Life in the Red Group

Posted by: [gofor2] on February 20, 2012 10:45AM CST Playoffs are coming. Perlman likes the status quo. Surprise, surprise, surprise. Nebraska seems doomed to live in the past. Like it or not change is inevitable. I like it, if there is a home field element. Let's see some SEC schools in Lincoln in the winter.

Posted by: [gofor2] on February 20, 2012 11:02AM CST Of couse, getting to the playoffs will be a hurdle. Michigan signed 8 recruits this weekend raising their class to 11. That is 11 recruits that dominated as juniors. How is there O-line going to look in a few years? Well there '12 and '13 classes include 6 4-star players and 2 3-star players. Of course, not all recruits pan out. Luckily for them, they don't need them to all pan out. That Michigan team we saw this year was Hoke's first year. Michigan is only going to get better. Everyone preaching patience here. They are not being patient in Ann Arbor.

Posted by: Ray in Bellevue on February 20, 2012 11:20AM CST Why should we get excited about a playoff?

Posted by: Ray in Bellevue on February 20, 2012 11:36AM CST (gofor2) Equally important with quantity is the quality. Of the 11 commits for Michigan, all but one are 4 star players. In addition, Ohio State has 4 commits so far, one 5 star and three 4 stars. We are being left in the dust by Michigan and Ohio State in recruiting, both northern schools with strong traditions like Nebraska. Chances of Nebraska ever becoming a dominant program again rest on getting the best players. Bo just hasn't measured up in this area. It's hard to see future improvement in our program with a subpar recruiting effort. But, I am still hoping that after 2012, we will start seeing results from coaching continuity if nothing else.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 11:41AM CST Man you sure get worked up over this recruiting stuff there [gofor2]. Take a damn chill pill, you act as if recruiting was never a challenge for anyone including NE before now. Mr they have more than us, anxiety attack....you have Zero control over the damn issue, the coaches put in tons of work and effort into it. Suck it the hell up and grow a damn pair...deal with it, it is what it is. Quit insulting the recruits you know zero about in terms of how they will perform here at NE. You're such a damn expert on the recruits and the subject of super recruits, then start your own recruiting guru service and start charging other goofballs money to listen to your crybaby drivel day after day. Grrr. Day after day, cry cry cry...we aren't getting good enough recruits, wah effin wahhh. We get it, you can't stand the recruits the Coaches sign, they aren't worthy and don't meet your expectations as a super fan, you feel slighted, they just aren't good enough for you and everybody elses recruits are better and every other staff works harder and aims higher than ours. You want wins on a silver platter...we get it.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 11:52AM CST I mean seriously, it's not even spring ball and you're crying about next years class already. You gonna cry about it from now until signing day, then cry some more after signing day? It's that important to you, you know where Bo's office is. Go offer your services as a master recruiting guru...I'm sure he will go out of his way to make a spot for you on the staff. I'm sure he'll be tickled if you can just get them studs on campus. Heck he won't even have to even earn his paycheck then, just blow his shiny whistle here and there and let the super studs be super studs and the wins will pile up beyond belief.

Posted by: Ray in Bellevue on February 20, 2012 11:54AM CST On women's basketball, I really hope that Cady is not seriously injured. She was in a lot of pain after twisting her knee against Wisconsin. She and Hooper and Moore are our main weapons on offense. Being lost for the rest of the season would be a major setback for her and the team. Let's hope the MRI doesn't show any structural damage. Go Huskers!

Posted by: JamesoN on February 20, 2012 12:00PM CST Rluben touche, I grow tired of seeing everyone being so damn pessimistic on here. I used to enjoy reading these but not really anymore. I am glad to see someone else that trusts in the coaches.

Posted by: [gofor2] on February 20, 2012 12:05PM CST Wrestler- If we were being aggressive and failing, I would stop complaining. But we aren't aggressive. We are "picky." We don't like giving out tons of offers. And we want the kids to think things over and make sure we are right for them. There is zero urgency or intensity in our recruiting right. I guess I should just wait a few years. Then cry that Pap and Cotton can't coach. Then I would fit in here at LITR.

Posted by: [gofor2] on February 20, 2012 12:08PM CST Oops sorry Rluben I mistook you for Wrestler. And sorry Wrestler for mistaking your for Rluben. lol

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 12:25PM CST I know you're just passionate about it and want to see the Huskers back up at the top of college football like nay Nebraska fan does. I understand, really I do. Me I personally like that it's a challenge, that Nebraska is unique..what we get we have to work harder than the next guy to achieve. It's perfect just as is as far as I'm concerned. We compete with schools who have anywhere from 6 times the population to 20 times the population to recruit from right in there own back yard. I don't need any paper championships. The only ones I'm concerned with are the ones WE WILL EARN on the field by outplaying, outworking , and outsmarting everyone else who couldn't do what we have done if they had to do it with our limited in State resources. Maybe we should send a kid 105 letters in one day like Alabama did recently to a Georgia HS RB...NOT Unlike you, I believe we will be just fine with who the coaches have brought in and will bring in.

Posted by: TomOs on February 20, 2012 12:29PM CST Wrestler???? and hope Em Cady is not seriously hurt.. and Victoria.. you might want to screen that picture a little better..

Posted by: hskrpwr13 on February 20, 2012 12:34PM CST I don't know why the conference commissioners put up with Notre Dame. They get to send their AD to conference commissioner meetings? Seems they get to be well more represented than any other university due to not having a conference affiliation. Should be the other way around in my opinion.

Posted by: Ray in Bellevue on February 20, 2012 12:37PM CST I think that rlubin makes several good points about having trust and patience in the coaches. Rlubin also knows of which he speaks regarding football, and is well respected on this blog. And Bo has had 4 straight years of 9 or 10 win seasons, albeit with disappointing finishes. On the other hand, Bo is still a relatively new head coach who is still learning on the job. He kept Watson around way too long which slowed down development of a consistent offense. Now, he has all his own coaches and almost all his own players. All recruits need to be coached up, even the top rated ones. And, Bo gets very good players who may have great potential, but not enough of the differance makers that top ten teams are getting. Bo needs to do better in recruiting, plain and simple, in order to win championships. But, Bo is the future for Nebraska. I still believe he can be the next Devaney or Osborne, even though 2012 won't be pretty. But, after that, the sky is the limit. Why? The stars will be in allignment in 2013.

