TGHusker

Same reason I made him my MVP. - Here are 2 "IFs and BUTs" thoughts: 1. As someone noted before: What if L David had been in the program 4 years? I think we'd be thinking of him as the all time greatest D guy at NU instead of Suh or at least in the same conversation. 2. What if L David had not been here? What would we be thinking about Bo P (not Ruud) now - easily could have had back to back years of almost worse ever kind of D performances. I think he saves Bo's career with that stripped ball against OSU. (OK I may have overstated that - but it was VERY BIG) If we lose big to OSU (which we were on the way towards), I think it sets us back for the rest of the season. There would not have been the biggest comeback ever & we may not have been the come back kids this past year - the OSU comeback gave us the "We can do this" attitude for this past year IMHO. All very speculative I know - but his impact on 2011 cannot be underestimated.

yea, like I said in the OP, I first think of D linemen and DB when I think of great NU D players. Very true about Compton and McKeon. Compton took so long to develop - I remember he was going to be a great linebacker coming out of HS. He was Bo's big recruit as a 1st time HC.

I was going to but him down - but thought he had the biggest supporting cast. Wasn't he the one that got the sack in the end zone against Florida or did he get the sack just the play before that ( I think we had 2 safeties in a row but the zebras were too nice on the 1st one to Florida)

With the good news of Zaire Anderson today (100% health and medical redshirt given), I thought I'd create my last "best of" list before national signing day. When I think of great NU D players I first think of D line and DB. But NU has had some great Linebackers. My list below is in chronological order, I really have a hard time ranking the LBs - If I had to pick a top 5: Barrett Ruud, L David, Marc Munford, Alberts, Novac My MVP Award would go to LaVonte David: Not saying he is the best LB ever at NU (maybe he is), just that he carried the 2011 D on his back. Without him, we would had lost many more games IMHO. He had the least supporting cast - Dennard was hurt a good portion of the year and wasn't 100% when he came back. Which current players or recruits do you think will be on the all time great LB list? I forecast Zaire Anderson will be the next L David. NU has had: Tackle Machines: Barrett Ruud, L David, Marc Munford, Tom Novak (1940s didn't see him play, just based on what I've read- pretty outstanding in his day) Blitz Guys: D Williams, Alberts, L. David - all showing great speed Fumble casuing guys like Brodrick Thomas Top Family: Barrett Ruud #1 in tackles, Brother Bo # 22, Father Tom # 26. My list: ( I am sure you can add many others to it) Tom Novak 1940s Jerry Murtaugh early 1970s Lee Kunz mid 1970s Clete Pillen mid 1970s Tom Ruud late 1970s Marc Munford mid 1980s Broderick Thomas mid 1980s Ed Steward early 1990s Travis Hill early 1990s Trev Alberts early 1990s Octavious McFarlin (best name) mid 1990s Jay Foreman Mid 1990s Carlos Polk early 2000s Demorrio Williams early 2000s Barrett Ruud mid 2000s Bo Ruud mid 2000s Scott Shanle mid 2000 Steward Bradley mid 2000 LaVonte David 2010-11

Yes, that is why he is on my top 5 - enjoyed watching him play. I'm glad others added F. Washington & Hagg to the list. Oversights of mine. Both great players.

I don't disagree with O'Hanlon's inclusion in this list, but it's funny to see after he was ripped to shreds - exceedingly harshly by some - early in the 2009 season. I never agreed with the grief he got, and I never respected the choice people made to rip on a player like that. O'Hanlon wasn't the greatest athlete to play in the secondary for Nebraska, but you won't find a kid with more heart, and you won't find a kid it meant more to throughout Nebraska's long and gloried past. History remembers O'Hanlon better today than when he was playing, and he deserves that. He did not deserve the vilification he received from some fans. Well stated. I remember the harsh treatment he had early on. But he sure turned things around and showed more effort and results than a lot of players with much more talent. He was an overacheiver in my book. That is why I put him on the list.

That explains the throwing motion!!

Great catch. Hagg and Gomes were great and should be on the list. Boy if we could have that D wt today's O - but ifs and buts were candy and nuts it would be Christmas all year long.

