HUSKER FREAK

I think our defense is going to be really good this year. I really don't see any blowout losses unless by tOSU in the B1G championship game, but our offense is what scares me. I think our QB's are so far behind it will take a couple years of actual coaching to get one that can play the position really well. Someone needs to stand up and say they are taking the QB spot and not look back. Also, how fast the Oline learns the techniques they need will have a huge impact as well. It is amazing poorly they were coached at these two positions, but hopefully this changes in a hurry. I guess the Wr's running better routes and leasrning a few new tricks will help the passing game out, and in return the running game as well. I hope that's wrong, but I just dont see us scoring a lot of points this year. Oh as far as what the op is asking; well I wanted to give clownahan a chance but I knew deep down it wasn't going to work...him and Nebraska? Yeah right!! Pelini on the other hand I thought was going to be the answer. Hell, I still did or at least had hope at the beginning of last year, but obviously I was way off. It sure seems as though Riley knows what he is doing and knows the type of assistants he needs to be successful but hell I have no idea if he will get it done here. Out of the three I think he is more Nebraska than the previous two, but itbis pretty early yet.

I hope you are right, but that is quite a bit of speculation. Coach speak is just that until we see them play. It reminds me of all of the grandiose plans you had for Tommy Armstrong this past year. Well when you listen to the players and the coaches talk and they are both saying that they are learning more and understanding more about their position's , it seems like it is a little more than speculation or coach speak. I tend to agree with you but keep telling myself to caution on assuming too much. When you have had a teacher or manager for 7 years and then all of a sudden that leadership person changes, it can feel like all of a sudden you are learning more. When, in reality, much of what you are feeling is learning something different. It's ALL different so it feels like you are learning more. I'm excited that the players seem excited about the coaching staff (at least the ones who are talking to the media). That buy in is important. I agree with you. It is always easier listening to fresh ideas after gearing the same things for a few years. Like USAID though I'm not positive that MR will get it done here, but I sure like the way he handles his job. He is not afraid of it and genuinely enjoys his job. From coaching to talking with the media he really enjoys what he does, and that type of leadership is contagious in a good way.

I hope you are right, but that is quite a bit of speculation. Coach speak is just that until we see them play. It reminds me of all of the grandiose plans you had for Tommy Armstrong this past year. Well when you listen to the players and the coaches talk and they are both saying that they are learning more and understanding more about their position's , it seems like it is a little more than speculation or coach speak.

It definitely is refreshing listening to the new staff compared to the old staff. They seem genuine and honest and not rehearsed like the pelini gang. I know its got to be tough on the players adjusting but I wonder what is going through the minds of these coaches seeing firsthand how f'd up this program had become. All this talent and they don't even know that they are talented.

I get what you are saying but in Pelini's defense when he had people running his defense the way he wanted, it was very good despite its complexities. Although you are right about being a good defense when we were able to get the kids who could understand it, but it was still a bend but don't break defense that ended up us losing by a field goal at the end of the game in our close games because our offense sucked. And, if he wasn't able to get the players he needed for his scheme then why wouldn't you change the scheme to match your players. It is like the blow out games. They all did the same thing to us. Wisky best example kept running the same plays on us over and over and pelini wouldn't change. He just let it happen and then threw his players under the bus because they weren't disciplined. That makes me laugh now because I'm pretty damn sure the players were disciplined otherwise they would have told him where to go and just free lanced, because at that point they would have been better off. I was a supporter of Pelini for almost the whole time he was here, but at the end when his craziness started going public (and I'm not just saying emotions during a game but the actual "Crazy" or " insane") it completely made sense why we could never have a complete team. He just didn't know how to manage. Whether being his assistants or players he didn't know what the hell he was doing on an everyday professional level. He didn't hire experts at positions because he couldn't say he knew more or couldn't control them. He would focus on an area and that was it until that was fixed or until those players understood it, but wouldn't spend the time at every position like that or all other players because he couldn't, not enough Time too even if he wanted to. Now I'm not positive that Mike Riley has it all figured out, but as far as a manager and getting the right assistants to coach his players ( experts at those positions) it sure sounds as though he is approaching this team in the right way and letting and trusting his assistants to do their jobs. I feel bad for the players now more then ever for the simple fact that some of them have to feel as though they were lied to and betrayed by the previous staff, or maybe just Pelini beings he's the one who hired the assistants and then micromanaged them. I'm not saying the assistants here were all stupid just saying they couldn't succeed or look really good because pelini wouldn't let them.

I really thought the quote from Banderas was funny and probably very true. Considering how slow the linebackers were to react. He said: in the old system we see the ball think about it and then react. In the new scheme we see the ball and react. And another was: last year we had a dictionary to memorize this years is a preschool book. Now to me defense is pretty damn simple. There is no reason to make it complicated. Yes I know you have disguise blitzes and coverages but being overly complicated to the point they are afraid to react is pretty stupid coaching. You don't have the luxury of knowing where the ball is going so the faster you react the better meaning the simpler the the d the better.

The biggest problem with not only Stanton but all of the Qb's was the previous staff. They had no true Qb coach or at least an effective one.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say if Banker plays AT ALL, we're screwed. I agree. All the beer guts on the field cracked me up.