Posted by: [gofor2] on February 20, 2012 12:39PM CST Thanks rluben. You're right. I just want NU to get back on top. And you are right about us always being underdogs. That is one great thing about being a NU fan. Side note: You saw the AL thing too. That had to be a mistake, right? Can't believe someone would think that would be effective. Even a 17yr. old kid has to see how silly that is.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 12:43PM CST To me the fun part of college football and Nebraska football in particular is the journey. The ups, the downs, the near misses, the heartaches, the unforgettable plays along the way, the individual story lines such as a local walkon kid living a childhood dream and having success when no one recruited him all that much...a kid that is highly recruited and comes to Nebraska and finds a second home and feels like family...yadda yadda. Watching a coach and staff grow, become better at what they do, become part of the culture, build the culture. If Bo's teams played soft all the time I'd have some issues, but he's made an effort to become a more physical style of team and more athletic at the same time. I'm willing to give him the time he needs to put the magic together. He knows there is lots of room for improvement in all phases, he's not afraid to put in the work to get it fixed. Try to enjoy the highs and don't let the lows get you down too much. As long as they keep competing and working towards the goal I believe they will can there. I don't question if they can get it done, only when it might actually happen.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 12:51PM CST We do have some challenges at Nebraska that other programs don't when it comes to recruiting the best of the best...Nebraska isn't the sexiest choice...let's face that fact and quit pretending it's not what it is. Somehow despite what's pretty much common knowledge, we pull our fair share of recruits from around the country, always have, always will because of the fact some kids fall in love with what is important to them personally and what the Huskers are all about ans want to be a part of it. We can't get them all to fall in love with us.

Posted by: [gofor2] on February 20, 2012 12:51PM CST Ray- Absolutely, Bo is our future. And he is a good coach. And I am with you about thinking '13 is our year. But we can't ignore what our enemies are doing. Brady Hoke is the real deal. For example, he tried using his offense this year. When the team struggled, he switched back to RichRod's. BC and RichRod simply tanked games and tried to force square pegs into round holes. Hoke can coach. Luckily, '13 is Mich's first year without DRob. So, they will be putting in the full Hoke offense. I just want us to be ready to face our enemies. We are not in the weak Big 12 north anymore.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 12:55PM CST If we suck in three years, feel free to slap me upside the head and ask me WTH I was thinking.

Posted by: Ray in Bellevue on February 20, 2012 1:01PM CST (gofor2) That will be apparent in 2012, trying to beat Michigan here and Ohio State there, not to mention all the rest. I just get tired of the NC talk when there is not even a conference championship likely this year. Koolaid creates an unreal fantasy world for fans, a temporary fix, prior to the reality letdown of football in the Fall. I want to see the Peters brothers hugging Osborne again after dumping gatoraid all over him in the Orange Bowl for the NC. I am more into the finish than the journey.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 1:01PM CST Okay, just for you today [gofor2] my avatar represents Bo's recruiting efforts. That's Bo going after a 5 star, getting all confused and dizzy while trying to show them how cool Nebraska really is, then going for a swim after the recruit tells him the bad news.

Posted by: TomOs on February 20, 2012 1:02PM CST Meechgan.. is in the hot bed of recruiting for the B1G.. they usually always have good to great teams, kindled with the rivalry with tOSU.. they are at a recruiting advantage to us, being new to the conference.. we will still have to hit TX, CA hard to compete for the time being.. recruiting jr's, 16-17 yr olds .. I would think is a crap game .. they have a long way to develop into a big time player.. jmo

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 1:03PM CST That's Urban Meyer coming down the runway to take over where Bo left off.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 1:18PM CST It's the journey for me Ray. My freshman year sitting in the non suited up players stands watching us get beat by FL St, in a close one, watching us blow out Illinois and super hyped Jack Trudeau, blowing out Oregon, running through the conference then getting beat by Oklahoma ect ect....all the close ones the years before that, all the great games with some heartaches afterwords, until finally it was our turn to put it all together. People seem to forget what it took to get there and the fact that it WAS NOT EASY. I was an athlete, I have a pretty damn good idea what it took to get over that hump..I blocked people like Broderick Thomas and Leroy Etienne in practice I have a bit of a clue as to how much work goes into this thing.

Posted by: [gofor2] on February 20, 2012 1:20PM CST rluben lol. I don't think our recruit sucks. It doesn't. But I don't think it is aggressive. For example Meyer tells all his WR targets that he could make them the next Percy Harvin. I have read several recruits say that. But I have never heard a Husker DT recruit talk about being the next Suh. Nish was Bo is arrogant. But in many ways, he is too modest. I would like to see Bo being a bit more arrogant. Bo seems to want kids to discover how good of coach he is on their own. But sometimes, you have to tell them.

Posted by: TomOs on February 20, 2012 1:21PM CST Not to get anyones dander up... but does it seem like one of our main draws, or inordinate number of recruits, is the Christian athlete, which is a good character and a good thing.. maybe its the Ron Brown influence.. havent done any study on other teams, just throwing it out there..

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 1:30PM CST That's one reason I give the players some credit and respect, especially if they are working hard, doing things right for the most part and playing with some passion. I can certainly respect that, when they love playing for Nebraska and their coaches, then all I need from them is to play hard, try to be good people and continue to work towards their team and individual goals. Or back in the day flipping on the TV to watch the guy I played HS ball with running the option for Army when he had offers and or interest from just about anyone who mattered back then from SEC schools to PAC Ten schools and everything in between...wondering later on the next season ....what if he had attended NE, would he have not blown out his knee, would he have played DB or would he have got a shot to compete with Steve Taylor. You just never know why exactly or what motivates a young man to make the decision he makes on where he chooses to play college football, can't lose any sleep over the ones you don't get and it's more fun to get behind the one's that you do get.

