Klotz for Hire

This year's defense is hardly last year's defense. I want to apologize right now to the Cos. I thought after last year's Tech game that he was just another BohlS$^tter, but so far this year, his schemes remind me of the McBride "Rip your head off and crap down your neck" defenses when I was growing up. A central player in this new attitude of violent gridiron redemption is Corey McKeon. This kid is the kind of animal that I've been waiting for. He seems to respect the strengths of opposing offenses, but makes no reservations about destroying the same offenses. Our defense will not only keep us in the game, but I am confident that they will confuse Hodges to the point of frustration early. So if you're with me, let's point out the different ways that the Blackshirts are going to exhibit control tomorrow. My pick to click is McKeon. Where do all of you stand?

Alright. Offense finally showed up. Last weekend was the best wakeup call I've ever experienced. It was so refreshing to see open receivers catching the damn ball, and secondary reads being executed in many different situations. I guess it feels especially good since I've been one of the biggest winet$%@ in the stands for the last four weeks. But last Saturday, I had an epiphany of sorts. I dreams that I just kept on complaining about the offense. Then one day I woke up and my name was Benard. NU 31 TxTech 21

Now I was there again last night and it just seemed like the running game still isn't happening. However, there was again a few dropped passes and I think that hurt us again. The second half, though, was a better half of football compared to anything so far. It seems like we're just a couple of plays away from bustin' loose. I will say that there was one drive in the second half where we were rollin, and it was the first one I've seen this year. I know we can do it, so when will we? Do we break out against Pitt? And something else. Once again we are not running the ball on first and goal from the four. Is Cody Glenn redshirting or what?

Now this is the kind of Christian/Jason Peter type cockiness that we need from our linebackers, really from our whole defense. Now he's no Barrett Ruud yet, but he brings back the kind of swagger that I appreciate from a defense. Not only that, but I believe that he is one of the hardest working kids out there. There may be faster and stronger guys, but this kid is out there to take someone's head off every play and I think that there's something to be said for that.

Yep, Benard's a cynic. Me and Bakhal are in the house on that one. Now I was a little pissed last Saturday myself, but let's get real. Do we have a good recruiting class? Yes. Are they young and inexperienced? Yes. The truth is, it will take this team some time to gel. It will also take some time for Norvell to figure out exactly what these guys are capable of. Give it some time. We will most likely need more patience this year than last year.

Boy this one hurts. Anyone who thinks that Octavien was the second coming of Demorrio was right. So, we got Bo Ruud. Very good instinctively but the speed element was so electric with Octavien. I'm not calling an emergency fire drill, but where is Dontrell Moore in all this mess? Also, here's something else crazy, what about bulking up Leon to play on the outside? Back when we had hella speed in the mid 90's, it was because of safeties that were playing linebacker. Sure sounds like a good idea now in some situations.

Now I know everyone is freaking out about the lack of offense last night. I was there, as many of you were, and I will say that at times it was tough not to whine about things. However, I think I am going to give Norvell and Callahan a bit of credit from a different angle. After about the 10th delay draw um the middle, I realized that we were really only running variations of about three plays against Maine. Now everyone knows that Taylor and guys like Ross and and good portion of the line knows more plays than that. I guess my point is that maybe Cally wanted to keep it simple on offense and not bust out anything good in the first game. I refuse to completely blame the lackluster rushing totals on the O-line. There is only so many times you can run dives and draws out of a one back set before it gets shut down. Maybe Cally wanted it that way. Hold out hope for more preplanned creativity agianst Wake. Any thoughts?

So what's the word on the WR depth for tomorrow? Is Spain even practicing? I know Brooks is limited and Fluellen is more and less out. How does the line-up look folks?

LeFlore is injured. Fluellen is injured. Brooks is . . . well, you get the picture. I know we've got enough guys to throw out there against Maine, but it seems like we won't see the true electricity of the receiving corps for a while. Does this make the "Bowman in the slot" theory a reality? Any thoughts on that as well as any injury news would be welcome as I think of the different ways that Zac Taylor may have to settle with average options for a couple weeks.

Back in the day, we used to scare the crap out of people with some crazy punt blocking schemes. When they succeeded, they provided instant field position. When they failed, they still provided field position by shanked punt or good return. We once had two dominant punt blockers. There was Barron Miles, and this other guy Terrell Farley. Since these two guys from 92-96, I can't really remember any awesome punt hawks. Perhaps High Times editor Randy Stella, or an inspired Andrew Shanle. but we've really missed that in recent years. I've heard and read some good stuff about Octavien and Hardy. We have more off-the-blocks speed this year than we have had since the late 90's. So gentlemen, and Amy, will we see the second coming of Barron Miles this year? If so, who will it be?

Just wondering if anybody's got any info on Matt Slauson. What is this guy's story. Looks like he graduated in 2004, but still has four years of eligibility remaining. What's the word, y'all?

Right now we have a bit of a log jam at RB. Even with Marque MCCray gone, we're pretty stacked. I think that there are some other issues with the RB situation that need to be considered here. Lucky is great on film. He's Hyped. He's on NCAA 2006. Jackson is also all of these things. But neither is proven! Hence, let the battle begin! These coaches have to see this guy and really make an assessment. Yes, we need him as a DB, but he needs a real look, because you never know. I remember back in the day when we were real thin at quarterback and NEEDED this guy named Tony Veland to guide the ship because QB was thin. When all was said and done, however, all Veland did was play hella safety and blast QB's in McBride's psycho 4-3 blitz packages. My point is that in the current situation, as in the past, guys haven't always ended up doing what we were COUNTING ON them to do and be when they came in. In fairness, Veland's situation was slightly different with an injury and a guy named T FRAZ. However, if there is a spot on the field for this guy, I just hope that the coaches figure it out quickly and use his talents immediately. Which leads me to my final concern . . . . I think that it's most important that we keep the Luckys and Jacksons of this class happy. Not in an NBA sort of way, but we need to make sure to get all of these guys a fair shake so that they stay here to realize their Husker destiny. I'd hate to see either one of those guys (or Cody Glenn) lose hope and transfer because we couldn't find them a place and the confidence rapidly enough.

Has anyone heard as of yet who still has hurdles to clear academically to get to Lincoln. Last I read, the Picou's and B. Wilson were still in limbo. Any news on that?