floridacorn

4 minutes ago, admo said:

I won't look to far into it, but I am curious why he chose to say Dawson would coach edge and "tutor" the interior guys.  Pretty sure his duties will be coaching them too?

I'm guessing, but Chinander is a former D-Line coach was he not?  

Outside of continuity, It's not a massive loss.  He wasn't an exceptional recruiter & Raiola presumably fills that connection to Hawaii now.  Losing Fisher would decimate that room and be a huge loss for example.  It will be interesting to see how this void is filled.  I assume Dawson back to D-Line.  Maybe Blackshirts stay in 4-2-5 out of necessity.  I joke.  

1 hour ago, huskerfan99 said:

I’d rather have Dawson move on and have Chinander take OLB and hire both a RB and ST.

The problem with that scenario is that OLB's are a very unnatural position for a DC to attempt to coach in game while calling game.  IF NU went that route, Ruud makes the most sense, & frankly he's the weakest link as both a coach & recruiter on that side of the ball.  

Nash may be a more natural O-line prospect, but if the Jurgens experiment has taught us nothing, it's taught us not to count on position switch player immediately.  So, I'm gonna have to adamantly disagree with OP, and add I think Lutovsky is going to be a beast.  

So, moral of this story is...Riding players who aren't ready believing there is a big pay off in the end, just gets you entitled players, a bunch of L's, and a losing culture?  

I'll admit I'm late to this party, but I learned the need for a STC is just too undeniable.  Tough because the only way I can see it being achievable is letting Ruud go.  But, he's not a recruiting ace, & it's ridiculous to think anything positive can come of coaching changes that do not include a STC.  

16 minutes ago, Brandon.Lincoln said:

QB - preference on decision making and throwing from under center over running ability (running QB's don't survive seasons in the B1G and coach's with running QB's don't survive in the B1G)

 

RB - physicality, power, ball security, pass block, route running and catching over top end, undersized track-speed

 

LT - pass blocking blind-side first, outside run blocking second, footwork, bend, length

 

LG - strength (starting with footwork to win leverage) to dominate one-on-one's (lead blocking for running and pocket blocking for passing)

 

C - leader, intelligent, makes adjustments based on how the defense (in particular the DL and LB's) aligns themselves, sets the tone (not a TE captain getting flags in key moments who is still unable to snap the ball), versatile blocker with few weaknesses rather than high's in some areas and low's in others, strength, consistency, reliable

 

RG - strength (starting with footwork to win leverage) to dominate one-on-one's (lead blocking for running and pocket blocking for passing)

 

RT - run blocking bulldozer first, pass blocking second, size, nastiness (but in a sportsmanship way)

 

TE - true dual threat who can block AND catch (block like a tackle and run routes like a possession receiver)

 

WR X - consistently beat one-on-one coverage for gains, big and strong to beat jams and take advantage of corners doing so during run blocking, use body to box out defenders to "win a rebound", red zone target (high points fades)

 

WR Y (slot) - ability to create separation with quick bursts, quickness is more important than deep speed, catch in traffic/over the middle, can take a hit, smart (knows what is needed on each play to keep drives alive)

 

WR Z - deep threat, route running, "center field" catching ability (high, deep balls), willing run blocker

LET'S GO BRANDON

I've noticed NPG's is consistently right behind Frost during tunnel walks.  I think that speaks to a young man who is bought in and on paper he appears to be in line to take over a starting role next season.  Although, if Tyreke isn't one of the top 3 CB's, I would be real interested in seeing him on the back end if I were TFish.  

4 hours ago, Enhance said:

I think the RB room is an excellent microcosm of problems in the offense, because I agree that the talent (on paper at least) is much better than what it has shown. The inconsistent performance of that unit, as well as the seemingly random and sporadic nature of how they determined who would play and who wouldn't, has never made much sense.

 

+1  In addition, spring ball, and fall camp account for a vast majority of real practice time a team has in a given season.  Yet, the depth chart at RB was consistently in flux and flipped on it's head in-season under Held.  There just has to be a better understanding of what you have and who you are preparing to roll with throughout fall camp & in-season.

There's no room on this staff for a dedicated ST's coach w/o Frost or Chinander coaching a position.  Frost is moving further away from that & Ruud would be natural position for Chins to fill.  Those are just how the facts line up, like it or not.

There's no Holy Grail.  It's still players, coaching, play calling, execution. & play making  Any massive shift in scheme would tell me Frost has lost confidence and is grasping at straws & I'd give him virtually zero chance of a 6th season.  

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't it his case "We're close"?  But, we also need to overhaul the entire offensive scheme?  Sorry, those are juxtaposed positions.   

32 minutes ago, Toe said:

 

Interesting thing about Beckton: he played for UCF, and was the lone holdover from the O'Leary staff when Frost took over. And now he's the only offensive coach Frost hasn't fired.

 Fisher was holdover

This is wow, but at least Frost means business

Coach Prime?  Because who doesn't want to see daddy ball at the college level?

