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But, But, Big Bert's not the problem, it's that penny-pinching miser Alvarez. Keeping good assistants is just a money thing, not a D-bag head coach thing.

I guess his true colors are starting to rise to the surface more and the tolerance for him is maxed out.

 

Prominent media guy covering Huskers says it was definitely the athletic department that wanted this story out. Contacted both newspapers so they could do the interview together.

 

Also said it didn't go over all that well with everyone on the team.

 

Thanks Mavric.

 

I'm going to say this once again. You heard it... and read it here... FIRST.

 

The fans here figured this out instantly and the discussion has showed that. There were several members here, with great instincts, that were on top on this in a heart beat. Once again the fans were correct.

 

It's been very difficult for many to understand and accept the intelligence of Nebraska fans. People in authority who think they can control everything, even though they can't, just cant stand it and still refuse to swallow it.

 

But it's more than that. It's that we are also brutally honest. The combination of intelligence, great instincts and honesty presents a unique and top notch forum for getting accurate and hard hitting information. More accurate and more honest than what you can get anywhere else. Period.

 

But there's more. We (fans) simply do NOT accept being told what to think or say. That genuine freedom trumps everything else. Fans do NOT accept being told what the truth is... when we can see for ourselves that the truth being proclaimed by others, is in fact not true at all. We know the truth and we speak it. We don't take orders from above about what to think... we can think for ourselves. Again... a unique and very healthy aspect of what we do. We wouldn't want it any other way and it shouldn't be any other way.

 

Last but not least "chat boards" are now THE drivers of the narrative. We lead and others follow our lead. Radio shows and other media have been coming to and referring to fan reaction and comments forever... but now more than ever. They know where the good stuff is at... even though they wont admit it. We may not have "media access" but the beautiful thing is we don't need it. We can figure things out for ourselves. We've known for 18 years that the athletic ability of our players has been way down. We can see it with our own eyes and know it with our own minds.

 

"Chat boards" are like healthy little children crawling all over the house. People look at them and comment on how smart they are... but they're still crawling. So the time has come to stand up. The time has come to take our place in all of this... and expect that our place be given the respect it deserves. I personally have never tolerated the criticism-jealousy-envy being thrown at chat boards. It was never anything more than petty jealousy.

 

And best of all. Because we are truly fans... we do it all with the best of intentions.

 

Message boards are becoming more mainstream and are referenced by other media sources; and carry some influence. That influence can both be good and bad at times.

As I continued to read your post, I got Braveheart flash backs as he was preparing his men for battle.

I think there are several scenarios where the same roster of talent that started the 2015 Nebraska season ends up better than 5-7, even challenges for the division.

 

• Different new head coach

• Same new head coach, quicker player buy-in

• Pelini stays, maintains continuity

• Fewer key injuries

• Less stubborn quarterback

• Good luck instead of bad luck

 

But I don't think Nebraska puts together the season we've been clamoring for without a significant talent upgrade.

 

That means: everyone here is right!

 

Merry Christmas, HuskerBoard!

Very well done. There doesn't always have to be a line in sand.

 

You said I had no chance at being as good of football players as the ones I listed

 

Yes I did. However, I don't ascribe it to lack of talent, and you keep missing that point. My opinion of your lack of success has more to do with your personality, attitude, a perceived propensity to give up before a real effort is made and also the fact that you would be the type to put up over 10,000 posts sitting in front of the computer in the last three years just to this one forum, which might be siphoning away time spent more profitably elsewhere.

 

I am done with you, as I will not be your enabler. Go do something positive, regardless of talent level.

You can have the next and last word, I am going to work on my dog walking "talent".

 

I gave up with him as well in other threads. He misses the point, twists comments, cherry picks to remove context, moves the goal posts and interprets comments in a head scratching way.

