Life in the Red Group

Posted by: seds on August 6, 2010 8:00PM CST The O-lines play will be key factor for a great season. GBR!!!

Posted by: PT Husker on August 6, 2010 8:04PM CST Two names at each position. All quality players. some development need with the young guys but very satisfied with what he sees. Coach speak or excitment? I read excitement.

Posted by: NishBigRed on August 6, 2010 8:07PM CST It's all fun and games until the first game.

Posted by: boom.roasted on August 6, 2010 8:08PM CST Sip - When are you guys going to start asking Bo about passing out Blackshirts?

Posted by: The StepnRaZor on August 6, 2010 8:12PM CST Barney Cotton!

Posted by: Low Country Husker on August 6, 2010 8:15PM CST No no 2 years ago was a pretty good offense...statistically speaking. Truthfully haven't seen an NU offense that could impress every Husker fan since the mid 90's....don't expect that aspect to change....hard to please people who think perfection is the only "option".

Posted by: PT Husker on August 6, 2010 8:18PM CST Hmmmm. Barney moves his starting LT to Center. Has both his experienced guys on the right side. Ya suppose he, who sees them every day, evaluates film, who talks to them every day, might just see something that we don't? Not likely. We are much smarter.

Posted by: The Wonderful Wizard on August 6, 2010 8:18PM CST The Wizard thinks Cotton is a good man, but not sure if he is a really good coach.... Coach Cotton, this is the year to have a dominant line. No excuses. The Wizard says, if we have a great OL, a la Bama, Nebraska will go a long way this year....possibly in the mix for the national championship. The crystal ball is still murky on Cotton legecy as a coach. Show the Wizard why you are better Mr. Cotton

Posted by: Low Country Husker on August 6, 2010 8:23PM CST I agree, would like to see consistent play in the first 3 games that helps them get ready for the tougher games on the schedule. I think PT's secret weapon will be revealed this year.

Posted by: NishBigRed on August 6, 2010 8:44PM CST I would just be happy when we get in the red zone we don't get 3, 4 and 5 offensive penalties. That is a lack of discipline and directly reflex on the coaching. Never seen a high school football team get 5 offensive penalties. Not even Cedar Rapids

Posted by: Ray in Bellevue on August 6, 2010 8:50PM CST Talk is cheap, but Bo said he was impressed with the OL and maybe we can take that to the bank. I didn't hear a similar comment about WR or QB, which are the big question marks. RB looks good if there is a hole somewhere.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 6, 2010 8:51PM CST No. I am just grumpy tonight. Long day of doing nothing while the wife got her doctor thing done. I must confess that I have not been a Barney fan myself in the past so i should not be overly critical of questions about him. But the situation has SO much potential that it is hard not to get a little excited. Quvale and Sirles would have played last year if not for injuries. Maybe they are great maybe not but they sure do hold more promise than we have seen for awhile. Year 3 and growing.

Posted by: PT Husker on August 6, 2010 8:53PM CST My secret weapon was deployed in last years bowl game. The weapon was some semblance of an Offense; I think it will no longer be secret this year.

Posted by: big red 1 on August 6, 2010 9:21PM CST PT: I hope so. I hope Watson can get it together.

Posted by: Islander/Husker on August 6, 2010 9:23PM CST The secret weapon lives. Dept in the OL is a very good thing indeed. Looking at the practice schedule for fall camp, they practice 8 straight days before they have a day off. After that they will be practicing 6 days a week. They are going to be putting in some very hard work.

Posted by: Islander/Husker on August 6, 2010 9:26PM CST Players reported today. I wonder who will not be on the roster that maybe were expected to be?

Posted by: Uncle Fester on August 6, 2010 9:28PM CST Mr. Sip - Is there a depth chart (not necessarily the gospel according to the coaching staff, since no doubt there is not an official one now) or a roster broken down by position of the team? There are some linemen who were redshirts the last I knew, but they haven't been mentioned for a while, so I kinda wonder if something happened to them when I wasn't paying attention.

Posted by: Uncle Fester on August 6, 2010 9:33PM CST Wasn't there a guard named Nick Ash?

