Question is how did 2006 defense that held Missouri to 20 points and shutout Troy turn into a D that could not stop anyone? Obviously those are different guys, but it was the same coaching staff. How do they go from dominating Missouri (27-6 halftime) to being a High School D?
ohio pete, Having two DE's go in the draft, 1st rd and 4th rd. have something to do with that. A d-line that demands double teams and dominant players can create havic. There was no such player last year and unless someone really steps up there will not be one this year either
I think more than effort it had to do with scheme and attitude. I think our defense last year did not have our guys in position to make plays, AND it had them back on their heals to much and thinking to much. it also didnt help that the kids were NOT hitting in practice, and they were all grossly out of shape and overweight. some might pass those things off as small insignifigant things, but anyone who plays spots knows better. we dont need guys that will dominate right now.... we just need to be able to compete. to be semi respectable. you can do that with sud par athletes(which I refuse to believe we have...I'm just saying) if we can do that on D and keep reasonably healthy on O we will be a dangerous team that should win more games then we lose, and should be esp tough at home.
Doom and gloom to all you high school rah rah types.
I read all the press in the paper and there is alot of concern in Bo's eyes.
But keep it positive!
Until we get some mean big boys up front I'm afraid there will again be a collapse.
They might even look like the three stooges slapping each other when the other team busts another LONG one right up the middle.
Melscott, although these are good points. scheme can help where there is a lack of talent, or just hide weaknesses. very true. Dumbing things down can help also, but then you are running the same D's all the time. it also limits that creative blitzing bo is known for. Conditioning does play a roll. but mostly at the end of games. not the first series. I think robsker made some great points to show the other side of your statement as well.
Lack of physical strength was an issue as well. I was simply amazed how Suh, regarded generally as our strongest guy, was thrown around like a rag doll last season (as was the entire interior). I mean he was owned play after play. They were just blown off the line of scrimmage and driven almost instantly back several yards as backs flashed through holes that were almost ever present. Why? I still don't know --- could our guys have been that physically over matched last year? It was clear that the DL and the OL guys at NU were fat and few appeared to have, as the say, "guns." It was just as if a bunch of overweight soft billowy guys were in the trenches for NU last year. I hope that it will be different this year.
robsker, very true. I think that most people who have played football would say that talent and strength are the two biggest factors to a players success. Does effort and heart matter yeah. But lets put it this way.
player a - has the talent to compete with the man across from him, has the strength also. But maybe he doesnt have the heart of the walk on
player b - not as talented as those he is playing, not as strong either. heart of a lion.
Who do you want? The all-american/all conference guy that maybe could be better if he only tried harder. Or do you want Rudy Ruettiger? He may never play, but he has all the heart and effort you could ever want.
The deal is this. Alot of things go into a horrible performance like the Husker D-line gave last year. And no one or two things are going to fix that. Lossing weight has good and bad factors. Schemes help, actualy tacking in practice and games is a bonus. I guess all i am saying is give it time. Let the kids grow and the program changes develop. I believe NU's D will be better. I think BO will do alot to hide the flaws of this team. But dont expect this magical light to come on. As robsker said, these were the same players being blown off the line last year and they are lighter and easier to move this year.