I have no idea what Epley's metric looks like when evaluating "talent", but talent is more than just an athlete. I assume he looks at a persons athletic ability in relation to speed, strength and reaction time to name a few. Having great athletes in needed for a top football team, but it goes much further than that. Football smarts also play a vital role on both sides of the ball. Reading defenses, anticipation, football geometry (pursuit angles, throwing), seeing a running lane as it opens, making cuts at the RIGHT time etc. I could go on, but my point is, being athletic and having football smarts are both crucial. A few examples..... you could have the fastest RB in the nation, but if he cannot see a running lane or make a cut at the right time, he is only half effective, and play calls are limited. (A competent coach should recognize) You can have superior athlete at QB, but if he struggles to read a defense, he is not as effective. Your defensive backs can be the strongest and fastest, but if they take poor pursuit angels.......I think I made my point on this.

To go a bit further though and a bit outside the scope of this thread, coaches develop their players differently. Some players require more time than others, some need work on football IQ, others need to put on weight, get stronger, endurance, mechanics, footwork....on and on. I think that player development is ONE of the things that can separate bad, good and great coaches.

I just read a thread full of panty waste.

There were posters talking about different points of an issue to include player safety, football purist who say play the game as it was intended, play the game as your own risk, how the game has or will evolve and how Bill/Ed Cuningham announces football games. What is "panty waste"?

I coach my sons team. We get certified in heads up tackling and in many many other approaches to keep the game safe.

Football has really changed safety-wise in last 10-15 yrs at the youth level...for the better. The emphasis has switched from "blowing people up" "knocking the snot out of them" etc to just making good form tackles and getting the ball carrier stopped. Using more rugby style two arm form tackles is really popular. In the 2 yrs since I've been coaching there has only been 1 kid on our team or the opponents team that has been concussed and that's because landed on his head after jumping. In 19 games and countless practices 1 concussion. We teach a very safe way to play the game. Constantly reminding kids not to use their head to make plays.

 

Bill Cunningham sounds like a whiney pu&&y. He just does. It's irritating he takes so much time of a TV program to talk about something that's not a huge issue, it's blown way way out of proportion compared to the number of kids who play and suffer not a single concussion. Just another reason not to tune ESPN. A bunch of pussies.

I can't remember the exact game awhile back that I first heard him drone on and on and on about players leading with helmets and safety, but it was absolutely exhausting listening to him. Additionally, it was inappropriate in the context of what his actual job duties should entail. Announce the football game and keep your opinions to a minimum Mr. Cunningham.

Not meant to be critical of anyone here, but a well designed and executed running play is almost full contact ballet. Wisconsin the last couple of years, Nebraska of old, Sooners in the Wishbone...

 

I didn't see too many mind blowing running plays this season, but we'll see what comes as Riley gets his sea legs under him.

Nice description.

 

There's some interesting research being done in material engineering to find ways to reduce the severity of impacts on a helmet. Most of it is being funded by DARPA for use in military helmets, but could be easily adapted to football and hockey helmets. Rule changes can only do so much to reduce head trauma in an impact sport, but some rule changes are necessary. Better still is research into improving helmets.

 

Now the reason why concussions and head impacts are so bad is because a hard enough impact will cause rapid acceleration of the head in one direction, followed by rapid deceleration, and sometimes a re-acceleration in the other direction. This literally compresses the brain against the skull, resulting in bruising or worse directly to the brain.

 

A helmet that is able to redirect or disperse the kinetic force in a way that lowers the acceleration applied to the brain could drastically reduce the severity of concussions and greatly reduce the damage caused by non-concussion causing hits.

And what is the skull sitting on top of and connected to the body by? Anyone...anyone? The NECK! If players trained all the muscles in their neck (including rotational) they could reduce the acceleration of the head when hit. But no, the cavemen coaches just want you bigger & faster so you can effectively hurt someone during the 2 quarters before you're ejected or concussed.

 

I don't want to derail the thread, but only add a small point that the bolded brings to mind. I really can't stand the trend in football that has transpired over the years with the ESPN highlight full force body slam tackle mentality. Way too many misses/wiffs. What ever happened to a good ole' two arm wrap up tackle?

Solid fundamentals seem to be on the decline. Okay, done now. Back to the topic at hand.

Remember when Sumlin was the next hot coach?

Winning at the CFB level is a lot tougher than most fans appreciate. Sumlin is a good coach, but despite his recruiting, he's not had a winning record in the SEC since his first year.

