nathanwindu

first off, the "two jucos" are also 4 Star players, and 2 of the highest rated JUCO players in the nation. it's not like they're lousy cannon fodder. 2nd of all, Rose was in the UA All-America Game, and he's definitely more talented than his 3 stars suggest. It's a travesty he's not a low 4 star, at least the same goes with Afalava and Armstrong, besides the stars, there is also the "Rivals Rating"...I think the cutoff from 3 to 4 star is 5.8 (4 to 5 star is 6.1) Armstrong, Afalava, and Moss are all 5.7, 0.1 shy of 4 star rating, as is Rose. On that note, Moss for sure is a selling point to get Andrus Peat here, but it's not like he's a 2-star slouch, either. see the above sentence. The only ones I can really agree with you on is Sam Cotton and Thomas Brown...Cotton I don't think would be highly regarded if he wasn't a "Nebraska kid" and a coach's son. Brown may fit the profile of the coaches' "Diamond in the rough" type... however, this class is far from finished, and even now, it's far from weak. We've got a small, but strong class.

Who did Mora get as his OC? Because Mora is a defensive guy so the offense doesn't have to be a NFL system unless that is the type of OC he brought in. IIRC, Mora hired the OC at Arizona State for the same position....can't remember his name...Noel Mazzone, that's his name. for the most part, he's a college coordinator, with one stop with the Jets as a WR Coach...I would guess he'll probably run a WCO or something similar to that, but you never know.

I'm not sure why you were surprised. For that couple of months everything reported had Nebraska 2 at best. And once found out grades weren't likly to be an issue and we got Afalava, we really didn't care he came or not. We had them rated about the same and several people think Afalava has more upside. He progressed greatly in the footage from his Sr. year. The coaches were much more excited about him in the past month than they were Q. Well, I'll take your word for it, since from what I've read from you, you seem to know what you talk about....and I said I was a little surprised, moreso because I've seen it was basically down to NU and Iowa, and he went with Rutgers, which would've surprised me even more, had I not seen the article with his quotes about making his own history and such...just saying I would've liked to get this guy, as he has a really nice frame, and with proper coaching, could be something special. Just my uninformed opinion, though.

probably won't have any more vacancies this year, unless Cotton is let go/moves into the front office...and even then, I really feel like the plan, in that case, would be to have Garrison move to OL, Vince Marrow is promoted from GA to coach TE's, and Stai would probably be the new GA (Apparently, starting next year, teams can have 4 Graduate Assistants, 2 for each side of the ball, so I would expect Ganz to move up to that as well)...I don't see us hiring a High School coach from AZ...who, was far as I can tell, has no connections to the coaching staff, other than Beck being the HC there from 93-95 (they wouldn't have been together on the staff) and that we recruit AZ heavily...he also seems to have more of a defensive background anyways, not to mention he's gotta be 60-something by now...I'll pass.

Little surprised, considering what we'd heard leading up to this....HOWEVER, good for Quanzell, Schiano really is great at keeping those in-state recruits home, and this is a HUGE get for Rutgers. If there was a school I would've wanted him going to other than NU, it would be them. On a side note, I might've flipped a lid if he picked Iowa over us, but I'm ok with this, considering we already have 4 LB's committed, and if Afalava qualifies, it's not a huge loss. Sucks to lose him, though...

Recent comments make Fuller seem like a longshot now as well. I can understand that mindset, but I think with this one, we'll be ok....Westerkamp's parents are both huge ND Fans, devout Catholics, and from the area, so I can at least understand the pressure he's under there. With Fuller, yes, he was a ND Fan growing up, but Kenny Bell was (and still is) a Colorado fan, as an example. Fuller is from NJ, and ND is coming late for this one. I just don't see them being able to convince Fuller to come, especially when he doesn't fit their offense very well as a QB, which is what he wants to be. I would see Rutgers more as a threat at this point then Notre Dame, but you never know, things change. But until there's strong signs he's leaning towards ND, then I would change my view, but for now, he seems like a 75-25 NU-Rutgers battle.

