tulsahusker

While I'm glad that Watson is staying for the sake of continuity, I question the crazy excitement everyone seems to have for this guy. Honestly, what have we seen from him in terms of playcalling and running an offense that makes us covet him so much?

 

Buff fans (although inbred and ignorant) hate Watson and act ecstatic that he is here instead of there. They said that all he did was call bubble screens to the left and the right every play. While I don't think that's true, I'm just saying, we haven't seen enough from this guy to know if he's even worth keeping around.

 

I'd say, give him a year, then boost his pay, because what has he shown us besides the fact that he can recruit okay and knows how to wear a headset?

 

I'm glad to see somebody has some common sense. I sure as hell hope we didn't have to give him a raise to get him to stay. He has really proved nothing here yet. Don't get me wrong, I also wanted him to stay, I think he along with the input of the other coaches on this staff should be able to put together a pretty good offense. With Bo working with him, telling him what things give a defense the most trouble, I'm actually pretty excited, but let's wait and see before we start throwing more money away.

Not to be a cynic, but he didn't say he wasn't going to Alabama. The statement appears to be intentionally vague to me.

I don't care of some farmboy from Elkhorn has dreamed of playing for Nebraska since he was a kid, and his daddy was a Husker. If he can only run a 4.8, and some kid from Arizona who weighs 20 lbs more runs a 4.4, I'll take the Arizona kid, thank you very much.

 

The question isn't what anyone can run -- it's what they will run. If that guy that runs 4.4 doesn't give a crap, and runs a 4.6 on the field because of a bad attitude, and that 4.8 guy from Elkhorn plays his heart out and runs a 4.6 on gameday, I'll take the dude from Elkhorn every day of the week.

 

Talent is important, and work ethic is more important. The question isn't "What did this guy do in high school", the question is "What will this guy do for us at Nebraska". Past performance can indicate future performance, but there are outside factors. In addition to all that, if the dude that runs a 4.4 doesn't have a team attitude, and is just out to make himself look good, I'll take the 4.8 guy that's dreamed of playing for Nebraska, because you know he'll be willing to do nearly anything that allows him to accomplish that dream.

 

 

Why do you assume that the talented guy doesn't give a crap and won't play hard? Because he doesn't understand the Husker tradition as well as others? Really? Only kids who understand Nebraska's history play hard?

 

Apparently most of the "Blackshirts" of 2007 didn't understand tradition, right?

 

 

This is a faulty argument. Obviously, you want talented kids who play hard. But you've done nothing to prove that the kid who runs a 4.4 has a "bad attitude." And you've also done nothing to prove that the kid from Elkhorn is actually bust his ass every single play.

 

Sure, work ethic and attitude are factors in recruiting a player, but, all other things being equal, you always take the more talented kid.

In your first post you specifically stated that the 4.8 guy dreamed of playing for Nebraska, and just said the other guy was faster, so you'd take him -- you didn't present an "all things being equal" case to me, so that's not what I responded back with. Most people that are given an opportunity to perform directly at a lifelong dream take full advantage of it. You assume that the 4.4 guy and the 4.8 guy have the same dedication, and I'm arguing that given the situation you provided the guy that's lifelong dream is to be a Husker would likely have more drive and then I emphasized that point. I would also argue that Tom Osborne largely agrees with me given his emphasis on the walk on program.

You know...I brought up all those same points in another thread about rather having a 2-star recruit with lots of desire but lesser talent playing on my team than a 5-star recuit with lots of talent but less desire...and, if I can remember correctly...most of you said I was full of crap....

I haven't seen your comments yet, but obviously I agree with you.

I don't care of some farmboy from Elkhorn has dreamed of playing for Nebraska since he was a kid, and his daddy was a Husker. If he can only run a 4.8, and some kid from Arizona who weighs 20 lbs more runs a 4.4, I'll take the Arizona kid, thank you very much.

