ColoradoHusk

Got back from a tweaked hammy and "rolled" his ankle. Quick, someone pull his scholarship!!! He shouldn't have been given one in the first place!!!

I think the injuries in 2012 really hurt us by depleting the little depth that we had on the DL. I don't think the talent was bad, it was just average and didn't have a playmaker like Crick or David to make a play when they needed it. Then the injuries just made it worse. Well, the talent was pretty lacking AND injuries hurt. Not a good combination. Having guys with great individual talent can make up for injuries and other areas of deficiencies (see Lavonte David). It seems like all the older guys last year were "good" but didn't have elite talent. I think the one exception was Baker Steinkuhler, who was dominant at times. The defense played consistently, but not outstanding. When they faced great skill players like UCLA, Ohio State, and Georgia had, the defense was in trouble. The Wisconsin game combined pretty good skill players, along with great o-line play, and complete busts by the defense.

Have you seen this Scoring Explosion poster? I think it just came out today.

Hey guys, did you see this video of Nebraska doing the Harlem Shake? Man, you should check it out, it's hilarious!!!

There were noises coming from the hallway like Bo and Thad were arguing/fighting. Some guys were going to go out there to "break it up", but everyone was told to sit down.

. Thanks for breaking it all down, Dirk I want to know why I wasn't invited for the round table!!!

Final Segment gets into some predications McKewon--13th in the country, 1 loss regular season, play against Ohio State in the Big Ten title game, win or lose in that game will put NU in the Rose Bowl. Admits it is optimistic, but it's based on the returning offense. Says TMart has to improve in just a few ways, and the team will improve. Foreman--realistic to get back to Big Ten title game, NU will win their bowl game, have 1 or 2 losses into the Big Ten title game Smith--1 loss in regular season, upset OSU because no one is giving them a chance; defense just needs to slow teams down with how good the offense is. Compares NU to Saints in 2009. Shatel--could win the Big Ten, but it's a leap of faith. Need to play cleaner in big games. 11-2 with loss in Indy. Benning--10-2 or 11-1 in Indy against Wisconsin. Thinks that OSU has tough games at NW and at Michigan. Thinks OSU's defense is getting a free pass. They have a lot of questions on D. NU beats Wisky. He's all in!!! Sharpe--10-2 against Ohio State in Indy

Segment 14--A fan asks PJ Smith if the current team is tired of hearing about the "90s teams". PJ says yes, the team is tired of hearing it. They don't hold anything against those teams, they respect everything they did. It's a huge part of Nebraska culture. Today's teams are trying to build their own legacy, but it's hard when all everyone wants to talk about is the 90s teams. Let these guys have their time now. Shatel points out the games are so different. Scholarship limits, freshmen/JV teams, the Big 8 wasn't very good. The recruiting is different. These guys deserve to be judged against their own era, but the thing that lives on is that coaching and development has to be strong. Bo can coach defense, when he has great players, but that goes for all coaches. Curious about this year's defense because of the talent and athleticism. Foreman says that the comparison is more about "how the game is played". He says it should be smart, tough, physical, fundamental football. Play the best they can, against the best competition. Those are the standards that are "portable" to the different eras. Football doesn't change, it is typically won a certain way. Those are what matters to the alumni. Sam goes into the 2013 class. Thinks it's a very good class, and the coaches think that, too. He says it's right up there with Michgan's from 2013. Says they got some guys late in the process (Collins, Cethan Carter) that were fortunate to get, but those guys will play this year. Encouraged at how Banderas is coming along at MLB. Gregory can be very, very good, but it will be up to him (must work and develop). He can be a game-changer. It could take him some time though. Haven't had a game-changer on the DL since Crick was healthy.

Segment 13 goes into the Newcomer of the Year for each Panelist McKewon--Randy Gregory Foreman--Nathan Gerry, he's a DB who morphed into a LB, like getting another LB in the recruiting class. He can read pass plays like a DB, but at the LB level. Benning--Zaire Anderson (although he played a bit last year) PJ Smith--Alonzo Moore, he's a freak Shatel--Josh Banderas A question is asked about the draw play, and stopping it. Foreman says the d-line needs to hold ground and make the play. Smith says it's tough because the safeties read pass at first, and then have to come up for run support. PJ makes a joke that teams should run a QB sneak the first play of the game, because it would probably gain an easy 5 yards. Foreman says the fans should give the defense a longer leash, because the youth will cause a lot of mistakes. PJ says that he and other players don't care what fans/media say. TMart has taken so much criticism, but doesn't let it impact him. The coaches are just trying to protect their players.

