formerfan Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 From:http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_pg=38&u_sid=2009754 Tom Shatel: First downs, second guesses BY TOM SHATEL WORLD-HERALD COLUMNIST First downs and second guesses: Forget Andy Roddick. Has anyone seen Nebraska football's mojo? After rushing for a mere 121 yards against Division I-AA Maine, and failing to try one rush on a first-and-goal at the 2 late in the first half, the last bastion of old-time Nebraska football has apparently left the building. Can the Huskers run the ball when they want to? This may one day be a terrific, lights-out offense to behold. But for now, this offense has no identity. It has no bread-and-butter play. And it's downright sad to see a Nebraska football team unable, or, worse, unwilling, to ram it down a Division I-AA's throat from the 2-yard line. Was there a minute left with no timeouts? Yes. But you have time to run it once, if not twice, and then spike it and chuck it into the end zone. Remember when one rushing attempt used to be enough? Better question: Does coach Bill Callahan trust his offensive line? Bingo. Callahan says his line is fine, and it was off by one or two blocks. That's what a coach is going to say. He is not going to incite a panic by saying his O-line couldn't block Maine. But Callahan's actions, and the line's performance, say otherwise. The Black Bears were blitzing, yes, but they were also beating NU's linemen one-on-one. The sad truth is: NU's line ain't what it used to be. Why? Maintenance. Recruiting. There has been attrition, from Richie Incognito to Ryan Schuler to Jermaine Leslie and Jon Dawson. And now Nebraska is knocking down all sorts of recruiting doors. But one recruiting class won't fix an O-line. It takes awhile, a few seasons. Meanwhile, this line will improve. But does it have a ceiling? We'll find out, next time the Huskers are first-and-goal. • I have no problem with linebacker Steve Octavien being on a punt return team. NU's special teams needed an upgrade. You put your best players out there. Octavien could have had a Maine guy fall on his leg while playing defense. • OK, so I guess Charlie Weis doesn't look like Woody Widenhofer. • After this weekend's games, every game remaining on Nebraska's schedule is winnable. And loseable. • You gotta love Bob Stoops' honesty. He'll tell it to you straight, win or lose. After the TCU loss, Stoops said his team had been outplayed and outcoached and he questioned their dedication. That's refreshing. • By limiting news media access to only two players this season, Texas Tech coach "Mad Mike" Leach has accomplished a brilliant stroke of genius: giving the news media a reason not to go to Lubbock, Texas. Why didn't I think of that? • Miami football has dropped a notch. But against Florida State, the Hurricanes' biggest problem was not recruiting a holder. • Legends should retire on their own terms. Who are we to tell them when to quit? I will remember Jerry Rice for his glory years as a 49er, not hanging on as a Bronco. That said, I'm glad Rice upheld his own high standards and refused to be the fourth receiver in an average Denver offense. Good for you, No. 80. You'll be missed. • The situation in New Orleans is depressing, period. But one of the sad byproducts of the disaster is the loss of the Superdome and probably the Sugar Bowl. There are some great memories in that building. It's where Dean Smith, Joe Paterno and Steve Spurrier won their first national titles. The Big Easy knew how to throw a big event. The Sugar Bowl? It is synonymous with New Orleans. But how can you dare throw millions into a new dome when an entire city must be rebuilt? How can you justify it? You can't. That's why the Saints will likely relocate, possibly to San Antonio or Los Angeles, as will the Sugar Bowl. Look for the Bowl Championship Series commissioners to vote to put the Sugar Bowl in a temporary home like San Antonio or Houston this year. Long term, the game belongs in the south. It's an SEC bowl. I would put it in the Georgia Dome, in Atlanta. Not in Texas. The Sugar Bowl doesn't belong in Texas. • Sorry, Chiefs fans. There are too many questions with injuries (Will Shields, Trent Green), the receiving corps wasn't upgraded and the defense will be better, but not championship level. Looks like a wild-card year. On that note, here are this year's NFL picks, or, again, the absolute opposite of the way things will turn out: AFC division winners: San Diego, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, New England. AFC wild cards: Kansas City, Baltimore. NFC division winners: St. Louis, Minnesota, Atlanta, Philadelphia. NFC wild cards: Arizona, Dallas. Super Bowl: Philadelphia over Indianapolis. Quote Link to comment
BigRedJake Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 It was a good article till he decided to bash my Broncos. Quote Link to comment