Posted by: [gofor2] on February 20, 2012 1:33PM CST rluben- What is your take on our blow out loses this year? What was our problem in those games? (Other than not score more than our opponent. lol)

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 1:34PM CST I say we just need to invest in some hypnosis classes for Bo. If you can't convince them the old fashioned way hypnotize them.

Posted by: Big Wave Dave on February 20, 2012 1:34PM CST Lets not get all buried in the hype of recruiting. We do have solid players. What we really need is an true Offense for them to shine in. Not the Beck Poke & Hope Offense. I am tired of seeing Rex used up and exposed to injury due to his worn-out over use.

Posted by: Wecandoit! on February 20, 2012 1:42PM CST Until we start winning big games again, our recruiting will probably be about like what it has been for the past few years with maybe a bit better class here and there. gofor2, it doesn't help our cause that Suh obviously got all the bad press and didn't play like he did in year 1. Recruits were talking about him a few years back but not now because of his national perception. If he comes back and pulls his head out from his butt and has a bounceback year, I think that maybe gets some DL talking about him again. That and I think we need to go back to the way we played a few years back when Suh was here. We rushed straight downhill, it wasn't any read-react crap that we are doing now. I know they want the DL taking up guys so the LB's can go in and make plays but that's what the DL is there for too! The way Bo and co. has them playing schematically on the DL is hurting us IMO.

Posted by: From The General on February 20, 2012 1:50PM CST Must be able to recruit in Ohio - to compete on the field - our recruitng is all over the map little here - little there adds up to plenty of nothing - lets ride the wave into this 2012 season - with head held high - looking to defend our cherish Hackeye trophy - will mean plenty in the pre - preseason polls - "Sip" look to grow as a reporter dig deeper to find the story that will set you free - free from the shadow of?

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 1:51PM CST Honestly, I thought it was a lack of preparation both from a scheme and execution of said scheme standpoint. I bolieve we have the talent, we lack in mental discipline at times and the actual physical execution and being fundamentally sound at times. That's mostly on the players lack of focus and slipping back into their HS days when maybe they could get away with being sloppy in technique and fundamentals because they were better athletes than their comp. at that time. I seriously doubt the coaches are teaching some of the crap they end up doing during a game. But isn't that part of the weekly challenge, to get everyone working on the same page doing everything the way it's supposed to be done, executing like a machine? The D did that for the most part against Mich State, the O showed a glimpse of what it's capable in the second half against tOSU. Then part is just boneheadedness on the coaching staffs part too, maybe some bad calls here or there, bad scheming here and there, or not being totally prepared fora look they see come game time. Like I said, I like the process, maybe not the results all the time, but I accept it as part of the growth process. For instance I saw early on that Rex was open in the flats and other times other backs too and complained that T-bruise needed to get the ball to him weeks before he finally began to GET it. But I've been around football for a long time, I accept he's still learning the game and the coaches are trying to figure out how to get through to him and for the light to come on. I accept that as part of the process even if I scream at the TV to throw Rex the damn ball, weeks and even months before Rex is even open because I knew before the season even began that Rex would be sent to the flats on occasion and be either loosely covered or not covered at all, because I just know these things being the genius that I am. But goofball QB's don't always know what I know, so I have to be patient with them. All part of the process.

Posted by: Tennessee-Husker87 on February 20, 2012 1:58PM CST Sip: I always find it interesting that one university - Notre Dame - carries the same clout or equity as an entire conference, in this case, equal footing with 11 conferences and who knows how many teams (maybe a 100 schools?). GBR!

Posted by: TomOs on February 20, 2012 2:00PM CST I would like to see that flat pass to A. Green next fall.. we did do a great wheel route to him earlier in the season..

Posted by: [gofor2] on February 20, 2012 2:13PM CST I am ready for the season to start.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 2:16PM CST It's quite simple to explain the loss to Wisconsin in simplistic terms. It's not even that Beck went pass happy because some plays were made, even by a frosh converted QB receiver..the problem was in execution and choices of where to go with the ball. Now if T-bruise had read this blog long before the season started and followed my advice about getting the ball into Rex's hands in the flats sometimes on outright get into the flats quick patterns and other times sliding out into the flats after faking a chip block or w/e and Taylor after looking off the defense downfield had actually listened to me and got him the ball then the interceptions don't happen and the chains keep moving ....yadda yadda. The D isn't put in bad situations, More Diamond formations, play actions and some counters and misdirection, more roll outs or sprint outs with run a variety of run pass options, better execution on speed options, quick tosses from the diamond with a spin around dive fake which later can be a fake toss and a dive give. Quick toss with two lead backs, QB following 3 lead back into the hole or just two. My point? Beck did some good things but he left a whole hell of a lot on the field that could have been ran and ran with effectiveness had he just had the balls to go for it. I need more I formation and less shotgun single back zone read crap. Give me some split back veer now and then to mix it up like I've been asking for 3 years now....don't junk the shotgun zone read, just don't overuse it to death and bock it differently now and then....sometimes leave THAT guy unblocked and the read guy other times bring someone down the line and smash his earhole into next week. Continue to develop that outside zone read, where the back then continues on after not getting it and develops a traditional pitch relationship and is still a threat to get the ball. Continue to develop that zone read give then the give back running the option with the 3rd running back...brilliant. See, I'm more interested in what we do and how we do it with who's already here and ready to contribute now than who might or might not contribute the next year.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 2:21PM CST I still don't know what's so damn hard about breaking down, getting under control and making the damn tackle. Never understood whiffing a sure tackle and end up grabbing for air, should never happen if you use solid fundamentals...cant go where his hips aren't goofball...break down, get under control...he has nowhere to go...break him in two.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 2:22PM CST And that has zero to do with talent, that's just lack of discipline and doing what you are taught to do from the day you step onto a practice field. Lack of execution, stuff coaches drill day after day after day.

Posted by: casualobserver on February 20, 2012 2:23PM CST Os: Agree. Also we just need to get Turner more involved and get him in the backfield where he can operate in space and receive short passes that anybody could throw. Just get him the ball, staff, --get him the ball.

