Soooooo.....

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

Any word on how the first fall practice went?

[SkerMin8r]

Sipple's take

[HuskerfaninOkieland]

Found some other tidbits:

 

Pelini to Press: Confidence is the key

 

When asked how his Cornhuskers would finally close the door on the Bill Callahan era and a disastrous 2007 specifically, Pelini answered in his typical blunt fashion: "I'm not a psychologist."

 

That doesn't mean he doesn't have a remedy. It's just of the more garden, pigskin variety.

 

"You always look ahead," said the first-year coach at his opening-season press conference. "You never look back....as they're taught in our system and gain confidence, they'll be fine."

 

It was an afternoon of such axioms from Pelini, who spent the late morning reiterating themes he's stressed since his hiring: Effort. Attitude. Family.

 

On a Sunday night meeting with the team, one in which safety Larry Asante said he told the team "the sky's the limit" and that a championship can be won: "That's between me and the team."

 

 

About that "or"

 

Other items from day one of camp:

 

*So key reserve defensive tackle Kevin Dixon was thrown off the team by Pelini for violation of team rules, which likely stemmed from two arrests in July. Dixon was listed as a backup at both nose tackle and defensive tackle. Senior Shurkee Barfield is now the top backup at nose tackle, behind junior Ndamukong Suh, who sat out spring with a knee injury.

 

And at defensive tackle, where starter Ty Steinkuhler has battled injuries for more than a year? It could be sophomore walk-on Ben Martin who played in 2007. Or it could be redshirt freshman Terence Moore.

 

"Of course I think I can play the position," Moore said. "Any opportunity you get is great. I'm thankful for it."

 

Or it could Ty's little brother, Baker, the highly touted true freshman from Lincoln Southwest High School.

 

"Baker's a heck of an athlete," defensive coordinator Carl Pelini said. "But he's a freshman. His head's spinning. He's not sure whether to go left or right."

 

Carl Pelini said Nebraska is "mulling over" junior college transfer Ricky Henry moving to defense. Carl Pelini, also the defensive line coach, reiterated that Baker Steinkuhler will only be kept on defense if it's in his "long-term interests."

 

At any rate, Bo Pelini's admonition that NU will be "fine" at the position seems dependent on Moore and/or Steinkuhler developing into a quality backup, or Barfield becoming a realistic option to start, if needed. Henry, Martin, redshirt freshman Jared Crick, and true freshman Quentin Toailoa might all get a shot a playing time. Even with Dixon around, this wasn't the most stable, healthy unit. Now that's he gone? Suh and Ty Steinkuhler should be prepared for a long, crucial stint in what former defensive coordinator Charlie McBride called "the meat grinder."

 

*True freshman receiver Khiry Cooper, one of Nebraska's late-in-the-game coups on the recruiting trail, was at practice Monday, looking like, well, the baseball outfielder that the Los Angeles Angels drafted in the fifth round: Long and wiry.

 

Watson fully expects Cooper to stay, even though the Angels have until Aug. 15 to sign him.

 

"He's not after worldly things," Watson said.

 

*NU didn't start its practice on the grass fields, but the Huskers ended it there in 100-degree heat, running stations timed by a game clock. Nebraska began its workout a little early and ended it just a little late. Carl Pelini said there was "a little chaos," with all the newcomers and refresher, but praised the team's "high energy."

 

And Watson? "Typical first day," he said. The coordinator seemed to look forward to the Huskers donning pads later this week. Makes some sense, as his troops have an experienced senior quarterback and a season offensive line. They're probably a little ahead of the Pelinis' defense.

 

*In Jaivorio Burkes' absence at right tackle, Watson said Marcel Jones and backup left tackle Mike Smith will get more time. Smith, a sophomore, saw time in several games last year, while Jones redshirted.

 

[DaveH]

Footballs were thrown, players sweated, coaches yelled, etc, etc.

[husker rob]

Footballs were thrown, players sweated, coaches yelled, etc, etc.

Roy Helu sweated so much, he had to have an IV