Realistically: Andrus Peat 5* Devin Fuller 4* Quanzell Lambert 4* Avery Moss 3* Nate Iese 3* Vincent Valentine 3* Raymond Ford 3* Alonzo Moore 3* Jared Afalava 3* (Likely Academic Casualty, but I see him committing) Longshot: Jordan Diggs 4* Brian Nance 4* Brandon Beaver 4* Including Afalava, that'd put us at 18, which is one more than I thought they would probably take, which is why I see Afalava not making it, but he could be a part of next year's class, ala Braylon Heard, Charles Jackson, etc.

Numero Uno, above all else: The Huskers After that, it depends. Teams I like: NFL: Seahawks: they're my team, I'm a younger-generation person, and I started watching the Hawks during the '06 season. Been a huge fan ever since, but I've cooled a bit since they started losing, as well as the NFL Lockout. Lions: like 'em for Suh, also the underdog story, I guess. Chiefs, Packers, Texans, Ravens: I just lump them into the 'they're aight' category. MLB: Mariners: well, after I became a fan of the Seahawks, I just decided I'd be a one-city (now more one-state or one-region) sports guy, so I adopted the Mariners. However, I don't follow baseball really at all, just know some of the names and stuff. Royals, Cubs: only other teams, Royals because Fox Sports Midwest plays every Royals game, so it's forced on me, and Cubs because almost everybody I know is a Cubs fan if they follow baseball. NBA: Trail Blazers: I used to be hooked on the NBA for a while, but I'm almost turned off by it now, because of the lockout and the thugs they call players. However, there's the Blazers right now, but it's the Sonics for me, if and when they come back. Hornets: When I wasn't a one-region guy, I liked the Hornets for no apparent reason, other than I liked Chris Paul alot. NHL: Canucks: I follow the NHL even less than the MLB, so I couldn't really tell you anything at all. But, I guess the Canucks are my team I would root for. MLS: Sounders FC: I actually am a huge soccer fan right now, and love the Sounders, can't wait for next season! Sporting KC: before the Sounders, I just picked the closest team to Lincoln. Minor League sports: Lincoln Saltdogs Lincoln Stars Omaha Nighthawks College Football: Numero Uno is Nebraska TCU: like the underdog story, and they're not as annoying as Boise State. Ohio: Always root for a former Husker Coach, except the evil one. Kansas: I like Gill, kinda feel sorry that it's not going so well for him there. Georgia: I like Mark Richt a lot, and they're a decent team. Oklahoma: More like respect, I definitely would root for them over some other teams in the NCAA. College Basketball: Nebraska, even though they suck Creighton: Will root for the Nebraska schools Nebraska-Omaha: see Creighton Butler: liked their NCAA Tournament performances, even though they didn't end well. I won't get much into the teams I hate, let's just say it involves a big ugly Star, an orange cow, and pinstripes....