Posted by: boomboom on February 20, 2012 2:29PM CST only 350 days left in this recruiting cycle so lets get after it Bo

Posted by: TomOs on February 20, 2012 2:34PM CST WTH.. could he be thinking.. all these 5* are about gone.. good one boom

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 2:34PM CST If Beck wants to spread it out, then run more trip bunch formation stuff and even some quad formations and get Turner the ball in a nearly infinite number of ways, jail break screens blocked multiple ways. They did experiment some with that stuff, but again it left a lot to be desired. They'll get it figured out with practice and more time and Beck's wheels churning in his head, he's already demonstrated that he does have some ingenuity. Green Should for sure get the ball in space more this year I'd think.

Posted by: TomOs on February 20, 2012 2:39PM CST get Turner involved in the option out of the slot.. with Rex in at the fullback position. and then have him slam a few off tackle plays..

Posted by: casualobserver on February 20, 2012 2:49PM CST Was Turner required to turn over a new leaf? Anything to that ? If so did the leaf get turned? Don't need to know any more than that. He's got a heck of a lot of talent. Opponents don't care to see him in the open field, as it requires two or three guys to get him cornered and brought down.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 2:49PM CST Yeah for sure, we used to use the slot in the option quite effectively. I pleaded for it a couple of years ago and Watson ran it couple of times with Marlowe finally and had a bit of success with it. But he never came back to it after running it like 2 or 3 times in two games. Maybe Marrow and Rex both in the backfield and Turner on the option or even an inside handoff from the slot...I'm intrigued to see if Marrow can run the rock and also be a road grader too. He could change how the O operates if he's the real deal as a lead blocker.

Posted by: [gofor2] on February 20, 2012 2:52PM CST I don't have a clear picture of what the ideal Beck offense looks like. I am with rluben on seeing the veer.

Posted by: TomOs on February 20, 2012 3:01PM CST I'm just not sure.. TM .. is a true option QB, doesnt seem slippery enough.. maybe that is why we didnt see a lot of the option.. announcer were saying we were an option team.. I never really thought of us that way.. TM was getting better with option, but never really looked comfortable to me.. maybe the read option.. not sure exactly what we were, I'd say we did a lot of power running.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 3:03PM CST There's play I like that I used to run where the slot comes in motion late, (just barely before the snap), the backs are in the I formation. The FB leads like regular ISO playside off center guard gap, the I back takes counter steps play side then comes back backside staying deep while the QB took steps to fake the iso handoff and is now deep and can flip it to the tailback going the way the slot came from or give and inside handoff to the slot. You can run a bunch of complimentary pays off it and play actions too. One variation being the FB instead of straight ahead iso blocking going off tackle and kicking out or sealing off the DE with everything in the bcckfield the same. Later you can then slide the FB into the flat off the same look and then even later on you can slide leave the DE unblocked unless he forces it and have the FB lead outside for the slot or QB keeping it and the slot being a the pitchman in a regular option look. There's more, but you get the idea, that's just one base play and a few variations off it that can be done effectively and keep the D off balance. I didn't even cover all the various play actions out of it 'cept the FB in the flat after faking a block.

Posted by: TomOs on February 20, 2012 3:07PM CST Misdirection and counters.. never seemed to be part of our game plan.. it was pretty straight forward, attack.. short passes.. and play action.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 3:11PM CST Another variation of course is the I back not taking counter actions steps and staying playside not going backside, then you have a multiple variety of things to do again with the tailback playside...anything from actually giving it on and iso, lead blocking for the slot wide, becoming a pass option up the middle on a wheel route yadda yadda. That's what I like plays with layers or variations that look from the snap like something previous but is in fact different... makes the D think for second that it's something they saw earlier and they react accordingly this time thinking I got to stop it..oooh NOOOOOOOOOOO!! Then coming back and smashing them in the mouth when they are looking for the rope a dope or haymaker.

Posted by: casualobserver on February 20, 2012 3:11PM CST ----------------------------------------- What we don't want to do is re-event the wheel from last year, hoping that Tmart can break it open with the fastest, first two steps known to man. That's all been well scouted out by now, and in many aspects, was fairly well neutralized last year. Sure we can start the season off against soft teams, try the same old things over, get fairly confident with the results, but only to run into big problems against top 20 teams later on down the road. Innovate, HUSKERS, innovate, and get the most out of existing resources. Several of you have come forward with some good suggestions in this thread.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 3:14PM CST Beck don't even know what his O is yet, he was in tinker mode his first year...what's this button do?

Posted by: TomOs on February 20, 2012 3:18PM CST Thats it Lube.. lol.. I really couldnt figure it out.. option.. what option.. ?? We did have a fullback in there alot.. the diamond seemed succesful most times.. and then you dont see it for a long time.. most times it was a pass formation... I dont get it..

Posted by: Wrestler on February 20, 2012 3:18PM CST If I have to be mistaken for someone, well it being Rluben, then that means my intelligent quotient just went up exponentially for D1 FB? Thx for that gofor2? I think recruiting is a topical type subject, with no right or wrong answer? All coaches of sports, know that getting the better quality athletes, enhances your probability for success, thus if the winning and then it becomes the chicken or egg question? NU has talent and Rluben knows best, about lack of execution and performance and also a learning curve for a coaching staff, in the preparation and gameday calling for the wins? I also think you can throw into the mix, the selecting of ones for the actual playing? All coaches let their subjective thinking deter, for sometimes more objective reasoning once in awhile? Human nature? So when there is upward mobility on the learning curve, for both players and coaches correlating into more success, well winning ignites the greater yields for the recruiting game also? Thus then later are we winning at higher levels because of greater athletes and their innate skills or has the coaching improved for the higher obtainments? Chicken and egg question comes into play? Now mistakening me for Rluben or Coach or Los or all the many others, that have an inordinate knowledge is quite acceptable gofor2 and encouraged? But you mustn't mistaken me for looking like Ray, under any certain considerations, ok? You know the axiom, how a master morphs into looking like his pet doggie thing? Ray equals Dolly? Gofor2, that's going too far ok? As I have no pets in HK, so I guess for me, a rat would be the question of what, I would be likely to morph into and those critters, I kill when given the chance? And yes Tues. morning in HK, quarter past 5 am and got quota? Go Pot Bellied Pigs! Remember pending season is mutually exclusive from past in FB? Later, shower time? GBR! Zhou Da Hong!