If Frost is retained, & GT fires staff, I would be on phone to Brent Key stat.  Great O-line coach, former Saban assistant, has been on staff with Beckton & Fisher previously

1 hour ago, ColoradoHusk said:

Austin - Rob Zatechka described him as an "NFL-style" offensive line coach.  In my mind, that means he is not good at teaching technique and developing players.  Zatechka also gave a tidbit on how Jurgens' snapping issues were fixed.  Frost had to bring in former teammates Matt Vrzal and Matt Hoskinson to help out Jurgens.  It took them about 5 minutes to diagnose and recommend a fix, and the snapping issues have been fixed for the most part.  The troubling part is that Frost had to go outside his coaching staff and reach out to guys he played with 25 years ago to help fix the issue.

 

I honestly don't think it's an issue Austin needed help to address a specialty position.  No coach knows everything about the game or his position group.  But, the very big problem is that it took Frost to step in and address the issue.  

This sounds like a DC solution.  You know that solution we had before that is failing miserably?  I'm pretty sure if we just double down on it, everything will be perfect.  

7 minutes ago, lo country said:

I loved Frost as a QB and as our hire.  I wish he had done better.  He hasn't. It's not personal.  It's professional. Other than "close losses" and "this close", how will/does that translate to wins next season.  Considering we are set to lose a substantial chunk of the thing that has kept us in games.  Our defense.  And if it is because the schedule is easier.....That's a cop out and lowering the standards.   

+1 I gave Frost the benefit of the doubt longer than many.  But, the way this team continues to find ways to lose isn't inspiring of confidence in the coaching.  And if he comes back next year and this team lays another egg in week 0 to Northwestern in Dublin, then what?  Dreams of bowl eligibility?

36 minutes ago, gobiggergoredder said:

It’s more than that.  
 

he holds the ball too long.  Toure, Manning and even Allen get great separation of the break.  If the QB had any timing he’d hit this guys all day long.  Instead he stares them down into coverage 2-3 seconds later.

Absolutely, and now you're getting into pre and post snap reads, and having the confidence to let it go.  But, throwing mechanics should be elementary.  When those are lacking, I'm not expecting much in these areas

3 minutes ago, suh_fan93 said:

 

 

Overall, they've been solid this season, but they aren't blameless, particularly in the games that are ultimately going to cost this team a bowl game, & Frost his job, lets just be real on that.  

3 minutes ago, Huskerchief said:

I learned that this team has more motivation than any 3-7 team I've ever seen. Proud they haven't checked out. 

 

2. I will have to continue to explain to people why being "close enough" and "almost there" is a load of crap, especially when you drop games to Illinois, Minnesota, and Purdue. 

3. There is no such thing as moral victories.

I was going to post virtually this, but will add, I've been around enough teams to know this playing down to the opponent issue that has plagued this team under Frost is a top down problem.  So, while I feel for Frost the former player, Frost the coach has nobody to blame but himself.  

People can talk about missed opportunities, but as played, this game still came down to 2 missed FG's, poor punts, & OSU drilling a 47 yd FG to cement the W.  That is the difference between where this team has been all year and where it needs to go.

AM aims the ball.  I could go deeper into his mechanics & other things, but every time I see him throw the ball I ask myself how the hell does Mario have a job?  He's worked with this kid for four years.  I'm a former DB who coaches kids with far less talent, but they throw the ball, and trust their mechanics to provide accuracy because it's what I preach daily.  It's something I just can't get past anytime there is discussion of AM or MV cuz it's elementary stuff to anybody who has thrown a ball in any sport at any level.

I fail to see problem here.  You're team is coming off two lackluster performances in games set up for them to win and maintain momentum.  They clearly aren't driven to play for coaches, one just lost his father when they laid egg.  Maybe they decide to play for each other???  But, biggest upset of season will be if they don't get breaks beaten off them Saturday imo.

I'll keep this post to surface issues, because anything deeper is just too frustrating...

I learned that moral victories just become L's when you don't win winnable games...

I learned my optimism this team could reach 6 wins and go bowling is dead...

I think it's going to be very difficult for Frost to retain his job & I've finally accepted that!

38 minutes ago, HuskerNation1 said:

 

I love your post overall, but regarding your last statement, I respectfully disagree. I think Frost has brought in great talent and would leave the cupboard pretty stacked for the next guy if it would come to that. I hope we can finish 4-1 which would give Frost his first winning season.

I do agree with you, my concern would be in this era of transfer portal, roster would be undone overnight.

I learned you take points when score 0-0, not really, but you do, even though I like aggressiveness, it's not like it was 4 & goal from inside 1.  

Since this team became a run, play action offense, they've become a good team.  But that Illinois loss still haunts them & the Michigan State loss still stings.  

This team is close, but we're going to have to see how the season ends to see what that really means.  Minnesota is a BIG game.  

AM has been good this year, but he continues to find ways to kill this team w/untimely turnovers.  Defense has been very good, but they can't get necessary stops when game on the line, and this team continues to look inept in 2:00 minute opportunities that determine games.

I really hope they close out strong and ride this push to next season, because if Frost isn't retained, I fear NU is back to square one.  

I usually cringe a little when I open thread titles that look like they should just be a comment in a broader thread, but us old heads deserve a place to re-live our youths every now and then...thumbs up