chamrocck

I'm not ready to throw Cally under the bus yet but the leash is getting shorter. We are 4-2 and I think we will be 2-4 the rest of the way finishing at 6-6. With a better defense this is a 8 or 9 win team. To me the defense looks to be the main problem and we must fix that. I think Coz will and should take the fall. Elmassian needs to definitely go also. We are getting humiliated on national TV every month. When you can't stop the opponent your whole team is demoralized. Converesly, when your defense is pummeling the opponent and getting after it, the offense follows suit with good field position and motivation. Whoever comes in to take over the defense must be a big time hire and motivator and have a passion to restoring the Blackshirts. I have seen persons throwing around former players and maybe we should get a big time hire and have that hire embrace bringing in former players as assistants. I think Cally can continue to succeed with the offense but still needs to adapt better to the college game. I think he needs to at times simplify things and let the players succeed with their own talent and instincts. It is a real shame (and probably somewhat of a surprise) to the staff and players that we are so lacking on defense. There has been a real focus during Callahan's tenure on the offense and how it first changed and now how it is evolving and progressing. I think the oversight was that once the offense was fixed and all the pieces were in place, then we'd be knocking on the BCS door again. No one ever really checked up on what the defense was doing and assumed they would progress and just show up for the ride as our offense would be the difference. Well, that was a big oversight...we can't expect to go on the road and win games or beat ranked opponents with offense alone...not when our defense is one of the worst in the country. My point is that I don't think Cally will ever fall down immensely on the offensive side of the ball...I trust him there for the most part. But, I think he let his buddy Coz have to much freedom with the defense and now Coz is in over his head, Cally is taking heat, and ultimately Coz will have to take the fall. The next D-Coordinator will be one that certainly has his s%&! together, no doubt.

Thought it was appropriate time to bump this post and give it new life. Give this guy complete control of the defense. We need someone that desires to restore the Blackshirts. This guy knows defense and Big 12 football. He needs to be a target. Git R Done.

Player: Michael Thomas Hometown: Houston, TX Position: ATH Height: 5'11" Weight: 180 lbs. 40 time: 4.5 Visit Date: Scholarships offered: Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa State, Stanford, Northwestern, Penn State, Boise State, Rice Favorites: Stanford, Northwestern Rankings/Stars: Rivals: Bid Red Report: Assessing the talent: Versatile prospect has played QB/RB/WR/CB. Odds of becoming a Cornhusker: 15% We need to overcome his leaders. Scout link here talks about being impressed with Nebraska and his view of NU as a prestigious program. Article also mentions that we may be looking at him as a WR.

Just saw this at Husker Journal for what it's worth...confirms that Michigan coaches used the Wolverine's poor early start as a recruiting tool to get Demens...heck, he should have waited a week or two...Kenny, we need help at LB and defense too! Anyone know if he will still visit us? He confirms at end lots of our recruits wanted him to come to NU. SEPTEMBER 26, 2007. PREP STAR KENNY DEMENS, LB, 6-1, 226, 4.6, DETROIT (COUNTRY DAY), MICHIGAN Kenny will make his oral commitment this Saturday at Oak Park High School. The announcement will be at 1:00 PM local time at the media center. Kenny will draw hats from Nebraska, Michigan and Michigan State. “I was at one time a Nebraska lean, but after Michigan struggled early I gave them a big look.” said Kenny, “Michigan coaches told me they needed help at linebacker and I could play early.” “I saw Michigan twice this year, Oregon and Notre Dame games.” he said, “I liked the Big House and the game atmosphere.” “My mother wants me to stay close to home and play for Michigan. She wants me at an academic school.” When asked if Nebraska will finish third for his services, Kenny replied. “At this time it’s all equal. I’m going in cold with my announcement.” “If I was to leave the area (Nebraska), my mother would support my decision and still make it to some of the games.” said Kenny. “I visited Michigan State, it’s an upcoming program.” he said, “I like the staff there, they are down to earth. The new coach is doing a good job.” “Michigan State is recruiting the Detroit area hard and making some progress. My cousin Caulton Ray (Michigan State commit) calls me all the time.” “I also hear from Nebraska commits, Gabbert, Rippy, Compton and Woods. My teammate Gray wants me at Nebraska too." “I’m looking forward to Saturday, I can’t wait to get it over with.”

Mo, may God bless you and keep you strong in this time of tragedy.

Has committed to Michigan State.

No surprise for me. Based on my prior posts, I could see the writing on the wall. Good luck to him. I think we still have good targets to fill this spot.

Bad news for us...LSU has now offered him. Need to look at the depth charts. LSU may be loaded at WR so maybe he would like the chance to play with us much earlier? This kid projects to be a good one and not sure if he will visit. We need another key WR recruit in this class.