 

I may start a "Where are They Now?" Thread about the guys who were considered the best 20 coaches in CFB as of 2011.

I would be curious to see that. Not 2011, but Gus Malzahn comes to mind as hot coach who has been on the decline since his first year championship game at Auburn followed up with two sub-par years.

There are risks in everything we do, you either accept them or walk the other way.

Valid point.

 

 

 

Why does this guy even call football games? Does he like the sport? Is a paid shill by the liberal lawyers who wear panties on the weekend?

He just made a 10 minute speech about how football is too physical these days, how they SHOULD never add another playoff game because there's too much football already, there's too many injuries because players have gotten too fast too big..etc whine etc whine.

This same pu&&y calls Nebraska games and literally whinces when there is a big crushing hit and made it seem as though there were some malicious intent on behalf of a football player making a tackle. Man, he is a puss. It makes me mad he even has that job.

If you've read a single report about the impact concussions have on the brain and what it does to an individual long term, you'd be singing a different tune.

 

No offense, but adding the word 'liberal lawyers' (like they have anything to do with it?) and calling him a pu&&y makes you look pretty ignorant about the topic. You clearly don't understand the topic and come off looking not so great.

You missed the point. Your argument is essentially that football is too violent and damaging to the brain, and that it perhaps needs to be re-examined as a sport. It's a conversation worth having, but the OPs point is that it doesn't make sense for a guy who feels that way to be calling a football game. It would be rather like having Sunday services led by a "pastor" who does nothing more than rant about the evils of organized religion.

 

If Ed Cunningham thinks football is a brutal sport and too violent and dangerous, he shouldn't be calling games on TV. If you can't understand that, it's you who doesn't look "so great."

 

My point was by using 'liberal lawyers' and calling him a pu&&y was immature.

 

Like there's some agenda attacking football from the left. OP looks ignorant when using those ter

Valid point.

 

Folks, there appears to be a fissure between the "don't change football" crowd & the "it's a danger to our youth" crowd. Listen, if you take the hard line that football should not be made safer, you are going to LOSE, and you might lose the whole game itself. Alternatively, if you use your senses and discuss democratically the changes that could be made, there is a shot we keep this great game from going extinct. Neck strength training, heads up football, & less contact throughout a season are a few thoughts. Don't be hard headed or you will be the cause for the extinction of the game of football. Ed Cunningham is generally a blowhard but just because he is concerned about player safety doesn't make him a liberal. Take off your tin foil hat, RED.

The key is to make it safer without ruining the game.

 

Indeed, this is the key. The worry is that changes will go too far and the game will only be a shell of itself. Many believe it has already happened.

 

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/_Fxr_XhOdE/

 

I'm thinking Valentine is gonna declare for the draft.

Was wondering the same thing when I saw that.

Wouldn't surprise me one bit. He has been here 4 years, will probably get his degree this December. Yes, he could probably improve his stock, but he could also be ready to end his college career. He has had injury problems at times, so he could be thinking "if I am gonna be injured, I might as well do it on a NFL roster."

 

Obviously he will have to decide what is best for him, but I hope he plays another season.

Lucky was a great back.

 

I think Newby has the potential to be a great back.

For reference I think Ameer is an "elite back."

Personally, the different between being a great back like Lucky and Newby and a really special back, like Helu and Burkhead, is often coaching and scheme. I think that if you took Helu and dropped him on this team, we would be talking about how he's not really that great.

 

We really really miss Ron Brown, imo.

I don't want to turn this into a Lucky debate, but I don't think nearly as high about him.

Newby may have potential, but I wish he would speed up finding his peak.

Ameer was in his own class. Spot on with "elite" tag.

I also really liked what Helu and Burkhead brought to table and consider them great backs.

Just hoping for best.

Early in the year it was suggested that Newby could be better if allowed enough playing time to find a rhythm. I think he was allowed that, showed a small improvement IMO, but still disappointed. I would like to see Wilbon or Ozigbo get a real shot to see what they can do. I think we have see a few glimpses that suggest there may be some promise, but I would like to see a enough playing time to let them get into a rhythm. While I understand effective blocking from a back is important to the overall game and the concepts Riley is trying install, I still wish that could be set aside for a bit and just see what they can do RUNNING the ball.

