Guy Chamberlin
Heisman Trophy Winner
The parallels aren't perfect, but they're useful.
After internal power struggles between coach and management resulted in the firing of Jim Harbaugh, followed by bad coaching hires, a huge exodus of talent, and lifeless losing seasons that lost the fanbase, the San Francisco 49ers hired Kyle Shanahan as coach and John Lynch as GM in a package deal and guaranteed them 7 years (iirc) and non-interference from ownership.
They go 6-10 in their first season. Then 4 -12 in their second season. Shanahan is clearly a gifted play-caller, but injuries, bad luck, a lack of depth keep them from doing anything with it.
But nobody panics. They're in this for the long haul. Season 3: relatively untested Jimmy Garrappolo stays healthy. They draft one good receiver, pick up an NFL veteran receiver mid-season, and double down on a running game featuring little known running backs that every other NFL team ignored. The same offensive scheme Shanahan ran before suddenly produces beautifully: it's a big playbook with a lot of weapons and a lot of motion, but it' starts with the running game. The 49ers can run it down your throat. That makes your play-action a lot more effective , which allows your not particularly mobile quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards.
Then on defense you pick up two edge rushers. Two guys who can put pressure on a quarterback, which has a way of making the same guys in your secondary a lot better. And for all the talk about your offensive genius coach and his clever playcalling, the team identity is transformed overnight to smashmouth defense. For that matter, your fullback, tight end, wide receiver and even your quarterback are seen scoring pancake blocks to clear lanes downfield for your running backs. Team attitude and chemistry goes through the roof. They're having fun and going to the Super Bowl.
Long story short: Nebraska is about six players away from being relevant again.
After internal power struggles between coach and management resulted in the firing of Jim Harbaugh, followed by bad coaching hires, a huge exodus of talent, and lifeless losing seasons that lost the fanbase, the San Francisco 49ers hired Kyle Shanahan as coach and John Lynch as GM in a package deal and guaranteed them 7 years (iirc) and non-interference from ownership.
They go 6-10 in their first season. Then 4 -12 in their second season. Shanahan is clearly a gifted play-caller, but injuries, bad luck, a lack of depth keep them from doing anything with it.
But nobody panics. They're in this for the long haul. Season 3: relatively untested Jimmy Garrappolo stays healthy. They draft one good receiver, pick up an NFL veteran receiver mid-season, and double down on a running game featuring little known running backs that every other NFL team ignored. The same offensive scheme Shanahan ran before suddenly produces beautifully: it's a big playbook with a lot of weapons and a lot of motion, but it' starts with the running game. The 49ers can run it down your throat. That makes your play-action a lot more effective , which allows your not particularly mobile quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards.
Then on defense you pick up two edge rushers. Two guys who can put pressure on a quarterback, which has a way of making the same guys in your secondary a lot better. And for all the talk about your offensive genius coach and his clever playcalling, the team identity is transformed overnight to smashmouth defense. For that matter, your fullback, tight end, wide receiver and even your quarterback are seen scoring pancake blocks to clear lanes downfield for your running backs. Team attitude and chemistry goes through the roof. They're having fun and going to the Super Bowl.
Long story short: Nebraska is about six players away from being relevant again.
)A lot of dudes with a lot of touches (similar to our number of guys who can tote the rock) And receivers who got a lot of receptions and carries....Our skill guys look like theirs....
