Weaknesses?
- Thread starter huKSer
- Start date
I'm not sure it's fair to really speculate whether or not there is a weakness, because the guys who were playing together may not even be starters next fall. The defense has to build some chemistry working together before they can really be a great defense. From what I saw on Saturday, however, I would say that the secondary is our weak spot (like it has been the past two years). Once we get all our starters on the same d-line and they can start causing problems, our secondary won't look so lost.
Offensively, we still don't have that explosive aspect to our offense. I saw some statistic from last year that said we had somewhere between 10-15 plays that went for more than 40 yards. When you are busting out 60-70 offensive plays a game, only 10-15 of those being 40+ yards is pretty lackluster. Hopefully with better run blocking, Paul back, and Helu at full speed, we will have that explosive threat. Who knows, maybe one of our other generally unproven receivers might be that big time threat. :dunno
Offensively, we still don't have that explosive aspect to our offense. I saw some statistic from last year that said we had somewhere between 10-15 plays that went for more than 40 yards. When you are busting out 60-70 offensive plays a game, only 10-15 of those being 40+ yards is pretty lackluster. Hopefully with better run blocking, Paul back, and Helu at full speed, we will have that explosive threat. Who knows, maybe one of our other generally unproven receivers might be that big time threat. :dunno
Husker Richard
Starter
hack
All-Conference
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carlfense
Heisman Trophy Winner
Going into the game I expected the receivers to be the weakness, but I was proven completely wrong. It looks like we have some serious talent at WR. I know it was only a spring game, but Antonio Bell looked outstanding and Chris Brooks looks like a totally different player. Add in the TE's as targets and I don't think anyone can call it a weakness anymore.
After the game my primary concern (and I suppose I should have expected it) is our offensive line. It looks like we have the ability at the skill positions, but our mixed offensive lines (albeit going against a mixed defensive line) got handled at times by the defense. Also, a few blitzes were not picked up. Luckily, these guys have a summer and fall camp to improve and come together as a team.
After the game my primary concern (and I suppose I should have expected it) is our offensive line. It looks like we have the ability at the skill positions, but our mixed offensive lines (albeit going against a mixed defensive line) got handled at times by the defense. Also, a few blitzes were not picked up. Luckily, these guys have a summer and fall camp to improve and come together as a team.
RedDenver
Heisman Trophy Winner
I agree on this. And I'd emphasize how good the TE's looked!!!
I'll also add that our LB's looked average with a few good plays and a few bad plays/missed tackles. The RB's also looked pretty good; we've got some depth there.
BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA
All-American
I say 6th stringer Cammack splitting potential starters Asante and West for a touchdown was a bit troubling.
RedDenver
Heisman Trophy Winner
The way I look at the secondary is this:
The secondary was abysmal in 2007.
They got better and were only bad at the beginning of 2008.
They got better over the season and were only below average by the Gator Bowl.
They've gotten better and were average for the spring game. (Plus the defense was in the base 4-3 all game even when the offense had 3+ receivers.)
So if you're looking for a dominant defense, then the secondary is indeed very troubling. But if you're looking for improvement, then there were some positive signs.
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To add to that, a secondary can only be good if a d-line is talented. Our d-line was average at the beginning of 2008, but when Suh stepped up the whole line stepped up, and our secondary started to look better because they were pressuring the quarterback more effectively.
Micheal
All-Conference
ya if i was to really say anything about weaknesses id probablly mention the secondary, true, we don't know who the starters are yet, but from last year we know that its unproven. hopefully itll be figured out this year and we can get where we need to be in the defensive secondary...GO BIG RED!
Vince from ShamWOW
All-Conference
The Defensive Ends seem a little slow and their push wasn't exactly stellar. I'm basing this on the radio broadcast, and the few times their names were called and the few comments by the radio team.
carlfense
Heisman Trophy Winner
Temper that somewhat based on the fact that around 80% of the running plays were between the tackles making it a bit harder for the DE's to get to the ball carrier.
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