The question isn't what anyone can run -- it's what they will run. If that guy that runs 4.4 doesn't give a crap, and runs a 4.6 on the field because of a bad attitude, and that 4.8 guy from Elkhorn plays his heart out and runs a 4.6 on gameday, I'll take the dude from Elkhorn every day of the week.

Talent is important, and work ethic is more important. The question isn't "What did this guy do in high school", the question is "What will this guy do for us at Nebraska". Past performance can indicate future performance, but there are outside factors. In addition to all that, if the dude that runs a 4.4 doesn't have a team attitude, and is just out to make himself look good, I'll take the 4.8 guy that's dreamed of playing for Nebraska, because you know he'll be willing to do nearly anything that allows him to accomplish that dream.

So how'd the conversation go?

 

What questions were asked?

 

How'd he respond?

 

Did he make any hints towards the offense he's thinking of running?

 

Any more comments on his assistants?

 

etc.?

 

etc.?

 

He specifically stated that he was keeping the same OC (in so many words), I don't recall the exact words, though I posted them somewhere else, but it was basically to the effect of giving Watson the ability to add his own wrinkles to the spread offense.

 

Trying to recall the entire set of questions, but it was over four hours ago...

 

Started, as I recall with a general "Why didn't Callahan fit at Nebraska" type question, which Bo deflected a bit, talked about his time there, the tradition of Devaney, Osborne, and Solich. Commented on how he appreciated the tradition, and expects nothing less of his teams than those coaches did of theirs.

 

They talked about how Pelini and Stoops are both from Ohio State, and have known each other a long time, and Rome asked Pelini if he could turn Nebraska around like Stoops turned OU around. Pelini responded that Nebraska was fairly sound on offense, but needed to turn things around on defense, and he though he could make that happen.

 

Rome said something about a friend of his being a big Nebraska fan, and expecting the 2009 OU-NU matchup in Lincoln to be a meeting between two top 10 teams, and he asked Bo if he felt that was realistic. Bo hedged a bit, but recommended strongly that Rome buy a ticket, because it should be a heck of a game.

 

They also talked about Pelini coaching LSU in the NC game, and Pelini said that he thought he owed it to the players at LSU to finish the job he started, and that he was encouraged to do so by TO. Bo stated that he didn't expect it to affect NU at all since he wouldn't start prepping the LSU team until the recruiting lull had started.

 

Other comments that Bo made were to the effect that he hadn't had a good opportunity to review the talent that exists on the team (which would make recruiting difficult if you ask me???), but that he generally felt that there was a lot of talent on the team. His main focus would be teaching the team not to tolerate losing, to play good sound defense, and let the games take care of themselves.

 

Would someone who listened please confirm this is accurate -- it's the best I can do on a 4 hour old memory.

 

Edit: By the way, I know I have things out of order -- for example the "friend that's a Nebraska fan" stuff closed the interview... but I think I got most of the meat of the interview.

 

Excellent recap...That's the way I recall it too. I'm pumped...and Bo came off sounding a lot more confident than his introductory press conference in Lincoln.

So what happened here? When I wrote this post and viewed it, I thought it was the third post in the list -- now it's 30-somethingth....

So how'd the conversation go?

 

What questions were asked?

 

How'd he respond?

 

Did he make any hints towards the offense he's thinking of running?

 

Any more comments on his assistants?

 

etc.?

 

etc.?

He specifically stated that he was keeping the same OC (in so many words), I don't recall the exact words, though I posted them somewhere else, but it was basically to the effect of giving Watson the ability to add his own wrinkles to the spread offense.

Trying to recall the entire set of questions, but it was over four hours ago...

Started, as I recall with a general "Why didn't Callahan fit at Nebraska" type question, which Bo deflected a bit, talked about his time there, the tradition of Devaney, Osborne, and Solich. Commented on how he appreciated the tradition, and expects nothing less of his teams than those coaches did of theirs.

They talked about how Pelini and Stoops are both from Ohio State, and have known each other a long time, and Rome asked Pelini if he could turn Nebraska around like Stoops turned OU around. Pelini responded that Nebraska was fairly sound on offense, but needed to turn things around on defense, and he though he could make that happen.