Yeah Banderas isn't the only one getting the fresh start, the way it sounds. Reading some of the quotes from other players was sad. They are locked here (if they want to play) after their sophomore year and really redshirt freshman year. Banderas and Jackson are two with a lot of potential and it is amazing that they weren't given the chance to succeed by a coach making the amount of money Pelini did. I am sure there are way more in Pelini's baggage. I feel like a dumbass for supporting him as long as I did, but oh well it is just entertainment time for me. I am surprised how excited the players sound compared to when pelini was fired. That was a quick turn around, and that has to say something to the people (unbelievably) still support his dumb ass. I know it doesn't pertain but I definitely have to hear the whole story on why Ganz contacted Bo about a position if it was curiosity or sinsere, but the fact that he hasn't heard anything from him yet is kind of strange also, but whatever.

Kid has some long arms. Will definitely help him playing his position.

Oh my! I concur.

That's not 100℅ uncontrolable, but in no way can you blame it solely on the staff. It's not like we don't try to drive to create. The problem is we drive in and collapse the zone so well that they are trapped by two or three players and then panic and turn it over. Sometimes they are able to do the common two or three dribble drive and create, meaning pass the damn ball when they start to collapse, not after they already did. And, then we get a nice open jump shot that either about breaks the back board, misses everything, or occasionally goes in. This usually is followed by either yelling at a teammate, their selves, or chest bumping but either way not getting back on d and giving up an easy one. When we do settle for an open or not open jumper right away and either brick or every once in a while make one. We get back on d (without even looking for a rebound) and three or four stand there and watch the one or two aggressive ones and either get called for a lazy foul or they create an easy lay-up or jumper. Either way the team is really lazy and now very undisciplined. The staff needs some blame but when Miles says that they won't listen to leadership amongst all of the other stuff I think it is safe to say that miles has been trying to change things and a few (and this is all it takes) don't want to or don't think they need to change.

Terran Petteway loves wasting possessions this way. As hard as he trains I am amazed when I see the amount of laziness he demonstrates when passing the ball For the most part he train's by himself, so basically shooting is all he works on, besides some agility stuff. So he plays by himself. I am happy that Miles did this. For all the perks they get with the new facilities you would think they would at least try to earn them.

I don't think we have an elite Qb on our team yet. Hopefully one will turn out to be one, but if the staff sees the potential in one local and another highly ranked Qb then I say go for it. We need a qb who can play every game.

this dude has center written all over him. And I haven't even watched his film.

Huh. Where do you live? In Nebraska? Because the part of Nebraska that we live in was a balmy 3° above zero at 8 this morning!

They don't want to have to risk digging next to a pipeline. In all honesty it would be a bad idea to dig right next to another pipeline, disturbing the pack around it could cause it to leak. Anyway, I'm not sure how far the regulations say to stay away in this situation. I still am baffled by the thought of putting a bunch of pipe lines over top of one of the nations biggest and best as far as quality underground aquifers. All it comes down to in their minds is money period, but the amount they would save by the easy digging and install wouldn't compare to the amount of money it would cost if disaster struck, and eventually it would.

You know after going back through and reeducating myself on last year and this years signees I think that we are going to be just fine. Yes we could use another center but we have also gained some very good athletic forwards, and some really good shooters. Not just one but we will have options. I think the coaches will have some very good talent to work with especially the preferred walk-on commit in Johnny True blood, who will be making noise by his junior year for sure.

Yeah the only one that said anything about him going in the first round on the national level were the talking heads, and that was just to create some excitement about the games. Nobody really said he was....maybe he could have a chance to. My big concern if he does come back is; what if the transfer from Kansas is as good as we all hope? How is petteway going to handle it, because it sure doesn't seem like wants to distribute the ball very much.

Minnesota won the NIT and it's hard to say if the carryover was any more significant then us just playing in the Dance.I think the NIT nationally is so ignored that (except for the extra games/ experience) there is little overt value in playing. However, having said that, I'd be glad IF we could make the NIT at this point, because I predicted about 2 weeks ago that we may not win one more game. Love to be wrong and we have a couple of shots at home, but I wouldn't bet a nickel on it. Yeah, it sure doesn't look as though you'll be wrong. Right now they are just grasping at straws. Quicksand...(right?) The harder you try the further down you slide. Mentally they are just not there.

Damn Norfolk is obviously pretty damn good this year. Is there a good place to go to get some info on the instate kids? Also, I really like the fact that the teams in Nebraska are getting more and more competitive with these highly ranked schools. Can do nothing but good things for the athletes.

Miles is a better recruiter/coach than doc hands down. I really don't think I would have been able to watch one more season under doc. May have been a nice guy but he sucked as a coach and recruiter. But, he had ancient facilities and a lot more going against him. His offense would have been really hard to recruit to also, although Miles is kinda doing the same crap this year. I would rather see miles take more chances with players on the bench then do the safe crap he has this year. Use all of what you have available and if you lose then you lose but then there's not as many questions on why he didn't try this or that. I am pretty sure that Miles had said before the season that we were over ranked and basically said that this year could be ugly. And, as far as the dance. Well you obviously take anytime time no question, but I think we would have been better off in the NIT last year.

He brings his elbow back first and then his wrist in his wind up. Still seems to be pretty accurate, and does have a quick release. Shows how strong he is because his throws look very effortless. I also really like the "I am not slow and will bring all 6'3" 215lbs when I finish" quote. Sounds like an outstanding prospect!

I'll have to see the one from Ga. I guess. Looks like this Elsworth is definitely D-1 material though.

Just read the article good for him. I just also watched his film, and the Veal kid. (from Louisiana?) Pretty similar throwing motions. I would like to see how Elsworth would do under a little more pressure he sure seems calm in the pocket. Does throw off his back foot but it seems more when he is trying to lob it over the top. Definitely can be fixed. I am hoping he gets an offer from us and we can also get another in this class. Probably looking to get two Qb's this year aren't we?