From CNN: "It was a wild Signing Day for San Antonio, Texas four star linebacker Travis Lewis. Lewis had originally committed to Nebraska, but recently switched to Oklahoma. The 6-foot-1, 213-pounder is ranked the No. 37 player in Texas and is ranked No. 20 among outside linebackers." With OU already having 2 of the top LB prospects (the Rivals No. 3 High School OLB and a five star JUCO) signed and no RBs perhaps that rumor about him playing RB makes sense. Perhaps he figures he's only a couple of injuries away from being the starting running back at OU whereas at Nebraska, maybe 6 guys would be in front of him on the depth chart at RB. I wonder if this kid is seeing the field at all. wasnt he going to play RB for them? I wonder how he feels about the 2 big time RB they have commited for this years class. we could sure use him at LB. he would probably be starting next year for us Good observation....he'd definitely be in the mix for LB next year had he signed with us. I don't know if he will ever see the light of day as a RB for OU and I suspect he won't. Will be interesting to see what happens.

Gameball for the Grixter! Way to go...shut up all these posters here on HB! Continue to bring it, Grixby!

Missouri 47 NEBRASKA 33 Corn Ground 135 Corn Air 325 I absolutely hate this match-up with Mizzou on the road. Not feeling good at all about this one...hope the team proves me wrong! Man, we are going to need to force Mizzou into lots of turnovers to be in this one...

Good to get the W today but we still lack consistency on both sides of the ball. Defense: Props to Grix and Ruud for the gamechanging INT's (we need guys to step up and be playmakers so gameballs for them). McKeon, Suh, and Potter seemed to be in on a lot of plays (at least got mentioned a lot on the web broadcast). McKeon seemed to have a really good game so that is great to hear. Bowman seemed to be getting torched a bit which surprised me. Agree with some of the other comments that this was ISU at home and Mizzou and other opponents are going to be much better so we have lots of work to do. Offense: Nice halfback pass from Lucky and pretty good game from him other than the fumble. Felt we still could have run it more on ISU and controlled this game much better. Nice TD's by Lawson. Keller was solid. Purify does not seem to be involved as much as I think he should be in the offense. Way too many drops from WR's...on the broadcast it seems like there is a dropped pass almost every series...this has got to stop. I thought we caught the ball well against USC but most other games we have been very average and inconsistent. Overall: Concerned we are a middle of the pack team in the Big 12 this year. We are turning the ball over too much. Being on the west coast I see a lot of Pac-10 games. USC is always on and our defense looked to be the worst I have seen against them. Washington tonight played them much better than we did but the score was close due to a lot of USC penalties and some uncharacteristic USC turnovers. I see Cal, Oregon, Arizona St., and UCLA out here as well...the types of offenses they have, all those teams would beat us as well. Now the Big 12 North looks to be better than originally thought...so we have our work cut out for us. I am not expecting a win at Mizzou but I hope I am proven wrong!

Good luck to him. Disappointed for us to lose out on a key recruit. Wonder if he will still take his visit with us? Well, hopefully we can use this opening for another top recruit.

Bushell was unable to make his visit yet. But appears we are his leader and have taken the lead from Florida. Hope he gets to visit soon!

Wisconsin may have the edge now over North Carolina and South Carolina. He obviously knows we are full at RB.

Has committed to Texas A&M.

NEBRASKA 41 Iowa State 31 Corn Ground 210 Corn Air 327

Player: Keenan Davis Hometown: Cedar Rapids, IA Position: WR Height: 6'3" Weight: 188 lbs. 40 time: 4.52 Visit Date: Scholarships offered: Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas Favorites: Rankings/Stars: Rivals: Big Red Report: Assessing the talent: May be the top prospect in 2009 from IA; On the 2009 Rivals 100 To Watch List. Odds of becoming a Cornhusker: 30% Likely to be a border war between us and Iowa.

Player: John Simon Hometown: Youngstown, OH Position: DT Height: 6'3" Weight: 265 lbs. 40 time: 4.7 Visit Date: Scholarships offered: Nebraska, Ohio State, Illinois, Pitt, Stanford Favorites: Rankings/Stars: Rivals: Big Red Report: Assessing the talent: On the 2009 Rivals 100 To Watch List Odds of becoming a Cornhusker: 15% Ohio State seems like it would be obvious leader but we have had inroads into recruiting in Ohio.

Player: Laron Byrd Hometown: Boutte, LA Position: WR Height: 6'4" Weight: 205 lbs. 40 time: 4.46 Visit Date: Scholarships offered: Nebraska, Colorado, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Auburn, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Arkansas, West Virginia, Miami, Michigan, Minnesota, LSU, Tulane Favorites: Rankings/Stars: Rivals: Big Red Report: Assessing the talent: Physical WR with good size and speed. Good ability to take ball from defenders with height, leaping, and ball concentration. Very solid prospect. Odds of becoming a Cornhusker: 20% Has interest in LSU but as far as I can tell they have not offered him. If he does not get an LSU offer, I expect it to be wide open for this talented WR. I'd like to see us out recruit these teams in the south. Potential to be a go to target at NU (i.e. Mo Purify).

Well after today, I don't think Demens should base his decision on playing for Michigan because he would play earlier there than he would for us. Michigan's defense is looking better...and based on what we are doing, Demens could start tomorrow!

I'd look at plucking someone from the NFL as well.