We have had some great DBs in our long history. My memory is pretty short when it comes to the 60s - 70s - most of my list deals wt the 80s - present. With this catagory, I think the discussion begins with Mike Brown. I think he set the standard and is the standard for hard hitting, great coverage agressive DB play. My top 10 list is a ranking of order of who I would want on my team. For example the 1st 5 would make a great 5 back group. Combination of speed, hard hitting and coverage guys. My second 10 follows - but in no ranking order. I'm sure you can think of many more names to add to the discussion. Do you see any of our current guys or recruits making this list? If so, who? Mike Brown - top of the class, aggressive hitter, great coverage Ralph Brown agressive hitter Josh Bullocks 10 intercepts in his last season Daniel Bullocks - long interception returns Baron Miles - hard hitter - Great special teams player - many blocked kicks Michael Booker Prince Amukamara - had fewer opportunities as a senior to stack up the records - QBs were avoiding him. Tight coverage guy Alfonnzo Dennard - injury hurt his senior year. But like Prince, QBs knew better not to throw his way. Tight coverage Mike Minter Eric Warfield 2nd Group Tyrone Williams Bret Clark Keyou Craver DeJuan Groce (perhaps better known for his special team play) Matt O'Hanlon - great at run support and also the unexpected blitz Bruce Pickens Pat Fisher Eric Stoken Brian Washiginton Dana Stephenson

You are correct - the original list wasn't in a specific order - tried to be close to date range. My top pics are towards the bottom of the original post. I do think Bell will be up there wt JR, Fryar and Swift when he is done.

T-Magic Taylor Martinez a top 3 Husker QB of all time?-- 5TH No hardware - Frazier and Gill will always be #1 & 2 Frazier for leadership & 2 NC & 4 CC; Gill for 3 CC and being a favorite son of the program as player/coach, 3rd Scott Frost - NC & CC and persuasively arguing for Tom's 3rd NC; Crouch - CC & got us to the NC and Heisman. If TM gets a CC he may jump Crouch, if he gets a CC & NC he might jump Frost. Taylor has been good for Nebraska? Yes - beginning his Jr year we can begin to see what is possible as a senior. If he improves on fumbles he could have an outstanding year. His run against Wisky in the CCG was Crouch like. He's shown this year that he can lead the team in adversity and is becoming a verbal and action leader. The only negative, not a knock on him, but on the situation - I'd still like to see more development behind him. Hopefully this next season. Taylor will go down as an elite NU QB? Yes - he is already in the discussion. Bo 5 year+ years late, was Bo the right hire? Yes. Can't figure out why the D went south other than the whole - he recruited for the big 12 and the move to big 10 gave him D player who weren't right. But looks like we got a good class coming in. Wish we could land those top DL guys. Do you think Bo is the coach in 5 years? If he wins the CC in the next 2 years - yes. If not, I think he gets pressured to leave. In his own words he came here to win championships - he has been soooo close. What has been Bo's biggest flaw? Not landing the big DL guys that I thought (perhaps wrongly) would be running here wt his D background. I also think staff mgmt. While he may be trying to build a loyal staff - I'm not sure using NU as a training center for new assistant coaches has worked well. Would have been nice to see more experience in some areas. Maybe since Bo is a take charge guy, an experience guy would be bumping heads wt him and not work Coaching staff Do you think Pap is the right guy? No - see answer above. This is where I think we could have used an experienced DC - again this may conflict wt Bo Do you think Beck is the right guy? Yes - great O is only going to get better. Sometimes Beck gets into a time warp and I think he is SW - calling passing plays when the run has worked well - trying to get too cute. Beck or Watson...? Beck - more creative, more adjustments Who should be our D-coordinator? I think Bo should take the mantle HC and DC and not pretend. Players need to look to one guy. They know when someone is just playing the role. Media Who is your favorite/least Husker media guy? McKewon is fav. Good fair and thought provoking articles. I don't live in Nebraska - Here in Tulsa I don't get to hear, see, and read as much except the internet. I know Dirk has had a ongoing battle wt Bo. Appears Dirk is trying to 'Be the Man'. Who is the biggest homer/biggest realist? All of us - at times we are all big homers at other times we have to look realistically at our expectations and adjust them. It is hard for me to say this isn't 1995 any more. Dirk supporter or hater? I've liked some of his articles but he comes across as trying to pick a fight just for the sake of it - playing the devils advocate all of the time. Husker legends Who is your favorite Husker player of all time? Hard choice since I've been a fan since 1970 - so I'll cheat: Frazier and Gill for reasons noted above. Does Rex deserve to be considered a Husker great? Yes - He's a class act, smart, humble, hardworking and he carried the team many times on his shoulders. He would have had an outstanding year this year if not for the injury. You can have a beer with any husker player/coach/admin, who do you pick??? Tom - but I suspect we both would have ice tea. I admire his consistent character & faith. He proved you can lead without being overbearing, self absorbed, and tyrannical. In the same way John Wooden led UCLA. I believe he has been a great role model for all of us. He's not the Pope and has admitted mistakes but he is the anti-Switzer :spooners . Look who is admired more around the country. Character always wins in the end. In all honesty, these are very low level, boring questions... But i figured it is friday, so lets just put all our stances in one thread. This all being said, what type of fan do you consider yourself...