Foppa Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Well, at least he basically said the Chefs aren't going anywhere either Quote Link to comment
BigRedJake Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Well, at least he basically said the Chefs aren't going anywhere either Yet he still picks them for the wild card. Has there ever been a more prolificaly underrated team over the years than the Broncos? Quote Link to comment
junior4949 Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 I don't want to get into a "pissing" contest with regards to the Broncos, but when exactly was the last time they won a playoff game? It's been years my friend. Until they can find a field general to lead the offense, it could be many more. I like Shanahan, but he needs a QB. Jake Plummer will not lead the Broncos back to the promised land. He's been in the league long enough to have figured out not to be so wreckless, but he still plays that way. The Broncos have enough of the key ingredients to do great things, but they're still missing a good field general IMHO. Quote Link to comment
indianahusker Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 It was a good article till he decided to bash my Broncos. Amen! Quote Link to comment
BigRedJake Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 I don't want to get into a "pissing" contest with regards to the Broncos, Well, I won't start one. Not in this forum at least. Quote Link to comment
Foppa Posted September 7, 2005 Share Posted September 7, 2005 Wow A Tom Shatel article appears, and NU fans complain about... The Denver Broncos??? Tom really knew how to get himself off the hook on this Huskerboard...distract them with Broncs!!! Nice to see lots of Broncos fans here, though! Quote Link to comment
NamelessHusker Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Shatel is a moron. He knows nothing of the NFL. He should stick to what he is good at and that's stuttering on 1620 the Zone each time he comes on Quote Link to comment
BigRedJake Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 This may one day be a terrific, lights-out offense to behold. But for now, this offense has no identity. It has no bread-and-butter play. And it's downright sad to see a Nebraska football team unable, or, worse, unwilling, to ram it down a Division I-AA's throat from the 2-yard line. and Better question: Does coach Bill Callahan trust his offensive line? Bingo. Callahan says his line is fine, and it was off by one or two blocks. That's what a coach is going to say. He is not going to incite a panic by saying his O-line couldn't block Maine. Could we please get this thread back on topic? If not, does anyone know of a message board where the posters have A CLUE about Husker football? Tools. You mean like you? I guess shouting FREAKING MAINE and complaining about "pumping sunshine" is what we have to aspire to here people. Quote Link to comment
DaveH Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Hey Brian. If you want to know where you post's went check the Woodshed forum. If you're going to troll, leave or be banned. Quote Link to comment
brianf712 Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Hey Brian. If you want to know where you post's went check the Woodshed forum. If you're going to troll, leave or be banned. Adios. You guys are so clueless it ain't even funny. Have fun talking about the Donkeys and Taco Bell. Obviously you have no insight as to the things I highlighted in Shatel's column. PS: You guys are the laughing stock of another message board. Quote Link to comment
NamelessHusker Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Hey Brian. If you want to know where you post's went check the Woodshed forum. If you're going to troll, leave or be banned. Adios. You guys are so clueless it ain't even funny. Have fun talking about the Donkeys and Taco Bell. Obviously you have no insight as to the things I highlighted in Shatel's column. PS: You guys are the laughing stock of another message board. I think you have this board confussed with the Do-we-care.com board. I believe you made a stop to early. That other board is 2 doors down the hall. Once you get there, knock on the door and ask for "original", he's the tall dude with a bald head, can't miss him Quote Link to comment
DaveH Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 PS: You guys are the laughing stock of another message board. OOOH NOOOOZZ!!!1!11! Now that is taken care of, let's get back on topic. No need to feed the trolls. Ego is big enough already. He might not fit his head out the door. Quote Link to comment
StuckinChicago Posted September 8, 2005 Share Posted September 8, 2005 Good, because you just became the laughing stock of ours. The world is better when people laugh. Quote Link to comment
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