Posted by: Islander/Husker on August 6, 2010 9:39PM CST Ash is on the 2010 Roster as listed on Huskers.com

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 6, 2010 9:40PM CST Uncle, click right here and sort by position

Posted by: ancient1 on August 6, 2010 11:15PM CST I am delighted to see talk of two deep accross the O-line this year. Now if Cotton will play them two deep I will be even more pleased. Last year there was essentially one sub, D.J.Jones, for the whole conference schedule. Caputo appeared in one conference game. This is not depth. This does not create depth. Ok, so there are a bunch of RFr on the roster who have never played a down. You can call that depth but only two, Sirles and Qvale, are even mentioned. I want to see a commitment from the coaching staff to build, rebuild, the pipeline. IMO that requires bodies, practice stations, reps and game experience. They may have depth to get excited about this year. How about the next? Three freshman on the roster does not spell commitment to the O-line. If you want to run a chuck and duck offense forever maybe 20 guys over 5 classes is enough but if you want to deliberately run the ball and not just scramble and pray somebody better start recuiting some bodies, something like this year's RFr group, every year. I'm glad to see at least a potential two deep this year but pardon me if I'm already concerned about next year and the year after, etc. I see bodies upon bodies stacked up at every other position and a totally inadequate commitment to the O-line.

Posted by: WisconsinBigRedFish on August 6, 2010 11:31PM CST Barney Cotton SUCKS. our o line has been an embarassment over the last 5 years. when we need 3 yards to keep a drive alive, or more importantly, cross the damn goal line to score running the ball,. . . we have failed miserably. if our o line does not dominate this year, BARNEY is gone. the man in charge of the young group of men whom are supposed to be the nastiest, toughest, strongest and down right mean, is named "Barney!" anyone else feel the same? all those opposed?

Posted by: WisconsinBigRedFish on August 6, 2010 11:34PM CST Barney Cotton SUCKS. our off line has been an embarassment over the last 5 years. when we need 3 yards to keep a drive alive, or more importantly, cross the damn goal line to score running the ball,. . . we have failed miserably. if our o line does not dominate this year, BARNEY is gone. the man in charge of the young group of men whom are supposed to be the nastiest, toughest, strongest and down right mean, is named "Barney!" anyone else feel the same? all those opposed?

Posted by: WisconsinBigRedFish on August 6, 2010 11:48PM CST sorry for the duplicate post

Posted by: Trashman on August 7, 2010 1:06AM CST Wnderful Wizard? D-Buck part III? Sheesh again.

Posted by: Bbudus on August 7, 2010 4:46AM CST I am a so tired of hearing about the assistant coaches. Ever body loves Bo, but his assistants, by God they must suck. But wait, he hired them, and has faith in them. So, if you love Bo, and have "faith" in him, why not his assistant's? The dude knows football, he would not hire people that do not. Cotton had a totally debilitated O-line last year because of injury, yet he must suck...right? Um no....now he finally has some depth and following the recruiting class is still gaining it. Watson is a good O-Coordinator, but if you don't have any blocking, of course your offense is going to suck. It all starts with the O-line, always has, always will. If they are all hurt and there is no depth guess what is going to happen? The first practice has not even started yet, although some have already made a determination on who is a bad coach and a good coach. Patience my fellow Huskers!! After we have a few games under our belts then start bashing, until then give us all a break with your glass half empty horse crap. Thanks for letting me vent. GBR

Posted by: Nuke1970 on August 7, 2010 6:39AM CST I hope the O-Line gets a lot of practice against our best D-Line. If they can hold them out, they can hold anybody else in the country. Strength should create strength. Last year way too much imbalance between the lines.

Posted by: joe t on August 7, 2010 8:21AM CST I think most have faith in Bo's defensive assistants. The offensive ones are another story. Cotton needs to show a LOT this year. No excuses, and he needs to get his guys prepared. Last year he failed miserably. He admitted he didn't even know the playbook and was learning on the go the past couple of seasons. Time to prove it, Barney.

Posted by: Low Country Husker on August 7, 2010 9:23AM CST any optimistic fans out there?

Posted by: Big Wave Dave on August 7, 2010 9:53AM CST I like Cotton. But I have always been suspect towards LG Keith William's play. To Often I have seen him whiff on film study or just get knocked off his feet more than any other Husker Lineman. This guy seems to miss more blocks when he is pulling out...I cannot count the number of potential big gaining plays he has blown up by missing his guy, who makes the tackle or turns our ballrunner into backside pressure. Keith Williams has a lot to prove to me this year, especially as a pulling lineman. I am also worried about the endurance at Center. Caputo may be a 'pitbull', but he will take a beating. How good will his backup be...? I loved the misdirection shown in the bowl win. Will Watson keep it? It is proven that a solid running game will set up the passing game, no matter who the QB is. Personally, I think it's between Lee (experience & healthy) vs Taylor Martinez (whiz kid & super talent), with Green a strong third. By the Way, why is LTW still working at QB?? Lots of physical talent & speed wasted on the sideline when so many pure QB's are already in camp.

Posted by: Busiekcreek on August 7, 2010 10:02AM CST I love this time of the year. All the anticipation and a clean slate. No No I am so glad you are back.