Helu was a great RB. I just don't remember how well he did in the reception area. I have lucky as my top reception RB because he holds many of our reception records as a RB. His ability to turn short 'dink' passes into something enable him to hold the records for yards gained in a season & career, He also has the RB reception records for game, season and career. Corey Ross and Rex were also very solid as RB receivers.

Oversights in my original posts: Irving Fryar (JUST a plain over 50 memory lapse. He's now on my top list), Nate Turner Todd Peterson - I just coundn't come up wt his name when I was thinking of Nate Swift - they were a great pair of receivers. Terrance Nunn - like above thinking of Hardy and forgot about Nunn - who lost that fumble against texass. I agree with some others - I think he was overall a excellent WR Why these guys are on my list: Niles Paul -for conversation sake. He may have cost us games and I don't think he lived up to the hype. But he did have some good games - including the Mo game in the rain. 100-Yard Receiving Games Niles Paul - 2 : # 6 154 yards & #9 143 yards Frantz Hardy : #4 with 159 yards Matt Davison 1 #1 with 167 yards His soph year (The Catch - was as a freshman) Touchdowns in one game 3 by Frantz Hardy - tied with several of the above - Rodgers, F. Anderson, Purify, Kinnie, Wistrom, Bandras TE: TD Season: K. Reed 8 Receptions for Game: Herian 8 Yards for Season: Herian 1243 Receptions Season: McNeal 32 Receptions Career: McNeal 82 J. Turner and K. Bell are on my list because of pure potential - looking ahead on where I think they will be. Both I believe will be in the conversation - esp Bell. After looking at the reception records I am amazed by 2 guys: Johnny Rodgers and Nate Swift Johnny Rodgers - I keep thinking of him as the amazing special teams guy - but his numbers at WR are equal (therefore added him to my top team list) Yards in a season: 942 Yards in career: 2479 TD Season: 11 TD Career: 25 Receptions Seasons: Nate Swift 63 Receptions Career: Nate Swift 166

you are correct

Just shows I was typing this up toooooo quick. Irving Fryar by all means. In fact, he goes on my Top list replacing the yet not completed career of Kenny Bell. Stupid oversight on my part.

corrected - thanks

great catch (no pun intended ) Brandon was a great RB receiver. I'll add him so others will see his name on the list

Can't see how we aren't #1. Our sell out record by itself is sufficient reason. No other team is close - I can't imagine anyone else catching it if our sell out streak ever ends. If we can start winning championships, we'll keep the expanded stadium full.