 

 

 

I can agree with much of what your saying, just not all. I believe in todays win now, instant gratification climate that has transpired over the years, a new coach would be wise to temporarily adjust certain aspects of his style while in transition. In Tommy's case, there is enough film and time with him to realize he runs hot and cold and has always showed a pattern of bad decisions when passing the ball. I think our coaching staff could do a better job of looking at what Tommy does well on a CONSISTENT basis, and try to build from there. I am not suggesting we run the ball more in every game, but simply tailor things a bit more to Tommy's strengths and the strength of the team. What are high completion percentage passes for Tommy? Does he do better in the pocket or on the run. Short pass, medium or long? Has the running back stable been used to fullest potential? If I am not rotating guys on my line, do I REALLY have the best players there?

 

In closing.....square peg, round hole. LOL.

Question,

 

Why do Husker fans want to be like that?

 

I do not necessarily think this is inclusive to just Husker fans. I think we are seeing it all across college football. A few examples to make my point; coaches are given only a handful of years these days to achieve some sort of measurable success or they are fired. Schools are ponying up record $$$ amounts to find the latest hot coach to meet their desires of achievement. In the case of Nebraska fans, many of us are emotionally invested in our team and we long for the glory days. We miss the days when Nebraska was feared, always went to a top bowl game and was highly ranked. It been just under two decades now since that level of success, and husker fans have grown impatient and fear slipping deeper into mediocrity. I think the one thing we can all agree on as Husker fans is that want success for our team.......but we all define success differently, and sometimes have opposing views on how to get there and the time it should take.

 

that's not my question.

 

My question is, why do Husker fans want to be like this? You make a conscious decision to have the attitude you have. There are lots of examples of where coaches take several years to realize the success they ultimately get. But, instead of supporting a staff that everyone knows is going to be here for at least a few years, some fans consciously decide they are NOT going to support them and do nothing but rip them constantly.

 

So, to them, it's win now or screw you. So....my question is, why do Husker fans want to be that type of fan? To me, that fan is setting themselves up to be pissed off and miserable most of the time.

 

Are you kidding me dude, what is wrong with you? You cherry pick a lead in statement and say "not my question" then ignore the rest of the post. I answered your question. I guess it was not what you wanted to hear or really didn't want an answer- only a platform to flame throw. You seem to have an axe to grind but you can find someone else to grind with.

 

I can agree with much of what your saying, just not all. I believe in todays win now, instant gratification climate that has transpired over the years, a new coach would be wise to temporarily adjust certain aspects of his style while in transition. In Tommy's case, there is enough film and time with him to realize he runs hot and cold and has always showed a pattern of bad decisions when passing the ball. I think our coaching staff could do a better job of looking at what Tommy does well on a CONSISTENT basis, and try to build from there. I am not suggesting we run the ball more in every game, but simply tailor things a bit more to Tommy's strengths and the strength of the team. What are high completion percentage passes for Tommy? Does he do better in the pocket or on the run. Short pass, medium or long? Has the running back stable been used to fullest potential? If I am not rotating guys on my line, do I REALLY have the best players there?

 

In closing.....square peg, round hole. LOL.

Question,

 

Why do Husker fans want to be like that?

 

I do not necessarily think this is inclusive to just Husker fans. I think we are seeing it all across college football. A few examples to make my point; coaches are given only a handful of years these days to achieve some sort of measurable success or they are fired. Schools are ponying up record $$$ amounts to find the latest hot coach to meet their desires of achievement. In the case of Nebraska fans, many of us are emotionally invested in our team and we long for the glory days. We miss the days when Nebraska was feared, always went to a top bowl game and was highly ranked. It been just under two decades now since that level of success, and husker fans have grown impatient and fear slipping deeper into mediocrity. I think the one thing we can all agree on as Husker fans is that want success for our team.......but we all define success differently, and sometimes have opposing views on how to get there and the time it should take.

 

 

Why is everyone against running a pro style offense here? What are the complaints you have against it? Just curious what people have.