Well, I'll give my opinion: Tennessee-Chattanooga: Win, 31-10 FCS team, I don't think Pelini will let the kids slack off. Could be closer than we expect, but I don't see us having any real issues here. Fresno State: Win, 38-13 I think after the kinks are worked out in the first game, then the team will go in ready for this one and handily down Fresno. Washington: Win, 52-10 Maybe this is bias speaking, but I honestly think the players are going to be hungry to get even with UDub, and will play 110%, and destroy them. If not, this one will be close, as in, 21-17 NU close. @Wyoming: Win, 28-13 This one, I think, will be closer than we think. Wyoming is a tough place to play, and Dave Christensen is building a good team there. I think we'll beatt hem, but we might overlook them with Wisconsin looming the next week. @Wisconsin: Loss, 17-13 I think this is going to be a defensive struggle, but Wisconsin is just too talented and physical for us to get them, especially on the road. If the offense can get going, though, I think Nebraska could win in a close one, something like 27-24 Ohio State: Win, 31-21 I honestly think their offense is going to be rusty, with Pryor, Herron, and I think their best receiver all coming back this week. not to mention Tressel also being back. I think we jump ahead early, they pull close late, but we still win. @Minnesota: Win, 62-14 I really think that with their new coach and some growing pains, we're just going to demolish the Gophers. I think at this point the offense may find their stride. Let's also not forget that last season the offense performed really well against lesser defenses. I see that happening again here. Michigan State: Loss, 31-20 I think this one might be a bit of a letdown in Lincoln. Kirk Cousins and Edwin Baker make this offense formidable, and the defense may have trouble stopping them. I also see a struggle for the NU offense. Northwestern: Win, 42-17 The team will get back on track with a decisive win against Northwestern. They lose alot of talent, and I think the offense should get going against the 'other' NU @Penn State: Loss, 20-10 I see a letdown here, because I think by this time, the Nittany Lions will work out their issues, and be a decent team. They're also tough at home, so I don't see us getting this one. @Michigan: Win, 52-31 I see this one being our Okie State game of the year, a shoot-out that we pull out in the end. Michigan's defense is below-average, at best, and even though Denard Robinson is a beast, Taylor Martinez can have just as good a game as Shoelace (assuming Martinez is starting by this time) Iowa: Win, 62-0 Ok, just kidding. I see us winning about 31-14, a good win, not a blowout really, but a solid win. But I hope that we can destroy the Hawkeyes, just to show them who's going to rule this assumed rivalry. I would think that gets us in the B1G Championship Game, probably against Wisconsin, in which I think they once again win, in a very close one, as in, 21-19 close. IDK about bowl game. Verdict: I have hope the offense can overcome the growing pains early on, before we reach conference play, but we'll still struggle in the conference sometimes, I think. The defense will have little to no drop-off, and the Special Teams should be solid, but not great (Maher, I think will be an above-average punter, and Bondi, Maher, and/or Dann will be an average kicker) a good, solid start to our Big Ten tenure.

Not that it matters, but the Nighthawks' 3rd round pick, OT Joe Toledo, is an Omaha native. I'm a fan of the UFL and follow it closely, and I was a bit disappointed this wasn't a college-player draft. Yes, most of the players were straight outta college anyways, but I think the draft is meant for developing prospects, not getting a bunch of veterans (which is what the Nighthawks did last year under Jagodzinski) They took Boston College LB Mark Herzlich with their last pick, great story about his struggle with cancer, and a good player as well. I think the thing about this draft is, even Undrafted free agents, like Kendric Burney or Kris O'Dowd, are too talented to let the NFL go for a smaller, lesser known league like the UFL. I think Pierre Allen falls into the category of '1st tier' UDFA's, which could explain why the Nighthawks passed him over for the Clemson dude they drafted in the 2nd. ame with McNeill, and the TE they drafted in the 6th. Zac Lee I think could get a free agent contract, he did tryout for them, after all. In the end, however, this is a football franchise that just happens to be based in Omaha, Nebraska, and I think Joe Moglia is smart enough to know that making the Pro Football Nebraska Cornhuskers may make good publicity, but not a good product on the field. He'll get the players he feels are the best available.

Well, I'm a huge draft junkie, it's one of my favorite times of year for the NFL season. SO I'll get in on this conversation: Prince Amukamara: 1st round (Projected team: Lions) Roy Helu: 5th round (Projected team: Dolphins) Niles Paul: 5th round (Projected team: Vikings) Pierre Allen: 5th round (Projected team: Titans) Alex Henery: 6th round (Projected team: Eagles) Eric Hagg: 6th round (Projected team: 49ers) Mike McNeill: 7th round (Projected team: Rams) Dejon Gomes: Undrafted FA Keith Williams: Undrafted FA Ricky Henry: Undrafted FA Mike Smith: Undrafted FA Adi Kunalic: Undrafted FA I think one of our UDFA's could be a surprise draft pick, kind've like Cody Glenn for the Redskins a couple years ago. I would also keep an eye on Zac Lee-in such a QB-driven league, a guy like Zac Lee with his pedigree (former NFL quarterback as a dad, pro-style background) could be some form of commodity to somebody as a 3rd stringer. I based my projected teams on things I've heard. The Dolphins seem to really like Helu, I believe that the Lions will either trade up for Prince or he will fall to them. The Eagles seem to have interest in Henery, and the Rams worked out McNeill. The others were guesses based on the needs of the team. Oh, and the Vikes worked out Paul, too. Forgot to mention that one.