Posted by: flimflamfan on August 7, 2010 10:03AM CST It just kinda suprises me, that Nebraska's going to start a new player, at Left Tackle. Then again, in a running offense, Right Tackle's more important. There, with the Joneses, you have size, experience and depth. It was key that big Yoshi attended spring practice. And, you only hear good things about Sirles. It is nice hearing of multiple guys (who are good) competing for the same spots. Instead of knowing certain guys can't afford to get hurt. Guys, who still got hurt anyway, and suffered through it. Low Country, color me optimistic!

Posted by: bigred-Ore on August 7, 2010 10:26AM CST Barney is a Husker through and through. From a player on forward. I don't think anyone was happier to get to "come home" than Barney when Frank hired him nor anyone more devastated when Pederson pulled the plug. I'll give a bone deep Husker a pass on a couple of years of on the job training. Continuity in the staff is going to pay dividends that will show up this year. It worked for TO. It will work now.

Posted by: norerog on August 7, 2010 10:33AM CST Great to see cause for optimism in the Husker camp once again. The nightmare that started with the hiring of Bill Callahan is finally over. I have to agree, Barney Cotton was able to hand us our A$$ when he was at Iowa State. And his association with Bo goes clear back to the Solich era. So while his results so far maybe are not that good, I have no reason to doubt the man. I am excited that a new season is dawning, and the Huskers are back in the national conversation. I just hope they don't take that Sept 18 date too lightly. UW is pretty much mirroring what the Huskers have done, in that they have a young coach who expects success, and has installed that culture at Montlake. So the dogs won't just roll over when the Huskers come to town. This game should live up to it's national TV billing. So Huskers lace those shoes tightly. GBR!

Posted by: Suheet on August 7, 2010 10:47AM CST The fact that the starter at the most important OL position the last 2 years has been bumped to a backup center role tells me that his replacements will be an improvement and makes me excited about this years OL. Give Barney some credit. He may not be Milt but he's done ok without having a ton to work with.

Posted by: The StepnRaZor on August 7, 2010 10:54AM CST The Wizard))) I don't think you can make this season the 'ultimatum' season for Barney. Maybe next year... or even the next. After all... Barney's recruits are only redshirt frosh this year.

Posted by: Exiled_in_VT on August 7, 2010 10:55AM CST Practice starts today. Here's to a month of headlines without the words "out for season" in them.

Posted by: The StepnRaZor on August 7, 2010 10:55AM CST Suheet))) Yep. The facts lean towards us loading up on the OL!

Posted by: Suheet on August 7, 2010 10:59AM CST Next year might be a little thin on depth again but they way we're recruiting the OL should be just fine for the forseeable future.

Posted by: DebTu on August 7, 2010 11:27AM CST Bbudus: Good post. I agree. Would only add that while most fans brag on Tom Osborne's offensive genius, they ignore the fact that he interviewed Watson and Did Not Fire him along with Callahan.

Posted by: Islander/Husker on August 7, 2010 11:56AM CST Ah - first day of fall camp, and no new threads or new story lines? What's up with that?

Posted by: Islander/Husker on August 7, 2010 12:01PM CST Maybe all the LJS staff are at fan day, so hopefully new threads will be forthcoming. We have had a summer of no news, players keeping there nose clean, and except for the Big 10 move, it has been pretty much a very quiet summer. So there is a lot of pent up energy as fall camp is here. I am sure the story lines will be coming to our blog soon.

Posted by: TomMe3 on August 7, 2010 12:07PM CST Am I the only one who thinks that LTW should be receiving the snap from the WildCorn formation when we are in short yardage, goal line situations? Then, after running the ball a couple times from this formation, he could take a step forward, back up and throw a pass.

Posted by: Islander/Husker on August 7, 2010 12:11PM CST TomMe, I guess my view is the Burkhead will be the guy running the wildcat/corn formation most of the time. However, we could see variations, especially with Martinez with his great speed. LTW could run some as well. There is lots of possibilities when we run that formation for sure.

Posted by: Islander/Husker on August 7, 2010 12:13PM CST I do think the offensive formations we saw in the Holiday Bowl will be pretty much our offense this fall. I really liked the things we did in the Holiday Bowl.

Posted by: The Wonderful Wizard on August 7, 2010 12:14PM CST The Wiz is wondering.... Been waiting for months for a camp, and... Why no 1st day up-dates from the stadium? Even a whisper about who passes the eye test after summer conditioning? 28 days till kick-off and all quite on the front. A bit strange.

Posted by: Islander/Husker on August 7, 2010 12:16PM CST Everyone talks about who is going be the QB. To me though the most important story line going into the fall camp is who will be the leaders? Any successful team needs strong leaders among the players. Who will be those players that keep everybody accountable and step up as leaders?

