HuskerInKC16

Is this official???????

In a way this feels like Steve Octavien all over again. I just wish we could get the entire defense on the field at the same time. However, I'm glad to see Andre Jones is stepping up. It looks like he will fill the void left by ZB.

Revolution nearly complete at Nebraska By Jack Carey, USA TODAY LINCOLN, Neb. — The evolution at Nebraska is now bordering on a revolution. Two years removed from a painful 5-6 season that marked the debut of coach Bill Callahan, the Cornhuskers hope to build on the momentum of a season-ending three-game winning streak last year, including a victory against Michigan in the Alamo Bowl that punctuated an 8-4 season. Moreover, the Huskers are becoming more familiar and comfortable with the pro-style West Coast offense Callahan installed after arriving from the Oakland Raiders. And thus the Cornhuskers are becoming more dangerous. The Big 12 North Division title is there for the taking and would be a legitimate first step toward getting the Huskers, who begin practice Thursday, back in the national picture. Nebraska is the preseason pick by conference media to win the North. "I don't think we're that far away at all," says senior quarterback Zac Taylor, who set school season records last year for passing yards (2,653), completions (237) and attempts (430). "We feel if we take care of business, we'll be playing in some big games." Taylor might best represent the new look of the Cornhuskers. A transfer from Butler County (Kan.) Community College, Taylor was being recruited by Memphis and Marshall two years ago when an unexpected call from Nebraska offensive coordinator Jay Norvell just before Butler County's season ended sent him north to Nebraska. It took awhile for him to grasp the offense. But once he did, the records started to fall. That's how fast things can change these days for one of the nation's legendary programs. "I wasn't even sure they were looking at me," Taylor says. Taylor, from Norman, Okla., started his career at Wake Forest but transferred to Butler County after two years, realizing the Demon Deacons' offense wasn't for him. "He just took off last year; he just absorbed another level of the offense and was capable of taking us to new levels," says Callahan. The changes have come with head-spinning frequency the past couple of years for the Cornhuskers and their fans, who were used to decades of rushing records and earth-moving offensive lines under former coaches Tom Osborne and Frank Solich. At the same time Taylor was putting up record numbers through the air, the program that for decades personified the running game with a long legacy of great I-backs, finished last in the Big 12 in rushing at 96 yards a game. That might not be exactly what Callahan wants, but there's a process to go through, he says. "When you change a system and you change a culture, you're changing a whole profile of what you look for in talent," says Callahan. "Our emphasis (coming in) was a pro-style player, skill players, receivers, running backs, tight ends that would fit a pro-style attack. "The receivers we had our first year were primarily blockers in the option system. Now we have kids catching 40-45 balls a year, and that's still not where we want it to be, but that (speaks to) the transition of personnel that goes with a change in systems." The team's improvement last year was not limited to the passing game. Nebraska's defense also started coming into its own. Seven starters return to a unit that led the nation with 50 sacks and also had 140 tackles for loss. Among the returnees are senior ends Adam Carriker and Jay Moore, who give the Huskers a potentially dominant pair of pass rushers. Carriker had 9½ sacks last season and Moore 14 tackles for loss. "We've got athletes and a lot of players who can go out there and really play," Moore says. "And we have players who can really shut a lot of teams down if we play up to our abilities." Both started their careers under Solich and have lived through the transition. "We're on the same defense for our third year now, and it's amazing how much better you can get if you run the same things three years in a row," Moore says. "You can see the painting starting to get finalized here. Earlier on, you weren't really sure what he was doing. It was like watching (the late painter) Bob Ross on TV. You'd say 'What exactly is he doing here?' Then it was, 'Wow! You can see what he's doing.' " Moore, a lifelong Huskers fan from Elkhorn, Neb., would like nothing more than to be remembered for rekindling title dreams around a state crazy for the team. "I lived those (championship) moments," Moore says. "I was watching all the games, celebrating with friends and family. You want to get that taste and feeling back and get the state back to a winning attitude. Things are starting to come around again."