Hey, it's not like we're the recruiting experts here, I will trust Doc whole-heartedly with his choices for players, especially considering how hard it is to recruit at a school that has no basketball tradition whatsoever. Now, going off stats alone, and trying to give constructive criticism, this one baffles me a bit, mainly because I would think he would be brought in as a SG, but if it's a PG, I actually kinda like this move, just think it may create a logjam with Spencer, Richardson, Hilliard, Gallegos (for now), and this guy. But if Gallegos leaves and Spencer is declared ineligible, I could understand this. In any case, I just want the program to succeed, and if Doc feels that these guys are the right guys, then I'm all for it. They just need to show us that Doc was right in giving these guys scholarships and deserve them, unlike certain players (Niemann, Diaz)

For starters, your claim that HS recruits are better because they have 1-2 more years to develop is ridiculous, JUCO players don't NEED to develop, they've been developing for 1-2 years in Junior College, this is why they come in as immediate starters. Secondly, you just ripped Doc for taking JUCO players, and then said you want him to go after JUCO guy. What is that? Finally, Doc brought in 3 HS players this year, which is great. Now he's adding a couple JUCO guys to fill immediate voids or improve some positions. This ain't Duke or KU, there's not depth yet. Doc HAS to get at least one HS kid a year, prefferably 3, but he also needs to get a JUCO or 2 until he gets some better depth. In basketball there are very few scholarships, 2 HS players a year will eventually lead to depth. I definitely get your points, and I don't have problems with getting JUCO players, as long as they can come in and be an immediate impact. Why get a JUCO player if he isn't going to play or start for you? This is the problem I have with this Glover kid, who is the 4th leading scorer on his JUCO team (a low level of competition, compared to what we'll be facing in the Big 10) and it seems like they're going after him as a SG, which I just don't understand. As I said, your points are valid, and I guess if you're in football mode, 2 players on your recruiting class doesn't look good, . anyways, I do commend Doc for getting 3 solid HS players, and I hope they all do well, because I am a big basketball fan, and I want Nebrasketball to succeed, so I don't go and see what Creighton's doing or what UNO will be doing in the Summit League. Sometimes things just don't work out with a coach, and this may be one of those times. I still think Doc is a great coach, who just doesn't have the resources here. But I think for the next couple years, if you can keep NE kids home (Gesell and Agau) you can turn this program around. So yes, I agree with you here, and I probably shouldn't expect much, it is Nebraska, after all. On a side note, in this 2011 recruiting class, with Corey Hilliard, Josiah Moore, and David Rivers, it also lists Zach Sterup, the football recruit, as a B-Ball recruit as well, as a Center, I think. Any chance this guy actually plays basketball, and if so, will he see the court? Cause he's a big body, and if he can be the next Almeida, well, when Andre gets tired, bring in the other BOUNCER,

I'm on the fence with Doc, to be honest, but seriously, even if they are lower-class high school recruits, they are still HIGH SCHOOL RECRUITS! they have at least 1-2 more years to develop than a Juco, and you're offering a scholarship to the 4th leading scorer on a juco team to play the 2-guard? what's the idea here? I don't care if he's the only one, Mike Gesell needs to be priority #1 for this coaching staff. My personal preference: get Gesell, Sioux City Center Adam Woodbury, and another Forward, perhaps Dorial Green-Beckham, who is a highly rated football player, so if he joined the program for football, his basketball talent is a nice add-on. If not, then get a lower-rated player or a JUCO, preferably as a Walk-On. Then, in 2013, do whatever it takes to get Forward Akoy Agau, who could be just as good as Gesell, only a forward. With Gesell and Agau, you could literally change the landscape as we know it of Nebrasketball. Make it happen Doc!

