Who are we losing this year?

[SouthDakotaHusker]

Sorry, I have not seen a husker roster recently. Who (in terms of starters and significant contributors) are we losing to graduation this spring?

 

Also, last fall we were thin at O-Line and D-backs. What position(s), on paper, does the team look thin at going into next fall?

[chuckd]

Biggest losses are Ross, L. Smith, T. Adams, Ickes, Seppo, Tiedke, both Koch's and Bullocks. There are varous other contributors that will be graduationg but those are the ones that had the most PT.

 

Also CF Thomas and Wali Muhammed are hoping to get another year of eligibility for a medical hardship, if they don't receive one, they are both gone.

 

As far as being thin the o-line is still a question mark, but does have a good amount of potential. The place I think we are most thin is Safety, where we lose both starters. Hopefully between Palmer (JUCO), Shanle, Green, and Brothers - maybe Thenarse or another Freshman - two of those will step up and fill in nicely.

[BigRedDallasTexan]

I still like Souder at strong safety. Seems like he has just the right attitude for the position.

[Roy CO HSKR]

I put this together, so there may be errors. I didn't include any back-ups on rotation or extra DBs for niclke/dime schemes. Astericks are letters earned (2004). Class rank is for eligibility only. What do you think?

 

2006 Beginning Roster (End of 2005 minus Ineligibles)

 

TE (Y):

11 Matt Herian***, 6-5, 240, Sr., Pierce, Neb.

81 Josh Mueller*, 6-5, 265, Jr., Columbus, Neb. (instead of Phillips)

 

LT:

54 Chris Patrick, 6-4, 285, Jr., Ithaca, Mich. -or-

76 Lydon Murtha, 6-7, 315, So., Hutchinson, Minn.

 

LG:

65 Greg Austin**, 6-1, 290, Sr., Cypress, Texas

 

C:

50 Kurt Mann*, 6-4, 290, Sr., Grand Island, Neb.

 

RG:

61 Mike Huff, 6-4, 300, So., Ralston, Neb.

 

RT:

70 Matt Slauson, 6-5, 340, So., Colorado Springs, Colo.

 

WR (X):

87 Nate Swift, 6-2, 195, So., Hutchinson, Minn.

 

WR (Z):

83 Terrence Nunn*, 6-0, 185, Jr., Houston, Texas

 

FB:

41 Dane Todd**, 5-10, 235, Sr., Lincoln, Neb.

 

HB/SPLIT BACK:

20 Marlon Lucky, 6-0, 210, So., North Hollywood, Calif.

 

IB:

34 Cody Glenn, 6-0, 230, So., Rusk Texas

 

Note: these 3 backs I anticipate rotating, so that 2 are on the field together, ala USC.

 

QB:

13 Zac Taylor, 6-2, 210, SR., Norman, Okla.

 

DEFENSE

 

OPEN DE:

44 Jay Moore*, 6-4, 270, Sr., Elkhorn, Neb.

 

LT:

54 Ola Dagundaro, 6-2, 290, Sr., Inglewood, Calif.

 

RT:

94 Barry Cryer, 6-2, 275, Sr., Marrero, La.

 

BASE DE:

90 Adam Carriker**, 6-6, 280, Sr., Kennewick, Wash.

 

Note: I anticipate Turner to be added at times as Rush End/Rush LB. in nickle/dime formations.

 

SAM LB:

34 Stewart Bradley**, 6-4, 240, Sr., Salt Lake City, Utah

 

MIKE:

13 Corey McKeon, 6-1, 225, Jr., Naperville, Ill.

 

WILL LB:

15 Steve Octavien, 6-0, 235, Sr., Naples, Fla.

 

STRONG CB:

2 Cortney Grixby*, 5-9, 165, Jr., Omaha, Neb.(Brothers/Palmer?)

 

FS:

31 Jackson, Leon, 6-2 210 So. Pasco, Wash.

 

SS:

8 Andrew Shanle**, 6-1, 205, Sr., St. Edward, Neb.

 

WEAK CB:

1 Zackary Bowman, 6-2, 190,Sr.,Anchorage,Alaska

 

SPECIALISTS

 

PK:

29 Jordan Congdon, 5-11, 180, So., San Diego, Calif.

 

P:

97 Dan Titchener, 6-0, 195, So., Cheyenne, Wyo.

 

LSNAP:

92 Lane Kelly**, 6-4, 270, Sr., Omaha, Neb.

 

KOR:

30 Tierre Green*, 6-1, 200, Jr., Omaha, Neb.

20 Marlon Lucky, 6-0, 210, So., North Hollywood, Calif.

 

PR:

2 Cortney Grixby, 5-9, 165, Jr., Omaha, Neb.

83 Terrence Nunn*, 6-0, 185, Jr., Houston, Texas

[BigRedDallasTexan]

You may know something that I don't, but I don't see any way that Patrick starts over Murtha.

[NamelessHusker]

You may know something that I don't, but I don't see any way that Patrick starts over Murtha.

Not unless pigs learn to fly

[Roy CO HSKR]

I was only relying on who the coaches started in the last 2 games.

[Bring Out The Gimp]

You may know something that I don't, but I don't see any way that Patrick starts over Murtha.

Patrick probably won't be starting over Murtha...but he is becoming one of my favorite Huskers...

 

If you heard his comments after the Alamo Bowl, they were great. He said something like "Michigan's D Line wasn't very good...I man-handled them the whole game. We ran the ball all over them."

 

I love the confidence/swagger he brings to the game.

