Cotton wants Husker O-line to step up

[sea o' red]

http://journalstar.com/articles/2008/03/31...91775903249.txt

 

Barney Cotton has a vision of how offensive linemen should play football.

 

It’s a vision of Dan Dierdorf, a six-time NFL Pro Bowler, with whom Cotton played during the early 1980s as members of the St. Louis Cardinals.

 

“He was so gifted and so physical,” Cotton says. “I mean, you really couldn’t emulate him because he was a beast. That’s what every offensive lineman should aspire to become — a physical, dominating force. A guy who possesses the want-to to finish (a play) one step past the whistle.

 

“You know, coaches always talk about wanting players to play until the whistle. You’d better finish one step after the whistle if you really want to be the best.”

 

So, Barney’s back, and the gentle giant arrives with a clear vision of Nebraska offensive line greatness. Can he make the vision a reality? We’ll see. But here’s the news: Cotton has some talent to work with. Plenty of it. The Huskers arguably possess more overall talent and depth along the o-line than Big Red fans have seen around here since at least 2001, when NU played for all the marbles with Dave Volk, Toniu Fonoti, John Garrison, Jon Rutherford and Dan Vili Waldrop.

 

Say what you want about Bill Callahan, his determination to recruit mammoth offensive linemen with ample athleticism could pay off handsomely for Nebraska this season and in the near future.

 

No less an authority than Tom Osborne has said the line is the most important part of an offense. That’s because the line sets the tempo. It often becomes the very soul of a team. So give Cotton five Dan Dierdorfs, and hide the women and children.

 

“If it ever gets to the point where it comes down to technique or playing hard, you’d better be playing hard and quit worrying about technique — that’s where I stand philosophically,” says Cotton, in his second stint coaching Nebraska’s offensive line. “We’re going to be as physical as we can. And we’re going to play as hard as we can.

 

“I mean, you have to be mentally sound and all of those things. But the two most important things for offensive linemen is they have to have the desire to be the most physical guy on the field, and they have to have a desire to outwork opponents.”

 

Early indications are Cotton and Shawn Watson should operate well together. A symbiotic element may be at work here. As Colorado’s offensive coordinator (2000-05), Watson skillfully adapted to the strengths of the personnel. In short, he was flexible.

 

Yes, Watson favors a West Coast style of offense. And yes, the WCO sometimes involves linemen doing more dancing and playing patty-cake than inflicting pain. But like Cotton, Watson continually preaches the need to be physical. Is it lip service? Well, ask Craig Bohl if Watson is willing to break your will with a running attack. Chris Brown ring a bell?

 

“We have a chance to be versatile,” Cotton says. “But the big thing is, we have a chance to be physical. That’s what we’re stressing.”

 

If Nebraska’s season started today, the offensive line probably would be Lydon Murtha (6-foot-7, 315 pounds) and Jaivorio Burkes (6-5, 325) at the tackle spots, Mike Huff (6-4, 300) and Matt Slauson (6-5, 325) at guard, and Jacob Hickman (6-4, 290) at center.

 

Huff, Murtha and Slauson are seniors. Those three, along with Hickman, each started at least six games last season as the Huskers finished ninth nationally in total offense.

 

Sophomores Keith Williams (6-5, 310), D.J. Jones (6-5, 305) and Mike Smith (6-6, 285) should supply quality depth, especially Williams. Also keep an eye on redshirt freshman Marcel Jones (6-7, 310).

 

Granted, it isn’t exactly 1994 at Nebraska with earth-movers Zatechka, Wilks, Graham, Stai and Wiegert. Or even 1995 with Dishman, Taylor, Graham, Ott and Anderson. The 1995 starting line was flagged for only three procedure penalties and one holding penalty in 12 games. In recent seasons at NU, three procedure penalties would have been an OK Saturday.

 

But Nebraska’s offensive line appears capable of a resurgence, led by a plain-spoken former Husker standout left guard with an appealing combination of fire and patience.

 

“I think he’s going to be a great leader for us,” Slauson said of Cotton. “He’s a lot different style-wise than (former Husker o-line coach) Dennis Wagner. Cotton’s a guy that can get us all to rally around him. And he’s not really a yeller. So he’ll motivate us in productive ways, and I’m excited about it.”

 

Before Friday’s practice, Cotton had walked onto Memorial Stadium’s field only once since being hired in early December. Just didn’t have much time, Cotton says.

 

“It felt normal. I mean, I didn’t feel out of place.”

 

Normalcy at Nebraska once meant having a talented and deep offensive line. It was a program staple, a source of pride in a hard-working state.

 

Cotton envisions those days returning soon.

[AR Husker Fan]

Let's hope. Dr. Tom - as usual - is dead on about the importance of the line. You can have mediocre backs and quarterbacks, but with a great line, the backs will look like world beaters. And a line that can pound the rock breaks the will of the defense it faces.

 

That's what Nebraska football was built on - that's where the tradition arises.

[BIGREDIOWAN]

I've said it before and I'll say it again................you can win some games by having talented wide receivers and backs, but you win championships in the trenches!

[Hunter94]

Let's hope. Dr. Tom - as usual - is dead on about the importance of the line. You can have mediocre backs and quarterbacks, but with a great line, the backs will look like world beaters. And a line that can pound the rock breaks the will of the defense it faces.

 

That's what Nebraska football was built on - that's where the tradition arises.

 

 

absolutely correct. the sooner we get back to this aspect of football, the sooner big time success will arrive.

[mickijc_20]

"FAT NASTY"

[Drowning_in_the_Sea_of_Red]

Granted, it isn’t exactly 1994 at Nebraska with earth-movers Zatechka, Wilks, Graham, Stai and Wiegert. Or even 1995 with Dishman, Taylor, Graham, Ott and Anderson. The 1995 starting line was flagged for only three procedure penalties and one holding penalty in 12 games. In recent seasons at NU, three procedure penalties would have been an OK Saturday.

And that is why they were the best. That's absolutely amazing.

[MCAT800]

Hell, for a start lets not have illegal procedures at the beginning of every game and at the start of the second half

[huskerjack23]

http://journalstar.com/articles/2008/03/31...91775903249.txt

 

But Nebraska’s offensive line appears capable of a resurgence, led by a plain-spoken former Husker standout left guard with an appealing combination of fire and patience.

 

“I think he’s going to be a great leader for us,” Slauson said of Cotton. “He’s a lot different style-wise than (former Husker o-line coach) Dennis Wagner. Cotton’s a guy that can get us all to rally around him. And he’s not really a yeller. So he’ll motivate us in productive ways, and I’m excited about it.”

 

 

Gosh...this sentiment has been echoed over and over again about how that last administration was yelling and being total pricks and the new coaches are easier to play for. It must be a huge relief to have that gigantic mountain of pressure off your back. That's the difference between being treated like a man instead of cattle.