NU assistant basketball coach Tracy Webster is expected to leave Nebraska and join Cuonzo Martin's staff at Tennessee as the last assistant coach. Congratulations to Tracy, certainly a step up from Nebrasketball. here's the link: http://www.govolsxtra.com/news/2011/apr/04/cuonzo-martin-expected-hire-nebraskas-tracy-webste/

I don't think it's going to be a full-time assistant, but a Graduate Assistant. Joe Ganz was floating around on here a few days ago, so maybe he'll be the Offensive GA, with Ross Watson continuing as the Defensive GA. So the staff shapes up like this: HC: Bo Pelini OC/QB: Tim Beck DC/DT: Carl Pelini RB: Ron Brown WR: Rich Fisher TE: Brown/Cotton/Garrison AHC/OT: Barney Cotton OG/OC: Jon Garrison DE/RC: John Papuchis LB/ST: Ross Els DB: Corey Raymond GA: Joe Ganz GA: Ross Watson Not a flashy staff, but I trust Bo, look at Pap and Ek, I think Bo knows coaching talent when he sees it, so I'll trust his judgment on this one.

This thread might get pulled, but I just wanted to get people's thoughts on a landing spot I think could be good for Watson: The Seattle Seahawks. I think he fits in Seattle for several reasons: 1. Watson is a West Coast Offense guy, an offense that the Seahawks under Pete Carroll run a form of, different than Holmgrens' when he was here, but still true to the WCO mold, though more so to the Coryell West Coast Offense. So the philosophies match. 2. Pete Carroll and Bo Pelini are familiar with each other, because Bo was Pete's LB's Coach in New England when Carroll was the Head Coach there. It would only make sense for Bo to at least give a former colleague a call to see if he was willing to help one of Bo's assistants land on his feet. 3. Watson was on staff for the '06 and '07 seasons, when we faced the Pete Carroll-led USC Trojans, so they may be somewhat familiar in that aspect, though it's a stretch. 4. I'm actually not sure about this point, because I don't know what Watson's personality is like. Carroll fired his Offensive Coordinator, Jeremy Bates, after just 1 season because of 'philosophical differences', which was meant to be that Carroll is more laid-back, whereas Bates was fiery, and it didn't mesh well. I always looked at Watson as a kind've laid back guy, so they have the same personality, from my point of view. Correct me on this if I'm wrong. 5. Watson has good experience, and has been a coordinator, so he would be a good mind to tinker with in gameplanning in the NFL. I also think Watson would do better in the Pro's, where his style of offense ans playbook can be picked up more easily by Professional Football Players. This is just pure speculation on my part, I haven't heard any rumors about this, I was just thinking today about it, and it seems to me like the best landing spot for him. The only negative is that I'm a Seahawks fan, and Watson won't go away, Whaddya guys think?

Well, IIRC, there is a 9 assistant coach limit, 1 Head Coach (obviously), and 2 Graduate Assistants. I count 9 with the current staff. So we can't hire another guy, unless a guy like Garrison is going to be a GA. I'm guessing Ron Brown covers WR's and TE's, with Ganz and Ross Watson as the GA's, as somebody said earlier.

I voted Cody Green, just because I've met him, and he's the most experienced QB on the roster, I wouldn't say I was completely kidding, either. I think Cody has the best work ethic out of the QB's that we've seen (not really counting Carnes, Turner, or Starling in that group) and I always like guys who have a drive to play and win, and earn the job. I think Cody has just been set up to fail by the previous offensive staff, maybe Beck will give him more of a chance, hopefully. I really want to see him succeed.