Rome said something about a friend of his being a big Nebraska fan, and expecting the 2009 OU-NU matchup in Lincoln to be a meeting between two top 10 teams, and he asked Bo if he felt that was realistic. Bo hedged a bit, but recommended strongly that Rome buy a ticket, because it should be a heck of a game.

They also talked about Pelini coaching LSU in the NC game, and Pelini said that he thought he owed it to the players at LSU to finish the job he started, and that he was encouraged to do so by TO. Bo stated that he didn't expect it to affect NU at all since he wouldn't start prepping the LSU team until the recruiting lull had started.

Other comments that Bo made were to the effect that he hadn't had a good opportunity to review the talent that exists on the team (which would make recruiting difficult if you ask me???), but that he generally felt that there was a lot of talent on the team. His main focus would be teaching the team not to tolerate losing, to play good sound defense, and let the games take care of themselves.

Would someone who listened please confirm this is accurate -- it's the best I can do on a 4 hour old memory.

Edit: By the way, I know I have things out of order -- for example the "friend that's a Nebraska fan" stuff closed the interview... but I think I got most of the meat of the interview.

You're right, I apologize -- that wasn't fair, and I don't think that about you based on the posts I've seen from you. I do think what everyone was doing, in arguing with harp, was idiotic, but that doesn't make everyone that was arguing with him/her an idiot. We all do dumb things -- I just did, for example.

Thank you sir. No harm done.

 

I will say this about my "conversation" with Mr. harp - there was a method to my madness. I wasn't exactly aiming for him to get banned, but he did earn that privilege, and I will not mourn his absence. However, I am not upset that he got a warning on some level. He certainly deserved it, and had earned it on more than one occasion. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to control himself when the conversation continued, and he most certainly did earn his banning.

 

I did understand what you were doing, but it was mission accomplished long before the hammer actually dropped.

Yes, you're probably right. I have some self-control to work on, too. I'm far from perfect.

Now that we've admitted we're fallible, lets move on to another thread...

You're right, I apologize -- that wasn't fair, and I don't think that about you based on the posts I've seen from you. I do think what everyone was doing, in arguing with harp, was idiotic, but that doesn't make everyone that was arguing with him/her an idiot. We all do dumb things -- I just did, for example.

Thank you sir. No harm done.

 

I will say this about my "conversation" with Mr. harp - there was a method to my madness. I wasn't exactly aiming for him to get banned, but he did earn that privilege, and I will not mourn his absence. However, I am not upset that he got a warning on some level. He certainly deserved it, and had earned it on more than one occasion. Unfortunately for him, he was unable to control himself when the conversation continued, and he most certainly did earn his banning.

I did understand what you were doing, but it was mission accomplished long before the hammer actually dropped.

I don't think it was too difficult to determine. If you couldn't tell, that may be something to work on in the future.

I'll take my own advice.

Thanks, I'm not an idiot. Far from it. But if you think you need to call me so through a thin veil, that's on you.

You're right, I apologize -- that wasn't fair, and I don't think that about you based on the posts I've seen from you. I do think what everyone was doing, in arguing with harp, was idiotic, but that doesn't make everyone that was arguing with him/her an idiot. We all do dumb things -- I just did, for example.

I don't think it was too difficult to determine. If you couldn't tell, that may be something to work on in the future.

I'll take my own advice.

 

 

RUBBING IT IN

 

BECAUSE YOU'RE BUTT HURT AND ITS FUN TO WATCH YOU ACT LIKE A GIRL.

 

Explain how he is acting like a girl. How do girls act? I would love to hear your reasoning.

 

how do you just now ask this? is it because "back-up arrived" or do you read from the bottom up?

 

 

I don't need back up for one, two, I had other places to be, like transporting my children from one place to the other, it's called a life, three, you avoided and didn't answer!

Words of advice for my fellow husker fans:

"Never argue with an idiot, those watching may not be able to tell who he is."

More correctly, Mark Twain said:

"Don’t argue with an idiot; people watching may not be able to tell the difference."