 

I for one would like to see a pro style offense here for the long haul. Look at the top teams year in and year out and a majority of them run a pro style offense, whether it be run heavy or pass heavy or balanced. It also attracts better high school players that want to make it to the next level.

I don't think people are objecting to a pro style offense. I think there is frustration that the coaches are not tailoring the offense to the skill sets of their players, specifically our starting QB. They are trying fit a square peg in a round hole and it is costing us some games. Eventually Riley and staff may get the players to fit their system, but that is the future and we are dealing with the present.

So you've ran a system for decades and should just dump it for short term success? We played many young players and unfortunately you are typically going to have some sort of setback when transitioning.

 

Not suggesting dumping the system at all. I bolded a few things for you, and no where does it say or suggest dumping his system. To simplify, I am talking about a smoother transition.

I can agree with much of what your saying, just not all. I believe in todays win now, instant gratification climate that has transpired over the years, a new coach would be wise to temporarily adjust certain aspects of his style while in transition. In Tommy's case, there is enough film and time with him to realize he runs hot and cold and has always showed a pattern of bad decisions when passing the ball. I think our coaching staff could do a better job of looking at what Tommy does well on a CONSISTENT basis, and try to build from there. I am not suggesting we run the ball more in every game, but simply tailor things a bit more to Tommy's strengths and the strength of the team. What are high completion percentage passes for Tommy? Does he do better in the pocket or on the run. Short pass, medium or long? Has the running back stable been used to fullest potential? If I am not rotating guys on my line, do I REALLY have the best players there?

In closing.....square peg, round hole. LOL.

Why is everyone against running a pro style offense here? What are the complaints you have against it? Just curious what people have.

 

I for one would like to see a pro style offense here for the long haul. Look at the top teams year in and year out and a majority of them run a pro style offense, whether it be run heavy or pass heavy or balanced. It also attracts better high school players that want to make it to the next level.

I don't think people are objecting to a pro style offense. I think there is frustration that the coaches are not tailoring the offense to the skill sets of their players, specifically our starting QB. They are trying fit a square peg in a round hole and it is costing us some games. Eventually Riley and staff may get the players to fit their system, but that is the future and we are dealing with the present.

 

 

Hey...yaaa....let's get rid of a coach that is one of the main reasons why a very good QB recruit is coming next year.

 

Great idea......just brilliant.

In all fairness, I think there is more than the ability to recruit POTENTIALLY great player(s) to be considered.

 

yeah.....recruiting a player that fits his system....the same system that very closely had the same production as the 4 playoff teams even though he had a QB that didn't fit.

 

 

There a lot of brilliance in this thread.

 

No need to take a passive aggressive tone with your brilliance comments. Its obvious you have your mind made up and there are no other points be considered, so we can leave it at that.

There are many points of view on Maliek staying or going that are valid. However, I still hope he stays for selfish fan reasons, but I also think it can't be a bad thing to have a college degree to fall back on when football is over.

Hey...yaaa....let's get rid of a coach that is one of the main reasons why a very good QB recruit is coming next year.

 

Great idea......just brilliant.

In all fairness, I think there is more than the ability to recruit POTENTIALLY great player(s) to be considered.

I think the biggest issue with Read, is that it's literally his only job, and for $500k, we wanted VT level special teams units. Bo's special teams units were farmed out to different assistant, and were actually pretty good most of his tenure, except the disastrous 2013 season where we could barely catch a punt. IIRC, they were in Phil Steele's top 10 ST units 5 of 7 seasons (one of the few places to track that stuff), and we routinely had good kicking and coverage units. The return units were decent to good most years too. 2015 wasn't that bad, other than our kick return unit, which was non-existent until Stanly Morgan got the nod. That said, Brown got better, and we did get a bit better in the return units over the year.

That is what bothers me the most. I think we are getting very little bang for the buck with him. How is he as a recruiter?

Weather we like or not, all staffs are always judged in some way. They get judged on game day, throughout the season and year after year. Some judge with a more critical eye than others, and some call or wish for immediate consequences for poor coaching, while other show patience. Its all part of being a fan.