Based on what we have heard about the coaching staff, as far as strong sources and so on, is it safe to speculate this will be the staff??? HC: Bo Pelini OC/QB: Tim Beck DC/DL: Carl Pelini RB: Richard Fisher WR/TE/RC: Ron Brown AHC/OL: Barney Cotton OL: Jon Garrison DE/ST: John Papuchis (maybe DL Coach???) LB: Ross Els DB: Corey Raymond GA: Ross Watsn GA: Curt Baldus Beck, Papuchis, and Raymond being the top recruiters, I guess??? Any thoughts?

My explanation is that Beck was brought in with the idea that he would be the OC 2-3 years later. In 2008, my guess is we didn't fire Watson because: 1. Osborne wanted to keep him around for continuity on the offense until Bo built up the defense 2. Much of the offensive side of the ball were seniors, who were familiar with the current offense, so it wouldn't make sense to fire him and have 2008 be bad for both sides of the ball. Ganz, Swift, Peterson, Slauson, Murtha, Lucky, etc. were all familiar with the WCO up to that point. Personally, after 2009, I would've fired him, just so we could move on with the assumed original plan, moving back to a run-oriented Read Option team. The 2009 Offense was very young, they had room to grow and develop in a new offense. but we've basically wasted 1-2 years, depending on how you look at it. However, we're not hurt too badly, IMO. We have a young Qb as the incumbent starter, who's skillset fits the Read Option anyways, as well as a fairly young stable of backs, young WR's, and a lot of new talent coming in at the OL spot. Most of these guys should be able to work with each other in the new offense just fine for at least 2-3 years, and then we'll have more young talent to develop, hopefully. My .02

So is this the intern that we've been hearing about possibly getting promoted? I had thought that maybe they would go with Beck as OC/QB Coach, Ron Brown coaches WR/TE, get a new RB Coach (my first thought is Fort Scott Head Coach Jeff Sims) and a second OL coach, or an assistant OL Coach. Garrison would then make sense, especially if the new Recruiting Coordinator would be Barney, and he needs help with the O-Line because of new duties.

I know there were some rumors floating around that Watson might look at the Redskins TE Coach spot, at least that's what they were saying after Jon Embree left to be Colorado's Head Coach. Possible landing spot there, a QB or TE Coach job seems in line, as those seem to be the positions he's most familiar with.

I know this was kind've a joke, but what the heck? Solich: Good guy, probably didn't deserve to get fired in '03 because it was his first season with the new staff. I don't like him taking our potential walk-ons, Option: I wanted a Power Run scheme, with the run to set up the pass, give us some flexibility with Play-Action to hit them over the top. I like the Option because you've got 'options' (no pun intended) on the offense to work with, and it gives you the flexibility to get as many athletes on the field as you can (Turner, Martinez, Burkhead all on one field?!?) If Bo gets a guy who fits his vision of the offense, I'll be happy. Recruiting Nebraska Kids: I'm not going to freak out if a NE kid gets an offer because he's a NE kid, because I think those kids will want to play for NU, and give it their best, which is more than you can say for some other recruits. But if we're giving a D2 Walk-On Level kid a scholarship, I might question the recruiters as to why. Bo Pelini: Great coach, great defensive guru, TERRIBLE PR guy. Might as well have TO speak for him. Needs to get the coaches that fit his plan for the offense and defense. I'd say he's got the D down, he just needs to get it right with the offensive side of the ball. And thanks to everyone for the warm welcome!

Wow it sounds even more ridiculous when used in a sentence. They really have to change those division names. Agreed. I feel stupid using it. We should come up with our own nicknames, because Legends and Leaders is freakin' embarrassing. Well, Legends can be Division, and Leaders can be the Delaney Division, cause Delaney did come up with those names (but he'll deny it, saying it was the 'fans')