense that struggles to put 2 guys on the all-conference team?  Sorry to say, but if don't have dramatic improvements in D-line play so the opponents O-line doesn't roll our small inexperienced LB around like croquet balls, we'll just see guys trying harder and still giving up lots of points to Missouri, KU and Colorado. 

I am optimistic about next year.  Mostly I am optimistic about enjoying this next season.  I am enjoying all the "old" ways we're getting better.  I also recognize that the team will be fragile and we'll be lucky to face adversity on the right day with the right outcomes.  We can't afford a Maine 7-6 win or a V-tech blow out loss.  Pelini will have a defining moment the first time his defense gets beat up.  How he keeps his team "with" him will be crucial.

Pelini

Pelini's contract incentives are out.  Only at Nebraska would a guy do what Pelini did - work two jobs, hire assistants, recruit kids, etc and NOT have a contract in place.  Absolutely dumbfounding to think about it - he resigns at LSU, does all this work and signs his contract a couple months later without an agent and no difficult discussions.

Nebraska football - those outside can't understand it, insiders can't explain it.

p.s. Osbornes base salary in 97 was less than $140,000 - today it would be the lowest in the nation.