On Rome today, Bo did say something to the effect of "Watson will add some wrinkles to the spread offense, and we'll see what he can do", so it sounds like Watson is staying as the OC -- it'd be hard to interpret what he said any other way. That should calm offensive recruit fears. If he's saying that on the radio, I guarantee it's part or recruit visits.

I think there are some fairly thin skinned people on this board. I feel as though I've been characterized as a nay sayer, and I think I've been a realist. There are folks expecting a 9 win + season next year. I think that's an admirable goal, but an unreasonable expectation. I'd love to be proven wrong.

As for Bo Pelini, I'm not sure he was the right hire, but my opinion doesn't matter. Quite frankly I was on the fence between Pelini and Gill, leaning towards Gill but not invested either way. I have confidence in the assistant coaches, but I don't think there is one among them that already stands out in a crowd of other assistants. As I've said before I think we'll be a power again in 5 years, and I think those expecting a whole lot before then are going to be disappointed.

I'll add that I hope things happen more quickly that I expect, but I hate being disappointed. I'd rather set my expectations low (for a husker fan) and be surprised and happy when we are a power again in two years.

any great coach can hire a good offensive coordinator as well, which is what Pelini will do

 

 

that is exactly 100% correct and he will basically stay out of the offensive scheme as well. he will delegate it to Watson and let him run with it. he will concentrate on defense and make great strides and bring this program back. he is smart enough to coach to HIS strength and let Watson do his thing. cally wasn't worth a sh#t at either one, at least Bo knows his talents and will focus his efforts in that direction. i think those that keep the faith will be pleasantly surprised.

 

the naysayers can log off and go bitch somewhere else. i prefer to give this guy a chance, at least 4-5 years and see where we go with this new bunch of coaches.

That's not true -- he said during his announcement something to the effect of:

[As a defensive coordinator I know what we can do on offense that will give defenses trouble, and I'll work with my OC to make sure that we're doing those things that give defenses trouble.]

I personally wouldn't want a coach that's totally hands off on either side of the ball -- he's ultimately responsible for what happens on both sides, and better have basic fundamental understandings of what needs to happen on both sides. I believe Pelini does, so I'm not worried about it.

This is my last post. I can no longer stand the overall pesimistic attitude shown by so many on here. Before Coach Pelini has coached one game, we have already railed on him for his staff. No one knows what is going to happen. They could be great, they may be terrible, only time will tell.

 

We have people all over Tom Osborne, questioning his morals. Questioning if he is really telling the truth. What is the matter with you?

 

We can't hire Nebraska guys! We can only hire Nebraska guys! We need to hire Jim Grobe! We need Paul Johnson! We need to keep Callahan!

 

I understand what an opinion message board is. I realize I will be flamed for this post. Quite frankly I don't care anymore. I think that the anti-Nebraska fans have taken over this board. I'm not saying that most are not fans of Nebraska, but more and more, this place is sounding like every other fan sight on the net.

 

Nebraska fans are supposed to be the best fans in the country. "We all stick together in all kinds of weather". It is amazing how many synical fans we have now. What ever happened to supporting your team no matter what? Way too many posters on this board are a disgrace to NEBRASKA FANS.

 

So rail away, let me have it. To all of the true Nebraska fans on here, thank you for the entertainment over the past two years. Thank you being an invisable family to so many people like me. To all the posters on here try to keep it positive. Try to give your opinions like the people you are flaming are sitting with you at the computer.

 

Go Big Red

 

Good Bye

What fun is flaming if you're not going to read it?

In all seriousness (this is the narcissist in me coming out), I hope you're not referring to my posts. I have stated that the assistants don't have a "wow" factor, I've stated that we won't be great as quickly as OU was, I've also stated that we will be back, and I've also tempered my enthusiasm by stating that it will take more time than most on this board think.