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 3:19PM CST He was playing with remote control cars like they were hotwheels. This year he'll figure out that you don't snap tracks together and push them around anymore you just take them out on the grass fire up the remote and whoop some azz.

Posted by: boomboom on February 20, 2012 3:23PM CST Becks first year looked alot like Watsons last year except for the triple option and the hook slides but thats understandable considering the personnel available first step is to get a true dual threat QB in there because TMart is a one trick pony and that is why he got shut down by good defenses or run a two QB system with a passer coming in on third and long

Posted by: TomOs on February 20, 2012 3:23PM CST I was wondering Wrestler .. when your sentence is a question.. could you use a period.

Posted by: Goldenrod Husker on February 20, 2012 3:35PM CST recruits are only part of the equation although it sure does make it easier to win with the most talent. It still boils down to how coaches develop players. If you just look at recruiting then there is no reason texas is not winning the last four N.C.s. Over that span they by far outrecruited the whole nation. We have never recruited elite and never will. Meaning top ten classes. they are rare here. If we can develop our guys then we will be fine. I have no doubt in my mind bo is a great scout of talent as well. No reason to continue to get bent out of shape about recruiting or one could drive themselves mad. Its about development of players for us and we seem to be getting more players in the draft than before bo arrived and especially some first round picks. We are fine. dont give ourselves unreasonable expectations regarding recruiting. It sure does make you go hmmmmm though when you see what michigan is building. IDK what to think. Time will surely tell. i would say that mich is building a dynasty though and we seem to just be standing idle and watching it happen. would the season please hurry up and get here.

Posted by: Wrestler on February 20, 2012 3:38PM CST TomOs, good one? I have been using this style on the blog now for so long, not sure I can discern the difference between a sentence and a question anymore? All are questions to me now? Sorry? Got to shower, take care as one of my Big Dog friends? Now was that a statement or a question? I got to shower for alleviating the stench before crawling back into bed? Later! Go Pot Bellied Pigs! GBR! Zhou Da Hong!

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 3:39PM CST Well one thing you have to remember is the option is an art and we used to have people teaching it that knew it inside and out, not just casual offhand knowledge...then later on we had an actual option QB teaching the option for awhile too and he was teaching it to kids who ran similar versions of it in HS and were recruited specifically because they had those specific skills and background. Whole different story now, heck it wasn't even a for sure deal that Taylor would be playing QB or what kind of O exactly he'd be running if he worked out at QB and didn't move to safety. So if you look it from that perspective he's done okay with it. He hasn't had years to hone the ability to suck the defender into his web then use and abuse him. It's understandable that he hasn't learned how to make the guy make a decision then make his own split second decision based off that defenders decision he made him make. So even though I can't help but get pissed when he runs his back out of bounds then hands off to him here and there...I have to stop and remember hey this isn't something he's been doing for 6 years...cut him some slack man. He seems like he's indecisive even when he's made a decision....oh wait.. I decided to keep it and cut it up...wait....am I supposed to slide, juke or lower my shoulder and run them over...eenie meenie miny moe....ouch.

Posted by: Goldenrod Husker on February 20, 2012 3:40PM CST regarding ohio state and michigan. i believe any big ten teams that can compete with the sec is a good thing for nu and the conference perception. im a big fan of ohio st and mich building dynastys. it will only make us look better if we can beat them. i am a bigger fan of us building a dynasty but it feels to me like bos best year is still not going to be until 2013. I think when all the d and off linemen weve recruited during the last couple years mature we could be a force to be reckoned with.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 3:43PM CST If I thought you was here to actually talk football troll boy I'd humor you, but since I know you aren't fo ya punk azz btch.

Posted by: TomOs on February 20, 2012 3:51PM CST Well in the recruit of T-Arm.. he looks the part of a slippery option Qb.. but from his highlights it looked like mainly out of read option formation.. but his lateral moves are very quick, quicker than TM.. give him a year.. he might push TM a bit.. I know it would be hard to replace a four year starter, he might get some action.. he has plenty of Arm.. see how accurate it is.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 3:53PM CST When Taylor keeps it on the option I get this image of him holding up a white flag as he's being gang tackled...you guys don't see the flag...where's my yellow jersey...help!! Some of that probably lies at the staffs feet, how you tell a guy to slide and not take a hit but then say okay were going to run the option now...go get 'em tiger.

Posted by: TomOs on February 20, 2012 3:54PM CST and he has good size.. and another year will be 10-15 lbs heavier.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 3:56PM CST From what limited action I saw of Carnes he runs the option proper, makes the defender commit then exploits that decision by the defender... we didn't see enough of him to know what's what for sure.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 4:00PM CST Armstrong does look promising that's for sure, we'll see how it goes.

Posted by: TomOs on February 20, 2012 4:00PM CST Wasnt T-Arm the target QB, for Beck.. whatever they saw in him.. its what they wanted... he will be given a crash course in the O to get him ready.. if TM falters or gets hurt... just seemed they dont have any confidence in Carnes. dont know why.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 4:17PM CST We may never know, all I've seen of him I liked pretty much. I have no idea how he could be that far behind Taylor that he can't hardly sniff the field ever. Kind of a head scratcher to me, who knows maybe we'll see more of Carnes this year and it will become obvious to everyone what's what. Could be they just don't want a QB controversy a this point and time dividing the team, or maybe Carnes actually is pushing but isn't quite there as far as being consistent in practice, who knows we aren't there. Ya have to figure they would play who they feel gives them the best chance of success if keeping their jobs is on the agenda. T.O. can evaluate ability too, he knows what is what when he sees it. He'd have an idea if the best players weren't being played and I haven't heard him say anything about the subject...I'm sure he watches some practices and would only keep quiet for so long if he saw something that wasn't right...he is in charge of the whole thing and the buck stops with him. Even though he's not a meddler, if he saw something that was not quite right, he'd probably take it up with Bo and get it fixed. You'd think anyways.

