Pelini upset with Husker practice

[Enhance]

Pelini displeased with Husker practice

by Brian Christopherson

 

Husker head coach Bo Pelini was brief with his comments after Wednesday's practice, not pleased at all with his team's effort.

 

"Not good enough," Pelini said. "We didn't get better today as a football team. We took a step back."

 

Lack of intensity? "You can go right down the board. We didn't get better as a football team. We didn't play well. We didn't practice well. Not everybody but we're not getting it collectively like I like to see it. ... We only got 15 practices and I didn't like this one."

 

Running back Quentin Castille echoed the coach, saying the team struggled to get it going after a physical Sunday scrimmage that he said felt like a game.

 

"I just felt like he was mad at us and I was like, 'Man, we need to come out Friday and start all over,'" Castille said. "We already messed up one practice. I just felt like today was a whole waste of time almost. As far as the learning curve, it wasn't a waste of time, but the way we went out and were sluggish ... Like coaches said, our leaders need to step up. You can tell nobody was out there really ready to practice today."

 

Castille was optimistic the team would pick it up in the final six spring practices.

 

"We still got it in us," he said. "We're looking for a good rest of the spring. These six practices we got left, I think we'll be ready for the game."

 

I-back Roy Helu (hamstring) was held out of practice, working the bicycle at times. Chris Brooks was also out.

 

"He's coming. We'll see," Pelini said of Helu, who was injured on Saturday. "It's not a time of year you want to rush him."

 

Perhaps the most interesting news item: Jacob Hickman is working some reps at right guard, with Mike Caputo taking more snaps as the top center. Shawn Watson remarked last week that right guard was a concern. D.J. Jones and Ricky Henry were trying to win the job, but Hickman's move serves as evidence both those guys have a ways to go at this point.

 

"He's playing a little bit of guard. He's still playing some center," Pelini said of Hickman. "We're just moving guys around trying to find the best combination."

 

LINK

 

Bad practices always mean bad performances. Thank God this isn't a practice in the middle of the week in the middle of the season. Rivals.com had a better article on it, so for those of you that have a subscription I recommend checking it out.

[Lava]

Not good at all, but it's not entirely surprising considering it is spring ball after all.

[HuskerJen]

No team can be "on" and have spectacular practices every day...these things happen.

[HuskerTrucker]

This might be a good thing...maybe they need a kick in the ass just to get the intensity level where it should be. I wouldn't be too alarmed as long as it don't become a trend. It also may point to an issue with the coaches, maybe they aren't pushing hard enough or throwing too much all at once at them. I have faith in Bo...we will be okay.

[BIGREDIOWAN]

Well it sucks that they had a bad practice, but all teams have a few bad practices every now and again. Get back at it on Friday boys!

[Oldschool]

I remember reports like this last year...Bo eventually turned things around. It happens, it's just good that Bo recognizes it and is working to correct it.

[SOCALHUSKER]

I'm glad he expects perfection, I wouldn't want a Husker coach thinking any other way.

 

What rubbed me a little bit was Castille in This article stating, 'Man, I don't really want to come to practice.'

 

I know he was referring to being beat up from Sunday's scrimmage and not really feeling 100%, but he doesn't need to say that crap to the media. Sounds a little lacking in the motivation department!! Hopefully Bo is noting comments like this and works to make practice fun and enjoyable yet still intense on the teaching/learning end.

 

Like a few others have stated, not every practice can be perfect. I just hope they don't start having an off practice every week. That could be bad news!!

[BIGREDIOWAN]

I'm glad he expects perfection, I wouldn't want a Husker coach thinking any other way.

 

What rubbed me a little bit was Castille in This article stating, 'Man, I don't really want to come to practice.'

 

I know he was referring to being beat up from Sunday's scrimmage and not really feeling 100%, but he doesn't need to say that crap to the media. Sounds a little lacking in the motivation department!! Hopefully Bo is noting comments like this and works to make practice fun and enjoyable yet still intense on the teaching/learning end.

 

Like a few others have stated, not every practice can be perfect. I just hope they don't start having an off practice every week. That could be bad news!!

Yeah, I read into what Castille said as well and he better hope Bo doesn't know about this. If Bo does Q may be running his arse off for the rest of this spring.

[skersfan]

Personally I think it is coach speak.

 

No team practices every day with 110% tenacity. It just does not happen.

 

He just wanted to motivate them. They are doing fine and the next comment will be how they have improved their drive and motivation.

 

Just words is my guess.

[Hunter94]

i would guess he would be more upset with mental fatigue at this point, than maybe all out effort. when you get physically tired you can lose your mental aspect of the game as well. he is obviously trying to keep game intensity in the practices......hard to do everyday.

[BIGREDIOWAN]

Sounds like practice was much better Friday and Saturday................Link to article on practices

[cornhuskers4ever]

I'm not proud to hear the team is having issues during Spring Practice, but it's nice to not have a Head Coach saying, "We're excellent in all areas".

What matters greatly is that The Coaches can notice mistakes and fix them. After Spring ball, they can work the kinks out before the Fall Season. I'm sure Spring Conditioning will be intense too.