cheekygeek

Yeah, I know. With very few exceptions, Sports Journalists aren't Real Journalists.

You are quite possibly right. But shooting down any questions about him/his departure RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE makes me a little more suspicious. If I were a JOURNALIST, I would not let that line stop me from asking more questions. With all due respect to all the WRs still on the team, what could lead a guy who successfully took 21 credit hours (12 is being a Full Time Student) in order to get back on the team and HAD to figure big in the team's offensive plans suddenly feel that his "heart wasn't in it"? I want to also say that the guy who asked the question did it with VERY BAD form: People seem to have already forgotten that Garrett's FIRST words in answer to the question were "Ummm, not.. not really" (before launching into the "with all due respect..."). So what was he answering "not really" to? Here was the full question: "Did Zavier's situation take you by surprise & what was your reaction... did you see it coming?" If the answer to "Did Zavier's situation take you by surprise?" is "not really" then we want to know why it didn't take you by surprise. If the answer to "did you see it coming?" Is "not really" then the follow up question should be: You mean to tell me that a position coach can't tell by performance or demeanor that a player's heart just isn't into it? Did you notice a drop off in his practice performance or demeanor in RECENT days? Do you see what I'm saying? Everyone got so taken by the quality of the misdirection that you immediately stopped your brains and said "YEAH! Let's be fair to the guys who are still here and talk about THEM". Great. I can see fans getting misdirected. Mission Accomplished. If it stops Real Journalists from asking further questions? Then Mission SUPER Accomplished.

This was a VERY CLEVER way to frame "I don't want to talk about what might have led up to Zavier Betts leaving the program." What if something or someone within the program did something that affected him and helped lead to his "loss of heart"? I'm probably not the first person to think of this, but what if our staff found out that he had violated sports betting rules? Rather than throw him under the bus and turn an NCAA spotlight on the whole Nebraska program, wouldn't it be better to just part ways with him? I'm just saying that, with all of the curiosity in the State about ANY NUGGET of news related to the program, it is pretty hard to stop people from asking questions. Framing it with the noble "I want to talk about the guys in the room NOW. I think they deserve it" is JEDI LEVEL deflection. Whoever came up with that line and fed it to Garrett McGuire: I tip my cap to you.

Coach Whipple, is that you? Sure bombs to Palmer were great & memorable. If the plan is to throw as far as you can and let your speed guys run under it, I think Betts & Coleman will be your guys. But I think Rhule knows football a little better than that. He knows that sustained drives give your D a breather & keep ‘em fresh. If that same stable of RBs is running behind functional line play this year, I think you’ll see improvement. Plus all those RBs are a year older. (And we’ll be playing some with a FB). I look forward to an offense that is more “multiple” than just “chuck it long” to a streaking Palmer.

It is mostly irrelevant to me if he coached it or not. The defense didn't learn a whole new scheme between their last game and the bowl game. The defensive principles he espouses were on display.

A few thoughts about Minnesota: (This first part is a repost from the Tony White thread). I imagine that it has occurred to multiple people on this board, that DC Tony White's last game with Syracuse was a 28-20 loss to Minnesota (in the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl) and so Minnesota will be facing a Tony White defense (with different personnel) for the 2nd game in a row. So I wonder hope our personnel are quick studies and that Tony throws is a few wrinkles to cross the Golden Gomers up. Not sure whose video this is (it's not mine) but it was only uploaded 6 days ago and doesn't have a lot of views (yet): https://youtu.be/_oqYuBZYA94 Looking at that game closer, Syracuse threw a Pick-Six or it is a 1 point Syracuse loss. The Syracuse defense held Ibrahim (now with the Detroit Lions) to 71 yds, 1 TD, 4.4 yds/carry. Not counting sacks, Minnesota only ran for 104 total rushing yards. Minnesota QB Athan Kaliakmanis was pegged 67th out of 69 projected starting QBs at the Power Five conference level going into the 2023 season, according to 247sports on Tuesday. https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.twincities.com%2F2023%2F08%2F09%2Fgophers-quarterback-athan-kaliakmanis-hit-with-low-national-ranking%2F Daniel Jackson caught 2 TDs against Syracuse in the Pinstripe Bowl. https://www.twincities.com/2023/04/04/gophers-receiver-daniel-jackson-picks-up-where-he-left-off-in-corner-of-end-zone/ So Minnesota may have some idea of what to expect from White's 3-3-5 (but not with Nebraska personnel). But they have no idea what they are going to see from Satt's offense. Given my choice of QBs, I would take Sims over Kaliakmanis. Our WRs are unknown, but Isaiah Garcia-Castaneda caught the Huskers first receiving TD in Dublin last year. Nobody is talking about him. And I expect TEs to (finally) be a big part of the offensive game plan. I hope Fidone can stay healthy. I feel good about the Husker's Special Teams this year and they could be the difference in the game. I understand the pessimism (Blessed are the pessimistic, for they shall not be disappointed). But I think we have better than a puncher's chance for an upset in Game One.

Sims is conscious of battling the Running QB label because he know his passing will be the primary consideration in the NFL draft. I think that Rhule's attitude of establishing the run, if successful, would do nothing but help the passing game. It makes play actions freeze people, it forces opposing safeties to cheat up for run support, where they might then be exploited deep. I hope that game play calling is smart SITUATIONALLY. There's a different way you might look at the smart play call for 2nd and 2, depending upon the score, where you are in the game, and who is in the game. I also hope we show the ability to actually make adjustments at half time, if needed. Our commitment to always huddling will allow the defense to substitute freely on every play. (Although I would rather not do hurry up and make mistakes).