[TheKiD]

Nice list, however I anticipate the incoming class to make a pretty big impact. We very well may see that kid out of minnesota (forgot his name.. McNeill?) at TE, Spain may compete for a starting job. Any of the OL guys could emerge as a starter. And obviously in the secondary we have some guys coming in that could make an immediate impact.

 

I'm looking for this off-season to shake some things up quite a bit. I think alot of the new guys will come in wanting to make an immediate impact, which will make for an interesting off-season. But, hopefully the coaches can balance the experience/prospect well.

[hoyamannn]

I don't see mention of probably our best O-lineman coming back next year, Andy Christenson. Probably would have started over Austin this year had he been healthy.

[HuskerInKC16]

I still like Souder at strong safety. Seems like he has just the right attitude for the position.

I am 100% with you on this one, Dallas. Gotta represent Bellevue someway!

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA]

I still like Souder at strong safety.  Seems like he has just the right attitude for the position.

I am 100% with you on this one, Dallas. Gotta represent Bellevue someway!

I hope Souder wins the position. The way he hits teams would fear passing to the middle of the field. We need more guys that bring to wood!

 

Callahan and Coz need to do away with their "soft technique". If a guy is by the sideline hit him rather than trying to push him out of bounds. Too many times the last two years teams have picked up extra yards because of this.

[HANC]

I still like Souder at strong safety.  Seems like he has just the right attitude for the position.

I am 100% with you on this one, Dallas. Gotta represent Bellevue someway!

I hope Souder wins the position. The way he hits teams would fear passing to the middle of the field. We need more guys that bring to wood!

 

Callahan and Coz need to do away with their "soft technique". If a guy is by the sideline hit him rather than trying to push him out of bounds. Too many times the last two years teams have picked up extra yards because of this.

Not to start a "rif" with anyone, but as a football coach (which by no means makes me right), I agree with being agressive and am an avid fan of punishing defenses, but I'm not sure I totally agree with you on the statement above.

 

 

Say NU averages giving up an additional 2 yards/ carry on the sidelines.... This would mean that we would have to do this 7 1/2 plays a game to make up for the distance you are risking for 1 personal foul call. Unless it is to stop an obviously apparent 1st down, you probably want to error on the side of caution.

 

I bet the Michigan DB who smacked Ross out of bounds could probably go back and change that......

 

Too many times, a late hit call either keeps a drive alive, or gives the other team much needed field position or momentum..... I'm sorry, but I will trade a few extra yards here and there (unless the circumstances require...stated above) for a very costly 15 yd. penalty.......... Usually penalties, turnovers, and 3rd down conversions determine the outcome..

[NamelessHusker]

I still like Souder at strong safety.  Seems like he has just the right attitude for the position.

I am 100% with you on this one, Dallas. Gotta represent Bellevue someway!

I hope Souder wins the position. The way he hits teams would fear passing to the middle of the field. We need more guys that bring to wood!

 

Callahan and Coz need to do away with their "soft technique". If a guy is by the sideline hit him rather than trying to push him out of bounds. Too many times the last two years teams have picked up extra yards because of this.

No reason to risk a 15 yard penalty for a late hit out of bounds. That's the sort of stuff you would expect Colorado players to be taught by Barnett. I would rather give up 2,3 yards here and there then start tackling guys and possibly injuring them. Coaches and players are on the sideline and someone standing on the sideline could get injured if you hit the player and he goes flying and hits someone else and knocks them down. I remember last year at one of the Big10 games (not sure which one i was watching) but an Ohio St player was tackled and he went flying out of bounds and knocked a camera man unconscious and they had to take the camera man out on a stretcher.

[BIGREDFAN_in_OMAHA]

I still like Souder at strong safety.  Seems like he has just the right attitude for the position.

I am 100% with you on this one, Dallas. Gotta represent Bellevue someway!

I hope Souder wins the position. The way he hits teams would fear passing to the middle of the field. We need more guys that bring to wood!

 

Callahan and Coz need to do away with their "soft technique". If a guy is by the sideline hit him rather than trying to push him out of bounds. Too many times the last two years teams have picked up extra yards because of this.

No reason to risk a 15 yard penalty for a late hit out of bounds. That's the sort of stuff you would expect Colorado players to be taught by Barnett. I would rather give up 2,3 yards here and there then start tackling guys and possibly injuring them. Coaches and players are on the sideline and someone standing on the sideline could get injured if you hit the player and he goes flying and hits someone else and knocks them down. I remember last year at one of the Big10 games (not sure which one i was watching) but an Ohio St player was tackled and he went flying out of bounds and knocked a camera man unconscious and they had to take the camera man out on a stretcher.

No mention was made of hitting anyone while out of bounds. The players should know where the sidelines are. The first time I saw mention of the "soft technique" was on the Coach Callahan Show in the recap of the 2004 Pittsburgh game. Their QB hits the WR for what should have only been about a 15 yeard gain but when Josh Bullocks tried to push the guy out of bounds he didn't do it hard enough. The WR kept his balance and ran down the sideline another 20 yards for a TD. That also carries over to the lack of sure tackling in the middle of the field because there have been plenty of whiffs. I'm not for hurting anyone. But the D has to be aggressive and work on fundamental tackling. Not putting a shoulder into the guy hoping he'll fall down. If they do continue the "soft technique" then they need to seriously work on it so that it's not "touch football" and make sure the man actually goes out of bounds. Souder should be a good guy to lead by example if given the chance.