Posted by: Silicon Valley Husker on February 20, 2012 4:19PM CST Actually, I think we improved a fair amount from the previous year on Offense...we showed some first year coordinator goriwng pains. Still looking for that "identity" thing a bit.

Posted by: dusty roads on February 20, 2012 4:27PM CST hey gofor2. you say: Let's see some SEC schools in Lincoln in the winter. that's funny. will it be in our lifetime? not at the rate we are executing. ha we will have to be like Mr Perlman and live in the past, because the future is not looking so good for us. koolaid kids, keep toasting. 3rd place in a division means Nebraska is back?? not

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 4:31PM CST We were top ten in rushing again and just getting our feet wet. Lots to improve upon, but there were some very good things too. Need to get better at securing the ball, catching the ball,overall execution and consistency. Some of those mistakes are lack of focus and basic fundamentals, not sure how you get it fixed except keep drilling it and pushing them to clean it up. Never been on a team that lost focus so easily and often, not sure it's on the coaches, they sure as heck aren't drilling it in practice. "Okay guys today we are gonna work on not catching the ball...I know know, you already are pretty good a that, but we can always improve our style, sometimes you have to make it appear as if you actually meant to catch it and it just slipped out of your hands.some of you aren't selling that drama enough and just go through the drop it motions. Okay....You run here and then when the ball gets to you don't look it in, and let it get into your body, don't catch it with your hands and this is the important part..after it touches your hands after getting into your body then let it roll off or better yet juggle it and then let it hit the ground. Ready break" I'm pretty sure that's how the drill goes. Man you had some great drops out there today....good job...you guys are getting it , I'm proud of you.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 4:36PM CST You need that explained? Seriously? Look, I'd explain the basketball concept of a clear out and how it can be translated to football and how you scheme to get a player into space with seperation from a defender because by design of the play you created that space for him to operate in...but somehow I think it'd go over your head.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 4:55PM CST Someday maybe you'll figure out that there are ways to run a Linebacker (for example) off and out of an area and force him to cover another area thus vacating an area (space) you wanted vacated so your player could operate in that vacated area (space). Sometimes you might use play action to create that space (vacated area), sometimes it could be misdirection, effecting flow creating the space, other times it could be using a dive fake to Hold a backer thus making him honor the possibility that the back might get the ball and preventing him from occupying the space you want your man to occupy. I know this is hard for you, but get this, sometimes you can effect more than one backer with what you do thus preventing them all from occupying the space you want to Occupy. A simple example is a play Beck likes to run called a play action counter dive... the tailback goes one way...let's say left as Beck prefers to run it while the FB goes right off tackle to the DE. The base play is a give to the tailback over the left guard tackle gap with the option to cut it back in or bounce it outside...while the FB takes care of backside possible crash down the line pursuit in case the back cuts it back if the blocking dictates such action. ONE playaction version that creates the space you seem to question can be created for a player is that FB fakes a block and then slides into the flat uncovered (in space)...meaning by design the area has been cleared out for the FB by the playside receivers running their men out of the area and the playaction fake to the tailback holding the backers inside long enough not to be in position to make a play on the ball. Oh I'm sorry, you thought I didn't know WTH I was talking about. Try again punk azz btch. You want me to explain the infinite number of ways to create space for a slot receiver from bunch formations from pseudo rub off not quite illegal pick plays to use of misdirection or motion or by blocking scheme. I would but I doubt you're actually interested in such things, only talking smack.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 4:57PM CST Space is simply used mainly to describe an area you created by scheme and play design for your player to operate without a defender right in his grill. How your gonna talk smack about such an obvious concept is beyond me goofball.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 4:57PM CST Talk some more smack troll.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 5:10PM CST I won't even get into how the QB if he sees (Space) not occupied by the defense pre snap can audible into a play that exploits the fact that the defender is not occupying that particular space and thus creating an advantage for you to put a playmaker in position to claim that unoccupied space and gain some positive yardage. One brain dead simple example is Taylor walked up to the line saw the weakside was a man short, only had one corner to beat and an outside backer in tight, so he checks into a speed option weakside and keeps its for a long gain not being touched by a defender until 50 yards or so downfield. That's an example of getting a man into space with a chance to make a play with the ball in his hands...He saw the unoccupied space that didn't even need to be created and took advantage of it. Lesson over for now.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 5:14PM CST It's kinda like go where they aren't, and if they are where you want to go, find a way to get them to go somewhere else, either by force or gentle persuasion....make them think there's a better place to be hangin out at. I know over your head. All you know is smack talk and whining about the staff yadda yadda.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 5:41PM CST Here's another because I know you are kinda slow. You run playside receivers off the ball on a go and say a post while you have backside run w/e and have another say a TE or slot run a shallow drag route across the formation through traffic into the SPACE from weak side playside (strength) into the space you created by design for him by running off the secondary on that side and having whoever was responsible for covering the drag route receiver chase him across formation through traffic while also throwing maybe some play action at him to think about. Need I go on? You got the getting a player into space where he can operate and create concept down yet? Do I need to try to explain option routes or hot routes for receivers based on how they are covered by the defender and that they can create their own (space) by running their own route based on predetermined basic rules or principles that are also known by the QB based on how the defender plays them off the ball? Basically the QB has an idea of how the receiver might choose to run his route based on how the defender plays him either inside out, outside in, heads up , bump n run, up tigth backed off ect ect.....and certain receivers will have the option to run routes based on this common among them and the QB understanding of what's what based on the basic rules they all have knowledge of ad have worked on in practice. Sometimes it takes sometime for a QB and his receivers to get on the same page on these option routes since they aren't running a precise exact robot route and it's open to each individual player to determine what is what based on the loose concept they all share of what's what in each situation. One may interpret said loose rule different than the other, so they rep it and rep it until A knows what B is most likely going to do under circumstance Y or Z and they don't look stupid come game time.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 5:47PM CST Player in space for dummies...condensed Cliff Notes version is now over, thanks for asking. The space between reddorks ears...the final frontier. To boldy go where no braincell has dared gone before.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 5:50PM CST There are no stupid questions, only stupid people asking questions they are too stupid to now might be looked upon as stupid questions.

