HoustonHusker's Son - A Hello and Observations

[DefenderAO]

As the subject says, I'm HoustonHusker's son and long time lurker on this board.  Dad would be as excited as anyone for the return of Frost and the change in direction from the past 15 years.  It's good to finally be a member here.  I wanted to share some of my observations as I've seen what both excellent (1995 being the best) and really poor (too many seasons too recently) look like.

 

Reminder - In '96 Frost led an anemic Cornhusker offense to a whopping 0 points in the 2nd game.  I remember how upset people were afterwards.  Greatness can take a little time.

 

Big Picture:

 

- Despite being 0-2, I'm really excited for the future.  Game 1 against CU taught me strides were made in a short time (Troy was a bit of a regression from game 1), but it will take a while to undue the cultural and brand damage of the last dozen+ years.  Nothing made me more upset than Riley's nonchalance in losing....then hearing they weren't lifting etc validates him needing to be gone.

- Frost is the best chance we have to return as a program.  I'm not saying he's the only coach that could do it, but he's far-and-away the best.  He knows winning football as a player and coach.  He knows what it takes to make this program return to prominence.  I have full confidence we'll get there, though I thought we'd look a little better than we do right now.  Still a lot to be hopeful for...

- I understand some of the frustration, but the full blown "Frost train is derailed" comments are absurd.  Let's give this some time.  I see repeats of past issues with a new staff (mistakes, lack of focus), but Frost is changing an entire culture of defeatism.  I choose to support the longer term than the myopic emotional frustrations of the short term.

 

This Team (Good and Bad mix):

 

- Last Saturday we seemed less fiery and attacking on defense than against CU.  This isn't so much scheme as demeanor.  Not sure what that was.  We are not good enough to not be on fire for every snap; a mix of controlled emotion, confidence, and desperation (difficult to describe what I mean here but the yield is unapologetic energy every snap, Saturdays and in between).  

- Offensively, we obviously could expect a diluted gameplay, or a pivot, for Troy.  Bunch is not Martinez.  I'd rather have Martinez healthy than be 1-1 right now if his health was at risk.  Adrian will be a stud for us

- Mo Barry is a beast.  He's not Terrell Farley or Lavonte disruptive, yet, but I love his hustle and mentality

- Mo Washington is another good one.  He's separated himself from the pack a bit.  I thought Ozigbo took a step back today.  He looks like the #3 to me right now.  I hope that fact fires him up 

- Tyjon and Spielman seem slower than I thought.  I'm watching playmakers in the SEC, remembering those Oregon teams, and these two don't seem very close to those athletes.  I've adjusted expectations for both...

- Speaking of slower, our tempo is slower than those other teams.  Watching a video of UCF's '17 highlights, I'm excited to see the NU version of that.

- Lamar Jackson seems in over his head.  He gets beat very easily.  At some point you can coach and teach, but players have to execute.  They either have the awareness and gifting to do so, or they do not  

- I've never been more concerned about the kicking game as I am for this team

- Our perimeter blocking needs a complete revamp.  I see too many bad angles, out-hustles, and poor execution which should allow runners a crease to push up field.  Our option plays have looked really bad especially.

- I'm a bit surprised a staff from a 13-0 team speaks so highly of the Monday - Fri product but these Saturdays have been a little underwhelming.  I can see an average coach saying "We look good." then losing, but I cannot put my finger on the disconnect.  Frost and co. know what winning ball looks like.  Frost knows athletes, speed, schemes, aggression.  I don't see how the pressers and feelings for this team translate to the Saturday product, yet.  

 

To restate, I'm very excited for the future.  The above observations are not meant to be pessimistic, but it does show me this ship will take some time to turn.  There is no better man at the helm to do it, and I encourage fans to look at the mid and long game and not just focus on a disappointing (with some flashes of really good) start.  I'd rather be 0-2 with Frost than 2-0 with Riley and two blowout wins.  No question.

 

Sorry for the wall of text.  Looking forward to experiencing greatness with you all soon.

 

[grandpasknee]

Very good and in depth first post.  Welcome to the board.  You will probably get a little grief for the post being long, but so it goes.

[GBRFAN]

Solid post - won't quote it because of the length  but want to touch base on the part about disconnect.

 

Change whether physical or mental is easiest when the stakes are the lowest.  My point is that is is easier or more difficult to make change based on the circumstances:

Easiest to Hardest to do activity:

- with no one around

- walk thru

- one on one drill

- team practice

- scrimmage

- game where you are heavy favorite

- game that is coin flip

- championship game

 

So maybe SF and company see a group of guys that are comfortable with the change at level 4 however don't yet have the confidence for 6 or maybe even 5