I haven't read much of the posts you describe, I've not seen TO's morals questioned (I believe that you did see it, I'm just saying I haven't seen it), I don't see people insisting on certain types of coaches other than a fairly vocal bunch that seems to think we need a set of assistants that understand Nebraska football. I don't believe that's a bad thing, though I think understanding doesn't necessarily equal experience. I hate to keep referring back to OU and Stoops, but I will once again -- Stoops didn't have experience with "Sooner Magic", but he understood it and embraced it. I think Pelini is much the same, he has limited experience with Nebraska Cornhusker football -- one could argue that he hasn't experienced true Nebraska football if he didn't coach directly under the Truth, the Way, and the Osborne (T. W. Osborne) or the Bobfather (Bob Devaney). That lack of experience is okay -- he proved after he was announced that he understood and respected past coaches, an important respect that Callahan either lacked or was unable to communicate.

I think Pelini will do well, I think the assistants will generally do well, and I think we'll be a national power again in five years.

This is pretty much the staff of a team that went 10-3. Who knows what they would have done if they were allowed to build on that. But there is no pleasing some people.

No, it's not really. Even if true, it's not pulling the top coordinators from top teams to be in your area. If he'd have pulled Gus Mahlzan from Tulsa (OC of the #1 offense in the nation - Tulsa) Paul Rhodes (DC of the #7 defense in the nation -- Pitt -- and he's from nearby Ankeny, IA), I'd be more impressed. I didn't say I think we'll be bad, I just said that this staff is missing the "wow" factor that some other staffs have had. I think N will be back, but it will take longer that it took Stoops (NC in his second year). I think Nebraska fans, much like Oklahoma fans, want to be back and we want it now.

High expectations aren't bad unless they mask your ability to view reality.

 

Really?

 

Lets see.... Cotton -- unemployed (with respect to coaching) --- Sanders - unemployed --- Ron Brown -- unemployed. Usually making up your staff of people who are not currently employed (in the field that you are hiring within) raises some red flags. Are these people not competitive enough to find employment elsewhere? I am concerned that the staff being assembled (or , at least purported to be assembling) will be a staff that will really struggle recruiting. I am also hard-pressed to see these hires (if in fact these are the hires) being Pelini's choices --- it is more like they are Osborne's choices. If they are and Pelini accepted the job under those conditions (re: Grobe) .....

 

Anyway, I love the enthusiasm on the board --- but I am unconvinced that the events of the past few days are indeed good for NU football. Lets give them their shot, but really I am rather, well.... unconvinced that what we are seeing (or think we are seeing --- since these hires have not been made official) is all that good. Also, the recent recruits are well... not awe inspiring. The lack of team speed (perhaps the slowest in the conference?)is a problem and it is not seemingly being addressed.

 

Anyone else getting squeamish out there?

I have to agree this is not terribly exciting. Living in Oklahoma, I remember when Stoops started gathering his staff. I don't remember all the names, but I remember Mike Leach coming over from Kentucky (Kentucky had the #1 rated offense the prior year), Mike Stoops & Bret Venebles(sp?) coming from KSU as co-defensive coordinators (KSU had a top 5 rated defense the previous year iirc), and Chuck Long coming in as QB coach (Chuck Long was the Heisman runner up from Iowa in '85). I looked at the staff, knowing the kind of talent that had been left at OU, and told my wife "They're gonna be good -- and fast." I don't get that same feeling at all looking at this group. I'm not saying they'll be bad, but they don't have the "wow" factor that Stoops had coming into Oklahoma. I try to keep my expectations in line with reality, thus I'm not getting really excited with this list.

 

(front)

 

BO & TO

like

FIRE & ICE

 

(back)

 

BRINGING A BRAND NEW

ASS WHUPPIN'

TO YOUR STADIUM SOON

 

 

How about the same front with "Bringin' a bus full of whoop-ass to a stadium near you" on the back?

If there is anyway we can re-create my attached picture next year, that would be an awesome staff.

Wow -- any way you can get Bo a bit of a tan? I needed sunglasses to look at that picture...