A Michigan fan asks the panel about John Papuchis and whether they "believe in him". The Michigan fan is asking this because Benning is critical of Al Bourges (OC at Michigan). The Michigan fan is mistaken because he is saying it's JP's 3rd year in the role, while it's only his 2nd year. Benning--probably his favorite coach on the staff, loves his personality, good defensive mind, difficult spot because he is a DC for a hands-on, defensive head coach. The verdict is out there, but he thinks that Paps is a great recruiter, great mind, understands defenses. Paps is probably the most complete coach on the staff, but it's hard to get a gauge because we don't know what responsibilities he has on the D (with Bo there). There is also a difference in philosophy from Carl to JP. Smith--loves JP. Paps was his recruiting coordinator. All the players were happy when JP got the DC job. Smith said something about Carl, won't go into too much detail, but says JP is 1000 times better. Foreman--thinks JP is in a good position to learn from Bo. Compares JP to Frost at Oregon. Says the DC can do as much to put the players in the correct position, but it's still the players to do it correctly.

Please explain. Foreman basically said "I thought he was supposed to be a stud? He was a 4-star recruit!!" It was basically Foreman just giving the recruiting services a jab. He doesn't have anything against Westerkamp. Smith basically said that being a stud recruit doesn't mean anything once the kid gets on the team, and that everyone is treated the same by the coaches.

Segment 11 gets into Ameer Abdullah and gets the thoughts from the panel McKewon--good competitor, may not get to 1500 yards, but it's not a crucial bench mark. YPC and yards per touch is more applicable. Having someone else do returns will help him. Ameer was able to outwork Heard and Green to get ahead of those guys from the same recruiting class. Foreman--good athlete and be productive. He must be able to take a hit and not fumble against big competition. He needs to perform better against top competition. Benning--thinks Ameer can be special. If he gets 18-23 touches (carries and catches) per game, he can be a steadying force for the offense. He doesn't have to get a high volume of touches, but just the circumstances of those touches. He says that Ameer was the type of competitor that would have fit well on the 90s teams (Foreman disagreed). Smith--thinks he will have a breakout season (1500 yards) Shatel--it will be key to save Ameer for November (at Michigan, at Penn State). Ameer needs to be healthy for that stretch run.

Segment 10 wasn't all that great, but PJ Smith does breakdown the WR's. Bell--the speed guy, deep threat Enunwa--the physical, possession receiver. His key routes are the outs, ins, slants Turner--a man amongst boys, can do it all Alonzo Moore--a mixture of Bell and Turner, he and Turner need the ball Westerkamp--nothing specific mentioned about Jordan, but Foreman and Smith had a good laugh about him being a 4-star recruit At the end of the segment, they touch a bit on Shawn Watson. PJ says that Watson struggled when Martinez was named QB. Watson is good when he has a QB that he likes and trusts. Sam says that the o-line will be better this year than people think. PJ says it will be the best o-line under Bo. Foreman says that people tend to think about the o-line mistakes (A-Rod false starts against Georgia) rather than the good stuff they did last year (run blocking).

Irrelevant. Just because a player says it doesn't mean they know what they're talking about. It has to be that Bo's defense is too complex and he sucks at recruiting. My sarcasm meter is high with that post.

Segment 9 touched on the end of 2012 and the Big 10 Championship game. Benning thought that the 6-game win streak to end the season was a bit of "smoke and mirrors" for the team, and they were out of gas when the Wisconsin game came. Foreman said that the team tried to play "too fast" when the team fell behind early, and they didn't play well in all three phases. McKewon says that the team can take things from the 6 game win streak to end the regular season, especially Martinez. TMart really stepped up in those wins, and he can carry forward that game and leadership into 2013. Smith said that Bo asked him what they can do during the Wisconsin game to change things up. PJ said that they should put some new players in, because there were guys "crying out there". Interesting stuff. Seems like the team was very fragile last year.

that's an exaggeration, and you know it. I know, right. Damn Bo-haters. Always tryin to spin things to promote their agenda. Anyway, on a serious note in response to what Landlord says. Maybe there were some things that Carl did or taught that were still having an effect on the players and how they played. I'm really bettin on this whole "addition by subtraction" concept is something we really see this year. One thing that Benning says that will really help this year's team is the lack of coaching turnover this year. The same message and communication from ALL of the assistant coaches will be there for this year, and that is a plus.