Can you please edit this to add the space before Sims? We’re after perfection around these parts. KthxBye

Glad to see that 7 of Minnesota's points were due to the pick-6 (can't put that on the D). A bit off the subject of Tony White (but something he will have to deal with) is the new face of the Minnesota RB, with Ibrahim now in the NFL (Detroit Lions). What I find odd is that they guy behind him on the depth charts (Trey Potts), TRANSFERS to Penn St. with 2 years of eligibility left. It's closer to his PA home, but he will likely be mostly depth there. What is the Penn State plan for Trey Potts ahead of preseason camp? Trey Potts opens up on Minnesota career, Penn State transfer and upcoming move to Happy Valley Meanwhile, Minnesota grabs a transfer portal guy to be their presumptive starter: Mohamed Ibrahim departs, will this opportunity mean an upgrade or a downgrade for Gopher running backs?

I imagine that it has occurred to multiple people on this board, that DC Tony White's last game with Syracuse was a 28-20 loss to Minnesota (in the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl) and so Minnesota will be facing a Tony White defense (with different personnel) for the 2nd game in a row. So I wonder hope our personnel are quick studies and that Tony throws is a few wrinkles to cross the Golden Gomers up. Not sure whose video this is (it's not mine) but it was only uploaded 6 days ago and doesn't have a lot of views (yet): https://youtu.be/_oqYuBZYA94

I want this one. Could be the Second Coming of Will Shields.

VERY glad to have Carter Nelson. I wonder if he is done growing? In comparison to other NFL Tight Ends: Gronk: 6' 6'' Kelse: 6' 5" Carter Nelson 6' 4" Junior Miller 6' 4" Johnny Mitchell Jr. 6' 3" Niles Paul 6' 1" Also wonder if he will be able to keep his 4.5 speed as he bulks up. Niles Paul ran a 4.46 @220 lbs. Carter is currently listed at 205 lbs. He also will have an adjustment to make coming from 8-man. His current stats come from a very open field and where he towered over secondaries. I have high hopes for his development, however!

Holy Cow, that was quick.

Any updates?

Wrongs are being righted! This is exciting!

Correct me if I’m wrong, but they don’t appear to be playing “vanilla”. Don’t seem afraid to put some stuff on film for future opponents. (Of course they could show the same looks & run something different).

BOERKIRCHER 38 yds

Pure speculation, but… Those that are buried on the depth chart may find that they have earned a scholarship to play at the University of Nebraska at Kearney (now led by Frost’s former RB Coach, Ryan Held). All their credits would transfer & (especially if they are from the area) it would keep them in State & likely within range for family to get to games. Danny Woodhead had a successful NFL career after playing at Chadron State (formerly in the same league as UNK) so a kid can still dream… Rhule seemed very cognizant of Held’s Twitter account for some reason.

https://n.rivals.com/content/athletes/trevor-ruth-276062?view=pv 6’ 0” 230 lb Fullback from Seward, NE Just for size/weight comparison: Joel Makovicka (1998) 5’ 11” 240 lbs Jeff Makovicka (1995) 5’ 10” 215 lbs - both from Brainard, NE Cory Schlesinger (1994) 6' 0" 230 lbs -from Duncan, NE Tom Rathman (1985) 6’ 0” 220 lbs - from Grand Island, NE

Recommend listening to Bussin' With The Boys podcast that dropped this morning, featuring a long segment with Coach Rhule. (Starts about 45 minutes into the podcast). Still listening to it, but THIS was a major takeaway, for me: At 1:25:00 Coach Rhule was asked "Coming to Nebraska, what were some things that you're like 'I'm going to have to address this' - what were some issues to hit head-on?" With little/no hesitation Rhule responded: He went on to list several, including massages and Sensory Deprivation Tanks and said that programs are in two camps on this stuff: He went on to tie these issues to the health of players/team and their ability to win on gameday. I found this VERY interesting, because I remember (decades and decades ago) when Nebraska was on the cutting edge of player nutrition (then everybody caught up). We talk about "facilities" all of the time, but SPECIFICALLY I would love to know how Nebraska ranks in the area that Rhule identified as one where "I can really help with that process". Sounds to me like Nebraska either didn't even HAVE this stuff or didn't get the players to UTILIZE this stuff. I wonder how we stack up to other Div. 1 (or BigTen) programs in this regard? If Rhule can come from the NFL and say: This is how they do it in the Big Leagues and Here's Why, I can see that being another possible edge that Nebraska can exploit. And if Rhule & staff are highlighting this to potential recruits - then why would you go anywhere that did NOT have this in place and players know how to benefit themselves by using it? Three links for any interested: The Wild Story of How Bill Belichick Discovered the Benefits of Sleep Floatation Tanks 5 Ways NFL Players Recover & How You Can Too Unique Recovery Methods for Football

Why do I have the feeling that some of these incoming WRs are being looked at to possibly convert to DBs?

I'd create some packages where he was in there as Fullback in short yardage situations.

What comes through to me is his humility, which is a mark of strength (contrary to popular opinion). I think that managing & implementing the new NCAA rule (analysts can coach except for game day) could mean a BIG edge for schools with the money to hire good ones in numbers (like Nebraska). But that also needs a DC who is a manager and open to input from everyone - who then charts the course and gets everyone on the same page (with accountability). I also like the attitude of respect for Nebraska. It comes across that he knows he’s been given the keys to something special & he wants to do things right. Seems like a very GENUINE dude and I look forward to seeing his work.

This clip & quote gave me GOOSEPIMPLES: GBR!