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From journalstar.com blog:
Slauson weighs in
It was tough to find a bigger guy in the room than Matt Slauson on Wednesday.
Slauson was one of the Huskers -- others were Zach Potter, Joe Ganz, Larry Asante and Lydon Murtha -- at Monday's spring football press conference.
During a December with no bowl game to go to, Slauson said his weight got as high as 350. "When I came in, the coaches said, 'Well, you weigh that now, but you better weigh this come spring ball."
Slauson now weighs 328.
Asked about last season, a year that many projected to be a breakout one for Slauson, the big man said his biggest struggles were more mental than physical (he came into the season with a dinged shoulder).
"There was definitely a frustration for the team, one, but for me especially," Slauson said. "Because I kind of feel like I got jacked around a little bit, switching positions all the times, switching playing time all the time, playing a few plays here, a few plays there. I was really frustrated the whole time ... I had no idea what was going on the whole year. I think (it) just messed with my head a little bit. I don't know if there were head games they were doing or what, but I just didn't feel comfortable where I was."
Slauson said guys didn't know who was going to start until 10 minutes before the game.
The senior projected this season's line might look something like this: Jacob Hickman at center; Slauson (right guard), Miff Huff (left guard); Lydon Murtha (left tackle), Jaivorio Burkes (right tackle). Keith Williams would also in the running for a guard spot, with Mike Smith and D.J. Jones contending for the tackle spots.
"(Coaches) always say that our offensive line is one of the best they've seen talent-wise," Slauson said. "Now we just need a little direction."
About Burkes, just a sophomore, Slauson said: "He has all the tools. He has the longest arms I've ever seen. His power and his legs, as soon as he locks onto a guy and extends his arms, they're going down every time. He has amazing power... He can grab a guy and just toss him on the ground the way Carl Nicks would, but with a lot more aggression than Nicks."
Aboug Ganz and his strong ending to last season: "Everybody always knew Joey was good, but they didn't know he had that in him."
About the sudden optimism many Husker fans now have since the arrival of Bo Pelini: "As a player you're always optimistic for the next year. You're always hoping you're going to do great, you're always expecting to do great. But to see the whole state of Nebraska doing it, even going out of state and seeing fans out of state. Everybody knows that Pelini is back and things are going to change. It's a real weird phenomenon to see ... To have a full state behind you, (after) the frustrations of last year, and then having them just pull a 180 and say, 'Whatever, it's all done. We have Pelini now.'"
Slauson weighs in
It was tough to find a bigger guy in the room than Matt Slauson on Wednesday.
Slauson was one of the Huskers -- others were Zach Potter, Joe Ganz, Larry Asante and Lydon Murtha -- at Monday's spring football press conference.
During a December with no bowl game to go to, Slauson said his weight got as high as 350. "When I came in, the coaches said, 'Well, you weigh that now, but you better weigh this come spring ball."
Slauson now weighs 328.
Asked about last season, a year that many projected to be a breakout one for Slauson, the big man said his biggest struggles were more mental than physical (he came into the season with a dinged shoulder).
"There was definitely a frustration for the team, one, but for me especially," Slauson said. "Because I kind of feel like I got jacked around a little bit, switching positions all the times, switching playing time all the time, playing a few plays here, a few plays there. I was really frustrated the whole time ... I had no idea what was going on the whole year. I think (it) just messed with my head a little bit. I don't know if there were head games they were doing or what, but I just didn't feel comfortable where I was."
Slauson said guys didn't know who was going to start until 10 minutes before the game.
The senior projected this season's line might look something like this: Jacob Hickman at center; Slauson (right guard), Miff Huff (left guard); Lydon Murtha (left tackle), Jaivorio Burkes (right tackle). Keith Williams would also in the running for a guard spot, with Mike Smith and D.J. Jones contending for the tackle spots.
"(Coaches) always say that our offensive line is one of the best they've seen talent-wise," Slauson said. "Now we just need a little direction."
About Burkes, just a sophomore, Slauson said: "He has all the tools. He has the longest arms I've ever seen. His power and his legs, as soon as he locks onto a guy and extends his arms, they're going down every time. He has amazing power... He can grab a guy and just toss him on the ground the way Carl Nicks would, but with a lot more aggression than Nicks."
Aboug Ganz and his strong ending to last season: "Everybody always knew Joey was good, but they didn't know he had that in him."
About the sudden optimism many Husker fans now have since the arrival of Bo Pelini: "As a player you're always optimistic for the next year. You're always hoping you're going to do great, you're always expecting to do great. But to see the whole state of Nebraska doing it, even going out of state and seeing fans out of state. Everybody knows that Pelini is back and things are going to change. It's a real weird phenomenon to see ... To have a full state behind you, (after) the frustrations of last year, and then having them just pull a 180 and say, 'Whatever, it's all done. We have Pelini now.'"