The most long suffering - think Chicago Cubs

Another Best of Thread, this time to discuss receivers - specifically TE and WR/Slot/WB positions. While the past posts on the 'best of series' seemed to lean pre-2000 for the best players, I believe we are in the 'Golden ERA' of receivers. Since 2000, NU has had some great tight ends and WR. I think our current crop, Bell, Turner, etc will in time prove to be exceptional. So here is my list, you might have more to add. How would you rank them or place them in the conversation? TE: Jr Miller Jamie Williams Johnny Mitchell Matt Herian (if not for his injury - he may be the standard bearer IMO) Mike McNeill (one of the most capable but under utilized) Kyler Reid (after his soph year - we didn't take advantage of his speed as much as I thought we would) Ben Cotton (Mr Dependable - good blocker) Tracey Wistrom Tom Banderas WR/WB/Slot Frosty Anderson Dennis Richnafsky Johnny Rodgers Irving Fryar (an edit addition - oversight) Matt Davison Maurice Purify Frantz Hardy Nate Swift Niles Paul (all of his fumbles hurt) Kenny Bell (I think will go down as one of the all time best) Jamel Turner (He is only beginning to show how brilliant he can be) Throw in some good receiving running backs Corey (Pork Chop) Ross Marlon Lucky Rex Burkhead Jeff Kinney Brandon Jackson If I had to pick 1 RB, one TE and 3 WR to be on my team as receivers: RB: Lucky - had speed to go with ability to catch WR: Nate Swift - Mr Dependable - not the fastest by any means but would always catch the ball & hang onto it (the anti Niles Paul) WR: Irving Fryar - I can still remember him catching the 'bounce pass/lateral' from Turner Gill against OU. Slot: Johnny Rogers TE: JR Miller (Herian - close second - due to his pre-injury dependability) (Honorable mention: Kenny Bell - I think he is going to be great. He has speed, moves and can block when needed)

I'd like to see Kansas basketball in the Big 10 and OU football (if not N. Dame). Ok State - is education lite so that won't happen. I think OU and KU would both be acceptable from an academic perspective. I wonder, however, if OU has to have its little brother tag along where ever it goes. Lawmakers were getting concerned when OU was about to go to the Pac 10 wtout OSU. I'd love to keep seeing Mo tiger football getting trounced in the SEC.

It seems what has worked for us over the last 10 years has been Suh's bull rush and D Williams L David blitzing from the the corner. Kind of hard to send 7 guys at one time now. Power up the middle or speed off the corners - taking advantage of a weak link in the OL.

Man, does the Florida video bring back memories. Thanks for sharing. One of my 3 favorite games as a Husker, (victory agains miami thugs the year before and the 1971 game of the century against OU) It could have been much worse. We had 3rd stringers in and we kept on scoring. Florida was so demoralized. This was a "Total Victory" and "Absolute Surrender" if there ever was one. Tom showed class - having the our QB take a knee at the goal line when we could have easily scored again.

I love how people always act like no one ever gets better in practice. You can only possibly get better during games. Thus, your argument has to be that going against the Blackshirts in practice every day doesn't do anything for you. You have to get some time against the Minnesota's and Idoaho St.'s of the world to get better. Of course you can get better in practice but nothing beats real game experience - the noice, the hype, the pressure not to turn over the ball, etc. Some people practice great but being on the real stage can affect them. Only practice on the real stage gets them over the real stage jitters.

Dear God, he looks like a hobbit. :spooners LOL. We had to put up with a lot of NU bashing from the Tulsa World, I'm in Tulsa, before we left the Big 12 and some time afterwards. The sports casters and sports writers felt like they were left at the alter by NU. Some pretty nasty things were said about us wanting to break up the party, not wanting to put up with texas, were cowards, blah blah blah. I wrote a strongly worded letter back to the editor and main sports guy - who use to write for the Omaha World years ago ( I think he got chased away or fired when he tried to be a big man and attacked Tom too much in the paper). Regardless, NU started so they say the Big 12 downturn - forgetting the fact that Colo left 1st and 6 other teams threatned to leave - we all know Tom's famous quote on that. I'm glad overall that we are in the Big 10. I think our type of competition will prepare us to beat down the SEC eventually in a NCC game. The all pass no D of the big 12 won't win them any chanpionships - unless another Vince Young comes along.