Holy crap...why don't y'all chill the f out. Sheesh...we been gettin' rumors all day, every day for the past...what...6-8 weeks. Some'll turn out to be true...some won't. Personally, I'm having fun just readin' them. Your all a bunch of liars if you say different. Otherwise...why would you be here reading them?? I especially like knapplc's (sp?)...very creative...had me goin' for a few minutes even. Funny how you're more apt to believe the rumors that you want to be true...

 

The creative and funny ones have been great. I thought the Salt-Water Aquarium guy was fantastically obscure.

I'm sure glad this board doesn't stoop to the same trashy level the LSU board does.

People really need to chill out. My recollection, right or wrong, is that IBR said that Pederson was out and TO was in as acting AD before anything went public... The Pederson call could have been luck, the TO information couldn't have been coincidence in my opinion. So his source isn't 100% accurate, life sucks sometimes, doesn't it? Until it's announced by TO, it's still possible for plans to change.

Those guys hate people in "fly over country". Especially those of us in the "southern end of that" aka Alabama. They think nobody matters outside of the east and west coast.

 

I have to reiterate this as well. This is something that I still can't get over. People are always talking about the SEC and east coast this and west coast that, but what they fail to realize is that nearly all the top 10 winningest programs come from the central states. The only coastal team that comes close would probably be USC and they are probably around 10th on that list. When I think of college football, programs like Michigan, Texas, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Alabama, Ohio St., Oklahoma, and Penn St. come to mind!

 

I'm not sure, but off the top of my head, I think USC is just behind Nebraska in all time wins.

Michigan................842

Notre Dame..............802

Texas...................787

Nebraska................786

Alabama.................764

Ohio St.................764

Penn St.................760

Oklahoma................749

Tennessee...............746

Southern California.....720

This is as of the end of 2004, Callahan's first losing season.

Can ya blame the guy? Every other Year it seems the Auburn fans want the guy fired!

Well at least he's safe from that problem at Arkansas, just ask Houston Nutt...

Bamafan,

 

Having moved from Nebraska to Alabama and marrying into a Bama crazed family, I know exactly what you are talking about. There are a lot of similarities. Of course there are high expectations, just like the Snake said. Anyway, great post!

 

BeachBuffs, Do you live in the Mobile area? I passed a vehicle that was "Buffed Out" the other day. Might have been you.

 

On a side note, does anyone else living elsewhere notice how many Husker fans are roaming around this country? My wife and I see people all over Mobile with Husker tags or stickers. Its amazing. I've made a scene many times when I've seen someone with Nebraska gear or vehicle stuff....I actually had an experience like the ESPN commercial when I was trying to get my license plate. I tried several different combos, but settled for UNL FAN. The size of our fanbase really is amazing.

 

Go Big Red and Roll Tide!

 

PS...I'll look for a link, but if you've ever seen or experienced the bama crowd singing about "We just beat the hell outta you...." its awesome. Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer Give 'em Hell Alabama!!

I see some Husker stuff in Oklahoma, but not much. I wear N hats mostly, my son has a Nebraska jacket that he wears to school without a problem (I used to get in big time fights when I was in elementary and middle school for wearing Nebraska gear -- four on one is fair as long as the Nebraska fan is the "one").

I'm still not inclined to put any Nebraska gear on my pickup, I'm afraid I'll walk out and have "OU" keyed into the side of it.

 

Other than Cally these two were the most obvious failures on the staff.

 

They will not be missed.

 

They will not be remembered.

 

...T_O_B

 

Ohhhh... I think they'll be remembered...

Yeah, I have issues with Mizzou fans trolling our boards. If Mizzou is so great, go post on ur own boards.

HuskerKing130: I'm glad to say that based on my experience with Husker fans, your attitude is in the minority. He said he was a fan of football, and wished Nebraska well in regaining its former glory. It would have been more appropriate to say thank you or nothing at all, but instead you had to be a real prick and that was totally uncalled for.

stlouistiger: On behalf of other Husker fans, I would like to apologize for HuskerKing130's attitude, and assure you that not all Husker fans are as antisocial as he. I appreciate your comments, and I hope that you don't let one idiot spoil your image of Nebraska fans in general.