Posted by: Islander/Husker on August 7, 2010 12:19PM CST Wiz, it is much more quiet than usual this morning, especially as the first practice is this afternoon. Huskers.com does have a nice slideshow of fan day. The players look pretty trim indeed.

Posted by: BleedingRed on August 7, 2010 12:24PM CST Wiz, Bo has everything locked down pretty tight. That is the way that he wants it. Bo is only concerned with achieving results. He has absolutely no concern for what the fans, media or anyone outside of his staff and those that he reports to think. For many this is unsettling. However, this is not Bo's problem and does not concern him. As Bo will tell you or anyone else, winning takes care of everything. This is his style and because of that it would be a mistake for him to change who he is to accomodate you, me or anyone else. That is my opinion of the situation in a nut shell. Personally I like the way he goes about things. Yes, I would like to have more information as a fan but what I like even more is knowing that things are being done in the proper manner and that there will come a day when winning is a given, not a hapenstance. I think that day has come and that we will see the results of Bo's system come to fruition. I don't even care a whole lot of we lose a few games here and there. I feel pretty confident that everything is back where it used to be and should be.

Posted by: BleedingRed on August 7, 2010 12:27PM CST Gotta go take my son to play his first game of golf with his new Ping Rapture V2's. No woods allowed in his bag until he masters the irons. I'll let those who helped me decide on his clubs how he did when I get back. We are playing a tough course so if he scores below 105 I will be impressed. Later.

Posted by: NishBigRed on August 7, 2010 12:46PM CST Lets see, Dr. Osborne kept Coach Watson around because he felt it gave the Huskers the best chance to get back on track quicker. The offense was never a problem with the coach before Bo, or at least appeared to be decent. The issues were that horrific defense that quit once they were behind and resembled the simplicity of a high school defense. Never making any adjustments at half time. Lining up in the same of base defense, never adding DB or two when the secondary was getting up lit up like Bagdad during Desert Storm Dr. Osborne knew if he fired the OC (Wats), that it would take three years for kids in the program then to learn a new system. Dr. Tom gave Bo the best chance at turning it around quickly. How long do you think us (fans) would have stood behind Bo if he started with losing season with a horrible offense and defense? Keeping Wats was a logical decision by a very rational man. Now fast forward the present. This should be the year it all comes together or determine the program need changes. Barney Cotton was a Bo decision, because Bo, just like Dr. Tom is loyal to those who have been in battle with him. Bo, and Barney were here together under Solich, both were sent packing when the worst decision in Husker football history was made, to hire, the coach before Bo. We have a starting QB who has had plenty of time to learn the system. A talented back up that has gotten playing time and should be greatly improved. Baring no injuries we should have some dept at RB, WR, TE and even the line. This should be a great year!

Posted by: Fitzy on August 7, 2010 3:01PM CST The way I see it, this team is ready to take the next step quicker than I think most would have realisticly expected. There is a legitimate shot at a Big 12 Championship, a BCS bowl and/or a National Title... You don't want to get too cocky, but it is a legit statement. I am not ready to proclaim it a National title or bust year, but it is nice to have those kind of aspirations again. Bo Pelini has turned this thing from an absolute nightmare to a program we can all be proud of again.... in a very short period of time. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate that. I don't think you can blame last years offensive woes solely on Watson or Lee or whomever. There was ZERO depth at the O-line which was done intentionally by the coaching staff. It made things tough last year, but it was a well calculated move and will certainly pay dividends moving forward. You now have several Red shirt frosh out there with 4 years of eligibility that are already in position to contribute effective time on the field. This team should be tough to contend with this year.... I cannot even begin to imagine how good they could be in another 2 or 3 years. Bo knew what he was doing... his plan was to get this program to elite status as quickly as possile without selling out the process of building a team foundation that will continue to perform well into the future for years to come. They took their knocks last season with the lack of depth by red shirting so many quality players, but that infusion of red shirt talent for this year and beyond will be a huge boost in the overall talent level accross the board. all I can say is "if you don't love it, leave it... USA #1 "..... lmao and thank you Ricky Stanzi for one of the funniest ball game quotes of all time. Bring the Pain- GBR

Posted by: drivebyposter on August 7, 2010 4:55PM CST Trash, Sheesh your mind is playing tricks on you. First bucky and now wizard? Sorry, one more strike and you are OUT>

Posted by: Drinkin' Wit' Terrell Farley on August 7, 2010 7:12PM CST Good point Nish, those false starts just destroyed drives and drove me batty, if that ish can be corrected, it will go a long way