Segment 8 first gets into the Big 10 championship game against Wisconsin. PJ Smith points out that the performance of that game was 100% on the players. He said Bo had the team prepared for the game and those plays. They went over those jet sweeps countless times. They did it right in practice, but in the game, they didn't do what they were supposed to do, himself included. Bo tried to change things on the sidelines, and the players didn't get it. McKewon responds that they should have had better depth at D-line. Pelini did say that they should have played more bodies at the D-line a week after the game. Wisconsin was able to expose the lack of depth at the d-line with their physicalness. Foreman and Benning would like to better understand the culture and the development that program is going to have. Foreman points out that it can be hard for today's kids to take a step back individually for the better of the team. Foreman says that there are qualities that can be carried forward from the 90s teams that can be used in today's game. That is why he and Benning bring up the 90s teams.

Segment 7 was talking about leaders for the D. The consensus is that Ciante can be a leader for the D, but he won't be the "leader" making the calls on the D. That is the responsibility of the LBs and safeties. Foreman says that a D-lineman and a LB need to step up and lead the D. Foreman also said that Compton was consistent last year, but not "spectacular" and was limited by his physical abilities. He thinks that the young guys have a high risk/reward because of their youth and athleticism. McKewon commented a bit about the O-line (after a question from the audience). He says that the pass protection should get better this year (and down the road) as the recruiting has been better in terms of getting taller/leaner O-lineman (ie Sterup). Sam did say that he was a little more lenient than others when it comes to the O-line, and that the memories of the 90's O-lines cloud the perception of fans. Benning agreed that the fans are biased and only want to remember the 90's linemen.

Segment 6 had a questioned asked about "simplifying the defense". PJ Smith says that the D was being simplified last year, and is more simplified this year (he is working with Harvey Jackson). Benning commented that the D is a sight based defense, so the players have to take some ownership on the defensive calls, based on what they see out there. Foreman says that the beginning of the season will be a learning process for the defense. He thinks that a LB will need to step up and be a leader.

I think Sam McKewon provides some good insight to the conversation. He is not a former player, so he seems a little more stable and level-headed. He talked a bit about some of Bo's bad losses. Against Wisky in 2011, it is very hard to play in Madison, Russell Wilson is a great player who will play in the NFL for a long time, and Taylor and the WR's made a few mistakes. Against Michigan in 2011, he didn't feel that Michigan had a lot more talent than NU, it was just a game where the special teams had so many mistakes and the game got out of hand.

Segment 4 had some interesting stuff on last year's Wisky game and then Foreman had some cool stuff about the mid 90s teams. PJ Smith said the biggest problem with last year's Wisky game was that guys on D played too individually. There were guys trying to make the big plays, rather than playing team defense. Then Benning and Foreman were talking about guys who didn't always play "smart football" but made the plays anyway. They said that on a sack on Weurfel against Florida in the Fiesta Bowl, 2 guys went to the same gap on a blitz. It was a wrong play, but it worked out. Foreman said that Farley never played like he was "supposed to", but he was athletic enough that he made plays. Farley said "I don't play against the blockers, I play against the ball." Against Texas Tech in 1995, that McBride told Foreman that he had to cover up for Farley, because McBride knew that Farley was just going to go out and do that thing.

I am listening to the podcasts at work. I am on segment 4 right now. I haven't heard anything earth shattering.

Bush also 5 catches for 103 yards, so I would consider that a pretty good night. Bush will make a killing as an outlet receiver from the backfield, as teams focus on Megatron down field.

He can't grayshirt if he takes a scholarship this semester. Grayshirts technically pay for school their first semester and can't have any contact with the team. He will probably redshirt, unless there are a ton of injuries at the LB position.

Great news!!!! It will probably be too late for him to contribute much during this season, but he could spend a year getting a little bigger and learning the schemes.