Maybe I missed this but is Mo Purify cleared to play yet? Also, has practice started yet? I can't wait for this season especially being down here in KC surrounded by hawk, cat, and tiger fans. Here's a question for all Husker fans: What matchup will be a possible let-down game? I think it's at A&M or maybe even at (call me crazy) OK State. Let me know what you think.

This pretty much sums it up. About Me Name: AJ Location: Omaha, Nebraska, United States You either already know me, or you don't need to know anything about me. Just remember that I hold more anger than you, your ex-girlfriend and Sean Penn put together. With that being said, sit back and enjoy rantings on things you probably don't care much about.

Gotta hear them retards all the time down here in Kansas City.

Does that have something to do with the blown call against Oklahoma last year? Man, that was a gift. Just like our little mishap against you guys last year.

Welcome to Johnson County. I've also migrated down from Omaha. Not really sure where THE Husker place to go is, but the 810 Zone sports bar is pretty sweet. TV at every booth, big screens everwhere. It's at 119th & Roe (Leawood)in the Town Centre Plaza.

IT'S DAVISON!!!

WHO CARES???????????? IT'S PRESEASON!!!!!!!!!!

Hey if I had Charlie Weis running my offense, I would expect all the hype. The guy is an offensive genius. He will make Brady Quinn a top 5 pick no doubt. Just remember how much credibility Weis has with his three rings, I don't think there is much room to bash on the guy. Just ask the guy pictured to the left!

Jeff Souder, along with another Bellevue teenager, were shot in North Omaha today/tonight. Don't know all the details, but I heard it was on channel 7 news tonight. He is still alive as of this point.

Great pics, thanks. Who are the recruits at the very end? Is that Wilson in the Jordan jersey? I'm guessing linemen with Wagner?

That's grammar Polo.

I thought Roark was a guard the whole time.

I wish people would realize that they lost all 3 starting linebackers on defense, not to mention the Big 12 Defensive POTY. Nick Reid, Kevin Kane and Banks Floodman were the heart and soul of that defense, and they're all gone. You don't just reload a great defense when you lose guys like that.

I know and that's all they talk about. But it's understandable because not many teams took more JUCOs than us.

Slauson wasn't a junior college player. My bad, you're right.

Most analysts, except for Rivals, seem to not like the recruiting of JUCOs. Yes, it is needed right now because of the immediate impact we need at certain positions. But yesterday I heard an ESPN analyst on the radio talking about how Nebraska is "throwing all their eggs in one basket" with the amount of JUCOs they are taking, saying that it could spell doom for them in the future. I tent to think differently, especially with the caliber of players they are picking up. A look at Nebraska JUCOs in the last two years: 2005 contributors: Bowman - played a lot Cryer - player a lot Dagundaro - played a lot Octavien - we know his story Taylor - starting QB Hardy - had him moments Moore - contributed on special teams Slauson - started some games Tomerlin - has chance for PT next year 2005 busts: Pasteur - might have a chance next year Picou - not sure Spain - couldn't make the grades, but will see PT next year Wilson - got burned against Maine 2006 Allen - will probably see some time at one of the LB spots Haines - could start at tackle since he is there for spring Johnson - will obviously contribute at DT Jones - should be an impact in the secondary Nicks - could start at tackle Purify - most likely a starter, big contributer to offense Wilson - should provide nice 1-2 punch with Lucky

Gotcha, I'll have to check it out whenever I'm there in the fall.

because it was huskerinkc16 who was on the beach and sad that to him.. Now I'm confused, I'm in KC buddy. Anyway, who just runs into Pete Carroll in Cali as a Husker fan?

I'm skeptical Chad.

Actually guys the only reason the avg. star was lower last year was because we had a couple extra 2-stars and a couple with no stars (Souder and Slauson), this year we only had one 2-star.

Looks like they will be at Butler for another year to get their grades up. I wouldn't want to join the receiving corps right now, it's too bad for them that they didn't qualify in the first place.

Did he have to have the LOI papers right in front of him to sign yesterday? I mean TW called him the night before, so how would he be able to get those OFFICIAL papers to him? I don't think that is something you can just fax. Just a thought.