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 5:51PM CST Ahhh what's da matter wittle buddy, don't wanna play your troll games with me today no more? awwww...

Posted by: Goldenrod Husker on February 20, 2012 6:07PM CST tommy armstrong was nebraskas number one quarterback target in the country last year even before he commited. so yes it was becks guy. its nice to get the guy you want the most. i hope. to me he looks like the best quarterback film i have seen of any nu qbs in the last 15 years. to put into perspective i thought kenny bells high school film was the best id seen of any nu recruit ever and ive seen a whole lot. armstrongs highest recruiting ranking was the number 4 overall qb in the nation. i think that was from scout.com

Posted by: rluben on February 20, 2012 6:13PM CST Screen to the slot is another example of space you create by design since it's a quick pass behind the LOS you can downfield block right away even the other receivers playside you get the ball to him quick in space no defender in his immediate grill and are trying to create more space by the use of blocks to spring him. Another obvious creation of space is the back in the flats out of the backfield while giving the playside corners safeties and backers other things to occupy their attention thus creating space for the back to occupy and have a bubble to work in with the ball before the defender can close in on him. Wheel routes up the sideline weakside or playside with the back is another example of the creation of space by design for the back to operate in...giving him space to work with and make a play after the catch or time to get open downfield. Using playaction and sending the TE on a go is a way to create some space for the TE to get open and make a play after the catch or make big yardage. But this isn't knew is it, you just like being a troll and talking smack. Anyone who knows a little about football knows this stuff.

Posted by: TomOs on February 20, 2012 6:54PM CST Goldenrod.. agree on Bell's highlite film.. it was impressive, but I dont think he played against the same type of athlete that T-Arm did, and Bell's physical size is not what T-Arm is. I know different positions, and not to take away anything from Bell, I'm glad he is on our side. I just think T-Arm is more physically ready to play at the college level, if I remember right about 6'2" and 210-215 lbs. and over the summer may get to 220 or so.

Posted by: TomOs on February 20, 2012 7:05PM CST One thing I'm looking forward to is... to see Westerkamp play.. with Bell, Turner and company, if we can adequately protect the QB.. it could be the best receiving corp we have had in a long time.. and could be a strong point of the team.

Posted by: Jackson1 on February 20, 2012 7:38PM CST GoFor Its not as if BO & Company aren't trying to recruit all 5*s. The problem is that a number of top recruits don't consider NU to be among the elite FB Teams any longer. We have to raise the bar ASAP or we're going to look way too much like Iowa's FB Program.

Posted by: Drinkin' Wit' Terrell Farley on February 20, 2012 7:39PM CST I like the playoff idea, there are 3 distinct advantages of the SEC, oversigning, bowls are on home turf, and the quantity of BCS-level athletes is greater in a good chunk of southern states, e.g. Florida, Georgia, Louisiana supposedly the first one is going away, and if the playoffs help the 2nd get gone, that leaves just one...and without the 1st and the 2nd, they shouldn't win as much, the perception diminishes, and other schools pull more athletes from that region, at least I would like to think so

Posted by: Jackson1 on February 20, 2012 7:50PM CST It looks like the Huskers are going to have a tough time winning the Conference Championship in near future, but I really think we're going to make a run at it in 2018. BO is learning how to be a disciplined HC and figuring out the recruiting game. By 2018 the on the job training of NU's Asst Coaches s/b far enough along. We all have to remember it took T.O. a long time to Get'er Done and because of that we need to give BO all the time he needs.

Posted by: boomboom on February 20, 2012 8:23PM CST it only took TO 9 seasons to win an outright Big 8 title but he went on a pretty good run after that

Posted by: boomboom on February 20, 2012 8:38PM CST Bo has played in the title game 2 of his four years here so I expect he is a little ahead of the curve and will probably produce a conference crown by 2016 and national title before 2032

Posted by: mike5790 on February 20, 2012 8:44PM CST Playoffs are only going to work if it the BCS schools get more money. The Presidents see the game from a business standpoint, and since the football programs are not the central focal point of their business, and it pays for so much of important extra-circulars (and maybe even the libraries, and tangential benefits like PR), what do they care about statistical relevance or paradigms about choosing a champion if the current bowl paradigm gives them what they want? And the coaches? Revolving door as beans per conference dwindle from five or six to one or two. Whatever it is, it won't be idealistically what it should be. Think about it this way. Whatever it is would presumably have to provide the conferences so much money that the one (or two) slots they would get would be equivalent to ALL the money for most of the bowls they get now. There will be interest in second-tier bowls, but less, and forget about third and fourth and beyond. Who is going to watch THOSE when the first round is going on? Granted, many of those games are a net LOSS, but there are tangent benefits that many see beneficial. For those of you who want a playoff, the one thing you have going for you is that there is no way (short of a time machine) to come up with perfect numbers for what the bowl attrition will cost, the tangent non-$ benefits, and just what the final cost-benefit will be for various paradigms of playoff will be. And as we all know from watching gov't revenue projections, the one with the most optimistically outrageously bad (in hindsite) wins.

Posted by: boomboom on February 20, 2012 8:54PM CST I would think the TV contract for the play offs alone would make it lucrative and the lower tier bowl attendance is already waning I agree with you about money being the main motive the low tv ratings for the championship game is what has em talking about plus 1 now

Posted by: boomboom on February 20, 2012 9:20PM CST the money would need to be dispersed equitably to keep parity

Posted by: StephenJo on February 20, 2012 9:25PM CST As far as playoffs, the recent "Superbowl" is an example of what is wrong with a playoff system. Imagine it was implemented in college and a team with 7 losses lucks out in the playoffs and plays an undefeated team. If that undefeated team would happen to lose that one game to a team with 7 losses would we all feel like they were the national champions? No way no how. Say what you want about the current system, ever game in the regular season counts.

Posted by: rluben on February 21, 2012 3:08AM CST It's was for our amusement red one....we started with the basics so you could take a little break from licking windows. Actually I was hoping to make you chuckle, I'm thinking you are a real fan who just can't stand losing and where the program is compared to where it has been. Serious, naw, I use sarcasm for entertainment value I explained what you already know in a goofball condescending manner for amusement purposes only. I was FB, I don't know this stretch the field vertically stuff you speak of...you talking about lengthening the field to 110 yards and moving the goalpost up? The edge is more of an "off tackle" reference where perimeter applies more to the beyond the tackle box area code..in simple window licker terms...but either works for the other. Now, edge of the perimeter is whole 'nother story and I'm not quite sure you're ready for that super duper technical stuff. Setting the edge on defense is another story, it involves outside force or containment..squeezing the ballcarier , or funneling him back inside and not giving up the 'edge' not allowing allow him to gain unimpeded access to the 'perimeter'. You accomplish this by being aggressive in not giving up the outside shoulder to would be blockers and trying to keep things if at all possible inside the tackles...but sometimes the Edge has to be set by the corner and not a DE in which case the edge is going to be a little wee bit wider than the tackle box. You can't realistically work the perimeter without going over the edge.

Posted by: rluben on February 21, 2012 3:41AM CST 'in space" Black hole In Star Trek it was pretty much any time they left a planets surface, they were 'in space' At NASA it's pretty much anytime they launched a rocket or shuttle and left the Earth's atmosphere. You can get lost 'in space' if the space is too big to find your way out of. Space is the final frontier, so if you find yourself 'in space' you might be an explorer going where no man has gone before. In football, it's just being somewhere where the D isn't at that particular moment, hopefully not lost and not exploring...but it's okay if no man has gone there before. You for sure want to be able to find your way back to the huddle or the sidelines once you've been 'in space' and it doesn't hurt to make a note of where that space was and see if you can find it again. Some coaches are real good at charting the galaxies and noting where 'empty space' (new term ..hope you don't get lost) is located on the charts and some even figure out ways to create empty space that can be occupied, thus creating a bubble 'in space' fro their player to occupy on his own for a brief moment before vacating that space. Let me get real technical for a moment for you and explain it like this. Speedy Gonzales was the master at getting 'in space' that was otherwise unoccupied by another, but here's the beauty...he didn't occupy that previously unoccupied space very long...he was always on the search for more unoccupied space to be temporarily occupied by himself only before vacating that space. To the average onlooker it appeared he was running real fast where others who were not real pleased with him wanted him to stop but he was hell bent on claiming more unoccupied space...he was essentially addicted to getting out 'in space' and putting distance between him and those who would stop him from pursuing his obsession. It was viscous cycle of the pursuit of unoccupied space that he also shared with the road runner. Sometimes space is the area between the big toe and the front of your shoe that is unoccupied..you don't want nothing to be 'in that space' because if you have to stop real quick 'in space' you don't want your big toe to get jammed up into the front of your shoe, so it's important to have 'some space' up there for things to move around 'in space'. 'in space' for window lickers 101.

Posted by: rluben on February 21, 2012 3:47AM CST I would think it's rather obvious I don't take it all that seriously...but then again I also assume there wasn't any toxic cleaning solution traces on the windows you are fond of licking. Humor me and hold off on licking your favorite windows for about a week and see if maybe you can come down off that buzz that makes you all goofy.

Posted by: rluben on February 21, 2012 4:03AM CST You an simulate being 'in space' in an airplane by temporarily creating a zero gravity environment...you can also do this on various amusement rides. Getting 'in space' is only half the battle, you have to do something, preferable with the ball in your hands, at some point when you are 'in space'. That's about all I got for now and about all I figure can fit in 'that space' between your ears for now. We'll have to wait until you blow your nose and clear out some 'more space' before we continue.

Posted by: rluben on February 21, 2012 4:06AM CST

Posted by: rluben on February 21, 2012 4:16AM CST Thanks for the opportunity to edjemucate ya on these often overlooked finer details and how they relate to football. I'm pretty sure wrestler's university will be calling and offering me a job as professor of all things 'in space' and the roles that the 'edge and 'perimeter' play in the universe. Was more than happy to put my resume out there for their casual perusal.

Posted by: johnyaya on February 21, 2012 11:41AM CST Why not make it a true +1, go back to the bowl games, then after they are done (on Jan 1!), select the remaining 2 best teams to play in a championship in a city that bids for it each year two weeks later before the Super bowl. That way the bowls mean something and everyone can keep their precious bowl tie ins. Rose B10 vs PAC12, Sugar SEC vs B12, Orange ACC vs BEast - oh and the Feista can have their corruption as a reward.

Posted by: rluben on February 21, 2012 7:31PM CST letsgoredok, I'm beginning to think we are too, I personally hated Callahan's wusscoast offense, nearly brought me to tears watching us get manhandled by USC at home. I and quite a few of us on here have been holding out hope that one day we will return to being a physically dominant team that takes no prisoners. We probably haven't been fair to you as far as the troll thing goes. The only reason I don't complain about them wearing skirts and tutus anymore is because I see an effort towards becoming a more physical team compared to what it was like when the Clown was here. We do run the ball better and do play more physical, but we have a ways to go yet. Dude I played FB in the option for quite awhile, I absolutely love smash it down their throat, destroy their moral, take what ya want then take some more football. I understand, really I do. But at the same time, I know those days may never be seen again and I do see some nice potential with the direction we are going. I think Beck can put it together and come up with something that will make everyone happy to some degree...a little mix of smashmouth combined with playaction and some spread elements. We do have some vertical threats and in time it may become an important part of the O. Like you I long for those days we just physically went after and destroyed people. We can hold onto a slim strand of hope that we might see that again someday.